Work Text:
Judy takes a deep inhale before shooting an annoyed look at her partner. She grips the phone oddly tight, making sure her parents on the other line can’t hear. “Nick, what did I say about being silent during specific moments?”
“That I’m awful at doing so, Fluff… well from your perspective.” A grin grows on his face when he sees her ears twitch-- knowing she’s trying her best to keep her cool.
She bites her cheek, trying her best to ignore his unnecessary comments. She couldn’t help but let her eyes lock on his mid-glance. She hates herself for noticing his eyes— noticing how green and gentle they are.
She’s always admired them. How they’re half-lidded when he jokes, how he always made eye contact comfortable. But she would never admit that. Because it irked her that she noticed the little things.
She shifts uncomfortably in her seat with a gulp she hopes Nick can’t hear. “Mom, Dad, I told you, I’m fine. I’m still on the job here, you guys!” Judy rubs her temples in frustration, desperately wanting the phone call to end.
Nick scans outside the window whilst smiling to himself, popping his red lollipop back into his mouth. They’re parked next to a row of apartment complexes, in a long yet quiet road. They got called for backup by Wolfard and Delgato to take down a perp Judy and Nick had been investigating but the other duo managed to get on site quicker. Resulting in them parked in a random street. Alone.
Until Judy’s parents called.
“Judy, honey, I know you’re still not emotionally available after the whole… reptile case, but sweetheart, it’s okay to feel that—” the deep, worried voice, presumably Judy’s dad, gets cut off with her annoyed groan.
She clicks her tongue and checks the time on her phone. “Well! Would you look at that? It’s getting late, Nick and I have to get back to the station and head home! I love you guys and I’ll call you soon, okay? Bye!”
“But—”
Judy hangs up the phone without a second thought. She lets out a breath of relief. She loosens the phone cradled in her lap, trying to ignore her partner’s worried look.
Nick clears his throat to clear the air. “So… you okay, Carrots? You, uh… you can talk to me, you know?” His voice is softer than she expects. But that’s always the case with him ever since they had that chat at the weather wall.
She squeezes her eyes shut, as if it would make everything go away. “Thanks Nick. I’m sorry that I’ve been quiet lately. It’s just… different.” My feelings are different, she wanted to say. But of course, she didn’t have the courage to say that aloud.
She opens her eyes and glances over at the fox with regret for being so unfair to him.
He smirks when he sees the corners of her lips lift in a small smile. Despite her always smiling, something in him falters and his stomach suddenly grows fluttery.
“How about I treat you to something after work. Which ends in—“ he glances at his watch, “—ten minutes. I can cook you something at your place if you’d like. But Fluff, be careful. My dishes will woo you off your feet!” He rests his feet on the dash board with his signature smirk.
She lets out a scoff. “Nicholas Wilde, a cook? Well, that’s something I never thought I would hear.” She punches his arm while slowly returning to her normal nature.
“Ouch, you hurt both my arm and my heart, Carrots. I’m no amateur.” He pats her on the head as she gives her first grin of the night. “Now, sweetheart, mind driving to the precinct already, I’m starving over here.”
Yet another donut is pulled from the box — one which Bogo had gifted him—and then eaten. Clawhauser chews in delight of the kind gesture and the flavourful donut.
Nick and Judy stroll into the empty and quiet precinct, their eyes finding Clawhauser.
“Ben!” Judy exclaims while she waves at him with a wide grin.
“Nick, Judy! Hey, you guys!” He remarks excitedly with his mouth full. He holds his face in his hands, his elbow on the desk then leans down to talk to the duo. “How was last minute patrol?”
Nick sighs and rubs in between his eyes in frustration. “Wolford and Delgato caught the perp before me and Carrots could get on site. What’s worse is that we’ve spent ages investigating the case day and night just for that irritating bloody wolf to pop in.”
With softening eyes, Judy nudges his arm lighter than usual—a comforting reminder that it wasn’t their fault. “C’mon Slick, don’t worry about that… how about we go buy some groceries for our dinner date tonight?”
The words slip out before she can stop them, clasping her mouth with two paws immediately. Dinner date?! Great, now Nick is going to get weirded out, cancel our hangout tonight then things will grow awkward and then he will switch partners and never talk to me again. Way to go Judy, she thought in distress.
She sneaks a glance at Nick, desperately praying he didn’t look grossed out. But instead, he’s… smirking? Her paws slightly fall in confusion mixed with relief.
Why, oh, why was he smiling?
Clawhauser’s lips slowly turn into a knowing grin while Judy stares mortified.
He clears his throat before continuing, “So…. Dinner date, huh? That is so adorable you guys! And uh… you didn’t hear from me but I might’ve heard some rumours... Is it true you guys are dating?!” The words spill out rather loudly, attracting stares and snickers from coworkers.
Judy’s face drops again. Oh, sweet cheese and crackers, she thought to herself. She feels heat and pigment grow in her eat at the thought of Nick being her boyfriend. But what’s even worse is that she doesn’t mind it. Her eyes shift to him quickly, praying he doesn’t say anything worse. She nudges her paw against his, seeming to have startled him.
Instead, a nervous laugh slips from his mouth. “Rumors, huh? Carrots, you hear anything about this?” He rests his hand on her shoulder while shaking her softly. “Well, Ben… me and Judy have plans so have a good rest of your shift, okay?” A smirk slowly appears on his face when he notices how warm her shoulders grow and he wonders what she’s thinking.
Clawhauser squeals, “So, you guys are going on a date! That is adorable, well, have fun you two!” He waves in excitement while Judy grabs Nick’s paw awfully harsh and drags him out the door.
Once they’re out of the building she punches his stomach. “Really, Slick? You made him think you’re taking me out!” But she’s smiling.
“Wellllllll, you did say dinner date. Judes, don’t you worry, we’ll eat good tonight and watch a movie, then you can complain about whatever is going through that tiny bunny head of yours.” He flicks her ears while she glances up at him. He can tell she’s trying to contain her excitement.
Judes? He hasn’t called her that in a while. She loved when he called her nicknames, so she always pretended to be irritated whenever he did because she knows he loves getting a reaction out of her. She picks a leaf from a tree while they trod down the pathway to her apartment.
“That sounds fun! Except you being my therapist. Also, no horror movies. You remember what happened last time we had movie night.” She shivers while thinking about it.
He had forced her to watch Squeal, a movie about a serial killer which was somehow his favourite movie. It ended with Judy clutching Nick’s arm and her murmuring that she wouldn’t be able to go to sleep that night.
“Alright, Carrots, but we also are not watching a sloppy romance movie,” he states while Judy gives him a grin.
She’d always love hanging out with Nick after work. It would help her forget about whatever issues were bugging her because he would always cheer her up. She just hated her feelings for Nick. He was a fox. And she was a bunny. And her family back home had traditions.
Things back home were simple. Every bunny marries a bunny. She never had much experience finding a boyfriend because of her dream of becoming a cop. But now she’s living her dream. And she’s living it with Nick.