A/N: Holy wow you guys, thank you so much for the overwhelming response to my first chapter in this series of one-shots. Nearly 500 views and over 30 followers in four days! You guys are so awesome!
I hope you enjoy this next one, it's a bit longer than the previous chapter. Remember, each of these is a completely separate version of the story, not a continuation! Please let me know if you like it, and if you have any suggestions/prompts, let me know! Enjoy!
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"O. M. GOODNESS!" The squeal from Clawhauser ripped through the station. It wasn't unusual for him to gush over something, but as Judy finished clocking out, she figured she might as well check to see what was the cause of the squeal this time around.
She pushed herself from her desk and started walking towards the exit of the ZPD. It was only then that she realized there was actually a small little crowd gathered around the cheetah's desk. There were some gasps and then some applause as Clawhauser squealed again.
Moving towards the side of the crowd, Judy finally saw the source of the commotion.
Of course...it's Nick.
"Heya, Carrots!" Nick said nonchalantly as he saw her approaching. "Come over and join the fun!" He was sitting at a little side table next to Clawhauser's desk with a pack of playing cards. He skillfully riffled the deck together, pushing up with his paws to let them coalesce together in a quick flourish. He used his paws to cut the cards in odd ways, moving small packets of them around each other before bringing them back together.
"What are you doing?" she asked, feigning annoyance.
Wolford turned to see her. "Wilde's been showing us some of his old hustles!"
"Yeah, Carrots, wanna try your paw at it?" Nick wiggled his eyes, winking at her. "We're not betting real money, anyway. It's all harmless fun at this point."
"Oookay Slick, you know you can't get anything past me." She moved herself to right in front of the table. Sitting down across from him, she smoothed her ears back and gave him the half-lidded smirk she'd been perfecting lately.
"That's the spirit! Let's do one of my personal favorites: The Three Card Monte." Nick pulled three cards from the deck, a queen of hearts, a two of clubs and a two of spades. He placed the rest of the deck to the side, slightly bending the cards so they sat up like tiny little tents on the table. Flipping them over one by one, he motioned to the queen.
"How does this work?" Judy had to admit, she was never one for cards. Growing up, her parents always shunned gambling of any kind, so playing cards were a rarity in and of themselves.
"Keep your eye on the lovely lady here, you follow her and pick correctly, you win. If you pick the deuces, you lose. Sound simple enough?" Nick cut his eyes over to Wolford who held back a laugh. The wolf had just got done watching Nick scam his co-workers for twenty minutes, so he knew Nick had some tricks up his sleeves.
"You're on. This'll be a piece of cake!" Judy watched as he flipped the cards back over, hiding their faces. Slowly, his paws moved to pick the cards up, moving them around in various patterns to try to confuse her. But her quick eyes kept track of the queen effortlessly.
Finishing his maneuvers, Nick leaned back and said "So tell me, Officer Fluff. Where's the queen?"
"Easy!" Judy reached her paw out and flipped the middle card over, revealing the queen of hearts. "Ha! You have to be quicker than that to outsmart this bunny! Looks like I win."
Nick just smiled softly. That's it, take the bait bunny. He reset the cards, with the queen being the only one face up. "Okay, I'll go a little faster this time."
Nick motioned with his paws again, turning the queen over with one of the other cards. He began rearranging them again, using new patterns. He knew Judy's eyes were on the queen like a laser, but this time, it wouldn't matter. What Judy hadn't seen was the very smooth switch he had pulled. Her eyes were following the wrong card.
"See if you can go two for two, Carrots. Where's the queen?"
"You were still too slow, Slick. She's on the right." He pointed down to the card on her right, sitting back with smug look of victory on her face.
"Ooo...sorry Carrots." He flipped the card over, revealing a two of spades and causing a ruckus of the officers still watching. "It's a bummer, really. Better luck next time." Judy's eyes nearly popped out of her head.
"What!?" She reached for the other two cards, flipping them over to make sure the queen was still there. "But how...I saw it moving the whole time!"
"My bad, Carrots. I figured you could keep up. Want me to slow down?" Nick smiled.
"NO!" Judy sat back in her seat again, her ears back and her brow furrowed. "I must've just lost track. Do it again!"
On the outside, Nick maintained his smug grin. Inwardly, however, he might as well have been smiling ear to ear. She's falling for it hook, line, and sinker. I'll go easy on her the next round.
"Alrighty, fluff. Keep your eye on the queen." No switches this time, but Nick did move the cards pretty fast. Judy looked on confidently as she focused on the movements, her ears straight up and her nose twitching like a fresh motor had just been installed. Her eyes darted back and forth, following the queen. When he finished moving the cards, she didn't even wait for him to speak, instead slapping her paw down on the queen, flipping it over immediately.
"HA! I got it right!" She bolted up, standing in the seat she was in. "Woot woot!"
Cheers erupted around her as the other officers watching rooted for her. She took a slightly embarrassed bow as she returned to her seat.
A booming voice cut the cheers short. "What's with all the noise out here!?"
Everyone's attention snapped over to the other side of Clawhauser's desk where their ever-intimidating chief now stood. He did not look pleased.
Judy spoke up first, "Uh...Ni-I mean Officer Wilde was just showing us some hustles to watch out for."
Bogo grunted, unimpressed. "Looks more like he's scamming his fellow employees with games of chance."
Nick chimed in lightheartedly, "No sir, no money is on the table. Just good clean fun and some lessons in paw-eye coordination."
Bogo's gaze swept the room, looking from officer to officer. Most of them had already changed from their uniforms. "Day shift is over. Are all of you clocked out?"
"Yes, sir." came from several onlookers.
"Then...I don't care. Just don't distract my back shift cops." He turned to Clawhauser. "I'm taking off for the evening as well. Calling it an early night. I've lived in this place a little too much this week. Close up for the shift and give my turnover to Higgins."
"Y-yes sir, Chief Bogo!" the cheetah stammered. It wasn't like the chief to take off so early, but apparently even he needed a break every now and then.
Bogo turned back to Nick and Judy. "So, Wilde, since I'm off the clock as well…" the ground shook as Bogo sat into the seat next to Judy. "Why don't you let me have a go?"
Nick's eyes widened. "Uh..chief? You...sure?" He gulped...hard.
"Oh I'm sure, Wilde." Bogo's face turned into a sinister smirk. "Go ahead, hustle me."
Nick forced his trademark grin back on, trying to give an air of confidence. This should be fun, but no matter. I've fooled more people than Bogo's arrested in his life.
"Well Chief, you seem pretty confident. Care to make this a little more interesting?"
Bogo's grin got even bigger. "Oh, certainly. Do tell, fox. What did you have in mind?"
"Well, how about if you lose, I get tomorrow off?"
"Nick! That's not something you can wager like that" Judy eyed the fox sternly.
"My bad!" Nick raised his paws innocently "If I win, Officer Hopps and I get the day off." He looked back to Judy with a little wink. She tried to look furious, but couldn't suppress a small giggle.
"Very well." Bogo snorted. "And when I win," his words were scathing, "you have to keep your shifty mouth shut during morning assignments and gladly accept whatever benign and monotonous task I give you...for a week."
That statement pulled more than a few mumbles and comments from their audience.
Nick smirked. "Deal."
Judy looked back and forth between the two, sensing a nearly tangible tension. Her ears were perked up, nose firing on all cylinders, and she failed to notice Nick eyeing her.
"You want in, too, Hopps?" Nick had caught her off guard.
"Wha...no, no no no, I don't…"
"Oh come on, it's just a friendly wager." he said, motioning his paws to Bogo. "We're all friends here, right?"
"Uh...I don't...know...what kinda wager would I add?"
"Well…" Nick paused for a moment. This is gonna be hard to pull off, but I know just how to get through this. Small change of plans... "I'll let you both pick a card when I'm done. If Bogo wins, he gets his end of the deal. If you win, then I owe you dinner tonight. If neither of you wins, we both get the day off tomorrow and you have to clean my apartment."
Bogo looked to Judy, the nearly terrifying grin on his face still present. "Don't worry Hopps, I've been handling mammals like Wilde for years. You have nothing to fear."
"O-okay then." She turned back to Nick, a cautious but somewhat confident look on her face. "Deal."
"Well then, shall we begin?"
Nick flipped all three cards face up, motioning towards the queen. "Find the lucky lady, and the day is yours. Miss, and I guess that means the day is mine." Turning all three cards over, he moved to begin.
Bogo leaned down, letting out a long snort strong enough to blow across the table. The card on the far right, the two of clubs, was blown off the table by the action. "My apologies, Wilde."
Nick bent over to reach for the card, taking his eyes off the table for a moment. It was during that moment that Bogo swiftly reached down to the queen, ever so slightly putting a small crease on the corner of the card.
Judy saw the move, but Bogo's eyes met hers mouthing Not. A. Word.
"Wow, chief, your breath's so bad the card ran away." Nick said, getting back up to the table. Placing the odd card back face down, he readjusted himself and began the game again.
Bogo and Hopps' eyes trained onto the small indent on the corner of the queen, which made the card effortless to locate. Nick moved the cards around and around, quicker than any of the previous rounds. Judy was impressed at his speed, on more than one occasion losing track of which card was which until she found the crease again.
After a much longer shuffle this time, Nick finally stopped, All three cards were face down, and Nick backed away. He folded his arms, his smugness levels reaching new heights as he waited for their decisions.
"You know, you almost had me there for a minute, Chief. Good thing I noticed your slight modification to my queen."
Bogo studied the cards, then a small gasp caught his breath as his eyes widened. He looked over to Judy, who had a look of complete disbelief on her face. All three cards had identical indents on their corners.
"Come on now, you two." Nick placed his paws down on either side of the cards. This is a gamble, but I know it'll pay off. "Take your pick."
Bogo reached his hoof up to his head, rubbing around his eyes. I can't believe this… "Very well. I pick the card on the right." Several other officers were nearly biting their claws as they waited for the results.
Judy felt a wash of embarrassment come over her. Nick was just too good. She nervously scanned the cards and moved her paw forward. She reached down and tapped the back of the card in the middle.
"I choose that one."
Nick sat back again. His exterior face was one of perfect calmness, but inside he was nearly giddy. Perfect. "Well chief...I hate to break it to you. But it looks like Hopps wins."
The watching crowd erupted with cheers and laughter. Bogo's eyes turned into an angry gaze as he flipped his card over, revealing a two of clubs.
"You have got to be kidding me." Bogo stood and backed away from the table. He'd been duped by Wilde...again. He slammed his hoof down on the table.
"Looks like lady luck just wasn't on your side today, Chief. Thanks for the day off."
"Shut it, Wilde!" He rose from his seat, rubbing his temples with his hoof. "Clawhauser…?"
The cheetah jumped to attention. "Yes, sir?"
"Clear Hopps and Wilde from the roster tomorrow."
"Chief?"
"Do it, Clawhauser. I'm a buffalo of my word." Bogo began to walk out of the station, mentally washing his hooves of the situation. "You win today, Wilde."
Nick slowly slumped into his seat, letting out a big breath. "Woo...that was tense, eh Carrots?"
Judy let out a light, somewhat stupefied giggle. "Yeah, that was pretty brave, Nick. Or dumb. Not really sure which."
"Well, this dumb fox owes you some dinner." Nick also got up out of his seat, leaving the two remaining cards face down on the table. "I better head home and get changed. I'll text you in a little bit when I'm ready." Nick started walking towards the exit, putting his paws in his pockets. That worked out perfectly, now to wait for the grand finale…
Judy still sat at the table, taking in all that just happened. The other officers had congratulated her for winning, and most had left by now. Her ears were still perked up as she gazed forward.
"Judy?"
Clawhauser's voice broke her from her stupor.
"Hmm?"
"You okay? You're kinda spacing out over there." The cheetah leaned down next to her.
"Nick is…" her voice trailed off. Amazing...Incredible...
Clawhauser could see the look on her face. He knew what she was thinking. "Yeah. He is, isn't he?"
Suddenly, her face changed, looking inquisitively at the cards which were still on the table. "Nick was a little too smug after that. Why do I feel like even if he lost, he still won?" Judy reached her paw out to take the queen she'd correctly identified. Turning it over, she gasped. "No way...that's impossible…"
"What? What is it?"
Judy gave the card to Clawhauser, looking dumbfounded. While the back looked just like a standard playing card, the front was blank save for some very clean writing.
You win, Carrots. I'll pick you up for dinner at 6:30. Dress formal.
Judy promptly reached for the last remaining card, turning it over. It was another note, one that made Judy smile bigger than she had all day long.
It's called a hustle, sweetheart.
Through her smile she let out a loud laugh. "That sly fox…"
Nick finished up the final details of his suit. He looked at himself in the mirror, eyeing the gray coat and emerald green tie to ensure they were in place. "Nick Wilde, you are quite the specimen."
He wondered how mad Judy had gotten at him for the stunt he pulled earlier. He could only imagine the look on her face as she saw what was written on the other cards. The last time he had pulled a hustle like that, he and Finnick had to run for their lives from a very upset rhino. That was terrifying, but ultimately fun for the fox duo. This time, however, he had won a much greater prize than scamming a mammal out of a few bucks: a date with Judy.
He sighed as he looked away from his reflection. He probably should have just asked her to dinner like a normal mammal. But this...this was so much more fun. And today was special, after all, even if Judy seemed to not notice.
He looked down at his phone. 6:00. Better get moving. He walked out of his apartment, grabbing a set of keys as he left. Time to arrive in style.
A bright red mid-mammal sized sports car pulled up in front of Judy's apartment complex. Nick sat behind the wheel of the car, sporting aviators and an incredibly smug grin. The clock read 6:26. It was highly unlike Nick to be early. Must be losing my touch. He reached for his phone, sending a text to Judy to let her know he had arrived.
[Gonna make me sit out here and wait all night Carrots?]
A sudden wave of nerves hit the fox. He pulled the rear view mirror down to check his fur again. Brushing his fur with his paws, he tried to calm himself. First impressions make or break a hustle. Your mark has to trust you from first sight. Look amiable, but distant. Make them question you out of curiosity, not suspicion. Get them to open up about their favorite topic: themselves.
Nick looked back at his own reflection. "She's not a mark, dumb fox. She's Judy. And you got this." He gave himself a finger point and clicked his tongue.
Nick relaxed back into the seat, trying to keep himself calm. Looking at the clock again, he saw it was now 6:33. "Ha...two firsts. I'm early…and she's late. Quite the role reversal."
As if on cue, a small figure exited the building. A flash of purple caught Nick's eye as he turned his head. His eyes nearly popped out of his head and his jaw dropped.
Is that...Judy?
Judy had stepped out onto the sidewalk. She was wearing a stunning lavender dress. The material looked soft and smooth, perfectly accentuating her fur and shape. It was strapless, with some small ruffles at the top, and smooth all the way down to her legs. A small slit in the dress went up just above her knees. She stood, paw on her hip, looking slightly confused.
Nick took a second to take her in. Oh wow… He quickly tried to compose himself and stepped out of the car. "Over here, Officer Fluff!"
Judy looked up and saw him, ears perking at the voice. She looked right at the car and back to him with a look of suspicion.
"Where did you get that?" she asked. Nick had moved from his side to hers, opening the door.
"A friend who owes me a favor." He motioned for her to get in. "I wanted to make this a little special."
"Special?" she said, eyeing him as she moved towards the vehicle.
"Of course. Today is a very special day, after all."
As she walked past, Nick caught a whiff of her. Lavender perfume to match the dress? Ha...she went all out.
Judy took her seat in the luxury vehicle as Nick went back to the driver's side. He closed the door, and turned his gaze over to her.
"You ready?" he asked.
"Ready for a free dinner that I may or may not have actually won? Yes, yes I am."
"Ah, so you did see my little notes then."
"Yes, and I would ask how in the world you managed to pull that off...but I know you won't tell me."
"Well, a good hustler never reveals his secrets."
"Funny how hustler and magician seem interchangeable there."
Nick chuckled. "Difference between a hustler and a magician is just intent, Carrots. Hustlers try to not gain attention, magicians seek it out. But ultimately, it's all just another way to get your money."
"Well, since you didn't scam anyone out of their money today, which one does that make you?"
"A sly fox." He grinned as he looked back at her. "You know, Jude, I honestly didn't think you owned such a lovely dress. Never seen you wear one before."
Judy pushed her ears back with her paw. "Well...it's not exactly mine." She looked back at him, a little sheepishly. "There's another bunny on my floor named Cynthia. She always wears things like this and is about my size. So I asked her if I could borrow something."
"Well, I'm glad you did. You look absolutely stunning." Nick put the car in drive, finally getting them moving.
Judy looked out the window to hide her blush. "You don't look half bad yourself, Slick. That's a nice suit, looks very good on you." She eyed the interior of the car. "And this car...you must have a very well-off friend. Do you even have a driver's license? I've never seen you drive."
"Eh...depends on who you ask."
"How about the DMV?" Judy smirked at him.
"Okay, you got me. I do, in fact, have a driver's license. I'm not driving illegally, Officer Hopps."
Judy just giggled at how defensive he got. She let her eyes take Nick in. He really does look really good in that suit. She looked away and smiled. It was far from the first time they'd gotten dinner together, but to be all dressed up like this...it made it feel different. The car, the suit, and...is he wearing cologne? He's always been a charmer, but this… Judy's face went blank for a moment. This is a date.
Judy tried to get her bearings. Don't think too much on it, dumb bunny. She looked down at her paws, nervously fiddling with the fabric of her dress. She was never really comfortable in dresses.
Why am I so nervous? It's Nick, you know him. You've been around him dozens of times. You've eaten with him, watched movies with him, gone on walks with him…
But this is a date.
No, it's not a date. It's just Nick being Nick. He'll likely try to embarrass you.
But I'm dressed up...fancy car, going somewhere formal...he said today was special.
What kind of special? OHMYGOSH...is it his birthday?
No, his birthday is a couple months from now.
Is it YOUR birthday?
I think I'd remember my own birthday.
Are you gonna keep debating with yourself or pay attention to the incredibly handsome fox next to you? Oh gosh he's looking at you, say something. SAY SOMETHING.
"So...where are we going?" Judy's voice shook with faux pleasantry, and Nick noticed.
Nick looked back to the road. "Well, my suddenly introspective bunny, we are going somewhere very nice tonight."
"You didn't get me all dressed up to go to Bug-Burga, did you?" she snickered.
"Nope." Stopping at a red light, he lowered his aviators with his free paw, looking over at her. "Le Monde restaurant in the Rainforest District."
"Le Monde!?" Her ears stood on end and her eyes widened. "That place is crazy expensive, Nick! You can't take me there!"
"Haha...it's not so bad. I can splurge once in awhile."
"It's not even that, don't you need reservations like a month in advance to get in?"
"Relax, Carrots. Trust your partner. I got it taken care of."
"But Nick-"
"Chill, Fluff. I told you dinner was on me. Let me treat you tonight. I promise you won't regret it." With that, he pushed his shades back in place as the light turned green.
Pulling up to the front of the restaurant, Judy was in awe. Everything about it screamed classy, expensive, and way out of her comfort zone. A young ferret wearing a valet vest approached the vehicle, opening the door for Judy as she got out. Nick came out the other way, tossing the keys to the ferret.
"Take good care of her, she's special."
"Yes sir!" said the ferret, giving him a valet ticket.
Nick walked over to Judy, offering his arm to her. "Shall we?"
Judy blushed as she tentatively took his offer. "I can't believe you got reservations to this place."
"Oh, I don't have reservations." he looked down at her, grinning.
She pulled her arm from his, turning to look at him. "What? Then how are you planning on getting us in here, dummy?"
"The owner of this place owes me, he'll get us in."
"You know the owner of one of the most high class restaurants in Zootopia?" She looked at him with doubt.
"Uh-huh, I told you, I know everyone."
Walking in the entrance, Nick looked for the hostess. A young female antelope in a white dress stood at a small counter, taking phone calls and directing guests to their tables. She saw Nick and Judy approaching.
"Good evening, welcome to Le Monde. What time is your reservation for?"
Nick stepped forward. "For that, you'll need to speak with Mr. Bagheera."
"Excuse me, sir?"
Nick looked back at Judy and winked. Turning to the antelope again, he said "Please tell Mr. Bagheera that Nick Wilde is here to see him."
The antelope looked at Nick with a small amount of suspicion, but put her hoof up to her ear and spoke into a headset. "Mr. Bagheera?" She paused for a moment until she got a response. "Yes, sir, I'm sorry to bother you. A Mr. Nick Wilde is here to see you." At that, the antelope's eyes winced slightly. She looked back to Nick and Judy. "Um...I think he said he's on his way out. Please just give him a moment."
Judy gave nick a half-lidded look. "Doesn't seem like he was expecting you, Nick. One of your old friends, or one of your old marks?"
"Carrots, you think that lowly of me?" He held his paws up to his chest as if hurt by her words. "He's...kinda both."
"Right. Well I hope you didn't get me all dolled up for nothing."
He reached his paw out and russled the fur between Judy's ears. "Have I ever let you down?"
"Do you want a comprehensive list?" she said, half laughing, as she pushed his paw away.
"Ouch, that hurts, Fluff." Judy giggled at him as she lightly punched his shoulder.
A voice from behind them snapped them back to attention.
"To what do I owe the displeasure, Wilde?" A very proper black panther stood behind them. His tuxedo was pristinely white, and reeked of elegance.
"Aww...don't be like that Baggy! It's been awhile!" Nick moved over, offering a paw to the panther.
Bagheera looked at the paw, his arms firmly held behind his back. "It's been three years, Mr. Wilde. And if I'm not mistaken, the last time I saw you I told you that you were not, in fact, welcome here."
"Nick, what did you do to this poor mammal?" she moved to his side.
"For starters, Carrots, he's not poor. He's filthy rich." He looked back over to Bagheera. "Go ahead, Baggy. Tell her all about your various money making ventures."
Bagheera looked to Nick, then over to Judy. "My dear, I'm not sure why you have decided to punish yourself by hanging around his particularly infuriating mammal-"
"She's my partner."
"Partner in what? You roped this young doe into your hustles, Wilde?"
Nick smiled. "Nope, she roped me in. I've given up that life." He reached inside his suit coat, pulling his badge from his wallet. "I'm part of the ZPD now."
Bagheera's eyes widened at the sight of a badge. "That's preposterous! Nick Wilde, a ZPD Officer?"
Judy hated it when people had this type of response to Nick's career change, but she understood. "It's true. Nick here is my partner on the force."
Bagheera looked to Judy for a moment. "Wait...a bunny officer? I knew I recognized you. Are you by chance...Judy Hopps?"
Judy stood up a little straighter. "Yes, yes I am."
Nick stepped back. This should be good.
Bagheera's face softened. He knelt down next to Judy. "Miss Hopps I must say, it is a pleasure meeting you in the fur. I know you don't know me, but I know a lot about you, and my family owes you many thanks!" He reached his paw out to her.
Judy took his paw, still not used to people recognizing her in the city. "I'm flattered, Mr. Bagheera. Can I ask how I earned the gratitude?"
"Of course, of course. You may not know me, Miss Hopps, but you do know my younger brother. His name is Manches."
Judy's eyes widened. "Mr. Manches...from the missing mammals case?" She looked to Nick, who raised his arms innocently and shook his head.
"Yes, Manches is my younger brother. Because of your efforts to solve that case an antidote was found that healed him of his savagery." He looked at Judy with earnesty in his eyes. "I cannot thank you enough for helping save my brother."
Judy blushed and stumbled on her words. "Well...I mean I couldn't have done it without Nick." She motioned to him. Bagheera turned to look at Nick, disbelief in his eyes. Nick just gave a smug grin and nodded.
"Wilde...you really are a cop now?"
"I sure am, Baggy. And I get to work with this lovely heroine of a bunny every day. Can't ask for a better redo."
Bagheera had stood back up, looking over to the hostess. "Miss Sharon, please prepare a private table for Miss Hopps...and Mister Wilde."
"Mr. Bagheera, that isn't-" Judy started.
He raised a paw to stop her. "Please, Miss Hopps. It is the least I can do for the officer who brought my brother back to our family. And if someone of your caliber can trust that Wilde has changed...then I suppose I can as well." He looked back at the antelope, who stood cautiously. "Preferably now, Sharon."
"Y-yes sir!" The antelope darted off into the restaurant, clapping for other workers to follow her.
Bagheera turned back to Judy. "Please, wait here while we prepare a table for you tonight." He faced Nick, a slightly flustered look on his face. "Seems you have hustled me again, Wilde. By your evident change in career, I trust you and I will be on...amicable terms from henceforth?" His eyes glared into Nick's.
Nick just simply looked back with his standard half-lidded smirk. "Don't worry, Baggy. I've always considered you a friend." He gave the panther a small wink before walking over to Judy's side.
Bagheera bid them good day and walked away just as Sharon came back to inform them their table was ready.
"Please follow me, I'll lead you to your table."
Beautiful classical music played in the background. The restaurant itself smelled of amazing food, and well dressed servers darted back and forth tending to their guests. Nick and Judy, however, were led to a smaller table near the edge of the restaurant, relatively private. Nick pulled out the chair for Judy, who thanked him and sat down.
"Such a gentlefox."
"Always." he laughed. Nick took his seat as well as a ocelot server filled both of their glasses with water.
"Good evening, my name is Simon and I'll be your server. Take some time to peruse our menu, for the fox I'd recommend our wood grilled salmon. For you, miss, I'd recommend our salade du jour, which is a medley of fresh greens, roots, sliced almonds and a carrot vinaigrette. Please, take your time." The ocelot took a small bow and walked off, leaving them alone.
Nick picked up the menu and began looking through it. "Salmon sounds good, and I'm sure you'd love that salad."
"How?"
Nick dropped his menu, seeing Judy staring at him with a confused look on her face.
"How what?"
"How do you always do this?"
"Carrots, you'll have to be a bit more specific."
"No matter where we go, what we do...you're always in control. You always know what to say, how to act...you knew Manches was Bagheera's brother, that's why you brought me here."
"Score one for you, Fluff."
"This whole day...you've been playing every single person around you...even getting me to do exactly what you want. The cards earlier...tricking Bogo...getting me dressed up...getting us into this incredibly fancy place…"
"Jude, you make it sound like I'm some kinda chessmaster."
"I'm starting to believe you are." Judy sat back, looking at him. Nick couldn't quite place her look...maybe I'm pushing a little too hard today.
"I told you, today is special. I've been planning all of this for a while now. Of course I'd do some homework and make sure all paths lead where I wanted to go."
"There you go again...what makes today so special, Nick?"
Nick put his menu down, folding it. He looked to Judy, meeting her beautiful violet eyes. "You really don't know?" Nick let out a small laugh. "It's been a year, Judy. Exactly one year since the bridge."
Judy gasped. How could I have not put that together? "N-Nick...I'm sorry...I must've for-"
"It's okay." he raised his paw to her. "I honestly figured you wouldn't realize it. We've been pretty busy this past week. But we both know that day changed our lives. After that, a month went by before I was accepted to the academy. Nine months of training, and now two months of working with the most amazing partner in the world. It's been a full year since you came back into my life and saved me."
Judy lowered her eyes, smiling. "I...I didn't do anything, Nick. I was just trying to fix things since I messed everything up at the press conference."
"No, you didn't mess anything up. You were manipulated and thrust into a situation you weren't prepared for. If anything, that press conference was Lionheart and Bellwether's fault." Nick ran his paw over his now lowered ears. "You offered me something I never had before: understanding. You looked past what the world saw in me and looked into my heart to see who I really was. And if anyone messed up at that press conference, it was me. I didn't extend that same level of understanding back to you. I...I ran away and left you there, after all you'd done for me. Then, that day...that day when you came back to the city and found me under the bridge...that was a very dark day for me, Carrots. I nearly gave up hope for myself, for the world around me. Then you came crashing back into my life and gave me a purpose again."
"Nick...you were the only one I could trust."
He reached across the table, lightly taking Judy's paw in his own. "And that's how you saved me. You gave me something no one else had ever given me. You gave me a chance to be something."
"But you could have done that for yourself…"
"No I couldn't have." Judy's eyes came back up and met his. "Judy, you believed in me. You trusted me. You gave me the drive to push forward. That's what gave me the strength to get through the academy. But even then, without you, no one could have taken a fox cop seriously."
"Nick…"
"Judy...today is special because I'm one year into a new life that I could have never had without you. You saved me." He lightly squeezed her paw before releasing. "And I'd like to celebrate that with you."
Judy thought for a moment. He's so sweet...in a really arrogant kind of way. "You know, Nick, you could have just told me and asked me to dinner like a normal mammal."
"And what fun would that have been?" He gave her a sly grin. "It was totally worth it to get tomorrow off by fooling Bogo."
"Ha...so...how'd you do that? How'd you rig the game like that?"
Nick casually pulled his menu back up, ignoring her request with a smile.
"Oh come on, please?" She made big bunny eyes at him.
Nick sighed. I can't say no to those eyes. "I'd done that hustle a million times. It's a rigged game from the start."
"You mean you let me win the first round?'
"That's how it works. Give the mark the first round, bait them into playing again."
"So you lull the mark in with a false sense of security by letting them win a couple rounds?"
"Yup. Then you egg them on and make them think it's their idea to keep going. Then, once you have them confident they can win, you increase the stakes. If they accept, you pull some sleight of paw to ensure you win, then walk away a much bigger winner."
"That simple, huh?"
"Yup. That simple. Standard hustle."
Judy giggled. "You know...that sounds like our entire relationship, Nick."
Nick put the menu back down. "And what is that supposed to mean?"
"You hustled me by making me think I was winning by helping you buy a jumbo pop. Then I hustled you back and got you to help with the case. We both hustled Bellwether at the museum. All of them were the same, make the mark feel comfortable, then trap them with their own arrogance and pull a trick of some kind to clinch victory."
"You would have made a wonderful hustler, Jude. Too bad we both chose the higher path, eh?"
Judy giggled. The server had made his way back over to the table finally, and Nick and Judy placed their orders, both taking the recommendations given earlier. The two chatted comfortably while waiting for their meals, revisiting several of the cases and arrests they'd made in the past couple months. Nick told stories of the academy training he didn't know if he'd already told Judy yet. Their conversation never lost steam even as the food arrived.
"And then, when you jumped on the tiger's back, gosh Jude you should've seen his face!"
The two laughed. "I bet it wasn't nearly as bad as Bogo's face today when you tricked him." Judy gave a playful smirk.
"Alright, I'll admit it, I was a little nervous when the chief sat down with us. I had to pull out all the stops for him."
"How did you notice he messed with the card?"
Nick laughed. "I noticed the instant I got back up. Crimping cards is a common counter hustle."
"And a sly fox like yourself can't be taken by something so simple?" Judy chided.
"Of course not. I simply ignored it at first, then as I was moving the cards I was nudging the corners with my paw, gradually crimping all of them. That's another key of hustling. Let the mark think they have some control, even if you have to get them to think they're pulling a hustle on you."
"No wonder you make such a good cop, Nick. You are always one step ahead of those around you." Judy brushed her ears back. "I gotta admit...it was pretty amazing watching you do your thing today."
"Why Fluff, you might make a fox blush with that kinda talk."
"Oh hush you. You've made me blush more than enough for both of us today."
Nick calmly put on a grin and met Judy's eyes. "You know, purple is quickly becoming my favorite color. That dress really brings out your eyes."
Judy felt heat rising to her ears, and turned her face away from him again. "Dumb fox, stop making me blush already!"
Nick let out a long laugh as Judy's ears nearly turned solid pink. "Oh come on, you don't know how to take compliments?"
Judy's eyes fell. "Well...no. No one ever really compliments me...except for you."
"Aww...Carrots, that's sad. I figured you'd have bunnies beating down doors to compliment you."
"Nick...stop. I'm...not used to you being quite this charming with me."
Nick reached over and took her paw again. Judy's ears perked up and she slowly turned back and met his eyes once more.
"I'm sorry if I'm embarrassing you, I just want you to know how special you are to me."
"Nick...I…" She pulled her paw away, looking down. "I don't know what to say. I'm not as good with words as you are."
"If I'm making you uncomfortable…" Nick began to sit back in his chair, ears dropping.
Judy quickly sat up and moved a little closer to him. "No, no, that's not it at all. I just...I'm not good with this kinda stuff, Nick." She stood up and moved over towards him, bringing his attention back up to her. "You're...special to me too. I'm flattered that you'd go to such...well frankly such absurd lengths to impress me." She gazed into his eyes, softly adding "But you already impressed me, Nick."
A genuine smile came across his muzzle. "I guess I did go a little overboard today, huh?"
Judy brought her fingers together. "Just a tiny bit." They both laughed. "I think Bogo's pride will recover, though."
After a little bit more laughing, Judy reached her paws down and took Nick's. The two locked eyes again, smiling.
Gosh she's so beautiful.
He is so incredible.
I have to tell her. Just say it stupid fox!
It's now or never, Judy, go ahead and say it!
"I love you." The two stared blankly at each other for a moment, each shocked at the other. They had said the same words at the same moment. After it finally hit them, laughter broke out between them.
"I guess great minds think alike, huh?" Nick laughed again, still holding Judy's paws.
"I suppose they do." she smirked back.
"You're getting really good at that smirk, Carrots." Nick was leaning a little closer.
"I had a great teacher." she said, leaning herself.
"Careful, you might pick up some bad fox habits from me." He reached his paw up and brushed it against her cheek.
Judy nuzzled her face into his paw before looking back at him, her voice surprisingly flirtatious. "Oh, I guess we wouldn't want me to learn how to be foxy, huh?"
"Of course not, no one bunny should have that much power. It just wouldn't be fair."
"Nick...will you shut up and kiss me already?"
Without a moment's hesitation, Nick gently pulled her closer and their lips met. It was slightly awkward at first, but with a little adjustment they made it work. Judy practically melted into the kiss, letting her ears drop down as she reached up and ran her paws over the fur of Nick's cheeks. After a few moments of bliss, the two parted, gazing into each other's eyes again. They were both practically giddy, and nothing was going to ruin this moment.
"Ahem…" The voice came from beside them. A black panther in an incredibly expensive white tux stood, attempting to gain their attention.
"Oh sweet cheese and crackers!" Judy nearly lept back to her seat. "Mr. Bagheera!" She was almost visibly red with blush.
Bagheera smiled. "I was simply coming by to see how your dinner was. I didn't know I was interrupting dessert."
Nick let out of laugh.
Judy wanted to crawl under the table and disappear.
"Be careful with this sly fox, Miss Hopps." Bagheera placed their check on the table. "And Wilde...try to make actual reservations the next time you come here. I do hate being caught off guard."
"No problem, Baggy." As Bagheera walked away, Nick picked up the check. "Let's see the damage...what? No way!"
"What's wrong?"
"That dirty panther." He laughed as he slapped the check back down on the table. Judy picked it up and studied it. The bill at the bottom of the check read "$0.00."
"He comped us the meal!?" They both laughed. "What kinda history do you have with this guy?"
Nick picked up his coat. "That, my dear, is a different story for a different day. Just suffice it to say we had a unique working relationship."
"Hopefully not like ours." she giggled.
"Certainly not." he smirked.
Walking out, Nick offered his arm to her again. Judy gladly took it this time.
Pulling up to her complex, Nick put the car in park. There had been a content silence between the two for the most part, neither really eager for the evening to end. It was now nearly 9:30.
Judy looked out, then back at Nick. She smoothed her ears back and reached out a paw for his. "This...this was amazing, Nick."
"I couldn't have imagined a better end to this special day." He looked into her eyes. "I wanted to make sure today went perfect, but please don't expect me to hustle everyone in a 20 mile radius for each of our dates."
"What, you mean they might be normal, every day dates?" she smirked.
"Well when you put it that way, it sounds bad." Nick seemed flustered. "I may have set the bar too high tonight, I suppose. I'll have to work hard to keep you on your toes."
She smiled. "I already don't know what to expect with you from day to day. That's what I like about you so much."
"Oh, not my rugged good looks?"
"Those are pretty nice too."
"How about my incredible sense of fashion?"
Judy rolled her eyes. "Yeah...can't forget about that one."
"My incredibly witty puns?"
"You're pushing it, Nick."
"It's what I do, sweetheart."
Judy looked back at him, taking in his standard smug grin. "You are incorrigible."
They both laughed. Nick unlocked the car doors. "May I walk you to your destination, madam? It is quite late at night, and a gentlefox such as myself would be remissed if I didn't see you safely to your home."
"Why certainly, good sir." Judy giggled.
Getting out, he took her paw in his own as he walked her to the entrance of her apartment building.
"Thank you for tonight, Nick. Hustles and all."
"You know, since we have tomorrow off, I figure we can spend the day together."
"I'd like that."
The two stood, staring into each other's eyes for a moment under the small exterior light. Judy reached up, grabbing Nick's tie and pulling him down lightly. Her lips met his for the second time that night, and they let the moment linger.
I could get used to this. Nick thought.
