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honeywithblueberries · 6 years

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Christmas

A/N: HAHAHAHA!! Take that, writer's block! I win! You loose! Even though it's five days late……

Merry late Christmas, everyone! I'm so sorry this wasn't out sooner, but enjoy! ……….

The answer to the absurd question came out far too easy and quickly. "Yeah, I'm going to have to pass."

And to his amusement, her response was exactly what he expected.

"Niiiiccckkkkk…….."

The fox todd forced to keep his face blank as he stared at his computer screen. Thought it was tough keeping the smile off his face. Behind him, his partner, Judy Hopps, pouted at him. He could barely make out her reflection in the screen, her eyes wide and bottom lip stuck out. Turning to look at her would be a huge mistake. She pulled her cute bunny eyes attack on him a dozen times too many.

Nick had some control, dammit!

He refused to give into her this time. Especially considering what she was begging from him. There was a line in the sand and an absolute limit to what he was willing to do to make her happy. At least, that's what he told himself as he fought to not look at her.

"Don't even bother, Carrots." he said drolly as he began to type again. "That look of yours won't work if I don't acknowledge it. And I'm not going."

Huffing, Judy let her face relax and frowned at the back of his head. "Why not?"

Snorting at the question, he rolled his eyes and turned his chair to look at her.

"You're seriously asking me, of all mammals, why I don't want to go to this stupid Christmas party?" Nick raised his eyebrows at her, sighing when she eagerly nodded. "Carrots, I can barely stand this holiday as it is. Now you're asking me to go to the house of a someone I barely know, wearing a hideous sweater, and make small talk with total strangers."

Deciding to take advantage of his attention, Judy's pout returned with full force. Her ears even fell across her back for added effect. And her vulpine partner brought a paw to his chest as he gave a soft 'awww' at her expression. The cute bunny eyes attack was successful.

"Please, Nick," she asked, stepping closer to him and clasping her paws together.

Nick winced and tried to look away. But that only made the bunny's lip quiver and eyes widen further.

"I don't have a sweater to wear," he groaned, flinching as she batted her eyelashes.

"Paw-mart has some on sale for five bucks." She smiled prettily at him, taking another step closer. "And there's a prize for the best sweater."

Scoffing but not moving away, Nick rolled his eyes again. "Spend my hard earned money on a sweater I'm not going to wear ever again in hopes of winning a gift bag filled with cheap Christmas candy and trinkets? No thank you."

That had Judy's expression turn from pleading to thoughtful. Her ears perked up at the sound of footsteps heading towards their cubicle. Turning from Nick to the walkway, she gave a small hop towards the entrance.

"Hey, Dave?" she called, the tall grey wolf officer looking around briefly before smiling down at her.

"Hey, Hopps," he gave a friendly wave to the fox, "Wilde. What can I do for you two?"

"You went to Officer Fangmeyer's Christmas party last year, didn't you?" Judy asked.

Wolford's face lit up. "Oh, yeah. Didn't win the sweater contest, but there were still a ton of other games. I walked away with two fifty buck gift certificates."

Nick's ears and tail snapped up as his focus razored in on the wolf.

"What did the winner of the sweater contest win?" he asked with interest.

"I can't remember." Both the smaller mammals deflated at that, though they jumped when Wolford turned to another desk. "Higgins! What did you win at Brook's party last year?"

The hippo's head popped up, a grin stretched across his muzzle.

"A hundred buck mastercat gift card and a roarlex watch." His small beady eyes narrowed on the other three officers as he pointed a hoof at them. "And I'm going to win again this year."

"Dream big, Higgs!" Came the response of another, unseen officer.

Laughing, Dave turned back to Nick and Judy. The bunny looked over at her partner in triumph, smiling at the look of excitement on his face.

"How does Fangmeyer afford that?" he asked in a slightly dazed voice.

"Loaded parents who like her a lot," the wolf answered with a shrug. "I gotta go. See ya at the party."

Both waved at him as he left.

"So, Slick," Judy smiled at him and walked over to where he sat. "Feeling the Christmas spirit, yet?"

Snapping out of his daze, the fox smirked at her before hopping out of his chair.

"Oh, you haven't seen Christmas spirit yet, Carrots. Just wait. I'll win this contest." Taking his jacket from the back of his chair, he shoved his arms into it as he winked at her. "Play your cards right, I might ask for your help spending that gift card."

Judy laughed. as she watched him gather his messenger bag. Pausing next her, he gave her a hip bump. She stumbled a bit before regaining her balance, her partner reaching out to steady her. Giving her paw an affectionate squeeze, he reluctantly let her go and continued his walk to the precinct doors.

"Now if you'll excuse me, I have a sweater to buy. See you tonight." With a salute, he was gone, freeing his phone from bag as he walked.

Still giggling, Judy shook her head and turned back to her own computer.

"Dumb fox." she muttered as she climbed in to seat and began to finish up her reports. ………..

Nick kept the growl to himself as the disgruntled muttering reached his ears.

"I can't believe I'm here helping you shop for clothes."

Rolling his eyes behind his sunglasses, the todd looked down at his friend, Finnick. The fennec fox was dragging his feet as he followed after the taller todd, scowling at everyone and everything around him.

"It's not clothes shopping." Nick argued back as he selected a potential candidate from the sweater rack. "I plan on winning this stupid contest."

"You mean you plan on impressing that partner of yours?" Finnick countered with a smirk. Nick's ears flattened against his head.

"I don't know what you're taking about."

"Sure you don't. Like you're not going to go home tonight and dream about doing a strip search on the bunny." The smaller fox laughed as Nick ducked his head. "You can't hide anything from me, Wilde. I only have one piece of advice for you: Take advantage of that mistletoe tonight."

"Like she would want me to do that….." Nick muttered, pretending to examine another sweater.

"Have you smelled her recently?" Finnick asked, his voice laced with amusement and incredulity. "She's a heartbeat away from jumping your bones! Don't think I haven't seen the two of you popping suppressants like they're fuckin' mints."

"What do you think of this one." Nick asked frantically, whirling around with a sweater pressed to his front, ready to change the subject.

Finnick looked at it for a moment before doubling over with laughter. Just when Nick thought he was getting control over himself, the fennec lost control again. He was on all fours in the middle of the department store laughing at the fox officer holding the ridiculous red and green sweater covered in bright gold Christmas bows and blinking lights.

"We have a winner," said Nick smugly, turning the sweater back to look it over again. "That gift card is mine!" …….

It took a full hour for Nick to get ready. He took a long hot shower, spent an unreasonable amount of time in his fur dryer, and made sure every patch of fur was meticulously brushed and groomed. With his nice slacks on and his favorite green, dress shirt on, he tried not to grimace as he slipped the Christmas sweater on. The fox adjusted the collar of his undershirt, letting it peek out tastefully.

"Looking good, Wilde," he said to his reflection, examining himself from every angle. A paw vanished under the sweater to click the lights that decorated it on. "Look out, Carrots. You're gonna fall for a winner tonight."

And now, half an hour later, the todd stood in front of Brook Fangmeyer's closed door. He held a poinsettia and bottle of wine for his hostess, ready to win the sweater contest. Listening to the sound of muffled Christmas music and voices, he made sure his smirk was in tact as he picked up the sound of footsteps making their way to the door.

Only to have it fall when a well dressed Brook answered the door.

"No freaking way!" she exclaimed in delight as Nick's mouth fell open in shock. "I can't believe it!"

Before Nick had time to dash away, the tigress reached down and dragged him in. Giving him a perfect view of the guests inside. The elegantly dressed guests who were NOT wearing hideous holiday sweaters and were all now staring at him in surprise and amusement. A few of them turned to laugh discretely while others didn't bother to hide their enjoyment. The poinsettia and wine bottle were tugged from his paws and set aside as the door closed, sealing the todd inside.

"I- uh….. was told this was a sweater party….." Nick mumbled as Brook pulled him further into the party.

Laughing, his fellow officer guided him to the Christmas tree. "Oh, I know! I didn't think you'd fall for it and now I'm out forty bucks!"

Feeling his embarrassment and anger grow, the fox allowed himself to be dragged around. Though he temporarily forgot his situation when he saw Judy next to the tree enthusiastically talking to Chief Bogo. And he felt himself flush with something that was definitely not anger at the sight of her in a tight red dress. Brook grinned at his reaction to his partner.

"Hey, Hopps!" she called getting the bunny's attention. "Look who showed up."

Purple eyes widened in shock as the police chief broke out into laughter. The usually surly cape buffalo had most of the party's attention, much to Nick's relief. Judy grinned as she looked at the todd, her eyes sparkling as she left their boss to stand in front of Nick.

"I'll be darned," Judy said, still looking at his sweater and shaking her head as her eyes followed blinking lights decorating it. Meeting his gaze, her grin grew. "I didn't think you'd fall for it."

Tearing his thoughts away from the pretty bunny in front him (and silently admitting Finnick was going to be right about his later plans), Nick scowled around the room.

A few of the party goers were still looking at him and chuckling. Wolford and Higgins were accepting money from a few of their fellow officers. Higgins even looked over at Judy and waved the wad of bills at her with a large grin. Ears shooting up in realization, Nick looked back over at her as she wave at the hippo.

"Exactly how many mammals bet I'd fall for this prank?" he demanded, putting his paws on his hips.

"It's called a hustle, sweetheart," she countered, giving him a look sly enough to rival his own. Paired with that smile, he had to keep his eyes from scanning the ceiling looking for mistletoe. "And to answer your question, only seven. Higgins, Wolford, Fangmeyer, Grizzoli, Pennington, me, and……"

A small beep from her evening bag had both their eyes moving to it as she pulled it free and smiled at the screen.

"You."

Nick was flabbergasted.

"Excuse me?" he asked, not quite sure if he heard her correctly. But Judy merely smiled wider as she turned her phone around.

"You heard me, fox." Nick looked at her in confusion before looking at the small screen.

There was a message from Finnick selected, the video ready to be played. Nick pressed play and his eyes widened when it showed he and Judy in their favorite bar, this time last year judging by the mini Christmas tree in the background. Both he and the bunny were grinning into the camera.

"Ok," started past Judy, her eyes still looking at the mammal recording. "We have Finnick as a witness for a monumental bet about to take place. Nick here is ready to loose to cute, little bunny."

Video Nick scoffed and grinned before shaking his head at her. "Don't count your chickens, Carrots. You have a full year to come to terms with the fact the fact that you'll never win a bet against me."

In the video, Judy turned to grin at him, nudging the fox with her shoulder, causing his tail to wag happily at the contact.

"And I can't wait to see you in an ugly sweater before next year's out." she challenged.

"So when I win," came the todd's voice, "you have to be my slave for a full twenty four hours, on a day of my choosing, no complaints." Judy laughed on the screen and held his playful gaze. Video Nick seemed mesmerized for a moment, before clearing his throat. "And if you win…?"

As he watched their past selves interact, present day Nick felt himself become lighter than air at Judy's reaction to him. It was…. more than a little flirtatious. Video Judy nudged him again and smiled coyly.

"Guess you'll have to see." she teased. "So here's the bet: I bet I can get you into an ugly sweater before the end of next year."

The todd on the screen pretended to think about it before he stuck out his paw. "I look forward to you serving me for twenty four hours."

Both mammals shook on the bet, present day Nick suddenly remembering that moment perfectly. Looking from the phone, green eyes met the sparkling gaze of his partner. Judy put her phone back in her bag still beaming at the todd.

"You…." he whispered, not looking away from her. "…… You hustled me good."

Nodding, the bunny crossed her arms and stepped closer to him.

"Sure did."

"So," he began, copying her motions and moving closer. "What do I surrender as forfeit?"

Her eyes moved from his, up to the ceiling before flicking back down to him. Nick looked up and felt his mouth drop at the sight of the mistletoe hanging above him. Looking back down, his eyes were wide and mouth dry as Judy bit her lip while she waited for his response.

"I understand if you're weirded out, or even grossed out, by it." she said quietly. "I just thought that we had really great chemistry and….. I always feel like…. I'm… more, when I'm with you. Like, I'm more than just a bunny or even an ordinary mammal."

Nick thought his heart was going to beat out his chest.

"You're always there for me, you always support me, and I've never met a mammal, male or otherwise, who makes me feel nearly as happy or complete as you." Her ears fell back, their crimson color visible under the dim light of the party. A small flicker of doubt flashed in her eyes when he still didn't respond. "So if you can stomach it, your forfeit is a kiss under the mistletoe. If it's not too-"

There was a full stop in the party before the air was filled with whoops and hollers of encouragement. Unable to stand still in the wake of her confession, Nick's paws shot out and pulled her into his arms. Their lips met, and everyone and thing faded away. One paw moved to cup her face while the other landed on her hip. But Judy didn't stay surprised for long.

Her arms wrapped around his neck and the pair savored the moment their friendship became something so much more than what either of them had ever hoped for.

"I love this holiday," Nick whispered when they pulled away for air. He smiled into her eyes before ducking his head to meet her lips again.

Needless to say, it was a very merry Christmas.

#zootopia #wildehopps #nickwilde #judy hopps #judyhopps #nick wilde #fangmeyer #officerwolford #christmastime #christmastree #christmaslights #uglysweater #funny #zootropolis

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