#10 On My Way - Brother Bear

"Clothes, jeans and khakis?"

"Check"

"Toothbrush, a fur brush, and other toiletries?"

"Phones, chargers and a laptop?"

"Check."

"Signature tie, signature grin and a bushy tail?"

"Check, I guess…"

"Stunning appearance, dashing looks and a handsome face."

"…"

"A cute little bunny"

"…check." Judy smirked slightly as Nick hoisted their heavy luggage down from their bed, they have taken a solid hour to decide on the things they would be bringing for their stay in Bunnyburrow, half of that time was spent rummaging through heaps of old clothing and picking out the most decent ones while the other half was Judy relentlessly dissuading the fox from bringing his ridiculously large collection of horror movies. "No Nick, put that back." She swatted his paw that was currently reaching to grab one of the said films.

"How you wound me." Nick placed his free paw over his heart and shook his paw to exaggerate the pain. Judy casually sneered at his overreaction, almost automatically she jabbed her elbow into the fox's firm abdomen, causing him to stagger backwards.

"I guess that's all we need," the doe took one last glance at their baggage, a large suitcase that contained both Nick and her belongings, then darted around the room in search of any items that they may have left out. Nick chuckled at the restless bunny before him.

"Relax Carrots, we got all we need right here." He tapped on the side of the luggage lightly, it threatened to explode as it was bloated with all their clothes. "Besides, you're not supposed to be the one breaking down Fluff, I AM." The vulpine tugged on his erected ears, the thought of meeting Judy's parents has haunted him tenaciously and has caused him much distress and discomfort, he even experienced hours of pain from psychosomatic headache which cost him his beauty sleep, and it has only been less than a day since he was told of his surprise visit to his potential-mate's hometown. Nick rubbed his temples as the pain returned to torment with his worn-out mind.

Judy's lips tugged into a smirk at the amount of unnecessary stress Nick was experiencing, call her sadistic, but she almost felt pleased at how anxious the fox was. "Just don't do anything stupid or you'll be on their wanted list, and that'll probably end with your pelt on the wall."

"Oh my, but I bet I'm already on another bunny's wanted list." It was now Nick's turn to flash a sly grin as the pounding in his head weakened tremendously, he wiggled his brows alluringly at the blushing rabbit who has covered her amethyst orbs with her drooping ears. "And it might just be me pinning that certain bunny on a wall…"

"Okay that's quite enough Wilde." Her ears stood back up revealing her flushed cheeks, her heart could be seen beating from her chest as she drew a deep breath to try to calm it down. Nick gave a deep chuckle at her reaction, obviously pleased with his magical silver tongue.

"C'mon you little ball of fluff, we're gonna miss the train if we don't head out soon." He retrieved their bag and headed for the door, turning back for one last check on the house they're about to leave behind, he noticed Judy was still standing inanimately in the master bedroom; their short conversation earlier has left her in quite a daze. "Hey, don't just stand there help me out with this." Judy shook herself out from the brief trance she was trapped in before fetching the keys to their apartment, they both stepped out from their home and locked its doors.

…

…

The blue, cloudy skies hovered over the magnificent metropolis that is Zootopia, warm beams from the sun beat down against the countless skyscrapers that filled the city view. The morning was a rather slow one, the usual bustling city somehow subsided into a quiet town, no mammals were in sight save for those who were rushing to work, it seems that the prolonged shower that came the night before, which still hasn't fully receded, has kept many families from leaving the comforts of their homes. But of course, it didn't succeed in keeping Nick and Judy from carrying out their plans for the weekend. The rabbit restlessly hopped about the station in anticipation of the upcoming train while the fox remained seated on a bench not too far from the tracks, he kept his eyes shut and listened attentively to the beautiful melody of raindrops pounding on the ceiling above their heads.

"Give it a break Carrots it's only 8 o'clock, the train's not coming until fifteen more minutes," Nick prompted as he removed his shades to get a clearer view of Judy.

"That can't be right, the last time I was here it arrived right about now."

"Yeah, 'the last time you were here' was like, what, four years ago? The times have changed Carrots." The doe shot him a glare, evidently irked at how the vulpine was somewhat right. She stomped towards the fox when her ear picked up the screeching of an approaching train.

"Right on time." Judy flashed a toothy grin at the laid-back fox as the incoming train came to a halt, "I was right." A victorious smile stretched across her muzzle, she reached for Nick's arm and dragged him up the surprisingly empty carriage, they barely got on when a series of beeping noises sounded before the doors closed. "Times have changed huh? Please."

"Oh boy, I'm not gonna hear the end of this..." Nick dropped his paws in defeat, a sigh slipped from him as they threw themselves onto the soft cushioned seats.

"Well, I'm correct and you're wrong, how often does that happen? Quite often now that I think about it..."

"Sure, rub it in, why don't you." His pride took a blow at her comment, but a witty comeback soon formed in his mind as a grin crept onto his snout. "Actually you're right, you made loads of good choices, me being one of them." He watched the bunny turn from proud and confident to shy and withdrawn, her gleaming eyes portrayed the emotions welled up within her.

"I..." she forcefully swallowed a lump that has formed in her throat; her sentence was left unfinished as mixed feelings of joy, fear and uncertainty raged on in her mind. I sure hope so...

"What's wrong? A foxy got your tongue tied?" Nick quipped as she threw a punch at his shoulder, but her emotion driven state weakened it to a mere prod, the ticklish contact made the fox chuckle. "Cute." It was but a short wait before the train jerked into motion, its journey to the burrows soon began.

…

…

"Yes mom we just left the station, we'll be there in an hour time. Love you, see you, bye!" Judy placed her phone back into the shallow pocket of her jeans and paced towards a flight of stairs, passing by numerous vacant seats as she did so. Climbing up the steps towards the observation deck, a bundle of tangerine fur wrapped in a green cotton shirt caught Judy's eye, he looked so fluffy and huggable, but she knew she had to resist the urge to strangle him; instead she made her way to his side and stood in silence.

There was a quiet moment as the speeding train emerged from a dark tunnel, tall trees came into sight as small shrubs sprawled across the land; low hanging vines swung at the light breeze; heavy raindrops obscured the view on the other side of the glass plane; a strong aroma of fresh plants filled the couple's senses; they had entered Rainforest District.

Nick took in the marvellous scene that had presented itself before him, but his attention quickly shifted to Judy whom he caught staring idly at his right arm; she seemed distant and contemplative, a definite deviation from her usual character. "You good Carrots?" he finally said, breaking her from her thoughts.

"Well actually…" Judy spoke hesitantly. "I've been thinking, a lot."

"Wow, I haven't noticed," Nick replied, his voice dripping with sarcasm, eliciting a smile from the doe.

"Har har. But seriously, Nick, can you be completely honest with me?"

"Of course Carrots, what's up?" his smug demeanour dropped as he grew mildly concerned.

"Am… am I too much to put up with?" now Nick was really worried. "I mean, I barely told you anything about this trip and just drag you all the way here. Heck, I didn't even give you a choice. How do you manage to put up with a selfish…"

"Carrots."

"horrible…"

"Judy."

"bunny like me. I-"

"Judy stop that!" he scolded pointing a finger at the rabbit. "First off, I was the one who made the final decision to follow you to the burrows, we were going to meet your parents eventually so might as well do it now. Secondly, you're not a selfish bunny, you're just eager to share the things you love with your beloved fox." A small smile found its way over Judy's muzzle, she has never thought of it that way. "Lastly, please, do not ever call yourself a horrible mammal Judy, you're practically the best thing that has happened to me..." the doe started tearing as Nick wrapped his arms around her small frame drawing her into his embrace, the hug lasted for a great deal of time since both mammals refused to let the other go.

"Thank you." A soft whisper came from the rabbit followed by some sniffling.

"Bunnies, so emotional." They finally loosened their tight grip on each other as the train entered yet another dark tunnel, the air started getting cooler as the cart went deeper into the darkness. Upon emerging on the other end of the passage, a chilling blast of coldness struck the train and all that was within it; droplets of water crystallised into a delicate lattice that spanned across the entire window; a landscape of white filled the view of the observation deck; they have arrived at the snowy realm of Tundratown.

"Judy…" Nick said with the rabbit still in his arms, "how about you?"

"I'm sorry?" the bunny asked sounding a little confused, but she already had an idea on where this was headed.

"I mean, how do you put up with me?" he asked with utmost sincerity.

"Well, I've learnt that-"

"I mean seriously, how can you cope with so much awesomeness?" he interrupted Judy mid-sentence while gesturing at his overall. "Just look at me, look at this phenomenal face! How do you have so much self-control not to lunge at me every time you see me?" a grin immediately grew wide across his snout.

"Oh please, it isn't that hard; I've been looking at my reflection for a good deal of time, a pretty high standard as compared to your 'handsome' face." She performed, using two fingers, air quotes to add sarcasm into her speech, this was proven to be effective as Nick raised a brow in mock disapproval. She's good… he thought, there was no doubt about that. "I win, again." She concluded beaming victoriously.

"Whatever floats your boat fluff." The red fox withdrew his entangled arms and slipped them back into his pockets, leaving Judy unprotected from the icy condition they were in.

"Brrrr, it's cold." Judy vocalised through her shuddering teeth as a chilling sensation shot through her spine.

"That wouldn't be a problem." He stretched out his arms before continuing, "I have a warm heart." He said with a sweet smile, they soon resumed with their endless cuddling.

There was darkness and there was light; sunlight poured down on the flat dunes which extended beyond the boundaries of the land; palm trees and various cacti with deeply ingrained roots were planted along the streets; a gigantic golden structure stood tall in the centre of the desert foreshadowing other less grand buildings that surrounded it, its abstract design and artistic features helped the construction stand out from the otherwise boring sandplains; the Grand Palm Hotel, definitely an iconic landmark of the hot and sunny Sahara Square.

"What's your plan when we get there? I hope you got our transportation all sorted out," Nick asked ending the uncomfortable silence that had fallen on the duo, Judy glanced at the vulpine from the corner of her eye and turned her back at him.

"Actually… we're gonna have to, er, em, walk home," she said stuttering in her speech, the fox dropped his jaw in shock of the heard news; he hated the idea of walking under the scorching sun and sweating profusely from the heatwave that it brings, he hated the idea of stepping on the boiling hot tar road that would sear the sole of his foot, he hated it all with every fibre of his being.

"Aww come on rabbit, you got to be kidding me!" he whined at the smirking bunny.

"Nope, I'm being totally serious right now, and you'll be carrying our stuff! How fun is that?"

"You've got to be-"

"And the walk will take half an hour."

"Oh come-"

"By car." Nick nearly collapsed at the situation that has unfolded before him, but before he could react further an announcement was made from the sounds system of the train.

"Next stop, Bunnyburrow." The voice of a female antelope resonated throughout the cart bringing Nick's dreaded nightmares into reality.

"Don't worry, it wouldn't be that bad. Besides, you have me!" Judy's bubbly attitude resurfaced as she hoped downstairs towards the exit. The walk home will be a rather long one, she sure was glad to have a companion by her side, but ultimately she felt very blessed that that companion was none other than Nick Wilde.