Chapter 12: "After Party"

It was really nice weather outside - like yesterday. Everything indicated that it's going to be a sunny and warm day. However, the forecast showed that it'll be rainy and even stormy. Now it was really pretty, and we need to remember, that forecasts tend to be wrong. Judy couldn't really complain about anything. She was nicely and enjoyably reminding about yesterday's episodes with Nick. About him kissing her ears, his hugs, his lovely talk with her, his romantic dialogue when they were dancing and his massage. She couldn't resist thinking what might happen next. She just felt appreciated and loved by him. But there was one thing torturing her. She felt like Nick deserves the same thing. He was a fox, who gave her such a great pleasure, took her to the cinema and told her such nice and lovely things, not the other way round. Of course she acted nice to him, but the Bunny felt like she has to reciprocate all kindness to the Fox that she loves. She decided to do the same thing for him when there will be a good opportunity.

Now Gazelle put a kettle on and prepared something to eat. Judy looked through the window. It seemed like many animals were still parting. Nothing odd that this party is called Wild Night.

When girls finished preparing breakfast, Nick has just woken up. He left his room with slow and arduous steps.

"Who we got here?" Sitting at the table with Judy Gazelle greeted the Fox. It seemed like this sleep was too short for him. Tiredness was written all over his face. Apparently, after 5-6 hours of sleeping, Nick seemed rather sleepy, which is rarely the case "How was your sleep?" Gazelle added a question.

"Pretty poor" He said and rubbed his eyes "I feel sleepy..."

"So why did you wake up?"

"I couldn't sleep for good four hours..."

"Oh, you poor foxy..." Judy gave him a gasp.

"Well, my coffee will give you a new lease of life" Gazelle said and headed to the kitchen to bring Nick a salvific cup of coffee. At the same time, Nick took a seat next to Judy. He looked at the Bunny with a smile. She blinked and smiled back to him.

"So... How did you sleep?" Nick asked the Bunny to start conversation.

"After this wonderful massage? Perfect isn't the right word to describe it"

"So it's good to hear that you slept well by contrast to me..." He said and yawned "I guess I will need to sleep this away tonight..."

"This should help you" Gazelle said and brought Nick hot coffee.

"Thanks" he took it right away

"You know, maybe we could go outside? It would be a sin to stay here when the weather is so beautiful"

"Sounds like a great idea. Our Nicky will catch some fresh air *giggle*"

"Maybe it will help me..."

After these words Gazelle opened terrace and went along the stony path with the duo. The garden in this villa impressed Judy and Nick with its look. It looked amazing, with fountains, the entire lighting and irrigation system and some statues. All in all, every detail matched perfectly, but there was one thing that could strike an eye. It was a big glassy dome in one of the garden's corners. It was... a bio dome. The garden can be divided into four great areas with a few smaller around and some paths leading to each and every important facility. In short, the garden looks like this:

The first bigger area was pretty close to the villa. There were three tables with chairs around and a barbecue. There was also a garden couch with pillows on it, and a big umbrella next to it. The umbrella was casting shadow on this coach. This part of the garden was the most recreational area and the smallest, comparing to three other sections. From this place, the pavement leads to a big, three level fountain placed in the very middle of the garden. There was a place to take a sit too, and two statues next to it. This place was perfect to host the guests and spend time here to relax by looking at great views of the garden and the city way off in the distance. The third section was located in the furthest corner from the villa. It was the biggest part to be more precise. And no one would never guess what it was... A maze. It was a maze. The maze with flowers that looked like walls. It is hard to tell why Gazelle has a maze in her garden. There's a wooden arbor next to this maze. The fourth, and the last part, was a bio dome. It was located in the second corner. It's a big dome with many types of flowers, trees and grass reared in specific or them conditions. This entire bubble is even more advanced with irrigation and lighting. It looks absolutely insane when it gets dark, but even now, in full sunlight, the bio dome looks amazing.

"Wow!" Judy screamed out, after a longer while of looking at the garden "That looks magnificent!"

"What's that?" Sleepy Nick asked, pointing at the bio dome. He has never seen such a thing before.

"Oh, that's my little plant breeding"

"Why the hell didn't you plant it somewhere here?" He said, looking at free open space on the grass. He has never heard about this method of growing plants.

"Oh Nick, you are such a silly fox" Judy laughed at Nick and took a sit on the couch in front of villa.

"You know, I really like plants, but most of them need different conditions to live. That's why this dome is here. It's separated from the world ecosystem" She sounded diplomatic at this moment. It seemed like she is really into this topic.

"Thanks... though you don't laugh at me..." He said and sat next to Judy.

"So..." Gazelle started and took a sit on a chair in front of fox and bunny "What you two thinking about party? Did you enjoyed it?"

"Oh, of course we did!" Judy said instead of Nick "Maybe we expected to spend this night in a different way, but still it was an awesome experience! You know, we don't know how to thank you"

"You don't need to. Thanks to you my problems disappeared. You are just great detectives... and you make a cute couple"

"Enough about us" Nick interrupted "Let's talk about you"

"You mean me and Alan?"

"Of course. I want to know how it was" He said and grabbed his coffee.

"You can't even imagine how I felt with him! I would have never expected that there could be an animal able to make my mind totally lost"

"That's all you want to tell us? C'mon, we want to know more"

"Oh, you know... It was nothing special. We just talked a lot when we were alone at the table. We had a talk on many topics"

"And he's still sleeping?" At this moment, when Nick asked this question Gazelle felt a really big desire to go to see Alan. She saw picture of sleeping wolf in her head.

"Yes, but I think he will wake up soon. I think I need to take a bath. You don't mind if I leave you here now?"

"Of course we don't"

Gazelle left them for themselves now. Judy let a sleepy fox finish his coffee. She was looking around all the place. Now she really wanted to take a closer look at everything. Since Gazelle was on her way, it was a perfect opportunity to make an excuse and spend more time with Nick.

"So... Do you want to take a walk? I really want to see this entire complex"

"With such a silly fox like me? Trust me, you don't..." He reacted pretty cold. Don't know why, but it seemed like he didn't like the fact she called him silly.

On hearing that sentence, Judy went closer on the coach to Nick and grabbed his hand "Trust me, I really want..." She added and looked into his eyes. She broke him again. Nick couldn't really say no to her. And he didn't want to anyway.

"So let's go" He said and stood up.

Holding their paws, Judy and Nick started walking in slow motion along the path in the fountain's direction. Judy was looking around the garden. She has never seen such a well-planned garden. And she really liked the flowers and the concept of linking everything with paths, too. Nick was looking at the big dome the entire time. It looked for him like something futuristic and grabbed from fantasy adventure film. Both of them were pleasing weather and scene. But there was something they enjoyed even more than that - themselves. No matter how wonderful a garden could be, the presence of a partner was more important.

"Nick"

"Mhm?"

"Can we sit here?" She asked, when they reached the fountain.

"Yeah..."

They took a sit on the bench next to the fountain. They could hear a peaceful and relaxing sound of flowing water. It was a really great view at the bio dome. Nick couldn't stop looking at it. He saw that irrigation system was working, and turned on lights inside above some types of flowers. However, inside there was really advanced air conditioning system. "Nick..." Judy whispered and poke his arm.

"Hmm?"

"Can you finally stop looking at it?"

"Why? I'm really interested in this dome. It looks amazing"

"I know, but... you went here with me..." She whispered and got red cheeks. She didn't need to say it to Nick twice.

"Oh, come here you little bunny" He said, hugged her with his arm and wrapped with his tail. Judy hugged to his stomach and closed her eyes. Now silence fell down.

At the same time

Gazelle entered her bedroom. Because windows were still closed, it was dark. Alan was still sleeping in the same position when she left him yesterday. She had no heart to wake him up, but she needed to uncover window and open it to let some fresh air in. Fortunately, Alan was well away, and it wasn't enough to interrupt his sleep. "You cute wolf" She said, as she opened the window. She went here to take her towel from the closet. When she took it, something with momentum hit the ground and got broken. It was a glass that was on the commode next to her. Unfortunately, the bang was too loud and disturbed Al's sleep. Gazelle didn't need to wait too long to see the effects; Alan started tossing a little and growling quietly. It seemed like this noise really interrupted his peaceful sleep. On seeing the effects of the accident, Gazelle ignored the broken glass on floor and instantly crouched over him. She knew how he enjoyed her playing with his ears, so she decided to use it to calm him down.

"Shhh, wolfie..." She whispered and grabbed his ear. As she hoped - Alan stopped growling after a short while and his ears stopped twitching. He even started murmuring a little "That's a good wolf" Gazelle added and smiled.

Despite that Gazelle's acting with him stopped his rough moves, Alan wake up. He slowly opened his eyes. But because there was the uncovered window, Al got bedazzled by the sun's light and closed it. But after a while he opened them again as slow as for the first time.

"Morning Alan" Gazelle greeted him.

"Morning...?" Sleepy wolf asked, with half closed eyes and sleepy voice "What time is?"

"It's a few minutes after 9 o'clock"

"What? Did I sleep here the entire time?"

"Yes silly"

"Then where did you sleep?"

"Oh, don't worry. I moved myself to the couch in living room"

"I'm so sorry..." Despite that Gazelle allowed him to fall asleep on her bed. The Wolf seemed to be embarrassed. He didn't expect that he would really fall asleep in her bedroom "I can fall underground now..."

"Stop it. You are my guest"

"Yeah, but it's pretty naughty, don't you think?"

"Better stop already before you will get embarrassed to death... It's okay. For a friend like you I can do it without thinking twice"

"Gelle...?"

"Hmm?"

"Did you do it the entire time?" He asked with a smile, and looked at her, playing with his ear and paw.

"No" She instantly negated and took her paw back.

"Easy *yawn* I won't tell it anyone. Let's keep this our sweet secret" He blinked to her "Anyway, what was that noise? You dropped something?"

"Yes... I was about to go to take a bath, but I accidently broke the glass standing on the commode" She said and kneeled on the floor in front of glass pieces. Alan seeing that stood up and grabbed her shoulder.

"Leave it. I will clear this up"

"No Al, you don't need to..."

"Just leave it to me. At least I can do this for your hospitality"

"Alan..."

"Don't need to say anything" He interrupted her and started picking up broken glass "Now go to take this bath finally"

"You want shed me? I won't let you clean this up. I messed this up, not you" She kneeled next to him and helped him to take care of this.

"Anyway, how do you feel?"

"Why you asking? You mean hangover?"

"Yes, you silly"

"Absolutely great. I'm that guy who always feels the best from all the party guests"

"Really?"

"Yes. Even my friends don't want to drink with me, because I always remember everything and make fun of them. I'm just hard-headed. So don't even try to drink with me"

"I think I will ignore this warning" She smiled and looked at him.

"I warned you" He looked at her and smiled her back "Let's finish with this finally" He looked at the broken glass and continued. Gazelle did the same thing.

Couple dispatched this problem so fast. After a while there was no mark of accident.

"Thanks Alan" She said when she dumped last broken pieces of glass.

"You don't need to. C'mon, go take this bath already. But try not to destroy something now"

"I will try"

"Anyway, where is this cute couple?" It seemed like even Alan shared Gazelle's point of view.

"Oh, they are somewhere outside in the garden"

Alan left Gazelle and let her to take a relaxing bath. Because it was a warm day, the Wolf felt sweaty. He left his jacket in the villa and unbuttoned his white shirt. Now the shirt was quite loose on him. Being in better mood, the Wolf entered the garden. He wasn't less impressed by the first look at the garden than Judy and Nick. He was surprised about the bio dome the most. He was wondering how he couldn't spot this big glassy bubble earlier.

After five minutes of looking and walking around, Alan was reaching the fountain. He could see fox and bunny sitting and hugging each other on the bench in front of the fountain. He ground to a halt now. Because Judy and Nick were sitting back to him, he could take a closer look at them. He got caught at this moment a little. Looking at him, he started wondering what that feeling feels like. What it feels when you have someone that close, someone you can spend some time in peace with, someone who can listen to your problems... and someone you can hug to feel better. He never knew what it feels like. He's been single ever since the very childhood. Despite that, he haven't any problems with girls (especially since he was that well-known in the entire Europe and had many aficionadas) he never fell in love with someone for real.

Despite those reflections, he found the couple to be a very cute one. Because he isn't a jealous animal, he snapped out of those deep reflections and headed into their direction.

"Who we got here?" He surprised them and loomed behind them "Morning you two"

"Morning Al" Judy greeted him back "How was it yesterday?"

"It was an absolutely great evening. I met some great animals. Even some of them recognized me. They called me Capitan May theentire time... Maybe it's because they were drunk...? I don't know"

"How about Gazelle?" Nick asked him. He was suspecting that Alan totally blew her off after leaving her alone at the table.

"What can I say? I spent some great time with her... I think it's enough to say" Al started looking around the garden "Amazing garden, isn't it?" He asked to close the topic about him and Gelle. He really didn't want to tell them about what happened in her bedroom. It wasn't a big thing, but the Wolf felt like it would be better, if he didn't tell them that. However, he agreed with Gazelle to keep it as a sweet secret "I would have never thought to see something like that in a garden"

"You are right" Nick said, seeing that someone shared his view "Wanna take a closer look at it?"

"Why not. Want join us, Judy?"

"Nah... I don't think so... I promised my mum to phone her after the party"

"Your loss, Carrots. See you later"

"See you, boys"

Judy lied to them. She just couldn't stop thinking about Nick and all the good things he did for her. She was wondering how she could reciprocate all fair deeds. She felt like she needs to have a heart-to heart talk with Gazelle. She thought that such a star like her would be more similar with this topic.

Two minutes later, Judy entered the villa and started looking around for Gazelle.

"Gazelle?" She called her out, but she didn't respond to her. It seemed like she was still taking bath. Bunny started knocking on the bathroom's door "Are you here?"

"Something happened, Judy?"

"Well, for me - yes..."

"Something with Nick?" Gazelle understood Judy's suggestion.

"Yeah..."

"Just let me dry myself. Give me five minutes"

Gazelle usually spends quite a while in a bathroom. Spending time in warmth water is very relaxing for her. But for Judy's affairs of the heart she was ready to refuse herself this pleasure. She left the bath, used the dryer, and as she said, five minutes later left bathroom.

"Ahhhh... Tell me what happened" She asked Judy openly.

"You know..." Now Gazelle sat next to her "I'm feeling great with Nick. He's doing much for me. He says lovely things, he invited me to the cinema, he massaged me and gave me pleasure... I just feel happy and appreciated by him. But..."

"But what? You know, you are very lucky with Nick. I wish I had the same relations like yours between me and Alan"

"Yes... I appreciate all that... But I feel like he deserves something more from me..."

"Oh, c'mon. I'm sure you are doing the same thing to him. Even if you don't think about them"

"I know, but... I mean this massage... I want to give him the pleasure he gave me"

"So... How about massaging him, then...?"

"I thought about that, but... I never massaged someone... Especially a fox"

"So you need to try something else"

"And that's why I came to you. I don't know what to do"

Gazelle was caught by a dilemma right now. She knew what she could suggest to Judy - taking care of his ears. This worked well for Alan, so it was a big chance that this could work with Nick as well. But she promised herself to keep it as a secret... And Alan agreed with her to keep it as well.

"You know... Maybe you should try to take care of his ears?"

"What?" Judy was actually surprised by this proposition "Ears? Where did this idea come from?"

"I don't know. I think he would enjoy it. I heard that that type of predators are fond of their ears being played with"

"What type of predators?"

"I mean - foxes, wolves and etc."

"To be honest, I don't know..."

"You have nothing to lose, Judy"

"Maybe it will work"

"Trust me. It will" Gazelle said and blinked to her.

"I think I need something else... I mean - yes, this could really work, but I think about something more... Something that would give him as much pleasure as he gave to me"

"Hmmm... I understand you..." Gazelle started thinking and said after a while "Maybe you should try with his neck?"

"With neck? I don't understand..."

"My friend told me that her partner was kissing her on the neck and it was insane feeling. Maybe you should try this with Nick"

Judy started wondering now why she didn't think about that earlier. She thought that this idea with kissing his neck is brilliant. It was similar to Nick's kisses on her ears. Moreover, she heard what pleasure it can give to someone. Kissing on the neck just works with everyone. Now she wanted to do it so badly. She could wait to give him as much pleasure as he gave her many times. She promised herself to put this plan into work at the very first occasion.

At the same time in the garden

"I see that your relations with Judy are growing up" Wolf said, walking with Nick around.

"What do you mean?"

"Nothing. It's just nice to see how your brother gets lucky with love"

"Fox and wolf can be brothers? I don't think so"

"But we are, Nicky"

"So, if we are... we should talk about girls, right?"

"Oh, we are talking about your Judy already"

"I know, but I want to talk about Gazelle. She was complaining about the pains in the entire body from time to time. She just felt tensed sometimes" Nick laid here. He had an idea. He heard that Gazelle felt a slight grudge to Judy because of talking about his massaging.

"And why are you talking about that?"

Nick started looking at Al and said after a while "Do you know how to deal with things like that right?"

"What the hell? What are you talking about?"

"Hey, you are a speedway rider. I guess you had some courses about that. didn't you?"

"Yes, I had but... y-you mean... ME?" Alan asked with uncovered surprise

"Yes brother" He blinked to wolf.

"H-how someone like me can even touch her...?" Alan seemed to be incredulously about that. And he get red a little anyway.

"Oh, trust me, you can. Especially since you were that close with her in the past"

"Nick, the hell no... I won't do this..."

"Why Alan? Fine... think about a moment when Gazelle did something pleasant to you and you were fond of it. If there is something like that, then, don't you want to reciprocate? Don't you want to give a pleasure to someone who has helped you so many times in childhood and was close to you?

Alan didn't need to think twice. The first thing that came to his mind was the yesterday's evening. She was taking care of him and he fell asleep on her bed. This little act was enough for Al to call it a pleasure. So now wolf got an excuse to do what Nick proposed him. He had knowledge about massaging and stuff like that... and he really wanted to make her feel great too. However, he was still unsure about that. At least Gazelle is a big star in the world's stage and she could have animals responsible for doing this to her.

"I still don't know..."

"Trust me Alan, she will enjoy it" Fox blinked to wolf. Nick started looking around the garden "Speak of the devil" Fox said and poked wolf. Alan turned around and saw the girls heading in their direction.

"Who we got here, Judy?" Gazelle asked Judy who was standing next to her.

"I guess some silly predators *giggle*"

"Who's silly here?" Nick asked by way of reprisal. All four of them acted like their conversation didn't even take place.

"We are sly and clever predators that hunt prays like you"

"Oh, really wolf?" Gazelle asked "Yesterday you weren't acting like a predator" She blinked to him.

"Maybe it's because I was drunk..." Al said with red cheeks.

"Okay you silly predators... Want to join us? We, the smart and sly prays, are going to walk in this entire complex"

"What are you thinking about this, brother?" Alan asked and looked at Nick.

"Why not?"

000

All four of them spent a lot of time walking around Gazelle's place. Maybe Alan's behavior didn't show that, but he was considering Nick's proposition the entire time. As the Wolf was looking at her, he knew that somewhere deep down in his heart, he really wanted this. He intended to reciprocate Gazelle for everything she did to him in childhood and yesterday. He wasn't trying to deny this feeling. He was only afraid that something might go wrong. He didn't know what it could be.

"Holy moley! Look at those clouds" Wolf said, looking at the sky "Darn it...it might rain dogs and cats"

"I think you are right" Gazelle agreed with him, looking at big black clouds on the horizon. It really looked like it's going to rain "I think we should hide inside"

After a while, they hid in the villa. They did it in the very last minute. They almost got caught by rain. At the beginning it was just slightly pouring down, but the rain was getting heavier and heavier with every single minute. However, that wasn't everything. The sky got ablazed by a streak of lighting. It seemed like the weather forecast was correct. Enormous storm was coming.

"Can you the check forecast?" Alan asked Nick who was checking something on the phone.

"It seems like it's going to rain the entire day... And there is a chance for a storm" Nick added after a while.

"Well, guess we are trapped here"

"Oh, you don't want to tell me that you feel bad as my guest, Al"

"No, I don't mean that... I'll just have company tonight. And I need to go back to house"

"Really? I guessed you would stay here longer"

"I can't. I'm sorry"

"Is this that really important?" Nick asked "You need to meet them?"

"Well, no. It's just a casual meeting. But it doesn't matter anyway, cause tomorrow I need to leave Zootopia"

"What a pity... Maybe you will be better than this heartless wolf, guys?"

"Unfortunately, we don't think so..."

"Why, Nicky?" Judy asked him.

"You now... Alan brought me here. I haven't got my car here. Guess we need to go back with him"

"Oh, c'mon guys! Don't leave me here alone"

"Don't worry. I guess we will stay here for now" Alan said and looked at the rain outside "I still have five hours before they arrive, and... I think it's good to wait. Maybe this weather will get better soon... "Well, are we going to stay here and doing nothing or find something to do?"

"What do you mean, wolfy?"

"I don't know. You are the host here. Think about something"

000

Five hours later, when it was about time for Alan to leave, it was still raining outside. The storm got stronger than it was five hours ago. Moreover, the claps of multitude thunders accompanied it. Regardless of nasty weather conditions, the time for Alan has finally come. And it was time for Nick and Judy as well. Because Nick didn't have his car here, they needed to return home with him.

"Where did you park?" Gazelle asked when they were about to leave.

"In the garage the guard showed me" Alan said, putting on his black jacket.

"So..." Gazelle opened the doors next to the main one "Go this way. I won't let you get wet"

"Again, thank you for your great hospitality and that party" Judy thanked and hugged her.

"You don't need to" She said and hugged her back.

"See you Gelle" Nick did the same thing as well. She hugged him back and joined Judy standing at the doors "You join us, Alan?"

"Not yet..." He started pawing himself "I think I forgot my wallet"

"Again? Oh, never mind. We are waiting for you in the garage" Having said that, Judy and Nick left Al alone with Gazelle.

"So..." She started "I think I can help you"

"I didn't lose my wallet"

"Huh? Why did you lie to them?"

"You know... I just wanted to talk with you... Unluckily, I need to leave tomorrow... Trust me, I would give a lot to fall asleep and have someone scrap my ears again"

"Did you really enjoy that?"

"You still asking? Of course I did..." He smiled to her "You know... I think I need to go... I won't let them wait any longer. Thanks for everything"

"See you Alan" She said and made a move with her arms. Automatically, she tried to hug him, but she instantly moved them back. When they were younger, a goodbye-hug was something normal. But now she had a feeling that she shouldn't do it again. Now she was looking at him, red on her face and feeling a little embarrassed. Alan was looking at her and after a short while he gave her a round smile and opened his arms "Oh, come here Gelle" He added. The Wolf didn't need to wait long for it. She instantly hugged him tightly. She has waited for this moment so long. Again, she could feel his chest hard-pressed to her. She closed her eyes and enjoyed his warmth, his paws around her, his head put on her shoulder... she enjoyed this one-on-one moment with him.

"Thank you for yesterday... I will reciprocate for this..." He wrapped her with his tail now, still hugged to her "Promise..."

"Y-you don't need to"

"But I will" He whispered. They were standing hugged for a longer while.

"It's not like I'm telling you to leave... but shouldn't you be joining them...?"

"Well..." He pulled his head up to her "Can't I stay here a little longer? I haven't found this wallet yet..." He said and laid his head on her shoulder again.