[ 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]

"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."

[nerves_of_ice]

"It just might take him a bit to get used to the idea that this dog doesn't want to chase or eat him," Bucky agrees.

[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.