[ Brooklyn ] a visit to the vet

[from_the_outside]

Getting Bucky to agree to the chip had been like pulling teeth, but he'd eventually given in. Neutering had been a whole other conversation, and she's still not sure he's totally on board with the idea. 

But agree to the chip he had, and an appointment had been made, and now she's waiting by the door of the apartment, checking the time as Bucky wrangles an unsuspecting Alpine. "Baby, do you need some help getting him in the carrier? We've got to get going."

Picking the vet had been a whole other adventure, but they'd finally settled on one nearby that had glowing reviews from multiple pet owners. Still, she thinks Bucky's more nervous about the whole idea than Alpine himself.

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[nerves_of_ice]

He takes a careful seat on the couch as Sharon and the dog leave the main room, then holds his hand up to Alpine - the one he'd been petting the dog with.

Alpine sniffs his fingers, then starts going over every inch of his hand, sniffing thoroughly. Amused, Bucky tolerates it for a couple of minutes.

When the little cat stops to nudge his head against Bucky's jaw with a quizzical sound, Bucky scoops him up and sets him in his lap, petting him in the way he likes. "There you go, buddy. Confusing day, huh? You're fine. You're safe, we're here."

[from_the_outside]

Sharon leans onto the passthrough, arms folded, and smiles over at them.

"How's he doing?"

[nerves_of_ice]

Bucky grins back at her. "He's good. Just a little confused and trying to figure things out, I think, but look."

He hasn't stopped petting the white cat, who's curled up under his hand in a comfortable ball now.

[from_the_outside]

"He looks pretty relaxed," she observes, smiling at the way the little cat stays curled on Bucky's lap. "He can always have some alone time in the bedroom, if he needs."

[nerves_of_ice]

He chuckles. "I think he's curious enough to want to be where the action is. Just tired."

He tips his head a little to the side, trying to catch a glimpse of the dog. "How's the new guy doing in there?"

[from_the_outside]

She looks over at the dog, now back at the water bowl. "Good. I guess he was thirsty from all that running around earlier."

With a little luck, he'll be so tired out from the excitement of the day that he'll crash, and they'll have a little time to figure out a bed for him.

[nerves_of_ice]

"He's had a busy day too," Bucky laughs.

[from_the_outside]

"It's been a big day for all of us."

She comes out of the kitchen, leaving the dog to his food, and comes to sit next to him on the couch, then leans to kiss his cheek. "You're extremely good to me, you know that?"

[nerves_of_ice]

He puts his arm around her shoulders and draws her in. "You deserve nothing less."

Alpine rolls over and stretches out to his full length, putting two paws on Sharon's leg.

[from_the_outside]

"Sweetheart," she murmurs. She curls into his side, reaching to pat Alpine gently.

"I hope you'll forgive me, buddy," she tells him. "I promise I'll always love you, too."

[nerves_of_ice]

He turns his head to kiss her hair, then smiles against it. "Doesn't look like he's holding any grudges."

[from_the_outside]

"Not yet, anyway."

The dog, finished with his meal, comes trotting back around. He looks up at them curiously, then comes to the end of the couch, where Sharon's feet are curled up, and hops up to curl up nearby with a large sigh.

[nerves_of_ice]

He chuckles. “Good thing we got a big couch.”

[from_the_outside]

"I guess so." There's a laugh in her voice as she looks over at the dog, making himself right at home there in the corner of the couch.

"We'll have to get him a bed."

[nerves_of_ice]

“Good idea. He’s too big to sleep at the foot of ours.”

Alpine rolls over again and raises his head to eye the dog.

[from_the_outside]

"Either that or we get a bigger bed," she says, amused. "Although I doubt Alpine will want to share."

[nerves_of_ice]

“Probably not,” he agrees, and watches in interest as Alpine comes to his feet and pads very slowly onto Sharon’s lap, sniffing at the dog again.

[from_the_outside]

She stays still as Alpine comes onto her lap, as the dog lifts his head, his ears perking up. Alpine, meanwhile, slowly crouches, allowing her to gently pet along his back as he studies this new interloper.

[nerves_of_ice]

“There you go, buddy,” Bucky murmurs. “That’s it.”

The dog’s tail thwacks against the couch cushions.

[from_the_outside]

Sharon laughs. "I can see him holding himself back from here," she tells Bucky. "But I think he's learning Alpine can go places he can't."

[nerves_of_ice]

“I’m just glad he hasn’t tried,” Bucky drawls. “He’s a little big for that.”

Alpine stays where he is on Sharon’s lap, allowing himself to be petted while he watches the dog.

[from_the_outside]

The dog reaches his nose forward, snuffling, and for a moment the two of them sniff at each other, before Alpine lifts a paw and whacks it down on the dog's nose.

The pit bull gives a startled whuff and pulls away, blinking in confusion as Sharon laughs.

[nerves_of_ice]

Bucky just sighs. “Made your point yet, Al?”

[from_the_outside]

"Like owner, like cat," Sharon chuckles. "Getting those preliminary strikes in."

[nerves_of_ice]

“We understand each other,” is all he says. “Is his nose scratched?”