Do not try to gain favor by acting in a way that is contrary to your own nature and character. —Aesop
.
The County Fair had an insect petting zoo, deep-fried bugs, and a band that played a medley of songs by Adam Ant, Iron Butterfly, the Bee-52s, the Beatles, Daddy Roach, Buddy Holly, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Nick wasn't sure if this was a theme or typical for a fair.
"O. M. Goodness, it's the boys!"
"Binky's right," Gloria said. "I almost didn't recognize them."
"Those are our brothers onstage," Judy told Nick.
"They look like total geeks in overalls," Charlie said. "Uh, no offense, Nick."
"Why would I take that personally?" Nick asked, snapping his own suspender.
"I'll introduce you when they're done," Judy promised.
"Great. Meanwhile, may I have this dance?" Judy hesitated, so Nick added, "It doesn't have to be touch-dancing."
She blushed a little and said, "OK."
They danced next to but not with each other. Nick remembered the Gazelle concert, less than two weeks ago, before they were a couple. She had been the enthusiastic one then.
He kept wanting to be affectionate with her today and then having to pull back. Not big, sloppy kisses on the fairway. Nick had class. But there were moments like when they were waiting in line and he wanted to lightly touch her back. He had to pretend his arms were chained to his sides.
It was partly the mixed reactions of her family to their relationship and partly the fear of some bunny yahoo threatening him for "messing with one of our girls." Or maybe they'd have to deal with an animal who wasn't a rabbit or a fox but who thought he or she knew what was best for other animals. Nick hated this. At least in the City, he felt like he could be himself. Here on Judy's turf, he had to follow her lead, and that seemed to be to keep affection to a minimum, even when he most needed to give and receive reassurance. Oh well, at least they'd be going home the next day.
The band was pretty good, although Nick hoped they didn't just do country covers of rock songs. Nick was doing his simple little moves which could be adapted to any style, while Judy, after some hesitation, let herself go as much as her siblings were. Binky wasn't the only one binkying. Nick smiled at Judy, happy to see her happy again.
He got tired before she did. "Can we take a break?" he shouted over the music.
She nodded. "What do you want to do now? Eat or go on the rides?"
"I'm thinking food should be after the rides."
She laughed. "OK. Which ride first?"
Before he could answer, some of her younger siblings ran over and pulled on her paws. "Judy, you said you'd go on rides with us!"
"Do you mind, Nick?"
"No, of course not. This is a family day."
"You're coming, too, aren't you, Mr. Wilde?" asked Cobby.
"Yeah, of course. I bet I can scream louder than anyone."
It turned out not every ride required screaming, the merry-go-round for instance. But the roller coasters and the haunted house did. It felt good to scream, get out some of his frustration. He did get hoarse after awhile.
"Ferris wheel?" Judy asked him.
He nodded. It would give them a good view of the fair and a chance to hold paws with a little privacy. Of course, he'd rather do the Tunnel of Love, but then they'd have to go back out into the light of the day and the possible glares of strangers. A fox and a bunny could go on a Ferris wheel together, right?
Her siblings of course tagged along, but Nick made sure he got in the same car as Judy, who smiled at him. He waited till they were several feet off the ground before he took her paw, saying, "I know you're afraid of heights."
"Not really," she said, although she squeezed his paw. "I was more scared of Cavy and Mike's flying."
"Ah."
"Isn't the view amazing?"
"Yeah," he said, but he was mostly looking at her, the way her violet eyes lit up.
"Nick," she said, blushing.
"I really want to kiss you, Fluff."
"I know, I want to kiss you. But I'm trying to be good."
"You are good, Fluff."
"Ni-ick! Stop doing the voice and the eyelids!"
He chuckled and sat up rather than lean towards her. He tried to make his voice and eyelids normal as he said, "I hope we stop at the top. You know, for the view."
"Uh huh."
They did stop at the top. And the view was amazing. He hadn't really looked at it on the plane, focusing more on Judy. But he now made himself take it all in, the rolling hills and smooth fields, like and unlike Bunnyburrow. Mole Valley was browner, less green, than Judy's hometown, and the houses seemed to be more below the surface of the earth than into the sides of hills. And, well, it was more of a valley.
"So what do you think of the Tri-burrows, Nick?"
"Well, I still need to see Gopher Grange."
"Gusto."
"Right."
And then she tipped her head up at him, like she wanted to hop up to his face but couldn't because of safety precautions. He tilted his head down and gave her a light kiss, which she deepened. He put one paw on her cheek and the other on her ear, lightly caressing her. She scratched his back, reaching into his overalls but over his shirt.
"Hey, get a room you, too!" yelled a voice from a few cars below.
"Hush, Lyle," said Gloria.
Nick and Judy pulled apart, smiling at each other. He wondered if they should try the Tunnel of Love after all.
And then the Ferris wheel turned again and they began to descend.
"Do you want to go meet the band?" she asked.
"Sure." It would be more names to memorize, but he was doing OK so far.
Before they got back to the bandstand, a dark-wooled sheep cried, "Judy, is that you?"
