Someone Just Like You
Chapter 4: Different
PG-13
Written by Yuneko
Disclaimer: I don't own Invader Zim
Author's Note: Finish editing up the last chapters so here's a new one finally. Yay!
#####
It took quite a while for Zim to actually appear at the human's house. After skool he ran out the classroom to avoid the human. He didn't know why he was acting so cowardly, but he made it to his lair. He wanted to come fashionably late, as the humans would put it.
He took the extra time to soak into his tub of paste, brush his wig, and clean his contacts. Took forever to pick out his outfit, which was the same as his usual fuchsia pink dress looking thing. Zim didn't understand why he was taking so long, but it did feel right to take the time so he could impress Dib with his appearance.
Examining himself in the mirror for the tenth time. He was ready to take on whatever the human lashed out at him. Stupid stinkbeast Zim had thought of him fondly. Glancing at the mirror, Zim thought he looked really good. Though most would say he looked about the same.
After taking forever just to get ready, he took his time walking to Dib's house. Whistling as he walked, he passed the neighborhood in a breeze. The sun was just setting and the wind began to pick up making Zim shiver nearing Dib's house.
Zim stood at the porch of Dib's house late afternoon. His fingers trembled over the doorbell button. He didn't understand why he was so nervous. Right now his pak would have sent him a wave of calmness, but right now he didn't know how to deal with these entire emotions felt ten fold. The pak was indeed useful. Zim was only vaguely aware at the time of when he felt sad, lonely, depressed or even in love.
Perhaps there were many times he felt love, but he just didn't know it. He felt love for the cold unfeeling robot arm when he was born, but that was when he was just a small smeet. Zim was now mature and knew the differences love for things and people or so he thought.
But now the current crisis was to ring the doorbell and manage to say hi. Zim wasn't even sure he could muster some sort of greeting perhaps a hello or something. Just seeing Dib, made Zim all confused. He should have just made Dib come to his place, but it was too late and there he stood transfixed on the door.
His hands sweating from inside his gloves. He felt sick with anticipation, rubbing his temples he concentrated some more. This was a problem, even worse than getting a pimple. Zim just couldn't do it, he thought about just leaving and trying again tomorrow, but then the human would call him a coward and he couldn't let Dib get the best of him.
Gir had accompanied him for moral support. Giving Zim thumbs up he smiled warmly at his master and planned to make a raid at the gas station for a well deserve slurpe. Seeing that his master wasn't going into the house and how he wasn't getting his slurpe any faster waiting. Gir marched up the steps of the Membrane house and pressed Zim's finger against the doorbell.
"Finally!" Gir rolled his eye, satisfied with what he just did; he gave Zim a reassuring pat on the head and ran off for his ice-cold delight.
Standing in horror in what Gir just did, Zim froze his eyes on the door counting down the seconds when Dib would open the door and he would see him. Yes...he would see Dib, and Zim panicked. What would he do? What would he say? He didn't have anything planned out. Zim was just there, on Dib's doorsteps waiting.
#####
After a minute the sound of the door unlocking came and Dib stood in front of Zim. His whole 6'4 height towering over the small Irken. It was times like these Dib was reminded on how tiny Zim really was.
Clearing his throat, Dib finally found his voice to answer the dazed Zim. The alien seemed off today, so scared...so vulnerable. Why did the alien look this way? Dib was now stumped, and then the answer came to him.
Perhaps it was something he said yesterday that angered or maybe even humbled Zim. But then it was Zim; the Irken wasn't able to understand the term of humility. H was confident and arrogant. Always walked without a doubt and here he was...all shaken up.
"Hi Zim, finally found your way to the house didn't you?" Dib chuckled, getting no answer from the alien.
"Zim...hey..." Dib was getting worried. Was something wrong with the alien? He wasn't moving at all, he just stood scared like a deer out in the headlights. Thinking he wasn't going to get anywhere just trying to get Zim to speak he picked the Irken off his feet into the house.
It felt weird picking Zim up, he was incredibly light due to his size. Setting him down on the couch he tried to clean up the place a bit. The house was messy, with cans of soda on the table and chip crumbs on the carpet. It was no environment for guests and Dib was a bit embarrassed.
"Do you want a soda or something? Snacks? Anything?" Dib asked.
But Zim just sat there staring straight through Dib, fixated on the table of junk. It was as if Zim was lifeless, like a doll. He didn't blink, but appeared to be breathing. What was wrong with Zim?
Dib sighed and proceeded to get a trash can to clean up the place; he would deal with the alien later. It amazed him how easily he could capture Zim now, in his lethargic looking state and finally get the praise he deserved. He would be Dib, paranormal investigator at the age of fourteen. Millions would want to shake his hand and get his autograph.
But then he couldn't do anything till after the project. Only then when the baby was out of the way Dib would make his move. For now he would just take advantage of learning more about Zim. The Irken had been so excited before to scream out the inferiority of the humans giving out more information about himself without even knowing it.
Proving even more that Zim was an alien. If he would somehow record Zim's voice saying those things, that would give him undeniable proof that Zim was an alien. Dib would capture Zim's confession and then sell him out after the project.
Throwing the cans into the trash can he tried to get the living room to look halfway decent at least. Maybe they could work in his room, but Dib didn't feel to safe letting Zim into his lair where he kept all his findings on the alien.
Things were getting awkwardly better in some way, but it didn't change the fact they were enemies and couldn't be trusted for anything.
"I'll be back." He told the non responsive alien.
Running up the stairs he went into the storage closet to get a vacuum cleaner to clean the mess. He thought he had taken care of everything, but he didn't. Before Zim had arrived Dib made sure he went to the grocery store, cleaned up his room, and even cleaned the bathroom.
"Why did I get all this ready just for Zim? It's not like he hasn't ever been to my house before." Dib asked himself, perplexed in why he was so paranoid of Zim seeing the slob he really was.
While Dib was rummaging through the closet, Gaz had just came from the kitchen with her soda. She raised an eyebrow once more seeing Zim over at her house and not being kicked out immediately. Finding that it was an appropriate time to question Zim about her brother's peculiar behavior she sat down.
#####
Sitting across the room from Zim, Gaz quietly sipped on her soda. She wanted to know why Zim had made her brother seem weirder than usual. She had watched her brother clean for once and even did the grocery shopping, leaving his precious "base" unattended.
Examining Zim, she found that Zim was also acting quite strange. Zim was as stiff as a board. Clearing throat she desperately fought the urge to turn on her Game Slave 2 and be blissfully in the zone. It really addicting as it advertised.
Unable to think of anything except beating her last ten levels of Vampire Piggy Special Edition she gave in, turning on the console.
While playing she kept an eyes out at Zim, his reaction remained the same, still quiet, away from his usual loud commanding self.
Zim was tugging at his collar uncomfortably wondering when the human would come back. Dib's sister was staring at him and it made him even more nervous. Sweat starting appearing at his neck. He moved into a more comfortable position, just waiting.
Seeing that Zim had finally moved after being a mere statue for some time, Gaz decided she would at least ask some questions. But more importantly beat the game.
"So...Zim, what are you doing in my brother's house?"
"The human and I are paired in a baby care project against my will. I do not wish to associate with the stink, but it was commanded by Ms. Bitters."
"Oh I see....and what have you guys done so far.." obviously bored with the conversation already. She was so close to beating the game...if only her concentration didn't have to be spliced in half.
"Nothing, we are currently working on it." Zim answered, taking a survey around the room. It was certainly messy, and probably invested with germs, but he would deal with it for the baby.
"Do you like my brother?"
"What!" Zim stood up on the couch shocked, his cheeks burning like fire.
"Well...you're blushing...and you're nervous. And you make my brother all weirded out. Are you guys going out or something?" Gaz inquired, finally getting out the question she had finally been able to word into her brain. She looked from her Game Slave 2 waiting for Zim's reply or more like reckless action.
"I do not like you brother." Zim said in a small voice. "Where is your bathroom?"
Gaz pointed to the staircase "Up the stairs into your left."
With that Zim ran lightly up the stairs locking himself into the room. At the same time Dib came out of the closet with a massive vacuum. Finding no alien, but Gaz on the couch he panicked.
"Gaz! Did you let Zim out of the house or even worse into my room?!" Dib plugged in the appliance and began to vacuum, irritating Gaz to no end. She needed quite to concentrate and her brother was ruining it. Her eyes twitching dangerously she paused her game to answer her brother.
"No...he ran into the bathroom. Seems like he's having the bad case of the butterflies!" Gaz chuckled evilly.
"Butterflies? The alien is sick? With some kind of disease and he's in our house?!" Dib said incredulously
"No Dib, he's just nervous around you. Maybe he likes you..."
"Really? I mean...no that's not possible; he's alien scum out to destroy the planet. Why would he like the species he's trying to take over?"
"Anyway Dib, I'm going to go now so I can play in peace, but if you disturb me one more time I'm going to make you wish I was never born." Ignoring Dib's question Gaz got up and walked up her room. Leaving Dib alone in the living room to clean up the mess.
"Denial" She said to herself and went to her room to finish her game.
#####
Feeling secure in the bathroom, Zim breathed in and out trying to calm himself down. He was getting out of control. Perhaps he shouldn't have changed his pak settings. All these new emotions were too much and was overpowering his body.
He turned to his pak flipping the switch to enable his emotion regulator to work. Suddenly a pull of energy surged out of Zim, making him feel more exhausted than ever. After a few moments he was himself again, no more of this nervous reaction whenever he saw Dib. With renewed confidence he walked out of the bathroom and down the stairs.
"Oh there you are Zim." Dib spotted the Irken coming down the steps toward him.
"YES! I AM FINISHED WITH MY BUSINESS!" Zim said proudly.
"Okay...So first we have to set up a schedule for us to take turns taking care of the baby. It's really simple you see-"
"I know how to take care of the worm. Zim has done research in parenting. No problem." Zim picked up the baby by its feet. "See it's not so hard."
"That's the wrong way to hold the baby...do it like this." Dib readjusted the baby to the right position. "It needs neck support because a baby's neck is pretty weak."
"Right. I knew that..."
Remembering Zim's outward behavior Dib asked. "What was with you at lunch and when you came to my house?"
"I was experimenting with something." Zim didn't care to give out any details. His newfound shy behavior earlier was something Zim was not proud of. It had him confused and cowardly.
"Oh I see..." Not really getting what Zim was talking about.
"Are you going to give me a tour around the house?" Zim motioned with his gloved hand.
"It's not much to see, but okay." This made Dib suspicious to Zim's request. Did the alien think he could infiltrate Dib's room? Not if Dib could help it. Showing Zim the kitchen, the bathroom, the garage, the basement, and other rooms downstairs.
"Fascinating..." Zim yawned as they went up the stairs.
"This is Gaz's room and you're not allowed in there." Dib quickly noted. "Dad's and the guest room. That's pretty much it."
"I see...but where's your room Dib?"
"Oh that...that's not important. Oh let's go back into the living room and get started." Heading back down the stairs but Zim's hand grabbed him.
"Let's work in your room. It's too messy down there and we could use the computer. It'll be a lot of fun..." Giving the infamous Zim smirk he glanced up at Dib's face. Satisfied with Dib's reaction he tried pulling Dib to the room he believed to be the stinkbeast's.
Zim talking in such a low convincing voice sent shivers down Dib's spine. What was Zim suggesting anyway? Zim's hand was still clasped onto his arm in a tightening grip, telling Dib the Irken wasn't taking no for an answer.
"If you don't I'll just make some noise and bother your sister. You wouldn't like that would you?" Seeing Dib contemplating their situation, the human gave Zim slight nod. "I didn't think so...let's go then."
Letting himself be pulled to his room, Dib reluctantly let Zim in. It looked quite normal, disappointing Zim a bit, but then it would have been horrible if the human had a more extensive powerful lab than the almighty Irken soldier did.
Zim sat down at the computer desk to make a schedule for the two. Dib was lying on the bed staring at the ceiling waiting for the computer to boot up.
"Okay we need to input times the baby eats, naps, and wash. I'd say a normal baby feeds about every two-four hours."
"Uh huh..." Still confused on why a baby would need such a thing. Didn't you just feed babies whenever they cried like on television? Letting Dib babble on what babies needed Zim decided that he really didn't know too much on the subject, so he'd let Dib be the leader and he would be the typist instead.
#####
While working the baby cried almost every hour. Zim had suggested "fixing" the baby with superior Irken technology, but Dib had refused. He was a person who could do without cheating.
Occasionally Zim would glance at Dib as he was typing. They worked quietly, not speaking to each other unless needed to. It was getting late seeing that it was dark, Zim decided to take a break from the computer.
The project was more complicated than he thought. Ms. Bitters demanded a 10 page written report on children behavior, schedule list, and an essay on how the increasing number of babies would inevitable lead to hideous implosions.
"I'm going to go to the-," seeing that Dib was asleep, Zim took his chance to snoop around the room. Looking through the drawers he found nothing but ordinary objects. His shirts, pants, sweaters, socks and even his boxers Zim found, but nothing that pertained to the alien. After thoroughly looking he found only one place he hadn't check. The closet.
Moving in towards the closet, he heard Dib stir around the bed. Was he going to wake up? Zim quickly went back to the computer into position. Unfortunately he slipped on one of Dib's rocket model parts on the floor and fell on top of Dib.
This was an interesting position to find himself in. Zim was really short compared to Dib, his head reaching to Dib's chest. He felt Dib's heart beating slowly, Zim stayed in that position for quite sometime. It was comfortable and comforting being someone else's arms. He never been held before, he lay there letting the rhythmic beats lull him to sleep.
Dib stirred some more, opening his eyes he looked at the warm body on him and silently screamed. What was Zim doing in his bed? Dib panicked, but remained still on his bed. Finding his arms were snaked around the tiny Irken, he thought he should move them, but decided not to because Zim was sleeping.
Looking at the clock it was 2 am in the morning. Groaning slightly, how long was he out? Dib knew he couldn't send the alien home now, it was too late. Zim would spend the night, he supposed.
Maybe he should wake him up and get him some sleeping clothes or something. The idea of Zim wearing his clothes was a little amusing. Knowing their height difference they would be gigantic on him.
His stomach grumbled loudly, driving Dib insane with hunger. Gingerly getting off the bed without disturbing Zim he got some blankets and draped them lightly over the alien. So innocent and vulnerable Zim looked not the arrogant asshole Dib knew when he was awake, but then all creatures looked harmless when asleep.
Leaving some sleeping wear on the edge of the bed for Zim he crept out the room closing the door slightly behind him. Going into the kitchen he fixed himself a sandwich and got a soda.
Chewing slightly, Dib tired not to think of what just happened a mere moment ago. Zim could have just gotten the pull out mattress from under his bed if he were that tired. Rubbing his eyes to get the sleepiness out of him he saw a pair of cyan eyes gleaming down at him across the counter.
"Are you going to eat that?"
Dib screamed, covering his mouth so he wouldn't disturb the neighbors and his family that were sleeping. It was just Gir; Dib sighed, trying to calm down with his hand over his heart.
"What are you doing here?" Dib inquired, handing him the sandwich.
"I was looking for maaaaaster." Munching on Dib's sandwich happily he continued. "Gir found master not home so I went here. Is that a classic poop?"
Nodding, Dib handed Gir his soda too and watched the robot eat with interest. Where did all that food go? Gir seemed to have a black hole for a stomach and for he a robot; he shouldn't be able to eat, making that note in his head.
"Master in Dib's room?"
"Yeah, he's sleeping in my room. Come with me and see."
#####