Mandatory Vacation
It had been a few days since Nick and Judy returned from their 2 week long mission in Tundra Town. They were assigned to stop a traveling thief who, as rumor had it, ran an underground burrow below the snow where he hid his stolen goods. It had taken longer then both expected, but eventually they found the criminal and were able to bring him back to the city. However, it came with its own set of consequences, Judy only seemed to notice; but ever since they returned, Nick had been coughing a lot. Not to mention, he had completely passed out on the train ride back. And then she felt his head; a clear burning fever edged into it, that's when she started to worry.
She had tricked Nick into going to the doctor. Claiming that they were actually going to her parent's farm to get more blueberries, to say the least, Nick definitely wasn't thrilled with the actual destination. However, he sucked it up and Judy stood anxiously by his side.
Diagnosed with a dreadful case of bronchitis, the doctors soon got on his case about resting and staying out of the cold. Nick only replied with a sarcastic comment to somehow assure he was fine, but Judy promised the doctors she would assist with Nick's well being. Judy seemed to believe that it rather meant Nick needed to be on bed rest 24/7, much to the fox's own dismay. Though he rarely listened, Judy was persistent on his recovery and found herself coming over at least two times a day to check on him, along with making food and keeping Nick entertained for a few hours each time.
Though, she was still required to go to work. Judy convinced Nick to use some of his sick days, ensuring that running around the city was the last thing he needed to do for the time being. That didn't stop Nick from getting up and doing his own thing though. Most of the time when Judy stopped by, she found Nick expecting to leave and return to work that day. Of course she snapped him out of his own fazed reality and sent him back to bed within an instant. Nick's persistent attitude was no match for Judy's concerned demeanour, which slowly became clear to him as the rabbit tapped her foot.
"Lay down."
"I'm fineee.." He always would argue in a somewhat drowsy manner. Judy would simply tease the fact off of how exhausted he looked and urge Nick back towards his room.
Other times Nick would stand at the edge of the kitchen, his eyes focused on Judy as she cooked, disregarding nearly everything she was telling him.
"Nick. Go back to bed."
He only mockingly stood there. That was, until, Judy marched beside him and pointed him towards where he should be. His reply would only be a saturated excuse or claim that he felt fine.
"No need too, Carrots. I feel fine and still have stuff that has to be done."
"Goodnight Nick. I'll bring you the soup when it's ready."
"I don't need soup either." He would object, but by the time she actually brought it to him, he had to disagree.
It was a clear cycle that seemingly never ended; Day by day, minute by minute. As time went on, Judy couldn't fathom why she was so concerned, especially compared to how absolutely unconcern Nick was, regarding his own health! She found herself coming over more and more, proving that if Nick didn't take an interest about getting better, at least she would for him.
"Nick." Judy knocked twice on the door. She carried a bowl of warm, steaming soup filled with cut up vegetables in her arms, something her parents used to make for her when she, herself, was sick. It was the only food she actually could convince the fox to eat without him groaning nonstop. After tricking him to devour medicine, Nick now needed proof on what was what when Judy cooked something.
Maybe this time she'd actually convince him to take some medicine for once in his life.
"Unlocked." Nick confirmed, from the room's other side. Judy found herself nodding before she gently pushed the door open.
Nick was sprawled out across the bed, laying tirelessly every minute. With matted fur, exhausted eyes, loud coughing, but yet a uninterested and annoyed expression, it was clear that if he didn't take this seriously, he would be off work a lot longer.
"I made soup." Judy explained. "How are you feeling?"
"Fine." Just saying that seemed to take a whole lot of strength out of him, as the fox struggled to sit up, resting on his elbows as though he wanted a clear glimpse of Judy. His ragged fur appeared not to have been brushed in weeks and the knots everywhere only added to Judy's theory.
"You can't keep saying that. Your not fine." Judy retaliated. Considering how obvious it was that Nick was indeed sick, the more he denied the facts the more Judy wanted to snap him out of this.
"I think I'm dying from claustrophobia." Nick changed the subject. He pulled himself fully upwards, sitting cross in a manner that reminded Judy as if he was going to faint in a few seconds. With a gentle sigh, the bunny placed the soup on the tray at his side. "Your not claustrophobic. Your sick and need to rest. Now shush and let me give you your soup."
"Mmhm. I'm fine, Carrots." Even though he somewhat argued, Nick allowed Judy to put the spoon in his mouth. At first, he pushed her away, but after all the time he'd been trapped in his own house, it was beginning to become a causal thing.
With a hoarse voice, Nick tried desperately to persway his partner. "I need a change of scenery or something." He nearly begged. Shooting her a gaze with hopeful eyes, or as hopeful as he could get in this state, if Judy didn't know better she would have been positive the fox had been locked in his room for years.
"Alright you big baby, it's been three days. Your doing just fine."
Coughing once, he pushed the spoon away, indicating he wasn't that hungry. "You understand I have to go back to work eventually, right?"
"I've already talked to Chief Bogo and informed him how sick you are. He already promised me if you ever were to come in he'd send you home. Your sick, Nick. You have to take off all the time you need."
"Great." Nick allowed the newly heard information to sink in. "Just great. Talk to Bogo of all animals! Why do you do this to me?"
"Because you deserve a break to rest.. Thank of it as a mandatory vacation."
"Oh yes, a vacation where a deranged rabbit forces me into bed every ten minutes. And decides I cannot leave said bed under any circumstances." Nick retorted, a small but tired smirk rising up on him.
"Hey, you're always complaining how much you deserve a break. Well you got it! Plus I'm doing all your paperwork. Don't worry, everything is under control at the office!"
"...You really are good at your job, huh Carrots?"
Judy sent him a light smile. "Am I good? Yes.. Yes, I am. Now eat."
After finally convincing Nick to finish the soup, and reminding him once again he was indeed not claustrophobic, just simply bored Judy now had her next step the try. The step that constantly proved much harder.
"Good job." The rabbit applauded, proudly. As though Nick was a toddler who had finished a full lunch for the first time. "Now you just need to take some medicine... And then you can rest again.."
"Judy!" Nick leaned back, erupting into coughs. "E-enough!"
"Your sick." Simply stating, Judy popped open a pill bottle. "Swallow this."
"I'm not going to swallow anything!"
Judy crossed her arms and glared at him, letting out an obnoxious 'huff', she tapped her feet impatiently on the ground as if waiting for the fox to change his mind. Nick however stayed persistent and could only shift back, harbouring himself beneath the thick piles of blankets in attempt to keep her away from his mouth.
"You know your never going to get better if you don't try to get better?" Judy stood up, her frustration completing with a pace back and forth. "I think you think this entire cold is a joke!"
"It's not a joke." Nick answered with a groan. "Trust me, if it was a joke, I wouldn't feel like crap!"
"So you admit your sick then?"
"I'm not sick!" Coughs erupted afterwards from under the blankets. Judy could only return to a smile, and soon give an amused chuckle before shaking her head. "Really? Because you appear to be."
Feeling her presence beside him, Nick scooted over to make more room. He pulled himself away from the covers, before sending the rabbit a tiny hint of an tired smile. It was the most he could get with all going on. A sympathetic smile crept upon Judy's own lips as she slowly asked the question Nick was sure to turn down. "Can I at least see if your fevers gotten any better?"
To her surprise, Nick only shuffled closer before replying. "Go ahead."
Judy smiled before leaning herself beside him. While the fox shut his eyes, she placed a paw on his forehead. She knew enough to know when and where to touch, her mother had shown her when she was younger how to deal with colds. It seemed like everyday one of her brothers or sisters had gotten sick back then. Judy also knew that Nick's fever was definitely still there and he clearly was still sick. Nonetheless, she continued to gently rub his head in an enduring and calming manner, stroking back and forth and dragging her hand around his ears, she rubbed.
Dividing a few strands of fur limp against his head, she massaged the side of his head. This action didn't take more than a few seconds to gain Nick's attention and he quickly tilted his head upwards, forcing Judy to remove her hold.
"Sorry." Evenly, she returned her paws on her lap, before clearing her throat. "You still have a obvious fever. Looks like your still sick."
Nick appeared to watch her for a minute before nodding. He rested his head back against the pillows. "Yeah. I kinda figured.."
"Do you need anything? You still haven't had any medicine.""And I never will. I'm doing just fine laying here."
Scoffing at Nick's oblivious thought, it was so obvious he wasn't doing just fine laying there, she met his gaze while continuing to rub. "You know your fur is knotted really bad?"
"I am so sorry Judy. Forgive me! First you want me to rest! Then you want my house to be clean! Then you want my fur to be silky and smooth and then there's the-"
"-Okay, okay. Relax. Didn't mean it like that." She waved her paws up in defeat. "Sheesh."
Nick only scowled before shifting back to the pillows, his pale face laying limp in the pile resembling one of its own.
"If it's any constellation, I've been keeping your house neat." Judy shrugged.
Nick opened his eyes to dozily smile at her. "Thanks Carrots. I haven't noticed."
"You know your pretty sarcastic today considering how sick you are?" Judy crossed her arms, smugly, whereas Nick only let out a small sigh before shuffling back to his left side.
"If you would just listen to me, you wouldn't be as sick! I don't think you've even bothered to rest much -which makes no sense considering how much you want to relax all the time! And I can help brush your fur, if you want."
Nick shot her another glance, rolling his eyes with an even louder scoff. Pushing himself back upwards, he stared at her. "If this is really going to be that big a deal, I'll get up."
"You can't! Your sick." Judy answered, teasingly. She retreated back to another smile, before instructing the fox to lay down. Nick listened, as that was one of the only things he could agree on at the moment, and with the desperate urge to collapse back onto his bed, it wasn't that hard, however when he saw what his partner was trying to do things changed rather quickly.
"Seriously?!" He scolded. Pulling himself upright, Nick tried to stand up. However, Judy got in front first and nudged the fox back down.
"You are ridiculous." Nick murmured, as Judy began brushing his head. He easily knew Judy was beaming proudly at herself behind him, but that only added to his dismay. "Carrots! Stop!"
"Would you relax?" She ruffled the side of his neck, calmly and as gentle as she could get considering the knots. "I'm trying to help you!"
"Your not doing the best job at it then." Nick coughed twice as soon as he said it, causing his rabbit partner to pause for a few seconds.
"Because you refuse to relax!" Shaking her head, Judy returned to brushing his fur. She hummed calmly to them both, as she stroked the sides of Nick's neck. Involuntarily, Nick closed his eyes in a calming manner, adding to Judy's ego on her brushing skills.
She moved back to his head, where Nick was suddenly eager. Smoothing the ruffled and knotted fur a few times, Nick couldn't believe himself when a small sigh pegged at his lips. It failed to go unnoticed though and automatically Judy leaned down to his now open and shocked eyes.
"Aw. Nicky! You like this?!" She teased, an excited smile warming her features as she brushed over his forehead.
Nick nudged her, only replying enough to tell his partner to shush.
"I can't believe you are actually okay with this." Judy brushed down from his head. The response, a gentle and content sigh once again sounded from the fox. She offered his ear quite a few consistent scratches, which only added to the Nick's pleasure. She heard a small little whine from him and smiled in response. Nick's thrilled smile against his own tired features was what Judy would call absolutely adorable, though she'd never let him know that. Although his eyes were sealed shut again, she listened to his gentle breathes and small squeaks every time she brushed in a place he liked.
"Want to finally take your medicine yet?" Judy pestered, rubbing circles around his neck. To her surprise, she didn't get an answer, only Nick's calming heart beat and gentle breathes. "Nickkkk.."
Snapping out of the semi trance, Nick leaned forward with a confused head tilt.
"Hmm? YeahIDontKnow." He added, as though he'd been listening. Only adding more to Judy's victory, Nick rested his head back in a lump against the pillows, seemingly to relax himself and prepare for more of Judy's brushes.
Before he could even fathom whatever she had been going on about, Judy popped open the pill bottle once again before shoving one directly in his mouth. Immediately Nick was taken back by this and started coughing, whereas his partner acted fast in order to hand him a glass of water, which Nick took instantly.
"Are you serious?!" He asked, but with another cough the words were so jumbled Judy didn't even understand.
"You welcome. Now maybe if you can keep this up, I'll rub your head some more." She cooed, earning a glare from her already embarrassed partner.
Sending him a pout, Judy placed the brush on the counter before standing up. A gig magic smile glued to her face, Judy threw her paws up in victory.
"Don't worry Nick. I'll be back over first thing tomorrow morning and we can repeat this whole cycle all over again." Judy teased, beaming while doing so.
Nick muttered something under his breath, without a full reply as he leaned back down against the blankets.
"Next time, for longer."
Judy was deaf to Nick's frustrated reply as she skipped outside his room. She was positive her partner had tried to convince her he didn't enjoy it at all, but she knew the obvious truth.
Clearly she would have to remember this tactic. Not only that, but she absolutely, could never let this one slide.
A/N : Ah lots of fluff for the second oneshot! So for the people who were already following the first oneshot, I summed up what I'm doing in the Authors Note. Basically I'm going to do a collection of oneshots just in here. I know a few other people are doing that too, but I've been thinking about it for a while and it honestly seems a lot better then uploading separate oneshots.
I will continue to upload oneshots separately though. For instance if a oneshots way longer then the average ones in here and can't be broken up, I'll upload it separately. But other then that, this is where I'll be posting my oneshots. So please review and tell me what you're thoughts are.
