What is this? Nick and Judy are struggling to find that Red Fox specific, gift of oneself. Neither are doing well at it and turn to unexpected sources for inspiration. In the process, Nick has a chance meeting with a vixen and Judy takes a trip home to learn some surprising things about the Hopps clan past.
This is a longer one, so strap in.
I do not own Zootopia and can make no claim to it or its characters. I at most claim my own OCs.
On with the show.
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Nick looked across the table to his oldest friend. "So, Any thoughts?"
Fin shook his head and knocked back the shot in front of him. "Nick. Buddy. I don't know what to tell you."
"What are you getting your girls? Maybe I can use that as a guide?"
Fin sighed heavily. It was clear that his friend was struggling, but as much as he wanted to, he had no help to give. "Not gonna help you. I'm getting Amy a new, 100 piece socket set. Impact sockets, drivers, specialty heads, and Snap-on ta boot. Claire is getting her the matching socket driver, impact driver, vibro-cutter, orbital sander, sawzall, etc… All either air-driven or with the new battery system that if the hype is to be believed will let her work all day without needing to swap batteries. Together we're getting her a brand new 50 gallon air compressor to go with it all.
Amy and I are splitting singing lessons with Maria for Claire. She's hooking us up because of you and Judy, by the way. Thanks for that. Seriously. Thanks for that. We'd never afford it otherwise. I'm using my hook up with the Food Channel and am getting her baking lessons with Ruff Goldmam. While Amy is making her a custom art piece.
So, nothing helpful to you. We don't have that thing about, something of yourself. What did you get her last year."
Nick slumped, muzzle resting on the table and looking through his nearly empty beer at his friend. "Got her a scarf the first year. Paid Genrr extra to keep my scent intact. She really loved it. Last year I used all the fur from the year, plus some of the portion I always hold back and got him to do his magic again. A sweater. She got me a pair of ties. One her perfect silver, and the other a perfect match for her eyes. The silver one still had her scent."
With a huff, Nick continued. "She gets me, Fin. She has embraced all the little weird fox things, even the red fox stuff. I've got the ring and ear bangles for when we actually get married, and that is gonna happen. I've gotten her the things. She has this obsession with pens. I got her one that she'll probably string me up by my tail if she ever finds out how much it cost. But the item from me. Of me… she doesn't wear socks. I'd do something like a sleeping shirt, but she doesn't use one."
Fin shrugged but looked across the table in sympathy. "She's got that set of holes from that fire fight you guys were in. I remember you suggesting she put studs in them as a joke. Too bad you can't turn your fur Into a gem like they do bodies."
Nick sat bolt upright suddenly enough to disturb the glasses on the table. "Fin! You're a genius!" Leaping from the booth, Nick spun with a laugh. Grabbing Fin, he kissed him soundly with tongue, leaving the smaller fox stunned and breathless, and then took off running a laugh trailing after him.
Clair walked up a smirk on her muzzle. "Should we be concerned?"
Fin shook his head to clear it. "Nah. You know we tried, but it wasn't to be. The sex was good, but we never clicked on a level to be more than fuck buddies and we preferred being friends. He's a good fox, but his heart has always belonged to a bunny. A very specific bunny. Just as mine always belonged to you and Amy."
Clair grinned and then leaned down for a kiss of her own. "Fair, but it must have been quite something to get him that happy."
Fin shrugged. "Yeah. He's a red and got that whole, something of oneself thing going on, and is struggling to come up with an idea. I made a crack about turning his fur into gems like some people do the bodies of their loved ones. Knowing him, he knows someone with such a business that could maybe do such a thing."
Giving a nod as she watched the red fox climb the stairs to the train platform, a joyous wag to his tail. "That boy has it bad."
Fin laughed. "You know it."
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Nick grabbed the train home, dialing a number while he waited for his stop. The line picking up after a few rings, Nick not giving the person answering a chance to actually speak. "Ferrin! Nick Wilde. … Yeah. You still doing that gem creation thing? … Awesome. Think you could make a few from just fur? … … … Yes, I'm very serious. … About a year and a bit worth of my shed. … Yes, mine. … A ruby. Something green and something purple. … … I need it by next week so I can have them set. …! …! Yes. I'm serious. Already done a scarf and a sweater. …! Yes. I. Nicholas Wilde has a girl I am that serious about. … Get it in time and we'll be square. …!? Yes, it is that serious. … I'll be there as soon as I collect the fur. … Got it. See you soon. Thanks Buddy!"
Nick ended the call and dialed another number, again not letting the other mammal speak. "Genrr! I am gonna need any and all extra fur I've left with you. Assuming you haven't used it. … … You haven't? … Oh, you are the best. … I'm going to have Ferrin turn it into gems. …? Yes, really. … Yes, and the more fur, the larger and more gems he can make. … You will? … Genrr… I… I'm gonna owe you. … Ha! Yes she does. Thought I recognized your work. She's it. Even going at a fox pace. … Exactly. She's everything. … You're the literal best."
The call ended and Nick found it impossible to keep a joyful grin from his muzzle or a wage from his tail.
The scent of vixen stopped him cold a few moments later before he recognized the scent. Turning with a happy smile. "Hey, sis."
Amber Wilde looked her brother over. "Wow. I don't think I've seen you this happy, maybe ever, and to be displaying that joy opening in public. Nicholas Wilde. Who is she and why have I not heard of this mammal? Are they a him instead? Are you embarrassed?"
Nick rolled his eyes, hard, at his sister. "It isn't like that, Am."
Amber took a step back, holding him by the shoulders and looked him over again, with a frown. "Don't lie to me, Nick. You… Nick. You're happy. You're so gods be damned happy, you can't even hide it. You. The mammal with the perfect mask, cannot hide it. Who is this amazing mammal that can get through to you. … It's the rabbit, Judy, isn't it. She changed you. Turned you into a cop, and a good one if mom is to be believed."
Nick shrugged with an eye roll and smile. "She gave me a chance. She accepts me, for me. She accepts and embraces all my fox cultural things while teaching me hers. She accepts my fox mannerisms, like a morning yip of acknowledgment when you aren't all the way awake yet. Am. She saved her own fur and had Genrr make a set of ties for me last year."
Amber gawked for a moment. "No way."
Nick nodded. "She did. She's actually looking forward to our wedding. We're gonna do a fox wedding first, then a big bunny wedding in the spring. And yes. She's looking forward to it. All of it! Bite and all. Even started working her teeth down more than her usual to ensure she can return It without hurting me. Her normal length would leave a really deep gash. Also told me that she expects a proposal, but not until I am ready.
She has taken on the vixen roll, while accepting that we move slower, and she doesn't rush me. Rabbits are not patient creatures. Yet… She is willing to wait for me. I'm going to propose next weekend at the burrow after we break the news to her parents. Mom loves her."
Amber sighed with a smile. "I'm Happy for you Nick. I suppose it figures you'd end up with someone so different. I don't even have to ask if she makes you happy. The glow in your eyes says it all. So she got you ties from her own fur. What'd you get her?"
"A scarf the first year. We'd known each other for eight months. She'd forced me to move in about six months prior. Last year I had Genrr make a sweater. Both without de-scenting. Just like she did with the ties.
She knew reds did personal things, but didn't quite understand the full meaning of it that first year. She still got it right. She got me a tie pin set. She's actually really crafty. She used her fur, and some of mine, braided them together, and then laid that in the body of the tie pin, and then sealed it into the body of the tie pin. An Amethyst on one, Demantoid Garnet on the other."
Amber found herself gawking, muzzle open, again. "Whoa! Yeah, didn't quite understand, and yet she nailed it with that. Then the ties. Damn, Nick. She must really care to go that far. So what's your plan this year?"
Nick looked up. "Uhm… This is my stop. I would love to keep chatting, but I don't want to keep you."
Following Nick off the train. "Nothing that cannot wait. So. What's your plan?"
"Ferrin Is going to take my fur and make actual gems with it. It's gonna cost me the favors he owes me, but she's more than worth it. I'll take the gems to Franchesca's to be set as ear studs and maybe a bangle."
"Studs? She didn't strike me as the type for ear piercing."
Nick shook his head as they approached the building. "Isn't. They're holes left behind from a shotgun. Wolf strung out on a designer drug. Three pellets through one ear, two in the other, and one in her shoulder." Nick stopped at the door. I… I almost lost her that day, Am. I know we're moving fast. She'd wait for me, but that was a real reality check. Happened last month. A real gut punch. I realized I couldn't wait. So I made my plan."
Amber leaned against him with a smile. "I'm happy for you. I need to meet her."
"Well, she's at the ZPA doing some re-certs today. You're free to join us for dinner. Should I plan for four?"
Amber chuckled. "No, just me. I'm actually meeting him to end it. It simply isn't happening."
Collecting his fur bags, Nick and Amber chatted about a few other things, planning for dinner, before they spit up on the train. Amber off to meet her soon to be ex-boyfriend, Nick to visit Genrr to collect the rest of the fur he would be turning over to Ferrin.
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After leaving the fur with Ferrin, Nick picked up groceries before returning home to prepare dinner. Judy got home tired but happy to see her fox. The scent of vixen in the apartment set her fur on edge.
"Hey… Nick, I'm home."
Nick grinned, giving her a kiss. "Hey, Fluff! How were the re-quals?"
"The usual." Her ears falling. "Who is she? I… I don't want to assume."
Nick smiled and pulled her into a hug. "That would be Amber. My sister. Ran into her on the train of all places. She wants to meet you, so she'll be here at eight for dinner. So, my lovely bunny. I ran a bath for you when you texted me from the train. Go clean up. Relax. I'll take care of dinner."
Judy looked him over. "Your sister?"
Nick realized as he watched her ears fall, that she was starting to freak out a little. Kneeling in front of her, Nick took her by the shoulders, holding her eyes with his. "Judy. She's already impressed with you. She wants to meet the female that makes me so happy I can't hide it. So you only need to be the bunny I love. No stress needed. She's going to love you. She's also gonna poke fun, just like any fox. Give like you get, just like with me and Fin, and you'll be fine."
Nick gave her another kiss. This one Straightening her tail fur and curling her toes. "Now go ahead. I've got everything else. Go enjoy that bath before it gets cold. I have missed you all day, even if I did get what I needed to get done, done. I want to spend some time with you before Amber gets here. I love you, Judy. I know we both have our issues, so please trust that."
"So it really was your sister?"
Nick nodded with a smile. "It was, and she will be here around eight to have dinner with us."
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An hour later, a much more relaxed Judy returns to the main living area, and with all but the pasta done for the meal, the pair snuggle on the couch for a bit. Nick holding her close, muzzle resting between her ears. "Judy. I know you have issues as much as I do. So let me again assure you. I will never leave you. I can never leave you. It is literally not a physical possibility save through death. We've discussed your cultural and species thing about sharing pleasure, and well… That's why we are going to the burrow next week, right? So we can see if I can handle it. And so we can add that third to help with both of our needs. He's a good pick, and I know I can accept him. It's the rest that is going to be the struggle for me. You however mean enough to me to try."
Judy nodded and leaned deeper into him, letting the feeling of his warmth envelope her. "Gods, I love your winter fur. You're always the best blanket. I just want to let the house get a little colder so I can be completely wrapped up in you… Pure heaven. You're also right. I have a lot of damage with relationships. It's why I haven't participated in years. It never felt right. This trip will be as much about me and seeing if I can open up again, as it is for you. I haven't really missed it all that much, but the family will want to test drive my fox."
Nick nodded. "Yeah. Still weirded by the idea that the first experience is going to be with your parents. I mean, I kinda understand it. But from an outside view, it's weird. Anyway. I hear a fox approaching, don't you?"
Judy chuckled. "I do."
They separated and Judy was at the door, opening it at the first knock, surprising the golden eyed vixen who looked at the door that had moved suddenly away from her paw in surprise, then down at Judy with increasing surprise. Judy smiled up at her, recognizing the scent as the same she'd been worried about earlier when she had gotten home. "Hello. You must be Amber. Nick told me you would be coming for dinner. Won't you come in."
Amber nodded and stepped through past Judy. "Thank you. You must be Judy. The mammal that has somehow turned by little brother into a respectable mammal. Though, as his older sister, I have to say, I have my reservations by default."
Nick spoke from the kitchen where he was starting the water for the noodles. "Older by two minutes!"
Amber laughed. "Still older."
Nick huffed from the kitchen while Judy led the way into the small apartment, indicating the couch. "Please. Make yourself comfortable. Can I get you anything? Tea? Water? Wine? A tall glass of, mind your own business?"
Amber laughed brightly, a sound that actually reminded Judy of Nick's laugh. "Oh! Nicky, I like this one! She's fiery. Tea for now, I'm sure Nick plans on serving wine with dinner. How often does he cook? Also, what should I call you? Judy? Or, that damn rabbit that stole my brother's heart?"
Judy smiled with a chuckle, the banter familiar, as she moved to the small area they kept the coffee pot and tea, next to the wolf sized water cooler which also offered hot water. "Judy is fine. Can't steal something that is given freely, especially as he owns mine in return. We split the cooking duties, actually. Now that we have a kitchen. The first apartment we shared was microscopic. It couldn't even manage a proper hot plate, and the microwave knocked out the power more often than not, so we ate out a lot. We got this place after he graduated from the academy.
Do you prefer Earl Gray, generic black, berry and cinnamon? Also, sugar? Milk?"
Amber sighed. "I take you as a straight up type of mammal, just like Nikky, and myself as well. Hit me with the Earl Gray, no doctoring, and nice and strong. Unlike how Nikky takes his."
Judy nodded with a grin and set a cup, tea infuser in the clearly just shy of boiling water, in front of Amber on the table. She then took a step back and performed a form of respect and apology. Amber was slightly surprised by the perfectly performed fox respect form. "Amber. I wish to thank you and welcome the family of my family into our home. As for your concerns. I am certain many are legitimate, some even strongly held that I may never assuage them. I do wish to address what I expect is one of the largest, if you will permit me."
Amber nodded and responded to the form, allowing Judy to stand. "Please. Help me to understand, Judy. I can see the care, the love he has for you as plain as the fur of my muzzle. I do not know rabbits, so I cannot see it so easily with you. Show me that I may understand."
Judy nodded and gave another quick bow before starting a cup of tea for herself. "I will start at the start. When I first met Nick, he hustled twenty bucks from me. Something he still hasn't paid me back, but I think he's more than earned it at this point. I suspected him because he was a fox. I had my reasons, and while legitimate, they are also no excuse. Were it not for Nick. I would not have my job, and I would likely have died long before that cursed press conference. I was set up, as most know by now. I was given no talking points, was not told what I could and could not say. I was on the job for four days and hadn't slept or eaten for most of that.
These are reasons, but not an excuse. I have dedicated my life and my career to making up for the pain and suffering I caused with my words. As Nick reminds me, regularly. It was the mammals, the prey of this city that chose to take the words of a hick rabbit and run with them." Sitting on the chair facing the couch. "I didn't create the hate and divisions between species. I didn't make them do what they did, but I was the excuse they used. I will never not regret those words, and I will never stop trying to make the life of just one more predator better. To help one more prey mammal see the light."
Puasing, Judy looked towards the kitchen. "I think I fell for him during those first few hours, but so much was going on it is hard to say when it really happened. I hurt after he left me at the press conference, and not in ways that could be explained by just missing a friend. Not that I recognized it at the time. I left my job, gave up my dream and career when they tried to make me the poster mammal of the ZPD. More like painting a target on my back. Someone would have gone after me and my death would have just let Dawn do all the worst things she wanted to do without push back.
While I was home. My childhood bully gave me the clue needed to understand what was happening. You see. My bully was a fox. A red fox. A story for another time. The key details are that he was a bully. I kicked him in the nose, and he gave me these in return." Brushing back the fur of her cheek while ignoring the gasp from the couch. "Excuses are not what I seek. I know that I did not deal with the attack and harbored a fear that wasn't true. I know and own that about myself now. I seek every day to be better.
Those weeks back home were hard. As hard as I learned they were for Nick. I came back, found him, and begged his help to finish what we started. Promised that he could hate me, and that I deserved it. Instead, he forgave me, we found the criminals, figured things out, and collected some evidence. Shut it, Nick." Giving Nick a glare as he snickered from the kitchen. "After everything was over. I asked him to be my partner again, and he agreed. I made him move in with me while he was in the academy because… Oh gods, did you ever see his supposed apartment?"
"No. But I'm sure I would be both disappointed and unsurprised."
"It was the utility room of the building he was living in. No privacy save a shower curtain he strung himself. The super would come in whenever they needed to and work on things, bang around, etc... I wanted to strangle him when I found that out. Anyway, we worked together, caught criminals, and then something changed. The movie nights, late nights working a case, spending all day, every day, together. I went home for a wedding and… I had never been able to see myself up there where my sisters were, a male, a female, whatever, standing opposite me. Me eager to be joined to them.
That time though… I felt wrong the whole time I was there. Something wasn't right. Something was missing. I hurt and I didn't understand it, until I was looking up at my sisters on that stage and I could suddenly see myself up there. I could for the first time see myself standing up there and across from me, a mammal with red-orange fur and emerald green eyes. That hit me… Hard.
I talked to that same bully. He's a baker now. Got some help and even works with my parents now. If you stop by Therus, the pies they serve are his. Anyway. He gave me some pointers and info on foxes, and red foxes specifically. Forms. Cultural details. All under the guise of helping me be a better cop and the fact my partner was a red fox and I didn't want to make a mistake, and it has. Though I also used that information to recognize that Nick, in his way, had been signaling his interest in me."
Amber face pawed herself. "Of course he was, and my moron of a brother couldn't get out of his head and realise that you're a bunny."
Judy nodded with a smirk. "Yeah. Didn't help that for rabbits, it is normally the buck that leads. Luckily for us, I'm not a typical doe, so taking charge wasn't too hard, once I knew that was what I needed to do. I asked him out formally. Like a red vixen would. Gid helped a lot with that, including a recipe."
Nick chuckled. "Imagine my shock coming home after a long shift to a courting meal cooked by my rabbit roommate."
Judy nodded. "I was so nervous. That doesn't mean we haven't had issues, misunderstandings, and even fights caused by cultural differences. We quickly learned to talk through things when the other has frustrated us, made us mad, etc… I've learned to state in the clear what I want and expect, and Nick has done the same. It helps us bridge the gap.
Now, yes. Bunnies are… very sexually active. I'm not normal there either. I do have a higher drive than most, but I can control it. So we've not gone all the way. Though we do sleep together. Sleep. And I have a few toys. There just has not yet been any knotty action, though I am looking forward to that.
So that's how we get here. He knows I want more. To take him as my mate. My heart, my instincts, and my soul itself, have long since made things clear to me. That said. I understand his need to go slower. I'll wait, impatiently, as long as he needs."
Amber looked Judy over thoughtfully then smiled. Standing, she performed a welcome form. "I welcome you, Judy. I know my brother. By how he speaks of you. I expect he hasn't proposed because he is waiting on a moment or planned event. I'm sure it'll be soon." Looking to Nick leaning in the entry to the kitchen. "Sooner is better. I think he's made you wait long enough."
Judy chuckled. "I agree with that. I heard him set the table. Let's eat. I'm half starved."
Amber looked to her brother with a disapproving frown. "Nick. What kind of mate are you? Poor excuse for a Todd, making your mate and sister go hungry."
Nick rolled his eyes. "Dinner is ready. Wasn't going to interrupt. Come on." Giving Judy's butt a squeeze as she stepped past him, causing her to blush and bat at him.
"Nick!" Both laughing, Amber smiling.
Amber shook her head as she took her seat at the small cozy table. She was glad he already had his plan, or she'd need to kick his ass. Handing Judy one of her cards. "Here, Judy. We should get coffee and talk, without this miscreant of a todd listening in. I'm sure I have some stories for you, and I could use some as well. I'm sure he's embarrassed himself more than once."
Judy smiled. "I'd love that. Vic has already given me a few."
Amber gasped in surprise. "You've met mom?"
Judy smiled brightly. "Yes. Another story there just to find her. But I made sure she was at his graduation. We have dinner at least once a month."
Amber nodded but glared at Nick. "Is that so…"
He put his paws up. "Hey, don't look at me. If mom hasn't told you, that's on her. You and I haven't spoken until this afternoon in what? Six? Seven years? You've been focused on your career, and establishing yourself. What are you doing in Zootopia anyway? It isn't to see mom. She'd have said something."
Amber huffed. "Dumping my boyfriend, who was in the city for a job interview. I am actually in the city for a conference on cross-size class surgery techniques."
Judy nodded with a smile. "I should be mad at both your mother and you for not discussing your sister. Then again, you clearly have asked her and I realize like with other things, if I don't ask, you foxes as not going to divulge. Though you, Nick, are getting better."
Nick nodded. "Right…" His ears flicking back. "Sorry, Fluff."
"It's okay. Amber and I will just have to get together for coffee and swap stories. She's going to be my sister-in-law eventually."
The rest of the meal included bringing Amber up to speed, the fact that she had been told but hadn't believed that her brother was in an actual, serious, relationship. It didn't help that she didn't live in the city any longer and so was also out of touch due to that. It was pure luck that she ran into Nick on the train earlier that day.
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Judy stared at the Lambazon home page, cursor blinking impatiently in search bar for her to decide what to look for. She had looked through all the, Keep Shopping for, and PIck up where you left off, sections, and found exactly nothing. Well, not nothing. There were plenty of things she was interested in. Lots of things she wanted to get for Nick, and yet… None of it was the thing she wanted. The thing she needed.
She was a big user of the Zon. She could order from her phone and therefore didn't have to shop. She absolutely loved Lambazon Fresh. While the produce wasn't the freshest, it wasn't as if she did her purchasing for more than a day or two. But when you know there is nothing in the fridge you're just about done with a forty eight hour stake out, and don't want to either shop or stop to do any shopping. Having passable produce delivered was a gift from Karma herself.
She had learned the issues with sizing early on, and could reliably order things for her and for Nick without worrying that it would not fit. That said, she was at a complete loss. She knew she had accidentally tripped into the correct type of gift their first go around, and had knocked a full home run with the ties the previous year. This year, she was however drawing blank on what to get him. She had gotten the general things. A brand new BlueFang set of headphones, a couple shirts, things like that. But the thing of her. That was proving to be a puzzle she just couldn't seem to solve this time.
She could get him another set of ties, and she knew without question that he would cherish them. It would not be hard to convince Genrr. The wolf would do them happily, but repeating the gift wouldn't have the meaning she needed. She needed something to help her express her feelings for Nick. The visit by Amber had not helped at all. If anything, with his sister supporting them so strongly, as well as Nick's mom. Judy found herself feeling the pressure to get it right.
Sighing, she pulled out her phone and dialed a number. A few moments later the bright voice of a Gazelle greeted her. "JUDY! To what do I owe this unexpected call? Not that I'm complaining. We don't get to hang out nearly as much as we should."
Judy grinned. "And you know why. You're constantly touring, and I'm a cop."
Maria put on a pout. "Well, I could always hire you and that fox of yours you keep telling me about. From what I understand, you two would make excellent security heads."
"While tempting, we like our jobs. I need advice."
Maria got serious. "What's up, J?"
"It's about said fox. I… I need to get him a meaningful gift. Something special that it's just some crap off Lambazon. I need something personal. I got him tie tacks that I had personalized, then last year I got him ties made from my own fur. I gotta top that. I need something that tells him how much he means to me."
Maria nodded. "Right. You said he was a red, and if that's so, meaningful to him is something of you. The ties were a good move. What did he get you?"
"A scarf the first year, and then a sweater last year made from his own fur, and not de-scented."
Maria's eyes went wide. "Oh… Oh, wow. That's a biggie, girl. This fox must love you."
Judy nodded. "Yeah, pretty sure he does. His mom and sister are convinced he's going to propose soon. That doesn't change what I need to get him. If anything, it increases the need to get it right. Any ideas?"
Maria looked away, a warm smile coming over her. Judy rolled her eyes knowing she was looking at Jarvis. "Sorry. I got nothing, J. I can ask some of the Vixen's I know what they might do in such a situation and get back to you."
Judy shook her head. "Nah. Got a few I've already asked. Hasn't helped. I just don't shed enough to have larger clothing items made."
Maria nodded. "Anything I can get you then? Don't just say no. Just… Think about it, okay? You're family, Judy."
"I know." Smiling warmly. "Thanks, Maria. Let me know when you're in town so I can drag him to meet you."
"I will. Maybe your mom? Though if she doesn't know yet, you're gonna have to come up with a hell of an excuse, or just tell her. You know she knows foxes."
Judy nodded. "Yeah. I've been considering that call… I guess it's my last chance to get a clue. Thanks Maria. Knock'em dead."
Maria laughed. "You know me. Now if I can just convince my kitten to sing with me. He's got such a great voice."
A deep male voice from off camera sounded. "Never gonna happen. Hey, Judy. Good luck with all that. We need to meet the male that has you so flustered. Didn't think I would ever see it."
The call ended and Judy stared at her phone. After rolling her eyes at her friends, she pulled up a different number. With a deep sigh, she dialed and waited for the line to pick up. A few moments later her mothers smiling face graced her screen.
"Hey, Bun bun, so nice of you to call… Judy? What's the matter?"
"You alone, mom?"
Bonnie clearly knew better than to push. "Hang on a second, dear." After a few moments of Bonnie Hopps giving out orders like a military commander, then some rustling as she held the phone against her body, she came back on the screen. "Okay, dear. I'm in my office and the door is closed and locked. What's the matter? What's going on? Why are you upset? Did you get hurt at the job? Is Nick okay? Is he the reason you're upset?"
Judy chuckled with a smile, a sound and reaction that clearly calmed her mother. "No, mom. None of that. Not really, anyway. I mean, it does involve Nick. I just need some advice, and to get that advice, I need to explain some things to you. Before I do that, is dad in the room with you?"
"Why would you think that, dear?"
"Mom…" Giving her mother a pointed look.
Bonnie rolled her eyes and moved so she was sitting on the couch next to her mate. "Of course he is, dear."
Judy gave a heavy sigh. "Well… I guess we can just rip the bandage off, fur and all then."
Bonnie's concern increased. "Judy?"
Giving another sigh, Judy looked away from the camera to the photo of her and Nick in their cruiser on their first day as official partners. Nick had just finished his stint with Wolford, while she had partnered with Lizz. "Okay, so… You can stop trying to set me up on dates. I haven't gone out with any of the bucks you have sent, and not just because I'm busy with work. I… Mom. Dad. I have someone already."
Bonnie squealed and Stu cheered, while Judy just rolled her eyes and waited for the barrage of questions to end and her parents to calm down. "You guys should really hold the celebrations until you learn who he is."
Bonnie grinned. "So it is a he. Not that we care, dear, but we were starting to wonder. As for who, I'm not worried."
Judy groaned. "I wouldn't be so sure."
Bonnie interrupted. "So, how long have you and Nick actually been together?"
Judy's ears snapped upright with an audible pop, then fell behind her like they had weights tied to them as she stared at the screen in shock. "What?!"
Bonnie smiled knowingly. "Are you really going to tell me that it is not Nick?"
It took Judy a few seconds and blinking to comprehend what she was hearing. "Wait! You are… You would be okay with that? With Nick and I being together?"
Stu groaned. "Judy… My speaking against predators was based on my own fear and the laws as they were when I was younger. Those laws are gone now. Even more so, I've learned that some very unusual pairings can produce Kits. We may not understand it ourselves, but just as I do not understand why Gerald likes only males, or Betty only likes females. Well… It's not for us to understand, it's for us to support. My real concern is how long you have been in a relationship with him and were afraid to tell us."
Face pawing herself, Judy shook her head. "Karma's tail! We haven't been afraid to tell anyone, we've just been working through the cultural and species differences. Gods above, we have nearly broken up dozens of times because of misunderstanding or differing expectations. We talk. We talk a lot. If we are angered, irritated, confused by the other, we talk. We have to! It's the only reason we have made it this far. Hell, I left him for a week, early on, because of a misunderstanding. Something he just assumed as a fox, and I did not understand and misunderstood being a rabbit. We finally, and thankfully, yelled it out, then cried it out.
So we have been working through this since the very beginning really. Even before he went to the academy. But truly together as a couple. Dates, some planned by him, some by me. Just over 2 years, official, closer to three in reality. A few months before the holidays. Right after Anna and Vicky's wedding. It was the first time I could ever see myself up there getting married, and it was Nick up there in my mind's eye that I was marrying."
Her parents passed a twenty between them, Stu to Bonnie. Stu grumbling. "I knew I should have taken the under."
Judy glared at her parents. "Seriously! You two still do that?"
Bonnie laughed. "One hundred percent, dear. Now. What is this advice you are needing."
Judy sighed again with a shake of her head. "Well, mom. I know you knew a number of foxes, and reds specifically. I think you are still friends with a few." Getting a nod, Judy smiled weakly. "Great. Well. The first holiday with Nick, which was actually before we were actually together officially, I accidentally got the red fox gifting thing right. I got him some tie pins and had some of his and my fur braided together and added in such a way that it was part of the design. Nick had a scarf made for me from his fur, with his scent still intact.
Last time, our first holiday officially together, I saved up all my fur. I was meticulous about saving it. I had a tie made. Actually, I collected enough that I was able to give him two. One my natural color and without scent removal, and another I wasn't expecting, died a deep amethyst purple. You should have seen the look on his face. He got me a sweater, again made from his fur and with his scent still intact. He knows a clothier and weaver that was a friend of his fathers.
So that leads me to this year. I do not shed enough without saving for several years to have enough to get him a shirt. And a jacket… That'd take me a decade to save up for. So… I'm at a loss what to get him. I had this wild idea of selecting and paying for a sapphire. He actually has an ear piercing. It's another fox thing, and he stated specifically his was a Wilde clan thing. He hasn't filled it because it's something his future mate has to give him, just keeps a simple metal stud to keep the hole open. Though the positioning and details are weirdly similar to the Hopps clan specific tradition. But I know that's asking a lot."
Bonnie nodded. "I see. That's… That is a good idea, dear. Do you have the time to swing by anytime soon?"
Judy blinked and gasped slightly. 'Mom! You're not serious."
"Do you have time before the holiday?"
"I… I don't work for the next few days. Nick is working a case with Mike and Lizz is at a pack event that I dodged so I could figure out what I was getting Nick. The undercover work requires preds only due to what it is, so I can't participate. He had to scrub a lot, at the precinct, to get my scent off first."
"Okay, then you should swing by tonight."
Judy glared at her parents. "You're not going to say anything else until I'm there, are you?"
Bonnie nodded. "There are a few things you need to know, dear. They are things best not discussed over the phone. We'll see you in a few hours."
Judy stared a the screen in shock. "What!?" But all she got in response was the call ended indication. "Oh my gods. What just happened?"
xxxxXXXXXxxxx
A few hours later. Having left a note for Nick, and an email to his work and personal accounts, Judy pulled up to the burrow driving the new crossover she and Nick had purchased a few months prior. Stepping out of the vehicle, she was quickly swapped by a portion of the fluffle with a collective yell of, "JUDY!" Followed by the question, spoken as one. "Where's Nick?"
Laughing lightly as the kits scaled her. "Mom called me here, since I have the next few days off. Nick is working a case so he couldn't come." She got a collective groan at that.
Bonnie stepped out onto the porch, wiping her paws on a towel. "Kits! Leave Judy alone. Judy, dear. My office, please."
A few moments later, Judy had entered the shared office of her parents and then the attached private office of her mother. Inside waiting was her father and brother George. Judy looked over at her father who was looking, if she had to put a name to it. Guilty. While George, the family historian and keeper of all things old was engrossed in something on their mothers desk.
Her mother gave her a gentle push deeper into the room, locking the sound proofed door behind her. Judy did not like where her imagination was trying to go. "Mom. What's going on? Why did I need to come out here? Not a complaint, to be sure. I'm happy to visit since I have a few days. But what is it you couldn't tell me over the phone? To be very honest, I'm already freaking out over the idea that you two not only accept me being with Nick, unless I misunderstood the fact that you had that same old bet over us…"
Bonnie nodded with a smile as she took a seat in her favorite rocking chair. "Please, sit down, dear. We'll explain everything."
Judy looked over her parents who gave her reassuring looks and nods, which did nothing to calm her nerves. Then looked over her brother and a large, ancient book he was looking over on the desk. She could tell that it was in lapin now that she could see what he was looking at, and based on some of the characters she could see, very, very ancient, lapin. Giving a resigned sigh, Judy nodded herself and sat down on the couch. It was clear to her that whatever it was, it was important, and had to do with ancient law. "Fine. But so help me. If you tell me that I am not allowed to be with Nick…"
Stu was actually the first to respond. 'No! No! It's nothing like that." Actually chuckling warmly, which kinda freaked Judy out and had the fur on the back of her ears standing on end. "If anything, I think you'll find it a good thing." Not knowing how to respond to this, Judy just waved a paw for them to get on with it.
Instead of responding, both parents turned their attention to George. Judy, seeing this, felt confusion replacing the fear, though she remained equally freaked out. "Georgie?"
Looking up from the book, he smiled brightly at his sister. "Hey, Jude! Sorry, guess I was too busy reading. Come here, let me show you something." Motioning her over. "It's not complete, and there are clear inaccuracies in some of the later documents as to why the split happened. I hope to someday find more documentation to help clear up the clear lies in the post split narrative."
Judy's confusion only amplified. "George. What in the name of Karma and Saren are you talking about?"
George chuckled and gave a big breathy sigh. "Okay, sis. Look. You know my specialty has been in the oldest possible works, right?" Getting a nod from Judy. "Right. Well, we found a sealed room off the storage room. Someone was climbing one of the older racks and it wasn't as stable as the new BurrowDepot ones. It was one of the wolf sized ones that was really meant to be used in a less load bearing situation. Well, it gave out, fell against the wall. No worries, the idiot scaling it rather than finding a ladder was able to jump clear.
Anyway. It was one near a wall, and the impact revealed a sealed up door. We of course brought in archaeologists like Eddy. We found an entire cache of documents and other things from the time of the first burrow. They date from when the storage room was dug out as a bolt hole, maybe even a little earlier. It's hard to tell with too much accuracy yet. We need corroborating documentation that we simply do not have yet. However, they reveal some things. They revealed the location of the original Sapphire mine. They also reveal the location of the original burrow, the secondary borrow, and so many other things.
I've actually been studying them for nearly a year now. Got most of it translated and scanned in. I noticed something though. They kept good records, but then the record keeping suddenly got a whole lot better, and the language went from the earliest lapin that only historians like me, and nerds like you know, and transitioned to the ancient lapin that we are all taught. The documents reveal why there was a split in ancient times. We're told about it, but just that it happened, the reason was lost, until now. When I overheard mom and dad talking about you and Nick, and the fact you hadn't told them you were dating likely because of fear. Well… I had to bring what I had found to their attention."
Looking back to her parents who gave her reassuring nods, Judy rolled her eyes and stepped over to her brother and the massive book he was looking over. "Okay. Stop beating about the bush already. You've beaten this like over-mashed potatoes."
George smiled with slight embarrassment. "Sorry. The context helps. Judy. These documents were clearly hidden, carefully stashed away to protect them. We all know that there was an ancient split, but we don't know why, and the documents from before that split were thought lost. The documents we found. … Judy, they are from before the split. They give us so much. History we didn't know we had. Descriptions of pacts we didn't know our ancestors made. The reason the split happened. Why we dig our tunnels so much larger than any other rabbit burrow. You're friends with a Wolford Wolf, right"
Judy nodded. "Yeah. Mike. He's the designate, actually. Him and his mate will be the next alphas."
George grinned. "Please tell me they are the original Wolford pack from which all others originate?"
Judy frowned. "Pretty sure, why?"
"If they are, then we have a pact with them that dates back at least fifteen thousand years!" George was getting excited and starting to vibrate slightly. "Judy. We farm chickens because of foxes. Foxes that used to live with us. In our burrows! Ancient lapin is a combination of original lapin and ancient vulpine from one of the vulpine city states that fell around the time the language changed. Judy. There are records of intermarriage, and KITS! From those unions. Rabbits and foxes, having viable offspring! Mom and Dad had Kevin and Kliff do some genetic testing. Most of us have DNA from at least one other species than rabbit. Your purple eyes, slightest point at the tip of your ears. … Those are the hallmarks we have found of high levels of predator DNA."
Grinning win pure glee, George continued. "I'll bet my tail fur that you eat meat, and not just a little bit."
Shrinking a little bit as she glanced at her parents, both just rolling their eyes. "Well… I mean… I needed the protein to help get stronger. The doctor said I needed weird beans and stuff, then made a joke about fish jerky. Bobby always had some. I tried it. Didn't hate it. Didn't mess up my stomach, so… Yeah. Makes sharing meals with Nick really great. I mean, foxes are omnivores, but they need more protein than a rabbit."
George laughed. "Accept maybe you. So, yeah… The documents we found indicate that the split had to do with the predators living in the burrow. They were accused of all sorts of things. Thefts. Eating little buns from their cribs. You get the idea. All the hateful crap we were taught all our lives." George gave Stu specifically a very pointed look.
Stu shrank his head into his shoulders. "I know. I know. It was the hate I was taught and I passed it along rather than learning to be better. I had my reasons and excuses, but I should have known better."
Nodding, George continued. "So, Really. Judy. You being with Nick. Par for the course for this family, and you will want to get some discrete genetic testing done, because you two can likely have kits if the ancient Hopps, or rather, Hop, rabbits are any proof. Remember, the history we were taught is that at the split, they drove out the abominations. That is the terminology used. The rabbits that were not rabbits. If they were cross breeding successfully…"
Judy nodded, eyes wide in shock. "Moldy Carrots and Cabbage. They drove out the predators and any hybrids, or at least any that didn't look sufficiently rabbity."
George nodded tapping the side of his nose and then pointing at Judy. "That is exactly the conclusion I came to, and then confirmed with the documents we found. Now. I want you to read this right here. It lists the name of the first fox that joined the burrow. There is a bunch of stuff on him, what he did for the burrow, why they chose to accept him. That's not really relevant though. I remember asking Nick once and he confirmed that Clan Wilde is at least as old as the fall of the fox lords some fifteen or so thousand years ago.
Judy skimmed it, George having to help her with some of the truly ancient lapin. She was out of practice, and you didn't really need ancient lapin as an officer in Zootopia. "Wilde… But… That translates to the same spelling that Nick uses." Judy stared at it for a second, eyes getting wider. "George. Show me that section on the wolves and the pact."
Flipping the pages, he pointed to it and pulled up the translation on his tablet. Reading it, Judy felt a chill run up her spine. Pulling out her phone, she dialed Lizz. A moment later he had it on speaker.
"Hey Fluffy Bunny, what's up? Figure out what you are getting your fox yet? I know that's why you blew me off on this get together. I could really use my second on this."
Judy took a deep breath. "Elizabeth. I am currently at home in the burrow, looking at a very ancient document. A pact. I am calling you as your First, and I need you to get to the Alphas, now. Either connecting them to this line or in person."
Lizz couldn't help a small chuckle. "They're right here, Judy." Some rustling and a click later. "Okay, you're no speaker. We're in a limo heading to a pack function. The one you skipped out on because you were losing your fuzzy little brain on what to get Nick."
Victoria spoke. "Judy. what's the matter? You seem, stressed."
Judy smiled. "Hello, Victoria. Alpha. I reach out to you as recognized First of the Regent. I reach out to you as a friend of Wolford Pack. I reach out to you with a question that demands an answer only you and your mate can provide. A question whose answer will have wide ranging and deep impacts upon the pack, and all mammalia as a whole."
Victoria cleared her throat, her voice clearly colored with surprise at the formal request and the implication. "Speak, First of the Regent. If the answer is within our knowledge, we will respond."
"Thank you, Alpha. Arron. You study and document all the pacts held by Pack Wolford, both new, old, expired, and fallow, correct? Including those lost to time, where the other side has forgotten, yes?"
Arron gave a deep sigh. "Yes, and before you ask. Yes, we were in a pact in ancient times with a group of rabbits named Hop. That pact went fallow thousands of years ago, though it is still on the books with us. That said, the Hop rabbits don't exist anymore as far as I know. Why do you ask?"
Judy giggled and quickly covered her muzzle until she reigned it in. "Sorry. Sorry… Because I'm looking at the pact in question. About three hundred years ago the Hop clan got renamed on all legal documents to Hopps by a clerical error, and by the time anyone cared, several generations had grown up as Hopps, so we never went back." Glancing at her parents who grinned and nodded at her unasked question. "And I'm pretty sure my parents, the current head of Clan Hopps, would welcome rejoining that pact, or whatever the proper term is."
Arron laughed. "The term is that, or resurrect, or anything similar. As far as we are concerned, once your family recognizes it, and can prove that you are the original Hop Clan, it is in effect."
Victoria chuckled. "Was that all?"
Arron chuckled more in response. "Dearest. You have to understand. That pact is from right after the original reformation when we moved away from life as a barbaric old ways tribe. We started fishing, raising chickens, and set up the very first Wolford pack village. It was actually out east, supposedly. Though we no longer have any maps to tell us where it actually was. At least not with enough detail and landmarks to pin it down."
Judy laughed lightly. "Well, in the documents that were recently unearthed, we have the location, or at least the general area."
George stepped in. "Alpha's. I am Judy's brother, and one of the family historians. I have been studying the documents we found. They paint a very… interesting picture. You wouldn't happen to maintain such ancient documents that I could study?"
Arron spoke through a laugh. "George, it's a pleasure to meet you. Yes we do. Not only that, but I suspect that it will clarify some of what you may now suspect of the split."
George did a binky. "YES! I'm going to win a Nobel in History at this rate! My gods, Judy! If Nick's family preserved anything from back then…"
Judy shook her head with an eye roll. "Okay. I'll ask him when I next see him. Lizz, Vic, Arron, thank you for taking the call. Sorry I couldn't be there."
Lizz chuckled. "It is a three day event. I expect my First to be here by tomorrow. I need the backup without Mike here."
Judy chuckled again. "I'll be there. I just need to finish untangling things here."
Bonne spoke up with a grin. "Elizabeth, aren't you that tigress friend Judy has spoken about? Her… Training officer, I think she said."
Lizz laughed. "I am at that. She's my bestie."
"We'll make sure she is on her way in a few hours. She drove here, so she can drive to where it is you are heading directly."
"Awesome! Uhm…"
"Bonnie. Bonnie Hopps, Judy's mother. Also, mister Arron. I'll make it official as we wish to reclaim the pact between us. What proof can we send with Judy?"
"A photo of the pact would be sufficient for that, and something that shows what she stated about the conversion of Hop to Hopps. That would cover things until we can get a formal, modern pact document written up."
"We will make sure that Judy has that with her."
The call ended after some goodbyes and Judy turned to her parents. "Does all this mean that I can select a stone for Nick?"
Bonnie nodded. "It does, dear. It does. First, take the needed photos of the pact and associated documents, then there is something else you need to take a photo of."
xxxxXXXXXxxxx
Later that week, Judy was sitting on the couch watching TV when the door opened, one ear rotating to the sound of familiar claws on the wood floors. Nick gave a tired sigh and chuckle at seeing the ear just peaking over the couch and turned towards him. "Hey, Carrots. I'm home, and I'm beat. But… we got them."
Judy spoke from the couch, muting the TV. "Hey, Slick. Question for you. You want kits, right?"
Nick frowned. "Yeah, but we both know we can't. I just figured that we'd adopt. Why are you bringing this up again?" Nick's tone took on a nervous tone.
Judy turned so that only her ears and eyes were peaking over the back of the couch. "Oh… just curious."
Nick couldn't tell what was up with her, but the look in her eyes almost seemed. Playful. "Judy?"
"Tell me, Slick. Your family has been in the area since before Zootopia existed, right?"
"Yeah. This is kinda heavy conversation, Fluff. What's up?"
Judy rose so her grin could be seen. "So… Your family wouldn't happen to still have records from back then? Especially super early."
"We do. Why?" Judy leapt onto the back of the couch and then launched herself into his arms. He managed to catch her and land against the door with an oomph, despite his exhaustion.
Kissing him all over his muzzle, Judy pulled back with a grin. "I got your present. You told me once that you participated in an ancient vulpine tradition of maintaining an Ancestor stone, but the original Wilde stone was lost."
Nick nodded, looking up at her confused. "Yes… Our current one is small, mobile, for the reasons we discussed. Why?"
Judy pulled out her phone and showed him a photo. "This wouldn't happen to be it, would it?"
Nick's eyes bulged as he took the phone, snatching it from her and zooming in. "Yes. Oh my… Karma! What? How? Where?" Turning his focus to Judy, his exhaustion completely forgotten. "Judy? How? Where? I don't understand."
Grinning, Judy grabbed his muzzle, pulling him into a deep and passionate kiss. "A long story that I'll let the historians tell. What I can say is we now know why my family farms chickens. Why we farm fish. And why…" Kissing him and licking at his lips, Nick opened his mouth to let her in and they battled for several long moments. He tasted her deeply and she him, both exploring as much of the other's mouth as they could. Finally pulling back. "The stone is actually on the farm, deep in the north woods area of our land near where the original burrow was.
Also. To answer your question about why I'm asking about kits. I took some of your DNA using your fur brush, along with mine to Doctor Badger. They did some discrete profiling. Nick… It isn't a question of if you want kits, it is a question of how many you want. You and I are nearly as compatible as we are with our own species, maybe more so."
Nick blinked at her as he tried to understand what she was saying. Once it clicked a single tear dripped from his eye. "Judy. You're serious? Please don't joke about that."
Judy reached down between them and gripped him, drawing a needy and surprised whine from him. "We're going to have to be careful, fox. However, the first time I feel you, it is going to be all you. I am already on birth control just to keep the urges in check, and with Doc Badgers tests, I had my dose upped."
Nick took a shaking breath. "Judy. It's winter and I haven't been able to take my suppressors in three weeks. I don't have the strength, save I'm exhausted beyond belief, to resist you right now."
Judy nodded. "Good. I'm making you mine and you're making me yours this weekend, fox. No more stalling." Judy paused and looked down, ears falling behind her. "Unless you don't want to be my mate."
Nick blinked and then grinned. "You've been talking to a vixen again, rabbit. If that is what the lady wants, then this fox is ready to oblige with a glad and ready heart. But seriously, I need a shower. I reek of fox."
Judy pressed her nose into his chest ruff peeking out of his shirt and took a deep breath. "Don't I know it. I've missed your scent. I need to wallow in it a bit. Now carry me to our room. I need to peel you out of these clothes and get my fingers into your fur until a blind mammal couldn't tell where you stop and I start."
xxxxXXXXXxxxx
Later that week, after having called in some additional PTO, they exchanged gifts and then had to call out for one extra PTO day. Nick presented Judy with a platinum set of ear studs and bangles, designed that she could wear them in uniform, and accented with a set of five gems formed from Nick's fur. Judy presented Nick with the mate studs for his ear, the stud sporting a Hopps sapphire. Studs he accepted with joy and wore with absolute pride.