You and Zim decided to walk to the cafeteria after realizing there were still a few minutes left of lunch.

You two walked, Zim with an unamused look on his face, and you trying not to notice the awkward silence.
As you traveled beside him, you noticed he had a bit of a toy soldier-esk walk, taking large, stiff steps.

You jokingly tried to mimic him, making you both step in unison for a few seconds. It made you want to laugh but you tried your best to hold it in. Zim soon noticed and just gave you an annoyed look, making your laughs spill out.

You reached the caf. and entered. Your eyes searched the room for a free table, but Zim must have found one before you because he started walking towards one.

You followed, and he sat down at a table in the back. You sat across from him. Then, to your dismay, you quickly realized the table was right beside the table Dib and Gaz were sitting at.

WHY ZIM?! You mentally screamed.

You looked up at Zim, trying to act like you didn't see them. He was leaning back slightly, looking very confident and relaxed, and had his arms folded in front of him. He was giving Dib a half-lidded glare with an evil smirk on his face.

"Oh, how I love spending time with my new FRIEND!" Zim said in a purposefully loud voice.

Dib saw you two and turned to Gaz.

"Oh great! She's hanging out with him now? What is she his bodyguard?!

WAIT A MINUTE, that's it! Zim is using Y/N as a human shield!
He knows I won't hurt her!"
Dib growled out of frustration but soon regained himself thinking of how to approach the problem.

"Well then, I'll just have to try to get Zim anytime she's not around. And if that fails, I'll have to find out a way to separate them."

"Perfect!" Gaz then spouted out.

"Oh, you really think so? Thanks, Gaz.
I know you usually don't care about my plans but- "

"No Dib! I got a perfect score. In my game."

Dib just sighed and went back to planning.

You and Zim sat awkwardly at the table, so you thought you'd take it on to yourself to start a conversation.

"So Zim, what do you do in your spare time?"

"What?
Oh. Well, um.
First, tell me what YOU do in your spare time." Zim said trying not to look suspicious.

"Okay... well I like to listen to music. I also occasionally draw...

I'm not exactly the most exciting person, to be honest with you.
But I'm sure you are a lot more interesting. So, let's hear it!"
You rested your head in your hand and waited patiently.

"Uhhh yes! Zim is the most exciting earth pig! I ehhh... also do this drawey thingy. I also walk and err, I eat..."

Zim took a moment to try and think of anything that wouldn't expose him.

AND I occasionally jump on on foot! See?!

Zim hastily got up from the bench and Demonstrated his single footed skill.

You laughed, shaking your head out of sheer disbelief while clapping for Zim's.... talent.

Zim stopped and proudly put a claw to the sky.

"YES! Admire my superior skills human!"

*RIIIIIINNNNNNNNNNGGG!*

"I guess we should head to class then" you said getting up from your seat.

"Yes. And Y/N, meet me at the front doors after dismissal. There we shall leave for home."

And with that, both of you headed to class.

- - - - -

The rest of class was boring, and you were fighting sleep through all of it. This, of course, made it of even greater relief to hear the bell ring for you to finally go home.

You walked out into the hallway and were approaching the front door when you saw it was still raining outside. This reminded you that you had accidentally left your umbrella in your locker.

"Damn it!
It'll just take two seconds, he shouldn't mind." You reassured yourself, running back to your locker.

Meanwhile,
Zim was waiting under the awning, his back pressed against the wall beside the door, trying to keep as far away from the rain as possible.

"c'mon Y/N. why must you humans take so LONG!" Zim screeched, shaking slightly out of fear.

Of course, however, in Zim nature, he checked to make sure Dib wasn't nearby and made the great mistake of leaving his safe spot on the wall to see if you were in the schoolyard.

He crept closer to the edge of the awning, trying not to get too close to the steps, scanning the area for you.

But oh, surprise, surprise. Dib saw Zim as he quietly exited the school.

"Now's my chance!" He whispered to himself.

Dib tiptoed behind Zim, and prepared his arms, bringing them backward, ready to apply force.

Zim jumped slightly hearing Dib's foot knock a small pebble out of place, and he whipped his head around.
But, he was too late.

Dib with all his might, forced his arms out, hitting Zim's back and pushing him down the steps.

Zim twirled and tumbled, and face planted into a puddle on the concrete walkway. Luckily Zim only obtained light bruises from the fall. But that was not what he was worried about.

Zim used his slim shaky arms to push his aching body off the ground. But instantly the familiar stinging, burning pain set in, and he screamed in agony.

Dib just stood there, proud of his work.

Zim danced around sporadically, trying to think through the pain. He then ran back up the steps and flashed past Dib, speeding into the school. His burning skin leaving a smoke trail as he ran as if he was on fire.

You were walking down the hallway, now with your umbrella in hand. When you heard Zim's very distinct voice, but screaming, and getting louder. Then you saw his body speed past you. All you caught a glimpse of was a green and pink blur.

"Oh my- ZIM!" You yelled,
chasing after him in the direction you saw him run in.

"Zim! ZIM!" You called, hoping dearly for an answer. After running down the maze of hallways, trying to catch up with him, you finally heard the sounds of slight whimpering and sizzling nearby.

"Zim?" You said again, but now in a quieter tone. Your voice filled with concern, hope, and curiosity all at the same time.

You approached a small corridor, and at the end of it, your eyes were met with Zim, now curled up in a ball on the floor and shaking quite violently. His back was facing you and a puddle had formed underneath him.

You sprinted towards him and dropped to your knees. It hurt on the tile, but you didn't notice due to your overwhelming concern for the boy.

"ZIM, are you ok?!" You hovered your hands over his body, not knowing whether you should touch him or not. You were now also slightly shaking due to worry.

"You, You w-were late" Zim was able to let out through shakes.

"Zim, I'm so, SO sorry!
Who did this to you?!" But as you said the words, you realized you knew exactly who.

You looked down at him, seeing he was wet and had a few small blisters on his skin. This caused you to have a flashback to Dib mentioning Zim's condition, and connecting the dots when you remembered it was raining.

"J-just g-go away human! I don't need your assistance!"

"No!" You yelled.

"BUT I SAID-"

"I know what you said, and I don't care! I'm going to help you whether you like it or not!"

Zim found himself silent due to your surprisingly more strict tone. He then realized that he would give anything to ease the pain and gave in. Letting down his ego, just for now.

"FINE!"

"Thank you," you said, and then tried to think of what you should do.

"Well," you said "first we need to get you as dry as possible. But you're going to have to stand up, ok?"

"Whatever, just get it over with."

You stood up and bent down towards him.
Zim rolled over to face you and started to slowly and weakly push himself up, but he could only get into a kneeling position. You tried to grab his hand to help him, but he quickly swatted it away.

"Zim! Now is not the time to be stubborn."

Zim just gave you a death glare and then bowed his head in shame as he swiftly extended his arm out to you. You grabbed his hand and pulled up with all your might. This was a mistake because he was a lot lighter than you expected. This made him fall onto you as you stumbled backward.

Luckily you regained your stance.

Once you were stable, you then realized that Zim was leaning on you and had his arms tightly around your neck out of fear of falling. You two stood there frozen and stunned for a second, a blush now on your face.

Zim's tightly closed eyes popped open, and he realized what he was doing. He swiftly pushed you away, making sounds of disgust and brushing himself off like you were diseased.

"Sorry," you said with a bit of a chuckle following it.

You stood up straight and regained your focus.
You thought for a moment, looking at his still damp body and then at your sleeve.

"I know!" You cheered.

You took off your baggy hoodie and held it out, showing Zim.

"What is that supposed to do?" He asked.

"It will dry your skin off. Plus, It should help keep the rain off you while we walk."

You grew closer to him and prepared to put the hoodie over his head.

"You will not put that human FILTH on-  GAHH!"

Ignoring him, you forced it over his head and adjusted it onto his body as he tried to resist.

"There!" you said cheerfully and full of pride.

Zim just stood there with the hood over his head and his arms lost in the oversized sleeves of the hoodie. He just gave you an unamused expression, as if he had just lost what was left of his dignity.

That's when you noticed some remaining water droplets on his face. You reached out and put your hand on his face, gently wiping them off with your thumb.

You expected him to yell or swat you away again, but this time Zim's eyes widened, and he just stared at your hand and then at you with complete astonishment. It was a face similar to the one he had when you blocked the water for him yesterday.
Something you never expected to see, however, was a blushing Zim. A light, greenish-blueish blush appeared on his face.

This awkward staring contest lasted a minute before you both took notice and separated, looking away out of embarrassment.

"We should leave now Y/N human."

"That would be wise" you replied.

You escorted Zim out of the school and opened your umbrella, putting it over his head as you walked down the front steps.

Surprisingly, some of the kids were still playing in the yard and you spotted Dib leaving with Gaz.

"Hold this tightly Zim. I'll be right back." You told him.

You stomped through the rain and approached the two. A perfectly placed puddle where you stood.

"HEY DIB!" You called.

Dib stopped and turned towards you while Gaz kept walking.

Then, before Dib could speak, with one fowl swing of your leg, you kicked the large puddle, allowing a wave of water to soak Dib entirely.

You laughed hysterically and walked back to Zim, noticing that he was laughing as well.

You both then strolled past the soaked Dib, both of you still laughing at his state. Even Gaz looked back and giggled at his misfortune.

"I'll get you, Zim! And your little friend too!" Dib yelled as the two of you walked happily away,
underneath the stormy sky.