" . . . Thank you."
Four hundred kilometres above the atmosphere, the Massive lingered on the border of Earth's sight – little more than a pink dot, invisible to daylight sky cast over the planet. In the heart of the Massive's embrace, Zim and his mate lay together in a sweaty entanglement of limbs. They had just finished making love, and in the aftermath they basked in one another's company. Arms and legs knotted together, so close that they might never break apart. Zim rolled onto his back and winced. His body ached from the desperation of his mate's frantic hips – but he didn't mind. The pain and pleasure belonged to Zim and Zim alone. "What for?" Zim cocked his head, eyes bright, and they reflected every ounce of devotion in his heart to his mate.
"For everything. For this." His mate sat up. His silver and blue PAK struck the head of the bed and made him cringe – but smile too. "You didn't have to do this for me. I wouldn't have minded spending eternity in your PAK. It was peaceful." He sighed, deep enough for Zim to drown within. "So very peaceful . . ."
Slowly, Zim sat up to. He winced again, but otherwise let it go. "Yes I did." There was no duvet on the bed; they were both utterly exposed, but unashamed. What need was there for shame, before a beloved mate? "If you'd spent too long imprisoned inside my PAK you'd eventually forget yourself. No one could tell you from me – not even you or I, in the end. You're my mate, I want you to be yourself Dib, an individual, not a fragment of my PAK." A clawed hand reached forth and gently cupped Dib's cheek – still emaciated. The bones were predominant, not even a new body could fix that. Dib's hand rose and in turn grasped for Zim. His bony fingers were cold and frail upon Zim's. It was a beautiful, yet horrific memory.
Zim bit his lip. " . . . Between the state of your old body, the PAK, and the percentage of Irken DNA within you now, it's very unlikely your appearance shall change now." The irony was cruel. Had Zim perished amongst his own kind a replacement body could be manufactured in an instant, but banished and tested on Earth, Zim had no hope of returning without a body of his own. Amongst Irken kind cloning a human body was child's play – but not without its price. It hurt to say aloud, but Zim could not bring himself to lie, nor let go of Dib's delicate fingers. "I am sorry, Dib-worm."
Two percent Irken DNA to accommodate the PAK . . . The scientist Skoodge's words echoed about Dib's head. The tiny change was all but unnoticeable to the naked eye. The flicker of Irken DNA scouring Dib's blood was enough to cleanse him of the diabetes, but the body was still a copy of the original. Abused, emaciated and neglected from years devoted to Zim. Despite this, Dib was smiling. "It's okay, Zim." He gave Zim's hand a squeeze. "Anaemia will sort itself out through a good diet, and so will the seizures. Probably." He kissed Zim's knuckles and ran a hand over his ribs, still predominant. Like his acne and zits, one could not ignore it – yet not even this could eliminate Dib's smile. "And who cares if I'll remain weak and ugly for eternity? You once told me Irkens don't chose a mate for looks – and I certainly don't give a damn."
That made Zim laugh. "We don't," he agreed. He was Irken, his saw the inner beauty; the sweet purity of Dib's own soul. Never could he call his own precious mate ugly. He rose to his feet; cold air streaked Zim's sweaty form. He looked to the window. There, across the great horizon of the galaxy, Earth danced upon the edge of divinity. " . . . Are you sure you're ready to leave?" His eyes slipped closed. No longer could he even look to his mate for the fear of seeing the heartbreak. Eyes shut, Zim's eyelids cast towards the window, and what lay beyond. "Once we leave, we can never return. I am sorry I took you away from your family. I can request a while longer to stay, if you so desire."
And quite suddenly, eyes flashed open, and there was Dib. Smiling. He stood at Zim's side, naked, and fingers entwined into Irken hands. "You don't have to apologise." He pulled Zim away. Away from Earth, and into his warm, loving embrace.
"Yes Zim. I'm ready to leave."
That's all folks! Thank you so much to everyone who has followed this story to the end. One last time, please review and favourite. If you enjoyed Eight Minutes please check out my other work, and stay tuned for future stories! :D