The Violet Diaries: The Babysitter
If Finnick hadn't already known Nick he would be offended by the fox's suspicious glare as they stood at the door of Nick's apartment. Finnick had his paws tucked in the pockets of his torn jeans and Nick had crossed his arms, the red fox dressed up in an uncharacteristically fancy dress shirt and breeches.
"So," he finally spoke. "That's what you wear on your first babysitting job?"
Finnick looked up at him with open disgust, "We've literally known each other since we were kids, Wilde. I've always dressed like this."
"Oh, trying to use sentimentally to win points with me?" Nick accused before firmly shaking his head, "That might work for Carrots but it won't work for me."
Finnick ran a paw across his face, releasing a frustrated groan through his bared lips.
"Nick, stop bothering Finnick." Judy walked into the room, decked out in a pretty pink blouse and skirt, a violet purse thrown over her shoulder. She smirked knowingly at Nick as she walked over to the two foxes. "I know you're nervous but remember Finnick is our friend, we trust him with Violet."
"When did we make that decision?" Nick demanded. "Where did you put her?"
"She's in the living room playing with her toys," Judy replied, jerking her thumb behind her. She then turned to Finnick and handed him a slip of paper, "Here's our numbers and emergency contacts as well as how much milk she'll need and her curfew."
"I got it," Finnick assured her, accepting the piece of paper. "You two have fun on your date night."
It would be the first date night the two had since Violet was born and the two had decided to date, wanting to raise their baby and be a family.
"We will," Judy assured and started to push Nick toward the door.
However the fox was resisting, "I haven't said goodbye to Squeaker yet."
"Yes you did. Come on, Nick this is practice for when she goes to school."
"Don't worry, Nick," Finnick couldn't help a smirk. "I'll be sure not to let her play with the really sharp knives."
Nick opened his mouth to speak but Judy quickly closed the door ("Bye, Finnick!"), and then the fennec was left alone with the apartment and the baby.
Shoving the contact paper in his pocket Finnick walked into the living room. Violet was lying on her belly atop a flowery blanket, clutching a plane in her paw and shaking it wildly.
He sat down on the blanket next to her, taking note how the infant that was only a few months old was already nearly as big as him. When he had settled himself onto the floor Violet had turned her head to look at him with big, multi-colored eyes.
"Hey," he greeted gruffly. He had never babysat before, but he knew the main focus was to watch/feed the baby and make sure the apartment didn't catch fire.
She cooed in greeting before dropping her plane and crawling across the blanket to fetch her toy police squad car. Oh yeah, she was Judy Hopps' kid.
Violet grabbed the car and then crawled over to Finnick, placing it on Finnick's lap before sitting up and looking at him expectantly.
"What?" he asked. He picked up the squad car. "What do you want me to do with this?"
Violet made a noise that Finnick guessed was suppose to be the sound of a police siren. He smirked at her before rolling his eyes. He rolled the toy car across the fleecy blanket, "Woo, woo," he intimated a siren's wailing. "Woo, woo."
Violet squeaked in delight and clapped her paws together ecstatically. Finnick ignored the burst of pride that bloomed in his chest for having made the kit happy. She crawled over to her toy collection and picked out a bunny doll.
"What are you going to do with that?" he asked.
Violet turned to look at him and threw the doll at his ear.
.
Meanwhile Judy and Nick sat in a taxi, heading toward the movies for their date. Judy smirked at the fox as he wrung his tail between his paws, continuing to look out the window in worry.
"Please calm down," the rabbit quietly begged of him, placing a paw on his leg. "Violet's going to be fine with Finnick, you know he won't let anything bad happen to her."
"Yeah, I know," Nick admitted with a sigh. He turned to give Judy a rueful smile, "It's just terrifying to leave her side when she can't even walk."
"I get it, I know," Judy assured. "But personally…I think we need this."
Nick nodded in agreement, "…You look pretty."
She smiled up at him, "And you look very dapper. I don't see why you don't wear clothes like that more often."
"Cause I feel so stiff in it," Nick moaned, pulling at his collar. "Did we really need to dress up; we're just going to the movies and a mediocre restaurant."
"It's our first date and I want us to look our best," Judy replied. She honestly couldn't believe she had given birth to a fox's kit before going on a date with said fox.
They arrived at the cinema, Nick paying the driver before they crawled out and into the building. Judy took in a deep breath, practically tasting the buttery popcorn already.
"So what are we gonna watch?" Nick asked, studying the collection of posters that advertised what the cinema was showing. "How about that one?" He indicated to a sappy looking romance that had Judy sticking her tongue out in distaste.
"I was hoping for that one," she pointed to a scary movie, Clawhauser had seen it already and rated it a 9 out of 10 on the scare-o-meter.
Nick gave her a disbelieving look, "On our first date, Carrots? Really?"
The two continued to look at the posters, trying to find something they'd both enjoy. Finally they lifted their paws in unison and indicated to the poster of the latest action flick. They grinned at each other.
"I'll get the tickets," Nick said.
"I'll get the popcorn," Judy replied.
.
Meanwhile Violet had grown bored of her toys, a fact Finnick's throbbing head was grateful for. He had to remember to tell Nick to get the kid into baseball. Finnick found the remote and flicked the TV on, sitting next to the baby as he changed it to the sports channel. He smiled as he saw a basketball game had just started.
Violet started to fuss then, scowling at the TV. "What?" he said. "You can't appreciate a good basketball game, slugger?"
The baby hybrid's lips started to tremble and Finnick felt a flash of panic. If this baby cried under his watch Nick would somehow find out and he would never let the fennec forget it.
"Don't you start," he told her. "What do you want? You wanna watch something else?" With great reluctance he changed the channel to a kiddy cartoon where a panda bear, grizzly bear, and polar bear tried to learn how to make it in the big city all the while learning important life lessons. Finnick guessed it was better than the shows where they talked to the audience while teaching numbers and letters.
He glanced down at Violet, her eyes were big and awestruck as she stared at the TV. He shook his head but couldn't help a little smirk. According to his mother he had loved the TV, always blown away by the 'animals in the magic box' and she always had to drag him away. Honestly it was a miracle he got out and made friends, and by friends he meant one.
He reached out and pulled Violet into his lap, the baby not making a sound, still captivated by the show. Once she was in his lap her perked up ears blocked his view. Finnick sighed but Violet was already snuggling up against him and making herself comfortable.
.
Turns out the action flick was a good idea, it had a creepy villain for Judy to enjoy, and just enough romance to give Nick the courage to throw his arm over her shoulder, Judy immediately snuggled against his side when he did so.
After the movie ended they decided to walk to the restaurant, paws interlocked and stomachs growling despite the popcorn they had shared.
They chose a middle class restaurant, not a five star place full of fancy cuisine but not a fast food joint either. Nick suggested they sit at one of the less crowded spots of the place (having noticed a few rude looks they were getting from other mammals) and Judy obliviously complied.
After ordering their meal and having nothing to do but wait for the zebra waiter to bring them their food Judy faced Nick with a serious expression, her fingers locked together. "Let's talk, Nick."
His brow furrowed, "Talk about what?"
"Us," she replied. "We're raising a kit together and we aren't even married. That's something to talk about."
"It's not that bad, is it?" the fox asked warily.
Judy smiled reassuringly, "No, it's not. But I'm just worried…"
"Worried?" Nick echoed.
Judy's ears drooped and she looked at her glass of water, "You know Violet's going to have a hard time because…her parents aren't the same species. But we just started a relationship and we haven't had a chance to see if we have what it takes to be a couple. And if we can't make it work what are we supposed to do? Violet shouldn't have parents that don't even live with each other and I-" Her voice stopped when she saw Nick's amused grin and the way his shoulders were shaking with silent laughter. "What's so funny?"
"Carrots, you're talking like we didn't already spend every single day together before Violet was even conceived. We were practically a couple already, now we're a couple with a kid and the benefits." He shook his head softly, as if he was exasperated by the 'dumb bunny'. He reached out and grabbed her paw, "Maybe we're just dating, maybe I can't see myself getting-say-married, anytime soon. But I do love you, Carrots, and I don't plan on going anywhere." He smiled, "I'm happy."
.
"Wow, that was a really good episode," Finnick said as the credits rolled. He picked up Violet and carried her into the kitchen. "What I like about Po is that even though they didn't win the game he still learned a lesson about teamwork and playing fair."
With Violet resting her chin on his shoulder Finnick opened up the refrigerator, glad that Judy was thoughtful enough to place the baby's bottle on the last shelf, he also noticed a six pack of sodas. Finnick smirked as he grabbed the bottle and a soda before kicking the door closed and heading back to the living room.
He placed Violet down and offered her the bottle, she took it happily and started to feed, Finnick opened his own can and gently tapped the baby's bottle, "Here's to…your parents. May they have a nice date and not get themselves shot on the line of duty." He took a long swig.
Violet nearly guzzled the entire bottle before Finnick could even drink half of his cola. When she had had her fill he placed the can down and picked her up, gently patting her back in order to get her to burp. When she did it was an incredibly loud burp for someone her size and Finnick couldn't help a cackle of laughter that startled her.
"Big things come in small packages," he told her, placing her back on the blanket. Violet grinned cheekily and Finnick felt like he had just gotten himself a brand new friend.
.
After dinner Nick and Judy decided to have a small walk through the park, their bellies full and fingers interlocked.
Judy smiled at the other late night mammals, some on dates, some jogging, some just walking around aimlessly. Judy leaned her head against the fox's shoulder.
"I had fun," she stated.
Nick smiled tenderly at her, "So did I. That was a good meal."
"And that movie was pretty cool," Judy added. "What was your favorite part?"
When he didn't reply she looked up at him, he had his eyes ahead of them. "Nick? Didn't you like it?"
"Honestly," he said his voice edgy with embarrassment. "I couldn't tell you what the movie was about."
Her brow knit, "Why not?"
"Because I was too busy looking at you," he admitted. "I can tell you what you thought of the movie, you know since you wear your heart on your sleeve."
Judy giggled, Nick always ended up saying things that made her feel so pretty. She snuggled against his side, "As long as you had fun."
"Watching you is very entertaining," he teased, nuzzling his nose against the base of her ear and making her laugh some more.
Judy pulled away from his nose and smiled flirtingly up at him, "Silly me, I forgot."
"Forgot what?"
"That we haven't done the one thing all mammals do during dates." Before Nick could speak she leaned up and kissed him. The fox instantly returned it, pulling her closer and cupping her cheek with a paw. Judy's heart skipped a beat and she felt butterflies in her stomach and she was sure her foot popped up.
They didn't even pull away when rain started to pour down. When they finally broke apart their fur was wet and they smiled lovingly at each other, eyes shining.
"Ready to go home?" she asked over the rain.
"Yeah," Nick leaned forward and nuzzled lovingly against her neck. "I do."
.
Thunder crackled outside, rain splattering against the window, and Violet let out a squeak of fright. She tried to curl into the blanket where she and Finnick still sat in the living room. The fennec checked his phone, it was time for her bedtime.
He picked her up, the baby shaking and whimpering over the loud storm. Finnick sighed, he knew he was supposed to put her in her crib but he couldn't make her face the storm alone.
"Buck up," he said, sitting back down with the baby curled in his lap. "It's just water and noise." He rubbed her back as she continued to shiver, staining his shirt with tears.
Finnick frowned thoughtfully and then let out a reluctant sigh. "If I sing you a lullaby will that calm you down?"
Violet looked at him with trembling lips.
"Just so you know this is a one time thing. I just don't want you to be awake when Wilde gets back and have him accuse me of turning you into an insomniac."
Finnick laid down, letting Violet snuggle against the crook of his arm. He stared up at the ceiling, listing to the pelting rain outside. He took a breath and sang the soft lullaby his mother had taught him:
"The fox went out on a chilly night,
He prayed to the Moon to give him light,
For he'd many a mile to go that night
Before he reached the town-o, town-o, town-o,
He had a many a mile to go that night
Before he reached the town-o."
.
Nick and Judy walked into their apartment soaking wet. Judy let out an annoyed yip when Nick shook his fur out, spraying her with droplets.
"Well, at least nothing's on fire," Nick pointed out, looking around the kitchen. "And none of the silverware has been pulled out."
"Seriously, Nick," Judy rolled her eyes as she passed him. "How is it that I trust Finnick more when you've known him longer?"
"That's the exact reason I don't trust him," the fox growled, following after her.
They walked into the living room and stopped in their tracks when they saw what awaited them.
Finnick had his tail curled around Violet, one arm holding her to him while the other was used as a pillow for the baby. One of his large ears were splayed over Violet's body as a blanket, the baby nibbling the edge of his ear in her sleep while the fennec filled the room with his loud snores.
"Aw," Judy cooed softly, clutching her chest. She blinked when there was suddenly a flash and looked at Nick who had pulled out his phone to take a picture of his friend and child. "What are you doing?"
"Carrots, darling, there are two things I've always adored," he stated, waving his phone with a mischievous grin. "Memorabilia… And blackmail."