"There you are, you're not an easy bunny to find when you don't want to be found," Nick said, emerging from the door that led to the rooftop of Judy's Pangolin Arms apartment building.
"Nick," Judy didn't look that pleased to see him.
"Something the matter, bunny? I was worried when you didn't show up to work today," Nick drew closer.
"Just needed the day off, I guess," Judy looked out onto the skyline.
"That's not like my dutiful Carrots," Nick gave a tiny smirk. "What's going on?"
Judy winced at those words. "Oh, nothing special, just emotional bunny problems."
"Hey, you know I was just teasing when I said that," Nick gave an apologetic smile, placing a hand to his chest.
"I've fallen in love, Nick," Judy said abruptly, looking away. "Only recently I've been able to accept that yes, that's what's happened to me. And it's with someone I can't be with."
"Huh?" Nick looked confused. "Well, why not?"
"Because he doesn't share my feelings," Judy said quietly.
"Oh, he told you that, huh?" Nick frowned.
"Not in so many words," Judy turned her eyes to Nick, and realization pierced straight through Nick like a spear.
"Judy...!" Nick said in a choked cry. He looked suddenly very distressed.
"See?" Judy closed her eyes, giving a defeated smile. "Gotten really good at reading you over time. My question is, why didn't you notice it from me?"
"I uh, I dunno," Nick shrugged. "Just thought being flirty was how you were naturally."
"Uh huh," Judy grimaced. "Anyway, yup, there it is. I'm in love with my partner. Nearly old enough to be my dad."
"I'm not that old," Nick held up a finger, giving a nervous chuckle, "but I have to admit, I did always think of you like a sister or something... so I mean, I do... uh, love you."
"You couldn't see us sharing a bed though, could you?" Judy shrugged.
"Nuh-no," Nick admitted, turning his head away and looking at her with a wince. "Is that wrong...?"
"No, of course not," Judy shook her head. "Inter-species relationships are so rare, and pred and prey? Unheard of. It'd make us a public and professional spectacle. Not to mention it would be pretty unprofessional, huh? I almost wish I didn't feel this way."
"Hey, Judy," Nick sat down near her. "For what it's worth, I think it's really neat that you're attracted to foxes."
"That's not it at all," Judy's eyebrows furrowed. "I'm attracted to you. Just, how you are. So cool about everything, and so suave. Razor sharp wit."
"You know that's basically just a mask, right?" Nick grinned.
"Yeah, and you have a soft, sweet center under all that," Judy smiled. She gave a big sigh looking at him with her head tilted forwards a bit. "I must seem like a little schoolgirl to you, huh? Dunno what I'm going to do now."
"I'm definitely not going to say 'find someone else'," Nick frowned. "I know that wouldn't help at all. We can't help who we're attracted to, I guess."
"What do you think, Nick, should we get ourselves reassigned at the station?" Judy slumped down to a sitting position, placing her hands on her lap.
"I uh, can't really imagine a better partner than you," Nick admitted. "I trust you completely, and I'm pretty sure no one else would let me get away with teasing you like you do."
"Right?" Judy gave a small giggle. "I feel the same way. I guess I just feel it... um, in more ways than one. Look though, look, Nick! I made it weird between us. If I could have just kept my bunny mouth shut, I could have kept that delicious tension between us and not have to own up to it." Judy held her arms out wide, giving a soft laugh.
"Would that really have made you happy?" Nick wondered. "Knowing you have to hide yourself from me just so you can steal what affections you can take?"
"I dunno, I might have preferred that to not having any," Judy smiled. Nick frowned, and stood up. He shook his head.
"Judy, you need a hug, and I don't care if you like it 'too much', I'm here to provide one," Nick had his arms open.
Judy got to her feet, looking unsure. "Really?"
"Go ahead, hug me," Nick nodded. "I'm not going to withhold emotional support from you just because of something like this."
Judy came in for the hug and wrapped her arms around him. It felt good to her, like his hugs always did. His fur was soft and pleasant. Nick brought his hands around her, as well.
"So this, this isn't love...?" Judy seemed confused. "Your hugs are so nice." She nuzzled his chest lightly.
"No, it's love all right, and I do love you, Judy," Nick said. "I just... uh, the thought of being physically intimate with you is..."
"Daunting?" Judy cocked an eyebrow. She managed a sneaky-looking smirk, somehow.
"Let's just go with that," Nick chuckled nervously. Judy let go of the hug. She looked up at Nick with a sad sort of longing.
"I'm going to have to find quite a guy to even hold a candle to you," Judy gave a little smirk. "And even then, I don't think anyone could measure up."
"Jeez, Judy, I may be a great fox, but that's giving me a bit too much credit," Nick winced.
Judy gave a wistful sigh. "Anyway, I think I'm done pining and whining. Wanna grab a bite to eat?"
"Sure thing," Nick nodded. Judy made her way for the door.
"Maybe in your next life you'll be a bunny," Judy grinned.
"If that were true, you'd probably just be a fox," Nick laughed. "Then we'd have to go through this whole thing over again."
"Ah well," Judy gave Nick a little fist bump. "As long as we're together in some way."
"Seems like that's our fate, huh?" Nick chuckled as the two made their way down from the rooftop.