Judy let out a long, wistful sigh as she and Nick walked through the streets of Savanna Central. Nick repeated the sigh, adding in an inquisitive tone at the end of it. Judy looked at him and the two shared a small smile. It was a mild spring day and the two were enjoying their day off together.

"I'm kind of sad it's all over with," Judy clarified. "Winter, that is."

"It'll be back before you know it," Nick stretched, folding his arms behind his head.

"Yeah, but it's just- just..." Judy grumbled, throwing her paws down. "Our fur is back to normal, my dewlap's gone... your libido is back to normal..."

"Knew that was coming," Nick chuckled, shaking his head. He put his paws into his pockets. "Listen bun, all foxes go through this. Being in a relationship like ours... it's going to have some challenges to it, both physical and emotional."

"I guess so..." Judy looked down at the sidewalk as they walked. "Is it like... am I not desirable to you except during winter?"

"Oh no no no," Nick shook his head vehemently. "Don't get your fluff in a ruff, Judy; that's not it at all. It's just- well... I guess I get less 'hungry', you could say."

"It's not me, it's you?" Judy looked somewhat unconvinced.

"Trust me, Judy, you are turning out to be one heck of a little seductress," Nick gave her an appreciative grin. "It just might take a little more to rev me up for the rest of the year."

Judy's eyes half closed. "Guess I'll just have to work a little harder, then..."

"Now you're talking," Nick chuckled, leering at the bunny as his tail gave a swish. "Up until now, we've definitely been 'mating', like we're in rut or something. You seduce me just right, and I'll see if I can show you some 'lovemaking' through the rest of the year."

"Oh yeah?" Judy smirked.

"Slower, more deliberate, more sensual," Nick purred in a silken voice. He casually gestured to Judy. "Sound like fun...?"

"I am such a lucky bunny," Judy gave an impressed huff.

"Well, just so long as you're aware of that," Nick returned easily. Judy looked like she might shove Nick, but stopped when she saw his brow fall. "Hey... is that...? What the..." Nick pointed.

Judy's eyebrow raised and she followed Nick's finger. "Is that Finnick's van?" The two crossed the street and jogged over to where it was parked. The van was entirely in blue and pink pastel colors, with a cartoon version of Finnick's smiling face on the side of the van.

"Looks like it," Nick looked over the van. "Maybe someone vandalized it?" Nick knocked on the side door of the van, but Finnick's fennec head popped out of the side of the passenger door.

"What?" Finnick barked, but his expression turned devilish once he saw who it was. "Well, well! If it ain't Mr. 'Leaves his business partner after more than a decade to go off with a hot piece of tail'."

"Kind of hard to fit on a business card," Nick folded his hands behind his back. "But speaking of, yes indeed. The bunny and I are now an item."

"Kinda figured," Finnick trained his eyes on Judy, looking her over. "You must be somethin', bunny."

"Eh," Judy shrugged, but grinned.

"Can we talk about all this?" Nick gestured toward Finnick's van. "What's going on here?"

"I've gone legit!" Finnick barked out a laugh and slapped the side of the door. He pulled out a pastel soda jerk's hat that matched his van's colors and put it on his head. "Figure if that speciesist trash Jumbeaux can get by selling ice cream, I can do it!"

"Something finally tip you over?" Nick wondered. "The hustling was-"

"Gettin' pretty hard without a 'dad'," Finnick finished, sucking at his teeth while he looked Nick up and down. "I was gettin' the van fixed at ol' Ozzie's, like usual, when all of a sudden the rabbit grabs me by the shirt, pulls me in, and says 'listen, chump, I'm sick of doin' little bandage repairs on this van. You let me fix it up right or hit the road'." Finnick jerked his thumb behind him.

"And you didn't bite him, or I'm pretty sure I would have heard about it," Nick figured.

"Naw dog, I appreciated his spunk!" Finnick smirked. "We small mammals have gotta stay fiesty. Right, bun?" Finnick turned his grin to Judy.

"I agree!" Judy nodded firmly, but then she looked tentative. "But... 'dog'...?"

"Psh," Finnick pawed at the air. "Anyway, I ask him if he can fix my van up like an ice cream truck. That rabbit gave me the strangest look, but finally shrugged and said sure, if I paid up front. Now I got myself a smooth, legit operation."

"That's a relief, looks like we won't have to arrest you, then," Nick said blithely.

"And this is the best part!" Finnick said excitedly, hitting some buttons on his sound system. A loud, driving beat accompanied by traditional ice cream chime instruments began to play. Judy's ears reflexively went back, and so did Nick's.

"Money money money money money motherfluffer! Money on my motherfluffin' mind. Got five furcuts at the same time."

"Whoa, whoa!" Judy waved her arms. "That is not an appropriate song for kits!"

"I was just playin', bun! Chill out!" Finnick laughed, and switched the track to one without vocal accompaniment.

"Really, though?" Judy seemed skeptical.

"Yeah, it's actually really smart," Finnick tapped at his temple twice. "The high tones of the chimes get some mammals' attention, and the low bass beats are heard easier by others. Everyone can hear when I'm out."

Judy rubbed at her ears. "I don't doubt that."

"Yo, so you want anything?" Finnick grinned. "Any ice cream? How about a pawpsicle for old time's sake, huh?" He wiggled his brow.

"Sure!" Judy perked up. "I'll try the blue one this time."

"I think I'd like to try a mint chocolate cone, if you've got one," Nick said.

"Chocolate?" Finnick whistled. "You're livin' life on the edge now, aren't ya Nick? Don't touch the stuff myself. It's addictive and dangerous."

"Sounds like a bunny I know..." Nick smirked down to Judy who rolled her eyes toward him and sucked her teeth.

"Pah ha! Boy, you right!" Finnick burst out a laugh, slapping the side of his van again. "You know I only got eyes for the foxy females, but with a booty like she got? Mmm... I'd have to think twice!"

Nick kissed his fingers. "Truly a superior posterior."

"Males," Judy rolled her eyes. "Are you two really talking about my butt?"

"With the respect such a fine piece of art deserves," Nick said in a faux-snooty voice.

"A fine piece, I heard that!" Finnick chuckled.

"Okay fennec, make with the frozen treats," Judy tapped her foot.

"Five dollars," Finnick said, holding them out, and glared at Nick when he balked. "What, you think I'm runnin' a charity or somethin'? I got a profit margin to keep up, and it's harder to be legit!"

"Aww, poor baby," Judy mocked, hopping up and handing him a ten. "Keep the change."

"Aw yeah!" Finnick grinned at the money. "See, I can see why you like this doe. Fine as fluff, and she's generous."

"That and about a million other reasons," Nick smiled. Finnick handed over the treats, then started up his car.

"Y'all better see me again sometime," Finnick warned. "Else I'll find y'all and ask why you ain't bought any more of my ice cream."

"Train those ridiculous things you call ears on the apartment complex with the loud moaning coming from it," Nick boasted.

"Yeah, yours, no doubt!" Finnick cackled, and sped off.

Judy just shook her head and popped the pawpsicle in her mouth. She took it back out and looked at it. "Mm, it's okay, but I think the red one is tastier."

"Yeah, that's why me and Finnick usually got the red one," Nick chuckled, licking at his ice cream cone. "Mm, so that's chocolate, huh? Even after just one taste I can see why some people brave danger to get their tongues on this flavor..." Nick glared at Judy pointedly.

"Okay, are you going to keep making allegories for how I'm like chocolate?" Judy chuckled, amused.

"If it keeps being so appropriate," Nick teased, and the two began walking. The two came to a halt at a crosswalk, and Judy did a double take, her jaw dropping.

"Oh- oh no..." Judy wailed. Nick grinned. Flash was waiting there at the crosswalk right beside the couple with a vacant grin on his face.

"Hey Flash," Nick greeted casually, regarding the sloth. "Broken any speed limits lately?"

"Hey... Nick..." Flash grinned very slowly as he turned toward Nick, then laboriously turned to Judy just as slowly. "Hey... Judy. ...What's... new...?"

"A lot, actually! It's kind of a long story," Nick chuckled.

"No, no no no... no..." Judy put a paw over her face and let it drop off. "Celestials, please. Why...?"

"I've... got... time..." Flash returned, smiling.

"Patience, Judy," Nick said properly. "You must learn patience." Judy let out a long, desperate whine.

Flash looked at Judy slowly. "Hey... you two. ...What... do... you call... a one-humped... bunny?"

Judy's eyes flew open in alarm, but then she half-lidded them and smirked. "Underwhelmed." Nick chuckled. Flash very, very slowly started to laugh.

"Ha... ha... ha... she... got it..."

Judy giggled gently and repeatedly as she nestled in to be closer to her fox in their bed. Nick sighed in satisfaction, petting Judy's soft back.

"So, how's my several-humped bunny doing?" Nick asked in a gentle, but chiding voice.

"Good..." Judy giggled, toying with his chest fur. "Mm, you are a very talented fox..."

"Told you," Nick chuckled, giving her a soft squeeze.

"And, I love you," Judy sighed, rubbing his chest with her cheek. "Partner."

"Love you too, fluffy-buns," Nick kissed both of her ears. After a short pause, he sighed introspectively.

"Something wrong?" Judy looked up at him. Nick looked down and shook his head.

"Not yet, anyway," Nick replied. "Just... a little worried. Been trained too long by this city to expect the worst from mammals, so... I'm just a little concerned about... us."

"Ridicule from other mammals, you mean?" Judy frowned.

"I mean, let 'em talk, for all I care," Nick shrugged. "But... I just don't want them to hurt you. Or me. I don't really want that either."

"What, you aren't ready to become a martyr for interspecies relationships?" Judy scoffed. Nick huffed in mild irritation. "Sorry, sorry. Interspecies really isn't that uncommon; my old neighbors were married."

"The loud ones?" Nick blinked.

"Yeah, and if you thought their arguing was loud..." Judy smirked. Nick chuckled, and then Judy pet Nick's arms. "Anyway, let's not worry about the maybes and the possiblies. Let's focus on what we do know."

"That I love you, for one," Nick squeezed a kiss out of Judy.

"Mm hm..." Judy nodded. "And that whatever happens... whatever happens..."

"We'll be partners," Nick said earnestly, wrapping his arms around Judy.

"Amen," Judy said peacefully, nestling into Nick's embrace. There was a short pause, and Judy giggled. "Your paw's on my butt again."

"Amen," Nick agreed reverently.

Author's Note: So ends my extended retelling of "True Partners" with a bunch of other stuff mixed in; not quite ten times larger than the original. Thanks for reading and for your support!