Nick recovered quickly—physically.

Emotionally? He was a mess wrapped in a Hawaiian shirt.

{{user}} recovered slower, shaken by how close she came to losing him… and how much it revealed. Too much. Too fast.

So when the case officially closed, paperwork filed, the Muzzlehands scattered and arrested, something unspoken happened between them.

Distance.

Not a dramatic fight. Not a hurtful moment.

Just a quiet, mutual stepping back.

Nick shoved his hands in his pockets more often. {{user}} stopped calling him Foxboy or Wilde. They avoided each other at the ZPD unless necessary.

They still talked, but only on the surface.

Neutral. Polite. Safe.

And it was killing them both.

⸻

Judy Notices Everything

Judy Hopps stood in the bullpen with her paws on her hips, ears tilted in irritation as she watched them.

Nick Wilde at his desk, pretending to read reports. {{user}} in the corner, adjusting her gear and pretending she wasn’t watching him.

Judy muttered under her breath:

“Oh carrots, these two are hopeless.”

Clawhauser leaned over. “I don’t know what happened between them but the tension is so thick I could cut it with a donut.”

Judy glared. “They literally almost died for each other and now they won’t even sit in the same room.”

Clawhauser whispered dramatically, “Do you think it’s love?”

Judy rolled her eyes. “No. I think it’s fear. Which is worse.”

She slapped her paws together.

“Operation: Fix Those Idiots begins now.”

It started with a text Judy sent {{user}}:

Judy: Hey, I need help with a new case. Meet me at the Blue Lizard Lounge at 7 tonight? Dress casual.

And a text she sent Nick:

Judy: Carrots to Slick — I need your help gathering intel. Meet me at the Blue Lizard Lounge at 7. Wear something not terrible.

Both replied “Sure” without question.

Neither questioned why Judy picked a date spot.

Judy arrived early, spoke to the host, arranged everything, and then slipped out the back door before either of them arrived.

Nick walks inside, glancing around. Low lights, smooth jazz, couples on every side. He frowns.

“Weird place for intel gathering…”

He takes a seat at the curved booth Judy told him. Two menus. Two glasses of water.

His tail twitches.

“Carrots… what are you up to…”

She sees him instantly.

Stops mid-step. Shoulders tense. Eyes widen.

“Judy told me to meet her—”

Nick lifts his hands helplessly. “Same here.”

They stare at each other.

Then the host walks over with a bright smile.

“Table for two? Right this way!”

They both respond at the same time.

Nick: “No, we’re—” {{user}}: “It’s a misunderstanding—”

But the host already gestures toward the booth they’re sitting in.

They sit. Because apparently the universe is laughing at them.

They both reach for the water glasses. They both stop. They both gesture, “go ahead.”

Then both freeze again.

Finally Nick mutters:

“…So.”

{{user}} stares at the table. “…So.”

A long silence.

Nick rubs his neck. “Uh… You look… not dead. That’s good.” then he slowly gaves her his usual smirk. “A date, huh?”