The Story of Dib and Zim

Zim was defeated, lying helpless at his enemy’s feet. His wrists were bound behind him and his ankles were tied together. Dib towered over him like a fearsome specter. They were alone in the labs of the Membrane house, which were severely damaged by their latest battle.

So then why did Zim feel so safe? Why did he feel, not threatened, but enclosed under a shield of the human’s protection? He cudgeled his tired brain for an answer, but there came none.

After the fight, he no longer had much energy left for intellectual activity. And it was probably just as well, because judging from the expression on the Dib’s face, it looked like Zim would not be making any of his own decisions for quite some time.

Zim pushed himself up with his elbow, until he was able to rise into a sitting position. He leaned his head back to meet Dib’s eyes. “Well, you’ve got me, Dib-creature. Now what are you going to do with me?” He was too tired to bluster and threaten. Plus he thought his lip might be bleeding.

Dib lifted him roughly to his feet and guided him forcefully to an examination chair, pushing him down into it. Then he pulled up another chair opposite. He sat down and gave Zim a hard, penetrating glare. “I want to know why you’re trying to conquer Earth, Zim.”

Zim blinked. He was certain he’d heard wrong. Or that maybe he’d hit Dib too hard on the head during the fight or something. “What kind of question is that?”

“A very important question, I think. You said yourself you don’t know what’s going to happen to Earth once you’ve conquered it, right?”

Zim nodded.

“So then what’s the point? Why are you here, doing this to me, making my life a constant hell? I think that I have the right to know.”

Zim shook his head, uncomprehending. “There is no why. I’m an invader. I invade. Invading is what I do.” He ran the tip of his tongue over his lip. He was bleeding. “Dib, do you think you could do something about this?” He pushed his lower lip outward. Dib gave an aggravated sigh as he went to get a band-aid.

It wasn’t until Dib came back and was leaning Zim’s face toward the light, pressing the band-aid into place, that Zim realized how bizarre it was for an invader to ask anyone for help under any circumstances, much less a sworn enemy. He had picked up such weird habits since coming to this planet.

“So is that all you wanted to ask me?” said Zim. “Can I go now? I mean, do you want me to go now?” His thoughts were tumbling over themselves. He realized with a flush of embarrassment that he didn’t really want to leave. His eyes settled on Dib’s chest, where the cloth of the shirt was pulled tightly over the skin. He forced his eyes away, hoping that Dib hadn’t noticed.

Dib stared at him, his gaze flat. “And if I let you go, would you just try to take over the Earth again?”

“Mm, no,” Zim lied poorly.

Dib glared at him. “Maybe I shouldn’t let you go, then. Maybe I should just keep you here, as my prisoner, indefinitely.

A thrill of excitement ran through Zim, surprising him completely. He definitely shouldn’t be finding that prospect appealing. But he was tired, very tired, and it might be nice to not have to fight anymore…

He shook his head harshly. Where had that idea come from? He was an invader! He lived for the glory of battle! And no enemy creature was tempting enough to sway him from that purpose! But as Dib cupped a hand over his cheek and looked into his eyes, he decided there might just be one enemy tempting enough after all.

Zim swallowed. “Are you going to… you know?”

Dib raised an eyebrow. “Do you want me to?”

“N-no,” Zim lied even less convincingly.

Dib sat back in his chair with an exasperated sigh. “What the hell am I going to do with you, Zim?”

Put your hand back on my fucking cheek where it belongs, was probably not the kind of answer Dib was looking for, so Zim decided not to say anything.

“All right.” Dib said finally. “You can go.” He undid Zim’s bonds. “Go on, escape. Just remember that no matter how many times you try to take over the Earth, I’ll always be there to stop you. You’ll never win as long as I’m standing watch. So go ahead.”

“You’re not gonna…I mean, I was expecting…”

“I’m not in the mood.”

That made Zim angry. “Why the hell not? All those other times, when I didn’t want it, you always forced me! How come now you’re not in the mood?”

Dib squinted at him. “So you’re saying you want it now?”

Zim opened his mouth, then shut it, then realized he’d outsmarted himself. “No! Of course I don’t want it! It’s just that…”

“What?”

“It’s just that the moment I leave, I’ll be duty-bound by the Irken Rules of War to begin planning my revenge against you, and against this entire planet for the insult you’ve delivered upon me.”

“So? Plan away. I told you, I’ll always stop you.”

Zim nodded. “That’s probably true,” he said, in a rare moment of honesty. “But can I…I mean, before I go, would you?”

“Would I what?”

Zim shut his eyes tight. “Don’t make me say it.”

Dib looked at him a long moment. “All right, Zim,” he said finally. “You don’t have to say it.”

Dib stepped forward and took Zim in his arms. Zim tipped his head back, eyes still closed, suitably docile and compliant as Dib kissed him.

And all the while, Zim was trying not to face the ugly truth staring him directly in the eye, threatening to throw his entire universe into chaos.

The truth was that Zim really did want Dib to protect him.

From himself.