[ 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]

"If you're sure," she laughs, then leans up with a mischievous glance to lick his nose.

[nerves_of_ice]

Bucky starts laughing, loud enough that Alpine opens one slitted eye and glares at him from the back of the couch.

[from_the_outside]

"Sorry, Alpine," she says, but she's laughing, too, enough to shake the cushions and wake the pit bull, who gets up and comes awkwardly over, trying to get into their laps. His tail wags, whacking Sharon, as he snuffles up at Bucky, front paws on Bucky's leg.

[nerves_of_ice]

"Hey there, guy," Bucky says, offering his hand for the dog to sniff before he ruffles his ears. He glances up at Sharon. "Thought about a name for him yet?"

[from_the_outside]

"Should we name him before we decide we can keep him?" she asks, uncertain. She strokes the dog's back, gives his hips a few light smacks. It only makes his tag wag harder.

"Once we name him, I'm going to feel like he's really ours."

[nerves_of_ice]

"We need something to call him, don't we?" he counters.

[from_the_outside]

"Can't just call him 'buddy' for two weeks?" she says, but there's less spark to her teasing. She strokes the dog's sleek back, considering.

"There are a few I'm thinking about."

[nerves_of_ice]

"Okay," he murmurs. "When you're ready."

[from_the_outside]

"Okay." She looks up at him with a small smile.

"Anything you're considering?"

[nerves_of_ice]

He shakes his head. "Not yet."

Besides, he has every intention of letting Sharon name the dog, if he can.

[from_the_outside]

The pit reaches up to lick at Bucky's face once more, then gets down off the couch and their laps to go sniffing around as Sharon watches, amused. "We won't even need the tv with these two around," she says, laughing. "Built-in entertainment."

[nerves_of_ice]

"Just wait until they start playing together," he drawls. "They'll wreck the place."

He's not worried about it at all, and it comes through in his voice.

[from_the_outside]

"Not concerned about that?" she asks, laughing. "We'll just have to keep the really breakable stuff packed away."

Like the egg that's still tucked into the guest room closet. "I bet he steals the throws to sleep on."

[nerves_of_ice]

"They're comfortable on the floor, I can vouch for that," he says, unthinking. "No, I'm not worried. As long as they don't smash the glass art."

[from_the_outside]

She curls a little closer, pushing away the thought of Bucky sleeping on the floor, padded and wrapped only in the two throws they'd bought so long ago. "Still, let's make a note of getting him a bed so he doesn't have to steal them."

[nerves_of_ice]

"Probably a good idea," he agrees, and runs his hand up and down her arm to soothe her as much as he can.

[from_the_outside]

She watches as the pit goes exploring around and sets her head on his shoulder. "Forget when they're playing, he's probably going to wreck this place tonight, once we're in bed."

[nerves_of_ice]

"Huh," he says, thoughtfully. "Especially if Alpine's up to his usual midnight mischief."

[from_the_outside]

"Definitely then," she says, amused. "If they're chasing each other around."

[nerves_of_ice]

“Maybe I’ll go ahead and stash the art with the egg,” he decides, and shifts a little, preparing to get up. “Just to be on the safe side.”

[from_the_outside]

She sits up to give him space to move, and the dog comes trotting over, excited at the prospect that something new might happen. "Probably a good idea."

[nerves_of_ice]

He ruffles the dog’s ears and gets to his feet. “Are you going to help, pal?”

Probably the safest place is the guest bedroom closet, he figures, and carefully picks up the glass art.

[from_the_outside]

She's a little wistful as she watches him leave with the glass art – his own, from so long ago in Leipzig and hers from Madripoor – but she has to smile as she watches the dog trot along at his heels. Leaning her head back, she watches Alpine, who slowly blinks golden eyes at her.

"Not so bad, right?" she murmurs. "Gonna let us keep him?"

[nerves_of_ice]

The dog, intrigued by the new space, tries to wiggle past him into the closet but Bucky catches him around the shoulders. “No, big guy, that’s not for you.”

Ecstatic, the dog yelps and tries to pounce on him and tackle him to the ground. The ensuing thud echoes down the hall.

[from_the_outside]

That sound of bodies hitting the floor snaps her up out of her reverie and pulls her to her feet. "Baby?" she calls, already making her way to the guest room. "Everything okay?"