Author's Notes:

This was inspired by an image posted by Thomas Fischbach on Friday to his (free) . There are even 4 lines of dialog lifted directly from the image. If you've never read the webcomic Two Kinds and happen to be a furry, or furry adjacent I HIGHLY recommend it.

I do not own Zootopia or its characters.

Nick woke up before the sun as he did every morning. Not that he'd even see the sunrise from his room in the basement of the palatial estate. He took a moment to collect himself before he climbed out of his bed. He'd had a lovely dream that was just outside his recollection, other than the familiar scent that was present. Though if he had to guess, that was due mostly to the handkerchief that was sitting folded neatly on the tiny shelf above his bed. A hint of a smile played across his lips as he eyed the object, but he turned away and sat up. He considered lighting a candle, but his fireplace was unlit in the summer, and he did not feel like going through the trouble of getting the flint and steel so early in the morning. Instead, as he stepped out into the narrow hallway, he left his tail dragging along the wall to keep himself oriented.

He made his way up the stairs and drew back the curtains on the windows allowing some of the pre-dawn light to filter in. As the fox walked into the washroom he spared a glance into the mirror smirking slightly at the unkempt look, he was required to always look perfectly presentable while the Duchess was awake so these brief moments before she awoke were the only times where he could allow his fur to stick up at odd angles. He took a deep breath before he set about washing and brushing his fur until it shined. Once he was looking better he stepped out and grabbed a candle that was waiting for him just outside the kitchen door. He was up before the sun, but the kitchen staff were up before him almost every day.

Candle in paw he made his way back to his modest but spacious room. He had a few personal items that were littered around the room though his most prized possession rested atop his small writing desk. It was a collection of poems written by masters of the pen from around the known world. The poems within ranged from the romantic to the epic. He had a quill and ink for when the inspiration took him to write his own, though he rarely had the time.

Setting that aside for the moment he straightened out his bedding, a tidy household begins in the bedroom. Once everything was in its place, he opened his rather large wardrobe. Inside were copies of the same suit all hung up on individual hangers. He pulled one off the rail and set it down on his bed brushing a stray piece of dust that ended up on the lapel. He pulled each piece of his uniform on ensuring everything was exactly as it should be before moving on to the next article. Once he was fully dressed, he opened a small drawer containing his cufflinks. He perused his collection thoughtfully, but he selected the same old and tarnished pair he always did. Once they were on he touched them briefly, allowing another smile to touch his lips, perhaps the last one he'd allow for the remainder of the day.

Now that he was ready to face the day, Nick grabbed the handkerchief, and before he made his way back upstairs to the main house he placed it in the washroom to be done with the rest of the laundry. He started off as he always did, drawing back the rest of the curtains in the main hall. He noted the horizon was starting to brighten slightly, sunrise would be in about a half an hour. He sped through the rest of the first floor checking over every room, ensuring everything was as it should be. He made a note to talk to the head maid about dusting in the library, in a few days the Duchess would have a weekend to herself and she liked to use that time to catch up on her reading. Seeing nothing out of order he made his way to the kitchen knocking once before entering.

The head chef was making her rounds checking over the rest of the staff. Nick approached the heavyset pig and greeted her nicely, but without much warmth, "Good morning Miss Hoofenstine. Are preparations well underway?"

She didn't even turn around as she took a sip from her sample bowl, "Yes, yes, as it is every morning Mr. Wilde. You know I run a tight ship here."

"That I do Miss, that's why I put your name forward when the position became open. Ah, and I see the tea is ready."

"Well, ready's not the word for it. The water's boiling and the leaves are prepped, but you know the Duchess only likes the tea you prepare yourself Mr. Wilde. I swear I followed your methods exactly and it taste exactly the same to me."

"Well you and I lack the refined pallet of the nobility. If the Duchess likes the way I prepare her tea who are we to object."

The grunt the head chef gave was hardly lady like, but Nick paid her little mind. He took the kettle of boiling water off the stove and set it aside as he finished prepping the tea leaves. Once it was ready, he poured the hot water into the tea pot and began to let the leaves steep. While that was waiting, he checked over everything else he'd need for the Duchess's tea, honey and cream were already waiting on a nearby countertop. He set everything onto a tray and removed the tea infuser from the pot sniffing at it appreciatively.

He set the tray on his shoulder and with a nod of thanks to the kitchen staff he headed out. When he arrived at the doors to the master bedroom he didn't bother knocking, instead he strode in as confidently as if it were his own room. The room was still shrouded in darkness and, if it weren't for the faint sounds that he would never dare to call snoring coming from the bed, he'd almost think the room were empty. He silently set the tray down onto the bedside table before he strode over to the massive windows along the eastern wall. With a touch of dramatic flair he threw back the curtains allowing the sun that was just starting to crest the horizon the stream into the room.

The groan that came from the bed sounded downright miserable, but Nick played it no mind, instead he set about pouring the tea into an elegant China cup. After a moment the form in the middle of the massive bed stirred and without opening her eyes started to grumble, "Nicholas, you heartless beast, why must you wake me so early every morning?"

Nick added the proper amount of honey and cream into the tea and began stirring slowly, "Because Mistress Hopps, you specifically requested to be awoken with the sun every day." He set the spoon down on a cloth napkin, "Your tea Mistress." And he offered the cup to the form that was trying to bury herself back under her covers.

Hearing that the tea was ready the covers were thrown back revealing the Baroness looking excitedly, "Oh bless you, Nicholas. You're an angel, I always say so."

"Thank you Madam, I try."

As she took her first sip of the delicious brew she eyed her butler slightly, "I know you're rather busy Nicholas, the start of summer requires a lot of work, you could always send one of the maids up to serve me tea."

Nick ignored the comment and continued taking care of a few things that were lying about the room. The Duchess wasn't a messy mammal, but that was mostly due to her staff. The end results were that there weren't many things to be picked up, but there was always something to be tucked away. After she took another sip of her tea and realized he wasn't going to respond she shook her head and said, "Forget I said anything. What's on the agenda for today Nicholas?"

Nick was checking over her writing implements ensuring she had everything she needed, "You actually managed to carve out some free time today my grace. You have the dinner later this week so you should go over the menu later today. You have a number of letters to reply to, but there's no rush on those from what you've told me."

The duchess set her cup down on the table, before she had moved back to a sitting position Nicholas was already making a fresh cup. "I think I know why you insist on bringing my tea every morning."

"Is that right my grace?"

"You are trying to catch a glimpse of me in in my nightgown. It's quite bold of you." She pulled the sheets up to her neck looking quite scandalized.

Nicholas handed her back the cup of tea, "If you say so my grace."

"I shall pardon you for always doing such dutiful work."

"My grace is such a forgiving woman. I am truly blessed."

The duchess studied him for a long moment before she sighed, "I felt certain I was going you to smile that time."

"Sorry to disappoint you my grace."

"You are forgiven Nicholas. I shall attend to the letters just as soon as I get dressed and ready, then relax in the library after breakfast."

"Would you like your lunch delivered there my grace?"

"Excellent idea. After lunch I shall talk to the chef about the menu then afternoon tea here in my chambers."

Nicholas bowed deeply, "As you wish, my grace."

"That shall be all Nicholas." She said, setting down the cup onto the tray, "If you have nothing pressing, take the morning off, you work yourself too hard."

"Thank you your grace." Nicholas picked the tray back up and stepped out of the room. Just outside the door were the duchess's two handmaidens waiting to help get her dressed and ready for the day. Nicholas nodded to them and they gave the slightest of curtsies back, then they set about their tasks. Though she had offered to give him the morning off, if she was to be lounging in the library there were things to be prepared. Her cushions should be fluffed, chairs pulled to the eastern windows to read by the morning light, and the books she was currently interested in would have to be placed onto nearby tables. He would also have to stop by the kitchen to make sure some light snacks would be sent over at some point as the duchess tended to forget about eating when she was truly engrossed in a book.

Later that day one of the maids handed Nicholas a stack of letters that were ready to be sent out. He did happen to notice that one had the faint sent of lavender perfume adorning the parchment but made no remarks about it. He took them and placed them in a messenger bag and carried them out to the groundskeeper's cabin. He knocked politely on the wooden door and a deep voice called out from within, "Nick, I know it's you. You're the only mammal who drags their tail out here and has the manners to knock. Now either come in or go away."

Nicholas had to steel his expression to keep from rolling his eyes at the informal greeting before opening the door and stepping inside the modest cabin. Inside were all manner of plants and tools seeming stacked haphazardly, but the fennec fox who was sitting at the table sharpening the massive scythe always claimed there was a method to his organization. The smaller fox didn't look up from his work just jerked his head towards one of the empty seats which Nicholas took without comment.

Once he was satisfied with the blade the fennec set the scythe aside and said, "Good to see you Nick. How are ya now?"

As much as he didn't usually care for such a casual greeting he didn't mind so much when it came to his oldest friend, "Oh, not so bad Finn, yourself?"

"Not so bad. Can I offer you something to drink?"

"No thank you. I was hoping I could have you send one of you workers into town tomorrow morning to send some letters off." Nicholas placed the bag upon the table.

"Aye, I can do that. I got just the colt to do it too. There's a mare in town he's sweet on so he'll get there plenty early if I tell him he can spend some time in town…"

Nick pulled out a coin purse from inside his jacket and set a few quid on the table, then after considering a few more, "The lad deserves to have a nice day then. As long as he knows that the letters come first."

Finn nodded and placed the coins in the messenger bag. When the flap opened he sniffed once, "Lavender? So the lady of the house has another suiter then eh?"

Nicholas placed the purse back inside his jacket and stood up, "I'm afraid the duchess does not inform me about the goings on in her personal life."

"You think she'll string this one on as well?"

"What I think is that this kind of talk leads to very unpleasant rumors. Do not forget that she is our benefactor and if her position is compromised it could mean an end to the very household." His tone had darkened just ever so slightly.

The smaller foxed waved dismissively, "Yeah, yeah. I know you're right and all, but you can't blame a guy for wondering what's going on sometimes."

Nicholas took a moment to collect himself, "No I suppose I can't. If I ever find anything definitive I'll pass it along Finn."

"'s all I ask."

Nicholas glanced out the window at the position of the sun, "Sorry to cut and run, but it's time for her afternoon tea."

Finn nodded, "Farewell Nicholas. Twas lovely to see you." The fennec's tone was more than a little mocking but Nicholas felt the corners of his mouth twitch towards a smile regardless.

"And you as well Finnick." and with that Nicholas took his leave.

Not too long after Nicholas left the caretaker's hut he was approaching the duchess's room once again with tea in paw. He knocked once before proceeding inside without waiting for permission. Inside Judy was relaxing in one of her armchairs, she glanced up when the door opened and she smiled warmly seeing Nicholas coming in with her afternoon tea. Nicholas wasted no time laying the tray down on a nearby table and started preparing the tea.

As he was about to pour the tea the duchess spoke, "What do we have today Nicholas?"

"We have a green tea shipped in from overseas paired with some lovely carrot biscuits." He handed her the cup and held the plate of biscuits for her to sample them as she chose. She sipped the tea and daintily selected a single biscuit before taking a bite, humming at the delightful flavor. Nicholas remained standing by her side with the tray ready in case she wanted a second sample at any point.

After she picked up a second biscuit she let out a long sigh causing Nicholas to simply ask, "Ma'am?"

"It's my feet Nicholas, I'm afraid they are terribly sore today. Could I trouble you for a foot rub?"

"Of course." Nicholas set the tray down and dragged a stool over in front of his duchess's chair before sitting down. The moment he was sitting her foot ended up in his lap and started prodding his chest inessentially. He took the offending appendage in his paws and started rubbing it tenderly but firmly. The duchess sighed thankfully and relaxed further into her seat before taking another sip of her tea.

"Ah, bless your paws Nicholas. Even if you tea was poison I'd keep you around for your foot rubs."

"It does my heart wonders to know that my services are ever appreciated ma'am." The duchess hummed in contentment but didn't say anything as he continued to work the kinks out of her foot. When he was satisfied with his work he let go and she replaced her first foot with the second and he resumed his work. Once he was finished with her other foot he stood up and began to refill her cup which had been empty for a few minutes, "Will there be anything else, my Lady?"

She paused to take a sip of her tea and sample another biscuit, "You could draw me a bath… and then join me in it."

Nicholas quirked a single eyebrow, "That would be very inappropriate behavior for a butler, ma'am!"

"Well, I'm the duchess, so what I say goes."

Nicholas said nothing and simply strode out of the room tray in paw. He made his way downstairs and into the kitchen, "The duchess has requested a bath, please start preparing the bathwater." There was a brief pause before the kitchen staff leapt into action. Some started to fetch buckets of water while others stoked the stoves with extra wood. Nicholas nodded his thanks before leaving out the same door he entered in. Just down the hall was the bathing room that would also need to be prepped.

The claw footed tub that sat in the middle of the room was already spotless, nothing needed to be done there, so he turned his attention to the nearby fireplace. The lady of the house loved warm baths but detested climbing out into a cold room so despite the season Nicholas began to light a fire. After a few practiced swings with the flint and steel he was able to get a few embers burning, and after that it was just a simple matter to get a small fire blazing. Once he was satisfied the fire would be all set for a minute he went to the closet in the corner and pulled out a single massive fluffy towel as well as the cleaning implements. He perused the scented soaps for a moment before settling on lavender and plucked it up.

He didn't have to wait much longer before the kitchen staff started coming in, each with a bucket in hand. Nicholas picked each up and poured them in one at a time checking the temperature as he went. As he was adding the water he paused to place a few drops of the scented soap to allow some bubbles to form from the churning of the water. Once it was mostly full he grabbed the one bucket that was full of cold water and he used it to adjust the temperature to just above his lady's most pleasant range.

Fully satisfied with his preparations he stepped out of the room, unsurprised to see one of her handmaidens there, Nicholas bowed ever so slightly, "Please tell our grace that her bath is ready at her convenience. If anyone should have need of me, I shall be in the library."

The handmaiden curtsied, "Very good sir." and she stepped away. He hadn't taken the break the duchess had offered that morning so it'd be a good time to sit and relax for a few minutes.

The duchess was escorted to the bath by her two handmaidens. When they entered the room she found it to be pleasantly warm already. She took a brief look around and once she was satisfied the room was up to her standards she gave a brief nod to her attendants who began to help her remove her lavish outfit. Once they were finished and her clothes were stacked neatly on a countertop she dismissed her servants, "Thank you that will be all. I very much doubt I should like to get redressed so late in the afternoon so I shall wear a robe back to my room, please ensure the halls will be empty by the time I'm finished bathing."

"Yes your grace." they answered in unison before bowing and leaving the room.

After the door had closed she wondered over to the bath and dipped a paw beneath its bubbly surface to feel the warmth below finding the temperature to be perfect, humming in delight. She pulled a stool out from under the tub and climbed into the elegant vessel. The tub was any larger than she truly needed. If it were any larger she could almost swim in it, but that just helped sell the air of luxury that she liked to cultivate around herself.

As she submerged herself in the warm water she heard the click of a key turning in a lock coming from the closet. A moment later the sound of tired hinges squeaked out as the whole closet swung out and open revealing a bookshelf on the back side with Nicholas standing in the revealed doorway. He hardly spared a glance for the other occupant in the room as he removed the key from the bookshelf and replaced the book that hid the keyhole before stepping inside and closing the door behind himself.

As he began checking over the hidden door, ensuring it was sealed up tight the duchess spoke up from her bath, "Why, is that my butler I see sneaking in here? When I gave you that key I never imagined you'd use it to peek a look at me in such a state of shame." Despite her flair for the dramatic she was an awful actress.

Nicholas seemed to ignore her as he placed the key next to her clothes before he started undressing himself. As he set his shirt down she spoke up again, "It's rude to ignore your duchess when she's speaking to you..."

Nicholas was in the middle of folding his pants when she said that so he instead tossed them aside and strode across the room and knelt down next to the tub. He took her paw that was dangling over the edge and kissed it, "I'm sorry my lady. I would never intend to be rude to you."

She arched an eyebrow at him as he left a trail of kisses up her arm, "What have I told you?"

He placed a paw on her face, tenderly stroking her cheek with his thumb, "That while we are both in this room you are simply 'Judy'."

She placed her paw over his, "Very good. Should I give you a reward for remembering?"

He didn't wait to see what her reward might be, instead he pulled her face in for a kiss, growling deeply as he leaned into the kiss, tasting her on his tongue. When he pulled back she was looking a little flushed and her breathing a bit deeper. He resisted the urge to kiss her again, "Judy?"

"Yes Nick?"

"Please slide forward a bit, I'd like to join you."

She didn't have to be asked twice as she shifted in the tub making room for her bathing partner to join her. He stepped into the tub and slid down, once he was situated he reached forward and pulled her onto his lap. She shifted a few more times than was needed to get comfortable. He groaned as she kept grinding her rear on his crotch until he pinched her offending cheek.

She let out a very unladylike "Eeep" then reached around and grabbed his face kissing him once again. "I'm glad you decided to be unprofessional today Nick."

"If I had my way, I'd be unprofessional every day Judy." Though he would never say it, he loved the duchess, much to his shame. A lady as beautiful as Judy should never sully herself with someone below her station like himself.

As difficult as the fox was to read Judy had known him long and well enough to tell when he was getting distracted, "Nick, would you wash my back please?"

Nick was snapped out of his thoughts and said with a wicked smile, "Happily."

He lathered up a cloth before he started stroking her back everywhere he could reach, which was quite a lot of her. As she let out a sigh of contentment she said, "So, all I have to do to make you smile is let you touch me?"

"I am not made of stone Judy. What mammal wouldn't smile once they got their paws on you?" To accentuate his point he moved his paws to her chest and began to rub her sensually. She gasped and writhed at his ministrations. When he stopped she was left breathless but relaxed and he resumed cleaning her fur.

When her senses returned Judy felt her own guilt rising in the back of her mind, "Nick?"

"Yes Judy?"

"I'm not... taking advantage of you am I? You wish to be here with me correct?"

She could be so cute when she was down on herself. He kissed the top of her head, right between her ears. "Judy, I promise you, I am exactly where I want to be right now. These brief moments that we can steal away with each other are the greatest of my life."

She turned around on his lap, her eyes slightly misty, "Prove it then; kiss me you fool."

He wrapped his arms around her and smashed their lips together. When he pulled back from the kiss he grabbed her ears pulling back on them lightly making her hiss slightly as she tilted her head back exposing her neck to him. He took advantage of her compromised state and started to nibble around her chin and neck. His free paw snaked down below the water and cupped one of her cheeks, squeezing it roughly.

From where she was sitting she could clearly feel something pulsing lightly between their bodies and she ground on it once lightly, "Mmmm, someone's wound up today." Nick ignored her, instead he started lapping at her chest so she continued, "I wonder what might have gotten under your fur?"

Nick pulled back and gave her a dark look, "We agreed to leave the outside world outside. I don't want to think about another suiter sniffing around you."

She feigned ignorance (badly) for a moment, "Suiter? What are you talking about? Oh, have you been sniffing my mail Mr. Wilde? What an invasion of privacy!"

He rolled her eyes at her mention of privacy as they were both naked in a bath together but he remained silent, "Well you'll be happy to know there isn't another suiter 'sniffing around me' as you so eloquently put it. On of the ladies at the last party I hosted was asking what perfume I was wearing. I added a spritz to the letter as well as the brand so she could better find it. You wouldn't have happened to be jealous of this imaginary suitor would you?"

Nick wanted to lie, to tell her that while he enjoyed their times together there were no deeper feelings. But here he was powerless to lie to her, not trusting his voice he just nodded once and hung his head in shame, refusing to meet her gaze.

Her heart melted seeing him so vulnerable. She placed her paw on his face and lifted his head till he was looking at her. "Why are you so ashamed that you care for me Nicholas?"

Nick swallowed weakly before he responded, "Because Judy, you deserve so much more than I could ever offer. I am your servant, I shouldn't feel the things I do for you, and I certainly shouldn't have let things progress this far. What are we hoping to get out of this? I shudder to think that you may have been spurning potential mates for my sake while hoping that you have. It burns me up inside knowing that someday, some mammal will finally sweep you off your feet and give you the love that you deserve, but I could never give."

Judy didn't comment on the partial confession of love, instead she changed the topic, "Did you know there was a once a Marquess Wilder?"

Nicholas was unprepared for that, "I... what? No I don't believe I've ever heard of them... Does that matter right now Judy?"

She simply leaned forward and started to cuddle with him, "It's true. The manor lord lost his sons to war and went mad with grief. His house and lands quickly fell into disrepair. There was an attempt to find an heir, but with the war still on it fell to the backside and a proper search was never conducted."

Nick was confused but let her continue uninterrupted, simply stroking her back, "That's why I've been so busy writing letters and spending so much time in the library these past months. I was tracing the family tree of house Wilder. Nick, you are a distant nephew of the lord, and the only living heir."

Nick was stunned silent for a long time. Judy remined quiet and still to give him time to process the information. When he finally managed to gather his words he said, "Are you serious?"

She nodded, "There were some gaps in the lineage but I'm reasonably certain that you are a legitimate heir. I may have filled in the gaps myself with the help of a few historians I've been corresponding with, but any liberties I may have taken can all be corroborated."

"I don't understand what you're saying Judy..."

"What I'm saying is that there's enough evidence to get you the title of Marquess Wilde."

Nick swallowed weakly, "And no one would bat an eye at a duchess marrying a Marquess."

Judy sat up on his lap, "Who said anything about marriage? I just wanted the bragging rights of having a Marquess as a butler."

Nick stood up with her in his arms and stepped out of the tub. He set her down on got on one knee, holding her paw in his, "Judy my love, everything I've ever had was given to me from you. My room, my clothes, my pay, my ability to read and write, and now this. I am not worthy of you or your love, but would you do me the honor of being my bride?"

Judy stepped forward and cupped his cheek, "Nick my love. Everything I've ever given you has been given freely. I would love to marry you, but I have two conditions."

"Name them and they shall be done."

"Lay a towel down by the fireplace and take me here and now."

Nick grinned at her predatorially before pulling her into his chest, "And the second?"

"Continue brewing my tea every day."

Nick chuckled for a moment before bursting out in a deep laugh that wouldn't end. It was the first time that she had heard his laugh sound so genuinely happy. Though she suspected it wouldn't be the last she heard him make such a sound now.

Author's Notes:

As I mentioned this was inspired from the post made Friday morning and I'm posting this around midnight Monday night/Tuesday morning. Not a bad turnaround for my standards. If I made any mistakes you'd like to point out, or you just feel like leaving a comment please feel free!