[ 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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[from_the_outside]

"What?" she says, again, as he leans down to pet the pit bull, who wags his tail mightily at the attention.

As it sinks in, a disbelieving smile breaks over her face. "Really?"

[nerves_of_ice]

That smile’s like sunshine filling up the room. Bucky grins back at her and straightens, then takes a leash from his pocket and holds it out to her.

“Put that on him, and we’ll take him home.”

[from_the_outside]

She feels like she's in a dream as she takes the leash and leans down to snap it onto the dog's collar, before she looks back at him, uncertain.

"What about Alpine? Will he be okay with it?"

[nerves_of_ice]

“We’ll have to find out. That’s part of why I asked for a two-week trial,” Bucky explains. “But he sure doesn’t seem scared being around dogs, so I figure that’s a good sign.”

As if the sound of his name has caught his attention, Alpine rolls over on his back in his carrier and yawns, stretching out his front paws as he blinks sleepily up at them.

[from_the_outside]

That's good enough for her. She crouches in front of the pit bull and runs her hands over his sleek head. "You want to come home with us?" she asks, smiling.

The dog wiggles and tries to lick her face, and Sharon laughs. "I'll take that as a yes."

[nerves_of_ice]

“Looks like a yes to me,” he agrees. Bucky tips his head back in a nod of thanks to the tech and the volunteer.

[from_the_outside]

She gets up, keeping the leash in her hand as the volunteer opens the gate and lets them out. The pit bull, confused but content to go along, trots at her side as she looks up at Bucky. "Does he have a name?"

[nerves_of_ice]

“Not yet.” He holds the door to the practice so they can step out into the street. “But I bet you can fix that.”

[from_the_outside]

"We'll come up with a good one," she promises the dog, before looking at Bucky with shining eyes. "What on earth brought this on? You've never mentioned wanting a dog before."

[nerves_of_ice]

“That’s because I haven’t, especially.” He smiles at her. “But you do.”

[from_the_outside]

She reaches with her free hand to tangle her fingers with his as she smiles up at him. "Have I mentioned yet today how much I love you?"

[nerves_of_ice]

He squeezes her hand and leans over to give her a quick kiss, heedless if anyone around them. “I love you too.”

[from_the_outside]

"You must, if you're willing to get me a puppy," she laughs. "Even my parents never did that."

She looks down at the gray pit bull trotting by her side and smiles. "He really does seem like a good dog, doesn't he?"

[nerves_of_ice]

“I do, and he does.” Bucky glances down at the cat carrier. “Hopefully Alpine thinks so too. It won’t take too long to find out.”

[from_the_outside]

"I hope so. Alpine has dibs, after all."

No matter how much she's already lost her heart to this sleek newcomer. Is this how Bucky felt when he found Alpine, all those weeks ago? "I guess that pack is some supplies, right?"

[nerves_of_ice]

“Right. Food, a brush, that kind of thing.” He turns down the street toward home.

“We’ll introduce them carefully. It’ll work out, I’m sure of it.”

It better, as far as he’s concerned.

[from_the_outside]

The little pit keeps pace beside her, looking around with interest, his tag wagging jauntily as they turn onto their street. "At least we know he's been around cats already," she points out. "I'm sure the vet would have mentioned something if he were bad with them."

[nerves_of_ice]

“I’d hope so,” he drawls. “But no, they said he was sweet-natured, so hopefully that’ll help.”

He climbs their stairs to the front door and unlocks it, standing to the side so they can go in. In the carrier, Alpine meows loudly, demanding release.

[from_the_outside]

The dog looks up at Sharon as she starts leading him to the stairs, and she gives him a little tug, coaxing. "Come on," she tells him. "It's nice inside, I promise. You're about to have way more space."

[nerves_of_ice]

“Just a minute or two longer, buddy,” Bucky tells the little cat, cradling the carrier against him. “Let them go in first, okay!”

[from_the_outside]

The pit only hesitates a moment longer, then goes trotting up the steps and into the apartment, his nails clicking on the hardwood flooring and his tail going like a fan as he sniffs back and forth, nose to the ground.

Sharon's laugh floats back out through the open door. "So far so good."

[nerves_of_ice]

“Okay, here we go,” Bucky calls. He brings Alpine inside, shutting the door behind him, and puts the carrier on top of the piano before he opens it.

Alpine comes prowling out, spots the dog, and freezes. “It’s okay, buddy,” Bucky murmurs. “This is a new friend.”

[from_the_outside]

Alpine, wholly nonplussed, doesn't move at all – not until the pit, his ears perked up and tail wagging, takes a few steps forward. That's a bridge too far for Alpine, who opens his mouth wide and hisses in warning.

The pit, startled, backs up and stumbles over his own paws as Sharon chuckles. "Looks like somebody's establishing the pecking order right off the bat."

[nerves_of_ice]

Bucky grins, surprised and somehow delighted, but keeps his tone soothing. “It’s okay, Al. It’s okay.”

He sets his hand flat on the piano, offering.

[from_the_outside]

Alpine, seeing his chance, makes for Bucky's arm and climbs up to his shoulder, far out of reach. The pit, glum, sits on his haunches and whines up at him, but Alpine only sits on Bucky's shoulder and licks at a paw, superior.

Sharon laughs and kneels next to the pit. "Can't get up there, can you?"