Hi everyone! Chapter 4 is out now, and it took only one month (can you believe it?)!
First off, I'd like to give a huge shoutout to ZHADART for making the fantastic cover art for this story. She is extraordinarily talented and easy to work with, and I cannot recommend her enough. If you are interested in checking out some of her work or want to contact her, you can find her at DeviantArt and Twitter under the same name.
If you would like to see the full res cover for this story, you can find it on my DeviantArt or in the AO3 version of this story. Information for both of these sites can be found in my bio.
-Trebor1982: I'm very happy to see you enjoy the story concept. Gazelle and Nick are in for one wilde ride, that's for sure. We'll see how their dynamic develops through future chapters.
-Guest: That means so much! Thank you! I'm glad you're excited to see where this fic goes. I hope I can do the Nick x Gaz ship justice as I progress.
-A5TRON4UTA: As always, reading your predictions and your general thoughts on the fic never ceases to brighten my mood. Not only do you provide kind feedback, great insight, and excellent story analysis, but ON TOP of that, you discuss ideas for the story that even I hadn't thought about! You're awesome man, I hope to see you around for future chapters. As far as Gazelle's name goes, I'm planning on sticking with the cannon statement that Rich-Moore gave, saying that her real name Gazelle. But that could always change in future chapters.
-Prismatic Floof: I'm glad you enjoy the pairing! I know it's new for a lot of people.
-FloralFae: Glad you caught that reference haha (there will be more like it to come). To clarify, Aneska is not Gazelle's grandmother, she is her manager. Thanks for the kind review!
-The Bizarre Star: We will see if they become boyfriend girlfriend! Anything can happen, after all. Thanks for the review!
-Pumaxdogo: That's so great! It's amazing to hear that I've spurred your interest in the Nick x Gaz pairing. I hope to hear from you in future chapters! Love that pfp by the way ;)
-Allen Vth: Thank you for the kind review! I don't think you're too far off citing the tension between the two, but as they've only just met, Nick and Gaz have some time to flesh out where their relationship is going.
As always, please enjoy this chapter and I'll see you on the next one! -Wilde
The hotel's vast elliptic lobby reminded Nick of a more lavish version of Zootopia Central Station. The space housed a variety of vibrant shops, stylish restaurants, and well-stocked bars, and was complete with a public lounge and reception desk. Luxuriant, glistening vines of vegetation hung down from ornately carved sandstone balconies, and palm trees towered overhead, growing out of specially constructed oasis pools in the center of the room. The place certainly tried—and succeeded—in its' efforts to sell itself as a 'sanctum in the desert'.
Unsurprisingly, every inch of the hotel teemed with activity. Mammals of all shapes and sizes, from giraffes to kangaroo rats, contributed to an intensely lively atmosphere. But for Nick's part, he was only concerned with picking out a singular face from the crowd. As he leaned his shoulder against one of the sandstone pillars across from the reception desk, the fox had to wonder why Gazelle would select such a high-traffic area to meet each other. Surely, anyone with eyes and the briefest familiarity with the singer would flock to her the moment they caught a glimpse of her.
Nick had taken the time after his shift to change from his work uniform into more inconspicuous attire, sporting a navy blue slim fit vest with white undershirt and black slacks. He found it contrasted the bright orange of his fur nicely, with the outfit bridging the gap between formal and casual in an effective way. He hoped Gazelle would take kindly to it. After all, they don't exactly tell you how to dress when you're taking the most famous person in the city out on a spontaneous coffee date.
Nick could feel his phone vibrating against his thigh. Drawing it from his pocket with a little twirl, he flipped the screen upward so that he could read the caller ID. The abundance of carrot emojis was all he needed to see before swiping to accept.
"Heyy officer hippity-hop. How'd the date with Raiona go?" He spoke with a sarcastic grin, pressing the phone to his ear.
Judy answered back with a groan of discontent. "Awful. She's insufferable, Nick."
"Preaching to the choir here carrots. Tell me something new."
"I just spent the last two and a half hours listening to how if it weren't for our little 'angel with horns', she'd be personally pushing through the paperwork for my termination."
"Yeesh." Nick flinched. "She really has it out for you, doesn't she."
He could hear the bunny give a breathy sigh. "Honestly, I didn't think it could get much worse than my first interactions with chief Bogo. Clearly, I was mistaken. This girl is impossible."
"Hey, don't let her see that she gets to you carrots." Nick spoke with a reassuring tone. "For the more contemptible folks among us, your existence alone will be enough to irk them. Story of my life, really. You can't expect to please people like that, and that's okay."
"Maybe." She relented. "But that's not why I called you."
The fox straightened his posture a bit. "Oh? I'm all ears."
"Well… I've been waiting by the cruiser for some time now, and there's still no sign of you. Are we still riding back to central together?"
"Oh." Nick rubbed his neck sheepishly even though the bunny couldn't see him do it. "Actually, something came up. Don't stick around fluff. I'll catch the line returning to Savannah later."
There was a slight pause on Judy's end, followed by a low shuffling noise as though she were moving the phone between her paws.
"I see… And how was the security detail for Gazelle? That's got to be something special, right?"
The rabbit's sudden and strangely intuitive conversational switch to the singer threw Nick off guard. "O-oh yeah, definitely. She's every-bit as exorbitant as the tabloids say.
"Nick!"
"Joking, carrots." He laughed cautiously. "Gazelle is wonderful. It's rare seeing such humility and levelheadedness in someone with her level of social prestige. From what I've experienced of her thus far, she seems like a very down-to-earth gal."
"Yeah. I wish I could've been there. Maybe next time I can have an actual conversation with her if Commander Raiona doesn't insist on Raioning on our parade first."
Nick stifled a chuckle. "I think a small part of me just died inside hearing that bunny pun."
"Seriously though Nick, you're sure you don't want a ride? I can wait longer if you want."
He shook his head. "I appreciate it carrots. I'm okay though, really."
A similar silence hung in the air as earlier, as if Judy was debating whether to inquire further into her partner's insistence to stay behind. After all, they did almost everything together.
"Okay. Well, you have my number if you need something."
"Sure fluff. That is, if you aren't working too hard to answer. If it turns out anything like this morning, I'd be better sending messenger pigeons after you."
"Har har." The bunny feigned a laugh. "Interesting that you should mention it though. Word around the precinct says there's more trouble cropping up in the rainforest district. I'm going to do some more digging. You're welcome to tag along if you fancy getting your paws wet."
"Tempting… I'll keep it in mind carrots. Whatever the case, don't stay up too long looking through records. Those reports are meticulously designed to inflict brain damage." Nick snickered. "I'll see you tomorrow, alright?"
"Yeah, sure. Stay out of trouble now, Wilde." Judy replied, followed shortly thereafter by the disconnect tone.
Nick slid the device back into his pocket, crossing his arms as he dropped the sarcastic persona with a heavy sigh. He could hear the better part of his conscience chastising him for not telling Judy the full truth. But the way he saw it, this was only a friendly coffee date. It was a wholly innocent gesture. Just because Gazelle happened to be involved didn't change that.
For the time being, the fox could only repress his moral quandary as he searched the crowds for the singer. More accurately, he was keeping his ears tuned to the public's temperament. He figured that if Gazelle were to emerge from any of the elevators, shops, or public areas, the enamored reaction of the mammals nearby would lead him right to her.
Yet to the fox's surprise, no such commotion ever developed. After several minutes, a creeping suspicion began to seed itself in his mind.
Had she really stood him up?
It wouldn't be like Gazelle to reject someone's advances publicly on the set of a major photoshoot. If she had no interest in Nick and wanted to send him a message without the potential for excitement, this would've been the best way to go about it.
As more time passed, and as the fox thought more about it, the prospect that she might've ditched him became not only possible, but increasingly probable. Heck, she hadn't even specified an exact time to meet, instead elaborating with only a vague "after your shift". Nick groaned, reaching up and tugging downward on his triangular-shaped ears. How could he have been so naïve?
He gradually began to consider the idea of cutting his losses and turning for home. But before he could commit to it, his senses caught the tone of a faint voice in his immediate proximity.
"Psst."
Nick cocked his head to one side. Was he hearing things again? He couldn't afford to go chasing after random noises like last time; not with Commander Raiona and Aneska skulking about.
"Pssst."
The voice came again, this time with more strength. It appeared to be emanating from behind the pillar he was leaned against.
It took Nick a moment to wander to the other side of it. When he got there, it took him an additional moment to realize exactly who the person standing opposite him was.
"Gazelle?"
"Shhh, silencio Nick..." She replied in a hushed tone, smiling discreetly from under the brim of a black baseball cap. "Sí, it's me." She turned a finger to her darkened sunglasses, pushing them down a bit to show her deep, golden eyes to the fox.
She was wearing a long, charcoal hoodie that came down to the tops of her thighs. This was coupled with black over-the knee boots, which of course, still revealed a good portion of her shapely legs. In all, the drab coloration of her outfit represented a complete turnabout from the kaleidoscopic vibrance of her usual attire. In Nick's opinion, the singer's choice in clothing was as inconspicuous as it was striking.
Gazelle must've noticed him staring at her. She smirked, shifting her stance to one side, and resting a hoof on her hip. "Not what you were expecting?"
"Not exactly." He replied with a smug grin. "Maybe I was expecting something slightly more… sumptuous."
She snickered. "You weren't hoping to see the red skirt, were you?"
"Not at all, though I would've hardly complained." Nick winked. "You look fantastic, really. I guess I'm just unaccustomed to seeing you in casual clothes."
Gazelle rolled her eyes lightheartedly. "Contrary to popular belief, I can confirm that I do in fact wear normal clothes when I'm not on stage. But thank you. You don't look too bad yourself, Nick."
"Hey, at least it's good camouflage, right?" The fox exclaimed with an innocent shrug of his shoulders. "But I've got to admit, a hoodie's pretty ill-suited for an outing in Sahara Square, don't you think?"
Gazelle crossed her arms with an amused grin. "Who said we were getting coffee in Sahara Square?"
-Tundratown — 6:30PM-
'Of course, she had to choose a place in Tundratown.' Nick thought to himself as a frigid breeze lashed through his fur. The vulpine was no stranger to the boreal climate endemic to this icy district. For the better part of a decade, his most lucrative side hustle required him to traverse its frozen slopes to freeze pawpsickles. But that was during the day. After the sun had set, the district became truly punishing for any mammal not equipped to contend with its glacial temperatures.
Despite this, Gazelle was as radiant as ever. She walked with a swagger in her step, seemingly enamored by the splendor and charm of this makeshift 'winter-wonderland'. Nick couldn't help but to smile as he watched the singer admiring everything that crossed her gaze. Her enthusiasm was infectious, so much so that he was able to put the fierce cold out of his mind for a while.
"It's even more beautiful than I remember." Gazelle spoke affectingly, her voice conveying an attitude of fascination and fond reminiscence.
"Yeah. Literally takes your breath away." Nick replied as he watched the moisture in his breath dissipate into the evening air. Stupid joke. "It's been some time since you've traveled out this way, huh?"
The popstar nodded. "Many years, I'm saddened to say… But thankfully, someone gave me the perfect reason to return." She smiled warmly towards the fox.
"Heh, I guess I could say the same to you." Nick could feel himself blushing. At least his red fur served to mask most of it.
"Speaking of which," He continued, "You had a specific destination in mind for this coffee date?"
"Por supuesto. We aren't far, see?" She pointed slightly ahead. There, Nick could barely make out the silhouette of a shop nestled surreptitiously against the massive complex that held Tundratown's renowned 'Fishtown Market'. Flickering overhead in pale blue neon lettering, the name 'ZERØ' stood out against the frostbitten façade of the establishment.
"Zero...?" the fox asked curiously.
"Sí. The Subzero Bakery and Café." Gazelle replied. "You haven't heard of it?"
He shook his head, to which the singer smiled with delight.
"Bueno. Then you're in for a treat. I promise it's unlike anything you've ever tried before."
As the two meandered closer, it became readily apparent that the café itself was bursting with activity. large swathes of patrons lingered outside, conversing, laughing, and of course, enjoying freshly brewed hot stuff from what seemed to be one of the most popular coffee joints in the city. While it was certainly a testament to the quality of the product being served, the large herd of mammals present complicated the prospect of going unnoticed rather significantly.
"Ay…" Gazelle huffed under her breath. "It wasn't this busy last time I came here."
Nick stopped, looking over the crowd with skepticism. "This could be more difficult than we thought…" He crossed his arms, looking up at the singer. "If even one person recognizes you in there, we might as well say hasta la vista to this peaceful evening."
"I know." She sighed softly, pushing her glasses up as she tried to conceal the growing disappointment in her expression. "Perhaps it would be best if we went somewhere else… There's probably a Snarlbucks nearby we can try."
Now, it didn't take a soothsayer to understand the singer's malcontent towards the situation. Nick knew Gazelle wouldn't be one to vehemently complain about not getting her way, but her demeanor said this was truly special to her. She likely wouldn't have the opportunity to do something like this again, so whatever plan he could scrape together in that moment, he figured he owed it to the gazelle to give it a shot.
"Actually… Wait here." Nick said, tucking his palms into his pockets before walking towards the building.
Gazelle watched the fox as he left with visible confusion. "Nick? Qué estás haciendo- Dios- What are you doing?"
"I have an idea." He answered calmly while sending an encouraging grin over his shoulder. "You might want to hide behind something."
Nick continued his march, trudging closer to the building before making an abrupt turn into an alley that rounded off the edge of the block. He brushed the snow off his slacks and straightened his posture. He also made sure to peek out of the passageway, ensuring that the popstar was indeed out of sight.
'Here goes nothing'. The fox thought to himself. He cleared his throat, and then using both paws to amplify the sound of his voice, went to work.
"Oh my God, is that Gazelle?!"
As his words careened out of the alley, every mammal within earshot went quiet. The crowd in front of the café froze. Random pedestrians and even some people in passing vehicles skidded to a halt. Tundratown went still. However, the silence lasted for only a moment, and quickly broke into a growing wave of excited squeals and murmurs. Perfect. He had their attention.
"And Kitty Claws?! No way! Can I have a signature?!"
Nick feigned as much exuberance as his voice could muster, giving every effort to sell the act with the most authenticity and urgency as possible. He could hear footsteps rapidly approaching in the snow from just beyond his location. 'Okay.' He thought to himself. 'Now to hit it home.'
"Woah! Thank you!" He howled, practically jumping up and down. "I can't believe you're giving out autographs and tickets for FREE!"
The ground shook as individual footsteps devolved into a stampede. Ecstatic shrieks pierced the air as a wall of polar bears, moose, deer, and countless other species washed through the corridor. Nick slid to the side, pretending as though he were a member of the masses while he continued to fan the flames of excitement.
"They're hopping on the Flow-Ped! Hurry!"
The fox flattened himself against the wall, trying to make himself as small as possible while he waited for the remaining fans to trickle out of the alley. He watched with satisfaction as one after the other jumped into the Flow-Ped, floating away on individual icecaps in pursuit of their idols.
Soon the aisle was clear; excepting a few sloths that were straggling far behind. Nick brushed back his fur as he passed them by, returning to the spot where he had left the singer. He was pleased to see the crowds had thinned significantly, down to just a few patrons.
"Gazelle...?" the fox spoke in a hushed tone.
"I'm here." She replied cautiously, peeking her head out.
Nick turned his shoulder to see the popstar emerging from behind a small advertising board, which ironically, was displaying her likeness in a promotion for Vanity Fur.
She approached him, gasping lightly the moment she observed the now mostly empty storefront. "Dios santo… You shouldn't have done that…" She looked at him with a shocked expression.
"I wanted to." Nick smiled. "Let's just promise not say anything to my superiors about that one, 'kay? Something tells me they wouldn't be too happy if they found out I incited a scurry."
Gazelle pressed a hoof to her chest. As she turned her eyes back to the café, Nick could see her demeanor transition from impressed to completely flushed. Clearly, the gesture had had an effect on her. "My lips are sealed… Clever fox." She grinned sheepishly. "Shall we?"
"Por supuesto." Nick replied with a wink, prompting a giggle from the singer next to him.
Like the majority of buildings in Tundratown, the Subzero Café was constructed out of solid ice and snowpack. Intricately carved chandeliers made from icicles decorated the ceilings, bathing the interior in an almost magical, crystalline glow. Even with the structure's icebound foundations, the café was quite warm— likely as a byproduct from brewing occurring 'round-the-clock.
Gazelle was careful to shield part of her face as they entered, turning slightly to obscure her identity from the few remaining mammals still enjoying their drinks.
"I remember a good place we can sit." She spoke softly, wagging her tail as she led the fox up a winding stairway tucked in the back of the building. At the top of the steps, a small round table for two was perched aside a frosted window looking out into Tundratown's main square.
"You really know this place well, don't you?" Nick asked, pulling out a chair invitingly for the popstar.
"Gracias Nick. And you could say that." The singer replied with a chuckle, removing her darkened glasses as she sat down.
The fox smiled, moving to the opposite end of the table. As he took a seat across from Gazelle, he couldn't help but to be entranced by her beauty. It didn't matter in the slightest that she wasn't on stage or prepped for a big photoshoot. Every detail, from the way her golden hair fell messily across her face to the way she nervously held her hooves in her sweatshirt, captivated him—Even more so now that they were seated face to face in a quiet environment.
"You know," Nick spoke with a lighthearted smirk, "I've considered myself an avid coffee drinker for some time now. But this little bistro was never on my radar until you brought it up today. I'm curious. What exactly is so special about the stuff here?"
The gazelle's ears perked noticeably at his question, prompting an excited grin. "I thought you'd never ask! The blend they serve here is imported from Bearranquilla. You have heard of it?"
Nick shook his head.
"Ay… Well, it's very far from Zootopia. This is the only café in the city where they sell coffee with that blend. My family used to come here all the time. It reminded us of home."
"It's where you're from then? Bearranquilla?" Nick asked, starting to understand why she revered the place with such fondness.
"Sí. My father wanted a better life for Cattleya and me. And so, my family immigrated to Zootopia when I was very young."
"Cattleya?" Nick tilted his head.
Gazelle nodded. "My sister."
"It's a beautiful name."
"She was named after my mother's favorite flower. An orchid. They were quite common in Bearranquilla, but I've never seen one here."
All of this was news to Nick. He wasn't sure how much of what the Gazelle was saying was public knowledge, but regardless, it provided both context and insight into who the popstar was before rising to stardom. It sounded as though she began her life from humble origins, which was something Nick could relate to. But before he could ask more questions, a young otter scampered up by the tableside.
"Good evening!" She announced politely, crossing her arms in front of her apron. "I'm Sam and I'll be taking care of you tonight. Is there something I can get for you two to drin-"
The waitress instantly fell silent, her mouth agape as she fixated on the singer afront her in disbelief.
Nick and Gazelle looked at each other for a moment, then back to the otter.
"Hola Sam." Gazelle giggled softly, pushing some of the hair out of her face as she addressed the waitress.
"Y-you're G-gazelle…" Sam stammered, her voice barely above a whisper.
Gazelle nodded, smiling in the kind way she always did when meeting unexpecting fans. "Of course. You are having a busy shift tonight, sí?"
Sam nodded vigorously, seemingly unable to verbalize much more than an "Mhm."
"I understand. We won't be of any inconvenience to you then, Sam. I will just have one cup of black arabica coffee. Nick, would you like the same?
"I trust you." Nick replied, stifling a chuckle at the bizarre interaction he was witnessing.
"Two cups of your arabica coffee then, por fa." Gazelle said with grin.
The otter gulped audibly. "O-okay, I will be j-just a moment with those drinks."
"Take your time, love." The singer spoke in a gentle tone. "And Sam? If it's not too much trouble, Let's not mention to anyone that I'm here. Okay?"
Sam cracked a timid smile. "S-sure thing Ms. Gazelle. You're secret safe with me." She murmured, bowing her head slightly as she retreated down the stairs with haste.
"It's never not amusing watching the effect you have on ordinary people." Nick snickered.
"You weren't much better yourself when you came bursting through my front door." The singer jeered, turning her attention back to the fox.
He rolled his eyes. "Oh, very funny."
She flashed a teasing grin at him. "But back to our conversation… Tell me of your past Nick. Where is your family from?"
Nick shrugged his shoulders, exhaling a bit as he leaned into the backrest of his chair. "Eh… It's nothing all that exciting. I was born in the Rainforest district. Growing up, my pops wasn't around, and mom never talked about him much. I spent a lot of time on my own. Well, until I met carrots..."
Gazelle tilted her head confusedly. "Carrots?"
"Er- officer Hopps, I mean." Nick chuckled. "Yeah. She changed everything for me. For everyone, really."
"You two share a very special bond."
"We do." He smiled, rubbing his neck sheepishly. "What can I say? She keeps me in line. If it weren't for her, I'd probably still be slinging pawpsickles in some back alleyway. Which, hey, if you think about it, means I would've never gotten the chance to talk to you in the first place! Funny how it all works out, right?"
The singer nodded. "Of course. And for that, I am glad."
"Right!" Sam exclaimed as she tore up the stairs, causing both Nick and Gazelle to jump. "Two arabica coffees for the happy couple. Black, as requested. Is there anything else I can get you this evening?" She was practically panting. By the look of it, it appeared the otter had served up both drinks herself, and at lightning speed. But that's not what caught them so off guard. Rather, it was that word she used. Couple.
Nick and Gazelle shot embarrassed looks at each other before glancing away in opposite directions.
"Ay… Muchas gracias Sam." Gazelle said, suppressing the constraint in her voice. "You have been wonderful. But I think we will just sit and talk for a while now, vale?"
Sam beamed, her tail wagging with evident joy at the singer's compliment. "It's my pleasure! If there is anything at all that you need, please just let me know…" Before leaving, she hesitated, taking a moment to retrieve a small notepad from her apron. "But before I leave you to it… Do you think I could maybe have an autograph?"
-15 minutes later-
Nick laughed as he downed the last of his drink. Gazelle had been telling the truth. The liquid was sweeter than it was bitter, and it came with a noticeably cleaner and crisper mouthfeel than any other coffee he had consumed previously.
"No way. Really?"
"Sí!" Gazelle exclaimed, holding one of her hooves to her temple. "Just because I have tiger backup dancers doesn't mean I have a penchant for tigers. That's just silly."
"I don't know… Have you seen the way they're dancing around you?" The vulpine smiled coyly, eliciting a groan from the popstar across from him.
"I don't have an attraction towards felines any more than I have an attraction to bears, foxes, or other gazelles for that matter."
"Okay, okay. Fair enough." Nick crossed his arms. "But in all seriousness, I do have a real question for you."
"Dime."
"Huh?"
Gazelle chuckled. "It means 'Tell me'."
The fox rolled his eyes. "If you love it in Tundratown so much, why you can't just put on a show here? We both know you have a unique affection for this district. Heck, I could see it in your eyes clear as day when we arrived here."
She sighed. "I know. The people of this district have a special place in my heart. I've made numerous past requests to perform in Tundratown, but for all my efforts, my team has never once booked a performance here."
"Why?"
"Simple. It's all based on revenue. Tundratown doesn't have an event arena. And even if we set one up, the climate here limits the scope of mammals we can reach. Basically, we can make double, even triple the earnings in other districts."
Nick knew immediately that this wasn't a justification coming from the singer's lips. The financial fixation on filling as many seats as possible was possibly the last thing he would expect from Gazelle. He narrowed his eyes. "…Aneska?"
She nodded. "She doesn't like the cold."
Nick inhaled sharply, shaking his head with a clear disdain for the situation. How could Gazelle, one of the kindest and most inspiring figures in all Zootopia, have ever gotten into a relationship with an ibex this avaricious? He didn't know. But he figured that if he couldn't do anything to stop Aneska, the least he could do was spite her.
"Okay… Let's say, hypothetically, you had the opportunity presented to you now. One night only, Limited mammals with a small venue in Tundratown. Would you still do it?"
"In a heartbeat." Gazelle replied. "Why are you asking?"
Nick grinned. "Have you ever heard of The Thaw?"
A/N: For the Zootopia+ superfans out there, I know Sam works in the rainforest district. But maybe she has multiple jobs? Idk. Have a great Thanksgiving!