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Greetings all! Welcome back for chapter 13.


"...We'll arrive right on schedule."

Iserai hummed, then said, "Very well...given your familiarity with the planet, I suppose I have little choice but to trust you. Just be sure that he is handled with the utmost care, I don't know what I'd do if anything were to happen to my precious jewel!"

He eyed the Irken purposefully through the hologram, allowing her imagination to make the implications of his words for him. Tak offered a strained smile, not knowing if the queasiness she felt was from his underlying threat or the idea that anyone could think of Zim as "precious".

"I'll...see to it that he's treated adequately."

"Marvelous. Keep me informed, I expect to hear back from you once he's been contained."

He hung up before she could respond, his cheerful demeanor falling away.

Earth.

EARTH!

His consort, his spouse, his property had fled their prosperous haven in favor of that squalid little waste of a planet?! That thing was barely the size of their smallest moon! He should have guessed- should have known that's where Zim would run...the idea had played somewhat in the back of his mind, but he supposed he gave Zim too much credit for thinking he'd stray away from it. Always so impulsive...!

He sighed. It was of no consequence now: the Irken girl would not fail him and his soon his little runaway would be back safe and sound. He truly hoped this would be the first and last of his escapes, if he wasn't careful his people would begin to get suspicious! What would they think, being led by a king who couldn't even get his consort in proper order? The humiliation of it all! He ran a clawed hand over his face, coming to rest over a smooth scar running over his snout. One of Zim's many gifts to him...being wed to an Irken, talons came with the territory. He'd been gracious enough to let the first few scratches go without heavy punishment, but this one...he'd made sure it was the last.


A frustrated shout rang through the halls, startling the medic as the door to her work space flew open. She bowed as her king approached, through he seemed far too busy with the struggling Irken to notice her. A drip of blood spattered on the floor, a trail leaking from the three slashes across his mouth. Zim thrashed and pulled violently, his thin wrists caught in the crushing grip of his husband's hand as he was dragged into the room. Iserai stared her down a moment, as though reassessing his purpose here, before pulling Zim flush against him with a powerful yank. Zim yelped as his arms were held painfully high, fighting back the whimper in his throat as he was forced to look his king in the eye.

"This is the last time you scratch me!" he growled at him.

Just as quickly as he was pulled, the Irken was all but thrown into her desk. The sound of the impact made her own ribs ache.

"Cut them."

She didn't know exactly what she'd been expecting of him, but it wasn't that. One glance back at the Irken told her he was just as horrified.

"Your Highness," she began, "it's only from my medical opinion that I ask you to reconsider. Tampering with such intricate-"

"Silence," he interrupted, "I will no longer be subject to such disrespect and, frankly, I care not for whatever consequences should arise. They will not be mine. Now cut them, as far as they'll go, lest I have you removed in favor of someone more willing."

She looked back at him pathetically for moment before sighing, steeling her mind for the task to come, "Yes, Your Majesty..."

"Have him sent back to my quarters when you're finished." he said, casting a look of disgust on the Irken.

He turned on his heel, marching out of the room and closing the heavy door on a slew of curses and screams.


True to his word, it hadn't happened again. From then on, he'd arranged for Zim to have his claws snipped on a regular basis, though thankfully not to the same extent as the first. He supposed he may have acted a tad irrationally...though, of course, the blame for the incident lay solely with Zim. He knew better than what his actions demonstrated. He hadn't been lying when he told the medic that the consequences wouldn't be his. That night, his consort had been returned a haggard mess- hands bound tightly in medical dressing. Spots of blood had already begun to seep through the tips and he stood on shaky legs. Surprisingly, he hadn't fought against him as he dismissed his guards and brought him into his room. Hadn't struggled when he was pulled into an embrace and said nothing as his husband relayed that this was indeed his own doing. He'd held him almost lovingly, his words gentle despite their cruel intention. Physical punishment never got through to the Irken...after all, they were biologically designed to withstand it. It didn't stop him from using it, but he'd quickly caught on to the ways he could manipulate Zim to his favor through more subtle means. His walls were like hardened steel, yet beyond them his mind was weak. He could use his erratic emotions against him, make him question his own reservations.

He was impressed when Zim seemed to turn over a new leaf. He'd been under the impression that all of his hard work coaxing him to Noxan standards was fruitful. He was poised and receptive, kept his unwanted opinions to himself...even proven himself to be a competent overseer on new trade regulations! As the royal consort and a prime face of their kingdom, he was nearly perfect. Unfortunate as that was as close as he could get...if he wasn't an Irken, he'd be any man's dream! Though...he couldn't say he outright minded that his lover was enemy-born. It would be no fun if he'd been granted some commonplace bride who lacked the fight of life and, boy, could Zim fight...

He'd calmed significantly when compared to the first year or so of their union, whether it was out of acceptance or lack of energy he didn't know. He only ever truly put up a fight when they made love, but even that had waned. As of late, he dared to say that he even yearned for the touch...another way to turn Zim against himself, he supposed. Force him into enjoying the one thing he despised the most. Zim was nothing if not cold toward his duties as a partner and openly refused any affection from him, but unlike his other responsibilities, there was a line to be drawn. His parents had him well-versed in what he should expect from his spouse, as well as his right under their laws to assert his claim.

"It is the future of our kingdom at stake," his father had said.

"You must do what is necessary," his mother announced.

He been more than generous with Zim. Given him more time acclimate himself to his new role before deciding he needed to take matters into his own hands. His kingdom, his family name would not survive without a proper heir...if it was at the cost of his consort's trust then so be it. Of course, nothing was ever that easy; his children had both died before birth, his second very nearly taking Zim down with it. No one had even known about the child until it had gone septic. No matter...they would try again and again for as long as it took. He would not be the weak link in his family chain.

He released a puff of air, hoping that his hunter was enough to detain his little wildfire. Luckily, the reward monies weren't coming out of his own economic circulation or she'd be very unhappy. Still...

"Itlum."

She jumped at the suddenness of his voice, "Sire?"

"Is there an 'Earth' located in our starmap yet? From the Diad Segment?"

"Uhm..." she stalled, flipping rapidly through her tablet, "it appears not, Your Majesty."

He hummed, a small smile playing at his mouth, "Kindly add it, won't you?"


Happy Late Halloween! Have an introspection chapter! Here we have some more insight on our villain, thought I'd give him some more human characteristics while still making it clear he's the "bad guy". Used some of my own experience with abusers as a basis. Idk how that worked out, haha. As always, thank you all for coming- hopefully the next chapter isn't too far out.