Chapter Three: Game
Zim explored the ship further. He had healed completely now and already forgave Rin, and now he was bored. He wanted to take Dib and go to some other planet, but the scary captain…Lloyd or something, wouldn't let them leave. "Hello," A small voice greeted from behind.
Zim turned to see Inx, the little Irken smeet. She was staring up and Zim with the glassy wondrous eyes of a young one yearning for information about the world. "Hello smeet," Zim said back, unsure what the child wanted. Inx didn't seem to know either, so they stood awkwardly.
"Rin is sorry…about what happened," Inx said innocently.
Zim smiled at her. "Yes, she told me."
"Oh…" Inx looked around. "Rin is a robot you know…"
"Yeah, Dib told me that," Zim informed her. She blushed a dark green, her blue gray eyes looking around awkwardly.
"Ya wanna see the observation deck?" Inx suggested as though it were her favorite place to be.
"Sure…" Zim said with a shrug, he was bored anyway without anyplace to be. Maybe this smeet could give him entertainment. When they reached it, Inx looked at the huge dome above them proudly. Half of it was something that looked like concrete, the other half of the dome was clear and see-through. Zim could see tons of stars and planet systems he knew from here. It was something he'd seen dozens of times before, but the smeet took a huge fascination in it.
"It's beautiful…" Inx whispered in awe. Zim looked out at the gaping expanse of space. It was empty to him, just a wasteland soon to be ruled by the Irkens. Was he still thinking that way? Apparently. Maybe Gaz would be able to bring the Irkens down.
Zim winced as an unwanted image from his dream last night invaded his head. A terrible, dark, tentacle creature reaching out in the darkness, towards him. Always nearly touching him. Zim was just small enough to escape the tentacles by crowding himself in the corner.
"Zim?" The smeet peeped, interrupting Zim's thoughts. He tilted his head to stare at the child and raised an antenna questioningly. "Um…is Dib…your forevermate?" Inx asked, peering up at Zim.
Zim's face flushed as he looked back out at the stars. "Yes, smeet," he answered simply.
Just as quickly as she had come to that subject, she switched completely. "Wanna play a game?" She asked in excitement. Zim looked down at her wide, innocent eyes. Their blue hint reminded him of Gir, and how Gir was constantly annoying him…in the past anyway.
"Sure…" Zim sighed. Inx clapped in excitement.
"Okay, come on!" She yelled, taking Zim's hand and running off. Zim kept up with her, wondering what sort of game the little girl would want to play.
…
Dib wondered where Zim had gone, it had been a few days since the he'd gotten there and Zim was already hating this place. Dib thought it was fascinating, although he did worry that Zim might cause trouble, tending to cause destruction and mayhem when bored. He went out to find Zim. It didn't take long, he just had to follow the sounds of yelling.
"You stupid smeet, come out here now!" Zim yelled, staring at a huge wall made entirely of wires and electrical boxes.
"Hey, Zim, watcha doing?" Dib asked nonchalantly.
"The smeet wanted to play a game…now she's somewhere in there and won't come out," Zim said angrily, pointing to the wall.
"What were you playing? Hide and seek?" Dib asked with a laugh.
"No…something she called…tag," Zim answered, glaring at the wires.
"Inx…why are you in there if you're playing tag?" Dib asked, calling to the pile.
"So Zim can't tag me!" Inx yelled back. Because of the acoustics, they couldn't tell where she was from her voice.
"Uh…you know it's dangerous in there right?" Dib asked, hoping Inx didn't get hurt playing with wires.
"I'm not an idiot, Dib. I'm older than you even," Inx called back.
"She's right you know," Zim said snidely, trying not to laugh.
"Whatever," Dib said, looking at the pile and wondering if Inx would ever come out. "Inx! I'll…I don't know, give you candy if you come out!" Dib yelled.
"Yay!" Inx screamed and ran out from where she was hiding. She jumped up into Dib's arms and asked where the candy was.
"Um…" Dib said awkwardly. "I don't…have any…" Inx pouted.
"Tag…you're it," Zim said, grinning as he poked Inx in the back. Inx pouted even more and refused to walk, making Dib carry her. He didn't mind much because she was pretty light. They walked down the hall without any destination. Zim glared at the wall and Inx chatted excitedly about something or other that happened that day.
"How old are you Inx?" Dib asked at an interval between her ramblings.
"Eight in Irk years!" She squealed.
"Really?" Dib wondered how many Earth years that was. "How old are you in Irk years, Zim?" Dib asked, curious what age he really was. He knew he was ancient in Earth years, but was he an adult on Irk?
"Huh?" Zim looked over at them distractedly. "Oh, eighteen in Irk years." Dib stared at him in fascination. He was the same as Dib, yet again. But…Dib thought about the things he'd heard, about Zim being in wars and the scars Dib always ignored. Zim must have been at least a couple Irk years younger when he came to Earth. His leaders really were cruel, to put someone through all so early on in life.
"Zim…what's it like…to be a soldier?" Dib asked. He almost became one, wanting to join Gaz in her war, but he didn't. He wondered how Zim felt about it all. Zim just shrugged, looking at the wall, lost in thought. Inx watched Zim too, she seemed curious too. "Come on, tell us, did you enjoy it?"
Zim winced and looked at the floor in discomfort. "Somewhat." He remembered being completely ignorant and loving the thrill of the fight. He had loved everything he did, he watched people's faces flood with fear and pain. He crushed homes and destroyed lives with his fellow Irkens. But now that he was living with Dib…those memories, they seemed so dark. He didn't enjoy them anymore. Something changed inside of him. Somehow…he was the Zim he used to be.
Dib was watching Zim with concern when Rin came up to him. "Dib, Zim. There's a situation, we need you guys…right now!" Rin said breathlessly, leading them to a conference room. Lloyd and Rin stood before a huge screen. Dib and Zim joined them, putting Inx outside the room for the time being.
An image appeared on the screen, taking Dib's breath away at the sight. "Hello idiots," Gaz greeted them.
"Gaz?" Dib said hollowly, he remembered Gaz's last cold words to him, warning him to run before she called the Meekrob on him. "What do you want?" He asked coldly, anger edging his voice.
"Pf, touchy much?" She said, acting like Dibs words hurt her, they all knew they didn't. "Anyway, I'm just calling to say I want a truce with you little pioneers…"
"What?" Lloyd asked.
"Yes, I know. I have the Meekrob, I have many, many planets under my control, so why would I want you in a truce as well? Well, to be frank, Gir won't leave me alone about it…so I'll be dropping by your little hidden ship to draw up the peace treaty…Gir's coming too. And don't worry, no one else will know about this but us," Gaz said, completely emotionless. She cut the feed and they all stared at the screen blankly.
"She's…coming here?" Dib said quietly, breaking the silence.
"Well…a truce…doesn't seem to bad," Rin said positively. "We know she won't attack us."
Zim sensed Dib's building anger and said nothing, positive or negative, he wasn't going to push himself into Dib's familial matters again. "Even though her approach was terrible…I don't blame her, if she wanted to blow us up, she probably could," Lloyd said, "I'm glad she's making peace with us instead. I hereby accept the passing of this treaty for the good of this organization." Lloyd walked out of the room with his head held high.
Dib thought his weird little speech was stupid, they all knew Gaz would force this on him whether he accepted it or not. But everyone had their pride, Dib looked over at Zim, who hadn't said a word. Zim was being oddly quiet today, Dib wondered what was up.
Rin went back to her duties, taking Inx with her and Dib went back to his room to finish work he had. Zim followed Dib, not having anything to do. Dib sat at his desk, writing, while Zim sat on the floor and stared a wall for a while. Dib picked up a pen to write a signature when Zim suddenly turned toward Dib. "How could you!" Zim yelled. He came forward and snatched the pen away from Dib, snapping it several times until it was completely unusable in any way possible.
"Zim…it's…just a pen," Dib said awkwardly. Zim glared at him and went back to staring at the wall. "O…kay…" Dib whispered, continuing his work. There were some things about Zim he would never understand. He checked his watch, there was still some time before Gaz was supposed to get there.
Dib stared at the wall in front of him, like Zim. Would his father really be proud of how things were going now? Gaz and Dib were getting along…and Dib and Zim were getting along. He wondered what his father would say to him just now. Dib started to think of all the things he would miss out on now that he was dead. He wouldn't get to see Dib's career begin, he wouldn't get to prompt Dib into 'real science' anymore, he wouldn't get to be at Dib's wedding….did Dib just think that?
Dib glanced back at Zim, who was really intense in his wall-staring thing. Did Irkens even have something like marriage? Dib nearly smacked himself in the head, what a stupid thing to think about when a peace treaty is about to be made. He tried to concentrate on work, but that seemed impossible. Soon he just began to stare at the wall again, not thinking about anything at all. Dib felt something tugging at his pants. He looked down at the Irken at his side, pouting and looking adorable as hell.
"I'm bored…" Zim whined, tugging more on the waist of Dib's pants eagerly.
"So you think I'll just let you in my pants because you're bored?" Dib asked in a serious tone. Zim pouted and backed off slowly. Dib kept his face neutral, but on the inside he was squealing at how cute Zim was when he pouted that way. "Maybe if you say the magic word…I'll let you gain entrance," Dib lied, he was going to let Zim in no matter what, but it was fun to tease.
"Magic word…?" Zim echoed. "Is there such a word?"
"It's not magic exactly, but it's an important word…" Dib teased, not giving it away.
"Um," Zim thought about that. He grinned and reached for Dib's pants again. "Now!"
"Nope," Dib said flatly, struggling not to giggle at Zim's disappointed glare.
"What is it?" Zim asked in frustration.
"Say you love me," Dib commanded. Zim grinned.
"I want you Dib…" Zim whispered maniacally.
"That's not what I want to hear," Dib whispered back. Zim frowned, not wanting to give in to someone else's wants. Dib got an idea and led Zim to the bed, feeling him up as they went. Zim was getting excited, thinking he had won their little game. He pushed Zim back on the soft mattress and kissed him deeply. Zim melted in his arms. Zim closed his eyes and enjoyed Dib just being there for the moment, breathing in his essence. Before Zim even opened his eyes again, Dib had handcuffs restraining Zim's wrists to the bedposts.
"Hey!" Zim yelled angrily. Dib put both hands on Zim's chest, smiling as he did so. He straddled Zim's waist and kept him from moving.
"Tell me what I want to hear," Dib said in a low whisper. Zim grinned. Their fight for dominance had begun, Dib had the upper hand, but Zim was unbeatable.
"I love you…Dib…" Zim whispered, he was slightly giving in, but the fight wasn't over yet, he knew there were going to be more demands. Dib sighed and laid his head on Zim's chest, hugging Zim hard. Zim shuddered with arousal. Dib listened to Zim's quickening heartbeat,
"Tell me you'll never leave me…" Dib sighed, needing reassurance.
"I won't," Zim promised, giving Dib that comfort.
"You won't?" Dib asked, looking up into Zim's crimson eyes. Zim was smiling and watching Dib carefully.
"Of course not," Zim breathed.
"Good, you'd better not," Dib warned him. Zim grinned and moved his head closer to Dib's. "You belong to me…no one else can have you…" Dib whispered protectively.
"Yes…and you belong to me as well, remember that," Zim told him. The words sounded harsh, but to Dib they were romantic as hell. "If anyone touches you…I'll kill them," Zim hissed, to make his point clear. Dib finally let out his giggle that he'd been holding in since the very start, surprising Zim a little.
"I know you will," Dib said strongly, sitting up and staring Zim straight in the eyes. He leaned forward and kissed Zim deeply, forgetting and letting his tongue slip into Zim's mouth. He heard a slight hissing sound as his saliva burned Zim, but Zim didn't struggle, only kiss Dib harder back.
"Dib…" Zim moaned, moving his arms. "Untie me…" He begged quietly.
"Not yet," Dib whispered, enjoying the satisfaction of having Zim handcuffed to a bed and all to himself. He thought of undoing Zim's pants to reveal a part of Zim Dib had very much fun playing with. Dib's hands drifted down Zim's front, causing Zim to shiver in excitement. Dib reached Zim's waist and undid the top button, Zim was nearly shaking and panting in desire. Dib could feel Zim's arousal, and his own, but he remained slow going and determined. Zim pulled on the handcuffs.
"Diiiiiib…." Zim moaned out of irritation.
"You need me?" Dib taunted.
"Yeeeess," Zim answered. Dib tightened his leg's grip on Zim's body and grabbed something sharp, slowly and steadily ripping Zim's shirt off, leaving his pants alone for the moment. Zim glared at him impatiently.
"Well, you said you were bored, I wanna make the moment last," Dib said, making up an excuse. Really, he just liked seeing Zim squirm in desperation, begging for release. And he didn't mean the release of his wrists either.
Dib finished with the shirt and laid across Zim, putting his mouth right up to Zim's antennae. "You really want this, don't you?" Dib asked, both of them knowing the answer already.
"If you don't hurry up, Dib…I'll…I'll…" Zim panted threateningly.
"You'll what, Zim?" Dib asked cruelly.
"I'll…" Zim trailed off, unable to think of anything, "Well you have be naked too!"
"I do?" Dib asked in surprise.
"Yes," Zim said in a demanding manner. Dib laughed.
"Okay," Dib agreed. He slipped his shirt off slowly, teasing Zim with everything thread he removed. Zim watched with hungry, lustful eyes. Dib could tell he was trying to be patient, but it was getting thin, Zim was starting to squirm. "You ready, space boy," Dib asked.
"Yes!" Zim cried out desperately. "Stupid Earth-rat! Get it on with already!" Normally Dib would have been pissed at the insult, but he just smiled and returned to Zim's pants.
"You guys are just sick," Someone said from the doorway. Both boys looked over in surprise, there stood Gaz, looking down on them with disgust in her eyes. "You know there are children on this ship? And besides that, think of Gir, if he walked in on this, my god…"
"Gaz…you're…you're here," Dib noted.
"Uh huh," Gaz said as if he were stupid. "You know, I would have thought it'd be the other way around…" Gaz said, contemplating their position.
Dib covered himself up, blushing. Zim, of course, had no idea what Gaz meant and just continued to struggle against his bonds. Dib untied him and got dressed. Zim looked around for another shirt and failed to find one.
"Zim, we're going to the conference room to set up the truce, are you coming?" Dib said at the door. Zim was running around the room.
Finally Zim shrugged and followed them out without a shirt, he didn't care as long as no one else did. If someone didn't like it, well, they'd have to answer to him! Zim faintly wondered if Gir had come along, he sort of missed the little insane robot.
When they entered the conference room, everyone stared at Gaz and whispered. Zim got some stray curious stares as well, but he just flipped them off, not having the energy to yell at the moment. He was so close to winning over Dib…and then the she-beast had to interrupt. It was sort of Zim's fault for asking that of Dib when they knew Gaz was coming. But Zim still blamed Gaz…she was just pure evil. The meeting began and Zim let his eyes wander, staring at the ceiling, thinking about how it was colder without a shirt on.
They all sat in strange leather chairs around a big oval table. Zim wondered why it was so big, but forgot when he got distracted by the shiny centerpiece. It was metal and curved in tons of confusing turns and twists.
Gaz said something in a boomy voice, some people shrank back. Zim didn't know what was being said, but he laughed to himself at the stupid people, they should know better than to argue with Gaz. Zim's eyes trailed onto Dib, who was paying too much attention to Gaz to see Zim staring. His vision focused on a fascinating bulge in Dib's pants that still hadn't gone away since their little 'fight'. Zim would have to use that to his advantage later.
"Zim!" Gaz snapped. Zim looked up at her in surprise. "Quit being horny and pay attention!" Zim saluted her and watched Dib blush at Zim angrily. They both knew Dib was still horny too.
Gaz made a huge speech about secret agents and transmissions and something else too, but Zim didn't really listen. He wasn't interesting in what Gaz had planned. He wasn't part of the Irkens anymore, and he wasn't part of the humans. As far as Zim was concerned or cared, he was neutral. There was one thing that caught Zim's attention though. "…The Meekrob are actually really boring, and no one ever sees me in person on Earth anyway, so I think I'll be staying here on this ship with you all," Gaz announced.
Several people were shocked and most were just plain afraid…Dib appeared to be both. Zim didn't care, as long as Gaz didn't interrupt them again. A couple of people protested, but Lloyd shut them up. "Gaz…I…I'm glad you're going to stay here," Dib said finally, looking more angry than glad.
"I don't care what all of you think of my staying here," Gaz said, "As long as you stay out of my way."
"Yes, and I don't care that you stay here…just don't walk in on us and drag us off somewhere again," Zim said harshly, causing tons of people to turn red and eye Dib suspiciously. Gaz seemed pissed at Zim's demand, but she didn't say anything. Zim hooked a hand in Dib's pants and got up. "We'll be going now," Zim announced, forcing Dib up and away with him.
"Wait, alien! Where are you taking that human?" Someone yelled out. Zim scoffed at their idiotic mind.
"I'm going to ravish him, of course. Duh," Zim said just as they walked out the door. They started to walk away down the hall, back to their room.
"Zim…that was…blunt," Dib complained, snatching Zim's hand out of his pants and holding it in his own hand.
"But they got the point," Zim said, grinning.
"Why do you love torturing people?" Dib asked in a sigh.
"It's fun," Zim answered, getting worked up. He always got so playful when he wanted something.
"Well…I don't think freaking out people is a good idea," Dib told him.
"What? I didn't lie, I only said the truth. If they can't handle that, then I don't really care," Zim huffed. Dib smiled, he liked Zim carelessness.
"What if I care…?" Dib asked.
"Um…" Zim paused, thinking about that. Dib actually didn't care, but he was curious what Zim would do. He shrugged and looked at Dib pleadingly.
"Heh heh, I don't care about those people," Dib assured him. Zim relaxed and walked closer to Dib. "Zim…have you ever thought about…marriage?" Dib asked uncomfortably.
"Marriage? What's that?" Zim asked innocently looking up at Dib.
"Are you serious? All those years on Earth and you don't know?" Dib asked in surprise.
"Well, it's not like there were examples of it or anything," Zim said, pouting.
Dib thought about that. Most of the adults where they had lived really never showed a good example of marriage. Dib's father wasn't married, he assumed their teacher, Ms. Bitters, wasn't married. And the adults seemed…rather stupid. "Alright, well, you got me there," Dib admitted, Zim stopped pouting and looked up at him, waiting for an explanation. "Okay…marriage is when two people…two people who love each other…perform a sacred ceremony…" Dib struggled to explain.
"Like sex?" Zim asked. Dib coughed and remembered that he'd explained sex as a ritual of love too.
"No, this is more…official. I don't know…" Dib stopped and really put thought into it. "Okay, see. Sex is just between us, you know?" Zim nodded. "And this marriage is when a bunch of people you know all gather around…right?"
"And we all have sex?" Zim asked.
Dib nearly fell to the floor. "N-no, Zim…no…this has nothing to do with sex," Dib said, trying to make it clear. "Now, the people all gather…right? And so, then there's a priest."
"What kind of priest?" Zim asked.
"I-I don't know, like the leader of a religion…I don't really have a religion…" Dib sighed.
"Me neither…" Zim mumbled.
"Okay…forget about the priest. But there's someone there, someone who recites some words, the bride and groom say 'I do' and they're married," Dib finished quickly.
"Bride and groom?" Zim asked.
"The woman is the bride, and the groom is the man," Dib explained.
"But Dib…we're both men…" Zim pointed out confusedly.
"Yeah…yeah I know that, Zim," Dib said. Explaining these things was so hard.
"So…what kind of words are said?" Zim asked sheepishly, playing with Dib's pants again. Dib shooed Zim's hand away.
"I don't know…words of love. Like…the two people promise to never leave each other, and they vow to always protect each other," Dib said nonchalantly, "It's a pretty big deal on Earth."
"But I…I already promised those things…" Zim said quietly.
"Yup," Dib confirmed.
"So what is marriage for?" He asked.
"I um…I…" Dib searched far into his brain for the answer. "I don't really know…to make it official…I guess…"
"Official to who?" Zim asked.
"I don't know, Zim," Dib sighed in irritation.
"Is this…marriage…important to Dib?" Zim whispered, holding Dib's hand tighter.
"Er…I…" Dib looked at Zim's curious face. "I don't know if it is or not…" Dib admitted truthfully. Zim leaned on Dib, suddenly out of questions. They finally reached their room.
…
Dib sighed and nuzzled Zim's neck. It was late now and Dib had been sleeping, but Zim's stiffness had woken him. He looked up to see Zim staring at the ceiling with a serious face. He looked like he'd been thinking deeply about something. Dib clawed at Zim's chest. "Zim…go to sleep…" He said quietly. Zim closed his eyes and looked pained.
"I don't want to sleep…" Zim whispered.
"Why?"
"Because, when I'm asleep…you're not there…" Zim told him. Dib watched Zim's expressions carefully.
"Where do you go when you sleep?"
"…" Zim stared at the ceiling again.
"Zim…?" Dib prodded.
"My memories…come back when I sleep," Zim confessed. Nightmares…Dib shivered, wondering how long Zim had been having them.
"Your memories?" Dib echoed. Zim drew closer to Dib, seeking comfort.
"And you're not there…" Zim said hollowly.
"…which memories?" Dib asked patiently.
"…All of them…" Zim answered.
"Of wars?" Dib guessed.
"Yes…"
"And bad things?"
"Very bad things…"
"Go to sleep…" Dib commanded. Zim looked at him in confusion. "I'll be there to protect you, Zim…go to sleep…" Zim curled into Dib, trying to relax. Dib sighed and melted into Zim, hoping their closeness would chase away Zim's dreams.
…
…
…
…
He he. I feel so naughty for that almost-a-lemon. I've been reading the manga Loveless, so it's all Soubi's fault, I blame him, he corrupted my mind! Corruption tickles. :)
The next chapter will be so much better! And sooner, bleh. I'm so lazy lately, back to school in just a week! I'm dreading it…but oh well. Enjoy this little chapter for the time being! They'll start getting longer I promise!
Review and I'll love you forever! Don't and I'll feed you to Soubi, he likes little boys, he he. Just kidding, he does, but I won't feed anyone to him! Anyway, Thanks for reading! I'll update soon!