"Jaded"

Jaded

Nick Wilde sat at his desk, staring down another stack of paperwork. He hated this part of his job. What he loved was adventure; it was one of the few perks of being a hustler. Police work had its share of adventure, too—racing through the city with the siren blaring, chasing some perp ten times his size, and often outwitting that same guy by fast-talking him, ending with a triumphant, “it's called a hustle, sweetheart.” He'd ended up with a few bruises that way—okay, more than a few; most huge, musclebound males did not enjoy being called 'sweetheart'. So, yeah, he could definitely do without the bruises, but he really hated the paperwork stuff.

He took another sip of coffee—from his third cup that morning—careful not to drip on those papers. One smudge, and he'd have to start over again. He leaned back in his chair, crossing his legs. Remembering the details he needed to include in the paperwork was easy—after all, the cases themselves were interesting. But, remembering those same details at 7 a.m., sitting alone in his boring cubicle, surrounded by either too much noise or too little—how the heck was he supposed to concentrate, especially if he couldn't stay awake in the first place?! Well, that's what the coffee was meant for—he just wished it would hurry up and kick in.

At least he wasn't alone. Carrots was enduring this same nonsense, in the cubicle right next to his. Although, she actually—Nick shuddered at the thought—liked it. Why, he had no clue. But, who was he to complain? Watching her work kept him entertained.

Nick nudged his rolling chair quietly, ever-so-slightly, away from his desk. Stealth mode. He kept going until he could peek into Judy's cubicle without getting up. Sure enough, there she was. He laced his paws behind his head; he got a kick out of this.

She leaned intently over the desk. Her nose was going a mile a minute, as it did whenever she was deep in concentration. She was staring down that paperwork, just as Nick had been. Only, instead of expressing doom and gloom, her eyes held purpose. That bunny was going to conquer those papers.

That was why he couldn't resist watching her...or laughing, which he did now, because she was just too, well, cute. (Not that he would ever say that to her face; he knew better, and he still didn't need any more bruises.)

Immediately, he saw her ears shift from concentration mode to annoyance. “Excuse me, Mr. Wilde, but some of us are actually trying to work,” she scoffed, without looking up. Nick kept laughing; he couldn't help it. She sighed. “Nick.” He couldn't—wouldn't—stop; she was even cute when she was annoyed at him! “Nick!”

He stopped laughing. Not because she'd raised her voice—it was fun to get her riled up!--but because she'd turned, and now the full force of her violet eyes were on him. Blueberry juice on fire. The words just popped into his head. It seemed weird, but it wasn't. Blueberries were blue on the outside, but when squished or chomped, they emitted that dark-colored juice that was more purple than blue. Not just purple, but violet—as violet as the eyes he was currently staring into. And 'on fire'? Well, that just seemed to fit.

Suddenly, that same fire shifted. It turned—softer? How could fire be soft?! The thought entered his mind, and then left, taking all other thoughts with it. Except for the realization that whatever was in Judy's eyes-- “soft fire”--was now in his chest. He continued to stare, waiting for his brain to catch up with the rest of him. When it did…

“Carrots—Judy—I can't stand this ridiculous paperwork, but do you know why I put up with it every day?” He didn't wait for a response; he couldn't if he tried, because he was talking faster than he ever had in his life, but this time, he couldn't stop. “Because of you.” He didn't want to stop. “Ever since you blackmailed me into helping you with the missing mammals case.” When he said the word 'blackmailed', the corner of his mouth lifted into a smirk; part of him was proud of her for that. “I went along because I had to, but then I figured out...You fascinate me, Judy. And you know why? Because I love you.”

Nick watched as Judy took several steps towards him, as though entranced, until she reached his lap. Then, she leapt into it with sudden renewed vigor. She trained her eyes on him again.

“I love you, too, Nick,” she said quietly, reaching up to gently stroke his cheek with a trembling paw. He smiled at her.

“You just made my day, Carrots,” he told her, leaning in to nuzzle the fur between her ears. “You always do that, somehow. “You're intelligent, brave, sly, even—for a bunny, anyway—and you're so...cute.” He'd risked saying the c-word, but he was in love, so he didn't care.

She jumped off his lap. He panicked--had she been offended? Now, she was at her desk, and he could hear the sound of a pencil against paper. Then, as quickly as she'd left, she was back. She handed him—a parking ticket?

“I'm letting you off with a warning for demeaning an officer,” she said, her smile contradicting her serious tone, “...since you just told that same officer you love her.” He studied the parking ticket and laughed—she had crossed out and added sections to reflect her statement.

“Yep, it's official—I love everything about you, Carrots. Such as—what is it with you and that paperwork?”

“It's like doing a puzzle,” she said brightly. “Puzzles help build brainpower.” Nick shook his head in disbelief.

“Sly bunny.”

“Dumb fox.” They both laughed.

“I'm sorry if I've been a little jaded over the paperwork,” Nick said. Judy shrugged.

“Everyone has parts of their jobs that aren't much fun. You know how much I love parking duty.”

“Not only a sly bunny, but a sarcastic one, too! I've corrupted my darling bunny!” He put his paw to his heart in mock disappointment. “But, on the other paw...” He lowered his voice, leaned close to whisper in her ear. “It's kinda sexy, too.” Just when he thought he couldn't shock her anymore, her eyes went wide and her paw flew to her mouth. But then she giggled. He was smitten.

She snuggled closer. “My turn to ask a question. Where did you learn such a big word, Wilde? 'Jaded' is a strange one for an ex-hustler to use.” She was challenging him.

“Maybe you're starting to rub off on me.”

“Yeah?” The idea seemed to please her. “You mean like this?” She tipped up her chin and used it to knead the fur on his chest. It was his turn to be shocked.

“Not here!” It wasn't consequences that worried him; he just didn't like the idea that others could be watching them when he wanted her all to himself. She looked appropriately embarrassed, which somehow made him feel guilty. “I'm flattered, but...can we continue that later?” He raised an eyebrow to lighten the mood. She relaxed, raising one of hers in return.

“Sure.” She nestled into his fur. “You know—I'm perfectly aware of what 'jaded' really means, but all this time, I kept thinking of it as 'dazzled just by looking into your eyes', because that's what happens to me.”

Nick was touched; that was probably the nicest thing anyone had ever said to him. Even if he considered his eyes to be more emerald, even though his motto had always been, 'never let them see that they get to you'. He decided in that moment that he would never be like that with Judy. He would always show her—only her—what he was feeling, because he loved that she felt she could be honest with him, and he felt the same way about her, so he would prove it. He had already started today, and he didn't see a single reason to stop.

“You dazzle me, too, Carrots,” he whispered. Forgetting his earlier hesitation, he lifted her gently, and tenderly touched his lips to hers.