Fluff... That's all I can say about this chapter is fluff.

Big thanks to FirnenOne and BrutusDeagon for editing and proofreading for me. You guys are awesome and my writing would look like a third grader tried to write it if it weren't for you guys.

A/N:

"I think we could be more than friends. If you want to."

There, he said it. Not only had he said it, he managed to do it in a way that satisfied his own instincts of letting her take the lead. She would choose if she wanted to proceed forward. Letting him know without a shadow of doubt that she wanted to. It was very bittersweet, both liberating and constraining. On the one paw, he felt relieved that he'd gotten it off his chest and out in the open between them. On the other, well, now he had to wait for her reply. Which seemed to be taking a lot longer than he thought it would.

Judy wanted to say yes, oh sweet serendipity did she ever want to say yes! The tender way in which he stroked the back of her paw with his thumb should be a crime for all the feelings it stirred inside of her.

But were they real? Were they her feelings or just this bond that started forming between them telling her she should feel that way?

"Nick, I… I like you." She looked up and into his eyes, worry pulling at her features.

"I sense a but coming." Nick replied, an understanding smile on his lips.

It only made Judy feel worse for what she was about to say. She released a heavy sigh, closing her eyes as her head fell forward.

"It's... complicated."

Nick mirrored her sigh. "I understand."

She immediately gripped his paw with both of hers, looking up into his emerald eyes. "No, Nick, it's not like that. I… I do want to see if we can be more, it's just…" She sighed again. "I just don't know if my feelings for you are truly sincere or if it's something else."

Nick's brow furrowed curiously as he looked at her, her paws holding his tightly. "What do you mean?" He asked, confused by what she was trying to say.

"I mean… You remember when I told you that bunnies need to be close to each other?" She looked up, hoping he would recall that conversation.

Nick nodded in return. "I remember."

"My parents think that, because I was already stressed from being alone, and then spending so much time with you may have triggered something while we were facing Bellwether." She purposefully left out how she'd been trying to get closer to him while they were out shopping together. Better to have that conversation later.

"Triggered what, Carrots?" Nick felt his nerves starting to build up inside him.

"Nick, please don't be mad," Judy lowered her eyes again, "but when bunnies grow close to one another we form a bond. It normally takes years for it to happen and I've only ever heard of it happening to couples. The thing about it is that if only one of them is bonded and the other leaves them or if one of them passes away, the other will literally die of a broken heart."

Nick's eyes widened at that revelation, not so much from concern, but surprise. It sounded oddly familiar. "And for this bond to start forming, does there have to be a… basic form of attraction? Something you like about that mammal to kick it off?"

Judy nodded in response, it was true she did find Nick attractive in many ways.

"So you do find me attractive." He snarked.

Attractive in many ways, except his humor.

"Nick, this is serious!" She looked up at him, disappointed that he'd be taking this so lightly. She expected to find him smirking down at her, his ego on full display. Instead, she found a gentle smile and caring eyes.

"I know, and I believe that these feelings are sincere because I know mine are." Judy's ears flipped up. "After I dropped you off at your apartment, I had a sense of loss. It didn't take me long to realize it was because you weren't there. And after the whole fiasco with Bellwether I realized something else. I was going through the same thing you are." Judy's eyes grew to the size of dinner plates. "Judy, I'm imprinting on you."

"I-imprinting… What does that mean?" Part of her wanted to be excited by the prospect that Nick was bonding with her the same way she was bonding with him. The other part worried they were moving too fast, and they would be doomed to both suffer.

"It's… similar to what you call bonding. The main difference being that we tend to imprint at the beginning of a relationship. Some foxes have been known to die of a broken heart as you described, but most simply become a shell of their former selves. They live their lives alone and never remarry."

Judy kept Nick's gaze for a moment, everything he'd just told her hit like a hammer in her heart. All the doubts from before came rushing forward.

"Nick, we barely know each other."

"Then get to know me."

"We're different species."

"We're both mammals."

"Everyone will judge us."

"Let them."

"How? How do you know your feelings for me are real?" She asked.

"I thought I was in love once before. This is nothing like that." Nick slowly started leaning towards her, keeping his eyes locked onto hers. Judy was still holding back, leaning away as he approached, but keeping her eyes locked with his.

"How is it different?"

"I feel scared to death." By this point Judy was lying on her back with Nick looming over her.

"I'm not afraid." Judy replied in a shaky voice.

"Your nose is twi-" Before Nick could finish his sentence Judy had lifted her head off the pillow to bring her lips to his.