Niall paced back and forth in the box, he didn’t like this one bit. Nonah sat happily humming in the corner.

“Will you please sit down, you’re just being silly!” Nonah laughed at him.

Niall kept pacing back and forth trying to think of a way out of this, there had to be another way if only he could think of it. This didn’t have to happen.

“Think man think…you’ve got yourself out of worse. You can do this if you just focus.” He said out loud to himself.

“If you don’t sit down I will make you sit down.” Nonah said adopting a rare serious tone.

Niall stopped and raised an eyebrow looking at Nonah. She held his stare for a few seconds, unwilling to back down. Her frown soon broke and she giggled at him, Niall couldn’t help but laugh in response. He sat down beside her with his back against the wall of the box.

“Why are you so worried? You’ve done this before, it’s not that bad, some of it is quite nice.” Nonah said.

“I’m not worried, it’s just humiliating. The last time nearly ended badly.” He explained.

“You’re a clever man! You know this has to happen…just relax. You can hold my hand if you like.” Nonah said sticking her tongue out after she spoke.

Niall grinned. “No I’ll be ok.”

Niall’s pulse quickened as the box started to rock. It swayed gently for 30 seconds or so before it rocked to a stop. Light filled the box as the lid was lifted off, he shielded his eyes as they adjusted to the light.

“Hey lil guys…” a feminine voice said from above.

Niall lowered his hands and studied the figure above him, she was wearing green scrubs that almost matched her eyes. She had pale skin and bright red hair. She was very pretty and looked to have a nice figure under her scrubs. Had Niall been Titan sized and single he probably would have been all charm but since she was reaching for him with a cold, blue pair of rubber gloves on his charm failed him and he bolted away from her instead.

“Hey back off!” Niall yelled up at the approaching blue mitt as Nonah laughed at him.

It was no use and he was quickly wrapped in the cold, rubbery hand. He felt blood rush to his feet as he was pulled up in front of the pale vet’s face.

“Calm down lil fella. I’m not gonna hurt you.” The vet said as Niall continued to struggle.

Niall looked around as Loona stepped into view.

“Sorry, he gets his own way and doesn’t like this whole…pet thing.” Loona said.

The vet set him down on the cold steel table and picked up Nonah who much more cooperative.

“That’s a pretty dress you have.” The vet said to Nonah before turning to Loona. “You let your pets wear clothes.”

“Ehh they’re not really pets, it’s sorta complicated.” Loona said forcing herself to not sound nervous.

The vet’s eyes widened as she set Nonah down beside Niall. “I…I know you! You’re that journalist who wrote the article on the smart Humans and…and this is the Human girl! Is this him? Is this the Human who’s smarter than a Titan?”

“I am him, yes.” Niall said happy to find himself in more familiar territory. The vet glanced down at him briefly before looking back at Loona.

“He doesn’t look special…” the vet said.

Niall stomped his foot, angry not be addressed directly. “Oi! You can address me directly. I’m not a pet so do not treat me like one.”

Loona and the vet grinned at Niall’s outburst.

“So little guy, what’s two plus two?” The vet asked. Niall didn’t respond, he simply fumed at being patronised.

“Four!” Nonah shouted and smiled.

“Very good! You are clever!” The vet said. “You can have a cookie when we’re done.”

“Yay!” Nonah said hopping up and down.

“Name pi to as many places as you can.” Niall shot back wanting to take charge.

“Ehhh…..three point one four?” The vet asked unsure.

“3.14159265358979323846”Niall rhymed off at the vet.

The vet quickly tapped on her pad and gasped. “Wow…you’re right. You are pretty clever.”

Niall puffed up his chest happy with the recognition. “I could have kept going for another hundred or so places.”

“Alright, alright I get it, you’re smart. But you’ve still come to me because you need my help, what can I do for you?” The vet said to Niall this time.

“Some psychopath fried our chips, we need them either repaired or replaced.” Niall said bluntly.

The vet winced slightly. “Well that’s a bit more complicated than the usual procedure. Those chips are supposed to only go in, not come out. You’ll need a new one.”

Niall sighed. Why couldn’t it be easy? Why was nothing here ever straight forward?

“Very well, you may proceed.” Niall stated flatly.

“Will it hurt?” Nonah cut in.

“It will I’m afraid. I’ll use some numbing gel but there will still be some pain.” The vet said preparing a 10 foot long instrument with a sharp tip.

“It’s ok Nonah.” Niall said wrapping an arm round her. “I’ll go first, you’ll see it’s not sore. I’ll stay with you as well, ok?”

Nonah nodded meekly, Loona stroked her gently trying to keep her calm as the vet approached.

“You’re very sweet looking out for your friend.” The vet said squeezing some gel on to her fingertip. “Take off your top please?”

Niall took his top off and the vet lay a cloth down on the steel surface beside him. “Lie down on your front please.” She asked being unusually courteous with this particular Human. Normally she would just handle them into whatever position she needed them.

Niall lay down on his front and waited a few seconds before he felt the large finger start to rub the cold gel into his upper back, it was tingly for a few seconds and he could almost feel his skin absorb it. There was a wait of a few seconds before a high pitched whining came from behind. Two large fingers pressed down on his arms pinning him to the table.

“I’m sorry but I need you as still as possible, please try not to move.” The vet said.

Niall heard the whining noise get louder and louder until it was on top of him before he felt a sharp pain in his back. He scrunched his eyes together and gnashed his teeth in an attempt not to cry out, he didn’t want to frighten Nonah. He could feel the instrument cutting deeper into his shoulder around the chip, he winced again as it made a turn and moved across his back. He knew now why the vet was holding him in place, he had to fight his instinct to thrash about and try to get away.

“Almost done, you’re doing really well…” the vet said trying not to sound patronising.

The instrument made another turn and went up his back. He kept his teeth together and groaned involuntarily. If this was with the numbing agent he wondered what it would be like without it. His arms were trying to thrash but the vet increased the pressure keeping him in place.

The whining stopped and then he felt a pinch.

“Got it!” she said.

There was a buzzing noise and then the pain started to die away, his shoulder stiffened and he gradually started to feel better. The buzzing continued for a minute before it stopped.

“There we go, that’s you. All done!” The vet said. “You did very well. Smart and tough!”

Niall pushed himself up as the vet lifted her fingers from his arms. His shoulder felt stiff and was still slightly sore but he could live with it.

“Nonah…your turn.” The vet said.

Nonah tried to step back but Loona’s fingers were behind her, stroking her and holding her in place. Niall walked over to Nonah and took her hand in his.

“It’s ok, I’ll stay with you. I know you’re tough Nonah. It’ll be ok.” Niall said reassuring her.

Loona smiled down at Niall, she wanted to hold Nonah’s hand but she knew the vet would need space. She was glad Niall was being less standoffish and more caring than normal.

Niall led Nonah over to the cloth and she lay down. She pulled her dress down over her body, Niall looked away as she did. Nonah lay back down nervously and Niall held her hand.

“It’ll be ok kid, promise…” Niall said looking into her eyes.

Niall felt Nonah squeeze his hand tightly as the vet turned rubbed the cold numbing gel into her back and then turned on the instrument. Nonah squeezed tighter still as the whining noise got closer and closer and closer. The vet pinned her arms to her side with her fingers and placed her thumb across Nonah’s bottom, the little girl looked nervous and the vet didn’t want to take any chances.

Nonah cried out in pain as the instrument cut into her back, even with the gel the pain was intense. Loona turned away unable to watch her little friend in pain, she was getting the urge to push the vet off Nonah and cuddle her but she knew it was for Nonah’s own good.

“Shhhhh, it’s ok. I know it’s sore. You’re a big girl, just hold still and it’ll be over in a sec.” Niall said rubbing her hand.

Nonah squealed and scrunched her eyes, the squeal could have shattered wine glasses it was so high.

“It’s ok, you’re nearly there.” Niall continued stroking her hands.

“It really hurts!” Nonah cried.

“I know, she’s nearly done, I’ll get Naskia to give you an entire block of cheese later ok?” Niall said not taking his eyes off hers for a second.

Nonah simply nodded. The whining stopped and the vet replaced the chip with a new one before using a regenerator to start the skin healing. Nonah’s brow was sweaty and she was panting heavily as the pain started to ease.

“You’re all done, you did great.” Niall smiled at her.

“Exactly what he said.” The vet added as she finished up. “Now is there anything else you guys need?”

“Can you give Nonah a quick checkup?” Loona said.

“Not a problem and the little guy?” The vet said without looking down.

“I’m fine thanks; I’ve had all the probing I can stand for one day!” Niall called back as Loona looked down at him.

“Sorry Niall, just in case!” Loona grinned.

No sooner had Loona replied Niall found himself pinned by a large, blue wrapped finger. “It’s ok, no more pain, even clever Humans need a check-up.”

Niall felt something cold and metallic on his back, he squirmed and fought back as hard as he could. He was livid, both women had deliberately ignored his instructions and he suddenly felt like he did when Naskia had first told him he was nothing but a pet.

“Get off me!” he screamed.

“Hey!” the ginger vet said bending down and looking him in the eye. “This will only take a second if you keep still. I’m checking your body for any signs of abnormalities ok? This is for your benefit so stop being a pain. Do you want me to treat you like a treat the other unruly Humans?”

Niall stopped squirming. “If this is you being nice then you have a terrible bedside manner.”

Niall didn’t see but the vet smiled and laughed to herself at Niall’s joke. He was pinned for a few more seconds before the cold object disappeared and she lifted her finger off him.

“There! No sign of any tumours, cysts, infections or disease, a clean bill of health.” The vet said. “And now for the lady.”

Nonah was gently picked up and stayed still as the vet pressed a metallic object into her back and read over data on her pad. She nodded as she scrolled through the data. Nonah giggled as the cold object tracked down her back.

“She looks good, optimal breeding age now. Do you plan to mate her? We can start her on a fertilisation course to improve the chances of a successful pregnancy.” The vet said setting Nonah down.

“Ehhh…no thanks, I don’t think Nonah’s quite grown up enough for babies of her own.” Loona said, wary of the death glares she was getting from the angry Niall.

Niall watched as the vet disappeared to the other side of the room and pulled her gloves off. She picked up two plastic containers, each about 7 feet long and dropped a tablet in before filling them with warm water and bringing them over to the table.

“Now just a quick nutrient bath and you’re done.” The vet said.

Nonah quickly pulled her dress over her head and hopped into the warm, green water. She remembered these baths. It made her skin glow and she felt amazing when she was in it and felt younger and better after she got out. Niall eyed her happily lying in the water but decided stripping naked in front of a friend and a stranger was not for him.

“No thanks, I’m good.” Niall said picking up his t-shirt and pulling it on to his arms to highlight his point.

He felt the t-shirt disappear off his arms as he pulled it over his head and looked up to see the vet holding it.

“You’re just going to keep fighting me aren’t you?” She said.

“Look Miss, I appreciate the concern but you already checked me out. I’m done.” He responded still not ready to give up.

The vet sighed. “You were so good with the chip and helping your friend. Now you can get in the bath yourself or I’ll put you in the bath.”

Niall crossed his arms and didn’t move; he hoped Loona might step in on his behalf, it was his only real way out. It didn’t happen, the vet’s long slender fingers grabbed him around the waist and she used the pinky from her other hand to pull down his trousers. Niall was furious, he’d been cut open and then forced to endure an examination he didn’t want. He tried to push her fingers off but each one was as big as he was and many times stronger. His instincts took over and he did the only thing he could and bent over and sank his teeth into her finger around his waist.

“Ow!” the red head cried as she automatically pulled her hand back. “He bit me!”

Niall quickly pulled his trousers up before Loona could look down at him.

“Niall! C’mon you’re better than this! You don’t bite people, you say you’re not an animal, don’t act like one.” Loona scolded him.

“I’m sorry…I don’t know what came over me!” Niall turned to the vet who looked rather annoyed. “I really am sorry. I’m not an animal like you say but you are both treating me like one.”

“I thought for someone who’s supposed to be a genius you’d realise this is for your own good.” The vet said.

“You didn’t give me a choice did you? You ignored what I wanted and didn’t even explain what the exam was before you did it or what that bath even is.” Niall went on. “Would you do anything to a Titan patient without their express consent?”

“No but you’re not in a hospital, you’re in a veterinarian’s surgery aren’t you, you’re not a Titan.” She chided.

“It’s all the same, I’m not a Titan so I should do as I’m damned well told? I’m not smart or rational am I? I’m just a dumb animal!” Niall shouted back as Loona watched on with interest.

“You’re not a dumb animal, you’re different…” the vet replied before Niall cut her off.

“Exactly! So please explain what it is you’re doing to ME not to Loona. Then ask ME if it’s ok. It might go a lot easier.” Niall said in his most rational sounding voice.

The redhead looked at him for a second still looking annoyed before her features softened. “Fine…ok. It’s a nutrient bath. Your skin will absorb the nutrients and they will act on your body to keep you younger for longer. Humans only live to about 12 or 13 but these baths will help keep you younger for longer.”

“That wasn’t so hard now was it? I will happily agree to the bath if you would both turn around for a few minutes and give me a bit of privacy.” Niall said.

The vet sighed again and dropped some cloth on the table. “Dry yourselves off when you’re done ok? We’ll be in the corner.”

The vet led Loona into the corner muttering something about “pain in the ass” and Niall walked over to the still warm bath.

“No peeking Nonah.” Niall said and the girl covered her eyes and giggled.

Niall relaxed in the bath for a few minutes, it did feel extremely pleasant and relaxing. Nonah got out and got herself dressed a few minutes before him. She repeated his no peeking remark to him but not without exposing her bottom first. Niall got dried and dressed and called Loona and the vet back over.

“All done?” she asked.

“Yeah! I feel great actually.” Niall said.

“I told you, you just have to trust me.” The vet said.

“Well we both learned a bit today and again, sorry for biting you.” Niall said as Loona picked him up and set him in the box.

The vet laughed. “It’s not the first time I’ve been bitten, probably won’t be the last either. Good luck Niall, I hope you get what you’re after.”

“Thank you Dr” he said

Nonah soon followed Niall into the box holding some things in her hands and the lid came on blocking out the light.

“I’m really sorry about him, he can be a bit of a pain if he thinks he’s being mistreated.” Loona said picking up the box.

The red head smiled as she finished some notes on her pad. “It’s no problem, I can see why he got upset. Who is his chip being registered to?”

“Miss Naskia Bass, she’s registered as his owner….”

“Oh so that’s the girl then? I think she was a friend of one of my old classmates. I hear she’s really clever.” The vet replied as she registered the chips. “Well that’s you. They’re registered now and will be working in a few hours.”

“Thank you very much Dr…..sorry I didn’t catch your name.” Loona said.

“It’s Pria, Dr Pria. But you can just call me Brinn.” The vet said.

Loona smiled. “Thanks Brinn. G’bye.”

“See you next time.” Brinn said.

Nonah beamed as she sat in the quiet dark box. She could not stop looking at her sticker. It was gold and it glowed in the dark.

“I didn’t get a smelly sticker.” Niall huffed.

“It’s because you were a grump!” Nonah spoke mater-of-factly.

“I was not!” Niall Barked.

Nonah giggled and took another bite of her cookie. It was bland and plane like normal human food, not sweet and delicious like the honey ones Naskia gave her but it was all the more delicious because Niall didn’t have one.

“I didn’t get a cookie either.” He pouted.

“It’s because you bit the nice vet lady.” She pointed out.

“She tried to strip me!” He grumbled.

“She was just trying make you feel better” Nonah’s voice was mocking and condescending.

Niall crossed his arms and turned away from Nonah. “Still didn’t get a damn cookie….”