Judy looked exhausted as she headed into the subway car with Nick to go home. Nick held onto one of the rails and Judy groaned, giving his midsection a gentle headbutt. Nick grinned proudly and wrapped his free arm around Judy, bringing her close to keep her steady on the trip.
A middle-aged male armadillo looked over at the two from his seat. "Tough day, officers?"
"For her, yeah," Nick nodded. "She caught a cheetah."
"A cheetah?" The armadillo marveled with wide eyes. "The fastest mammal around?"
"Temporarily the fastest," Judy said, nodding and briefly looking at the curious armadillo. "Just gotta outlast them. It is... tiring, though." Judy groaned again and shut her eyes. "My feet hurt..."
"There, there," Nick pat her on the back twice, his voice teetering on the edge between caring and condescending. "Hey, that reminds me though, maybe I should pick up some wine on the way home."
"Very funny," Judy grumbled. The armadillo chuckled; he seemed to think so.
The train came to a halt and the armadillo waved at them as they made their way away. "Thank you for helping keep our streets safe! Good to know that even if my own bookstore got robbed by a cheetah, the ZPD would be able to take care of it."
"Willing and able, sir," Judy gave a half smile and dragged herself out of the train car.
"If in spirit and not body," Nick winked, but gave a friendly salute and headed out as well.
"Wow, you never take the escalator," Nick was bemused as Judy joined him on the escalator a step below him.
"I told you, I'm tired," Judy whined, making a "pff" sound and waving away Nick's tail. "I should have gone first."
"You should have; I'd have liked the view," Nick chuckled to himself. Judy only exhaled slightly at that joke, too drained to snap back. After they emerged onto the streets, Nick gave Judy a smile. "Okay bunny, looks like you'd had just about enough of this day." Judy's eyes widened a little as Nick scooped him up and he held her in his arms.
"Nick...!" Judy gave a huff. "How embarrassing."
"Want me to sling you over my shoulder instead?" Nick shrugged his shoulders. "You could pretend to be passed out."
"Wouldn't be too much of a stretch," Judy sighed. "Whatever. Our apartment's close. Still feels a bit embarrassing to be carried like a baby."
"Boy is it tempting to make a remark there," Nick groaned. "But I value my safety."
"You're smarter than you look," Judy grinned.
"I must be a genius, then!" Nick chuckled. "Seriously though Judy, you're really something. I lost sight of you so quickly during that chase. Whatever it is that drives you, would you mind sharing some with me?"
"I'll think about it," Judy wore a relaxed smile as she nestled back into Nick's arms. Soon enough, they entered their apartment.
"Okay, ride's over," Nick said, gently setting her down. "Please make sure you have all of your personal belongings as you exit." Judy made a little show of patting her own pockets, then she patted Nick's chest, too. "Yup, everything's here."
"Wow, even when the bunny's on auxiliary power she has enough energy left to flirt, I see," Nick gave her head an affectionate rub. Judy made a pleased hum, then groaned and headed off to her room. Nick also left for his separate room and changed into his "usual" clothes, an offensively bright shirt and mismatched tie, and tan slacks.
When he next saw Judy, she was climbing up onto their couch, wearing an oversized t-shirt. She gave Nick a questioning look.
"Uh, you planning on going somewhere?" Judy asked him.
"I was going to go to the store and pick up some of your favorite wine, like I said," Nick replied. "Maybe a little alcohol will take the edge off and help you get to sleep?"
"Eh, don't bother," Judy shook her head. "Nice thought, but I feel like I'll be asleep within the hour, anyway."
"Okay, suit yourself," Nick sighed a bit and went over to the bathroom. Judy winced.
"I mean, uh, thank you for thinking of me, but..." Judy called after him, to no response. Judy's ears fell, but perked back up when Nick returned. The fox came back with an even expression and a bottle of medicated powder.
"You're not falling asleep without me getting to make you feel better first," Nick said in a low, dramatic tone. He shook out some of the powder so it coated his paw pad.
"Nick..." Judy gave a slightly embarrassed giggle, as she tried to think up some sort of polite protest, but came up empty. Instead, her smile just grew warm. "...Okay." Nick knelt near the couch and started to gingerly rub her feet, applying the powder to them.
"Just let me know if I'm being too rough," Nick said, "preferably without kicking me in the face."
"I wouldn't dream of it," Judy's ears folded back in relaxation, but they felt a bit warm. "Mm, you sure do know how to pamper me..."
"Fluff, I have not yet begun to spoil you," Nick grinned. "This is just the beginning."
Judy bit her lip gently as she wondered what he could mean. Nick continued to softly rub her feet, applying a bit more pressure when he thought she could take it.
"Ah...!" Judy exclaimed. "Oh, that feels heavenly..." Nick kept at it, finding her relaxed sighing and moaning to be reward enough for him. Nick stopped before too much longer, and Judy wiggled her toes. "Um, you don't have to stop. I wouldn't mind if you kept at that for another hour or so."
"You're supposed to be asleep by then, remember?" Nick chuckled. "C'mere; lay on my lap on your front." Nick climbed onto the couch and patted his lap, and Judy obeyed him. Nick tried to sneak his hands up Judy's shirt and up to her back, but she looked back at him.
"Ah ah! Watch those paws, mister," Judy smirked.
"So you're saying I should take off your shirt so I can see my paws get at your back?" Nick shot back with a playful look.
"I can unclothe myself, thank you," Judy removed her shirt and Nick felt his breath catch slightly as there was nothing else she was wearing underneath it. Nick decided to refrain from any extra flattery, but he did allow his eyes to soak in the loveliness of her gray and white fur. He placed his paws gently on her back, rubbing with his fingertips, and adding in soft scratches.
"Hnh..." Judy gave a delightful shiver. "You are so good at this..."
"Did I tell you I was planning to pick up an instrument?" Nick said as he continued massaging Judy.
"Oh yeah?" Judy rested her cheek on her folded arms. "Which one?"
"The bunny," Nick said smugly.
"What are you talking about, you goofball?" Judy affectionately grumbled.
"Well, it takes a little work and deft fingers, but..." Nick carefully scrunched her fur in places where he felt tension in her back and shoulders. He was rewarded by some lingering groans of relief. "She makes such nice music when you can play her right."
"You are the single most humiliating thing to happen to me," Judy gave a relaxed sigh. "And the most wonderful." Nick just chuckled softly. After awhile, Judy turned over, exposing her front to him.
"Here next?" Nick wiggled his fingers, then carefully ran his claws over her chest and midsection's fur.
"Hah... Nick..." Judy squinted her eyes shut at the pleasurable sensations. "Rh... if I wasn't so tired..."
"Oh, I know," Nick had a wide smile. "Believe me, I know. But I'm a predator. I kind of like being able to do this to a nice, helpless bunny." His claws tickled at her thighs, to a shuddering gasp from the bunny in question.
"Dh-don't think you're going to get away with this," Judy tried her most determined look, though she did feel like she was melting against his ministrations. "I'll remember this, and you'll pay. Oh will you pay. Mnh, you think these sounds are silly? I'll make you sound twice as dumb..."
"I'll look forward to that," Nick chuckled. "But tonight, this is all for you."
"Nick, you're so... hnh..." Judy was interrupted by another skillful pet. "So... uh..." His paw pads ran down her sides as his claws gently scraped her back. "I can't even concentrate."
"Hmhm, just give that bunny brain a rest," Nick cooed, rubbing her ankles and legs. "I'll let the rest of you relax soon enough, after I practice my favorite song on you."
Judy shivered in anticipation. She had a feeling she knew what that "song" was, and she had no doubt he'd be able to get her to sing it.