What If They Meet Differently?

Chapter 13: The Future

Zim cried, and cried, and then cried some more. The whole time Zim cried into Dibs coat, said owner of coat patted his head shielding him from the rain. Though slowly the rain-softened to the point that rain slightly flickered off the leaves at random moments. Dib decided it was safe to put down his umbrella, which he carefully did. The night sky illuminating the two through the wet leaves. Dib looked to see Zim calming down, only sniffling now. Dib tried to be as soft as possible when he said: "Do you feel better?" Zim was silent except for a little sniff here and there, before picking his head up "... A little..." Dib nodded his head, still petting him hopping Zim didn't mind. Dib looked into Zims eyes, thinking about if he should ask this next question. It may be awkward but it needs to be said "Zim... what are you going to do now? Are... you still gonna take over earth?" Zim took time to thought, Dib could obviously see the wheels turning in Zims head. "I..."

"I can't take over earth... not anymore... Zim doesn't know what to do. Zim has always been an Invader, Lived as an Invader, Now... Z-Zim doesn't know what to do." Dib looked to Zim with hurt eyes with the new information "... You're still you Zim. You haven't changed just... the world around you has." Zim looked to him then down, still holding onto him tight "Mmm... Zim doesn't know what to do with this new world through. Zim has always lived to conquer... Now Zim doesn't and it throws my world for a whirl." They sat in silence before Dib gently petted the top of his head earning Zims attention."Well... you can now live for yourself. Do what you want to do and not listen to somewhere else. I-If you want you... could live it with m-me" Dibs cheeks grew red, thinking of how he chose to say that. Zim looked to him surprised, his cheeks a soft purple hue "You... You'd let Zim stay with you? After... After everything?" Zim looked up at him still holding his shirt. Dib's cheeks grew brighter as he tried to answer without stuttering, failing though. "O-Of course Zim... what are friends for?" Zims antennas perked up before Zim grew a large smile, suddenly pouncing on Dib. He hugged Dib tight, making the taller boy lay on the ground flustered at the cute alien on top of him. "Thank you Dib Human!!" Dib looked to him and smiled wrapping one arm around him. "My pleasure~"

They laid there, embracing in the grass. Though the peace was broken when a bright light hit them both in the eyes, making them wince. They looked up to see past the light, an annoyed Gaz with a giggling Gir. She groaned turning off the light "Can you two stop being Gay for one second" Dib grew red, glaring at his sister. Though Zim sat up with his antennas back, flustered to be caught like this. Dib sat at, still glaring at his sister "What are you doing here Gaz?" Gaz turned the light back on, blinding the two again. "Making sure you weren't either killing yourself or making a scene in a public place. Now let's get home you dorks." She turned to start walking back to the house with Gir following her close. Dib stands up with Zim in follow. They looked to each other, with there own soft smile "So... we should head home." Dib gently took Zim's hand in his own walking after Gaz. Zim quickly looked to their interlocked hands as they walked. He grew a warm smile as he softly said "Yeah... Let's head home"