"All right!" Judy grinned as a fruity alcoholic beverage slid down the bar and into her paws. "Bahama Mammals are my favorite."
"There's no way you're gonna get drunk off of that thing," Nick said, sipping from a scotch and soda.
"Getting drunk isn't the idea, Nick, I just want a drink that doesn't taste like poison," Judy happily sipped some of her drink.
"Aren't you a country girl, Carrots?" Nick chuckled. "Those Bunnyburrow bunnies are always getting themselves drunk, aren't they?"
"Well, I don't know if you haven't noticed yet, Nick," Judy shot him a playful look, "but I'm not just any bunny."
"You certainly are not," Nick nodded in agreement, sipping more of his drink. He gave her a look as she sipped from her drink. She was so charming and innocent-looking, even though he knew better than to call her that last one. Her naivete and pure spirit were so refreshing to him, and even after two years on the force she hadn't lost her spark. "Hey, Carrots." Nick surprised himself with his own voice, but he figured he might as well give it a try.
"Mm?" Her ears perked up, her eyes fully opening as she turned her face to look at him. Every little minute move she did was so fetching; a moment Nick could treasure.
"You remember that time when I was all 'you know you love me'?" Nick gave a small, sly grin.
"Uh-huh," Judy grinned. "I'm sure you don't forget what I said."
Do I know that? Yes, yes I do. Nick reflected on how tender and genuine the words sounded. What he had wanted to say to her was, "you know I love you", but he couldn't do that. He had to deflect his feelings onto her; put the burden on her. But she had been so...
"Yeah, kind of took me off guard a little, actually," Nick chuckled. "Was there anything to that, Carrots?"
"Anything... to that?" Judy blinked. "We were just kinda playing around, right? Like we do." Nick managed a tiny smile at the words.
"Yeah, we're pretty great at that," Nick turned his muzzle away and muttered: "Thought so." Then, he waved down the bartender. "Can I have straight scotch this time?"
Nick's soft words had not escaped Judy's ears. Her nose started to twitch as Nick downed his glass fairly quickly and let out a loud exhaling sound.
"N-Nick...?"
"Yes?" Nick gave her an easy, wispy smile.
"You... you love me...?" Judy seemed shocked. Nick had been ready to counter this for quite some time now.
"Who wouldn't love you, Carrots?" Nick said in a very conversational voice, and sipped more drink. "C'mon, you're ambitious, charming, you keep a sense of optimism about you. Witty, too, for a bunny. I could go on."
"...But you have feelings for me," Judy said in an even voice.
"Another drink, please?" Nick tapped on his glass.
"Nick...!" Judy said in alarm. "Talk to me!"
"Maybe after another drink or two," Nick muttered. "But I have to warn you, I can keep my walls up even when I'm drunk. I just kind of get sullen."
Judy swallowed hard. She didn't want Nick to just drown his feelings in alcohol, but she didn't know what to do to stop him. "Nick, maybe just... c'mon... let's talk."
"I've got a strategy, Judy," Nick held up a finger. "Oops, I said Judy. Eh, oh well." He knocked back another large gulp, shaking his head. "Urgh. Anyway, my strategy was gonna be, if I ever do something monumentally stupid around you, I'd go immediately get myself blackout drunk. That way, when I came to, I wouldn't remember any of it, and, because I'd already made this sort of pact with myself, I'd know to be more careful around you."
Judy grit her teeth. "Nick, please..."
"Don't be surprised if you get a text from me tomorrow morning wondering if we're still partners," Nick grumbled.
"This isn't an answer," Judy sneered, feeling somewhat hurt. "What, you're just going to try to forget everything so you can make the same mistake again?"
"Ah ha, got you!" Nick had a sour smile. "You agree it was a mistake to hint at my feelings for you. Especially since you don't return them."
Judy stared blankly at him. "I'm sorry, Nick! I just... I never thought of us that way. And I don't... I don't want to blame my past on how I am, but... I had some rough experiences with foxes in the past. I'm not sure I could ever see one in a... romantic way... I know that sounds awful and speciesist but-"
"That is perfectly fine, and your feelings are your own sacred right," Nick grinned, starting to look a bit loopy. "But, it is also my right to get myself drunk. Tails up! To obliviousness!" Nick downed yet more liquid.
Several minutes later, Nick was resting his head on his arms on the bar, mumbling a bit. Judy couldn't make out the words.
"I... I'll remember for you, Nick," Judy sighed. "I'm so sorry I can't share your feelings. But... you are a wonderful fox, and that's why I wanted you as my partner." Judy reached out to place her paw on his shoulder. Nick didn't look like he was going to resist, but he turned his head away from her and let out a huff that sounded a lot like a whine. Judy hesitated, and brought her hand back down.
"Guess I'm just a really physical person, huh?" Judy shrugged to herself. "Maybe I should lay off all the hugs and the pets and the interlocking arms and stuff. To just keep stringing you along like that." Judy tilted her head. "Or maybe not? I don't know what you want, Nick. You want to just... just hit the reset button and pretend all of this never happened, huh? Mm..."
The bartender, a serval, walked by Nick, and his ears flatted. "Hey bunny, could you get his wallet or something? He hasn't paid his tab yet."
"I'll get it, and mine," Judy nodded, pushing a credit card forward. The serval shrugged and let her pay for both. Judy got off the bar stool and looked at Nick, who barely seemed conscious. "C'mon, Nick."
Nick blearily looked down towards the fuzzy gray shape on the ground. He felt dimly aware that he was very, very drunk, and ready to pass out. He didn't dare open his mouth, he knew he was way beyond that point, but that was about all he knew. He felt gravity take hold of him and was tangentially aware that Judy was easing him onto her back to keep his balance and to keep him from falling over. His legs barely responded to the moving forward.
Judy would have smirked at all the impressed looks she got from other animals at a bunny dragging a fox out of the bar, but she wasn't really feeling like it. A bull opened the door for her.
"Hey, thanks," Judy nodded, and headed out towards the subway. "Let's get you home, Nick."
Nick just groaned softly.