Hey everyone! Two things, one I'M BACK. Bet you didn't see that coming! And two….
I hate to say this, but this chap is short. Why?
Because somehow my laptop #$!%$ % deleted the other half! Don't know what happened or what I did, but right now I'm recreating the second half by memory which will hopefully be up soon. No promises. I'm still drowning in an ocean of schoolwork.
Zootopia is Property of DISNEY
0000
ZNN Broadcast
"Breaking news this afternoon as new developments are coming in on the Little Rodentia Roof Collapse"
"Investigators now attribute the district wide event to a lack of proper maintenance, which combined with the increased snowfall of the season, has now left nearly twelve thousand inhabitants without shelter."
"However, we are happy to report the now homeless citizens are being relocated to temporary housing conditions until repairs can be made to the collapsed buildings. Our sources report the new location was offered by noted ZPD Officer, Nicholas Wilde, who personally arranged for the homeless residents to be transported to…"
The leopard news anchor's voice through the electronics store window was promptly cut off by the sound of an impatient car horn, which was quickly replied with by an extended finger from a scowling fennec fox. Everywhere one could see the streets of Tundratown were packed to the brim with last minute holiday shoppers moving underneath a perpetual ocean of soft neon light from all the store front's and citywide Christmas decorations.
Somewhere amongst the hustle and bustle, the owner of an old van leaped out from the driver's seat with a snow shovel in paw. His fiery red hoodie seemed to compliment his mood as he glared daggers at the pile of snow wedged firmly between the front and rear wheel sets. He was running late, if Radolph expected his 'supply' on time then he had better get to shoveling. No merch equaled no pay, and no pay equaled one unhappy fennec fox. Ten minutes later, he had nearly, but not quite, shoveled half of the snow pile away when a voice came up from behind.
"Need some assistance citizen?"
The fennec fox froze. You never grew up as a hustler on the streets of Zootopia without recognizing the authoritative sound of a police officer's voice. Whoever the chump was, he was standing only a few feet away behind the fennec, his van, and the precious cargo within. Standing up just a little straighter, the fennec threw on a straight and calmly turned round in place to face the officer.
"No officer, I don't need any help…"
He paused mid sentence. A small growl escaped from his throat.
"…from ugly ass two bit rent a cops," Finnick finished threateningly.
The officer smirked. Framed by the parked Police Cruiser behind him, he had one leg crossed in front of the other and was leaning cool mammal like with one elbow propped up on the handle of a long shovel, his smirk positively radiating with smugness.
"Aww Finnick, is that anyway to talk to your daddy?" Nick teased.
Mumbling something that would've made a nun gasp in fright, Finnick turned away to resume the excavation of his van. Still chuckling to himself, Nick stepped closer and lowered his own shovel down to assist.
"How's business Fin?" Nick asked, shoveling out a chunk of snow.
"None of yours," the fennec groused, tossing away another clump.
"Hmm, slow then?" Nick jabbed.
The fennec fox grunted deeply as he heaved a shovel full of snow out of the way. "Still with that bunny cop of yours?"
Nick's heart clenched in pain, but didn't let it show."Yep," he replied easily, voice unwavering.
"Where the hell is she? You figure a bunny would get a kick out of shoveling this crap,"
"Bunnies like to dig in dirt Finnick, not snow." Nick pointed out.
"And you would know all about that wouldn't you?" Finnick said with a suggestive grin.
Nick's throat began to tighten. He paused a moment in his shoveling to adjust the police mammal hat on his head and to collect his thoughts. It was barely past lunchtime and the day was already falling apart. He lost Veranda during morning patrol after she received a call about a possible family emergency which she took at Nick's urging. The supposed quick trip to visit Bellwether in prison had taken an hour longer than it was supposed to, which pushed back his schedule only further. Christmas was only around the corner, there wasn't much time left if he planned to keep...
"You listening to me Nick?" Finnick asked impatiently.
Nick blinked. "Huh, what?" he asked dumbly.
"I said, where is little Miss Cotton tail?"
"Eh, she's off in the Burrows to be with family," Nick shrugged, shoveling once more.
"Probably tired of seeing your ugly mug for a whole year," Finnick teased.
Nick chuckled dryly, "Pretty much."
"So what have you been up to Nicky? The straight life treating you well?"
"As good as a public servant's salary can I guess, I can't complain really. My coworkers are a total riot, I'd think you would like them Fin…"
"Hmph! As if!" the fennec scoffed.
Despite the protest, Nick continued. "…my boss is the kindest, wisest, and most patient mammal on the planet. Always willing to spare a few minutes to listen to your troubles…"
"Sounds to me he's a total wuss…"
"And I have a great partner that life's never boring with,"
"Sap," Finnick jabbed.
"I even took her out to a nice dinner a few nights ago to celebrate the holiday,"
"How'd that treat ya?"
Nick smirked and gave a relaxed shrug. "Pretty well, I know how to treat girls,"
As Nick continued to shovel, he didn't notice the calculating stare coming from his old hustling partner. Leaning his own shovel against the van, Finnick slowly turned to face his friend with a serious look.
"Alright fool, spill."
Nick's stomach did a flip. Slinging the shovel across the top of his shoulders, Nick placed a single paw on his hip before calmly facing his angry friend.
"Spill what?" he asked.
"Don't play dumb with me. I know that look," said the fennec, crossing his arms.
"What look?"
"The look you get when you're hiding something. I've known your dumb ass for far too long not to know it when I see it."
"I'm not hiding anything."
"The hell you are, what did you do?"
Nick's eyes furrowed. "I haven't done anything!"
"Something happened, I know it. You have guilt scribbled all over your face, so don't play smart with me. Was it something with miss bunny cop? Did you say something stupid? Again?"
"Nothing happened! We went out for a nice dinner, danced a bit, had a bit too much to drink, then we went home, end of story." Nick replied quickly, his voice still held at an even tone.
The two foxes stood there in the frozen street for several minutes, eyes locked in a quiet duel. Eventually, the fennec let out a tired breath.
"You're an idiot Wilde," Finnick deadpanned.
Nick had just opened his mouth to argue when the rear door of the van swung open violently. Leaning his head out into the cold afternoon air was an amber eyed, teal t-shirt wearing bat with a green scarf around his neck.
"Hey Fin, you done yet?" the bat shouted with a raspy voice, "Because the light back here is killing me! If this takes any longer you can deliver the goods yo self! I don't care how much money this will…rake…in…"
The bat's face slowly morphed into a look of pure terror when he finally noticed the larger fox standing nearby. Specifically, the larger fox wearing a shiny police badge pinned on his chest.
"...which is totally cool! Yeah, everything's cool, no need to uh, worry about back here! All's cool!"
With an artificial smile, the bat hurriedly disappeared back inside the van, the door slamming shut hard. Nick slowly lowered his head to face the fennec fox with one eyebrow raised. While said fennec firmly avoided his friend's questioning gaze, acting as cool as one could be.
"Should I be concerned about that?" Nick asked simply.
Finnick glared back. "Whose asking? Nick the two-bit rent a cop, or Nick the romantic dead beat?"
Nick's brow furrowed once more as he placed both paws on his hips, waiting for an explanation.
"It's for Radolph," Finnick said finally, looking away.
Nick was surprised. Radolph was in fact a local mule know for bathing once every two months, had a fierce temper to match, and liked to spend his days verbally harassing pedestrians from his second floor apartment window. But what very few mammals knew was the slimy equestrian had a knack for moving….specialized goods through neighborhoods by way of apartment tenets themselves rather than runners out on the streets. Long story short, Nick and Finnick had a certain history with the mule, and it was a history Nick had decided a long time ago he would take to his grave.
"Radolph? That greasy mule? What are you working with him for Finnick?"
Nick's questions went unanswered as Finnick resumed shoveling. Figuring the fennec fox was in no mood for an interrogation, Nick made an executive decision. "Well I guess I'll just have to see for myself," he said.
"Wilde! Don't you dare open that you mother-!"
Nick threw the rear doors of the van wide open. His jaw dropped. "Oh my god," Nick murmured.
Packed tight from front to back, from the floor to the ceiling, were several towering piles of metal wind-up toys, miniature polished brass instruments, shiny tree decorations, and a red-eyed, fatigued looking bat. The inside of the van was very much a potent crystal ball due to the light reflecting off of all the shiny merchandise.
Nick let out a disbelieving chuckle. "Are those, decorations? Toys?!" he said, breaking into hysterics.
The bat groaned miserably as he rubbed his aching eyes. "The light hurts man…" he moaned.
The snickering red fox gazed down at the seething fennec. "Finnick, care to explain?"
Finnick snarled, but responded. "It's for the school where Radolph's grandson goes to. They're doing a stupid charity thing, and Radolph offered pay for extra merch, so I told him I knew a warehouse filled with the junk they needed. And before you ask, stuff was a tax write off and going to get pitched anyways, so nothing was stolen officer," Finnick explained.
Nick only began to chortle even harder, "Why Finnick, you do have a heart! It's a Christmas miracle!" Nick cooed, flicking the fennec's ears with a finger.
Finnick's response was to try and bite Nick's wandering fingers but he failed miserably, much to the larger fox's amusement. Slamming the van door shut, Finnick grabbed his shovel and stomped back to the front of the van.
"Aw, come on Finny, don't be mad!" Nick called out playfully.
The smaller fox ignored Nick's comments and instead took his anger out on the last few shovelfuls of snow, sending the clumps flying so high into the air they were landing on unsuspecting pedestrians on the other side of the street. Rejoining his old hustling partner, Nick leaned against the side of the van and cleared his throat nervously.
"All jokes aside Fin, before you go, there was actually something I wanted to ask you about." Nick began uneasily.
"I have a phone for that you ass," Finnick complained.
"I know, but this is something better discussed in person," Nick explained carefully.
The fennec glared at Nick for a brief moment before replying. "Shoot,"
"Tomorrow night, my mother is throwing a holiday dinner for some friends and family members. I wanted you to know you're invited,"
With a slight heave, Finnick tossed the small shovel back inside the van through the driver's window before wiping the snow off his paws. "I'll pass. You know I love your mom, but holiday sit downs aren't my style Nick."
"I know buddy, but it has been awhile since we've hung out together. And even longer than that since my mom has last seen you, she really misses her second 'son' you know," Nick teased lightly.
The fennec eyed his former partner before sighing softly. "Alright..." he said.
A genuine smile began to grow on Nick's face. It was very uncommon for the volatile fennec to ever be inclined to….
"...I'll consider it." Finnick finished bluntly.
Nick's smile fell. That was the usual response he was expecting from his old childhood pal. With a snap of a lighter, Finnick lit up a quick cigarette and took a long draw.
"Thank you Fin," Nick said.
A cloud of smoke billowed from the fennec's mouth as he exhaled. "Yeah yeah, are we done here? I've got stuff to do."
Nick cleared his throat awkwardly. "There was one more thing..."
"There always is," Finnick grumbled.
Nick slowly rubbed the back of his neck, now looking even more nervous than before. "I was also hoping you could bring Merillin along,"
That got the hustler fox's attention. Finnick inhaled so sharply in surprise he practically swallowed his cigarette, causing him to bend over and hack his lungs out to remove the hot ash from his throat.
"Are you serious?!" Finnick coughed angrily.
Nick gave the fennec a look to show the smaller fox exactly how serious he was.
Finnick stepped back in fright. "Forget it! I ain't walking into that deathtrap!" he cried, flailing his arms about.
"Fin it's been six years! SIX! How long is Merillin going to keep this up?" Nick shouted.
"Till we stick her in the ground!" Finnick spat.
Nick groaned loudly and placed a paw on the bridge of his nose as he shook his head. "Come on buddy, this feud between our mothers has gone on for too long! It's becoming pathetic."
"Of course it's pathetic! Just because they're our mom's doesn't stop the fact they're women! That's what they do!"
Nick raised an eyebrow in disbelief. "First off, I'll pretend you didn't say that. Second, think about this buddy, we could use this as a chance to get them to kiss and make up. Don't you remember how close they used to be?"
"Of course I remember, I got to know your stupid ass because our mothers wouldn't leave each other alone!"
Nick snapped two fingers together with a flourish. "Exactly! If we can get them to apologize to each other, then they'll want to hang out again! And if they want to spend more time together, then that means less time Merillin will spend bothering you and asking for rides. Hmmm?"
Finnick sniffed loudly and rudely as he carefully debated over Nick's proposal. "And what did your mom say?" he asked.
Nick said nothing, but it was all Finnick needed to hear.
"Because you haven't even fucking asked her yet," Finnick said lamely, shoulders slumping.
"I was planning on asking her once I got off of my shift," Nick explained.
"Uh huh, and why do you care all of a sudden? I don't recall you giving a flying flip for six years, so why now?"
This caused another groan from the fox officer. "Because you're right Finnick, I've been an idiot recently, and now I have two women in my life with issues. So pardon me, for trying to sort things out with at least one of them!" Nick snapped.
The fennec's scowl grew even more at this new piece of information. He turned away and crossed his arms. "Fine, I'll ask. Don't expect much," the smaller fox grumbled.
"Thanks Fin, I appreciate it." Nick said thankfully.
"Sap," Finnick jabbed.
Nick chuckled softly. Mumbling quietly, the fennec fox jumped back into his van and fired up the engine. "If this all goes to hell, I'm taking it out of your ass." he threatened with a glare.
Nick smirked. "I wouldn't have it any other way buddy,"
The small fox snorted once more before slamming down on the pedal and tearing down the road at a good clip while kicking up a cloud of wet slush straight into Nick's face.
Picking the last piece of snow out of his eye, Nick retrieved his shovel and headed back for the Cruiser, his confidence over his little holiday mission beginning to dwindle by the second. As Nick buckled himself in, his eyes briefly hovered over a small photograph taped to the dashboard. It was a simple little selfie of him and Judy hanging out on the beach one summer day, the two of them wearing sunglasses, arm's slung over each other's shoulders, and smiles a mile wide.
"Tell me Carrots, you think this is a good idea?" he asked.
The cheerful rabbit in the photo continued to smile back at him.
"You're right…'try everything'…" he murmured with a sigh.
The photo said nothing in return.
0000
It's still December right?
