Zootopia: Tragedy and Friendship Part. 2
#2 of Zootopia Series
Nick finds himself deciding to work with agent Jack Savage in a new unit that specializes in undercover infiltration and information gathering. The new unit was brought about due to the night howler staring to take the streets as a drug, but unfortunately for Nick the ending to the case didn't turn out as he had planned.
Re-upload with slight changes! I'm taking the story a bit more seriously and changed a few things here and there and separated it into two parts, this will be the general format and length for future chapters! So hope you enjoy.
"So it was you two who had been completely blowing up my inner workings huh?" The very large buff cheetah said to Nick and Judy with multiple men pointing guns at them. "But.. it looks like you're final plan went sour in the end, and you're luck ran out." He stared at the two silently for a moment, Nick and Judy not saying a word. In the back of their minds both of them knew where this was going, there was no need for crass dialogue or shouting, there was no back up and they knew the consequences of getting caught. The two merely held their hands together and boldly looked at the man as the Cheetah scoffed at them. He picked up a brief case that was laying down on his desk in front of them. "Everything I've built my new empire on is in this brief case, the equations and know how on how to make the drug, and only I and a few chemists truly know. And I aim to keep it that way... men, you know what to do."
The cheetah turned away as the men prepared their guns, Nick and Judy's hand clutching together tighter and closing their eyes as they prepared for the worst. But almost at the same time as the triggers were being pulled a massive explosion shook the entire building, even specifically tilting the area they were in. the guns were being fired randomly as everyone started stumbling, and without hesitation the two started to sprint at the windows tilting toward the ground.
But as they were running and even jumping straight through the glass a few of the stray bullets ended up hitting Judy a few times in the chest but missing Nick. As they were falling Nick immediately noticed her fumble and helped her to land safely down on the ground, Judy ending up collapsing on the floor and in Nick's arms as a result. Neither had any idea what was going on around them at the time. In less than a minute everything was in complete chaos from the explosions, sounds of bullets, buildings collapsing, shouting.. and even Nick swore he saw some strange figures covered in black move around the building, but Nick was blanking on all of it, none of it mattered to him at that very when he saw his hurt partner in front of him.
He looked down at her with wide shaken eyes as he saw her chest start to bleed out, her eyes already closed. "Judy! Judy come on speak to me!" Nick gently shook Judy trying to wake her up, in hopes of getting at least some kind of response from her. He knew shaking her wouldn't really wake her up or even help the situation, but even so he continued to shake her a few times in a desperation. Nick started to grip at her a little bit tighter as tears started to form in his eyes. "Come on Judy you can't leave yet, I still need you! You're the reason I got here!"
But as Nick was starting to feel his emotions well up at the unconscious bunny before he was suddenly brought back to reality by another explosion. This explosion was so close enough to him that he almost got knocked down from the impact. Looking back behind him and seeing more rubble start to fall down he quickly got up on his somewhat shaken feet and held Judy carefully in his arms as he made for an escape; occasionally looking down to make sure he wasn't jostling her too much. "Don't worry Judy, I'll get you to a hospital right away, It'll be okay! Were both going to make it out of this together alright..."
Nick stopped talking for a moment and blankly looked at the ceiling again before letting out a very long sigh and folding his arms behind his head, closing his eyes. "But... I was wrong. She didn't make it out of there. Although she made it to the hospital itself.. it was still all the same. Bullets near the artery, an almost impossible surgery.. there was just no way."
Nick tapped his fingers a bit nervously on himself before turning himself to his side almost like he was lying in a bed rather than an inclined chair. "But as some would say I got lucky that we got to exchange a few final words... you know, glass half full, for all those uppity positive animals out there."
The Gazelle observed Nick turned away from her for a brief moment before jotting something down in her note, she spoke in a somewhat less dead pan and more caring tone. "So what happened afterward Nick."
Nick paused again before replying. ".... Then I broke down. Standing near her newly popped up grave just a few days or so later."
The sound of a car quickly driving through the cemetery filled the otherwise stagnant air with sound. Parking his vehicle and quickly running out the door was Jack, practically sprinting towards Nick in the distance. Nick was sitting down on top of Judy's grave, the stone pilled to the brim with flowers and adornments as Nick just silently stared.
Jack somewhat out of breath panted behind Nick and stared at him briefly. He took a moment to catch calm his breathing before walking up a little closer, Nick not acknowledging him. ".... Nick, how long have you been here." Nick didn't flinch whatsoever at the rabbit's words, still staring blankly at the grave he responded coldly. "...Does it matter?"
Jack drew out a long silence before sighing to himself and walking right behind Nick, putting a hand gently onto the still un-flinching fox. "... I don't know if I can continue being on the force anymore Jack." Jack was a little startled hearing him suddenly speak and put his ears down from hearing his words. "Nick.. come on, please don't say that. We've only known each other for four months or so, but even then I can tell how much you love being on the force, no amount of jesting or bickering can hide that. Besides do you think that's what Judy would want?" He said in a very serious but not angry tone.
".... I already know what Judy wants." Jack looked at him a bit inquisitively. "..So, you were able to talk to her. Can you.. tell me what she said." Jack said in a somewhat caring but also pleading tone. Although he badly wanted to support Nick he had also gotten to know Judy well too, and wanted to hear her last words. Nick himself caught on to that, and even though he was still dead pan replied to him.
"Nick..." Judy said somewhat weakly but lovingly to the fox not too far from her. "Judy!" Nick ran up to her from the entrance of the medical building. "Oh Judy your finally awake!" Nick laughed somewhat nervously and with a strange mix of happiness and sadness as he caressed her cheek. "Thank goodness I... I thought I..." He wanted so badly to say lost, but he already knew what the doctors told him, and found himself unable to complete the sentence, his somewhat tearful joyous face turning into a frown and looking away from Judy. But Judy in response quickly grabbed his arm and pulled him closer to her.
"Nick... I already know, believe me if you know the doctors definitely told me." The bunny said with her usual optimistic though slightly weak grin and voice. "They say the chance of the surgery tomorrow succeeding is.. slim to none." Nick started to close his eyes again and held onto the bed as tightly as he could, trying hard to hold back his emotions in front of her. "Don't you say that Judy... I.." Judy without hesitation slowly brought her paw up to Nick's face and started to caress it slowly. "Sssshhh... Nick.. it'll be ok..." Nick started to calm down from the gentleness of the bunny's paw touching his cheek, leaning his head into it to feel more of her soft fur. He even started to giggle a little as he wiped some of his continuing tears. "You dumb bunny.. I'm supposed to be the one counselling you." Judy laughed weakly in response and put on smug grin. "Emotional fox."
For a brief moment the two silently enjoyed each other's company as they held onto one another, the only exchange the two had was occasionally caressing and feeling each other up with their hands and head. Nick had even gotten down on his knees and started laying his head down somewhat close to her chest before Judy broke the silence. "...Hey nick, I know were really enjoying the silence here but... visiting hours are getting close to over, and there's a few final things I want to say to you."
Nick lifted his head up from her chest and looked into Judy's eyes, despite being injured and hooked up she was still looking as lively as ever. "...What is it Judy?" Nick held on tightly to the bunny's weak paws as she smiled from the contact. "If I don't end up making it out of the surgery there are three promises I want you to keep no matter what." Nick only looked down lovingly at her. "Alright carrots, what are these three mystical things my bunny wants me to do."
She put up one finger on her paw. "Number one, stay a ZPD officer! Even as I'm gone crimes will always continue to go rampant in this city, and out of all the officers I know you can deal with it better than anyone, even if I am perhaps a bit biased toward my fox~." Judy giggled a little at her statement but Nick only looked at her seriously. Judy in turn changed her expression back into a more serious one as well. "I know it'll be hard without me but don't forget that you have Jack too. We come from the same town so I know he'll be good at supporting you, I know I don't have to tell you this but he's an incredibly sweet guy under that cool guise he likes to show sometimes, not to mention a good drinking buddy."
Nick giggled and smiled softly at Judy. "Alright then.. what's number two." Judy put up a second finger up. "Number two is that not only should you stay as a police officer, but I want Jack to be you're new partner. I think I shouldn't even have to explain my reasons for that one, you two get along just as well as I have with you." Nick frowned a little bit at that last one. "Carrots.. I mean, it's not like I disagree with you but even if I ask there's no guarantee I'll be assigned with him, especially considering the special unit may not be necessary now."
Judy only giggled a little at Nick's response. "I already filled in the report and talked to the chief. Considering the situation and our somewhat odd success on the mission he had no choice but to guarantee it to me, plus there's no way Jack will say no."
Nick grinned a little toothily at Judy. "Now that's my sly bunny." He said as he started to caress Judy's head while she giggled a little bit more. "And finally #3, the hardest one of the two." She paused slightly for dramatic effect looking at Nick seriously as he only stared back inquisitively. "... I want you to try to move on from me. We've spent so much time together that the thing I'm worried most about is not just you going back to your old ways... But you losing your happiness, not being able to recover like I've seen from so many other people in this city.."
Nick frowned and looked down at Judy, not only did he know that this was a tall order but it once again put in the front of his mind that after today Judy really would be gone from his life, forever. Judy immediately noticed the tears forming in Nick's eyes and looked up at him. "Nick... come here.." She opened up her arms and Nick instantly hugged her back putting his head down onto her body and breaking out in a sob. Judy simply kept embracing Nick tightly while patting his back as they enjoyed each other's warmth. "...Please Nick.... Promise..."
Jack looked down at the floor sadly hearing the last of Nick's words, who still continued to unemotionally sit down and stare at her grave. He knew the words he was thinking would cut deep into Nick, but it had to be said. "....But Nick, if.. that's what she said, then you know quitting would break your promise." "I know that!!" Nick shouted out angrily and suddenly while pounding his fist into the ground. "But!.... but..." his tone started to shift from anger into an almost distant sadness. The ball that was his fist on the ground loosened and his body started to shake until all that could be heard was Nick's tears.
"I know that but.... But how the hell am I supposed to go back to the ZPD like this huh? Move on like nothing happened, go back to being a goody police officer, how does she expect me to do any of that without her!"
Jack walked back up to the fox and without hesitation slumped his arms around the fox's neck and hugged him tightly, putting the side of his head slightly down on top of Nick's. "Nick.. nobody is expecting you to move on like nothing happened, when Judy said she wanted you to move on she didn't mean to forget her. She wants you to continue to move up in life, continue to try to do the right thing, maybe find someone else to dote over. To continue... to try and lead a happy life."
"But...." Nick replied suddenly stopping his hug and turning around, Jack finally getting a good look at his face. His fur was somewhat scruffy, his face covered in tears, his eyes red and filled with mixtures of guilt, depressing, loneliness, and so many other emotions that he couldn't even begin t process all at once. Nick looked straight into Jack's eyes with his own emotionally confused ones before saying anything. "But... how the hell am I supposed to do that! I don't know what to do Jack!" Nick then suddenly lunged himself somewhat forward into Jack hugging him tightly. "I don't know what to do..." Jack tried his best to hold back his own tears from seeing Nick like this and thinking of Judy, he embraced Nick, trying his best to be his pillar of support. "There there.."
He gave Nick a few good moments to let all of his tears out until he could only hear a few sniffles from the fox still hugging at him tightly on his knees. "...Nick?" Nick responded in a low tone before sniffing again. "..Yeah." Jack suddenly pulled back a little and grabbed the foxes head making him look at his eyes, a surprisingly confident smile being shown on Jack's face. "I think I know where we can start."
Nick looked out the window of the passenger seat confused on where they were going. They had been driving for almost a good hour now and Jack refused to tell him where they were going, but it certainly wasn't anywhere close to the city. Nick sighed a little bit looking at Jack. "Jack I don't think-" "Where here." He said suddenly interrupting him as the car stopped. Jack somewhat excitingly got out of the car and pointed at a strange railing somewhat far from the car. "Let's go over there Nick, you first."
Nick had no idea what to expect but somewhat boredly started walking up to it. As he got closer he started talking again. "Look Jack I know you have something odd planned here but I don't think I can... just..... holy cheese and crackers.." Nick said in awe as he went up to the railing and saw the site from the mountain top. It was Zootopia; in fact it was all of it. Never in all his life had he really been this far out in the wilderness or even out of Zootopia for that matter, and from this vantage point he saw an absolutely perfect view of the entire city. The section he lived in to tundra town to the Jungle... It was huge, massive and stood taller than anything even remotely close to it.
Jack walked up next to Nick smiling. "Impressive, isn't it?" Nick kept looking at the site with his eyes still wide open and jaw practically dropped. "It's more than impressive it's... absolutely stunning." Jack smiled more looking up at Nick before looking at the site himself. "You know this is where they say thousands of years ago our ancestors got the idea of Zootopia. A bunch of fugitives looking for a place to build and stay away from the war at the time, and they found this spot right here. If you put your hand in front of the railing you can actually feel a very strong wind... this wind rides all the way to Zootopia above the city. They say this view combined with the direction of the wind was a message, they saw the various types of landscapes that could be built in that once gigantic empty spot and that's where the idea popped up."
"I see.." Was all Nick could say as he continued to stare. "Oh and nick... here, this is what were here for." Nick looked over at Jack and confusingly saw a weird pot in the bunny's hand "Uh.. a vase?" Jack shook his head. "An urn." Nick was confused for a few seconds until it suddenly dawned on him as his ears went down in almost bewilderment. "Is...is that." Jack nodded. "It's Judy, she had actually asked to be cremated.. and she specifically made it so that I could have it. The grave is just a stone, so Judy isn't buried there."
Nick didn't respond and only stared down at the urn for a while mouth somewhat agape before looking back up at Jack. "Do you want it?" Jack suddenly said with a soft smile as Nick looked at him and nodded his head slowly, Jack carefully handing him the urn. He looked down the urn holding it carefully and even started stroking it slightly. "Judy..." Nick said quietly under his breath as Jack looked at him somewhat sternly. "Nick... Judy wants you to throw her ashes into the wind and throw the urn away too." Nick looked quickly back at Jack almost like even suggesting that was offensive. "What? I can't do that! I can't just.. just throw her away."
Jack continued looking at him sternly and with a serious yet somewhat caring tone. "Nick... it's just ashes." Nicks face turned somewhat sour in response as he turned away from Jack looking down at the urn. "Don't say that..." Jack a bit more softly approached him and put a paw on his back. "Nick it isn't just discarding her... remember what I told you, these winds travel all the way to Zootopia. She wants you to spread her ashes over the city." Nick looked down sadly at the urn. "But... but I.." Suddenly Jack approached Nick from the front surprising him a little bit. "Ok Nick this is going to sound dumb but listen carefully. I want you to hold the urn very close to you..... like right now."
Nick cocked an eyebrow at him "Uhm.. ok.." "Now close your eyes.." Nick did as he said. "Now.. start feeling the urn, caress it a bit.. calm your breath... and imagine as if Judy is right here with you, talking with you." Nick made a condescending face even as his eyes were closed but regardless did as he said. He steadied his breath and tried to focus on images of Judy while relaxing. Alright bunny what exactly is this going to accomplish huh? Is this some kind of voodoo ritual you have in place to make Judy just suddenly appear next to me here, start calling out my name. I maybe a dumb fox but-
_ _"Nick.." the foxes ears flicked a little bit at what he heard... it sounded like Judy. "Nick!" There it was again, indescribably her. "J..Judy?" Nick said somewhat quietly as he kept his eyes closed. "Well who else would it be you dumb fox?" Nick couldn't believe what was happening, was he going insane? If he was he couldn't even care less right now as he let his emotions of joy completely carry him away. "J-Judy I...I can't believe! Y-you're here I-" "Nick... you have to let me go." Nick halted his speech for a second almost surprised to hear her say that. "Huh?.. Let you go Judy I-" "Nick... I'm just a pile of ashes now, I'm long gone. I may have cremated myself but I'm not *really * there. Nick... do you know the reason why I wanted to be cremated?" Nick paused for a moment. "To... be spread across Zootopia?"
Nick could hear the voice of Judy chuckling and even snorting a bit. "Heh well yes ok that, I mean having your ashes flown all the way to Zootopia from the vantage point the guys that made the city saw how amazing is that! But.. actually Jack was the one that told me about that in the first place, he was the one that suggested I do this. And he didn't suggest it just for me; he also had you in mind Nick. The other reason, a thing both of us wanted, was too well... help you move on. Even as I'm talking to you right now I'm not here Nick, I'm gone."
Nick frowned a bit. "You don't need to keep reminding me.." "I know and, I'm sorry but it needs to be said. But you know just cause I'm gone doesn't mean I've you know, been erased from existence. True we can't drink together anymore, and maybe I can't embarrass you when you're the one that gets to drunk occasionally, but you know.. those moments we shared, the pain and the happiness, it'll always be there in your head, In your memories. Heck I'm sure a part of me is with Jack too and even the ZPD, I may be gone but I'm not truly gone.. if that makes sense."
Nick chuckled a bit holding back some of his tears that started forming in the corner of his eyes. "I know what you mean you dumb bunny, still not quite as smooth as the ol' fox would be about it though." Nick could swear he could just see Judy rolling his eyes. "Oh whatever you know what I mean Nick! Now I'm sure you could just spend the rest of your day talking to me but I think it's time for me to go." Nick shook his head vigorously as if not wanting to accept her answer, hearing Judy sigh in response. "Nick come on I can't be here all day. Please just remember what I said.. you're not alone."
Suddenly Nick could feel a small bunny paw touch him and hold him on the shoulder as he almost jumped in surprise. "I'll be with you.. now and always forever, right here." At that exact moment Nick also felt his heart do a little sudden thump as if someone had touched it directly. He knew nothing touched him there, but just from what Judy said Nick knew where she would have put her paw if she were really here right now.
Nick wasn't sure If Judy had somehow through some crazy spiritual séance gotten a chance to actually talk with him just now, or if this entire conversation was just played out in his grief filled head; but frankly he didn't care which one it was. Jack saw Nick start to open his eyes and quickly retreated his hand from his shoulder. Nick without looking back determinedly walked forward towards the wind with the urn in his hands.
With a small moment of hesitation he brought the urn up to the wind, took the lid and poured all of the ashes into the wind; soon afterward discarding the urn by throwing it off the railing and down the mountain. It wasn't too visible but he could still see some of the ashes be swept away by the wind as it headed all the way back to Zootopia.
Nick solemnly looked at the site as Jack looked over at him just as silently. After a few moments he walked closer towards Nick who was now looking out while kneeling his elbows on the railing. "You know.. the reason I recommended this spot of all places wasn't just cause of the wind or even the view. When I was real young, my mom had actually died." Jack said with a light smile on his face, now leaning on the railing with Nick.
"We were one of the few family's to have less than 100 kids, so we were a pretty close to one another. I was one of the older siblings so... I didn't have as much support as maybe other bunnies would in my position, plus from the get go I was always a bit different than the others anyways.." Jack looked out at the view of Zootopia.
"I was one of the only bunnies who had dreams of going to Zootopia and being a secret agent of all things. I was so hooked after I saw the movies, I started studying and dreaming about it every day. Nobody in my family took me that seriously, my siblings told me it was just a phase or a fantasy. The only person in my family who believed me when I said I was taking it seriously was my mom, she always told me that as long as I was passionate about it I should do it. But when she died I actually started doubting that goal for the first time in my life, it felt hard to move on.
My dad seeing me so dejected from her death took me here and I saw this amazing view of the city! And as I was being swept away from the view still feeling emotional my dad gave me an urn, my mother's ashes. He told me to let them out into the wind and I refused. But my dad expected this and just chuckled at me with a smile. He went down on his knees to look at me and told me to hold the urn close to me, feel it, calm my breath, and relax. At first I thought it was just silly but then... I heard my mom call out to me."
Nicks ears twitched slightly at that statement as he continued to silently stare out in the city and listen to Jack. "She said that as much as she wanted to stay and loved me, that she had to go. She said that I needed to move on to, to never give up my dreams because she was gone. She made me swear that one day I'd become the secret agent just like in the movies, that despite being a bunny it was possible. A moment later I released her ashes into the wind, and did as she said. And now well... here I am I guess."
Nick looked over at Jack with both a mixture of sadness, gratefulness, surprise, and a few other emotions he couldn't fully describe. He stared at the rabbit seeing the wind pass through his fur as he coolly looked off into the distance_. I'm sure a part of me is with Jack too_, the words Judy had said to him echoed in his head as he stared at the bunny. "....Jack?" Jack turned his head and gave Nick a warm smile. "Hm?" But the bunny was suddenly was taken by surprise as the fox lunged at him for the second time today, bending himself downward and giving him a very strong hug. "Thank you..... thank you so much, and... I'm sorry" Jack giggled at his response and put on a bright smile hugging him back as a few small tears formed on the edges of his eyes. "Don't mention it."
"And so after that we road back in the car, went to the ZPD and he immediately recommended me to you, and so began my long, torturous, emotional, and incredibly melodramatic journey through this stuffy office space."
Jessica wrote down a few words on her note pad then set the pen and pad aside. "Well Mr. Wilde, it seems everything passes. Just so you know considering what happened, you've gotten through this faster than almost any other ZPD officer I've had."
Nick chuckled lightly and stretched. "Weelll, what can I say? I'm just a stone cold fox; no emotions can get past my fortified walls for long." "Hmmm is that so?" The Gazelle replied somewhat boredly and condescendingly. "Well Nick... if you ask me, I think the real reason you recovered so well is your friend Jack. Other than the somewhat amazing therapeutic idea he had for you, all the other stories of your daily occurrences seem to include him very.. positively." Nick let off a warm smile as he looked back at the ceiling. "Well again, what can I say? I'm just one lucky fox." He turned his head back over at Jessica. "Now.. I believe I am free to go no?"
Jessica sighed and smiled at him. "Yes Mr. Wilde you are free to go, I have no reason to call you back in either." Nick jumped up on his feet and dusted off his clothes. "Well then in that case I need to hit the hay, I'm meeting up with a buddy at the bar." Nick started to head for the door and waved his hand in the air. "Hope to never see you soon." Jessica gave him an annoyed look as he left her office but with a happy smirk on her face. "Likewise.."
Nick kicked open the door to the bar wearing some rather nice casual clothes that fit someone getting a decent pay check, but the same smug fox smile as always. He walked over to the bar and sat next to his friend. "Hope you didn't start drinking without me Jack." Jack looked back at him and smiled. "Of course not! This is for you not me, I know I'm the one that recommended her but I can't believe she said no drinking." Nick shrugged a little. "Well you know, wanted to make sure I didn't get a bad habit, drinking should be fun not depressing." Jack nodded his head. "True, which is why we're doing it now!" Jack handed Nick a beer to his slight surprise. "Don't worry.. it's all on me tonight." The bunny said smiling at him determinedly as Nick grabbed the beer and gave Jack a wide grin in return. "Well then let's not wait any longer."
3 beers later....
The two sat there at the bar laughing a little bit like idiots feeling fairly light headed but not quiet wasted or too drunk just yet. Jack paused his conversation for a bit and looked at Nick. "Hey Nick.. now that you've moved on for sure, can I ask something? And I want you to be honest with me." Nick took another sip of his beer and smiled back at his partner. "Sure thing bud, ask me anything." "Well... I never once asked this either before or after the incident for a very large multitude of reasons but... did you love Judy?"
Nick put his beer down and looked down at the bar table with his eyelids half closed and a bit of a distant look in his eye." Jack looked over at him making a bit of a frown at his response. "..I'm sorry nick I-" "No no I said anything, And believe me it's not as bad as you think so.. I'll tell you." Nick quickly took another sip of beer before replying. "In a very short answer... No actually, I never got to that level. I loved her as much as a partner could without leaking into that territory." He said taking yet another sip of beer before continuing.
"Now don't get me wrong, we got close... dangerously close in fact. We aren't complete idiots, we both somewhat knew it I think, and we were both careful about it. Me more so then Judy I would say, I can't speak for you bunnies but see when Fox's fall for someone, we fall hard, it's never graceful. As a result I feel most foxes have a natural defense against that, and especially me due to my.. past. Funny enough I had said to myself that if we could survive this crazy case about that new night howler drug I'd for once in my life completely open up to her, go full on in and see if I really loved her and hope she'd reciprocate. But well.. you know."
Jack to Nick's surprise actually laughed just a little bit drunkenly and dropped his head against his shoulder with a big grin. "Oooh you foxes, ssooooo emotional~" Nick laughed a little bit and pushed him off. "Well then Mr. bunny, what about you? Judy was pretty emotional at times so I always thought bunnies were just as emotional as us foxes." Jack giggled a little bit. "I think that's more a female thing, or perhaps Judy. If were just talking bunnies in general, I wouldn't say were overly emotional. In fact a lot of our ways of affection are pretty sexual."
Nick crossed his arms and shook his head. "Typical bunnies, always just want to fuck, no room for love." "Hey now that's not true! Of course the stereotype about multiplying and sex is well.. 100% true, but for us sex and love are very linked mind you." Nick raised his eyebrow. "Oh?" Jack nodded a bit overly dramatically due to the beer, probably feeling it hit a bit faster than Nick due to his size. "Thaatts right! Like for example, you can tell how much two bunnies love each other as far as a female and male bunny by how many kids they shared. Like Judy's family had what.. 257 kids or something, so you know they loved each other quite a bit. Then my family had like less than 100, and well.. as much as I love my parents I think they were almost like friends with benefits who didn't want to bother looking for anyone else..."
Nick took another huge swig of beer before responding. "Heh so parents that love their kids but not each other, boy does that sound familiar..." Nick paused for a minute slouching down weirdly at the bar table as Jack expected him to continue until he suddenly sprang back to life "But let's not talk about that!" he said somewhat dramatically and verbosely, Jack was starting to think him not drinking for a long time made it affect him quicker. "What about you Jack? Have you ever loved someone else?" Jack sat back and thought about it for a little bit. "Uhmm... I.. well, I don't think so actually. Like Judy my life was pre-occupied back at home working my ass off and studying, no time for that. And on the job there wasn't much time for it in the end. If I think about it mmaaayyybbee I was in love? I don't know if this one girl I saved counted, she was cool I guess."
Nick chuckled a bit drunkenly at his response, to him it was always fun seeing Jack's coolness get a bit taken back as he drank. "Nah that isn't love trust me, if you aren't sure it isn't love!" Jack looked over at Nick with somewhat sloppy looking eyes. "So what about you big guy? Any love before Judy~" Nick also took a moment to think about it. "Eh I don't think so" He said shrugging. "I mean I had sex sure, lots of flings, but you know nothing really close to romantic even if perhaps a few in the past have tried. Judy was the first and only person I was ever going to consider opening up to, maybe falling for.. but you know that isn't happening anymore." Nick looked over at Jack with his usual drunk smile which was melted away and surprised by the look Jack had.
Jack was giving Nick a sad face almost with what seemed like a few tears before he suddenly leaned his entire head up against Nick hugging him. "Aw that's so sad! I'm sorry Nick!" Nick just laughed a little bit and hugged him back softly. "Hey it's alright buddy, besides I got you now don't I?" Jack looked up at Nick and gave him a smile. "Awwww Nick-" "Ahem!"
The two suddenly looked over to see the bartender shaking his head with a slight smile at the two. "If you two uh, officers, are done yet would you like me to bring you your checks or more beer? And uh please just only one more beer if you do order." The two looked at each other and smirked, saying in unison. "Isn't it obvious? Another!" The bartender sighed a little bit. "Coming right up.."
By the late end of the night the two of them fumbled up to Nick's apartment as he clumsily unlocked it and entered in, turning the lights on. Jack entered looking around in amazement. "woaahh so this is your place huh? I guess we've only ever usually gone to my place a few times after drinking.. even then you never stayed to long."
Nick chuckled a bit throwing off his jacket. "Well we were pretty busy with the case back then, and afterward I needed a lot of individual mental recovery time. But you knnooww saying that now." Nick walked over to his drunken partner shutting the door lazily behind them. "We should like.. hang out way more. Judy and I used to hang out minimum once a week at each other's place, bad movie nights.. dumb tv series, even just talking." Jack exaggeratingly put a finger on his chin. "Oohh yeaah I think I maybe went to one or two of those sense you two asked.. those were fun, I'd love to just do it with you though!"
Nick smiled and laughed a bit more, sitting down on the bed. "So what about you? What do you do when not working or hanging with us." Jack sat down next to Nick on the bed. "Weelll not that much really. I don't actually know too many people here in Zootopia anymore so I guess if I'm not very rarely with other friends, I just watch TV by myself, enjoy eating out, that sort of thing." Nick frowned and shook his head. "No way that won't do, a guy as great as you can't be doing stuff by himself!" Nick put his hands on Jack "Listen from now on you're gonna be doing stuff with me, yah got it?"
Jack giggled loudly and for a long time not even responding to Nick before falling down on the bed. "Aaaah we are so drunk.. I can't walk home I'm too tired." Nick laid next to him with smile. "Then just sleep with me tonight, I only got one bed but it's big and nice, no need to sleep on the floor" Jack giggled more and scooted up a little closer to him. "Mmm I think that'd be nice.." Nick reached his paw out and turned the lights off next to him. "Ah hey.. you don't need to cling to me so tightly." Jack responded with only a small hum as he started drifting to sleep, Nick sighing contently and accepting his drunk clinging, putting an arm around him casually. "Good night to you too bunny.." Nick closed his eyes putting down his head slightly on top of Jack.
"And thank you.."
To be continued...