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Chapter Text

Judy Hopps never slowed down, no matter how much Nick Wilde begged her to.

A part of him wondered if it was the fact they’d moved in together. Judy had of course convinced him that this was normal for couples. But when they had, they’d only officially been a “couple” for about three years, and partners for four. And to him that was really a short time.

But, Judy had insisted it was time to get out of his “man cave” and her one room apartment. So here they were, cohabitating. And though she would tell you repeatedly they couldn’t be doing any better… “Nick! Did you use up all the hot water again?”

Well, you got the picture.

Nick decided to answer how he did best, turning up the tv. It worked for a while as he lounged in the living room of their now two bedroom apartment. After all, it was big enough that the bathroom was all the way down a nearby hallway. But nothing ever lasts, right?

Pretty soon, Judy was standing quite annoyed, having pulled the plug. She looked dried off, but annoyed. “Carrots! I was just at the season finale,” He groaned, leaning back. “Where’s the fire?”

“Don’t pretend you didn’t hear me,” Judy gave him one of her looks. But Nick leaned back. “It’s ok. You wouldn’t have time anyway. We have another sting operation.”

“Again!?” Nick groaned. “This is the third time this month. It’s been a bust. Those smugglers haven’t moved an inch.”

Judy didn’t look like she wanted to hear it either as she pulled on her jacket. But Nick guessed she had her reasons… “According to Bogo, they’ve left their base”

Now that was interesting, Nick figured. Whoever these smugglers they’d been shadowing the past few months were, they never had stepped out of their hideout. It had made getting any evidence of… Whatever was happening a right pain in the rear end.

Maybe that meant today would actually be interesting. Groaning and cracking his back, Nick looked to his girlfriend with a quiet sigh. “Well, I guess we’d better get moving then,” He managed. “Do I have time to get a cup of coffee at least?”

He didn’t wait for an answer, immediately going to fix it. Judy gave a playful eye roll, but the second it was done was tugging him hastily out the door. “Ok, you have your coffee! Let’s go!” She announced loudly. “I’m ready for some action.”

“This case got you that stir crazy?”

Judy shrugged as they made their way downstairs and out the front door of their building. “It beats being a meter maid. But it’s just… So not our style,” She pointed out. “We save the city twice! Twice! And then it’s just… What? A drug lord here, a gang bust there…. I miss the big leagues.”

Nick hated to say it, but she was right. Ever since the Gary incident things had been quiet in Zootopia. Almost too quiet if you asked him. “And you think this one’s going to be different?” He asked. “Face it Carrots, big conspiracies just don’t fall out of the sky.”

“Not with that attitude they won’t!”

That did make Nick chuckle ever so slightly. Still as he hopped into their patrol car, he could see a small glint in Judy’s eyes. What was she looking at? The fox turned his head to see a family passing by. Two snow leopards and a little boy between them.

Here we go again.

“Have you thought about our conversation the other day?”

Right, their conversation. Nick laid his head back against the seat and tried not to think about it. Something about him being bad at committing. What she’d been talking about he had no idea. He’d committed to her, he’d committed to the force… But a family? That was more than a small commitment.

He didn’t even know where you got one of those fancy engagement rings.

Why was he even thinking about this? He shook his head and decided the best answer was: “I told you, give me some time,” he pointed out. “We just moved in together.”

“Last year.”

Right. “So I’ll have an answer for you, sometime in February.”

“Nick, it’s the middle of June.”

February and not a moment sooner. “Well, you wanted more commitment… So I’m committing to February.”

The silence on the ride out of there was deafening.
—————-
Judy Hopps was annoyed.

After three years, she and Nick were still having this conversation? By now she’d thought, with all they’d been through, that they were finally on the same page. But yet again, Nick tried to keep the subject of any ring, or kids off the table.

She knew they couldn’t have kids the natural way and a bunny-fox marriage would have already been a head-turner. But she’d found herself time and again looking over wedding dresses and adoption websites.

Call her sentimental, or crazy. But being a cop hadn’t been the only dream in her life.

Still, she kept her mind on the case in question. What exactly were these guys smuggling? Because as far as Judy could see when they’d arrived… The warehouse was empty.

They’d been tailing it for a good month, with multiple animals coming and going. It had been triple padlocked and always had an animal on duty. But now? The second they left it, and the pair had gotten past the locks they’d found…

An empty warehouse floor.

“Ok, these guys either move fast… Or are literally the worst smugglers I’ve ever seen,” Nick pointed out, taking a look around with equal disappointment. “When did Bogo say they left?”

“The report came in an hour ago.” Judy crinkled her nose. “Something isn’t right here, Nick.”

Nick frowned quietly and took a stroll along the floor. Judy did the same, decidedly pulling out her flashlight, just in case. “I don’t know… Maybe there’s a hidden entrance we didn’t know about,” Judy voiced after a few minutes. “But I don’t understand. These guys acted like they were carrying something valuable… Would you move that kind of thing in broad daylight?”

Nick shook his head. “I don’t know, carrots. But we’d better call it in,” Judy frowned quietly. “Man, I didn’t even get to put cream and sugar for this…”

Judy had opened her mouth to speak when a noise caught her attention. Was that a whine? The bunny officer spun around and shined her light over the floor. “Hey, what’s up?” Nick asked.

“Sh!”

Thud.

That had definitely sounded like something hitting a surface. Judy stretched her ears again, and clearly, Nick heard it too now as he stepped up behind her. She squinted as finally her eyes caught sight of it:

A faint outline in the floor.

Judy decidedly gave her boyfriend-partner a small smirk. “Well, they’re good. You walked right past it too!”

Carefully, she approached the small hatch. What was making that sound anyway? Were they smuggling animals? She felt along the hatch a moment until finally hitting the right edge.

As it slid open, Judy hopped back a little, startled. But noticed that the noises were louder now, and sounded like a startled cry. “Zootopia PD, we’re here to help!”

“Or arrest!”

Judy was the first to approach, with cautious interest. If it was live cargo, this would be a first for them. So she wanted to approach with caution - especially when no answer came.

What she saw down there startled her.

She fell on her butt and tried to catch her breath. “Whoa! Carrots, are you good?” Nick’s voice carried to her, helping her slowly to her feet and began his own approach. “What is it? A deadly spider or something?”

“Nick -.”

But his startled expression followed, eyes wide and turning to look at her. So he’d seen the same thing, she wasn’t crazy. “That’s not possible… Are you seeing what I’m seeing?”

“I mean…” Judy shook her head.

“My mom used to tell me stories,” Nick shook his head. “But it’s just that, stories.”

“That’s one real-looking story, Nick.”

And when Judy approached again, the source of their surprise was still there. A small form, completely devoid of hair save for the tuft of red atop his head. Blue eyes barely showing as it tried to bury its face in its faded clothes.

“Humans aren’t real, Judy.” Nick tried to assure her.

Judy turned to him with a sigh. “Yeah, well tell that to him.”

Just from the look they exchanged, Judy had a feeling they’d just stumbled on the excitement they were looking for.

Chapter Text

Nick wanted to wake up now.

A human. They were standing in the middle of a warehouse and staring at a human. A thousand questions had swirled his brain in the half hour since they’d found the thing. But for the moment, it wasn’t talking.

Humans had always been a legend in Zootopia. A mostly hairless mammal who walked and talked like any mammal. But it was just a spooky campfire story up until now. Something kids were told by their parents in order to give them a shiver up their spine.

They hadn’t called it into Bogo yet - deciding they needed more info first. But neither had quite worked up the courage to go back and talk to the human first. “Carrots, those smugglers could be back any time. We need to call it in,” Nick told her after some time. “Even if we sound…”

“Insane?” Judy asked, well that was harsher than he’d put it. “I’m not even sure what to report. Are we sure it’s a human?”

“Isn’t that what I asked?”

They’d been going back and forth like this for a while now. If it wasn’t a human, they’d be a laughing stock. But if it was, well… Was calling the ZPD the best idea? Both of them knew that just showing up with a legendary creature was going to be a media firestorm. Scientists and big wigs were going to swarm this like a hawk.

And it looked way too young for that to sit well.

It was a little after his last sentence that Judy approached the hatch again. Nick decided to keep his distance for now, less keen to approach. “Uh… Hello there,” Judy tried her best to be friendly, but definitely sounded nervous. “I know this is going to sound silly… I don’t even know if you understand me. But you… Are a human, right?”

Nick peered over just enough that he could see the kid. His dirt covered light colored face peered up at Judy with fear. “Look, I’m sorry about how we reacted. You just startled us,” The boy didn’t reply to Judy’s softness. “I promise we aren’t going to hurt you. We’re just trying to figure out what’s going on here.”

Judy then surprised Nick greatly by reaching a paw out to the kid. Was she nuts? How did she know he didn’t bite? There was a long, lingering silence before the creatures own… Paw? It didn’t really look like one but he used it like one. Took hers.

Judy slowly lifted him out of the hatch then for a good look. It was definitely a kid, as he only stood a few feet over Judy and probably only a few inches taller than Nick himself. He was scrawny and dirty, with his clothes being mildly outdated. But otherwise he looked healthy enough… He guessed.

“I’m Judy, and this is my partner, Nick,” The boy just stared at them with wide blue eyes. “Do you understand us?” That earned a nod. “Good, that’s a start. Do you talk?”

Nick had been about to make a quip when a small, nervous voice did break the silence. “Yes…” Wow, so it did talk. That was… Interesting. “Am I in trouble?”

Good question. “Well, that depends on what the heck is going on,” Nick decided to interject. “Are you really a… Human?”

That got a small, very nervous nod. One which Judy answered with a small elbow to his ribs. “You’re not in any trouble, it’s just a little… Shocking,” Judy explained. “We’ve heard stories of humans. But neither of us have seen one…”

“Where did you even come from?” Nick added.

The boy looked around the warehouse with his eyes. Clearly, either coming up with an answer or just as confused as they were… Nick could detect a hint of fear in his expression. “I don’t know… One minute I was out in the woods,” He managed to reply. “Then I woke up in there, and there were lots of voices.”

Judy and Nick exchanged a glance, that was hardly helpful after all. Judy approached again, and gave a soft smile. “That’s OK. We’ll figure this out,” She encouraged. “Do you have a name, sweetheart?”

After a long moment of hesitation they got an answer: “Danny…” He replied. “My name’s Danny.”

Judy seemed to nod, but looked over at Nick with that look that told him she was about to do something crazy. “Alright, Danny. Let’s start by getting you out of here…” As Nick moved to finally call it in though, she held up a paw. “We can talk a bit more back at our apartment. We’ll get you cleaned up and ask you some more questions…”

OK. She had certifiably lost it, he surmised as he pulled Judy to the side. “Have you lost it, Carrots? We need to call this in!” Nick pointed out quietly. “We don’t know if he’s dangerous - and whatever’s happening here is definitely illegal.”

“If we bring a human in, it’ll be really bad,” Judy whispered. “We need to keep this on the down low as long as possible.”

“Why?”

“Because this, is way bigger than a snake. Humans aren’t supposed to exist,” Fair point, Nick guessed. “And something doesn’t seem right, Nick. Why just one human? Why not show him off - it’d be the discovery of the century!”

That left a pit in his stomach. Judy was right, hiding this kid didn’t make any sense at all. A part of him wanted to stay and confront the smugglers directly. But the kid was technically a civilian, the last thing they needed was a casualty.

“Right, uh… Come on then, I guess…”

Why did he feel like he was going to regret this?
————
Judy was trying to rack her brain for everything she knew about humans.

To be fair, no one knew a lot about humans at all. Since as far back as they could remember, they had been regulated to the conspiracy and Cryptid community. People spun wild tales of a species of ape without hair that may or may not lurk in the deepest parts of their forests. A missing evolutionary link that just didn’t fully make sense…

There were multiple supposed “human” sightings, both recorded and written. Judy explicitly remembered a video she’d watched as a little girl on one of those supernatural tv shows. Of one walking up an embankment and taking a quiet glance at the man recording it. That video had become famous, but been exposed as a hoax on the mammal’s death bed.

It definitely didn’t stop the stories though. There were podcasts pertaining to the strange and elusive creature. Casts had been taken of supposed paw prints found in the mud or other areas. But no one had ever seen a live one, at least to her knowledge…

Now one was currently taking a shower in their apartment.

She and Nick sat in uncomfortable silence as they pondered what to do. There was one thing that was for sure: they had to at least tell the chief. But until they had all the facts, Judy didn’t want to tell anybody. So for now, they’d reported back that the warehouse has been empty.

She didn’t like lying, but she’d learned her lesson with Gary. She was for all intents and purposes trying not to jump the gun too quickly. “You know, a couple years ago this would have been a sweet pay day,” Judy sent her boyfriend a pointed glare. “What? You can’t tell me I’m wrong. This is huge, carrots. We didn’t just stumble on some contraband. We made a scientific discovery.”

True, but that “scientific discovery” was decidedly intelligent, and young. Judy put her paws on her hips and made sure Nick remembered: “He’s a cub, and a scared one at that,” Nick sighed, which meant he knew she was right. “And this whole thing still doesn’t add up. Why were they smuggling a human? If criminals found one they’d definitely be thinking the same thing.”

That they definitely agreed on. Smugglers were all about their pay day, but they’d just left Danny alone and hidden. It didn’t make any sense at all. “Alright, I’ll bite. What’s the plan?” Nick questioned.

Judy tapped her chin lightly before crossing over to her laptop. What was the plan? With reptiles they’d at least had some idea of where to start. But now? They were dealing with a whole different ball game.

And for once, Judy was stumped.

“I don’t know, I’ve never really been a supernatural gal,” Judy admitted honestly. “Maybe we can start scouring some blogs, find an expert…”

“Oh, no. No way. No more conspiracy nuts!” Nick stood up quickly. “It’s bad enough Nibbles blows up our phone line every week!”

Wait. That was it! Nibbles! Judy twitched one of her ears in excitement as Nick’s face fell. “I mean, her thing is reptiles - but a conspiracy theorist is a conspiracy theorist,” Judy pointed out rather playfully as she kissed him on the cheek. “Good thinking, babe.”

They were both interrupted by a small throat being cleared. Judy turned to find Danny in the doorway to their living room, clean enough. Though his dirty clothes remained the same. “See! Don’t you feel better already?” Again, the boy was quiet but did give a small nod. “Nick why don’t you get him something to eat while I get a hold of Nibbles?”

“Wait, we’re going to her before the Chief?” Judy didn’t answer, but did feel a bit of frustration. “Judy, like it or not, we need to tell Bogo.”

At that point, Danny finally spoke up again. “Who’s this Bogo guy you guys keep talking about?”

“Our boss,” Nick replied as he turned to look at the boy. “Whether we like it or not, you were basically contraband… We have to report that.”

“What’s contraband?”

“It’s like… Illegal stuff, the kind bad people sell…”

“Wait, are you saying they were trying to sell me?” There was an uptick of fear in their guest’s voice now.

Good going, Nick, she figured. “We don’t know what they were doing Danny. It’s all… Speculation at this point,” Now she was shooting Nick a look that said to shut up. “Don’t worry about it, we’ll figure this out. You have the dream team on your side!”

Nick opened his mouth to make another wide crack, but stopped short at her continued glare. Taking a deep breath, the fox nodded and put a comforting paw on the boy’s shoulder. “Yeah, you’re not the first weird case to turn up on our door,” He finally agreed. “Just the first urban legend.”

“What’s an urban legend?”

This kid had lots of questions didn’t he? Judy couldn’t help but chuckle as Nick lead him to the kitchen. They definitely had their hands full with this. But she hated to say that Nick had a good point. They’d have to let Bogo in on what was going on….

Eventually.

For now, Judy had another call to make as she picked up her phone. After a singular ring an excited voice on the other end shouted: “Well Judy Hopps! It’s good to hear from you!” Nibbles was as excitable as ever she took it. “What can I do for you this fine aternoon?”

Judy turned to look at Nick, who was currently going through food options with Danny. How did she put this discreetly? “Hey Nibbles! Long time no speak. Uh… I kind of need your help,” She pointed out. “… You don’t know anything about humans.. Do you?”

“Ohhhh humans! The eighth wonder of the world! The elusive beast!” Nibbles almost made her laugh at her enthusiasm. “You’ve come to the right place my girl. Who you need to talk to is my cousin, Bobby…”

Bobby, ok, now that was a start Judy decided as she began to jot down the information. Maybe it wouldn’t be much, but it would be a start.

Chapter Text

Judy watched Danny carefully as day turned to night.

Bobby couldn’t meet with them until the next day, so that meant at least for now they had a houseguest. So far he’d still barely spoken a word, and she couldn’t help but feel like he was fully on guard. Why? She wasn’t really sure yet but she’d find out.

The kid was currently on the couch, staring off into space. It made her wonder what was going through his head now too. Was he just as scared when he’d seen them? How did humans even see animals anyway? “So you really don’t remember why they took you?” Danny peered up at her as she made her approach. “Or where you’re from?”

Danny scrunched his nose a bit, and looked as though he was searching for an answer. “… I was… I mean I lived in a village,” He explained. “I just don’t know where it is.”

“There’s a whole village of humans?”

That was insane to think! That meant these creatures lived… Civilized. Something that no one in Zootopia had even thought about. Deciding that had intrigued her enough, she took a seat beside the boy.

Danny avoided eye contact but did reply. “Well, yeah. But it’s nothing like here. This place looks huge,” He explained. “Sorry I scared you by the way.”

“Eh, it’s fine,” Judy waved him off. “You’re probably scared too, huh? Far away from your village and family…”

There was a noticeable shift in Danny’s demeanor at the mention of family. He shifted a little on the couch and looked out the nearby window. Judy could already tell she’d definitely touched a sore subject. “Oh it’s not really like that… I uh, my parents,” He stood to his feet and tried to think of the right words. “Well, there was this drought when I was really little I guess…”

Draught? A draught had killed them? Honestly, Judy was surprised. But then again, they didn’t know much about how the humans lived yet. Did they have medicine? Proper shelter? She decided now wasn’t really the time for those questions though.

Danny broke the silence after a moment: “So you guys have never seen a human before?” Judy shook her head in confirmation. “I’ve seen lots of animals before… Maybe it’s because I’m from far away or something though.”

That Judy didn’t doubt… But just how far? There were parts of the world that mammal/kind hadn’t ventured to. But there was a reason for that. According to their ancestors those parts of the world were dangerous.

She supposed that would explain why humans hadn’t been found though.

Judy leaned back on the couch. “Well, wherever you’re from we’ll do our best to get you back. Once we’ve figured all of this out,” Danny gave a small smile, almost as though he didn’t believe her. “And you’re sure you don’t have any idea why someone was trying to smuggle you? They didn’t say anything while you were being transported?”

Danny seemed to hesitate, his blue eyes shifted from one side to another. Still he rubbed the back of his neck and made a funny face. “They didn’t say a lot. But I was kind of asleep a lot,” Maybe they’d kept him sedated? “Are you going to arrest them?”

“That’s the idea!” Judy replied brightly.

After all, something shifty was happening whatever it was. Danny had been about to reply when Nick’s voice carried over from the hallway. “Hey, has anyone seen my good watch?” Good watch? Judy turned as Nick made his way inside. “I usually keep it somewhere safe… But it’s missing.”

Now Danny did look shifty, very shifty. But only for a moment before digging into his pocket and producing the watch in question. “Man, you’re good. I thought it’d take you longer to notice.” He pointed out.

Nick’s eyes widened. “What the heck!? You were in the shower that whole time!”

“Sorry, I just thought it looked cool.” Danny tapped two of his fingers together. “And I was kind of curious about the rest of your place.”

“It was in my safe!” Nick pointed out, looking shocked. “How did you even get in…?”

“It’s not that hard,” Danny shrugged. “I’ve been doing stuff like that a while, man.”

Nick’s face turned from frustration to something of an impressed look. “Well, I gotta give props. I’m impressed, and changing my code,” He explained as he pocketed the watch. “Looks like we may have to lock up the valuables.”

Danny blushed a little. “It’s a force of habit, I uh… Back home things weren’t easy. You have to make a living somehow,” Oh yeah, wherever this kid was from he was a street kid, Judy figured. “I promise, I won’t steal anything else here…”

“Try not to steal anything anywhere,” Judy pointed out. “There has to be easier ways to survive.”

Danny looked at her like she’d grown a second head. Just how bad did the humans have it? Was it really that hard to survive where he came from? “I guess,” Danny commented, sitting back down on the couch. “Am I under arrest now too?”

That actually made Judy chuckle. “Do you want to press charges, Nick?”

Still, Judy could already tell they’d have to keep an eye on this kid. If Nick had taught her anything, it was that the more unpredictable someone was the more they kept you on your toes. Still she watched as a small yawn escaped the boy and decided it was the perfect time to call it a day.

“Well, you’re probably exhausted. Why don’t we get you to bed?” Danny grunted. “I bet Nick could lend you some pajamas. Get you out of those dirty clothes.”

“Might be a bit big on him, but whatever.”
Nick shrugged as he disappeared into the other room.

As she started for the guest room, she felt a tug on her shoulder. She turned to look at Danny, who simply said one thing: “I’m safe here though, right? You’re not going to…” His voice trailed off.

“Of course you’re safe! Why wouldn’t you be?” Judy asked, worry in her voice.

Danny seemed to consider answering her but just shook his head. “Nothing… I am tired though.”

Judy had a feeling, as quiet as he was, he was still hiding something.
————-
Danny had never slept on a bed this soft.

He’d never worn clothes this comfortable.

And he’d never seen such kindness from anyone.

All three things made him weary of Nick and Judy, moreso than he let on. It had already been scary enough waking up in that hole. But now he was literally surrounded by animals… In a city that clearly had never seen a human up close before.

Of course that was how humans lived, in a way. He’d never understood why, but as long as he remembered they’d lived under a specific set of rules: stick to your village, stay away from the animals, stay safe. Not that Danny, being a homeless kid had always listened.

If he had, he probably wouldn’t have even been in this situation.

Maybe his excursions into the animal parts of his home had gotten too sloppy. It was probably how he’d gotten taken, he figured. But it didn’t explain why he was here or why he’d been taken to the city in the first place.

He turned over on his side and pulled the blankets over him. Inside he tried to tell himself he was safe… The two seemed so nice that he really wanted to believe they were. But he didn’t get his hopes up. He didn’t even get his hopes up around humans either!

He’d been trying to get himself to sleep when he heard a voice outside his door: “So… That kid’s something else huh?” It was the fox, Nick. “I didn’t expect a human to be so… Much like us.”

“Really impressed you with the safe huh?”

Nick seemed to laugh on the other end. “I wouldn’t say impressed. But kid got me pretty good,” He countered. “We just have to make sure he doesn’t swipe anything from Bogo. You know how well he’ll take that.”

“I don’t think he could get to the chief’s valuables.”

The door creaked open, so Danny was quick to make it look like he was asleep. The two animals for their part entered and Nick opened up a drawer to reveal… His watch, again. “What we got here is an adept pickpocket, Carrots,” Danny tried to hide his smirk. “Just leave it to me though. I know how to handle kids like him.”

“You mean teaching him to hone his craft?” Judy suggested with an eye roll.

“Kid’s good, but with a little fine-tuning he could be great!” Nick announced, Judy was quick to give him a look that said she didn’t approve. “I know, I know. I should be a good influence. But that’s boring.”

Judy put a hand on his shoulder. “Just try not to get him arrested… He’s under our protection right now,” Protection? Did he really need protecting, Danny wondered. “Besides, we’re not talking to Bogo until after we meet with Bobby.”

“You still didn’t call?”

“I want to have all the facts on the table first,” Judy replied. “He’s already going to think we’re nuts when we call in a human.”

Man, these animals really thought they were some sort of myth huh? The two had made it to the door when Nick looked back and added one more thing. “By the way, kid. I’m double locking the door tonight,” Dang. He even saw through the fake sleeping too. “So don’t get any funny ideas.”

“Nick!”

“What? I know a runner when I see one.”

Judy facepalmed and decided to take a softer approach. “Goodnight, Danny. We’re just down the hall if you need anything.”

As the two exited without another word, Danny couldn’t believe he was saying this… But he was starting to kind of like them.

Chapter Text

“So we’ve been over the rules right?”

“Sure. No talking, don’t take off my disguise, and absolutely no pickpocketing if I could get caught.”

Admittedly, Nick burst out laughing when he added his own spin on the last rule. Judy? She looked a little less amused. “Let’s try to take that down to no pickpocketing - at all. The less attention the better!” She encourage, and the boy just shrugged back. “I’ll take that as a yes!”

Danny gave Nick a side-eye, what was with that look? “Hate to say it but Carrots is right. It could be a disaster,” Danny put his hands in the pockets of his new jeans and sighed. “Even if I still think people are gonna question the look.”

The look in question had the kid’s face covered by a scarf and long sleeves on his arms in the middle of June. Was anyone going to buy it? He couldn’t really tell to be honest, but they had to hope at least.

In his opinion, Chief Bogo should have been aware of this. But he’d long stopped trying to convince Judy to do anything she didn’t want to honestly. But he guessed it was a good thing they weren’t in the bustling city in this case.

After all, Nibbles’ cousin, Bobby did live in Marsh Market. Thankfully, their visit was seemingly uneventful so far. Or at least he hadn’t been nearly assaulted by a very angry sea lion yet. But they’d already gotten a few looks that made him nervous.

Danny seemed to have his eyes everywhere at the moment himself. No doubt from the sounds of it, this was all one big adventure for him. Which Nick knew meant at some point, this kid was going to break a rule. Thankfully, he was a rule-breaker himself and knew what to look out for.

It didn’t seem like he was doing anything obvious as they made their way through though. Outside of a few curious wandering eyes he managed to keep his… Hands. Yeah that was what he called his paws that morning anyway, to himself.

And as a result they made it to the address Nibbles had given them without much issue.

It looked about as shady as Nick expected it to be. With about a dozen security cameras surrounding it. It looked a bit like your typical dam though, if you ignored the giant wall of logs surrounding it. “So are we supposed to knock on the wall?” He looked over at Judy curiously. “Seems like we should take ten steps back though. In case he’s armed.”

Judy frowned. “I’m sure he’s fine…”

“He looks like a doomsday prepper already,” Nick pointed out with his arms crossed. “I’m not knocking.”

His girlfriend rolled her eyes this time, taking a step up to the only wall with a handle. She knocked on a soft enough way that Nick sort of doubted anyone was going to hear them. But to his surprise a booming voice shouted:

“Go away! Not solicitors! I’m armed.”

Nick scoffed. “Told you so.”

The door creaked open just enough for the owner to make their point, pointing a poison dart their way. Lovely, Nick thought.

Judy threw up her paws almost instantly, suddenly just as concerned. “Wait! Don’t shoot. We’re friends of Nibbles!” There was a hesitation from the one holding the dart gun then. “ZPD, I’m Judy Hopps… This is Nick Wilde. Are you Bobby?”

Moments passed, but eventually the dart gun was retracted. Before either could react the door opened to reveal its owner. Bobby was taller than Nibbles, and looked a fair bit older. There was a chip in one of his buck teeth and a scar across his left cheek.

Nick was most focused on the fact this dude was in full riot gear, tactical vest and all. “Well, what are you waiting for!? Get inside!” He motioned quickly. “You have no idea if they’re watching us right now.”

He nearly shoved Judy and Nick inside, with Danny trailing behind. If the outside had looked like a fortress, then the inside was even worse. Nick could see food, weapons, tactical gear and all kinds of newspaper clippings all around.

Nick decided to say one thing in response to all of this: “Judy, remember, the safe word is coconuts.”

Judy elbowed him again as Bobby crossed toward a desk in the corner. He looked at them with narrowed eyes, clearly unsure about either of them. “So, my cousin said you came to talk to me about humans,” He turned his head toward Danny then. “She didn’t mention a third wheel.”

Judy, ever the quick thinker, looked at Danny nervously. “Oh, right. Sorry, this is our rookie cadet,” She patted Danny on the back. “It’s a ride-along!”

Nick looked at her skeptically but played it up for both of their sakes. “Yeah, babysitting, so annoying. Reminds me how glad I am to be an only child!” He chuckled, but Bobby only grunted slightly in response. “So… Can we just move this along?”

Bobby stroked his chin, and gave Danny one of those looks. The kind where he was trying to decide whether he bought the story or not. Nick noticed as Judy scooted a little closer to him, clearly protective. “Well I don’t know how he ain’t sweatin’ to death,” Perfect, Nick thought. “So… Humans huh? Not every day anyone cares about them. Most people think you’re a crackpot for just saying the word…”

“It’s uh… Part of a new case,” Nick decided to cover for them both. “Chief Bogo got a call about a sighting. Got some people spooked. I don’t really get it…”

“Neither do I!” Judy laughed, playing it up. “But you know how it goes. Gotta do what the boss wants.”

Bobby snorted. “I wouldn’t, I’ve been self-employed for nine blessed years,” He pointed out. Nick figured it was a nice way of saying “unemployed”. “It’s about time ZPD took this seriously though. Human sightings are getting more common than most people think.”

Really? Now that intrigued Nick but Judy was the first to speak. “Really? I haven’t heard anything… Before the other day I mean!” Nice save, Carrots. “What exactly have you been hearing?”

Bobby trotted up to them, paws clapped behind his back. “Of course you didn’t hear! The big wigs of Zootopia have been hiding humans as long as they can,” Nick crossed his arms, mildly amused by his overzealous talk. “Truth is - all you have to do is look in the right places. There isn’t a huge human population. In fact I’d say as a species they’re becoming endangered.”

Nick noticed an uncomfortable shift from Danny. Still, as fascinating as this was, if they wanted rumors they could just go to any theorist. “Ok, cool. But what we’re more concerned with is them being in Zootopia,” Bobby’s eyes widened. “I mean, what we’re hearing is they might be being smuggled in. As crazy as that sounds…”

Bobby nodded his head a little. “Interesting. Very interesting,” He mumbled to himself and started to look over some papers on his desk. “I can tell you this much. If someone is trying to smuggle humans here it can’t be anything good. There’s never been a human sighted in civilized society for a reason.”

That made Judy and Nick share a glance. “Why not? Wouldn’t it be like a huge scientific breakthrough?” Judy asked as she approached his desk. “It’d be the first newly discovered species in a century.”

Bobby let out a hearted laugh at her comment, but Nick didn’t see the humor. After he’d quieted down, however, Bobby’s face fell. “Oh you seriously think… Wow. You still believe that people don’t know they’re real?” Judy took a step back. “You’ve uncovered two major conspiracies and are dragging one behind you right now.”

Ouch. So it was that obvious. “I don’t know what you mean -.”

“I recognized the posture,” Bobby pointed out. “Ye think Nibbles would send you to me if I hadn’t at least had one face-to-face encounter?”

Danny took the opportunity to tear off his disguise, seemingly relieved. Bobby looked him up and down with surprise, but didn’t freak out like Nick or Judy. “Huh, a juvenile. Someone had real guts, humans are really territorial about their cubs,” Nick’s eyes widened. “Why do you need me for information when you could ask him?”

Danny raised his hand and offered the answer to that. “Because I don’t know what’s going on either. I was put in a big crate for days,” Bobby made a “hm” sound at the revelation. “Which I guess makes me contraband or something?”

Bobby shook his head. “Worse than controband, I’m afraid. You’re an intelligent creature, that makes it animal trafficking,” Nick supposed that was a point. This was a sentient being, even if he wasn’t an animal. “Or something worse, I’m afraid. Unless someone wanted you stuffed for a personal collection.”

Nick put his hand on Danny’s shoulder without thinking. Why had he done that? Maybe it was the look of fear in his eyes, he wasn’t sure. “Look, either you have an idea what these guys want or not,” Nick was starting to get frustrated. “If we wanted someone to take guesses we could search Zoogle!”

Bobby scoffed, but still looked around his papers, until he finally picked up something. “I don’t but I think I know someone who might. If you can give me a week to arrange it,” A week!? This was crazy. “Or I can at least help him. If you leave him with me I know how to get him to safety…”

It was tempting, but at the same time Nick didn’t fully trust this guy either. Judy obviously didn’t either as she put her paws on his desk. “No can do. As far as I’m concerned, he’s in ZPD protection until we figure out what’s going on,” She explained, casting a comforting glance Danny’s way. “But any help you can give us will be greatly appreciated.”

Bobby leaned back in his chair and looked between the two of them. “Well, you’d better hope they’ll let you tag along then,” He explained. “Humans don’t really take kindly to all mammals.”

Wait, did he just suggest… “Wait, by face-to-face you meant…”

Bobby shook his head. “You’ll see what I mean one way or another. But until then… This conversation never happened,” He explained. “Better get that disguise back on him before they see…”

“Before who sees?” Judy asked.

Unfortunately, they didn’t get an answer before Bobby showed them the door: “One week. Be here Sunday morning and you’ll get your answers.”

And that was that.
————-
Well that hadn’t been as helpful as Judy wanted.

They arrived back at the apartment exhausted - especially given they hadn’t even been to the station yet. Had Bobby really implied Danny wasn’t the first human he’d had direct interaction with? Just how many humans were out there? Her mind swirled with question upon question now.

What did they even tell Bogo now? From what Bobby said, telling anyone could be dangerous. She supposed they could tell him they found something else inside the smuggling ring. But at that point, she felt bad lying.

But it didn’t really feel like they were being given any other choice.

Danny was a kid, after all. One that couldn’t exactly protect himself if things turned south. Bogo wouldn’t hurt him, or be tied to any of this she figured. But there were plenty of crooked cops over the years that made her weary. After all anyone could listen in on them…

“Well we sure got ourselves into it this time,” She turned from washing off her face to glance at Nick. “What do you think Psycho Mcbuckteeth meant back there? Who’s watching?”

That was on her mind too. Were people actively trying to keep humans as an urban legend? If there was one thing she knew, it was that it wasn’t out of the question around here. “I don’t know… But until we have a good idea of what’s going on… We should tell Chief Bogo we found something else,” Nick looked like he definitely - reluctantly - agreed. “And one of us should stay here with him during the day.”

“Say less. I could use a couple of sick days,” Of course he could, Judy thought. “Just tell him my cousin’s in town for the week.”

Danny peered over at them from the living room. Now, Judy could tell he was scared. Maybe because he too was realizing the dangerous situation he was in. “If you think you can handle it,” Judy pointed out. “Taking care of a kid can be a handful. Take it from someone with as many siblings as I have.”

But… It could be good practice to get him out of his worries. She knew Nick would never admit it, but parenthood scared him. It scared Judy too, to be frank. But maybe a trial run like this would snap them out of it.

Nick threw up his paws. “Hey, it’s a babysitting gig. I can do that. It may even be fun,” He grinned. “Like being the cool uncle. We have a good time, share a few laughs… Then I send him on his way.”

If it would even be that easy, Judy figured. Maybe they could get him back to his own kind after this. But who knew exactly what they’d stumbled on in the meantime. “Hey, how do you work this thing?” Danny suddenly called out, pointing at the TV. “I saw pictures in it earlier… Can we make it do that?”

“You mean the TV?” Danny nodded at Nick’s question. “This kid has never seen a TV. Oh man, we’ve gotta fix that.”

Nick had a seat beside Danny, and Judy let him do his thing while she sat at the island. Mind still swirling, she decided to hop on her laptop and do more digging. After all, they still had about three hours before her shift at ZPD.

It still bothered her why someone would want to keep humans secret.

For all intents and purposes she’d always thought humans were some sort of monsters. But this kid was just like them. He walked, talked, and acted like any other animal. It wouldn’t be hard to integrate them into Zootopia at all. So what was the deal?

As she expected the online forums were absolutely zero help. Lots of mumbo jumbo about psychic powers, fangs, and all kind of weird stuff. But when she’d been about to give up something did finally catch her eye.

HUMANS: DID THEY COME FIRST?

Judy’s eyes widened, it was a link to a video - or rather a clip from one. Putting her earphones in (she could fill Nick in later) she decidedly pressed play. A young antelope spoke on what appeared to be a podcast of some sort.

“What no one talks about is the earliest legends about humans. My great-grandpa told me there is evidence humans have been here a very long time,” He said very excitedly, almost fanatical. “And he used to work for the government man. Said he saw all kinds of weird stuff… Said they may even be older than society!”

The koala that was interviewing him widened his eyes. “Let me get this straight, your great-grandfather suggested humans may predate animal society?”

“Like yeah, man. He said there was tons of evidence people don’t want you to know!” The Antelope insisted. “Think of what the Lynxley’s did to the reptiles. You think if they can just make a whole district disappear it’s hard for the rich to make a species disappear too?”

“Hey Carrots.”

Judy nearly jumped out of her fur, quickly turning off the video. Oh crackers, was that the time? “Right, right, I’m going!” She spoke up nervously. “We need to talk when I’m back though.”

“Sounds good,” Nick pointed out. “Hey kid, I don’t suppose you’ve heard of pizza either?”

“Nope!”

Judy couldn’t help but chuckle at Nick’s enthusiasm. With any luck they’d get along just fine while she was at work. But her mind once again strayed to the video… And to Bobby’s words that early morning. Was it possible they had the biggest cover up they face on their hands?

She was beginning to worry that, even for her, they may have been in way over their heads.

Chapter Text

Nick would never say anything, but the kid was alright.

He’d nearly scarfed down the entirety of the pizza, which didn’t surprise him. He’d scarfed down last night’s dinner too. He supposed being carried over in a crate would do that to you. Or starvation… Which he also assumed the kid was familiar with.

He and Judy had stopped to get him clothes on the way back at least. So he wasn’t wearing those dirty rags anymore. Danny looked a lot better in a nice pair of jeans and a bright blue t-shirt. If he wasn’t so thin he’d almost look healthy actually. “So you wanna tell me how long you’ve been a pickpocket?” Danny tilted his head. “Don’t look surprised, kid. I know one when I see it… I bet you’ve gotten around plenty more than human villages.”

Danny looked off to the side, and shrugged when the silence lingered. “I don’t know… A long time though,” He admitted. “That wasn’t my first time wearing a disguise.”

So he definitely had been around other animals undetected before, that was interesting. Did other humans do that too? “You’re pretty good, from what I’ve seen. But you need to work on hiding the goods,” Nick told him as he leaned back, focusing on the cartoon he’d thrown on. “And blending more. I saw you swipe a couple bucks off that hippo on the way out. She almost noticed, kind of sloppy.”

“How would you know? Aren’t you a cop or something?”

How would he know!? That little punk had just shattered all his street cred in one sentence. If he had any left since, well, he had a point. “I’ll have you know, Daniel that I was the best pickpocket this city ever saw by age nine,” Danny looked like he could have slapped him for the “Daniel”. “I know, hard to believe a sly fox like me would go the straight and narrow.”

Danny shot back with a: “And how long ago was that? You sound old,” Oh this kid had a mouth when he wanted to, didn’t he? “If I’m so sloppy why haven’t I been caught?”

“How do you know that’s not why you’re in this mess?” Danny didn’t seem to have an argument for that one. “Look, can I ask you a question? One daredevil to another.”

“I guess.”

Nick almost tried to think of how to put it nice. But decided it didn’t seem like either of their styles… He needed to be direct. “Why are you doing that anyway? The whole street kid thing,” Nick asked, he could almost see the kid deflate in that moment. “I mean, your parents died. But don’t you have other humans that could help you?”

Danny looked like Nick had punched him in the gut. Ok, what did he do? Slowly, the boy sank into the couch and replied in a soft voice: “No one’s left - not from my village anyway.”

Nick felt his heart drop into his stomach, something that didn’t happen often. Was Nick saying… He tried to actually find the words at that point. “You mean your whole village…?” Danny looked down, like he was avoiding his gaze as long as possible. “You told us you lived in a village though.”

“First it was the draught,” Danny replied. “Then there was a plague, and just a lot of stuff. I live in a village but I’m the only one in it.”

God, no wonder the kid had so many walls up at his age. Foxes were solitary creatures, but going by the way he spoke humans were not. Nick paused a moment, and then put a paw on Danny’s shoulder.

That made him look up, those blue eyes staring right into his own. Nick had never been a sentimental fox… But in that moment he wasn’t looking at a legend, or some mysterious creature.

He was looking at a kit who’d been through the wringer. “Look, Danny. That’s no way to live, believe me.” He pointed out. “When this whole thing is over… We should fix that.”

He was a little more surprised when Danny actually leaned into his touch. Suddenly, he had the small human leaning against his chest for comfort. How had it gotten that far? What did he do!? Where was Judy’s “For Dummies” books when you needed them?

Wait what was his arm doing? Was he putting it around Danny’s shoulders? What the heck was he doing? Nick could feel any street cred he had dwindling but a certain level of… Warmth when he held the boy like this? What was wrong with him? Get it together, Wilde.

Judy would have probably gotten a kick out of this. But for Nick… Well, he just wasn’t sure what the heck he was doing. At some point Danny must have noticed too because he moved away. Nervous and maybe a little skittish. “Sorry! I don’t know what came over me,” Danny told him with his hands up nervously. “Hey, can I ask you a question now?”

Shaking off… Whatever that was, Nick fixed his tie and answered: “Sure thing. What is it? Pointers?”

“No, I think I’ve got that covered, thanks,” Danny scrunched his nose slightly. “Just… All this stuff going on… Do you really think I’m safe?”

Nick didn’t have an answer for that, so he had to make one up. “I don’t know, Danny. This whole thing’s a mess,” He decided to be honest with him. “But I do know neither of us would let anything bad happen to you.”

“You promise?”

Ugh, he had to pull the promise card. Nick caught the look in his eyes though, and swallowed his own reply. Deciding instead to go against his better judgement. “I’ll do you one better,” Nick pulled up the last of his four fingers and wrapped it around the kids last finger. “I’m making you a pawnky promise.”

“A what?”

“A pawnky promise! Back when I was a kit it was the biggest promise you could make,” Danny glanced down at his paw and nodded. “So yeah kid, I pawnky promise you. As long as you’re with us - I’m not going to let anything bad happen to you.”

And you know what? He didn’t regret it.
————-
“Hopps! Where is Wilde?”

Judy cringed as she stepped into Bogo’s office, the Cape Buffalo looked at her skeptically. No doubt they had a lot of answering to do, but Judy had yet to decide what to say. She opened her mouth once, twice; maybe three times… Did she lie? Did she tell him some version of the truth?

Bogo’s eyes seemed to soften as he noticed her nervousness. Did he see her worry? He paused a moment, then made sure the door was closed… And locked. “Hopps, I would like to believe there’s a good reason you had me on radio silence yesterday. Especially since I didn’t see your face on the morning news this time,” Judy took a seat as he motioned to it. “But I don’t like that look in your eye.”

Judy’s ears flattened a bit, what was she going to do? She couldn’t lie to the chief… Not with him standing there looking at her like that. “Sir, if I tell you I have reason to believe it’d put us both in danger,” Bogo frowned, and looked toward one of the cameras hanging from the ceiling. “I think Nick and I stumbled onto something really bad this time.”

To her surprise, Bogo crossed to the camera and reached up. Did he just turn it off? Judy looked confused. But the Buffalo sat back behind his desk. “I’m all ears.”

“Just like that?”

“Hopps, you’ve saved this city twice and have gotten embroiled in some awful conspiracies,” He didn’t lie there, he guessed. “If there’s something bad happening in this city, I trust you to know.”

Valid, Judy would try to hide her smirk but didn’t do a good job. Taking a deep breath, she leaned back in the chair and decided to tell him everything. No matter how insane she sounded at this point, she didn’t care… Getting it off her chest actually felt therapeutic.

Bogo looked at her with a neutral, unreadable expression. Judy was pretty sure she sounded like a nutcase, but she didn’t care much either. “… So you see Chief, I know this sounds crazy… But that’s what we found,” Bogo scratched his chin slightly. “And if I’m right it’s not just one human. It could be an entire community…”

Bogo looked at her for a moment, but his reply came slowly. “Do you have any proof of this human?” He asked rather bluntly. “If I’m going to buy into this I need some rock solid evidence.”

As if on cue, Judy’s phone dinged in her pocket. She pulled it out to find a picture that Nick had sent her of him and Danny. They were goofing off and there was a caption of some sort, but she focused more on showing her boss. Sliding it carefully to him.

Bogo stood to his feet, just as startled as they had been. “You’re telling me that this was what was being smuggled?” Judy nodded slowly. “It’s impossible… Humans are a myth.”

“He’s real, chief. And he’s in real trouble,” Judy explained. “Our contact made it sound like the kind of thing people would kill for…”

Bogo tensed, taking a deep breath and trying to gather himself. He carefully slid the phone back to Judy and sat there contemplating for a long moment. “This can never leave this room,” Judy relaxed a moment. “As far as anyone is concerned, you didn’t find anything in that warehouse.”

“Right,” Judy nodded her head. “Nick and I don’t mind watching him for now.”

The chief rubbed his snout softly as he continued to wrack his mind. Was he mad? Or just concerned? “We need to move fast on this. Especially if we have a week until the meet-up,” Bogo explained. “Do we have any other leads? Does the boy not remember anything?”

“They kept him drugged in a crate,” Judy told him, and she could see the flare of anger in his eyes. “Whoever’s doing this are real sick individuals.”

Bogo nodded. “I’d like to meet the boy, asses what we’re dealing with. You can invite me over on the guise of dinner,” Fair, Judy figured, though she wasn’t sure how Danny would feel about that. “It gives me time to think of our next moves. If this goes as high as you think, we have to tread very carefully.”

“Sounds good to me,” Judy nodded. “I told everyone Nick was with his cousin.”

Bogo nodded. “That’ll do.”

Judy stood to his feet, but Bogo held out a paw to stop her. “One more thing, Hopps. Are you armed in your apartment?” Judy shook her head, usually leaving her dart gun in her locker. “I suggest doing so. If you’re going to keep that boy there you do not know what trouble you may bring.”

That was a good point, Judy guessed. In their other major cases she’d spent a lot of time out of her apartment. They still didn’t know if anyone had seen them… Or would try to hurt them in the middle of the night.

How hadn’t she thought of that?

“Will do, see you at dinner tonight,” She called back as she opened the door. Making sure everyone could hear. “I’ll make something extra special!”

Well, at least something had gone better than she thought it would.

Taking out her phone, she gave another glance at the picture. The two were cute together weren’t they? And here Nick had been all worried about it… Or maybe it was her who was worried. Ugh, this was hard.

Still, she pocketed her phone and at least for now tried to keep herself from thinking on it too much. After all, this was a case. Cases had endings… And who knew how a case this deep in the reeds might end.

She absolutely could not get attached.

Chapter Text

“You invited the chief!? Carrots, why? He’s gonna scare the poor kit to death.”

Was that a hint of concern she heard in Nick’s voice? Judy had to admit she was a little amused by the way he’d come to Danny’s defense like that. “Relax, Nick. Bogo has calves too I doubt he’d go all bad cop on him,” Or at least she hoped not as she peered out their bedroom doorway to glance at Danny. “The good news is he’s on our side about this. Which means we don’t have to sneak around behind his back this time.”

Nick sighed. “I just don’t think we should overwhelm him. You weren’t here today - didn’t hear what I did,” He explained. “That poor kit’s been through a lot.”

Judy smiled a little, amused and elated all at once. She traced two of her fingers over his chest playfully and leaned. “Well Nicholas Wilde, if I didn’t know any better I’d think you’re feeling protective,” Nick gave a dramatic eye roll and leaned against the doorway. “That’s adorable.”

“It’s not being protective, it’s just…” Nick searched for an excuse before settling on: “Ugh.”

Judy chuckled and gave him a peck. “Don’t worry, slick. I think it’s cute. Just the other day you said you weren’t good with kits,” Nick slacked a little but gave a small smile. “I wasn’t exactly expecting a human to change your mind, but I’ll take it.”

Nick shook his head throwing up his paws. “Hey, I’m still not saying it’s just… The kit’s fun to be around I guess,” Denial. Even more adorable. “But I’m not getting too attached. Isn’t that like rule number one in our line of work?”

It definitely was if you asked some officers. Unfortunately, they saw and helped lots of animals - and attachment was hard. It wasn’t even the first orphan they’d come across, and those hadn’t been this… Strange.

They also hadn’t seemed to worm their way into their fur like Danny was. “Yeah, definitely not the best idea. Especially in a case like this,” Judy replied. “We don’t even know what the safest course of action to take is yet.”

Nick nodded, but kept his eyes on Danny. The boy didn’t seem to hear anything they were saying thankfully. The last thing they needed was for him to think they didn’t want him around… It wasn’t like that.

Nick finally cleared his throat. “It’s just… I hope we can find something for him. He was lying about his village,” Judy’s ears drooped, the new information taking her aback. “He’s been surviving by going into a nearby city and taking what he can. It’s probably how he got snatched like he did.”

Oh… Oh. So Danny wasn’t just alone family-wise, he was literally taking care of himself. Now Judy felt a bigger pang of sympathy, even. “Yeah, nothing like that to tug at the heartstrings. Even if he’s pretty good,” Judy agreed with Nick’s comment. “Let’s just put it in our back pocket though. I just think we should figure out something for him too.”

“Agreed,” Judy nodded. “You should get ready for dinner. I can take over for a bit.”

“Sounds good.”

And so it was Judy’s turn to talk to the boy. Well, technically she had spoken to him, but it had all been about the case. If they were going to get through this, she knew trust had to be built too.

She decided to just straighten herself and approach with confidence. Which she usually had tons of. But being around a human was still something both new and perplexing to her. “So, I see you survived a day with Nick,” Danny looked up and gave a small smile. “I hope you don’t mind, but our chief is coming by. He wants to meet you.”

Great, Danny immediately tensed up. Was she that bad at this? “It’s ok, he’s a friend and a good cop. He wants to help,” Danny’s eyes lowered to the floor. “It’s just a dinner. He’ll have questions but I don’t think they’ll be too much…”

Danny took a sharp breath and looked at Judy. “Ok, I guess.” He finally replied, then noticed something. “Nick told you everything, didn’t he?”

“Well, not everything I’m sure,” Judy decided to not even talk about it right now. “He didn’t tell me what you like to eat yet. I’m a veggie girl, but I can adapt!”

Danny brightened up at that, and Judy felt herself relax as a result. “I think we can eat both but I like fruits and veggies better too,” Oh, that was going to make it easy. After all, Nick was an omnivore too. “Ms. Judy, can I ask you a question?”

“Please, it’s just Judy,” Judy noted as she moved into the adjacent kitchen. “And sure, what’s on your mind?”

Danny followed her inside, now with a bit of a bounce in his step. No doubt he was hopefully feeling a little less afraid now. “Can I help you with dinner? I’m pretty good at it,” Judy could have dropped her ceramic bowl right there and then. “I feel bad I kinda got thrown on you guys.”

Was she taken aback? Incredibly. But at the same time she felt thankful. “I don’t see why not. Just be careful. I’ll keep you away from the knives,” She pointed out gently. “Maybe you can help me toss the salad?”

“Toss it where?”

Judy laughed a little at that, but did gently guide him in helping her. It surprised her that Danny was actually good - not just making it up. Sure it wasn’t too hard to help her mix up the salad but he actually was good at his portions too.

And they’d spent the entire time laughing and having a good time. She’d been flicking water back and forth in the sink with him when Danny took a seat up on the kitchen counter. “You know, you guys are kind of cool,” Kind of cool, she’d take it. “Here, now I feel kind of bad pocketing this.”

Was that the carrot pen!? This kid was quick! How had Nick not noticed that? “You little stinker, you’re good,” She poked him in the stomach with it. “I’d be sad to see this go. Some great memories.”

“Like what?”

“It helped solve our first case,” She pointed out. “And plus it does this…”

She clicked it, and Nick’s voice popped up: ”Love ya partner!”. Danny’s eyes widened with amazement. “Whoa! That’s cool,” He said with excitement. “How did you do that?”

“It’s a recording device,” Judy pointed out. “I’ll show you later if you want.”

“Cool!”

A quiet knock on the kitchen door got both of their attentions though. Nick had finally returned and pointed out. “Hey, can I get some help setting the table while we’re at it? Bogo will be here any minute, right?”

Danny shook his head. “Sorry, Nick. We’re busy.”

Nick gave them both a look as Judy just shrugged. But after a moment he walked away - and a buzz of her phone followed. She titled her head to read:

Good job not getting attached.

Yeah, she was failing too wasn’t she?
———-
Danny felt intimidated by Chief Bogo from the start.

Unlike Judy and Nick, he towered over Danny like a real giant. Even as the… Cape Buffalo he was told? Got on one knee to shake his hand he felt a knot in his stomach. They said this guy was their boss, right? What happened if he decided he was a major headache?

It was this reason that Danny ate his salad in silence. The adults talked, decidedly avoiding any talk about the case. But every once in a while, stole a glance his way. Until finally, the chief spoke to him directly…

“So, do you prefer Daniel or Danny?” He asked as he shrank back in his seat a little. “It’s OK. No need to be shy. I’m not here to hurt you…”

But he didn’t know that. Heck, he hadn’t known that Judy and Nick wouldn’t either. But at least they had treated him well the last two days. He didn’t know anything about this guy… And he was so huge. “Danny… My mom only called me Daniel.” He finally managed to reply, his voice shaky.

Bogo nodded his head and gave a reassuring smile. “Ok, Danny. I know this is all a little scary. But I do need to ask you some questions,” Great, Danny thought. He almost wanted to say no, but the gentle baritone in his voice did relax him a little. “Officer Wilde told me before dinner that you were on your own… Am I to understand there aren’t other humans who will look for you?”

Of course not, Danny thought. He’d been the last person standing in his village. After the plague he’d mentioned to Nick, many had fled it. While the rest of them had died of it, or in the panic after it. It hadn’t been pretty - at all.

Danny shifted in his seat quietly and peered up to him. “No sir. It was just me…” Danny explained. “But there are other humans. I just don’t know where - I only ever saw the animal city nearby.”

Bogo nodded his head slowly. “Do you remember the name of the city?” Danny tried to wrack his brain for it. “… Or can you read? I suppose living in isolation there’s a question of your education.”

Read? Of course Danny could read. Well, maybe not on the same level as someone in school… He’d heard about school and how kids learned on a different level. But the village elders had tried to teach them as best he could.

Still, Danny tried not to be too rude. “I can read OK, I just don’t know the name. It was way smaller than here,” He explained, hoping that could maybe help. “There was a big forest around it.”

Bogo looked thoughtfully at him then, but nodded his head. “Could be many places, but it sounds like you may have been west of our city,” He explained, looking between Judy and Nick. “There are plenty of smaller cities in the forest. It may be harder to pin it down.”

Danny had a feeling that would be the case. He played with his hands under the table, feeling more nervous by the moment. But he was surprised when Judy reached over and rested a paw on his hand.

It was a comforting touch that caught him off guard. Kind of like when Nick had let him cuddle into his fur. Why were they being so nice to him? He didn’t understand. “And you don’t remember anything about your abductors at all?” Bogo leaned forward. “Think hard, Danny. The sooner we find out the who and why, the safer you’ll be.”

Danny tried to search his brain for anything. He’d been so tired that whole drive that it almost seemed like he’d been in a dream. But there had to be something they could use, right? After a minute one thing did hit him…

“When I woke up there was a big brown furry thing. He had really big fangs and snout,” Danny finally answered. “He said something about Airridge…”

That definitely got their attention, Bogo especially. “That’s good… That’s really good.”

“Airridge National Park is on the other side of the country,” Judy pointed out. “You think they took him that far?”

Bogo crossed his arms, and looked between the three. “Grizzly Bears are native to the region. And are not known for their kindness.” Danny swallowed at the chief’s words.

But he felt Nick’s paw on his knee that time, and a tight squeeze. He looked to Nick who put up the smallest of his fingers as a reminder. Nothing bad would happen to him, right…

“You think that’s enough to go on?” Nick asked, clearly noticing his discomfort.

Bogo looked at Danny for a minute, and nodded. “Between this and what you told me before it’s a start,” Danny breathed a sigh of relief. “I have friends in the area - I can call in to see if they can look into smuggling in their neck of the woods.”

Well, at least it had been helpful, Danny thought to himself. Even if he still wasn’t sure what to make of any of this. “Until then, Hopps. Wilde. You are officially in charge of protecting our young guest,” The Chief made it expressly clear. “I expect you two to do digging on our side. Discreetly.”

Good, at least he wasn’t going to take him away from Nick and Judy. He liked them, and was even starting to trust them a little. The last thing he wanted was to lose that. “You can count on us, Chief!” Judy told him without even missing a beat.

“I know I can,” Bogo stood to his hooves then and placed a paw in front of Danny. “Don’t worry, Danny. You’re in good hands, we’ll get to the bottom of this.”

Danny then asked the question he figured they all wanted to: “And then what?”

After all, what would happen to him? For all he knew, they’d throw him back to the wild. Except this wild was unknown to him, completely alien. After a moment though, Bogo’s reply surprised him:

“Whatever it is, it’ll be in your best interests,” He assured him. “Whether it’s in the city, or releasing you to others of your kind. You are under ZPD protection now. We will make sure you’re taken care of.”

Danny was surprised to find he believed the Buffalo. Maybe it was because of the way he’d talked to him. Or maybe because of the fact that they’d all been kind. But he wanted to believe that they were telling him the truth.

He wanted to believe they could help him.

“Well then, Wilde, Hopps. Thank you for the lovely dinner,” Bogo finally announced. “And stay in touch.”

When he left, Danny relaxed again. For now he’d just have to wait this out. And try not to get his hopes too high. After all, no one had even seen a human until the day before, right?

As if noticing his worry, Judy stood and picked up a few plates. “Hey, I could use some help cleaning up,” She said brightly. “If you’re still in the mood to help.”

Danny looked up and gave a small smile as he stood to his feet and helped her gather the dishes. He guessed all the details could be worried about later, right?

He just hoped he’d put his trust in the right people.

Chapter Text

Judy had done plenty of perimeter sweeps, but this was a first in her own apartment.

It wasn’t much to search around, to be frank. But she still found herself surprisingly alert, keeping a tight grip on her dart gun. Nick had fallen asleep by now, but had at least agreed to take the next shift on it.

Thankfully, everything seemed quiet for now, though she continued to stay cautious.

She’d been about to head to bed again when a cry escaped her guest room. Danny? She lifted her head up slowly, but at a quiet whimper didn’t waste any time rushing for the door, sharply kicking it in…

And finding no danger.

Just Danny tossing and turning in bed, whimpers and quiet cries escaping him. He seemed embattled with something invisible. It took Judy half a minute, in her tired stupor, to realize he was having some sort of nightmare.

She hesitates a moment, wondering if she should do anything. At what point was it overstepping boundaries? Or becoming too attached? A part of her wanted to back away, careful not to wake him. But the other couldn’t leave him.

She approached the bed slowly, and took a seat beside him. Danny didn’t seem to notice, continuing his fitful sleep. She thought in that moment of what her mom would do…

Slowly, she placed her paw on Danny’s back and began to rub circles in it. She hummed a quiet tune she pulled from her childhood and hoped it would help. The fits don’t stop, but little by little, they do quiet.

After several minutes, he finally quiets and rests his head back down. Danny doesn’t wake up, but she can feel him calm down, at least for the moment. Judy didn’t leave him though, she just sat there and watched him sleep.

The bunny’s violet eyes moved up to realize that Nick had watched them in the doorway. Maybe he’d woken up to the noises, she didn’t know. But Judy just locked eyes with him and wondered if he thought the same thing…

They’d make good parents.

Judy slid off the bed quietly before creeping back to the doorway. She decided to wait to close the door before she addressed Nick. “Sorry, slick, I can definitely tell you I want a kit,” She told him cheekily, Nick made a face. “Oh please, you enjoyed today too.”

“He doesn’t need diapers or throw up everywhere,” Nick pointed out as they headed back to their room. “Besides, this is a temporary gig.”

Judy hums. “We don’t have to have a baby. We could adopt an older kid,” Nick twitched his snout, and seemed to think about it. “I don’t know, think about it.”

Nick shrugged. “We have a few steps first, Carrots.”

“You’re right. I’m still waiting for the ring.”

Nick started babbling at that point, definitely caught off-guard. But it wasn’t the first time she’d directly addressed that. Nick gets into his side of the bed and leans back. “I told you, February,” Judy rolled her eyes, unamused. “… But that was kind of sweet in there, you got me.”

Judy smirked, cuddling up beside him. She could see the look in Nick’s eyes and knew something was bugging him. Was it the same thing bugging her? In a way she assumed that they’d just been teasing each other.

After all, they’d only spent two days with Danny.

But she knew that they both had felt a certain connection. Which was weird when you considered he didn’t even actually exist two days ago. But she had to get that out of her head….

Danny was a good kid. But they didn’t even know if humans could be put into Zootopia safely. Maybe the best thing would be to bring Danny back to his own kind. Even thinking about any of this before this case was solved was opening all three of them up for a real mess.

“Penny for your thoughts?”

Judy stated up at Nick and decided what couldn’t hurt was saying something… “I just feel like Danny…” She couldn’t find the right words for it. “I mean he just -.”

“Almost seems tailored to us?” Nick asked, surprising her. “Yeah, that’s what scares me.”

“Which part?” Judy questioned. “The fact he fits right in. Or the fact we probably can’t keep him?”

Nick laughed and moved an arm around her waist. “Nice try, Carrots. I’m not falling for that one.”

Well, Judy figured it would be worth a shot. But she guessed they could talk about it later… Much later.
———
Nick couldn’t believe Judy had tried to pull that on him.

Sure, he liked Danny, liked him a lot in fact. But kit’s just continued to be something he was on the fence about. As far as he was concerned, this was long-term babysitting, and there was no way they’d get to keep him, right?

He thought about all of this as he got his coffee ready that morning. More than a little prepared for a calm morning until Judy came in. “Hey aren’t you going to miss roll call?” He asked curiously, checking his watch. “Especially when we’re on Bogo’s good side?”

“Bogo said he wants us in the field or here with Danny,” Judy explained, going straight for her laptop. “So I’ve been up trying to chase a few leads.”

Leads? Did they have leads now? “Mind filling me in?”

Judy nodded her head slowly, but was quickly typing away. After a second though, she finally replied. “I thought about Airridge a moment. And it hit me… Who does the most business coast-to-coast that we know?” Nick shrugged, knowing she was going to tell him anyway. “Fru Fru, Nick! That business of hers is mega popular.”

“OK. But we aren’t talking about handbags here, Carrots,” Nick rubbed the back of his neck, but a lightbulb finally went off. “Mr. Big! Right. If Fru Fru does business there…”

“His empire probably does too.”

He knew that their connections to the underground would come in handy someday. Judy continued to type into her laptop and gave a snap of her finger. “Bingo! That’s the furthest Fru Fru does business,” Judy took out her phone and started to text. “I mean, it’s a long shot. Mr. Big wouldn’t do animal trafficking. But if he knows about someone who does? That’s a big help.”

Nick nodded in agreement. “You sure you feel safe enough to go alone though?” He asked rather nervously. “I mean, usually we do that as a pair.”

Judy bit back a laugh. “No offense, Nick but need I remind you I’m the one they like,” She pointed out as she grabbed her jacket off the coat rack. “I’ll call you when I know anything. Do you have your dart gun?”

“Always,” Nick replied thankfully. “Hope we don’t have to use it.”

It was at that point that Danny stepped into the living room. The boy rubbed the sleep from his eyes, and gave a loud yawn. “Morning Danny,” Nick held up his cup of coffee. “Ready for another rousing cartoon marathon?”

Danny nodded, but seemed distracted. “Sure. Are you already heading out Ms,” He stopped himself short and just finished the sentence with: “Judy?”

Judy patted him on the back and nodded. “I’ll be back soon,” Judy replied. “Hey, Nick. Maybe you guys can put together a better disguise. I think Danny would probably like to see the city a bit more.”

Danny brightened up at that. Nick looked a tad surprised, but figured it wasn’t the worst idea. Now that Bogo knew they had a bit more leeway. And being cooped up in the apartment may look suspicious to anyone who may be watching them.

Still they would need to be careful, even he recognized that. “Sure, I don’t see why not,” Nick decided after weighing the pro’s and con’s. “But you’re gonna have to listen to everything I say this time…”

Danny gave a two finger salute. “Yes, sir!”

Somehow, he had a feeling he’d still have to keep an eye on Danny. And his hands for that matter. But if Judy wasn’t too worried about it, he supposed he wasn’t either. “Have fun, guys. See you later!”

And then they were alone again.

Danny turned to him with that boundless energy the second he was out the door. “Can we really go see the city? It looks so cool!” Nick smirked at the amount of high energy he was giving off. “I promise I’ll be good. I won’t even pick a single pocket.”

Nick chuckled. “Not sure I buy that, but sure kid.” He told him, scratching his chin as he looked the human over. “Now let’s find you a disguise that doesn’t make you die of heat stroke… Maybe bring a jacket too, Tundra Town is pretty cool. It has snow!”

Danny looked at him like he’d grown a second head. “Snow? What’s that?”

Oh man, he really had a lot to teach this kid didn’t he? Nick could only chuckle again as he lead Danny back to his closet again.

Sure, they might not get to keep Danny. But he was beginning to think he’d like having him while they did.

Chapter Text

Danny was in awe of Zootopia.

He had never seen a place so big in his life, let alone so full of life. Nick stuck close to him and reminded him he needed to stay close. Danny didn’t mind much, after all the disguise he’d got was at least better.

He did question why exactly they sold animal costumes, but after the closet had been a bust, Nick had found it somewhere. It made him look enough like a fox he guessed because no one had stopped them yet.

He just hoped no one looked close enough to realize that it was just a costume… With a hood and whiskers they’d put on with marker. “This is so cool,” Danny admitted to Nick as they made their way down the street. “Where do we start? I haven’t been invited into a city before.”

Nick chuckled and gave him a soft smile. It was clear that Nick seemed to like him, so he didn’t mind bringing his energy out. “Slow down, Spunky,” Nick pointed out as he tapped him in the stomach. “You’ll get your fair share of fun.”

Spunky? What did that mean? “Uh… What’s that mean?”

“Oh, Spunky? Decided if you’re gonna be around a bit I gotta give you a nickname,” Nick pointed out. “Kind of like how I call Judy “Carrots”.”

A nickname? Danny was already kind of a nickname. But he also noted that Judy was too, so maybe Nick meant something different? Still he shrugged a little, and quickly caught sight of something he’d always been drawn to:

The candy store.

He’d heard all kinds of tale of the wonders inside, but had always been too scared to drop in back home. There were so many families in there, families who asked questions when they heard his young voice. He’d had to use the money he pocketed on the people who didn’t ask questions.

But it didn’t make his eyes widen any less.

Nick must have noticed, as he let him stop at the window. It all looked so good: lollipops, chocolate, licorice… Oh and gummy worms! “Well, I think we’ve found our first stop,” Wait, really? Danny looked up in surprise. “I don’t suppose they have much of this out in the forest.”

Danny wondered how much money he had. He’d pocketed a few bucks when they’d gotten there… But really, he didn’t have much. “I think I have five bucks…”

“Tch, Danny. It’s on me,” Danny looked surprise as Nick pushed the door to the shop open. “C’mon in.”

Danny hesitated a moment, but took a few awkward steps inside. He didn’t know what to even do, where did he even start? Nick had him covered though as he dropped a bag into his hands. “C’mon! You got this, Spunky. The whole store is yours,” He began taking pawfulls of candy and dumping it into the bag. Going from one clear bin to the other. “I don’t think you have enough chocolate, come to think of it.”

Danny was a little less enthused while picking things out. He didn’t want to put Nick out after all. But Nick didn’t seem to be having any of it. By the time they were headed up to the counter, he’d stuffed Danny’s bag full. The giraffe at the counter ringing them up looked amused.

“Looking for a sugar rush, are we?” She asked with a giggle. “Looks like you hit the jackpot.”

Nick smirked and pulled out his wallet to pay. Then the fox gave one of those grins that said he was definitely about to pull something. “Oh darn! Drat! I don’t have enough, bud,” Nick began to act dramatic, throwing his paws up in sadness. “If only I had another ten dollars. And on your birthday…”

Man, he was good. The giraffe must have been a bleeding heart too, because she looked shocked. “It’s his birthday!? Oh wow, I didn’t know…” She started, only to drop the look a second later. “Nice try, Nick. You already pulled that on me with Judy last month.”

Dang. Danny giggled now, Nick looked less amused than both of them. But did fork over the cash. “Eh, it was worth a try. See you later Gertrude!”

When Gertrude turned, Danny considered swiping the ten off the counter. But as if seeing him, Nick immediately gave him the “no-go” sign. Dang, it would have been easy too…

Still Nick did put the candy in his hands and he wasted no time digging in. He’d never tasted anything so sweet, if he were being honest. But he could see what the animal kids saw in it now. “Oh my gosh, I think I’m in love…” Danny said in between a mouthful of something he read the label of. “With chocolate bon bons.”

“You’ve really never had candy?”

Nick must really not have understood just how he’d lived up until now, Danny figured. His idea of a treat before things in the village had gone to hell? Had literally been when he’d gotten an extra spread of butter on his toast. “I lived in a forest man… In a little one room hut,” Danny replied. “I was lucky if I didn’t have to fight over the last piece of bread sometimes.”

Nick frowned, but tried his best to hide it. Danny decided not to let him drag the mood down though. He nudged the fox in the side and grinned. “It’s OK, Nick. I’m having a great time. I mean, other than the running for my life thing,” He pointed out. “What’s next!?”

Nick had been about to reply when they heard a: “Nick, hey!”

Danny noticed a tall wolf near a parked car, waving vigorously. But as happy as he seemed to be to see Nick, Nick didn’t look to return the vibes. “Ugh, sorry about this. Fanboy,” Fanboy? Nick immediately raised a paw and waved back. “Hey Taj!”

“Ohhh who’s the little guy!? Is he like your nephew or something?” Taj jogged over, seemingly very excited Nick had acknowledged him. He held out a paw for Danny to shake. “Hey, I’m Taj.”

“My cousin,” Nick replied, trying to keep him from getting a good look. “Look, Taj. I can’t really talk - I’m running late for a thing…”

Taj’s eyes brightened and he pulled away from Danny automatically. The guy did a goofy little dance that Danny had to bite back laughter at. “Ohhhh are you on a case!? Can he even be on a case? Don’t worry, I won’t tell,” Nick grinned nervously. “You know I’m really good at undercover work. If you need a guy… I know I’m just a meter maid, but my accents are getting better. And I aced every -.”

Nick finally interrupted him: “No, no case. Just taking my cousin out for a nice, relaxing trip in the city on my day off,” Taj’s look flattened - slightly disappointed. “Keep up the good work though, I hear you’re the best meter maid we have. Really top notch work!”

“Really? Oh thank you so much! That means so much coming from you,” Taj squealed as Nick quickly took hold of Danny’s arm and dragged him along. “Ok, bye. Nice to meet you Nick’s cousin. Love you!”

When they’d walked far enough away, Danny burst out laughing. Nick looked like he wanted to crawl into a ditch. “I swear you let the guy have the last cup of coffee on his first day and then this…” Nick rubbed the bridge of his snout in annoyance. Danny just kept giggling. “I don’t see why you’re giggling so hard. I helped saved the city twice, I’m a big deal.”

Danny gave a playful eye roll back. “Sure, Nick. But I don’t think he’s a fanboy,” He joked back at him. “He’s giving stalker.”

As if for emphasis, they stole a look back. Taj was still watching and waving from halfway down the block. And Nick? Apparently decided the adjacent alleyway was the best way to go now. “Yeah I’ll look into it,” Nick decided to join in on his laugh though and then gave a gentle tap on the shoulder. “C’mon. Let’s take the train to Tundra Town next and show you snow.”
———-
Raymond and Kevin were kind enough to escort Judy to Mr. Big.

It was a nice change of pace to actually be welcomed as a guest there as opposed to being kidnapped… Twice. Though it had hardly changed since they’d last been inside. The only major difference being today, they were stitching together jackets rather than purses.

She could hear Fru Fru’s squeal before she had even crossed to their desk. “Judy! Oh my goodness it’s been so long!” She shouted in excitement. “And it looks like you lost the dead weight, good on ye doll.”

Judy snorted but shook her head. “No, Nick is still around,” She could almost see disappointment in both of their faces. But whatever. “I’m just coming solo today because it’s urgent.”

Mr. Big nodded slightly from his perch and motioned to the seat before them. Judy took it, and waited to be properly addressed by him. “Well, you know you’re always welcome here. I just wish it could be under different circumstances,” Big told her with a slow nod. “Sounded to me like you’s got yourself in a bit of a pickle again, am I right?”

Thankfully… “Actually not in any real danger this time, we think,” He gave a small grunt in response. “… Look this is awkward, but I was actually hoping to get some information.”

“What kind of information?”

“About a smuggling ring we’ve been investigating,” The two shrew’s shared an unreadable look between them. “Nothing to do with you, at least I don’t think you’d be in the animal smuggling business.”

The room grew noticeably tense and Mr. Big’s frown increased, as if it were even possible. “Judy, I deal in many… Business ventures. But I would never deal in the sale of another sentient creature,” Judy relaxed, knowing they were on the same side. “Nor do I like the sound of such a venture making its way into my city.”

“Yeah!” Fru Fru asserted. “It’s absolutely dreadful how those animals act. Brutal… I hate to think about it!”

Judy nodded her head slowly, and took a deep breath. How did she put this delicately then? “Well we have a reason to believe someone’s doing it right here. Right out of Little Rodentia,” Another grunt of unhappiness. “But the only thing we’ve been able to figure out is that one may have been a Grizzly Bear. And that they’re coming from Airridge National Park.”

There was even more tension as the two shrew’s had a small side conversation. The first thing she noticed was how worried they both looked. But Mr. Big finally turned to her. “I only know one… Business that operates out of that neck of the woods. But I’ve never known them to smuggle another animal,” Mr. Big explained. “Tiberius Khan runs that neck of the woods.”

“Tiberius Khan? Where do I know that name?”

“He’s the mayor of Zootopia’s little sister, Mamalia,” Judy’s eyes widened as Fru Fru motioned for Koslov, who had come prepared with a picture on his phone. “Really handsome, very popular. But if you thought that the Lynxley’s were bad news…”

Handsome wasn’t the word Judy would use. The grizzly bear stood resolute in the picture, wearing a military uniform. His upturned scowl absolutely sent a shudder up her spine as Judy cringed. “Yeah… I…”

Mr. Big interrupted her. “Tiberius Khan does in the open what the Lynxley’s did in the shadows. He’s ruthless, power-hungry, and a cold-blooded killer,” Judy swallowed as he brought all of this to her attention. “But he is not a slave driver. He controls his populace by giving them comforts… All under the pretense of loyalty. If you do what he asks, play things his way you never have to worry about food, or housing, or money he covers it all for you… And if you step out of turn that’s the end of the line for you..”

Fru Fru nodded. “And he funds it all by dealing in everything else! Arms dealing, war mongering, I hear he even sells his kills as trophies. Calls it taxidermy,” Yikes. “He and the Lynxley’s were really close.”

“Then why would he start dealing in animal trafficking?”

Mr. Big shook his head. “I don’t know. That’s a question you’d have to get from the mammal himself,” Judy was afraid he was going to say that. “I don’t usually do business with him…”

“But for you,” Fru Fru pointed to Judy. “I think we can arrange something.”

But what was the guarantee this guy would even show? And with her and Nick’s reputation, showing her face would be a dead giveaway. Meaning they’d have to at least bring in another cop. “What are the chances this guy shows?” Judy asked.

“No idea. But if you play your cards right, you’ll get answers from his associates too,” Judy knew that probably meant finding a weak link. That was another problem. “I like you Hopps, so I’m gonna do this for you’s. I happen to like the textiles out of that part of the world.”

Fru Fru got up from her seat and put her paws onto Judy’s own. “Please just be careful, Judy. He’s really dangerous,” she explained. “Can’t you just put the animal into witness protection or something?”

Judy frowned, definitely not about to be deterred at the thought of danger. She’d gone up against the worst of the worst and won before. If some dictator thought he was going to scare her? He had another thing coming.

“I promised them I’d protect them. That they’d be safe. And I intend to keep that promise - no matter what,” Judy told them firmly. “You get us in that meeting and we’ll take care of the rest.”

Admittedly, she didn’t like how the pair didn’t look any less concerned. She also didn’t like her other option to get more information if what Fru Fru said about the Lynxley’s was true.

Chapter Text

Judy hated this.

She’d told herself after Pawbert had betrayed (and tried to kill) her she didn’t want to see him again. But even she knew that if the Lynxley’s were in fact once in league with Khan? He may have information.

She could have tried his family, sure. But she already knew that his father and siblings? Weren’t going to give her squat. She had hopes that maybe some semblance of their friendship remained though. However small.

Who was she kidding? She was desperate.

The door to the small interrogation opened and revealed Pawbert, led in cuffs. The Lynx looked to be in better shape than she expected. But as a rich kid maybe she shouldn’t have been so surprised. His hair had grown longer, and his eyes more tired but he did look well fed and taken care of.

Pawbert shot her a glare as he was sat in front of her, cuffed to the table. “Huh, I almost didn’t believe it,” Pawbert leaned back. “If you’re here for an apology, you can forget it.”

Judy scoffed, an apology would have gone a long way. But it wasn’t like she expected it from Pawbert at this point. “Look, I’m not here to rehash,” Judy commented. “I’m just here for some information and that’s it.”

It was Pawbert’s turn to scoff. “Yeah, and what makes you think I’ll talk to anyone. Let alone you?”

Judy felt like he might say that, but thankfully she’d consulted Bogo on the way. Neither was happy with the situation, but they had to do what they had to do. “Depending on what you say? We’re ready to offer you a reduced sentence,” Pawbert looked surprised at that. “It isn’t much considering how long you’re serving. But if you talk you may see the outside of a cell before you die.”

Pawbert looked annoyed, but did seem curious. Taking a sharp breath, he leaned back in his seat. “I’m listening.”

“What can you tell me about Tiberius Khan?”

The way Pawbert flinched at his name did not give her confidence - at all. But the chuckle that followed was what really unsettled her. “Oh, you came to me because you’re suicidal,” Ouch. Pawbert narrowed his eyes. “You can’t be serious… Tiberius Khan will have you for dinner with a side of veggies.”

“Sounds like plenty of reason for you to talk,” Judy replied sharply, but already began to stand up. “But if you’re not interested…”

Pawbert hadn’t changed much, because he was quick to shout: “Wait!” Ha. Too easy. “If I tell you anything I’m risking my life too. So I’m gonna need more than a reduced sentence.”

“Like what?”

Pawbert smirked. “My own cell. Away from my family. Away from the public,” Judy sighed, he was pushing it. “Look, get on the line with the Buffalo. I know he can do it.”

Judy stepped outside, really not wanting to give into this guy. But an irate text or two later, and Bogo had agreed. “Well?” Pawbert asked as she returned, eyebrows raised. “Do we have a deal?”

Judy hated the smug look he gave her, but swallowed her pride. If working with him helped them keep Danny safe…

Wait, no, if it helped with the case and kept Danny safe… She couldn’t forget that first part. “We have a deal, as long as what you tell me is good,” Pawbert gave a cocky smirk in response. “So spill what can you tell me about him.”

Pawbert rolled his eyes. “I mean what do you want to know? Even my dad was afraid of Tiberius Khan and his friends,” He explained rather bluntly. “If we were Zootopia’s elite. They’re like - the super elite. The kind of people you don’t fool around with.”

“Yeah, I got that much,” Judy replied. “Any idea why he’d start dealing in animal trafficking?”

Pawbert paused a moment, his brow furrowed. Had she struck a nerve? “I mean… I don’t know about animal trafficking the normal way,” Pawbert answered honestly. “But he has a lot of primates brought his way… Like, an insane amount.”

Primates? Wasn’t that what humans were said to be related to? Or at least the apes? That got Judy’s attention. “Like apes..?”

“Yeah, one couldn’t even set foot within a mile of him without being taken to him,” Pawbert nodded in agreement. “Not a lot of people know why. But I’m friends with his kid, so I have a few ideas from him…”

“Like?”

Pawbert scoffed. “Because the nut job thinks they’re hiding humans,” Judy’s eyes widened. “I know, right? Imagine that. This dude is obsessed with that old legend.”

Judy pretended to be surprised: “Humans?”

“I know, right? But I guess there’s some legend where they shared ancestors. The dude’s totally nuts,” Pawbert ran a circle around his left ear. “His whole family has a thing about them, or at least his dad did…”

“Why?”

Pawbert shrugged. “I don’t know, but it always seemed like they were almost afraid of them,” Of them, or what them coming out of the shadows could bring, Judy wondered. “Apparently it got worse a couple of months ago. I guess there was some rumor he found out about an old village… Apparently some kids said they’d seen a weird animal out there.”

Danny’s village. Judy felt her heart drop into her stomach. “At least that’s the rumor around the jail yard. I don’t know. It’s all a little weird if you ask me,” Pawbert must have noticed the way she tapped her foot and the look in her eyes. “What? What’s that look about?”

“Nothing,” Judy stood and composed herself. “Thank you Pawbert, I think I have all I need.”

Pawbert looked confused. “What? That’s it?” Judy didn’t reply to him, but shouted back. “Hey! If you think you can go up against him you’re nuts! He makes my dad look sane.”

Judy turned back to him, more determined than ever. “Aw, you almost sound concerned,” she replied sharply. “And I’m almost touched.”

When she stepped out though, she tried to catch her breath. Just what the heck was going on? This guy was actively hunting the humans? But why? What in the world had they stumbled into?
———-
She waited for Danny to head to bed that night before talking to Nick.

Nick himself was less-than-thrilled that he’d gone to see Pawbert. But the further down the line of connections she went? The more he felt his stomach tighten. He had hunted humans? And seemingly hunted Danny down specifically? What the heck?

He stood from the couch and rubbed the back of his neck. “I don’t get it, if he’s so scared of humans - why did he leave Danny alive?” Judy shook her head, and clearly wasn’t sure herself. “Carrots, this sounds less like trafficking and more like… Well I don’t even know.”

Judy crossed her arms and laid back against the couch. She looked exhausted, and given everything she’d been through today? He didn’t blame her. “I don’t know either. If this guy is so powerful I don’t think he’s “scared” for the reasons we think,” Nick nodded, on that they could agree entirely. “It’s like Agnes De’Snake all over again, Nick… Except way bigger.”

So what, Judy thought the humans knew something? That made a lot of sense. And as Nick took a second look at the picture of the bear, and went over what Judy said? A lightbulb went off in his head again.

Maybe Bobby had been good for something.

“It’s the humans here, Carrots. The one’s Bobby said he’s in contact with,” Judy’s eyes bugged, as if it hit her at the same time. “If this guy’s scared of them. Maybe he wanted to use Danny to lure them out…”

How? Well, when Nick thought back, Bobby had mentioned how protective they were of their young. “No, that’s too many variables. This guy’s military - there had to be a more solid plan than that,” Nick supposed she had a point. “But there’s one thing we have over Mamalia.”

“What? A “better” mayor?” He used the term better loosely of course.

“Numbers. This city is giant, Nick. If something major happens here? It’s going to make bigger noise,” Nick guessed that was a good point. “Make enough noise and…”

“Animals get scared.”

Judy eyed him carefully and added a new theory: “You get animals scared enough and they’re going to take up arms,” She explained. “And go to war to protect themselves.”

Nick felt a lump in his throat, completely caught off-guard. But if this guy was an arms dealer, and former military? He definitely had enough to gain from war. But why with the humans? There were so many other instances that could have started one.

Nick shuddered to think if it had been the Night Howler incident.

“So this guy isn’t just scared of the humans. He wants them totally gone,” Judy crinkled her nose slightly. “Why? Just to make a few bucks?”

“It has to be more than that, Nick. There are easier ways to start a war,” Judy replied honestly. “And look at Danny, look at how he lived. Humans wouldn’t stand a chance…”

It wasn’t just a war, he figured they both realized. It was an excuse to exterminate them… All of them. “We need to figure out what happened in the first place,” Nick decided. “Why humans became a myth… Because clearly this guy knows something we don’t.”

Judy nodded in agreement. Though Nick wanted those answers they wouldn’t get any until either Mr. Big arranged the meeting or Bobby got them to the other humans. If the latter even knew any of the answers, because Danny obviously didn’t.

Speak of the devil, a small yawn interrupted them both. Judy was quick to take the phone away, and Nick straightened as Danny stood in the hallway. “Bud, didn’t we put you to bed?” Nick offered as he stood up and headed toward him. “C’mon it’s late.”

Inside, he hoped Danny didn’t hear any of that. Or better yet, didn’t understand most of it at his age if he had. “I had a nightmare,” Danny muttered quietly. “I uh… I guess I just thought…”

Oh, so he had been aware of Judy’s presence the other day after all. Nick took a deep breath and guided him back to bed. “It’s ok, kiddo. You’re safe,” He offered as he pulled the blankets over him. “Just get some shut eye, it was a pretty exciting day.”

He’d been about to leave when Danny reached forward and took his paw. It shocked Nick, as he hadn’t been expecting it. But it did stop him in tracks… “Nick, I’m scared,” The fox turned to his charge with a small frown on his face. “How bad is this guy…?”

So he had heard it, great. Nick sighed as he sat down on the edge of his bed. “Remember our pawnky promise?”

“But I’m scared about you guys too!” Danny sat up, and exclaimed in a way that caught Nick off-guard. “I don’t want you to get hurt because of me.”

Nick softened a little, as he could see the tears that started to form in the humans eyes. God, was he going to cry? How could he stop him? Nick’s body did the work for him, though.

He surprised himself by wrapping his arms around Danny. Surprised the kid too by how he seemed to react too. But this time, he genuinely didn’t care that he was hugging him…

Somehow it felt right.

“It’s going to be OK, Spunky. This is the stuff we train for,” Nick told him gently, lifting his head to see that Judy now stood in the room too. “It’ll take a lot more than some psycho bear to take down the dream team.”

Judy decided to interject: “Yeah! Don’t be worried,” Nick pulled away and let Danny look over at her. “We haven’t run away from a fight before and we’re not going to start now.”

Danny hadn’t let go of Nick’s paw, but took a deep breath and nodded. Nick carefully pulled the blanket over him again. “Now get some sleep, and let us worry about it,” He explained before intertwining their small fingers again. “We’ve got this.”

It took a minute, but Danny slowly lowered himself back onto the pillow. Nick waited a few moments before leaving with Judy. And again found a small, sly smirk on her face. “What? Is it something in my teeth?”

Judy shook her head. “Nothing,” She waved him off. “Let’s uh… Go over our options. We have more work to do.”

Nick still didn’t like that smirk.

Chapter Text

Judy almost felt bad that she was relieved for a day off.

Considering both Mr. Big and Bobby needed time though, it made sense. Bogo could probably tell how exhausted she was on the phone, she figured. But she’d take it, it had been an exhausting few days.

She was glad she was the first one up though. She was sure that between Nick and Danny now things were going to be very noisy. So she decided to make herself a coffee and enjoy the silence before her boys woke up…

Wait, before Nick woke up. But there was also Danny now. When did they become her boys inside her head?

She’d been staring off into space considering it when her parents called. It nearly made her hop a foot in the air to hear the phone ring, but she relaxed after a minute. Oh jeez, she hadn’t called them in the last few days had she? They were probably worried.

After she’d gone AWOL to help Gary, they tended to do that if she went days without calling. Was it overprotective? Sure. Was it cute too? Absolutely. She answered to find Stu and Bonnie doing their best to share the screen again.

“See, Stu I told you she was alive,” Judy gave a small, exhausted chuckle at Bonnie’s words. “It’s good to see you dear! Three days without a call… Your father’s been worried sick.”

“Yeah! What gives Jude?” Stu pointed out quickly. “Didn’t end up in another wild chase, did you? Nick didn’t break up with you?”

“Stu, we’d hear about that!” Bonnie scoffed.

Judy facepalmed at that point, wondering what exactly she could tell them. Obviously she couldn’t tell them about the human in the room. But… “It’s fine guys, I’m fine. Nick’s fine…” Judy pointed out after a minute. “We’re just caught up in a really important case.”

“Ohhh another big case?” Bonnie sounded rather impressed, but added: “Tell me you’re both being careful! The last time you had a “big case”…”

“One more near-death experience and I may have a heart attack!” Stu added quickly. “Hopefully you’re not dealing with another viper.”

No, Judy thought, just something worse. She tried to steel herself though and absolutely not show her worry. “No, it’s just… It’s complicated. I can’t talk about it,” Judy replied finally. “What’s new with you guys?”

Of course, at that point a set of footsteps in the other room got her attention. “Hey, Judy. I’m hungry…” Danny commented with a yawn. “Where’s that cereal thing?”

You could hear the deafening silence at that point. Thankfully her parents couldn’t see the human, but the second they hear a child’s voice, well… “Judy is that a kit?” They both shouted, but Stu was quick to let his excitement show the most. “Wow! Is that the big case? You guys are fostering?”

“Oh Judy, you didn’t have to make that up!” Bonnie pointed out with a pep to her voice. “That’s so exciting! Oh dear, how old is he? Is he cute?”

Judy decided that even though Danny absolutely should not have been heard… This was as good of an excuse as any. “Oh! It was supposed to be a surprise! Now it’s ruined,” The bunny exaggerated, making it clear to Danny not to come over. “It’s only been a few days! We were going to go for a surprise visit in July.”

“Oh! Fiddlesticks!” Stu replied. “Well, that’s mighty exciting. Why don’t you put the rascal on?”

Judy’s eyes widened as she stood to her feet. “No, no. He’s very shy right now. I think he needs more time,” She made an attempt to argue. “Like I told you - July. You can meet him in July.”

“Why’s your ear twitching?” Her father asked.

“Stu, you’re making her nervous!” Mom to the rescue, per usual she guessed. “Take your time, sweetheart. I’m sure it’s very exciting! We can’t wait to meet him…”

Judy tried to hide her sigh of relief, but just decided to cut this conversation short. “Thanks! But looks like he really is hungry. So I’ve got to go,” Judy exclaimed. “See you in July, love you, bye!”

If she was rude hanging up on them she’d cross that bridge later. For now she saw Danny over to the side, giggling. “You’re not good at lying are you?” Judy guessed not. “Now you have to think of a reason I’m not there in July.”

Judy put her paws on her hips. “I’ll have Nick think of a good excuse,” He was better at that stuff anyway. “Here let me get you that cereal huh?”

She let Danny take a seat at the kitchen island while she poured it. But couldn’t help but notice how his blue eyes followed her a bit. “Seems like they do want you to have kids, huh?” Of course they did, bunny’s loved their families. “Are you and Nick not like… Into that?”

Oh lord, she was really going to have to have this talk with an eleven year old. Judy slid the cereal over to him and considered her answer… “I want kids. But it’s hard, especially since Nick and I aren’t married yet,” Danny nodded his head slowly. “Plus adoption is kind of a long process. And we’re an inter-species couple so…”

“You guys can’t mate huh?”

“Not compatible,” Judy shook her head. “But hopefully it’s in our future. I’ve always wanted to be a mom.”

Danny’s next words were soft and caught her off-guard: “You’d be a good mom…”

There went her ear twitching again, she tried to take a deep breath. It’s like they’d gone over a dozen times… Nick still didn’t know if he wanted kids. And they didn’t know if they could let Danny safely stay in Zootopia.

But she supposed she had to give up on not getting attached. Now it was all about not giving him the wrong idea. He didn’t need false hope, especially with how dangerous things were.

She poured him a glass of milk and set it down next. “Thanks Danny,” She rubbed his back gently. “I hope you’re right.”

And then maybe one day she’d really get to make that visit.
——————
“A royal flush!? How?”

“I don’t know, this is easy.”

“I just taught you it an hour ago!”

Nick watched as Judy gave him a playful eye-roll during their “friendly” game of poker at the dining table. Danny hadn’t gotten it the first few times, but apparently caught on faster than Judy. Because he had just played a perfect hand.

Nick smirked and flicked his tail a little. “Maybe I should take you to the big leagues if you keep that up,” He teased and began to shuffle the deck again. “You’d be a real card shark maybe.”

Judy cuffed him over the head. “You’re not taking Danny gambling, Nick.”

“It was a joke!” Nick laughed. “I know that… Mostly.”

Danny just smirked, had he been playing them about that too? It wouldn’t be surprising if a pickpocket knew his way around poker too. But Nick tried not to be too mad considering it was a kid and their betting chips were candy.

Still, the fox set the cards down again for a round of punishment. “You know I like it though, usually Nick is the one taking me for all I’m worth,” Judy added, because of course she did. “It’s kind of nice to see him on the other side of this.”

“Oh ha-ha, Carrots,” Nick stuck his tongue out in response. “Mr. Big could call any minute now, by the way.”

She made a face right back. “Just deal the hand, Slick.”

And when Danny won that hand too. Nick was beginning to think maybe taking him to the big leagues wouldn’t be too bad an idea. At least when he was older… “Ok, you’ve definitely played this before,” Nick told him with a raised eyebrow. “Am I right?”

Danny shrugged. “It was fun watching you get excited to teach me,” Why that little sneak! Nick was almost impressed. “Sorry.”

Nick decided that was enough cards for one day. But it didn’t help the fact that they were bored out of their thick skulls waiting for someone to get in contact. “Is there any hustle you haven’t learned yet?” Danny shrugged again, he was good at that wasn’t he? “Next thing you’re going to do is take me for all my Monopoly money.”

“I like playing the shoe,” Of course he knew that one. “What? We had the old version back at my village years ago!”

Judy was having a giggle fit on the other side of the table. No doubt getting a kick out of seeing Nick meeting his match so-to-speak. “It’s called a hustle, sweetheart.” She tapped him on the arm.

Oh wow, now she was a comedian too! Nick decidedly stood and crossed over to Danny to look for extra cards. “You probably have something up your sleeve,” He teased gently. “Arms up, Spunky!”

Apparently patting his sides down elicited a giggle. Was the kid ticklish? Oh this was a gold mine. “Nick!”

“C’mon, what’s the secret?” Nick went for a gentle tickle at his sides now. Letting the kid’s laughs echo. “Do I have to turn you upside down?”

By the time he’d lifted Danny (with some struggle) off the chair and hung him upside down over the couch… Nick realized what he was doing. The boy’s laugh did make him smile. But he was doing it again, wasn’t he?

And why didn’t he care?

He dropped the kid onto the couch, allowing him to bounce gently. “Fine, you’re clean. But I’ll figure it out eventually,” Nick joked lightly as he flicked on a cartoon. “Sit down and watch Rugkits, will ye? I wanna win a paw.”

When he returned to the table, Judy was giving him another one of those smirks. She felt so smug about this, didn’t she? “Shut up, this time you deal,” He told her teasingly. “I need a win.”

Judy’s smirk never left her face.

Chapter Text

Danny watched Judy and Nick quietly.

He hated to say it, but in spite of not wanting to be here initially? He really was beginning to like being here. And that? Made him more scared than he’d ever admit out loud.

After the last of his village died out, Danny had gotten used to being alone. Well, in a way he’d always been alone. When his parents had died when he was little, the village all pitched in to raise him. Everyone did their best to teach him, make sure he was fed, and clothed…

But he’d lived alone in his hut when he’d turned six, and could mostly handle things. That had been during the first plague when everyone had to quarantine. They brought him food and water, but not much else. By the time he was nine, between a second plague and a catastrophic flood…

Well, he had just gotten used to “alone”.

Now for the first time in forever, he had people - well animals in this case - taking care of him. Like actually taking care of him; feeding him, playing with him, just all around being there for him. And as good as it felt he couldn’t help but feel like it wouldn’t last either.

After all, what had they called him? An urban legend. They said he shouldn’t have even existed. And now there was this bear they kept talking about… There was no way they’d let him stay, right? He tried not to think about it too hard as he watched the latest cartoon, he thought he’d heard it called The Pride Family?

They must have finished their game however, as he soon found they’d headed over. “Ok it’s obviously the way I shuffled the deck!” Oh so Nick had lost all four of those rounds? Danny couldn’t help but snicker. “Keep snickering, I’m still trying of figure out how you cheated.”

He knew Nick was joking so simply replied: “Or maybe you’re just bad at poker.”

Nick rolled his eyes. “Someone’s awfully bold. Remember kid I know where you’re ticklish,” Danny hadn’t thought about that. “Anyway, I’m bored. Why don’t we go grab dinner or something? Maybe grab a movie?”

Judy tapped her foot nervously, and Danny had a feeling she was debating taking him out again. But Danny was eager to go into the city again and see more. Plus he liked the movies Nick had entertained him with.

“I mean we do have to be careful about this Nick. The more he’s out the more likely someone sees,” Danny tried to hide his look of disappointment. “I don’t like cooping him up here either, but -.”

Nick threw his arms up. “The kid couldn’t be safer if he’s out with the two of us,” He reminded her. “C’Mon Carrots. It’s a couple of hours. You know you could use a break too.”

It took a few minutes of thinking, but Judy apparently must have agreed. Because the next thing he heard was: “Go get the fox stuff on, Danny,” Danny gave a slight fist pump in response. “But we’re going armed now that we know what we do.”

Nick almost looked shocked she’d say that. “Well, obviously! I’ve been kind of arming myself since Monday.” Really? That caught Danny’s attention too. “… I mean, y’know… Just in case.”

Danny didn’t really understand that part. What did they mean by armed? Didn’t everyone have arms? Either way, he hurried to get dressed in the silly fox costume and let his temporary guardians take him out.

He watched with amusement as they spent the first few minutes arguing where to go. But eventually they’d decided on a small pizza place near the theater… Which he also wasn’t sure he entirely got the concept of. But apparently it involved movies, which he was discovering he liked!

They’d been sitting in the corner of the pizza shop when Nick spoke up again: “We’ve got like an hour before the movie,” The Fox pointed out. “So I’m thinking an extra large with everything.”

“Nick, I’m vegetarian.”

“Fine, half everything and half veggie,” Nick shrugged his shoulders. “What do you think small fry?”

Danny peered up at Nick and smiled. “I want everything! We had that the other day and it was so good!” He told them with a bounce in his voice. “Can I get a soda? That looked really good when Nick had it.”

Nick’s eyes widened. “Oh that wasn’t soda, that was -!” Judy gently kicked him under the table. “I mean, sure.” Another. “I mean, no? I mean the kit is eleven, Carrots. Not a baby!”

Danny crossed his arms. “Yeah, I’m not a baby!”

Judy facepalmed, and shook her head slowly. “Great, now there’s two of you,” She sighed as a small raccoon came to take their order. “Hey! We’re gonna have a half-everything, half-veggie, two cola’s and a mil -.”

“Three colas!” Danny replied.

“Danny, milk is good for you,” Judy tried to insist. “Soda will keep you up at night.”

Nick rolled his eyes exaggeratedly. “Carrots, don’t be that girl,” He pointed out. “Three cola’s please.”

“Nick!”

“Judy!”

The raccoon’s laugh caught all three of them off-guard. She shook her head slightly and added: “New parents?” That earned an awkward smile between the adults. “You three make a really cute family. But the fox is right, a little soda never hurt anyone.”

And that was that, Nick gave him a grin and a high five. While Judy didn’t look too happy about it. Danny? Focused on digging into the basket of bread the waitress had brought them. “I hope you’re not like this when we have kids,” Judy told Nick as she pointed a finger at him. “You’re being such a bad influence.”

“Me? The kid is a pickpocket and a card shark already!” Danny couldn’t help but agree with Nick about that. “Speaking of, no swiping this time Danny.”

Danny… Actually hadn’t been thinking of doing it. And that kind of surprised him. Had the waitress been wearing something valuable? He didn’t really know. But still he just took a bite of bread and looked at Nick. “I’m on my best behavior, scout’s honor!”

“No way you were in the scouts,” Nick snorted. “Where did you learn that one?”

“I don’t know. Heard it on a tv show earlier,” Danny smirked. “Worth a try though.”

As they continued their chatter, it hit Danny again… They felt like a family, a real family… Not just a village coming together to make sure he survived. It reminded him of the family’s he’d seen out and about during the day.

And it scared him how much he liked it.
———-
“That was awesome!”

The sun had long since set in the city when they exited the theater. The movie hadn’t been Nick’s first choice, some superhero garbage. Nick had wanted a horror movie, or at least a decent thriller. But Judy had vetoed it and the kid had enjoyed it, so he digressed.

Nick let Judy take his paw as they trailed behind Danny. He was sure to keep a close eye out all the same, but decided to fake it until he made it: “Yeah, I guess it was fun. I love Iron Mammal,” No he didn’t. But no reason the kid needed to find out. “Next time though, I want to go see Howler. That looks awesome!”

“It was rated R, Nick.”

Nick rolled his eyes at Judy’s protectiveness. “Judy I was watching that stuff at his age. Don’t be like that,” He decided. But by the look on her face, he probably shouldn’t have. “So, anyone up for ice cream or something?”

Danny’s yawn was a good indication it wasn’t going to happen. How late was it anyway Nick wondered? A cursory glance at his watch said it was reaching ten o’clock. Thankfully it was summer or animals may have questioned what Danny was doing out so late.

“I think we should get him home to bed,” Judy nudged Nick, as she stared the obvious. “It’s been an eventful week for him.”

“For all of us.”

Nick gave Danny a once over. The kid was still a few inches taller than him, but was dragging his feet. He put him at about 4’3”… So… Letting go of Judy’s paw he made his way in front of Danny and made a motion. “Hey bud, how about a piggy back?”

“Aren’t I a little big?”

Nick scoffed. “I can handle it, you look like you’re gonna fall over,” He explained. “It’ll be faster.”

Danny hesitated a bit, but before long Nick felt his arms around his neck. Before long he had Danny positioned comfortably on his back… Sure it was a little difficult, but the kid seemed light enough that it didn’t bother him.

There went Judy’s smirk again.

The walk back to their apartment wasn’t bad. But peering over his shoulder, he could see Danny was already nodding off. “Y’know Carrots, this is kind of nice,” He muttered when Judy got closer. “Don’t let that go to your head though.”

Judy chuckled. “I know, February,” She winked. What, did she not believe him now? “I’m impressed by how strong you are, by the way.”

Nick rolled his eyes. “Not too hard now. But give it a growth spurt I bet,” Judy opened the door carefully and Nick guided himself and Danny inside. “Let me get Spunky to bed. Then maybe we can talk more about the case?”

“Good idea,” Judy nodded. “We’re expecting a call from Mr. Big anytime after all.”

Nick carried Danny into the spare bedroom, letting him down easily. The kid went to brushing his teeth (something Judy must have showed him he figured - as it was disposable toothbrush) before coming out of the guest bathroom in a pair of pajamas.

Nick was impressed, at his age he’d complain about going to bed. But maybe they’d finally tired out this ball of energy. “Alright kid. Try not to get up out of bed this time,” Nick told him. “You need sleep. Like actual sleep.”

The human fell onto the bed with a “mmmm” as Nick pulled the blankets over him. Not because he wanted to… He just… He figured kids liked that thing, right? “Goodnight, Danny.”

He’d started to walk away when Danny’s words hit him like a freight train: “Night, dad.”

There was a deafening silence, has Danny just…? Had he meant to? Nick felt a panic rise in his stomach. “D… Did you say something kiddo?”

Another long pause. “… Night, Nick.”

That hadn’t been what he’d said, Nick knew it just from the tone of his voice. It had been a slip up… A slip up that, though he hated to admit it, made his heart stop for a second.

And not in the bad way he had expected at all. More like the kind of way that made his tail give the smallest of wags.

As Nick slipped out of the room, and tried to process it… He felt a flood and range of emotions. Danny had just called him “dad”… It was a mistake… But he didn’t even correct him. His heart had stopped. His mind had cracked.

What the heck was happening to him?

“Nick?”

He must have stood there for a while because Judy’s voice was filled with concern. Her violet eyes softened as he tried to fix his tie. “Everything ok?”

He couldn’t tell Judy, it’d just complicate it… Way more than it already was. So he just answered: “Fine, Carrots. Just… More tired than I thought.”

He would figure this out later, he had to.