[ 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 most of his playtime lately has been just in that yard for a couple hours a day."

She pushes off the door frame and comes toward them, joining Bucky in patting the dog, who wriggles and pants in delight. "Poor guy, there for a whole month."

[nerves_of_ice]

"I wonder if he likes to run?" He sounds thoughtful. "I could try taking him along on one of my early morning runs. You know, the ones before you wake up."

[from_the_outside]

"Give it a shot," she tells him, ruffling the dog's ears. "He was good on the leash on the way back here. He'd probably like to stretch his legs after being cooped up for so long."

[nerves_of_ice]

"I'll try it tomorrow," he promises her, and looks down at the pit bull. "What do you think, pal? Want to go running with me?"

The dog yips, and he laughs.

[from_the_outside]

"That might almost be worth getting up early for," she laughs. "That'll be good. You can get some alone time with him."

[nerves_of_ice]

"You're welcome to join us," he teases.

[from_the_outside]

"Pass," she says, scrunching up her nose at him. The dog wanders away for a moment, then scratches at the closet door before looking at them with soulful eyes.

Sharon chuckles and reaches for him. "Uh-uh, bud. Not for you."

[nerves_of_ice]

"Nice try," he says, amused, and stands. "I'll go check on Alpine, make sure he's not feeling abandoned or anything." A little sheepishly, he adds, "And that he's doing okay after all that stuff earlier."

[from_the_outside]

She smiles up at him, sympathetic. "He took it like a champ," she tells him. "He did really good, baby. So did you."

[nerves_of_ice]

“I know it was silly to be as nervous as I was. I do,” he admits. “I just…”

He breaks off there and shrugs.

[from_the_outside]

"Hey." She gets up and comes back towards him, reaching to set her hands at his hips. "It's not silly. You want the best for him."

[nerves_of_ice]

“Well, yeah. It’s just…”

He gives her a wry smile. “It’s hard to be poked and prodded when you can’t fight back. That’s all.”

[from_the_outside]

"Yeah." She leans up to kiss him lightly. "But I'm afraid poking and prodding is part of most doctors' visits, vets included."

[nerves_of_ice]

“Doesn’t mean I have to like them.” He shrugs again, then kisses her back.

[from_the_outside]

"You probably won't have to have any," she teases gently against his mouth, tapping his chest with a finger. "It's the rest of us mortals that have to go get our shots.'"

[nerves_of_ice]

“Good point.” He smiles and kisses her again. “I’ll come with you too.”

[from_the_outside]

"Funny as it would be to watch you loom over my poor GP, maybe it'd be better for you to stay home when I have an appointment," she says, amused even as she tips her face up for more kisses.

"Besides, someone will have to stay with Alpine and our new friend."

[nerves_of_ice]

He slips an arm around her waist and pulls her close. “I’ll watch over them when you’re away,” he promises.

[from_the_outside]

Sharon stretches up to put her arms around his neck, as the dog goes trotting past them and back toward the kitchen and his bowl. "What a good pet dad."

[nerves_of_ice]

He laughs. “I don’t know about that. Which reminds me, I was going to check on Alpine. Want to come along, since your pal’s taking off too?”

[from_the_outside]

She smiles and steps back, but keeps hold of his hand. "Where you go, I go, baby. Even if it's just back to the living room."

[nerves_of_ice]

He squeezes her fingers and lifts her hand to press a kiss to her palm, then leads her back down the hallway.

The dog is sitting in front of the couch, tail wagging, looking hopefully at Alpine, who’s curled up in a loaf shape and is watching him back.

[from_the_outside]

She can't help chuckling at the sight. "He really wants to be friends, doesn't he?"

[nerves_of_ice]

“Looks that way. At least Alpine’s not scared,” he says, confidently.

[from_the_outside]

"Alpine was a tough street cat," she says, amused. "I'm sure he can handle one dog."