"More Than Words"

Chapter One: What A Wonderful World

It was Monday. Lots of people hate Mondays. In Zootopia, animals are no different. At least it was past typical work hours. But that didn't explain why Nick Wilde was walking down the street...whistling.

Tough guys don't whistle; ex hustlers don't whistle. That's how Nick felt, anyway. And yet he was both of these. So, why on earth did he not care that he was whistling?

He was thinking about his ZPD partner, Judy Hopps. The way she tapped her foot every morning during Chief Bogo's briefing, anxious to get on with the day so that she could “make the world a better place”--her words exactly. The way her delicate pink nose wrinkled in concentration as she tackled case paperwork. The way her violet eyes were lit with determination every time she set off on a case. Heck, she was even determined to be a first-class meter maid when she had to.

At the latter thought, Nick chuckled to himself. That's why they got along so well—not only did they keep the city in line, they kept each other in line, too. That's how they had become such good friends.

Only when he passed Finnick, his former fellow con, exchanged waves, and noticed the fennec fox mouth, 'I knew it!' while grinning mischievously, did he snap to attention and realize he'd been whistling “(What A) Wonderful World” (by Ham Cooke—a stage name, of course).

Chapter Two: Say “Hello” To Somebunny

Nick picked up the pace to his apartment, his first purchase since joining the ZPD...and his first legit purchase ever. He slammed the door behind him, wiping his brow. What was that all about?! He must be going nuts, thinking about Carrots like that!

He turned on the radio to drown out his thoughts. He found himself exclaiming, “Cheese and crackers!”--Judy's swear of choice—when his ears were met with “Hello” by Lion L. Richie.

Chapter 3: Carrots, Smile

The next morning, Nick trudged into the ZPD feeling dog-tired; he'd been unmercifully restless since the encounter with Finnick the day before. But when he saw a familiar pair of ears over the top of the cubicle next to his, he found himself smiling.

“Morning, Carrots.”

“Hey, Nick.” The reply came on an exasperated--almost defeated—sigh. It wasn't like her to be so unenthusiastic, especially so early in the day. Carrots loved mornings. She thrived on the challenge of the day ahead and the renewed hope of helping citizens in need. Nick was more of a night kind of guy. Even so, his partner's cheer always helped him start the day right.

“What's gotten into you, Carrots?”

“This new case is getting me down. We're running out of leads.” There was a hint of desperation in her tone. Nick himself was lost for words.

Suddenly, they both looked up at the sound of a familiar voice singing at full volume. It could only be...Clawhauser. Usually obsessed with Gazelle, today something else was blaring from his headphones as he danced down the hall, belting out the words between bites of donut. Judy perked up—all the way to her ears. “I love that song!” Nick cocked his ears, listening. He heard the strains of “Sara, Smile” by Hall & Goats. He found himself humming along as he witnessed Judy's mood lift. In his head, he changed the words ever-so-slightly.

Chapter 4: “She's Got A Way”

Judy was right. The day had been a doozy, and by its end, they were looking for something more relaxing to occupy their time. They decided to walk through the park and enjoy the pleasant weather.

A group of kits and cubs were playing on their bikes nearby. One of them was directing “traffic”. Nick was the type to just smile slightly and move along, but Judy stopped in her tracks. She was enchanted. “Nick, look!” She bounded towards them and knelt beside the little law enforcer.

“Hi, there! You're doing a great job keeping your friends safe. I think you've earned this.” She pulled a 'ZPD Junior Officer' badge from her pocket and offered it to him. He accepted it with wide eyes and a big smile. For her part, Judy seemed proud to have made the little guy's day. She bounded back to Nick, beaming.

In that instant, Nick was reminded of a song his mother loved. It was a hit ballad of her day, “She's Got A Way” by Billy Goat Joel. Judy fit the image perfectly.

Chapter 5: “You Look Wonderful Tonight”

Nick was at work, waiting for the elevator, when he noticed a brightly-colored flyer posted on the wall beside it. It read:

Come to the

ZPD HARVEST BALL

7 P.M.

Nick wasn't one for socializing with co-workers. Except for Finnick...but they didn't count as workers by any stretch of the imagination; besides, they'd seen one another through tough times. Kind of like him and Carrots. But that was different. That was...something that gave Nick a warm, fuzzy feeling that had nothing to do with being covered in fur.

“Hi, Nick!” Just then, his bunny buddy had appeared with a spring in her step. That made him smile.

“Hi. I was just thinking about you.”

“Really?” A teasing glint lit her eyes, catching him off-guard. For Nick, that particular facial expression was commonplace. But for her... Did she suspect something? “What about?”

“All good things, Carrots, all good things.”

“Are you going to the Harvest Ball? It's tonight.”

“Tonight? You don't say…!” He perused the flyer again. She was right; he hadn't been paying attention. “I wasn't planning on it.”

“Aw, Nick, it's fun! I've been. It's at the park, and there's food, and dancing, and...”

“Why would I go there to watch Clawhauser dance when he gives us a show daily, right here in the office?” Nick asked, grinning. Judy grinned back.

“True. But...Just this once?” He couldn't resist a pleading Carrots. It was one of his very few weaknesses.

“Okay, I'll go.” He tried to sound reluctant as he fought a smile. But he didn't stop there. “Wanna come with?” He sounded casual, but he felt like a nervous wreck.

“Well, I'm going anyway, so I'll see you there, silly!” Then, recognition dawned. “Oh—you mean...together?” She smiled that hope-filled smile of hers. “I would like that.” These words came out in a small, timid voice, nothing like the can-do confidence Nick knew she possessed. Normally it would've worried him, but right now...He was fascinated.

He picked her up at 6:00 that night, so they could take their time getting there. But, it may have been too early, because when she answered the door…

“Carrots, why are you still in uniform? We went off-shift an hour and a half ago.”

“I know. I just couldn't figure out what to wear.”

“Need a second opinion?”

“Well...” Nick knew what she was thinking, because he was thinking the same thing...He wasn't going to harm their friendship—or mess up whatever-this-was—by infringing on her privacy.

“I'll wait out here, and you open the door when you're ready.”

“Okay, thanks.” She closed the door.

This way they went through outfits, one by one, until they agreed on a pale pink, long-sleeved, flowy floral print dress. Nick wasn't about to tell her that he liked it best because it brought out the color of her eyes.

As he lay in bed that night, Nick was wracked with guilt. Being surrounded by so many cops with nothing important to keep him busy, he'd panicked—a residual instinct from his past. Unaccustomed to making small talk, he'd bragged about all his old exploits. Not only was everyone offended, but when Chief Bogo got wind of it, he was furious. But, knowing firsthand that Nick was a changed fox, he let it slide, instructing the rest of the force to disregard his comments. Yet Nick's pardon from the chief had no effect on Judy.

In contrast, everyone had been thrilled to see her. She was the life of the party. After Nick's infractions, she'd gone off to dance with Clawhauser instead. He liked the guy; he really did. So why was he jealous of that teddy bear in a cheetah suit?

At the end of the night, Judy was furious with him. Still, out of the goodness of her heart, she'd walked him home, and he grovelled the entire way. But Judy hadn't said a word to him.

The ensuing stress was giving him a headache. But, he managed to find humor in most anything, so he chuckled, realizing that his predicament reminded him of a song by Eric Crabton-- “You Look Wonderful Tonight”.

Chapter 6: “Unchained Melody”

The next day, Nick was off-shift. That meant Judy would be, too. He was torn...Should he call and apologize, or should he give her space for now and wait until he saw her at the office? By now, he was furious with himself; this is what he got for mixing business with pleasure. He never should have let Judy convince him to go to that party. He half-laughed, realizing he'd been mixing business with pleasure ever since he joined the force and got to work with Carrots every day.

So, that begged the question—what difference did that party make? None. Party or no party, he wanted his friend back. If he played his cards right, maybe—just maybe—he could convince her to be more than his friend. The thought excited and terrified him in equal measure. He had to try.

Nick needed a plan. Carrots deserved better than all the grovelling he'd done. She deserved something special. He wondered if...Thinking fast, he texted her.

Hey, Carrots. Wanna come over? There was a chance she wouldn't reply, but he'd have to take it.

Why should I? Yes! She was talking!

I'm waving a white flag, and I want you to see it. I'd send a video, but the camera on my phone is broken. Okay, so the camera bit was a lie, but it was a white lie, for a good cause.

If you really mean it, bring the flag to the library, take a video there, post it to EweTube, and send it to me. Cheese and crackers! She knew him too well! And his sarcasm had rubbed off on her!

C'mon, Carrots...PLEASE?! He added a sad face animoji.

Okay. Lucky for you, I know that you only use animojis when you're sorry for something. They're too sweet for you otherwise. She added at least five happy face animojis, probably just to annoy him. And it worked. He glared at his phone. Then...Was he seeing things?! Was there a lone heart animoji beside the string of happy faces?! Did that mean—what he thought it meant?

Judy would be on her way by now. She was always punctual. Nick had just enough time to prepare his plan…

In no time at all, a knock sounded on the door—right at rabbit level. He buzzed her in, and when she opened the door...He felt ridiculous wearing his only suit and kneeling in front of her with his arms outstretched. And to think he was about to get even more ridiculous…! But, hey, it was for Carrots, which made it worth it—so worth it. He put everything he had into singing “Unchained Melody” by the Righteous BrOtters.

Chapter 7: “More Than Words”

When he'd finished, she stared at him, wide-eyed. “Nick—that was only one night! You couldn't have missed me that much…! Listen, I forgive you. I know you lo--”

It seemed her eyes got even wider as she registered what he meant. She beamed at him as tears started to fall. It was clear she hadn't known in the slightest. “Nick, you're in love with me?!” She didn't wait for him to reply. “I'm in love with you, too.”

Relief and happiness—the purest kind of happiness that only she could bring—washed over Nick. She hurried to embrace him, and he welcomed her into his open arms. The sound of her by turns sobbing and giggling into his fur was contagious...Soon he was doing the same to her.

As wonderful as it was… “We can do better than this, Carrots.” Nick whispered.

“My thoughts exactly. Let's 'hop to it'.” Yet another giggle from her was gently silenced as he leaned in to kiss her. In that moment, he could hear nothing but beautiful music in his mind.