Hey all! Thank you guys, all of you for reading these few chapters. A BIG thank you to those who have decided to follow my story, as well as the few who have favorited it already. I honestly just started this on a whim and didn't think I'd post it or even do multiple chapters, yet here we are already onto the 3rd chapter. So I figured that the title being as it is, I'd name each new chapter to fit the events of said chapter. I think I'll do 2-3 more lovey dovey-ish chapters before starting the real ride of turmoil, love, and the whole shebang. Also I warmly welcome new ideas to keep things fresh and juicy. If you want to help, tell me I suck, ask about my day, you know, whatever it is you wanna do just pm me or message me. But I'm beginning to ramble. I don't own Zootopia or any of it's blah blah blah, y'all get the point, only this story is mine, for now… Enjoy the chapter, ciao!
Rewinding time back to a certain night, where everything started, a night of partying, a night of drinking, a night of repressed feelings clawing their way to the surface, a night like any other except…..
The Arctic Toad
Judy's POV
"Nick, this place looks run down." I say while looking over the building Nick brought us to this evening. "The place looks terrible, like it has been standing here for 50 years and it's barely standing up!" As I continue to survey the building I see missing brick in the walls, some very crude and suggestive graffiti all over, the light above the door is shattered, broken glass litters the sidewalk, there are people huddled around a burning trash can next to the building, and I'm pretty sure that horse by the corner is relieving himself on the wall. "Why did you bring us here Nick? I feel like we'd lose our jobs just looking at this place! Can we please just leave?" I plead staring at the fox walking next to me.
"What? Do you think I'd take my favorite little bunny to an irreputable place? I'm hurt!" He jests in fake hurt. "Do you not trust me? Are ye of so little faith?"
"Nick, come one I do trust you, but this place looks…" I say in reservation.
"Come on Carrots, if you can look past my outside, just try it with this place. I promise you'll have a great time." He says giving me a little nudge with his elbow.
"Fine" I sigh reluctantly. "Let's just get this over with."
"Boy, that's the spirit!" He laughs as we walk up to the door, where an grey arctic wolf is leaning against the wall smoking a cigarette. "Hey Balto!" Nick greets "How's it hanging?" The wolf looks over snarling with his lips pulled back revealing his sharp white fangs, where catches sight of Nick who's just laughing.
"Slick?" The wolf calls almost in disbelief, "Well hot damn! It IS you!" He says as he runs over, wraps an arm around Nick's neck and proceeds to give him a noogie. "I haven't seen or heard from you in years! Almost thought you were dead somewhere till we caught the news bout that sheep bout a year ago and heard you were involved! Then imagine our surprise when we heard who the first fox cop was? Our Lil Slick one the straight and narrow! Who woulda thunk it?"
"Yeah, things have changed for the better lately!" Nick laughed as he struggled to get free. "C'mon Balto, lemme go so I can introduce you to my friend here."
The wolf turned to eye me, with a curious look. "Her?" He said, questioningly.
"Yes her, now come one Balto! Don't make me howl!" Nick said as he started to howl but was cut off by the wolf.
"Alright, no need to get like that now, Slick!" He laughs, letting go of Nick. "So you his lady friend?" He asks me.
Before Nick can respond I say, "Yes I am, and if you grab my fox like that again 'Balto', I'll hop kick you where the sun don't shine." I quip staring the wolf down.
"HAHAHA!" The wolf starts laughing hard, "I like her Slick! She's got some fire in her!"
"Why do you think I brought her here? And for the record she is not my 'lady friend' " Nick chuckled "She's my partner and best friend, Judy."
"How do you do Judy? I'm Balto, as I'm sure you may have figured out by now, it's mighty fine to meet you! I'm one of Nicks friends in case you didn't know. He and I went to school together when we were just pups." He greets, extending is paw for a shake.
I place my paw in his much larger paw, and give him a firm shake. "Hi Balto, it's nice to meet a friend of Nick's. I was starting to think that Finnick and I were his only friends!" I joke, winking at Nick who just smiles and shakes his head.
Balto laughs, "Oh Nick I definitely like her! She'll fit right in with the rest of the gang!" he says giving me another look over, "Alright let's head inside, you guys didn't come here just to stand here and talk with me. Besides I'm sure Rajah wants to see you too. You haven't kept her up to date either, hope you're ready Slick."
"Ohhhhhh shiiii…. I forgot about Rajah!" Nick says turning pale, stopping in his tracks. "Uhhmmm maybe we should go somewhere else Fluff, like NOW!"
"Nuh uh Slick Nick! You brought me here so we're staying here!" I grab his tie so he can't run. "Even if I have to drag you in. Besides I'm rather curious of this 'Rajah' person who can scare you faster than the Chief can."
Balto is now in an uncontrollable fit of laughter, rolling on the ground. "Oh man Slick! She's just like Rajah! This is gonna be fun to see!" He follows after us, before opening the door to allow me to drag the now sulking and whimpering fox behind me. As we walk into the bar I'm greeted by a beautiful and spacious bar, the complete opposite of how it looks outside and I stand there taking in the visage in a stupor. There's seat's to accommodate all sizes of mammals, the floor is furnished with a smooth mild red carpet. The lights are dim, but not to dim where it makes it hard to see, but at a comfortable level instead. On a closer look the lights have plants growing from them that spread over the ceiling giving the place a jungle like feel. "Not what you expected?" Balto asks with a grin. I just nod my head as I can't put the words to together to describe it. Balto nods in satisfaction as he keeps walking then addresses someone behind the bar, "HEY RAJAH!"
"WHAT!?" I hear an irritated smooth voice yell back.
"Come check what a bunny dragged in!" He looks at me and winks, "You might wanna let go and back away from him a bit." He chuckles
I turn back to see Nick, who's been unusually quiet since I brought him in, fidgeting nervously and staring at the ground. "Nick, are you al-" I start to ask till someone yells.
"NICHOLAS PIBERIUS WILDE!" the smooth voice growls, causing Nick to flinch and shrink in size even more.
As I turn to catch a glimpse of whomever was making Nick act like this a black and orange blur zips past me and barrels into Nick. As I turn to check on Nick, I catch sight of a well-toned female Amur tiger embracing Nick.
"Hey Rajah." He says meekly.
"Don't you 'Hey Rajah' me mister!" she growls now holding Nick by the scuff of his neck, "3 years without so much as a phone call to let me know you ain't dead, till a year ago we hear that you helped bring down that sheep turning preds savage, then we find out from the news that you became a cop!"
"Look, I'm sorry, I just-" Nick tries to say.
"Sorry nothing buster! You think that's gonna help ease all time I worried about you? Not knowing if you were lying in some ditch somewhere with a knife in your gut?! The LEAST you could've done was drop a note off to Balto or put it in the mail box! But noooo, I had to figure out through the fucking news!" Rajah yelled, "You were family Nick! You were like the older brother I never had. And you just left.." she said, tears rolling down her whiskers.
"I know what I did was wrong, and there's probably no way I can ever make it up to you, but I'm sorry Raj. I really am." Nick says sadly. I can only stare in shock at the way the tiger was yelling at Nick, and couldn't mutter anything to help.
"Ooookay that's enough for now Rajah, besides Nick brought a quest I'm sure you'll love!" Balto interrupts. "We can catch up in the back where there aren't so many prying eyes."
Rajah looks around and realizes that there's still a good amount of customers staring at their exchange. Putting Nick down, she coughs "Ahem, let us continue in the private room. Meeko, you take care of the bar for a bit, I've got something I need to do." She called to the raccoon behind the bar, "Got it boss!" Meeko replied.
She led us to a room down the hall, stopping in front of the door and looking back to check if the 3 of us followed and that no one snuck away. Her eyes stopped at Nick the longest, and then me as I was standing next to him, and chuckled as she saw me holding Nick's tie. "Come on in" she motions with her paw. "And don't worry little bunny, I don't bite. Hard." She said with a wink.
I giggled at her attempt to joke and released a breath I didn't know I was holding. Nick smiled wryly then walked into the room followed by Balto. I was the last one in after I gathered myself and steeled to hear about some of Nick's past. The past he rarely ever talks about, that he rarely ever opens up about. As I look around the room upon entering, I notice some microphones, a large flat screen TV, a book on the table, and a fully stocked minibar in the corner of the room. With what just happened, it only now dawned onto me that this was a karaoke bar, and an extremely well equipped one at that.
Rajah, perhaps noticing the look of realization on my face speaks up. "Welcome to the Artic Toad! The best karaoke bar in all of Zootopia!" She says with beaming smile full of pride. "As I'm sure you've heard, I'm Rajah, the owner of this place and friends to these fur for brains." She greets me warmly then asks, "Who might you be?"
I look her in the eyes, "I am Judy Hopps, partner of Nick!"
"Partner, huh? So you two are..?" She eyes me curiously
"Oh no, we're partners on the force, and he's my best friend!" I chuckle wryly.
"That's not what you told me outside Lil' bunny!" Balto barks in laughter.
I smile in embarrassment, then turn to Nick. "Say something already! You've leaving me to the wolves here. Besides where are all your snide comments and witty remarks!" I state, trying to get him to say something.
"Settle down Fluff. You're in good paws." He smiles "You said you were my best friend right? So these two wouldn't lift a digit at you now. And get ready for a ton of questioning." He says in a snarky and joking tone.
"Questioning?" I say curiously, not fully understanding what he meant.
"So before we start, anyone want a drink?" Rajah asks walking over to the minibar pouring 2 glasses of different drinks, setting a blue drink in front of Nick. I see his ears perk up as he sees the drink and his tail swing side to side slightly, he's obviously happy to see that dink. Must be something blueberry I think to myself He only gets that happy if blueberries are involved. I chuckle quietly. "I'll take whatever Raj" Balto say.
"Do you have anything carrot flavored? She loves everything carrot." Nick tells Rajah before looking at me with a smile.
"Well I do have Orange Moose, want it mixed with anything hun?" She turns to me and asks.
"Um sure, blueberry juice please." I say.
Rajah gives me a surprised look, "Oh? Another blueberry lover huh?"
"Well blueberries are a close second, but carrots are my all time favorite." I say sheepishly "I know it's extremely stereotypical I say." Nick just laughs as Rajah cuts him a glare effectively silencing him.
"Alright here you are." Rajah says after passing Balto and I our drinks. "So Judy, tell me a little about yourself. Where are you from? You said force so am I correct in assuming you're THE Judy Hopps? The first bunny cop?" She asks
"I'm from Bunnyburrow, it's about 2 hours out of the city. And yes I am THAT Judy Hopps," I smile wryly. "But hey, my partner also happens to be the first fox." I chime happily. I look over to Nick to see his usual half lidded grin plastered on his face.
"And I couldn't have done it without you Fluff." He says appreciatingly.
"So how did you two meet? And how'd you manage to get him out of the con game?" Rajah asks curiously.
"Well.." I begin. I tell her about my first day on the force, and how Nick hustled me into buying him a jumbo pawpsicle for his "son" Finnick, which illicit some laughs out of Balto and Rajah. Then I tell them about how I saw them melting the pawpsicle, and as curious as I was, I followed them for the rest of the day watching them. When I told them about our encounter at the end of the day, and what he said to me, Rajah gave a very deep growl in Nick's direction, causing him to choke on his drink. Then I proceed to tell her about the rest of what happened on the Night-Howler case. How Nick stoop up to Chief Bogo when he wanted to take my badge. And how Nick opened up to me about the muzzle incident, this caused Rajah to give Nick a look of surpise and worry, which he waved away not looking at her.
"He's never even told ME about that!" She says with a little hurt in her voice, then looks back to me. "You're definitely special to him." She says with a purr.
"I'd hope so!" I giggle, seeing Nick's fur turn a slightly deeper red, but choose not to pursue it. Then I continue to tell her about finding the missing mammals after they've all gone savage. Then the press conference and what ensued afterwards, learning the Night-Howlers were plants, finding Nick under the bridge, finding the lab where they made the serum, the hustle to catch Bellwether, and then Nick's graduation.
"So Slick is a cop now, huh?" Rajah says happily, "And from the sounds of it, it's thanks to you, Judy" She turns to look at me in the eyes. "You turned my big brother into something more than he was. Thank you" She says pulling me into a warm embrace.
After the shock of the hug subsides, I hug her back "I couldn't have done anything I did without him. He just needed someone to see past his fake exterior at look at the real him." After she releases me, I ask, "You've called him you're big brother a few times now, why?"
"You mean he hasn't told you yet?" She says incredulously.
"Well he doesn't like to talk much about his past, and I don't push the subject. He tells me when he wants, and that's okay with me."
"Well let me tell you a story!" She says excitedly.
Nick's POV
"Well let me tell you a story!" Rajah says with a look of excitement creeping over her face.
I sigh, nodding my head, downing the rest of the blueberry moonshine I was given. Ahhh just as good as I remember, I think to myself.
"Just how you remember?" Balto asks as if reading my mind.
I turn to see him flipping through the song book, looking for a song. "Even better." I reply walking over to the bar, pouring myself another glass. I sit down grabbing the song book and pawing through it stopping on a song, Hmm I guess this works, I debate I DO normally sings these kinds of songs.
I look up to the screen hearing the unmistakable and iconic song from that movie about the underdog horse boxer called the Italian Stallion. I look over to see Rajah stopping her story and rolling her eyes smiling, at the song that's been started.
"Rising up, back on the street. Did my time, took my chances!" Balto sings. "It's the eye of the tiger, it's the thrill of the fight. Rising up to the challenge of our rival."
After the song, Balto takes a bow, then passes me the mic, "Your turn Slick." He says giving me a wink.
The song starts up, "I don't want another pretty face, I don't want just anyone to hold, I don't want my love to go to waste, I want you and your beautiful soul." I sing then look over towards Carrots, seeing the excitement and embarrassment mixed on her face.
"Am I crazy for wanting you? Maybe do you think you could want me too? I don't wanna waste your time, Do you see things the way I do? I just wanna know that you feel it too, There is nothing left to hide." I keep singing till the song fades to black.
"OH. EM. GOODNESS. Nick that was amazing!" Judy chimes hopping up and down in the same place. "My turn!" She says excitedly before taking the mic and starting up Gazelle #1 hit 'Try Everything'.
As the song starts, Rajah sits next to me with a knowing smirk across her face, and just stares at me, "So, her?" Is all she says.
"Yeah, her." I say watching Judy jump around singing her favorite song. "I'm glad you two get along so well." I tell her.
"We may get along, but what're you going to tell your mom?" She asks
"I'll cross that bridge when we get there, hopefully I won't have to burn it."
"Nick I doubt it'll come to that, just hope you're ready for the storm that'll follow. You're mom just may beat your ass at the door for leaving the way you did." Rajah warned.
"And I deserve everything she'll throw at me, only if it's aimed at me and not her."
"You've grown Nick." She chuckled
"I don't want to hear that from my 'little' sister." I chuckle
After about 4 hours of drinking and singing Judy is practically falling asleep, and I'm feeling a little exhausted myself. I pick her up in a bridal carry, she's so light, warm, and cute, I say inside my head, if she ever heard me say that my arm just may need to be amputated. I go to pay for our drinks before leaving, but a large paw grabs my wrist before I can pull out my wallet.
"No, your money is no good here Nick. Besides, we can chalk this up to a reunion party between family." Rajah states with a bit of authority in her voice.
"Alright Raj, your call. Now I should get her to bed, we still have work tomorrow."
"Need me to call a cab?" Balto asks form behind me
"No it's okay, my apartment is only 2 blocks North of here" I say matter as factly as I walk out of the door, "See you guys again soon."
"You'd better!" Rajah growls before laughing at the way Judy is hanging onto my tie as I hold her. "And take care of her, you won't find another like her in any lifetime."
I chuckle, "I know Raj, I know. Good night you guys." I say finally walk out of the door.
Nick's Apartment, 20 minutes laters
Nick's POV
Damn living on the 9th floor, I curse inwardly, and damn the owners for not fixing that elevator yet, it's been 2 months!
I finally get to my door and unlock it, with some difficulty, without dropping the bunny in my arms. I kick the door closed behind me and walk into my room to place the bunny on my bed.
"Alright Carrots you get the bed and I'll take the couch." I say, unsure if she coherent enough to understand me.
"No, stay with me tonight Nick" She says looking at me with upturned eyes, begging to not be left alone tonight.
"Nuh uh Hopps, that's the alcohol talking. I don't want to put you in a situation you'll regret in the morning." I say as I start to walk away, but suddenly a hand finds my wrist with strength that betrays her size.
"Nick I'm not drunk, I just wanted a reason for you to hold me." She says with a smile that I know all too well. A smile that tells me she had me right where she wanted. "It's called a hustle sweetheart."
I chuckle, "Fine you got me Fluff. I'll stay." I lay next to her staring into her deep amethyst eyes, getting lost in her beauty.
"Nick" She says while placing her paw on my cheek. "I need to tell you something."
I gulp a knot forming in my throat, nervous of what she's going to say, "Carrot's I don't think-" I try to say before her paw closes over my muzzle shutting me up.
"Nick hush, I won't regret what I'm about to say, it's been a long time coming, and it took till tonight with all the fun and singing love songs for me to admit to it. So please shut up and let me say it." She says staring hard into my eyes, I can only nod in affirmation. "Nick. I love you. I love being with you. You always know what to say to make me happy. You're always there to pick me up when I need it, to be the rock I need for comfort."
I take her paw on my muzzle in mine, "I love you too Judy, and I have for awhile, you believed in me when no one else wanted to. You saw more than the shifty, untrustworthy fox I tried to show people. You saw more in me than I did."
She smiles sweetly nuzzling against my chest, her scent is overwhelming, I sniff, Wait.. I think, my thoughts frozen for a second as she keeps nuzzling my chest. "Umm, Carrots? Are you marking me?" I quickly ask, trying to separate us, but she wraps her arms around my neck clamping down as she starts to nuzzle my neck.
As she works her way up my neck, I hear her whisper seductively and just audibly enough for me to hear her, "Just making sure other mammals know you're MY fox." She coos into my ear.
No longer able to contain myself I start to nuzzle my head between her ears, marking her back. I move to take off her shirt and nuzzle against her stomach and neck, rubbing my scent deep into her fur. I feel her nuzzling my arms as if to rub her scent into my bones. I move down her back as she moves up from my waist back up to my neck, where she stops and stares at me longingly, "Nick." She says.
"Yes Carrots?" I say with a smirk on my face
"Kiss me." She says lovingly, reaching up to my face.
"Thought you'd never ask." I joke, reaching down to her chin to bring her face to mine. Time slows, I can hear her heart racing, her breaths getting shallow as our faces are mere centimeters away, I know I'm in no better condition. She stares at me lovingly as I do the same before I close the mere gap. Placing my lips against hers with all the tenderness and love I can muster. Time freezes completely, even though I know the kiss only lasts seconds, it feels as if hours have past as I feel electricity run through every fiber of my body. As we slowly separate we continue to stare at each other, knowing that things are about to change big time.
"We should get to sleep Nick." Judy being the first to snap from the daze of our embrace. "We've still got work in the morning."
"Work" I groan, "How are we going to explain this to everyone? Not to mention what the Chief is going to say!" I state
"Easy. We tell them the truth." She says with a smug look on her face. "Though they'll more than likely make fun of us for awhile." She chuckled
"That's for sure." I laugh "Clawhauser is going to go absolutely insane once he smells us on each other." I joke.
"Well let's worry about that tomorrow." She says. "Good night Nick." She says curling up with her back against me.
"Night Judy" I say, wrapping my arms and tail around her before drifting off to sleep.
ZPD Precinct 1, Morning after
Judy's POV
"Alright Nick, you ready?" I ask him somewhat nervously.
"Born ready Fluff." He says flicking on his glasses to hide his eyes, a smirk on his face. "Let's do this. After you Officer Hopps." He jokes holding the door open for me.
"Why thank you Officer Wilde." I retort walking through the door, and walk up to the front desk.
"OH HI JUDY, HI NICK!" Greets the bubbly, chubby cheetah behind the front desk. "How was your-" He stops I see him sniffing towards Nick and I, then a look of understanding and giddiness spreads across his face, "OH. EM. GOODNESS! You guys finally got together!? And you marked each other! That's so CUTE! It's about time!" He fires off excitedly. "What happened!? Oh you've got to tell me!"
"Sorry Ben but we got to get to roll call!" I state while chuckling wryly, walking towards the bullpen.
"Oh okay, of course, but you'd better tell later, you little lovebirds!" He say waving after us.
Walking into the bullpen, it was as rough and loud as Nick and I took our shared seat.
"Hey Judy, Nick!" I look over to see an elephant walking over to greet us, "How was your night?" she teased.
"Oh hey Francine, it was great Nick took me to an amazing karaoke bar where-" I stopped as Francine's trunk started sniffing me.
"Did you guys?" She starts, "Fangmeyer, Delgato get over here!" Excitedly calling over a large Amur tiger and a black furred timber wolf, respectively. "What?" The large tiger asks. "You two sniff them!" Francine says.
The tiger and wolf roll their eyes, but did as told. After about a second both mammals eyes grow large. "They marked each other!" Fangmeyer yells. " And they marked each other good!" added Delgato, smirking. At this announcement, the bullpen erupts in laughter and cheers.
Chief Bogo walks in and booms, "ALRIGHT SHUT UP AND SIT DOWN!" He looks over Nick and I. "Whatever you two do outside of work is none of my business, so long as it DOES NOT affect your work, am I clear?" He glares.
"Yes sir! Always professional sir!" Nick replies with a salute, the room erupting into laughter again.
"SHUT IT WILDE!" Chief Bogo booms again. "Just make sure there is no unprofessionalism while on the clock, or I'll split you two so fast that a cheetah couldn't catch it!" He says
"Wouldn't dream of it sir!" I salute, elbowing Nick's ribs to keep him quiet.
"Good. Now onto the docket." Chief says as he begins handing out the days assignments.
Well that went better than expected, I think to myself.
Well here's the 3rd chapter, hope you guys enjoyed it! I figured after the second chapter I'd explain what happened the night they got together. It ended up a longer chapter than I thought! I just wanted to keep adding onto it but reeled myself back in. Yes I did use Balto, Yes I did use Rajah from Aladdin, and Yes I briefly used Meeko from Pocahontas. The next chapter will be up Friday as I work all day tomorrow, sorry. Now to credit the 2 songs. Most of you no doubt know the first was Eye of the Tiger by Survivor. The 2nd song was Beautiful Soul by Jesse McCartney. I was gonna do more song but that seems like a bit much in hindsight. Besides there's already a story where Nick is the leader of a super famous band, the story is called The Warmbloods by NeonJackal214. I highly recommend it if you haven't read it yet. Definitely worth the read! Well time to sign off! Au Revior! Till next time!