Narration
In a lush green forest, spring has arrived, with the blooming of fresh flowers and stalks and the breeze of warm spring air; it truly was the season of new life.
Another evening of arduous hunting was done, and a wild red fox carried in his mouth the corpse of a freshly killed rabbit. This was indeed a bountiful day for the red fox, for within the forest there were numerous buried caches of dead hares and Rabbits, the product of today's hunt, and the investment for the next winter.
With a kill in his mouth, the red fox trod through the forest woods, and towards his woodland den. Upon entering his den, he glanced over to the other occupant of his home; it was an Arctic fox in her Brown summer coat lying on a pile of dried grass. She was his mate, and in her belly, was a litter of kits nearly ready for birth.
With a wag of his tail in joy at the thought of kits, he placed the Hare down and nudged it towards her, eager to provide for his mate and kits. She shifted herself and proceeded to lick his muzzle in appreciation, before turning her gaze to the Dead Rabbit. As she began to tear apart the corpse to feed herself and her kits inside of her, a rustling sound was heard outside the den. The red fox sensing danger, cautiously poked his head outside, ready to defend his mate and kits, but there was nothing there.
Confused but cautious, the red fox waited for movement or sound, but none was found, as he returned into his den, he found that it was barren except for the torn body of the Rabbit.
He sniffed around, trying to gather a scent of his mate, but none was there, so he left the den and searched for her, for the red fox knew that a vixen with kits was not likely to survive.
But he could not find her, but far in the distance, he heard a shriek, and the scent of fox blood filled the air, he knew it was too late, and so he cried out to the world for his lost mate and kit.
Zootopia Downtown, Nick's Apartment
"AHHHHHH" I screamed as I jumped awake, thoughts instantly invaded my mind 'Where's the forest? Where's my den? Where's my mate?' In a panic, I fell off whatever I was sleeping on. The fall quickly gave me the shock I needed to recollect myself; I glanced around the room taking in my surroundings.
A rather small apartment lounge was what that greeted my eyes, a nearby window gave the room a bright yellow tone. The stench of takeouts and musty air invaded my nose, it was an off-putting smell yet familiar enough to make me feel at home.
Home, that was where I am, my home was an apartment in the city, not some hole in the ground with dried grass and twigs. 'The forest, the den, the vixen, it was just a dream...' I thought to myself, relieved that I wasn't a wild fox living in the wilderness.
'I may not be living in a hole...but I still lost her...' I sighed, as I began to stretch, pulling away from any stiff joints from a night on the couch. 'That dream felt so real'
My thoughts were interrupted when my ears shot up in attention, as I heard footsteps coming from the hallway outside my flat, followed by a knock on the door.
"Nick? Are you there? It's Judy, can you open the door?"
'What is Judy doing here?' I got up from the floor and headed towards the door, I stopped mid-way, muzzle palming myself 'Crap, I had completely forgotten about Judy yesterday' I sighed as the memories of yesterday came back 'I ran off to find her...to find them both...but Judy...I left Judy at the Precinct'
Guilt started to flood into my mind, as I realized I had left without even saying goodbye, and the worse part, I forgot about the free coffee 'geez, thanks a lot brain' I muttered to myself.
By now, I was hesitant to open the door, 'What should I do? She's probably mad at me about yesterday' I shudder at the thought of an angry bunny just beyond that door 'Maybe, maybe if I keep quiet, she'll just leave?' that was an idea but it wasn't right, I already left Judy hanging at the Precinct, I can't avoid her forever.
"Nick! I know you're in there, open up"
I kept quiet; the beating of my heart quickly drowned out any background noise, the decision to let Judy in was a difficult one. It wasn't about letting her into my apartment; it was about letting her into my past. The question is do I trust her enough?
"Nick, come on, you can't just hide from your problems" she shouted.
Hiding...is that what I've been doing? For the last seven years, have I been hiding from Nicole and her...our son? 'If mom and dad ever find out about this...I'm a dead fox'
I walked closer towards the door, my paw reached towards the handle; my heart was in my mouth, this was it. 'Judy can help me, she helped me stop conning, and she helped me become something better. With her help...maybe I can see Nicole again'
I forced a smile on my face and opened the door "Hey Fluff, who said I was hiding?" I joked. "So what are you looking for Carrots?" I asked.
"Nick, I want to know what happened yesterday"
"Yesterday? I uh..." I tried thinking of an excuse "I had to go to the bathroom" I lied.
"Really? Because you ran in the opposite direction of the bathroom you ran right out the Precinct" corrected Judy.
"I uh...actually..." I mumbled.
"Nick, come clean, who was that vixen? What happened yesterday?" demanded Judy.
"She's my ex!" I shouted.
Judy was reeling in from the shock; I took a deep breath and calmed myself before continuing.
"She was pregnant when I...I left her, that Kit yesterday, that was her Son, my Son"
"Sweet Cheese and Crackers, are you sure?" questioned Judy.
"You saw him too, there's no denying it. The little guy looks just like me"
"Nick, I think you're jumping to conclusions here, he could belong to some other tod"
"NO!" I shouted, baring my teeth, Judy flinched back a bit; I took another breath to calm myself.
"Judy you don't get it, it's a Fox thing… foxes mate for life, I picked her and she picked me. No other Tod would dare touch her, and they should know better!" I growled my muscles starting to tense with my ears forward and erect, ready to lash out against anything. I let out a sigh, as I pushed the instinctual thought away.
Judy's ears started to droop as she stared at the floor; she then spoke, in almost a whisper "Did you know?"
"Know what? That she had a kit in her? No, I did not" I made it simple and clear, I turned to look elsewhere, trying to cool the rising tension between us.
Judy took a moment to take it all in, before confronting me about Nicole.
"I want to know everything about that Vixen" she demanded.
"Everything?" I asked.
"Everything!"
I sighed 'What I've gotten myself into? Too late to back out now' I thought, I took a deep breath before answering her, "Fine, I'll tell you everything" I gestured Judy towards the couch. "Where to begin?" I asked.
"How about, her name and how you two met?" she suggested.
"Right, well, first off, her name is Nicole, Nicole White. As to how we met..."
Eight years ago: Zootopia, Tundratown, Mr Big's House
I waited outside Mr Big's study room, he wanted to see me for some reason 'Maybe he's got a job for me' I thought to myself. The silence outside the study room quickly grew eerie, as the only sound that could be heard, was the ticking of a nearby Grandfather clock. The waiting and silence quickly brought uneasy thoughts to mind 'What if I've offended him? What if he wants to have me iced!' Panicked, I quickly looked around, planning possible escape routes. My planning was interrupted when the door to the study eased open, a Polar bear in a black suit stepped out.
"Mr Big will see you now"
As I walked past him and into the study, the door closed behind me, blocking my exit. Inside Mr Big's study, the lights were off, and the shutters were closed, leaving the room in darkness. Within the sea of inky blackness, two sets of glowing eyes were present, both of them directed towards me. Their gaze made my body instinctually tense in fear, fear of an unknown predator waiting to pounce.
Additionally, an ember glow was also present, but nearer to my eye level, this soft glow emitted what I would assume to be the scent of tobacco, giving me the idea that the glow was possibly Mr Big with a cigar.
Before my eyes could adjust to the darkness, the voice of Mr Big was heard "Lights" he cried. And the room was flooded with a newfound brightness, blinded for a second; I flinched back in surprise, shielding my sensitive eyes with my paws.
As I was readjusted to the brightness, I began to take notice of Mr Big sitting in his chair on his desk, along with Koslov and another bear standing to the side.
I stared at the well dressed Shrew, as he blew a puff of smoke from his mouth.
"Ahh, Nicky my boy, come closer"
I slowly humbly approached Mr Big, keeping my head low in respect.
"No need to be so polite Nicholas, we're all family here" I began to relax a bit, but I was still a bit cautious, as Mr Big can change when he talks about family, and when he talks about business.
"You look tired Nicky, maybe all that hustling has gone to your head" Mr Big snapped his fingers, and one of the Polar bears handed me a white card with a golden fox stamp on it. "Take it Nicholas, a gift from Grandmama" he stated, letting out a laugh as he took another puff from his cigar.
I read the card 'Sly Angels Massage. For all your vulpine desires'
"Koslov has a place that will make all your worries disappear. I'm sure you will love it" a smile grew on the shrew's face.
Zootopia, Tundratown
I stood outside the establishment; a white wooden sign read 'Sly Angels Massage' the same as the card. I was hesitant to enter 'what kind of place is this?' I thought to myself, however, I knew only two things, 'one, this is probably a Massage Salon, and two, I really could use a Massage' with that in mind I pushed the door open.
The warm air inside the building clashed with the coldness of Tundratown, quickly changing the atmosphere; as I walked inside, the door closed behind me, I looked around. It was a simple white room, the receptionist desk was occupied by an elderly Arctic Wolf who taking a nap.
I walked up towards the desk and proceeded to ring the receptionist bell. The dinging of the bell was hypnotic as it quickly filled the silence of the room.
"Où est la nourriture?!" the old wolf woke from his slumber, he then quickly studied his surroundings before turning his attention towards me "Ah...good..." he glanced at a nearby clock "afternoon sir, what can I do for you?"
"One massage please, old-timer" I answered.
"Ah, your membership card then please"
"Membership card?" I asked, uncertain as to what he was talking about.
"Well this is a respected establishment, we don't let any bozo come in, else they'll be trouble for the girls, so if you don't have one, I'm afraid I must ask you to leave" he answered; with a tone of hostility in his voice.
I reached into my pockets and pulled out the card Mr Big gave me earlier "Here" I handed him the card.
The old wolf studied it, examining the golden stamp and the numbers printed on the other side, he then proceeded to type on his computer before scanning the card. He then handed it back "everything checks out Mr Wilde" he answered, giving me a leather menu with gold letterings "what will it be?"
I studied the elaborately designed menu, various choices were listed. I decided to just go with a simple back rub "Standard back rub please" I answered.
A sly smile grew on the old wolf's face, as he reached for the telephone and proceeded to dial a number "Hey Nikki, Jacob here. Job for you" he then hung up, the old wolf then turned his attention towards me "please wait here"
Not long after he said that a beautiful white Vixen entered the reception, I was dumbfounded at how gorgeous she was. The old wolf then spoke "Ah Nikki, there you are. Please escort Mr Wilde here to the standard" the Vixen nodded her head, she then turned towards me.
"Right this way Mr Wilde" when she spoke my heart only pounded, even more, I only stood there as she waited "Mr Wilde?" she asked in a confused tone.
I realized that I must have looked like an idiot, I quickly snapped out of my daze and followed her down the small hallway, we then entered a small room.
"Changing room's on the right, Mr Wilde" she gestured, I got into the changing room, still thinking of her, her white fur, her cute smile, her shimmering blue eyes.
I exited the changing rooms wrapped in a white towel, I looked at her and smiled, her ears tucked backwards before she smiled back, and looked away in embarrassment. I got on the massage table that was placed in the centre of the room, lying on my stomach she then started rubbing my back.
The feeling was bliss, my heart pounded even harder as I felt her soft fur-covered paws caressing my backside in a smooth gentle motion, and it was heavenly, soon afterwards I fell asleep when I woke up, she was gone.
Present Day: Zootopia Downtown, Nick's Apartment
"I kept coming back, every week I worked up a little more courage to talk to her. It wasn't until after a while, that I asked her for her number, and from there we started dating" I revealed to Judy.
"Wow," she said in awe "What happened between you two?" she queried, concern in her voice.
"I...I made a mistake Judy, I got angry...we argued, and then I left her" I revealed, burying my muzzle into my paws in shame.
"Do you still love her?" she asked.
I took a moment to think about the question "I'm not sure Judes...I'm not sure" I answered.
"So what are you going to do now?" she asked.
"I don't know Fluff, I want to talk to her about...the kit at least" I answered.
"Well, why don't you?"
"I-I don't know where she lives" I confessed in a defeated tone.
"What?! So you're just going to give up?" she protested.
"No, I'm not giving up, I just..."
"Just what?" she interjected.
I stayed silent, unsure as to how to answer. Silence passed as Judy tried to calm herself, I tried thinking of what to do, suddenly my phone started buzzing in my pocket, I picked it up, it was a text 'Hey Nick, got time for a drink? I'm buying'
-Finnick
"Don't you know anyone who might know where she lives?"
A smile grew on my face as an idea popped into mind "yeah, I know someone who might"
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