Zootropolis Nick X Reader

13 ~ 'Recalling fragments of a traumatic past. Can you hear me?"

Third P.O.V

His request was unusual. "What did you find?" After She finished work she meets him a few blocks away. The absent of animals is not surprising in the area it is. "Also, I don't recommend being in you uniform here..." Her voice trails off as she looks over across the street to the chalky paint falling in fragments off the crumbling building. "Does anyone live there?" He asks, pointing his paw to the building on the hill that had been derelict for years. She bites down onto her lip, eyes wandering. He notices her discomfort. "Not really. Though there is apparently gangs that hang out there sometimes... I don't recommend prowling around" she says this as a warning, she hadn't been in there since she was little, a shattered past she'd rather not revisit reserves in there. Not to mention the chance they could run into some thugs in there, they're not to be crossed in this area, she's always managed to get away, however she's had some close calls. "I could call for back up..." she's quick to interrupt, "why are you interested in that building in particular?" Growing precarious, wanting to move some distance from here. "We've found some things out about this area, and that building could be the source" he turns to her "I needed to be sure, and I'd like to ask you some questions" taking out his notepad and carrot pen, "why am I being dragged into this?" Straightening her posture, she takes mental notes of their conversation. "Let's just say digging around about this area, I've found out some interesting information regarding you" a dominating smirk toys with her, he knows he's got the upper paw on her. "And what, may I ask did you find out? Or are you just spouting empty threats?"
"My lips are sealed, and are you willing to take that risk?" Her shoulders drop in frustration, "you're so annoying Wilde. So are you finally going to ask me?"
"Sure, I'm done playing now"

Flakes of dry paint drift past their faces, along with a cooling wind. "I hear you know a lot about this area, is there anyone in there at this moment?"
"There shouldn't be, the Dark Phoenix should be out on their usual patrol right now, and that's usually for a few hours. They're very persistent" she takes a seat on a large rock a few feet away. "I see, and what's the state of the building like inside?" As flinches, catching herself from nearly falling off. "Why would I know that?" Her tone defensive and tough. "You already know quite a lot about this place, so I automatically presumed"
"It's fairly run down, but if you're careful enough it's not a massive hazard" she says this after recalling how she remembers it. "Alright, I believe I have enough... Might as well dig deeper"

Y/n P.O.V

He begins to walk over, tucking his pad into his pocket. Hopping off the rock I power walk over to him "you're not seriously going In are you? After what I just told you"
"You're worried about me? How sweet of you" I study his radiating confidence, since when did I become so involved? "Thanks for your help, how about grabbing a coffee together later?" He says as he walks further away. Left there I tilt my head up to face the sky, clouds blocking the sun, 'he's going to get himself hurt, I should really go after him'

In the end I persuaded him to allow me to tag along "I know the layout well, hidden passages"

My footsteps echo on the wooden floorboards, which was once aesthetically pleasing. The stillness of the hallway sent shivers down my spine, I hate it here. The water dripping from the roof, rhythmically, generating a melancholic melody. The door hinges are all rusted and the glass windows are shattered. It whines on its amber hinges as my paw presses gingerly against its moist frame to close it behind us. Ivy gnarls its way through broken windows, tangling its leathery shape throughout the wistful abode. The undefinable source of darkness draped over the walls like a tapestry as I took a wary step over the rotting oak floors. Nick a couple of steps in front of me in a protective manner. It sets my mind at ease, the last thing in need to happen is the memories and flash backs to simultaneously replay in my mind. A dark part I have tiresomely shut off. I don't want him to see this side of me, not now, not ever.

This place was a hell, I couldn't get far enough away from here, I thought by staying nearby I could be strong enough to endure it... Yet being back here sends a wave of grief and memories to surge through the depths of my guts, churning, sending a strong sensation up my throat, causing me to gag. My breathing has become unsteady.

"Y/n? Can you hear me?"

My head starts to throb, swaying from side to side. I can make out his concerned voice, blurred vision like a kaleidoscope, his outlined figure coming towards me.

My shoulders tense up as two strong paws grab my shoulders. Pulling me back to reality. Everything stops, returning back to normal in an instant.
"Ah" my voice squeaks, at that moment when our eyes lock it's as if he can see my fear.

Nick's P.O.V

Her breathing steadies itself, it seems I was able to break her out of whatever that was. "You should go back, I'll take you home, you look pale" severely concerned about her. What she does next swirls my mind into confusion.
She puts on a small smile, the corner of her eyes creasing slightly, "Its nothing, don't worry about. Plus you don't know this place like I do." It hurts me to see her like this. She shouldn't be here with me.

It's as if nothing happened. She's walking next to me, swinging her paws contently. "You seem to have returned back to your usual self" it feels good to say that, I haven't known her long, but Being with her here, it's like we've been friends for a while, adventuring through a haunted house, needing to be her prince in shining armour. A chuckle escapes from my thoughts. She's acting like her normal self, i can tell she doesn't want to revisit it, nor talk about it. I can respect that.

"Careful there officer, that floorboard is broken" her voice releases me from my thoughts, I dance over the floorboard, hearing sharp cracks. I look over to her weirdly, she really knows this house well.