Love's Impact

Summary:
It's one thing when both of you know what you know. Things change when everyone else thinks they know what you know. And for the few who actually do know what you know...well...that can have quite an impact in ways that none of you know.


As always the bunny woke, or started waking up, first. She was dimly aware of warmth and the fox next to her. She'd ended up sleeping half on her side and half on him with her head on his chest. A soft smile broke out on her face. Falling asleep with Nick and even sleeping on him wasn't that unusual for them. She started drifting off again in that haze of warmth and comfort. She loved starting her day feeling his fur on hers. Fur on fur, she thought dreamily. This is wonderful, feeling his fur on her chest and his arm on her back. My bare back. My back is bare.

Whenever they fell asleep like this he always made fun of her in the morning. What could she say, she loved cuddling. Fortunately her fox felt the same way. She nuzzled his chest fur. I feel his fur on my chest. On my chest fur. I could stay here all day.

She shifted her leg that was draped over him and ran it along his enjoying that feel of their fur. Her knee nudged something.

Breathe
WE'RE NAKED
Breathe [sing-song]
WE'RE NAKED AND WE MATED
Yes. You still need to breathe though.
Last night. It...the station...this...it wasn't a dream.
None of it was. You had a LOT of pent up...energy.
Oh god.
You've worked off some of it though.
Oh god.

You said that already. And many times last night.
Oh god.
BREATHE!

Nick was softly snoring with his tongue hanging out and down one side of his muzzle. More memories of last night were slowly coming back. She shifted slightly, the motion making her realize just how tender certain parts of her felt.

Good. Breathing is good.
My whole body is achy. Even my...ears?

Ah yes. Remember? You rolled on your stomach and told him grab them for more leve-
OH MY GOODNESS!
Stop it. You've been wanting last night for months.
I can't believe I did that.
Neither could he.
I want to curl up in a ball and hide.
You did that last night too. You yelled, and I quote, "LET'S PLAY FIND THE BURROW!"
CHEESE AND CRACKERS!

She felt the fox under her stirring as she stroked his chest. Her fear and shame started building over everything she did last night. She stopped stroking him hoping he'd fall back asleep to give her more time as her thoughts raced out of control.

He enjoyed last night as much as you did. Maybe more!
We went from working together to engaged and mates in a few hours!
He was already thinking it; he bought two gifts too!
Iknowhedidbutwe'rebestfriendsandIjustdidthisandIshouldhavetalkedtohimbutIdidn't!

Uh.
AndI'malwaysdoingthingswithoutthinkinglikethisandI'mgoingtodosomethingatsomepointandthenhe'llleave!
...
I'mjustadumbbunnyandthisisthesecondtimebuthe'llneverforgivemeafterthenextwhateveritissinceIknowI'lldosomething!
Oh god.
Andthenhe'llbegoneforeverandIcan'timaginelifewihtouthimitwasbadbeforebutevenworsenowandit'llbeallmyfaultagain!Forever!
Need some help over here...

Nick started shifting position slightly; apparently he was finally waking up...even without his usual alarm going off.

Time to wake up lover boy.
Shlgnrllmnpf.
Wakey wakey.
Kjshde mmt jernbf.
Your bunny needs you.
Mmm mor sleepsies.
She's a little freaked out. And...uh...pregnant
Five mor-what?
Morning DAD!

His eyes fought to open and he smacked his lips a few times. He started trying to sit up before realizing she was laying on him.

Just kidding by the way. You know she's on suppressants.
What the hell was that for then?
Woke you up didn't it?
You are an a- wait. If she's on her suppressants...and she was like that last night...then...
Yep. When she's off them she really right might break you.
Breaking bad.
What a way to go though. Think of the headlines. And Bogo's expression reading the report.
I need coffee. Lots of coffee. And then more coffee.
No time. Bunny first.

When he managed to open his eyes he saw she was nuzzled down in the side of his chest looking at him with wide eyes peeking over his fur. He tilted his head so he could look at her directly. "Hey. Morning." She didn't respond and just kept staring at him. "Judy...you okay?" She shook her head and then buried the rest of her face into his chest. He could feel her trembling.

This is why you needed to wake up.
I'm not awake enough for this.
She thinks she just broke everything again or will break it or something and then you'll leave for good.
What? No!
You know that. She does too but she's cycling on everything going wrong.
Bunnies. So emotional.
Yours in particular.

He reached around with his other arm to rub her cheek as he stroked her back. "Judy...I...You're my best friend. My lover and my life-mate. I get to work with you every day doing a job I've come to love." She lifted her head just enough to make eye contact. "Some mammals don't have someone who's any of those things in their lives. I have all of them. In you." He heard her sniffle and felt her trembling fade away.

"Whatever's worrying you or scaring you...we'll get through it, just like we have everything else. Together."

She crawled up on top of him and pressed her head in under his muzzle. "How do you deal with me? How do you always know what to say?"

"Practice. Lots and lots of practice." He earned a nip on his neck with that one.

"There is one thing though. Something we need to discuss right away." She heard the change in tone and felt (?) his shift to something much more serious. She sat back and up, resting on him and not caring that the blankets fell away.

That's...strange.
What did I do?
I have no idea
What!
I can't read him.

He closed his eyes for a moment and then let out a sigh. When he opened them again he focused in on her and just stared.

"Carrots. I..." he stopped, looked down and off to the side, and took both of her paws in his as he looked at her again. She held her breath preparing for the worst, this is going to be bad, went through her mind. She felt the tears coming again.

"Carrots. I...you...You're sitting on my bladder. And I really need to pee," he quipped with his signature smirk.


[AN - I know, I know...this is on the short side. I had a strong urge for mowr fluff and the second half of this chapter wasn't coming together the way I wanted. I'll try to have another chapter (really part II of this) up within a few days - we'll see.]