A long way

chapter 7

"Sorry it's not something more fashionable, but-"

"No, it'll do. It covers everything, at least," Spork interrupted Membrane. The Taller Irken wasn't too pleased with having to wear the drab science clothing...the goggles and headcovering were enough to drive him insane, but the coat which had a neck covering the entire lower part of his face made him feel almost suffocated. Sure, Irkens were modest, but Spork could never stand for this kind of clothing! Still...he was a former Tallest. He was taught to always be polite to those offering assistance. And he would hate to jeopardize his chances to stay with Zim by complaining.

"Ah, well, good," Membrane commented, looking a little more proud. He had taken Spork into a separate room without assistance as a sort of test to see if the green alien would try anything. Luckily, Spork was very calm and compromising. "We should get back to the boys then. I imagine you're eager to leave,"

"Yes, very much so," Spork smiled, in spite of the fact that he knew Membrane couldn't tell.

Oo

"Dib?"

The raven-hair teen looked to Zim, still not used to the air of vulnerability around the Irken. "Yeah? What is it?"

Zim looked away to the floor, a small tint of blue on his cheeks. "Thank you,"

Dib felt his own face heat up in return. Why was it he was standing this far away? Granted, it wasn't that far but...he needed to be closer to the other because...because...

Because why...?

Clearing his throat, Dib smiled. "No problem. It's better than coming here everyday to see him, right?" Why was he so reluctant to say the other Irken's name?

"It's not just that..." Zim rubbed at his arm nervously. "Thank you for...not just this but...not taking the chance you had to expose me...to the people not here, I mean...And...for not laughing at me before. For acting the way that I had..."

"Why would I laugh at you?" Zim's darkened cheeks suddenly reminded Dib then. "O-oh! The crying! Of course I wouldn't laugh at you for that! I'm not a jerk,"

Zim smiled softly, a weak laugh escaping him. "No, you're not, huh? I always forget that," He looked back to Dib, his pink eyes almost...glittering again... "I was always the one that was a jerk to you, though. I'm sorry about that,"

Dib blushed again. "Ah! I-it's nothing...You had a mission then," Dib looked away, rubbing the back of his neck nervously. Why was Zim suddenly making him nervous? He never got like this when Zim threatened him for all those years...

"It still means a lot to me,"

Before Dib could say anything in return, Spork and Membrane entered the room again, with Spork holding a bag that Dib assumed had the Taller's robe and such to change back into later.

Zim slipped his contacts back in, his pink eyes covered once again by fake violet. For once, Dib found himself hating Zim's disguise. In place, Zim smiled at Spork, walking over to him. "Do you want me to carry that?" He offered, his tone quieter while Membrane stepped close to Dib. Dib didn't have a chance to focus more on the couple when his dad started speaking to him, his tone also quiet.

"Are you sure you can handle walking these two back all on your own?"

"Yeah, I got it," Dib assured. "Zim's place isn't far away. Plus if they wanted to do anything, they would've done it by now,"