Hide n Seek

- A Push

Dibs face suddenly turned pale as he gripped at his hair

"Shit! That might be the cops!"
Zim tried to think of a plan. Turning his attention to the window beside them.

"Zim no! We are already in enough trouble."
Dib grabbed onto his arm, knowing that wouldn't stop him but not knowing what else he could do.

"Got any other bright ideas?"
Dib stayed silent, letting go of Zim as he stood up and stretched out his hand down to Dib. Dib hesitated, suddenly hearing another knock come from outside their room. This time more impatiently.

"Don't worry."
Dib jerked his head back to Zim, who looked down at him with such...reassurance. Dib grabbed Zims hand, being thrusted up as Zims metalic legs appeared once more, loudly destroying the window as he pulled Dib close. Shifting his left hand underneath Dibs legs and picking him up bridal style. Causing Dibs face to blush a darker colour of red.

"W-woah!"
Dib quickly wrapped his arms around Zims neck, burrying his face in his chest as Zim launched them both out the window and onto nearby roofs. Getting further and further away as police eventually swarmed their room.

"You better not drop me!"
He screamed out as Zim tumbled and jumped over a gap leading down to the oblivious citizens down below.

"Like this?"
Zim smirked as he suddenly fumbled around, causing Dib to feel that sense of falling and force him to latch closer onto Zim. Zim just chuckled as Dib glared at him embarrasingly.

"Hey! If you're going to be like that, you can just drop me off here!"
Dib whined as Zim dropped his laughter.

"Alright."
He said, shutting Dib up as he suddenly lowered himself closer to the ground.

"I was joking!"
Dib argued again before seeing what was standing right in front of them. It was his old home. Dib was frozen, not expecting to see it after all these years. Zim tried to drop Dib down but this seemed to panic Dib more as he latched harder onto Zim.

"You gotta let go of me!"
Zim pushed harder but Dib was showing no sign of letting go.

"No! You are such an asshole, I'm not letting go!"
Dib continued to stay far away from the ground as Zim just started to give up.

"C'mon why are you being such a little scaredy cat?!"

"Cause i don't want them to see me again!"
Both Zim and Dib were quiet. Dib buried his head into Zims chest, his tears drenching his glasses and Zims shirt.

"I don't want to be a burden to them... it's just better if they thought i was dead... so... please can we go?"
Dibs body began to tremble underneath Zim, as he stayed silent, just listening to his plead. Looking back at the house.

"Okay..."
Zim backed away from the house, disappearing into the forest. Finally dropping Dib down when it was safe. Dib was quiet, facing away from Zim, holding himself close as he paced around.

"Dib, i..."-
Zim reached out but Dib was quick to turn around and slap his hand out of the way.

"It was working out just fine before you came along!"
Dib snapped back, causing Zim to step back, for once in his life horrified.

"I had a job... friends, i felt like i finally belonged somewhere for once...!"
Dibs shoulders slumped down, staring down at the ground as he removed his glasses and rubbed his eyes.

"I..."
Dib sighed, pushing his body back against a tree, sliding down to the ground as he hugged his knees. Zim stood beside him, sititng next to him.

"Now I'm back at where i started... alone and now wanted by the cops."
Dib buried his head in his lap, mumbling a bit more that Zim couldn't understand.

"You're not alone... I'm here for you."
Zim carefully placed a hand on his shoulder, getting a hesitant look from him.

"And I'm also wanted by the cops too apparently so you're not alone in that either."
Zim chuckled, getting a small giggle from Dib too.

"And if you want you could always live with me in space."
Zim leaned closer, avoiding Dibs gaze as he proposed his offer.

"Pssh sure, you're probably also wanted in space too."
Dib giggled, catching Zims gaze as he laughed as well to Dibs remark.

"Heh yeah you're right but then you wouldn't have to worry about anyone on Earth..."
Dib moved his focus back down to his feet.

"That's only if you... don't want to..."-

"I don't want to see my family..."
Dib stayed determined as Zim just folded his hands together.

"Okay but just so you know... they really did miss you..."
Dibs eyes shifted with thought.

"Are you trying to guilt me into seeing them?"

"I'm just saying you were atleast lucky to have a family..."
Dib raised his head, turning to Zim whose turn was now to stare at the dirt.

"But what about your Tallest? Aren't they like your... guardians?"
Zim shook his head.

"I don't think they cared about me... it took me so long to realise... i was just blinded by wanting to impress them..."
Dib frowned as he stretched his hand out, almost reaching Zims shoulder.

"Zim... i..."
Zim turned towards Dib, grabbing his hand in his own.

"But your family, they always looked soo caring and that they reeally cared about you..."
Dib stayed quiet, letting Zim talk and being unable to think of anyway to respond.

"They truly did care about you... they would clean your room and make sure it was neat and tidy just in case you did ever come back... your father would wait at the door late at night- just in case you ever knocked.. they"-

"I get it."
Dib cut off, feeling the tears flush back as his hands began to shake under Zims.

"I... Zim i know your just trying to help but it's too late now..."
Dib pulled his hands away, hiding them under his sleeves as he buried his face again.

"It's never too late Dib... don't give up so fast!"
Zim persevered, shaking Dib to grab his attention.

"Why do you want me to see them so badly anyways?"

"Because i want you to be happy and just seeing you moping all the time by yourself hurts me."
Dib raised his head an inch, showing Zim a teary, curious eye.