Disclaimer (Don'tcha love these?): Invader Zim belongs to the Almighty Thinnest Jhonen Vasquez, and his army of doom-sporks, and the sentient dust- bunnies at Nickelodeon. Aw, aren't they cute? [squish] I do this only out of my deep love for these ingenious characters.
SLASH WARNING: Just in case you haven't noticed the fifteen or so times I've said it, this is SLASH, sweet sweet Zim+Dib love. You don't like, you don't have to read. Now if I came over to your house, tied you to a chair, and nailed your eyelids to your brows, THEN things'd be different, but I haven't so at the moment you're free to not read.
Any reviews you give to me will pleeeee-ase Pustulio! Flames will be treated with the same loving care you would expect from Nny, and any survivors will be fed to my pet Velociraptor.
________
What You Really Need
________
-Let me in
Let me drown or learn how to swim
Just don't leave me at the window
I could be the one to be your next best friend
You may need someone to hold you
Sleepwalker take this knife
You may see someone tonight...
And you'd be the one to save my life
When I'm dead asleep dreamin'-
-"Wallflowers", Sleepwalker-
Chapter Two
His eyelids fluttered open, closed, fluttered again and finally forced themselves up. Ruby eyes stared at the metal tubes of the ceiling and brows creased in confusion. Sitting up brought a surge of pain; he doubled over, wrapped his arms around himself and waited for it to pass.
When he could move his head without causing much more agony, Zim took in his surroundings. The living room, empty except for him. He wondered vaguely how he'd made it to the couch. Everything after the injection...a small cry escaped his strained throat as he stared down at himself. It had worked! The once-huge couch was now cramped. He had to fold his legs up just to lay down!
For what seemed like forever he just looked at himself, getting acquainted with his new form, marveling at his lean arms and long legs. With difficulty, dizziness, and more pain, which he ignored, he was able to stand. Testing his new height resulted in several falls that eventually left him on his back, laughing.
"Guess that means you're not dead."
Zim's antennae perked up, and he looked up to find a figure standing in the kitchen door. "Dib-beast?! What are you doing here? I thought I told you to get out!"
Dib wandered over and stood above his supine form, staring down at him with an indiscernible expression on his face. Something was clutched loosely in his right hand. He pointed at Zim's chest with his left. "By your reaction I take it this was supposed to happen." He walked around him, gaze intent. "That's quite a change."
He couldn't help the smug grin that washed over his face. "You're impressed I see."
Dib's eyes locked onto his, stared into him for nearly a minute, until the urge to squirm ran down Zim's spine. Finally he sat up and glared at the human. "What?!"
"Why?"
"Eh?" His brows creased. "Why? Why what?"
"Why did you do it. What in the world do you think this accomplishes? Hooray, you're taller. Maybe taller than those jerks you call leaders." The Irken had to fight down the ingrained loyalist reaction the slander of his leaders caused. Dib ignored the glare he shot him. "It doesn't mean anything, Zim."
"It means everything!" Zim shouted. "Ignorant human! You know nothing. It means the reinstatement of my mission. It means respect from my fellow invaders. It means the Tallest will take me back." He paused, staring past Dib. "It means everything."
Behind Dib's glasses amber eyes widened. "...You can't seriously believe that."
Zim's red eyes darkened, and he shot to his feet. "I don't have to explain myself to you! Stupid human, what are you even doing here in the first place?!"
Dib clenched his fists. "Saving your green ass! GIR came to my house when you nearly made him an 'orphan'."
He glared. Disappointment was evident in his voice. "Stupid of him."
"The only stupid thing he did was care what happened to his 'master'." Dib spat the word, voice dripping with contempt. He spun around, snatched his trenchcoat off the kitchen table, and started for the exit. "You're very welcome for the help you didn't want. No need to show me the door, I know my own way out."
Zim glared at the leather-clad back as Dib stomped to the door and jerked it open. The second it slammed shut behind him Zim ran over, flung it open, and shouted, "Make sure you don't find your way in again!" Dib turned to glare at him, and Zim smiled back, a wicked gleam in his eye.
"Gnomes, security mode on!"
The human's eyes widened and he shot off down the walkway, just barely escaping a beating from the lawn gnomes. Zim's cruel laughter echoed through the house as he headed down to the lab.
_____
'Transmission: 65%'
Zim's gloved fingers drummed on the smooth surface of the console. His eyes burned from being locked on the screen; for over an hour he'd made numerous attempts to contact the Massive, waited with dwindling patience for the transmission to go through, only to get blocked and disconnected each time, at the last possible moment.
'Transmission: 82%'
It should've gotten easier, but the sting of rejection increased with each cut-off. Did they truly hate him so much they couldn't even give him the mercy of closure? He couldn't accept that. They would listen, they had to. He was an invader, and now he could prove it to them! If he could just get them to look...
'Transmission: 98%'
He smoothed back his antennae and shifted in his seat, cleared his throat and engaged in any number of other nervous gestures. The part of his mind that dealt in logic was preparing for yet another rebuff, but that small, dogged, stubborn center of loyalty refused to allow it. His breath caught in his throat...
'Transmission Complete: Please Stand By'
There was barely time for him to register his success before the black screen was replaced with the features of his all-powerful leaders. Tallest Purple had his face in his slim fingers, his shoulders slumped, while Tallest Red was rolling his eyes and sighing mightily.
"Zim, do you even know what a hint IS?" His eyes came to rest on the screen, and immediately became twice as large.
"What the-? By the first Tallest, what did you DO?!"
At that Purple looked at Red, brows knitted in confusion, then glanced at the screen. His eyes grew to rival Red's and his jaw fell open, shut, then opened again. "ZIM?!"
Zim beamed, releasing his pent-up breath in a relieved sigh. "Yes, my Tallest, it is I, Zim! Utilizing research I conducted on the physiology of the pathetic inhabitants of this planet, I have made some modifications to my genetic structure. Do you approve?"
The two Tallest exchanged a meaningful, uncertain stare. "How did you...WHY did you..."
"Wasn't that dangerous?!"
Zim winced at memories of the pain he'd so recently been trapped in, and at the rebellious thought of 'Do you care?' that crossed his mind. "I live only to serve my Tallest, and I came to believe this was the only way to do so effectively. Risk means nothing compared to your requirements."
"Zim..." The strange, helpless look in his Purple's eyes was matched by the disturbed light in Red's. They both turned away, talked for nearly a minute in harsh whispers that he couldn't make out. Finally they focused on the screen again. A knot of fear gripped Zim's insides at the solemn set of their faces.
"Invader Zim, we thank you for your faithful-"
"More like fanatical."
"-service in the past. However, we no longer require your...unique...skills. You are dismissed from active duty in the military of the Irken Empire. You will remain at your current post, unless called to return by your Tallest. Farewell soldier."
"My Tallest, wait-!" And the screen was black again...and Zim was alone.
_____
One look at Zim's face told Dib all he needed to know. He crossed his arms, bowed his head, and leaned back against his locker, watching Zim out of the corner of his eye. The alien was making his way into the hi skool, swerving through the crowd with practiced, unconscious ease, but stumbling occasionally from the still-new balance his height accorded him.
His glaring eyes were attempting to burn a hole in the floor, his brows knotted and twisted. He clutched his few books tight against his chest, and didn't notice the stares that were starting to be directed at him. Dib did, though, and a strange unease gripped his stomach.
"Hey, look at the green kid."
"Wasn't he, like, short?"
"...in just a week?"
"How did he..."
"It's not human!"
The gossip was flying, in whispers and sometimes louder. At that last declaration Zim seemed to realize the atmosphere had shifted. His head jerked up sharply, and his wide eyes scanned the crowd that had gathered in a loose circle around him. Purple tinted his cheeks as he backed up towards the lockers.
"Hey shrimp!" Torque appeared behind him without warning and pushed him back into the crowd. "How'd you get so tall? It ain't normal." More whispers rippled through the crowd, dangerous in tone, and Zim scurried away from the humans.
Dib knew things were about to get ugly, just as he knew this was the exact moment he'd waited for so long, the moment Zim was finally exposed for the alien menace he was. Only he wasn't a menace, not now. Alien, yes, but menace, no...
To Dib he had become something entirely different.
Without thinking he pushed off of the lockers, strode over to the throng and pushed through the teens. He planted his feet firmly in front of Zim, who flinched, and stared back at him with fear lurking in his lavender eyes.
"Yeah, ZIM," Dib went into full-out rant mode, laying the manic tone on as thick as he ever had when they were back in elementary. "How'd you get so tall? That's must've been a hell of a growth spurt, ALIEN. HUMANS don't grow several feet in two days. Just like HUMANS don't have green skin and no ears! You're an ALIEN and this proves it! What'd you do, perform some hideous ALIEN experiment on yourself?" Sarcasm dripped from his words. "Or is it just a side effect of your 'skin condition'?"
He sneered at Zim, whose panicked gaze was darting around the crowd. Dib leaned back and smirked as the people began to lose interest and continue on their mindless business.
Zim turned to Dib, stared at him in obvious confusion. Dib merely shrugged. "I've been telling them for years you're an alien. And I figured out long ago that that's the best way to convince them otherwise. I'm still a freak, which means they can't agree with anything I say, on pain of lost popularity."
Without a word, Zim brushed past him and continued down the hall. Dib stared after him for a moment. "That's two you owe me, alien." Humming uncharacteristically, he followed Zim to class.
_____
Dib spent lunch in careful study. He made his way to the secondary courtyard, which was daily populated by the rejects and social misfits of the skool. After planting himself in his usual spot, leaning against the wall of the science building, he occupied himself with watching the always strange behavior of the student body.
It was how he spent every lunch period. Since he never bothered to eat until he got home, he had to find something to concentrate on. But this time he was waiting for something in particular. Or rather, someone.
Zim finally came into his view. He was leaving the main building, and wandered past Dib without seeming to notice him. His eyes were again downcast, and his textbooks and usual bag lunch of who-knew-what strange alien food were nowhere to be seen. As he passed by the concrete fence surrounding the skool Dib made his move.
With uncanny speed he was beside the alien. He grabbed Zim's wrist in a fierce grip and dragged him out of the gate, off the skool grounds. A squeak escaped Zim's throat, and he nearly stumbled, but Dib kept pulling him down the street until they came to a convenient alleyway. He jerked Zim inside, glanced back to make sure no one had noticed, then turned back to the alien, who was now sitting on the ground where he'd fallen, his legs splayed out and weight on his arms behind him.
"Dib-beast!! I swear you shall pay for this!" Zim fixed him with a steely glare, and growled as he rubbed at his hip where he'd landed.
Dib looked unimpressed. "What happened Zim? Or do I even need to ask." A hint of purple again touched Zim's cheeks, and he averted his gaze with an angry snapping motion. "Guess that answers my question."
Zim jumped to his feet, and pushed in close to Dib with a harsh snarl. "Human, I'm going to-"
"What? What're you gonna do, Zim?" Dib looked him over. "You're not a threat anymore."
Zim seemed to shrink back, turned around and walked a few steps further into the alley. He hesitated, then said quietly, "Do you hate me?"
Confusion lit Dib's features. "What?"
He didn't turn around. "...Do you hate me?"
Dib couldn't answer at first, wasn't sure if he should. He didn't even know the answer to that question, still wasn't sure how he felt about-
"...No." As he said it, he realized it was true, had been for a very long time. A smile started to worm its way across his lips. "No, I don't hate you."
Dib was taken aback as Zim spun, shouted at him, "Why not?!" The alien's lips were curled back in a snarl, his brows furrowed dangerously. "Have I not hurt you enough? Have I failed in my mission to fill your life with torment, just as I failed every other mission I was ever given?" His eyes flashed, and Dib could almost swear that sparks of his natural red were visible, hiding behind the lavender contacts.
"Zim, I-"
"Why won't you care?!"
They both froze, Zim staring blankly and Dib staring at him. The alien's mouth hung open in shock, and it was almost a minute before he gave a vicious shake of his head and pushed his way past Dib, out into the street. Dib ran to catch up.
"Zim, wait!"
"Leave me alone." He brushed off the hand Dib tried to place on his shoulder. The movement gave Dib a glimpse of moist, pale green cheeks, and his insides turned to ice as he realized Zim was crying. They were already coming upon the mouth of the cove that lead to the alien's freaky little house, and he sped up enough to plant himself in front of Zim, blocking his path.
"I can't believe I'm saying this, but I think being alone is the last thing you need right now."
Zim fixed him with a glare, but made no move to pass. "And what makes you think you know a single thing about what I need?"
Dib smirked. "Did you forget who you're talking to? By now I probably know more about you than you do." He took a few steps forward, bringing him within inches of Zim's face. An alarmed look flew through his lavender eyes, but he didn't seem willing, or able, to increase the distance between them.
"Do you have any idea why I've been studying you so hard?"
Zim glared at him. "Because you're thorough in examining your enemies for weakness. Doing your...homework...makes it that much easier to put me on an autopsy table."
Dib regarded him with a smug smile. "Maybe that's how it started. You know I could've had you killed or captured years ago, if I'd really wanted to."
A growl sounded from between Zim's clenched teeth. "You lie!"
Dib shrugged. "Believe what you want, doesn't change the truth. I didn't want you dead, though I didn't know why at the time. Actually, I'm not surprised you didn't know why I chased you, hunted you, studied you; I just figured it out myself."
Zim stepped back, but Dib's hand wrapped firmly but gently around his wrist. Amber eyes crept over tear-streaked green skin. Not letting go of Zim's wrist, Dib raised his other hand, brushed it tentatively against Zim's cheek, wiping away the moisture still flowing down his face. At the touch Zim's eyes squeezed shut, a small gasp parting his lips. Dib's pale, almost white skin contrasted with the luscious green, and the purpleish flush that crept across Zim's cheeks. "'Why won't you care?' That's what you said....That's what you really need, isn't it..."
He leaned forward and allowed his lips to caress Zim's ever so gently. The salt of the alien's tears lingered on his senses, and he noted that a small shiver ran through the wrist in his grip. Zim's eyes finally fluttered open, and regarded him with a hint of confusion.
"Yeah...that's what you need..." Dib's smile was warm. "...Someone to care."
Dib was only a little surprised when Zim collapsed, sobbing, into his arms.
_____
"Here. Found this in the refrigerator, assumed it was food." Dib handed Zim a plastic-wrapped bar with the Irken symbol prominently displayed on the front, took a sip of the Poop cola he'd found beside it, then sat down next to Zim on the couch. Zim didn't bother to open the bar, just sat there with his arms draped over his knees, staring at the floor.
Dib was beginning to wonder if he'd miscalculated Zim's reactions by the time the alien spoke up. "What was that?"
"A kiss. 'Verb: to caress mutually with the lips.'"
"I know that," Zim glared at him. "I am familiar with that, though I know it by another name. I meant..." He knitted his brows slightly, seemed to be looking for the right words. "...Why?"
Dib couldn't help rolling his eyes. "I thought I made that kinda clear. I like you Zim. Maybe more than I should, but I do."
Zim seemed to ponder that for a while. "I take it...this is a truce, then?"
"I think so." Dib smiled at him, and let sarcasm color his tone. "As long as you don't try to take over the world, I won't have to foil any of your *incredible* schemes."
"You insult the brilliant plans of ZIM?" Zim's tone was haughty as it always was, but a smile was beginning to take root.
"Oh I don't deny their brilliance." Dib smirked. "I'm just a lot more brilliant."
"You think so, stinkbeast?"
"I know so! I can take anything you can dish out, alien scum."
"Is that so?" Within seconds Dib was on the floor, lying on his back with Zim looming over him. The alien knelt down, braced his arms on the floor above Dib's head, and straddled his waist. "Now you must face the wrath of Zim..."
The mischief in his red eyes brought another grin to Dib's face. "Bring it- Eep!"
He shrieked as nimble gloved fingers began to dance along his sides. Almost immediately he was reduced to a laughing, squirming, breathless mess by the relentless tickling. "Hey!" he gasped. "No fair!"
"Irkens are superior, they don't have to play fair....Aah!" It was Zim's turn to squirm as Dib saw an opening and darted in for the kill, his fingers engaging in vicious tickling of their own.
"Some superior race. Who knew aliens were ticklish."
"Why you-"
Dib wrapped his arms around Zim's neck, took a second to enjoy the squeak that escaped his throat, then pulled him down and silenced him the best way he knew how.
_____
"Something has to be done about him." Red paced the antechamber of Purple's quarters. From the couch Purple watched him, nervous eyes following him.
"Can't we just leave him?" Purple's voice sounded timid even to himself.
Red looked at him as if he was crazy. "He's gotta be as tall as us! What if he tries to come back? What if someone else sees him? He's more dangerous now than he ever was!"
Purple continued his feeble protest. "We told him to stay there."
"We also told him he wasn't a proper Irken, and that we never wanted him around in the first place. Do you really expect him to obey orders now?" Purple looked away from Red's stare sheepishly.
"Do we really have to kill him?"
Red threw up his arms in exasperation. "Why do you care anyway?! I thought we hated him!"
Purple blushed and wouldn't meet his gaze. "It's hard to hate something that loyal."
"...Or that optimistic, or that blindly obedient..." Red sighed. He crossed one arm over the other, rested his forehead on his hand. Purple kept his head down but his eyes fixed on him.
"...Fine. We can call and check on him. But if there's even the slightest hint that something's wrong..."
"I know, I know, time to get out the big lasers." Purple tapped the arm of the couch, where a touchpad appeared. His fingers flew over the keys, and a floating screen dropped from the ceiling and opened the transmission. When it went through, his eyes widened in surprise. The view was of Zim's 'living room', from the television in front of the couch. On the floor was Zim and that same Earthenoid, and they were...
Without a word Purple closed the call, and stared at Red, whose face looked the same as Purple was sure his did; eyes wide, mouth hanging open, antennae pricked far forward.
"...I don't think he's gonna be leaving that planet anytime soon."
"...Yeah."
"..."
"..."
"...Race you to the bedroom."
__________
SLASH WARNING: Just in case you haven't noticed the fifteen or so times I've said it, this is SLASH, sweet sweet Zim+Dib love. You don't like, you don't have to read. Now if I came over to your house, tied you to a chair, and nailed your eyelids to your brows, THEN things'd be different, but I haven't so at the moment you're free to not read.
Any reviews you give to me will pleeeee-ase Pustulio! Flames will be treated with the same loving care you would expect from Nny, and any survivors will be fed to my pet Velociraptor.
________
What You Really Need
________
-Let me in
Let me drown or learn how to swim
Just don't leave me at the window
I could be the one to be your next best friend
You may need someone to hold you
Sleepwalker take this knife
You may see someone tonight...
And you'd be the one to save my life
When I'm dead asleep dreamin'-
-"Wallflowers", Sleepwalker-
Chapter Two
His eyelids fluttered open, closed, fluttered again and finally forced themselves up. Ruby eyes stared at the metal tubes of the ceiling and brows creased in confusion. Sitting up brought a surge of pain; he doubled over, wrapped his arms around himself and waited for it to pass.
When he could move his head without causing much more agony, Zim took in his surroundings. The living room, empty except for him. He wondered vaguely how he'd made it to the couch. Everything after the injection...a small cry escaped his strained throat as he stared down at himself. It had worked! The once-huge couch was now cramped. He had to fold his legs up just to lay down!
For what seemed like forever he just looked at himself, getting acquainted with his new form, marveling at his lean arms and long legs. With difficulty, dizziness, and more pain, which he ignored, he was able to stand. Testing his new height resulted in several falls that eventually left him on his back, laughing.
"Guess that means you're not dead."
Zim's antennae perked up, and he looked up to find a figure standing in the kitchen door. "Dib-beast?! What are you doing here? I thought I told you to get out!"
Dib wandered over and stood above his supine form, staring down at him with an indiscernible expression on his face. Something was clutched loosely in his right hand. He pointed at Zim's chest with his left. "By your reaction I take it this was supposed to happen." He walked around him, gaze intent. "That's quite a change."
He couldn't help the smug grin that washed over his face. "You're impressed I see."
Dib's eyes locked onto his, stared into him for nearly a minute, until the urge to squirm ran down Zim's spine. Finally he sat up and glared at the human. "What?!"
"Why?"
"Eh?" His brows creased. "Why? Why what?"
"Why did you do it. What in the world do you think this accomplishes? Hooray, you're taller. Maybe taller than those jerks you call leaders." The Irken had to fight down the ingrained loyalist reaction the slander of his leaders caused. Dib ignored the glare he shot him. "It doesn't mean anything, Zim."
"It means everything!" Zim shouted. "Ignorant human! You know nothing. It means the reinstatement of my mission. It means respect from my fellow invaders. It means the Tallest will take me back." He paused, staring past Dib. "It means everything."
Behind Dib's glasses amber eyes widened. "...You can't seriously believe that."
Zim's red eyes darkened, and he shot to his feet. "I don't have to explain myself to you! Stupid human, what are you even doing here in the first place?!"
Dib clenched his fists. "Saving your green ass! GIR came to my house when you nearly made him an 'orphan'."
He glared. Disappointment was evident in his voice. "Stupid of him."
"The only stupid thing he did was care what happened to his 'master'." Dib spat the word, voice dripping with contempt. He spun around, snatched his trenchcoat off the kitchen table, and started for the exit. "You're very welcome for the help you didn't want. No need to show me the door, I know my own way out."
Zim glared at the leather-clad back as Dib stomped to the door and jerked it open. The second it slammed shut behind him Zim ran over, flung it open, and shouted, "Make sure you don't find your way in again!" Dib turned to glare at him, and Zim smiled back, a wicked gleam in his eye.
"Gnomes, security mode on!"
The human's eyes widened and he shot off down the walkway, just barely escaping a beating from the lawn gnomes. Zim's cruel laughter echoed through the house as he headed down to the lab.
_____
'Transmission: 65%'
Zim's gloved fingers drummed on the smooth surface of the console. His eyes burned from being locked on the screen; for over an hour he'd made numerous attempts to contact the Massive, waited with dwindling patience for the transmission to go through, only to get blocked and disconnected each time, at the last possible moment.
'Transmission: 82%'
It should've gotten easier, but the sting of rejection increased with each cut-off. Did they truly hate him so much they couldn't even give him the mercy of closure? He couldn't accept that. They would listen, they had to. He was an invader, and now he could prove it to them! If he could just get them to look...
'Transmission: 98%'
He smoothed back his antennae and shifted in his seat, cleared his throat and engaged in any number of other nervous gestures. The part of his mind that dealt in logic was preparing for yet another rebuff, but that small, dogged, stubborn center of loyalty refused to allow it. His breath caught in his throat...
'Transmission Complete: Please Stand By'
There was barely time for him to register his success before the black screen was replaced with the features of his all-powerful leaders. Tallest Purple had his face in his slim fingers, his shoulders slumped, while Tallest Red was rolling his eyes and sighing mightily.
"Zim, do you even know what a hint IS?" His eyes came to rest on the screen, and immediately became twice as large.
"What the-? By the first Tallest, what did you DO?!"
At that Purple looked at Red, brows knitted in confusion, then glanced at the screen. His eyes grew to rival Red's and his jaw fell open, shut, then opened again. "ZIM?!"
Zim beamed, releasing his pent-up breath in a relieved sigh. "Yes, my Tallest, it is I, Zim! Utilizing research I conducted on the physiology of the pathetic inhabitants of this planet, I have made some modifications to my genetic structure. Do you approve?"
The two Tallest exchanged a meaningful, uncertain stare. "How did you...WHY did you..."
"Wasn't that dangerous?!"
Zim winced at memories of the pain he'd so recently been trapped in, and at the rebellious thought of 'Do you care?' that crossed his mind. "I live only to serve my Tallest, and I came to believe this was the only way to do so effectively. Risk means nothing compared to your requirements."
"Zim..." The strange, helpless look in his Purple's eyes was matched by the disturbed light in Red's. They both turned away, talked for nearly a minute in harsh whispers that he couldn't make out. Finally they focused on the screen again. A knot of fear gripped Zim's insides at the solemn set of their faces.
"Invader Zim, we thank you for your faithful-"
"More like fanatical."
"-service in the past. However, we no longer require your...unique...skills. You are dismissed from active duty in the military of the Irken Empire. You will remain at your current post, unless called to return by your Tallest. Farewell soldier."
"My Tallest, wait-!" And the screen was black again...and Zim was alone.
_____
One look at Zim's face told Dib all he needed to know. He crossed his arms, bowed his head, and leaned back against his locker, watching Zim out of the corner of his eye. The alien was making his way into the hi skool, swerving through the crowd with practiced, unconscious ease, but stumbling occasionally from the still-new balance his height accorded him.
His glaring eyes were attempting to burn a hole in the floor, his brows knotted and twisted. He clutched his few books tight against his chest, and didn't notice the stares that were starting to be directed at him. Dib did, though, and a strange unease gripped his stomach.
"Hey, look at the green kid."
"Wasn't he, like, short?"
"...in just a week?"
"How did he..."
"It's not human!"
The gossip was flying, in whispers and sometimes louder. At that last declaration Zim seemed to realize the atmosphere had shifted. His head jerked up sharply, and his wide eyes scanned the crowd that had gathered in a loose circle around him. Purple tinted his cheeks as he backed up towards the lockers.
"Hey shrimp!" Torque appeared behind him without warning and pushed him back into the crowd. "How'd you get so tall? It ain't normal." More whispers rippled through the crowd, dangerous in tone, and Zim scurried away from the humans.
Dib knew things were about to get ugly, just as he knew this was the exact moment he'd waited for so long, the moment Zim was finally exposed for the alien menace he was. Only he wasn't a menace, not now. Alien, yes, but menace, no...
To Dib he had become something entirely different.
Without thinking he pushed off of the lockers, strode over to the throng and pushed through the teens. He planted his feet firmly in front of Zim, who flinched, and stared back at him with fear lurking in his lavender eyes.
"Yeah, ZIM," Dib went into full-out rant mode, laying the manic tone on as thick as he ever had when they were back in elementary. "How'd you get so tall? That's must've been a hell of a growth spurt, ALIEN. HUMANS don't grow several feet in two days. Just like HUMANS don't have green skin and no ears! You're an ALIEN and this proves it! What'd you do, perform some hideous ALIEN experiment on yourself?" Sarcasm dripped from his words. "Or is it just a side effect of your 'skin condition'?"
He sneered at Zim, whose panicked gaze was darting around the crowd. Dib leaned back and smirked as the people began to lose interest and continue on their mindless business.
Zim turned to Dib, stared at him in obvious confusion. Dib merely shrugged. "I've been telling them for years you're an alien. And I figured out long ago that that's the best way to convince them otherwise. I'm still a freak, which means they can't agree with anything I say, on pain of lost popularity."
Without a word, Zim brushed past him and continued down the hall. Dib stared after him for a moment. "That's two you owe me, alien." Humming uncharacteristically, he followed Zim to class.
_____
Dib spent lunch in careful study. He made his way to the secondary courtyard, which was daily populated by the rejects and social misfits of the skool. After planting himself in his usual spot, leaning against the wall of the science building, he occupied himself with watching the always strange behavior of the student body.
It was how he spent every lunch period. Since he never bothered to eat until he got home, he had to find something to concentrate on. But this time he was waiting for something in particular. Or rather, someone.
Zim finally came into his view. He was leaving the main building, and wandered past Dib without seeming to notice him. His eyes were again downcast, and his textbooks and usual bag lunch of who-knew-what strange alien food were nowhere to be seen. As he passed by the concrete fence surrounding the skool Dib made his move.
With uncanny speed he was beside the alien. He grabbed Zim's wrist in a fierce grip and dragged him out of the gate, off the skool grounds. A squeak escaped Zim's throat, and he nearly stumbled, but Dib kept pulling him down the street until they came to a convenient alleyway. He jerked Zim inside, glanced back to make sure no one had noticed, then turned back to the alien, who was now sitting on the ground where he'd fallen, his legs splayed out and weight on his arms behind him.
"Dib-beast!! I swear you shall pay for this!" Zim fixed him with a steely glare, and growled as he rubbed at his hip where he'd landed.
Dib looked unimpressed. "What happened Zim? Or do I even need to ask." A hint of purple again touched Zim's cheeks, and he averted his gaze with an angry snapping motion. "Guess that answers my question."
Zim jumped to his feet, and pushed in close to Dib with a harsh snarl. "Human, I'm going to-"
"What? What're you gonna do, Zim?" Dib looked him over. "You're not a threat anymore."
Zim seemed to shrink back, turned around and walked a few steps further into the alley. He hesitated, then said quietly, "Do you hate me?"
Confusion lit Dib's features. "What?"
He didn't turn around. "...Do you hate me?"
Dib couldn't answer at first, wasn't sure if he should. He didn't even know the answer to that question, still wasn't sure how he felt about-
"...No." As he said it, he realized it was true, had been for a very long time. A smile started to worm its way across his lips. "No, I don't hate you."
Dib was taken aback as Zim spun, shouted at him, "Why not?!" The alien's lips were curled back in a snarl, his brows furrowed dangerously. "Have I not hurt you enough? Have I failed in my mission to fill your life with torment, just as I failed every other mission I was ever given?" His eyes flashed, and Dib could almost swear that sparks of his natural red were visible, hiding behind the lavender contacts.
"Zim, I-"
"Why won't you care?!"
They both froze, Zim staring blankly and Dib staring at him. The alien's mouth hung open in shock, and it was almost a minute before he gave a vicious shake of his head and pushed his way past Dib, out into the street. Dib ran to catch up.
"Zim, wait!"
"Leave me alone." He brushed off the hand Dib tried to place on his shoulder. The movement gave Dib a glimpse of moist, pale green cheeks, and his insides turned to ice as he realized Zim was crying. They were already coming upon the mouth of the cove that lead to the alien's freaky little house, and he sped up enough to plant himself in front of Zim, blocking his path.
"I can't believe I'm saying this, but I think being alone is the last thing you need right now."
Zim fixed him with a glare, but made no move to pass. "And what makes you think you know a single thing about what I need?"
Dib smirked. "Did you forget who you're talking to? By now I probably know more about you than you do." He took a few steps forward, bringing him within inches of Zim's face. An alarmed look flew through his lavender eyes, but he didn't seem willing, or able, to increase the distance between them.
"Do you have any idea why I've been studying you so hard?"
Zim glared at him. "Because you're thorough in examining your enemies for weakness. Doing your...homework...makes it that much easier to put me on an autopsy table."
Dib regarded him with a smug smile. "Maybe that's how it started. You know I could've had you killed or captured years ago, if I'd really wanted to."
A growl sounded from between Zim's clenched teeth. "You lie!"
Dib shrugged. "Believe what you want, doesn't change the truth. I didn't want you dead, though I didn't know why at the time. Actually, I'm not surprised you didn't know why I chased you, hunted you, studied you; I just figured it out myself."
Zim stepped back, but Dib's hand wrapped firmly but gently around his wrist. Amber eyes crept over tear-streaked green skin. Not letting go of Zim's wrist, Dib raised his other hand, brushed it tentatively against Zim's cheek, wiping away the moisture still flowing down his face. At the touch Zim's eyes squeezed shut, a small gasp parting his lips. Dib's pale, almost white skin contrasted with the luscious green, and the purpleish flush that crept across Zim's cheeks. "'Why won't you care?' That's what you said....That's what you really need, isn't it..."
He leaned forward and allowed his lips to caress Zim's ever so gently. The salt of the alien's tears lingered on his senses, and he noted that a small shiver ran through the wrist in his grip. Zim's eyes finally fluttered open, and regarded him with a hint of confusion.
"Yeah...that's what you need..." Dib's smile was warm. "...Someone to care."
Dib was only a little surprised when Zim collapsed, sobbing, into his arms.
_____
"Here. Found this in the refrigerator, assumed it was food." Dib handed Zim a plastic-wrapped bar with the Irken symbol prominently displayed on the front, took a sip of the Poop cola he'd found beside it, then sat down next to Zim on the couch. Zim didn't bother to open the bar, just sat there with his arms draped over his knees, staring at the floor.
Dib was beginning to wonder if he'd miscalculated Zim's reactions by the time the alien spoke up. "What was that?"
"A kiss. 'Verb: to caress mutually with the lips.'"
"I know that," Zim glared at him. "I am familiar with that, though I know it by another name. I meant..." He knitted his brows slightly, seemed to be looking for the right words. "...Why?"
Dib couldn't help rolling his eyes. "I thought I made that kinda clear. I like you Zim. Maybe more than I should, but I do."
Zim seemed to ponder that for a while. "I take it...this is a truce, then?"
"I think so." Dib smiled at him, and let sarcasm color his tone. "As long as you don't try to take over the world, I won't have to foil any of your *incredible* schemes."
"You insult the brilliant plans of ZIM?" Zim's tone was haughty as it always was, but a smile was beginning to take root.
"Oh I don't deny their brilliance." Dib smirked. "I'm just a lot more brilliant."
"You think so, stinkbeast?"
"I know so! I can take anything you can dish out, alien scum."
"Is that so?" Within seconds Dib was on the floor, lying on his back with Zim looming over him. The alien knelt down, braced his arms on the floor above Dib's head, and straddled his waist. "Now you must face the wrath of Zim..."
The mischief in his red eyes brought another grin to Dib's face. "Bring it- Eep!"
He shrieked as nimble gloved fingers began to dance along his sides. Almost immediately he was reduced to a laughing, squirming, breathless mess by the relentless tickling. "Hey!" he gasped. "No fair!"
"Irkens are superior, they don't have to play fair....Aah!" It was Zim's turn to squirm as Dib saw an opening and darted in for the kill, his fingers engaging in vicious tickling of their own.
"Some superior race. Who knew aliens were ticklish."
"Why you-"
Dib wrapped his arms around Zim's neck, took a second to enjoy the squeak that escaped his throat, then pulled him down and silenced him the best way he knew how.
_____
"Something has to be done about him." Red paced the antechamber of Purple's quarters. From the couch Purple watched him, nervous eyes following him.
"Can't we just leave him?" Purple's voice sounded timid even to himself.
Red looked at him as if he was crazy. "He's gotta be as tall as us! What if he tries to come back? What if someone else sees him? He's more dangerous now than he ever was!"
Purple continued his feeble protest. "We told him to stay there."
"We also told him he wasn't a proper Irken, and that we never wanted him around in the first place. Do you really expect him to obey orders now?" Purple looked away from Red's stare sheepishly.
"Do we really have to kill him?"
Red threw up his arms in exasperation. "Why do you care anyway?! I thought we hated him!"
Purple blushed and wouldn't meet his gaze. "It's hard to hate something that loyal."
"...Or that optimistic, or that blindly obedient..." Red sighed. He crossed one arm over the other, rested his forehead on his hand. Purple kept his head down but his eyes fixed on him.
"...Fine. We can call and check on him. But if there's even the slightest hint that something's wrong..."
"I know, I know, time to get out the big lasers." Purple tapped the arm of the couch, where a touchpad appeared. His fingers flew over the keys, and a floating screen dropped from the ceiling and opened the transmission. When it went through, his eyes widened in surprise. The view was of Zim's 'living room', from the television in front of the couch. On the floor was Zim and that same Earthenoid, and they were...
Without a word Purple closed the call, and stared at Red, whose face looked the same as Purple was sure his did; eyes wide, mouth hanging open, antennae pricked far forward.
"...I don't think he's gonna be leaving that planet anytime soon."
"...Yeah."
"..."
"..."
"...Race you to the bedroom."
__________
