It was a cool spring afternoon in the city of Zootopia, and police officers Nick P. Wilde and Judy Hopps were just relieved from duty after a long day of pursuing perpetrators across the immense animal metropolis. Both officers, although resolutely dedicated to their occupation, treasured the time they could spend with each other, though such time was scarce as Nick and Judy were the premier officers of their precinct.
"So, what would you like to do tonight?" asked Nick as he exited his patrol car, his legs aching from a day of strenuous physical activity.
"I didn't have any particular plans," answered Judy coquettishly, "did you have anything in mind?"
"Well," pondered Nick with his paw on the immaculately white portion of his muzzle, "some guys down at the station have been raving about this tremendous sauna in Tundra Town, I happen to know a guy . . ." Nick's voice began to trail off as he allowed Judy's mind to process the subtle offer he was making.
"Well, what?" questioned Judy with ever-intensifying curiosity.
"I was just thinking that we could just go together and enjoy a pleasant and comfortable cleansing experience."
Judy was taken aback by the boldness of Nick's offer, for the two had never been in a truly intimate situation from the beginning of their relationship three months prior.
"I guess we could go, it would be an opportunity to leave the house and enjoy a change of setting, I also read in Bunny's Digest that it can be good for you."
"Yes," exclaimed Nick, attempting to persuade Judy, "it is one of the best experiences that you will ever have. It is divine!"
Interested and intrigued, Judy began to encourage Nick's subliminal advances. "Alright," responded Judy, "but I don't want any funny business!" though in reality this was exactly what she desired, for her life as an officer of the law was governed by regulations and an emphasis on conformity.
"Sounds awesome" replied Nick, "I will call up my buddy from Tundra Town right now to tell him to set up a reservation right away."
As the conversation began to come to a close, the two began walking down the street towards their apartment, both were visibly pleased that their week's work schedule had ended and the leisurely ambience of a Friday evening was now upon them. As Nick and Judy arrived at their objectively minuscule one-roomed apartment, that they often jovially referred to as the "studio", Judy who was ostensibly the more romantic and caring of the two, began to consider the future of her relationship with Nick. For months now, Judy had been deeply enamored of him, and her emotions were telling her to advance their relationship beyond the seemingly sterile conditions of what could only be classified as cohabitation. She had witnessed many other couples down at the precinct station fall in love and move on with their lives; however, she was fully aware that her situation with Nick was indisputably different in comparison to the romantic relationships of other officers. The very fact that Nick was a fox and she was a bunny spurred unfathomable contention within her own psyche as well as fomenting a broader concern over how their emotions could ever properly manifest.
"How can I move beyond these boundaries?" she contemplated, "Furthermore, how can I convince Nick that I am not a mere bunny to be loved, manipulated and then disposed of as a more appealing fox enters his life?"
"Hey, sweetheart . . ." she said after finally building the courage to express her intentions verbally.
"Yes?" replied Nick curiously.
"I was wondering what we could do tonight; I mean right now we have no paperwork from the station and the night is so beautiful" gesturing towards the sunset framed by the single west-facing window of their small apartment, "maybe we can go for a relaxing walk or just observe the beauty of this scene from our window."
"We definitely could," Nick conceded "but why are you so suddenly focused on staring out the window" he added with a laugh.
"I was just thinking that maybe it would be nice to regard the beauty of our fair city together," said Judy in an officious yet content tone.
"Oh Judy, you are such an optimist, you think that everything in this city is beautiful, the trees, the boulevards; I might even believe that you think the smog of the city is beguiling!" said in a facetiously presumptuous voice.
Without telling Nick, Judy began to consider the validity of his claim; in all respects, it was true that she saw the world with tremendous optimism, and she only hoped that Nick could one day reciprocate this regard, making her feel beautiful and appreciated.
As the couple began to unwind for the night, Judy prepared her nightly routine, which included brushing her fur, cleaning her uniform, and taking a shower. Before she could properly commence her regimen, she noticed that Nick had already jumped in the shower. Surprised and somewhat stunned by Nick's blatant disregard for her own pre-established routine she was on the verge of fury when Nick called out:
"You know, you really looked great today Judy, I personally find you extremely lovely in your uniform. By far you are the best-looking mammal on the squad. The way your uniform accents your natural figure, it's heavenly!"
"That sly fox," thought Judy, "he always knows just what to say."
She decided that instead of yelling at Nick, she would just slip into the bathroom to grab her brush, hopefully not disturbing Nick. As she approached the door, she heard the 1991 hit song "Good Vibrations" playing on the shower radio, to which Nick was singing along. Feeling relieved that Nick would not notice her intrusion to retrieve her brush over the sound of this classic song, she opened the door and located her brush in a top drawer near the sink, next to the bidet, a feature of their apartment that was not common in many living spaces; however, Judy, being a relentless optimist, viewed this as an added amenity.
After grasping the brush she briefly peered to her left in the direction of the shower, seeing the outline of a physically toned fox who was in tremendous shape after his early days of police training. As she witnessed him bathing, although the glass of the shower was only translucent due to obstruction from the ample steam that had arisen from the wet fox. Although Judy could only make out the faintest silhouette from the creature in front of her, she was immediately contented to know that he was her lover. Without absorbing his majesty for too long, she scurried out of the room and began to brush her fur in front of a mirror.
Minutes later, Nick came out of the shower, visibly exhausted and dampened by the moisture. Judy remarked to herself how raffish Nick appeared, with a toned upper body and a smart look of cunning on his face, as is characteristic of foxes.
At this point, Nick, with a heavy yet endearing sigh, flopped onto their small bed, which could barely fit the two of them. Judy, deciding to break her strict routine for a change, rolled into bed with Nick, smiling and laughing coyly.
"What's made you so happy today?" asked Nick as he now grinned slightly and looked to his left at Judy.
"Oh, nothing really," said Judy with a giggle, "I'm just glad to see you."
"Well, ok" responded Nick with an incredulous laugh, rolling over to lie on his side and face the wall to his right.
"At least I am being more outgoing," Judy thought to herself, "that is the first step to a good relationship."
Realizing that it was already getting late, with the sun now far below the horizon, the twilight of that calm, tranquil Friday night was coming to a close, yielding the peace and serenity of another night Judy would spend with Nick.