Nick glanced at his phone to check the time, he noted with annoyance that they were apparently picking "something" up at Judy's place, though she was exceedingly vague as to what that "something" was. He didn't like it when she was vague, it usually meant that she was trying to trick him, and knowing her, she would probably succeed. From past experience he knew that this could easily turn into a series of mind-games and tricks, leading to both of them wasting their lunch break. As they neared the apartment building Nick noticed two rabbits standing in front of the building. He didn't think much of it until they got closer, as they looked oddly similar to Judy. Nick didn't want to say anything especially not 'hey Judy those your parents, not that I think all rabbits look the same...' He really did think that they looked like they might be related, but better safe than sorry.
"Oh good they found the place!" Judy sounded slightly relieved.
"Who found the place?"
"My parents!" Nick grinned a little bit, he should give himself more credit for telling these bunnies apart.
"So uh... Why are they here?"
"We're taking them out to lunch!" Nick rested his head on one paw as he leaned against the door.
"And I got dragged into this how?"
"Oh don't be like that, they'll love you!"
Nick sighed deeply. "Alright fine, but I really don't want to spend my whole lunch break talking about different kinds of carrots." The car, which had been gradually slowing down as it approached the curb now came to a sudden stop, sending Nick into the dashboard before being caught by his seat belt.
"Mom, Dad, get in! There's this great coffee shop that me and Nick go to that I have to show you!" Mr. and Mrs. Hops got into the large police cruiser, each one letting their eye rest for a little too long on the back of Nick's head. Judy's mother was the first to speak up. "So Judy, is this your partner that you wanted us to meet?"
"Well he's not just my partner mom, Nick and I spend a lot of time together outside of work too!" Nick decided that he had to be polite and turned around to say hi to Judy's parents. As he turned to say hello he noticed that they both froze. "Um... Hi! I uh... Really like your guy's blueberry's!" Nick turned back around as quickly as he could. He hated it when other animals got scared of him and froze up like that, it always made him feel exceptionally awkward.
Mrs. Hops was the first to reply. "Oh good... I'm glad that you like them..." With every passing second the tension built until it was denser than a slice of Mrs. hops' carrot cake. Getting the impression that she was standing on the precipice of an infinite tension yawning before her Judy interjected.
"Soooo anyway, this is Nick! He's the guy that helped me save Zootopia. Really, it's more accurate to say that we saved Zootopia."
Mrs. Hops was still letting her eyes bury themselves into the side of Nick's head, observing every movement of his russet profile. The rest of the ride was effectively an infinitely awkward silence that seemed to stretch on for an equivalently infinite amount of time. Fortunately, they arrived at the coffee shop only a few minutes later, though it felt as though eons had passed since Judy and Nick had gone on break.
"Here we are! Nick, can you take my parents inside and get me the usual while I find a spot to park?" Nick's ears flattened against his head, the sole thought in his mind being the ridiculous nature of her request. Turning his head to look at Judy all he saw was an entirely too big to be real smile plastered across her face. Nick knew what this meant, it was her 'please don't argue with me now smile.' Apparently she was attempting to make some sort of point and he was just supposed to go along with it. Resigned to his fate of awkward silence he opened the door and hopped out of the car, moving to open the passenger door. Mr. Hops however beat him to the door saying in a hurried tone.
"No, we're fine, we can get down ourselves."
"Oh, um okay. Anyway, follow me, this place has different entrances for animals of different sizes."
They followed Nick into the coffee shop. Somehow managing to find a distance that was just far enough away that they might not be associated with him, but just close enough that in a normal situation it would be considered awkward. Nick was now dreading this lunch more and more with every passing second. The sooner that they ate and left the sooner he could feel comfortable. Nick was no stranger to discrimination, but he preferred someone being a jerk and being upfront about their prejudice to someone trying to dance around the issue and only succeeding in making everything awkward because of it.
The cheetah barista noticed Nick as soon as he came in, giving him a smile and a slight wave. Nick felt like he was supposed to talk about the food or something, anything really, the coffee shop, himself, Judy, but at this point the only item that came to mind was the place's garden salad. He furiously began mentally kicking himself for being just as bad as those who made assumptions about him. Eventually, they reached the front of the line.
"Hey Nick! The usual?"
"Yup, oh hey also get Judy's usual too please."
"Coffee black, a mocha, two donuts and a salad, got it! Hey did you guys try that fancy restaurant that I told you about?"
"Yeah, it was great! Thanks again for the recommendation!"
"No problem! And for you folks?" Judy's parents were standing there in stunned silence as they stared at Nick. Apparently, the phrase 'fancy restaurant' when associated with their daughter was cause for alarm. Mr. Hops went first.
"I'll um, have the coffee with cream please and a cob salad." Mrs. Hops was next.
"And I'll have an iced tea and some carrot cake please."
"Got it! I'll bring your food out to you in a minute!"
Nick led them over to an empty table and pulled out two chairs for Mr. and Mrs. Hops. Before Nick had even sat down the food and coffee arrived, oh the advantages of a cheetah barista. Taking the lid off of his coffee he carefully blew on it. Nick had always loved the coffee here, ever an escape from his stresses on even the busiest of days. Nick began starring out the window when Mrs. Hops decided to strike up a conversation.
"You know what I was doing when I was Judy's age Nick?"
"No, studying agriculture?" Nick felt a wave of relief wash over him, maybe they really were only to be talking about the joys of carrot farming.
"Uh... No. Actually I was pregnant with Judy."
"Oh, well that's... Interesting..."
"Yes, well as you might know Rabbits tend to have large families, and I expect Judy will be no different."
"Uh, okay... well if that's all..."
"Of course given your situation I expect that you will be adopting." Nick clawed for breath as a doughnut became stubbornly lodged in his throat. Clearing it, he managed a wheezing reply.
"Wait what?"
"Well you two obviously can't have kits and I expect that you will be adopting. Don't worry I understand if you want to go 50/50 on foxes versus bunnies. But you should know that bunnies naturally have larger families than foxes. Not that I am trying to tell you how many foxes you should adopt... "
The rest of her statement was lost as Nick felt tidal waves of embarrassment wash over him, threatening to drown him in its embrace. He felt himself sinking into his chair like a doomed ship as his ears laid flat against his head. Through the window though he caught a glimpse of Judy, his salvation had arrived! Waving frantically through the window he got Judy's attention and in five seconds she had gotten through the front door and was now sitting next to Nick at the table.
"So Judy, why don't you tell your parents about our most recent case?"
"Oh, you haven't?" Judy looked slightly confused, their opening conversation usually consisted of the most interesting cases to date. Thankfully, taking the hint Judy began retelling their most recent case of note while Nick tried to eat his doughnut and not make eye contact with either Mr. or Mrs. Hops, while also trying to not be obvious about avoiding eye contact with them, chiming in only when it was his turn to tell part of the story.
Soon enough lunch was almost over and they would be heading out. Nick could leave this whole uncomfortable situation behind him! His relief was tragically short lived though as Judy turned towards Nick.
"Hey, I need to fluff my tail." Mrs. Hops, mysteriously, also suddenly had a need to visit the bathroom and so stood up with Judy to go and 'fluff their tales.'
Nick sat quietly as he watched Judy and her mother walk away from the table leaving him sitting with the frowning Mr. Hops. Rubbing his eyes and looking down Nick decided to nip the conversation in the bud.
"Look Mr. Hops, I don't know what you and Mrs. Hops are thinking but Judy and I-, "Before he could finish Mr. Hops jumped in.
"Oh don't worry I'm not worried about kids or anything."
"Oh, good cause we're- "
"No, I'm worried you're going to break her sweet little heart!"
"Um... Wait... what?"
"I know your type. Now, I know a fox or two out in the country, but we're all decent folks out there. You're a city fox though and I'd bet my spring harvest that you always have your eye on some other prize!"
"I don't think I understand what you're- "
"Oh yes you do, I know the lingo! You're probably on the lookout for some 'side tail' right now! Can't blame you, this city is chalked full of attractive, vulnerable females! I bet that a guy like you could be seeing three of them at any one time! "
Nick was once again trying to melt into the chair, his ears laid flat against his head. He attempted to drink from his now long empty coffee cup, the hollow hiss a clear indication of its lack of beverage. Mr. Hops was now attempting to look intimidating, sitting up as straight as he could in his chair and raising one paw. Nick might have found it funny if he wasn't so mortified that he was seriously considering running out of the coffee shop.
"I promise you this slick Nick! If I find out that you have hurt my daughter in any way than I'll... I'll... I'll find some way to make you pay!"
"Um... Okay, well uh... Oh hey Judy! Hey, we really have to get that paperwork in order for the Antelope case!"
"Nick that was only a minor- "
"Whoa, look at the time we are going to be late for our shift!" Judy shrugged and decided that Nick really wanted this meeting to be over sooner rather than later.
"Okay, well let's drop my folks off at the Museum and then we'll head back to HQ.
Awesome! Let's go!"
The trip was blissfully short as Judy dropped her parents off before giving them a hug goodbye. Apparently they were going to go sightseeing before catching their train back to Bunnyborough. As Judy gave her mom and dad a hug goodbye her mother looked over her shoulder and gave Nick a knowing wink and a half smile. Judy's father however gave him a hard stare and mouthed the words, 'I'm watching you.' Happy that the longest lunch in the world was now over Nick waited patiently in the car for Judy to take them back to HQ. Judy's attempt at small talk though seemed to only make the scenes from lunch drag on.
"So, what did you and my parents talk about?"
Immediately, having figured that she would ask this, he gave his response. "Carrot farming!" In retrospect it might have seemed a bit odd to shout 'carrot farming' so quickly and so emphatically.
"Uh, huh..."
"Yup, we talked about carrot farming and other farming... Things!"
"Right, so what did you actually talk about?"
"You're not buying the carrot farming bit huh?"
"Nope!"
Nick sighed. "Look, they didn't say anything prejudiced about me if that's what you're worried about. Well maybe just a little, but it's nothing serious! I got the impression that they really care about you though."
"Nick, come on, what did they say?"
"Can, we um talk about this later maybe?" Frowning a little bit Judy decided to let the topic go, she would have to talk to her parents about this some other time. Though, based on Nick's behavior she guessed that they would probably be just as cryptic. A little while later they arrived at police HQ and got ready for a long afternoon of paperwork. Before settling into their offices though Nick reminded Judy of something very important.
"Hey, don't forget that we're having dinner with my mother tonight."
"Oh, right! Hey since we're going to be on that side of town is it okay if I stay at your place tonight?"
"Don't see why not, I stay over your place every other night anyway."
"You just use my apartment because you can't be bothered to wake up early enough to get to the farmer's market from where you live."
Judy gave him a playful jab; she really did like his place a lot better than hers. Earning several thousand a month as a con artist can net you some pretty nice digs, especially if you're not paying taxes.