A/N

Hello you all. Happy Valentine's Day! Hope you all are keeping warm. Anyway back with another chapter for you. Let's see what our fox and bunny are up to...

see you below

-Don

Chapter 25

Unspoken Love

"You alright there fluff?" Nick asked his partner as they sat in the cruiser. Their shift was nearly half way over with few words exchanged. Judy seemed to be in her head most of the time not replying much to Nicks usual snide remarks. "Judy?"

"Yeah. I'm okay" Judy murmured gazing out the window. It was strange; she was undoubtedly happier to finally be with Nick again but her expression showed otherwise. She couldn't help but feel lost in her head. Do things just go back to how they were after what happened? They couldn't. None of it felt right to her. She slightly looked over catching a glimpse of him in the corner of her eye. "You okay?"

Nick chuckled kicking back in the driver seat. "Never better carrots." He crossed his arms letting out a sigh. "Although I admit our communication feels a bit off since we left headquarters."

"Do you ever think some mammals come into your life for a reason?" Judy blurted out abruptly. Nicks ear twitched at the question following a pause.

"Well. Sure. I figure everyone has a roll they play in our lives to some extent" he replied putting a finger to his chin. "Why?"

Judy avoiding the gaze from him converted her eyes out the window again. She wasn't sure where that question had come from or why it was significant now, but she felt something. A feeling that had been occurring lately that seemed to be growing stronger now that the fox was back in her life.

"Oh..well..you see..." she struggled to form the right words. " Actually never mind we can talk about it later after wo-"

"You're wearing the necklace again I see. Gold suits you" Nick interrupted now examining the bunny. Judy began blushing now feeling the foxs' eyes studying her.

"Well..of course. I told you I'm never taking this off" she replied sheepishly. "Better than me not wearing it at all right slick?" A smile forming on her face attempting to regain her composure.

Nick now leaning forward slightly shrugged his shoulders. "Well if that was the case I still have 20 days to return it bun bun" he quipped with a wide grin on his face. Judys face soured at the thought instantly giving him a cold glare.

"Not going to happen pal" she hissed now pulling the necklace from her uniform to gaze upon its beauty. Nick put the cruiser into drive pretending to be nonchalant about her obvious infatuation. He grew bored of reading the same 3 billboards on the street they were parked.

"So I was thinking after the shift I could come over and we could do something" he suggested now forming a straighter face. Judys ears perked at the thought. Her eyes read over the imprint on the carrot pendant.

To my love Judith L. Hopps

"Earth to Judy" Nick spoke up suddenly.

"I missed you so much" Judy mumbled silently tucking the necklace back in.

"Huh?" Nick replied not hearing exactly what she said.

"Nick we should talk tonight. I just need to get something off of my chest."

Taking notice of the seriousness of her tone, Nick merely nodded in response. Something was up with her lately so he knew not to push it. They could talk to each other about anything so he wasn't too worried.


-Later that day

Having finally returned home, Judy made her way over to her bed to unwind for a bit. Nick was running a few errands so he wouldn't be over for another 10 minutes. Kicking her feet up on the bed she still wasn't sure exactly how she was going to express what was going on with her. How could she when she didn't even know herself?

'He is going to think I'm crazy' she thought laying down on her side. Her eyes began to close as she slowly began dozing off.

A vibration from her phone sounded only a few minutes later.

'That must be him' she thought blindly reaching for her phone on the dresser. As she clicked the home button to her surprise it wasn't 'Dumb Fox' that appeared in the notifications but instead Silvia.

"Hey Hopps, sorry I couldn't make it this morning. Had something come up" Silvia messaged.

"It's alright, you honestly didn't miss out on much besides more traffic duty lol" Judy replied.

"Ha of course. Well I have some info on our wolf and his new hotel/casino gig. Mind if I come by?"

Judy paused in slight dilemma before replying. She wanted to know any information Silvia had found out about Donte, but tonight was supposed to be an important night just between her and Nick. She couldn't wait any longer to say what had been troubling her. Not to mention Nick was more than likely headed there now.

"I can't tonight. Kind've have plans already.." Judy responded finally. A few minutes passed before another response from Silvia followed.

"Plans with Nick I presume?" Silvia replied. She then sent another message shortly after. "It will only take me 5 minutes to explain. 10 tops."

Before Judy could respond she instantly got another message.

"Here" Nick messaged.

Judy bit her lip not knowing how to respond to Silvia. She knew she probably should let her come by to explain the details she discovered, but mentally her focus was elsewhere. After 30 seconds of pondering, Judy just decided not to respond to her.

Suddenly a familiar knock was present at the door.

"Hold on slick" she called out attempting to make herself at least a little presentable. After checking herself in the mirror for the 5th time, she made her way to open the door.

"Took you long enough" he commented with a grin. He appeared in the doorway wearing a plain black t shirt with grey sweatpants on. Judy wasn't quite used to him wearing anything outside of his button ups with chinos. She tried not to observe the tall lean fox standing before her for too long. "Can I come in..or you hiding a dead mammal in there?"

"Y-yes..sorry" she laughed nervously now letting him through. Her mind was all over the place at this point. Why was she so nervous all of the sudden? It was just Nick. The fox she had grown close to. "I found a movie for us to watch on PetFlix.." she trailed off trying to come back to reality. Nick turned around with a grin on his muzzle.

"Oh great. This isn't another cheesy slasher film is it?" He quipped jumping on the bed.

"Not this time...eh this one's actually more of a.." she closed the door now walking over to the bed. "Romance" she continued nervously. Nicks eyebrow raised slightly. "Comedy. Romantic comedy."

"That's quite the change up from our usual choices" he shrugged. "Well if the comedy isn't funny I'm sure the cheesy romance will be" he snickered now adjusting to get comfortable. "By the way I got that popcorn seasoning you like."

Judy smiled nervously. Popcorn was the last thing she was worried about at this time. She forgot to make some.

"Aw, thanks slick!" She commented making her way to the cabinets. She reached in grabbing a bag of popcorn.

"So give me a run down, what's this movie about?" Nick questioned waiting for Judy to start the microwave.

Judy looked up slightly from where she stood. "It's about this beaver plumber who falls in love with his customer a lioness" she replied as she set the 2:30 timer on the microwave. "The thing is though, she's in a relationship already – with a lion who happens to be a lawyer."

"Poor mammal doesn't stand a chance" Nick murmured slightly shaking his head. "Leaving a big shot lawyer for a plumber? Sounds like a fairy tale" he laughed to himself. "You sure this is a comedy? This sounds like it was made by the one studio with the mouse icon. I think it's called Dis-"

"Nooo haha.." Judy interrupted nervously. "No it's...ehm" she trailed off. Judy studied Nick to see if he would make any comment about the fact that the beaver was obviously a prey and the lioness was a predator. It was her secret test to see how Nick would react to the possibility without putting herself completely out there to look dumb. "Well...I won't spoil it but it does have a few surprises. And a pretty powerful message" Judy commented now grabbing the popcorn from the microwave. She poured it in a bowl now making her way over to the bed. "Ready?"

"I'm guessing we talk after the film?" Nick asked.

"Er..yeah. I just wanted us to hangout for a bit before all of that stuff" she stammered looking away from him.

"Is it bad?" He questioned.

"No..at least I hope not."

Nick shifted his focus now to the screen in front of him. The title of the movie had shown up reading Love Wilbert.

"Is Wilbert the name of the beaver?" Nick questioned as the opening credits began.

"Yes" Judy whispered now focusing in on the film.

"For this mammals sake I hope this has a happy ending" Nick groaned now reaching his paw for the bowl of popcorn. Judy ignored his snide remark now infatuated with the film.

As the movie progressed Nicks comments became less and less apparent as the story unfolded. This definitely was not a romantic comedy as Judys eyes were filled with tears only halfway through. Nick – while not exactly showing the same level of emotion – was invested into the film as well. It turned out that the relationship the lioness was in was mentally abusive. The beaver plumber – Wilbert – was the only mammal she had come across who cared about her for who she was. As the movie progressed the lioness fought with all of her might not to fall in love with the plumber. She was worried about society standards. The beaver felt the same about her only he didn't care what society thought – he knew in his heart he wanted this lioness by his side as his mate for life. The lioness ultimately pushed him away out of fear saying the most hurtful things she could think of to get him to leave. A year then passed. The lioness finally gathered the courage to leave her toxic relationship behind. She began to wonder of what had become of Wilbert the beaver she had fallen in love with in hopes of reconnecting. The lioness felt ashamed for how she treated him and hoped he would forgive her. Unfortunately, she had come to find out he passed away in a car accident. She never got to tell him how much he really meant to her.

As the ending credits began, Judy was sobbing as she whipped her eyes. Nick was quiet for a moment before stretching his arms.

"Well...that was...hm" he struggled finding the right words.

"Amazing" Judy whispered drying her eyes.

"I was going to say powerful" Nick mumbled. "But yeah that too. Good film choice carrots. I got my work cut out for me since you raised the bar."

It was now dark outside as the last rays of the sun disappeared across the horizon. Nick stood up slowly stretching his arms again. Judy stayed sitting down with a look of deep thought.

'I guess it's now or never'

"Nick..." she mumbled still recovering from her sob session. Her nose twitched as she sniffed slightly.

"Yes...?" He replied now focusing back at the bunny. He felt that their conversation was about to begin. Sitting back down he grabbed the remote turning the television off.

"I've been...having this feeling lately.." she began looking down at her empty bowl. "You know you're my best friend. Someone I wouldn't trade the world for." Judy paused. "But lately I've felt...more...and I know it's stupid and illogical for me to even feel this way...but I...I have..very strong.. feelings for you."

Silence fell. Judy could feel the green eyes piercing the side of her face. Her heart began to sink and her eyes began to tear up again. Why wasn't he responding? Mustering up the last of her courage, she attempted to continue.

"I know...you...of all mammals could never like someone like myself – a dumb emotional bunny like myself. With your charm you could probably have any..v-vixen you want. I just...you know...I just needed to know if I was alone in feeling this way..and I guess..I am..and that's oka-"

"Judy" Nick spoke finally breaking the silence on his end. Hearing him call her by her actual name sent even more emotions through her. She buried her face in her paws now wanting to hide from the world. How stupid could she have been? For a moment she wished she had just let Silvia come over instead of this.

"Listen" Nick spoke again placing his paw on her shoulder.

"What.." she groaned with her face still hidden in her paws.

"You're my bunny...I thought this was obvious by now."

Judy sniffled now lifting her face up to look into his green eyes.

"Oh...I-I'm you're bunny now huh..." she giggled with a slight sob.

"You always were" he replied now wrapping his arm around her pulling her in. He reached for the necklace pendant turning it over reading the engraved writing. "My Judy...ow!" he felt an elbow in his rib. "What was that for?!"

"You mean to tell me you've felt the same way this whole time and you didn't bother telling me?!" she spoke up anxiously.

Nick smirked now bringing his muzzle to meet hers.

"Your love taps are starting to hurt" he chuckled looking her in the eyes. "You really are a fighter."

Judys nose twitched as she began blushing. She had never been this close to his face before now. She grabbed his muzzle and kissed him.

Pulling away she met his gaze again.

"Not bad. But for the record I hate that seasoning flavor" he commented letting out a small snicker.

"You'll learn to love it" she quipped back wrapping her arms around him. As the two embraced each other Judy hadn't noticed her phone had gone off multiple times with notifications from Silvia.

"I get it. You're busy. Fine. But we all need to speak before the bullpen meeting tomorrow morning. If my sources are correct we may have finally found an opening to bag Donte for good this coming Thursday. See you both soon." Silvia texted

A/N

Well well. I know it took 25 chapters to happen but WildeHopps finally appears! I know I have teased it this whole journey but I feel a slow build can feel more natural. How ironic on Valentine's Day too? Anyway 5 chapters left. This has been a fun story to take you guys on and I'm actually kinda sad it's coming to a close soon but hey, if you've come this far you deserve a proper ending instead of an endless fic. Thank you all again for tuning in. Hope everyone had a good day (single or not). Sending all love and positive vibes your way.

See you all again soon.

-Don