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The night had settled gently over the neighborhood, the soft hum of distant voices and laughter fading as the last guests from Hopps’s party began to head home. Outside, near the door, Judy and Nick stood together while, a few steps away, Gary’s family chatted among themselves under the dim glow of the streetlights.
Gary turned back to them, his expression calm, those wide eyes full of sincerity.
“I know I have said it a lot today, but thank you. You really have made a difference in our lives… for my family and all the reptiles,” he said softly, first looking at Judy, then at Nick. “Both of you.”
Nick felt flattered hearing this. He didn’t really think he had done that much in the case—he had been more focused on keeping Judy alive than anything else—but still, he smiled a little when she replied, her tone warm but humble. “It’s just part of the job. In the ZPD, we help people.”
“Even if they considered us criminals in the moment,” Nick added with a quiet chuckle, earning a smile from her.
But Gary only smiled more softly, almost thoughtfully.
“Yeah… I don’t know how they could mistake you two so easily. You have a good heart—especially you, Nick Wilde.” Gary looked at him in a way that was somehow calming and almost hypnotizing, but still completely innocent. “Your desire to protect your partner above everything else—even your own safety—is admirable. You really have a good heart.”
Nick’s ears dropped slightly at that, his smile turning more sincere. He didn’t fully believe that part about having a good heart… especially when he wanted to walk away the whole time. But when it came to her safety, he didn't think twice.
“I think you might be giving me some extra credit there, buddy… but I guess you’re right,” Nick replied.
“He is right,” Judy corrected gently.
Nick turned his head toward her, curiosity playing on his face.
“You have a good heart, Nick,” she continued, her voice quieter now. “You just have to remove some dust… and dig a little to see it.”
That almost got him. Her words always go straight to his heart for some reason. And for a brief moment, his eyes threatened to give him away, but as a knee reflex, he tried to play it off with one comment.
“Oh? Which I assume you already did, since it was your idea that I’d be a good cop.”
“Maybe,” she replied. “And it wasn’t a bad idea. You are a pretty good cop. I couldn’t do anything without you as my partner.”
“You know that’s not true. You’re brilliant—you figured almost everything out on your own.”
“But I get in trouble easily and sometimes put both the evidence and myself at risk,” she admitted humbly. Judy’s ears lowered slightly as she rested a hand on his shoulder, her violet eyes seeming even bigger and softer. “And I’m naive about plenty of things in the city… which is why I need you. Somehow, you complement me perfectly. As if you were my other half.”
Her... other half?
He wondered what she meant by that but assumed she meant it as partners. Or… did she mean something more?
Either way, it made his heart flutter, his tail swaying happily behind him.
“And you are mine,” he replied, a soft smile forming on his features, sincerity lingering in every word. “That’s why we’re a pack, right? There can only be a Wilde if there is a Hopps…”
“And a Hopps if there is a Wilde,” she finished, squeezing his arm slightly.
The banter had disappeared long ago—something that had been happening more since they opened their hearts for the first time days ago—and now there was only sincerity between them.
“Aww… you two make such a good pair,” Gary chimed in suddenly.
Both Judy and Nick jolted slightly. Oops. They had completely forgotten he was still there—and, well… that was embarrassing. Not that he was going to admit it out loud.
“You two truly belong together,” he added.
“Well, you’re the first one to say that,” Nick mentioned, a faint blush hidden beneath his fur. His words could have easily been taken the wrong way—but Judy didn’t seem to notice.
“And he won’t be the last, you’ll see,” she reassured him, leaning her head lightly against his arm.
Nick froze for just a second at the gesture… but didn’t pull away. He simply nodded.
“Gary, we have to go!” his father called from behind.
“Sure! I’ll be there!” Gary replied before turning back to them. “Permission to hug goodbye?”
It was endearing how he asked. He knew what he was capable of—how snakes could accidentally hurt someone—and he wanted to make sure they felt safe. He really was a nice guy.
"Sure! Why not?” Judy said cheerfully.
She grabbed Nick’s hand, ears perking up as if ready to pull him in, but then she paused. Her ears lowered slightly as she glanced at him, a bit hesitant.
“... Right?”
Nick blinked.
Was she… asking him?
The same bunny that usually dragged him everywhere without even thinking twice… was now waiting for his answer?
Oh, mammals.
His heart could only take so much kindness in one day—so much consideration of her—but maybe… a little more wouldn’t hurt.
He looked at her for a brief moment, and for a second, it almost felt like he could see stars reflected in her eyes. Then he remembered she was waiting for his reply and decided to accept. If she seemed okay with being hugged by a snake, it shouldn't be so bad, right?
“Permission granted,” he said, nodding at Gary and then glancing at Judy, feeling her relax slightly against his arm. He only hoped his eyes reflected how much that small gesture—her asking him—meant to him.
Judy smiled, her ears lifting again as she prepared for the hug, and Nick did the same. Gary smiled warmly before wrapping them both in what was easily the strangest hug Nick had ever experienced—though, to be fair, he didn’t have many to compare it to.
The hug was… oddly comforting. It was like being wrapped in a blanket that had a life of its own. The thought made him laugh, and as if Judy had read his mind, she laughed softly too, and the sound of her laughter filled his chest with that warm, peaceful feeling again. He assumed it was because of the hug.
But just as Nick was about to close his eyes and enjoy it, he felt Judy’s body press closer against his. He opened his eyes, surprised to see her so, so much closer than he imagined. And just as he was about to say something, he couldn’t since their noses brushed softly.
Nick gulped nervously. His whole body froze. He didn’t know how to react, other than opening his eyes wide—and Judy was the same.
Her first instinct was to pull them apart, placing her hands on his shoulders to create some distance between them, but that only made Gary’s long body tighten slightly. And in less than a second their lips met in a kiss.
A real, soft, actual—freaking—kiss.
Nick’s brain stopped working completely, only able to register the sensation. Judy’s eyes were wide in shock, while his slowly began to close, almost naturally… as if his body already knew how to respond to her, of all mammals.
And deep in his heart, beneath all that dust and sarcasm, he knew why.
“Oh—! Oops! ”Gary exclaimed, immediately loosening his hold, but it was too late since it seemed like they already had an audience.
Gary’s family stared, stunned. Some officers still in the area blinked in surprise, a few even holding up their phones—and so were some of Judy’s siblings.
And darn, was his night vision failing, or were those Judy’s parents covering their mouths?
Well… her mother was—because her father had just fainted right there. And honestly, Nick couldn’t really blame the man for that. He probably would have too… if he weren’t so busy being confused about why he had actually enjoyed it.
Seeing all those people finally snapped Nick back to his senses, and he quickly stepped back once Gary set them down. He looked at Judy, ready to make a bad joke—but stopped the moment he saw her expression.
She was completely red and nervous, covering her mouth. Her ears had dropped, and she hadn’t said a word… and the sight made his heart ache for some reason.
“I’m so sorry, guys, I didn’t mean to do that!” Gary apologized, looking genuinely upset.
Nick let out an awkward laugh, rubbing the back of his neck.
“It… it’s not a big deal, buddy. Don’t worry,” he said, stumbling a little over his words but trying to compose himself. He could panic all he wanted later—alone. Not here. Not in front of everyone, just because of a kiss, like he was some teenager. A kiss he had shared with the mammal he cared about the most. The same one he had told earlier that he loved as a partner… and—
Oh.
Oh…
He loved her.
He didn’t just have a thing for her; he truly loved her.
Why else would he be so willing to fall off a cliff to his death if it meant saving her?
Why else did being this close feel like everything made sense?
Nick even considered her his pack… and probably, deep down, his unconscious, primal instincts had already chosen her as his mate and—
Yeah. I’ve got it bad.
He was already so whipped. How had he not seen it before!?
But again, this was not the time to panic. So he took a breath and smiled at his partner—and probably the love of his life—hoping she would help convince Gary that this didn’t change anything. Even if that was the biggest lie he had ever told in his whole life.
“Right, Judy?” he said, using her name to ground her and himself.
But instead of following his lead, she murmured softly, “...st.”
His attempt at a smile faded, and confusion took over his face.
"What?"
“First,” she repeated, lowering her arms and finally looking him in the eyes. “That… that was my first kiss, Nick.”
“Oh.”
That was all he could say.
His heart started racing again, at a pace that wasn’t normal, and he had to control every part of himself—especially his tail—to not show how happy that made him.
First, because she was his friend and partner, and she was clearly in shock.
Second, because maybe she had been saving that for someone else.
And third, because there were still people watching.
“Oh, is that so?” Gary asked curiously.
Judy nodded, strangely silent.
“Oh my… I’m really sorry about that. You must have been waiting for the right time.”
“Say what?” Nick blinked. Was Gary… mistaking them for a couple? Oh man, this just got triple awkward. “I think you might have the wrong idea… we, uh—”
“We are not mad at you or anything,” Judy stepped in quickly, snapping out of it and helping him. “It was just… surprising. But not so bad… I guess…” she giggled nervously, glancing at him. “Ri-right, Nick?”
She took his hand to prove a point (but what point?!), and his brain almost went on vacation again, but somehow he managed to say, “Exactly! No problem here.”
Both of them smiled—maybe a little too forced—but Gary relaxed.
“That’s good to hear. I truly hope this won’t change a thing. You are an amazing couple, and I wouldn’t want to ruin that.”
Couple.
Judy’s ears twitched slightly, and her eyes were wide, finally realizing he was talking about a romantic relationship, but before any of them could deny anything, Gary’s family called him again. This time, he said goodbye and left, unaware of the emotional wreckage he left them both in (and not for the first time since they met him).
“I think… he may… uhm…” Judy started, glancing at him hesitantly, her eyes glowing just a little with insecurity. Nick didn’t like that look on her. “…He may be thinking that we are a…”
“An astonishing power couple cop duo?” he teased lightly. But when he saw she didn’t relax, he dropped the act. “Yeah… probably. But it doesn’t matter as long as we know the truth, right?”
He looked behind him, giving a clear leave us alone look to everyone still watching. And they finally went away.
With fewer people looking at them as if they were a social experiment, Judy relaxed a bit more.
“Sure… I guess.”
Then she reached up and petted her ears—a nervous habit he hadn’t seen before. It was adorable, but he'd never dare to ever say it out loud. She’d punch him right in the guts if he even implied so.
But still… she looked down. And that bothered him. It can be… no, it can't; they were friends! But still…
“And you’re not okay with it?” his mouth said before he could stop it.
“Huh?” Her eyes widened again.
“I mean—we’re friends. That’s clear. I was… referring to the kiss.” He hesitated, and even though the mere thought upset him, he decided to be honest. “Are you… disgusted?”
“By you?!” she shot back, ears shooting up, almost offended. “Of course not! If anything, I’m happy it was with you—someone I care about the most. My best friend, my partner… my everything and.”
She froze mid-sentence, realizing what she had just said.
Nick did too, and his heart started hammering against his chest as if it wanted to get out and fly away, but he didn’t press and let her continue with a nod, showing he was still listening.
Her ears lowered again.
“It’s just… it caught me by surprise,” she continued more softly. “And people were watching. Not that I care, but… you know. It would have been nice if it were just the two of us. For a first.”
She gulped.
“If… if that was the case, of course!” she added quickly.
Nick’s brain worked overtime, trying to find a way to interpret that in a purely platonic way and store it safely—but it seemed almost impossible.
“Judy! Mom says stop smooching with your boyfriend and come help!” one of Judy’s little brothers called from behind them.
Nick didn’t know if he was grateful for the interruption or even more embarrassed that people were still watching them—and assuming they were a thing. (Were they a thing?)
“I didn’t say that.” Bonnie said from the entrance.
“Well, he can come help too,” the little bunny added.
“Just go inside already,” Bonnie said, stepping out of the house to approach them, clearly embarrassed. The little guy obeyed and hurried inside. “I’m so sorry—you know how kids are.”
“No problem, ma’am,” Nick answered automatically.
“We’ll go help—” Judy started, but Bonnie raised a paw.
“Oh no, you two must be exhausted. Why don’t you show Nick to the guest room? It’s small, but I made sure it’s comfortable.”
Nick felt his chest tighten again. Too much kindness for one night.
“Thank you. That’s really thoughtful.”
“Oh, none of that!” Stu suddenly appeared. “It’s just basic hospitality. And you deserve even more, son, for taking care of our daughter.”
“Dad!” Judy protested, embarrassed.
Nick was confused by the rabbit's kindness. Hadn't he fainted just minutes before because he saw him kissing his daughter?
Well, they were also being embraced by a snake, and that gave him a fright... But he supposed he didn't want to find out the real reason right now.
“Stu, please. Our daughter is perfectly capable of taking care of herself,” Bonnie corrected.
“That’s true," Nick said with a gentle smile, deciding he would accept Judy's parents’ kindness.
Besides, he agreed with Bonnie; Judy was capable of taking down animals three times her size. She just needed to slow down a little to evaluate the situations before heading right into danger.
“Yeah, she is, but it never hurts to have someone looking out for you,” Stu added.
“That…” Judy said quietly, surprising both her parents, “It is something I agree on.”
Nick looked at her—and for a moment, his eyes softened in a way he didn’t even try to hide. And if her parents noticed, well, he didn’t really mind it
They spoke with her parents for a bit, said their goodnights, and Judy guided him to the guest room.
“And here we are,” Judy said, opening the door. “I know it’s not much, but it’s the biggest room we have in the house, and we hope it’s comfy enough for you.”
Nick looked around, noticing how everything had been carefully arranged. Three beds pushed together into one, covered with mattresses and enough blankets for a whole bunny army. It wasn’t just practical—it was thoughtful, and that warm feeling rose in his chest again. He hadn’t expected them to accept him like this.
He walked over and tested the bed, sinking into it with a small bounce. A sigh escaped him, and for a moment, he thought he could stay there forever. It was definitely better than his old couch.
“Are you comfortable? ”
“More than that. I think I could get used to this, Carrots. It’s so soft, like…” you, he almost said, but stopped himself just in time. “…like a cloud.”
“Have you ever slept on a cloud to know?” Judy giggled, walking closer.
“No, but I’m pretty sure it must feel like this.”
"If you say so," she smiled. He noticed her ears were down again.
He, of course, worried. Maybe she was upset and just didn’t want to make a scene in front of everyone…
“Is… something wrong?” he asked gently.
“Not really,” she said, though her voice didn’t fully match. “I’m just a little confused, I guess. But…” She looked away, then shook her head. “It’s nothing serious, I promise.”
He hesitated, then took the risk. “Is it because of the… kiss?”
She opened her mouth, closed it, then opened it again. “Something like that. Yeah.”
“Is it… good or bad?” he asked, adjusting himself into a sitting position, his posture just a bit more tense now. Because what if she didn’t like it at all? She could still be his friend, sure—but anything more than that might be too much to ask. And maybe… it was better to stop this feeling before it grew any deeper. Cut it from the root.
“Neither of them.”
He arched a brow.
“I’m serious,” she said quickly, her eyes starting to glisten, and somehow that made his own threaten the same. “It’s just that… a lot has happened these days, and I…” she swallowed. “I’m nervous because I don’t want this to change anything between us. You are really important to me, Nick. And I would be devastated if this caused some misunderstanding between us.”
He let out a breath he didn’t realize he was holding. “So… you mean it? What you said before about not being disgusted… ”
“Of course. Why wouldn’t I?” she said, stepping closer and placing her hands on his shoulders. “You are the most important mammal to me, and I wouldn’t change that just because of a kiss, you dumb fox.”
That did it.
He finally relaxed, feeling something invisible lift off his shoulders. Even if she didn’t mean it the way he wished… it still meant more than anything. No one had ever cared about him like this before.
“I’m glad to hear that,” he said quietly. He didn’t add that it had changed something for him, not yet. First, he would like to get used to knowing he loved her, if that made sense.
“Good,” she sighed, her hands still resting on him. “It… is the same for you?”
He smirked, ready to slip the mood back into something lighter. “Of course. You’ll need more than one kiss to get rid of this handsome fox, Carrots,” he winked, and that did the trick.
She giggled, wiping her tears with her paws, but then her smile shifted slightly. Something clicked behind her eyes, and her ears lifted again.
“What is it?” he asked, curious, blinking away the last bit of moisture from his own eyes.
“So… you’re telling me I need more kisses to get rid of you?” she said slowly. “How many exactly?”
He blinked, caught off guard, and could only shrug. “I don’t know… enough?”
“So, if we kiss one more time… that’s not enough?”
“I guess not… wait, what do you mean by—”
He didn’t get to finish.
Because suddenly, she gently held his muzzle in her paws and placed a quick kiss on top of it—quick, soft, almost shy. So fast he barely processed it, just the lingering warmth it left behind.
He looked at her, something close to admiration in his eyes, and unconsciously brought his paw to the spot she kissed.
“Carrots… that’s…”
“Enough?” she teased, though there was still a hint of nervousness in her voice.
He smiled, his tail already giving him away, swaying behind him. She noticed—and smiled even more. And that was when his expression softened, something deeper blending into his usual charm.
“Sorry to break your bubble, sweetheart,” he said quietly, “but you’ll have to do much better than that.”
What was that sound? His heart beating against his chest? Hers? Either way, they were both caught in it now—feelings laid bare, no room left to hide.
“Mmm… I can keep trying,” she replied.
The moonlight slipped gently through the window, and the night breeze followed, brushing against them and sending a soft chill down their spines—partly from the cold, but mostly from what was about to happen.
Judy stepped closer, and Nick lowered himself just enough to meet her halfway, his eyes fixed on hers. Their noses brushed again, slower this time, almost curious. They lingered there for a second, their breaths mixing, their senses quietly taking in the warmth, the closeness, even the natural scent of one another. And then, without rushing it, without fear, they finally kissed for the second time that night. And this time it was on their terms—no accidents, no hesitation.
Everything felt so right that Nick’s heart finally gave in. A tear slipped from his right eye, then another followed, but he didn’t stop them. He couldn’t. Because in that moment, he understood something he had never allowed himself to believe before—that he hadn’t just found a friend in her but his partner for life, his mate. And the realization that he would never be alone again filled him with such overwhelming joy that he didn’t even try to hide it.
What was the point of hiding from her when she was the very one who had brought out the good in him?
All his life, when he looked in the mirror, he had only seen a mistake—someone pushed aside, someone society had written off. But Judy… even when she got it wrong at first, she chose to look closer. She chose to see something worth believing in, something worth nurturing.
And now, no amount of words or actions felt enough to tell her what that meant to him.
When they pulled apart, he felt Judy’s paw gently wipe away his tears. When he finally dared to look at her, he saw it—she was reflecting the very same feelings back at him.
“Nick,” she called softly, brushing away the last tear.
He nodded, letting her know he was listening. He couldn’t trust his voice to say anything coherent right now.
“I love you too, partner.” There wasn’t a trace of doubt in her voice as she leaned in and gave him another soft peck.
And that was enough for the tears to start again, stronger this time—like a quiet waterfall he could no longer hold back. Judy didn’t hesitate. She hopped onto the bed and stood up so he could pull her into a proper hug, letting him bury his face against her as he finally let everything go.
If he whispered, "I love you so much…" or "What did I ever do to deserve you?"—well, those words stayed between him and Judy.
.
.
.
“Should we tell them they left the door open?” one of Judy’s many younger brothers whispered.
“Nah… they’ll realize eventually,” a sister replied with a quiet shrug.
“What are you two doing there? You should be sleeping!” Bonnie’s voice cut in, firm but not unkind. The two siblings jumped and rushed off to their rooms without another word.
Still, Bonnie lingered. She stepped closer and peeked inside, her heart softening at the sight. That fox… no, Nick, she corrected herself, held Judy as if she were something precious, something he had been afraid to lose.
From what Judy had shared, Bonnie knew he wasn’t one to talk much about his past. But just seeing the way he had interacted with them earlier—with that careful respect, like even a small joke might make them disapprove of him—was more than enough to understand how afraid he was of being pushed away. She didn’t need to be a cop to realize it. He had been lonely. Deeply so… at least before he met her daughter.
And yes, it still surprised her how close they had become. But she wasn’t going to stand in their way. They had both been through more than most, and honestly… it wouldn’t surprise her if, before heading back to Zootopia, Judy announced they were something more than partners.
Or maybe they would take their time. That would be just as wise.
Either way, she wouldn’t interfere. And neither would her husband. He had been a bit shaken at first—between the kiss and… well, the snake incident—but after talking it through, he could see it too. Nick cared for Judy. Truly. And that was enough to at least give him a chance.
Besides, they had been working tirelessly to protect the city. They deserved a place to rest… a place that felt like home. And if that place was the Hopps’ house, then so be it.
With that settled in her heart, Bonnie quietly closed the door, giving them the privacy they deserved. She decided she’d check on them again in ten minutes.
They’d already had dinner… but a few cookies wouldn’t hurt anyone, right?