Serendipity's Shadow
Rated T
Chapter 10
When he woke up this morning passed out in Finnick's garage. The last thing he expected was for the end of his night to end with a wonderful surprise. Hoped for it, sure. Expected it, no. Especially when he was rolling over in the back seat of one of Finnick's scrap cars.
"Dude! Nick!" The small fox banged against the car. "Get up!"
"Good morning to you too." Nick groaned.
"My shop opens in an hour." Finnick opened the car door staring down at the red fox. "So, unless you want to deal with my customers for me…Get Up!"
The red fox smiled at the little fennec fox he called friend. And lazily sat up, with a sore back, to get out of the car.
Finnick observed his friend whose stupid green Hawaiian-themed shirt was unbuttoned and hanged loosely around his body. He had his dumb khaki brown pants on still, unlike one time. That was a fun night. Even in common everyday clothes, Finnick knew his friend Nick was annoyingly handsome. When they went out together on guys night Nick always had at least ten girls pining for him. And once upon a time, Nick would take at least one home. On really wild nights he would take home from three to five. Finnick was never jealous of his friend for that. He knew those girls were just an outlet for Nick. The only time Finnick was ever envious of his friend is when he had met a real woman. And then Finnick was furious when Nick somehow screwed it up! But as time passed, he watched as his friend, Nick, became…depressed. Or at least some form of depression. Which is why Nick crashed at Finnick's garage again last night. And then three beers later passed out in the car.
"So why are you here?" Finnick asked his friend.
"Couldn't sleep." Nick muttered as he walked past his friend.
Nick didn't really know the answer. But if he had to guess, it was because of what transpired a year ago. He lost the one thing he desperately wanted to hold onto. And with it, her wonderful company and beautiful nights of sleep.
"You miss her still, huh?" Finnick guessed.
"…I don't think I ever stopped." Nick casually started buttoning his shirt.
"Are you ever going to talk about it? Or just sit on it forever in a pity sulk?" Finnick grumbled slamming the car door shut.
Nick laughed at his friend's behavior of 'don't even think for a moment I might actually care about you' attitude.
"And I'll take that as my cue to leave." Nick pushed open the side garage door with Finnick following close behind.
"You can't run away from this forever Nick! Especially, if you want to get a good night's sleep for once."
Finnick watched his friend walk up to, one of his many, Porsche 959. Many would call Nick stupid for parking such beauty out in the open in this part of town overnight. But then they would notice a black panther dressed in a black uniform and shades standing by the car. It was one of Nick's many security guards.
"Hey, busy body!" Nick greeted his security guard. "Mind giving me a drive home?"
"Not at all, Sir." The guard nodded.
"You can't keep doing this Nick." Finnick stated one more time before Nick entered the car. "You are going to either end up doing something stupid or dropping dead if you don't find some peace."
Nick rolled down the window to smile at his friend.
"I've never known what peace was till I met her, Finn."
How do you expect me to find it now? Nick wanted to ask his friend.
"See you tonight Finnick? It's Sunday!"
"…Yeah. I'll see you tonight." Finnick gave up his argument with his friend.
"See ya." Nick waved to his friend before motioning to his guard to drive off.
Nick took the time to rest his eyes after placing on a pair of aviators. And then he reflected, unintentionally, on his life.
A big secret about Zootopia was that crime played a crucial role in its upbringing. No one wanted to admit it. So, they often tended to ignore it. That is unless you put a face to the crime. So, many hid in the shadows while forcing, or paying, others to do their work. And thus, a hierarchy was born in the crime world. And at the top of the golden rusted throne was the Wilde family. They sat at the top for generations. They controlled the way things were planned out in the crime world. No war, trade, or wedding happened without the Wilde family knowing. When Nick was born it was a secret to the world. Those who knew of his existence were only people his parents trusted to know. Then a few years later his little sister was born. Nick was obsessed with his little sister and her happiness. So much so, he didn't realize what his father was doing. Nick's father went against the unspoken rule of being Zootopia's shadow. Nick's father, James, wanted to be known, to be seen. So that's what he did. He started publicly showing himself, and his handiwork, to the public eye. It didn't end well. It was Nick's birthday and James took him to his favorite park with his little sister. Just when he was about to blow out the candles is when he heard the gunshot. His father was assassinated before their eyes. And Nick found himself fighting to keep his rightful throne. Which he succeeded in doing with the help of Mr. Big. His mother was of no help when she had a heart attack not even a year later when his father died. His little sister was now his sole responsibility along with the role of being Zootopia's shadow. Nick would like to say he did so in stride with little mistakes. But then he would be lying. He quickly got the hang of it though. And made it a point to keep his sister out of it. She was already traumatized by their parent's death. Nick didn't want to ruin her innocence any more than it already was. She got to live as normal a life as he could possibly give her while he ran the empire. But as she got older, she began to notice things. And the good conscience he allowed her to grow up with started causing problems. And she began to rebel against his rules that he made to keep her safe. Which resulted in her coming to him saying she was pregnant. Nick wanted to kill the man that violated his little sister. But she wanted to marry him! And Nick being Nick let it happen for his sister's happiness. Even though the price to be paid for her new life was a heavy one…
"I'm going to marry him, Nick." His sister insisted.
"…I know." Nick sighed in defeat. "But I can't protect you anymore. At least not in the way you're used to."
"Then…what?"
"Give me time to make a plan." Nick had to leave the room. He didn't want to let out his anger on him.
Nick spent the next few years alone. Until a new little bunny cop caught his eye. At first, he thought nothing of it. Until that little bunny caught a thorn in his side. Duke Weaselton. A weasel who decided to start doing jobs that weren't authorized. Nick eventually got one of his guys to get the rat. He had to be bailed out of jail of course. And as repayment Nick put him back on a tight leash. That's when Nick found out the truth about the mayor's assistant Mary Bellwether. Nick was quick to get to work on snuffing out this troublesome sheep. And his best key would have been Chief Bogo originally. But he got as far away from Nick as soon as he could. So, the water buffalo was out. Next best option, the cop who got her foot in the door. Miss Judy Hopps.
Nick planted a few spies here and there to drop her off little tips for the case. One thing led to another and she solved the case before any more damage could be done. Nick thought that would be the end of it. But his new little "token bunny" kept arresting every individual who started giving him headaches. His curiosity got to him, so he had Rocky call in an anonymous tip at his newly opened bar Shadow's luck. And surprise, surprise she showed up and showed no interest in him or anyone that wasn't relevant to her case. Nick was not used to being ignored by any female of any variety. But what shocked him, even more, was when some nobody started shooting up the place.
"Get down!" The bunny yelled while pulling nick down with her behind the counter.
When the fluffy cop not only saved his life but apprehended the perp. Nick offered her a deal, of sorts.
"You saved my life Carrots." Nick began.
"Please refrain from calling me Carrots." The bunny reprimanded.
"I could call you Fluff instead if you prefer."
"I prefer Officer Hopps."
"Right. So, Carrots…" Nick paused just to hear her groan in annoyance. "You saved my life today-"
"It's what officers do-"
"Right." He interrupted her interruption. "So, if you ever need something don't hesitate to find me."
And that's when it all began.
"Sir." His guard interrupted. "We are here."
"Good job." Nick gave his shoulder a pat. "Go park it. And take the rest of the day off."
"Yes, sir."
Always so formal. Nick mused.
Nick breathed in the beautiful sight of his club. His pride, his joy, and his favorite place to spend on Sundays. Why? Because he loved watching people who just come from church feeling high and mighty. Only to crash down into reality in his club. It was amusing to watch.
He spent the rest of his day dressed in his best 'monkey' suite. With the added touch of his symbol for cufflinks. His symbol was a black four-leaf clover with a gold stem. If you worked for Nick, were protected by him, or were entrusted by him. You had this symbol on your body somewhere. While going through his drawer he found a broken charm of his symbol. He did his best to ignore it. As it lays there mockingly against his red handkerchief. With a sigh, he slammed the door shut and spent the rest of his night playing pool against himself. Finnick called earlier saying a lady friend stopped by so he wouldn't make it. He thought that he would just continue to spend his night alone watching more and more sad and depraved souls in his club.
Until his computer went off saying someone ordered five angel shots.
Who in the world needs that many guards at a club? Nick thought.
He walked to his large pane glass window to look down at the bar. His breath got caught in his throat and his heart pounded in his chest. Sitting there was her! And she ordered five people to keep an eye on her friend. Well, this was a story he wanted to know about. So, he did what he always did. He ordered her a drink with a golden umbrella garnish. The universal sign, in his club, that this person is allowed on his floor, the third floor.
She boarded the elevator.
He waited.
The elevator dinged.
He took a deep breath.
With a hesitated step she stepped into the decked-out lobby.
"Judy Hopps." his voice purred from the darkness. "It's nice seeing you again Carrots."
He turned from the tinted pane window that overlooked the club's floor. To stare at the beautiful rabbit who stood before him.
"Hello, Nick."
AN: Here you go! What you all have been waiting for. Nick Wilde's POV!
