Section 7: Zim, Som-Ri and Shock
(A/N: All I own is this fanfiction, Som-Ri and Radu. Invader Zim is not mine. Still working out the glitches, but I thank you all for alerting me.)
Dib had tried to call Radu back in, but he must not have heard him, so he tried to fallow after him, forgetting for a brief moment that his legs were still weak. He crumbled to the floor, his legs folding under him. Tin was at his side in a second, helping him up.
"Dib, you must rest. Your body is still adjusting," he said, helping Dib back into bed.
"I need to talk to Radu," Dib said looking at the door longingly.
"Master needs a little time to himself right now," Tin said standing by his bedside.
"Why did he bother bonding to me if he had a feeling I would never love him back?" Dib asked, looking to the robot for answers.
"Master has already explained that to you. He feels a connection to you that he has felt with no other. He is drawn to you on a spiritual level," Tin replied.
"But I'm nothing special. I was just a regular human. I'm still normal….ish," Dib said looking at himself.
"Master does not tell me why he does what he does. He just tells me what to do," Tin replied.
Dib watched as Tin walked to the door and left. Dib looked at the books Radu had bought him. They were all by his favorite authors and new releases. One of them was a book he'd already read, but it was his favorite. How had Radu known so much about his reading habits? He pulled out one of them and began to read it. He got a few chapters in when there was a knock on the door. Dib looked up.
"Yes?" he asked, confused.
"Hey. I just need a new shirt," Radu said opening the door.
The one he had on was covered in a black fluid and was trying to stick to Radu's slightly muscular build. Radu peeled it off and threw it into a hamper he had in the corner. He walked to an automated closet and pulled out a new t-shirt. Dib got a good look at a majority of the scars that seemed to litter Radu's body.
"Radu?" Dib asked, making Radu stop and look at him with his arms in the sleeves.
"Hm?" he asked, one hand pulling the neck open to pull over his head.
"How did you get so many scars?" Dib asked, looking at the one that went from his neck, down his chest and to his right side to right above his hip.
"Remember how I was the best Invader there was?" Radu asked, and Dib nodded, "Well, it came with a price. Not many aliens are happy to be invaded and enslaved. Some fought back."
"Wow. That's really cool," Dib smiled as he looked at many of the scars. It seemed that there was hardly any smooth skin left in places.
Radu pulled his shirt on and looked over at him. He noticed the book held open on his lap.
"Are you enjoying it?" Radu asked.
"Huh?" Dib asked confused.
"The book," Radu said indicating to it.
"Oh, yeah. How did you know I love their work?" Dib asked looking down at the book.
"When I was in your room, I noticed you had a lot of their works on your book shelves. It wasn't that hard to figure out what you liked," Radu shrugged.
"It was really cool of you to do that for me. Thanks," Dib said smiling at him.
"Glad you like it. It's good to know I did something right," Radu scratched his head a little before turning to leave.
"Hey, Radu?" Dib asked.
"Yup?" Radu replied, looking at him.
"This is your room isn't it," Dib said, just thinking about how he had gotten a shirt.
"Yeah," Radu replied indifferently.
"Where will you sleep since I'm in your bed?" he asked.
"Dunno. In here maybe," Radu looked at the chair beside the bed.
"But this is your bed," Dib said.
"I know. But you don't have a room here, and you probably won't. Maybe I'll just curl up next to you," Radu smiled a little at that.
"Don't you go trying anything," Dib flushed a little.
"Just being near you is enough to make me happy, Dib," Radu said, leaving to do whatever work had filled his time.
Dib thought about that. Radu had back off when Dib had outright refused to love him back. He'd been true to his word when he said he'd give Dib all the space he could need. He had even given up his bed for him. Radu wasn't all bad. He was caring if anything. But Dib wasn't sure if he could bring himself to turn gay.
Dib rolled over in his sleep, nestling closer to the pillow. There was something hard next to him. Dib opened his eyes and looked at what he had rolled into. Radu was curled away from him, sound asleep on the mattress. Dib blinked his eyes a moment, not yet grasping what he was seeing. Then he seemed to get it, and moved away a little. Radu didn't stir. His sides, rising gently as he slept. He must have climbed into bed after Dib had fallen asleep, and curled himself so then he wouldn't bother Dib. He was sleeping shirtless, for reasons Dib couldn't fathom.
He looked at some of the scars that covered his back. Three scars looked like claw marks running from his right shoulder down to the middle of his back and barely wider than a nickel. Then he noticed three scars a little under those that looked eerily about the same size and shape as the ends of the robot spider legs he'd seen come out of Zim's pod. Had Radu gotten in a fight with another Irken? Or had he just fought another alien who had a strange weapon? Dib reached out and placed his finger tips on the three little scars. Radu shifted causing Dib to withdraw his hand. Radu groaned curling into a tighter ball. Dib peered over Radu's shoulder at him. His face was scrunched up in pain and his breathing was erratic.
"N-no. Y-you ca-an't!" Radu murmured, still dreaming, "I-I didn't….no! Not me! I-it's not me!"
Dib watched him, not knowing what to do. Suddenly, Radu sat bolt upright, gasping for breath, clutching his chest. Dib made it look like he was still sleeping. Radu sat there for a moment, just trying to calm down. He pressed his hands over his eyes, pressing his palms hard onto his eyes. His breath hitched like he was about to break down in tears, but he just sighed angrily and rested his forehead against his knees.
"Radu? You okay?" Dib asked sleepily, rubbing an eye as he looked up at Radu sleepily.
"Yeah, Dib, I'm fine. Go back to sleep. Sorry I woke you," Radu said calmingly, pulling the sheets up over Dib's shoulder.
Radu climbed out of bed and went to the door. He paused a moment in the doorway, looking back at Dib, who had pretended to be sleeping, then slipped out into the hall. The second the door clicked closed, Dib sat up. Radu had had a bad dream about something. And it either scared him badly, or he was reliving something from his past. Dib lay back down, but couldn't get to sleep. The bed felt empty without Radu. But at the same time, Dib also tried to convince himself that it was better without Radu in the bed. Dib waited for an hour. Still Radu hadn't come back from wherever he had gone. Dib was just starting to get sleepy again, his eye lids getting heavy when Radu snuck back into the room. Dib fiend sleep. Radu sat down in the chair and watched Dib 'sleep'.
"Who am I kidding? How could anyone love a monster? Som-Ri didn't even want me," Radu dropped his head, whispering everything to avoid waking Dib.
Radu held his head. Dib wondered what he meant. Did he mean about what happened with Som-Ri? That could be forgiven and forgotten. But somehow, Dib felt there was something more to it. Tin entered the room, carrying something.
"Master," Tin said normally.
"Tin! SH! Dib's sleeping," Radu shushed him.
"Sorry, Master. Your medication is done," Tin said holding out what he was holding, talking in a whisper.
"Thank you, Tin. That will be all," Radu whispered back, "You know, Tin, eventually the nightmares will go away."
"Yes, Master," Tin whispered, slinking from the room.
Radu popped the pills into his mouth and swallowed them. He leaned his head against the back of the chair and sighed heavily. Dib waited a little longer, waiting to see if Radu would climb back into bed, but he never did. He fell asleep in the chair, and Dib finally surrendered to sleep.
Radu woke up to something touching his hand. He jolted awake, not even aware of where he was or what was going on. He stared up at Dib who stood before him, looking concerned.
"What? What's wrong?" Radu asked, looking around groggily.
"You okay? You must have fallen asleep in the chair," Dib said looking at him worried.
"I'm fine. Just- You're standing," Radu said looking Dib up and down.
"Yeah. I feel better today," Dib said smiling.
"Well, would you look at that! What a relief! I was a little worried. How do you feel? Any dizziness? Numbness? Tingling?" Radu was talking so fast, Dib almost couldn't understand him.
"I'm fine, really. I feel alright," Dib said taking a step back.
"It's important that during the first few days after your change that you pay close attention to your body. Your reactions will be a little delayed to pain or anything like that, so at the first singe of discomfort, you tell me," Radu said standing and going to get dressed.
Dib watched as Radu went to his closet, and pulled out one of his Invader coats and a pair of pants. Radu removed his pod and pulled on his coat and pants, then reattached it. He straightened out his coat and looked over at Dib, who was staring at him.
"What?" Radu asked, confused.
"Nothing. I just thought your coat was cool," Dib lied.
"Oh. Okay. I'm gonna go get you something to eat. Stay here," Radu ordered, pointing to the bed.
Dib nodded and watched as he left the room. Dib sat on the bed. Radu didn't look so good. In fact, he looked like the one who had gone through a species change. He was a trooper, trying to hide his own weakness from Dib, but it was also kind of obvious at the same time that there was something going on. Dib thought back to what Radu had said in his sleep. Did Radu get blamed for something he didn't do? Or did he get punished? Before Dib could think any further on the matter, Radu came in with a bowel in one hand. He carefully gave it to Dib and placed a spoon in his other hand. In the bowel was some kind of brown liquid and some kind of noodles or something Dib didn't want to think about.
"What is this?" Dib asked, not sure if Radu was serious or not.
"It's an Irken dish. It has a type of sprout that grows on Irk soaking in a broth of Irk spices and juices. Your body is Irken now, and as your first real meal, you need something your body can handle," Radu said patting his shoulder.
"Is it food?" Dib asked skeptically.
"Eat. It'll do you good," Radu chuckled, eating a spoonful himself to demonstrate.
Dib watched as Radu turned to leave. It seemed okay. Radu wasn't keeling over or choking to death. It just didn't look normal. Dib swallowed hard and put a spoonful in his mouth. It didn't taste like anything he'd ever tasted. It was wonderful and a little bitter all at the same time. Even the sprouts were better than he had thought. They were slightly crunchy, like they had been fried. Dib drained the whole bowel sooner than he would have liked, and it stayed down. He stood to take his bowel down when Tin came in and took the bowel and spoon from him.
"Master has instructed me to help you today. Allow me," Tin said walking away with the dishes.
Dib sat back down, thinking about Zim's and Som-Ri's robots. It seemed like Zeze and Tin were close personality wise, but when compared to Gir? Gir was a loose cannon compared to them. Gir was impulsive and rarely did what he was told correctly. It was nice that Tin and Zeze did as they were told, but they seemed sort of dull when compared to Gir. Dib sighed, reaching down next to the bed and grabbed one of the books he's been reading.
Radu was busy typing away on his computer when Tin came down. Radu didn't have to look behind him to know it was Tin. He just knew. He hit a few more keys in rapid succession.
"Dib finished his meal, Master. I do believe he is reading in the bedroom," Tin said.
"Thank you, Tin. Go keep him company for a while. I'm a little occupied," Radu said vaguely as he read the lines of data streaming across the screen.
Tin said nothing as he retreated from the room. Radu typed a few things onto the computer in front of him, then a few things on the one next to that one. A virtual display came up next to him displaying the hideout. Radu placed a finger over one area of the house and pressed. The area lit up and he dragged it to another part of the house. The main computer chirped and started at the task Radu had ordered. He pulled up another virtual display and started to construct a new room based off of what he had just moved on the other display. He even made a door that could only be opened by his voice signature.
He sat back in his chair and watched at his computers went to work. He hit one key on the computer and pulled up his communicator. He sent a message to Irk Central Command. It rang a moment. Then Tallests Purple and Red appeared before him.
"Radu, it's good to hear from you," Red said smiling.
"We were beginning to wonder about you," Purple chuckled.
"I have just been a little busy lately is all," Radu replied bowing his head at them a little.
"Are you trying to take over Earth or something?" Purple asked.
"No. I've decided that I no longer wish to be an invader. I have settled down on Earth," Radu said, his tone and face deadly serious.
"Radu, you can't be serious!" Red exclaimed.
"You're the best invader we have! What will we do without you?" Purpled panicked.
"Train more invaders. I've had enough of the life of an invader. I have more than enough scars thank you," Radu said stiffly.
"If this is really what you want," Purple said, sadly.
"Is there any way that we can convince you not to leave?" Red asked.
"No. I've made up my mind. It's better this way," Radu said smiling a little before ending the feed.
He felt better knowing that he had dealt with it. He had planned on staying on Earth the whole time, but he hadn't told anyone he was staying. Or that he was retiring. One of his computers started to beep, alerting him that there was someone at his front door. Radu sighed and rose from his chair. He took a transporter up to the living room and donned his human disguise. He answered the door. Zim and Som-Ri stood on his steps. Radu allowed them in smiling.
"It's good to see you both," Radu said closing the door behind them and dropping his disguise.
"We were a little worried," Zim said taking out his contacts and taking off his wig.
"You weren't answering our calls. We decided to come visit," Som-Ri said dropping her disguise.
"Sorry. The last few days have been really busy for me. Please, sit," Radu indicated to the couch, while he had a chair come out of the floor before it.
"How is Dib? Did his change go well?" Som-Ri asked sitting down.
"Yeah. We've been worried sick," Zim said, sitting beside her.
"He's alright. It was a day of hell, but he came out better than I had imagined," Radu sighed happily.
"Can we see him?" Som-Ri asked hopefully.
"You will see him right now," Radu looked back at the stairs.
Zim and Som-Ri looked over his shoulder as there were the sounds of footsteps from the upstairs hall. They saw Irken feet come down the steps.
"Radu? Is Zim and Som-Ri here?" Dib's voice came down.
"Dib, come show them your new look," Radu said standing and going to the bottom of the stairs.
Dib walked down the stairs and looked over at the two sitting on the couch. Their mouths fell open.
"Sit down please," Radu said, helping Dib over to his vacated chair.
"Dib?" Zim asked in shock.
"Yeah?" Dib asked looking at him tugging at the large open neck of his T-shirt, suddenly feeling self-conscious.
"It is you! You're so beautiful," Som-Ri breathed, placing her hands to her mouth.
Radu placed a hand under Dib's arm, hoisted him up, sat down in the chair and pulled Dib into his lap. He wrapped his arms around Dib and rested his chin on Dib's head. Dib squirmed and tried to get free, but Radu held firm.
"Mine," Radu grunted looking first at Som-Ri, then Zim.
"Radu, stop it! Let me go," Dib whined, trying to pry Radu's arms apart, a blush coloring his face.
"Dib, that's normal behavior with mated pairs," Som-Ri giggled.
"The male will assert himself and publicly lay claim to his mate in terms of physical touch or what Radu is doing now," Zim explained.
"I could have done a more drastic claim," Radu murmured hugging Dib to him.
Dib froze a moment while he thought this out. Then he understood and tried to squirm free again. This time, Radu let him go, and freely gave up the chair, pushing Dib into it to get him to relax a little.
"So, Dib still hasn't fully accepted you, huh?" Zim asked.
"Zim," Som-Ri cautioned.
"No," Radu tilted his head away from them.
"I have told him that I have no intention of turning gay," Dib said, not catching Radu's action.
"Dib, don't say such things!" Som-Ri cautioned Dib, looking at him in shock.
"Let it be, Som-Ri. He has a right to say how he feels on the matter. After all, he didn't ask for this. Not any of it," Radu said, trailing off a little at the end.
"But Radu-" Zim started.
"Zim, that's enough. This is a matter between me and Dib. You have your mate, and she accepts you. Let us be," Radu cut him off; trying his best to keep Zim from mentioning what he'll do if Dib doesn't accept him.
"Of course. We were asking too much of you in the first place," Som-Ri said, resting a hand on Zim's elbow to silence him, catching on to what Radu was doing.
Radu looked at her a moment, before nodding. His antennae twitched, picking up on a faint noise from Dib. Radu looked at him, but Dib wasn't showing any out word singe of discomfort. Radu grabbed Dib and pressed an antenna to his chest. Sure enough, he could hear the faint sound of Dib's organ starting to work overtime.
"Dib, you need to get some rest," Radu said pulling away from him and Dib started to protest.
"But I feel fine," Dib pouted.
"But you don't sound fine," Radu said pointing at Dib's chest.
"I feel fine," Dib said forcefully.
"Your nerves are still connecting so you won't feel anything right away. You'll feel the discomfort very soon now," Radu said hoisting Dib up in his arms and heading for the stairs.
"Will he be okay?" Zim called after them.
"Just fine," Radu called carrying Dib to bed.
He laid him down and had the computer run a vital scan of Dib, making sure everything was in order. Then he gave Dib something to drink.
"I need you to stay here. Get some rest please," Radu said looking at him fondly.
"I feel fine, Radu," Dib said sourly.
"Please, Dib. Just trust me on this. I need you to rest," Radu pleaded, looking tiredly at Dib.
Dib said nothing, but nodded briefly. Radu smiled at him and headed back downstairs. Zim and Som-Ri were waiting on the couch; looks of worry were painting their faces.
"Radu, why didn't you tell him?" Som-Ri cried.
"You could lose your life," Zim added as Radu dropped into the chair opposite them.
"Normally I would have told him. But I want him to act and react as he would normally, not because he feels that my life is in his hands," Radu sighed resting his head in his hands.
In the one brief moment, he seemed to age a few years. He looked up at them, and in his face, Som-Ri could see all the sleepless nights he'd suffered through, all the torturous hours he'd spent getting to where he is now, and she could also see all the years of loneliness that had caused him so much pain. Even though Radu had hurt her, he was still her friend for their years of growing up, and she couldn't let him suffer.
"Radu, be careful. Human life and human society are very different from Irken life and Irken society," Som-Ri looked at him, more as a friend who understood him, than just someone worried about him.
"I know. I'm also not expecting Dib to ever love me in return. But I can release him from me," Radu sighed, rubbing his temples.
"I don't know you as well as Som-Ri does, but that doesn't mean that I don't care. Just be careful," Zim said.
