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“You're just a dumb little bunny!” It was one of the first memories Gideon Grey had with Judy Hopps. And it really hurted him every time he'd remember. He never knew how to talk to people, let alone girls. He changed, of course, learned his way on life, but still feeling a dick for treating like that to a small girl. He thought apologizing would end the guilt, but an apologize wasn't the only thing Gideon wanted to say that day... He continued taking his pies to the display case. It was a pleasant morning that Saturday.
Speaking of Judy... she was supposed to come to Bunny Borrow today, like she did every weekend. And speaking more of Judy... there was something Gideon Grey had always hidden from her and had only expressed in the worst way. The truth was that he had always liked her a lot. He felt like an idiot for not being able to tell her how he felt when she returned from Zootopia. Several months had passed, and when he finally had the courage to tell her every weekend, she had already walked out the door. He found this situation so frustrating, and it only got worse when Judy's parents gossiped him that she already had a boyfriend.
And it was a fox... despite being a little sad, that gave him some hope to know that at least Judy liked foxes! Gideon felt a slight electric shock run through him with what he had just thought now. This boyfriend... was he that important to Judy? He wagged his tail anxiously and squeezed a berry. Gideon considered himself a good man, a decent guy who felt he could win Judy over and make her see that he can be the best for her. To truly love her. All he knew about this fox was that his name was Nick.
But he had faith, and a lot of self-confidence. This Nick guy was probably no big deal. He felt bad for thinking that, so he kept working.
In the afternoon, when the sun was too yellow and gave Gideon's bakery a warm color, the doorbell rang. Gideon came out of the cooking area with a smile. He was sure it was Judy, until he saw... someone else with her.
“Nick, you had to bring the cart! We're going to buy a lot and it will be heavy.” Judy saw her boyfriend as they entered the place. “Relax, Carrots, the giant pies that rabbits eat are standard size for me,” Nick smiled, behind Judy.
Gideon stood there staring... was that... Nick? His jaw shaked a bit. Until Judy saw him.
“Hey Gideon! How's it going?” The rabbit smiled.
“H-ah hi Judy... all good here”
“Meet Nick! My boyfriend..” She moved aside a little so he could see him.
“Nick, this is Gideon, my old classmate.”
“What's up?” Nick smiles softly and raises his paw slightly. With such a relaxed look.
“Everything's fine...” Gideon swallows, hiding his discomfort by playing with his fingers.
No, no, no. He was already doubting his plan. He wanted to forget what he had thought and go back to baking. So that was Nick! Just by looking at him, he knew what kind of fox he was. He sighed and had to pretend he wasn't swallowing his nerves.
“S-So... how many... many pies would you like?”
“If it's not too much... two dozen pies please? It's a family reunion and, well, you know, haha...”Judy plays with her ears as she speaks.
“For your whole family? If you're lucky enough they'll leave you the leftovers, sweetheart.” Nick smiles, and that makes Judy laugh, and she gives him a little tap on the shoulder. "Oh c'mon Nick!"
Oh my God. It was worse than he thought.
He was funny.
He made her laugh.
He was more handsome than him.
He was more charismatic than him.
And he hated realizing he was taller than him when he approached the counter!
“Excuse me, Gid, can you pass me a toothpick?” asked that fox with that smile he barely knew and already hated.
Gideon nodded and handed it to him.
...Damn it! Even his fangs were fucking bigger!
“I'll go get the pies” he faked a smile and left. It wasn't fair... Nick was thin, well-built, with a confident expression that never accidentally arched his eyebrows. What the fuck was this guy?
“Your friend is a little strange,” he murmurs to Judy, who gives him another little nudge. “Don't be mean, Gideon changed a lot since he was a bully,” Judy shakes her head, both of them sitting at the small table away from the counter.
“Since he was what? What did he do?”
Oh... Judy regretted saying that.
Gideon returned sweating, with the two dozen in a huge, heavy box. He couldn't put it on the counter, so he turned around, carrying it, and approached the couple. “S-Sorry for the delay, it's a little heavy... haha!” He smiled nervously, forgetting for a moment his discomfort due to his fatigue.
Nick stood up, with a cocky smile, which since Gideon left, looked different, more relaxed, broader... more confident.
He walks towards Gideon, looking down at him... fuck's sake... as if he were doing it on purpose... he picks up the box that was making the other poor fox shake. “Yeah, it's just a little heavy” Nick says, looking at him closely for a second, carrying the box effortlessly. That finally defeats Gideon. For a moment, he swore Nick had looked at him with certain annoyance, different from the beginning.
“Well, sweetheart, we better hurry before we're late” and with that, Nick returned to his usual personality like nothing.
“Thank you Gideon! It was nice to see you.” Judy waves goodbye as she goes to the door.
"Yeh...thanks for the pies, Gid!"
Nick hurries a little to go and open the door for Judy with his free paw. And so they left.
He was strong...
He was a gentleman...
What the hell had he been thinking...
That damn fox completely outmatched him...