[ 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]

"I think he'd be happy to chase him," Sharon points out. "But hopefully just to play."

She detaches from Bucky's side to go over to the couch, petting along Alpine's back as he looks up at her. "Hi, bud. Feeling okay after your ordeal?"

[nerves_of_ice]

Bucky can hear the little cat's rumbling purr from where he stands, and can't help but grin.

"Sounds like it."

[from_the_outside]

She's careful not to pet over the places where the vet had given the shots and put in the chip, but strokes Alpine's throat until his tips his head up, eyes closing in contentment. "Yeah, I think he's good."

[nerves_of_ice]

He comes to stand by her side, wrapping an arm around her waist, and ruffles the dog's ears.

"I think we all are."

[from_the_outside]

She straightens and leans against him, slipping her own arm around the small of his back. "I think we all deserve to relax for the rest of the day, don't you?"

[nerves_of_ice]

"I agree." He kisses her hair. "Why don't you curl up on the couch and I'll bring in something to drink and maybe some popcorn, and we can put on a movie?"

[from_the_outside]

She looks up with a smile and gives him an affectionate squeeze. "One second. Let me get something from the other room, first. Go get things started, okay?"

[nerves_of_ice]

"Okay," he says, amiably, and looks at Alpine. "Be right back, buddy."

He'll even bring a small bowl of treats to go along with their popcorn. Seems to him that Al deserves them. Hell, he'll bring some for the dog, too.

[from_the_outside]

She heads to the bedroom, then returns again with both purple and green throws in her arms. Heading back to the couch, she arranges the purple and smoke throw at one end of the couch in a comfortable pile, then pats it invitingly as she looks over at the dog. "Come on, it's comfy."

[nerves_of_ice]

The dog doesn't need asking twice. He startles a little mid-leap at the first sounds of popcorn.

The same sound causes Alpine to stir. The cat paces along the back of the couch behind Sharon, stretches, and hops to the floor to go investigate what's going on in the kitchen. Bucky's laughter floats out. "Didn't trust me to bring some for you?"

[from_the_outside]

Sharon sits on the couch, soothing the dog with pats and praises as the popcorn makes spattering sounds in the kitchen. Finally, he looks over at her, then turns around once, twice, three times before lying down with a heavy sigh in a puddle of the blanket and pillowing his head on his paws.

Once he's comfortable, she reaches for the remote, then curls up on the couch with the green throw, making sure there's plenty left for Bucky when he returns.

[nerves_of_ice]

He gives Alpine a few treats in his new feeding spot on the counter, along with a few pets and murmured words. Once's the popcorn's ready, he pours it into a large bowl, uncaps a couple of beers for them, and brings everything back out to rejoin Sharon and their new friend.

[from_the_outside]

She lifts the edge of the green throw for him, then settles it over his lap when he sits down and curls up at his side before accepting a beer. The bowl of popcorn gets nestled cozily between them as she lifts the remote and turns on the tv. "You know what," she murmurs, as they flip through movie options. "This might be one of our best days yet."

[nerves_of_ice]

Gently, he clinks his beer bottle against hers. "Here's to lots more of them."

[from_the_outside]

She taps his bottle and smiles up at him, then settles her head on his shoulder as Alpine curls up next to his hip and the dog starts gently snoring.

"As many as I can get."