Opening Statement: Hello, and welcome to my first attempt at a multi-chapter post for Zootopia... well, outside of my first ever Zootopia fanfic, but anyway, this is going to entail the relationship between my two characters Kendra Wilde and Nelson Bucksworth, and yes, there is going to be some nuptials in the future... whether that leads to a consummation scene is beyond me, but to be safe this post will be Rated M from the get go... this first chapter should be more along the lines of a T rating, but at this point I'm not 100% certain on that. Anyways, I hope you enjoy and look forward to a series of chapters regarding Nelson and Kendra's relationship. Mind you, this first chapter is going to longer than the others to follow, mainly so I can detail the start of a beautiful relationship.
Disclaimer: Zootopia is the property of Disney.
Clarification Notice: the order in which to read these stories is as follows:
1. "Seeking Forgiveness"
2. "Nervous Nick"
3. "Of Predators and Prey"
4. "A Hybrid's Folly"
5. "A Trip to the City"
6. "Love is Blind"
For Better or Worse.
Today was the day, that big life changing moment that she was waiting for. Today was Kendra Wilde's wedding day, and through the hybrid was confident that everything was going to be fine, she was nervous and excited that something may go wrong. Luckily, Judy was there to help her daughter get over her nerves; the rabbit remembered her own wedding ceremony, how Nick had managed to get the hospital chaplain to come in and perform the rites of marriage even while she had struggled to stay awake long enough to share their first kiss as a couple. Judy smiled at the memory, then sighed as Kendra kept on brushing the fur on her ears, having done so for the last ten minutes straight without pause.
"Kendra, sweetheart, you keep brushing like that and your ears will fall off." Judy said, the hybrid freezing in her actions before she groaned and turned to face her mother; the dress she was wearing was made of white silk with a blue belt around the waist, and though not visible she had a garter on her right leg. A frantic expression crossed Kendra's face as she looked around and shivered nervously.
"Where's the bouquet? Oh God where is that stupid thing!?" Kendra shouted, as Judy held it up and shot her daughter a grin.
"You were chewing on it remember, good lord never knew I raised such a worry wort." Judy replied, as Kendra sighed and sat down.
"But Mom, you don't understand... I want everything to be perfect... and it doesn't help that I've allowed ZNN to broadcast my wedding on the news, but I'm a musical celebrity! Everything has to- no needs to go smoothly, or this wedding will be a mess!" Kendra explained, tears welling in her eyes; she wasn't upset mind you, her mind was just so worked up that the only way it could think to vent was through crying.
Judy sighed and sat next to her daughter, taking one of the hybrid's paws into hers and offering a smile, "You know what my wedding was like? When I married your father?" Judy asked, Kendra using her free paw to wipe at her eyes while shaking her head, Judy giving her daughter's paw a squeeze to reassure the hybrid doe.
"My wedding to your father was so drab and on the spot that we didn't even have time to get the rings; we had to use rubber bands as substitutes... your father, bless his heart, had been in the hospital when your nine siblings were born, and I'll admit that at the time I panicked," Judy explained, Kendra's eyes widening briefly before offering a look of sympathy, "I was so upset and stressed, what with Jack having left me with nine kits of his lineage and no possibility of raising them in the city, that your father, while holding little Jessica in his paws, popped the question... that same evening, before the birth certificate was signed, he had the chaplain in the hospital sanctuary come in and marry us, then signed off as my nine kits dad so he could support me... so you have no need to worry Kendra, your wedding is a hell of a lot ritzier than mine," Judy explained, Kendra smiling before pulling the grey rabbit into a hug.
"I love you Mom..." Kendra sighed, before Judy smiled and nuzzled her daughter, placing a motherly scent onto her.
"And I love you Kendra... it seems like yesterday you were in diapers, drooling on your dad's fingers while we snuggled you close... and now you're going to start your own family-" Judy was now the one crying, though she wasn't sad, these were tears of joy, "- and I'm so glad that I get to be there for you, and... and... oh I'm just so proud of you little kit!" Judy said, Kendra sighing and shaking her head.
"Oh dear, you bunnies... you are very emotional," a voice said, causing Judy and Kendra to look towards the door, finding a grinning red fox there with half lidded green eyes.
"Nick! What have I told you- you know what, it's about time for you to give your daughter away anyway, so Kendra, freshen yourself up, and Nick... don't screw this up." Judy explained, Nick casting his wife a look of hurt, his ears slightly flattened and his right paw over his chest.
"Carrots, I can't believe you'd think that low of me... you wound me," Nick said, Judy rolling her eyes and playfully punching his arm before she left the room to get to her seat. Nick then look over at his daughter and sighed; he was doing a great job at keeping his emotions in check, but on the inside he was bawling like a new born kit.
"Dad, I believe it's time to get moving." Kendra said, breaking Nick out of his thoughts and causing him to smile.
"Alright little kit... let's get your big day on the road." Nick said, holding out his arm for Kendra to take a hold of before the two made their way to the hall.
(about the same time, with Nelson)
Nelson was feeling nervous, this was the last time he'd be able to say he was a single buck, and despite his family and Kendra's being there to witness the event, Nelson was so scared he was surprised he hadn't passed out yet. It didn't really help things much when he found out that his wedding was going to be aired live on ZNN, but he was mostly okay with it; that crazy fan of Kendra's had kept up with his letters, and had even taken to sending her little gifts, all of which were saved in a box labelled "Crazy Stuff" up in the attic.
"Nelson, as your best man, I'm obligated to tell you that you have a chance to back out of this... but at the same time if you do back out of it, I'll drag your white tailed hide back here myself," a voice said beside the buck, Nelson shooting a playful glare at his best man, one of his college friends, a moose named Frank, whom was wearing a black suit for his part.
"Yeah, I know Frank... but I wouldn't do that to Kendra, she'd kill me!" Nelson said, then noticed Frank staring across the room, Nelson following his gaze and rolling his eyes; with Kendra's musical career came many different friends in regards to professions, across the stage next to where Kendra would be standing, stood Zootopia's pop star Gazelle, and despite her fame the only hounding she had received was from one of Kendra's guests, a portly cheetah he later found out was named Ben Clawhauser.
"Frank! Stop staring at the brides maid! She's out of your league anyway." Nelson said, snapping his friend out of his stupor and gaining a chuckle.
Then the music started, Nelson looking down the room and spotting Kendra approaching, her dress as elegant as the wings of doves, even as she was being led down the aisle by her father. In the crowd Nelson noticed a few things; his mother was crying in joy at the sight, his dad was simply smiling, and on the other side of things his father-in-law was crying, "Geez, bunnies are more emotional than deer!" Nelson thought, as Kendra finally reached the stage, walking up some steps so that she could be at the proper height for Nelson to look into her eyes.
The pastor, a weasel in a tux named Jim, stepped up to the pulpit, smiling to the gathered crowd, even as a cameraman caught the event on film from the back of the room.
"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today, under the loving gazes of the gods themselves, to witness these two mammals enter into the state of holy matrimony," Jim explained, Kendra smiling behind her veil as Nelson responded in kind. "Throughout life, every mammal on Earth has one goal that supersedes all others, but not in the most direct of ways... Love people! Love is a force that always brings us together, predators and prey, buck and doe... and in this case, hybrid and deer." Jim explained, gaining a brief chuckle from the gathered witnesses, as well as Kendra and Nelson themselves.
"In the end, is there more true a love, than that between two childhood friends? The bride and groom have written their own vows for this ceremony, which they will announce to each other in a few moments," Jim explained, as Nelson took a breath and steadied himself for what he was going to say.
"Kendra, when I first saw you in school years ago, I'll be honest... I fell for you, but being the stupid fawn I was, I tried with all my might to drive you away..." Nelson explained, Kendra's smile beaming at the memory even as Nelson continued, "Long story short, I got you so mad at me that you marked me in a way that only one like you could... and if it hadn't been for that day, I may never have had the guts to try being nice to you... heck despite your disinterest in "venison" as you told me before, I managed to worm my way into your heart... Kendra Wilde, I'd like to say that your prospect has come up with gold... and with this ring-" at this point, Nelson was handed a gold band, which he gently slipped onto Kendra's left ring finger, "- I, thee wed... if you'll have me of course." Nelson finished, Kendra smiling and nodding her head, Gazelle smiling at the sight before her and patting the hybrid's shoulder to calm her down a bit; after all, Kendra had vows to make as well.
"Nelson, you big lovable fawn... how you managed to sway me into loving you I'll never know." Kendra explained, Nelson smiling and standing tall for his soon-to-be wife, even while she continued her vows, "You bullied me, called me names, and even forced my paw into action... I think we can all see how that ended." Kendra said, a laugh escaping the crowd as she watched the three lines on Nelson's face tint a bit pink for a few seconds. "In the end though... I do love you with all my heart, and with this ring... I thee wed." Kendra explained, taking a much larger gold band from her brides maid and slipping it onto Nelson's left hoof, Jim smiling before he held up his paws.
"As this ceremony is being televised, I'd like to get some "I do's" out there." Jim explained, Kendra and Nelson both nodding before the weasel opened his booklet and found the vows to recite, turning to Nelson before he spoke.
"Nelson Alexander Bucksworth, do you take this doe to be your lawfully wedded wife? To have and to hold, for better or worst, richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, till death do you part?" Jim asked, Nelson smiling as he nodded his head.
"I do... now, and forever," Nelson replied, Kendra smiling widely as she watched Jim turn toward her.
"Kendra Elisabeth Wilde, do you take this buck to be your lawfully wedded husband? To have and to hold, for better or worst, richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, till death do you part?" Jim asked, the hybrid doe nodding her head and smiling widely.
"I do, now and forever." Kendra replied, briefly glancing to the crowd and finding her grand father bawling his eyes out; man, for being a buck who must see a wedding every other day, Grandpa Stu sure breaks down at them enough.
Jim smiled warmly before turning to the gathered witnesses, "Is there anyone among you that would object to the binding of these two souls? If so, speak now or forever hold your-"
"I object!" a voice rang out, causing both Nelson and Kendra to turn, seeing Nelson's father, Henry, making his way to the stage. Before he got there, he turned and addressed the other witnesses, "Don't worry, I plan on letting them finish up... just a matter of business I need to attend to." Henry explained, Nelson's eyes widening before he face-palmed.
"Dad! Really?" Nelson asked, the old buck chuckling and patting his son on the shoulder.
"You know how deer culture works son... I get the first kiss-"
"EXCUSE ME!" Nick shouted, baring his teeth and about to launch himself at the old deer, if not for the combined efforts of Judy and Jack holding him back, Henry chuckling before he shook his head and held up his hooves.
"Let me explain... in deer culture, when your child finds a mate, the father gets to kiss the girl first... as a way to show acceptance into the herd... I'm not going to lie, I was going to forgo that part of the ceremony, but I realized that if I wanted to keep my son, and more importantly my wife happy... I was going to have to accept this hybrid doe into my herd." Henry explained, Nick's fury fizzling out somewhat before he simply sat down and shook his head.
"Mr. Bucksworth... are you saying that... you accept me as your daughter-in-law?" Kendra asked, as Nelson groaned into his own hoof, Henry returning his gaze to Kendra and smiling as warmly as he could offer.
"What I'm saying is... welcome to the family... Kendra." Henry replied, Gloria covering her mouth in joy; despite his tolerance of Kendra's being a hybrid, he had never actually used her name to refer to her before now. Kendra caught this as well, and with no regard for how it looked, let her joy be expressed through tears. Henry then stepped up, lifted the veil briefly, and placed a gentle kiss to Kendra's lips, the embrace lasting no longer than a couple seconds before the elder buck pulled away and smiled, then turned to Nelson and patted his shoulder, "Your turn now boy... show her how we Bucksworth really kiss." Henry said, before he turned and walked back to his seat, Gloria taking his hoof and smiling to her husband.
Nelson then chuckled as Kendra wiped her eyes with her paw, a wide smile on her face before Jim coughed into his paw, "Alright then... if there are no further objections, I now pronounce you two as husband and wife, Nelson, you may kiss the bride." Jim said, Nelson lifting the veil from Kendra's face and gazing lovingly into her amethyst eyes, before he leaned in and kissed the hybrid, the witnesses all cheering for a moment before they noticed that this kiss wasn't ending as soon as they had thought.
A full five minutes passed before the two had finally parted, panting slightly from lack of oxygen, Jim coughing into his paw again to break the tension of the moment, "Ladies and gentlemen... allow me to introduce the newly married Mr. and Mrs. Nelson Bucksworth." Jim said, Kendra and Nelson smiling before the hybrid doe leaped into her husband's arms and let him carry her out of the room, the whole crowd cheering as the camera man followed their movements out of the church, into their car and watched them leave.
(an hour later, at the reception)
the reception was held at Bonnie and Stu's place, mainly for the sake of being able to have the entire Hopps clan able to attend, as well as Nelson's extended family, such as his Uncle Steve, an old buck with only one antler and the a laugh like a hyena, his sister Margret, whom Kendra took an instant liking to when she grabbed Nelson and gave him a noogie, and his grand father Fred, an extremely old buck who seemed to only be there for the drinks and food.
Of course, Kendra's siblings were there, Jason had fashioned chairs out of hay bales in the yard for the guests, Vanessa was catering the entire event while Sasha had provided the cake. Other guests included Gideon Grey, whom Kendra saw as a second uncle outside of Clawhauser, Sarah's boyfriend Brandon Otterton, his parents had provided the flowers for the bouquet and other decorations, her agent George and his husband Jake, as well as an arctic shrew she only knew as Mr. Big; the shrew had insisted on being present, seeing as she was a member of "The Family" through Judy, and despite having his three polar bear henchman Raymond, Keven and Koslov, she was okay with the whole thing, especially when she got to meet Fru Fru and her daughter Judy.
Her godfather was also present, Jack currently speaking with Mr. Big about something Kendra couldn't discern over the jumble of voices, while Gazelle sat at one of the outdoor tables and spoke with Nick and Judy.
"Excuse me, I have something to say!" Frank said, gaining everyone's attention as he chuckled at the large crowd of mammals, "I knew Nelson for years before he even mentioned this girl Kendra here... at that time he wore make-up to hide his scars, so I had no idea he had been marked by anyone..." Frank explained, the guests all chuckling as Nelson rubbed the back of his head, "My point is... I'm going to admit, when Kendra's first single dropped, and Nelson told me about this girl, I didn't believe him, "You went to school with this chick?" I said, and to prove a point he wiped off his make-up, revealing these lovely scars here." Frank explained, Nelson lightly punching the moose in the side and earning a laugh from his friend.
"In the end, what I'm trying to say is simple... I'm proud of you buddy... you found love in the most... tiny of places, no offence Kendra," Frank explained, Kendra rolling her eyes and shaking her head in amusement, the moose sitting down before another voice spoke up.
"I also have some words to say- Judy let me do this okay!" Nick shouted, laughing as Judy tried her hardest to keep Nick's mouth shut, until he simply held her at arms length by the collar of her shirt, a playful grin on his muzzle as he looked toward his daughter, "Nelson, I may not have any sort of cultural acceptance rite to perform, or any sort of way to make you feel truly accepted into my family... but I'll say this much, I'll always be there if you or Kendra need me," Nick explained, as he walked forward and offered his paw, "And feel free to call me Dad, Karma knows my little girl there did... as did my nine other children." Nick said, Nelson smiling and shaking the fox's paw.
"Sure thing Pops, whatever you say." Nelson replied, Nick chuckling and shaking his head, before he stepped away and returned to his wife's side.
Later on during the party, Kendra was called over to Mr. Big's table; the shrew having requested one be provided for himself and his friends seeing as the three polar bears were so much larger than even the deer present, "You wanted to see me sir?" Kendra asked, Mr. Big offering a brief smile before he spoke.
"Child, I'm a shrew of many tastes... and of great power, you must know. If ever anything happens between you and your husband, anything at all, feel free to call upon me to take care of it." Mr. Big explained, Kendra's ears dropping behind her head; through her father, Kendra knew exactly what kind of man Mr. Big was, the Don of a crime syndicate in Tundra Town, whom nearly killed Kendra's parents, had it not been for the fact of Judy saving the life of Mr. Big's daughter Fru Fru, Kendra, along with the rest of her siblings, wouldn't even exist today.
"Umm... thanks Mr. Big... I appreciate the offer but I don't believe anything will happen... and even if it does, I'll take care of it." Kendra replied, her voice carrying a tone of discomfort, this causing the arctic shrew to grin and start chuckling.
"No disrespect my child, it's simply a Family tradition... you may not be related by blood, but through your mother... you are part of The Family, whether you use that to your advantage is your choice, but I would like to ask a favor of you," Mr. Big explained, Kendra's ears standing up straight before she looked around and chuckled nervously, the shrew smiling warmly, "It's simple... I would like to hear you sing... more specifically I want to hear your rendition of my favorite song... "Fly Me To The Moon," if you could please." Mr. Big asked, Kendra sighing in relief and nodding her head.
"Sure thing sir, you're lucky I happen to know the words... and if you'd like I can record an album for you-"
"No, I simply wish to hear your voice... please child, humor an old shrew... plus Koslov here is a huge fan of yours and wouldn't stop talking about your songs the whole trip here!" Mr. Big explained, Kendra glancing up at the huge polar bear, his face drawn into a scowl, though for a brief second he offered a smile akin to one of her fans during a concert.
"Alright, I have just been given a request for a song... a bit of smooth jazz for those who like it. Koslov, this one's for you!" Kendra shouted, as she put on her head set mic and tapped it to make sure it was working properly, smiling when the speakers started to play the music for a song which made Nick glance back at the arctic shrew and shrug his arms out as if to ask why this was happening.
"Fly me to the moon,
Let me play among the stars.
Let me see what spring is like on,
Jupiter and Mars.
In other words, hold my hand,
In other words, baby kiss me!" Kendra sang, watching the face of the largest polar bear, Koslov pull up into a soft smile, even as Nelson sat himself at the nearest table, Kendra grinning before taking a quick hop over to it, a half lidded smile on her face as she continued with her performance.
"Fill my heart with song,
And let me sing forever more.
You are all I long for,
All I worship, and adore.
In other words, please be true,
in other words, I love you." Kendra sang, slowly laying herself down on the table top and taking a hold of Nelson's tie, gently tugging the buck closer so that she could be within kissing distance, all the while singing the next section of the song.
"Fill my heart with song,
Let me sing forever more.
You are all I long for,
All I worship, and adore.
In other words... hold my hand!
In other words... Nelson kiss me." Kendra finished on that note, pressing her lips to Nelson's before she reached up and ripped the headset mic off, tossing it away to be caught by her techie brother Tyler. This kiss, much like the one during the ceremony, had lasted a full five minutes before the two mammals pulled apart gasping and smiling like idiots, the guests cheering for them as one of Kendra's aunts walked through the crowd to offer drinks to the gathered mammals.
(after the party)
Soon enough, everything ran dry, Nelson and Kendra had cut the cake, and as tradition would have it they had smashed it into each others faces, laughing like children the entire time, before the two managed to sneak up on Judy and Nick and smash them with cake as well; Kendra had explained the circumstances of her parent's marriage to Nelson, and had suggested making them have some sort of fun that at the time wasn't possible. Of course Judy had been pissed, telling off her daughter and son-in-law for getting her new shirt dirty, while Nick had simply sat there for a few seconds, licked some of the cake off his muzzle, then grinned and smashed his slice of cake into Judy's face.
Sarah had said a few things about her little sister, much like the comedian of the family would, and even Jack has said a few choice words before he had to leave on an assignment; as sad as it was, Jack had a nation to serve, and not enough favors raked up with the job to cover for it. Also didn't help that Mr. Big had apparently been glaring at the striped rabbit the entire time he was here; Kendra had heard from one of her aunts that the arctic shrew had actually informed Jack that, had Judy not stepped in and said otherwise, the ZIA Agent would have vanished with no way to trace him, the thought of which made Kendra shudder slightly.
On the note of Mr. Big, his right hand bear Koslov had actually spoken with Kendra before he left, having asked for an autograph and a "Family Kiss" as it was called, the gesture merely being a kiss to each of the polar bear's cheeks and was later explained to Kendra as a mark of respect; without saying the words, Koslov had informed Kendra that, if needed he'd be willing to help her.
The long and short of it, everyone had a great time, and as expected her great uncle Bogo had gotten Gazelle's autograph, as had uncle Clawhauser, and strangely enough so did Frank; Nelson explained later how his moose friend had a small crush on the pop star, causing Kendra to giggle into her paws at the thought.
Once everything was cleaned up and all the guests had left, Kendra and Nelson made the trip back home, to the general store that Kendra's music career was now based out of; the small pile of packages on the doorstep indicating that some fans had sent their own gifts for the happy couple.
"So, Mrs. Bucksworth... how would you like to spend your first evening as a married woman?" Nelson asked, Kendra giving a sultry, half lidded stare before she slowly unbuttoned her blouse.
"I don't know, my handsome Stag... why not give me a... suggestion." Kendra replied, and before she knew it, the hybrid doe found herself gently lifted up and pressed to the wall, her husband's lips pressed to her own, Kendra's shirt finding itself tossed to the floor and leaving only her bra to remain, "Hey... no fair, I can't reach your shirt!" Kendra playfully whined, Nelson chuckling and leaning in for another kiss before there was a knock at the door. Both mammals looked to the door, then each other, and had the same exact thing going their heads.
"OH FOR FUCKS SAKE!"
And there we have chapter 1, and what a chapter it is! So tell me what you'd like to see for Chapter 2 or later on, as this is very much a work in progress fic at the moment. And while the genre is set above, I'd like to mention that this story has potential for any type of story genre that is interesting enough to warrant my attention.
Anyways, I hope you enjoyed this chapter, and if you could improve on this let me know in the box below; I love the input from you guys out there as it really does help me hone my skills as a writer. Also, starting next chapter, I'll be ending the chapters with an "Ask a Character" bit, and how that will work is simple; you, the reader, will be allowed to ask a question to one of the characters, either original film characters like Nick or Judy, or some of my current OC's, like Nelson and Kendra. Then, to the best of my ability, I will answer that question from that specified character's perspective, just to give somewhat of a good idea as to what that means, just look below.
Ask the Characters! (DEMO)
xXxWildeHopps4EvaxXx asks to Kendra: I have a question [Kendra], why did you decide to become a singer?
Kendra: Alrighty then, I guess that would be because I have always loved music, I grew up on the outskirts of Bunny Burrow, and when I got my first radio- I know, SHOCKER there for this day and age!- I was able to tune it to a station that was based in the city... I started to find myself singing along, and one day Jason came to me asking if I'd like to help him with the next Carrot Days performance; he was playing guitar and his singer had flunked out at the last moment. After that I gave what I thought was a horrible performance of some Alleo Blac song called "Wake Me Up", and Dad, being the fox he was, had recorded his little kit on the stage, and sent the video to his Furbook feed... few weeks later the phone rings, and I'm told that Gazelle wanted to tutor me in vocals. I could go on with this story, but to save time for my husband I'm going to cut it short by saying that I became a singer for one reason... it's fun, I get to meet so many interesting mammals, and throughout the tutoring and voice lessons Gazelle and I became fast friends! The most amazing thing though is the level of acceptance I see from my fans; sure there's a few bigots who make their nasty remarks, but for every one of those mammals, there's about a hundred or so more cheering and screaming for me... makes me feel loved on so many levels, especially since I'm just a country bumpkin hybrid from the Tri-Burrows, really goes to show just how far we've all come as mammals... plus, though this is just a happy coincidence, my sweet hubby Nelson just loves to hear me sing, and every night I give him a very personal performance... not detailing anything for you, but let's just say that my singing voice isn't the only music I can make.
So yeah, that's just a demo of how this will work... if that username mentioned above is actually real, then I'm sorry for using your likeness for that, I literally made that handle there off the top of my head. Anyway, I hope you readers enjoyed, and again leave me your reviews/comments/character questions in the box below, I've been TimberWolf, and I'll see you guys in the next update, PEACE!