It had been one of the hardest decisions she'd ever had to make, but Judy Hopps was done hiding—from the world, from her coworkers, and most importantly, from herself. It took almost everything she had not to reach up and brush her fingers over her cheek, where the warmth of Nick's touch still lingered, the scent of his musk, muted and complemented by calming pine scent block, filling the air in the cruiser. She'd thought about it all weekend, and well into that morning, until she'd finally been able to accept it. She was hopelessly attracted to Nicolas Erramun, rookie police officer and smooth, caring, silver-tongued fox. It had been pure desire that had flooded her veins when he'd grabbed her wrist that day, snarling furiously down at her, looking every inch like the predator he was. She'd known for a long time that a dominant male would be the only one who could truly please her, and Jack, as strong, tough and ready as they came, had been anything but.
He's been right about everything, she admitted silently, taking the briefest glance at Nick from the corner of her eye. He had those aviators on again, watching resolutely out the window for any sign of trouble. She'd overheard him talking to Ben and Skye on his first day, having stopped in the hall to grab a drink at the water cooler they'd brought in for smaller mammals, chuckling to herself as she remembered some of the comments. Nick joking about broken ribs after Ben cheetah-hugged him, Skye's exclamation how perfect the uniform looked on him, his cocky little statement about being born to wear it.
"Hold it," he perked up, his tail bristling. She followed his stare, her eyes widening when she saw it. A teenage deer, staggering in an alleyway between two buildings, blood dripping from a nasty wound that matched the neat slash in his shirt. "Call it in, I'll get the med kit."
She didn't argue, keeping an eye out for trouble as she keyed the radio, telling Clawhauser to send an ambulance to their location.
"Understood, Hopps," the cheetah answered. As excitable and easily distracted as the cheetah was, he was great at his job, probably one of the best dispatchers she'd ever worked with. "Bus is en route, ETA, three minutes."
"Got it, Hopps out," she set the radio back in its cradle, turning her full attention back to the street. Nick was kneeling next to their victim, slumped on the sidewalk, applying steady pressure to the wound. It looked like he'd taken every piece of gauze from the kit by his knee, worry pooling in her gut when she saw it was already soaked with blood, the buck visibly pale under his tawny fur. His antlers had barely started to grow in, telling her just how young he was. Her heart started to race when he began gasping for air, Nick putting an ear briefly to his chest before snatching a large syringe from the kit. He tore off the wrapper, almost cracking the cap when he yanked it off the needle. Judy flinched away when he stabbed the buck in the chest with it and pulled out the plunger. Relief flooded her when he gasped, breathing heavily as Nick pressed his hands back to the wound, just as sirens could be heard approaching fast in the distance.
Where the hell did he learn that? It had been impressive, to say the least. She watched as the ambulance pulled up behind the cruiser, a jaguar prepping the stretcher as a capybara hurried to Nick's side, looking briefly impressed with his efforts before getting down to work. The wound was dressed, the needle stabilized with small rolls of gauze taped around it. Nick didn't get back in the cruiser until the ambo had taken off, silent as he buckled in, then took a small black laptop from the pouch hanging on the side of his seat. He kept it steady with one hand as she pulled away from the curb, typing quickly with the other, not looking up until she turned into her driveway. It was already late for their lunch break, and she had something important to talk to him about, that she didn't want others, especially strangers, overhearing.
"That was pretty impressive back there," she commented, as he closed the little computer and put it away. "Where'd you learn how to do that?"
He stared into space for a minute, then shook his head.
"One of my aunts is an EMT," he explained. "I asked her to teach me everything she knew, so I'd be able to help mammals however they needed me to."
He unbuckled, but made no move to get out. He'd probably just saved someone's life, but he was acting like that kid had nearly died in his arms.
"Nick?" she leaned over and took his wrist. He blinked, then pulled away from her.
"He reminded me of someone who gave me a hard time," he said shortly. "I'll get over it."
She watched him a second, then sighed, turning off the car and dropping the keys in their usual place on her belt.
"Well, we're here," she nodded at her condo, stark white in the afternoon sun. "All I've got are leftovers, but I should be able to find something for you."
He shrugged.
"I'm not picky, foxes can eat just about anything," he opened the door and jumped out. "But I am allergic to green peppers, I'll go into shock."
She grimaced.
"I hate peppers, anyway," she hopped to the driveway. "The smell makes me sick."
They locked up the cruiser, then headed inside, Judy silently hoping he wouldn't notice the spike in her scent, since this place was drenched in it. She should've realized that being alone with him would bring this on again, these desires she was helpless to control. The primal part of her brain wanted nothing more than to mate, to fall asleep in the warm, strong circle of a male's arms, and not just any male's. His own scent was making her nose twitch like crazy, her mouth starting to water as it thickened behind her, and she felt the heat of him against her back, nearly touching. She looked up at him, thankful her ears were limp, so he couldn't see the blush that was burning in them.
"You seem nervous all of a sudden," he cocked a brow. "It wouldn't have anything to do with you being decent to me out of the blue, would it?"
She winced. As usual, he was right on the money.
"Now that you mention it, there is something I wanted to talk to you about, that's why I suggested we come here," she continued, then swallowed hard. "I-I knew we wouldn't have to worry about anyone eavesdropping."
He hummed thoughtfully, then stepped past her, sitting on the couch in the living room.
"I've been waiting for you to want to talk to me, Judy," he said. "And I'll listen to whatever you have to say."
Nick had never seen her so nervous, even when he'd cornered her about her behavior in the sparring ring at the precinct. She wrung her hands, biting her lip as she looked anywhere but him, then finally let out a sigh.
"You've heard all the stories about me," she started, taking a step toward him. "How I 'have a rod up my ass the size of Tundra Town', that I wasn't always as closed-off, cold and pissed like I am now."
He nodded slowly, not sure where she was going with this. She took one more step.
"And unlike most mammals, you actually do know the story behind why, even if I hated myself for letting it all slip so easily," another step. Her hands were still clasped, and she clinched her eyes shut. "I still don't know exactly why it came out like that, though it was likely something to do with just being assaulted, but that's besides the point."
He stared at her.
"Then what is the point, Judy?" he asked. Her chin quivered for a second, almost like she was trying to hold back a scared whimper, or even tears.
"The point, Nick, is that I have no idea why, especially after living in a shell for so long," she paused, dragging in a deep breath. "But I actually feel like I can trust you, that you will always have my back like you keep saying."
He had no idea how to respond to that at first, but eventually, he found the words he was looking for.
"I've been saying you can trust me since day one, Hopps," his voice hardened, he still wasn't quite over that old anger. "And all I've gotten are insults, threats and speeches about how you don't need a partner, especially a rookie, dragging you down.
"The morning after you let it all go about what you've been through was the first time you'd been even civil with me," he went on, annoyed confusion plastered on his face. "But the next time I saw you, you were right back to acting like you wanted nothing more than to see me shot dead in the street, anything if it meant finally getting rid of me."
She grimaced again, staring at the thin, pale cream carpet beneath her feet. She didn't answer, which was fine with him.
"For me, the truth is you have no idea how the hell you feel," he finished, standing. "You can't even seem to decide if you actually still hate me or not."
She squeezed her eyes shut, shaking her head so quickly her ears flew out behind her.
"It's not like that, Nick," she said loudly, finally looking at him. "I-I never hated you, I just—!"
"Just what?" he cut her off. "Just don't want to be saddled with a partner, whether you have to mentor them or not?"
He slashed at the air with his hand.
"News flash, Hopps, we're given partners for a reason, to make sure someone always has our back, no matter what!" this was exactly what he hadn't wanted to happen, all his frustration with her being let out at once, like she always did with him. He forced himself to calm down, plopping back on the couch and shoving his claws through his headfur. He'd started growing it out after Ben had let it slip that Judy liked guys with a bit of fringe, still unable to get over his attraction to her. "But if being by yourself is really what you want, then I'm willing to give it to you, I just have to ask my uncle to—"
"No!"
He almost couldn't believe she'd sounded like that: terrified of the idea she herself had planted in his head weeks ago. She finished the short trek across the room, stopping by the corner of the coffee table.
"Y-You've got it all wrong, Nick," she went on. "That's not what—!"
He put a finger to her lips, finding the hidden pain in her violet eyes as easily as if it had been written all over her small, pretty face.
"'Not what I want anymore', is that what you were going to say?" he waited for her to nod, then gently cupped her chin. "Then tell me what you do want, Judy, because I've had about all the head games I can take from you."
He pulled back, sitting up perfectly straight. Whatever was about to hit him now, he was going to be dignified, no more acting like a nervous little newbie.
"Tell me, and I'll do whatever it takes to make it happen, that much I can promise you."
She nodded, her breath softly shuddering as she gripped the edge of the table. What the hell could it be, if she was this off-balance about it?
"The truth, Nick, is I…" she choked, swallowed hard, then cleared her throat. "Is that I never hated you."
He scoffed.
"Forgive me for not seeing just how inviting you've been to me."
She groaned.
"Please, Nick," she begged. "This is hard enough as it is!"
He held up his hands, showing he wouldn't say another word until she finished. She blew out a breath, then shook herself off, like she was trying to get rid of her nerves.
"I never hated you, Nick," she started again. "At least, not for the reason you think. I-I was angry that you were still so bright and cheerful, jealous that you'd never had to go through everything I did, and…"
She clenched her fists, her face scrunching up as a barely audible sniffle escaped.
"I-I was also trying to make you hate me, because I'd spent so long telling myself I didn't deserve a partner. I wanted you to ask to be reassigned," she went on. "So I wouldn't have to deal with the pain if you got hurt while working with me, I'd just blinded myself to what kind of pain it really was."
He stayed quiet, wondering where she was headed with this. It took a minute for her to be able to continue.
"After Jack died, I was heartbroken, and I swore I'd never risk going through that again," she forced out another breath, then locked eyes with him. "But no matter what I did, you still tried to get closer to me, and after those thugs assaulted me, I realized something that terrified me even more, that I didn't want to push you away anymore."
One last step, and she stood in the gap between his legs, her hands shaking as she slowly reached up to cup his face, her touch so light he could barely feel it.
"Nick, I…" she clenched her eyes shut again, and when she opened them, they were filled with tears. "I want you to stay with me."
He wasn't prepared for her next move, to feel the faint, hesitant pressure of her lips against his. He hated how long it took to find the courage to return it, brushing her damp cheek with one hand as he gently encircled her tiny waist with the other, his heart all but beating from his chest when she finally pulled away.
"I'd follow you to the ends of the earth, Judy," it was a fight to keep his voice steady, since he knew that, after today, she'd likely deny this had ever happened. "I can promise you that."
But it didn't matter where their relationship ended up going, he decided, or what she did to him. All that mattered was that she held his heart in the palm of her hand, and he was sure he'd never be able to take it from her.
"Somebody's been in a good mood this week," Clawhauser leaned over his desk, his furry fists mushing up his pudgy cheeks. Nick had come in every day since Judy's confession with a big smile on his face, her favorite frap always in hand. It wasn't that she'd suddenly become loving and cuddly toward him, or even particularly warm, but she still treated him far better than she had before. He just threw up a casual salute and kept walking, knowing the cat would never let him leave if they started talking, and Judy's frap was already starting to melt. He'd expected to find her down in the training room as always, surprised when she texted him, saying she was in her little hideaway.
Wow, something huge must have happened…
He hurried to meet her, finding her pacing the repurposed closet with her nose buried in a thick file. She didn't notice him until she'd walked into him, some loose sheets and photos fluttering from the folder. Nick knelt down to help her collect them, his eyes widening when he saw a picture of Hamon, except about fifteen years younger, beaten and bloodied. Judy snatched it from him, gathering everything else before he could get a peek at it.
"I knew you wouldn't be able to stay able to stay off this," he stood, setting her frap on the low table. It was warped and discolored in places, which was probably exactly why she'd decided to bring it in there. "Even with what those assholes threatened to do to your family. How long have you been going behind my back like this?"
She looked faintly guilty, but only for a second.
"I told you, Kiki was one of my best friends, I practically raised her for a while," she started emphatically. "I have to this for her, or I won't be able to live with losing her!"
He caught the file when she moved to throw it, squeezing his hands over hers as he slowly brought her arms down.
"And I told you," he returned. "There's no point trying to hide anything from me, especially when I could be helping you with it."
He took the folder from her.
"I thought things were finally starting to change between us, Judy."
"Pfft,"she hopped up to snatch it from him, but he pulled it out of her reach. "Did you really think one conversation would be all it took to—"
"Of course not," he tossed the file on the couch and knelt in front of her, taking her hands again. Her fists clenched, but she didn't try to break his grip. She stared up at him, her eyes filled with conflicting emotions: fresh affection and stale grief, her typical annoyance and a splash of fear. He sighed, dragged her to his chest and held her tightly, pressing his nose to the warm, soft fur between her ears. She gripped his shirt, her small, hard body tensed like she wanted to shove him away, but then she relaxed, pressing herself closer to him, sighing softly in contentment. "I know it's going to take a while, but I'll wait as long as I need to, if it means you'll be ready."
She did push back, then, just enough to look at him. Smiling faintly, she touched his cheek, and he leaned slightly into it, enjoying the slide of her silky fingers through his fur.
"Thank you, Nick," she said softly. "And I'll try to sort this all out soon, I promise."
She kissed him, the touch as light and nervous as the first, and he was still hesitant to return it. It only lasted a few seconds, then she stepped back, a warm blush in her ears.
"Thank you, Nick," she said again, her voice still low. "Thank you."
He smiled, holding his nose briefly against hers before getting to his feet, turning to the file he'd tossed over his shoulder. There was still work to do, and something important he needed to tell her.
"I actually have my own lead I've been investigating," he admitted. "Fin called me last weekend, said he wanted to meet at the Blue Danube in Sahara Square for drinks. I overheard something else I thought might be related, too, so I passed it on to Wolfard and Fangmeyer, a drunk hyena who decided to brag about this big job he and his buddy had been part of."
"What job?" she cleaned up the pages that had spilled out and started sorting them. He stayed standing, knowing he'd never be able to focus if he got close to her again.
"With how much he was slurring, all I could get was that one of the victims was supposed to be a champ in the underground fight clubs, and maybe something about a girlfriend," he started pacing, like she'd been when he'd come in. "But what Fin had to say was even worse. He knew who Hamon's sponsor was: Arson the Dealer."
Judy gasped, the papers in her hands flapping and fluttering to the floor.
"J-Jack and I put him behind bars," she started, visibly shaking. "But then he escaped, and disappeared. W-We started to hope he was…"
"Well, unless someone else has started using that name, he's still alive and kicking," he got on his knees and started to pick up the papers. Even then, clouded with terror as it was, her scent was almost enough to make him lose his train of thought. "Fin said the last place he'd been spotted was Outback Island, also that the next fight was supposed to be held there, at Vampire Rock."
Vampire Rock was in the dead center of the island, named for the hoards of vampire bats that had called it home for centuries, long before the city of Zootopia had existed. It was a popular tourist destination in the spring and fall, shrouded in legends and stories as it was, and every winter, the biggest rock music festival in the country was held there. During the summer, however, when the blazing interior was all but abandoned for the coast, it became a criminal playground, perfect for all kinds of shady deals, making mammals disappear and especially illegal fights.
"My undercover name was Little Red," he went on, wishing the next part wasn't a partial lie. "I should still be able to use it without any trouble, since I was one of those mammals no one wanted to mess with."
He glanced at her, chuckling at her shocked face.
"Where did you think I learned to fight so dirty?" he asked, still smirking. "They don't teach half that stuff at the academy!"
She stared at him another moment, then shook her head, setting the pages she'd gathered on the table.
"I'm going with you," she said. "No matter what kind of reputation you had, I can't let you go in there alone."
He sighed.
"If it weren't for that threat to your family, I wouldn't think twice about it, but I'm not going to put them at risk like that, and I'm not about to put you in danger, either."
"I went through most of the same training you did, Nick," she argued. "I know how to defend myself, and we should have plenty of time for you to—"
"That's not the point!" he cut her off. Of course she wouldn't see it his way. He loomed over her, his bristled tail lashing in anger. "Arson is known to have a thing for rabbits, and he's not the only one. You'd be on half those criminals' menus before you even walked in the place, and I am not about to let that happen!"
He gripped her shoulders again, her lips curling in pain as his claws dug in.
"Please, Judy," he begged. "Just let me go alone. All I'm going to do is wear a cam to collect evidence, and I'll need you here to get everyone moving if things do end up going to shit."
His hands slid down her well-toned arms, and he locked her fingers in his. Her nose twitched, her ears flat against her back, her eyes glued to his.
"No," she spoke resolutely, pushing her hands against his palms. "I can't risk losing you like that, Nick, especially before I've even really gotten to know you, I couldn't take going through that again…"
She leaned her head against his chest, her tail flicking as her quiet sobs filtered into the air around them.
"Please, Nick…"
He stood still, feeling her start to nuzzle into his shirt, then groaned, knowing he was going to regret this.
"Fine, but on two conditions. One, no putting yourself in danger unless you absolutely have to, and number two," he took her chin, tilting her head back. "You and I have a long talk after work, I don't want any more secrets between us."
She sniffled, then nodded, sighing as she laid her head back against his chest. He didn't question her sudden need for closeness, just sat down and tugged her into his lap, his heart hammering as he started to imagine just how many ways things might go wrong.
Vampire Rock is a call-out to one of my favorite Scooby Doo movies, Legend of the Vampire.