This was inspired by the director revealing Nick's middle name. I wanted to have Judy figure it out by the end of this short story but there was seriously no way for her to guess such a ridiculous name. XD Eventually if I keep adding short stories to this story then I'll have her figure it out, but not today. Enjoy!
The café buzzes as Judy and Nick sit across from one another in a booth. Nick chows down on a veggie burger with a side of fries while Judy sips on her milkshake. "Philip." She pipes between drinks.
Nick perks and cocks his head and brow in tandem at her. "Sorry?" His food lingers inches from his lips with his mouth open to take another bite.
Judy presses her lips tightly together in an attempt to conceal a grin. Still, her lips turn up at the edges. "What the p stands for, of course."
Nick snorts and rolls his eyes. "Of course."
"Well?" Judy bounces her head up. She drums her fingers on the table as she presses herself up so she leans out of her seat and over the table.
Nick smirks at her boundless energy. "Sorry, Carrots. No luck."
Judy blows out a breath and sinks back into her seat as if she is a balloon with the air suddenly let out. She flops her head forward into her cupped hands. "I bet you don't even have one, do you?" It is a question, but it sounds more like an accusation.
Nick makes a face of mock hurt. "Ah, are you saying everything about me is a lie just because I used to be a hustler?"
Judy snickers despite herself and a smile peeks out on her lips. "You wouldn't tell me even if I guessed it."
"So why do you keep guessing? Is it that fun to be wrong?" He grins.
Judy narrows her eyes. "I'll figure it out." She points her fingers to her eyes and then at his. "You just watch."
"With pleasure." He takes another bite of his burger.
Judy trains her gaze on Nick, but the calling of her shake is too much. She soon finds herself distracted, especially as she reaches the bottom of the drink. She slurps at the shake, digging the straw around and tilting the cup for the best angle.
Nick can not concentrate on his food, not with the sounds she begins to make. The smirk on his face grows by the second.
Judy is oblivious to him. She continues to go at her shake.
Nick rests his elbow on the table and leans his face against his knuckle as he stares at her. He stuffs his face with fries to stifle the bubbling laugh. He has to see how long it will take her to realize he is watching her so intently.
Finally as Judy finishes off her drink, she sees him. She blinks up at him, the straw still clenched between her teeth.
Nick laughs. "You know, for someone so tiny you are the loudest eater I've ever met."
Judy giggles and her cheeks turn a shade darker. "It comes with having over two hundred siblings."
Nick nearly chokes on his fries. "Geez, Carrots. I know bunnies multiple like crazy, but that's ridiculous. How does anyone even take care of that many kids?"
Judy laughs. "It's easier than you think. More kids means more hands around the farm. Plus I was never lonely."
Nick cringes before he can stop himself. "Heh, sounds nice." He averts his eyes.
Judy frowns. She recognizes that look in his eyes. It is dangerously similar to his expression on the sky tram. Of course she'd love to know more about his life as a kid, but she would really prefer not to ruin a perfectly good celebration after a successful case. "Psymon."
Nick frowns and his brows knit together. "What?"
"Your middle name. Psymon."
Nick snorts. He sees exactly what she is doing and it makes him smile no matter how slightly. He doesn't stop her either, he lets her drag him out of the pit of his past. "You sure you're smart enough to be a cop?"
"Ex-cuse me?" She crosses her arms and puffs her lips out in a huff.
"Sorry to break it to you, but Simon is spelled with an S, Carrots."
Judy clicks her tongue. "So close minded. This is Zootopia. If anyone can be anything, then I can certainly spell Psymon with a P." She gives him a sharp, playful look.
Nick chuckles. "Yeah, yeah. But no. Definitely not it."
"Peter."
"Wrong." He chomps down on more fries.
"Paul."
"Just give it up." He says it, yet he enjoys every minute of her pointless guessing. "You're never gonna get it."
Judy snorts. She leans over the table and nabs a handful of fries. She shoves one in her mouth, each chomp slow and deliberate.
"Oh nooo. My precious fries." Nick grins from ear to ear. "They'll just have to be pity fries now that Miss Bad Guesser has them."
Judy scowls and throws a fry back at his face.
Nick doesn't miss a beat. He flawlessly catches the fry in his mouth and swallows it. "See? I'm clearly more skilled."
"You suck." Judy throws another, this time higher.
Nick leans back. It bounces off his cheek, but he recovers and manages to catch it. "Ah, you love me." He smirks.
"Nope." She shoves her nose into the air. "You're a dumb fox."
"Yep, and a sly bunny's favorite accessory." He pokes at her cheek.
Judy holds her position and expression as long as possible – a record of two minutes – but he breaks through her front as easily as ever. She swats at his intruding hand, giggling despite herself. "You know it."
"Naturally. As dumb as I am I know you all too well."
"Oh," A smirk blossoms on her lips. "Then what's my middle name, smart guy?"
"That's hardly fair." He puffs out a lip and gives her a puppy dog stare. "I don't even have the first letter."
Judy shrugs. "Life's not fair, Phineas."
Nick sticks his tongue out and gags. "That is quite possibly the worst name I've ever heard in my life."
Hmm," Judy taps her chin. "Oh well. Guess I'll just have to look it up in the database." A wicked grin splits her lips.
Nick narrows his eyes. "Cheater."
"It's not cheating. It's using my resources." She lays a hand over her chest. "At least that's what you taught me."
"Ha, ha." Nick can't deny it though. As a hustler it was key to success – omitting certain truths. It was better and far more beneficial to his life than outright lying. "You better watch out, Carrots. If you pick on me I'll pick on you."
"Be my guest." She does not waver in the slightest. "I am perfectly comfortable in the skin of all my names."
"So you're just being petty then, huh – not telling me your middle name?"
"You bet."
"Hmm," Nick nods. "Well, you better beat me there then before I erase it from the system." He leaps from the booth and races toward the door.
"Hey! No fair!" She springs from her seat. "It is your turn to pay. And what you're about to do is totally illegal." She sprints after him, screeching to a halt just at the door. "Ah, put it on my tab." She yells over her shoulder before scurrying after him. There's no way he will really be able to do what he says, but she isn't about to risk it. She'll find out his middle name, one way or another.
This was too much fun. I do intend to add to this story, but probably not in a novel kind of way. It will be a series of short stories/drabbles of moments Nick and Judy share. I hope you enjoy this just as much as me. Review!