Chapter Text
Nick and Judy are walking out of their favorite coffee place. That warm toasty scent still lingering. Their shift had just started but both felt different about it.
Judy was excited for today but there was a certain thought that made her ears droop every time. Pause tightened around her coffee as guilt consumed her. "How could she feel this way about seeing her family?"
Her thoughts came to life as her phone dinged with a reminder. She loved her family a lot but they could never seem to accept her for her. She knew they believed she would fail and would become another bunny farmer. Looking at her partner she saw the only person in her life that truly believed she would succeed. Even at times where she didn't believe it herself. What would her life be like of he was never in it?
Nick felt worried for today's shift. He knew Judy would be taking a leave of absence to go see her family. He would never say it but he could see why she struggled sometimes in not overworking herself.
He grew up in a place where safety was never guaranteed. Cold nights and wet streets. A dull ache inside of pain. Being a fox was difficult in a time where there was no Judy Hopps to fight for equality. And when he found a sliver of hope for change he tried to become a scout. That's when he no longer felt hope for a long time. That time had ended.
"Officer Hopps, Wilde report what's your status." Chief Bogo's voice crackled over the radio. "We currently have successfully retrieved our coffee and bagels." Judy laughed as Chief Bogo sighed tremendously. "Wilde I don't need to remind you AGAIN how serious you need to take this job" It wasn't about the fact that they were at the coffee shop it was that Bogo grew worried over a new conflict in the city. Nick smirked ready to send another smart remark before Judy responded before him. "He knows sir we'll be there in a second."
In the shop Judy sat in her usual spot propped up by 3-4 books driving. Seatbelt rubbing against her uniform. "Ya know I was wondering why are you always the one to drive when you can't even reach the wheel."
At the red light she turned her head toward him. "We both know you can't reach either AND you're a bad driver." Nick chuckled and took one big bite out of his bagel. He loved poking fun at her it always gave him that warm-hearted feeling he loved. Maybe she felt it too.
"Hopps and Wilde I have some news to give you." Judy stayed silent. Ears going up to listen intently. "Is it a new case?" "Did we do something wrong?" Glancing at Nick she could tell his mask was on. Ears mid-way flat. Waving a tired/bored look on his face.
Composure laid back if he wasn't wearing the uniform how could you tell he was a cop by the way he carried himself. "I get it you two are one of my most skilled cops in the field-" "We're probably the most skilled by far." Bogo led out a grumble of disappointment.
"But when push comes to shove I need you two to be prepared for anything." Judy nodded and said,"Is there anything going on?" "Is it a new case?" The chief let out a reluctant nod as he walked to his desk.
Judy easily hopped onto the chair in a matter of seconds. Nick took his time walking slowly but evidently struggling. "With the mayor election coming soon tensions are rising." Judy thought to herself, "What could this mean?" He must've felt the same way.
"Animals from all species have all picked their own candidate for mayor." The problem being there was a strong diverse population of prey and predators. She laughed. After everything after all the pain and conflict still people reduce animals to these dumb stereotypes. He felt the same.
"Do you think if we made a statement it could help?" Yeah? Why couldn't that work? Maybe it would if this was a fairytale. In this place pain and suffering will never truly end. She would always be seen as a dumb bunny who could never be strong enough to change the world. He would always be seen as a sly fox unworthy of anything the reason the world was so hard.
"If you two, the face of the Zpd made a statement animals of all species would feel betrayed like you took sides." "Well what if we made it neutral no real picking sides." Then Judy's ear twitched. Nick sighed not the familiar playful one where he would joke and say Judy was annoying.
No it was one where you could hear the tone. "The media absolutely loves to twist words. You name it carrots they'd say we don't care. That we are being hypocrites to our own species." "Wilde what are you trying to say?" "I mean look at us the Zpd is a very diverse place." Now she understood what he meant. He thought because everyone there were all from different species they couldn't agree with each other.
"Nick but maybe we could show them how no matter how different we are we can still stay united." Ears laying back against his head. She saw a flicker of a different emotion. One she hadn't scene since she told him how different they were. Since he told her about his childhood. "Life isn't that simple Judy."