[ 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]

"Us, too." She makes her way back over to Bucky, standing close to his side in the hopes that her being near will help alleviate his anxiety. "So, will he be getting any shots today?"

[nerves_of_ice]

“I’d recommend it,” the doctor says, and Bucky tenses like spring steel. “You’d said when you called that he was feral before? At least the core vaccines, and some blood work to make sure he’s not picked up anything.”

“It won’t hurt him, will it?” The question bursts out of him.

[from_the_outside]

She puts a comforting hand at Bucky's back as the vet shakes her head, sympathetic. "No," she promises. "A little pinch, that's all. And then he'll be protected, and we'll have an idea if there's anything he'd picked up that could cause problems later."

[nerves_of_ice]

"Okay," he murmurs, as Alpine wiggles free of the tech and comes over to butt his head against Bucky's hand, clearly picking up on his stress. He strokes his hand over the little cat's back and scratches him under the chin. "Okay. Let's do it."

[from_the_outside]

"We'll do those last," the vet promises. "And get all the rest out of the way first."

She reaches with gentle but implacable hands for Alpine, drawing him back to the middle of the exam table, and continues by pushing up his lip to study his teeth. "Teeth and mouth look good."

[nerves_of_ice]

Alpine wiggles and makes a discontented squeaking sound, but otherwise seems resigned to his fate. Bucky's far less resigned, but it helps that the little cat isn't struggling - and that Sharon's got a comforting hand on his back in support.

"We haven't noticed anything wrong with him, or anything like that."

[from_the_outside]

"I'm glad to hear it." Kendall continues her exam, gently palpating Alpine's torso as Sharon runs her hand up and down Bucky's back as comfortingly as she can. "Well, he certainly looks very healthy. Good weight, good muscle mass... how's he eating? Anything unusual with his litter habits?"

"He eats great, and no," Sharon reports. "He's pretty playful, too."

[nerves_of_ice]

"Lots of energy, but nothing destructive," Bucky reports. "He's a good little guy."

"It's obvious you two are taking good care of him," the vet says cheerfully. "Have you thought about neutering yet?"

He has to stop himself from reaching to grab Alpine away from her. "Not right now."

[from_the_outside]

"I'd advise it before he gets too much older," the vet tells them. "You don't want him to start spraying inside. Even neutering might not stop that habit, once it starts."

Sharon grimaces, then nods. "We'll talk about it," she promises.

[nerves_of_ice]

He's pretty sure his expression shows just how little he wants to talk about it, but he stays quiet. It's probably for the best, he understands that, but it just makes him feel uncomfortable as hell.

"I'll give you a pamphlet," Kendall promises. "It's very safe, and he won't miss anything. I can also answer any questions, when you're ready."

[from_the_outside]

"Thanks," Sharon tells her, and the vet nods, then turns to stroke Alpine, smiling. "Ready for your shots, big guy?"

True to her word, the shots seem hardly noticeable; she pinches up his scruff and inserts the needle, cooing and stroking Alpine the whole time.

[nerves_of_ice]

"Good job, buddy," Bucky murmurs, relaxing a little. "That's not so bad, huh?"

"Not at all," Kendall promises. "The blood draw's just as easy. Given how wiggly he is, though, I'll burrito him."

Bucky blinks. "You'll do what now?"

[from_the_outside]

The vet chuckles, reaching for a large, soft cloth. "Burrito," she repeats. "I'll wrap him up, just so he doesn't hurt himself or me while we're drawing blood. He should be perfectly comfortable."

[nerves_of_ice]

"Okay," Bucky says, dubious, but it doesn't take long for the vet to demonstrate her point. Alpine even seems to like it, snuggling down into the cloth.

[from_the_outside]

Sharon chuckles as Alpine looks around the room, apparently uncaring while the vet draws a few samples of his blood. "Pretty effective."

[nerves_of_ice]

"I guess nothing interferes with his curiosity," Bucky observes, amused now.

"He's a saint compared to some of my patients," the vet agrees. "I'll just place the chip and we'll be all set."

[from_the_outside]

"He's doing great," Sharon agrees. Whether she means Alpine or Bucky is left up for debate. "Have you been practicing here long?"

[nerves_of_ice]

"Almost seven years," she says, as she opens the chip pack and gets a large needle, which Bucky eyes with misgiving. "We've seen a lot of changes in the neighborhood, of course, but it's a nice place to be."

[from_the_outside]

"I didn't realize you had adoptions, too." She watches as the vet deftly slips the needle beneath Alpine's fur to place the chip. "There must be a lot of strays out there."

[nerves_of_ice]

"There are. The Blip was hard on animals, too. So we do what we can to help out." She rubs Alpine's ears. "Just a little sting," she reassures him, and depresses the plunger.

Alpine lets out a sharp yowl and flattens his ears. Bucky reaches for him.

[from_the_outside]

"It's okay," Sharon says, quickly, though whether she's talking to Alpine or Bucky even she doesn't know. "Bucky, let her finish up."

[nerves_of_ice]

"It's in," the vet assures them, all three. "You can hold him while I get the scanner to check the placement."

Bucky scoops Alpine into his arms, wrapping and all, and cradles him close, but the little cat doesn't seem troubled beyond the loud yell. He rests his chin on Bucky's forearm and watches them all with bright eyes.

[from_the_outside]

Sharon reaches up to rub her fingers gently over the little cat's forehead, stroking his fur. "You did so good," she praises. "Good job, Alpine. Almost done."

[nerves_of_ice]

"That's it, buddy. Sharon's right, you're doing great," Bucky murmurs, and holds still as Dr. Kendall runs the scanner over Alpine's shoulders. It beeps obligingly and she turns it so they can see. "All set." She hands the packaging to Sharon. "Make sure to register that online, and we've got a vet's registration here too, so he'll be doubly protected."

[from_the_outside]

"Thanks." She takes the packaging and tucks it into the tote she's started carrying once more, then looks back at the vet. "All set for today?"

"All set. The girl at the desk will take care of checking you out," the vet tells them, before smiling at Alpine. "See you next time, Alpine."