Heroes Bleed

The dream started out a blur of memories mixed with Nick's own imagination. Nick shut his eyes and the moment he blinks them open again, he was back to the Heroes Welcoming parade after the war. People cried in tears of joy and sorrow, grieving as well as smiling besides the soldiers who fought bravely to defend Zootopia from falling apart by Mr. Big's army. Nick's left arm was in a cast, slung on his neck; beside him was Benjamin who was walking with crutches. Nick broke a tear as when their troop was called, he and Benjamin were the only ones present; the others died protecting them.

"Thank you all for your services, there is no greater honour for me, the president of Zootopia, to see our boys coming back from the war… I am deeply sorry for the loss of each soldier laying their life to serve and protect our fair country. Ladies and gentlemen, please, give our heroes a round of applause." The mass of animals hugged and cherished the soldiers. Some even finding their future wives, Nick on the other hand was still looking on the floor, thinking long and hard about what he had done to get here. President Leodore Roosevelt saw Nick sitting on a bench near the memorial park where the ceremony was taking place. Sitting beside the fox, the old Lion rolled his wheelchair close to Nick and put a hand on his shoulder.

"It's not easy, Son… I admit." The old Lion started, Nick was stunned by the president's gesture and quickly told him that it was nothing, seeing through the lies, Leodore smiled and dismissed his butler, Franky, an old black panther.

"*Sigh* Some hero I am… War really does change an animal doesn't it President?" said Nick while fiddling with his hands while looking down at the concrete floor. Leodore took out his wallet and showed Nick an old photograph of him in his army days.

"Son, we're all born to hurt each other. We're animals, deny it all you want, there will always be Prey and Predator; we're bound to kill given our instincts… But, with each wrong doing, there will always be a price to pay." Looking towards the children playing in the park with the soldiers, Leodore smiled and continued.

"There is a sin for every bad thing we do. That will never go away, Son. The only thing to do is to pick a sin that you can live with for the rest of your life. It's a heavy burden I admit, but it's the price we pay to protect the ones we love." Nick looked up to the Lion and smirked himself.

"Can I ask something Mr. President?" asked Nick politely, Leodore patted Nick's back hard and told him to go and to not be shy.

"Well this is kinda weird to ask… But how did you become crippled? Was it something like a disease or you got shot during the war?" Leodore laughed and told Nick the story.

"It was WAWI, me and my squadron were bein' peppered with those early anti-aircraft bullets. My whole squadron made it safely over the boarder of Mr. Big's Father's territory, unfortunately before I could cross the border, my plane was shot down I crash landed somewhere in the outskirts of Germany. I would've been dead if it hadn't been for Max. He was a Jewish musician and teacher, after taking me in his house, I helped Max evacuate as many Jewish women and child to safety. Sadly…" Nick suddenly felt a heavy burden in his chest as Leodore continued his story.

"In our last trip evacuating the Jewish women and children, a foot soldier saw us going in to the underground tunnel, before I could turn around, I saw panzer's chasing us with the soldiers flooding the entrance of the underground tunnel…"

"What happened next?" Leodore then took off his glasses as he wiped tears, he sighed and continued again.

"Well… If they caught up to us I would've been long dead, but Max… He was someone that I would call a hero. He's everyone's hero during that time… You see, that underground tunnel was used for mining, meaning there were leftover dynamites, after everyone but me and Max left the underground tunnel for safety, Max and I lit up the dynamites in a last ditch effort to collapse the whole tunnel under our pursuers. Before the dynamite exploded, Max gave me a map and told me that 'We'll have a drink on the other side okay? I'll be waiting when your time comes my friend.' After that, he showed me away. I lived, at the cost of my legs being buried by the rubble, but Max died believing that to his last breath, he can still do something good."

"I guess we are somewhat heroes…" muttered Nick while smiling at the crowd of cheering people.

"We are, Son… We just don't get the privilege to live a normal life like we used to have before the war. In war, Son… Nobody comes out unscathed. We just have to be thankful and to live our lives to its fullest, for our friends; and for their cherished beliefs we carry on with us."

Waking up soaking wet, Nick grasped for air. He slicked back his ears as he drank some water beside his bed. He was about to go back to sleep, when he saw Judy holding his hand as Nick smiled and carried her to his bed, switching places with the one he LOVED… Nick pulled the covers and kissed Judy's forehead, he was about to sleep on the couch when Judy woke up and saw Nick.

"Nick?" Nick stopped in his tracks and turned around to face Judy. Nick smiled and walked towards Judy.

"What is it Judy?" Judy cried softly as she saw Nick smiling like he did when they were together. Judy shuffled near Nick and looked to his eyes intently.

"Nick… I-I am sorry, I was never in love with Vincent. I was just really confused at the time and I- I don't know what to do anymore…" Nick shushed Judy and kissed her. The two broke the kiss and immediately, Nick kissed Judy again, with more passion; feeling more alive than ever before.

"That's what I was waiting to hear… Honestly Judy, we've been in love for seven years and you think I don't know when you're sad or not?" he smiled as he took off his shirt. Feeling the tension getting higher as he looked to Judy's eyes, full of emotion and longing for the love for his mate.

Nick pulled back the covers as the night witnessed their love blooming once more, the fire re-kindling and everything slowly went into perspective. They went on for what seemed to be an eternity, their love matching none. Feeling exhausted from their mating, Nick smiled as he kissed Judy's forehead. She had fallen asleep already in Nick's chest as he cuddled with her in his bed. Nick took one last look at his lover and drifted off to sleep as well, feeling all the sadness wash away as it was replaced by love and the thought of Judy.

~ End

Aaaaaaay this is certainly unusual isn't it? You know, me writing such a 'Fluff' chapter. IDK, I think y'all deserve to read it like this. Anyway, I'm sorry for the late update, but hey? They consolation prize is worth the wait isn't it? ;) P.S: Did I convey their 'Mating' session professionally? I was kinda avoiding on doing that part, but I think it's kinda appropriate to include in since it's gonna play a big role in their step forward later in the story. I hope you review!

P.P.S: Ghad dammet I forgot! THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR LOVING THIS STORY! I HOPE I CAN BE ON PARWITH WHAT QUALITY OF WRITING YOU GUYS DESERVE! I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH ^w^ THANKS FOR REAAAADIINGG!

~ ChunniSenpaii :3