Foxes with Benefits

(In which Judy and Nick go to a reference heavy academy)

"Let me get this straight…" Nick stared down at the bunny that clasped his paws, "You want me to go to some giant bunny reunion with you while simultaneously pretending to be your boyfriend?"

Judy smiled awkwardly up at her friend, "Well it sounds crazy when you say it like that."
"Out loud you mean?"
Months ago Judy Hopps had enrolled in the elite Priderock Academy; it was like a pre-college complete with dorm rooms. And the classes were definitely up in the college level which was why only the smartest of teens were allowed in. Judy had been one of those teens.

She had arrived at the academy still carrying the scent of country air and carrots, trying to make friends with the other few rabbits there but they were all from the city and didn't care to associate with a country bumpkin and none of the other students seemed inclined to do so either.

Judy had quickly become an outcast of Priderock.

But not the only one.

There was another student who was a bigger outcast than she, a fox by the name of Nick Wilde. Every time he walked down the hall or sat in class there were vicious whispers that he had cheated his way into the academy, that there was no way a shifty fox could make good enough grades to get here on a scholarship. Hearing the hateful comments Judy came to a simple conclusion: Outcasts had to stick together.

So at lunch she plopped herself down next to the fox who had been reading a textbook. He gave her a weird look.

"Hello," Judy said with her best smile.

He looked suspicious, "Hey?"

She opened her lunch box and pushed it toward him, "Blueberry?"

Through a series of smiles, following him in the halls, sitting next to him in class, and lots of blueberries, the two outcasts became a tight knit pair of friends.

For a few months, and then things had started to feel weird for Judy, her body always felt flush whenever she and Nick accidentally brushed paws or he looked at her a second too long. It wasn't until Valentine's Day did she figure out what was wrong with her.

She and Nick were sitting in the study hall; the only two mammals there as everyone else were on dates. Surprisingly Judy's reputation had gotten better to the point where she had received a number of chocolates and flowers from some fellow classmates.

She and Nick were sharing the sweets while her phone played a Gazelle song.

"Any of your admirers catch your fancy?" the fox asked her, chewing a peanut butter cup between his sharp teeth.

"Not really," Judy admitted, twirling a rose between her fingers. "Yeah, they're handsome. But I haven't forgotten what jerks they were at the beginning of the year."
"At least date one so he can buy us nice stuff."
She smirked at him, "Us?"

He returned the grin with a smug look of his own, "We're a package deal, sweetheart."

Judy rolled her eyes but couldn't keep the fondness out of her voice, "Yes, yes we are."

But what is your deal, Carrots?" Nick asked her.

She blinked, "My deal?"
"You haven't even gone on a date the entire time you've been here. Got a guy at home?"

"No."
"A girl at home?"
"No."

"Then what?"

"Is it really that important?" Judy huffed, her agitation and discomfort of the conversation making Nick's eyebrows raise.

"Carrots," he grinned at her, "You're acting like a little bunny who's never even been kissed."

When Judy's ears flushed red he broke into laughter, Judy smacked at his shoulder, "Shut up! Have you ever been kissed before?"

"I have the mannerisms of a lady," Nick ignored her soft smacks and straightened up, regally placing a paw over his heart, "And a lady never speaks of such crude things."

Judy rolled her eyes but relented her abuse, leaning back as she did so. "Whatever you say, slick. I bet you haven't." Nick had hardly shown any interest to any mammals here, not that she could blame them with the way they talked about him.

"Even if I didn't," Nick went on, "The first kiss is an important thing I'm not going to waste on just anybody."

Judy snorted, "That's pretty sappy of you."

"It's called being romantic."

Judy's head tilted to the side and she watched Nick who had pulled out his phone with a lopsided smile. An idea came to mind, it was a silly idea that made her ears once again flush crimson but she didn't think it was a bad idea.

"Why don't you kiss me?"

Nick nearly dropped his phone, his head whipping around to stare at her with wide eyes, "Huh?"

She shrugged, trying to appear aloof yet reassuring, "I haven't kissed anyone-and I don't think you have either no matter how much you deny it. Why don't we just get it over with?"

"I just told you I'm a romantic," the fox pointed out, his ear twitched and he looked a little high-strung.

Judy let out a dramatic sigh, "Do you want me to seduce you, Wilde?"

He sat up straight and placed his paws in his laps, appearing the definition of dainty, "Yes, please."

Judy moved to sit on her knees so she could be at eye level with the fox, she took one of his paws in both of his and squeezed gently, her eyes big and imploring, ears draping across her back.

"You have the loveliest emerald eyes," Judy said in a serious and whimsical voice, "It reminds me of the most beautiful of forests."

Nick didn't say anything, looking too busy trying not to laugh.

"And your red fur, it's so beautiful," Judy kept fishing for compliments. "You're like…you're like an angel in disguise."

Nick threw his head back and laughed, pulling his paw out of Judy's grip, "You did not just quote that song. You didn't!"

"Did it work?" she asked with an awkward smile.

"If you were trying to get pity points then yeah, it worked."

Judy pointed, trying to figure out a way to come back from it. When Nick's chuckling had died down he gave her a sympathetic smile, "Since you're so desperate…"

Nick grabbed her chin between his paw and lifted her face up, meeting her lips a half second later. It wasn't a real make out type of kiss, just a brush of lips that lasted for about five seconds before he pulled away.

"There," he said casually, "Now we got that outta the way. Any butterflies?"

"Nope," Judy lied while the fluttering in her stomach tried to send her to the ceiling, "Not at all."

But Judy hadn't been able to stop thinking about that tiny little kiss since and found herself staring at Nick's lips every time he spoke and she officially hated herself for ever thinking this was a good idea. She couldn't have a crush on Nick they were just friends!

But now she had gotten the call for the Hopps family reunion and her family had asked her if she had a special somebody she could bring with her and mixed it with her parents concern and her older sisters' snootiness that Judy couldn't get a boyfriend she ended up telling them that she had a really charming and sweet boyfriend named Nick who she will show off at the reunion.

Which was why she was standing in the empty hallway and holding her friend's paws and begging him to do this for her while also trying to convince herself this had nothing to do with the fact that she was officially head over heels for the fox.

"Carrots…" Nick cringed at her big eyes, "Have you never watched a movie? This always goes south."

"That's just a movie though," Judy tried to argue. "We'll be fine."

"Do you really think your family wants to see you with a fox?" he asked.

"Hey, they do business with a fox plus they'd just be happy I have a boyfriend."

"But you don't," he pointed out.

"They don't need to know that. Come on, Nick…there'll be blueberries."

She saw a chink in his armor. "…How many?"

"Lots and lots," she baited. "And it's not like you have to kiss me or anything, just hold my paw and smile. It'll be a cinch."

When he still looked hesitant Judy stepped closer, "Please Nick…as a friend?"

He let out a defeated sigh, "Fine, fine, I'll go through with this horrible plan of yours, ya dumb bunny."

.

The Hopps family reunion was held far out in the country, at a giant-well, mansion would be a good word for it-next to a crystal clear lake and beautiful thick forests. It had belonged to one of the first of the Hopps who had helped found Bunnyburrow but had made himself a large secluded home for his family. But as time went by they all moved to Bunnyburrow and other such counties to be closer to society and the fields.

Judy and Nick had gotten a taxi to drive them a few miles but then they had to walk, carrying backpacks as they went. Nick looking incredibly uncomfortable, Judy offering assuring smiles at him every time he glanced at her.

When the summer view came into view he let out an appreciative whisper, "Nice."

Judy had her eyes on the figure of rabbits around the mansion, running through the grass, out by the lake, chattering in groups. She linked her arm with Nick's trying to ignore the way her skin sizzled when she touched him and led him down to her family.

She spotted Stu and Bonnie at a small table with a pitcher of lemonade. "Mom, Dad," she called.

The two rabbits smiled at the sight of their daughter, but the grins quickly dropped when they saw who was with her.

They hurried to her side anyway, "Judy, sweetie, we missed you!"

"I missed you too, Mom," Judy replied, staying by Nick's side.

"Who's uh…who's your friend?" Stu asked of his daughter, staring at the fox with obvious caution.

Nick tried a friendly smile that came out awkward. "This is Nick," Judy introduced. "My boyfriend I told you I was bringing." She patted the arm that was still linked with hers.

Stu's jaw dropped but Bonnie at least managed to collect herself with a few blinks, "It-it's nice to meet you Nick."
"It's nice to meet you too," Nick's voice was a bit high-pitched. He turned his green eyes to Stu, "And it's nice to meet you." He offered his paw, "Can I call you Dad?" he joked.

"No," Stu said bluntly as he shook the fox's paw.

"Okay," Nick kept the painful smile in place as he dropped his paw to his side.

"Well, you two hurry and unpack your things," Bonnie told them, "Judy has a lot of relatives to talk to. Nick, we have some guest rooms feel free to pick one of those." With a wave the two parents walked off.

Nick turned to look at Judy desperately, "Please let me go."

"No, you're already here!"

"I just asked your father if I could call him dad! I've heard of boyfriends getting shot for asking that exact question!"

"Stay and I'll do your homework for a month!"

"…Two months."

"Deal!"

.

The two found a small guest room for Nick before leaving their luggage and heading back outside, Nick being less than enthusiastic to do so.

"Just do what you did to get me to like you," Judy instructed as they walked out onto the lawn and toward the nearest fluffle of rabbits.
"But I didn't do anything!" Nick insisted. "You just followed me around with blueberries until I said 'sit with me'."

"Exactly," Judy nodded, "I liked you for just being you."

Nick smiled softly at the comment and once again Judy's heart pattered out of control. Well, she thought to herself, At least I don't have to pretend that I like him.

The Hopps family's reaction to Nick varied. Most of the adults were cautious around him, shooting him distrustful looks that Nick ignored. The kids, after being assured Nick wasn't going to eat him, loved him. They crawled over his feet and played with his tail, Judy's heart swelled at the way he smiled and laughed at the little rabbits.

The teenagers were both, half didn't like him but the other half liked him so much they even got flirty which didn't make Judy angry at all.

And all the while she kept a smile on her face and a paw wrapped around his arm:

"This is Nick, my boyfriend."
"My boyfriend, Nicholas Wilde."

"He goes to Priderock Academy with me."
"He got a scholarship too, he's very smart."

"I bribed him to like me with our farm's blueberries; he loves them almost as much as he loves me."
"Of course we've kissed, sis. We're dating."

While she talked non-stop about how much of a perfect couple she and Nick were the fox kept giving her weird looks, his eyes thoughtful and calculating.

That night after a big dinner that didn't go half as painfully as the introductions Judy bid Nick goodnight at the door of his room.

"Where are you sleeping at?" he asked.

"I'm staying with a few of my older sisters," Judy explained, jerking her thumb over her shoulder, "Up on the third floor, fifth door on the right if you need anything."

"Right," Nick nodded, turning to disappear into the guest room.

"Hey," Judy grabbed his wrist, stopping him. "Thank you, seriously, for doing this. I know it wasn't easy."

He tried to shrug off her thanks, "It's no big deal."

"It is to me," Judy said with deep sincerity.

Nick's eyes widened ever so slightly, "Carrots, you…" He closed his mouth and shook his head, "Never mind."
He slipped his paw out of her grip, "Goodnight, Fluff."

.

Judy hadn't been asleep for long when there was a knock on the bedroom door. She had been up for at least an hour listening to her sisters chatter about random things, including Judy's brand new boyfriend (they had asked many inappropriate questions that had made her blush before refusing to answer).

Letting out a yawn and stretching she slipped out of bed, the only light sleeper of the five other rabbits in the room, opening the door her eyes widened when she saw it was Nick.

He stood in the hallway awkwardly, smiling apologetically when he looked at her.

"Hey."
"Something wrong?" Judy asked, rubbing sleepily at her eyes.

"I couldn't sleep," he admitted, "But it looks like you were…sorry."
"Its fine," Judy walked into the hallway and softly closed the door behind her. "Let's go outside, it's a nice night."

The cool air helped wake Judy up as walked toward an old gazebo next to the lake, sitting down on the steps of the gazebo and looking out at the lake that reflected the clear, starry night sky.

"It's really nice out here," Nick breathed, gazing at the water. "I'm glad I came."

Judy blinked up at him, "Really?"

He chuckled at her reaction, "You act like Priderock has welcomed me with open arms. I'm used to getting these kind of glares."
Judy pouted at him, "You shouldn't be treated like that. You're a great guy and deserve better."

Nick's eyes widened, surprised at her reply. "You…you really think that?"

She nodded, "Of course I do!"

He looked away, turning his eyes back to the lake head hunched between his shoulders in an uncomfortable pose.

Realizing her words had been a little too enthusiastic in her words she blushed and tried to back track, "I-I mean you're my friend! It's only natural I think you're neat."
"Yeah…friend," Nick cocked an eyebrow, "But from the way you were talking today it sounded like you'd be thrilled to date me."

Judy swallowed and couldn't manage a reply. Nick's smile dropped but he didn't look surprised, "I knew it."
Judy jumped to her feet and stalked down to the lake, her skin felt it was on fire and her heart pounding. So much for keeping her crush a secret.

"Carrots, wait!"

Judy broke into a run, she couldn't stand the look that had been on his face, she didn't want to see it again.

"Stop running," he called.

Judy was forced into a halt when her toes splashed at the lake's bank. "Don't follow me!" she kept her eyes closed and her back to him, "I'm sorry just…just don't worry about it. Go ahead back to the house, I'll come back later."

"Carrots," he breathed, his voice sounding uncomfortably close. And his voice was achingly sympathetic. "Look at me."
Judy forced herself to look over her shoulder, Nick was only a few feet away-expression concerned and confused.

"Since when?" he asked.

"What?" her voice was hoarse with unshed tears.

"When did you like me? Like,like me?"
Judy glanced away, "Ever since I kissed you."

"Ah…"
Judy closed her eyes and gritted her teeth, "I'm sorry."

"Why would you be sorry?" the stones underfoot shifted as he walked slower.

She opened her eyes to see he was incredibly close, she stepped back and the small waves lapped at her feet, "Why wouldn't I be?"

The question made him flinch, "Is liking me that bad?"

Her ears shot up, "I…what?"

He furrowed his brow and glanced away, looking on edge, "Is liking me that bad?"

"No I just…I just figured this would make you uncomfortable that I had a crush on you. I didn't want to ruin our friendship."

He let out a bitter snort, "It's not like I had a ton of friends and I could afford to give one up."

Judy looked at him sadly and he cringed, rubbing his paw across his face, "That's not what I mean."

"Nick, it's fine," she insisted softly. "We don't have to talk about this."

"Yes, we do," Nick replied, pulling his paw away to look at her, "I wish you had said something before this."

"I was scared," she breathed.

"You shouldn't be scared of me." His expression became torn and he opened his mouth, "Carrots-"

"Don't," she said, desperately, she couldn't stand being rejected-not now. She took a step back, despite that the water lapped at her ankles. "Just please don't-" her words were cut off as she slipped on a stone in the water and her feet fell out from under her. Nick reached out and grabbed her paw but ended up losing his balance as well and they both fell with a splash.

"Please don't say no!" Judy gushed out, her pajamas soaked and Nick on all fours atop of her.

She looked up at him, his fur damp from lake water and staring at her with fully open eyes, "Don't tell me you don't return my feelings, I wouldn't be able to stand it."

He scowled at her, "I was going to tell you I like you too, you dumb bunny!"

Judy's ears bulged at those words that echoed in the air, Nick stood up, grumbling under his breath and stomping back to the bank, shaking his fur dry. Judy quickly jumped up and splashed back to his side, "You do?"

He let out a frustrated growl, "You're my best friend, Carrots yes I like you. Didn't think I'd have to get soaked for you to know that."

"But-but that's platonic," Judy pointed out. "I'm talking about romantic feelings."

"I know," he snapped, "That's what I'm talking about!"

"O-oh," Judy said. Her teeth started to chatter and she wrapped her arms around herself, her wet pajamas not agreeing with the cold night air. "Th-that's great."

Nick sighed, his irritation draining out, "Come here." He pulled her to his chest, rubbing his paws across her arms in an attempt to warm her up. "We need to get back inside."

"I don't want to," Judy nuzzled into his chest. "Not yet…I want to stand her and just be so relieved that you like me back."

Nick rubbed his paw over her back, "I've liked you since you offered me blueberries, Fluff."

She smiled, wrapping her arms around his waist, "Yay."

Nick kissed the base of his ear which made her lift her head to look at him; Nick took the chance to kiss her. This time it was a real kiss, warm and passionate as their tongues danced. Judy even felt her foot pop.

When their lips separated Nick panted for a moment, gazing into her eyes. He smiled, "I don't know about you but I'm feeling much warmer, old buddy old pal."
She giggled, her own smile splitting her face, "I'm smoldering."
He winked, "Yes, yes you are."