A/N: No, this was not Cimar's idea. This idea was mine. Cimar helped me articulate what I wanted and beta read everything. And, of course, he gave me lots of encouragement.
Thank you to everyone who read and commented. And another thanks to kt_valmiri for editing.
Those that couldn't stop themselves from leaving passive aggressive, snarky comments about the content of this story, please get help. All that rage can't be good for you.
Write your own damn story if you don't like mine.
…
Judy's head was beginning to ache. She had been with her new client for two weeks after negotiating terms. Their partnership was official and her first step was to get his creative juices flowing. It had been way too long since Nick had put out an album that was well received. So, naturally, she was eager to make headway.
Nick, on the other paw, was in no rush.
"I have a system, Carrots," he explained lazily, as he drifted in his pool, sun glasses perched on his nose and drink in his paw. "I can't create if I'm stressed. This is how I unwind."
He gave her a smirk when the sound of her thumping foot reached his ears.
"So, you've been trying to unwind for the last three years, is that right?" She rolled her eyes when he simply shrugged and settled back onto his pool float. Shrugging herself, Judy turned to walk back into his house. "Alright, unwind away. I'll just be watching Jack Savage's show sell out. I can't believe he has an interview Zoo-T.V. Entertainment. And with Skye Frost, no less! Amazing, someone as young as him already such a HUGE deal."
Her back was still turned when she heard splashing, knowing the todd was swimming as quickly as he could to follow her inside. Judy smiled as the dripping fox came up beside her, panting and irritated.
"Alright, alright, alright!" he groused, shaking out his fur. "I'll do it your way. What did you have in mind?"
Now inside the cool shade of the house, the bunny crossed over to the stack of records by Nick's stereo.
"First things first." Paws flicked through the selection before pausing on one. It was pulled from the others as she turned to face him. "You're going to sing three songs from this album. I'm going to record you and then we're going to listen to it."
Taking the record from her, Nick rolled his eyes at the sight of himself on the cover. "And what good's it going to do to re-sing my old stuff?"
"Because you and I both need to know what you sound like these days. I want to know I have something to work with or if you're so far gone I should just null and void the contract."
Green eyes narrowed on Judy as Nick's lips curled in annoyance. "What is it you're trying to say, fluff? You think I don't have it anymore? Oh, I got it! I got all of it and more, Carrots!"
Smiling sweetly at him, Judy pulled the album from his paws. "Then prove
it."
…
3 HOURS LATER
Nick's head was beginning to ache.
But he was victorious. His voice needed very little fixing, a flush of pleasure sweeping through him at the sight of the surprised bunny when he began to sing. And as much as he hated to admit it, it was a great exercise for his voice. He knew these notes so well, had sung them all over the world, to millions of mammals everywhere, that there was a comfort in doing it again.
Unfortunately, it didn't do everything Judy had hoped it would.
She wanted him to sing something familiar in hopes of sparking his creative side. Nick needed new material to write and sing about and there was only so much she could do. The words needed to come from him. He was the artist and if he didn't believe in what he was performing, there was no point in anything they were trying to do.
"Ok, we're going to try this one more time," Judy cajoled, sitting crossed legged on the carpet next to him.
Balls of paper littered the area around them and the fox looked up from where he was sprawled. Ideas were tossed around and eliminated after he had finished singing, nothing they were coming up with making the todd feel like he needed to write a song about it.
"Carrots," he whined, "I'm beat. Can we please take a break? I got nothin'." "Slick," she said in a voice Nick was starting know all too well.
It was her warning voice and somehow it made all the fur on his back and tail want to puff out. Trying to push back the not so unpleasant feeling, the todd gave her his best sad puppy eyes. With a groan, she nodded and stood up again.
"Fine. I'm going to order some food for us. My treat."
With a relieved sigh, Nick watched her leave the room, his eyes resting on her tail before he shook his head. Sitting up, he stretched his back out, rolling his neck and looking around his living room. Well, studio slash living room. When he bought the place, the first thing he did was outfit the room with sound equipment and instruments lining the wall. He would spend whole nights messing around and experimenting with them. Sometimes, the sun would be peeking over the horizon by the time he was done.
Those were some of his favorite times. Especially after being on the road for weeks or months on end, eating lousy food, having to make an appearance at every party, and being surrounded by mammals shouting at him, demanding his attention…
He pushed himself to his feet and walked to the wall, paws reaching out for the acoustic guitar on display.
Lifting it from its spot, he sat on the cushioned foot rest and positioned it. Closing his eyes as his fingers moved, Nick let himself get lost in his music, feeling like he was a kit again and the world was still his oyster.
…
Judy was trying to not be disappointed.
It wasn't fair to Nick to be disappointed. But she had been dreaming about Mr. Fox ever since she was in high school. His sexy grin, those sparkling eyes, that soft looking fur and bushy tail…. Judy didn't even realize she had needs until she saw his first video. He was one of the reasons why she got into the music business. After managing Bobby Catmull's career with amazing success, she was ready to take on another client.
So, when she heard Mr. Fox was looking for a new agent, she pulled out all the stops out to sway him. Figuring he would be a bit narcissistic, she made sure she had a backup plan if he tried to dismiss her: Jack Savage's growing career. But she didn't think Mr. Fox would be even half as unmotivated as he actually was.
After ordering a pizza for them, Judy closed her eyes and groaned.
"This is going to be harder than I thought," she muttered.
Her ears gave a slight twitch. Picking up on the barest hint of music, she smiled to herself and followed the sound.
He may have a bad case of writer's block, but at least he has great taste in tunes, she thought as she walked towards the room. But I've never heard this song before…
Judy stopped dead in her tracks when she reached the entrance. Nick sat on his footrest, guitar in his paws, eyes closed as he sang softly, head moving in time with the tempo he had set. Her heart fluttered as she watched Mr. Fox, THE Mr. Fox, the fox that had set her entire high school aflame, perform in a way she had no clue existed in him.
And he was…. incredible.
The final strums echoed around the room as the todd reopened his eyes. Nick spotted Judy watching him from the doorway and felt the inside of his ears grow hot.
"What are you doing?" she asked softly, her head tilted and ears perked towards him.
"Hey, fluff… I'm just, you know, blowing off steam…" he explained, clearing his throat as he continued to strum nervously.
"Where did you learn to play like that?" Judy asked as she crossed over to where he sat. "That was amazing!"
"Oh," suddenly shy, Nick looked away and paused. "My dad was a music teacher at ZSU. He preferred piano, but could play any instrument he put his mind to. Mom always said I inherited his talent."
"And I agree." The bunny grinned at the way the fox's ears flushed and flattened against his head. "How come I'm just now hearing about this? Why have you never added this to your music."
Nick shrugged and stopped his strumming, lowering his eyes to the instrument in his paws. "My last agent said it was bad for my image. That my fans came to see me dance and sing, not try to be the next Prance. So, I… just never went any further with it…" After a moment of silence, he looked up, surprised to see Judy crouched in front of him.
"What if we did?"
Confused, Nick gave her a weary look. "Did what?"
"Go further?" This time her own ears flushed and fell as Nick grinned at the double entendre. "With your music!" she exclaimed with a swat to his shoulder. Nick laughed as he dodged her.
"You said it, Fluff, not me!"
Laughing with him, Judy straightened and looked around the room. There were several different guitars and bass, banjos and drums, mandolins and even a violin. In the corner of the room, a grand piano sat in its polished glory. Every instrument was well cared for and showed signs of being used on a regular basis.
"You're not Mr. Fox anymore," Judy announced as she continued to look around the room. Nick huffed.
"Well, that's just mean…" he muttered. Judy spun around to look at him, a grin on her face and excited gleam in her eyes.
"No, Nick! You're not MR. Fox anymore. Now, you're THE Fox!" Nick's brow's wrinkled in confusion. The doe merely nodded her head in excitement. "Mr. Fox was amazing. He was a worldwide sensation who wowed his audience with his voice and sexy dance moves, right?" The todd nodded, ready for her to get on with it. "But, THE Fox will be a worldwide sensation who'll wow his audiences with not only his voice but the ability to out play Lion Zepplin! That's why you have writer's block, Nick! It's because you're bored! You're too talented to be just a body and voice! So, why not be more? Why not bring the world to its knees by showing off how talented you actually are? It's the perfect rebranding!"
"And Mr. Fox isn't part of this rebranding because…?"
"Because Mr. Fox isn't the direction music is going in these days!" Judy bounced over to the records. "Music needs to evolve. And there's no sense in bringing back Mr. Fox if he makes you bored. How will you sell the show? But what you were just playing? That! That is the direction we need to go in! It's authentic, it's classy, it's original, and it can be a hit."
"You… you really think so?"
Smiling at him, she nodded. "I do. And you're going to play it for me again. And after you're done, I want you to start playing anything else you have stored in that foxy brain of yours." Pulling her phone out of her back pocket, she unlocked it and pulled up her camera. Switching to video, it was pointed at the fox who was watching her with a mixture of fascination and trepidation.
"Now what are you doing?" he asked as she moved to get the perfect angle.
"Recording you." Judy flipped through her filters, choosing one that sepia toned everything. "Now when I point to you, start playing. Ok?"
With a reluctant nod, Nick repositioned the guitar on his lap. Looking back up at his agent, he waited nervously. Noticing how tense he was, the doe looked from her screen to him, giving him a reassuring smile. His ears trembled as they fought to stay up. And that was all it took for Judy's heart to flutter as her smile softened.
"You're amazing, Nick."
And it was enough to have him relax some and smile back.
…..
The video had been up for three weeks and already had ten thousand hits. And counting. Not to mention a swarm of comments praising the todd's skill, looks, and everything in between. Though, there were a few less than intelligent comments about Nick's resemblance to Mr. Fox and how The Fox was a rip off of the name.
But all in all, the reception to the new music video was mostly positive.
Positive enough to make Jack Savage's latest get knocked off the Top Ten Most Viewed from Zoo-T.V. The striped bunny watched the music video for the hundredth time, his jaw clenched so tight his teeth ached. His normally sparkling blue eyes were narrowed as the talented fox played the soulful song, his eyes penetrating through the screen.
"Don't lose fur over this, kit," came the nasally voice of his agent. "Wilde hasn't been relevant in the music world in years. And one music video does not a career save! The Fox is just threatened by you."
"Threatened?" Jack's ears perked towards the weasel next to him. "What do you mean?"
"What the hell do you think I mean?" Duke responded impatiently. "You're young, talented, attractive, and have the ability to knock Wilde off his pedestal. Soon, every mammal in this city is gonna be sayin', 'Mr. Fox, who?'"
The laptop was slapped closed, making the rabbit jump in surprise. Looking up, he watched the weasel snap his fingers impatiently.
"C'mon, c'mon, let's go! We ain't got all day!" A team of mammals who had been setting up the room suddenly surrounded the buck. A deer doe guided him to a reclining make up chair while his jacket was pulled off his shoulders. A white bunny doe finished setting up equipment for his fur and started to comb through it carefully. "What sort of outfits do we got for Jackie? I want him looking his best for his interview with that vixen. And if you think I'm paying extra for the scalp rub, tell Rochelle to shove it up her ass."
Jack's ears dropped as Duke's phone rang obnoxiously.
"What?" snarled the weasel as he answered. His eyes rolled as the mammal on the other end talked. "I don't care what it takes! Get it up! I want to make sure Wilde knows what he's getting himself into by posting that video! If that fox thinks he's going to knock Jack Savage off the charts, he has another thing comin'! That little whore he hired to be his agent has no clue who she's dealing with."
Duke hung up and turned his scowl towards the squirrel filing Jack claws. "And if you think using that gloss crap is gonna up your tip, you got another thing comin'!"
Jack gave a nervous chuckle as Duke left the room, scrolling through his phone and mumbling under his breath. Looking at the team taking care of him, the buck smiled awkwardly at their accusing looks.
"And that 'thing' is a tip four times larger than what you think it'll be!" Appeased, they carried on, Jack paying extra for his assistant to run interference with Duke. Once the style team had finished (and left with what Jack thought was a quarter of his bank account), he waited with his agent in the green room of the tv studio.
"Look," began Duke, still not looking at his client, "Skye Frost is like all females. Compliment her fur, talk up her 'skills' as reporter…" he snarked, complete with air quotes. "She'll be putty in your paws."
For some reason, the bunny wasn't put at ease. He loved Skye Frost's show. So, when her mammals called to request the interview, it had taken all of his dignity to not squeal from joy. And now he was sitting across from her, trying to not fawn like a school girl.
The beautiful Arctic vixen turned her sparkling blue eyes to the rabbit buck, a white paw extending towards him.
"Hi," she smiled sweetly at Jack, who felt his ears go red as he accepted her paw. "I'm-"
"Skye Frost," he gushed, grinning like an idiot at her as he shook her paw enthusiastically. "I'm a huge fan!"
With a pleased expression, the vixen grinned and enjoyed the warmth that flooded her veins at the contact. "Oh, thank you!"
Their paws stayed together for longer than needed, only falling away when the camera moose cleared his throat. In an instant, Skye turned to smile at the camera.
"Hello, Zootopia! Welcome back. I'm Skye and today I'm with Zootopia's hottest new star, Jack Savage. Welcome, Jack." Her smile felt more genuine as she turned back to him.
"It's good to be here, Skye."
"So, first things first, Jack, the question on everyone's mind…" Skye scooted forward in her seat, eyes glued on him. "…where do you get your material for your music?"
"Oh," he laughed and looked down. "Well, a lot of my inspiration comes from the world around me. Every song has been like a chapter of my life. Growing up and learning how to love. Moving away from home and finding myself."
"So, you must have had quite the love life," suggested Skye, an odd sense bitterness filling the pit of her stomach.
"Not really," Jack countered, holding her gaze and smiling. "Lots of heartbreak and the like."
"Oh," Skye gave a sympathetic look to him. "Poor thing!"
There was a moment where they just looked at each other, smiling until camera moose cleared his throat again. Skye hide her embarrassment beautifully.
"There are a few in the industry who say your style is reminiscent of Mr. Fox," she continued, looking down at her note cards. Jack channeled all of his discipline and didn't react. "What would you say to them?"
"I would have to say that I'm what Mr. Fox could have been had he stayed up to date with the times and not let himself fade out of relevance."
Skye's eyebrows rose in surprise at that. "So, what's your response to the video that was posted a couple days ago? And the free concerts he's been holding and public appearances?"
"Skye, those are gimmicks and attempts to stay relevant. He's threatened by a new artist on the scene and has realized that he no longer has a place in this industry." The rabbit grinned a her. "Jack Savage is the new star in this town."
"And your response to Nick Wilde's interview with Peter Moosebridge, where he said, and I quote, 'Jack Savage's music is precious and his lyrics one dimensional.'"
Never had there been such a loud roaring in Jack's ears. The camera moose's voice suddenly rang through the air as he shouted, "Cut!", sparing the buck from answering. The production lights dimmed, taking the heat off the pair for a moment as Skye's posture dropped, her look becoming apologetic.
"I'm sorry to end the interview on that note," she said as they slipped from their chairs. "Let me make it up to you. Maybe with a drink? Tonight, at say, seven thirty?"
"No can do, toots!" Duke strolled up, flicking through his phone. "We gotta hit up the studio and the rabbit needs to get a work out in before the night's over." His paw reached up to smack the underside of Jack's muzzle. "First thing tomorrow, you're dieting. I'm not spending energy on a fat client."
With a sigh of resignation, Jack watched as his agent turned and walked away, now screaming into his phone. Skye gave the weasel a poisonous look before looking over at the buck in sympathy. He simply shrugged.
"I gotta get get going…" he began with a hint of apology in his voice. She bit her lip and shook paws with him again. "It was… great meeting you."
"You, too. Maybe I'll see you around?"
"Oh, I know you will," Jack grinned and started to back away, eyes still on her.
"It's looking like now, Savage!" barked Duke. After glancing at him briefly, Jack gave her a final wave before following after his agent.
Catching up with Duke as he was hanging up his phone, the pair made their way to the street.
"And we got Fru Fru Big's party tomorrow night. There's a tux back at the studio I want you to wear."
"Oh, I didn't realize I got invited to that!" Jack felt pleased he was important enough to receive an invite to the social event of the year.
"Get used to it," came the distracted response as the car pulled up. "Expect invites to all of Zootopia's 'A List' events."
Sliding into the back, Jack felt his hopes rise. Though when he looked up and caught what was on the city center tv, irritation took over. That stupid music video, now at one hundred thousand views.
Don't get used to it, he thought with a frown.
…..
Nick fidgeted with his bow tie as the limo he was in glided to a halt. While the invitations may have slowed down, the fox was still familiar with flutter of butterflies that came with major public appearances. And Fru Fru Big's birthday party was THE social event of the year.
Fru Fru's father, Vincent Big, was the biggest entertainment mogul in Zootopia.
Having been an initial investor in several major movie companies, he was also credited with launching the careers of both Jerry Vole and Gazelle. Needless to say, the Arctic shrew turned his daughter's birthdays into lucrative business opportunities. Considering Fru Fru relished the attention and loved being surrounded by Zootopia's brightest stars, it was a win-win situation.
And having been on the guest list since the younger shrew was a teenager, Nick knew what to expect. Though, this was the first year he didn't have a date. He had been so wrapped up in making his new album, Nick hadn't even thought about the party until Judy had express cleaned his tux.
Judy…
There was something he felt he couldn't quite explain when it came to her… A sickness that rolled through him whenever he saw her or knew he was going to see her. An odd sort of sickness that made his heart beat faster and the pads of his paws sweaty. It made him feel way more vulnerable than he thought he could ever be.
She was by far the most attentive and thorough agent he had ever had. The doe pushed and moved him, sparking a creative flow he hadn't felt even at his peak as Mr. Fox. Adding in the fact that she knew how keep him on task (and not feel like rebelling against her)… That was an amazement in and of itself. And then there was the rebranding.
Everything about his rebranding was making him feel like a kit at a new school. But the results said it all. Judy had managed to do an early release for his new album on Zoogel Music and it was on its way to breaking records. Jack's album was nowhere close to where Nick's was.
Yes, Judy Hopps was something special and it was sparking all sorts of alien emotions inside him.
The door to the limo was opened, exposing him to the bright flashes of numerous cameras. Nick had to remember to smile amid shouts of "Mr. Fox! Mr. Fox! Look this way!", "Mr. Fox, your latest album is number seven on Zoogel Music! Do you think it can make it to number one?", and "Mr. Fox! What do you think of Jack's Savage's interview, calling your new music a desperate attempt to stay relevant?"
Oh, what he wouldn't give to be able to roll his eyes. Or growl at the goat who had asked that question. If it wasn't for the fact that Judy expected him to keep his cool and maintain his suave and collected image, he would have given in. If he was still Mr. Fox, who had been impulsive and self-indulgent, he would have.
Now, he was The Fox.
So, The Fox just smiled for the paparazzi and kept his mouth shut. In front of him was Gazelle, looking gorgeous as always as she gave him a grin over her shoulder. The pair shared a look, both old pros at the "Smile big!" game.
"Some things never change," he muttered, stepping over the threshold into the elegant party.
Everyone who was anyone was in attendance. Mayor Lionheart was rubbing elbows with ZNN's director Andy Lagopus. Nick exchanged smiles with his old friend, Camilla Palo, a famed baker, who was currently entertaining another new star in Zootopia, Ramic Taill. The kangaroo had made a name for himself as a professional organizer, something the elite of the city had jumped on. His new show was a hit on Pawflix with season two in the works.
One of the todd's favorite science fiction writers, Liam McIver, drew in an audience with another one his famous yarns, while his mate looked on with an amused smile. Luna was head editor of Zoo Zoo Magazine and head of the art board for Savanna Central's Museum of Modern Art. The wolf and lioness were favorites no matter where they went.
Luna turned to greet Erin Weaver, Zootopia's legendary artist, as the new wolf joined their conversation. Weaver's work had been largely credited to helping put Zootopia's art scene on the map. His work even graced the cover of many of McIver's books. Nick paused for a moment to wonder if Weaver would be willing to do his portrait.
Again, his eyes found Gazelle, who had joined her back up dancers in paying tribute to the host and birthday girl, something Nick decided to do as well.
Accepting a glass of champagne, the todd sipped it as he made his way to Mr. Big, Fru Fru, and her fiancé, Markus. But his steps faltered when he realized who Fru and Markus were speaking to.
It wasn't that she never looked good, or never dressed up. She always looked well dressed and professional. But Judy Hopps standing next to Fru Fru Big, wearing a tight mid-night blue dress with a plunging, sweetheart neckline and a hem that swung just above her knees, made it very clear what that sick feeling actually was.
It simultaneously made the breath leave his body and his mouth go dry.
Judy's happy smile and sparkling eyes left her friend to find his own resting on her. Embarrassed to realize he had been staring, Nick downed his glass of champagne before snatching two fresh flutes and continuing on to the Bigs.
"Well, well, well," he said by way of greeting, smiling at the two shrews surrounded by their polar bear entourage.
"Ah! Nicky! Welcome back into our home," Mr. Big beamed at the fox, extending his tiny paw for Nick to kiss. "I was so pleased when Fru Fru showed me your latest video. It makes me proud to see you utilizing your full talent. And the fact that you chose to sign with Miss Hopps shows you're smarter than you look."
"Daddy!" squealed Fru Fru, with a laugh in her voice. The birthday girl smiled up at the todd, who bent to gently kiss her cheek. "Thanks for coming, Nicky! It's so good to see you again."
"Happy birthday, Fru Fru." Nick straightened and turned towards Judy, not able to stop his gaze from traveling the length of her. "And look at you, Fluff… You look… Wow…"
Judy blushed and smiled with pleasure, oblivious to the knowing grins their hosts gave the pair.
"Thanks, Slick," her delicate paw accepted the extra glass of champagne he held out as she gave Fru a farewell and followed Nick further into the party. "Who knew you cleaned up so well. I almost didn't recognize you without your swim trunks and house robe."
Nick laughed as they clinked glasses. "Ooo, listen to that! Bunny's got jokes!" Judy laughed with him and gave him a hip bump. "I'll have you know, Carrots, this tux is an original Vera Fang. Designed it herself, just for me." He ran a paw down the jacket, looking down at the bunny as she sipped from her flute. Polishing off his own, he took her glass and placed both on the tray of a passing server. "And a tux this stylish and dress that flashy?" Judy smiled at him curiously as he took her paw. "They need to be shown off on the dance floor."
"Oh, Nick, I'm not much of a dancer…" Judy pulled back shyly, her smile falling slightly when the todd didn't let go of her.
"Not going to chicken out on me, are you?" Leading her onto the dance floor, he placed her left paw on his shoulder then dropped his own to rest on the curve of her hip. The doe gave a soft gasp, her eyes widening when he pulled her close and took her other paw in his free one. "That's not the Judy Hopps I know."
Her ears fell as they grew pink, her eyes falling to the floor briefly as they began to move. "I'm just going to embarrass you," she muttered.
Nick released her paw to gently grasp her chin, lifting her gaze to his. His eyes looked into hers with a tender passion she had only seen when he was playing his music. And she felt a shiver run down her spine when he moved his muzzle to her ear and whispered his response.
"You could never, ever embarrass me."
With that, he took her paw again and swept them away.
…..
Jack stepped into the party, lightly tugging at the white tux jacket Duke had insisted he wear. It wasn't really his style, preferring something more subtle. But the designer had given it to him as a gift and the buck didn't have the ability to say no.
Duke had left his side the second they had entered after thrusting a glass of wine into Jack's paw.
"Go mingle, kit. Make connections, rub elbows, all that shit." Duke snagged a glass of whiskey and downed it before tossing the empty glass back to the surprised server. "I got things to do!"
"Duke-" Jack groaned in frustration as his agent vanished, leaving the young rabbit alone in a room full of socialites. "Great…"
To make matters worse, he was dateless, something else Duke had insisted on. The weasel wanted to promote Jack's sex appeal and had warned that if the females of Zootopia thought they had a chance, his sales would sky rocket. Considering the amount of attention he'd gotten on the red carpet regarding his dating status, Jack was inclined to agree.
And it wasn't like he could ask Skye to attend the party with him. It was common knowledge she was always hired to be the publicity coordinator for this event. Her pictures would grace the covers of newspapers and magazines for weeks afterwards. Just knowing she would be here filled him with excitement.
After greeting his host and thanking the birthday girl for inviting him, Jack took advantage of the buffet. He would need to get an extra workout in (and hide from Duke), but it was worth it. Washing his forth zucchini fritter down with a fresh glass of wine, he had a good buzz going as he grinned around at the party.
Though his smile dropped at the sight of Nick Wilde, a.k.a Mr. Fox (pardon, THE Fox), enjoying a conversation with the mayor and his assistant.
That arrogant asshole.
Jack's teeth ground together as he thought back to what Skye Frost had mentioned earlier. Calling the buck's performances precious and his lyrics one dimensional.
One dimensional! What did that even mean?
Scoffing, Jack finished his drink and looked at the fox again as he grabbed another from a passing tray. And raised his eyebrows in interest. Mayor Lionheart and his assistant, Dawn, were talking animatedly to Wilde and his agent. And the gorgeous bunny was listening raptly. Wilde, however, was not.
The todd's eyes kept flicking back and forth from the mayor to Miss Hopps. Wilde was taking great pains in standing as close as possible to the doe. His tail moved to sweep along her ankles without actually making contact. Watching as the mayor and his assistant finally moved on to mingle with the rest of the party, Jack smirked as Miss Hopps smiled at the todd before she excused herself.
And Wilde watched her with obvious interest as she walked away and vanished into the crowd.
"Huh," Jack smiled to himself. "Isn't that interesting."
He was on the fence about the plan he came up with, but the mental image of his album being knocked off the top ten made up the buck's mind. The unfinished wine was set down as Jack pulled out a small bottle of breath spray. His blue eyes surveyed the room, pinpointing the doe as she was moving away from the restrooms. A quick glance back at Wilde showed the fox spotted her too, his body tensing in anticipation as his tail wagged slightly.
"Payback time," Jack said with a grin and moved quickly to intercept her halfway.
A paw reached out to grab some drinks from a tray.
Spotting Skye Frost with her camera at the ready and knowing the vixen would love the photo op, the buck came to a stop in front of Miss Hopps.
"Oh!" she said in surprise, just loud enough to catch Skye's attention. "Mr. Savage! I didn't know you were going to be here." Judy smiled uncertainly as she accepted the drink he offered. "Are you enjoying the party?"
"Oh, yes," Jack agreed with a charming smile. He stepped closer to the pretty bunny. "Much more, now that I'm talking to you."
She blushed and took a sip of her drink, obviously too polite and professional to just walk away from him. Glancing up, Jack watch as Skye drew closer to the pair. The vixen's eyes flashed with disappointment briefly, though it vanished when he winked at her and looked pointedly at her camera. And to his satisfaction, out of the corner of Jack's eye, he saw Wilde tensed with fury.
Oh, if you liked that, thought Jack, you're going to love this.
"So, what's a pretty bunny like you doing here all by your lonesome?" Leaning against the wall, Jack angled himself to make Skye's shot look as intimate as possible.
"Oh… Uh, I'm not really by myself," Miss Hopps gave him another strained smile as she started to move away from him. "I actually have someone who's waiting for me. So, if you'll excuse me, Mr. Savage."
As she moved almost completely away, Jack felt panic rise. Skye gave him a look of what seemed to be relief as she started to turn away as well. Even Nick seemed to relax, a smug look of triumph sparking in his eyes.
Sorry, beautiful, Jack thought as he looked into Skye's eyes and shrugged, I need this.
His paws shot out to grab Miss Hopps waist, her eyes widening in shock. Dragging her to him, Jack crushed their lips together, both drinks crashing to the floor. And through his disgust with himself, he felt some satisfaction when Skye's camera went off. Miss Hopps, however pulled away almost as quickly as he had dragged them together, her paws keeping him from closing the distance again.
"Sorry," he said with a shrug and guilty smile, his large ears picking up angry footsteps behind him.
The rabbit buck readied himself as Hopps' expression filled with indignant outrage, her mouth falling open to scold him, but his body was jerked away before she could say a word. A large paw had grabbed his forearm, tearing him away from Hopps and spinning him around. Jack came face to face with an angry todd, whose lips curled over his sharp teeth and green eyes narrowed on the buck. Skye's camera went crazy as it took picture after picture.
"Nick-" Hopps' voice was filled with a warning that the red fox didn't acknowledge.
Jack's satisfaction at riling him up was short lived as Wilde's fist made contact with the buck's cheek. With a grunt of pain, Jack went flying, the party pausing as he landed on the floor. His blue eyes squinted in pain and anger as he looked up at the todd. Miss Hopps placed herself in front of him, her paws on Wilde's shoulders.
Wilde, however, kept his snarling gaze on the buck on the floor. Who very soon became the buck flying through the air towards the fox who had punched him. With a furious cry, Jack landed on Wilde as the todd shoved Hopps out of the way. Jack's much smaller (but just as strong) fist made contact with the other singer and had him stumbling to the ground.
Skye gave a squeal of unbridled joy as she traded the camera for her phone.
"Nicholas!" cried Hopps. "Mr. Savage!"
But the pair ignored her, their fists flying as they growled and snarled at each other. And the crowd that had gathered did nothing but egg the pair on. Finally, a loud "That's enough!" cut through the two males' aggressive haze as a sharp pain shot through their ears.
Both gasped as Hopps' paws twisted their captured appendages, immobilizing the pair on the ground.
"You both are grown mammals!" The doe scolded. "This is not how grown mammals act!"
"Ow! Ow! OW!" both males cried as she tossed them in opposite directions on either side of her. Her beautiful purple eyes glared from the buck to the todd as they rubbed their sore ears and shot threatening looks at each other.
"Really, I can't believe you two!" Turning to Jack, she jabbed her finger into his chest, the buck looking properly abashed. "You! Who do you think you are? Just grabbing random does and kissing them without permission. You should be ashamed of yourself!"
A brown paw suddenly grabbed Hopps' wrist, the doe yelping in surprise and pain as she was jerked away from Jack.
"Watch it there, Flopsy!" said Duke, looking just as mean and furious as he could, his eyes bloodshot and breath reeking of alcohol. "You should be grateful my client is willing to even touch a little bunny bumpkin like you!"
Wilde sprang to his feet and snarled at the weasel, who let her go and backed away. Jack looked at his agent in shock.
"Listen here, Weaselton…!" Wilde threatened, Duke not even flinching as he glared at the fox. "If you ever touch her again, I'll-"
"You'll what, Wilde!" he spat back as Wilde pulled Hopps behind him. "What's a pathetic, washed up has-been like you going to do? Punch me? Like you're really going to take that chance! Now, excuse me while me and my client take your place on the Top One Hundred Billboard. Let's go, Savage!"
Jack was still on the ground as he watched Duke leave before a paw was extended down to him. Skye gave him a sad smile when he accepted her help and was pulled to his feet. Looking from her to the todd and doe who stood not too far from them, he shook his head. Realizing the party was still watching their every move, the trio cleared their throats and stared at the ground.
A soft measured clap caught their attention, a large polar bear parting the crowd with Mr. Big and his daughter in his paw. The shrews were smiling as they approached, their eyes shining with amusement.
"My children," said Mr. Big magnanimously, "that was by far the most entertaining display I have seen in many years. I give you my thanks for keeping this party lively! And speaking of lively, Raymond! Tell Miss Palo to bring out the cake!"
The other guests laughed along with shrew. Cries of delight echoed around as a large, beautiful birthday cake was wheeled out, the kit fox beaming with pride at the reaction.
Hopps looked at the cake, grateful for the distraction. Her eyes shot to Wilde, her anger very obvious, before she turned and vanished into the crowd. Wilde growled at Jack one last time before following after. The rabbit buck straightened his tux out before clearing his throat and looking at Skye again.
"I should…" he began, jerking his head in the direction Duke had left in.
"Yeah," she murmured in agreement. "It was great seeing you again, Mr. Savage."
"You know, I think after all of this, you can call me Jack."
Skye smiled at him as he left, before looking down at her phone. Pressing play, she re-watched what she'd recorded before pausing it again. With a sigh, knowing her career was going to be worth more this time tomorrow after the video was posted, the vixen went back to taking pictures of the party.
Because she was a professional. And nothing would distract her from that, not even attractive, famous, sexy bunny singers.
…..
A/N: Thank yous go to Cimar WildeHopps, ScaraMedn, kt_valmiri, and TheWyvernsWeaver for letting me use their Zoosonas. Much appreciated, everyone!
Cimar= Ramic Taill
ScaraMedn= Liam McIver
kt_valmiri= Luna
TheWyvernsWeaver= Erin Weaver