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It started last week when he realized that everyone in the precinct was hiding something from them. Specifically, from Judy — he had come to this conclusion when she had to leave for a bathroom break and everyone resumed their whispering, not paying attention to him at all. So he decided to get to the bottom of this, as any good partner would.
“What's up, guys?” He approached a group composed of Francine, Delgato and Wolford. They stopped talking at once, looking at him warily. He raised an eyebrow as they looked at each other, having some kind of silent conversation. Finally, the three of them nodded and Delgato spoke.
“Guess there's no harm in including you. You can keep a secret, Wilde?” He nodded cautiously. “Even from your partner?” That made him stop in his tracks. He squinted his eyes.
“That depends on the secret, doesn't it?” He said it lightly, like he was joking, but anyone could notice the way his fur stood on end and his ears flattened. Delgato erupted into laughter.
“Hahaha, what'd you even think we're gonna do? Harm her?” He laughed some more. “Man, you're way too protective. She's a strong bunny, you know.”
Nick felt only slightly embarrassed at being called out. So everyone noticed, huh? He shook his head. “So what, are you gonna share it or not?”
Delgato’s laughter became a chuckle. “Right, right.” He cleared his throat. “So, since Hopps’s birthday is coming, we’re preparing a surprise birthday party.”
“Not a party per se, it’s more like a celebration.” Wolford interrupted and Delgato dismissed him with a paw.
“Yeah, whatever. The point is, we need you to keep it a secret. And it would be even better if you could distract her that day.” His toothy smile was only slightly upsetting. “What do you say?”
Nick stopped to think for a moment. How come everyone but him knew about her birthday? Was she trying to keep it a secret from him? He nodded anyway. “Sure, I’m in.” He shrugged, trying to look uninterested. “...When is it?”
“Next week, Thursday.” Said Francine. And, almost as if she knew about his insecurity, added: “Courtesy of our intel specialist.” She pointed to the reception, from where Clawhauser looked over and started waving. The elephant waved back with her trunk.
“Cool, we’re counting on you.” Finished Delgato, winking at him. Then, almost as an afterthought: “Also, there’s a bet—” Francine hit him with her trunk.
“Nothing. It’s nothing, really.” She hurried to say. Nick only raised an eyebrow, curious but not enough to pursue it. So he left without a question, just as Judy came back to their desk.
The day arrived soon enough, and Nick kept his mouth shut about the issue the whole time. On the day of, he invited her to lunch as casually as possible; thankfully, they did this often enough not to come across as unusual. And as far as he knew, Judy didn’t suspect a thing.
When they came back to the precinct, there was not a single animal in sight. Not even Clawhauser, which raised Judy’s suspicion. He insisted the cheetah was probably in the bathroom and pushed her to the designated place.
The lights were out, and she was about to ask about it when they suddenly lit up and every officer from the ZPD jumped from behind their desks. Even Chief Bogo was there.
“Happy birthday!” Everyone shouted at once, which made Judy jump in place and almost him too, even though he knew it was coming. She looked at the room decorated with balloons and banners spelling the occasion, putting her paws over her mouth and eyes watering up.
“You guys…!” She exclaimed emotionally, but turned around to look at him immediately. “And you!” She punched his arm, but he took it without complaining; her bright smile was worth it. “You were part of this!” It wasn’t a question, but he nodded anyway, smiling.
“Only a bit. These guys did everything.”
“But… How’d you even know?” She asked no one in particular.
“Oh! Just looked it up in the database. No biggie.” Clawhauser explained casually, like it wasn’t a violation of privacy. “Wanna know Nick’s birthday?”
She started nodding enthusiastically before he interrupted by placing himself between them. “No, no. Not necessary.” Nick laughed nervously, but still glared at the cheetah. He just shrugged.
“Anyways, come here, Hopps! We got cake and everything.” Said one of the mammals in the background. Judy did as asked, with him following shortly behind. They talked and drank —non-alcoholic beverages, of course— and generally just had a great time between colleagues and friends.
Eventually, though, Chief Bogo announced it was about time to wrap things up. So Francine brought out the cake and put it on the desk Judy was sitting on, lighting the candles. Someone turned the lights off while some other animal encouraged her. “Make a wish!”
She closed her eyes for a moment before blowing out the candles, and everyone cheered. Then the lights turned on again, making Nick wince a little while almost everyone asked rapid-fire questions.
“What did you wish for?”
“Got any presents?”
“How old are you turning?” That one caught his attention. He had never stopped to think about it, although he was aware that she was quite a bit younger than he was. The thought somehow dampened his mood.
“Twenty-five.” Judy answered. That’s kind of a lot.
Nick pondered how she could feel about him. At best, he was just a good friend, but at worst, she saw him as an older brother. That was probably it… Too much of a risk.
He realized that his ears were drooping and decided to step out for a bit before she noticed something was bothering him. He needed some time to pull himself together.
Unfortunately, he had barely made it to the locker room when he heard hurried steps behind him. He had been too slow.
“Nick, what’s wrong?” She asked worriedly.
“Nothing, Carrots.” He forced a smile, but she didn’t fall for it. She just looked at him pointedly. Sighing, he gave up the farce. “I’m just feeling under the weather. It’s nothing important, but I'd better leave before ruining the mood.” He shifted a little; it wasn’t entirely a lie.
He had only taken a few steps before she tugged at his clothes. He turned around to look at her. “I want to tell you something.” She was fidgeting, and he thought she almost looked like a nervous teenager. The thought weighed on him like a rock. She took a deep breath and suddenly she was on his lips.
She was kissing him. His brain short-circuited.
By the time he could form a coherent thought, she had already separated from him and was looking expectantly, eyes bright and ears flushed.
“...Why?” Was the only thing that came out of his mouth. She blushed even harder.
“Are you seriously gonna make me say it?” She frowned a little, embarrassed.
He shook his head. “No, I mean… Why me?” He asked slowly, at which she looked confused. “There are other, better guys than me in Zootopia. Heck, even in Bunnyburrow.”
It was her turn to shake her head. “But none of them are you, Nick.” That managed to shut him up entirely. “I don’t want any of them, I want you.” She emphasized and it took his breath away.
“What will your parents think? What will anyone think?”
“I don’t care.” She answered immediately. Her eyes were so full of honesty and care and love that it was almost painful.
“...I’m much older than you.” He argued reluctantly and she looked hurt for a change.
“Is that it? You see me as a child?” She looked like she was about to cry and he wanted nothing more than to hold her.
“No, Judy. Not at all.” He hurried to correct her, holding her face in his paws. She nuzzled into them.
“Then what is the problem?” She asked shyly, daring to hope.
He sighed. “I don’t know. You’ll just get tired of me.”
“Never.” Her voice was as firm as her eyes. He allowed himself to get lost in them.
A moment of silence. Then, “I guess I can’t argue with you.” He smiled a little and her eyes widened.
“Really?” She asked hopefully; he nodded. “So you feel the same?”
He chuckled. “Of course.” And with that, leaned in to kiss her.
It barely lasted a moment, before—
“They did it! I won!” Delgato’s voice was clearly heard outside the locker room, followed by several groans and a couple of claps.
“Alright, playtime’s over. Back to work.” It was Chief Bogo, clapping his hands.
Then, shuffling noises as everyone dispersed. They only laughed sheepishly in silence.