A/N
Hello everyone. This is proving to be quite popular, much to my pleasure as the author. I love hearing how much y'all enjoy this dalliance of my muse.
Note: Posting rate is likely to slow now that my spawn in back in school and I have to drop her off, which means my evening writing time has essentially been scrubbed. I am still inspired and working on this and AFH, but my time to dedicate to writing has been significantly reduced.
Of course, I do not own Zootopia, and can therefore make no claims to Zootopia or its characters. I only make claim to my own OC's included herein as needed. Though I think I could do more with it than Disney is at the moment. So many awesome ideas that they could use, and they're sitting on their asses.
I blame Bear678 for this.
Anyway, on with the show.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Wilde Cardz - Savage Territory - Chapter 8
Once on the roof of the Grand Pangolin Arms Nick found himself chuckling at the fact of where he was. Shaking his head, he climbed as high as he could and let himself over to his more primitive self, searching again for a scent that had eluded him until the previous night. As he breathed in, hoping beyond hope that he would get another whiff of his rabbit, something newer, fresher. Yet any hint of her was worth it to him as it would give him hope to keep going and quieted the void of despair inside him.
He had suggested it, but after so many months, even he wasn't sure why or how he was still holding on. A fox in his position should have died a week or two in. Maybe it was his indomitable rabbit rubbing off on him after so long together. Whatever it was, he was still hanging on and functional nearly a year after the end, and despite the agony in his heart. Letting his memory wander as he allowed senses to expand and released control of them to his more primitive parts.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
3 years 2 months earlier.
Nick stood under his bridge, one he in fact did own, along with the warehouse that it provided one of the few direct accesses to. There was another way, but it meandered through the property and was how the shipping trucks would get in and out. It was not exactly what could be called, direct.
In point of fact, he owned the land it and several others sat on all the way to the freeway, over to the canal the freeway crossed, and the very large open area all the way to the streets that bracketed the property. Nearly 500 acres in total, with warehouses and other industrial businesses. His ownership even gave him, or whomever of his tenants needed it, of which there were currently more than one might realize, rights to access and use the canal.
There was actually a small community of otters and other aquatic mammals that paid him a small rent to use his canal access and had set up a small floating village. They rented his canal use and access so that they wouldn't be forced to float their little town elsewhere.
Owning it didn't however do him any good when the city sometimes didn't recognize his ownership or just took it upon themselves to knock down buildings they decided were blighted. Didn't matter if they were actually crumbling and decrepit or not. Which was how so much of his stuff got destroyed. They demolished the warehouse he was using as his personal storage locker. He was glad he always kept a full accounting of everything stored there.
He sued the city via the LLC that his ownership was hidden under, and got a huge settlement. Several mammals lost their jobs, and a few got jail time, after what came out in that case. Inspectors on the take ignoring things for mammals willing to pay and citing others for non-existent issues when they didn't. Which is what happened to his warehouse. They, that being Nick via his LLC, refused to pay a ransom, and taking a cue from Judy, had recorded the exchange. That recording was damning and led to discovery in the lawsuit that showed it wasn't just one bad inspector, but a literal culture of corruption. It was also key to the ZPD investigation that brought down the corrupt inspectors, administrators, etc...
What made Nick chuckle as he considered what happened is that he and Judy had been sent to arrest a bunch of the mammals in the city planning and administrative offices, stemming from the investigation his recording started. They were sent because most of the mammals to be arrested were smaller mammals. When Judy and He took down the hippo that was the office manager, and one of the most corrupt of them all without using tranqs and had them begging for mercy… The resistance and fighting they had up to that point dried up like water in Sahara Square.
Now he had a brand new warehouse, and it was rented out to a fox owned firm. Another warehouse was being built and was already rented out upon completion to a company run by a racoon friend of his. All of his contractors were smaller companies run and owned by marginalized mammals of one stripe or another. It was the same fox owned firm that now used the warehouse as their base of operations that built it, giving them the cash to expand they would have otherwise been unable to acquire. The builders of the one still in progress was owned by rats, and they were good. So good in fact, Nick was considering using them to do some other work as well.
None of them knew, however, that Wilde Times Investment Group was just him, Nick Wilde. Most assumed the name was a coincidence. It wasn't. Nick's hope however, was that it would soon be not just him, but Judy as well.
He had told Judy to meet him at the place their lives changed. Where she saved him. He knew she would know where he was talking about. That in no way diminished the butterflies having a full tilt rave in his stomach. He'd planned it out for a month, ever since he figured out that she wanted him to ask her to marry him.
For red foxes like himself, the vixen was the one that normally led things, was who controlled and directed the relationship, and was who would ask him to marry her. Some more progressive vixens' would drop the necessary hints indicating what they wanted. That way the todd's instincts would be satisfied in letting the vixen lead, even if he ended up being the one doing the asking.
That was how Nick and Judy's relationship played out. Took them about a month to really get things worked out, and there were still misunderstandings and the occasional argument. Like the one that led him to be where he was in that moment. But they were too committed to each other. The other was far too important to let an argument or misunderstanding get in their way, so they had resolved to argue effectively and make sure that they were listening to the other. Because of that, they understood each other even better than before after every argument, and he knew what she wanted. Now it was just a matter of going through with it, and that was what had his stomach in knots.
Nick grinned as he heard Judy slide down the embankment. "Nick?" She called out.
"In here, Fulff." Nick waited until she was several steps into the underside of the bridge before flicking on the lights he had mounted. Strings of multi-colored lights criss-crossing the underside of the bridge like stars.
Judy looked up at the lights with glowing eyes and a bright smile. "Oh, Nick. It's beautiful."
Nick kneeled down, pulling her attention to him and smiled even as the butterflies started a new set with at least one mosh-pit in his stomach, and making him feel like he was going to throw up. "Not as beautiful as you." Taking a deep calming breath, Nick let it out slowly. "Judy… When we met, we didn't like each other. You were a specist rabbit from the sticks, and I was a jaded con-mammal. Our first interactions were less than friendly. You were condescending and dismissive, and I was a complete jerk in reply. Then you blackmailed me, or tried to anyway. We both know that I could have walked away and there is nothing you could have done about it. Yet, I think I was in love with you even then. I couldn't walk away from you, even knowing I should have.
In the end we found your otter and all the other mammals. Then after you were set up by Bellwether having Doug in the press pool ask just the wrong questions, I did the single dumbest thing I have ever done in my life. Note, I include the skunk butt rug in that list." Judy giggled and shook her head at that as Nick continued. "I walked out on you. Those months were some of the most miserable I have ever lived, and then you found me again. Right here. Under this bridge, where you saved me." Putting a finger to her muzzle, which she kissed. "No, let me finish. You did something no one does, especially not to a fox. You apologized, sincerely, and with true regret for what you had done. Even if we both know now that it really wasn't your fault.
I think it was at that point that I was truly and utterly lost, even if I hadn't realized it yet. It was my time in the academy that cemented it in my heart, and made my head realize it too. I had fallen in love with a bunny, and I wasn't even sad about it. If anything, while I was in the academy, I convinced myself that you felt that way too. Then reality set in, and as we worked through the job, me keeping my feelings to myself, and you as well it turns out. We both convinced ourselves that the other only see us as, and could only ever see us as, a friend.
It didn't matter to my heart, it wanted you and nothing else. I'm sure you had the same problem. We dated other mammals, and then lamented on it to each other. We even tried dating others, same sex, other sex, multiple species, and the same species, even each others species. None of those relationships worked out, and I think all our would-be partners could see what both of us were blind to. That is, until you finally called your brother in and got me kicked out of my hovel. For which I will be forever in Julian's debt. That first kiss carried so much promise that we have since realized in the intervening months.
Judy. I love you. I love you more than life itself and would give anything to you, including my life, if it ensured your happiness. I'm absolutely sure that I started to imprint on you during Otterton, it only got stronger during NightHowler, and by the time we were patrolling together I was fully, completely, and truly lost. " Pulling the ring box out of his pocket and holding it out to Judy. "Judith Laverne Hopps. While I question, often, how it is you can love me like you do. I will never question that love, even if I do question my worthiness of it. Will you do me the honor, here in this place that holds the memory of one of the pivotal moments in our lives, and make me the luckiest and happiest fox in all of existence, by marrying me and becoming my mate and wife?"
Tears of joy flowing freely. "Oh Nick. Of course. One hundred percent yes!" Grabbing his purple tie clashing with the bright green pawiian shirt. "Yes! I will become your mate and wife, and you will be my husband and mate."
After a passionate kiss, they pulled apart and Nick slipped the ring on Judy's finger. She looked at the ring with awe in her eyes. He had it specially made. He knew everyone, or so he claimed. The truth like most things isn't quite as audacious, but also more interesting. He knew enough mammals, and mammals who knew mammals, to make it functionally if not literally true. Because if he didn't know a mammal, he knew a mammal that would know a mammal. In this case, he hadn't known the jeweler, but he knew a mammal who knew a jeweler that could do what he wanted.
The ring was actually fashioned by Tsavorite Garnet and Purple Spinel, which had somehow been formed into interwoven threads, which were then braided together to form the ring body. It didn't matter to him or her that the stones were made in a lab. If anything that was beneficial because it made them stronger and tougher than natural stone. It also meant that he could have something so unique made for much, MUCH, less. Could he have afforded the real thing, yes, but he knew Judy would not take it off and it needed to be able to withstand her.
The part that truly shocked Judy though was that the band had a single, brilliant blue stone that Judy knew she would be disowned for not recognizing. Her eyes going wide as she recognized it. Questions filled her eyes. "Nick… How did you get a Hopps Sapphire? How did you get the stone I selected?"
After giving her a few moments to examine and appreciate the ring, and ignoring her question, he really did not want to have the conversation on how he learned about and then got his paws on the sapphires. How he got the ring and then got it to the family jeweler to mount the stone, etc… Nope. He did not want or need to have that conversation.
Nick instead leaned forward, pressing his forehead against hers and recited something that made Judy gasp. As part of them becoming a couple, Judy had studied up on fox culture and traditions, including certain traditions around taking a mate and spouse. She was shocked by the richness of fox culture that took place out of the view of other mammals.
The vow he made to her then was inviolate and something that he would have registered with the local vulpine council. It was also something she never dreamed he would ever speak to her, and one that it took her a moment to recover from. "Judith Laverne Hopps. For this life, the next, all those that come after, I, Nicholas Piberious Wilde, am yours." Nick knew Judy recognized the gravity of what he just said from the wide, teary eyes and gasp.
He waited, knowing it might take her a few moments to respond. It was something he could never take back, and he had already made his note in the book of vows. Even if she didn't respond herself, the vow was almost like a spell and not something to be done lightly. By saying those words, he truly became hers, marriage or not, for all time. As he waited, he could feel the shift. He was already hers, but it was as if his feelings, their strength were transmuted from simple emotions into physical bonds. It gave her power over him he hoped she never truly understood.
Taking a deep breath, Judy repeated her side of the vow. She had long before decided that if he did do something like that, she would respond in kind, because Nick was it for her. "Nicholas Piberious Wilde. In this life and the next. For all those that may come after. I, Judith Laverne Hopps, am yours."
They shared a joyful and passionate kiss again, and then made love there under the bridge in a spot that Nick had specifically cleaned and prepared for the purpose. With not only knotting, but claiming, initiated by Judy. They slept that night under the bridge and stars.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
That night had been one of Nick's happiest. Judy accepted the fox traditions, up to and including him claiming her. Of course the only reason she had scars from the claiming was because she bit down on him first. Hard. Who knew a bunny could bite that hard? There was no way he was going to not claim her in reply. Instinct overrode his caution and fear of hurting her in that moment.
As Nick came back to himself and was about to climb down, the wind shifted, coming in from the nearby border of the RainForest district. With that shift, Nick was hit with her scent again, and stronger than before. It was clearly her mark, and not on another mammal, but on a thing. The only reason she would mark an object, just like him, would be as a message to the other. Something that says, this is for you. Find it. Find me. That was the message in that scent mark, and his heart soared.
The wind was blowing true, so Nick now had a direction and made very careful note of landmarks he could see in relation to the direction of the wind. Now he had a true, unquestioned direction that would lead him to whatever it was that she had left for him. "I'm coming, Judy. I'm coming." Nick climbed back into his new apartment and made his way to bed. His dreams warm, formless, and bunny scented.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Nick woke to the sensation of a paw on his sheath, Nick groaned in pleasure. "Oh, Judy. I've missed you."
A very un-judy giggle responded. "I'm not Judy, but if that's what you want to call me."
Awake suddenly, Nick's eyes popped open and he found himself looking into the eyes of a Vixen, two of them, naked and in his bed. With a deep warning growl that had both of them recoiling in surprise as Nick backed up. "Who are you, and what are you doing here?"
Upon closer inspection in the early morning light through the window, he saw that they were a red fox and an arctic fox. "I'm Lynn." Said the red fox. "And she is Anne. We're just here to show you a good time and help keep the species alive. That's all."
Not impressed in the slightest, Nick growled out another warning that had them both glancing at each other nervously then back to Nick as they unconsciously moved away from him and towards each other. His voice held a deep growl as his claws dug deeply into the wall, unseen by the vixen's. "Who sent you?"
Lynn and Anne share another nervous glance. Nick's growls and actions were clearly not the response they were expecting. "No one sent us. We are just…"
Nick cut's Lynn off with a warning bark. "Do not lie to me. You were just trying to commit a sexual assault. I'm sure if I spoke with chief of security Delgato across the hall, he'd affirm that such is not tolerated here any more than it was in the city before things went to hell. So I'm going to ask you again. Who sent you?"
Anne huffed. "Don't know his name. Some goat, said there was a new, eligible, fox in town, gave us the address and a key. Said you were looking for some tail."
Still growling deep in his chest, Nick leapt off the bed, over their heads, and landed next to his clothes. He quickly began dressing. "Well, I'm not your fox. I'm mated and have been for a long time. I'm still trying to find her after… everything, and only the fact that I occasionally catch her scent on the wind have I not collapsed."
Lynn hissed and recoiled. "Oh gods. No..." Starting to tear up. "I had no idea. You've been separated since…" Seeing Nick's nod she starts to actually cry. "I'm so sorry. We would have never. If we had known."
Anne nodded as well, pulling Lynn to her. "Thank you for not lashing out. You would have been well within your rights to do so."
"What good would that have done? You didn't know. It's not as if I could expect you to smell her, given we've been apart so long."
Lynn nodded. "I'm amazed you are still alive. After all this time."
Nick nodded sadly, sitting back on the bed as the vixen's quickly dressed behind him. "Don't get me wrong, you are both quite attractive, but…"
Lynn gave a wane smile, wrapping her arms around herself. "But… You only have eyes and nose for her. We're foxes, we get it. Who has such a hold on you that you have not already curled up and died."
Smiling, Nick shook his head with a laugh. "She stole my heart the moment we met, even if it did take some time to get it through both of our thick skulls that the feeling was mutual. You might have seen us on the news. My name is Nick Wilde, and my partner, on and off the force, was Judy Hopps. We were both WildeHopps when things went crazy."
Anne laughed and swatted Lynn on the shoulder. "You owe me, something…" Turning to Nick. "Lynn and I had a bet, from before, that you two were in fact a couple. She refused to believe me."
Nick shrugged. "The heart wants what it wants. How long have you two been together?"
Lynn smiled bashfully. "How can you tell?"
Nick pointed at his nose. "I'm empowered, and a nose as good or better than any other I've met is one of those things. You've done a good job of hiding it, but you can't hide it from this nose. So I guess you really were just seeking out a one night father for your kits?"
Lynn shrugged in response. "Well… Yeah. It's what it is in this world. We don't have a lot of options, and being smaller, foxes are hard to come by."
Nick nodded. "I get it. I'll make you a deal. We'll go across the hall and discuss this mammal that pointed you at me, and when I find my mate, I'll discuss it with her about me fathering some kits. We had wanted to adopt, and there are a lot of kits out there in need of homes and families that they lost to all this shit. That said, we had also discussed surrogacy. There are also a dozen foxes that live in my settlement."
Lynn, whose ears were folded in embarrassment, perked up. "Oh? That's an interesting idea."
"Don't get your hopes too high, but I will bring up the idea, and in my settlement, we have doctors and a hospital that could be used to do just that."
Lynn nodded. "I'm okay with that. At least there is some hope."
Nick shrugged. "Starting a species support plan where a mammal could donate and a female looking to help support a species can undergo artificial insemination is one of our more long-term project goals. It's probably still a year to two away. Things are still pretty unstable, but I think it is something in time we could all get behind as it would allow even the mated like myself to help outside of their relationship."
Lynn smiled. Then that's even better news, especially for mammals with strong instincts like us."
"Just so. Now, let's go see the lion next door."
They walked across the hallway and knocked on Delgato's door which opened a few moments later revealing a highly disheveled lion. "Nick? What's up? Why are you with Lynn and Anne…" His eyes going wide. "Oh, girls. You didn't." The hurt in his voice clear.
Nick shook his head. "They were close until they realized that I was already mated. Then they were quite embarrassed. Lynn was telling me how they met a mammal that had pointed them in my direction, and even supplied them with a key. A goat."
Delgato groaned. "Oh mam... Probably one of Heralds group of nutters. I've been disturbed a dozen times tonight with them doing stupid and basically terroristic things. I was going to ask if you, Mike, and Lizz could help in the morning. Well, I guess it is morning, so… Think you can help?"
Nick grinned. "We might just be the ideal mammals for the job, Del. Between Lizz and I, we can track down just about anything or anyone, and Mike can see just about anything. "We don't know what limitations, if any, his sight has."
Delgato nodded. "Sounds like a plan. Now I have to get back to snuggling my leopard, at least for the next hour or so."
Nick nodded. "Sounds good. Girls, would you care to join me for breakfast, and I just mean food."
Lynn looked down embarrassed again. "I think we'd like that."
Nick gave Delgato his signature two finger salute. "Del, see you in a bit."
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
