To Which Our Future Holds (A ZaDr Story)

Chapter 22

Lizzy dressed herself up while Ash ran in loops around her legs "Can we go to the park today?" Ash asked, tugging on his mother's skirt. Looking down at her son, Lizzy smiled. "I don't know, we will have to ask your daddy and Zim first" Ash grinned and ran another circle around the room arms outstretched like an airplane "I bet Zim will love the park!"
Both Ash and Lizzy turned to the door at once when they heard a loud crash and a bloody scream echo through the halls from beneath the stairs. Ash tucked his arms into his chest and looked at his mother. Lizzy ushered him over and held his hand as they both rushed down the hall to see what was the matter.

Zim's furious cries could be heard as they came closer, Dib's panicked voice trying to ease them.
"It Burns! Get It Off Get It Off!" Zim shrieked as he tried to grip onto his bandaged arm. Dib was hurriedly unraveling the bandages while trying to calm Zim down "I am, I am, Stop pulling!"
Zim fell back from Dib as the bandage unraveled leaving Dib holding a dripping wet bandage and Zim holding onto a scarred burnt arm, his fingertips bearing the same marks from having tried to pull off the wet bandage himself. Zim sat up still gripping onto his arm when Lizzy came down the stairs, Ash followed closely behind. "What happened?" She asked worriedly "Is everything okay?" Dib kneeled down on the floor and stretched out his hand to Zim "Give me your arm" he commanded Zim gesturing with his hand. Cautiously Zim outstretched his burnt arm placing his wrist into Dibs hand which gripped around it as he inspected the damage.

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Slight gore warning
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The entire top part of Zim's arm had been charred an unnatural brown color, as if the water had melted off the top layer of his skin leaving a glossy shredded mark in its place. The skin around the edges of his injury seemed to have been peeled back and curled giving his wound an uncanny outline. Small marks from where his injuries from yesterday had healed over now began to speckle with fresh dots of pink blood.
Zim whimpered as Dib gripped onto his wrist, his arm had just healed so it was extremely sensitive, and considering that he hadn't put on a paste covering or wore his uniform, the water had soaked into the bandage and burned right onto the skin.

~~~

Dib bit his lip and glanced at Lizzy, "Zim's skin condition makes him extremely hydro sensitive, we weren't paying attention and knocked over a glass, but I think Zim should be fine." Zim turned and looked away, biting back the small beads of tears that had formed in his eyes, shure it hurt but Zim was a soldier, and Irken Soldiers don't cry.

Lizzy raised her eyes in concern, as she looked at Zim's burn, "That doesn't look fine" she thought worriedly to herself. "Hey Zim, how about I help you get a new bandage while Dib gets ready so you both can come to the park with us." Lizzy offered softly, in the kind of tone used with young children.
Zim glanced up at her for a second as if debating whether to respond, but when he began to feel more tears bead up in his eyes, and his voice choke at the back of his throat he simply looked at the ground and nodded. Lizzy ushered him over "Alright then, come along with me and I'll get you all fixed up" she added with a gentle smile. Standing up and sliding his arm away from Dib he gently placed his burnt claws into Lizzy's palm, her grip gentle but sure as she led him up the stairs.

Ash stood next to his father who was crouched down onto the floor, still wearing nothing but what he had gone to sleep in the night prior. Turning to his father Ash innocently asked "Are you going to get dressed for the park?" Glancing over to his son, Dib smirked. "Yea I guess I should probably do that. huh?" Scooping Ash up into his arms and earning a cheerful Squeak, Dib carried Ash up the stairs to pick out an outfit.

Dib picked out a navy blue tee and black slacks as Ash ran around the room, Jumping on the bed and zipping in-between Dib's legs as well as different pillows he had scattered across the floor "Well someone's full of energy this morning" Dib mused as Ash zipped past him.
Ash giggled as he hopped up onto their bed, scrambling across to the other side and landing on a pillow. "I'm a space ship!" Ash cheered "I'm flying all around the galaxy!"
Dib chuckled, "Well I'm a deadly Florpus here to swallow you up!" He laughed before wrapping Ash up in a tight hug causing him to squeal and laugh as he wiggled in his father's arms. Dib fake nibbled on Ash's cheeks as they crashed onto the floor "nom nom nom nom nom!" Dib laughed as he cuddled Ash.
Ash squirmed in his father's arm elbowing him I the side causing Dib to release Ash and hiss in pain. Ash stood up a worried expression on his face. "I'm sorry daddy I-I didn't mean to!" Dib gave his son a soft smile  "it's alright it's not your fault Zim just hit me pretty hard earlier and it's still sensitive."

Ash walked over and carefully lifted up Dib's shirt revealing a speckled bruise on his side. "Why'd Zim hit you?" Ash asked, looking up at his father. Dib smiled "He got hurt and was just mad, I don't think he meant to hurt me, he just hits really hard." Ash bit his lip "But you're gonna be okay?" Dib nodded and kissed Ash's forehead "Yep don't worry, because I'm still gonna gobble you up little Spaceship!" Dib cheered, sending Ash into a new giggling fit as he jumped up and ran off arms spread wide like a plane.
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