Here´s to our pets

Kristanna modern AU, one-shot

A little Frozen/Encanto crossover (only a little for the first part )

Going to see the Vet was terrible.

But then, Sven´s paw looked infected and I didn´t like it either. We have moved to Arendelle only recently, and the address of Dr. vet. A. Heart had been the first I had found in the phone book.

So then, we waited, surrounded by other people with their patients.

Across from me sat an old lady with her cat which kept meowing in the most dramatic way in high pitched tones. My ears started hurting, and I wondered why those places would not have separated waiting rooms for the silent animals and the whining ones.

Next to me there sat a little boy with his little Guinea pig. Apparently, the animal had eaten too much, was too fat and the boy cradled the soft fer with his fingers, sweetly whispering to the little Bruno that all would be fine. He explained to me that the other Guinea pig was called Felix and that they loved eating and playing together. Cute. Only then I learned that there were also two hamsters, five rats, a pair of parrots, and a pair of turtles leaving in his room, too. Who was that boy and how big of a room did he live in? But then, with the tender way he cared for his pet, I couldn´t refrain from a smile. Those creatures surely had a good home with that boy.

The young woman on my other side held a cat on her lap, which consistently glared at Sven who laid relaxed to my feet, and totally unimpressed by the hard stare he received from those green slit eyes. The woman was called by the friendly assistant with big glasses who peered through the door. A short while later, the old lady was called in. Maybe it was a sort of cat first-thing. I didn´t know, but it was okay. Since it was all silent now and the boy to my side had started to hum a sweet lullaby to Bruno. The Guinea pig curled its nose and squeaked contentedly to the tune.

Sven stirred a little, sitting up and resting his head on my knees. I cradled his ears fondly and rubbed his back supportively.

"I know buddy. The Vet will soon check your paw, and all will be fine."

"What´s wrong with your dog, Sir?" The boy had stopped singing and looked up to me with those big dark eyes, and his black mob of hair on his head.

"Sven´s paw got hurt by glass because some dumb jerks had crashed beer bottles in the park grass."

I hated those people. Seriously, all of them should get arrested and tightened onto nail beds to experience the pain themselves.

"Oh, that´s awful and I am sorry. Why do people do that at all? That´s such a shame. Get well, Sven, and always watch where you´re going." The boy grimaced sadly and nodded supportively towards my dog.

"Thanks. We will keep that in mind."

The door opened and the kind lady from before peeped in again. To her feet, a little white Jack Russel pranced excitingly and then hopped back to his cushion across the hallway, apparently waiting decently whenever another animal left the waiting room.

"Hey Antonio. You´re next. Who have you brought this time?"

"Hi Mirabel. This is Bruno. I think he ate too much. I hope that Miss Anna can help him."

"Oh, I am sure, she will. Let´s have a look at Bruno then, okay?"

So, his name was Antonio. Cute. And wait, Miss Anna? Who was Miss Anna? The Vet?

Dr. A. Heart is Anna, then? Oh… okay. That Antonio seemed to be sort of daily customer, then? No wonder with the zoo he held at home.

So, Sven and I waited another little while when Miss Mirabel called us to follow her. Sven slightly limped by my feet, and I desperately hoped that Dr. Heart could help his injury. When we left the waiting room, I spotted Antonio in the hallway, next to him a young woman reddish curled hair combed to a wild bun at the back of her head, she had a freckled nose, and blue eyes. Gosh, was this a Vet surgery or a beauty studio?

She had laid a hand on Antonio´s shoulder and smiled warmly, bending down to cradle Bruno´s head.

"Don´t worry, Antonio, you could not know. Those mix-ups sometimes happen in the pet shops. Only, that you will have to give Bruno some other name now, I suppose."

"Oh, that´s easy, she´s Bruna now. And how long will it take for the babies to come out?"

"Not that long. I figure by the end of next month. You just bring her in if you think she´s not feeling well, okay? But she makes a sound and healthy appearance to me."

"Thanks, Miss Anna. Wow! Felix will be happy, too, I am sure."

"I bet, he will." The Vet lady smiled and bit her lips, squeezing the boy´s shoulder.

I should not stare at them. That was simply impolite. But the tender scene had caught me off guard. How sweet was that. And the little Jack Russel crouched to the Vet´s feet, wagging his tail eagerly at her words.

Oh, so the Guinea pig was not Bruno… maybe I should not talk about Bruno… since it was Bruna…. Oh dear…

"Good day, Mr. Bjorgman, I am Anna Heart. And who is that lovely patient?"

"Good day, to you, too. This is Sven." I introduced my dog after lifting him onto the exam table.

"Hi, Sven." The Vet stroked his head with a smile and the Labrador practically threw himself into her arms. What had come over him now? I had never seen him do that before, except… with me. I stared a bit dumbfounded, but the young lady did not seem to mind but hugged him affectionately with a hearty giggle.

"My, you are a stormy fellow. You would get along fine with my Olaf."

"Olaf?"

"My little dog, a Jack Russel. You might have seen him in the hallway? He loves warm hugs like this."

I nodded, glancing over my shoulder at the little imaginary dog behind the door. Dr. Heart grinned so cutely and then tilted her head and took a closer look at Sven.

"So, what´s the matter with Sven. Why have you brought him here?"

And I told her about the glass splitter I had detected and pulled out last night.

Anna Heart frowned, shook her head and sighed in annoyance.

"Seriously! I always get so infuriated when I see broken glass on the road or worse, in the grass where nobody can see it in time. If you ask me, those people should get condemned to dance on glass splitters bare feet, so that they know what it feels like." She huffed angrily and shook her head again.

I could not tell what I must have looked like, but certainly I stared at the woman mouth agape.

Just my words!

"I so agree…" I stammered still and flabbergasted by her impressively enthusiastic outburst, and she then shrugged apologetically, tugging an escaped hairstrand behind her hear.

"Well, I suppose that does not help Sven now. Let´s have a look at that paw."

She carefully checked on his leg downward and examined his injured paw, while the dog eagerly licked her hand. It was fascinating to see her taking care of my buddy in such a concentrating way. She must take her job very serious and after a moment, she nodded with a sigh. She carefully put his paw down and then looked at me with a sincere glance.

"I am afraid it does not look so good. That happened yesterday, you said?"

I nodded, rather worried now. Just then, Mirabel entered the room and stood close by, ready to assist. Anna mentioned some medicine and something about a neck ruff, only to turn back to me.

"It´s good you came here. The wound is already infected, and his leg is warm. Look." She reached for my hand and placed it on Sven´s leg, and now he licked both our hands in turns. He must have enjoyed himself greatly, despite the pain. Such a good boy. And yes, that leg felt warmer than the other. Did the infection reach up that high?

"Beginning of a sepsis. But I can handle that by injecting some antibiotic right now. And you will have to apply a tablet each to his meal twice a day till the end of week. For now, I will tend to the wound with disinfection and small curettage to prevent it from further infection."

Mirabel had returned with some medical material, syringes, bandage, and that dreadful neck ruff to prevent the dog from licking his paw.

Sven was lying on the surgery table, and I held him for comfort, while Dr. Heart tended to her task of cleansing and operating on his wound, with the assistance of Mirabel, who eventually addressed me with a quiet voice.

"Mr. Bjorgam, are you here by car?"

"Yes."

"Can you carry Sven to your car, or shall I call for help? My sister Luisa could bring the dog over for you."

"No, I can do that myself, thanks."

"I thought so." Anna said affirmingly with a sideway wink, fixing the bandage around Sven´s leg. Why would that nonchalant comment make me blush?

"Well then, good boy!"

Oh, she was talking to Sven… obviously when she checked the bandage and his vitality symptoms one last time before Mirabel helped her to fix that nasty collar around his neck.

"Well, Mr. Bjorgman. You must not worry. Sven will be fine, I am sure. Still, if you think there is something wrong, don´t hesitate to call me, alright?" Dr. Heart placed a comforting hand on Sven´s head and gave me a reassuring smile before I picked him up and nestled the now sleepy dog against my chest.

"Thank you. I appreciate your help. Uhm, so, I come back in tomorrow so you can check on the wound again, right?"

"That´s right."

That kind smile… shut it, she´s simply friendly.

I was not the only one with an injured dog. When I left the exam room with Sven in my arms I spotted a tall lady in the hallway, carrying literally a Saint Bernard like he weighted practically nothing. The owner followed her with that worried face. So, that must be the big sister… Luisa?

Wow, that was by far the most interesting Veterinary surgery I had ever seen...

I carefully placed Sven on the backseat of the car and drove home with him.

She had said that she wanted to see him again tomorrow, and if everything was looking better or at least not worse than today, I should come back by the end of the week and then again in a week´s time.

I swear, I don´t like Vets… But why was I feeling disappointed of not being ordered in more often now…? Not that I wanted Sven to be in pain or sick… of course not! I felt so sorry for him… But… Dr. Heart seemed nice and maybe it would do Sven good if she could check on him more than what she had recommended….?

You´re such a moron…

2 weeks later…

"I think we can take this off, now." Anna Heart offered Sven the long-craved freedom for his tongue finding his paw again. He yelped in excitement and wagged his tail fervently, just to prance on the table like a happy puppy.

"Thank you so much. So, when do you need to check on Sven again?"

"Oh, that´s it. He´s fine and we´re done. Unless you detect some irregularities of any kind. You´re always welcome to come in… with your dog I mean."

Luckily, Mirabel had not been in the room. Was I imagining it or was Anna slightly blushing? She bit her lips and then hastily turned to wash her hands while I lifted Sven from the exam table. There was this odd moment of silence, where none of us said a word. Only the elephant of the unspoken question lurked in the corner, glaring at me.

Could I ask her out?

I was about to open my mouth, when the door opened, and Mirabel walked in with the old woman and her whining cat in tow. So, the magical second had puffed off and I nodded my goodbye and tugged at Sven´s leach for us to leave the room.

When Mirabel closed the door, I unobtrusively glanced over my shoulder, and I might have been mistaken but had Anna looked up quickly to smile at me?

You´re still a moron…

I then sat in the car somewhat dumbly… I knew it was silly. We had been to the Vet, not to a date… She had tended to him as a Vet, not like his mom… Even though Anna had inquired after my job and then on some other appointment if I had settled well in Arendelle by now, it had most certainly only been out of sheer politeness. Because she was simply a nice person, a very nice person indeed. Her smiles had appeared so sincere, and here sparkling blue eyes a glimpse of heavenly light. But of course, all that belonged to her completely naturally, not that she would smile at me by purpose, so I assumed. And her hand sometimes reassuringly brushing my wrist while explaining Sven´s state, it must be professional habit. Surely, she was as kind to everybody.

She seemed the kindest soul I had ever met, well, besides my parents and of course, Sven.

Anyway, it was silly of me to think of her in such tender way… yes it was.

So, I started the engine and we drove off towards home, the two of us. Sven seemed to be happy to look around freed of the terrible view blocker. But he was also a sensitive buddy, placing an understanding paw onto my arm.

"Hey buddy. Let´s go home and then to the park, alright?! Just make sure not to trample into some glass, again, will you! Albeit it might be nice to see the Vet, right?!" I laughed meekly, more ashamed of my abusive idea towards my dog, than the stupid notion itself.

It was late afternoon when we headed for the great green gardens at the city´s brim, where one could have a most wonderful view onto the harbour and the great Fjord meandering it´s way beyond the cliffs and towards the northern mountain lands.

Sven clearly enjoyed his liberty and skipped and hopped around like a bouncing ball. Speaking of his favourite toy, I threw his plush carrot for him to catch and apport back to me. We repeated that game several times, only that at one point, the carrot landed behind some big bush and Sven could not find it right away. Just then, a little white dog rushed past the Labrador, with something orange in his mouth. Sven ran after him and when he caught the little rascal, they trolled around as if they knew each other since long. The carrot was the focused topic of their play, and they tossed the toy and pulled at it with eagerly displayed joy. It was funny to watch and for some reason heart-warming.

Who was that little fellow? Oh, was that not….?

And then I heard her voice, would recognise that bell-like sound from miles away.

"Olaf!"

Anna appeared from where the little dog had emerged from a moment ago. When she noticed the Labrador and Jack Russell rolling over the grass with the plushie´s ends each in their mouths, she stopped short and laughed whole heartedly.

I stood a few feet away from her, still not sure what to do, nor what to say in the first place. The dogs were having their fun, and who could deny them their excitement. Only that their master and mistress could hardly act the same way, could they? Goodness!

Oh shit! How could I even think of such nonsense…?

"Oh, now I know why the Labrador looks familiar to me!" Anna had turned around and was looking at me with the cutest grin.

"Yeah… well, looks like you were right. Your Olaf seems to like my Sven."

"No wonder!" She bit her lips and then nodded towards the yiping dogs, "your Sven appears the perfect play buddy."

"Oh, he is."

"What about his master?" Her eyes a sparkling firework.

"What?!"

Now she giggled.

"Sorry. That came out a bit straight I am afraid. What I mean… well… not that you need to roll across the park like that… but… well, maybe…"

"But I can roll with it. That´s what I can do."

"What´s that supposed to mean?"

She now googled me with big eyes, and it was my turn to grin. Well, if she was not sure what to say and still asking me after all if I was a play buddy…, well, at least I could try to help her out. Oh, I wanted to help her out, but not screw it up myself. So, I shrugged and grimaced somewhat helplessly.

"I can roll with it and invite you for diner? But maybe that comes out a bit lame then, doesn´t it?"

"Oh, no! Not at all. I´d love to go out with you."

If that was so… well, was I not a lucky guy… but wait…

"And there is nobody waiting for you, asking why you get home… late?"

"No. Well, my sister Elsa. But she won´t ask."

"Why not?"

"She knows me well. And if she sees me smiling because I spent a nice evening, she will smile back at me. That´s about it."

because I spent a nice evening… Wow….

"How would you know that it will be a nice evening?" I felt my stomach clench nervously.

"Because it´s you who invited me, and…" she shrugged with a shy smile, "I really like the prospect of it."

Time stood still for a tad of a second and we had not been aware that the dogs had come around, sitting side by side, patiently waiting for us with wagging tails, and expectantly tilting their heads.

I knew that look on Sven´s face. And apparently, Olaf seemed to share my buddy´s opinion. Namely, that this was a great idea of mine, and I should pursue my instincts.

"Looks like the dogs are ready." Anna chuckled and attached the leach to Olaf´s neckband, and I did the same with Sven´s.

I could not help but feel a warm sensation when I straightened and noticed her red hair glowing in the light of sunset, and her smile complementing the delightful moment.

I reached out my free arm for her, and she looped her hand in the crook of my elbow. It must have been the golden light of the sun sinking beyond the Fjord´s horizon, but she seemed to beam like a radiating star. I tried to control my elation and nodded towards the harbour.

"Shall we?"