Hi! So, I've been a rather inactive author lately, and I'm sorry. I keep moving in and out of random obsessions and it's so frustrating when I can't finish a fanfic! I've been into Zootopia for a while now and I'm starting to feel it fade away and I really don't want it to! I'm gonna need some encouragement to keep this going, whether it be suggestions or just cheering me on because I'm not a naturally motivated person often. Anyways, this is kind of short, it's more of a starting chapter but I hope you like it! Enjoy!

I'm Fine

"Are you okay?"

He must have not heard her, for the fox she was addressing was silent as he continued to clean up the kitchen, "Nick?"

This time, his ear twitched, and she knew that if he didn't answer her this time, than he'd just be ignoring her. To her satisfaction, she received a "Yeah?" from her friend.

"Are you okay?" Judy asked again. Not a second after she asked, Nick replied, "Yep."

A short answer. Short and quick. The tone of his voice didn't defend his claim either. His shoulders seemed tense, too. In fact, all of him seemed so. Nick had been rather stoic since they'd gotten home. As soon as they walked through the door, he'd retreated to his room, not coming out until she sent him a text saying that dinner was ready. He barely talked during dinner either. The most he'd said was when he offered to clean up afterwards. Now Judy was working through some minor case files on her laptop while he tidied up. The feeling of unease spreading through the room never dissipated.

Judy sighed softly and stood up. She joined her partner by the counter and hugged him from the side. "Are you sure you're okay?"

"I'm fine, Carrots." Nick told her, his voice reassuring but his eyes staying fixed in place. "You are not fine, I can tell when you're not."

"I'm okay, Fluff, really." He said with a slight chuckle, as if amused by her concern for him. Judy sighed and leaned against his arm, "I don't like it when you're upset. You always find a way to cheer me up when I'm down, but when you're upset I don't know what to do. I just want to help."

Nick didn't miss a beat. He looked away from the counter and gave the bunny a warm smile. "It's help enough that you find time in your busy schedule to worry about me."

"Of course!" Judy exclaimed, "Nick, you're my partner, best friend, and roommate. Why wouldn't I worry about you?"

The fox studied her, shrugged and rubbed his shoulder, "I don't know, considering you worry about everybody in this city, officer."

"You're worth more to me than some mammal on the streets."

"So if some old lady was getting her purse stolen, but I was hungry, would you rather drive us to the local pizza place?"

"No, you- you know what I mean, Slick." Judy stuttered, not sure if she wanted her partner to take this conversation seriously or not. Nick chuckled and looked at the ceiling with a sigh. "Believe it or not, Carrots, I get stressed out too. True story."
"Are you?"

"A little. Could be better." He looked down and closed his eyes, rubbing his neck. "I guess I'm just better at hiding my stress than you are." Judy's ears tinted pink. She did happen to make it obvious when she was stressed. She'd growl, mutter fake curse words under her breath, pace, drum her foot rapidly, and if she was really stressed, she'd shout, maybe even scream, and sometimes cry. It was always embarrassing when she'd break down in front of Nick. She did love how the moment a sob would escape her throat, he was at her side. What did Nick do when he was stressed? As far as she knew, sit in silence unless he was willing to talk. Which was rather unlikely given his personality.

"Do your shoulders hurt?" Judy asked after watching the fox continuously rub his neck and shoulders. Nick seemed a little caught off guard at the question. "Kinda," he said, "just a little tense. Normally I sleep it off."

"Normally?" Judy echoed.

"Sometimes it either still hurts the next day or gets a bit worse. It's fine, really." Nick reassured.

Judy wasn't having this. She told Nick to come to sit on the couch with her. He obliged, letting her sit next to him until she touched his shoulders. He recoiled, "What are you doing?"

"You're not going to get anywhere with aching muscles, dumb fox." She pointed out, now rubbing his shoulders rhythmically. Nick rolled his eyes with a smile, "Alright, Carrots. I'll let you give me a massage if it'll make you feel better." He said. Judy smiled and said, "I think it will, Nick."

The rabbit wasn't a masseuse, but she was doing alright. She noticed Nick wince in some spots and let out a tiny grunt at others. His back really was tense. When was the last time he really relaxed? Of course, Nick had always seemed laid back, but even Judy knew that the life of a con artist isn't an easy one, especially if they quit to become a cop nonetheless.

Judy noticed every now and then, Nick's ears would twitch. She wasn't making any sound, and if she couldn't hear anything then he certainly shouldn't be able to. She glanced at her partners face. His eyes were closed, making him look vulnerable. Why did she use that term?

Hesitantly, she moved one of her paws up behind one of the fox's ears, worried about the reaction she would receive. When she wouldn't touch him, he moved his head back a bit, welcoming the attention. Judy smiled and rubbed behind his ear, soon doing it to the other as well. Nick let out an "mmm.." in pleasure, and Judy couldn't help but giggle. He whined quietly when she ceased, but it had gotten late and they both needed sleep.

"I'm sorry you weren't feeling good today." Judy said with a smile, "I hope you feel better."

Nick turned and smiled at her, a tired but genuine smile that made Judy's heart skip a beat. "I already do. Thank you." He stood up, shared her one last friendly smile, then glided to his bedroom, "G'night, Carrots."

"Goodnight, Nick." Judy said. She entered her own bedroom next to his and laid on her bed. She sighed deeply, and, for reasons unknown to her, dreamed of Nick gently massaging her when she was upset.