WEDNESDAY.
Judy and Nick sat in their police car, patrolling the streets. Nick was wearing his sunglasses and looking out of the window, lost in his thoughts, while Judy was driving - she looked entirely happy. Standing infront of a red light, someone ran up to their car. It was another bunny, a light brown one with dark green eyes.
"Officers, I require help!" she yelled as Judy let her window down and looked at the familiar rabbit. She tilted her head, trying to recognize her. Nick had a bored expression on his face as he looked over to the bunny.
"Oh my - Judy?" the brown rabbit said in surprise.
"Uh.. yes. Judy Hopps. Do I know you?" Judy answered, sounding a little insecure.
"I never thought I'd see you here! Your parents didn't lie! Oh sweet cheese'n'crackers! It's me - Mary! Your mom's best friend!" the other rabbit said smiling widely. Nick raised an eyebrow and stared out of his own window again. "Please follow me into my bakery, I need to talk to you." she requested and Judy nodded.
"Let me just park the car." she said and drove off. She parked the car a few meters away and unlatched the seatbelt, looking at Nick.
"What's wrong? You coming?"
"I think you can handle this alone." he said rather coldly, not even looking at Judy.
"You're my partner, Slick. Let's go." she said as she hopped out of the car. Nick groaned and followed her reluctantly.
Inside the bakery Mary offered them a place to sit and both sat down across from eachother. Mary sat down beside Judy.
"How can we help?" Judy asked with a smile. Mary was focused on Nick though, who was checking out his claws, his sunglasses behind his ears.
"Is... that your partner?" the other rabbit asked confused. Judy nodded with a slight frown, while Nick rolled his eyes.
"Yes, m'am, he is."
"He is hella handsome." Mary swooned, which had both - Judy and Nick - totally puzzled. Nick started fiddling his tie awkwardly while Judy coughed.
"Uh, well .. sure, can we focus, though?"
"No, seriously. Judy, he's hot stuff. Never seen a fox looking that fine." she kept rambling, gazing at Nick lovingly. He felt extremely creeped out and avoided eye contact of any kind. Judy chuckled as she watched how uneasy Nick was.
"Aw, what is wrong, Slick? Can't handle a bunny swooning over you?" she teased with a large grin. Nick glanced at her with an annoyed expression.
"You guys need to come 'ere more often." Mary said and winked at Nick, which nearly made him gag. Judy laughed heartily and turned to Mary.
"Right, enough dreaming about my partner, what happened? You said you required help." Judy said.
"Oh lord! Of course. My oldest son went missing two days ago!"
Judy raised her eyebrows. She was shocked that this bunny infront of her could get distracted by an attractive fox when her son was missing.
"Uh.. why didn't you report it?"
"Oh, you know, he's quite a troublemaker. Leaves without telling me where he's going, he is 25 after all, but still ... I am worried, 'cause I can't seem to reach him. He's a chocolate bunny with white markings like you and orange eyes. His name is Felix. You need to find him!" Mary explained, now sounding really concerned, staring at Judy.
Judy scratched the back of her head awkwardly. "We will do our best, m'am. Any idea where he could be?"
"Not a single one!"
"No problem, we will find him." Judy reassured the other bunny with a half smile.
"Let's go, Carrots." Nick said as he got up and walked away. Just as Judy was about to get up as well, Mary grabbed her paw and pulled her back down.
"That is one sexy officer you're working with! You need to bring him here more often." she whispered into Judy's ear, which made Nick stop in this tracks, twitching his ears to eavesdrop their conversation.
"Mary, you are a bunny." Judy said, feeling really creeped out.
"So are you! In Zootopia everything's possible, honey. If you don't go get him, I will."
Judy backed away and chuckled awkwardly. "Alright, see you around." she stammered before she ran out of the cafeteria, followed by Nick, who was now pretty amused.
Judy ran to the car and closed the door, breathing heavily. Nick got into the car as well, though he was much more relaxed.
"What's wrong, Fluff? Didn't expect that even bunnies could fall for me? I am one irresistable fox." he said, giving her an arrogant smirk. Judy groaned and bumped her head against the steering wheel.
"That was so cringy." she mumbled, making Nick snicker blissfully.
"Oh, I was flattered. So should you, since you get the honor to work with this 'hella handsome' fox boy, Carrots." he taunted with a naughty grin.
"Shut. your. trap." Judy murmured, before straightening her posture. She drove off at high speed.
They reached the police station again, where Judy wanted to report the new case to Bogo. Nick couldn't get rid of his trademark grin the whole ride, it tempted him to tease Judy about that rabbit lady. Their bond and friendship was just so special, Nick couldn't even explain it. There was no one in the whole world he loved to tease more than he liked to tease Judy. She was such an easy target.
Judy parked the car and sighed as she unlatched her seatbelt. She leaned against her seat and closed her eyes. She never expected another bunny to find Nick handsome. ... ... ... *cough* not another bunny, any bunny, since she surely didn't find him handsome, he was a fox after all! Right?
"Oh Carrots~" Nick sang teasingly into her ear, which made her shudder for a moment. She glanced at him with a bored expression.
"Oh, Fluff. Still mad that another bunny wants to take your place, huh?" Nick kept taunting with a dirty grin, gazing into Judy's eyes. Judy rolled her eyes in annoyance.
"Can we just... drop it? Right, there's a bunny in Zootopia that finds you attractive, we got it. Doesn't mean I do, though. And we both know you'd rather have me swooning over you than her." she teased back, returning his smirk. Nick grinned victoriously and crossed his arms over his chest.
"Oh, but you are, Carrots. You admire me." he said, inching a little closer to push the limits. He could've sworn he saw her blush as she awkwardly tried to avoid further eye contact. She then regained her composure and looked right back at him, also inching closer.
"Not happening, fox. In your dreams maybe, but this is the real deal, honey. You can go get yourself some bunfun in the bakery, though. You know, just to try out what a bunny is capable of." she said playfully, winking at him. His eyes widened for a short moment and he gulped loudly. He then backed away and put his sunglasses back on.
"No worries, Carrots. I am not into bunfun, you're already too much to handle." he said with a snicker. Judy rolled her eyes with a smile, it has been so easy to catch her partner off guard lately, she really enjoyed it.
"Riiiight, that's why you want to spend every free minute with me, huh?" she kept taunting with a large grin. Nick glanced at her and chuckled delightfully.
"You know it's the other way around, Fluff. I am just doing you a favor, since I have such a kind soul." he replied cockily, getting a little snicker from her in return, which made him smile.
"Okay, Slick, let's go inside before this gets out of hand." she said and got out of the car.
Judy entered the halls of the ZPD, followed by her fox partner.
"Hey, Judy! I have a letter for you." Clawhauser called out and held up a yellow letter. Judy tilted her head and walked towards his desk.
"Who is it from?" she asked as she took the letter in her paws. Clawhauser just shrugged.
"I don't know, actually. It was delivered to this adress without a sender, but dedicated to you." Clawhauser replied and pointed at the words 'deliver to Judy Hopps' on the letter. Judy glanced at Nick, who nodded at her to gesture that she should open it.
She opened the letter and gasped as she saw the content.
"You will pay, I will destroy everything you love, officer Hopps. Be prepared for revenge."
The content was written on a computer with a bold font. Judy covered her mouth as she looked at the letter and her eyes immediately started to tear up. She hadn't expected such a serious threat. Nick's eyes widened as he grasped the letter away from her and looked at it closely.
"This got to be some kind of sick joke." Nick said in an reproachful tone, glaring at Clawhauser. The chubby cheetah looked surprised.
"What do you mean?"
"This is a threat! Who gave you this letter?" Nick said, his tone painfully edgy.
"Nick, I don't know what's going on, I swear!" Clawhauser said, raising his arms in defeat. Nick groaned and looked at Judy, who seemed somewhere between panic and utter confusion.
"Do you have any enemies?" Nick asked. Judy simply shook her head, facing the floor.
"I will find that bastard who is threatening you, just you wait, Carrots. No need to be afraid." he said, his tone rather comforting at the last sentence. Judy sighed and nodded, glancing at Nick with a smile. He noticed her watery eyes and took her into a tight embrace, which she immediately returned. He rested his head on hers and sighed.
"As long as this fox is alive, I am not letting anyone harm you, remember that." he said soothingly. She nodded, her face nuzzled into his chest, fighting with her tears. Clawhauser just stared at the two, he had absolutely no idea what was going on.
Nick released her from the hug and looked at her.
"That missing bunny has to wait, I guess." he said with a soft smile, but Judy shook her head no.
"No way, I can't let a written threat destroy my career. I am going to find this missing mammal and if it is the last thing I do. Whoever wrote this doesn't know who he is dealing with." Judy replied, a determined look on her face. With her partner by her side, nothing could really scare her. Nick smiled delightfully at the grey rabbit.
"That's my Carrots." he said with a wink, internally very proud of her.
The rest of Judy's shift she had been awfully quiet and Nick noticed that. He tried to crack a joke here and then, but couldn't get a laugh out of her, even though she really tried to hide her concern from him.
Then suddenly Bogo called her into his office. Nick had to wait outside, but he leaned against the door and eavesdropped their conversation.
Judy went to the large chair infront of Bogo's desk and jumped on it. She sighed and looked at the Chief with droopy ears.
"Officer Hopps, I have heard about your new mission of finding that missing rabbit, but I've also heard of that threat. Do you have any idea who wants to harm you?" he asked, sounding rather concerned.
"No, Sir. I've been working for the ZPD for only a couple of weeks and there's already someone wanting to kill me, I just don't understand." she said, her voice starting to tremble.
Nick, who was still leaning against the door, drooped his ears as he heard her voice starting to crack.
"No worries, Hopps. You're under the best protection, there's always someone looking out for you. Now I want you to take the rest of the day off, go home and take a bath, collect yourself. The next days are going to be hard. I have all sorts of paper work to do, so I want officer Wilde to bring you home safely. Got it?" Bogo reassured her calmly, to which Judy nodded with a small smile.
"Thank you, Sir."
With that Judy left the office and nearly bumped into Nick, who was standing infront of the door. He put his hands behind his back and had an awkward grin plastered to his muzzle. Judy just rolled her eyes.
"Stalker." she murmured as she walked down the stairs. Nick followed her.
"Carrots, wait. Where do you think you're going?" he asked, grabbing her by her shoulder. She turned around with a serious expression.
"Home." she said dryly as she turned around again and continued to walk.
"But ... I am supposed to bring you home!" he called out, freezing in his tracks. Judy simply shrugged.
"I can take care of myself, but thank you." she muttered and left the ZPD without turning around. Nick watched her retreating figure and rubbed his chin thinkfully. He wasn't sure whether to give her space or insist to take her home. He quickly decided to run after her. As he caught up with her he didn't say a word, just walked beside her, avoiding eye contact, his hands behind his back innocently. Judy glanced at him, but didn't say anything.
They walked down the road in silence.
"Just know that you can always count on me." Nick suddenly said in a soft tone, which made Judy stop in her tracks to look at him. He stopped as well and had this sad expression on his face, which nearly melted Judy's heart.
"Same goes to you, Slick." she replied with a shy smile, staring at her feet.
They both sighed and continued to walk, it was slowly getting dark outside. As they reached her apartment building, Judy checked her postbox. There was one single letter in it and it was coincidentally yellow like the other one. She gulped as she opened it and read the content out loud.
"I know where you live and I know your daily routine. Just know that I am always watching you, Hopps."
Judy gasped and let the letter fall to the floor. This wasn't a harmless threat anymore, this person was damn serious.
Nick picked up the letter and growled, his white teeth showing. He looked around cautiously.
"I don't know what to do." Judy yelped faintly, covering her eyes with her paws to hide her watery eyes.
"Well, you have two choices. You can either crash at my place or I'll stay here with you tonight, whatever you prefer." Nick said in a somewhat edgy tone, looking directly into her eyes, which she opened abruptly and blinked a few times in disbelief. She couldn't spend the night with one of her closest friends ... that'd be ... weird.
"Oh, no need to-"
"I insist." Nick demanded, his expression dead serious.
"Well, since it doesn't seem safe at my place I'd rather stay at your place, if you really insist." she said timidly, facing the floor. Nick nodded.
"Let's go." he said and grabbed her paw to pull her with him. He looked extremely vexed.
"Do you really think this is a good idea?" Judy asked, walking behind him reluctantly, her voice a little insecure.
"Why not? Scared the big bad fox might try to eat you?" Nick said teasingly, glancing at her with a smirk. Judy just rolled her eyes with a smile.
Arriving at Nick's apartment, he opened the door and gestured Judy to go inside first.
"Wow, your TV is so much bigger than mine." Judy stated, looking at the huge flatscreen.
"And yet I visit you to watch a horror movie on your tiny screen." Nick replied, locking the door behind him.
Judy sat down on Nick's couch and sighed.
"Do you have any blankets? I mean, sleeping on your couch with an open window... that might get a lil' cold." Judy pointed out shyly. Nick blinked a few times as the looked at her and walked towards the couch.
"Carrots, you wanna sleep on the couch?" he asked, sounding a little surprised. Judy raised an eyebrow and looked back at him, as he was sitting down beside her.
"Uh, of course. No way I am taking your bed, it's nice enough of you to let me stay here."
"Dumb bunny." Nick threw in with a smirk, which made Judy frown.
"Why is that?"
"My bed is big enough, you're gonna sleep there with me. I wanna keep an eye on you after all." Nick explained matter-of-factly, leaning back against his couch, crossing his legs. Judy stared at him for a brief moment, before a naughty grin appeared on her muzzle. Nick raised an eyebrow as he looked at her.
"Oh, you want to share your bed with me, Mr. Wilde? Didn't know we were already there." she taunted teasingly. Nick shook his head in confusion.
"Huh?! No, Fluff, if that makes you feel uncomfortable we could just-"
"I am messing with you, Nick."
"Oh, right." Nick replied, scratching the back of his head nervously.
"You seem a bit off lately, is something bothering you?" Judy asked, leaning back as well. Nick looked around the room for a moment and sighed, before he turned his head to her.
"No, Carrots. I don't know what's wrong with me. I am really worried about you."
"Never thought that a threat could make you lose your cool, Slick." she teased and punched his shoulder playfully. He rubbed his shoulder and smirked.
"Nothing makes me lose my cool, cottontail." Nick stated confidently. Judy decided to tease him a little further, it was so much fun after all to see him sweat. She took off her vest and opened her belt, gazing at Nick while doing so. He watched her closely, his eyebrows raised. She got rid of her belt and leaned in towards Nick.
"You know, Slick... I have no sleepwear. You still comfortable that I might have to sleep beside you in my... underwear?" she whispered into his ear, which made his whole fur tingle. He tried to collect himself but that image really got to him for some reason. He backed away quickly and grinned nervously, adjusting his tie.
"Uh... hah... well... I... uhm... I... could... look if I... have... no, I don't have any bunny sleepwear here, no need to look." he finally gave in and looked into her eyes again. She looked determined and her grin was unlikely naughty for her. He was now starting to feel very uneasy and kept backing away. Whatever she was trying to do - it was wrong, since they were friends - right? Ouh, damn crazy hormones.
"Oh, Nicky, is it really that easy to distract you?" Judy snorted and chuckled. "I will keep my uniform on, it's no big deal."
Nick was leaning so hard against his couch, that he nearly disappeared between the pillows. That bunny knew how to hit a man's nerve. He felt his ears getting really hot as his mind was driving him crazy with images he wasn't allowed to have at all. He took a deep breath and looked at Judy, who was now staring out of the window. She was really just messing? Time for pay back.
"N-no, you don't have to, I want you to sleep just like you sleep in your own bed." he said warmly, trying his best to force a friendly smile. Judy turned her head and looked at him.
"Would that really be okay for you?"
"Yeah, well, if it is okay for you that I usually sleep naked." he said dryly, looking into her eyes, which immediately turned wide. She drooped her ears in embarrassment and looked at her feet, her heartbeat increasing. Suddenly Nick bursted out in laughter, his paws pressed against his belly. Judy glanced at him and frowned.
"Hahaha - did you really think I'd do that?! Pahahaha." Nick gasped between his laughter. A dark scowl formed on Judy's face and she crossed her arms.
"Nick, I was really worried for a second." she said in a reproachful tone. Nick tried to collect himself, but had to keep snickering.
"Don't you worry, Carrots. I will spare you with the image of my naked body, you couldn't handle that anyway." he kept teasing with an incredibly dirty smirk. Judy rolled her eyes in annoyance.
"I will take a shower." Judy said flatly, getting up on her feet again. She brushed off invisible dirt from her uniform and vanished into his bathroom. Nick sighed as he watched her leave and couldn't help but smile. This bunny was so much fun to be around, she kept him on the track and no one managed to make him laugh so much. Though, these images were still stuck in his mind and he felt tempted, but he knew that it was extremely wrong to have naughty thoughts about a best friend and partner on the force. He shook his head to keep it together, he had to share a bed with her tonight and that wasn't going to work if he went to bed feeling horny, especially when she was not wearing anything but her underwear. He decided it would be best, if he didn't even get to look at her in her underwear. He got out of his uniform and threw a black shirt over his upper body. He turned the lights all out and laid down in his bed, squeezing his eyes shut. As he heard the bathroom door open, he became nervous and turned over to the side, so Judy would look at his back and digged his claws in the pillow he was laying on. Holy crap - what was wrong with him? She was a bunny after all.
"Uhm, Nick? I don't really see much." Judy said, standing in the door frame, wearing black underpants and a very short black crop top, only covering the sensitive areas of her upper body. As Nick didn't respond, she just turned the lights on.
"Are you asleep?" Judy asked, sounding a little confused.
"No, just try'na relax." Nick responded, not daring to look at her. Judy raised an eyebrow as she noticed his tense body posture. She went closer to the bed and observed him. He was facing her with his back, his eyes forcefully closed, his paws clenched.
"Are you having a seizure? What's wrong?" Judy taunted, placing her hands on her hips.
"Can you just get into bed and turn off the lights, please?" Nick said, practically begging. Judy breathed through her nose and erased the light, climbing onto Nick's bed. She made herself comfortable with two pillows and sighed.
"Uh, Nick?"
"Hm?"
"Is it always this dark in here? Like... I can't even see my own paws."
Nick turned around and was now facing Judy, although she couldn't see him and he couldn't see her, but that way it was easier to talk. Judy was laying flat on her back.
"Yeah, uh, I... like it... like that." Nick stammered nervously, trying his best not to imagine what she might be looking like right now.
"Are you aware that there's only one blanket on your bed?" Judy asked a little uneasy.
"Uh, yeah. Mind sharing?" he asked, his tone rather sweet. Judy sighed and nodded, although he couldn't see that.
"No, that's fine. It smells like you, maybe that'll help me fall asleep." she said, sounding sincere. Nick smiled widely and inched a little closer, so it would be easier to share. Judy got under the covers and sighed blissfully.
"This is my first time staying with you, although it's a little odd that there's no light at all, but I feel safe when I hear your breathing." Judy stated, not having any ambigiuous thoughts.
"You're being really cute right now, Carrots. I am flattered." Nick replied matter-of-factly, which made Judy giggle.
"Maybe it's easier to be honest when it's dark." she replied sweetly, turning over, so now she was facing him. They were laying inches away from eachother and Judy was able to feel his breath, due to his pointy snout. That made her feel a little tingly.
"Then let me be honest, too." Nick suddenly said, his tone rather faintly.
"Shoot." Judy replied, raising an eyebrow.
"I am happy to have you here, Carrots. Know that I am always watching out for you." he said, sounding entirely genuine.
"Oh, I know, big bad fox. I can always rely on you." she replied, caressing his cheek for a brief moment. His fur was really soft. Nick didn't move a muscle as he felt her gentle touch on his cheek, but he couldn't hide his big smile. This was such a little gesture, yet it was so meaningful. Judy removed her paw slowly, afraid that it might make him feel uncomfortable, since he didn't say anything. She slid her paws under the sheets and closed her eyes.
"You bet, Fluff." Nick said softly. Judy opened her eyes once more, the sound of his voice was really intriguing. She sighed and smiled happily, closing her eyes again. Nick stayed awake for a few minutes, just listening to her breathing. As her breathing got heavier he could figure that she must've fallen asleep. He smiled warmly and turned on his back, closing his eyes and drifting to sleep as well.
Even though they weren't touching at all, they could feel eachother's presence, which made both feel safer, less lonely and over all ... complete.
Awh, this is a little fluffy - and a bit naughty - but fluffy!
Who the hell is threatening Judy? I'ma kick his ass.
xoxo
