"Dad, why do we have to go Mass every sunday?"
"We're Catholics William. My family at least was, and so are you."
"People make fun of me being Catholic, they said of course you're Catholic, because I'm a cat."
"Its an unfortunate pun, be thankful your only problem is the pun itself, and not anything else."
"It does sound weird though, and not many in Zootopia are Catholics."
"Zootopia is a huge, diverse city. Of course not everyone is following their same religion, or any religion if they choose."
"Am I a good Catholic?"
"Of course William, and no matter how you choose to approach this later, I'll still love you."
"You know Dad, my birthday's is two months from now." William reminded the rabbit as they both were sitting at the break room in the police station.
Jack took a potato chip from the bag, "Mmm...yes. 18 isn't it?"
The cat nodded, "Yup. 18."
There was a moment of silence, only to broken by a tearful Jack.
"In such a short time, my little boy's become an adult." Jack said with a hint of sadness.
William smiled, "Dad. I'm just turning 18, its not like I'm hightailing it out of your place as soon as possible."
The rabbit sighed, "Doesn't help that I'm only 30."
"That's the thing though, you're still pretty young as well. I'm pretty sure you'll find a mate to keep company with."
Jack rested his head on his arm, "Maybe...I don't see any potential mates though."
"Well...how about that officer Judy Hopps?" William suggested.
Jack thought on it, "I don't see it. She's not really my type, she's a little too energetic for my tastes. And I have a feeling that Nick fellow has some interest in her."
"Oh yeah, like you and Skye." William said pointing out the similarities.
"Perhaps. I'm not familiar with the ZPD's fraternizing policies, but they seemed to have a good work relationship."
Jack hopped out the seat and did a vigorous stretching of his back and legs, "Mmm...feeling sore, its nearly time for bed."
"Time to go then?"
The rabbit grabbed his car keys, "Looks like it."
The cat heard some footsteps approaching, "Someone's coming." he warned his father, with his tail pointing up.
Those footsteps belonged to no other than Nick, who came in for a quick cup of coffee before calling it a night.
The fox saw the other two looking at him rather cautiously, which quickly made himself annoyed.
"What? Scared to see a fox intruding in your personal space?" He spat out frowning.
Nick heard William growl a little, "What is it? Speak up what you want to say!"
Jack walked to William and grabbed his paw, "Settle down, he's a police officer. He's not going to cause trouble."
"Yeah." the cat said, but his swishing tail and dilated pupils spoke differently.
"Incredible, I've heard of predators growing up to hate their own kind; now I see why." The fox said walking around them.
Jack guarded his son, "We don't want trouble. We're working together okay? There is no need for distrust or animosity."
"Oh, we've got trouble Jack. One, I know you dislike foxes. Two, Judy seems to like you. But I don't trust you, at all." Nick explained.
"Ah, so my theory about you two is correct then." Jack said, still standing tall in front of William.
"What theory?"
"I speculated from your behavior that you developed feelings for your partner, but now you feel threatened by competition in the form of another rabbit." Jack laid out.
William remained alert, "Dad. We should leave."
Nick shook his head, "You're not going anywhere, I've put up with crap from others before. But now I'm done with being feared or hated."
Jack held his head down, "Seems like we've reached a contentious point right now. Tell you what, how about you and I grab some dinner, my treat."
The fox was perplexed, "Wait what? Dinner?"
William too was confused, "Dad?"
"I will not let this issue between interrupt our case William." Jack said.
The buck held out his paw, "I want to reintroduce myself to you."
Nick was suspicious, "Why are you being so nice to me right now? Is this some kind of sick joke?"
Jack shook his head, "No. Tell you what, I'll even show my casual side to you during dinner. Get to know each other on a more personal level."
"Heh, this causal you better be generous because I'm taking every penny out of you for this dinner." Nick smirked.
"Sounds like a plan, tomorrow night sound good?" Jack smiled as they shook paws.
"Sounds terrific, Jack."
Jack let Nick pick the restaurant of choice for the night, and to his surprise Nick went for a rather modest pub.
"Hmm...wasn't exactly what I planned for." Jack said as the two walked up to the wooden building.
"What's wrong? Too low class for your highness?" Nick said patting the rabbit's back.
Jack let out a little laugh, "Well, when I was younger I did frequent pubs back in Wolverhampton."
"Really? What? Had a little pint?" Nick teased.
"Used to get fucking knackered." Jack reminisced. "One night I was kicked out for fighting off two wolves with a broken bottle. Bit of a faff honestly, one of them was treated at hospital for a stab wound damn close to the neck."
The fox's eyes were wide open, "Shit. You sound more like a sort of delinquent then this uppity agent."
Jack shrugged, "I was called Jack the Ripper. Err, not for killing...was that too much?"
Nick grinned, "Nope. Not at all."
The two walked into the establishment, "Nick!" a zebra barkeeper yelled out.
"Oscar! What's up!" the fox greeted back grabbing at a seat at the front counter.
"Damn, its been what? A week since you last came here? Brought along another rabbit with you? Do you have a thing for them?"
Nick shook his head, "Nope, this dude's offering to pay for tonight. So, tonight's on him!" Nick yelled out.
The entire pub celebrated, leaving the rabbit to sit there a little embarrassed, "Yes, well then..."
After a few drinks, both Nick and Jack were feeling buzzed.
"You know, you never tell me why you hate foxes." Nick asked taking a swig of his mug of beer.
"I don't hate them, its just that since I ended my relationship with Skye. I've been trying to other foxes because I didn't wanted to be reminded of her." Jack said nursing his own mug.
"So, how was she?" Nick asked, interested in Jack's personal life.
"Total sweetheart, would always shower me with affection, and was a supportive girl." the rabbit said with a wistful smile.
Nick was now really interested, "What she good in bed?"
Jack swirled his drink, "You really want to know?"
The fox nodded, "Please. I want to know that you're not just a square."
"She was quite giving, also honestly a bit rough."
Nick gave a sultry smile, "She was an arctic vixen right? Have any pictures of her?"
Jack dug through his jacket pocket and pulled out a picture.
Nick whistled, "Damn, yeah, I would do her in a back alley like a dirty feral."
The rabbit sighed, "I ask you don't make such comments about her."
"Sorry, been a while since I was with someone."
Jack nodded, "Me too."
They sunk deeper into their drinking trousers.
The rabbit was tipsy and was swaying around in his seat, "When I was a lad, I would go to the backyard, and I would draw on the fence with chalk."
"Really?" Nick felt light-headed.
"There was this squirrel girl...so pretty. I would have dreams about her..."
Nick chuckled, "Hey, a rabbit in puberty is like the horniest thing in the world."
"She was pretty. But she ain't into rabbits, she said, "Why would I date a rabbit? You look funny..." Jack recited.
"Ouch, sorry buddy."
The rabbit groaned, "I didn't get lucky until I was 16. Did it with another rabbit, but it didn't feel special. I knew there that I wasn't a rabbit lover."
After some time, both were completely hammered.
Jack was sitting on Nick's lap, "I have to say...you are one handsome foxie woxie~" The rabbit slurred with his vision blurring.
"Not as h-handsome as you Jackie..." Nick petted Jack's nose. "You got pretty eyes, and you're so soft..."
Jack began to cry, "In school they used to call me J-Jacqueline...because they said I looked like a girl..."
"Aww...shh...I'm here buddy, no one's here to tease you."
"Get that pom out of me bar!" a random strange yelled.
Nick sighed, "Err...one did."
The fox had an idea, "L-Let's go to Carrot's house...she's probably lonely right now."
"Wait no...she's sleeping dummy..."
"She's got food though..." Nick grabbed Jack's ear and yanked it close to his mouth, "Food~ Jackie, food..."
"Y-Yes, I know."
"I'm broke...my wallet's at home."
Jack snickered, "Such a naughty little fox you are! Y-You weren't paying anyways!"
"Okay, I think you had enough to drink tonight." the barkeeper announced.
Jack nodded slowly, "Got it, t-take my card." The rabbit struggled to retrieve it from his wallet and place it on the counter.
The two waltzed down the sidewalk in the middle of the night.
"Wait for me!" The fox tripped and fell onto the ground, causing Jack to laugh loudly.
"Come on mate, let's go to her house. I'm hungry..." he said hiccuping.
By the time the two arrived at her house a few blocks down, Judy was fast asleep.
The sudden loud knock on the door scared her awake, "Ahh! W-What?"
"Carrots!~ Let us in~" a very drunk Nick wailed through the door.
Judy sleepily drag herself to the front door, and upon opening saw Nick carrying an also drunk Jack.
"Why are you here so late?" The strong scent of alcohol burned her nostrils, "You two have been drinking?"
Nick stumbled in and dropped Jack on the bed, causing him to groan.
"Be a dear Miss Hopps, order us some takeout." The buck said rolling to his back.
Nick nodded, "Heh, yeah, make it snappy."
Judy was at a loss, but she decided it was better for them to stay than risk running into trouble, "Sure, I'll order pizza." she sighed.
Jack smiled, "Ah, good lad she is...I'll repay ya, soon as I find me card."
The buck observed her clothing, "Strange to be wearing on a t-shirt. Looks too big on ya."
"Its what I sleep in, besides I've got underwear underneath."
"Really? Can I see sweetheart?" Jack suggested.
Judy was disgusted by his request and promptly smacked his nose with a newspaper, "You ain't seeing nothing Mr. Savage."
"Fucking tease..."
Nick groaned, "Its hot in here, is the heater on?"
"Yer right it does feel stuffy..." He struggled to take off his jacket and then his shirt.
Judy looked away blushing, "Please put your shirt back on Jack."
"I thought girls like this kind of body."
Judy had a hard time trying not to sneak another peek, but her eyes betrayed her and despite her efforts she found herself taking in his toned upper body.
"O-Oh my...Jack go put on something please!"
Nick, not wanting to be outdone took of his shirt as well, "L-Look Carrots! I've been working out!"
"So you've been Nick, good for you..." Judy stared at his abs.
There was a knock, "Miss Hopps? Your pizza is here!"
Judy quickly opened it, "Cool cool, here's the money and the tip!"
The salamander looked over, and noticed two very drunk topless males in her apartment, "Uhh...am I interrupting something?"
The doe smiled nervously, "No, don't be silly." she retrieved the pizza quickly, "Thank you!" She said slamming the door.
"Guys, the pizza is here."
Nick quickly ran to her, "Thank the stars! I was so hungry!"
Jack felt sick, "Oh good I was-" he suddenly grabbed his stomach. "Shite..."
He rolled over to the trash can and promptly vomited.
"Great..." Judy said.
"Its bath time William...don't hiss at me! I've told you earlier it was going to happen."
Judy woke up off the floor, and to her surprise Jack was lying down right next to her, still shirtless.
"It doesn't sting...stop crying." he muttered.
Nick was snoring on her bed, knocked out as well.
She groaned, "What did I do to deserve this?"
Taking a peek outside, it was clearly morning.
"Well, at least there's no work today. And Nick is here...safe and sound."
The fox twitched, and rolled in the bed.
Judy yawned and got up to use the bathroom down the hall.
Jack soon woke up with a stinging headache and a sore back, "Ugh...what in gods name..."
He observed the unfamiliar surroundings, "Where am I?" He looked noticing that he was shirtless.
"Oh dear, where are my clothing?" he looked around hoping to find them, but found only Nick sleeping on the bed.
Groaning trying to contain his headache he crawled to the bed, "Wake up Nick, where are we?" he said.
Nick grumbled and buried himself, "Leave me alone..."
The rabbit shrugged, "Whatever, guess I'll just nurse this hangover somehow."
Judy came back and found Jack was awake and suffering.
"Hangover?" Judy asked.
"Seems like it, probably drank more than I intended to."
"Need some water?"
Jack nodded, "Please, thank you."
He looked at the mirror on the wall, and touch his face, "My eyes...their red, did I drink that much?"
"I haven't drank that much since I broke up with Skye." he thought, suddenly a horrific memory erupted from deep in his heart.
"Dad? Are you okay, you look sad. Why are you looking at me like that? Dad...wait, stop! No Dad, please stop hitting me!"
The buck gasped and fell to the floor, "Fucking hell. I forgot about that night..." he gulped, "Damn it, why now!" he yelled out burying his face in his paws, scaring Judy.
"Jack? What's wrong?" she said holding his arms.
"I'm not a good father, I'm...a monster." he silently muttered.
The doe was confused, "What? Are you feeling alright, should I take you to a doctor? You're not looking so hot." she commented his elevated breathing.
"Officer Hopps. I didn't tell you earlier, but you were right to suspect me of abuse." Jack said shaking.
"Abuse? But William and you said-"
"No. I didn't want to upset Nick any further, but he was right. I did engage in abusive behavior when William was younger. And the guilt from it tore me apart inside, so much I nearly quit being an agent." he admitted.
"Jack..."
Nick groaned loudly and lifted himself up from the bed, "Carrots? Jack?" he squinted trying not to hurt his head further.
Jack looked at the fox clearly upset, "Nick...I'm sorry, I kept a rather upsetting truth from you two and my son."
"What are you talking about?" Nick asked yawning.
"I'm the reason William was orphaned."
"Dad, do you know what happened to my parents?"
"No, I've heard they were killed in a car crash, but the details are rather hazy."
"But wouldn't I have known about it? Why did nobody tell me?"
"Maybe you were too young to understand when it happened. But don't go worrying about it; its over. Their souls are resting."
"Are they watching over me, like the priest said?"
"Yes, I'm sure even now they still are here. Watching."
"You'll look after me too right?"
"...of course. As long as I live."
