After talking with Judy, he felt the burning pain easing down and was able to get a few hours of sleep. Those hours of sleep seemed to go quickly, as he soon woke up to the sound of Judy getting ready for work at around 5:45 am.

He weakly used his noodle arms to push himself up into a sitting position. He then stretched and let out a yawn.

Judy noticed and put her paw over her mouth, "Oh shit, sorry, did I wake you up? I tried not to since you're not going to work today."

Nick yawned again and rubbed his eyes. He blinked his eyes several times until his vision became clear again.

Nick said, "Don't worry about it, I should be awake now anyways. I want to catch Finnick before he goes off for a scam."

She pointed at the coffee maker, "I prepared you some coffee, I figured you need it for your big day. Don't worry there's at least 4 cups."

He glanced at the very full coffee maker, "You know me so well Carrots."

"Unfortunately," she grinned. He smirked back at her.

He managed to escape the warm, enticing covers on his bed and head over to the coffee maker. He poured himself a coffee into his bunny mug and started sipping it. He watched as Judy stared at her standing mirror, taking a few minutes, like she does every morning, to ensure that her police uniform was at utmost perfection.

After she was done, she turned around to face him and asked, "How do I look?"

"Like always, you look perf...oh wait, what's that on your right cheek?"

Judy started looking at the mirror again, "Huh?"

Nick rushed to her and planted a kiss on her right cheek.

After he pulled back, she smiled and rolled her eyes, "That was so damn cheesy, you would make a perfect mouse."

Nick leaned down to her eye level, "You know you love me."

She teased, "Ehh, maybe a little."

He rolled his eyes and kissed her in the forehead. Giggles escaped from her mouth.

Nick then said, "You remember what to say to the chief?"

"Nick is sick, blah blah blah, he's a wimp blah blah blah, he won't be here for a few days. Yeah I got it slick."

She winked at him.

She then looked at her watch, "Oh shoot, I better get going!"

She gave Nick a quick kiss on the cheek, "Bye!"

Before he even had a chance to wave goodbye, she ran out and slammed the door behind her. He shrugged and faced the coffeemaker again.

Well time to finish the rest of this coffee.

Nick had finished every drop of coffee, showered, dried and brushed his fur, and put on his usual green button up, red tie, and brown slacks. He felt the caffeine starting to work its magic and felt somewhat awake.

With his mental capacity slowly returning, he tried thinking of a good apology to Finnick. However, each one he came up with seemed worse than the one before. This gave the opportunity for the little voice inside him to start casting some doubts into him, making him think that this whole plan was going to be a disaster. Almost right away, he started feeling the burning pain in his heart, and it was stronger than ever.

He knelt down on the ground, his paw pressing against his chest.

God, the pain, it hurts.

Nick managed to climb onto his bed and curl up next to a pillow. Sweat flowed down his head as he repeatedly took deep breaths until the pain subsided. He let out a sigh of relief with the pain gone for now. He was also left behind a stronger sense of determination.

No I got to do this, I gotta do this for me, and more importantly, I gotta do this for Finnick. No holding back.

With this new mindset, he was ready to go.

Nick got on the bus to go to the alleyway where Finnick normally parked his van.

Ugh this is so much worse than the police cruiser.

The bus was packed, mammals trying to get to work and the homeless trying to get a nap session in the seats. He rolled his eyes and found a spot where he was able to hold onto a handle by a seat. He looked out the window and let his mind drift into the past.

-3.5 YEARS AGO-

"I thought you were going to find two twin-sized mattresses, one for each one of us." Finnick said angrily, an annoyed look plastered on his face.

Nick, panting, laid the queen-sized mattress onto the back of the van.

Nick took a few moments to catch his breath. He looked up at Finnick and saw no mercy from his glare. With all his patience gone from looking for a decent mattress, he found himself getting exponentially annoyed with Finnick by the second.

Nick snapped, "You know, I would think my partner would at least be a little fucking grateful that I carried this mattress all the way from the fucking dump."

"And I thought my partner would come through with the tasks that he fucking assigned himself," Finnick snapped back.

"Well this is the only one I could find!"

"Well try harder!"

"I'm not fucking going out there again! Stop being a fucking shithead and just deal with it!"

Finnick stared down Nick and growled. Nick crossed his arms and glared back with the same ferocity.

Their staring contest lasted ten seconds before Finnick muttered, "Fine, whatever," and went to the driver's seat.

Nick waited for the satisfaction that usually came with winning over another mammal. It never came. Instead he just felt this irritating, burning feeling in his heart. A feeling that he knew that won't go away until he found two twin-sized mattresses. He looked at back of the driver's seat and saw Finnick's ear peek out on top. He felt his whole body ache and his heart's desire to go back to the dump grew and grew. He tried to resist it but it was to no avail. His heart was persistent.

He clenched his fists and muttered, "Goddamnit," before he stormed off towards the dump.

-6 HOURS LATER-

Nick walked back to the van, just a block away. He searched long and hard all over the dump for two twin-sized mattresses. There just simply wasn't any. He hung his head low and his tail dragged along the ground. He felt defeated. He was a little surprised to feel very strongly about this. He never had a failure that he couldn't just brush off a few minutes afterwards. The only thing that was different was that Finnick was involved. He briefly wondered what that meant, but then he saw he was already back at the van.

He knocked on the back of the van and Finnick opened it.

"Where the fuck have you been?!" Finnick snarled.

"Trying to find two fucking mattresses for you," Nick growled back. Nick clenched his eyes, expecting to hear a tirade of anger from Finnick. He didn't. He looked up and was surprised to see a shocked expression on Finnick's face.

"You... actually went back?" Finnick asked.

"Yeah," Nick said quietly.

Finnick started rubbing his left elbow, "Oh. You didn't have to."

Nick put his paws in his pockets and kicked a pebble on the ground, "Nah, it's fine. I felt like I should've. And I'm willing to try again tomorrow."

Finnick said, "Oh, well don't, because..." He swung open the door to reveal the back of the van. The queen-sized mattress was set at the very middle of the back of the van with a clean bed sheet on top. There were two sets of blankets and pillows opposite of each other on top of the mattress.

Nick's eyes gaped open and his jaw dropped.

When Nick finally recollected himself, he said, "Wow...wow... I thought-"

Finnick interrupted, "I was...an asshole to you. After our argument, I walked around, feeling angry at myself, and I came across an alleyway with a bunch of linens hanging on clothesline. So I stole them."

Finnick looked down, feeling embarrassed.

Nick on the other hand blushed and felt that same burning sensation again, though calmer than before.

After a few seconds of silence, Nick finally chuckled, "Wow…you're, you're great Finnick."

Finnick started laughing and rolled his eyes, "Hey gotta do what I gotta do to get a decent bed."

"You got that right."

-PRESENT-

Nick got off the bus at his stop and started heading to Finnick's usual spot for his van nearby. His heart pounded as he got closer and closer. Adrenaline rushed through his veins. It wasn't just the nerves, it was excitement. For the first time in what seemed like forever, he was going to see Finnick. All he had to do was turn right into the alley and…

What the fuck?

The alley was completely empty except for the dumpster at the end of it and some scattered litter. Nick checked his phone.

It's only 7:06 in the morning. Finnick wouldn't do a con this early, would he?

Nick also noticed the ground was devoid of any tire tracks.

His van hasn't been here for months. What's going on? Where's Finnick?

Once again, he started to feel that small, incessant voice telling him to let go of this plan, that there was no point, that he was undeserving of seeing Finnick. However, Nick was able to ignore it, as he was still focused on his goal.

He placed his paw under his chin, at a lost of what to do. His whole day revolved around meeting Finnick here, so this put quite a damper on his plans.

After some thought, he reasoned that Finnick might have moved his van to another location. There was nothing unusual about finding a new place to live, Nick certainly did. However, there was one constant in Zootopia, and that was the best spots to scam unsuspecting civilians. He was sure that Finnick would be at one of those spots. So he walked out of the alleyway, and hurried to the first spot he could think of.

After a 25 minute walk, Nick was at the outer parts of downtown Zootopia, around where Jumbeaux's Cafe, the elephant ice cream shop, was located. This spot was one of Nick and Finnick's favorites to con mammals. The mammals around this area tend to have a lot of money and be more gullible. The perfect crowd for the perfect scam. As Nick walked around the area, he passed by the ice cream shop. Seeing the elephants enjoying their ice cream reminded him of memory involving an elephant onesie.

3 YEARS AGO

Nick handed the elephant onesie to Finnick, "We gotta make sure it fits you."

Finnick's eyes winced, "Are you sure we absolutely need this?

He gave Finnick a sly grin, "I'm positive."

Finnick groaned as he grabbed it from Nick and started putting it on.

Nick was sufficiently entertained as he watched Finnick grumble while putting on the onesie. Once Finnick buttoning up the onesie he said sarcastically, "Ta-da, I'm a fucking elephant."

"A handsome elephant indeed," Nick teased.

Finnick looked at Nick angrily and raised his fist. Nick held up his paws, beckoning Finnick to calm down. Nick thought Finnick looked perfect in the elephant onesie, but he wasn't quite done yet.

"You need to put on the hoodie Finnick."

Finnick's eyes widened, "What!? Now? My ears are going to get fucking cramped inside this thing."

"Come on Finnick," Nick said with fake impatience.

Finnick snarled and put on the hood. He now looked like a full fledged "baby" fox in a cute elephant onesie and Nick loved it. Nick thought it was absolutely adorable, except for the exasperated eyes.

"Finnick, I can see the anger in your eyes."

"Well shit, I wonder why."

"Dude come on, if you cooperate, you can take it off faster."

Finnick let out an overexaggerated sigh and muttered, "Fucking asshole."

He closed his eyes, then like magic, the anger in his eyes were gone, and all Nick could see was the pure innocence of a kid in them.

Nick was taken back by how adorable it was. He was impressive how incredible Finnick's acting talents were. Before he knew it, the anger returned to Finnick's eyes.

"Are we done yet?"

"Not quite yet."
"What else do I have to fucking do? Stick peanuts in my ass and shoot them out of my fucking trunk?"

"That would be impressive if you could, but no. You have to give me a toot toot."

"A what?"

Nick acted out pulling down a train's horn, "A toot toot."

Finnick crossed his arms, "How the fuck am I supposed to do that."

"All you have to do is blow into the trunk."

"If I do this am I done?"

Nick's put his paw on his chest, "Scout's honor."

Finnick rolled his eyes. He took a deep breath and out came a loud toot toot.

Nick could almost cry from the adorable toots.

"It's perfect! Everything's perfect! Good job, kiddo!"

Major props to Finnick for being so will-

Finnick walked up to Nick and kicked his left shin.

Scratch that.

Nick hopped from the pain, "Ow! Jeez! What the shit?"

"That's what you fucking get for making me wear this," Finnick said as he started unbuttoning his onesie.

Nick sat down and started rubbing his shin. He could see as Finnick took off his onesie, it revealed Finnick's sweaty fur and shirt.

Finnick grunted, "Ah shit."

Finnick quickly took off his shirt and threw it away, giving Nick a full view of his bulging pecs, the outlines of his abs, and his strong biceps and triceps.

Nick felt his fur standing, heart pounding, and his cheeks warming up.

What? Why is my body doing this?

Finnick looked up at Nick. Nick found himself going stiff and giving a nervous smile. He raised an eyebrow, and then disappeared into the front of the van, looking for a new shirt. Nick let out a sigh of relief as he felt his body return to normal.

That was... weird.

-PRESENT-

Nick rubbed his chin in confusion, "I was so sure Finnick would be here, but I don't see him anywhere." Nick suddenly started feeling a new sensation in his heart; it felt cold and sharp.

Maybe he doesn't want to be found by me. He was always so good to us, was I ever good to him?

He felt chills going down his spine and did his best to ignore this new feeling and the thoughts that came with it.

I can't give up, there's still one more place we can still check.

With his own encouragement, he headed off to the next location.

He got off the bus at a stop on the other side of downtown of Zootopia. Right in front of him was Lemmings Brother Bank, where they sold pawsicles right outside of it. He saw a line of lemmings scurrying their way back into the office. He smiled and headed to his right, continuing his search for Finnick. Seeing those tiny bankers reminded him of another memory.

2.5 YEARS AGO

"Another day, another scam done," Nick said happily. Nick and Finnick were at a bench at Central Park, enjoying some pawpsicles from a nearby fox-friendly ice cream store.

Finnick grunted in agreement.

They sat in silence, with the only sounds coming from the licking and slurping of their pawpsicles. They reached a point in their friendship where silence between them was not unwelcome, though sometimes for Finnick, very welcome.

When Nick was nearing halfway done with his pawpsicle, two lemmings bankers passed by them, chattering about the stock market. Nick felt a darkness overtake him as his whole body slump and lowered his popsicle away from his muzzle. His ears dropped and he stared at the ground. A certain memory he hadn't thought about for a long time was coming back to him. He felt himself sinking more into the darkness when he heard Finnick.

"The fuck is wrong with you?"

"Huh what?" Nick said, startled.

"You've been staring at the ground for like 5 minutes, what's wrong?"

He'll think it's stupid, there's no reason to tell him.

Nick smiled brightly, "Oh, uh nothing. Just admiring the fine cementwork of this park. Top notch quality I must say."

Finnick narrowed his eyes and crossed his arms, "Don't give me that fucking bullshit, what's wrong?"

Nick looked at the Finnick. He saw the chronically angry face that Finnick always puts out in public, but he could see that behind that mask was a concerned friend that wanted to help. Nick felt his heart fluttering. He quickly placed his paw on his chest and looked down, surprised. He looked back at Finnick, and once again his heart fluttered until it settled into a comfortable warmth.

"Nick?"

Nick chuckled, "Heh, nothing's wrong, I just didn't expect a fox who calls me a dumbass in a shitton of ways to care."

Finnick stood up on the bench, an exasperated look on his face. He pulled Nick's collar, bringing his face close to his. Nick's heart skipped a beat. He found this moment strangely scary but thrilling at the same time.

"God, how the fu-, dude, we've been partners for years. I don't know about you, but that means something to me. It means at the very least, we watch out for each other and we have each other's backs. I swear to god, if you don't tell me what's wrong, I'm going to fucking grab your pawpsicle and stab you in the eye with it."

Intimidated, Nick slowly moved his pawpsicle away from Finnick.

Finnick's face relaxed and his eyes softened, "Don't you trust me?"

Nick felt his heart skip a beat once again, then heating up like it was near a fireplace. He liked the feeling, a lot.

With a sad smile, Nick said, "Of course I do. There's no one I trust more than you dude. There's just certain things in the past that are too painful for me to remember."

Finnick replied quietly, "Yeah dude, I understand. I have some like that too. I'm sor-"

Nick interrupted, "But you're right, we have each other's backs and we watch out for each other." Nick then paused before he continued, "So, here it is. Seeing those lemmings reminded me of a stupid dream I used to have. But it's fine, I'm pretty much over it."

He looked away from Finnick, feeling ashamed.

Finnick placed a comforting paw on Nick's shoulder, "You don't have to hide it, I know it still hurts. Pain like that….it doesn't go away easily."

Nick stammered, "I…"

"I know how to read mammals, especially you."

"You don't have to know this, it'll just be a burden."

"Nick," Finnick said compellingly. Finnick had a reassuring look on his face, making Nick blush. For a small fennec fox, Finnick sure had the ability to make Nick want to shrink into a tiny speck of dust sometimes. It made Nick very confused why he was feeling like this.

"You're not a burden to me Nick. Yeah you're stupid and your scams are sometimes annoying, but you're not a burden to me. Ever."

Nick was touched by Finnick's snarky but comforting words, but he was also feeling the full blast of this painful memory as well. He placed his paw on top of Finnick's on his shoulder, and placed it back on Finnick's lap. He then scooted a little away from Finnick, needing some space to think this over. Finnick, looking hurt by the retraction, sat back at his side of the couch, looking down with his arms crossed.

After a long pause, Nick said, "God this is so stupid. But seeing those lemmings, it reminded me of how I wanted to own an amusement park called Wilde Times."

"Wilde Times?"

"Yeah! I mean of course it had the standard rides like the ferris wheel, merry go rounds, and roller coasters, stuff like that. But it would also have attractions based on a species' historical roots. Like there would be a mud pool for pigs and a track with a moving target for the cheetahs to chase. I thought it was one of my best ideas. But…"

Nick paused, looking down at the ground. Finnick stayed quiet, waiting for Nick to continue.

After a good ten seconds, Nick continued, "Well for a project this big, of course I needed a loan. You need money to start the whole operation. I had the whole schematics and logistics ready to present to the bankers. So I went to the Lemmings Brothers and presented this idea to them. And well, they told me straight up it was a horrible idea, and laughed me out of the building. I should've listened to them, but nope I was stubborn, and went more banks. Each one, I was rejected for a loan. It took me 10 banks to realize that...this dream will always just be a dream.

Nick gave Finnick a sly grin.

"And that's how I became the sly fox I am today. My ideas are no good to bring joy and fun to mammals, but they're good to scam them out of their money."

Nick took a deep breath and felt his body settling better. The sting from the disappointment from the memory was still there, but it didn't feel as heavy on him anymore.

"I don't think it's a stupid dream."

Nick rolled his eyes and smirked, "Thanks."

"No, I mean there's nothing stupid about dreaming big. I never would've come up with a dream like that, I always thought...you know, crime was the only thing I could do. But you...you thought otherwise and even if that didn't work out, that's ok. Because I know you'll come up with another great idea and you'll find other ways to break barriers. I guess I'm trying to say is...I believe in you.

Nick felt his tail wagging furiously as his cheeks warmed up.

"Thanks Finnick….thanks for having my back. But like I said, it doesn't matter now, I'm happy where we are now, being a sly fox and all, and with you as my partner and...well my best buddy."

Finnick smiled at him. He looked at down and his eyes narrowed.

He said, "Your pawpsicle is fucking melting."

Nick looked down at his pawpsicle and saw it dripping onto his slacks.

"Shit."

-PRESENT-

We watch out for each other...We have each other's back...I didn't do that…

The cold, sharp feeling inside his heart grew stronger as Nick felt this crushing guilt from that memory.

I am utter shit.

While he was disappointed he couldn't find Finnick here, a small part of him was glad that he didn't.

He'll never want to see me. Maybe I should just give up. He hates me, why ruin his day by finding him.

With this place being the last spot where they had scams, Nick could only think of one more place that Finnick might be. Unfortunately, he couldn't seem to find the motivation to do so. Both his mind and heart were bombarding him with reasons not to do so anymore. He lost the will.

I should give up, there's no point in this anymore.

However, the burning pain he felt earlier this morning shot through his heart. Nick gasped in pain and collapsed onto his knees. He clenched his chest in hopes it would go away soon. It did. The pain subsided into a comfortable warmth, like from a candle. It fought back the cold, sharp pain he was having earlier, enough for him to muster the will to check one more place.

Can't give up just yet, just got one more place to go to.

And so Nick got onto the bus, and headed to his next destination: The Vulpines.