[ 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.

Comments

[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?”

[from_the_outside]

"No," she promises. "Alpine didn't have his claws out. It was just a warning bop."

[nerves_of_ice]

“Good.” He looks at the dog. “Good boy, you, for not overreacting, too,” he praises.

[from_the_outside]

The pit bull thumps his tail, a little confused, and licks at his nose before eying Alpine with some trepidation. For his part, Alpine settles down a little more comfortably on Sharon's lap, licking a paw in studied ignorance of any other creature around him.

"I wouldn't want them both to get surprised," Sharon points out. "Maybe we shouldn't throw things for Alpine before they've gotten used to each other."

[nerves_of_ice]

“Or at least not when they’re both around each other. We’ll figure it out. But I think this is probably a good sign.”

He can’t help but be proud of the little cat’s determination, and it shows in his tone.

[from_the_outside]

"Nothing's broken, no one's gotten bitten, and everybody looks comfortable," she agrees, and leans a little more into the curve of his side.

"Honestly, baby, I feel like I'm dreaming."

[nerves_of_ice]

"Nice dreams, I hope," he teases, although gently.

[from_the_outside]

"The best."

Hopefully she won't wake up to a world where none of this happened, but sometimes she still wonders if this is all a dream, and she's still in Madripoor, alone.

[nerves_of_ice]

"Good." He presses another soft kiss to her hair and draws her a little closer against his side.

"I know the feeling."

[from_the_outside]

She sets her head on his shoulder, exhaling in a long, slow breath.

"Sometimes I still think none of this can be real," she murmurs. "It's all too good."

[nerves_of_ice]

"I know that feeling too," he murmurs back. "It doesn't seem possible. Sometimes I wake up thinking I'm just coming out of cryo and I'd imagined everything. But it's real. I promise."

[from_the_outside]

"I'd lose it if I woke up and found myself back in Madripoor."

Completely. Without holding back. It would break her in a way the city itself had never managed. "I never want to see that place ever again."

[nerves_of_ice]

His arm tightens around her. "Never," he echoes, deep and firm. "Never again."

[from_the_outside]

Alpine shifts on her lap as she curls against Bucky, then gets up, stretching, and lightly leaps up to the top of the couch, behind them both, before lying down once more. The pit bull, she notices, is already asleep and doesn't pay either them or the cat any mind.

"Never again," she murmurs. "I'm home now. With you."

[nerves_of_ice]

"With all of us," he says, with a quick smile. "And we're not letting you go."

[from_the_outside]

"Right," she chuckles. "With all of you."

Leaning up, she kisses his cheek, gentle. "I just want you to know how happy I am, baby. You make me so happy."