Serendipity's Shadow
Rated T
Chapter 34
Nick didn't sleep well. All he could think about was all the possible ways Judy could end up killed. Judy wanted them to be nothing but friends. His heart wouldn't allow that. Nick laughed to himself thinking about how much he resembled his father. A hopeless fool desperately in love with someone who was way out of his league.
Nick eventually gave up on the idea of sleep. And dragged himself out of bed. He glanced at the clock.
Three in the fucking morning!
Nick groaned in displeasure.
Slowly he stood feeling a cool breeze envelop him. His feet led him out of the room, past the lobby, down the hall, until he stood before the door to Judy's room.
If she's awake…she's gonna kill me.
Taking a deep breath Nick opened the door. His heart began to beat rapidly as he took small tentative steps towards the sleeping bunny. She was laying there softly breathing unaware of Nick's presence. An urge to feel the softness of her cheek swept over him. And he almost gave in to the urge. But Judy tossing to her side shocked him back into reality. She tossed again in her sleep back into her original position. On her side in the fetal position with a paw tucked tenderly under her head.
You used to sleep like a log. Nick mused as he remembered seeing her sleep straight on her back most of the time.
Nick slowly sat on the chair beside Judy's bed. He studied every inch of her face to make sure he could never forget a single detail.
"I love you." Nick whispered so quietly that not even the wind could hear it. "I know Ermine wants to use you to get to me. And the smart idea would have been to continue to act as if you meant nothing to me. But I just can't seem to let you go. I know you want to let me go, Judy. And I don't blame you. I also know that no matter what I do you don't want to be like how we were in the past. If I could just get the chance Carrots. I would strive to be better. Whether that's as your boyfriend, best friend, or a shadow to ensure your happiness. I am a hopeless fool and a coward. Otherwise, I would be telling you this when you could actually hear me." Nick paused trying not to pathetically laugh at himself. "I know there is a possible future where you're married to someone happily. And I'm just there in the background ensuring that the shmuck knows to never step out of his lane. And when you have a family, I hope you'll allow me to be…an unseen uncle, at the least. Because I truly don't know how to live life again with no contact between us."
Nick listened to her calm breathing as she continued to sleep. After a minute Nick stood from the chair to try and go back to sleep. Only for someone to grab a hold of his wrist.
"Judy?" Nick asked quietly.
He turned to see a half-dazed rabbit looking at him with dreary eyes.
"Did I wake you?"
Judy simply nodded rubbing her eyes tiredly.
"Sorry." Nick mumbled. "I couldn't sleep."
Judy stared at him for a moment before making her way out of the bed. Nick stood in place dumfounded for a moment. That is until Judy grabbed him by the paw and led him out of the room. Nick obediently obeyed Judy as she led him groggily back to his room.
When did she learn where my room was?
Judy didn't even hesitate to enter his room. Nick for a moment felt embarrassed about how much of a mess the room was. He had haphazardly thrown clothes on the floor. Empty and mostly unfished drinks covered several surfaces. But luckily Judy seemed too tired to even notice the mess. Judy lazily led Nick to the bed. Nick stood there dumbfounded as Judy made her way to the other side. And with no hesitation, Judy crawled into his bed making herself comfy under the blanket.
"Uh…what?"
"Sleep." Judy mumbled sleepily.
"…Together?"
"Yep."
Nick was even more wide awake now. Carrots. Officer Fluff. Judy Hopps! Was in his bed telling him to sleep…next to her.
"Stop thinking so much and just get into bed already." Judy grumbled making herself more comfortable in bed.
And just like that all the confusion and mixed emotions left Nick's body.
"Yes, Ma'am." Nick chuckled.
He didn't hesitate to crawl into the bed anymore. Making himself comfortable sleeping on his side. Nick looked at Judy's face contently, happy with their proximity.
"I can feel you staring." Judy laughed with her eyes closed.
"I am not."
Judy knew Nick was lying. But that didn't stop her from opening her eyes to double-check.
"Idiot." She laughed.
Nick smiled laughing alongside Judy.
"Go to sleep."
"Okay…"
Nick and Judy continued to stare at each other.
"This isn't sleeping." Judy stated.
"I'll close my eyes when you do." Nick countered.
"Your such a child."
"Last I checked I'm a full-grown adult."
"Uh-huh. Keep dreaming Mr. Wilde."
"…Your weirdly playful tonight." Nick smiled. "Not that I'm complaining."
"…"
"Judy?"
"I'm tired, my body is healing, and life feels like hell right now." Judy sighed closing her eyes contently. "I'm just tired of being serious all the time."
"I understand."
"Is that why you came into my room?"
Nick paused feeling his heart skip a beat in fear.
"Did you hear me?"
"…Only when you began to leave." Judy eventually answered.
"…Yeah." Nick answered Judy's question. "I wanted to vent. But I didn't want to burden you at the same time."
"The whole part about becoming friends is being able to carry each other through the heavy stuff. But I get not being sure if you could talk to me. I don't know where we stand in this messy grey area that is us."
"What do you want it to be?"
"I can't answer that question right now."
"Why?"
Judy stared at Nick with an almost sad look in her eye before getting closer to Nick. She forced him to lay on his back as she placed her head on his chest. She listened to his heartbeat in a calming rhythm.
"Judy?"
"Someone who has betrayed their own heart isn't someone you should trust with your own heart."
Judy said before cuddling closer into Nick's warmth. Nick calmy wrapped his arm around Judy holding her close.
"Even if they wouldn't mind you breaking it into a thousand pieces."
"…Especially then." Judy mumbled into Nick's chest. "Goodnight, Nick."
"Goodnight." Nick mumbled closing his eyes, looking for sleep.
When morning came neither of the two mammals was aware of it. Sleep was a fleeting experience compared to the comfortable familiarity of being in each other's arms.