Hey guys, it is I, le author.

So one thing, before we start. There is a scene in this story that holds similarities with another popular fanfic 'Safe Paws' (Which by the way, in a fucking amazing story, like, seriously)

I would just like to say, I asked the author of this amazing fic -Midnightophiliac- about the content, and they said that they were completely fine with me using the scene, and on top of that, they were just super nice in general.

So, without anymore wait, Chapter 7

Judy Hopps woke up in the arms of the fox she loved the most. His warmth washed over her like a protective blanket, his tail was wrapped around her waist; his head nestled on the top of her head. She had her arms wrapped around his torso, snuggled in like a big, goofy prison. She took a deep breath, savoring his scent. She didn't want to get up, she wanted to lay there forever, in the arms of her fox. She'd be able to forget everything around her, forget the troubles and hardships of work and stress. But, Judy was a smart girl, she knew that she couldn't lay there forever. What she did know, however, was that she could lay there for another half an hour. And she did just that. Closing her eyes, she nestled back down, and fell back asleep.

Nick Wilde woke to the loud bang of someone knocking on the door.

"Judy hun, you in there?" Bonnie called. Judy lifted her head, groaning, she gave Nick one more squeeze, before reluctantly departing from his hold.

"Yeah mom, we're awake." She called back.

"Okay, I was just checking, the storm passed, so you're siblings are going to be setting up for the festival, and they could probably use a hand, if you and Nick wouldn't mind helping."

"Yeah, we'll be out in a sec, mom, I'll see you at the fairgrounds, love you!"

"Love you too, hun." Bonnie sung lovingly back. Nick gave Judy a quizzical look.

"Festival?" He asked

"Yeah, it's kind of like our independence day." Judy answered.

"The Burrows have an independence day?"

"Yeah, but it's not really as big a deal as most other area's independence days. Bunny Burrow technically used to be a part of Zootopia. We never had any big buildings, but we still had to pay taxes and follow their laws." Judy explained.

"Let me guess, then some mammal declared war and you guys fought for your rights of independence, just like any other country or state or something." Nick asked.

"No, no war, we just said that we didn't like being a part of Zootopia, then we sent them a letter declaring that they leave us alone, paid them some money, and now we're free. Like I said, not exactly a big deal." Judy finished,

"So how come you guys celebrate it?" Nick asked.

"Because we bunnies don't have much to celebrate. We don't celebrate birthdays, because there's so many of us, birthdays alone would be enough to bankrupt any parent. Halloween is a no go, because going door-to-door asking for candy is really hard when the closest neighbor lives miles away, and the idea of Easter is just plain insulting for a bunny." Judy joked.

"That's a shame, holidays have always been a big part of my life." Nick mused.

"Really?" Judy asked.

"Yeah, my father wasn't always really around, but on holidays he'd always come by, and it was like we were a family for a few days, before he went off being a deadbeat drunk for the rest of the time, until the next holiday rolled around" Nick's voice was far off, and his eyes were lost inspace, as he reminisced some memories from his past.

"Come on, Slick, we should probably start getting ready," Judy tugged at Nick's arm.

"Yeah, you're right. What day is this festival, anyways?"

"This evening." Judy nonchalantly replied.

"This evening?" Nick asked, his eyes wide and voice full of surprise.

"Nick, there's thousands of bunnies in this area of Bunny Burrow alone, we set things up fast."

"We're building an entire festival for thousands of bunnies?" Nick's disbelief and surprise grew by the second.

"Yep!." Judy giggled.

"I mean, I could probably build an entire amusement park able to hold thousands of bunnies in a day, I was just surprised, is all." Nick teased.

"Sure you could, Slick."

Nick and Judy spent the morning goofing off and getting ready, and enjoyed each other's company throughout the day and into the afternoon.

"Okay, that's a box of throwing darts, you'll want to put those by the game stands, over there." Judy pointed Nick towards the back of the fairgrounds. It was around four O'clock, evening was approaching fast, and the fair was expected to be up and running by six O'clock. Nick went off in the direction Judy had pointed, and Judy followed.

"After that box you have there," Judy called to Nick, as she caught up with him, "It should be the last of the boxes."

"I still can't believe that everyone trusts each other enough around here to just let them build everything from scratch." Nick called.

"Yeah, trust is a big thing around here in the Burrows, it's actually how everything runs so smoothly."

"Really? I would've thought that the Burrows were more of a 'Mad Marsupial' style every mammal for themselves" Nick said as he set down the box with an exasperated sigh.

"I'd say that about covers our part of the work, the construction mammals should be coming around eventually." Judy disclosed, she looked up from her info sheet. "Nick?" Nick was nowhere to be seen. Judy looked around, a slight expression of worry on her face. "Nick? Where'd you go off to?" She called again, and she began walking down a path. "Ni-" Judy was cut off when a fluffy red hand poked out of behind one of the stalls, and grabbed her by the arm. Judy let out a yelp of terror, before she saw who it was in front of her. "Nick!" She punched him in the chest. "You jerk, you scared the heck out of me!"

"Sorry, I slipped." Nick said with a smug grin. Judy huffed.

"Sure you did, slick."

"Well, I mean, as long as we're here." Nick said without letting his grin down. He leaned down and rubbed his nose against Judy's, then he connected their lips, giving Judy a kiss. He held it for a few more seconds then usual, savoring his bunny's scent.

"Mmm, what's the occasion?" Judy cooed.

"Nothing, just felt like it" Nick said with a smile, this one a little more genuine than usual. Judy smiled, too. Judy reached into her back pocket, and pulled out her phone, tapping it a few times, then sighing.

"We still have half an hour to kill, any ideas?"

"We could keep doing this" Nick suggested

"Man, I wish." Judy smiled. "Ooh! I got it!"

"Oh, you got what?" Nick asked.

"I could introduce you to Gideon."

"You mean the kid who was a constant torment your entire life and gave you that awful scar?" Nick asked, a spike of defensive anger in his voice. He reached down and brushed Judy's cheek where the scars were.

"Yeah, that guy, but he's changed, he's a real good guy." Judy pointed out.

"That doesn't mean I don't have my reservations." Nick replied, hesitation in his voice.

"You'll love him, I promise."

"Sorry fluff, I only have enough room for the love of one country mammal."

"You need to work on your" Judy put up air quotes "'flirting'" Judy grabbed Nick's hand, and they began to walk towards Gideon's stall.

"Hey, my natural charm worked on you, didn't it?" Nick asked

"Nope, I just date you out of pity" Judy quipped.

"Ah, but you date me nonetheless, I still consider that a win"

"Hey, at least you know how to aim low" Judy teased. "Oh, hey, you still love blueberries, right?"

"Nope." Nick replied, heavy sarcasm in his voice. "Always hated them, always will. They're gross"

Judy just sighed. "You're impossible, you know that?"

"I strive to be"

"Well, Gideon makes the best blueberry pies, I think you'll love them"

"Oh I see, he makes good food, so lets just sweep under the rug that he mauled you half to death as kits"

Judy giggled. "Nick, he didn't 'maul me half to death' he scratched me in a fight, and besides, I hit him first."

"Mhmm…" Nick sighed.

They forgot to stop holding hands as they walked down the path towards Gideon, but it didn't matter. They had each other, and that's what mattered.

Nick and Judy sat under a tree. The fairgrounds buzzed around them, kids played, adults laughed, the birds sang. The sky was a cool shade of reds and oranges, it was just about 8.

"No no no," Nick continued, "Max left Chloe, so then Chloe went on the rampage, and that was the finale of season eight."

"What? I could've sworn that eight ended with Max and Veronica" Judy chimed in.

"No, that was seven, remember, with the log cabin on the beach."

"Oohhhh, that season! You see, I was totally confused."

"Yeah, it's a confusing show." Nick agreed

"I still don't get how you can watch that thing, anyways."

"Hey, you're a no-drama kind of person, I need to get my fill of cheesy lines and over the top emotions somewhere, right?"

"Yeah, but the words 'Nick Wilde' and 'Soap Opera' do not mix at all."

"And yet here we are, discussing the Soap Opera."

"Fine, you can watch whatever you want, but quit making fun of me for watching CSI: Zootopia"

"Oh come on!" Nick laughed, "I don't get how you can't see the irony in that."

"Hey, I do, I just chose to ignore it" Judy laughed, too. "Hey, we should ride some rides."

"Aren't most of the rides bunny sized?"

"The Ferris Wheel isn't" Judy suggested.

"Ferris Wheels scare me"

"Really? You?"

"Yep."

"Aw, c'mon, you should at least try it!" Judy pleaded.

"Hmm," Nick scratched his chin, "Rickety metal, foul smells, screaming kits, what's there not to love?"

"Exactly!" Judy chirped, and grabbed Nick's arm, leading him to the big wheel in the sky.

The Ferris Wheel wasn't that bad, really. Judy enjoyed the view of the rolling hills and the wonderful smells of fresh air. She liked seeing all the mammals below her playing and laughing, and having the most fun they could.

Then Nick started rocking the cart.

It was subtle at first, he played it off as him just getting comfortable. But then he did it a little more, with more force. Judy gripped the side of their cart, but said nothing. Then he gave it one really big shake.

"Nick, cut it out!"

"Cut what out, Fluff?"

"Nick, don't do this!" She said with a nervous laugh.

"Don't do what?"

"Nick, if you don't knock it off, no more kissing for two weeks!"

"Carrots, we both know that you could never wait that long." Nick said, and he shook the cart with a little more force. They were now swaying substantially, and Judy had grabbed on to the wall with both paws, and she shot a death stare at Nick. "Carrots, your whole 'Cop Stare' doesn't work on me."

Judy muttered a few words of spite, and stifled a small laugh. Nick continued without mercy. "Nick! Holy hells, could you quit it?"

"Okay, fine." He looked over at Judy. He reached over and wrapped his arm around her waist, and pulled her over to his side. Judy snuggled in a little bit. She looked up at him,

"I thought you were afraid of Ferris Wheels?"

"I lied." Nick smiled.

"Sly fox"

"I still have no idea what you're talking about."

"I feel I should reiterate how impossible you are to handle."

The Ferris Wheel came to a stop eventually, and Nick stepped out. He turned around, and held out his hand to help Judy out. She obviously didn't need help, but she gladly took his hand. Her back pocket buzzed again, and she took her phone out.

"Huh," She mused.

"What's up?" Nick asked.

"It's mom, she says she needs something at the house."

"We can head over, I don't mind" Nick offered.

"Yeah, that's the funny part, she asked me to come alone." Judy looked over to Nick, silently asking his opinion. Nick huffed, and looked a bit annoyed.

"Probably she just only need you, or maybe it's a family thing" Nick didn't believe what he said. He was everything but a fan of how he was treated by Judy's family, but he had always been taught at young age that 'Bitching about your problems won't solve 'em'.

"Yeah, you're probably right." Judy didn't believe him either, but she hoped he was right. She looked to her right and saw no one, then to her left and say even less people. She hopped up and gave Nick a kiss on the cheek. "Stay out of trouble, I'll be back soon!"

Judy walked up her home's porch steps, and opened the front door. It creaked with pain, but opened nonetheless. She hung her light jacket on one of the hooks, and descended the stairs. She greeted the little ones that swarmed, then began her trek to the kitchen to see what her mother needed help with. She walked down the many hallways of her warren. Though confusing, she knew each twist and turn by heart. Upon reaching the main kitchen, Judy walked through the open doorway, and found her mother seated on one of the stools.

"Hey mom, what's up?" Judy asked, innocently.

"Judith, honey, can you take a seat?" Bonnie asked, concern in her voice. Judy was filled with worry. Bonnie only used her name when she was in a lot of trouble, or when something real bad happened. Judy tentatively sat down, and looked at her mom with concern, allowing her to go on.

"Judy, I know this is a sore topic for you, but I feel we need to discuss this." Bonnie put her hand on Judy's leg, and sympathetically rubbed it.

"Go ahead, mom, if you think it's necessary."

"Do you have a romantic relationship with Nicholas?" Bonnie asked. She desperately tried to hide the accusation in her voice. She did well. Well enough that Judy couldn't tell.

Had anyone else asked the question, Judy would've been very angry. Very, very angry. But this was her mom. She trusted her, she was under the impression that she only had good intentions. "Mom, we're police partners.

"I know you are, hun. I didn't ask if you were partners, I asked if you guys were together romantically"

Judy was a little shocked, her mom seemed agitated, but for the life of her, Judy couldn't figure out why. She looked at her mom. She didn't look angry, she looked everything but. She looked patient and listening. "Well," Judy paused a bit, and she looked for the right words to use. "Yeah, we are." She only told her mom because Bonnie looked very calm. Judy loved her mom, she thought only the best of her, and she wanted to be open. She realized that she should make sure her mom wouldn't tell her dad "But he's a little nervous about it, so we've been keeping it a bit down low." Judy smiled, and looked at her mom.

"Judy," Bonnie paused, she took a breath, and continued. "Can I ask you why?" Bonnie desperately wanted to yell. She wanted to knock some sense in who she had believed was one of her smartest daughters. "It's wrong"

The room's air was replaced with tension, and Judy took a little while to process what had just been said. She looked at her mom with hurt in her eyes, her face was a mix of a lot of different emotions. It was betrayal. It was hurt. It was anger, and confusion, and fear and a million different things. "M-mom," Judy's breath was shaky, and she was on the verge of tears and screaming. She was torn between crying or yelling or both. At that moment she wasn't thinking of anything. She wasn't thinking about Nick, or the fair, or her home, or the weather. She was just looking at the trails of hidden disgust on her mom's face.

That was not what Bonnie had expected. She thought that Judy'd get angry and yell and storm off, like Judy usually did. She didn't expect Judy to almost start crying, to have the most hurt look she'd ever seen in her eyes. "Hun, come here," Bonnie said, reaching her arms out to comfort her daughter. Judy shot out of her seat, and pushed her mom's arms out of the way. She didn't bother listening to what her mom was saying as she stormed out of the warren. She didn't listen to what her siblings said, she didn't listen to what her grandfather said as she slammed the door and walked down the road. She didn't cry during the journey. She was determined to ignore what anyone thought of her and Nick. She was determined to be alright. She walked down to the creek, and sat on the bank. She looked over to the fair. It was only a five minute walk away. Judy looked down at the water in front of her. She took a deep breath. I'm fine, everything's fine, don't fret. Then, she brought her knees up to her chin, and began silently sobbing. She sat for a few minutes, just letting her tears from the entire week pour out. There was a lot of them, to say the least.

"Hey," The voice startled her, and she looked back. Nick stood a few feet behind.

"What? How'd you-"

"I was heading back to your warren, there's not much to do without you around the fairgrounds, and I heard a door slam." Nick continued, "I also caught your scent." Judy just looked at Nick.

"I'm fine, everything's fine."

"Carrots," Nick sat next to her, and pulled her close. "What happened, are you okay?" He whispered in her ear, and began stroking down her ears. Judy cried into his shoulder, and held him as tight as she could.

"Just, don't let go."

"I won't, Judy, I won't"

The mental stress was nagging at Judy, it taunted her, it laughed from afar, and Judy couldn't do anything about it.

Fsssst! Bang!

Judy jumped, and held Nick tighter.

Fssssssssst! Bang!

Fssst! Bang!

Fireworks, Judy forgot about the independence day fireworks.

...Bang!

...Bang!

Judy slammed her eyes shut. Nick knew what was about to happen, what she was thinking. It had happened before, numerous times. All he could do was sit and stroke her ears, saying soothing words.

Judy tried desperately to focus on what Nick was saying.

But as hard as she tried, the memories still came back.