Zim frowned, kicking his feet against the couch he sat on. He couldn't figure out why he felt so bad... He wasn't sick, his Pak was working as well as always... but he couldn't for the life of him figure out why he felt so miserable. Nothing strange had happened recently which could account for the feeling so it had to be something in his usual routine. Zim sighed, staring at the television in silence, not understanding what was even on there yet letting it play to appease his SIR unit. He watched metallic silver legs kick back and forth, the robot humming happily as it sucked on a lollipop. Gir always seemed happy... the robot usually just did what he pleased when he pleased... Zim blinked, an idea growing in his mind. Could that be the answer to his problem? To the miserable feeling? Over the last few weeks his life had settled into a predictable routine, doing the same things over and over with the same end results. Maybe it was the routine that was making him miserable, sucking the fun and spontaneity out of his life? Zim tilted his head, deciding to let the idea stew for a while. He moved off the couch, heading below ground and to his sleeping chamber, tomorrow he'd see if he could relive this dreadful feeling.
Zim had almost forgotten his plan until he was half way to Skool, the Dib dogging his footsteps a few feet away. When he did remember, Zim paused, standing still on the pavement and considering his next move. He could hear Dib chattering to his sibling unit in the background, obviously Dib thought he was acting weird and was going to follow him wherever he went, even if that meant he had to skip Skool. Zim chewed his lip, routine was the problem so he shouldn't go to Skool but if he didn't show up would his identity be exposed? He fidgeted, seeing Dib's sister stalk past him and off to the building they were all headed to. After several more minutes Zim's decision was made for him as the Skool bell rang, there was no point in going now unless he fancied detention. Shrugging, Zim spun on his heel, stepping off in a random direction and exploring the neighbourhood in daylight. He could hear Dib following him and considered asking the human to stop. He usually started a fight if he did... Today, Zim decided to ignore him. He continued his random walking in silence, taking in what passed as a town for human kind. After a few hours, Dib seemed to understand that he wasn't up to anything and Zim's steps faltered as the teen fell into step beside him.
"What are you up to space-scum?" Though meant as an insult, the words held more curiosity than malice and Zim grinned at the novelty of the moment. They walked on a bit further before Zim decided to reply.
"Nothing hyuman. Zim is merely breaking his routine." Amber eyes narrowed behind glass frames and Zim turned his gaze back to the buildings they passed.
"Don't lie alien. What are you planning?" Zim didn't even bother to respond, picking up his pace to keep up with the teen's long strides. Why did Dib have to be taller than him? They continued for a while in silence, reaching the outskirts of the town and entering the fields beyond it. Zim ignored the filthy mud as they trudged through it, glad there was no water nearby to burn him. He watched the leaves blow in the breeze, pausing to glance at the human, the teen noticing he'd stopped a second later. Zim watched amber eyes observe him intently, seeing the sunlight reflect off the teen's frames. "Zim?" Dib seemed confused by his sudden stop and Zim snickered at the human's expression. They were enemies right? They were supposed to be enemies and yet here they were, having just spent the last few hours walking together like friends. Zim laughed, doubling over by the strangeness of the situation. After a full minute of laughing, Zim forced himself to stop, taking deep steadying breaths as he stood straight. The human stared at him confused and wary. Zim sighed.
"Zim is going home. I'll kill you tomorrow hyuman." Finished with the conversation, Zim turned on his heel and set off to his base. He didn't listen for the teen's footsteps, not caring if he followed or not.
Once home, Zim peeled off his boots, dumping them into a chute for the computer to clean. He trailed over to the couch, taking his spot beside his Sir unit.
"Hellos Mastur!" Zim nodded in greeting, cyan eyes returning to the screen a moment later. Zim settled back against the plush worn fabric, realising that this was where he usually found himself at this time of day. He thought back over the peaceful day he'd had. A day he'd spent with the Dib-hyuman not at each other's throats... It wasn't the worst day he'd ever had...
Zim pushed the thought away, burying it deep, deep down inside. He got up off the couch, making his way downstairs to his labs, picking up the latest experiment he'd been toying with. He'd have to make it a bit more dangerous. He'd promised to kill Dib tomorrow after all...