Nick tapped to Finnick's messages. It'd been awhile since the aggressive fox had texted him, so it must've been important. Nick skimmed through it, reading the two quick messages he had sent him.
Yo nick I think this bunny is gonna use you. Play your feelings ya know?
You know how bunnies are, they hop around real quick
Nick wasn't sure about what he read, and after a few moments hesitating, he replied.
What do you mean?
I mean if you let her, she'll make you her FOTM
FOTM?
While Nick waited for Finnick's reply, he strolled to the kitchen and grabbed a drink. He needed something to soothe his thoughts, so he grabbed a bottle of wine he'd had sitting for as long as he could remember. After uncorking it, he took a long swig before he returned to his seat in the living room and read the new replies.
Flavor of the month man cmon
Like
You're saying she's just going to hustle me because of how I feel
And use that to get off quick?
Exactly man! She's gonna hustle you, you'll probs end up like some rebound
You gonna let her walk over you like that? Use you man?
Nick paused and took another swig. He wasn't sure what to think. He felt his gut turning, and Finnick never lied to him, that he knew of. He knew Judy though, he was sure she wasn't how he was describing her.
But you don't exactly know many bunnies, do you?
He contemplated for a moment, and eventually he decided to go and read Judy's messages. And what he read didn't help the wretched feeling.
Nick we need to talk
You've
Finnick says you have feelings for me?
Is this true?
Nick talk to me. We're partners, we need to talk about this.
After everything, we're just partners?
He could feel the tension through the phone. She had started typing a reply but after a few minutes, she went silent. After more time passed, though, his phone lit up again with her replies.
I don't know Nick
Maybe we can work something out?
That was it for Nick. Finnick was right. They were just partners, and she was going to hustle him if he let her. He read over her message several more times before he chucked his cell phone toward the couch and shot up from his seat. He ran his paws through his fur in between his ears before he went back into his bedroom. He could feel the energy swelling in him before he slammed his closed fist against the doorframe, the pain shot through him quickly, but it was numbed by the adrenaline that was pumped through him by his accelerated heartbeat.
Through the angry silence that permeated his apartment, he heard his phone ring. It was Judy's ringtone playing loudly. She was calling him and, for the first time, he didn't want to speak to her. So he let it ring out. When he went back into the living room, he saw she had left a voicemail.
"Hey Nick, I don't know how you feel right now but… We need to talk soon. I knocked but I don't think you heard me." She sighed into the phone, he could hear the stress in her voice, "we need to talk about this. We're partners and… Well this might be… I don't know."
The message ended, followed by the annoying voice that asked if he wanted to play it again or delete it. He promptly deleted it and tossed it back onto the couch. He hadn't felt like this before, not in a long time. He felt like his time was wasted. Joining the ZPD, working with Judy, those late nights staring at his phone, texting her. Everything had been wasted because she didn't love him.
Nick sat motionless in his recliner. Staring at the black TV and doing his best to not think of anything. He could see his reflection in the screen, and he saw his grin was missing. His ears were flat and the fur around his eyes was messy. Had he been crying? He didn't remember crying. He had lost track of time, so he checked his phone and saw it was already 3.
Judy had also flooded him with texts, but he didn't bother to read them. He opened her conversation and promptly closed it. Just to show her that he'd read it. He didn't completely know why he didn't want to read them, but he had a feeling that they would make things worse.
The throbbing in his fist was getting worse. He saw that blood had dried in the fur and, not wanting to deal with the pain much longer, he went to the bathroom and wrapped it up. He put ointment on the abrasions before he wrapped his whole paw in gauze and returned to his chair. The pain had slowly started to fade, which let Nick lose himself in the silence.
Nearly an hour later, he heard a knock on his door. Without bothering to ask who it was, he shouted to whomever knocked.
"Go away. I don't want what you're selling!"
"Nick you better open this door or I'mma get my chainsaw!" Finnick's voice roared through the door, clearly getting angry. Nick groaned and sluggishly walked to the door. All while Finnick started again.
"I'll give you to the count of three Nick! One, Two-" Nick interrupted him while he opened the door, replying in a slow, droggy voice.
"Relax little guy, don't blow a fuse." when Nick opened the door, Finnick brushed past him and hopped the couch, landing in the middle of the cushions and grabbing the remote to flick on the TV. Nick stared over at him, normally he'd protest to the fennec fox just barging in without asking. But he couldn't bother himself to care.
"So how you holdin' up?" Finnick asked when Nick returned to his recliner. Nick gave a mock grin and shrugged. Finnick seemed a bit annoyed by his lack of reply, so he tossed the remote at him.
"I told you man! Bunnies ain't nothin' but trouble. What'd you think, catching yourself feelings over one?!" Finnick shouted at Nick, standing now on the couch cushion. Nick rolled his eyes and gave his most quality sass he could muster.
"Seems I have a habit for hanging around cute, cuddly things," he directed his look to Finnick, knowing this would set off the little guy.
And of course it did.
"Don't go comparin' me to no dumb bunny-cop! Least I got a bit of restraint when it comes to who gets in my van! You know what rabbits are known for?" Finnick growled loudly at Nick, letting him figure out for himself what he means. Nick contemplated it before he spoke up again, his voice calmer than before.
"I don't even think she's had a boyfriend, let alone…" The golden fox scoffed at him and went back to watching television. Grumbling a reply under his voice before they went into silence.
"Just cause she ain't dating don't mean she ain't hopping couldn't keep up with that if you tried."
Nick sat silently, watching TV with the fennec fox in silence, save for the occasional, and very loud, laugh from Finnick over some stupid joke or scene of the usual sitcoms. They were bland to Nick, and even the funny ones just seemed stupid. Eventually though Finnick noticed Nick's lack of humor commentary about the show, and spoke up.
"'Ey man, what'chu need? I got a van, free time, and three grand in a suitcase down front. You need some company? I know 'some bunnies up in Rainforest who got a thing for preds." Nick didn't justify that with a reply. Instead he continued in silence. Finnick got a hint of worry to his eyes before he replaced them with the usual irritation.
"Tell you what, tonight, we goin' out. Found this great bar, just south of here, you'd love it great variety too. You'll probably get to see how rabbits work when they're workin' it, ya' know?" Nick didn't reply again, but gave a nod. He didn't care where they'd be going, but he needed a drink.
"Hey Nick, I don't know how you feel right now but… We need to talk soon. I knocked but I don't think you heard me. we need to talk about this. We're partners and… Well this might be… I don't know." She clicked off the call and ended the voicemail. She didn't know what Nick was feeling at the moment but then again, she didn't know what she was feeling either.
With a reserved sigh, she headed back down the stairs and began her way out of the apartment. She noticed quickly that the Fennec fox's van was back on the curb. She thought he had only just left? Curious, she tapped on the back doors. Which quickly swung open, barely missing her.
"What'chu want now bunny cop?" he said in a dry tone. As if he was annoyed with her presence which, to be fair, he probably was.
"Nick isn't talking anymore and he didn't answer his phone. Do you know anything more about his… Feelings?" she said quietly. Her ears drooping back down after the surprise of him opening the door so suddenly.
"What, you think I've been reading his mind or somethin'? Like I've been reading his diary?" Finnick laughed loudly and held his gut until his voice quieted and he sat on the edge of the van.
"Boy's got something for cute things, and I know you bunnies don't like bein' called cute but it's true. I don't like it either." before Judy could raise a response, the gold fox kept talking.
"Ever since I've known him, he's always been around smaller, cuter things than him. He was gonna join the scouts or whatever, and who was in that? A bunch of cuddly prey! Learned quick though they weren't so nice… Then he met me, and what am I?" He stood up and spread his arms, showing off his black button up shirt with a fire design and jean pants. Though they could've been shorts. Judy opened her mouth again to reply, but he cut her off once again.
"That's right cotton-tail, I'm adorable. Why do you think I always played dress-up when we hustled? Easy money that way!" he grinded his thumb and a finger together, and she recognized it as a sign for money.
"So why would he want me that way if I'm 'cute'? Not like I can help him hustle anyone or whatever," She asked. What he was saying made sense but… Wait did Nick actually have a Diary?
"Please tell me you're not innocent, 'cause I'm not 'bout to spoil some little kids mind!" Finnick pleaded, looking up to the sky before Judy replied sternly.
"Finnick I'm twenty-four, what is it?"
He hopped off the back of the van and walked around her, as if he was surveying her. His eyes made her naturally uncomfortable, so her ears drooped down her back. Though what caught her off guard the most was the quick paw she felt slap against her tail. Making the fluffy ball bounce for just a moment.
"Hey! What do you think you're doing?! I'm a cop you-" Finnick raised a paw to silence her before he started talking.
"Nick ain't the best with mammals, ya know? He can hustle good but he's not getting any tail, ya'dig? Then hops along a perfect piece of adorable bunny that he just has to have, you're just what he likes too. Adorable, gullible, and a bunny!" Judy's nose twitched and scrunched before she asked him what he meant.
"A bunny? What does that have to do with anything other than what I look like?" Finnick laughed at her again, slapping his knee before he reached up to put a hand on her shoulder.
"You know what they say about rabbits 'round here? How many siblings you got?" she thought for a moment before she gave a number.
"Two hundred and seventy five, why?"
" You think all those kids just popped out of the ground? You bunnies are active!" he exaggerated the last word, saying it loud enough to draw the eyes of a shifty looking badger who was dodging into an alley.
"And I bet you what I got in my van that Nick is hopin' that you'll get a few hops in his bed 'for you move on!" Judy was taken aback, no… Insulted by him. But in her gut, she also felt betrayed. Finnick had been right about Nick's feelings for her, so he must be right now. Right?
"What the… I'm not just some easy bunny! I haven't even kissed someone let alone… Ugh!" She grabbed her ears in frustration, tugging on them until they hurt at the base. Finnick just stood by and watched her while she stomped around in circles, angry.
After a minute or two, she finally settled enough to stand still. Though she was still fuming, her breathing heavy and her ears twitching. She grabbed Finnick's paws in her own and thanked him before she rushed off. When she started off, Finnick put on his shades and grinned before he strolled casually into the apartment. A kick in his step like he hadn't had in months.
Judy didn't know exactly where she was going, but she had settled on walking around Savanna Central. Feeling a bit nippish, though, she texted Clawhauser and asked for any good places to eat. He recommended her to a diner that catered to prey almost exclusively, so she set her direction to there.
The diner was cozy enough, a quaint, small lot in a living district of western Savanna Central. The sign above said The Greenhouse, with an artistically drawn assortment of fruits and vegetables beside the name. Inside, she was surprised to see the diner was actually quite active. All kinds of smaller herbivores populated the booths, while the staff was almost entirely comprised of bunnies.
After she spent a moment to take in the air of the place, she found an empty booth and set herself down. Picking up the menu to browse until one of the staff approached her.
"Hi! Welcome to the Greenhouse, my name is Mary, is there anything I can get you hun?" the brown rabbit girl had a rather noticeable country ring to her voice, which was a surprising comfort to her compared to the usual harsh tones those in zootopia had.
"Yeah er… I'll just have a water and a house salad," Judy said, her voice lacked confidence, but this was the first time she'd been near so many bunnies in Zootopia. The waitress nodded before she rushed off, which gave Judy time to think for a good thirty seconds before another rabbit drew her attention, this time a dark grey one in casual clothing.
"Hey, d'you mind if I sit here? There's no more seats and you seem a bit lonely," His voice rang with a soft city accent, close to the one Nick's landowner had, but not as harsh. she glanced around the diner, he was right. The place was now packed, deciding it couldn't do any harm, she nodded to him. Which gave him the go ahead to sit down across from her.
"Name's Jack , yours?" he extended his paw across the table in a handshake. Judy blinked in mild surprise before she took it and and gave it a slow shake while she replied.
"I'm Judy, Judy Hopps." His eyes went wide before he leaned forward, his voice hushed.
"The Judy Hopps? Savior of Zootopia and the coolest Bunny in town? You're kidding me, right?" she gave him a half smile before she shook her head.
"The one and only," Before the conversation could continue, the waitress arrived with her drink and Salad. Though the sudden presence of the new bunny surprised her.
"Oh, Jack. I… Didn't think you'd come in today," her voice was cautious, her eyes squinting at him while she did her best to maintain a smile. Jack simply waved his paw to her before he spoke up in his peppy, city tone.
"Now why would I go a day without coming into the best diner in town?" he mused with a quiet laugh. The waitress looked to Judy for a moment before she gave a quiet, forced laugh of her own. In a rush, she leaned forward and told Judy to enjoy her meal before she rushed off rather quickly.
"What was that about?" Judy asked, her eyes following the waitress as she vanished into the kitchen.
"Her and I might've had somethin' a little while back. We cut it off recently, and I guess she thought I only came here for her. Seems I'm not too welcome either…" he looked sadly down to the table before he got up and brushed himself off.
"Anyway, miss Hopps, I oughta be goin' anyways. But if you want to hang out sometime tonight, there's this great bar I know of! We can have a couple drinks, you could tell me all about bein' the first bunny cop. Just have a good time!" Before she could protest, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a business card and a pen. The business card was blank, but he quickly wrote the address and name of the bar onto the card before he set it in front of her.
"Oh uh… Thank you? I'll be sure to-" Before she could finish talking, he was out the door. She sighed and looked to the card. Written in a quick font, it said;
2106 Mangrove Road
The Greener Grotto
It had a nice name to it, so she concluded she would go just to see it. She'd only drank once or twice, so this'd be a new experience. She'd been upset by what she knew now about Nick, but she wasn't going to let that keep her from having a good time. She had two days off, and she was going to enjoy them. She told herself before she scarfed down her Salad and head home to figure out what to wear.
"I'm tellin' you Wilde, foxes mate for life and all yeah, but nothin's better than a vixen who's got somebody payin' her bills!" Finnick sat in the driver's seat, rambling to a non-attentive Nick. Though Nick was there enough, mentally, to reply.
"And the chances of you ever getting one to go against her nature like that are a million to one, foxes are lock and key on love, remember?" Nick had his chin in his palm as he stared out the window. The sun was setting and the nightlife in Savanna Central was just coming to life. While it normally calmed him, he still felt as stressed as he did before.
"Well I got a skeleton key, ya'know? Ladies can't resist it!" Finnick flaunted himself proudly, making a rather rude gesture to indicate what his key was. Nick rolled his eyes and checked his phone, It was 7, and for the first time in a long time, he had no new messages.
"That's definitely why you got kicked out of that fox club over on flock huh? Didn't you hit on a vixen in front of her boyfriend who was also the bouncer?" Nick replied with a slight grin. Remembering it like it was yesterday. Having to convince the much larger arctic fox not to take a few inches off of Finnick's already diminished stature.
"Yeah well… Shut up." the Fennec fox grumbled, giving the metaphorical victory over to Nick and putting the van into silence save for the french rap blasting through the speakers. Which was turned up after a minute of silence.
They drove quietly for a few more minutes before they arrived at the bar. Nick leaned forward and looked up to the window. Seeing the neon green sign with a palm tree lighting up from the base to the top.
"The Greener Grotto? What kind of name is that?" he asked Finnick as he hopped out of the van and walked around the front, where the fennec had dropped down and was dusting himself off.
"A green bar, can't you read?" Finnick rolled his eyes and set his way toward the front door. Leaving Nick slightly surprised, but also impressed.
"You invited a cop to a green bar? You must really hate this place huh." Nick chuckled to himself before he set after his companion. Strolling casually into the bar curiously.
"Not that kind of green bar. You think I'm dumb? I don't tell you 'bout those. Nah this's a green bar 'cause of it's beer. Bright green, every drop! Ever had it? Looks nasty but gets you goin' good!" he raised his voice with the last word, doing an odd, excited shuffle with his arms before he pushed the door open and lead Nick into the bar.
Inside, it was surprisingly well kept. Mostly comprised of a variety of mammals around Nick's size; weasels, rabbits, foxes, an odd koala here and there. He wasn't sure, but he might've seen a prairie dog or two. It was a surprisingly diverse mixture, and definitely a good place to lose yourself in.
"Grab yo'self a seat Wilde, I'll grab you some anesthetic. You got some heart pain you don' deserve and they got the best medicine here!" Finnick chuckled to himself as he went up to the bar. Leaving Nick to locate a seat in the crowded bar. He spotted an empty booth far off to one side and bee-lined for it.
The seat was comfortable enough. A plush red material with a polished wood center table. It was perfect height for him, which was more uncommon than he ever liked to admit. While normally he'd feel right at home in a place like this, after the past few months? This couldn't feel farther from normal.
Soon enough though, his short friend found where he was and pushed his drink in front of him. An emerald green alcoholic concoction in a decorative frosted glass. Nick gave it an unsteady look before he shrugged and took a sip of it - Well more like a chug, which shocked him with the strong flavor of a lager.
"Don't get brave Nick, you been off the bottle what, two years? Don't wanna see you losin' it early and killin' this night for the both of us." Finnick said as he hopped up into the booth and took a swig of his own glass. Which was a rather comical sight considering it was the same size as Nicks.
For a while, Nick and Finnick chatted casually while downing their green beers. Nick had been rather out of touch with Finnick since his recent state of employment, so he got updated on Finnick's newest hustles. And since he lacked Nick for them, most of them were rather petty in Nick's eyes. One or two would've justified an arrest had he really felt like being a cop that night.
"So, I know you didn't drag me here just to drink my sorrows away and confess your sins. What's the catch here, you got something planned little guy?" Nick leaned forward, his 'serious grin' appearing on his face to try and catch Finnick in a bluff.
"Nick I am hurt! Me? Hustle you? Man you've drank too much! I saw my boy was breakin' down cause of some uppity 'lil bunny girl, so I'mma treat him to a night and get his head out of her tail!" Finnick gave what felt a lot like an honest confession, but when Nick raised his eyebrow to him, he gave a bit more to it.
"And maybe get some tail too. Hey man don't judge, you don't gotta get any but nobody leaves here alone!" Nick groaned. He figured this is what he was up to, but it annoyed him all together. Though he couldn't help but feel a gear twist in his gut, and it hurt. He leaned forward and rested his chin on the table while his ears went slack. He decided that, with the alcohol in his system, he could let go a bit.
"Yo' man. I think you're forgettin' what I told you way back when I found you," Finnick leaned forward, catching Nick by his tie and lifting up up enough to shove him back to a seated posture. Nick rolled his eyes and nodded, repeating the age old phrase at the same time as the fennec fox.
"Don't let them see that they get to you, yeah I know," Nick leaned back in his seat and looked back into the crowd. His eyes blurry from the alcohol, but something caught his eyes. Something very distinct, something that made his heart sink.
Seated at the bar, he saw two tall grey ears sticking out from the crowd.
A moment later, the crowd moved again. Showing him a sight that shot his heart into his throat then all the way down into his stomach like a stone.
At the bar, was his partner. Judy Hopps with a drink in front of her, half empty.
That isn't what pained him, though.
She was with another bunny.
Finnick had started talking, but Nick didn't hear him. His eyes were on Judy. She was in green cargo short-shorts and a navy blue spaghetti string top. She was talking rather happily with a rabbit in a casual suit, her face lit up with a smile and, occasionally, a laugh.
Every time he said something and she laughed, Nick could feel his chest sink. And he knew exactly why. To try and soothe the pain, he grabbed his alcohol and chugged it, downing the last half a glass and leaving nothing but the foam to bubble at the bottom.
Nick leaned back in his seat, monitoring the two. Finnick had finally shut up and was watching as well. Though he seemed more ready to jump to action than Nick, who was vehemently silent.
Then he set his paw on her thigh. Disturbing the fur by her knee while she laughed. Nick could feel his mouth go dry when she didn't move it. She left it there. He thought he even saw some color show in her ears? He wasn't sure if he even wanted to be sure.
"I told you man, foxes mate for life, but bunnies hop to what hops back. And I bet bunny boy over there is loaded with just what she likes. Try Everything am I right?" Finnick whispered to Nick, giving his elbow a light slap to grab his attention.
"Shut up, we don't know that yet." Nick replied firmly, waving his paw back at him dismissively while never taking his eyes off his partner. He was tempted to text her, let her know that he was watching her but… He felt that'd be wrong. That'd it'd anger her? He didn't know.
He moved his paw up her thigh, resting it at the hem of her short shorts. Nick felt heat burn through his face. If it was the alcohol or his own emotions, he wasn't totally sure.
"Ooooh… He's reelin' her in. All aboard the bunny boy train, next stop his bedroom!" Finnick teased, making a motion with his arm as if he was a train conductor. Nick shot him a nasty glare, which, despite the fennec's bravado, was enough to droop his ears and shut him up for the remainder of the encounter.
Nick watched intently. The male bunny's hand stayed put on her thigh. He talked, she laughed. He grinned, she blushed. She bit her lip and Nick died a little inside.
Nick could hear Finnick mumble something snarky, he debated chewing him out but he held his tongue. He had a feeling that with the alcohol killing his inhibitions, he would break into tears before he got a word out.
When he looked back to Judy, something caught his attention. The bunny guy's hand wasn't on her thigh anymore. He felt panic build in his chest until he saw it hanging by his side.
He could feel his heartbeat slow up until the point he returned his hand to her thigh, once again by the hem of her short shorts.
But something new happened this time. Ever so casually, Judy brushed his hand from her. Nick caught a glance of her face from the side, he could see her hiding her discomfort. She was drunk, but not so drunk that she'd give herself up for him. Because of her hesitation, Nick could feel a fire turn in his chest. Igniting something good this time.
She doesn't like him, she's uncomfortable.
Nick kept watching, trying to find any glimmer of hope in him that Finnick was wrong. She had just given him the spark, and he hoped she'd keep that fire going.
The guy tried again, but this time she was a bit more firm with him. Putting his hand lightly onto his own lap. He could see his face, and he looked annoyed. He probably wasn't used to getting rejected.
Nick saw something more in his face. Something he used to see in the morning every day before he headed off to work with Finnick.
He saw the eyes of a hustler. And the alcohol in his system gave him the courage to stand up. Finnick voiced his disapproval, but he didn't move to stop him. Nick didn't do anything though, not yet.
He was watching for something, a specific reason. A reason to make the shiny badge in his wallet back at home feel like it meant something. He wanted to feel like he could really protect something. Like he could protect someone.
And I'll be damned if I don't get a chance to protect Judy.
The bunny guy firmly grabbed Judy's thigh and tried to push his hand up her shorts. She made a firm shove against his hand, but it looked like she was tired. It could've been the alcohol. Or something entirely different. Nick wasn't going to wait around to find out.
Nick rushed over to where they were and, before the sexually aggressive bunny could get much further, he fell in between them. Resting his elbow on the counter of the bar, facing the irritated looking bunny.
"'Ey, buddy. What's your deal? Can't you see I'm talkin' to her? What's your problem fox?" The bunny's accent was a more inner city, surprising to Nick, but it didn't matter much to him.
"You're doing more than talk to her. What's your deal, buck-tooth?" Nick leaned off the counter and pressed a finger against the guy's chest. Making sure the claw that was hidden in the fingertip was well noticed. The bunny boy though didn't seem too threatened.
"And so what if I was? What's it to you bud? Why don't you go scam some poor family outta house and home, that's what you foxes do best right?" The bunny got a smug look upon his face, looking proud of himself. Nick gave a light sigh and rubbed lightly between his eyes, annoyance and rage tacking through him.
"Look, today hasn't been my day. But you need to understand something. You're touching up Judy Hopps, the first bunny officer on the ZPD," Nick hoped that her name would scare him off, her being a cop should dissuade him, right?
"I'm not a moron, I invited her here. And I don't see her complainin', with that blush in her ears I think she liked it!" He still had that snarky tone, it was pissing Nick off. Nick glanced over his shoulder though, catching a glance of Judy.
She looked dizzy, almost. Her eyes were glossed over and while her ears were pink, she didn't look all there. He glanced to her drink and started piecing things together. After only a moment of silence, he turned back to the jerk in front of him. This time putting on the scariest face he could manage. Last time he used it was to fool Bellwether into thinking he was savage, here's hoping this guy would get the same message.
"Okay. Let me try again, she's Judy Hopps of the ZPD, and I'm her partner. Nick P. Wilde, first fox in the ZPD. And here's the deal…" Nick stood straight before he grabbed him by his shirt and lifted him up before promptly slamming him back down onto the counter. The bartender glanced over and moved to act, but Finnick, who was standing at the bar now, hushed him with a few bills.
"If you lay another hand on my partner, if you even look at her how you've been looking at her tonight? I will personally assure my next meal has more protein than normal, got it?" When the guy didn't reply, Nick lifted him just an inch from the counter before he slammed him back down.
"I said, got it?!" Nick practically yelled now. It wasn't like there was a soul in the bar who wasn't watching him. If not for the area having a don't ask don't tell policy, he would be on the news tomorrow.
Eventually, the bunny grumbled and groaned a reply. Nick was satisfied with it, so he tossed the rabbit back into his seat in an actively rough manner. He then turned back to judy and snapped his fingers in front of her.
"Hey, carrots. You there? How're you feelin'?" The lights were on, but nobody was home. All he got from her is a smile before she leaned toward him and muttered 'fuzzy' quietly. The jerk she had been talking to drugged her. He didn't know with what, but he wasn't sticking around anyway.
"You won't get away with this, you know. I'll buy where you live and your damned apartment! I'm not gonna let some hustler intimidate-" The rabbit was talking, and Nick was annoyed by it. He shook his hand that was still wrapped in bandage from the hit it took on the wall before he turned and smashed it into the rabbits snout. Sending him to the floor.
"Whoo! That's a hustle baby! Don't bother get up bunny boy! C'mon Nick let's get 'chu home!" Finnick cheered from behind him. Nick didn't give a reply, but he picked Judy up into his arms and helped her wrap around his neck so she wouldn't fall. He looked over to Finnick, who had a bewildered look.
"Yo' I said get you home, not bunny blues over here. Doc'll get her a cab man leave her," Nick shot a glare to Finnick. He wasn't going to argue, but he sure as hell wasn't bowing out. Instead he walked outside and stepped to the side of the road and dialed a taxi. Finnick ran out of the bar and rushed up to him.
"What're you doin'?! You just gon' bail on me? This was our night right? Two hustlers back on the town? You gonna bail on me for some bunny bitch?!" Finnick shouted at him. The moment the last word left his mouth, though. Nick turned and snarled at him. The sound feeling foreign in his throat, but powered by anger.
"She's not just some bunny bitch. She's my bunny, Finnick. And if that isn't blowing over with you, take all 15 inches of you back into that van and leave. Because I am taking her home," Finnick's ears dropped. Not expecting the aggression to be thrown his way.
"Fine. You do what you want man. But that bunny is gon' break your heart. And you won't come back from it. Foxes mate for life boy! You fall in love with her and that's it!" Finnick grumbled at him as he walked back to his Van and loaded up into it. Giving Nick a harsh glare before he drove off.
The taxi came soon enough. Nick loaded Judy into it before he climbed in next to her. She was in a daze, and it made him sick how someone could do this so easily to her, someone could… hustle her like this. He leaned forward and told the driver the address, her address. She needed her own bed.
The cabbie pulled up in front of her apartment, Nick paid out of pocket before he carried Judy up to her room. The door was locked, but got her keys from her pocket and unlocked it. Once inside, he set her down on the bed and sat at the foot to gather himself. Before he got the chance though, her neighbors started a racket.
Nick groaned and got up, stepping out of her room before knocking on the door of the two antelopes. The yelling died down to a quick shuffle as they moved to answer the door.
"What do you want?" Answered one, he didn't know which was which. Nick didn't really care though.
"Look, could you guys be quiet for just one night? Judy she's-" Nick pleaded, the one in the back laughed before he grabbed the door and went to pull it shut. The other one spoke as he did so.
"We told her we're loud, and we're not gonna apologize for it. Get over it." Nick leaned forward and grabbed the door, keeping it from closing. They were stronger than him, but he trusted they wouldn't actively use it yet.
"Guys. She nearly just got… Got… Look a guy drugged her drink and things went sour. If I wasn't there it could've gone a lot worse. She's recovering now but please, all I ask is just for tonight you keep it down a bit," it could've been the desperation in his voice, or the tired, pained look in his eyes, or even the dried blood on his bandaged hand that encouraged them. But after a moment of silence, they looked to each other and nodded.
"Yeah we can be quiet."
"Just one night though."
"Judy's cool, sucks what happened. Hope she gets better." And then the door shut in front of him.
He returned to Judy's room and found she had made herself comfortable underneath the covers. Nick couldn't help but smile, despite her circumstance, she still looked so happy and innocent. Which made it that much more sickening to see her in such an impaired state.
Nick sat at the edge of the bed for a little while, going over the texts she had sent him that he didn't read. She asked him if it was okay for her to go to a bar with that guy. His name was Jack. She invited Nick to talk as well, but later in the night she asked if he was mad. He wasn't.
He felt sick, he knew this was partially his fault, and he couldn't get that from his head. Though he did his best to calm himself. He decided he should get some shut-eye as well. It wasn't that late, but he was utterly exhausted. Both physically and mentally.
He considered heading to his place, but decided against it. He didn't know what kind of state she'd be in in the morning, but he knew that she'd need someone she knew. Someone she trusted. So he decided to stay over.
He stood up and unbuttoned his shirt. Taking it off his body before he folded it neatly on her table. He debated taking off his pants too, but decided against it. Better safe than sorry.
He lifted the covers and scooted in beside her. He didn't care about if she didn't feel the same for him, right now he was going to love her. Because that's what she needed. So he pulled her so her back was pressed against his chest and wrapped his arms around her. Holding her in his warm embrace.
Her soft, rhythmic breathing eventually lulled him to sleep. The first good night's rest he'd had in a very long time.
