One
5:37
I awoke to the sound of construction equipment chewing away the road outside my apartment. My eyes hurt, and I was thirsty for something cold. My alarm read 5:37, twenty three minutes before it was ordered to go off. Good, that gave me some time to sink back into sleep. I could feel my phone vibrating, still in my pants pocket, which was still on me, as I was probably too tired to take them off last night before bed. I managed to get my shirt off, though. I pulled the damn thing out, as it would bug the hell out of me if I left it any longer. Someone was calling; I tried to let my eyes adjust to the sudden burst of light, until I was able to make out that Bogo was calling. I wondered why at this hour, recalling that my shift starts at seven. I answered.
"Hiya Boss, what up?" I asked drowsily.
"Wilde? Where the hell are you? Hopps has been looking for you, and you haven't been answering her calls." He barked.
Why was Carrots looking for me at this hour? And why wouldn't she just come by my apartment? "Ugh… I'm home…? Why, what's going on?"
Chief was silent for a short bit. "Nick, are you alright? Are you sleeping?"
"Well, at this time of day, most animals are." I chuckled.
"Nick, its noon." He said bluntly.
That startled me, like, a lot. I looked at my alarm clock, still displaying 5:37. Clumsily, I climbed out of my comfy-warm tomb and drew back the blinds at my window. Sure as hell, it looked to be midday. Cars, the construction beavers, and noises all helped build the image of a regular Thursday's noon. "Fuck…" I muttered under my breath. "Hey chief? I thing m alarm clock broke or something, I slept in."
"Dammit, Wilde…" he sighed loudly. "Call your partner, for crying out loud. You have a responsibility to uphold." He hung up.
I cursed under my breath, which i noticed was really warm. Quickly dialing Carrot's number, I hoped out of my clothes and ran to the shower, turning it on, then running back to my dresser to get my uniform while I let the water heat up.
Judy picked up. "Nick, don't tell me you were asleep." She sounded pissed.
"Okay, I won't tell you." I chuckled nervously.
"Nick…" she scolded. "I'll be at your apartment in half an hour, and I swear to god if you aren't ready to go by then."
"Right! Right, okay, I'm sorry!" I pleaded.
"Yeah… you better be." I could tell that even though she was mad at me, she was smiling. Please God let her be smiling. I would never hear the end of it if she was really pissed.
Hanging up, with all pieces of my uniform laying out on my bed, I ran back to the shower and hopped in. the water was scolding hot, just the way I like it. I finished quickly, staying long enough only to get the smell of sweat out of my fur. I turned the flow off, and stepped back out into my bedroom. I hurriedly shoved my uniform on, and while I was still fastening my shirt, I jumped to my kitchen and grabbed an apple out of my fridge. They were months old and mushy, but I didn't care.
I was just about to head back to the bathroom to brush my teeth when I heard the rapping on my door. I opened to reveal my partner, Judy Hopps.
"Morning," I chuckled ironically.
Judy pushed past me, letting herself into my apartment.
"So, why didn't you come by earlier?" I asked.
"Something about how you have yet to give me a key could be it." She smiled.
Oh hell yes, she's smiling, I'm getting off easy. "Hey, sorry about sleeping in, my alarm clock runs off potato energy." I joked.
She laughed, opening my fridge and grabbing an apple. She was cute when she laughed. "Yeah, well, good luck explaining that to Chief Bogo. I'm pretty sure he's still looking for an excuse to turn you into a coat."
I laughed, loving Judy's sense of humor. "I'm glad you aren't too upset about your boss pelting your partner." I choked, as I almost said 'lover.' We weren't, but god did I want us to be. Carrots was so cute, and without her, I would still be sleeping under that bridge pulling cons with Finnick. And sometimes, even worse. For that, I owed her my life.
She nodded, almost taking a bite of her apple before she stopped. "Oh hey, McHorn wanted me to give this to you." She reached into her pocket an extracted a folded blue piece of paper. "I'm not sure what it's about, but her said you were asking for it. I took it hoping it wasn't what I thought it was.
It was.
McHorn's wife was a pretty good artist, so when I vented to the fellow officer how I felt about Judy, he must have told her that I would want to come by for a visit, letting her paint me in the nude as a gift to my partner. The paper had his address and a little doodle of a rhino winking. As tough as McHorn was, he loved to kid around about this kind of stuff. But what I was worried about was that he might not have been joking. I crumpled up the paper and tossed it in the garbage, finally fixing my shirt and tie.
Judy laughed, looking at me with that 'What was that about?' glare. "Okay, well. Are you two alright?"
I struggled for some explanation, or a joke or something besides the truth. That was another thing I loved about Judy. Well, loved most of the time, was how honest she had made me. It was refreshing to be clean like that after being so conniving for most of my life. "He wants me to come by for a drink sometime. I told him I don't drink, but he isn't convinced."
Judy walked back out of the apartment, motioning for me to follow to the car. God, she's cute. "You should be nicer to him. He was one of the first to welcome you to the force, if I need to jog your memory.
"I'm not being mean, I just don't drink, that all." I retorted, staring at her ears. That's something I don't do often, stare at her. Usually we're in public, or can be seen by someone, but in situations like this, where it's just the two of us, and she's not staring back, I find my eyes surveying the entirety of her body. Her legs, back, ears, and yes, her ass, was all so perfect.
"Well, what's the harm in going over for a game of poker or something? Humor him, at the least." She snickered, looking back at me, forcing my eyes to lock with hers.
"Good idea, save for the fact I can't play poker worth a damn, you remember?" I said. A few months ago, Carrots took me back to her hometown for me to meet her parents. When we got there, the first thing her father did was invite me to a game of cards. Which ended with me short eighty bucks, and Judy tall three hundred. Be it luck, or skill, she knew how to play. How to win.
She held her head high. "Well, I could go with you, give you back all the money you lose." She turned again and raised her eyebrows.
That could work out, as if there was the two of us, Mrs. McHorn wouldn't be able to get me into the nude. "You being serious?"
"Hell yeah! Why not?"
I thought for a minute. Pros, I got to spend more time with Judy. Cons, if I got caught alone with either of the rhinos, I would unwillingly dive into a conversation about my genitals… yeah, that was defiantly a good sacrifice for getting to spend more time with my little bunny. "Okay, I'll talk to him. Although I couldn't see her face, I could yet again tell she was smiling.
Judy POV
We finally got down to the car, and climbed in. I was still holding my apple, but I set it down in one of the cup holders. That was a struggle, trying to get out of that hallway with him. Not that I don't like it when he and I were alone, but when I am, I find myself… fantasizing. I would have to walk in front of him just to keep my eyes off of his ass. I knew that just gave him the opportunity to stare at mine, but at least nick doesn't act all awkward when I catch him looking, unlike myself. That was something I needed to work on, staying focused and not getting embarrassed at natural things like that, Regardless of how perfect it looked. I bet it looked even better bare. My visions stopped as Nick stepped in and sat down.
"Alrighty Carrots, what now?" he asked all coolly.
"We're to patrol the entirety of fourteenth street. And then if nothing happens when four hits, were free to sweep anywhere we want." I responded, starting the car.
Nick sighed. "Hey, I really am sorry for sleeping in, I need to find a way to make it up to you."
'You could bend me over and go Wilde' I thought to myself. Why do I think that, especially when he's right next to me. I hoped that the fur on my face was thick enough to hide my blush. "You could buy me a box of doughnuts!" I giggled.
Nick laughed. "You only eat them because you're a cop and you know it."
"Yeah, but hey I'm the smallest officer there. I gotta fin in somehow." I smiled warmly. I love it when he jokes with me.
"Someone as cute as you doesn't need stereotypes to fit in." He flirted. That's something he doesn't do often. Flirt. The last time must have been a few weeks ago. And when he does, it's usually in a joking manner. But recently, I don't think he's joking when he calls me cute. When it's in public, I hate it, it makes me feel weak. But when we're out of view, I loved it for the exact same reason. It made me feel weak, but weak to Nick Wilde.
"Fine, then how about you actually ask McHorn about taking me to a poker game, because I know you're too sneaky and weren't going to." I flirted back. It was rare we spent time together outside work. It made me sad, but it was true. I would love to just go camping with him for a week or two. To sleep under the stars, bathe in a lake, hopefully together…
"Sheesh," He interrupted my day dream. "I'll ask, I'll ask. I actually thing that he would be happy to have us over. He's pretty nice about all that." He reached in the glove box and pulled out his aviator sunglasses. He looked so cute in them, but to my disappointment, he only put them on his collar. "…And a box of doughnuts." He finished.
I felt like hugging him (as well as a few other things) but I was distracted enough. Fourteenth Street was the second longest road in Zootopia, next to Main Street of course. And was home to two large banks, a gun store, lots of pubs and bars, and a Chuck-E-Cheese's. So, as one can guess, it was no stranger to crime. Usually two squad cars patrolled, but on a week day, we needed only one. When we finally arrived, Nick put on his shades.
"Pull over there." He motioned to a bakery.
"Why?" I asked, forcing myself to stay focused on the road, instead of his adorable face.
"I owe you doughnuts? Don't I?" he smiled at me. I got a tiny glimpse of his face, and pushed it back to its side of the car, blushing again.
"Alright, okay, but be quick." I pulled over, allowing his exit. He jumped inside, and a few minutes later, back out, with a large pink box. "Hey Nick, how many is that?" I asked when he pulled himself back inside.
'Twenty Four. A dozen for each of us. Were here till four, right?" He smiled, biting down into a maple bar.
I smiled at him, driving off the curb where I had stopped. It was about one, so we still had a while to go, but I was with my fox, so I didn't care. "Hey how's Fin?" I asked for no real reason.
Nick flared his nostrils, flinching in defense. "Why do you ask?"
"I don't know," I started. "It's just been a while since I saw him." I picked up and bit into a jelly doughnut.
Nick scratched his neck. "I'm not sure, I haven't talked to him in a long time. I'm sure he's doing alright, though."
I nodded. Nick knew I didn't like Finnick, so he hated bringing it up. I knew the two were still friends, so I wouldn't be rude, although I still didn't like it. "Oh. Well, if you do see him, tell him I said hi."
"Sarcastically?" He inquired.
"If you want." I responded, a bit coldly.
"…You know I'm not like him anymore, right?"
"Nick, I know, I'm just worried about you. He's dangerous, and might get hurt someday… and I don't want you to be with him when that happens." I sighed, getting a short bit depressed.
I guess Nick could sense that, so he moved his arm over to my side and rubbed my shoulder. "I understand, but I'm being honest when I say I haven't seen him in a long time." He smiled at me.
I loved it when he smiles like that, I could feel his honesty like a strong heat on my heart. "Thank you." I smiled back.
Unfortunately, Nick withdrew his arm, and picked up another pastry. About an hour and a half later, after more doughnuts, and a conversation about why hip hop isn't what it used to be, we got a call about a robbery at a hotel close by. Nick flicked on the siren and we roared our way down an adjacent street. Eventually, we pulled up next to the Red Lion Hotel, where through a window, I could see a figure waving a knife around. I unholsted my tranquilizer gun, and Nick his Taser, as we rushed inside. Through the doors, a skinny cheetah wearing sweat pants and a beer stained Wife Beater, waving around a butterfly knife at a receptionist sheep.
"Alright, buddy, put the knife down." Nick pointed his Taser at the cat.
The cheetah pivoted quickly to look at us, seemingly surprised. "N-Nicky? Nicky boy, i-is that you?" He stumbled, probably drunk.
"Sonova… Put the knife down Chuck." Nick said firmly.
I looked at Nick through the corners of my eyes, curious, yet knowing, as to how Nick knew this animal.
"Nicky… you don't remember your pal?" the Cheetah asked, dropping the blade. I moved around to his back, grabbed the fallen knife, and began to handcuff him. "You're a cop now? Whoa... heh, this whiskey must be stronger then I thought…" He chuckled.
"Charlie? You have the right to remain silent…" I began, sneaking a glance at Nick. His glasses were off, and he had a upset look on his face. "Everything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be provided for you. Do you understand the rights I have just read to you? With these rights in mind, do you wish to speak to me?" I finished, still staring at Nick.
"Nicky, are you really a cop? Why? I… I don't-" Chuck fumbled over his own words. Nick walked over to the receptionist's desk. As he passed, I looked at him for some kind of a reaction, but he stayed solemn with that disappointed look on his face.
Deciding to stay focused on my job; I led Chuck out to the car and sat him down in the back seat. I opened my computer, and began typing in Chuck's info.
"Nicky… he's… one of you people?" Chuck asked, sounding scared.
I stopped typing. Turning around, I looked him in his eyes. His scared, confused eyes. "Nick is a cop, yes."
"…Why?"
I opened my mouth to tell him that Nick wanted a new life, but I couldn't force myself to say it. All I could speak was; "Well… Because of me…"
He looked back at me. "What do you mean?"
Slowly, I told him the story of how Nick and I met, and how we worked together to stop Mayor Bellwether, along the way becoming best friends. I left out my feelings for Nick, of course, I still didn't even know this animal. And to be honest, I was scared of what he might know about Nick.
I was able to get some basic info from him, like height, weight, and age when Nick walked back out. He wasn't wearing his sunglass, but he was smiling that cocky-laid back smile. That made me less worried, at the least. I headed off for the station the second he stepped in the car.
When we got to the station, Nick escorted Chuck inside, while I finished up the typing on the computer. As long as nick was inside, that gave me some time to wonder what Nick would tell me about Chuck. I knew that we would talk, but I was worried as to what I would learn. This cheetah could be anywhere from not dangerous at all, to some kind of a cult leader. And somehow, Nick was involved.
Half an hour later, Nick walked back out and waved at me. I nervously waved back. He crawled back in and I headed for fourteenth. Again.
"So… who was he?" I asked.
Nick chuckled. "Just some drunk. The receptionist told me he was actually trying to get a room, couldn't pay, and then pulled out his knife."
I was still confused. "How does he know you then? He was depressed at you being a cop…"
"Well, he wasn't always a drunk. He and I used to pull… stunts."
"Stunts?"
He rubbed his ears nervously. "Heh, yeah, I used to jump in front cars as they came by, pretend that they broke my arm, or leg or something, then he would ask the driver for cash, stuff like that. I was worried that he would have started telling the whole lobby about that, and you know, loosen my reputation as a good cop." He looked at me innocently.
I sighed in relief. I was happy he was just a scammer, not a rapist or drug dealer or something. "Oh, okay…"
Nick put his hand back on my shoulder. "Are you mad?"
Nick had told me about all most all of his connections, and about how he and them had pulled scams and cons. He never told me he did stunts, but for some reason (and I blame it on his hand on my shoulder) I wasn't mad. "No, but I do want to know," I began slowly. "Is that all you did? With anybody, I mean. Stunts and scams, just cons? That's all you pulled?"
I waited till I was at stop light to ask that, because it gave me time to scan his face. He smiled at me and nodded. "That's all I did with anybody. Just cons." He rubbed my shoulder some more.
Nick POV
That was a lie. The real reason I was awkward in the hotel lobby was because I was worried Chuck would start yelling about our adventures. He and I pulled more than just broken limb schemes. Chuck and I met when I went to buy catnip off of him. At the same time, I was being trailed by a gang, who was after Chuck and his money. I pushed him out of the way of a bullet, and in turn, he didn't trough me out in the open as a distraction. Afterwards, we formed a sturdy bond. I told Chuck that I would talk to him later this week, if he would just keep silent about us. He agreed.
I hated lying to Judy. Fucking hated it. However, I would damage our friend and partnership if she knew I used to be a pothead. I used to hurt people, not directly, but through my actions, and due to my devious nature. It would hurt her tragically to learn the full story of my past, so that's why I lied. I knew trying to hide the truth would only make things worse, but that was a major part of my plan. To never tell her. If one day we do become a couple, or spouses, or anything else, I would still take my past to my grave.
She smiled and said that she was happy she got to learn more about me. I said I was happy too. At least that wasn't a lie. I pulled out my phone and texted McHorn, asking him if I could swing by tonight at seven. Eventually he responded "Sure thing. Don't bother dressing fancy." With a winking emoji. He didn't know my intentions to bring Carrots he would be awkward and nervous, and that would be the second best part of the night, behind seeing Judy out of uniform. Of course, I would love to see her out of any uniform, but that was for a different time. Hopefully.
"Texting McHorn?" Judy asked.
"Yeah, is tonight at seven okay?" I said, not looking up from my phone.
She laughed. "Hell yeah! Anytime is good to watch you lose in cards!"
I snickered, taking a look at her. "You know, that's no way to treat someone on a first date." I said in a joking manner, hoping to disguise my seriousness.
She blushed. Her fur was a bit too thick to see it, but I could tell from looking at her eyes that she was nervous. "Maybe you should have thought of that before inviting me to a poker game." She joked back. Always quick on her feet, even faster on her mind.
I smiled. Although I woke up late for my second and only chance towards a new life, ate eleven doughnuts and felt sick to my gut, ran into a huge piece of my old soul, and lied to my greatest friend and companion I've ever known, I managed to score a date with Judy Hopps. So yeah, pretty fantastic day, if you ask me.
