The Fox, the Bunny, and the Zootopia

File #07: Get A Workout!

So a friend of mine took a liking to Clawhauser because he is chubby. Then all of the sudden, we discussed about how Clawhauser became, well, that chubby. Based on that, I made this particular chapter.

Rey was standing aloof, eyes wandered to the corners while he wait. Usually he'll be hitting the Sunset at this time, but his morning schedule was messed up. It was an usual morning when his sniper rifle got shot by a ricocheting bullet from a fellow freshman. It was an accident, so Rey shouldn't get too upset because of that. But somewhat he wasn't in his usual mood today because of that.

The clock ticked to nine when Clawhauser handed him a file. "Here. It was here for a few days since no other officers are available," he said, explaining as he closed the other files he was working on.

Rey blinked as he snapped out from his mind. "Thanks," he took the file of the assignment he was given out just now from the chief but couldn't help but to notice something stuck between Clawhauser's collar and head. "Hey. You got something in your, in your . . ." he gestured with his paw over his collar while Clawhauser just stood there while trying to find out what Rey meant.

After his paw touched the thing, he pulled it out, turned to be a chocolate donut. "So that's where it disappeared to. Hahaha!" then he ate it soon after.

Rey grimaced when he actually started to notice Clawhauser's body, which is outta shape. Not to mention those cheeks. Okay, it might be very insulting to say that, but he felt Clawhauser would want to at least aware of his condition. "Hmm. Ben, no offense but, you don't do workouts?"

Clawhauser suddenly stopped eating and gulped. "No." Then he sighed. "I know what you think. I'm just a fat donut-loving cop."

Now that was what Rey was afraid would happen. "Okay. I'm not going to deny that, but you know, you could at least try to lessen your weight?" He said raising both paws and shoulders. "You're a cop, Ben. Cops are supposed to be reliable and fit for action."

"I also think of that years ago. But I dropped it." he sighed as he pushed away the cereal box near him. "I'm a dispatcher that doubles as a receptionist, what do I do beside talking to visitors and sending reinforcements that requires muscle power?"

Rey stopped to think, hummed as he do so. "Well, it wouldn't hurt to have a ready for action officer in need when someone breaks into the ZPD, right?"

Clawhauser chuckled. "Not that there's someone that got guts to do that, anyway."

"Ugh," Rey snickered as he failed to convince Clawhauser to get a work out.

Shortly after, Nick and Judy came in, each sipping a glass of tea. "Rey, we didn't see you at the Sunset." Nick mentioned as the cafe was pretty much felt empty when that feline wasn't there even though it was crowded.

Rey sighed too, knowing that he couldn't make it to the cafe because he had to repair his rifle. "Sorry. My rifle was damaged so I had to fix it. The next thing I knew it was eight," he said, putting a paw behind his head.

"So, you have your assignment?" Judy asked, looking at the folder in Rey's paw.

"Pretty much," he said as he opened it up. "Search for an antelope kid by the name of Defrah Rose." Nick and Judy looked at each other as Rey grimaced. "I'm assigned to babysit a kid? Come on!"

Nick chuckled. "It's destiny."

Judy couldn't help but to grin as Rey frowned at Nick. "By the way, what were you to talking about?" she said as he looked at Clawhauser.

"I told Clawhauser to get some workout but he doesn't seem to listen to my reasons." Clawhauser just shrugged.

"Whaaat?" Nick said weirdly, earning the three's confused look. "That's already your long lasting problem, Ben," he said, bringing both paws to the sides. "But it won't hurt to have a workout, right?"

Clawhauser was about to answer but Judy beat him by scoffing immediately. "Like you do," sarcastically she said.

Nick narrowed his eyes. "I do. Why do you think I'm still slender? I know some fat foxes, if I'm to give some names." he said, proving his point by pointing at himself. "You wouldn't count Rey because his fur is too dense to judge his physical appearance." Judy just nodded in understanding. "Take a day off, Ben. Tell Bogo Nick's taking you for a workout." The fox then proceeded to rent a car.

It was nine and a half and Nick stood beside a tree not far from his house, all fresh with his white-lined light blue sweat pants and shirt jogging by the edge of a round pond. He stopped when he notice two certain figures wearing the same clothes as him. On his right was Judy in a similar clothes with the curvy white lines on the torso distinct it from Nick's while on his left was Clawhauser with a tiger-size clothes, already panting even though he hadn't actually take a run yet.

Nick chuckled when he see Clawhauser struggling to keep a straight stance. "I can't believe you actually manage to convince me to do workouts," Clawhauser said, shooting Nick a disbelieving stare. "Not to mention a workout this far from the city at this time."

"It's still morning to me." Nick snickered. "Don't worry, Ben, I'll make sure you'll return to your slim form in enough time," he said casually, crossing his arms.

Judy was eager to start jogging as she repeatedly step her feet to the ground, waiting for Nick's command to start jogging. Both Nick and Clawhauser peered at her spirit. While Nick just shook his head at his partner's usual passion, Clawhauser actually thought about Judy's passion's origin, as she rarely seen without it. Every single day.

Clawhauser stood as straight as he could. When he noticed that Nick is waiting for his word, he took a jogging stance. "Ready!"

"Go."

All three started jogging along the dirt road. At first, Nick and Judy were giving their best jogging speed into effect, but when they see Clawhauser struggling to keep up, they slowed down and matched their pace in order to keep cheering Clawhauser. The cheetah wasn't bad himself. Nick once thought that with that body, Clawhauser would go a walking speed, but well whaddya know, he actually capable of jogging in a considerable speed. Judy thought that it was because Clawhauser was a cheetah.

It was easy and hard to cheer for Clawhauser at the same time. Clawhauser kept slowing down, probably because of his obese body, but that didn't stop Judy nor Nick to cheer him up and telling him to keep up with the pace.

Nick set up a pretty neat course throughout the grass plains. They continued jogging until they met a river and went along its bends, maneuvering between some trees. There even rock formations that had very high probability that they were arranged by someone rather than natural cause. Then they encountered a series of training courses that range from stepping stones to wall climbing. All passed by the cops easily, although Clawhauser had some difficulties navigating through the varying obstacles. He was getting the hang of it.

They were nearing the bridge where Nick's house was and stopped moving when Clawhauser drops onto his knees panting, sucking gallons of air as he did. Nick just smirked as he panted while he bowed, his paws held onto his knees to support his body while Judy lied flat on the ground spreading her limbs.

Nick went ahead inside while Judy and Clawhauser sat onto the sides of the dried river. He emerged not long after holding a bottle of mineral water in one paw and two in another. "So," he said, dropping his butt beside Judy while looking at his two friends. "How did it feel?" he said while handing the two each a bottle.

Judy grabbed her bottle in a flash. "Terrific," she said before drinking a few gulps before, like Nick, turning her sight to Clawhauser, who already drank half of his bottle.

"It feels good to move my body like that," he said between breaths.

Nick had a paw to support his chin. "Then it wouldn't hurt to do this once a week."

Clawhauser, who was drinking again, splutter his water as he choked in surprise. "Once a week?" he exclaimed, gazing at the fox, who put his mischievous grin again. "For real?"

"Fine by me," Judy commented, peering at him as she did.

Clawhauser immediately narrowed his eyes at the bunny. "That's because you do this thrice a week!" he said, remembering how many times he see Judy coming to the department, sometimes along with Nick and although it was morning, they were as bright and fresh as iced tea.

Nick opened his bottle. "You'd want to get used to it, Ben." Nick peered at the cheetah.

Clawhauser turned his head upon the sky as he realized that he couldn't avoid this two small annoying cops, each with their own trait to be annoyed with. Three if you count Rey in, as Clawhauser saw the three together more often since Bogey-One operation, not to mention Rey's the most annoying out of the three. Although he wasn't too different from Judy's case.

The fox and the bunny each walked behind him from two sides, holding each of Clawhauser's shoulders, cocking an insanely frightening mischievous grin on their faces and shining eyes full of malice. As soon as their paws touched Clawhauser's shoulders, he felt a shiver down his spine as the duo opened their mouth to say something.

"Don't worry. We will make sure you don't skip any workout schedule."

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" Clawhauser shouted upon the sapphire blue sky in agony.

I do think that Clawhauser only need a push to actually make him do workouts, especially with that body of his. I mean, he can eat much, but that also means he also have to balance it out with somehow. He is the first officer you'll meet when you come to ZPD. And it would be nice to have a ready-for-action officer stationed in the front, right?

Overall he's my third favorite character from Zootopia, pretty much for that personality of his and the fact that he's a cat, a cheetah.