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Judy was relaxing at Nick’s place. It wasn’t out of the ordinary for a Sunday evening. Sundays were always rest days for Judy; back at Bunny Borrow she’d finish her chores early so that she could study her police book the rest of the day.
Which, if Judy asked any other mammal—Nick—if studying in one’s free time was fun, a prompt no would be given.
His version of Sunday involved lounging around and watching reruns. Right now, he was scrolling his phone and using the TV as background noise.
"Nick, where is the remote? You aren’t even watching TV." Judy tried looking for the remote.
“I am watching..." Nicks looks up away from his phone and at the TV. “Fight Cub”
Judy gave him an irritated look. “You had to look to see what it was.”
Nick hands her the remote and gets up from his spot. “Yeah, I’m about to take a shower anyway."
She watched him stretch and wondered if he was considered an attractive fox. He looked good in almost anything he wore, always bringing a carefree vibe. Even in uniform.
The fox caught her staring. “I used to be a model, you know. I think that was my calling, but then it became too demanding.”
"Oh, I’m sure you were great. Maybe you can start a police calendar.” Judy joked.
"Yep, and I’ll give it to Chief Bogo.”
This caused Judy to laugh. “He would actually fire you on the spot.”
Nick laughed too and made his way to the bathroom. Before he fully closed the door, Judy asked, “Hey, do you have any food?”
“Not really. Help yourself to whatever is in the fridge. I’ll order something when I get out.” He yelled out, then she heard the water start.
Judy headed over to his fridge and noted it needed to be cleaned. Like a deep clean. As she picked through, she saw old takeout containers from last week. Hoping to find a piece of fruit or something bought in the last two days.
Then she stumbled upon a plate wrapped in a clear wrap. On the plate were several brownies. She didn’t know Nick baked.
Judy took the plate out and unwrapped it. She gave it a tentative sniff, and they smelled good. Although there was a hint of a smell she couldn’t really place.
But she shrugged and picked up a piece, then took a bite. It was good! Or maybe she was just hungry.
Once she finished the piece, she debated eating another. But she didn’t want to ruin her appetite.
She put the brownies back and moved back to the living room.
Judy turned on Goat Anatomy while she waited for Nick to get out of the shower.
When he emerged back in the living room, he looked refreshed. “You find something to snack on? I was thinking noodles tonight.”
“Noodles sound great. Yeah, I found those brownies in your fridge. They were good but tasted a bit earthy. You definitely need to clean out your fridge.” Judy said casually.
Nick froze and gave her a surprised look. “Brownies? You mean the ones that were wrapped up?”
Judy was confused. "Yeah... you said I could eat whatever. Did you not want me to?”
"Judy, oh my god," Nick started laughing. “How much did you eat?”
She was even more confused now. "Um, only one. I didn’t want to seem greedy. I’m sorry, were you saving them?”
He got his laughter down to small chuckles. “Hehe, I can’t believe this. Glad it was only one. You don’t have anything to do today, right?”
“Nick, I'm really confused. What’s funny? And I thought we were just supposed to hang out today.”
“You won’t find this funny in the slightest. It’s just that.” Nick cleared his throat. “You ate a weed brownie.”
Judy shoots up and lets out a sound mixed between a gasp and a scream. “I DID WHAT! NICK! Sweet Cheese and Crackers! You mean to tell me that... You are a cop! That has illegal drugs in your fridge! And I just ate one. Oh my goodness."
Nick's laughter picked up again, although not as hard.
“Wait, are you joking? PLEASE tell me you are joking!” Judy exclaimed.
Nick finally got themself together. “I’m not horsing around; those were definitely weed brownies."
Judy covers her mouth. “Should I throw it up? What if there is a surprise drug test? What am I going to do?” She was absolutely freaking out.
"Well, weed isn’t illegal. It’s recreational and highly regulated.” Nick countered but shut his mouth as Judy glared at him.
“Okay, let’s just calm down. Fluff, it hasn’t even kicked in yet, and you are freaking out. And if you ate it while I was in the shower. Throwing up will do no good. It’s mostly digested by now.”
Judy groaned, "Nickkkk, what am I going to do? Why did you even have it just out!? You are a cop for goodness sake.”
Nick grabs her shoulder. “I am going to answer your questions. First, sit down, and second, calm down.” He sat her back down.
"Right." Judy took deep breaths. “I’m calm." She was nowhere near calm but tried to steady herself.
“Good, to answer your question on why I have them, A, they aren’t mine. They’re Finnicks. His fridge broke, and he needed me to hold them before he sold them. He was supposed to get it yesterday, but he got held up. And B, I may be a cop, but I’m a friend first.”
Judy tried to find words to talk, but she was still not over the reality that she just ate a weed brownie.
“You still shouldn’t have held them.” Judy countered.
“I know, look where it led me.” Nick gave a deep sigh. Then continued, “To answer your question about a drug test. You’ll be fine! We got tested a bit ago, and they only do it once or twice a year. This will be out of your system by next week." He was obviously trying to reassure her, but Judy was not hearing it.
“So what do I do now? Just ride it out?” Judy felt nervous, or maybe it was the edible already taking effect. She should probably look up what side effects she would have. But what if they look at her search history?
Nick shrugged, “That’s all you really can do.” Then he added, “Do you want me to eat one out of comradery?”
“Both of us being high is not a good idea.” She was getting stressed just thinking about it.
“Aw fluff, don't worry. I’ll make sure you have a nice trip. I’ll take care of you.” He tried to give her a reassuring look.
“I’m doomed." Thoughts of her embarrassing herself in front of him rose.
“Ouch, she doesn’t believe in me.” Nick made a wounded gesture. “But look, here’s the game plan. I order the noodles, and we turn on something. Have a good time.”
It sounded like something they would normally do but with the added caveat that she would just be high. “I’ve never done drugs before.” She admitted softly.
She had always been the one to confiscate things, whether it was from her classmates or siblings. What example would a future bunny cop set if she partakes in drugs?
But now look at her, about to get high for the first time in her life.
“Really?” Nick said sarcastically. “And stop calling it drugs; like I said, it is recreational. Listen, fluff, I think you are worrying about it a bit too much. You’ll just feel a bit loopy for a few hours.”
“Loopy…” Judy did not like the sound of that. There were so many scenarios where she could say or do something embarrassing in front of Nick. “Promise not to record or mention anything I say or do on a later date.”
Nick opened his mouth to speak, then closed it. “I promise not to record, but come on! I can’t not mention it later; this will be your first time being high. I feel that it deserves reminiscing.”
“Nuh-uh. No mentioning, or I will leave and go back to my place. “She wasn’t actually going to leave. She would much rather be with Nick than alone.
He put his hands up in defeat. “Fine. "Fine, I promise.”
Judy asked several questions about being high: the symptoms, duration, and anything else she could think of. Nick did his best to answer and kept reassuring Judy she was worrying too much.
“Worrying makes it worse, so focus on the fact we get to spend time together.” He said nonchalantly. “Now I’m going to get the food; I’ll be back in less than 30. Time me if you want.”
Then Nick made his way out the door.
“I will put on a timer.” She muttered.
Then Judy started pacing. Her mind was racing, and she had a heightened awareness of her body. Her mouth was starting to feel dry, and according to Nick, this was the first sign of the edible taking effect.
She made her way to where Nick held his water. And started drinking.
***
Either she missed the alarm or Nick actually beat the timer, because his entrance made her jump. She was back on the couch, barely watching TV, her foot thumping and her thoughts becoming looser and less coherent.
“Hey Carrots, how are you doing?” His voice was filled with concern and a light hint of humor. “I brought your favorite.” Nick held up a familiar takeout bag.
Judy brightened, her nose recognizing the smell. “You brought me roasted carrots.” Her stomach growled, and she didn’t realize how hungry she was. “What happened to getting noodles?”
“I thought as an apology, I would get you it. I even got dessert too, those little tarts you like. Even though it is kind of gross.” Nick muttered the last part. Then he put the food on the coffee table and started spreading it out.
That was so nice of him! Sometimes Nick could be so thoughtful!
"Aw, thanks, I do have a heart.”
“I said that out loud?" Judy placed her hands over her mouth; the edible must be kicking in. Judy didn’t feel too different, maybe a bit more giddy.
“Yep.” He popped his 'p.'. "Here, eat.” Nick slid her portion to her.
So she began to eat. The first bite was heavenly, and the second was a step above heaven. It was her favorite, but she doesn’t remember it being this good. The food was helping calm her down.
“I love this so much. I love that place.” She turned her attention to the TV. Suddenly watching the animals treat patients was so gripping.
Nick glanced at the bunny, her eye glued to the screen and her body on the edge of the couch. He definitely felt bad for accidentally getting her high, but he could help but chuckle at how it was affecting her so far. “I bet you do.” He said with a chuckle and took a bit of his food.
As Judy watched the drama, it struck her that these animals were acting. They were probably thinking about eating ice cream while they said some cheesy line. Judy laughed at the absurdity of it.
“You find an emergency blood transfusion funny?”
Judy paused, her brain not understanding why he was talking about a blood transfusion. "What?”
Nick gave her a smug look. “You laughed at the part where they mentioned a blood transfusion.”
Judy laughed again; Nick was being silly. “Nickkk, there is no blood transfusion; they are actors. All of them.” She pointed at the screen to emphasize her point.
“Oh my mistake. They are all actors.”
“I bet the hospital isn’t even real, cause we’ve been to a hospital.” Judy finished her carrots and reached for the tarts.
“We have been to a hospital.” Nick agreed with a chuckle. “I will say, you are definitely feeling a transfusion of the brownie.”
Judy stopped her chewing, trying to decipher what he meant. “That makes no sense.”
“Right. "Tell me, Judy, how are you feeling?”
“I’m feeling…” Judy tried to think. It was much harder to focus on a single thought. Her mind felt like the tram had crashed, going at too fast a speed to stop. Dang, she really wishes it didn’t explode; it would’ve helped with the cure faster to see how they made the serum. Not that those animals didn’t get cured.
“Judy?” Nick's voice broke her runaway thoughts.
She totally forgot he said something. “Sorry, what did you ask again?”
“I asked. How do you feel?” Nick put down his portion of food and turned his full focus to Judy. He had a feeling this conversation was going to be interesting, and he needed to hold in his reactions as much as possible.
“I feel tingly and light. I also feel like a kit who just learned how to hop.” Hopping around didn’t sound half bad; she missed running through fields. Chasing her siblings or them chasing her. Maybe Nick could chase her?
“Right…. I’m assuming that’s good.” Judy’s nose was twitching excitedly; he assumed whatever she was thinking about seemed to be enjoyable.
Judy started nodding, “Yeah, I feel pretty good, like the feeling of a good harvest.”
Nick nodded with her, not truly sure what she meant. “Okay. Interesting comparison.”
Judy felt like she was being rude; she shouldn’t hog the conversation. It was something she was working on. “How did you feel?”
“Huh, like a fox in his den.” Nick was playing along, and he found himself amused. His tail moved excitedly. She looked adorable, with a dazed expression on the TV, but he was sure she wasn’t focused at all. He could see the slight redness in her eyes.
Judy nodded and smiled, “That sounds amazing." You do need to clean your den.”
“I’ll get to it.” Then they lapsed in silence, Judy in her thoughts and Nick observing her.
Judy’s eyes drifted to Nick’s tail. Her eyes moved with its movements, swishing back and forth. And realized how much she wanted to touch it. What could it feel like? But she knew she had to ask; it was rude to touch without permission.
“Nick, can I touch your tail? It’s always there, and it always looks fluffy. I wonder if it’ll feel like whiskers or maybe a duster.”
Nick’s eyes grew in surprise. “Wow, so bold.” He was not expecting this; he actually half expected her to start hopping around. Not ask to touch his tail, which was highly sensitive.
He was going to say no, and somehow he was sure the bunny sensed it because she turned to him with the biggest eyes. He was able to see how red they were getting. “Please! I’ll let you touch mine." I have a tail too!”
Nick’s heart nearly skipped several beats. “I don’t have to touch your tail either. But..." He knew he was going to regret this, but said it anyway, “You can touch my tail.” He moved it in her direction.
Judy didn’t hesitate. She rubbed it against her cheek, causing Nick to make a surprised whimper. “Oh my, it feels so soft. How do you just carry this around and not touch it all the time?" She buried her face in it, “I want to just roll in a bed full of your tail fur.”
Nick cleared his throat, trying to think of a way to mitigate the situation. “That’s pretty weird. But the carpet is your best bet."
Judy shook her head; she was sure Nick didn’t understand. “No, no, I meant it in a non-weird way. I’m not weird. It’s just that my tail is not as soft as this.” His tail was warm and reminded her of the white stage of the dandelion's life. What was the word called again? Judy continued to rub his tail, "Pappus."
Nick gave her a questioning look. “What?”
"That's what your tail reminds me of, but it’s orange.” She said it as if it was a fact.
Nick didn’t even want to question it; his focus was not on her words. But on her roaming hands.
Judy paused her movements. “You can feel my tail."
He really wished he hadn’t made the promise to bring this up later; this was prime teasing material. “I’m okay; I don’t need to touch your tail.”
Judy made a face. "Yes, you do, to compare the softness.” Judy gasps, as if she found out the answer. “Do you not like my tail? I know it’s not as soft.” She shifted her head downwards.
“Judy, your tail is fine.” Her tail was more than fine to Nick. Hell, under any other circumstances he would love to touch her tail.
“Fine isn’t soft.” She said with disappointment in her tone. Why won’t Nick feel her tail?
Nick did not want her to be sad, so he groaned and admitted defeat. “Judy. I’ll feel your tail.”
She gave a little hop on the couch and dropped his tail. “Yaa!”
Then she turned around on the couch and stuck her ass in the air.
Nick didn’t know how to feel about the absurdity of their situation. He hesitantly reached out to touch the white fur of her tail and pulled back quickly like it burned him. “See! Soft as a cloud.” Nick said with a nervous chuckle.
Judy turned her head towards Nick. “You didn’t even touch it long! Here! This is how you feel about a tail.” She grabbed Nick's arm and promptly put his paw over her tail and ass. “Now! You feel it!”
Nick made an exclaimed sound. Why was she so strong? "Oh, I feel something. You are right, very fluffy. I think your tail is softer.” Nick said hastily, trying to appease the bunny so they could get out of this predicament.
Her face lit up, and she released his arm. “Really? Yeah!"
Nick practically moved to the other end of the couch while Judy moved to sit back up.
“Is your neck fur soft too? I noticed how fluff it is.” Judy commented, looking at Nick like he was a fuzzy stuffed animal.
He needed to shut this line of thinking down now; the last thing he wanted was for her to be mad at him for following along with what she wanted. Plus he didn’t want to take advantage of her buzzed state.
“This isn't touch the fox hour. Hm, maybe we should do something.”
Judy gave him a bewildered look. "Nick, I can’t leave. What if they find I'm…" She drops her voice to a whisper. "High."
He laughed internally, “I would be stuck doing the paperwork."
“Exactly. We just lay low until the weed has run its course." Then she gave finger guns and turned back to the TV.
Nick figured the phase of her being excited and cheesy wouldn’t last long.
***
And he was right; eventually she went nonverbal. Her eyes were closed, and she was lying back. Her ears are hanging off the back of the couch.
Nick asked softly, “Judy, how are you feeling?”
She turned her head toward him and made a humming sound. “Hmh?”
He raised his voice a bit, “How are you doing?”
“I’m okay, I’m okay. Just….” She trailed into silence.
Nick shook her lightly. “Just?”
“I need to work harder.”
"No, you don't. I think you are working just fine.” He tried to keep her mind from drifting.
"Nooo...Nick, you don’t understand.” She whined and shook her head. “I have to keep proving the world can be better. That I can be better. I made it, sure, but I feel like I’m back pushing a boulder up a hill.”
Nick hummed, letting her speak her mind. Judy was an open bunny, but she still hid behind optimism, so it was sometimes rare to hear her inner thoughts. He didn’t pry too much because he didn’t want her to get stuck in that headspace.
He spoke slowly, thinking about his words. “Judy, you are an inspiration; what you do matters. It matters to all the animals out there. You’ve helped so many in the cases we’ve done. Will it always be a large-scale event? No. But ripples in a pond make a wave.”
Judy didn’t respond; she just sat silently. Nick wasn’t fully sure she heard him. Then she gave a small, “Thank you, Nicholas. That means a lot."
Nick felt a small blooming in his chest at her use of his full name, so he made a joke. “Plus since
We are a team. So if you work harder, I have to, and I’m not as skilled at punching boulders.”
Judy gave a short laugh, then she turned her head towards him. Her eyes were still closed. "You are a very skilled fox. You are a great detective, and you get all the good intel. I just rush headfirst and hope it works out.”
“Aw carrots, don’t be so hard on yourself. You are great at keeping motivated when a lead goes cold and you pick up my slack. That’s why we are such good partners.” Nick admitted.
While he was talking, she opened her eyes, and tears were gathering. “We are good partners, aren’t we?”
Nick scooted closer and moved to wipe her tears. “Don't cry. But yes, very good partners.”
The doe looked at him with big eyes and said, “I don’t want another partner."
Nick searched her amethyst eyes; they were full of emotions. Emotions that Nick wanted to place but was scared at the implications. “I didn’t plan on leaving.”
“No, I mean like in life."
“Oh.”
Nick drew back, and his heart started beating. He didn’t know what to say to that. Could she mean? A part of him wanted to blame the weed. She was just feeling sappy, and her emotions were ever-changing. But something in him knew that was a lie.
“Nicky?” she said, breaking his thoughts.
“Yes?”
“Nicky?” She said again.
“Yes?”
“You are my partner.” She finally said.
Danger signs were going off in his head. Nick was worried about the territory they were approaching. “I am. Partners in crime too."
“Noooo, I’m not a criminal; this is your fault," Judy groaned.
“I didn’t force you to eat the brownie.”
“I didn’t knowww.” She grabbed her ears in irritation.
“Yes, yes, I know it was an accident. It was actually my fault.” He needed to reel her back in and keep her busy.
The fox got off the couch and tapped Judy. “Come on. Get up, carrots. You lying there won’t help.”
"Hmm, I don’t want to." She groaned and moved away from Nick’s touch.
“Come help me clean out my fridge. So you don’t stumble upon something else.” Nick motioned for her to get up.
She must’ve decided cleaning was worth her time. Because she got up. But she was off kilter; Nick had to catch her when she stumbled.
“Nicky, the room is like moving.”
“We are under elephants at the gym.”
Judy must’ve forgotten that fact because she gasped. “What!?”
***
Cleaning gave Judy something to focus on; they cleaned in silence with the TV lightly playing in the background. Nick was in charge of handing items to Judy so she could throw them away.
Some time passed, and Nick spoke. "Sorry, Judy, I should have labeled them or something. I forgot it was there.” Nick did feel bad; luckily, it wasn't a high dosage, but no animal likes being under the influence unintentionally.
“It’s okay, I shouldn’t have opened it. Nor should you have had it.” Judy gives him a light punch and almost topples over.
Nick steadies her. “Old habits die hard, I guess.” He sighs and turns his attention back to the fridge. "Also, why do you keep punching me?”
Judy replies nonchalantly, “Bunnies punch other bunnies they like.”
Nick whips his head back to her. "They punc—what?"
Judy nods, “Yeah, one girl gave a buck a black eye.” She looked deep in thought. “I think that was in elementary school. No, middle school.”
Several emotions ran through Nick at Judy’s confession. “Judy, is that true? I'm not a bunny, but you legit punch me all the time.” Hope filled his body.
“I can’t help it!” Judy moved her arms, her words coming out like vomit. “I don’t know if I like you or if I just want to make out with you or if I want to get married and rise through the ranks together and then come home and cuddle together.”
Before Nick could even respond to her confession. Judy quickly turned her head to the trash and began to throw up. He moved quickly and rubbed her back.
Judy winced. “I’m sorry, Nickkkk.” She threw up again.
“It’s okay, this doesn’t even make the top 10 of the grossest things I’ve seen. I saw Chief Bogo in the locker room once.” He didn’t really, but he needed to distract her and make her feel better.
It worked because she gave a chuckle and started to just breathe. “I think- it’s passed. I actually feel a bit better. But I think I need to lay down.”
“That sounds the best,” Nick agreed. He pushed away wandering thoughts and focused on her.
Hesitantly he asked, “Want me to carry you?”
Judy gave a small nod. He gently picked her up, and he carried the small bunny to the couch. With the same care he placed her down.
Nick got her water, and he let her sip it through a straw. He cleared off the table and noted he wouldn’t have done this if it was just him; then he closed the fridge and made his way back to the living room.
The moment he sat on the couch, she clung to him. She buried her head on his chest; the fox didn’t make much protest. He just gently held her; the blooming in his chest had turned to full growth. It would be hard for him to pretend that Judy’s confession didn’t happen. He hoped that she would remember what she said and that she would mean it when she was sober.
Judy lay on Nick for most of the night and made noises of protest whenever he moved. She drifted in and out of sleep while Nick’s head swirled with thoughts and enjoyed her warmth.
He took a deep breath and said, “You know I love you too, and I would also love to make out with thee Judy Hopps." And I would highly enjoy getting hitched, but I would rather we live out our days on a beach. So we do need to discuss that."
Nick was sure his words fell on deaf ears, but he was glad to get it out.
This was definitely one of his favorite Sunday nights. He learned a lot, and he couldn’t wait till it was out of her system. He was sure she would say the same.