What If They Meet Differently?

Chapter 12: Finding a Sad Alien

Dib was walking down the street, holding an umbrella above his head. Gir was in a costume Dib had never seen before. It was a little green costume of a dog, that had a collar and a leash that dib was currently holding. Gir said he knew how to find Zim, though they've been walking for a while now. "Gir are you sure you know where he is?" Gir turned his head, tongue still hanging out "Of course I do! I can find Master, he's over there!!" He pointed to a forest then proceed to run in "Gir no! Come back!" Dib ran after him in the forest, not as much rain as some trees are stopping. He huffed running out of breath from so much exercise. Though through the rain he could hear someone say "Gir no, go back to Dib." Dib stayed behind the tree, leaning around the edge to see Zim under a tree, with a puppy bouncing next to him.

Dib gripped the umbrella seeing Zim. He has smoke coming off of him as the rain once in a while landed on him. He had burn marks on his head, as large purple tears went down his cheeks. He was sitting under a tree holding his knees as he shivered. GIR pouted at his master "But master, Dib wanted me to find you" Zim looked up at him "What? Gir is your honesty chip malfunctioning? Dib wouldn't want you to find me unless..." Zim frowned then looked down, his head on his knees "I deserve it... I came to destroy his planet, even after telling him how horrible it was for the mighty Zim... why would he ever forgive me" a water droplet landed on one of his antennae, making him wince and shrivel up closer to himself. Dib watched and sighed at the sight. He moved closer, accidentally snapping a twig that caught Zim's attention. Zim weakly stood up quick "W-Who is there!? Zim is scared of no one! Show yourself!" Zim snarled, showing his zipper like teeth, The legs from his pack coming out as Gir hid behind him. Though slowly Dib stepped out from behind the tree. Once Zim saw who it was, his legs went back in as he looked horrified "D-Dib human?! W... W-What are you doing here? Y-You're not gonna experiment on me are you?" Dib was hurt, that Zim was no longer excited to see him, but now scared that Dib would hurt him. Sure he was mad but he could never really hurt Zim, no matter what Zim did. Gir looking between the two, scampered off to get Gaz for help. "W-What I'm... no no I'm not gonna do any of that." He moved closer as Zim backed up to the tree, guilt all over his face. Dib sighed then held out his umbrella, blocking the rain from hitting Zim. "I... I want to talk" Dib sat next to Zim under the tree.

Zim looked away, his breathing going back to normal now that he's not being pelted with rain. Dib looked down, still having trouble looking at the alien. They sat in silence, listening to the rain for a bit. It only lasted a minute or two before Dib finally spoke up "Did... you... ever plan to tell me the truth? Of why you were actually here" Zim still didn't face him, he couldn't. "I... I don't think I was going too..." Dib winced, not liking that answer but held his temper "And why not?" Once said Dib noticed Zims antennas lay flat on his head. "...cause I knew it would upset you, and I was right... now you hate me. The last thing Zim wanted." Dib turned to him surprised, not thinking Zim would say that of all things. "... you... didn't tell me because you didn't want to upset me... so you plan to take over the earth?" Zim pulled his legs to himself "I... I don't know about that either" Dib tilted his head, facing Zim now "why not? Your leaders said you were sent here to take it over" Zim put his head on his knees, a soft sniffle could be heard "Y-You heard the Tallest... it was all to get rid of me. Besides earth is nothing like my home." Dib looked to Zim, and realized what the Tallest said, and how it must be affecting Zim. Having your leaders abandon you and call you a failure... then having your only possible friend tell you to leave, must be a disaster. "Sigh... Zim I... I'm sorry for what Your tallest said... I'm still mad at you but I.... wait..." He noticed Zim was sniffling. Dib turned to Zim, before gently resting his hand on his shoulder. "Zim... are you crying?" Zim flinched and quickly looked away "N-No! The mighty Zim does not cry!!" Dib looked to him then sighed getting a tiny smirk on his face. "Really? Sure sounds like it." It was silent between the two of them until Zim slowly felt an arm going around him. Zim picked his head up, revealing big purple tears coming from Zims wide pink eyes. Dib was surprised but found the sight oddly amusing and beautiful. Dib said nothing, he just pulled Zim to rest his head on his shoulder. Zim looked to him still, with sweet purple tears falling down his face. Dib looked away, a faint blush on his cheeks, while carefully lifting his hand to pet Zims head. Soft and calculated, not knowing how Zim would react to the contact. Zim did flinch at first, making Dib stop. Zim breathing shaking a bit before Dib felt Zim's little hand grip his shirt. Dib looked down at him to see Zim bury his face in Dib's shoulder to hide his crying. Dib grew slowly more and more red as Zim cried and curled up to him. Dib sighed, petting Zim's head gently, trying to ignore the fact that Zim was this close to him. Zim cried and sniffled onto Zim as it rained, hard and hollow. Zim felt like he was the rain.... Hard and hollow.