A Cup A Day - A ZADR Fanfiction

Truce

Zim had been working part time at a coffee shop near his home after the Tallest had gave him the news of his discharge. It was just about the best job he could get, as they were so desperate for employees they nearly hired him on the spot. Zim needed this. He needed money to live, sure. But he needed a purpose. Serving the Tallest was his purpose, his drive, his will to live.

He still couldnt believe the Tallest abandoned him like that. Losing all connection and sources from them was catastrophic to Zim. Zim felt grief and sorrow, before being forced to leave his cocoon of a home and find a way of living. Which led to where he was now.

This small business, labelled 'Bubbly Beans', was within walking distance of Zim's home. So every morning Zim would walk to work with his usual attire, with the added brown apron and sun visor. GIR typically stayed at home watching television as Zim worked 8 hours a day every day. It wore Zim out socially, though physical exhaustion seemed to be a rare issue.

Zim tapped his fingers at the counter, slow business left Zim to bore. His face void of any expression as he obsessively watched the front door in hopes anybody would walk in right now. It was any other ordinary day to Zim. Though, today was about to be a sudden change. As he stared off into space, the bell rang to notify him that the front door was opened. Zim turned his head to the front door, and was greeted with the locking eyes between him and childhood enemy, Dib, his suitcase with him as he had as a child. Dib squinted at Zim, then walked up to the counter Zim stood at.

"Well well well, look where you ended up. Not exactly the ruler of Earth, quite far from it." Dib mocked. Dib had changed a lot since Zim stopped attending school. Dib grew taller, his cow lick grew just as long as his fathers, though his style of choice seemed the same with usual dark colors.

"Forget it, Dib-stink. What do you want?" Zim spat out words with spite. Zim wasn't in a mood to have his failed mission rubbed in his face. He couldn't handle that yet, it all felt so new. It stung. Though, Dib didn't seem to take that hint, and continued to pry at Zim.

"Looks like I've gotten what I've wanted since meeting you, Zim. I win! But, since I came here with the intent of coffee, I'll just have a black coffee. No room for cream." Dib told to Zim what he had wanted. Zim mumbled something under his breath as he wrote the order down, in his native Irken language.

Zim didn't quite know what to do. Should he really care at this point? "You know, Dib, I have no need to take over this filthy planet anymore. So why dont we give up this stupid mockery? I don't need you ruining my career." Zim extended his arm out for a handshake. Though, Dib simply put down a 5 dollar bill and sat down at a seat. Zim rolled his eyes and began making the coffee, which was simple to make.

As he walked to hand Dib his drink, Zim sat down at the other end of the table as he handed Dib his coffee. "Zim demands a truce." Zim commanded. Dib let out a soft chuckle, smirking as he glanced up to meet his eyes with Zim's

"Is this some sort of joke, Zim? You disappeared for 4 years, how can I trust that you haven't just been plotting something?"

"Stop being a paranoid Dib and just agree. You're wasting energy." Zim sighed. He seemed a lot less energetic with his anger- Zim was more emotionally drained. Dib knew he wasn't acting like he normally did. Should he take that chance?

After 5 seconds of silence, Dib finally replied. "Fine. But the moment anything gets fishy, I wont hesitate to fight back." Dib squinted, reaching out for a handshake. Zim accepted the truce with the blank expression still stuck on his face.

Zim stood up and walked back behind the counter. Dib glared Zim down as Zim walked, feeling extremely suspicious. Dib sipped his coffee slowly. The bitter taste of it quickly woke him up a bit more than before. With that, he decided that staying out at the coffee shop seems more appealing than sitting at home. Besides, he could watch Zim to see his behaviour. He changed some, it was obvious. But Dib needed to know more.

     Zim was simply doing his job, though. He looked unamused and made weird comments every now and then. Like commenting on the syrup or how strong the coffee smell is. Zim could never imagine how horrid the smell was without his antennae muffled under his wig. Zim could smell out of his antennae, it was very beneficial to irken biology in order to survive.

     Dib watched, staring for a few seconds before focusing his gaze somewhere else as to not seem creepy. With each sip of his coffee, he grew more alert. His mind was awakening and was thinking of all the possibilities as to why. Why is Zim doing this? Dib reached down to his case and took out a computer, opening a new document to take notes.

"Day 1 of observing Zim.

I have decided to accept Zim's truce, but I can't help but wonder why. I have a gut feeling he might be planning something, and if he is, I need to be on guard. But if he isn't, and he actually want's to stop our fights, I don't want to come off as the bad guy. Him and I are basically strangers at this point, but even that I am not 100% sure of. I'll keep observing on the down low, making sure he doesnt try to do anything.

- Dib"