As the duo stepped into the city, Judy beamed.
"We're now in Zootopia."
"I know that, carrots," Nick said, rolling his eyes.
"Already giving nicknames, huh?" Judy said teasingly.
'I give nicknames to everyone, fluff," Nick said, smirking.
"Right. NICKnames." Judy said with a chuckle. Nick looked at her. Maybe she wasn't so bad after all.
"So, now that you have a stupid fox criminal in your hands, what are you gonna do with me?" Nick asked.
"I'll let you stay in my apartment, then I'll see what I can do to object to the collars," Judy said, smiling.
Suddenly, they heard footsteps from behind. Nick turned around, seeing a lamb holding a gun, charging towards Judy.
"Judy!"
Judy was too late. By the time she turned around, the bullet was already whizzing towards her head.
"Shit..." Judy expected herself to be dead already, but instead, she saw an orange fox lying in a pool of blood, with a bullet wound to his chest.
"NICK!" Judy screamed. She pulled out her tranquilizer gun and shot the lamb in the head. The lamb fell onto the ground, sleeping.
"Fuck... It hurts like hell... The collar is stinging me already..." Nick said, shivering and also spitting blood when speaking.
"Stay with me," Judy said, her voice shivering as well. "I'll bring you back to bunnyburrow."
Nick's head was spinning. "Bunnyburrow..?" was the only thing he could mutter before letting the pain engulf him.
"Urrgh..." Nick groaned as he got up. He looked around. He was in a large room with bunny wallpapers. "What the hell..."
A wave of bunnies was already swarming him. Before Nick knew it, he was struggling for air. Hundreds of bunnies were stepping on him.
"Hey, Mr. Fox! Do you have a car?"
"Do you like ice-cream?"
"What's your favourite colour?"
"KIDS! OFF!" A voice rang out. It was Stu.
"Awwww..." The kids groaned as they backed off.
Nick gulped. So he WAS in bunnyburrow.
"Hi, I assume you're Nick? Judy had told me everything about you when she brought you back..." Stu said, his voice still shivering a bit. He had a fear of foxes.
"Yes... I'm Nick Wilde," Nick said, smiling sincerely, offering his paw. Stu hesitated before shaking his hand. Nick sensed his fear.
"If you're afraid, I understand... I do look kinda intimidating," Nick said, trying not to sound hurt.
"I-I'm sorry..." Stu stammered. As he walked out of the room, he looked back and smiled.
"Thanks for saving my daughter."
Nick felt warm. "You're welcome," was the only thing he could think of saying. Just then, Judy burst through the door. She ran and hugged Nick.
"Nick! I'm so sorry... I-I didn't want you hurt..." Judy said in tears, stammering. Nick felt a lump in his throat.
"It-it's fine... I'm just glad that I managed to get you out unhurt." Nick said, voice quivering.
Judy was still crying. "I-I thought I would lose you, Nick... I know we only met 2 days ago, but I-I-" Judy covered her mouth.
Nick felt even warmer. He did like the bunny, that's for sure.
"Shh..." he cooed, comforting Judy. "I like you too." Judy smiled and wiped her tears.
"Hey, follow me," Judy said, pulling Nick up. Nick felt a sharp pain in his chest and groaned a bit.
"Whoops, sorry..." Judy apologized as she helped Nick to the house's basement.
"Okay okay... Stop here. What the hell are we doing here?" Nick asked, raising an eyebrow.
Before he knew it, he felt something. Something that could not be described in words. He felt free. Just, free. He looked down. The collar was gone. Judy had taken it off.
Nick actually felt happiness after so long. He went up and hugged Judy.
"How can a bunny like you ever trust a dumb fox... like me?" Nick said, eyes tearing up.
"Because you're special..." came the reply.
All of a sudden, Nick felt the world spinning, again.
