Diamond in the Rough
Chapter 9: Roofie Rescue
Judy stared at Nick's text. Had he just admitted that she had actually captivated him? Did Nick Wilde just admit to having… feelings for a bunny? Judy couldn't help but blush at the thought that Nick had found her performance intriguing. She almost enjoyed the thought that he might… be attracted to her. Her heart thumped as she composed a text.
I'd rather be wrapped around you;) She backspaced the text.
Well, I don't care about the audience, the only attention that mattered was yours ;) She stared at the text. She added, Goodnight, Sly Fox! And hit send. There was no going back now.
….
Nick rubbed his eyes and re-read the message, making sure his eyes weren't deceiving him. His heart swelled when he saw that his initial reading was correct. A smile broke out on his face. A wave of happiness warmed throughout his body. Judy had done it. Nick forgot his thoughts of a fox and bunny being doomed. She had admitted she cared for him! There was nothing stopping them from- the case. Nick and Judy couldn't really act on their feelings until the case was closed.
Or could they?
…
Judy hadn't heard back from Nick after the text she had sent last night. She also had only briefly seen him that day when she watched his tail disappear into Victor's lounge. Judy was sitting at the bar with Jynx and Candy. Jynx was sitting on the lap of a Lion. Judy tried not to notice that the Lion's tail was up Jynx's miniskirt, not so subtly wiggling. Candy, on the other hand, was gracefully eating some pineapple chunks. Judy was caught between the two, with a glass of water in front of her. Jynx let out a low growl.
"Shall we head back to my place again?" The lion whispered in Jynx's ear.
"Uh-uh, Baby! We're goin' to my place, I just got a new toy I think we'll really like!" Jynx snarled. The lion's tail dropped and the two proceeded to practically chase each other out the door. Judy cursed her heightened hearing, and pushed her cup a little further from her.
"Don't worry, it's not your hearing, those two don't know how to keep quiet. I would know, he's my neighbor!" Candy explained. "Also," she said pointing to Judy's glass, "It's not something in the water here, the only thing Jynx drinks here is alcohol. If you value your values, never order the Jynx!" Each Vixen had a drink named after them at the bar, except for Judy. She decided to document the drinks in her notebook later, in case they hinted at clues.
…..
Nick exited Victor's VIP section, and headed towards the bar. He saw Judy sitting there watching as a lion ran off with the lynx dancer. But what Judy wasn't seeing, was the gazelle dancer dropping something into Judy's drink. Nick hurried over.
"Isobel Forester! Is that you?" Nick said loudly, causing Judy to turn and look at him, baffled. The Gazelle looked pissed. Nick grabbed Judy and pulled her into a hug of old friends. "The gazelle dropped something into your drink, I'm getting you out of here." He whispered. Judy lightly squeezed his shoulder in acknowledgement and pulled away from the hug.
"Nate Padden! I haven't seen you since high school!" Judy played her role. "How have you been? Oh, Candy, this is Nate, my high school boyfriend." Candy huffed.
"I've been better, I just got a job here, but seeing you has really lifted my spirits!" Nick proceeded to flirt with Judy, and Judy flirted back. "What do you say we head to my place and catch up some more?" Nick offered.
"Nate, I would absolutely love to, see you tomorrow Candy!" Judy got up from the bar, and left with Nick, his left arm around her waist, keeping her safe. Nick called a cab and the two of them kept up their act until safely inside Nick's apartment.
…
Judy's jaw dropped.
"Nick, you live here?" She exclaimed, staring in awe at the starry skyline. Nick answered all the questions she had.
"Why did you never respond to that text? Did I take it too far? I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable…" Judy asked after everything had been explained. Nick looked at Judy, baffled.
"The text? Oh, I fell asleep after reading it." Nick shrugged.
"oh" Judy's voice sounded small. Nick stepped towards her and lightly rested his paws on her shoulder.
…..
Judy looked up at him with glittering purple eyes.
"Carrots, I fell asleep because your text made me so overwhelmed with joy." Judy blinked in surprise. "When I saw that text, my heart nearly leaped out of my chest. I have had feelings for you ever since that day you asked me to help with the night-howler case. I have been telling myself that you would never go for a fox, and that it would never happen, but when you sent that text, I could hardly contain my happiness. Judy Hopps, I am in love with you! You never leave my thoughts." Nick looked down at her. She stood there speechless. "Oh, God. I'm sorry Judy, I didn't mean to…ugh I misunderstood, I'm so so- "Nick was cut off by Judy grabbing the sides of his face and pressing her lips to his. Nicks eyes were wide with shock, but he closed his eyes and all his worries melted away as he wrapped his arms around her waist. The kiss was soft and delicate, but full of emotion. It only lasted 3 seconds, but it felt like an eternity. Judy pulled her head back, and Nick hesitated before opening his eyes, savoring the moment.
"I love you too" Judy said to him with a smile, and eyes full of love. Nicks heart swelled. He pulled Judy into his arms, wrapping her in an embrace. The rest was all a blur. A few kisses. A lot of talking and laughing. Then Nick was laying in his bed, face to face with the beautiful bunny in his arms. Judy was looking up at him, the stars reflecting in her enchanting eyes.
"Goodnight sweetheart" Nick whispered to her. She smiled and snuggled into him, closing her eyes. Nick gazed lovingly at the sleeping bunny in his arms. He smiled as he drifted off to sleep. Nick Wilde you are one lucky bastard.
A/N So rather than make the chapter extra long like I said, I decided to give you guys this treat instead. Hope you enjoyed!