Author's Note: This story is a work in progress and more details will be added to the chapters as more time allows. Please feel free to comment or PM me with any ideas or opinions.
It has been over a year since the nighthowlers incident and since then it seems that Zootopia has gotten back to it's usual hustle and bustle. With the inclusion of new ordnances it seems that the past strife between predators and prey is dissipating.
Smiling as he looks around his new back yard Nick admires all he has worked for. Standing on the green plush lawn of his new back yard he couldn't help but crack a smile seeing the small yard to his new house. Working for the ZPD has greatly increased his finances so no longer was he stuck living underneath a bridge or couch surfing when the weather was bad. Seeing the faces of his guests he couldn't help but be reminded of the changes of the last year, his life seeing to turn around one hundred and eighty degrees. Long gone were the days of hustling people on the streets for enough money for his next meal. Never admitting it the events also seemed to create a change in his character, becoming more upstanding and making exceptions in his past 'Never let them see they get to you' way of life.
Standing before him at his house warming barbeque were some of his closest friends. There was the carefree and excitable Clawhauser sitting at his modest picnic table diving into a plate of snacks, Delgato and Wolford were tossing a football in the yard having a heated debate over sports teams and last but not least there was the small grey rabbit sitting at the picnic table staring at her tablet probably looking at some case files trying to get ahead of the week's work.
Opening the grill checking on the bug burgers and veggie kabobs seeing they still have some time left on them Nick crept over behind the bunny peering over her shoulder his assumptions were correct. On the tablet was a case file of a large and dangerous gang that has seemed to emerge in the city. With a sigh Nick reached over softly sliding the tablet out of her hands.
"Don't you ever turn off Carrots?" Nick chuckled holding the tablet above her head then powering down the tablet.
With a stunned look Judy looked up the tablet just out of her grasp. "I was searching to see if there were any leads we may have missed!" she pleaded trying to reach for the now lifeless device.
"It's your day off." The cheetah said softly through a mouthful of potato salad. Smirking Nick set the tablet down on the table giving her a sly look. "You are off the clock relax for once. I swear you are worse than that bunny that does the battery commercials. Besides, the food is almost ready."
Judy sighed knowing she was out numbered as she slid the tablet back into her bag and walked over to the grill. Looking up at the fox proud of his accomplishments she elbowed him in the ribs. "That was for teasing…Who would have thought that in a year you would have become one of the best officers we have and also buy your own house." She said looking over the grill the smells hitting her nose making her mouth water.
His sly smile fading into something more genuine Nick cleared his throat a little surprised at the compliment. "It's not much, it's a little older and only a two bedroom. This place was built even before Chief Buffalo Butt was born" he said with a chuckle. In truth it was an older home on the outskirts between Sahara Square and the Rainforest District. Located in one of the lower class areas the outside seemed to be in need of some repair with older peeling paint and the inside was livable but begging for some TLC and a remodel.
It was then that he felt two small arms wrap around his waist. His body stiff he nervously looked down at the bunny, still not used to being shown much affection. "Yeah but you got it all on your own… and legally" she said with a wink. Letting go Nick felt his heart start to slow down a little.
They all ate and laughed sharing stories until well after sunset. Today was a special day it being the 124th celebration of the war between the predators and prey that nearly destroyed the region many years ago. Everyone was laying down in the yard on blankets waiting for the annual fireworks show. Nick came back from the side yard where he disposed of the trash and took a seat on the bench of his wooden picnic table. In front of him was a large blanket emblazoned with carrots on it. Opening his beer he sat there and took a sip.
Judy was sitting on the blanket her legs pulled up to her chest. All of a sudden a loud boom filled the sky. Moments after the sky erupted in multiple colors. As the fireworks rocketed off into the black abyss of the night sky exploding Nick was a little startled feeling something on his leg. Nearly choking silently on his beer he looked down to see Judy had moved towards him. Her back pressed against his legs.
He couldn't help but admire her as she watched the fireworks in astonishment. Deep down Nick felt a feeling rise up when he looked over Judy that he could not quite place. As the fireworks went on he seemed to care less and less about the beauty of the explosions, instead looking at the bunny who was now cuddled into his leg.
As the fireworks ended everyone took their leave and Nick headed inside his house tired and slightly tipsy from the beers that were drunk that day. Feeling his phone vibrate he smiled seeing he had received a message. Opening it he noticed it only read one sentence. 'Tonight was an amazing night, thank you Nick – Carrots'. Little did they know this night was going to have a heated twist to it.
So the first chapter is done! Please comment and tell me what you think!