Hey all, DLW here with a brand new story! This on top of a new story that's still going on. This one kinda just popped up in my head and kinda said GO! Honestly, it's kinda odd for that to happen. This is also more of a slice of life kind of story for anyone wondering. Also, a huge thank you to all the readers, follows, fav's and reviews (helps me think more so thank you all)! More at the bottom and I'll post this in several places as well. Disclaimer: Zootopia and its characters are copyright Disney. (I own none of the characters in the story aside from the O/C's.)

Days Gone By

'Ring'

The constant chime of shopkeepers bell had become no more than an irritating headache for the small fox sitting at the table.

He looked up to see yet another unfamiliar mammal make their way into the store.

Upset that he knew he could be doing anything else, he looked towards his watch.

"Said he'd be here a half hour ago." Finnick mumbled.

There he was, still sporting his signature bowling shirt and green shorts. His muzzle and matching cream colored ear tips now shown peppered specks of light grey.

His eyes had long since become heavy and darkened from many sleepless nights and countless frustrations.

He tapped his fingers along the wood grain and swished his tail idly. He sat at a small wooden table by next to a set of reflective glass windows.

It wasn't his ideal place to 'catch up', but Nick had insisted that they visit the local ice-cream parlor after work hours.

'Ring'

He had heard that infernal tune once more, huffing slightly at the sight of the shoppe's newest patron. Though he himself had a near permanent scowl affixed to his features, the fox that greeted him with a wave and a smile always knew how to make him laugh.

"Heya big guy." Nick shouted across the room, his voice catching the sight of ice-cream connoisseurs and ice-cream sellers alike.

Like Finnick, he wore what he was most used to. His green Hawaiian shirt and matching slacks spoke volumes about his laid back personality.

Even though he too had begun to have even the slightest grey in his muzzle, you could never tell it from the strength of his stride.

"Always just in time to be late Nick." Finnick snapped back pointing to his watch.

Though he knew he could rely on Nick to be right on time, given his career choice, that wasn't always possible.

Nick walked over as casually as he always did and pulled up the chair opposite of his friend. He took a moment to stretch and yawn before he finished his greeting.

"What can I say, the beat doesn't stop on my radio." He chided, feeling the effects of a hard days work take its toll on him.

His eye never left Finnick, who could only shake his head in turn. He could clearly see the telltale signs of aging on the smaller fox, and though he would never admit it, he knew that he would one day look the same.

But until that fateful day, he would always find a fun way to make the most of his leisure time. And fun he would have, even at the unexpected expense of others.

All it took was one look at his friends features.

"Have you been rubbing ground coffee under your eyes?" Nick avowed, smiling brightly and gesturing to his own eyes with a rubbing motion.

Finnick immediately got the hint and grunted. He shook his head fervently to denote that wasn't the case.

Seeing his friends reaction, Nick thought of yet another in a long line of increasingly ridiculous scenarios.

With the tilt of his head and a mischievous grin he continued. "Ah, back to the late night hustle now, are we?"

At the mention of this, Finnick's eye began to twitch. His hands shook and his scowl forced itself into a slow forming grin.

Not even minutes into their time of 'catching up', Nick had already accomplished one goal.

Get Finnick to laugh.

"You know those days are long gone, Nick." Finnick chuckled, happy as ever to have his friend there. "Haven't hustled anyone in years."

It took him only a moment to recover from the accusatory joke, but he soon noticed something was amiss.

He scratched his head in wonder. "Where's your Bunny Buddy?"

Hearing his friend, Nick shrugged his shoulders with and flashed a grin.

'Ring'

Again, the chime, that constant headache of a chime came ringing to his massive ears. Though he should have been used to it now, the sound alone was enough to drive him crazy.

"Hey, Nick!"

A voice shouted from the door, one that both foxes had come to know over the years.

Nick was the first to turn and see his partner skipping towards them.

"Heya Carrots, look who's here." Nick answered, pointing towards the seat in front of him.

Even in these days, he had always chosen to use her nickname over any other.

She had worn a simple ZPD black shirt and grey pants given to her by the force.

Her fur, just like theirs was beginning to lose its splendor. But her determination and seemingly endless amounts of energy fiercely combatted her appearance.

Judy made her way to the table with a quizzical look about her. As she got closer she recognized the small fox with ears nearly twice his size.

"Finnick!" She shouted with a paw placed over her mouth.

Judy was elated, she hadn't expected to see him there. Her first thought was to run up to him.

Finnick, however, knew what was coming.

"Hey Jud-" He tried answering before being smothered in Judy's hug. She had always done this since he had gotten to know her, much to his discomfort.

He was smaller than her, yes, but he was not above hugging the rabbit for old times sake.

One sentimental and near-excruciating embrace later, and a few laughs from Nick, Judy released Finnick to finally breathe once more.

She clasped her hands together and gave a childish smile while Finnick got his bearings straight.

"Always bouncin' around." Finnick coughed, grinning at the beaming rabbit who had found her seat next to Nick.

Sitting back in his seat, he couldn't help but smile at the pair that had changed his life and that of the city.

Proudly grinning, he scratched his ear. "I gotta hand it to you, Hopps."

Judy could only stare back in confusion. "Hm?"

He fell silent, he didn't truly know what to say. His friends there, he felt just happy to be a part of their lives.

"I never woulda' thought that we'd come this far."

His eyes shifted to Nick, who had a look of genuine confusion about him.

"You a cop," Finnick pointed towards Nick, and then slowly traced his paw towards Judy "With a bunny partner."

He began to laugh, causing the two to stare at one another; somewhat in worry, and somewhat in irony.

Judy herself couldn't help but 'aww' at the way Finnick looked and how Nick could still look nervous after all this time.

Having more on his mind, Finnick pulled out his wallet and flipped through its contents It was something he never thought he'd do unless he was counting his money.

He quickly found a solitary picture and pulled it out as he placed his wallet back.

His eyes shone with the same gleam he had in his youth.

"Me, ownin', anything." He cradled the photo almost sentimentally before handing it off to a very curious Nick and Judy.

Nick, taking a careful glance at the picture and passing it off, was the first to respond. "You still make the best pawpsicles."

Finnick could see the look in Nick's eyes, the same look he had when they were hustling together in their old lives.

Finnick rolled his eyes. "I only make em' at home now Nick."

He looked back to the photo that Judy went wide eyed at. He himself nearly beamed with pride.

"And the little ones love em'." He added.

Nick, wondering how to best answer, thought of a brilliant idea. He raised his paws to his ears and pulled them down to his cheeks.

"Maybe I should show up with a bonnet..." He said with as much of a child like voice as an older fox could.

The mental image alone caused Finnick to shake his ease back into his seat with narrowed eyes and shake his head.

"I'd have to call the cops on you." He said sternly but with a humored tone.

Not wasting a second, Nick answered. "I think it might be worth it to arrest myself for a blueberry pawpsicle."

Nick thought that the irony would be amazing for the news.

"Look at you Fin." Judy boasted, handing the fox back his prized picture. "Making 'Happy Town' live up to its name."

Picture in hand, Finnick gazed it over once more.

"Well, you helped Judy." He said, hurriedly placing the picture back in an attempt to cover up his sentimental side. "Thank you."

Judy thought it was cute. She had always known Finnick to try and hide his feelings like Nick did when they first met.

She watched as the two foxes conversed, informing one another about this or that.

However, as they continued their chat, one thing bothered her. A burning question still loomed in her mind.

"Hey, I never did ask," Judy interrupted, gaining the attention of both of her lifelong friends. "How did you two meet?"

At this, both foxes seemed surprised. Both had pinned back their ears and shot glances towards one another and Judy alike.

This was something that Judy hadn't seen from either in the time that she had come to know them.

A long-drawn silence made its way through them. Neither knowing how to tell the tale.

After what seemed like hours, Finnick was the first to answer. "You never told her about how we started our hustle?"

Finnick's accusation fell squarely upon a dumbfounded Nick.

Had it not been for the fact that they were in a cooler climate, Nick may have just boiled from the stares he was getting from his friends.

Nervously, he spoke. "I-it never came up."

As the nervous stares and glances continued, Judy felt somewhat left out. She was intrigued as to what their past was like now more than ever.

"Well," Finnick spoke, breaking the silence and looking intently at his watch. "It's early, so I got some time before they get all antsy."

With a confident look, he locked eyes with Judy. "You really want to hear this old fox's tale?"

He emphasized the last line by pointing at himself and twitching his ear.

Before she could answer, Nick held his paw up.

"It's my tale too Fin." He said with the same confidence as his friend.

Switching her sight from one fox to another, Judy raised her hand to wave over the shoppe attendant. "Sure, first rounds on me."

'Ring'

Okay, so... This story is in stark (truly black and white) contrast to my Zootopia AU: Predation story (still writing). Far more lighthearted and hopefully long running. (I haven't even written a plot [aside from whatever they'd do go with that] actually...It may not truly get one maybe.)

And I hope you get a chance to read this and the other in your leisure. Also, these stories can be found here as well:

fanfiction:
~dancinglunarwolves

deviantart:
dancinglunarwolves

archiveofourown:
users/DancingLunarWolves/works

If you'd like updates, please check the profile page and or P.M. me. I feel as thought I'm writing a lot more these days.

Also, I'm placing my other stories (non zootopia) on hold (just on hold) until I'm done with a good chunk of these. More info on my profile page.

If you liked this story and have time please post a review, fave and follow. If you want to keep up with the story fav or follow. Questions, comments, concerns, feel free to pass me a P.M... More to come soon.

Till Next Time DLW.