Disclaimer: I do not own Zootopia or any of its characters, they all belong to Disney.
A New Year's Day to Remember
"5... 4... 3... 2... 1... Happy New Year!" came from the throats of a thousand Rabbits and two Foxes.
Judy stood on tiptoes to kiss her Fox and nearly succeeded. He knew that didn't like to be picked up, but just this once, he thought – it was a special occasion after all. One hand slipped beneath her beautiful white fluffy tail and he lifted her just enough that she now stood atop his feet. He smiled at the look in her eyes, but when their lips met and everything else was soon forgotten. She tasted wonderful, he thought and then her tongue accidently touched one of his canines. The small cut released the just tiniest drop of blood.
For a moment his mind flashed back to the Natural History Museum when he'd taken his bunny's throat in his jaws. He was oh so careful, but for some reason some part of him for a moment and only for a moment actually felt savage! This was beyond that. This must be how it felt to have taken a hit from the Night Howler extract! After a while he felt Judy's hand pat his back and he very reluctantly broke the kiss. Purple eyes met green ones and he couldn't help smiling.
"Sorry," he said and his bunny returned his smile.
"Well... well," the vixen said and both looked at her. "Nicky, aren't you the passionate one."
"Mom!"
The vixen watched as Judy's ears began to turn red at their base and then quickly work its way up to their tips. She smiled at the Rabbit.
"Could be that I was mistaken?" she said as Judy's ears now turned a bright cherry red. "Apparently I was after all."
"Catherine!" he said and the vixen looked at her son, raising an eyebrow.
"Sorry Judy," she said, looking back at the Rabbit. "Why don't you two run off and have some 'fun.' And maybe I just find me a tall handsome buck."
"Mom!" he said as the vixen turned and waded into the crowd of Rabbits.
They parted before her as she walked languidly toward a Rabbit that was actually much taller than the rest.
They watched until Catherine cornered the buck. Then Judy looked her Fox and after a few second they both chuckled.
"She is a predator," he said and shrugged.
Judy giggled and then swatted her Fox lightly. They were both feeling a bit hungry and got in line. At the end of the buffet Bonnie was the last server. She put corn on his plate which was one of his favorites and then reached under the counter and handed Nick a sealed container.
"You might want to eat this away from the crowd," she said and winked at him. "I have one of these for your mother too." She turned to scan the crowd. "Where is she?"
"I think she's meeting a friend and she'll probably be around later," he said and heard his bunny giggle.
Bonnie looked at her daughter and she only smiled. Judy walked back to the elevators and her Fox followed. They were on the burrow's lowest level and had to wait for a time after she pushed the button. He put an arm around her, giving her a squeeze and she leaned against him. Then he'd just leaned over to kiss her when the elevator dinged. They quickly straightened up and the door opened. The Rabbit resembled Judy, but was somewhat taller. Then she looked at them and smiled.
"So you must be Nick," Jill said, extending a hand. "Jillian Ann Hopps, but please call me Jill." They shook hands. "I'm Judy's older sister."
Nick heard a low growl come from his bunny.
"Only by two minutes!"
"Apparently that made all the difference," she said, standing a bit taller. "I got all the good genes."
She looked down at her sister and grinned. Judy growled again.
"So how long have you two been going out?" she asked and watched her sister's ears turn red. "So where are you two off to?"
"I have no idea," Nick said and smiled at the tall Rabbit. "I was just following along."
"Well then let me give you a hand," she said and stepped aside, still holding the doors. They stepping in and Jill reached back in, pushing a button. "There you go. Judy's room is on 6. You two have fun!"
She winked a Nick, released the doors, and they shut. He looked at his bunny and she was still blushing.
"So Judy were we going to your room?"
"Yes," she said in a small voice.
He couldn't help himself and smiled.
"I did want to see your room, but since the train was late..."
"I never saw my father dive so fast in the snow," she said and giggled, "and we almost missed the countdown!"
The bell dinged and doors opened. Nick looked up and floor showed 6.
"After you," he said and she led the way.
Her bedroom was exactly as he'd pictured it. It wasn't really messy, but apparently Judy never threw anything away. He smiled as he looked around and then heard his bunny growl. He looked toward the sound and saw the luggage on her bed – not just hers, but his too.
"Jill!"
"Judy?"
"Jill did this!"
"I'm sure there's another empty room..."
"No!" she said, turning toward her Fox. "You're going to stay here with me!"
"But," he began and her foot began to rapidly tap the floor. "I'll sleep on the couch."
She smiled and led him to the table.
"Your mother is one damn good cook!" he said and then popped the last piece of chicken in his mouth. He closed his eyes and chewed with pleasure. "I haven't had chicken like this in a while. I wonder if she has any more."
"Well, it's only been forty-five minutes and I guarantee the party is since goin' on," she said and stood. "Let's go find out!"
They waited for the elevator again and this time there weren't any interruptions. The kiss was long and sweet, but his time she didn't mind being lifted. When the kiss ended she looked into his eyes.
"Please tell me about the kiss before," she said and he did reluctantly. She laughed and her eyes danced. "We'll have to try that again."
Then the bell dinged and again Jill was standing there.
"So did you find everything OK."
"Yes, Jill," Judy said and the other doe giggled. "And just to let you know Nick is going to sleep in my room tonight."
The older doe smiled.
"Mom sent me to get you two for dessert or maybe you two already had it," Jill said and winked at Nick.
Judy gave her sister the finger and Nick couldn't help but to laugh which earned him a poke in the ribs. The elevator ride was silent, but for Jill's giggles. When the doors opened the music flooded in and Nick smiled. They dropped off their plates and then hit the dance floor. Over the last year she'd taught him all she knew and they'd been going out dancing at least once a week. The endured the funny looks they received from the other animals, but since they'd been dating that was nothing new. Lately, at least in the club they went most often, the other animals began to accept them.
After the third song ended Nick felt a tap on his shoulder. He turned and Jill stood there with a smile.
"May I have this dance?" she asked and looked at her sister. "Please."
"You just bring him back."
"I'll think about it."
Fortunately or unfortunately depending on one's prospective the next dance was a slow one. Jill pulled the tod close.
"You are going let me led, right?" Nick asked and Jill giggled.
"Of course," she said and smiled.
Nick soon found out that Jill was a good dancer and could probably teach them both a few things.
"You're in love with Judy."
He realized it was statement and not a question.
"Yes."
"And she loves you."
"Yes."
"I'm very happy for you both," she said and smiled. "Nick, I'll tell you a secret. You're her first boyfriend." Nick looked surprised. "She didn't tell you, did she?"
"No," he said, "she hasn't talked much about her past."
"She's always been alone. I mean she's had friends, but no one close until you."
"Why?"
"She's different than most does – more outgoing."
"And you?"
"Yes."
"And you're alone too?"
"Yes."
"I have a friend back in Zootopia that I think you'd like."
"Really."
"Only he's not a Rabbit."
"That only makes a just bit more interesting, doesn't it?" she said and giggled.
"It certainly has for me – well, I guess it has for the both of us."
The song ended and Judy was immediately beside then.
"He's all yours," Jill said and stepped back, "for now."
Judy made a face and Jill turned and walked back toward the buffet, laughing.
"She so annoying!"
"Could it be that she reminds you of someone."
Judy stuck out her tongue at him and Nick laughed. They danced several more times then another slow one started.
"What did you talk about?"
"Mostly you."
He felt her stiffen in his arms and he patted her back.
"She asked me if I loved you," he said and watched her blush. "Of course I couldn't lie and told her I did." Purple eyes met green ones and she pressed herself tighter against him. "Then she asked if you loved me. Of course that was an easy one. I said yes." Judy's eyes became watery and she hugged him tight. "Just was I need - an emotional bunny." His bunny giggled. "But I do have a question for you."
"A question?"
"An important question," he said, tilting her head up. "Let's go back to your room."
"Can't you ask me here?"
"I suppose I could," he said and smiled, "but I have a better idea. Come on!"
He led her up to the DJ and had her stop the music. Then he picked up a microphone."
"Everyone, I have an important question to ask Judy," he announced and waited until everyone turned toward them. He dropped to one knee and pulled a small box from his pocket. Then opened it, took out the ring, and put it on his bunny's finger. "Judy, would you marry me?"
Then she was an emotional bunny and flung herself into his arms.
"Yes!" she said and her voice boom across the room.
For a few seconds it was quiet and then they heard someone begin to clap. They looked toward the sound and was Jill walking toward them. She stopped and then turned to the crowd, still capping. Ben was going to be one lucky Cheetah, Nick thought. Soon Catherine, a tall handsome buck, and few others joined her and within a few more moments everyone did.
Nick lifted his bunny and then kissed her. Judy bit her tongue.