The Almighty Error.

Sector Twenty.

               Zims' Perspective.

"You're lucky I'm feeling generous, Dib-Thing." My scoff transfers into a subtle smile, becoming amused that the human took so much joy in my previous statement admitting my need for him. I get up to return to my normal seating arrangement for this specific classroom, now letting out a tiresome sigh.

It's only been a day since I've been made completely aware that the Tallest's respect for me was never even there. Of course, buried in my thoughts, there was always doubt. But hearing it like that and solidifying my uneasy questions made it harder to face the real truth.

I was ready to give up, to let the Dib cut me open and use me for whatever experiments he wanted. He could've exposed me to that parental unit like he's always wanted to. He could've turned me in to the earthly authorities.

But he didn't.

My eyes wander over to my human companion, who had his attention up front. I made sure to look away before getting caught taking a glance at him.

Why didn't he expose me? He had the opportunity, this time I was really ready to give up. To unhinge my PAK and let my organic body deteriorate. But he was there, he took time to follow me to the human park thing and...comfort me.

I can feel my antennas start to twitch underneath my wig, and something flutter within me. There's no denying it now that I truly, desperately needed the Dib to stay in my life. He makes me want to keep fighting, even though I am ready to stop. I'm both appalled and intrigued by this revelation.

The rest of the school day goes by smoothly, and at the end of it all the Dib waits for me outside of the wretched school building.

"Zim! So we're going back to your place to—"

Someone cuts off the Dib by shoving him away from me and stepping forward. I immediately shutter at the sight of who it was.

Keef.

"Hey, Zim." He hands me a slip of paper with this disgustingly hopeful smile plastered to his face. "I'm throwing together an early Christmas-themed dinner for my friends at school! Can you maybe come to it?"

I'd forgotten Keef's parental units discovered my ingenious plan and had him 'fixed'. Luckily, none of them knew it was my handiwork that caused Keef's hallucinations. Of course the stupid units still don't realize that those aren't Keef's actual eyes; those idiots.

"No. I have plans and there is no interest for me to attend this stupid human dinner...thing." I crumple up the paper and drop it in front of Keef at his feet, then walk past him as the Dib was standing back up.

I vaguely notice my human partner eyeing Keef oddly, before joining me at my side. "You do realize you probably upset Keef, right?"

"Does it look like I care?" My head turns to the Dib, narrowing my eyes vaguely. "He can go squabble with a Squontrat. Keef is an annoying pest whose obsession with me was worse than yours could've ever amounted up to."

"Wait—What the hell is a Sqon-Squio-Uhh.."

"Squontrat. Its a subspecies that exists on planet Glorph and is nothing but a filthy ball of annoyance. They are hideous and—hm, I suppose they resemble the rats of this planet. But much larger and nastier in appearance."

"Okay, ew?" He glances behind us before shuttering briefly. "Squabble with a Squontrat.. what a weird saying.."

"It's a common one in many galaxies." I shrug while still walking, feeling eyes staring right through me. Possibly Keefs'. "But to answer your unfinished question before that annoying human interrupted: yes. Unless you need anything from your home quarters, we're going straight to my base."