Work Text:
Nick glanced at the time on his way down the hall. 12:28 p.m. Being early wasn't his usual MO, but considering they were still getting back into the swing of things at work, he decided that it was better not to be late.
The door was already open for him when he got there so Nick walked right in. Chief Bogo didn't look particularly thrilled to see him, but then again, he never did. Nick closed the door behind him and headed for the open chair without waiting for an invitation. The large seat left him with a lot more space without Judy right next to him, but he still sat up straight and waited calmly.
"Wilde."
"Chief."
"Do you know why I called you in here?"
"Was it to show me your new bobblehead, sir?"
Chief Bogo looked to the left side of his desk where a second Gazelle bobblehead now sat. Nick wondered if that was the beginning of a collection. The Chief turned his attention back to Nick. His nostrils flared a bit.
"Care to explain this?" Chief Bogo grabbed the sheet in front of him and held it up for Nick to see. The words “Chief Buffalo Butt” were scribbled on a piece of notebook paper, along with a cartoonish drawing of the chief. A very nicely done drawing.
"Anyone could have drawn that."
"Then why was it sitting on your desk and written in your handwriting?"
"I've been framed."
"Are you telling me that if I were to test this that your fingerprints wouldn't be all over it?"
Nick held up his paws in mock surrender. "Alright Chief, you caught me. That was great detective work, by the way. I can see why you're in charge."
Chief Bogo's expression darkened. "Do you think this is funny?"
"All I'm saying is that that is a pretty good drawing of you."
"I would advise you to start taking things seriously," he warned.
"Well, I wasn't voted "Most likely to be arrested" in my high school yearbook for nothing. I'm sure they'd get a kick out of that now since it technically came true."
Chief Bogo sighed. He glanced over at a news clipping on the wall. It was the one of Nick and Judy after solving their first case. Then, he turned his attention back to Nick.
"Officer Wilde, do you know why I hired you?"
"Aside from my no doubt stellar performance at the academy, I'm sure it was also because of the glowing recommendation from Officer Hopps." Nick still didn't know what exactly Judy had said about him to Chief Bogo. All he knew was that it must have been good if it was enough for him to be considered for a job at all.
Chief Bogo ignored his first comment and gave a brief nod at the second. "Yes, Officer Hopps did speak very highly of you. But that's not the only reason." He paused again. Nick stared at him, unsure of where this was going. "You probably recall our first meeting." Sure. How could he forget?
"You think I'm gonna believe a fox?"
Chief Bogo wanted nothing to do with him from the beginning. Nick was sure that he didn't appreciate being called out by someone roughly half his size either. It was still one of his proudest moments.
"Vaguely," he smirked. Chief Bogo gave him a look but continued anyway.
"The way you stood up for Officer Hopps was admirable. It was exactly the kind of loyalty we value in partnerships here at the ZPD. As well as the way you weren't afraid to point out my own mistakes. A good leader can admit when they're wrong. And..." he stopped and cleared his throat "I believe I owe you an apology for initially misjudging you."
Nick didn't even realize that he had allowed the smirk to fall from his face. For once, he didn't have any snarky commentary.
"I gave you a chance because I saw potential in you. Even now, despite your lack of seriousness, I know you still care. I've seen the way you are with Officer Hopps."
"And how is that?" His voice was quieter now.
"Dedicated, dependable. Still rough around the edges, but a better teammate than I presumed just a couple of weeks ago. Partnership is the cornerstone of success, as I always say. And if nothing else, you're undoubtedly a good partner. I respect that."
Nick blinked slowly. Bogo had never complimented him like that before, and he had no idea how to respond.
"Just doing my job." He shrugged. Chief Bogo went on.
"You can give yourself some credit. I've read through both of your reports from this case. You did excellent work despite the circumstances. It was a lot, to say the least."
That was an understatement. Nick was still feeling the effects of the case weeks later, if all of the extra therapy sessions were anything to go by. But he had to admit that after everything they went through, even after disobeying orders, it felt nice to have the chief recognize that. At least he acknowledged their efforts.
Unlike Captain Hogbottom, who didn't really seem to like him even now. Nick still had his issues with how she handled things, particularly with how she locked him in a cell without even trying to listen to him.
"You don't respect anyone."
That was what she told him. She saw right through his attempts at flattery. And that much was true, he didn't respect her. Nick wasn't sure that he ever would. But Chief Bogo? For as much as he didn't like him, he absolutely could respect him.
"Well, with a great chief like you, I can't take all the credit." Nick was smirking again. He just couldn't resist the urge to make jokes in certain situations. And the chief going soft on him was definitely one of those situations.
Chief Bogo grunted.
"Get out."
Nick gave a sarcastic salute before jumping down from his chair. He was halfway out the door when Bogo stopped him one more time.
"Officer Wilde."
Nick still couldn't get over the fact that having "Officer" right before his last name had such a nice ring to it. He looked back over his shoulder without fully turning around.
"If I hear or see that nickname one more time, you'll be on desk duty for a month."
"Copy that, Chief Bogo." It was the first time he had ever called him by his actual name, and would probably be the last, but he could give him that just this once.
Nick smiled innocently before leaving the room. He pulled out his phone to change the name in his contacts. Bogo had only said that "Chief Buffalo Butt" was out, but Nick had plenty of other nicknames in mind. "Chief Bozo" had a nice ring to it.