Barriers

chapter 13

Skoodge was reluctant to ask Zim anything with the other woke up and began getting ready. At first he thought maybe Zim had slept off whatever had been bothering him but then he noticed how rigid Zim's movements were. They were just like when they began training...So guarded and so...ready to strike...It was unsettling...Especially since it seemed like Zim was finally starting to relax and be happy.

Taking a deep breath, Skoodge stepped a little closer to the other while being mindful not to look at the other gettting ready. "So...Zim...Is there anything you want to talk about?"

"No,"

Well...that was to be expected...Skooge tried again. "I mean...the room looked wrecked when I came back last night. I was worried you were attacked or something,"

"No. Just me and my thought process,"

Skooge frowned. So...Zim had done it. He thought there was a strong possibility of that... "Oh? Did something make you mad?"

"Livid,"

That's a start...Though be it a slightly terrifying one... "O-oh? What was it?"

Zim paused, as if debating whether to say anymore. After some time Skooge chanced a peek over his shoulder and saw Zim gazing at his reflection with a rather disturbing look. Like...he was trying to find something that wasn't there. Finally Zim broke the tension, shaking his head to himself. "Doesn't matter. I got it out of my system. I'm fine now," Without giving Skooge and oppritunity to reply, Zim grabbed his labcoat and walked out, leaving the larger Irken alone.

"No, Zim...You're not..."

oo

Zim gnawed on the inside of his cheek, a little ashamed of himself. Of course Skooge was going to ask questions! He caused a horrible mess! And he'd been too out of it to clean up after himself...

Zim sighed, zipping up his labcoat rather absent-mindedly. It hurt him to realize just what Red had been doing...but he was also a little greatful. Now he didn't have to be torn between Spork and the little copycat. He now knew who he wanted to be with...to belong to...

If Spork would still have him. The Taller might be too upset that he didn't go visit his chambers before the last night-cycle.

Zim shrugged it off. There was no use worrying about it. He would find out soon when Spork came to oversee the progress in the labs.

oo

Red was in a funk. He had just begun going through the simulations and he was already having trouble concentrating. It was all just noise and blurs of color...

He didn't even notice when Skooge took his usual seat next to the taller Irken and began giving him odd glances.

"Taller Red? May I have a word?"

"Yeah, go ahead," Red sighed, not even bothering to look at the other. Purple's initial words were echoing in his head...Yelling at he had screwed up and Zim would terrified to be near him and now he had to start from square one.

Skooge continued, oblivious to Red's inner monologue. "I was just going to ask if you went to visit Zim in our room yesterday,"