Chapter Text
The patrol car cut through the cold streets; the asphalt was damp and worn down by the footsteps of hundreds of mammals. Nobody raised their head above their own collar, limiting themselves to merely existing and going about their business. Society lived inside its own bubble, where each inhabitant maintained a polite yet distant parallel trajectory from the rest.
The deepest divide existed, clearly, between predators and prey. There was no need to mention the main reason—only to understand that those marginalized and allegedly "dangerous" individuals (even if, in practice, it was quite the opposite) had been condemned by nature and sentenced by society.
Upon stepping out into the street, every predator had to wear a shock collar that suppressed their emotions indiscriminately. Any sign of a rising pulse triggered a warning beep; if the signal didn't clear, an electric shock was swift to follow. Cruel, undoubtedly—but it helped prey sleep peacefully at night and walk through the city without fear, able to look them in the eye without feeling a drop of remorse, blindly flaunting their freedom.
The only place where they could still live as equals with the same values was inside their own homes. Upon returning, they would shed everything that condemned them in the outside world: the masks vanished, and the chains unlocked for everyone.
This was Zootopia: the city where anyone could be anything, the place where everyone lived the dream, and where justice and equality prevailed above all else.
Inside the city, driving the patrol car, was a rabbit: a small-sized mammal, though by no means harmless. This seasoned officer had graduated top of her class at the academy. She lived with her ideals burned into her mind, striving to make the world a better place and helping everyone without discrimination—prey and predators alike.
Of course, not everyone saw her the same way. Her size was often the subject of criticism, mockery, and disdain. Fighting against those prejudices and proving others wrong had become a daily routine in her life, though it didn't hurt any less because of it. She had learned to live with it, but there was also one mammal—just one—capable of outshining any wound with a few sweet words from his mouth.
This little rabbit went by Judy Hopps to the rest of the world. However, the truth was that it wasn't her full name: a lie society believed without question, and a secret guarded by only two mammals.
She eventually parked on a street of no significance to the average passerby. Taking advantage of the rain and the deserted area, she stepped out of the vehicle and walked across to the opposite sidewalk. Using her own set of keys, she unlocked the door to a closed tailor shop. The interior was dark, lined with hanging fabrics and garment bags carefully arranged by size: from the most imposing suits for robust rhinos to the most minute details for tiny shrews. The scent of worn cloth, leather, and cotton filled the air. Nobody would have understood why a police officer was entering a locked shop at such an hour.
Judy walked to the back, toward the artisan's workshop. There, a set of wooden stairs led to an oak door opening into what anyone would recognize as a home: a simple yet cozy apartment with a dining room, kitchen, bathroom, and a single bedroom. More than enough for a adult rabbit living alone... or so the city believed.
In the dining room stood a fox—the last creature anyone would imagine a rabbit associating with. Predator and prey by nature, a positive relationship between them bordered on unthinkable for society. But to Judy, he was no threat; he was her life partner, and the only one she trusted blindly. She approached him as he finished preparing dinner for them both.
Yet, if they were supposed to be mere "roommates," why was there only one bed in the bedroom?
—Hey... —Judy murmured.
The fox turned around immediately, a radiant smile lighting up his face.
—Hello, Mrs. Wilde —he said, taking a step forward.
When they stood face-to-face, they pulled each other into a tight embrace before melting into a deep kiss, like two lovers who hadn't seen each other in years.
This fox was named Nick Wilde, a tailor by trade. And yes: he was Judy Hopps' husband... or rather, Judy Wilde's husband.
—Rough day? —the fox finally asked, pulling back slightly from the kiss without breaking the embrace, his green pupils scanning her with devotion.
—Ugh... you have no idea —she replied, letting her shoulders slump and burying her face against his chest with a heavy sigh.
—Well, you can tell me all about it over the dinner I specially made for you, sweetheart —Nick said, adopting that classic sly tone of his as he gently guided her toward the table—. A plate of steamed vegetables for the lady, and some spiced carrots for my Carrots.
—Oh, Nick... you really didn't have to do all this —the bunny murmured, touched, her ears perking up slightly.
—I wrapped up early at the shop and decided to put my time to good use —he answered, serving the plates carefully—. Besides, you've been cooking all week while I was finishing that commission. It was the least I could do.
Judy offered him a playful smile, resting her elbows on the table.
—Well... such a special meal deserves a special reward.
—I like the way you think, Carrots —he chuckled, planting a quick kiss on the tip of her nose—. But let's eat first; then I can collect my payment for this humble dinner.
As they ate under the warm glow of the dining room lamp, Judy's exhaustion seemed to melt away as she shared what she had been keeping to herself all day. With a passionate voice, she explained their progress on the most complex case she had faced since joining the force.
—I'm just so close to catching him, Nick... —she explained, gesturing with her paws to emphasize her words—. We've been tracking him for months. I feel like he's going to make a wrong move any moment now, giving us the perfect opening to go in and make the arrest.
Nick's expression shifted. The warmth in his eyes turned into a shadow of deep concern.
—I know you'll get him, sweetheart. I don't doubt it for a second —he said, reaching across the table to gently place his paw over hers—. But we both know this guy belongs to a dangerous family. His father is a ruthless mobster with way too much power in this city. I just want you to be careful and not get hurt.
—I promise, Nick. I'll be as careful as humanly possible —Judy reassured him, squeezing her husband's fingers with conviction—. I trust my partners, and the ZPD gives us total backing when going after criminals of this caliber. There's no way anything will happen to us.
—Well, Carrots... that eases my mind a bit —he murmured with a half-smile. Then, he discreetly rubbed the area around his neck where his fur was shorter, rougher, and reddened from the daily wear of the metal band—. The last thing I need is an invisible leash tightening around my throat while I wait for you at home.
Judy noticed the gesture instantly. The sweetness in her purple eyes softened with deep empathy.
—Nick... is something worrying you? You know you can tell me anything, right?
He remained silent for a few seconds, lowering his gaze to his nearly untouched plate. He tried to swallow, but the knot in his throat stopped him.
—Yeah... it's just that... if anything ever happened to you, Judy... I don't know how I'd survive it —he admitted, his voice cracking. He looked up, his green eyes shimmering with tears—. If I ever lost you, I... I don't know if I could keep going with any of this.
A single tear rolled down the orange fur of his cheek.
Without a second thought, Judy stood up, walked around the table, and threw herself into his lap, wrapping her small arms around his neck.
—Hey, hey... my love, don't cry —she whispered tenderly, caressing his ears.
—Heh... I must look so silly —Nick mocked himself, wiping his cheek with the back of his paw while letting out a choked laugh—. We've had this talk before, but the fear just keeps coming back, you know?
—Nick, I'm scared too —she murmured, resting her forehead against his.
The fox looked at her, surprised.
—You are?
—Yes, but not for myself —the bunny confessed, cupping her husband's face in her hands—. I always knew the risks of wearing this uniform. I'm scared for you.
—For me?
—Yes. But not because I think you're in danger, but because the mere thought of never seeing you again terrifies me —she explained, looking straight into his eyes with an intensity that made his heart swell—. Nick, you've become the most important thing in my life. Thinking about not coming back to this home and not seeing that face of yours makes me ten times more cautious than you can imagine. So whenever you feel scared for me, I want you to remember that I'm just as scared for you. You have to take care of yourself for my sake, and I'll take care of myself for yours.
Nick gazed at her in silence for a moment that felt eternal, marveling at the strength and love emanating from that tiny figure.
—Judy... how did I get so lucky to have such a wonderful wife?
—Nick, I ask myself every single day how I got so lucky to have such an amazing husband —she answered with a gentle smile.
And so, wrapped in each other's arms in the middle of their secret sanctuary, they both laughed through their tears, letting each other's warmth wash away—if only for tonight—the cold shadow looming over their city.
—Sweetheart, let's finish up here and head to bed, alright?
—Sounds like an excellent plan, Carrots.
—So... tell me how things went at the shop today —Judy asked, resuming dinner while looking at him with interest.
—Eh... the usual, you know how it is —Nick replied, shrugging with a calm smile—. Prey don't usually show up around here, so almost all my clients are predators. Just a few herbivores who know my work trust these paws to tailor their suits. Though... the order Mr. Foreward placed is almost done. It took me three full days to finish four custom suits for a hippo.
—You've been working so hard, Nick. I'm so proud of you —she said, softly stroking her husband's paw across the table.
—Yeah... well —Nick looked away for a second, scratching the back of his neck as an idea struck him—. Judy... what do you say that, once you wrap up this case and lock up that criminal, you and I take a vacation? We've been under a lot of stress lately, and taking a few days just for the two of us feels like the right move.
Judy's ears shot straight up, her face lighting up instantly.
—And where would you like to go, Slick?
—I was thinking Patrovick Island. You know: the one filled with palm trees, great food, and beautiful ocean views. What do you think?
—I think that's a fantastic idea, honey —the bunny assured him, winking with playful enthusiasm—. As soon as I finish this case, the very first thing we're going to do—after a passionate night of lovemaking, of course—is fly out to that island and forget about everything for a while.
Nick let out a low chuckle and shook his head.
—Feisty bunny.
—Boring fox —she countered instantly, sticking her tongue out at him.
—Oh, really? Boring, huh? —Nick slowly rose from his chair, leaning his claws on the table as he locked a mock-predatory gaze onto her—. Well... I guess I'll have to unleash the wild predator and enjoy a delicious bunny dessert.
—Go set things up in the bedroom while I wash the dishes, sweetheart —Judy shot back with a challenging smirk, gathering the plates off the table—. I don't think you can handle the power of a bunny.
—Yeah... well, I don't think you can handle the strength of a fox —Nick said, walking away with a soft chuckle.
Judy was left alone in the kitchen, washing the dishes. The warm water ran over her paws as she listened to the cold rain tapping against the window outside. There, she had her sanctuary: the one place where she could relax and allow herself to be vulnerable. In that home was also the most important mammal in her life, the reason she woke up every day with a smile.
And as the chaos of the case she was working on drifted into the background, a single thought crossed her mind: she envisioned Nick walking beside her, paws intertwined, enjoying breathtaking views—him with radiant eyes and a bright smile, and, most importantly, without any shock collar around his neck. Just the two of them, enjoying a normal life in what was supposed to be paradise.