Truce? ( Dib X Zim ) [ Invader Zim ] ( bxb )

Chapter 9 - Covered

- Tuesday, September 12th, 2006, Light Rain, 7:00 am.

Zim was nervously walking through the rain with an umbrella overhead. He was carrying the smeets with him. He developed a skin shield from water on his own, but wasn't sure if his kids would be okay. He took a risk and slowly moved the umbrella to see what the little droplets would do. The rain droplets fell on their faces, but didn't do anything harmful. No burning of the skin or anything.

However, their skin was kinda sensitive and Fil especially didn't like the random cold droplets. Fil's face scrunched up and he began to cry. Zim placed the umbrella overhead again and sat on a nearby bench. He took the time to comfort Fil by gently rubbing his thumb where the water droplets fell. Fil soothed down and rubbed one of his eyebrows angrily.

Wil tried to reach his hand out from under the umbrella so that he could feel more of the droplets outside. Dil seemed unmoved by the raindrops, so the little red stayed put in the middle. Zim stood up again and took his time walking to school.

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- 7:25 am.

Dib was already in his history class finishing up on notes with the other students. The history teacher used fresh markers on the board, which was stinging some sensitive noses. If you weren't near the front of the room, it just smelled like rain drenched bookbags. Zim interrupted the lesson by opening the class door. Several eyes fell on the kids that Zim brought in, then onto Zim's tired face.

"Zim, you're 25 minutes late..." The teacher went, "And-..."

He paused at the children he had in hand. Zim took a deep breath and went to the front of the room. He placed the kid's carrier on the desk.

"All of you... I have something I must share with you..." Zim started, "I especially want those who went to middle school with me and Dib to listen carefully..."

This was most of the class, so they were all ears from being addressed. Dib paused mid notes and looked up.

"As you may know, you've known Dib as the crazy, nerdy, paranormal obsessed kid..."

Zim paused and folded his hands. His feet would not keep still while he talked. Dib was now alerted. He started shaking his head.

"And you also know that he especially had an affinity for aliens in particular..." Zim continued, "You all know that he's accused me of being an alien this whole time... Well I've come to tell you that-...."

He thought about what could happen and had already thought of an escape plan for the worst case scenario. He looked at the class, who was patiently waiting for what he was going to say. They all looked very puzzled.

"....I am an alien..." Zim said, " and I'm from a place called Irk."

"No he isn't!"

The class's attention switched straight to Dib. Dib immediately scratched his head from the sudden attention.

"Um...I.. I was wrong about him..." Dib continued, "He was just from a different country... I-I've apologized since... and If I haven't, I'm sorry again, Zim... I guess I let my imagination... get the best of me. I... I'm taking medicine now, so don't worry about it...It won't happen anymore... We're cool now..."

The whole class was without a word. They all looked back at Zim. Dib wasn't really taking medicine for it, but he rather had the class think that he was recovering from something. Dib looked at Zim's eyes and saw that his eyes were dilated. Zim was fighting the urge to smile.

"What is the meaning of this?" the teacher said to Zim, "Alien?"

"Uh, it was a bad take on my part sir..." Dib said, "I was just never exposed to his skin condition growing up, and he likes building complex things, so my mind thought he was an alien... I-...I've been diagnosed with paranoia in recent years..." Dib said, defeatedly.

This was technically true, but he only said it to get the attention off of Zim. Zim was near tears. He placed a hand on his chest.

"Dib...You don't have to do this..." Zim mouthed to him.

"Sooo why is Zim the one coming out as an alien then?..." The man asked, "and where is Irk?"

"What he meant was that his family came here undocumented from...." Dib looked at the map on the wall," Irkutsk, Russia ... and I didn't know at the time... I guess I didn't know what he meant when he said alien to describe himself. He doesn't know American stuff too well..."

"Huhhh... That explains why he didn't get idioms too well," one girl said.

"Or American jokes in general," another boy said, "Told you he was a foreigner, Gretchen..."

Gretchen hid her face behind her binder with band stickers on them.

"Yeah, um... They're apparently very formal in Irkutsk..." Dib said. He had zero idea if this was true, but he also knew that everyone was too lazy to fact check him, including the teacher.

"Hmm... well, that answers enough for me," the teacher said, "Zim, take your seat..."

He didn't comment on the children being present since he didn't want to give anymore attention to Zim. Zim took the kids and sat in his seat next to Dib. He stared at him.

"Now class, we're going to watch a short film on how the American Revolution started... All of you must take notes..." He said then turned on the television.

He turned off the lights and went to his desk to sleep. The movie started off with the typical gunshots and the deep narration of a true southern American. In the darkness, Dib felt two lips press against his right cheek and a gentle hand on his left.

"...Thanks..." Zim whispered. Dib rested his head on his hands. He used that to control a proud smile from showing up on his lips. He finally sighed from relief.

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- 2:35 pm, Rain.

The boys were currently indoors at Dib's house listening to Dib's music collection. He didn't have much, but Zim didn't care. He grew to like most of the bands he listened to, especially Linkin Park. He was leaning against Dib while the triplets were interacting with their surroundings. Fil was trying to eat out of Gaz's sour candy, Wil was still fascinated by the rain outside, and Dil was moving his antennae while watching Gir dance. Gaz looked at Fil and handed him a star shaped candy. It was a Japanese candy she got from a corner store.

Fil placed it in his mouth, sat there, and immediately spat it out. Sour was a little too much right now. He gave a cat's glare at Gaz, which she snickered at.

"Dib..." Zim started, "Why did you do that?..."

"Why were you going to admit you were an alien?"

"So people could stop bullying you..." Zim said and kissed his cheek, "Why did you defend me?..."

"So that you and the boys wouldn't be placed in danger..." Dib replied, "I'd rather be seen as crazy at school than have you sent away... Those people will think I'm crazy regardless..."

He chuckled and played with one of his boot laces. Zim raised Dib's head up to face him directly. He then smiled at him and kissed his nose. They rested their foreheads against the other's. Moments like these are what they begged for again. Just bliss and respect for one another. Zim had some courage building up inside.

"...I...L" Zim's courage left as quickly as it arrived. Dib gave him his undivided attention when he heard Zim mumble. Zim wanted to say something, but it was too strong. He then glanced at Dib, knowing that he was smart and placed a hand on his cheek.

"I've... learned one thing about myself here, Dib... but I can't say it to you yet... My words are rather strong..."

Zim's face tinted from embarrassment. Dib thought about what he could mean by that. The moment he realized is when he pulled Zim in for a deep kiss, understanding his struggle with words.