Years Too Late by Popopoyotl

>"Years Too Late" by Popopoyotl


>Judy Savage sighed as she stared vacantly at her paperwork, her pen drawing doodles in the air.
>She shouldn’t be wasting time like this tonight, the casework was due in two days and she hasn’t even started it yet. She simply couldn’t find the motivation for it though.
>Everyday was becoming more and more of a struggle to even wake up to.
>Her exciting job at the ZPD has slowly lost its luster over the years as she climbed into higher ranks and saw more of the dirty city Zootopia actually was.
>She had neglected her family back in BunnyBurrow, only keeping touch maybe once a month as time and distance separated them.
>Her home life…
>Judy grimaced as she put that particular thought into a mental box that has been growing for the last few years.
>Sometimes the bunny wondered how she kept going when everything seemed so dull and impersonal.
>”I’ve finished my paperwork before Detective Toot Toot? What is the world coming to?”
>Judy closed her eyes and smiled, wordlessly grabbing the cup of coffee just as it was placed in front of her.
>She supposed this was how.
>”Yeah yeah, everyone gets their one time to shine partner. You actually do your paperwork again though, and I’ll be worried about the Tundratown vents freezing the rest of the city again.”
>The rabbit sipped at her coffee as she let the joyful laughter of her best friend and partner, Nicholas Wilde, wash over her.
>”That was a great time, being able to throw snowballs in city center. Almost like a holiday for us, if it wasn’t for all the trouble the snow caused for everyone.”
>Judy hummed as she remembered the event where she and her fox partner had to help the numerous mammals not used to snowy conditions, all the while stuffing snow down each other’s clothes in good fun.
>”Hey, Judy?”
>Nick’s concerned tone and use of her actual name snapped the bunny out of her memory, “Yeah?”
>”You ok?”
>“Yeah, why do you ask?”
>”Well, I was only making a little bit of fun at the paperwork, but I see you haven’t…” Nick made a wave of his hand towards the blank piece of paper in front of her.
>Judy stared down at the paper, placing her coffee down on her desk and laid back on her chair.
>”I’m fine; it has just…been a long week.”
>A long week, a long month, a long year.
>She looked away from Nick, feeling his gaze on her and hearing the tapping of his claws on the wall of their office.
>Judy felt uncomfortable under Nick’s eyes; the fox seemed to be able to pick up on her mood even when she didn’t know how she actually felt.
>She heard the fox snort, before she saw her casework taken off her desk, “Hey! What are you-“
>”If you haven’t written anything down today, you aren’t going to tonight either.” Said the fox as he put Judy’s work into a binder, “I think you are done for the night.”
>The bunny scowled at the fox, the two staring each other in a silent standoff. It lasted only minute because Judy nodded, getting up from her station.
>”I’ll clean up then and head home.”
>”Actually, you want to head out for drinks? It’s been a long week for me too, we can both use it.”
>Judy gave the invitation a moment of thought; it had been a while since the two partners hung out after work hours due to their busy schedules. It would be nice to unwind and relax with her best friend.
>”Sure, I’ll meet you outside.”
>It wasn’t like there was anyone to talk to at home.


>”-and then the pig tried to knock out McHorn with a piece of sheet metal, only for it to get stuck on his horn. The pig nearly pissed himself when McHorn stood up; the idiot held onto the metal and was lifted along with it!”
>”Ha! What was he thinking that a thin metal would do anything to a rhino in the first place?”
>”Right? The best part was when McHorn just shook his head, sending the pig flying perfectly into the back of the cruiser! Ten out of ten shot! The pig was a bit hurt, maybe a few bruises on his head, but he was fine for the most part.”
>”How long did it take for them to get the sheet metal off?”
>”McHorn took it off himself, it sounded horrible. Like claws on a chalkboard. He didn’t even look fazed though, like it was just another day.”
>Judy grinned as Nick finished his tale, taking a swing of her fourth-maybe fifth?-cup for the night.
>She probably should have stopped herself from drinking so much, but she was in a good mood. The relaxing air of a cop bar combined with Nick’s presence put her at ease.
>”I wish I could have been there to see that. When did this happen?”
>Nick tapped his chin in thought, “I think this was back when you took that month vacation a couple years back.”
>Judy took a sharp inhale of breath; she knew exactly when Nick was talking about. That honeymoon vacation with Jack.
>It was one of her better memories with her husband, back when she was full of that youthful rush of love.
>Back when he wasn’t always on missions for the ZIA.
>Back when she actually anticipated going home.
>Well, there went her good mood.
>Judy downed her last cup in record speed, startling Nick when she slammed it down the table, “It is getting late, and I should head home.”
>”Wait for me to pay for us and I’ll walk you home.”
>”You don’t have to do that Nick, I’ll be fine.”
>Nick took a glance at the rabbit, “Stand up and say that to me.”
>Judy glared at him and hopped down from her chair. She nearly lost her balance when her feet hit the floor before her paw grabbed onto the table top.
>Once she stopped swaying, Judy kept her eyes to the floor as she didn’t want to look at the fox’s smug grin.
>Nick chuckled at the rabbit as he waved over a waiter to pay, “I thought so.”
>Judy sighed, “Arrogant fox.”
>”Stubborn bunny.”


>”How are you not nearly falling on your ass?”
>”I am twice your size, and I drank half the amount you did. I’m surprised you hit the bottle as hard as you did.”
>”As I said, it’s been a long week.”
>Judy closed her eyes and let herself lean against her partner as they walked down the streets of Zootopia, taking in the night air while Nick had a hand on her back to steady her.
>”Hey Nick?”
>”Yeah?”
>”Thanks, for the drinks and walking me home.”
>”Of course, any time partner.”
>Partner.
>That word warmed her heart; it described Nick perfectly to her.
>The fox that had defended her dream, who stood by her side and believed in her. The fox that shed blood and tears with her in the line of duty, who saw her at her weakest point and she felt no shame in that.
>But for some reason, tonight, the word also caused a cold bitterness in her heart.
>Partner described Nick so much more than it did her life partner.
>Maybe she should have felt anger that another man was walking her home instead of her husband, but in the comfort in Nick’s hand on her back she couldn’t find it in herself to care.
>Soon they were in front of her home, and she almost wished that the trip had been longer when Nick drew back his hand and turned away.
>”Well it was a fun night Carrots, I’m not going to envy the killer hangover you’ll have tomorrow-“
>”Nick.”
>The fox turned around and blinked at the suddenly nervous bunny.
>”Would you…like to come in?”
>Nick stared at Judy, wondering if he heard her correctly.
>Judy on the other hand was having an internal battle in her mind of what the fuck was she doing?!
>’Judy, what the hell? It’s almost ten at night, what do you think you are doing inviting another man into your house?”
>’It’s Nick! It is fine, I trust him! He’s my partner.’
>’Yeah, your partner alright.’
>She couldn’t respond to that last thought.
>”I don’t think-“
>”It will be like old times!” Judy cut off Nick before he could reject her offer, “We can just sit back and relax, maybe watch some movies!”
>Normally Nick wouldn’t have been so wary of his partner, but the angry blush and hint of desperation in her tone didn’t sit well in his stomach.
>However, with how solemn she had been acting recently, this might be his chance to find out exactly what was going on with his best friend.
>What should he be worried about anyway? Some drunken tomfoolery? This was Judy for crying out loud, and Nick was sober enough that he wouldn’t do a mistake they would both surely regret in the morning.
>Him and Judy? That was an amusing thought for the fox, one he might have entertained years ago. He still found her attractive, but she was only his best friend.
>”Sure, why not?”
>Nick smiled as Judy quickly turned to unlock the front door, almost dropping the keys in her rush. He did miss spending more time with his best friend.
>Judy led him inside the house, and as he looked around he thought it was perhaps cleaner than the last time he was here…
>No. On a closer look as he walked by a table and saw some dust, it wasn’t cleaner.
>More like unused.
>Nick felt a lead ball settle into his stomach.
>”Judy, where is Jack?”
>”He isn’t home.”
>Nick could feel the his fur stand up as he heard the coy tone coming from Judy and hoped beyond hope that Jack hadn’t been away for a while.
>”Out on a mission again? How long has he been gone?”
>The weight in his stomach seemed to sink further when he heard the sound of shuffling bunny feet behind him.
>”Three weeks.”
>’Shit.’
>Well, he found out what was wrong now.
>’Shit, shit, shit!’
>’Wilde, you are being extremely paranoid here. It is Judy. So what if her husband has been gone for a while on a mission? She knows his job, sucks like all kinds of hell but still. She knew what she signed up for. This is not as bad as it looks…’
>”Soooo….how about we get out those movies?”
>”Sure!”
>Nick winced at how cheerful Judy’s voice became as she walked into her living room.
>Maybe this was as bad as it looked.
>’Ok, game plan: hope to the heavens that Judy falls asleep during the movie and I can get out because I am NOT doing this.’
>The fox followed after his partner, who smiled at him as she patted the spot on the couch next to her, the corner next to the armrest.
>Nick resisted the urge to gulp as he sat down next to her and turned towards the TV only to see the opening to Titanic start up.
>’Fuck. My. Life.’


>This was definitely as bad as it looked, maybe even worse.
>He tried to focus on the movie, but there was only so much he could focus on when there was a female snuggling up against his arm and nowhere on the couch he could move to.
>’Just wait her out Wilde, just wait her out. She’ll fall asleep, and then tomorrow we can have a civil and completely sober discussion about her fucked up private life…by God you should have left while you had the chance.’
>Judy, on the other hand, was enjoying herself as she leaned against Nick. She paid the movie only the bare minimum amount of attention as she wrapped her arms around one of Nick’s larger arms.
>She had missed these private moments with her fox, back before she had dated and eventually married Jack Savage.
>She had admired Jack; he was someone who rose above the stereotypes like her and became more than just a cute bunny. He was clever, professional, and a gentlemammal.
>So when he asked her out, she thought it would be the start of a great relationship.
>Initially it was. Or maybe that was the rose-tinted glasses of young love.
>They had gotten married after a year together, and that is when the arguments started. Judy had wanted to continue her job at the ZPD, while Jack wanted kits from her.
>She supposed that is what started the rift between them.
>Arguments became a normal occurrences between them, Judy stayed late at night at the ZPD, and Jack started to take missions that would last weeks at a time.
>The ZPD became more of a home than her own house.
>Well, except for now, with her fox partner next to her.
>’My fox partner.’
>She liked the sound of that, her partner that was there for her more than her husband. The man she knew would never abandon her, who forgave her when she was a dumb bunny.
>’Mine’ she thought as she stroked Nick’s arm, nuzzling against his bicep and taking in his scent.
>Nick shuddered at Judy’s touch, and decided he had enough as he tried to pull up his arm from the bunny’s grasp, “Ok now Judy, I think I should be getting hoooo- what the hell?!”
>Judy had let Nick’s arm go, only to use her now free paws to push Nick down onto his back.
>Nick looked down to see Judy crawling up into his lap, “Where do you think you are going Slick?”
>The fox snarled as he took in the smell of alcohol coming from the bunny, “Going home. Judy get off, you’re drunk. I’d rather not force you off but I know you can take it.”
>Judy gave her partner a sultry grin, “Oh I can definitely take it.”
>”Nope, we are not going there!” Nick pushed Judy off of him, tossing her to the other side of the couch.
>He barely had the chance to jump from the couch before the rabbit was on him again, slamming into his back.
>The fox steadied himself against the door frame to the hallway as Judy wrapped her arms and legs around his torso, nuzzling the back of his neck.
>”Why are you playing hard to get Nick?”
>”Hard to get? Judy, you are fucking married!”
>Judy gave a huff, “It sure doesn’t feel like it, Jack is never home anymore, he comes back for maybe a week before he takes off again. We haven’t had a conversation that lasts more than three minutes in who knows how long.”
>Nick froze at this information, and Judy took this chance to purr again his throat and trace a claw across his chest, “With you, however, we can talk for hours about anything. You are always by my side, always making sure I am alright.”
>The fox gripped the door frame, closing his eyes and taking a deep breath. For some reason, instead of any sort of warmth, Judy’s words caused a spark of anger in him.
>Now, now when she is married and drunk does she take notice.
>A few years too late.
>“Look Judy, I feel bad. I really do, I wished I had known that about you and Jack before but this isn’t the right fucking way to do things.”
>”I don’t care!” Nick flinched as Judy nearly screamed into his ear, “Why should I care when I have you right here!”
>Nick growled as he tried to shake off the bunny from his back, “I may be right here, but only because you are my best friend. I’m not interested Judy!”
>Judy allowed herself to be shaken off, landing on her feet and glaring at Nick as he turned around, “That is a damn lie! You’ve always had a thing for me!”
>”…What did you say?”
>Judy smirked at Nick’s wide-eyed look, ignoring the warning bells in her head at his tense form, as she walked over to the fox, “I know you’ve liked me, even back before I was dating Jack. I did really love Jack back then, but I should have gone with you. You are my partner after all.”
>Judy reached up for Nick’s tie, only taking slight note of the increasing rise and fall of his chest, “Jack doesn’t matter, and I see my mistake now. We can be together Nick-“
>The bunny cried out when her paw was smacked away. She looked up at her partner and took a step back when she saw his snarling visage.
>”Sorry to inform you Judy…but that ship sailed a long time ago.”
>Judy shivered and continued to walk back as Nick stalked forward, feeling for once like prey in his presence.
>”Even if it didn’t…I sure as hell am not playing runner up!”
>Judy gulped and shook her head, “No…you wouldn’t be-“
>”Like hell I wouldn’t! You knew I liked you since the beginning and you still chose Jack! That is fine, but you don’t get to come to me years later only when your marriage is non-existent and you want to fill that hole!”
>”B-but I thought-“
>”You thought what Judy? That I would still be waiting years into your marriage for a chance? I moved on.”
>Judy felt her back hit a wall, feeling trapped as Nick bared his fangs at her.
>”You’re my partner…”
>Nick glared down at the bunny as he watched her slide down the wall, curling up into a ball. He closed his eyes and growled in frustration.
>”Is this really how you treat a partner though?”
>Judy shuddered and wrapped her arms around her legs. Tears gathered in her eyes as she heard the fox walk away, “Nick, please don’t leave…“
>”Judy.” The rabbit looked up to see Nick staring at her in what looked almost like pity, “Despite…whatever the fuck tonight was, I’d like to still consider you a friend. But you need to fix this mess in your life.”
>”Call me when you are ready to be an adult and ask for my help, as a friend.”
>Judy didn’t reply, couldn’t reply, as Nick walked out, leaving the bunny in her silent, empty house.

End.