A long way

chapter 6

there will be more intereaction between spork and zim in this chapter and in chapters to come

enjoy~

______________________

The walk didn't take very long, as Zim expected. After all, he was trained to run great distances...He just brushed it off as him being too distressed to concentrate on an actual destination or direction. Besides, it worked in his favor. He wanted to see Spork as soon as he could, even though it meant the humiliation of telling Spork the truth about what happened.

As they strode down the hall leading to Spork's room, Dib turned to Zim, seeing the Irken wringing his hands nervously. He reached to give a small pat to the alien's shoulder and offered a comforting smile. "Hey, it'll be okay," he assured.

Zim smiled weakly in return, nodding in confirmation, as though he was trying to convince himself that Dib was right. It didn't stop the small voice in his head from telling him otherwise, though...A voice that resembled the Tallest he had been devoted to for so long, switching back and forth between Red and Purple. A voice telling him that Spork would leave him...Maybe just flat out kill him since the Empire declared Zim a waste of space... Still, despite the fear, Zim took a deep breath. "Okay...I'm ready..."

Dib nodded, heading past the window first. He looked in and noticed that his dad was trying to cheer a distressed Taller. Both of them had yet to notice that Dib had returned with Zim. Of course, as soon as the door opened and the two stepped in, Dib noticed that Spork's antenea perked up.

Hearing the door open, Membrane turned to address what he thought would be a scientist or intern coming to pester him, but he groaned in relief. "Oh, thank science! You've both come back!"

Spork's lekku perked as the scent of his lover filled the room again and turned, relieved to see that Zim had come back. Whatever the boy had done, it had been successful. Spork made a mental note to find some way to thank the little alien later. He stood, about to go and embrace Zim, but became concerned when he noticed the small evidence of tiredness in his eyes. Had Zim been...crying?

Membrane, seeming clueless, strode over and patted Dib on the back hard, seeming to congradulate him. "Well, done, son! Well done! Now we can all sit and talk like the intelligent and civilized beings we are-"

"Dad," Dib interupted. "Maybe we could let Zim and Spork talk alone for a bit?" When Membrane gave his son a confused look, Dib rolled his eyes and continued. "Considering their relationship and how long they haven't seen eachother...?" He trailed off purposely, figuring that if he made the situation seem akward, his dad would need less convincing to leave.

Sure enough, Membrane visibly blanched. "Ah...right...W-well, I need to, uh...work...elsewhere..." As he went to leave, Spork fought back a laugh. As though he could actually be...intimate with Zim while being watched so intently in this damn lab.

Dib turned to leave, giving Zim an encouraging smile as he left. He felt his stomach flutter a bit when he saw Zim giving him a greatful look in return.

Finally alone, Zim turned to Spork, nervous all over again. "Spork...I..."

Not waiting to hear another word, Spork quickly strode over and lifted Zim into a hug. Sure, Zim had grown quite a bit since Spork had last seen him, but Spork was still a great deal larger than his lover. Feeling Zim relax into his touch, Spork smiled, allowing his eyes to slip shut. "Thank you for coming back," he said softly in Irken.