Officer Nicholas P. Wilde closed his new apartment's door behind him. He was still getting used to it, but in a way it made him feel much better. He could remembered the day he got it. It had been thanks to Judy, actually. When the Night Howler's case ended, and he had become a police officer, the first thing he had wanted to do was getting a place to live. He had tried to hide the fact from Judy, but he couldn't. She was really clever, and somehow knew everytime he was hiding something. She tried not to make a big deal about it, though. It was quite a delicate subject for both, "specially with Carrots being so emotional", Nick had thought. She had held his paw in hers, and offered to help him. He, after a quick pun exchange with the bunny, had agreed. But they never thought they would have such a hard time finding for a place. Nick was still a fox, and many mammals would not trust him. After their third rejection, the fox just sighed, a little bit stressed. But Judy was absolutely furious. Nick was truly surprised by her reaction. He had expected all this distrust, but she was determined to help him.

-Carrots, just calm down. It's not a big deal, really. I'll find another apartment. Maybe a bigger one -he smirked mischievously- so I can convince you to leave those noisy neighbors you have and move in with me

It had worked just enough to take Judy out of her enranged state. She turned her head and stared at him, straight into his eyes, raising an eyebrow

-You sly fox, -she grinned- I should've guessed this was all just a plan to get me to share an apartment with you

Nick heart's skipped a beat at the thought. Having dinner together everyday, watching movies together late at night, walking back home together after work. Hundreds of possibilities rushed through his mind, his pulse accelerating just with the idea of his favourite bunny and him spending even more time together. Cause that's what best friends usually do, right?

-What? Is the thought of living with a fox so scary for you? -he tried to wipe those thoughs away of his mind. He had been trying for a while, to be honest. Yes, yes, she was his best friend. But sometimes he would find himself dreaming of being something else for her. Someone she would never ever want to let go.

"But it would ruin our friendship" he reminded himself, not for the first time "if something went wrong between us, I would not bear it"

She laughed

-Yes because I'm not used to spend my time with a fox at all.

They laughed together, and continued joking until Judy had an idea. Half an hour later, they were celebrating that Nick had finally gotten a place for living. They had asked at Judy's building, and found out there was an available place two floors above Judy's. Everything had gone perfectly after that.

Now, Nick sighed, bringing his mind back from the memory as he began going downstairs, to meet Judy at her door before heading to Precint 1. Together.

"At least I can have that" he thought.

Two floors below, Officer Judy Hopps was getting ready too. After a quick glance to the mirror to check her badge was right in place, she grabbed her keys and her cellphone, and sat down to wait for Nick. But it was becoming late.

She sighed, stood up and went upstairs to wait for her partner at his door. She had been excited at the thought of surprising Nick and rushed herself so much, that she didn't notice the fox coming down, and accidentally ran into him in the middle of the stairs. She squealed and lost her balance, but he grabbed her paw and pulled her before she fell backwards.

-Carrots, are you okay?

The look of concern in his eyes, the warmth of his paw still holding her, the hint of something in his voice she could not define, made her wonder what would she feel if the fox closed the distance between them and held her in his arms.A new, unknown emotion surprised her, running through her veins, filling her with some different, wonderful sensation she had never felt before. She leaned in closer, blushing furiously, but the expression of surpirse in his face made her stop.

"What if he rejects you, Judy?" A little voice in her mind asked "You are best friends. You can't ruin it like this"

-Sorry Nick -she said -didn't see you were coming. Let's go.

She turned around, missing the mix of confusion and pain in her partner's eyes.

"Oh carrots" he continued down the stairs, right behind Judy "if you only knew..." he thought.

Hi everyone! Welcome to my first fanfiction ever! Any suggestions, observations, grammar corrections (english is not my first language, so please be kind) or anything else are really appreciated. Thank you very much for reading!