Zim could not have seemed more offended and defensive in Dib's eyes. One would think that the extraterrestrial could handle one summer on his own.
"It's the summer before high school starts," Dib rolled his amber colored eyes behind his thick glasses. "Dad got me into this great program, and I'm not going to miss out just because you want to shoot lasers at each other or try to blow up my head or whatever it is you plan to do!" He huffed and waved his arms for emphasis, wiggling his hands above his gargantuan head to prove to the alien how unreasonable he was being. This stupid game had been going on since the sixth grade, and Dib just wanted one fucking vacation for himself; it was only three months, anyway!
Zim scowled, looking the worst he had in the three years the human he'd known him. His arms were crossed over his chest, his wig twitched-presumably with every nervous tick of his antenna-and he kept clenching and popping his jaw. He glanced up, the anger and resentment burning fiery in his eyes, even through his synthetic contacts. Dib was sure he'd never seen anyone look so angry and depressed and defeated all at once.
One of them was going to have to give on this...and it was not going to be Dib. No siree. Nope. "..." He sighed, "Look, Zim." He rolled his eyes again when the alien squinted, attempting to glare harder, "I can't have you trying to destroy the Earth while I'm gone." Dib could swear that the alien crossed his arms tighter, as if protecting himself. "Let's make a deal."
That got the Irken's attention. His eyes widened with curiosity and his posture relaxed some. He seemed to notice and quickly tightened his arms again. The corners of his mouth turned down in another attempt of a scowl, but it really made him look like he was making a pug face.
Dib had to bite the inside of his cheek to keep from laughing. "You keep under wraps for a few months- No lasers, No baby-death cradles, and NO scheming to destroy the earth."
Zim's posture changed and he looked at Dib flatly, now settling his elbow into his hand and waving his arm around, fingers flexing, "And what, Hyooman, will Zim be receiving from this deal."
He was sure he'd regret this, but... "I'll help you fit in-with the human part at least," Dib scratched the back of his head a little at that last part. He could make Zim seem human...maybe...but he was pretty sure he could never find a way to fit in himself, especially in high school.
Zim nodded slightly then frowned. Earth was increasingly becoming more and more aware of alien life forms. Though it seemed many were accepted...Irken soldiers were not treated kindly in most galaxies. He was not looking forward to being discovered and finding himself executed. "...Yes."
"Yes?" Dib looked at him in confusion. He'd expected more of a fight.
"That was the answer you were looking for, yes?" His gloved hand flicked at an invisible speck of dirt as he looked away from the Earthling.
"...Okay...Yea. Yea, I was. I just...didn't expect that to be so easy." Dib took another moment and absorbed the moment. An agreeable Zim. That didn't sit well with him, but oh well. He still had to go home and pack. "Maybe take some time and work on the skin issue? That should keep you busy this summer."
"Skin issue?" Zim hissed, narrowing his eyes in offense.
Dib sighed again. That was far more like the alien he knew. "Zim. I'm trying to help you here. Come on, it's part of the deal. No one here has green skin. Look at mine." He held up his hand, pale as snow-give or take a few freckles. "Humans have more, well, earthy skin tones. We range from peachy to sort of yellow to brown ...do some research and make it convincing. Don't just paint it on...make it good. Unless, of course, you can't."
A dangerous light flickered through Zim's eyes and he flinched as if struck. Another odd reaction that Dib wanted to comment on but was cut short when the alien spoke. "Fine. Zim will make a convincing earth skin, and it will fool even the best...but what will be said when former schoolmates inquire on the change."
He shrugged a little then grinned, "High schoolers are pretty stupid. Make something up. Say you had a med change or you went to the beach or something... use your imagination." Dib looked at his watch and grimaced. He really needed to pack. On that note he turned away, hurrying towards his house without another word.
"...Irkens do not possess imaginations, Dib-Worm," Zim murmured to the vacant space that the human had occupied moments before. He turned away and strolled to his base. A small smirk played on his lips. Imagination, huh?