VINDICATION

Chapter 20: Regret


Dib watched a set of monitors fed by the tiny cameras he and Zim had installed in various locations throughout the missile silo, and a grin crept across his face.

“It’s starting.”

Zim grinned as well, standing behind Dib with his hands on his shoulders. “They look like they’re suffering.”

Dib and Zim both snickered. GIR sat in front of the monitors sucking at a Chocolate Bubblegum Brainfreezie. “I love this show…” the little robot purred, then sucked at his drink again.

Zim allowed Dib to rest back against him, watching the soldier-humans on the monitors starting to pile up against the doors, stumbling and falling in the hallways. He had begun to like this side of Dib…he had the malicious hunger of a true Invader…it was almost…attractive. He leaned his head down just slightly, sampling the scent of Dib’s hair and deciding that he quite liked it.

“OOOOOOO, do it again!” GIR squealed, clapping his metal hands as he watched Zim and Dib, who both gave him a quizzical look.

“Do what again?” Zim quirked an antenna.

GIR giggled, pulling a surveillance disk out of his head and running over to one of the monitors, plugging it in. The other monitors cut out, and the main screen lit up with a recording of Dib sucking on Zim’s antennae, stroking him under his boxers.

Dib and Zim immediately blushed.

“Do THAT again!” GIR giggled, pointing at the screen.

Dib tried to hide a grin as Zim shouted at the little robot. “OUT!!” he yelled, pointing at the door to the lab.

GIR snickered and ran off, leaving little puddles of Brainfreezie in his wake.

Zim stomped over to the monitor, about to pull the disk out when he looked up at the screen again, watching himself pull Dib up into his arms.

“MINE.” The on-screen Zim growled.

His antennae flattened against his skull and he yanked the disk out with a low snarl, dropping the disk on the ground and crushing it under his foot, his expression highly irritated as the monitors lit up with the footage from inside the missile silo once again. He returned to the table, avoiding eye contact with Dib.

Dib watched Zim for a long time before speaking. “Do you…regret any of that?”

Zim’s fists clenched and he growled, his eyes squeezed tightly shut. “Of course I do.”

“You don’t really sound like you mean that.” Dib observed, shifting a little closer.

Zim opened his eyes, although they were narrowed to slits, which he turned angrily on the human. “Bringing you to my quarters was a mistake, stink-beast. And yes, I DO regret it. It was a stupid thing to do.”

Dib blinked at him, a little taken aback. “Oh.” He murmured softly, then returned his gaze to the monitors. He knew better than to feel hurt by Zim’s words; after all, the Irken had more than enough reasons to hate him. He knew better…

Zim blinked at him, then frowned a little as he looked at the human’s profile. His words had produced a change in Dib’s demeanor that he couldn’t quite understand.

“What’s wrong?”

Dib cleared his throat, standing and turning away. “Nothing. I…I’m gonna go get cleaned up and get dressed…” He hurried past Zim, jerking when he was grabbed firmly by the arm.

Zim pulled him back, standing and looking down into his eyes, which the human quickly averted.

“Look at me.”

Dib reluctantly met Zim’s eyes, taking a deep breath and standing straight, trying to look more confident than he felt at the moment.

Zim’s antennae twitched. “I asked you a question, Dib.”

Clenching his teeth, Dib swallowed hard. “It’s nothing.”

Zim growled, his eyes narrowing. “You’re lying.”

Dib blinked at him, then cringed. “I just…felt hurt.” He pulled away from the grip Zim had on his chin. “I’m fine. I need to go and shower.”

The Irken held him firmly. “You’re lying again.”

Dib pushed at Zim’s chest. “I told you I’m fine, dammit…let go of me.”

Zim grabbed both of the human’s wrists, squeezing firmly. “I don’t take orders from you, human.”

Groaning in frustration, Dib stopped struggling. “Please, let me go…” His hazel eyes were pleading, something Zim had never seen before. And suddenly, the Irken felt…guilty. Guilty for putting that look there.

“Let go…” Dib murmured, closing his eyes tightly. “Please.”

Zim’s eyes narrowed and he shook his head, pulling the human against his body and holding him tightly. Dib was trembling, although Zim didn’t quite understand why. He’d find out later. Right now he just wanted that look in Dib’s eyes to go away.

Dib stiffened, wanting to pull away. He didn’t know why Zim was holding him, but the longer the Irken held him, the weaker his resolve got, until he relaxed against Zim and wrapped his arms around him, burying his face in Zim’s chest. He uttered a shaky sigh, listening to the rhythmic beating of the Irken’s heart.

Zim sighed, stroking Dib’s back. “I will tell you something now, Dib.” He spoke solemnly. “There may be things I regret…yes…however, forming this alliance will never be one of them.”


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The first parts of this chapter were inspired by the beginning of the movie of Stephen King's The Stand.