Ch. 80:

"I think one of the best things about Zootopia is that no matter what species you are you have a chance to find kinship, friendship, even love, in these hot squares and chilling towns."

"You look nice," Dawn breathed, standing by Leodore who was now dressed in his graduation garbs.

The lion stood in the gym where the other graduates waiting for the ceremony to start, looking down at the black gown, the cap atop his mane. He smiled proudly and Dawn felt tightness in her throat.

Despite him being a grade above her she and Leodore had never truly been separated, always finding each other during lunch and recess. It got better when they reached high school because they had classes together. But now her best friend in the whole world was graduating, moving off to college without her.

True it would only be a year but that was far more time than she had ever been without the feline. And all the doubts of their newfound relationship churned acid in her stomach.

But Leodore knew her. Knew her all too well. "You're upset."
"I'm not upset," she insisted.

"Yes you are, if you weren't you'd be on my tail about not making valedictorian."

She huffed, playing her hooves on her hips, "You're my friend, it reflects badly on me that you didn't make valedictorian."
Leodore shrugged, not bothered by her annoyance. Instead he gazed at her as if seeing her for the first time, "You haven't changed much…since when we were kids. Yeah you're a bit meaner, but you've barely grown."

She scowled, "Sheep don't get that big."
"I know," his eyes were warm. "It actually makes me kinda happy actually."

"Why would it do that?"

He knelt down beside her, "Just makes me feel nostalgic, it's comforting." He shrugged, "Does that make sense?"

"Yeah…" her voice cracked and Leodore's eyes widened when her saw her big eyes becoming glassy. "Oh, Leo, I'm never going to see you again!"

"Don't you start crying, Lamb," Leodore pulled her to him with a paw, she buried her face into his mane. "If you start crying then I'll start crying and then we go outside and Percy sees and he'll start crying-if he hasn't already-and Lucy will laugh and Otto will be uncomfortable and I don't even want to know what my parents will do." Her chuckle came out shaky against his warm fur, taking in his familiar scent, "Don't forget my mom."

"Oh no!" Leodore gasped, "She's definitely going to be crying!"

"I don't know what I'm gong to do without you," Dawn mumbled sadly, her fingers digging into his fur.

"It's just a year," he whispered softly, running his fingers over the wool on her head. "You'll be in college for me before you know it."

"Time will fly for you, not me," she breathed. "You could forget all about me."

Leodore shook his head, "No, Lamb. Not you. Not the little sheep who liked me before I grew my mane in. I swear I'll always call and text, all the time if that's what it takes to make you happy."
She felt herself smile despite the damp in her eyes, "Do you have any idea what you plan on majoring in once you get there?"

"I'm been considering a few options," he answered as she took a step back. "You know, I think I'd like to be mayor of Zootopia."
He laughed when Dawn's eyes bulged in horror, "Thanks for the vote of confidence, Lamb." He placed a sweet kiss on her nose, "Love you too."

"Though I have personally experienced times when life here was less than perfect, where it was hard be it because of how you saw yourself or how others saw you."

Charlie and Sven were the perfect example of content, sitting in the bleachers with the rest of the graduation's audience, his arm around her waist and her tail wound around his hips. She snuggled into the thick fur of his neck, purring.

Just a few short days ago Charlie had officially moved back into her parents' home, Sven helping her unpack. And much to both of their surprise, Charlie's father asked Sven to stay for dinner.

It was an awkward dinner, to say the least, the very obvious fact that her parents were simply tolerating the reindeer very obvious. But eventually Sven started to tell him about his music, about how he had been composing songs, meeting up with record dealers, even Gazelle had talked to him about doing a collaboration together. In short he was telling them how he planned to be successful in the future, and he didn't hesitate to brag about how well Charlie did in sports. And the cheetah knew, that by seeing how passionate Sven was about both their talents, that her parents opinion of him lifted a notch and the cheetah could've cried tears of joy.

Instead she took in the wintry scent of the reindeer she loved and relaxed.

"But I've also seen true courage, the bravery to face whatever mishaps and tragedies life throws your way. To step up for what you believe in, to express how you feel, and to make your greatest desires-dreams-a reality."

Winter watched as the group of graduating seniors walked out onto the grassy field, she noted a few looks scared but most had wide smiles on their faces, so excited for the next chapter of their life.

She was ready too.

"Look at him."

Winter glanced to her left and nearly jumped out of her fur to see Honey had someone slipped unnoticed to her side. The badger didn't look at her, instead her glassy eyes were on the graduates, her lip wobbled. Winter then remembered that one of those graduates was Finnick, she studied the crowd and finally found him in the mass of taller animals, he looked impassive and his cap was too small to atone for his gigantic ears.

"Sorry," Honey apologized, smiling ruefully at Winter who's breath caught. "I know he's older but I always felt like kind like a mom or big sister to him and Nick, speaking of that poor fox is probably heart broken his best friend's graduating."
Winter nodded, "I can understand being heart broken." The words came out involuntarily and she sucked in a horrified breath, biting her lip.

Honey looked at her weirdly but didn't question her comment, "Well, at least summer's just around the corner. Maybe we'll run into each other."
Winter doubted it.

"I'm gonna go find my seat," Honey said after a moment of silence. "See you later."
"Honey," Winter said, her voice cracking slightly.

The badger stopped and looked back to her, "Hm?"

Winter swallowed, she didn't know what to say but she couldn't just let Honey walk away again. Not for another summer, another school year, and the vixen couldn't take it anymore.

"So, um…" she licked her lips. "Remember the winter formal?"
"Yeah?"

"Well, you were right. I went by myself because the animal I wanted to take didn't ask me."
Honey cocked her head to the side, "Oh?"

"Rather I…I didn't ask her," Winter went on, keeping her eyes on the ground below.

"Why not?"

Winter couldn't tell if the badger had caught on or not. She decided to repeat what she had told Charlie months ago, "She's different and-and she's not like anyone I know. She's liked me since before"-she indicated to herself that was no longer a slouchy dork-"this. But I was scared to tell her, I'm not even sure why, I just am and I don't know what else to do and…" She rubbed at her eyes, feeling a stinging sensation, "I don't know what else to say."

"Winter," Honey spoke her name and it was somehow the most comforting sound she had ever heard.

She looked up to see the badger had extender her paw, offering it to the artic fox. Winter looked up to meet her eyes.

Honey smiled.

Winter took the outstretched paw.

"It makes us strong, it makes us able to face anything and let me tell you I've gone through a lot these years. But I'm lucky enough to have amazing family and found wonderful friends to help me along the way, and I never forgot to always believe in the one animal in charge of where I go from here-me."

"It's…cozy."

Wade gave Gazelle a smirk before playing his box of clothes on the bed, he placed his paws on his hips and looked around the guest room of his aunt's house. It was now his bedroom.

After spending time in court rooms Wade's father had been sent to the city penitentiary and his mother to rehab, his aunt also took custody over him (even though he'd be eighteen come summer). Wade didn't complain, his was in an immense state of relief, but also disbelief, it was hard to believe he'd never have to go back to that rotten house, smell his mother's cigarette-stained scent, feel the pain of one of his father's blows. And having Gazelle smiling at him now certainly didn't hurt.

"You may scoff but it's bigger than my last room." He then winked, deciding to try out his flirting skills, "Course, if you want me to spend the night at your place I won't refuse."

Gazelle giggled, her ears turning a fine shade of pink. Only a few nights ago did the two finally make love. It had been a slow process, Wade had been scared of accidentally hurting her, but it had still been amazing and something Gazelle was willing to do again.

But before anymore suggestive comment could be said Jenna and Lily raced into the room, blurs of ginger and white. They tackled their brother's legs, nearly knocking him to the ground.

"Easy, easy," he urged gently, his eyes warm and tender as he smiled at the two.

"Sorry," Lily smiled.

"It's so awesome you're finally gonna live here with us," Jenna grinned, showing off all her teeth. "We can build blanket forts and watch scary movies and you can help us with our homework and-"

"And Gazelle can come over all the time!" the usually soft-spoken Lily burst out. The three wolves looked over to the smiling singer.

"Will you?" the sisters asked hopefully.

Gazelle stared right into Wade's striking green eyes with a affectionate smile as she spoke: "I'm never going away."

"And that's what it all comes down to, me, you, all of us. We all have a chance, a responsibility, to see our dreams became real, no matter how outlandish, and no matter if we tower over trees or are as small as a pebble."

Before Finnick walked out onto the field with his fellow graduates he was stopped in the gym by Fru Fru who had rushed toward him, struggling for breath once she reached him.

"You okay?" he asked, his tone always becoming more gentle when he spoke to her.

"I'm fine," she gasped then, when she finally caught her breath, "I wanted to talk to you before you went out."
"I'm listening," he twitched his large ears.

"I know I should've said this like, months ago and it doesn't matter now but if I don't say it it'll haunt me for the rest of my life." She met his eyes, "Finnick, I have a very big crush on you."
He just smiled, "I already kinda figured, subtlety isn't your strong suit."

She flinched as if he had rejected her and looked down bashfully, "Yes…and again it hardly matters your graduating I just thought you deserved to know some time, sorry."

"Don't say sorry," Finnick urged, "I'm flattered."

She looked up at him with big sparkly eyes. "Fru, it isn't often a socialite like yourself would notice someone scruffy like me, I liked that you kept crushing on me."

"You never said anything," she pointed out.

He shrugged apologetically, "I was kinda a senior and you were kinda a freshman, I didn't think it would work out."

She glanced down again, her shoulders drooping, "Good point."

"But," he continued to smile, he didn't smile often. "Once you graduate, feel free to call me." He leaned down and placed a soft kiss against the length of her soft muzzle, "You're one of a kind Fru Fru, 'member that."

He walked out of the gym while the poor shrew tried to keep from fainting.

.

"So I guess this whole valedictorian speech comes to how crazy Zootopia is, how crazy St. Zoo is, how crazy and wonderful everyone I've got to know is, how crazy and wonderful I am, and can become." Rick smiled from the podium, his eyes going over the crowds on the bleachers but focusing on his mother, his brother, May, Morris, Judy… "I'm leaving this place with years of knowledge and wisdom but you know what? I don't think I'm prepared in the least for this crazy world." He bared his teeth in a smiling chuckle, "And I couldn't be more excited. To my fellow graduates, to the students of St. Zoo who still have some pages to go before their next chapter, to all the adults out there who are already chapters ahead of me: "We can all be anything, we call be with anyone…we can all be the best we could possibly ever be…we just have to try."
The audience broke into cheers and Rick had to swallow past the pressure in his throat, his smile never waning.

When the speeches finished and the caps were tossed his mother was the first to reach him, running across the field and nearly tackling him to the ground in a hug so fierce it made his ribs crack.

"My little baby," she sobbed happily into his fur, "Why did you have to grow up so quickly?"
Rick returned the hug, trying to speak through the embrace how much he loved and appreciated this incredible vixen who, despite the obstacles, got him to where he was now. And, he supposed, getting pregnant with a fox who while hadn't come to the graduation had mailed a very generous graduation check.

When Amelia finally released him Rick looked around for Nick and spotted him kneeling on the grass and hugging Finnick like the small fox would vanish if he let go. And much unlike Finnick he was returning the hug, not looking like he was in any hurry to be released. Rick left them to it, he knew that was a strong friendship that was tragically being separated.

"Congratulations, Broken Snout," Judy was suddenly before Rick and he smiled happily at the rabbit, accepting her hug.

"Thanks, Binky," he said warmly. "How did you like my speech?"

"It was great," she assured, "I might have to steal it for when I'm valedictorian."
He chuckled softly, "I'll sue." He turned semi-serious, "You'll keep an eye out for Nick for me, won't you?"

"Of course," she said, "But you better keep in touch."

"I will," he promised.

Judy then looked over her shoulder; Rick followed her gaze to see May and Morris standing a few feet away.

"I'll leave you be," Judy smiled up at him, eyes shining with fondness. "It was an absolute pleasure to get to know you, Richard Lazarus Wilde."
The way she said it made his throat tighten, "You too, Judith Laverne Hopps," his voice was full of sincerity and he waved goodbye as the smart bunny who'd always have a place in his heart skipped off.

Rick walked to May and Morris and his heart fluttered, "Thanks for making it."
"Wouldn't miss it for the world," May returned his smile. She looked down at Morris whose paw she held, "Plus I just had to show off Mr. Doesn't Need An Oxygen Tank."

Rick knelt down to be at eye level with the polar bear cub, "Good to hear. How you feeling?"

"Awesome," the cub explained, smiling widely. "May said you're coming back to Manehattan to go to college!"

Rick winked, "I just might."

"Then you can visit the hospital all the time!"

"You won't be in the hospital for much longer Morris," May reminded the cub.

When the polar bear looked put out Rick assured, "We'll hang out again." He stood up and turned his eyes to May, "We all can."

May smirked teasingly, "Well far be it from us to refuse your orders, Dr. Wilde."

.

St. Zoo was known to have some spectacular graduation parties and this one would be no different. Especially considering they had a pop star who was more than willing to stage a free concert for her fellow classmates.

But Judy hadn't followed the crowd into the gym where from even here she could hear Gazelle playing one of her smash hits.

She sat at the top of the bleachers, looking out to the large school that would be her home for three more years, where she knew she would go through so many different things before her time here was up. It was both exciting, terrifying, and a little depressing.

But she wasn't out there for long before she felt a warm gaze on her back. She smirked, not turning to look behind her, "I know I'm handsome and all but stalking is a crime."

Nick laughed as he climbed up to stand beside her, resting his elbows on the railing. "I wasn't stalking, I was staring."

Judy smiled up at the fox, "Did you finally tell your brother you're proud of him?"

"Yeah," Nick replied, his emerald eyes on the school building. "Got a little misty-eyed, gave him a speech about curfew and to always wear protection and to hit the books before he hit the drinks."

Judy sniggered and gently elbowed his ribs, "You're impossible."

"Yet you're in love with me anyone," he winked.

"Against my better judgment," she shot back.

Nick grinned at her but his ears flicked up in curiosity, "But seriously Carrots, what are you doing out here all by yourself?"

"I just wanted some alone time to think," she admitted. "Seeing Rick and Finnick and the rest of the seniors graduate…it just makes me feel like time is going to fly by." Judy's ears drooped, "You only have one more year left."

"Don't," Nick began, wrapping his arm around her to pull her toward him, "Don't worry about things like that, Carrots. I'm not leaving the city like Rick; I just plan on taking a few online classes to help me get Wilde Times off the ground." He gave her a sincere look, "I'm not going to run out on you."

Judy snuggled into his chest for a moment, "You're right…you're right."
"As for that time flying by thing, we just have to make every second count."
Judy smiled up at him, "That was quite insightful of you."
Nick grinned, "Your boyfriend is almost as smart as you."

Judy's ears twitched as she heard the distance tune of one of her favorite Gazelle's songs, "Let's get to the party."

They walked down the bleachers and headed across the grass toward the gym, but before they made it Nick stopped. "Wait," he grabbed Judy's paw, bringing her to a halt.

"What is it?" Judy followed his look and spotted a lone flower, a violet of all things, swaying the grass. She smiled.

Nick reached down and plucked it before offering to it with a flourish, "This is for putting up with my less than charming side."
"You're worth it," she smiled, accepting the violet and bringing it under her twitching nose.

"And this," Nick continued, "Is because you know you love me." His paws caged her cheeks and brought his lips down to hers, bringing her into a soft and warm kiss.

Judy's eyes fluttered as he pulled away with his wolfish smile, her lips turned up, "Do I know that?"

Nick playfully rolled his eyes as he continued onward, keeping their paws interlocked.

Judy smiled at the violet before turning her eyes up at the fox who glanced back at her to return the grin.

"Yes, yes I do."

.

Gazelle swayed around the gym's floor, not bothering with a stage when she'd rather dance around with her friends and classmates.

"I won't give up, no I won't given in,

'Til I reach the end and then I'll stat again

No I won't leave, I wanna try everything

I wanna try even though I could fall."

One of the most obvious dancers was Clawhauser, dancing around with Bogo (who had originally been a closet Gazelle fan), Fru Fru not far off, laughing and smiling at the two. She spotted Finnick sitting on a chair away from the stomping feet of much bigger animals, when his eyes met her she smiled bashfully and he grinned with amusement.

Percy passed by Fru Fru, Otto pulling him around the floor with the smooth movement only an otter could possess, while Percy looked nervous at stepping on the otter's feet he still looked like he was having fun.

"Look how far you've come; you filled your heart with love

Baby you've done enough, take a deep breath

Don't beat yourself up, don't need to run so fast

Sometimes we come last, but we did our best."

Lucy, who had arrived at the party uninvited, smiled toward Leodore and Dawn, the lion holding the ewe to his chest and swaying without rhythm to the song, the lioness doubted he was even listening and she smiled at the adorableness of such an odd couple.

Sven and Charlie meanwhile were trying to prove they were the couple with the real talent, swaying back and forth to the music, fingers interlocked and playful smiles across their faces. But their professional dancing was interrupted when they were barreled into by Winter and Honey.

The two offered laughing apologies, having been spinning around in no rhyme or reason manner. Honey quickly grabbed Winter's paw and pulled her closer to the main group of dancers, as she did Winter smiled ecstatically at Sven and Charlie, pointing frenetically toward the badger as she did so.

Sven and Charlie applauded her with humorous smirks.

Rick and May took turns spinning Morris around (who was so happy to be attending a Gazelle concert!) before the cub quickly insisted the two share a dance. They did so, smiling as they remembered their first dance during the winter break. They broke into laughter when Morris huffed and stated they weren't dancing, they were just spinning around while holding paws. The two picked up the cub and hugged him, squeezing the laughing bundle of fur between them.

Meanwhile Gazelle had shimmied over to Wade while she sang, the wolf smirking at her as he took her offered hoof and easily spun her under his arm.

"I'll keep on making those new mistakes

I'll keep on making them every day

Those new mistakes."

Judy and Nick walked into the gym, the bunny pouting when she realized the song was almost over.

"Don't worry," Nick smiled at her, "She goes to school with us you'll see her sing live again. In fact, I'll even buy you tickets for her next concert."
She looked up at him, raising her eyebrows, "You can get Gazelle tickets?"

He winked at her, "Don't underestimate me, Fluff."
"Never," she rolled her eyes, "But since the song isn't over yet." She smoothly knocked her hip into his with a flirty grin, making the fox stumble.

He grinned at her before grabbing her and lifting her off her feet, spinning her around to make the bunny laugh.

"Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh," Gazelle continued, "Try Everything. Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, Try Everything."

Judy glanced toward the singer to see she had already wrapped her arms around Wade's neck, their noses brushing against each other as her shining eyes smiled at him, "Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, Try Everything."

Judy, starting to feel dizzy from Nick's spinning, distracted him by wrapped her arms and legs around him and pressing her mouth against his own. She noticed from the corner of her eye that his tail bristled excitedly, his arms clutching her tightly.

She broke away from his lips but didn't lean away, letting their noses kiss, their grip on each other not slacking and their loving smiles not waning as the song continued: "Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh."

Gazelle's voice dwindled off, not planning to sing the last line but that was fine because just then Bobby Catmull (who no one realized was even there) sang out, his voice loud and smooth and pleasant:

"TRY EVERYTHING!"

Go to my tumblr (username helthehatter) to see my finale speech.