I wanted to do something for fun next before the next officially planned chapter (at this rate I think I have up to chapter 40 planned) because it also deals with a heavier subject matter and I'm also nervous with how to get all the information I wanted across in it. Overall, though, this whole fic has been quite a writing exercise and I think the only one I've made this long and stuck with this long (extended breaks aside) and I really, really love it. Thanks to everyone who's stuck with it this long, too!

Part 36: A Fun-Time Fair

Zim tapped his foot against the wall, laying on the couch with his head and feet flipped. He scrolled through his tablet; bored. He checked the time again: just past 3pm. He sighed loudly, dropping the tablet on the couch cushion. Gir jumped up onto the couch and snagged it for himself immediately. Zim was grateful that Dib had installed a second account for Gir to use. It had helped considerably to keep the files Zim had synced onto it from being deleted by the robot.

Zim sighed again.

"Just call him." The computer said, an air of irritation leaking through its mechanical voice. Zim glowered at the ceiling.

"The graduation ceremony is over; he'll be here soon." Zim said. He could have sworn the computer almost sighed. Almost. Either way, Zim was regretting not going at all. He could have sat in the crowd and watched Dib walk up to get his diploma. He could have at least been there.

Zim rolled off the couch, feet over head, standing up in one fluid motion. He spun around and sat back on the couch normally, kicking his feet. Five minutes passed, then ten, then thirty, and Zim was sighing, sliding down the couch.

"Call him?" the computer offered sarcastically. Zim glared up at the ceiling.

"No. Zim refuses."

"Stubborn."

"Pride."

"Stubbornly prideful."

Zim pouted, looking at the door. He must have zoned out because he snapped back to reality to knocking at his door and Dib's voice.

"Zim? Zim? Hello?"

Zim shot up, double checking that his disguise was set, and eagerly opening the door. Dib wasn't in his graduation gown, having switched it out for regular clothing. Zim felt a small amount of disappointment; but it at least explained a bit of what took him so long.

"Oh, you are here."

"Yes, Zim was waiting for Dib."

"You were—this whole time?!" Dib asked. Zim blinked at him as if he were being idiotic.

"Yes? What else was Zim to do?"

"Um. Come to the graduation party?" Dib offered. Zim tilted an antennae at him; though Dib couldn't see under the wig. He shut the door to his base behind him, leading Dib down the sidewalk. "I told Eric to get you."

"…Dib-stink."

"What?"

"Does Eric know where Zim lives?"

Dib stared forward. He smacked his forehead. "Oh my GOD."

Zim burst out laughing, having to lean against the fence to keep his balance. "How did you forget that you are the only one who knows where Zim's base is?!"

"I—I—I just forgot!" Dib exclaimed. Zim was gasping between laughs now, clutching his side.

"My squeedlyspooch! HAHAHAHA!"

"Oh, knock it off! You're the one who was basically a recluse before we started hanging out!" Dib shouted. Zim sighed.

"Yes; but that was still rather hilarious that it had managed to slip your mind." Zim says. He looks around, realizing Dib had been leading him to an area of the suburbs he wasn't familiar with. "Dib, where are we going today?"

"Well, speaking of you being a recluse…" Dib began. "There's a fair in town. They hold it every year. Gaz and I had stopped going by middle school; but, it's a good cultural experience for you; so, I thought we'd go and see what's there."

"What's a 'fair'?"

"It's like a festival. There's food, rides, and games. And sometimes live music and petting zoos. But, I don't really go to the petting zoo; the animals don't really like me..." Dib admitted. Zim hummed.

"Zim doubts they would like Zim, either." Zim says. Dib chuckles.

He pulls Zim by his glove down another street and Zim starts to hear the sounds of people and music; as well as mechanical noises. Screams mixed with laughs were also in the mix. The noises got louder the closer they got. It was another few minutes until they came upon it. The fair was set up in another park; one that was more parking lot and concrete spaces than it was forestry or grass—Zim had honestly never bothered with it because of that—and now it was covered in vendor booths and rides. Zim's antenna perked up. It looked… fun. Dib led him down to the main entrance, passing the ticket vendor a twenty. He strapped paper bracelets on each of their wrists.

As they walked away Zim went to pick at it and Dib grabbed his arm. "You're going to break it with those claws of yours," Dib warns. Zim grumbled and let it be.

"It's garish."

"That's so the vendors know you paid to get in." Dib explained. "I think. I'm pretty sure that's why."

Zim hummed. He looked around at the rides that were starting to surround them. Dib watched him, focusing on his facial expressions. He saw Zim's eyes light up at the line of roller coasters.

"Want to ride one? You're tall enough to reach the height requirement." Dib offered. Zim tapped his claws on his leg and nodded.

"Yes."

"And your wig won't fly off?" Dib asked. Zim paused.

He looked for a restroom, spotting one off to the side and went in. Dib followed him, waiting outside the stall. Zim removed his wig, his PAK producing an adhesive he used in his lab occasionally. Safe for his skin; but should be strong enough to hold his wig down. He applied it and set his wig straight. He could feel it adhering and stepped out of the stall.

"It won't now."

Dib guided Zim over to the nearest coaster. Once they were seated, Zim was looking over the mechanics of the ride. It was sturdy enough. Not as sturdy as his Cruiser; but it wasn't built for flight. He assumed. He tested the restraints. The bar lowered over them, the attendee checking it in each cart before moving to the controls and setting them in motion. Zim turned to Dib.

"Dib-stink, what exactly is this ride?" Zim asked. Dib started to beam at him—and Zim got suspicious.

"You don't have roller coasters back on Irk?" Dib asked cheekily. Zim side-eyed him as they climbed the ramp.

"No…"

"Oh, this is going to be so fun, for you." Dib said.

Dib raised his hands in anticipation as they started to crest over the ridge. Zim looked over the front of the cart; and caught the height that they would be falling. Zim copied Dib, raising his arms high, an excited smile spreading over his face. As the coaster plummeted, Dib screamed alongside every other passenger; hearing Zim's excited laughter heard next to him.

Zim wanted to go again immediately. Dib took him to every coaster in the park. By the time Dib couldn't take another ride immediately after another, Zim was finally starting to wind down. Dib collapsed onto a bench.

"I feel sick." Dib whined. Zim hummed, amused, scanning the fairgrounds. He spotted the Ferris wheel. He pointed to it, grinning.

"That looks to be moving slowly. Want to go?" he asked. Dib looked up, readjusting his glasses.

"The Ferris Wheel… yeah, I'd like that one." Dib says.

He pushed himself off the bench, guiding Zim through the game tables—promising they'd try them later—towards the Ferris Wheel. He thanked the universe that the line was short between waves of riders. They were loaded up into the carriage and Zim looked around as they were moved up slowly, with stops, until the Ferris Wheel had been filled. He kicked at the pole in the center that held up the faux umbrella. He scooted over to the edge, looking out over the fair grounds as they started to move consistently in the turn. Dib smirked.

"Like it?" he asked. Zim was nodding. He was staring out over the expanse of space splayed out before him. It slowly rose as they rode the bottom curve and dipped below again as they switched to the upper half. "Really like it?"

"This is Zim's favorite ride." Zim confirmed. Dib laughed, holding the middle bar for stability.

"Damn, if I'd have guessed that I could have avoided the motion sickness!" he said. Zim waved him off, smirking. He was busy watching the horizon grow and shrink.

"It's like being in the idle Cruiser; but without having to pilot."

"I thought you'd like it. You seem to like heights."

Zim was nodding again. He sat back, staring out at the sun as it started to set. The ride was halting, as people got off and on. Zim felt himself deflate a little. He hummed and side-eyed Dib.

"If possible… could we… ride it again?" he asked.

Dib smirked. "So long as we don't go on The Vomiter again, we can ride as many times as you want."