Chapter Text
“So…I can assume it’s been a good night?” The giraffe driver asked, looking at the rear-view mirror at the cheerful fox currently enjoying the bunny snuggling up to his chest, her eyes closed and with a bright smile on her face.
“I’d say so.” Nick replied with a grin, giving his best friend (more than a friend now) wrapped in his arms a tight squeeze, emitting another quiet hum of contentment from her.
Nick felt on top of the world after the night he treated his partner to. A night of good food, surprises, and the best company he could have possibly asked for. With it ending on top of the hill in Tundratown overlooking a sea of glowing trees after their first kiss, it was one Christmas Eve neither of them would ever forget.
“I still can’t thank you enough Nick.” Judy said, still in her happy daze as she looked up to him. “I only wish I could make it up to you.”
Nick chuckled. “You make it sound like what I did was a chore.”
“No I know it wasn’t, but you did so much to make this night just…absolutely wonderful.” Judy said as she hugged his torso again. “I just wish I could show you how much I appreciate it.” She stretched upwards to kiss the side of his muzzle. “How much I appreciate you.”
With a smile on his muzzle, still loving the fact that they’ve come to this point in their relationship to do this, Nick kissed the side of her cheek. “What did I tell you earlier? You already have; everything you’ve enjoyed today was thanks to you. Payment already cashed. No refunds.”
Judy looked him with one eyebrow raised.
“You’re still gonna think you owe me?”
“Look at you; catchin’ on faster everyday!” Judy said in a tone only reserved for the smallest of kits.
Nick merely offered a mischievous grin and light chuckle before pressing the side button to roll the driver’s passenger window up, not once taking his eyes off her. His glee only increasing from Judy’s confused look before he rolled his window down, inviting a blast of cold air to smack his partner’s oversized ears.
“Ah! Nick!” Judy exclaimed as she pulled her ears down and squeezed closer into his side to find cover from the frost. He laughed as he scooted further away to let the cold air bombard her.
“Roll it up! It’s freezing!”
“Ya feel that chill carrots?!” Nick loudly exclaimed over the freezing torrent. “You know what I use to do in weather like this?!”
“Make other mammals freeze their ears off!?”
Nick laughed as he rolled up the window. “Aside from one year I smooshed snow into Fin’s ears as a prank, no. I use to use this festive little season to run a candy cane hustle with the fine denizens migrating near the pricey shopping districts in Sahara Square.”
With the window rolled up, Judy brought her ears back in front of her. “First off, help me thaw these out.” She grabbed one ear to rub warm while Nick chuckled and tended to the other. “Second, do I dare ask what the ‘candy cane hustle’ was?”
Nick’s grin widened for a second, only to quickly dissolve. “Uh actually, maybe not. All I should say is that it involved a lot of candy canes, costumes that even Tiny Tim would look at in pity, and so many sympathetic shoppers looking upon the fuzzy vagabond and his mute son with big hearts and even bigger wallets.”
“Seems like you already told me everything you could tell me Slick.”
“Not where the candy canes came from.”
“Okay, no need to tell me that part.” Judy said, still remembering the slightly unsanitary means they made the pawpsicles. She then moved her other ear over to him. “Now this one.”
“Still cold?”
“No, your paw pads just feel really good.” Nick lightly chuckled as he began to rub the long appendage.
“Anyway, because of you Fluff, I don’t have to do that anymore. I can actually make an honest living and be able to look at myself without feeling…disgusted.”
Nick felt a tiny portion of himself sink saying that. With his life turned around and priorities straightened out, he could laugh and have a somewhat odd pride over the various elaborate, or sometimes downright idiotic schemes he used to pull.
What he still struggled now and then to laugh at was the fact that he did them at all. Even though he knew it was due to life strapping one of the worst messages one could hear at such a young age to shape his outlook on the world, it didn’t change the fact that he was an able-bodied adult who fell into his species’ stereotype in order to get by.
He had a sharp mind, a healthy body, and the right amount of drive to get what he wanted in life. The only thing he lacked though was a direction that made sense to him outside of where the world told him he could go.
And yet this fantastic bunny with beautiful amethyst eyes was all it took to shove the world aside and really let him know how great he could truly be. And it was this bunny who’s always managed to help him throw that remaining guilt aside just from a simple look into those beautiful eyes, just as she was doing right now.
“I mean sure the job I have now pays less, I have to wake up on a schedule, and my partner changed from a big eared, short tempered fox into a big eared, overly optimistic bunny.” Nick said before lightly ruffling the base of her ears, earning a playful swat. “But I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Judy had felt her heart swell over her partner’s adoration towards her. To think that this wonderful fox felt this way for her for so long just amazed her to no ends. Then again, maybe he truly was like her; not realizing how much he truly he loved her until he needed a sign as simple as colors on a Christmas tree.
She snuggled next to him once more, feeling his arm wrap around her.
“To be fair Slick, it was pretty clear you were definitely not that type of mammal.”
“Even when I hustled you for a jumbo pop?”
“Oh no, at that time you were an absolute jerk. Worst of the worst.” Judy quickly shot back, earning a laugh from her partner. “I knew for sure after you stood up to Bogo for me, but I got the hint you were a good mammal earlier on when you didn’t ditch me near the sky trams when you had the chance.”
“Oh come on, what kind of mammal leaves another mammal to get eaten by a savage predator?”
“Bellwether.”
“I mean sane mammals.”
Judy chuckled. “Even then, I wouldn’t have blamed you if you did leave. I was the one who was blackmailing you.”
“It’d be pretty petty to let that be the reason to let you get killed.” Nick said, still stroking her ear, beginning to find it oddly satisfying, only to be interrupted when he felt her soft paws pull his head down to her height to look him in the eyes.
“Listen Nick, you can try to cover up why you decided to stay with me even though I told you to go, but you aren’t fooling anyone.” She placed one paw under his muzzle and one on the back of his head.
“It’s because you, Nicholas Wilde, are brave” She kissed his left cheek. “Helpful” She kissed his right cheek. “and trustworthy.” She kissed him on the lips, which he gladly accepted as he wrapped her in his arms.
When they finally broke away, Nick bashfully looked away while clearing his throat and nonchalantly pinching his eyes to wipe something away.
“You uh…feel like a little music?” Nick asked as he leaned in to turn on the passenger seat radio.
Judy chuckled. “Sure.” Nick tuned into the station before leaning back into the seat, listening to the ads play out while trying not to look towards her. She waited for him to crack.
It was about a minute in before he started to lightly laugh, covering his eyes with the paw not wrapped around his bunny. “You can’t spring that kind of thing on me Fluff. Not without me gettin’ some kind of defense up.”
Judy looked up to him with a deadpanned expression. “That’s been my dilemma the entire night Slick. If I had to deal with it, so should you.”
Nick tried to think of something witty to say in response, but decided instead to shrug and cut his losses.
“Touché.”
As the car continued to drive to their homes, they looked out the window as the snow was lightly falling, with each passing streetlight illuminating the specks as the radio began its first song in the queue.
(There's No Place Like Home For The Holidays by The Carpenters) .
“You gotta be kidding me” Nick thought, remembering Judy’s little dilemma. He simply tightened his hug, hopping that she wouldn’t think too much about it.
(I’ll Be Home For Christmas by Frank Sinatra)
“It uh…sure looks lovely outside.” Nick said loudly to overshadow the radio, hopping the next song would be a bit more on the jolly side.
(Please Come Home For Christmas by Charles Brown)
He groaned before reaching to turn off the radio, only to be stopped by a grey paw on his forearm.
“It’s okay Nick.” Judy said with a smile. “Tonight was more than enough to warrant a very merry Christmas, no matter what tomorrow brings.”
Nick smiled as he wrapped his arm around her to bring her back to his side. “I’m glad to hear that. Just wish you could be with your oversized family this year.”
“I do too Slick” Judy said with a light chuckle. “But it’d take a miracle to make it down there with how the-“
She was interrupted by the sudden buzz in her pocket, with the familiar sound alert. When she took her phone out to read, both of their eyes widened over the message.
“Well…hallelujah.” Nick said.
FROM 7:30 AM TO 9:00 AM TOMORROW, RAILWAY SERVICES OUT OF ZOOTOPIA WILL BE AVAILABLE WITH REGULAR SERVICE TIMES RESUMING DECEMBER 26TH.
Judy just sat there looking at the screen dumbfounded. She couldn’t believe her luck.
“Look Judy; teacher says every time a phone buzzes, a bunny gets to go home.” Nick said, trying in terrible vain to sound high pitched.
“Wow.” Judy said, trying to find more words to say. Working hard to find the right ones to ask Nick an important question.
Nick chuckled at her astonished countenance, covering up his slight bit of disappointment.
(Blue Christmas by Elvis Presley)
I hate you.
He was happy that she would be able to visit her family for Christmas, but in truth he wanted to spend more time with her. Even if it was simply relaxing the day away on the couch under a blanket with some hot coco while watching every Christmas classic they could think of, it would have been an enjoyable day with her.
Still, he was happy that she at least would be able to-
“You wanna come with me?”
Nick’s ears shot up at the sudden question. “You mean to Bunnyburrow?”
“Well yeah, that’s where my family lives.” Judy said with a giggle. “That is, if you were open to going. Did you have plans tomorrow?”
Nick shook his head. “No no, it was open in case you wanted to do anything, but I just don’t want to be a party crasher.”
Judy gave a playful shove. “Niiiick, come on; you already know you’re welcome any time.”
Judy wasn’t wrong in any way. While initial introductions made to present Nick to the entire burrow were…shaky at best, they eventually came around when Judy gave them the entire, uncensored story of how Nick came through for her during the missing mammal and savage cases.
That is, the older siblings and parents came around. As for the younger kits, they warmed up to Nick much faster when their cool aunt told them how funny he was and how he was a nice fox. Plus, the added benefit of him allowing them, one at a time, to feel his fluffy tail that they were so curious about also helped.
As for Pop-pop…he was still a work in progress.
“If you don’t wanna come, I understand…” Judy said, looking up at him with her eyes wide open. “But I will miss you.”
While Judy believed what she was doing was innocent fun, Nick was grateful she didn’t know what those big, beautiful eyes did to him. She would have had him in the palm of her paws for life. Not that he needed her pleading eyes to already know what he wanted to do.
He just needed to make sure a few things were worked out.
“I won’t be taking anyone’s space?”
“There’s plenty of guest rooms.” Judy said, her tail flickering in excitement.
“No one will have to spend extra for me?”
“Not at all. There’s more than enough amenities, and trust me, there will be plenty of food. You’ll probably be doing more of a service helping us with leftovers.”
“Most important of all” Nick asked as he rested his muzzle on her head. “Will I get to enjoy you the whole time?”
Judy smiled as she gently scratched the side of his winter coated neck. “You might have to share now and then, but yes.”
Nick jokingly exhaled in an annoyed fashion. “Well then if I MUST, I’d love to join you Judy.”
Judy let out a small squeal of delight while hugging him tighter. “This is going to be so much fun! I promise, you’re going to love it!”
“I don’t doubt it Carrots.” Nick said as he rolled down the driver window. “Would you mind taking us to the second address?”
“1955 Cypress Grove Lane?”
“That’s the one.” Nick said as Judy looked at him in confusion.
“Sure thing.”
Nick looked down to the inquisitive bunny. “I figured since my place is closer to the station, we should just sleep there for the night. Don’t want to risk missing the train.”
Judy thought about for a second and realized it was already getting close to midnight, and she knew her family would have a fresh change of clothes for the both of them anyway with how often they visited. Nothing to loss sleeping in a fox’s den for the night.
“Good idea Slick.”
“I know.” Nick said with a smug expression as he laid back with her in his arms. She gave him an eye roll with a scoff before laying back with a smile.
---------------------------------------------------
As the door opened to the dark apartment, Nick and Judy worked to fight their fatigue to get settled in for the night.
“Alright, so how are we going to do this?” Judy asked as she kicked her boots off, getting a slight chill from the cold hardwood floor.
Nick yawned as he walked to the hall closet. “I’ll just get some spare blankets and sleep on the couch. You can have the bed.”
“Well hang on, I don’t want to force you on the couch.”
Nick chuckled as he bent down to one of the lower shelves to find the comfiest sheets. “How can you force me if I’m offering? Besides, as a fox of good nature, I will not permit a lady to sleep elsewhere.”
“Well…why don’t we just share the bed?”
Nick shot his head up against the higher shelf before turning to Judy with a blush that made its way past his red fur. “Like…together?”
Judy chuckled. “That’s what sharing means, yes.”
Nick rubbed the sore spot on his head as he thought of what to say. “Isn’t that, I don’t know…seem a bit strange? Like you and me under the same blankets…sleeping. Together?”
Judy raised an eyebrow with a smirk on her face. “Nick, I’m not hinting at any funny business-“
“I wasn’t asking for any!” Nick exclaimed.
Judy giggled as she raised a paw. “I know Slick, don’t worry. I’m just saying why not just sleep in the same bed?”
Judy tried not to chuckle at Nick’s loss of words. It was obvious that there was a bit of a culture gap with how open she was in sharing a bed. Mostly what sharing a bed meant to both of them. For bunnies, it was as simple as sharing a padded surface and blankets to sleep for a certain period of time. For him, and most mammals, sharing a bed meant more than that.
Seeing his internal plight, Judy decided to cut him a break by walking past him and taking the cozy sheet he had in his paws. Of course she made sure to leave him wondering when she didn’t say a word while she closed him door for a minute.
“Okay, you can come in.” Judy said on the other side.
Nick slowly opened the door, unsure of what to expect from his crazy bunny. He kept his eyes down to make sure he didn’t see anything she would get mad at. Something he felt like was warranted given the clothes she was wearing was folded near a chair. He heard her laugh.
“Oh for goodness sake Nick, just look!”
Despite his reluctance, he looked up to see a sight that not only relieved him, but had him sigh from the adorable sight in front of him. Judy was lying on his bed, wrapped from neck to toe in a blanket cocoon. She was smiling with her cheeks slightly puffed from the sheets and her ears draped along the pillow.
“Is this okay Slick?” Judy asked with a tone that mixed amusement and genuine concern.
Nick smiled and nodded. “Yes, yes it is.”
“Good.” Judy said as she turned away to allow him to change. “Any reason you were so nervous?”
“Well it’s just…I was sort of worried of…moving too fast.” He heard her suppressed chuckle. “Hey! Don’t you be laughing at me Carrots! Last thing I expected tonight was to have my partner ask me to sleep in the same bed.”
“And the last thing I expected was to kiss my partner in the park.”
Nick climbed into bed and pulled the heavier blanket up to cover both of them. “Last I checked you pulled me in.”
Judy turned around to look at her fox. “But I didn’t feel you pull away.”
Nick shook his head with a smile as he pulled his cocooned bunny close to him, her chin resting on his chest while looking up at him. “And why would I do that?”
They leaned in to share a kiss before snuggling up to each other. Nick enjoyed this little bunny’s paw wrapped around his back and lightly scratching his fur, and Judy loved his warm winter coat against her cheek while his large paw cradled the back of her head.
As they both shared the warmth between them, they wished each other good night and quickly fell asleep in each other arms.