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Chapter Text

A total of four months had passed since the dynamic bunny and fox duo managed to crack another city-wide conspiracy. 

A lot has happened in that timeframe. 

Chief Bogo had awakened from his venom induced coma. And even held no ill will towards Gary. Of course Gary, being the kind soul he was, wrote and drew an apology and surprised him with donuts that Judy, Nick, and Clawhauser got for him. The doctors were surprised at how well Gary's antivenom pen worked against the toxins. Bogo had no traces of venom in him at all anymore when he was checked out by the doctors like Judy and Nibbles were

Judy, Nick, Gary, and Nibbles had their names cleared of all charges held against them. Nibbles got to share her story on her podcast which blew up insanely well. She was even invited to an interview with ZNN! But couldn't talk about the case as much as she wanted to, which annoyed the wood chips out of her. The trials of the Lynxley's had to be dealt with first, but it was more than likely they would be locked up with a life sentence.

Mayor Winddancer had passed a bill to Zootopia's legal system. It was called the "Reptile Restoration and Reintegration" bill. His first ever bill as mayor too! It called immediately for all reptiles to be recognized as official citizens of Zootopia again with their rights returned to them and for the original district to be restored and polished to what it once was. It took two weeks for the bill to be passed from court to court until finally it was approved and put into official Zootopia law. After a total of two months and three weeks of slowly thawing out and repolishing the once icy neighborhood, it was finally reborn and could be shown on the map again. A new statue of Zootopia's true founder, Agnes, was constructed for the town. It took four weeks for it to be finally finished before they could reopen. The statue was in memory of her and the De' Snake family's sacrifice, bravery, intelligence, and love for their community in celebration. And so, Reptile Ravine was reopened to the city!

Many reptiles of different species and sizes were moved back into their restored homes. But it wasn't just reptiles wandering the streets and visiting houses. All animals of different sizes and species from Zootopia wandered the neighborhood in unity with them.  

And of course, Gary celebrated it in the most Gary way possible. By inviting all of his new friends to his old home and throwing a party!

Inside, Gary's home was filled to the brim with all different species of both predator and prey. Of course Judy, Nick, and Nibbles had to come. It wasn't just them though. Members of the ZPD and friends from Judy and Nick's circles attended. Gary had even insisted that Judy invite her whole family over. So...she did! Many young rabbits filled the rooms of Gary's house. Laughing and chasing each other around through the crowded rooms and hallways. Probably from the sugar rush that they got from the jumbo pops Nick ordered. Some of the little ones from her family stole one of the jumbo pops and crashed into the wall with it, which disturbed and embarrassed Bonnie. Gary found it funny though. It was chaotic...but nice. The blue viper even played with her baby sibling, nieces, and nephews, much to the chagrin of Stu.

Clawhauser and Hoggbottom had a nice toast with a popsicle and even bonded over Gazelle. Nibbles talked about her podcast and conspiracies with everyone circled around her in one of the rooms. Judy at one point even saw Nick and Gary talking to each other. Gary loved hearing about all the hustles Nick told him about.

"If only I met you instead of Pawbert! You could've hid me in one of your rugs! Way more comfy than a crate overseas." 

"Gary buddy trust me, you're lucky you didn't hide in one of my rugs let me just say that."

Seeing everyone together of all different species, sizes, backgrounds, and beliefs stirred a pride within Judy. It was slowly starting to hit her at what she just accomplished. 

But it really hit her when she heard the doorbell ring. Gary went to answer it, and when he did Judy saw four more blue vipers. Two big ones, and two little ones. She heard Gary let out a happy laugh that mimicked the other four. The five snakes wrapped around each other to form one big blob of blue scales. It finally hit her. This was his family. His father, mother, and little siblings had come all this way to see him after he had set out to restore their name. Gary saw Judy stare at them. And introduced her to his family with a great big snake hug.

She realized she didn't just help an entire community of reptiles. She helped a family find their way back home. And the "thank you" that Gary gave her felt sweeter than what any popsicle could give her. This is what being a police officer was all about. Helping people in need. For a long time she felt like she had to prove herself, and eventually Nick, to others by solving a big case. But now she realized she didn't need to prove herself to anyone. If she could help someone in need and bring this type of beautiful closure to them, then she didn't mind if people saw her differently. 

"You touch lives and bring people together."

Nick's words reminded her that most importantly she had him at her side to be there for her, and appreciated her as her loveable self flaws and everything. And it didn't matter what people thought of her. She had Nick at her back, and she had his. 

In fact, for Judy and Nick, it had been quite the journey for both of them. The two have been welcomed back into the ZPD with open arms and applauded the duo for their work. The government had awarded them with medals of the city once again for their bravery, integrity, and trust to the city of Zootopia as police officers and citizens. People have started calling them the "Dream Team of the ZPD". 

But now things were different between them. But not in a bad way. The two haven't talked about their kiss from four months ago. But it's not because things were awkward between them. The duo were not in a hurry to rush to the talk just yet. Both knew a lot had happened. Being on the run, threatened to be split up, both of them almost dying, and the city having all eyes on them now. They agreed that for now it'd be best to take a page out of Nick's book, and let things die down and to just process everything.

And above all for those four months was Judy making Nick's recovery the top of her priority list.

Nick honestly underestimated how serious the bunny was in her pledge about moving in back at the hospital. She unfortunately (to Nick) did clean up his apartment with the help from Gary and Nibbles, while he was forced to stay in the hospital with the knowledge his messy bachelor pad was being invaded by his friends. But once that was taken care of and Nick's discharge date had been settled, she gladly took the fox out of the hospital's paws. His recovery progress had gone well during his stay, and Judy made sure it would keep the same pace back at his place. 

As his new roommate and caregiver she stuck to his side like glue and constantly checked if Nick was comfortable, eating well, doing his physical therapy. And yes, she made sure Nick dressed, bathed, and could sit on the toilet properly. Once they got past the embarrassment (especially from Nick) it was smooth sailing from there. Plus, whenever she took Nick out for some fresh air on his wheelchair she enjoyed pushing him around. It was probably odd to see a small bunny pushing a big fox in a wheelchair, but that just made her all the more proud of herself for her dedication to him. Even though Nick was fully capable of using his arms to get around on the wheelchair she always insisted that she do it so as to not cause his body too much stress. And it was good exercise!

While Nick recovered, the two had now started actually hanging out together casually while being roommates. It wasn't anything romantic or expecting the conversation to happen just yet. The fox and bunny simply enjoyed being around each other regardless. As a way of showing his appreciation, Nick started showing Judy his favorite old films growing up and even started watching shows on streaming that they both found to enjoy a lot. They were both currently into Beardevil: Born Again. Judy enjoyed the mystery and action while Nick liked the superhero aspect of it. Sometimes Judy would even let loose on Nick's strict diet of healthy foods and order a pizza for both of them.

But even though they both have enjoyed learning new things about each other and spending quality time during Nick's recovery. The kiss and confessions were still in the back of their minds haunting them, despite it not making things awkward for them.

Now however, the flames have died down. 

Before Judy could begin her plan she had one thing to do first. She managed to spot Gary in one of the crowds in the kitchen, he was watching both of his little siblings go to town on a popsicle with him giggling the whole time. She didn't mean to interrupt the time he was spending with his family, especially in their moment of celebration, but right now was as good as ever.

"Hey Gary?" the reptile swerved his neck backwards to the rabbit and immediately gave a kind smile. "Do you still have the surprise I have for Nick?" she whispered to him. Since she and Nick shared the same place temporarily she didn't want to run the risk of the fox accidently stumbling on it.

"Oh! Yes of course, just give me one second." Gary said. Judy should've known this was coming, but she didn't. Because Gary began gagging like he was trying to push something out of his stomach. Alarms rang in her head and she jumped back with her teeth bared and a grossed out expression. It didn't take long for Gary to regurgitate a small red plastic box from his insides and onto the floor. He picked it up with the end of his tail and presented it to the rabbit. "Here you go!" he smiled.

An awkward smile back and a nervous giggle at the gesture was her only response. So that's where he hid it, figures. 

"Thaaanks..." she nervously laughed. She took the box by the small green bow on top with the tips of her two fingers pinching so she wouldn’t touch it too much.

"No problem! Also, I made sure to tell everyone not to go upstairs. It'll give you both some privacy." the viper said, giving a wink.

Judy nodded and gave the snake wave before she headed off into the direction of where the stairs leading up were.

Once she arrived upstairs she made sure to gently close the door behind her. Inside was a small bedroom with two little beds built for small snakes that were left untouched. She turned on the lights and observed the scenery. It was cute, almost reminding her of the bedrooms she shared with some of her siblings. Only this room was bigger and wouldn't be cramped by thirty-eight little bunnies trying to share one room and snuggle in a bed all at once.

She inwardly chuckled at the nostalgia. 

Maybe I should visit the burrows again and bring Nick this time. 

She put a pin on the idea and went over to the bed with indigo covers on it. And secretly put the present underneath the bed, where the sheets were so long that they managed to hide it underneath. Perfect!

Wasting no more time she left the room and quietly closed the door once more. As soon as she arrived downstairs she began the search for the fox. Eventually, the bunny saw her partner in the crowd, listening to one of Nibbles's conspiracy rants. He looked amused nonetheless.

"I'm telling you all Jackalopes are real! There is physical proof of a last sighting dated back to forty years ago." Nibbles rambled.

Judy approached and stood by Nick's side, which immediately captured his attention. Her heart was pounding a little.

"Is this any interesting stuff she's talking about?" Judy whispered.

"Well, not really, but it's funny to see the beaves rant when you're not the one being talked to."

The grin on his face made Judy smile as well. She hoped this wasn't a bad time.

"Sooo if this isn't a bad time...do you want to talk?"

Nick's ears perked up. "Like, in private?" Now Nick's heart was pounding. Was this actually it? He looked into Judy's eyes, she looked serious, and it was clear to him that they were both thinking of the same thing.

"Yeah...come on, I'll help you upstairs no one's up there." She offered a warm smile to him. She hoped Nick would've taken the offer but all she received was a smirk from him.

"Don't worry Carrots, I feel better enough to get myself up the stairs by now," he said grinning, "Besides I need to grab something real quick, I'll meet you upstairs in a bit." And with that Judy saw the fox walk stiffly into the other room. He hasn't been able to walk like his normally carefree smooth self, despite the progress he's been making. He had to be careful with his posture now. And the back brace the fox was forced to wear didn't hide it well either.

Nick could tell Judy always observed how he was required to walk with his back straightened up. She was probably used to seeing his ears, shoulders, and hips aligned vertically by now. It still made him feel bad that she was still worried like this over him.

She didn't take her eyes off of him till he was out of her view. The bunny could only let out a sigh of discomfort before heading upstairs to the second floor. Even though he should be able to walk normally in three weeks without the aid of the back bracelet, she still worried for him. She was always gonna worry over him. Despite Nick making good progress on his spine healing.

Judy was glad the case ended the way it did. Both her and Nick alive, their names cleared, reptiles proved to be innocent, Gary's family getting the justice and recognition they deserve, and making Zootopia a stronger place for all animals to live. She was proud of all of that.

But part of her still carried the guilt for Nick's injuries and almost losing him. Even after months it still tore up her insides. But no use feeling sorry for herself anymore she pressed.

She decided instead of waiting for Nick up in the room she remained near the stairs, waiting for him to come back.

It took him a good while, but when he did arrive back, the fox was surprised to still see her there.

"Everything good?"

The bunny nodded. "Yeah I'm fine! But I still wanna help you up the stairs."

Nick made sure not to show his discomfort. 

"Fluff it's okay I can walk fi-"

"I know you can," she quickly interrupted. She held up her hand to him. "I just wanna walk up with you."

Nick was about to object but stopped himself. It was obvious she was still worried about him. And maybe the solitary side of him found it a tad overwhelming with just how much she hovered over him. He wasn't used to that type of attention. But who was he to deny her this? Nick knew all this worry came from a place of love and care from her. Saying no to this might be the same as saying 'I don't need you anymore' he figured. That was the last thing Judy would want to hear. So he decided to get over himself, swallowed his pride for her, and took her open hand with his paw.

"Alright then Carrots lead the way."

His little smile made her feel all the more better. She was nervous about what was to come as she led Nick up the stairs carefully. Once the two had made it up to the room Judy closed the door and made sure to flick the lock in case anyone decided to snoop in.

"So, I'm guessing this was the tyke's room?" Nick observed. It was a small room he noticed. Maybe a little tight too, but it was made for animals smaller than his size as a grown tod.

"Yeah, I actually asked Gary before the party if we could use this room to have our talk, and he said yes," Judy beamed. "He told everyone that it was off limits to go up there, so no one will bother us!"

"Well well, somebunny came prepared." Nick smirked and quirked an eyebrow.

Judy snorted in amusement at his pun, and sat down on one of the beds. This time the rose colored one opposite of the indigo one where she hid the surprise for Nick. She patted on the side next to her. Nick complied with the gesture and sat down next to her gently, while making sure his back was straightened correctly. But he didn't expect to see a pair of rabbit hands reach underneath his pink button up shirt which surprised Nick.

"U-Um, Carrots, what's going on here?!"

It was only when he realized her hands were feeling the hard plastic back brace that covered half of his torso that his nervousness calmed down.

"Do you feel fine? It's not too tight is it?" she gently asked.

Nick cleared his throat. He shouldn't feel flustered by this. Judy literally is the one who puts it on him everyday in the first place. She's seen him without his shirt on and...had her hands all over his stomach and back trying to get it on in the first place. So it's not like he had any modesty to hide from her.

"Uhh, no Judy I feel fine, but thank you for asking." He meant it too. Even though Judy's constant need to check on him felt a bit too much at times he couldn't blame the doe. If their positions were switched he too would be hovering over her injury. Overall Nick did find Judy's attention and care touching.

"Sorry, sorry...I know I can be too much sometimes-"

"No-no it's alright Carrots. I appreciate the extra mile taken."  he kindly said.

She released her hands from underneath his shirt and chuckled sheepishly. For a good while the two just sat and looked at each other in silence and gave weird smiles to each other. But both of them shared the same thought.

Okay this is harder than I thought.

It shouldn't have been this hard though right? They already poured their hearts out back at the weather wall and shared a kiss. And even afterwards with Nick's injury, the two had managed to talk and be around each other normally. So why was it so hard now? They survived after nearly dying for pete's sake!

Alright Nick come on you can do this. Just rip the band aid off, talk to her, then give her the gift. It's not that hard right?

You can't stare at him forever Judy say something!

"I'll let you go first." they both said simultaneously. They giggled when they caught the jinx they both did.

"Okay...um, well maybe I'm rushing into it already but...Nick I feel like both of us know where this is going, but maybe...it would be nice to make sure we're certain about each other?" she tried to say, but couldn't find the correct way to say it. "I-I don't mean to say everything at the wall didn't feel right or anything, it's just...AUGHH I've never done this before..." 

"Hey, it's alright," Nick warmly said. He could tell Judy was nervous about the whole thing. So he wanted to make sure it felt natural. Guess that meant it would be better for him to start things first. "Look I get it, back then a lot happened between us. Emotions were high, and let's be honest, we were pretty hysterical after everything." He scratched the back of his neck. Despite the calm demeanor Nick put up on the outside, he was really nervous just like she was. "But if you wanna know where I stand Fluff, I still feel the same like I always have about you." he said proudly tilting his chin up.

"Which is?" she leaned forward while her nose twitched. 

The sight gave Nick's heart a quick beat for how cute she looked. He took a deep breath. "I still, and always will care about you a lot, a-and I'm still in love with you Judy...like madly in love with you. And as far as fox standards are concerned...I'm hopelessly in love with you."

She squeaked a little on the inside. She was not expecting him to outright say it like that and double down on it. But she couldn't lie. Part of her REALLY liked hearing Nick say that about her. It made her heart go wild and a blush formed under her grey fur on her cheeks. She was becoming a little too excited.

"Hah...I uh...can I ask another thing?" she sputtered out. A quick nod from Nick was her green light. "When did you start having feelings for me, exactly?"

"Do you wanna take a guess?" Nick teased.

"Uhh...I-I don't know!" she said timidly.

"Well here's a hint. It was a very important day in my life that I shared with you."

Judy pondered. She could only think of two possibilities. But the logical one would have to be the first one that popped into her head if she had to guess.

"When we made amends under the bridge?"

"Nope! Sorry Carrots better luck next time, that'll cost you five bucks for another game!"

"Nick, just tell me!" she pouted. 

"Alright, alright!" he smirked. "But, let me give some background to when and why I started catching feelings, before I say when it happened. So buckle in fluff, because it's gonna be a long story."

The rabbit scooted in closer, crossed her legs, and put her hand on her chin to emphasize her eagerness to hear the reveal.

Geez she really is keen on knowing this huh?

Nick pushed back his internal amusement. "Okay well, as you know I didn't really think...highly of you when we first met, but we don't need to go into depth about that. So I guess things really changed for me when you saved my life from Manches back then. Not romantic feelings just yet! But that's when my eyes really opened up to you Fluff. Before I thought you were naive and had your head stuck in the clouds to the point where once reality hit you it would hit HARD, and I...waited for that moment."

"Gee thanks slick." she teasingly murmured.

"Relax, I'm getting there," he countered. "So it did hit you, when Bogo demanded your badge back. But I didn't realize it would hit me too."

Nick clasped his paws together and looked down at them. "Because when I saw you being ganged up on by the people you just wanted to prove yourself to...it reminded me of the scouts y'know? It felt like I was watching myself go through the same rejection and bullying I went through at that moment. And something stirred inside me. Like I couldn't let someone go through the same experience I did. That stuff messed me up for good fluff. And I think that's why seeing your optimism back when I hustled you struck a cord in me. Because I was like that before the scouts. I thought I could prove myself to the world that not all foxes were shifty or up to no good. But I gave up HARD when I was muzzled. Not you though Judy, not you."

He paused and swallowed and looked at the invested rabbit. "You actually accomplished something with yourself, and disproved the myth that a rabbit couldn't become a cop. I guess some part of me was a little jealous back then seeing that you managed to accomplish something so great for yourself and rabbits, unlike me. I could tell how proud of yourself you were. But all that hope and optimism was gone in an instant when Bogo berated you and wanted your badge back. I mean...you looked like everything was falling apart around you. So I couldn't be silent, not after you saved my life and bounced back at every attempt I did to sabotage your case for the pen back. Because I started to believe you could do it Judy, you just needed a chance right?"

"Yeah, I really did Nick," she softly smiled. It felt nice to hear him say that. "Thank you."

He smiled back at her. "So I stood up for you, told you the story of the scouts, and you listened to me too. At that point it wasn't about getting the pen back anymore, it was about helping you keep your dream. Something I lost a long time ago. Helping you keep yours was the least I could for you after how I've acted.  Alright so fast forward, we found the fourteen missing mammals and thought we got the true culprit. And that leads me to the moment I really started having feelings for you Judy, still not romantic just yet." He teased when he noticed the doe's eyes lit up for a sec before dimming down again in disappointment.

How long was he gonna keep her in suspense? She really wanted to know! The butterflies in her stomach were killing her.

"I said back at the wall, when you gave me that application I was happy, but also scared. But it's not just because you were the first person who wanted to give me a chance. It was also because...because it was for the first time in my life...I felt like I could finally have a friend. Someone who actually wanted me around. And I know what you're thinking, 'I thought Finnick and Flash were your friends' but that's not true. Finnick was really just a business partner at the end of the day. I mean sure, we shared the occasional drink after a successful con every now and then, but we never talked about our personal lives or feelings. And I think it was mutual between us at the end of the day." He reminisced. This really was making him sound more pathetic than he thought.

"Now Flash, I just knew him from high school, but we never hung out or anything," he shrugged. "So yeah, you were the only mammal in my life who had a glimpse at the real me Judy, and even when you saw me at my worst you still wanted ME to be your partner on the force. I was so happy...it felt like a dream come true. Sometimes I still can't believe it." 

But Judy knew what was about to come next when she saw Nick look down again, this time seeming a little sullen. She decided to say it for him. "And then I hurt you with the stuff I said at the press conference, right?" she grimaced, drooping her ears. She still couldn't fully forgive herself for that. She couldn't believe how irresponsible and shallow she was back then to say all of those terrible things and act like they were nothing especially after she got Nick to be her friend.

"Well...yes Fluff. But remember I forgave you for that! I don't hold it against you at all," he quickly reminded. "So I'm not gonna harp on how hurt I was, but yes I was crushed. It felt like the one ray of hope I had to having a friend was gone, and I just wanted to leave and go back to hustling like I did before. I tried to...forget everything and act like it didn't bother me but I couldn't. Because I wasn't just mad at you for saying those things Judy, I was mad at myself for letting you get to me. And even after the press conference you still got to me. Not because of what you said but because...I couldn't get you out of my head for months."

Nick scratches his arm and shifts his gaze back to the bunny.

"Because at the end of the day, no matter how much I tried to tell myself you were just like every other ignorant prey in Zootopia, you were still important to me." He admitted and then paused for a beat. Trying to find the right words to say was harder than he thought.

"I-I thought about what we went through together, and how it made me feel...alive again. Because you were right Judy. I really did have a sad...miserable life," he confessed with an almost self deprecating tone. The rabbit caught on to that, she didn't like it. A small frown formed on her face.

"Despite how I appeared when we first met Fluff I didn't enjoy hustling mammals, and I know you won't like it when I say this...but I was still good at it! So I just thought I could coast through life being a shifty hustler for the rest of my life, and not care about what people thought of me. But meeting you made me realize I did care Judy, because I started to hate hustling mammals off the streets again. It felt wrong to me, almost like I was hitting myself in the face for going back to it. Especially when I started to see more of myself when I was with you. I-I really missed that feeling I got to share with you, and I realized...just how alone I was without you. It's why I kept the carrot pen with me for months instead of getting rid of it."

Judy sucked in a deep breath. She did remember that Nick mentioned some of what he was talking about right now back at the wall. 

"And then you came back to me Judy! You came back with an apology to boot too." he chuckled and placed a paw on her shoulder and looked at her with gratitude. Judy enjoyed the touch, she liked it when Nick was a little more touchy with her.

"I was so happy to see you again despite how I acted. And I'm so glad I forgave you and helped you take down Bellwether. Because finally I knew what I wanted to strive for again. To be your partner on the force and your friend. I wanted to be part of your team, and prove myself to you that what you saw in me could be true if I tried again. Hell, I didn't see anything in me until you believed in me! So I didn't want to disappoint you Judy. Because I realized just how important you were to me, and I promised myself to keep that feeling about you no matter what."

Judy couldn't help but lean her head on his paw and look up at him with a warm smile. "Nick, that's so sweet."

"Well it gets even sappier, because you reached the part of the story that you waited for." Nick smirked when he saw the rabbit's ears rush up.

"So you fell in love with me when you entered the academy?!" she realized. She honestly thought it was before that.

"Well yes but actually no Carrots, because it was more of an infatuation at that point." Nick awkwardly scoffed. "This is gonna sound cheesy Carrots, but you are what motivated me to keep going and reach valedictorian."

Judy's eyes lit up and she couldn't help but scrunch her face up in adorableness while her heartbeat increased . "Awwww Nick!"

Yeah, she had to admit. She really liked hearing that from him!

"It's true! I-I mean whenever I started to doubt myself or think I wasn't cut out for this, I just kept thinking of you and the future we had as partners together. I just kept telling myself "I need to run faster!", "I need to study better!", "I need to keep pushing myself for her!" y-you know all that stuff." He yammered. 

Come on Nick you're thirty-three, dated once before, and still acting like a hopeless romantic...

"But I didn't think much of it. U-Until...I started to think about you when I was just doing...anything really!" He blushed while chuckling. The memories of his crushing stage blossoming was a little nostalgic he had to admit. But saying it in front of the bunny he fawned over made him feel a little silly in retrospect.

"When I ate any meal, I thought of you being across the table from me. When I was in bed I thought of all the sweet things you said to me. I replayed the memories of you in my head while I was reading. Sometimes out of nowhere I started thinking about your...umm...your eyes and how pretty they were. How I wanted to hear your voice again. I wanted to be around you so badly, and that made me push even harder."

Judy giggled and was shaking on the bed a little. Okay this was adorable and well worth the wait to the rabbit. Hearing Nick say these cute and dorky things about her made her blush. This was the first time any male said this to her. And when it's the male you've been pining after saying it too! That's a recipe for a melting bunny.

"Yeah, I know I sounded like I was having a high school crush Fluff, but I mean it," Nick reddened. "Just thinking about you made me happy! But that was still all just a crush, but then the day I graduated arrived."

Judy leaned in, she didn't realize she was biting her lip now, and she placed a hand on Nick's thigh.

"When I finally got to see you again after so many months, being at the top of my class too! I was so happy I made you proud. And then when I saw you up on stage, heard your voice again, and then you looked my way during your speech. You were looking really good in that formal police getup too Carrots." he winked making the bunny roll her eyes in amusement.

"Judy, I can't tell you how badly my heart was beating so fast. It was never like that before. I don't think it ever beat that way when I was around you in the past either. I was all mushy and giddy inside." Nick relished in the memories. He nervously clasped his paws together and looked down at his lap. His cheeks heated up and his tail lightly waved back and forth.

"When the moment came at the ceremony for you to pin that badge on me, and gave the carrot pen as a gift, and looked at me with this proud expression! I knew right then and there Judy. I was in love with you." He gathered the courage to face the doe again. "And when a fox realizes they're in love, they fall HARD. Because when they find that special someone who can make them feel like that, then no one else in the world can match that beside that special someone. I never felt that much for someone before in my life Judy. Only you could do that to me."

"Nick..." Judy cooed and was red as an apple. "That's super sweet and so romantic. Did you um, ever think about telling me one day?"

"Ahaha, ummm...no I was um," Nick cleared his throat. "I was scared. I'm serious when I say foxes fall hard. We're uh, one and done type of mammals. Once we find that certain someone and fall in love with them, that's it, there's no one else in the world for us." 

Judy noticed his eyes became more somber now. 

"Sometimes we fall in love with someone who may not want us back that way," he said glumly. "So I was really nervous about the idea of telling you. Because well...I respect you Judy, despite how I may act around you. I could tell you were career driven, and you never mentioned anything about bucks or going on dates with anyone really. So I concluded that it wasn't on your bucket list to date at the time. And I didn't want to come off as one of those males that was only nice to you because they were looking for a relationship in return. All I really wanted at the end of the day was just to keep being a part of your life. So...I didn't push it. Plus, it’s a multitude of problems really. I mean we're both predator and prey, fox and a bunny, so there's a little bit of a cultural and biological divide there."

Judy irked at that word. Ever since the press conference it still bothered her just hearing it.

"Also, we're best friends! I didn't want to ruin what we had, all because one day I got greedy and couldn't keep it to myself. Especially if you didn't return my feelings. I was terrified of being rejected or making you weirded out by me, and ruining the one good thing I had going for me in my life. So...I settled with just being friends. Because that was good enough for me. As long as I got to be by your side, being at work with you, and being your friend then I could be happy whether we dated or not. I could learn to keep it all inside, I've been doing that for my entire life basically." Nick confessed.

"Ohh Nick," Judy softened her look, she really had no idea he felt this way all this time. "I can't imagine how stressful that must've been for you."

Nick scoffed and waved his paw. "Ehh...it wasn't too much trouble. Besides, it was covered up by fearing for your life two months ago, and then we kissed and that basically sent my mind into a whole frenzy."

Judy scratched the back of her neck and shrunk her ears. "Yeah I really did rush into that one." But she took a deep breath and processed what the tod had just told her. She was astounded by how deep Nick's affection and admiration for her went. She was a little compelled by how it all made her feel inside. This was absolutely deeper than any relationship she's ever had before.

"Well um, if it makes you feel any better Nick I liked everything you just told me. Like, super duper liked. It's sweet that you thought of me like that for all this time. I really had no idea actually..." she smiled and put her hand over his paw.

"Thank you," Nick smiled. "But I believe now it's my turn to hear how you fell in love with me now, right?" he ended his question by giving the bunny his classic smirk and tilted his head.

She knew she was going to have to explain her side of things eventually. But where to start? 

"Y-Yes it is my turn now isn't it?" she stammered, suddenly realizing she needs to organize her thoughts. She's never done this before. Going into detail of how much she loves a male. It was honestly a little overwhelming to her. There was never someone as special to her as Nick before in her life. And the tod made it look so easy too.

How was she going to do it? Could she do it right? The bunny was practically sweating bullets while Nick waited expectantly.

No...it doesn't matter if she could or not, she wanted to. Because Nick meant that much to her, and he deserved to know it. She'll just have to do her best! The fox continued to look at her, almost like he was teasing her by saying 'I'm waiting'. It made the bunny's chest burn.

"O-ok this is a little hard for me...because I've never felt this way about anyone before." she began. "So let me tell you my buildup before I explain how much I love you-I mean! How I fell in love with you!" She tapped her foot for a quick second. The fox stifled a laugh at her little slip up. Even though the bunny hates the word cute, Nick couldn't help but find her bashfulness cute when it came to matters of the heart. It made his insides feel fuzzy. He loves her mannerisms.

"You're right Nick, I was never going out of my way to search for the 'buck of my dreams' like the rest of the does in my family did," she shifts in her spot for a quick second, a timid glance from her eyes now apparent. "And umm...I never really got asked out at all actually..."

Nick was taken aback by that. "Really?" he asked with sincerity. 

"Yes if you can believe it," she crossed her arms and nervously looked at the fox. "Not many bucks wanted the 'crazy Hopps girl that wants to become a cop', they wanted a doe who could settle down and give them kits. But all that stuff never clicked with me, it sounded boring and not...not ME you know!" 

Nick nodded but observed her restlessness. It seemed to him that she has been keeping all of this in for a while. Did she really have no one else to talk to about this? Not even her own parents?

"So yeah, I didn't care about finding a boyfriend for the longest time, nor did I try finding one. I was too focused on trying to become a cop to care about anything else."

She wasn't looking at the fox when she finished that sentence. Which prompted a mischievous idea in the tod's mind.

"Well I'm glad they didn't get to know you like I did." he whispered in her ear. And he got the reaction he wanted out of the bunny, because she yelped and jumped a bit in her seat. Making the bed shake a little while the fox laughed at her face burning up. Hopefully it eased her up a little.

"Nick cut if out, I'm serious!" she growled.

"And I'm serious too! They missed out on getting to know such an amazing and beautiful mammal."

"Well-" she was prepared to counter back but the genuine compliment from Nick and his intimate expression caught her off guard. The word 'beautiful' from Nick to describe her especially turned her to jelly.

"Arghhh, ok enough about my non-existent dating life! Nick, you're probably the only mammal in my life who actually gets me!" she blurted out.

 That piqued his curiosity.

"And you're probably the only real friend I had in my life too. Even though I'm pretty outgoing and social with most mammals, none of them got to know the real me like you did. You've seen me at my lowest and most vulnerable Nick. Even though I tried so hard to act like I had everything under control, you're the only one who saw right through the act. No one, not even my family could see it. You know why I try so hard to prove myself, why I put myself in dangerous situations, and why I try to act so strong in front of other people." she concluded with a huff.

The bunny scooted herself closer to the fox to the point where they touched arms together. And she looked at him with fortitude. Nick stiffens slightly at her sudden closeness to him, but makes sure to lock eyes with her.

"I thought...I thought I had figured myself out. I became a cop despite what everyone else said. I was proud of myself. But...I-I still wanted so badly to get everyone's approval of my dream." she spoke dejectedly.

"Your family didn't support you?" he intrigued.

"They were...indifferent at first when I was younger. Some siblings poked fun at me and some gave me a half-hearted thumbs up. My parents tried to talk me out of it or steer me in a different direction. Believe it or not they signed me up for piano lessons, and I hid from them after the first lesson." she giggled. The fox hummed and gave a quirky look. "But at some point they gave up trying and just let me do it, but I could tell they still weren't all in on it."

Judy then felt Nick wrap his tail around her body. She ended up being engulfed in the fuzz of his fur. She huffed in amusement and looked at Nick who gave a ghost of a playful expression. "What? You don't want the therapy tail to stroke while you dump your backstory on me?" he enhanced the act by placing a paw on his chest acting hurt.

"Actually, I think I do," she said matter-of-factly. "But I know you also like it when I pet your tail."

"See Carrots, you're the only one that gets me too!" he quips back.

That gave the bunny a laugh as she felt some of her worries dust away. She did like petting his tail, it's really soft.

"Okay so, even when I became a cop my family still didn't understand. I mean they were there when I graduated and left on the train for Zootopia. But I could tell none of them truly understood me, as sad as it is to say." she said as she absently petted the furry appendage on her lap.

"I mean on my first day of being a meter maid do you know what my mom and dad said? They said "Oh she's not a real cop! Our prayers have been answered!" and "Glorious Day!" in the most relieved way possible!" she said with ire. "Heck, before we even went to the Gala my own grandma said "I pray everyday you'll come home and make babies!", can you believe that!"

Nick shrunk in his seat. Yikes, that's pretty bad...but it also surprised him too. He thought with a big family like Judy's she would've at least had someone to be behind her in her goals. Has she really been lonely all this time?

Judy looked up at the fox again and gone was any playfulness that was once in his eyes. They were now shining with genuine concern for the doe.

"You really didn't have anyone?" he said softly with a little water in his voice.

The tone in his voice made Judy feel a little sad in hindsight. "No I-I didn't...not until you stood up for me against the Chief."

Nick remembered that day. It was probably the one brave thing he'd done in his life up until that point. You know, before falling down a wall to save Judy. But looking back even he was surprised he had the guts to stand up to Bogo back then. He never really liked getting involved in other people's problems, growing up in the city streets taught him to just keep walking. It was the one time he could remember in his life where he chose to involve himself in someone else's conflict.

"Nick me saying thank you back then was an understatement, because that was one of the bravest things anyone has ever done for me." she reveals. The bunny brightens up her toothy smile to really show the gratitude she felt towards the fox. "Back then I thought my dream was over before it even began, but you stopped that from happening Nick. And when you told me what happened to you as a kit on the gondola, I realized that...maybe I'm not alone after all. You felt different to me at that moment Nick, more than anyone I've ever met in my life. You weren't just some annoying hustler I needed to solve the case for anymore, you became my friend. And as the case went on I found out to myself that I wanted you to be in my new life in the city."

She lets out an amused huff to herself and slinks her shoulders, letting her hands just sit still and feel Nick's soft tail fur. "Believe it or not I was really nervous about giving you that application, honestly I thought you would've assumed I was joking and left once I gave you the pen. But you didn't. And then...I messed it all up." she finished emphasizing the 'puh' sound in the p.

Nick was about to interject. But he noticed that this time Judy didn't seem like she was about to badmouth herself. Before when she did she would look like she was in a frenzy, like she didn't know if there was any other solution but to blame and hate herself for her mistakes. The bunny now however gave the impression she already had time to reflect on the mistake she made, and now took it with her in stride.

"And that leads me to another part of you that's important to me." 

She puzzled the fox when she took one of his paws in her hand, and brought it up to her left cheek. 

Nick wasn't sure what to make of this. Until Judy started moving one of his paw pads over her fur. He still didn't understand. Was he supposed to be feeling something different? He's felt her soft face before. What was different about this?

And then he felt something. It felt bizarre under her fur, but he swore he could feel a difference from underneath her fur and into her skin. The confused expression soon turned into a frown on his face when he carefully leaned in to take a closer look. And then he felt an icy chill run through his spine.

There was a scar on her cheek. But not just any scar...

Those are claw marks...

"Judy...w-where did you get those, who did this to you?!" Nick whispered.

"Before I do I need you to promise me not to freak out ok?" she pleaded.

But he put the pieces together and felt like the realization he had was like a slap in the face.

She's asking him not to freak out about claw marks? And this has to do with him? No this wasn't just any predator's claw marks. They looked like...

His heart sank.

"A fox did this to you...?" he croaked and fear struck his eyes. He felt his stomach grimace inside his own body. Judy took his paw with both her hands and kept it towards her cheek.

"Nick please!" she urged quietly. It worked because Nick held his tongue before he could feel more horrified. "I got these a long time ago, and yes, it was a fox...but that was when we were both little. He was a bully at the time, and I got into a fight with him when I tried to stand up for some kits."

"B-but...you got clawed?" he cringes.

"It was a long time ago Nick, it’s okay now," she coos. She gives the fox's paw in her hands a quick kiss to try and comfort his anxiety. "I even made up with him last year. He's actually a really nice tod now. Heck, he's business partners with my parents for his bakery! He has really good blueberry pie that I know you would love. And he gave me an apology I didn't know I needed to hear and learn from."

Nick didn't know what to make of all this. And then he suddenly remembered...

"O-oh god, back at the press conference...when I acted like I was gonna l-lunge at you with my claws bared..." he quivered. 

Judy let go of his paw and stood up on the bed. She quickly placed both of her hands on each side of Nick's cheeks and leaned forward. "Nick, seriously. Everything's ok, I promise." she whispered. She saw the fear and regret in the fox's glimmering eyes. 

"Judy it's not okay though!" he gaped. He felt racked with guilt now. It all made sense to him now. "No wonder you had fox repellent from your folks, a-and you thought I was gonna attack you. T-he look on your face..."

"Nick, what happened to me as a kit does not excuse how I acted back then," she insisted. "I'm responsible for my past behavior and beliefs, but that's why you're so important to me Nick. If I didn't hurt you because of my ignorance I would have never learned about that side of me. Or realize how bad it can affect every other predator or fox around me. Nick I-I hate that I hurt you, I still do too. But you walking out on me was what I needed to learn the hard truth about myself. Because my prejudice and implicit bias towards predators needed to be addressed and dealt with!"

She took a deep breath and scratched one of the fox's cheeks. The fox tail that had fallen off her lap and made its way back to Nick's backside started to twitch a little bit.

"If I hadn't met you, learned what you went through, and if you hadn't walked out on me back then, then I wouldn't be the rabbit I am today." she uttered. "I learned from you that not every mammal is what they seem like on the outside. Because of you I was able to consider change in mammals was possible and actually listen to them and their experiences. Because of you, I learned I was wrong about some parts about myself and grew from them. And that's why despite everything that happened between us back then, I was so happy you still wanted me around. Those months apart Nick...I missed you too, like a lot," she chuckled a tiny bit which made Nick huff a tiny smile. "You are the one mammal who knew me at my worst too. And YOU still wanted me to be your friend."

Nick gave a somber smile to the doe's confession. He had to admit. Some part of him was still...disturbed at himself knowing that he almost reenacted a traumatic memory for the doe. But hearing her soothing voice and the smile on her face made his anxiousness simmer down a little bit. And the bestowed confession from Judy warmed his insides a little bit. Did little ole him really have that much of an impact? He wasn't sure of himself. But he knew to Judy, his impact and presence meant a lot to her. That was all he needed to know.

"W-wow Judy I-I actually don't know what to say...but still I'm sorry that happened to you." he stammered with the cheeks on his face being affectionately squeezed by the bunny.

"Well there's more to the story Nick, because now this is the part when I realized I had feelings for you too." she says. Adding a sweet smile and letting go of the fox's face before she sat back down.

The fox in turn mimicked the doe’s behavior from earlier. Without leaning forward, because of back problems, he crossed his legs and put a paw under his chin inquisitively giving a satisfied look to the rabbit. The bunny rolled her eyes but still kept a smile on her face at the fox's obvious mirror to herself from earlier.

"Okay well for me, it didn't happen until very recently. At the time you were still my best and most important friend Nick. I was so happy that we finally got to be partners after you graduated! But I hated that people still doubted us together." she explained. "I was acting insecure, and it felt like everyone at the ZPD who was still looking down on me felt like they were looking down on you too. Like it didn't matter what we went through or how much we meant to each other. It felt like everyone else was spitting on that by all the jeers and doubt. I-hated it Nick! Because you're important to me and I wanted to share that with the city and the ZPD!"

"Judy..."

"That's why I wanted to solve the case so badly at first. To prove we were good together, but then I learned how badly Gary and every other reptile in the city needed us. Like they needed...me, admittedly." 

"And you were right to help them Judy." Nick began.

"I know...but along the way I got so caught up in myself and my feelings that I made a lot of mistakes Nick, I know we both didn't handle things perfectly and I'm not going to be too hard on myself, but as things went on and we became more conflicted with each other I lost sight of you. I lost sight of why I wanted you to be my partner. I was just...too focused on wanting to save the reptiles and wanting to prove myself to everyone, including you too. It made me forget just how important you were to me. And I didn't realize that...I was too late to realize that. Because I found out just how vulnerable I really was when we were separated after the lodge."

Judy was silent for a quick minute. To the point where Nick wasn't sure if he should keep his muzzle shut to let Judy find the words she needed to say or to try and give her some comforting words. Judy noticed he had uncrossed his legs and went back to his stiff straight posture. 

Nick quickly realized that the feelings Judy blossomed for him came from a completely different scenario than his did. His came from just being a regular old crush that one would experience in life. But Judy's...came from a traumatic experience.

"I felt lost without you. I don't know how else to explain it Nick, but it felt like something in me wasn't working right." she reflected and brought her eyes to the nearby window.

The window that peered into the outside of the reptile neighborhood. Where mammals who were once divided were now together in unity, walking the streets like any normal day. It was hard to believe just months ago no reptiles could be spotted in any street in the city, and now they could be spotted like any normal mammal. She pondered for a bit. All the struggles and tough decisions the doe had to make back then...she knew it ended up being okay in the end, but looking back there were many moments where she almost failed because of her brashness. She looked back at Nick. Her Nick. The Nick she almost lost months ago...

Her uneasiness began to creep back in.

"I wasn't confident in myself like I was before, I didn't know if I could really accomplish everything in the end. I couldn't even think straight sometimes. It didn't feel right knowing you were in caught Nick and not there by my side. I know we both said some things back at the lodge, but I still wanted you to be there with me. I knew I was missing you but it also felt like something else, and I couldn't figure out what it was and I didn't have enough time to."

And then Nick saw the bunny shudder.

"A-and then Pawbert was gonna..."

Nick's ears drooped down, along with his tail too, and his heart deflated. He hated Pawbert for many reasons, but he especially despised him for the trauma he left on Judy.

"Nick I was still in shock when I got poisoned, it didn't register to me what was happening to me, how u-useless my body was...until he told me he was going after you next. I-I started panicking when he saw you on the cameras, b-but I couldn't do anything!" Judy started to shake a little bit. That same feeling of helplessness and being unable to move...being incapable of trying to get Nick while she desperately crawled on the ground while she knew how close Pawbert was getting to the fox. The familiar fear was seeping into her heart. She hated that lynx so much. "I could barely call out your name, and I could see how closer he was getting to you on the cameras." she squeaked out.

The fox didn't know what to do. He wanted to try and let Judy be strong for herself as she recollected. Because to him, Judy was strong, probably the strongest mammal he's ever known. But he knew this particular moment shook her own wellbeing. He wanted to embrace her, but he hated how he was incapable of figuring out what to do for her in this moment and if it was right or not. All he could do was listen for now.

"I was more scared for you then I was for myself Nick, and that's when I realized how...useless I was. Because I was losing strength, and I started to think I was really going t-to die like that..." she breathed out. "Die a failure who let everyone down, including her partner. And die watching helplessly, knowing he was going to hurt you next because I couldn't see through him..." she was starting to tear up.

"Part of me was begging time would just stop so he wouldn't get to you, so I could at least do SOMETHING. But I couldn't...and then e-even after you saved me I couldn't..." her lips were quivering. The memories and the same feelings she experienced during THAT moment all came rushing in. It hit her like a truck. And a tear started dripping down her cheek. "I-I couldn't..."

Any doubt Nick had at himself was instantly thrown away as he wrapped his arm around the shaken bunny. Even he started to feel a little upset at seeing Judy so hurt by what Pawbert had done. He pulled her in closer, right near his chest, and rubbed her back. All to let her know that he was still here. That he was still alive, for her. He said no words.

Judy wasn't sure why she was so upset at herself for crying over this again. But she knew she couldn't suppress it, lest she regress back into her original self that tried to hide her problems.

The two were like this for a few minutes. Judy controlled her breathing and her tears, and just...listened. Listened to the heartbeat of Nick. It calmed her down a bit, but the pain was still lingering inside her. She can't cry right now, she has to face this and let Nick know everything.

"Nick, I know you won't like to hear this," she sniffled. "But I'm not sure if I can ever forgive myself for failing you the ONE moment you needed me to be there for you."

"Judy-" Nick started to say.

"Because when I thought you died Nick...I died too!" she blurted out.

Nick didn't know how to react but gave the bunny a surprised expression mixed with somberness.

"S-Something in me...broke," she silently said with a crack in her voice. "It felt like the poison was in me again. I couldn't move, I couldn't say anything, I-I couldn't breath Nick. I was broken..."

She tried to control her breathing while the fox was silent. But still gave strokes to her backside with his paw.

"When I thought you were gone...I-I never felt so alone. It felt like my heart was ripped away from me. I didn't want to move, I didn't want to solve the case anymore. I didn't want to do anything but cry, because Nick I never felt so much...pain in my life before until that moment!" she quivered. Her nose and lips twitching. "I didn't know who I was anymore, I didn't know if I could do anything at all. I didn't w-want to do anything anymore. All I could think about was you falling and screaming. And how much I failed you Nick!"

"Judy, it's okay!" Nick whispered and looked into her eyes, she was talking too fast again. "Y-you don't have to remember all of it if it’s too much okay? We're okay."

The bunny sniffled. Nick was right. She couldn't harp too much on this. Regretting what happened all over again will get her nowhere. Nick was here. He's still alive. He's here right now, and she can tell him everything she feels about him. About her love for him.

"Y-you're right," she huffed solemnly. She buried her face in his chest a bit and breathed in his scent. The scent she grew to be familiar with. The scent that gave her a sense of comfort and stability now. It felt soothing to her. But it’s Nick after all, his presence alone made her feel better.

"That's why when I saw you again...it felt like the life was being brought back into my heart Nick," she was trying to remember what positives she felt in that exact moment. So it could give her the strength she needed to pour her heart out. Because she could remember just how sweet and rejuvenating it was to see him again.

"Hugging you and hearing your confession Nick, all of it slowly healed me. I started to feel happy again, things got so much brighter after everything...I started to feel...myself come back, I felt my heart come back. Because you came back to me again. I-I thought I lost you forever. That's why I was so happy to see you alive! The most important and special mammal to me in my life wasn't taken away from me. And the more we told each other what was in our hearts Nick, the more you told me how much I meant to you, despite how I think of myself all the time, I was so happy!" she finished with a teary smile. There it was. Now Nick was smiling too. He loved seeing her happy again.

"And that's when I realized I fell in love. The fear of thinking I had lost you, and the joy I felt seeing you alive awoke it in me I think. I was in love with you Nick, and I guess I didn't realize I was slowly gaining feelings all this time until it burst out right then and there. A-and then I kissed you!" she stammered with a chuckle at the end.

Nick gave a good laugh. His tail wagged a little bit hitting the covers just thinking about the kiss. "I gotta say, that was one hell of a first move."

"I-I wasn't thinking straight ok." she blushed and rubbed her fingers together anxiously. "I had a lot going on in my head, a-and I didn't know how else to explain my feelings into words anymore at the moment, and my body just moved without thinking. I just...I just felt like kissing you ok..." she pouted trying to hide her embarrassment.

And then she got even more embarrassed. Because she felt a warm sensation quickly peck the top of her head. Her face was now beet red at the discovery that Nick had just kissed her. The fox gave a cheeky smile with a bright look in his eyes at the bewildered bunny who covered her mouth with her paw and gave him a sheepish look.

"If it makes you feel any better Carrots, I feel like kissing you right now." he mused, tail now swaying side to side.

She let out a little whimper. She hated how she loved how smooth he was with that! She admittedly wasn't strong enough to not feel happily embarrassed at Nick's affection.

"W-well no kisses yet mister," she mumbled. "Because we still have some more to talk about!"

"Okay," Nick raised an eyebrow and crossed his arms. "Like?"

"Y-you know i-if," great she was red again. "If we were ummm...attracted to each other...p-physically I mean."

That last part was a silent meep from Judy. She couldn't believe she really asked that. Maybe they didn't need to talk about that right now? But some deadly curious part of her wanted to know what Nick thought of her in the light. Perhaps it was also for herself...

Yeah no, it was for herself. She really wanted to know what if Nick ever thought about her in that kind of immense way.

The fox in question was actually caught off guard. Because he started coughing up a storm.

Judy was quick to reach his side and hold on to his back and chest with both her hands to make sure he was stabilized while he was choked up.

"Jeez Nick! Are you okay?"

The fox managed to calm himself and take a deep breath after his hackling. "Y-yeah Carrots, your question just caught me by surprise is all-ack!" he said before letting out one more cough. "Made me choke on my own spit..."

Judy let out a sigh of relief seeing the fox give a little flush in his expression and let go of his body. She's grown accustomed to making sure Nick's posture was stable for his back. Practically second nature for her by this point.

Now that he was stable again she expected an answer from him. But Nick only gave her a quizzical expression as his response. She gave a confused look back. Was he having a hard time knowing what to say?

"You want me to go first?" Nick asked in surprise.

"W-well yeah," Judy blurted out. "I thought we were taking turns?"

"Judy," Nick began. "You've seen me butt ass naked for the past few months, if anyone has a clear cut answer it's you with the evidence to support it might I add."

The bunny threw up her hands. "N-Nick! You know the only reason for that was because I had to help you with your daily needs!"

"But you still saw the full package." Nick deadpans.

"Cripes Nick I didn't...ogle at your naked body while you were injured!?" she blushed.

"But there were times where you had a good look Fluff," Nick countered. He was well past the embarrassment by now. "You had to change me in and out of my clothes and that included the tighty whities."

Judy nearly choked on her tongue, and could only let out an audibly growl as she buried her face in her hands to hide the embarrassment.

She hated to admit it...but he was right. Giving Nick baths and providing a fresh pair of clothes was part of her daily routine for a while. Despite the two handling it as best as they could like adults (moreso Judy because of course Nick would tease her sometimes over this), she shamefully did get a good look at Nick's body with all his...nakedness on full display. It was another barrier between the two that had been broken over the months before. At the expense of both of them suffering from embarrassment of course.

She peeked at the fox through her hand, and saw that he was waiting for her to start with a speculative look on his face. He still seems to be unwilling to go first this time in the end after all...

"What do you wanna know...?" The bunny conceded with a groan.

"Well...do you find me appealing to look at?" Nick smiled with his fangs showing proudly while wiggling his eyebrows.

If there's one thing that the tod is sure of himself, it's his dashing good looks. Despite his self-admittedly junky nature Nick knew and took pride in the fact that he was quite the look for the female gaze. But until now he's never really cared if his looks attracted anyone. Before he didn't have "the spark" with any passing female. Hell, he didn't even care if his first girlfriend even found him attractive or not, which she did. But soon after the fact did he notice that there was barely any chemistry between the two.

But now things are different.

He found someone who's stolen his heart, who knows the real him, and now for the first time in his life Nick cared about what someone thought of his looks. When his crush on Judy manifested he found himself more self conscious about the ends of his fur. If a shirt made him look geeky or not. If he was too lean and not enough muscle. If his fangs were white enough and if his breath was fresh and minty enough in proximity to her. Back then he couldn't let Judy see the mess that was...well him. But now she's been exposed to that mess. And she's cleaned that mess. Took care of that mess. She's seen the fox at his messiest. But she still loved him. So it made his mindset about his looks all the more troubling.

While he tried to exude his charm and charisma to the bunny on the outside, the inside however...was a different story.

Please say yes please say yes please say yes!

His heart was beating loudly in his chest. He desperately awaited for an answer like his life depended on it. But all he got was a bashful stare back at him. This was not helping his confidence in the slightest.

Come on Carrots, please don't keep me in suspense...

He didn't notice his smile was slowly faltering when he let out an awkward cough and quickly tried to regain his composure.

"Ummm...yes?" Judy whispered.

If Nick could see a mirror crack then his ego was the next best thing, because that instantly deflated him inside a little bit. By no means did he want to put pressure on the doe. Especially since she's never had experience in this kind of stuff. But come on, there had to be a better answer than that?

He let out an awkward huff and tried to compose himself once more. "Fluff, is that a question or an answer?"

"I-I don't know yet," she stammered. "I've never thought of you like this before!"

Nick sighed, perhaps he got his hopes up on this one. Judy isn't the average onlooking vixen that he's passed numerous times on the street before that gave him a wink and moved on. She's different. She's practically the only female in his life that actually knows him on a level he can't comprehend. Plus their situation was...different. "Okay then umm," Nick mumbled trying to regain his footing in the conversation. "Forget the physical features for now, name anything that first comes to mind when you see me."

"Well that's easy," Judy started which gave Nick a feeling of relief instantly. "I would say I'm attracted to just being around...you, I guess would be the right way to put it."

"Whew, well I'm glad I did something right at least!" Nick said, acting relieved in a dramatic fashion, wiping his brow to sell the act.

Ignoring the fox's sarcasm and obvious attempt to act nonchalant, Judy thought it would be a good opportunity to make him feel good again to make up for her lack of an answer.

"Nick, I'm serious! I know you don't think about yourself like this, but you're lovely to be around. Whenever I'm with you I just feel really happy. Like I don't have to worry about anything that will come my way." She paused and thought to herself. Trying to gather her feelings. "I never realized it before, but I don't think I was ever really...relaxed in my life. I've always looked ahead, trying to find the next big thing I could do to prove myself to everyone, and be a hero. After everything that happened with Gary and Pawbert, and spending these last few months being together with you, I discovered that it's nice to let things go slow for a little while. I don't have to worry about everything like I used to now when we're just...together you know? Believe it or not when I think about going back to my apartment I get this uneasy feeling. Like if I go back there by myself I'll just feel...miserable if you're not there beside me."

She blanked out when she almost realized an implication she could potentially be making. But she knows it's the truth embarrassingly enough.

"Maybe I have attachment issues?" She considered it. "B-but I can't help it! I've never had a bond like this before. Nick you bring this warmth to me that makes me feel like I've been missing something this whole time in my life that I didn't know I needed. Being at your place while you were recovering made me realize that I enjoy doing the simpler things in life now too, because you're there to share them with. I don't feel lonely anymore and whenever I think about being with you and spending time together I just get really warm inside and that makes me so happy!"

He took every word in. "Really..." Nick said quietly. Almost as if he couldn't believe what he was hearing. "I-I didn't think it would be this...special to you like that."

"Yes Nick, I love sharing part of my life with you!" Judy said with a warm glow in her eyes and a smile as bright as the sun. "It's like I said back at the wall, you're the most important person to me Nick. There's no one else I would want to do this with. And maybe this sounds a little pushy but, I can't really imagine myself spending time with anyone but you. And even taking care of you was something I oddly liked doing, even though it got a little too personal in some areas." She scratched the back of her head recalling the many times she had to see a naked fox.

"I know I've been swarming around you a lot lately, but I just really enjoyed cherishing my time with you Nick. I-I don't think I've ever experienced that with someone before. I love seeing you smile and laugh when we do stuff together. You have an adorable smile by the way! I love your jokes and how you do everything you can to make me laugh. And I've gotten to see many different sides of you these past few months, so...I wanna see more of that from you. Those moments where we can be vulnerable around each other feel special to me. And I never realized how badly I wanted that to become a normal part of my life."

"So what you're saying is you want to move in with me." Nick said with a smug look.

Judy scoffed. Of course he would interject with a dumb joke. But that's what came with him, and she loved it. It's his own way of saying 'I appreciate everything you said just now'. 

"Slow down there Nicholas, we haven't even gone out on a date yet." Judy said with a coy smile bouncing on the bed a little bit.

"So you dragging me to the park in my wheelchair wasn't a date then?"

"Did you want it to be?" 

"Perhaps..." Nick mused.

"I'll remember that for later then." Judy said, crossing her arms.

Nick wanted to come up with another joke, but Judy's words made him wonder about something.

"You know it's actually surprising you think that about me...sometimes I think I can be a bit overbearing? I guess?"

"Nick," Judy said, patting his thigh. "You're a package deal, and I wouldn't return you for the world."

Nick sat there staring at the doe until the joke finally landed in his head and he released a bellowed laugh. Maybe he was rubbing off on her?

"Really Carrots," Nick chuckled. "That's the best you could come up with!"

The rabbit frowned and glared at the laughing orange dog next to her. "Alright then since you feel like being a comedian and have time to laugh at my heartfelt words then how about you go next!" 

Nick straightened his tie and cleared his throat to prepare himself. "Well you already know how much I love your eyes. They're really pretty Judy. I'm pretty sure I gained an affinity for liking the color combination of grey and purple since I've gotten to know you." He finished that comment with a wink that earned a bashful look from the bunny. Nick's heart jumped for joy inside and he imagined raising his fist inside his own head. "And I know I joked about your appearance back then at the Gala, but the truth is Judy...I thought you looked stunning in that dress."

Judy gasped and a smile invaded her face. Her eyes gleamed with joy.

"R-really?!"

"Yes I was smitten! I was at a loss for words Judy. That yellow looked really pretty on you. And..." He let out a cough as a tiny hint of red burned underneath his cheeks. "I loved the way you did your ears."

The timid tone from Nick and the shy smile he gave made the bunny feel like she was on cloud nine. She unconsciously giggled and bit her lip. She darted her eyes around a little bit before looking back to him. The guilty pleasure inside of her head wanted to hear more stuff like this from him. "H-how much did you like seeing me like that?"

Nick looked down at her with a grin and leaned towards her ear. 

"Would you like it if I said a lot?" he whispered.

"Very much so yes!" she whispered back.

"Then I liked it so much I would sneak back into a fancy mansion just to see you in that dress again."

The bunny felt the tip of his claw lightly scratch its way on her side, which sent shivers up her body. And a light squeak escaped from her lips. Gone were her collected thoughts. They had now become jelly.

"Uh-uhm...h-hey Nick..." She breathed nervously.

"Mhm." he mumbled.

The bunny was now twiddling her thumbs together with a bashful expression. "I uh-I never thought about it before until recently, but ummm looking back...I thought you were really handsome in that suit..." she shrunk those last words in volume as she spoke.

"Ohhh...so you do think I'm pleasing to look at." he triumphantly said.

"Maybe..." she mused. "Give me more time to think about it okay?"

"Sure Fluff." he smiled. 

A quick thought formed in his head. Since they were being honest about how attractive they find each other, would it be okay to admit this? Maybe it would be too much. The last thing he wanted to do was to weird the bunny out. But if they were going to be truthful about everything then he might as well admit this here and now. Maybe Judy would like hearing this?

"Hey uhh, if I tell you something else that I'm attracted about to you...will you promise not to think weirdly of me for it?" he nervously asked.

"Like physically?" 

"Y-yes physically."

"Is it my butt?"

"Yes it's your butt." 

"Then I don't think weirdly of you for it Nick!" she said with a chirp. "I know how you feel about me, so I don't mind you saying that. To be honest I'm kind of...flattered you think that." she said blushing But she wanted to hear more. Not just to flatter herself but to make the fox even more nervous. It pleased her to see Nick lose his composure every once in a while. And he rarely did. The only time he did lose his cool was when it involved talking about the bunny herself. "So, have you stared at it before?"

Nick grumbled at Judy's satisfying expression and the teasing twinkle in her eyes looking at him half-lidded. 

"I've caught short glimpses here and there...but I don't stare out of respect for you!" he clarified.

"Oh please Nick, you don't have to be so modest about it!" she laughed

"W-well I don't know, how badly do you want me to talk about your butt!?" he stammered while his face heated up and his ears flattened.

"Tell me one thing you like about it." she teased back putting her hand on her chin.

Nick huffed and looked down towards his lap. Judy loved seeing the nervous fox in front of her when he raised his head to meet back up with her

"They looked really n-nice in those yoga pants..." he admitted.

Judy's face heated up, but she maintained her composure over him. "Weeell...I still have them."

Nick's whole body perked up. His ears bolted up like a radar and his tail puffed up a little.

"Carrots I don't know if I'm going crazy too much, but are you telling me you would wear those around me?" he asked in genuine surprise.

Judy rubbed her arms and looked up at the roof for a second, before going back to the fox. She couldn't believe she would admit this. "Only in umm...private when it's just the two of us." she murmured.

Nick realized it was his turn to gain back the upper hand, and his embarrassed state quickly regained its original smug and smooth composure. "So does this mean I can stare?"

"Don't push your luck now!" she said lightly pushing his chest letting out a huff. Even though she acted annoyed she couldn't help but let a slight smile form on her face which made the fox's tail wag a little bit and eventually die back down to its smooth complexion. 

"But here's the thing Judy, that isn't what only matters to me." Nick started to say.

He looked down at his lap.

"Because I feel the same about the stuff you said about me too. I know I always said foxes are solitary and all that, but to be honest Fluff...I really liked having you over. I mean, it was overwhelming at first and took some time getting used to. But you staying with me...just felt right." Nick mumbled. "I don't know how else to explain it either. I guess I could say it felt nice having actual company for once. Eating together, watching stuff, even just late night talks have never made me feel so...complete!"

He looks back up to the bunny focusing intently on him.

The fox clasped his paws together and took a deep breath. A sign that he's forcing the courage to push past the uncomfortable feeling in his stomach. "Judy I can't really...see myself being this open and honest with someone who isn't you. No one makes me feel happy or sad or even emotionally distressed like you do." He let out a short breath at the last part. "And I wouldn't want anyone else but to make me feel like that. I always resigned myself to being alone for the rest of my life. But that's why getting close to you scared me at first. But the more I let you in my world the more I remembered what happiness felt like. Because you were inviting me to share your world and be a part of it. So Judy...I want to be happy with you, because you bring all the emotionally compromised baggage I've held on to for most of my life, finally be let out. And it feels great. I don't feel like I'm suffocating inside now. I got used to it after so many years, and now I feel like I'm back from the dead. I'm starting to be more honest with myself." He scratched the back of his neck and chuckled. "Just like I'm doing right now. So, I think that's what's attractive to me about you. You make me feel honest and true to myself for once. I feel...alive again because of you. And I love you so much for that Carrots. It's why you're so beautiful to me."

He put his arm around the bunny and placed his head on top of hers and closed his eyes. Judy smiled with a little hum and blushed. Her heart was warm and beat proudly in her chest. The speech Nick gave felt way more flattering than any compliment she's ever gotten in her life from another male. She wanted nothing more than to lean into the fox. 

So she did. She closed her eyes and leaned into his chest. She copied the fox's action from before, and put her own arm around his body. And there the two lay still for just a little bit. Just breathing in each other's scent. The sound of crowded rooms with mammal's talking downstairs didn't matter to them. Gary had assured them of their privacy. Because right now the bunny and fox were both full of love and adoration for the other with no knock to interrupt them.

It's been a long ride for both of them. Not just from events from a year ago. But emotionally the two have been through so much together. And they would never trade it for the world.

"Nick I want you..." the bunny blurted out.

Nick's ears perked at that and his eyes widened. He didn't notice but he made a little squeak inside, but was very noticeable to hear in the tiny room they were in, which Judy obviously heard and started giggling at his silly nature.

"I wasn't finished dummy," she smiled rubbing the back brace on him. "I want ALL of you Nick. I want the parts of you I know you're afraid to share. The parts of you that you may not like about yourself and want to hide away. I want the emotionally insecure Nick Wilde. Because I think he's the most amazing and handsome male I've had the privilege of having in my life and sharing my first kiss with. And I wouldn't want anyone else to be with me."

The bunny recalled the conversations they had during Nick's recovery. Living with him outside of work when he's at his most vulnerable really taught Judy a lot that she didn't know about the fox. His confession at the wall might as well have been the tip of the iceberg. Nick is absolutely a complex mammal. But she's gotten to know that complexity and how it makes Nick feel more real in her heart and in her life. She didn't find him to be a mess to sort out and fix, rather she saw intricacy in him that should be acknowledged and learned from to make him happier with himself. Because she wouldn't let her fox think his flaws made him any lesser than he thought he already was.

She saw Nick's look waver a little bit. She knew that look. She's seen it for the past few months in their temporary shared living space. She doesn't see Nick shrink down like this unless he's really emotional about himself. That little bit of self-doubt was coming out again.

"A-Are you sure you want...me Judy?" he meekly said.

Nick was only met with a warm look from the rabbit. But as the fox looked deep into her eyes, he didn't just see a comforting presence in her purple eyes. He's seen this same look before that has always been present within the rabbit. Since when he was dragged into helping her with the night howler case, and continued to be a part of her life to this day. Hidden underneath was a look of resoluteness. It never failed to leave him speechless.

She raised her head up from his chest. She looked up at him, meeting his uncertain gaze. She took his paw with her own.

"You remember what you said back at the wall Nick? How you would do anything to protect me, and be there for me no matter what happens or where I go?" she asked. A nod from Nick was what she was given in return. "Well Nick, the same goes for me. You've gone above and beyond for little ole' me. And that's why, I want to protect you too. Even if you don't see yourself as good enough, none of that matters to me. Because you deserve to be loved Nick, and I want to be the one to give that love to you. So that's why no matter what happens or where you'll go, I'll do anything and everything I can to be there for you and love you. I know you would do the same for me no matter what."

Never again would she let Nick lay in a hospital bed. Needing a mask to help him breathe. Seeing tears almost escape his eyes while he lay there helpless. All because she got careless along the way. She's never going to lose sight of his importance in her life. It will never EVER reach a point like that again. Where he was forced to make a choice between life or death to save her in return. To risk losing his life, and potentially leaving her all alone with a void forever etched into her heart. Because she needed him to live. Not just for herself, but because Nick's life mattered so much to the world and everyone he knew. 

She released his paw and used the same hand to place it on the side of his face.

"I thought I lost you back then...and now I know that I don't ever want to lose you again." she said undoubtedly.  

This was it. It was now or never for the bunny.

"So Nick...I want to ask you." She spoke with a tenderness that was all too familiar with him.  His green eyes wide in anticipation, and his mouth was slowly opening revealing the fangs she loved to see. "I don't just want to be your friend anymore Nick, I want you to be my partner. And not just my partner on the force, but my partner in life too. You're my fox." 

"Nick, will you be my boyfriend?" she finished with a smile.

Nick's heart beat fast. He breathed heavily a little bit. He knew this was coming, but actually living in the moment was still surreal. He couldn't help but give a bright smile to her with eyes burning that was a clear sign of tears beginning to form inside. He let out a light shutter and whimpered from happiness. She was still looking at him with that radiant smile. Waiting for the answer she knew was about to come. With the same purple eyes that could heal his heart with just one simple glance. 

This felt like a dream to him. He believed throughout his whole he would never feel or experience this type of moment. Not after his first attempt at romance felt null. Artificial. Fake. Because he wouldn't let anyone know the real him. And no one cared enough to look deeper than what was just a sly conniving fox on the outside.

Until Judy wanted to know. She cared about him, and wanted to delve deeper into his life. Not out of curiosity or to gain advantage over him and use it to harm him later. She wanted to know him because she loved him. And loving him, meant loving ALL of him. Even his messes. Even his insecurities. Even his mistakes that he still regretted to this day. He felt so many things right now. Overwhelmed, confused, sacred, but he knew deep down behind all of it, he felt supreme happiness.

Suddenly the brace wrapped around his stomach felt less tight than before to him.

That's right Nick. Don't doubt yourself right now. How could you? After everything she's done for me, that's more than enough...

He took a deep breath. And then Judy witnessed something she did not expect to happen. He took her hand in his paw and released it from his cheek. Judy was befuddled for a good bit. Almost thinking she was about to hear something different, she felt her hand return to her lap before Nick quickly cupped most of the side of her face with his big paw. And then he leaned in towards her.

"Judy...you've always been protecting me," he whispered. The rabbit saw in his emerald eyes that tears were welling up inside him which instantly melted her heart. "You've saved me from myself, and protected me when I was physically incapable of taking care of myself for four months. I'd be a dumb fox to keep doubting I'm worth something to someone by now."

He's done denying himself that he's worth having happiness.

"Yes, one hundred percent," he whispered. "I want to be your boyfriend Judy. And I want you to be my girlfriend, who I'm never gonna stop loving with all my heart. Because you're my bunny."

And before she knew it the fox pressed his lips against hers. And almost like she had reunited with a long lost lover, Judy instinctively accepted the kiss she longed for since the passing months after the weather wall. The familiar size and pressure from his lips to hers was therapeutic. She made no patience to cup his face with both her hands. And there the two stayed. Kissing and letting out light moans as they enjoyed the same warm feelings they felt back during that day. Both their hammering hearts had slowed down into rhythmic beats that created a musical piece together.

Judy broke the tongue barrier and started touching the fox's long tongue. They lightly rubbed each other's faces affectionately enjoying the feeling of their soft fur. For both mammals nothing had ever felt more complete and more natural than right now. The two decided to end their kissing battle to let each other breathe. They looked at one another with love in their eyes. They smiled and giggled as they breathed. Realizing how passionate the kiss was then intended.

And there for a few minutes the two sat in silence. They leaned on each other, enjoying the warmth from their bodies and the comforting touch they've gotten used to by now. Nick would tenderly rub her arm that he had wrapped in his paw. And Judy would rub up and down on his back. The same back that was once broken, but now healed and becoming stronger than before. And Nick would always be grateful for Judy helping it heal. It could not have been done without her help. It was a testament to how her hard work and loyalty to Nick and his recovery had paid off. And now his back would be healed from the time, patience, and love she put into making sure Nick would be okay.

It's been a rough and eventful four months for the two. But to be honest. The duo wouldn't change it for the world. Both the good and the bad. Not if it meant that they would never reach this point in time. They had finally found each other.

"Hey Nick, it felt really nice to kiss you again, I've been waiting to do that for a while now, admittedly." Judy chuckled.

"Well I guess wishes do come true then." He said booping her nose which made the rabbit smack his paw away playfully.

She kicked her legs for a bit. When her mind began to wander. The room suddenly became brighter than before. More warm too. The small bouncy bed they've surprisingly sat on without any moving around was softer. Judy thought it was funny. Two grown mammals confessing their love upstairs in a bedroom meant for children. Maybe that's what helped make the conversation feel easier to go through. Just goes to show that being outside of your comfort zone to experience life in a brand new environment can really open one's eyes and emotions they thought would never be let out.

"You know it's kind of weird," Judy said, shifting a little in her spot. "I didn't think having a boyfriend mattered this much, but when it's with you I just feel like nothing could've been more perfect."

"Well Judy, I wouldn't want any other mammal to be my girlfriend than you." he sweetly said. She felt the soft lips of the fox meet on top of her head for a quick peck. Judy adored it with a light hum.

"Careful Nick, keep that up and you'll be showing too much public displays of affection the likes no other mammal has ever seen." she pleasantly teased.

He confidently tightened his favorite night howler tie and wiggled his eyebrows. "Well it's your unlucky day Carrots! Foxes are very affectionate to the one they love. But this fox right here? Be prepared to be annoyed sweetheart." he grinned proudly with a hint of playfulness in his tone.

"I'm already used to it," she smiled. "But I love you for it anyway." She returned the affection by giving him a quick kiss on the neck which ruffled Nick inside a little bit giving him butterflies in his stomach.

"I could use a little more of those in the future too, you know."

"Well play your cards right and you might get some kisses here and there." 

The teasing from each other has never felt more lovelier than ever. It still kept that same spirit and back and forth like before. But this time the hint of a flirtatious nature of it now carried more meaning behind it.

For a few minutes the two just sat together in bliss on the bed. Giving the occasional back rub or simply just holding each other close to enjoy the other's presence against their differently sized bodies. Nick nuzzled his face on top of Judy's head before letting it stay on top without moving. Judy leaned in on Nick's chest and she enjoyed the natural scent he gave off that has become a part of her daily life for the past few months now. She loved his scent. It was comforting and inviting. Now that they were officially together these little moments of just simply enjoying being close to each other have never felt better than ever before. The window radiated the sunlight's warmth even more against their fur. The pair sharing warm smiles on each of their faces with their eyes closed. They've been up here for a good while now. Maybe people were wondering where they were or how long they were taking? But they didn't care about the celebrations downstairs at the moment, or if people were concerned about their whereabouts. Because right now it was about them. After many months of emotional hardship that tested their partnership and eventually their relationship like never before, their interrupted moment at the weather wall has finally come to fruition. Suddenly Judy heard her fox breathe and he broke the silence.

"You know Judy, I may have been abrasive towards solving the case at first, but now I'm really glad we both did it."

"Really?" the bunny asked not bothering to look up this time around. She understood that Nick wanted to be left like this together, and she felt the same too. So she wouldn't dare break the position they were sharing together.

"Yeah really," he spoke softly. "It feels...good that we did something great for everyone. I can't believe I'm seeing reptiles walking around the streets in my lifetime. Like they've always been a part of them, but were never allowed to before. But now they are. Because we did something to make a difference. Sure we could've handled things better, but we helped a lot of animals."

"It is pretty surreal. But it's for the better now."

"Actually, before I was coming back to you downstairs Gary introduced me to his family."

Judy opened her eyes. "How did it go?"

"I told Gary that I didn't really help that much compared to you. And you know what he did?" He felt the bunny shake her head from underneath his cheek. "He gave me this dumb smile and said: "You helped anyway! You helped me and my family, and that's what matters the most. That's enough to be thanked for, even if it was just a little bit."

The bright tone the fox used to mimic Gary's voice made Judy snicker. She liked his silliness.

"Well, all I gave him was a short laugh and a you’re welcome, you know before he and his family gave me short nuzzles on my torso. I guess he told them about my back which is why they didn't hug me this time around," he pondered and finally released a short chuckle. "But it made me feel a little sad inside, honestly."  

"Why Nick?" 

"It's funny, to be honest sometimes I think I didn't help at all or as much as I should have with the case," he said, taking a little breather in-between. "What I said at the lodge...whenever I think back at that, I just start thinking how disappointing that sounds from me. We did a good thing in the end Fluff. I remember how I acted and the things I said and I ask myself...was I really that cowardly before? After all the hard work I put in trying to get into the ZPD? I know I wanted to protect you, but willing to leave reptiles to suffer under the Lynxley's control was definitely not the right way to go about it in hindsight. That same family that just gave me affection and gratitude after helping them return home, and take back what was unjustly stolen from them...I-I could've abandoned all of that."

He let out a scoff that had Judy a little concerned, and she felt his grasp on her lighten up. "I can't really blame you for being disappointed in me back there."

Now the bunny raised her head up to the fox in worry. Nick's little frown was the opposite of what she wanted to see at this moment. She couldn't lie and say she wasn't heartbroken with what Nick said back then. But that was different. She didn't know what he truly was trying to say. He couldn't communicate it properly. And even then she was also in her own headspace as well. Too blind and moving forward to see that just like her, he too was in pain.

"Nick..."

"Don't worry I'm not saying this out of cynical self deprecation Carrots," he reassured, finally opening his eyes. He knows it breaks the bunny's heart to hear him talk low about himself. Even if he can't help thinking about it sometimes.

He reaffirmed the rabbit by wrapping his tail around her. "I guess what I'm trying to poorly say is, I don't want to be that Nick anymore. The me that was so afraid he would run away when things got hard for him and give up so easily. I thought I learned from that when I met you. I guess it makes sense that I still have some more work to do."

"So do I Nick, but that's why we can do it together!" She encouraged the fox.

"You're right." he smiled down at her. "So, once I get this back brace off, I wanna be a real cop. I don't want to let my fears control my sense of justice. I want to make a difference Fluff. If we can do great things together like this, then being a cop will be more fulfilling to me. And we don't have to go big and bold with it all the time. Even the small things we do can make a difference in mammal's lives. I want to be the cop that helps people find their way when they're directionless. The cop that helps parents find their missing children because they were out playing for too long and wandered off. The cop that brings missing families back together. I want to be Officer Nicholas Wilde, who can be a hero to his community and inspire them. Who can inspire young tods and vixens and teach them that they can find happiness if they keep pushing forward and putting themselves out there. Just like how you inspired me Judy."

"Ohh Nick...stop I've already cried enough you dumb fox." she smiled, feeling her emotions swell up inside. The fox kissed her on top of her head to relax her. "I wanted to be that cop too Nick, but I lost sight of that when I let my problems control me. But not anymore. And now that I have you, it will be even better doing it as partners on the force. Stronger than ever this time around too!"

"That we are." he stated with resolve, tightening his grip around the bunny which pulled her in even more. "But I know the time will come eventually when Hopps and Wilde need to solve another city-wide conspiracy. So I'll be ready for bad guys to beware of us and kick ass! Just...you know, less jumping into water tubes and almost drowning this time around, okay?"

"Don't worry I promise I won't let that happen again," she giggled. "I can't have my new boyfriend dying from a heart attack because I made him worry."

She patted his chest and the two smiled at each other.

Suddenly a thought appeared in Nick's head.

That's right! There was something else he wanted to do. He couldn't forget. Not after how much planning and coordination it took to leave it as a surprise. Especially in the condition he's been in. He's not going to let all that effort go to waste!

Now that his doubts have been cleared, and his feelings for the doe more certain and present than ever before. He felt confident about doing this now.

"Hey umm..." he began. Yep he was still nervous. "I got you something." He began reaching into the pocket of his pants for the gift. 

Hopefully my pockets didn't ruin it from being squeezed in there too long.

"Oh! Wait wait!" Judy said, jumping up from her seat on the bed finally. "I got you something too! But can I go first?"

Well that was a surprise to the fox. He wasn't expecting this, and quite frankly he thought this would be a moment to surprise Judy as a show of appreciation and apology from everything that's happened. 

"I guess we'll be saving the best for last then." he smirked in defeat.

Judy bounced a tiny bit in excitement. "Trust me, you're going to love it Nick!" she happily squealed, rushing over to the opposing indigo covered bed.

He let out a laugh at the adorableness from his girlfriend. He wasn't sure if he was allowed to be saying 'cute' as a way to describe her at the moment. But he wasn't going to risk crossing that line. 

She pulled the present out hidden from underneath and presented the red box to the fox still sitting down. He took it in his paws and looked down on it. He let out an amused humph. It was just Judy's style to surprise him with gifts huh?

He looked back up and saw an excited smile from the bunny while she bounced up and down on her feet in anticipation. She was really excited about this? Whatever she got in here must be good then. Wasting no more time he undid the green ribbon from the top and opened up the box.

And revealed inside it. Was a blue sphere.

Nick raised an eyebrow as he was curious to what this object could be. But he quickly recognized what it was when he felt the texture of the sphere when he took it in his paws. It was rubbery and squishy. As he turned it around he noticed that the ball sphere had a star shaped structure at one of the ends. 

Wait a minute. He knew this shape at the top. Because it was his favorite food. 

"You got me a blueberry rubber ball?" he asked in genuine surprise.

"I know how much you like your tennis balls Nick." she said, puffing out her chest in a proud manner.

It was true. The bucket of tennis balls in his apartment were living proof that he indeed was a sucker for these objects. He usually only bounced them around and would give them the occasional chew in his mouth whenever he was bored. Maybe Judy realized they were important to him? Perhaps these things meant a lot to him and he just didn't realize it till now. But he knew that this gift was special because it was from Judy.

"Ahaha I was not expecting this was I?" he huffed in amusement. While it may not seem like it, he was actually really touched by the gift.

"Do you like it?" she asked, leaning forward a bit.

"You know what Fluff, I think I love it." he said with sincerity.

Judy jumped a little and grinned. She was happy Nick loved the gift. To be honest she liked giving gifts to Nick and seeing his reaction to them. And Nick accepted each and every gift with humbleness and honor. Getting gifts and surprises from Judy was just one of many ways she showed her affection for him. Who was he to deny that just because he didn't feel like he deserved them? He wouldn't hurt Judy again with his ego and personal problems.

Then Nick noticed a coy look from the bunny. While she pressed her fingers pointing together sheepishly.

"Hey Nick this is gonna sound weird but umm...can I see you squeeze it in your mouth?"

That certainly took him aback, and he gave a befuddled look to her. "You're serious?" 

"Just this once. Pleeeeease..." 

Nick rolled his eyes and huffed some air out in hilarity. Was he really going to do this? He looked at the bunny, giving him wide and pleading eyes. Those beautiful eyes...

Yes, yes he was going to do this. Oh how the mighty hustler of the streets, Nicholas Wilde, has fallen. Now look at him. About to show his canine guilty pleasure in front of his bunny girlfriend. If Finnick could see him he would laugh at him and say he was wrapped up in her little bunny lasso of love.

"Fiiiine." 

Judy clasped her hands together in anticipation. And soon she saw Nick place the blue object into his mouth. Placing it right in-between his fangs, and he gave it a light squeeze with his jaw. The blueberry ball let out a tiny squeaky noise from the pressure. Before regaining the air it lost with the same high pitched noise joining it.

Judy placed her paw over her mouth to stifle the laughter. She wasn't laughing because she thought it was funny, but because Nick looked insanely adorable doing it.

"Oh my gosh...that was the cutest thing I've ever seen you do." she muffled with a smile underneath her hand.

Nick took the ball out of his mouth. "Oh so you can say the c-word, but I can't?" he sneered.

"Yep!"

"Well I'm glad I could amuse you with my love for rubber balls Judy, but this just means I'll use it when you're not around." 

"You better use that ball in front of me Nick, you can't hide your adorableness from me forever you know!" she hmphed putting her hands on her hips.

"Alright alright you had your fun Fluff! Now I want you to open my gift." Nick insisted. 

He reached inside his pocket again and pulled out the gift. Judy was a little confused to see an amalgamation of newspaper wrapped together in a pink bow from the fox's pocket now presented in his paw. A delicate smile immediately formed on her face. She saw the little note that the bow had taped on to it that said: "For Carrots"

She looked back up at the fox and he smiled and widened his eyes for a quick second. He gave an expression as if to say 'go on take it'. She took the gift from his paw gently and smiled at it. To be honest, this would be exactly how Nick would give a gift. It screamed 'this could only come from Nick and no one else' and she felt happy about it. It was one of a kind.

She opened up one of the ends and peeked inside.

Her heart skipped a beat for a second. This wasn't possible! Was this a dream? A gasp escaped from her, and her eyes broadened with elation as she looked back up to the fox in awe. The earnest look on his face only increased her elation, before she quickly looked back down and finally released the gift from its grey wrappings.

There it was. The Carrot pen. Their Carrot pen. The one she thought was gone, broken, and lost forever. But broken it was no more, because in the palm of her hand it was fixed back together. With what looked to be glue. It was pieced back together beautifully and to perfection. And as she rolled it around in her palm it did not show any signs of falling apart.

"N-Nick how did you-" she asked looking back up at the fox in astonishment.

"Hoggbottom paid a little visit to me in the hospital while you were out cleaning my apartment. She gave the pieces back to me in a little pouch," he reminisced. One of the rare times he ever saw the boar's soft side. Especially with it being him on the receiving end. "Said she happened to "lose the evidence" at some point." He said making quotation marks with his paws. "Believe me I was surprised too."

"Oh wow...t-then when did you fix it?"

"S-Simple, it's a method from the streets Fluff!" he said with passion masking his shaky tone. "A hot glue gun can always piece something back together. And admittedly...I did have a little help from Nibbles."

Judy could almost slap herself on the forehead if she wasn't holding the pen. She assumed whenever Nibbles took Nick out for some fresh air for the whole day during his recovery she thought it was just them hanging out as friends!

"So all those times you and her went to Marsh Market you were fixing it?!" she said bewildered. She was not expecting this at all. Nick had really planned to give her back the pen all this time?

"Back at her house yes," he explained. "But I didn't want to just give you back the pen without making sure it works like it used to. So she took me to a guy she knew at the market and managed to get it working again before we could piece it back together fully. She even offered to pay the gecko herself but I wasn't having it."

"It really works?!" she said with a slight hope filling her insides. She looked back down at the pen seeing the recording button in the same place it was supposed to be in. "Nick...you didn't have to."

"I wanted too Judy, because it was my fault for egging you back at the cliff," the fox started. He remembered how ashamed he felt for actually hurting her feelings back there. He kept it with him for a good while. That's why when Hoggbottom gave it back to him he knew he would make it his mission to get it fixed. "It wouldn't have broken if I didn't start the argument."

"But Nick I'm the one who snatc-"

"Aht aht aht! You will not be sharing the blame in this one Carrots, this time I'm taking full responsibility for it. That's why I wanted to fix it as a surprise for you. It's yours now. Okay?"

Judy was touched. This might be the most thoughtful gift she's ever received from someone. And having that someone be Nick, her first boyfriend, only made this moment more special than it already was. 

She gave a doting smile at the fox and went towards him, jumping back on the bed standing on her feet. She wrapped her arms around him with the pen still in her grasp, and the fox turned towards her and reciprocated. The two hugged and leaned into each other.

"Thank you Nick, I love it." she said softly. She nuzzled her chin against his shoulder.

Nick rubbed her backside gently, savoring the embrace. All those mentally frustrating hours of trying to piece it back together with Nibbles had paid off. And he would gladly do this type of thing again if it meant making her happy. He gave a quick rub of his chin on the side of her head.

"I wanted to make sure it would work, especially if we got to this moment where we were official." he said, starting leaning away from the bunny. She released the hug as well and held the pen up.

"What do you want to record?"

"Hold down the button and find out Fluff!" he insisted, motioning his paw.

Judy sighed lightheartedly, and pressed the record button and held it towards the fox's face. He looked at the doe with a delicate expression and gently said the following four words.

"I love you Judy."

Her heart soured, and she released the button and wasted no time pressing back the play button.

"I love you Judy." 

The comforting voice was now muffled in the pen. It played back seamlessly and perfectly. She would treasure this recording for as long as they were together. She couldn't help but lean back into the fox and give him a quick peck on his lips. Which made him grumble in bliss when he processed what she had done.

"So since I'm still emotionally insecure me, that means you can play that to your hearts content if I ever dissatisfy you with my antics." he proclaimed pointing a singular paw pad up. "But I swear on my honor as a fox I will do everything I can to satisfy you!"

He pressed his arm against his chest and held his head up high. The bunny giggled at the fox who was acting like a knight swearing an oath to a princess. She took his arm away from his chest and rubbed the fur on it gently.

"I'd say I'm pretty satisfied right now then."

"Well you'll be even more satisfied because the back brace will be off soon and I won't be a crippling mess anymore."

Judy was happy for the fox. Excited even for him to be back in top shape again. But a little part of her deflated inside. Not because she wasn't happy to see Nick's suffering end. But because that would mean there was no reason for her to stay over at his place. But it was only natural. She was still paying rent at her place, and the PTO from the ZPD as compensation for their mistakes made up for it while she was helping the fox. Still, she's gotten used to having Nick as company. Even getting to do the less flattering things for him would feel weird. Not having to take care of him anymore was fine. But in-between that hard work was shared moments of intimacy like brushing his fur or even pushing him around in the wheelchair. Now she couldn't do the special things that only SHE could do for the fox. It almost felt like a privilege was being taken away from her.

"Aww I'm gonna miss brushing your fur..." the bunny whined.

"You really enjoyed that huh?"

"Of course! It was super sweet that I got to brush your fur. You told me not every mammal has the chance to do that for a fox. So it feels...I don't know...really great that you allowed me to do it." she conceded. "Plus your fur is really pretty."

"Ohhh so there is something physically attractive about me." he teased.

"Okay fine I like seeing your fur! But can you blame me? It's so soft!" she cried.

Nick chuckled at her response and a light blush began to form underneath his fur. "W-well then I suppose I could grant you brushing duty if you ever want to stop by my place again!" 

And just like that her heart was restored. Her face lit up and she gave a gentle jab at the fox's arm. She couldn't go full force after all. But the prospect of getting to brush Nick again had her all the more excited. She will visit as much as she can, she decided.

"Good because we'll need a base of operations to discuss our next case!" she beamed rubbing the arm she had just punched gently.

"There's gonna be another case huh?" Nick curiously smiled, quirking an eyebrow.

"Of course, because when you broke out of jail you also released two hundred highly dangerous prisoners." she said analytically.

"Worth it," he said with a shrug. "Any idea where you wanna start?"

"I do, actually!" she professed. "But that can wait until your back is safe and secure! Besides, Gazelle invited us to her Burning Mammal show next month. And I want you in tip top shape to dance that fluffy tail of yours away!"

Nick finally raised himself up from the bed and Judy followed suit with him. The two made their way towards the door. Both their gifts safely in their possession and with their paws intertwined for a little while until Nick broke the connection.

"Don't worry Fluff, I still know the classic dance move!" he assured and did a little motion with his paws curled up in fist circling them around. The attempt at dancing only amused the bunny even more. "No one can beat "the hustle" after all!"

"I like the hustle...butt," she mischievously said. And out of nowhere she gave the fox's behind a light smack. He yelped before covering his muzzle with his paw. The dumbfounded look from Nick gave her the satisfaction she oh so wanted from doing that. "I need to see that tail of yours shake on the dance floor!"

Nick was silent as he watched the bunny open the door and peeked back at the fox. She added a little wiggle to her hips before giggling amusingly, leaving his sight and closing the door behind her. 

Nick just stood there. His whole body burned madly and his tail twitched when he remembered the feeling of her hand smacking his rump. A shiver escaped him.

"Wow..."

He gave a delightful smile and a dreamy sigh escaped his lips. And he opened the door after turning off the lights, and followed his girlfriend back downstairs to the celebration.