Hide n Seek

- Night

Dib guessed Zim would possibly take awhile. Leaving Dib with his invading thoughts.

Especially about why that specifically threw Zim off. Did he maybe accidentally make Zim think he wasn't a good invader or something because it took so long to find him? Or perhaps maybe he never really processed how long it had actually been and hearing it freak him out??

All of this was blowing up in Dibs mind, leaving no space to calm down and try and make this situation possibly any better. He was stuck in the middle of a random fucking forest for fuck sakes. And now Dib has been saying 'fuck' a lot more than usual. Crunching of leaves peaked Dibs interest as he hears someone seemingly walk back towards him. Seeing Zims PAK legs jolt out, piercing the ground eased Dib down a little as Zim appeared out with sticks and small logs.

"Oh I'm guessing that's for a fire?"
Dib questioned, glad Zim thought of it as he totally forgot to. Zim just dropped the logs down, crouching in front of it facing away from Dib. Not even acknowledging him. Dib sank in his seat, the log, thinking Zim is still upset.

"Zim, I'm..."
Dib started standing up and walking over to Zim who had started trying to light a fire, using two stones. Dib paused for a moment, hesitant of what to say. He began to fiddle with his fingers, wasting more time than needed as Zim became more and more aggressive with striking the rocks.

"I'm sorry, okay? I didn't realise that was a... sensitive thing for you.."
Zim still didn't reply, making Dib regret even trying but he knew he'd have to try at least. He knelt down, levelling with Zim, seeing his frustration but focused eyes.

"Zim...?"
Dib reached his hand out, moving closer to touch Zims shoulder when suddenly a giant flame erupted in front of them, startling Dib as he fell backwards, feeling the scorching heat up against his skin. Zim just calmly stood back up, walking away from the flame.

"Fires done."
Dib twisted around to face Zim, seeing him face away from Dib once more. Obviously he wanted to be alone, and so that's what Dib will do.

"Fine I'll give you some space... jeez."
Dib stood up as well, walking the opposite direction, giving some distance between him and the burning flames. Dib sat down, grabbing a nearby stick and drawing random shapes into the ground. Occasionally he glanced back at Zim, curious about how he's feeling but every time he looked back Zim seemed busy doing something. He had his arms stretched out, his limbs moving in and then back out.

Dib turned back around, towards his own little symbols he was graving into the ground. A cracking noise suddenly erupted in front of Dib, startling him as it sounded like branches were cracking and leaves crunching underneath hard boots. All he could do was hear, he couldn't see anything as the surrounding areas were flooded in darkness. Dib sat up, staring straight towards the terrifying sounds, he arched his hands behind him, leaning as far back as he could. Only focused on the sounds roaring in front of him.

As he locked his eyes into the suspicious woods, a tightening feeling in his chest slowly growing bigger as well. Then he quickly realised that was internal but more of a large object wrapping around his stomach. Dib looked down and saw that long familiar tube suddenly dragging him back, away from the sudden noise. The dragging stopped as, Zim leaned forward, crouching beside Dib, his teeth bearing and his growl echoing into Dibs ear. Zim stood close to Dib, only a breath of air between them as Zim stared angrily towards the noise. Scaring Dib even more of what it could be.

The suspension and tension grew massive with each second of nothing happen, Zims PAK legs wrapping more around Dib in almost a protective way. Dib couldn't help but fall back towards the noise waiting for something gigantic and monstrous to pop out. With big gory teeth and an alarming loud scream, causing all the trees to fall back by the sheer force of the sound. But nothing, the noise still grew louder but still no sight of any such thing. Instead out pop a much tinier creature. Something that looked soft and harmless. It's eyes wondering around like it had no clue where to look. Hopping along as Zim muted his growling.

Dib watched the small, strangely loud creature again disappear, unable to help but burst out laughing. Laughing at his paranoia and terror over basically nothing. Quickly catching Zims attention, who had released Dib from his hold, watching as he watched leaned forward, covering his face as he continued to giggle. Zim snarled again, thinking Dib was laughing at him.

"Stop laughing!"
He shouted, feeling embarrassed. Dib just wiped his eyes dry as he showed his humoured face, smiling back at Zim.

"I'm sorry- I'm sorry hehe... it's just, for such a small creature- it can really make a loud entrance haha."
Zim calmed down, watching as Dib stared upwards, opening his mouth in a smile showing his pearly white toned teeth.

"Oh."
Zim rested back down, sitting closer beside Dib. Slowly beginning to chuckle as well to the bizzarness of the whole thing. Dib looked back towards Zim, smiling genuinely for probably the first time since he found Dib. Dib quickly moved his head away again. Hesitating whether he should try apologizing again.

"Uuh Zim..."
He started, looking back at Zim who stared at him with patient eyes. Quickly realising what he was going to do as he saw Dib rub the back of his neck awkwardly and begun fiddling with his fingers. His eyelids falling down flat halfway.

"I'm...- woah!"
Dib suddenly yelped as he was dragged down onto the dirt ground. He looked back at Zim with wide eyes as he saw Zim lie down beside him as well. Dib stayed down, guessing this meant Zim didn't want to talk about it. Just looking up at the gaps of exposed sky. Seeing a few stars start to appear. Calming Dib down as he watched the sky slowly glimmer with beauty.

"The stars look really nice tonight."
Dib mumbled, not expecting Zim to hear him. Zim looked up as well, agreeing to what Dib had said.

"Yes it is... space can be pretty from here."
Dib turned his head over to Zim, who was distracted admiring the stars. Seeing him look so calm and... happy, eased his mind. Staring back up and enjoying the sweet moment. But eventually Dib could feel the yawns coming, stretching his arms up, almost reaching the sky.

"Man i am tired now... good thing I've got you though- To fight off any scary monsters in the night, right?"
Dib turned his head to look over at Zim, seeing his face admire Dibs features. Almost forgetting that Dib had said something.

"Oh! Yes, yes- Mighty Zim will- and can, fight off anything!"
Zim exclaimed, raising his hands in determination. Dib began to giggle, forgetting the last time Zim called himself 'Mighty Zim' with Zim looking over and admire Dibs small smile as he turned over towards Zim. Dib opened his eyes, staring back at Zim, seeing him look almost longingly at him. A sudden deep feeling boiled up into his stomach as looked back at Zim the same. Quickly sitting back up, avoiding Zims eyes.

"Well... thanks."
He said, rubbing the back of his neck as he curled his knees close to his chest. Dib didn't hear any response, worried of what he was thinking when suddenly something pulled him back down onto the ground. Ensuring he didn't hit his head though. Dib instinctively looked at Zim who quickly stretched out almost poking out his eyeballs. Touching the top of his eyes, forcing Dib to close them.

"Sleep!"
He demanded, as the force that pulled him down slowly disappeared away from him. Dib awkwardly chuckled again, calming his body down as he rested his eyes close.

"Okay, okay, I'll sleep."
Zim pulled his hands away from Dib, his eyes still closed as he rested his head towards Zim and eased his breathing. Dib could only hear a faint shuffling noise as something pressed up against his chest. Wrapping their small three fingers around his arm and pulling it over something as they shuffled closer to Dib.

Once the moving had ceased, Dib cracked one of his eyes open, just slightly looking down and seeing Zim cuddled close up to him, his own eyes closed and his head rested against his chest.