Judy Hopps took a deep breath, letting the summer air fill her lungs to the point she thought she might explode. Summer was her favourite time of the year, where the flowers had blossomed and declared their colourful lives to the world. Grass was fresh, a blissful smell of openness and freedom. She remembered when she was a kitten, running through the fields near her home, racing her siblings and friends. She remembered how the warm, lusciously green grass felt between her paws. At that age, she ran on all fours, running so fast she used to think she could take off flying.

Back then it was blissful, open, real.

Now she was looking out on the landscape beyond Zootopia, past the noisy traffic and the loud, endless hustle and bustle of the city's residents. She loved her life there, of course she did, but that didn't mean she never missed the life she had had once before.

The urge to run even now was relentless, the twist in her powerful thighs so hard to resist. That was the perk of her job, being an officer. It involved lots of running, lots of leaping and bounding and being everything that she was, but when there was no crime to solve and no bandits to catch, there was nothing but longing.

Many still laughed at her for being a cop. It was the ears, the fluff-ball of a tail, the huge eyes; so many were yet to take her seriously. It frustrated her, and understandably so. What would it take for her life to not be a joke? What lengths did she have to go to in order to gain the respect she deserved? It was at times like this, when the doubt of who she was began to poison her mind, that she just wished she could run away from it all and never look back.

"Hey, Carrot, whatcha' doing?" came the rolling voice of her best friend, Nick Wilde. He spoke so coolly, not having a care in the world, his eyelids half way shut with the sly laziness only a fox would have. He looked bored a lot of the time, much to Judy's amusement, for she knew all to well what a truly calculated, clever fox he was.

He was tapping away idly at his phone, though she was never really sure who he was talking to. Maybe it was all for show, but she hardly minded. Once he was next to her, he tucked the device away into his trouser pocket and smiled at her fondly. His sunglasses rested on the top of his head, his tie loose around his neck, so cool and nonchalant yet smart all at the same time. His green eyes were judging, already trying to look into her mind to figure out what she was thinking, but to no avail. She did as she always did; beamed her best smile at him and asked how his day went.

Both of them had had the day off, and while they'd met up for coffee that morning, they'd departed to attend errands. Or, at least, Nick did; Judy had had a very lonely day. But she would never admit that. Nick had a life far more expanded than hers, with many other animals he knew and socialised with, whilst all she had was her family who were at home in Bunnyburrow. She refused to be the one to hold him back from living his life apart from her just out of pity.

However, this time, he saw past her bright smile and enthusiastic voice. Much to her annoyance, Nick knew her better than anyone else, which meant he knew when she was fibbing.

"What's wrong?" he asked her, his eyes fully opening yet looking tender.

Damn you, Nick, she thought furiously, and closed her eyes in defeat. She flopped to the floor, weaving the thin grass through her paws, taking in yet another deep breath. Nick joined her, staring at her, waiting patiently. Judy let her ears droop in defeat as she leaned against her friend, letting him put his arm around her waist to tug her closer into a side hug.

She looked out into the distance again, remembering her childhood once more, when everything had seemed so much easier.

"You know what? Don't tell me, I'm quite happy enjoying the last of the sun. Can't have bunny tears, now can we?" Nick joked, winking at her, and secretly telling her that he knew she didn't have to tell him anything she didn't want to. She was grateful, sighing in relief.

She smirked when he retrieved his phone once more, catching a glimpse of his lock screen; a photo of them, pulling silly faces at the camera, Judy on his back and leaning over his head, pushing an eye shut but Nick's grin didn't waver. It was such a simple photo, so innocent and playful, but the reality and depth behind it made her heart ache.

How had they managed this? How did they become so close, a rabbit and a fox? Zootopia or not, she knew that many thought it was weird, unnatural. But they were best friends; bound together through circumstances neither of them could have comprehended. She, a rabbit, had trusted him wholeheartedly enough to act out a violence act. She'd let him corner her, pretend to be the predator nature wanted him to be, doing the very thing he was born to do. His teeth had been so close to her face, her neck, that she could smell his breath, warm and laboured, and yet she was never once afraid. Not even for a second.

That defied nature.

They were a bizarre pair, she knew that, but she would never dream of changing it. Nick was a part of her, and she was a part of him. Partners in the law, best friends never seen before. The beginning of a strange era, maybe.

"Want to get a milkshake? I could really use a milkshake." Was all she murmured after a few moments of peaceful silence, marvelling in the warmth of the sun and the steady breathing of Nick beside her.

His glasses had fallen over his eyes, and he used a single claw to lift them up slightly.

"Will that cheer you up?"

"Absolutely."

"Then what are we waiting for?" he smiled, pulling her to her feet. "I'll drive."

"Dibs on the playlist choice!" she declared, and before he could respond his no doubt outraged response of protest, she was bolting for his car, easily outrunning him and his disgusted cries. She found herself laughing, and unknown to her, Nick was grinning too.

From the shadows, lurking in a distasteful manner, a newcomer was finding herself becoming annoyed. She could see the well-known duo strolling into some kind of evening café, laughing and babbling away about utter nonsense. The fox opened the door and allowed the rabbit to step through first, oh, how gentlemanly. That little rat should have been the one cowering away from the door to let him through, not bouncing along in glee as he followed, fondly rolling his eyes.

Ffion Hunt was a vixen that lived to her species expectations. A fox, her fur a stunning red and white, smooth and shimmering, her tail groomed and perfect as it swayed side to side in frustration. She and Nick Wilde had crossed paths before, but she did not remember him as this. Back that, he'd been a hustler, a skilled one at that, who took no nonsense from anyone. And now he was hopping with the rabbits and a happy, completely ludicrous world.

Eyes on the bunny, those big violet eyes too innocent and curious for her liking, Ffion licked her lips in a longing that surpassed the rules of society. Luckily, she had a bit of self-control. Unfortunately for the rabbit, she was going to have a new resident in town.

Things were about to get interesting. Ffion always got what she wanted, and right now, she wanted this cute little rabbit out of the picture. A Nick? Well, he needed to be taught a lesson. Nobody made a laughing stock out of foxes. It was time to pay her old friend a visit.