Chapter 2 – Nick gets a drink
Nick settled down at the bar, squeezing in next to Francine. The elephant slid a beer down the bar to Nick with her trunk. Nick nodded in thanks and took a swig. It was his standard drink, Foxboro Blueberry Beer.
Wolford, who was seated one stool over, shook his head at Nick, "Still drinking that fruity beer, huh."
Nick, used to the constant heckling over his drink choice winked at Wolford, "As I always say, blueberries make everything taste better!"
"Yeah, yeah, we go through this every Friday, Wolford!" Francine rolled her eyes, "Where's Hopps? I already ordered her a carrot juice."
"Aww, she couldn't stay, the Bunny Society is honoring her tonight." Nick replied taking another sip of his beer.
"I haven't heard about any Bunny Society before, but that's great that she's getting some recognition," Francine smiled. "Well, someone's going to have to drink this carrot juice, I know I won't!"
"Horne will drink it," called Wolford.
"Not unless you add some vodka to it!" Horne replied. Francine slid the drink down the bar to the hulking rhino who was already motioning to the bartender to add some heat to the drink.
Nick's grin slowly slipped off his face as his fellow officers turned to chat to each other. Nick become thoughtful as he watched the blueberries in his beer glass slowly ride the bubbles up the glass and then fall towards the bottom.
He hadn't lied to Judy, exactly. She deserved all the recognition she could get, and he knew that he would take attention away from her if he showed up in a ballroom full of rabbits. Nick wanted Judy to fully realize what a big impact she had on Zootopia and on the dreams and futures of all the animals who live there.
He was less honest about what kind of distraction he would be if he joined her. Nick had no problem interacting with rabbits and other prey animals in Zootopia. The city for the most part was very integrated with all the animals interacting with each other in the parks and stores. But something about going to an event with just bunnies, lots and lots of bunnies, made him hesitate.
If he was truly honest, that is also why he had turned down Judy's offers to go home with her to Bunny Burrow all those times. Meeting here parents had gone well, but with 275 siblings and 400+ grandkits running around… It just made Nick nervous is all.
He realistically couldn't expect all the rabbit guests at the Bunny Society Dinner not to have a problem with a predator in their midst. Especially their natural cunning enemy.
Not that Nick was reaaaaaly worried that anyone would make a scene, but he would hate to spoil the night for Judy. Although he was only half joking when he told her that he wished he could go just to scare off any male suitors. Not that he was worried about Judy, she could take care of herself. Nick knew she wasn't a naïve rookie anymore, but he couldn't help thinking she might be a bit inexperienced when it came to dating or relationships. Nick remembered with a slight smile that her parents had just said that she hadn't mentioned any male rabbits to them before.
A beefy arm slung over his should brought Nick out of his reverie. Nick looked up to see Benny Clawhauser smiling at him. "Judy's at her dinner, right?" the smiling cheetah asked.
Nick couldn't help but return the enthusiastic cats smile, "Yep, she took off already to get her dress uniform all prepped."
"That's so great, she's such a great cop! And cute to boot," Clawhauser added with a wink.
Nick frowned at him, "You know that it isn't ok to call her that, Benny."
"I know, just wanted to see how you would react," Clawhauser winked again at the bewildered expression on Nick's face.
"What is that supposed to mean?"
"Nothing, nothing. I hardly ever get to see you without your partner around and Judy never lets me wind you up!" the big cat laughed.
"Well, unfortunately tonight isn't your lucky night. I'm headed out after this beer."
"Oh," Clawhauser replied dejectedly, "It wasn't something I said was it?"
"Nah, you know me. Places to go, animals to see." Nick grinned at him, drained the last of his beer and stood up.
Nick slapped Francine on the back, promising to get her round next week. As Nick left the bar, Clawhauser watched him with a sly grin. The cheetah hadn't failed to notice the fox's dejected demeanor before he interrupted him. Something Benny only ever saw on his fox friend when a certain fluffy tailed creature wasn't around.
Nick paused outside the bar, realizing he really didn't have anywhere to go that evening. He shoved his hands into his uniform pockets and decided to go home. As he walked the few blocks to his apartment, he realized he was walking by the Zootopia City Center Banquet Hall. The marquee to the grand building advertised the Bunny Society Dinner, beneath in smaller lettering read: In Honor of Officer Judy Hopps, Rabbit of the Year. Nick stopped and smiled.
His abrupt halt drew the attention of some of the many rabbits who were filing into the building. He saw one rabbit, dressed to the nines in an evening gown clutch her purse tighter to herself as she drew her escort's attention to the fox. This caused the smile to leave Nick's lips as he quickly started walking again. The last thing he needed was Judy catching him nearby, she may actually drag him inside!
As Nick finished the walk home, he decided that he shouldn't stay home and brood. Judy was spending the night with her species, he would spend his with his own. Yes, he would give Finnick a call and see if he and some of his other fox acquaintances would be down for a card game. It had been a while since they had last gotten together. "Yeah, that would be fun" Nick thought as he flipped open his phone to make the calls.