Chapter 9:

Finally

Nick and Judy were back on duty one lazy Thursday afternoon after Judy went back to work. There was literally nothing going on that day. They drove back and forth through Zootopia in their patrol car and found absolutely nothing of interest happening that day.

Nick propped his feet up on the dashboard and leaned back. "I don't think I've ever had a day this boring in my entire life."

Judy sighed. "I guess every day can't be filled with action and excitement. It would be really nice if something happened today."

Nick noticed they were about to drive past central park and got an idea. "How about we take a break?"

"It's not break time yet."

"Look around carrots, absolutely nothing is happening today. I think the world will forgive us if we take a thirty minute break. Pull over here and let's go for a walk."

So Judy pulled over the car and they got out. It was a warm and sunny day outside. The ducks were splashing in the lake, the squirrels were running up and down trees, and the birds flew overhead. Just a typical Zootopia day at the park. The two of them bought some ice cream from a stand and then they decided to take a walk around the lake.

"You know, this is actually really nice. We should take breaks like this more often," Judy said.

"See carrots, I told you I was right. You should listen to me more often," Nick said elbowing her.

Judy elbowed him back. "Maybe just this once sly fox." She looked up at him for a moment. His red hair blew in the light breeze, his green eyes were focused up ahead. She wasn't sure what it was but he looked very handsome that day.

He noticed her watching him. "What?"

She blushed and looked away. "Nothing."

He lifted her chin. "Looks like a whole lot of something to be nothing. Come on, tell me."

"I was just thinking that…" She didn't know what she could possibly say to cover it up and it made her blush even more. "That you're really handsome today."

He was surprised to hear her say that and it made him blush as well. "Well, you're always really beautiful."

"You really think I'm beautiful?"

"Why do you look so surprised?" He looked into her eyes seriously. "You're gorgeous. You always have been and you always will be."

A smile formed on her face. She was embarrassed but she was happy and relieved that Nick thought she was beautiful. She threw herself at him in a big hug. "Thank you Nick."

He hugged her back tightly. Then he looked into her eyes, such a beautiful vibrant shade of violet that entered his dreams every single night. She was beautiful, perfect, incredible. There was nothing more lovely than her and in that moment he wanted nothing more than her. "You're amazing Judy. Never forget that."

She brushed her fingers across the stubble on his cheek. "You are too." Why was she hugging him tighter, leaning closer to him? After trying to suppress feelings for him for so long and finally starting to come to terms with the fact that she loved him she was drawn to him.

They moved closer together. Their breath merged. Finally she felt his lips on hers. Soft and warm, he tasted like coffee and spearmint. They moved in sync together exploring this new sensation that neither realized just how much they wanted until now. His arms were around her waist holding her close to him. Her fingers tangled in his messy hair. They deepened their kiss needing more, needing as much of each other as they could get. The only reason they began to pull away was the lack of breath.

Their eyes were still locked noticing nothing but each other. In a way they were shocked that they had just done this, but they were also relieved. Relieved to have finally revealed their feelings for each other and to have finally done what they had wanted to do for so long.

Smiles began to form on both of their faces and they began to laugh out of sheer happiness. She hugged him tightly and then he kissed her again and again savoring every second of the feeling of her soft lips and the feeling of her perfect body against his.

After a few seconds they continued their walk.

"Nick?"

"Yeah sweet bunny?"

She blushed when he said that. He'd called her dumb bunny and sly bunny before, among countless other things, but never sweet bunny. She liked how it sounded. "Do you like-like me?"

Nick laughed. "What is this, kindergarten? Yes I like-like you. I've like-liked you for a long time."

"How long?"

"Since we did the predators case," he said thoughtfully. "I'll admit at first I thought you were annoying and in over your head, but you were so brave and smart...and damn beautiful. I couldn't help but like-like you."

She squeezed his hand. "I never would have thought you liked me for that long."

"Now you know." He guided her over to a bench to sit. Then he put his arm around her shoulders and put his forehead on hers. "So you tell me, when did you start to like-like me?"

"Around the same time," she said twisting her hair around her fingers nervously. "You were funny and handsome and brave. And I wanted to protect you and make sure you were okay. You just kinda grew on me."

He smirked. "We should have done this a lot sooner then."

"Well, it's okay that it happened now," she said running her fingers across his cheek. "It gave me more time to want you and get to know you and realize how much I really wanted to be with you."

Her words made him happy. It warmed his heart to hear how she felt about him and that she had felt it for so long. To love and be loved back was the greatest feeling in the world.