Archive of Our Own ^beta

“Tenn? Skoodge? What are you guys doing here?” Tak asked. “It’s great to see you again though!” She adds.

Tenn and Skoodge stepped out of the spacecraft.

“It’s a bit of a long story… but uh… long story short, Skoodge crashed on Meekrob after was too much of a coward to go back home after the whole Hobo 13 Incident.” Tenn explained. “I was then stuck with him. We formed a friendship? I think that’s the word?” They add.

Tak nodded. 

“We were heading to Foodcourtia, but then realized the foodening was happening and ended up here.” Skoodge finished.

“I can take your ship back to my base and fix it if you’d like.” Tak offered.

“Oh that’d be great, thank you!” Tenn agreed. 

Tak dug around in her black messenger bag, it was covered in patches and pins.

“You can use these to disguise yourselves.” Tak said, handing two black hoodies to Tenn and Skoodge, carrying their Sir units.

Skoodge and Tenn thanked Tak as they headed to mew’s base.

Tak opened the front door and the group of six headed down to the basement.

Tak began to fix Tenn’s ship, and a conversation began. 

“How have you guys been?” Tak asked. 

“Fine.” Tenn answered with a chirp.

“How’s everyone back on Irk doing?” Tak asked. 

“Bad. Really bad… I’ve heard from the other Invader’s that Irk’s been in shambles ever since the Tallest got sucked into the Florpus hole.” Tenn answered with a frown.

“They’ve been scrambling to find new leadership.” They add.

“Are the Tallest dead?” Tak questioned.

“No one knows for sure. A lot of us assume they are, but other’s think they might still be alive.” Tenn replied.

“Oh, okay…” Tak replied back, not sure how to react to that information.

“How’s Zim?” Skoodge asked. 

“Fine. He’s been being Zim.” Gaz answered. 

“Hey Tenn, you want you can stay with me for now.” Tak offered.

“Oh that’d be nice! but what about Skoodge? Where is he gonna stay?” Tenn replied.

“Maybe I could stay with Zim?” Skoodge proposed.

“Yeah maybe he’ll let you stay with him.” Gaz said, “he’s mentioned you a few times.” She adds. 

“What did he say?” Skoodge questioned, “he said he was surprised you weren’t killed all those times.” Gaz answered.

“I’ll take that as a compliment.” Skoodge grinned.

Mimi padded downstairs, she noticed Tenn and Skoodge.

“Hello there.” She greeted “Hi Mimi.” Tenn greeted back, Skoodge waved in greeting.

Mimi noticed Tenn’s sir unit, which she nicknamed, Vir and Skoodge’s sir unit, Sir.

“Hello my fellow sir units.” Mimi said with a bow, “You’re a cat, not a sir unit silly.” Vir giggled, “No I am, this is just a disguise” Mimi replied, Vir let out an “oh”.

Skoodge walked to Zim’s house, lurking in the shadows in the hopes of not being seen. 

Is this it? Skoodge wondered as he stood outside what he assumed was Zim’s house. 

Skoodge knocked on Zim’s door. 

“Hm… I wonder who that could be.” Zim said, then walking to the front door and opening it.

“Hello?” He uttered.

Zim couldn’t believe his eyes.

“Skoodge? What are you doing here?” 

“Uh… it’s a long story.. Is it okay if stay here for a bit?”

“Uh yeah sure I guess.” 

Skoodge took a seat on the couch. “How did you get here?” Zim asked, genuinely curious. 

“Okay uh…. It’s a long story but.. After the “Hobo 13” Incident I was too afraid to go back to Irk and me and my sir unit crashed on Meekrob.” Skoodge began, “And then I was stuck there for a bit and me and Tenn formed a friendship I guess.” Skoodge continued “Oh yeah and then we were on our way to Foodcourtia but we realized the Foodening was happening and we ended up here.” Skoodge finished. 

“Where’s Tenn?” Zim asked. 

“It’s staying with Tak.” Skoodge answered.

“Okay.” Zim replied. 

“You can stay in the basement I guess.” Zim adds. 

Huh… Gir’s been gone for a while. Zim realized as it glanced away from Skoodge at the tv.

Some boring sitcom was playing on it. 

“I wonder where Gir is. He’s been gone for awhile..” Zim said, starching his chin. 

“Maybe he’s out doing something important?” Skoodge suggested.

“Nah. Gir’s probably eating at the human’s call a “Waffle Cottage”. Or dancing at “Nightclub.” Zim disproved. 

Right then and there, Gir showed up, with a Suck Monkey in hand.

“HI MASTER!!! WHO’S DIS?” Gir shouted, Zim and Skoodge flattened their antennae.

“Uh… this is Skoodge and his sir unit.” Zim said awkwardly.

“Hi!!” Gir greeted with a huge grin on its face, Skoodge’s sir unit smiled back. 

“What’s your name?” Gir asked “Sir.” Sir answered. 

Gir shook Sir’s hand. 

The next day.

Zim was getting ready to head to Skool, “where are you going?” Skoodge asked, Zim looked over his shoulder and looked at him.

“Skool. It’s where the stinky humans get their education.” Zim explained.

“Can I come?” Skoodge asked “Yeah sure, let me just get you a wig and some eye contacts.” Zim replied, then giving Skoodge a curly, dirty blonde wig and blue eye contacts.

Skoodge put them on. 

“They’re a bit itching.” Skoodge remarked with a frown. “It’s fine, you’ll get used to them.” Zim retorted, then getting ready to head out the door. 

“Don’t do anything stupid Gir.” Zim shouted, “Please watch the house Sir!” Skoodge shouted, “Yes master I obey!” Sir saluted.

Skoodge and Zim then went to Skool, sitting through a boring lecture, Zim impatiently waited for the lunch bell to ring.

Zim fidgeted in his seat, staring at the clock, the bell then rang. Zim jumped out of its seat and sprinted towards the lunch room. “Wait for me!!” Skoodge called out. 

Skoodge sat beside Zim, Keef sat on the other side of the table. 

“Hi Zim! Who’s this?” Keef asked. 

“Hi Keef. This is my uh… relative Skoodge.” Zim answered, Keef’s eyes light up with excitement “Hi Skoodge!!” Keef greeted with a smile 

Zim watched Keef began to chat up a storm, Skoodge listened.

He was talking about this musical he had seen with his aunt called “Little Shop Of Horrors” and explaining the plot to Skoodge in great detail. 

Zim and Skoodge got back home, collapsing onto the couch.

“Hey um. Me and the Dib are going to be doing some math soon, don’t bother us, ‘Kay?” Zim said as it sipped some cola, glancing at Skoodge.

“Oh so like a date?” Skoodge assumed.

“NO. I DO NOT LIKE DIB! I can’t believe you’d think that!” Zim jeered.

“But if you hate him, how come you’re helping him?” Skoodge questioned, flicking his antennae.

“I am only helping Dib thing with math because Ms Bitters told me to.” Zim replied.

Skoodge let out an “oh” before heading to the basement.

“I can’t believe he assumed that I liked the Dib!” Zim scoffed, then sitting down on the couch, waiting for Dib to arrive. 

Dib made his way to Zim’s base after Skool.

“Hi Zim.” Dib said “Hi Dib.” Zim replied, letting Dib walk inside.

Zim and Dib look at seat on the floor.

Dib began to work on the problems, Zim gave him a look of annoyance. 

“You’re doing it wrong!” Zim snapped, “That’s not how you get a variable alone!” He adds.

“Oh… sorry..” Dib sighed, then biting the skin around his nail.

“What are you doing?” Zim asked, “Oh um.. sorry it’s just a bad habit of mine..” Dib said, looking down at his nails in disgust. He hated the way they looked, but he could never stop biting them.

“Anyway, let’s finish this up so we can get this over with.” Dib said, turning their attention back to the math.

Soon, Zim and Dib had finished the math.

Dib was gathering their stuff and getting ready to leave, until Gir barged in there.

“HI MASTER!” Gir smiled, “HI BIGHEAD!!” Gir shouted, running up to Dib and hugging their leg tight. “Oh uh- Hi Gir.” Dib greeted, petting the little robot’s head.

“I gotta get going but I’ll see you tomorrow, alright?” Dib said, “mhm.” Zim replied, sipping some soda.

Dib walked out the door and headed home. 

It was now a day later, Keef and Skoodge had been getting along great, and Zim and Dib were heading to Dib’s house.

Dib glanced at Zim as the two walked down the hall.

Dib noticed Gaz walk by “Hey Gaz, we’re heading home.” Dib said. “I’m not coming Dib. Me and Tak are going to the mall to pick up a copy of the new “Blood Lizards” album.” Gaz replied.

“Oh uh… okay! Be careful!” Dib warned, “we’ll be fine, Dib.” Gaz grumbled, then walking away to find Tak.

Zim looked down at his math assignment in horror. “How did I, the almighty ZIIIM get a f?!” Zim questioned, Dib let out a gasp. “You got an F? I thought you were good at math?” Dib remarked, “Yeah usually, unless it’s geometry.” Zim retorted.

“Geometry? That’s one of the few types of math I’m good at! How about I help you with that?” Dib proposed. “Uh.. yeah sure you can, Dib smell.” Zim replied.

Zim and Dib headed to Dib’s house, soon the two arrived and Dib unlocked the front door with his house key, once the door was unlocked, the two stepped inside.

Dib threw his backpack on the floor and guided Zim upstairs.

Dib and Zim took their shoes off before climbing into Dib’s bed and lying down.

“I find it funny how you don’t wear socks” Dib giggled, “Well. I don’t really see a point too.” Zim replied.

Zim pulled out his assignment. “Where did I go wrong here?” Zim asked, Dib looked at the problem carefully. “You used the wrong formula Zim, you used the rectangle formula for a triangle.” Dib explained.

“OH- that’s where I went wrong!” Zim remarked, now understanding where he went wrong.

Dib and Zim began to work on fixing the problem.

Dib stared down at the paper as they helped Zim. “Thanks Dib stink. I now understand this!”Zim smiled. 

“You’re welcome Zim.” Dib replied. 

Dib then noticed something, Zim had been holding their hand?

Zim flinched as soon as it realized what it had done. “I’m sorry that was an accident!” Zim shirked, “Hey it’s fine Zim. No need to apologize.” Dib replied, “You can always hold a uh… I dunno… person’s hand you know.” They add.

“Oh uh… okay then..” Zim sighed awkwardly.

I want to disappear… Zim mused out of embarrassment.

Meanwhile, Gaz, Tak and Tenn were sipping chamomile tea and eating cookies. 

“Hey Tenn,  wanna go to the mall with us? We were gonna pick up the new Bloody Lizards album.” Tak said “I could make you a disguise for you. If you’d like.” She adds. 

“What’s a mall?” Tenn asked, she had never heard of it before.

“Oh uh… it’s kind of like Conventia, minus the convention part, more like a large gift shop basically.” Tak answered as mew took a sip of mew’s tea. 

“Oh! That sounds fun, yeah I’d like to go.” Tenn smiled, “All right then, lemme go make you a disguise, it shouldn’t take long.” Tak said, then heading downstairs.

Within about 12 minutes, Tak came back with a small device, “Just put this on your head and you’ll be free to go!” Tak explained, Tenn nodded, then putting the device on her head. 

The projector worked, Tenn’s disguise had fair skin and a blonde perm haircut. “Thanks Tak!” Tenn smiled “You’re welcome.” Tak smiled back.

Tak grabbed her messager back, “Keep watch over the base Mimi.” Tak commanded “Yes master!” Mimi saluted. 

Gaz, Tak and Tenn headed towards the bus stop and waited.

The three soon boarded the bus once it arrived, “I’ll pay.” Gaz said, taking some change out of her pocket and placing it into the coin slot, then heading to the back of the bus, Tak and Tenn followed suit. 

And on their way they were, to get their grubby little hands, (or in Tak and Tenn’s case, claws.) on the new Bloody Lizards album.

“Wanna go hang out on the roof Zim?” Dib asked “Uh… sure.” Zim replied, still embarrassed at the fact xe had held Dib’s hand.

Dib climbed on the side of their house to reach the roof, Zim used xyr pak legs to climb. Dib panted once they reached the roof top, catching their breath.

Dib and Zim sat on roof, watching the sunset. 

“You know Zim… after this whole math thing made me realize somethings… maybe we aren’t as different as we think…” Dib said as he watched the sun sink below the horizon. 

Zim gave Dib a confused glance.

“Maybe… just maybe… we could be… friends?” Dib questioned, turning to face the irken. 

“But… aren’t you supposed to hate me, Dib-stink? And aren’t I supposed to hate you?” Zim replied.

“Maybe we don’t have to hate each other.. I’m not sure we really have a reason to anymore…”Dib admitted.

“Oh. So you want to be friends or something?” Zim questioned. 

“Yeah Zim, friends.” Dib answered. 

“That sounds…” Zim paused “nice.” Zim finally said. 

Dib nodded in agreement and smiled. 

Gir and Mimi had been watching them from behind. 

“Daaamn master’s got a friend!” Gir remarked with a smile. “Zim and Dib” and “friends” are words I thought I’d ever hear in a sentence.” Mimi remarked as she licked herself, Vir was eating popcorn, it was disguised as a rabbit.

“Gir? Mimi?” Zim questioned as xe turned around to face the two sir units, xe had an embarrassed look on xyr’s face. “Oh um- Hi Gir.. Hi Mimi..” Dib said  sheeplishly. 

Gir then left flew off the roof, it was off to the club, Mimi then disappeared into a dash of black, she was heading home. 

Zim and Dib sat on Dib’s roof in  silence. 

“Uh- see you later I guess?” Dib mumbled, breaking the awkward silence.

“Yeah. Uh. Bye.” Zim replied, “I need to have an important conversation with Gir.” Xe adds before getting off of Dib’s roof and heading back to xyr base.

The night sky was looming towards the horizon, I guess I’ll head inside now. Dib decided, carefully climbing off the roof.

Dib walked inside, he saw Gaz and his father sitting at the dinner table, the Foodio 3000 had prepared some chicken and rice.

Dib glanced down at his plate. Not the chicken and rice… Dib thought, immediately getting a flashback.

Peace is nice! Peace is nice! PEACE IS BETTER THEN CHICKEN AND RICE!!! 

“Hey kids, how was your day?” Professor Membrane asked as Dib took his seat. 

Gaz looked down at her plate with same expression, also thinking about the Florpus hole incident.

“Oh.. fine.” Gaz replied, then chewing on her chicken. “I went to the mall with Tak and her friend Tenn.” 

Dib snapped back to reality, “oh uh… great!” Dib answered, then eating a spoonful of chicken and rice. 

Membrane noticed the look on Dib’s face and the tone of his voice. “Is something wrong son?” He asked, “Uh… No! Everything’s fine!” Dib insisted. “Yeah. We’re definitely fine!” Gaz adds.

“Oh, alright then.” Professor Membrane said. They’ve been acting a bit strange lately…hopefully everything is okay… Professor Membrane worried. 

It was later that night, Professor Membrane was getting some well deserved rest and Dib and Gaz were at the beach. 

Gaz was out fishing, she was going to bring some back and show it to Tak and Tenn. 

Gaz bit down on a salmon she had just caught, I wonder what Tak and Tenn will think… she wondered. I might as well have a snack she mused, then taking small bites of her fish. 

Meanwhile, Dib laid on a rock which was in a cluster of piled up rocks that surrounded a tide pool, with some smaller rocks and stones scattered on the bottom, a few barnacles and star fish were also scattered around.

Most beach goer’s never went to that side of the beach because of the strange happenings there.

Some reported sightings of strange, fish like creatures with scaly tails, webbed hands and razor sharp, shark like teeth.

When Dib was about 9 or 10, a few years before Zim arrived and attempted to conquer earth, he had tried investigating these sightings, but nothing came of it. To his dismay, he never found any of these creatures.

They tried, and tried and tried, but eventually gave up, deciding to focus on hunting down other, less watery cryptids, like ghosts or Bigfoot, or the Jersey Devil that one time and Gaz went on that vacation to New Jersey. Or hunting down Mothman, when them and Gaz went on business trip with Professor Membrane to Virginia.

Dib propped themself  up onto one of the larger rocks, no one was around but them. 

Hm… maybe I can sing… no one’s around. They mused, then starting to sing lyrics of one of their favorite cavetown songs, Juliet. 

Keef was fishing farther out at sea, Zim sat in the boat, staring out into the distance out of boredom.

I wish i didn’t agree this. Zim mused as he stared at the starry sky, he had agreed to go on a fishing trip with Keef yesterday morning. But then he heard some strange sounds coming from afar.

It sounded like heavenly singing, like that of an angel’s. 

The antennae under his wig perked up and twitched. What is that beautiful sound? It asked itself, captivated by it. 

“Zim?” Keef mumbled, waving his hand in front of Zim’s face, trying to catch its attention.

Zim attempted to climb out of the boat, trying to reach that beautiful sound. 

“Ziiim!!” Keef yelled, trying to catch xe’s attention and stop xyr. 

But then, the beautiful singing stopped. Zim then snapped back to reality.

Zim fell on xyr’s back, looking up at Keef.

“Are you okay?” Keef asked, his voice full of concern.

“Yeah, I just heard something so… beautiful…” Zim marveled, as little hearts fluttered in xyr’s eyes. “What was it?” Keef asked “singing, beautiful, heavenly singing.” Zim answered.

Keef let out a gasp. Holy smokes! They thought in a panic.

Zim had heard Dib’s singing!

Dib was putting his stuff away. 

“Hey Dib… can I talk to you… alone?” Keef asked. 

“Uh… yeah sure?” Dib replied.

Keef and Dib headed to bathroom.

“Um… Me and Zim went on a fishing trip on last night and I think he heard you sing…” Keef sighed. 

“HE WHAT-“ Dib gasped, “Please tell me you’re joking…” he begged.

“I wish I was…” Keef frowned.

“Did he see me?” Dib asked.

“No, he didn’t.” Keef answered.

“Oh uh… Good…” Dib mumbled, they weren’t sure what to say.

“Would you like a hug?” Keef asked.

“Sure… I could use one.” Dib answered.

Keef hugged Dib, “Thanks Keef.” Dib said, Keef nodded “I’m gonna go find Skoodge. I’ll see you later.” Keef said, Dib waved in goodbye, and Keef did too.

Dib walked to class, Goddamn.. what am I going to do?

A few weeks had past since Zim had heard Dib’s singing, the two continued to do math together.

Dib and Zim enjoyed each other’s company, but Dib couldn’t help but also feel awkward around Zim, knowing he had heard him. Dib tried to hide his awkwardness to the best of his ability, but sometimes It’d slip through the cracks. 

It was a Monday morning, Dib headed to class. 

Ms Bitters glanced at them, it seemed as if she had something she wanted to say.

“Dib, i can’t believe I’m actually saying this but, I just wanted to say that I’m unfortunately, pleasantly surprised in your improvement on math. Look’s like Zim helped you quite a bit.” She said, a gasp escaped Dib’s mouth.

“Oh um… thank you?” Dib replied, not sure how to respond, then heading to their seat.

Zim walked into class in a flamboyant manner, as if he was on a fashion show. 

“Hey Ms Bitters.” He greeted in a sassy manner, Ms Bitters rolled her eyes at him, “Thanks for tutoring Dib. They’ve improved a lot. Now go take a seat.” She grumbled.

“Thank you, they did learn from the best after all.” Zim smirked, Ms Bitters rolled her eyes and Zim took a seat.

Dib glanced at Zim, Zim glanced back, the two meeting each other’s eyes.

Dib smiled awkwardly, Zim felt a strange feeling in his spooch, as if butterflies were fluttering around inside of it. Huh? Zim thought out of confusion, then smiling back at Dib, then glancing away. 

Dib felt as if butterflies were fluttering around in their stomach as they stared at the chalkboard with a bored expression. What is this feeling? They wondered. 

Huh… that was strange… Zim thought, not paying any attention to Ms Bitters ramblings.

Its eyes weren’t on here, rather they were on Dib.

It noticed the bored looking expression on his face. 

Soon, the lunch bell rang. Zim jumped out of its seat and headed to the Cafeteria.

It made its way to Dib and Gaz’s table, only Dib was there.

Dib’s stomach fluttered at the sight of Zim, feeling a sense of warmth. 

“Hi Zim!” Dib grinned, Zim felt a warm, fuzzy feeling in its spooch at the sight of his grin. 

Zim was confused and stood there for a minute, “is something wrong Zim?” Dib questioned, concern in his voice, “Uh yes! Zim is fine!” Zim insisted, taking a seat beside Dib.

Gaz got up and looked for Tak. 

She soon found her, sitting alone.

“Where’s Tenn?” Gaz asked, Tak turned to face her. “They weren’t up to it today, she wasn’t feeling well so it decided to say home.” Tak explained.

“Oh… I’m sorry about that. Hopefully purr will feel better soon.” Gaz replied. 

“Wanna come sit with me?” Gaz asked. 

“I’d love to.” Tak smiled, getting up from her seat and walking beside Gaz. 

Dib gave Gaz a “what the hell?!” look, but Gaz ignored him. 

Tak sat beside Gaz as they ate, Dib still had that look on their face, but they tried to distract himself by eating their chips. 

Zim pulled out xyr’s lick-a-stick and began to dip the candy stick into the powder, Dib began to eat a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. 

Gaz and Tak were having a conversation, surprisingly. Gaz’s eyes weren’t glued to her Gameslave, rather, they were to glued to Tak.

Dib dropped his sandwich at the sight, a small gasp escaped from his mouth, he couldn’t believe what he was seeing.

Gaz wasn’t playing her Gameslave?

It was rare to see Gaz not playing her Gameslave, that only happened once in a blue moon. 

Dib tapped Zim’s shoulder, Zim gave them a confused look, “look!” Dib whispered, pointing to Gaz and Tak. 

Zim gasped “Your scary sister isn’t playing her on her thingy?” Zim whispered, in shock, Dib nodded. “This never happens!” They whisper back. 

Keef and Skoodge soon sat down, “Hey guys, sorry that we’re late!” Keef apologized, “Nah, you’re good.” Dib insisted.

Keef pulled out his thermos, “My mom made chicken and rice last night!” Keef smiled, “Oh god… not the chicken and rice…” Dib frowned, Keef looked confused, “what’s wrong with chicken and rice?” He questioned.

“Nothing… it just reminds me of something..” Dib answered, Zim frowned, knowing exactly what Dib was thinking about.

“Oh.. I’m sorry…” Keef frowned. “No don’t apologize! You’re fine.” Dib assured.

Dib continued to eat his sandwich, Keef ate his chicken and rice, telling Skoodge about one of his favorite musicals, Wicked.

Keef rambled about their favorite scenes in between bites of their food, Skoodge happily listen, asking the occasional question. 

“Hey Zim, wanna hang out at the mall after school?” Dib asked, Zim started to get that strange feeling again, “Sure” he smiled awkwardly. “Alright then, does 5:00 sound good?” Dib asked, “Yeah.” Zim answered.

Tak walked to the local bakery to get mewself a treat. 

Mew walked inside, the mouthwatering aroma of freshly baked goods lingered in the air, mew glanced up at the menu and scanned it for something.

Hm… a chocolate chip biscuit sounds good… how about I get one for Gaz too. Mew decided. 

“Hi, can I please order two chocolate chip biscuits please?” Tak asked, glancing up at the cashier.

“You mean cookies right?” The cashier said, Tak nodded, “Here you go, that will be 2.50” the cashier groggily said, handing the cookies to Tak.

Tak dug around in her pocket, then handing the cashier some quarters and change, “Thank you!” Tak smiled, the cashier uttered a “you’re welcome” before Tak left. 

Tak and Gaz sat at a bench at the park.

“Hey um. I brought these.” Tak said, handing a cookie to Gaz.

“Oh thanks!” Gaz said warmly. 

Tak a warm and fuzzy feeling as the two ate their cookies.

Gaz got off the bench for a second, walking towards a flower patch and picked one.

Gaz walked back towards the bench and took a seat. 

Gaz breathed in the sweet scent of Hyacinth. “These are my favorite.” she remarked with a smile, “what kind are those?” Tak asked, “Hyacinths.” Gaz answered. 

 Tak stared at her bathroom mirror.

“But… Irkens aren’t supposed to love! What is wrong with me?” Tak asked herself as she stared at herself. 

“WHY AM I IN LOVE WITH A STINKY HUMAN?!”  Tak shouted. 

Mimi was alerted by the sound of Tak shouting 

“Is something wrong master?” She questioned in a concerned tone, ears flattened and tail lowered, a sympathetic look on her face.

“Yes. I like Gaz and… Irken’s aren’t to suppose to love…” Tak sighed as she slumped her shoulders 

Mimi went quiet, “I’m sorry..” was all she could say before she walked away.

Tak buried her face into her arms what am I going to do? She questioned. 

“Hey Tak… I heard you shouting, is everything alright?” Tenn asked, peeking their head through the door.

“I’m not sure… I like Gaz. And not just a a friend either-“ Tak answered.

“Oh so like a crush?” Tenn questioned, Tak nodded.

“Hm… maybe you can take her on a date, get her some flowers or… maybe write her a poem? I know that you like writing poetry.” Tenn suggested.

“Hm… good idea! Thank you!” Tak smiled.

Tak gave Tenn a hug before going to the living room, she whipped out a piece of paper and got to work. 

Tak decided to work, putting a spin on a classic poem starter, rose are red, violets are blue.

I should head to the Library and call Gaz. Tak decided, slipping the poem into the pocket of her pants.

Tak walked down the street to the local library, and used the phone. 

“Hey. Wanna hang out at Bloaty’s?”

“Sure, that’d be nice. Does 7 sound good?”

“Sure does. See you then.” 

Tak rushed to the park and dashed to the hyacinth patch.

Tak scanned the patch carefully, trying to find the perfect one.

This one looks perfect. mew decided, gently picking one and holding it in mew’s hand as mew headed Bloaty’s.

Gaz and Tak sat at a booth at Bloaty’s Pizza hog, eating a sausage and pepperoni pizza. 

“Hey um. Can I tell you something?”  Tak asked. 

“Yeah sure, what is it?” Gaz questioned. 

“I uh- I wrote something for you… and I got something for you… I hope you like it. My apologies if it’s bad.” Tak said. 

Gaz’s eyes widened, mew wrote a poem, for me?  

Tak cleared mew’s throat, reading out the poem to Gaz. I hope she likes it.. Tak thought as she read it. 

“Thank you! I love it so much” Gaz smiled.

Tak froze in shock.

She had never seen Gaz smile before.

She… she smiled?? Tak thought out of disbelief. 

Gaz held the poem in her hands, stashing it in her pocket. “I’m gonna be cherishing this.” She said, then giving Tak a hug.

“Here um.. yesterday you told me that your favorite flowers were hyacinths, so I got you one.” Tak smiled, handing to Gaz. 

“I love you.” Gaz admitted, “I love you too.” Tak replied softly.

Gaz then softly kissed Tak, taking her by surprise.

Gir walked inside, it’d been hanging out with Mimi and Vir. 

Zim stood at the door way. 

“Gir, why were you hanging out with Mimi yesterday?” Zim demanded, his hands on his hips. 

“I luv her master! She my friend!” Gir grinned.

“I- please tell me you’re joking.” Zim begged.

“NOPE. Mimi’s my friend! I luv her so much, she’s such a great friend. Gir smiled. 

“Love?!” Zim blurted.

“It’s important to tell your friends that you luv ‘em!” Gir smiled, sticking its tongue out.

“How did you become friends?” Zim asked. 

“I was at Krazy Taco and we ran into each other! We then went back here and watched dah Scary Monkey Show!” Gir explained, “she liked it!” He adds.

Zim started shaking his head and faced palmed.

“Hey I’m going to go hang out with Tenn and Keef. We’re going to  T.E.S” Skoodge said.

“What’s T.E.S?” Zim asked.

“It stands for The Entertainment Store.” Skoodge answered.

“Okay, have fun.” Zim replied.

Skoodge then left Zim’s base, Sir followed suit. 

Skoodge had learned how to sew thanks to Keef, he had made a lizard suit for Sir. 

Dib was about to leave the house, but Professor Membrane noticed. 

“Hey son, where are you going?” Professor Membrane asked, “To the mall with Zim.” Dib answered, “Alright then, have a good time! Be careful!” Professor Membrane smiled, “HAVE A GREAT TIME WITH YOUR BOYFRIEND SON!!” Clembrane shouted from the kitchen.

“HE IS NOT MY BOYFRIEND!” Dib shouted back, extremely embarrassed, then heading out the door and making his way to Zim’s house.

“MASTER AND BIGHEAD SITTIN IN A TREE K-I-S-S-I-N-G-“ Gir sang, which sound more like a strange mix of screaming and singing.

“I do not like the Dib! At least not like that!” Zim interrupted.

Zim waited for Dib to arrive. 

He heard the door bell ring, he knew right away that it was Dib. 

“Hi Zim!” Dib smiled, Zim got that warm, fuzzy feeling again. “Hi Dib!” Zim smiled back, pulling Dib into a hug, not wanting to let go. 

Dib was a taken by surprise, but he wasn’t sure if he wanted to let go either. Soon, Zim realized it had been a minute “Oh uh… sorry..” Zim apologized, “Nah, You’re good.” Dib replied.

Dib and Zim headed to the shopping mall, walking down the sidewalk. Dib had grabbed onto Zim’s hand, holding it tight.

Zim didn’t notice until the two reached the bus stop. Zim glanced over to Dib, only to notice that Dib was holding his hand. 

Dib noticed as well, quickly pulling his hand away, “Oh shit sorry about that-“ Dib apologized, blushing out of embarrassment.

“You’re fine-“ Zim insisted as the two boarded the bus.

Zim and Dib took a seat in the back. 

The two sat there, Dib stared out the window, watching cars go by.

About 45 minutes later, the two arrived at City Center Mall.

Dib and Zim got off the bus and headed inside. 

“Where do you want to go first?” Dib asked, “Uh… I dunno. I haven’t been here much.” Zim answered, “hm… maybe we should go to the Book Shelf? They have books but they a lot of other things too, like stuffed animals.” Dib said. “Yeah I guess we can.” Zim replied.

The two made their way to the escalator, “What’s this thing?” Zim asked, “A escalator.” Dib answered. 

“Ug I hate these.” Dib grumbled with a bite of his lip, soon him and Zim made it.

“There it is!” Dib smiled, pointing to a cozy looking store, dragging Zim by the hand.

Meanwhile, Gir, Vir, Sir and Mimi were munching on chicken at Chicky Licky.

“My Master loooves big head!” 

“What?” 

“My master luv’s Dib!”

Mimi had a flabbergasted expression on its face. “Really?” Mimi questioned, unconvinced.

Vir rose its eyebrow.

“Mhm! They’re gonna be gettin’ married!”

“But- they’re only 12? On Earth don’t you at least have to be 18?”

“I think it’s joking Mimi-“ 

“OH-“

“Y’all wanna go make biscuits now?”

“Yeah sure. That’d be nice.” 

Dib got up early, his mouth was watering.

Raw fish…. Raw bloody salmon… 

He started drooling at the thought of salmon. 

MUST. EAT. RAW. BLOODY. FISH!!!

Dib crawled out of bed and headed quietly downstairs, not wanting to awake his Dad or Gaz.

Once they reach the kitchen, they slung open the refrigerator door and grasped the fish.

They aggressively ripped off the plastic wrap and started ripping the fish apart like a rabid animal. 

Dib happily ripped apart their fish, licking their lips after each bite.

Professor Membrane had gone downstairs to get a snack, only to see his son ripping apart and eating raw fish like a rabid animal. 

“Son?!” Professor Membrane gasped at the sight of Dib eating raw fish. Dib froze ah shit! Dib thought in panic, swallowing the last of his fish.

Dib was taken aback by his Dad not wearing his googles. He almost always was wearing them.

“Oh uh… Hi Dad!” He uttered awkwardly, “why were you eating raw fish!? That’s bad for you!” Professor Membrane demanded, “It was salmon! You can eat that raw! That’s how they make sushi!” Dib argued. 

“Alright then but… if you get sick I’m taking you to the doctor right away!” Professor Membrane said, heading upstairs. 

“My poor insane son…” he remarked. Hopefully he doesn’t get sick… Professor Membrane hoped. 

Dib washed their hands before going back upstairs to their room, quietly closing the door behind them.

Dib pulled their comforter over themself and cuddled their Mothman plushies tight.

That was a close one… I’m not sure how much longer I’m going to be able to keep this a secret… Dib thought, he could just imagine his Dad’s reaction to finding out about the chemical spill.

You are grounded son! I can’t believe you messed around with my chemicals!

Dib squeezed his Mothman plushies tighter, hoping they’d soon fall back asleep.

Dib awoke the next morning, with some bed head.

Dib let out a groan, last night’s incident still fresh in his mind, and the fact he’d held Zim’s hand the day before.

Dib changed into their clothes and put on their  converse (with Lemon Demon lyrics written on them) and mothman socks before 

brushing their hair and teeth before heading downstairs, they noticed Gaz munching on some cereal and sipping some grape juice. 

Dib walked over to coffee machine to make himself some, he noticed his Dad standing by the coffee machine. “Hello son!” He greeted, patting Dib on the head. “Morning Dad.” Dib replied, trying their best to not sound awkward.

“HI SON!” Clembrane smiled, “Morning Dad.” Dib replied, then grabbing a cup of coffee and pouring a decent amount of creamer in it. “Got enough creamer in there?” Professor Membrane remarked, Dib nodded before pouring two small packets of sugar  into it, finishing it off with caramel and a dash of whipped cream on the top.

Dib grabbed a piece of bread for their toast, then tossing it into the toaster and slapping some butter on it. 

Dib sat at the table and ate their breakfast, Gaz munched on her cereal as she played on her Gameslave.

Professor Membrane soon left the house and headed to work, Clembrane couldn’t help but notice the expression on Dib’s face, they looked like they’d been questioning their life decisions. 

“Somethin’ wrong?” He questioned, glancing over Dib’s shoulder. “Uh no! Everything’s fine!” Dib insisted, “Alright then, but just know you can always talk to me about stuff!” Clembrane said, “Thanks Dad.” Dib breathed, then eating the last of their toast before placing their dishes in the dish washer.

Gaz did the same, the two then headed to Skool, Dib was excited about the end of the day, because that meant he could spend sometime with Zim.

Dib then made it inside, shoving his belongings into his locker, he noticed Tak holding Gaz’s hand as they walked to Gaz’s class.

Hm… she’s probably just holding her hand because they’re friends. Probably nothing more. Dib figured, then noticing Keef walking towards him.

“Oh hi Keef!” Dib greeted, shaking hands with Keef. “Hi Dib!” Keef smiled, Dib then noticed the drink in Keef’s other hand.

“What’s that?” Dib asked, “Sweet tea. My grandma came all the way here from Georgia!” Keef replied. “Oh cool.” Dib grinned. 

“Have you seen Zim?” They asked, Keef shook his head. “He should be here soon though.” Keef said, Dib nodded.

Soon, Zim and Skoodge arrived. Dib got those strange feelings again, the feeling of butterflies fluttering around in their stomach. But also a feeling of warmth and comfort.

“Hi Skoodge!” Keef smiled, the two then each other fist bumps, Zim and Dib smiled at each other, Dib pulling Zim into a hug.

“I missed so much!” Dib gushed as they hugged Zim, “It’s only been a day Dibby-“ Zim remarked, the gesture taking him by surprise.

Dib’s eyes widened, Zim never called him Dibby.

He never calls me that?? It usually calls me Dib stink, Dib thing or Dib worm… but never Dibby?? 

Skoodge and Keef glanced at each other, “I think Zim has a crush on Dib.” Skoodge whispered, “really?” Keef whispered back, Skoodge nodded, “I swear I saw it make a drawing that said “Z + D forever” or something like that” Skoodge adds, whispering.

A gasp escaped from Keef’s mouth.

“What’s wrong, Dib thing?” Zim questioned, “Nothing, it’s just- you never call me Dibby.” Dib answered. “I called you Dibby?” Zim questioned, Dib answered nod.

Zim gasped out of disbelief, xe had really called Dib, Dibby??? 

Tak and Gaz sat together at the beach, they’d gone there during recess, Gaz was going to munch on raw fish she had brought.

“Why did you bring raw fish? Aren’t humans not supposed to eat that?” Tak questioned with a very confused expression.

“I’m a siren silly. We eat raw fish.”  Gaz smiled. 

“Oh coo- WAIT WHAT-“ 

Gaz nodded.

Tak was speechless. “Damn. I guess you’re not  human either” Tak said with a giggle.

Gaz nodded, then resting her head on Tak’s shoulder, Tak wrapped mew’s arm around her, then licking the top of her head.

Dib made his way home, still thinking about what happened earlier.

Him and Zim wouldn’t be doing math together for another few hours, and Gaz had went over to Tak’s house. 

What is this??? Dib wondered, maybe Dad knows?? He figured.

Dib threw his bag to the floor, he noticed his father sitting in the chair by the front door.

“Welcome home son” Professor Membrane smiled, “Hi Dad um… I need to talk to you about something.” Dib said, “Oh?”.

“So um… You know how Zim and I have been doing a lot together recently right??” 

“Yeah.”

“Well um… I’ve been getting these weird feelings around him… it’s there’s butterflies fluttering around in my stomach and I’m not sure what it means…”

“Sounds like you’ve got a crush son! Congratulations, I hope everything goes well!” 

“WAIT WHAT-“

Keef was chilling in his boat, just minding his own business, Dib had been looking for him, scanning the area for any sigh of them.

There they are! Dib mused, swimming towards Keef’s boat. 

“Hi Keef.” Dib greeted, Keef flinched, “Holy smokes! You scared me!” Keef blurted, “Oh sorry..” Dib frowned. 

“Sorry to bother you but I’m having a lot of… issues right now..” Dib said with a sigh, “Oh? What kind of issues?” Keef asked.

“Uh… it’s about Zim…” Dib began, “Oh no! Are you two fighting again?” Keef 

“No um.. I think I may or may not have a crush on him..” Dib awkwardly admitted. 

“Oh! Take it out on a date with hot dogs!” Keef suggested.

Dib shook his head, “I would but… it can’t eat meat, because it’s an alien..” Dib replied. 

“Oh just get vegan- WAIT WHAT-“ Keef gasped. 

“Yeah Zim’s an alien. I’m surprised you didn’t know already?? Don’t tell it I told you that-“ Dib replied. 

“Well uh.. maybe xe can vegan hot dogs?” Keef said, Dib nodded. 

“I’ll try that, thanks.” Dib smiled, waving to Keef before disappearing into the ocean.

Keef pulled out a book and stared reading, This is so boring… Keef thought, only to be interrupted by Gaz.

“Hey um. Have you seen my stupid brother?” Gaz asked, “Yeah! I just saw him. He asked me for some advice.” Keef answered, “Advice on what?” Gaz pressed, “just advice.” Keef answered. 

“What??? Why did he ask you for advice??” Gaz questioned, cocking her eyebrow at them, Keef shrugged their shoulders. “Not sure, but hopefully his date goes well!” Keef smiled.

Oh shoot! Keef then began to panic, realizing his slip up.

“His what???” Gaz gasped, not believing the words that had come out of Keef’s mouth, “Uh nothing!” Keef said. “He’s going on a date??” Gaz questioned, “Uh! No he isn’t!” Keef lied. 

It’s probably with Zim. Gaz figured, “uh?? Okay??” Gaz awkwardly replied before diving back into the water.

Dib’s going on a date??? She couldn’t believe it, she swam towards the dock where Tak and Tenn were chilling.

“Hi Gaz!” Tak smiled, Tenn waved. Tak then noticed the look on Gaz’s face. “What’s wrong?” She asked, “I can’t believe what I just heard.” She answered. “What did you hear??” Tak pressed, “Dib’s going on a date.” Gaz said. “Damn. With who??” Tak asked, “Probably Zim.” Gaz figured, “I don’t know why they’d go on a date with that barf bag.” Tak remarked, “Me neither.” Gaz replied, then neatly eating some fish.

Zim and Dib laid on Dib’s bed, the two were studying for an upcoming exam.

Zim was blabbering about how stupid the exam was, Dib was biting the skin around his nails. 

Dib glanced down at the notebook paper, he was thinking about the incident from the night before. Goddamn… how am I supposed to tell Dad that me and Gaz are sirens? How would I even explain that to him… what if I get grounded… what if he performs an autopsy on me what if- 

“Um… Dib stink?” Dib snapped back to reality as soon as he heard the sound of Zim’s voice. 

“Uh- Yeah?” Dib uttered, 

“What’s with all the finger biting, Dib thing?” Zim questioned, trying to not sound super concerned, but in actuality, he was. 

“Uh- just a bad habit sorry..” Dib apologized, “Oh okay then?” Zim said, then turning his attention back to the science questions the two had been studying. 

Zim took a good look at one set of practice questions Dib had written, they labeled them as “Marine Biology” questions, even though they hadn’t started learning about Marine Biology much in Skool, Dib still had a feeling they might put questions about it anyway.

Zim cocked his eyebrow at the sight, “What is this “Marine Biology” ?” He questioned, “It’s the study of ocean science, you stupid bug.” Dib answered affectionately. 

Zim pretended to be offended by Dib’s reply, letting out a scoff. 

Afterwards, the two decided that they’d studied another for the day, “Hey Zim.. wanna go on the rooftop?” Dib asked 

“Sure.” Zim smiled. 

The two lied on the roof, watching the sun sink below the horizon. 

“You’re such a thief Zim.” Dib remarked as they looked at the sky of pink and orange hues. 

“What?! Zim is no thief!” Zim snapped. 

“You stole my heart.” Dib clarified. 

“Oh..” Zim said, everything clicking.

“I-I love you Zim.” Dib admitted. 

“I love you too, Dib stink.” Zim smiled softly, as it to glanced to face Dib. 

Dib’s eyes widened with shock, Zim then licked Dib’s face, Dib’s cheeks turned a shade of red. 

Zim’s pak started wheezing, “are you okay?” Dib panicked, “Yeah I’m fine… I just never thought you’d say that..” Zim blushed. 

“Do you want to stay over?” Dib asked. 

“Sure… I’d like that.” Zim answered with a smile. 

Dib lied on the couch, Zim lying on top of him. 

Dib craved salt water, and his chest ached from having his binder on for so long.

His body began to feel dehydrated. 

Maybe tap water will fix it… Dib wondered 

Dib gently nudged Zim. “Hey Zim, I’m gonna go use the bathroom and change. I’ll be back in a moment.”  Dib said, “alright then, Dib stink.” Zim smiled. 

Dib made his way to bathroom, changing their clothes, they had put a large, very baggy shirt on to cover their chest and some pajama shorts, then washing their hands. 

I hope this will solve the problem…. Dib hoped as they began to wash their hands.

It didn’t… in fact it made it worse.

Need… salt… water… 

I need to do something… Dib decided.

Ah shit… How am I going to explain to Zim why I need salt water? Dib wondered.

Well… I guess I don’t have a choice but to tell him.. I mean… I don’t want to keep secrets from him.. Dib mused, he began to shake, feeling knots form in his stomach. 

Well… it’s an alien. It’ll probably understand. Dib concluded, still nervous nonetheless. 

Dib stepped out of the bathroom and walked towards the couch, taking a seat. 

“Zim…I need to tell you something.” Dib began nervously, he was shaking a little. 

“Yes Dib?” Zim replied, his eyes widening with curiosity.

“um… actually it’d be easier if I just showed you. Let’s go to the beach so I can show you.” Dib said, then getting off the couch.

Dib grabbed their coat and a towel, “You should go put some paste on, it’s gonna get wet” Dib said, “Okay?” Zim uttered, then fetching some paste and applying it on himself.

Dib held Zim’s hand as they walked out the door.

“What is it?” Zim asked as he held Dib’s hand, “you’ll see!” Dib replied, trying to hide their anxiety. 

“Did you find that Nessie creature you mentioned?” Zim asked.

“No, I wish..” Dib answered with a sigh.

The two arrived at the docks, Dib handed their towel to Zim, “Aren’t you going to take that coat off?” Zim said, “No.” Dib replied. 

Dib dove into the water, making a splash. 

Zim jumped like a cat who’d just seen a cucumber.

Zim glanced down into the dark blue water.

“Dib?” Zim questioned, not being able to see them.

Dib was hiding underneath the dock, trying to contain his screams of pain, in a few moments they had fins and scaly webbed hands. 

Dib swam towards the end of the dock, what will Zim think? Would xe care? What would xe say.. Dib wondered. 

Dib lurked below the surface, they saw Zim standing on the dock.

The only thing Zim could see was Dib’s glowing eyes from below the water, “I um- I’m not exactly human… at least, not anymore-“ Dib began, they could see Zim’s eye brow raise from above. 

Zim then sat down on the dock, crossing his legs. 

“Then… what are you?” Zim questioned, 

Dib broke the surface, answering Zim’s question. 

Zim’s eyes widened with a shock as he saw Dib.

Dib looked up at it  with a worried expression, his scaly, green fish tail breaching the surface water. 

“Zim… I’m a siren.” Dib admitted, glancing down at the water, eyes filled with worry. “Your singing voice was the one  I heard during the fishing trip!” Zim realized. Dib nodded. “I didn’t think anyone was around.. that’s why I sang.. I only do that when I’m alone.” Dib said. 

“Your singing voice was so beautiful…” Zim marveled, “awe thanks..” Dib smiled awkwardly, blushing a little. 

Zim couldn’t help but find Dib cute, even if he did smell like tuna.

Dumb fish… Zim mused affectionately.

“Can I hold the Dib fish?” Zim with love in its eyes, Dib nodded, allowing Zim to pick him up.

Zim let out a grunt as it picked up Dib, Dib had a extremely confused look on his face. “You’re heavy!” Zim remarked as it held Dib up in the air. “Please put me down…” Dib requested.

“Alright then, Dib fish.” Zim said, then placing Dib in it’s lap, wrapping him in a towel. 

“How did you pick me up?” Dib asked, “not sure, but body hurts now..” Zim answered. 

Zim held Dib in xyr’s arms as the two looked sweetly into each other’s eyes. 

“How did this happen, Dib stink?” Zim asked as xe played with Dib’s wet hair.

“Oh uh… well one day I was lurking in my Dad’s personal lab in the basement and Gaz caught me. She then got mad at me and I accidentally knocked over one of the chemicals and the tube shattered all over the floor, and the chemical splashed us. And we became sirens.” Dib explained. 

“Woah, that’s crazy” Zim remarked, Dib nodded. 

“Does that mean your scary sister is also a siren?” Zim asked, “Yeah.” Dib answered.

Zim gave a thumbs up, not sure how to respond.

“Come on Dib-love, let’s get you home.” Zim said, throwing Dib over xyr’s shoulder, “HEY WATCH THE DORSAL FIN!” Dib yelped “Opps sorry..” Zim apologized. 

Zim carried Dib home, his back and shoulders aching the entire time. 

Maybe it was a bad idea to pick up the Dib Fish… Zim thought as he walked down the street, soon arriving at Dib’s house. 

Zim placed a soaking wet, bundled up Dib on the couch, “MY SPINE!” Zim shouted, Dib was alarmed. “Are you okay?” Dib asked, their voice filled with concern. “Yeah I’m fine!” Zim insisted. 

Zim then took its wig and eye contacts off and collapsed on the couch. 

Dib plopped onto Zim’s chest, Zim started petting their back. “My spine may hurt now but was all worth it.” Zim smiled, pulling the large, fluffy blanket over the two of them. “I’m still surprised you were even able to pick me up.” Dib admitted. 

Dib buried their head into Zim’s chest, “I love you Spaceboy.” Dib said softly, “Zim loves you too, Dib fish.” Zim replied, then licking Dib’s head. 

“EW. What is that horrible taste in my mouth!” Zim gagged, “Salt water, idiot.” Dib giggled affectionately. 

Zim pulled Dib closer and started purring, holding Dib tight. “You can purr?”, “Zim does not purr!” Zim denied out of embarrassment, “But you just purred!” Dib pointed out, “okay fine.. maybe I did purr…” Zim admitted with a sigh. 

Dib lifted up his head, “aww…” Dib remarked, Zim was blushing out of embarrassment. 

“Can we watch Mysterious Mysteries?” Dib asked, “Yeah sure.” Zim answered, reaching over to the coffee table, grabbing the remote and surfing through the channels until xe found it. 

Dib placed his head on Zim’s chest as the episode began, it was Dib’s new favorite episode, the recently aired episode about a Mothman sighting in Virginia. 

Once the episode was finished, Dib let out a yawn. “Hey Zim, I think I’m gonna go to bed, I’m not sure if I can keep my eyes open much longer.” Dib yawned again. 

“Alright then, have a good rest mode!” Zim smiled. 

Dib wheezed at Zim’s remark, “Are you going to bed to?” Dib asked, “No… sleeping is only reserved for Tallests.” Zim answered.

Dib gasped, having a flabbergasted look on his face. “Damn Zim… I’m sorry.” Dib frowned Goddamn… Zim’s home planet is more fucked up than I thought…

“But don’t worry! Irkens don’t really need sleep! Unless we’ve been hurt.” Zim assured, “Though… sleeping does sound nice…” he adds.

“Maybe just this once, as a treat.” Zim smiled, “Alright then, good night bug, I love you.” Dib beamed, giving Zim a kiss on the cheek.“Goodnight Dib fish, love you too.” Zim smiled softly before closing his eyes and soon drifting off to sleep, cuddling Dib tight.

My stupid, stinky fish… Zim thought sweetly before drifting off to sleep

Professor Membrane was coming downstairs, he was going to make himself some coffee. 

But, he couldn’t help but notice Dib cuddling Zim, but Zim looked… different. He had antennae, much like a bug, and magenta, bug like eyes. 

Zim’s antennae flattened at the sight of him, eyes winding. 

“Zim’s an alien?! Aliens are real?!” Professor Membrane gasped, “Yeah Dad. Zim’s an alien. That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you for like… a year at this point.” Dib said. 

Professor Membrane was speechless, “I’m sorry for not believing you son.” He apologized, then patting Dib on the head.

“I’m gonna go get us some waffles.” Dib said as he turned his attention back to Zim and was met with a nod. 

The two got off the couch and headed to the kitchen and took a seat at the table. 

The two ate their waffles, Dib ate his like a normal person, while Zim ripped them apart like a rabid animal.

Dib sipped on their coffee, while Zim drank some space cola. 

“Hey Zim, wanna get some ice cream or something?” Dib asked, Zim nodded, “Alright then, I’ll go get dressed and then we can go.” Dib replied, heading upstairs to change into their clothes.

Dib soon came back downstairs, wearing their ghost shirt and some shorts, with some socks and middle aged man sliders, and their coat.

Zim had put his eye contacts and wig on. 

Professor Membrane couldn’t help but notice what Dib was wearing. 

“What’s with the middle aged man sliders son?” Professor Membrane questioned, cocking his eyebrow at Dib’s shoes, “they’re comfy.” Dib replied, then walking out the front door with Zim. 

Dib could hear the sound of the ice cream truck nearby. 

“Come on! Let’s go!” Dib said, then sprinting over to the ice cream truck, dragging Zim by the hand.

“Where are we going?” Zim asked.

“The ice cream truck!” Dib answered.

Soon the two made it there, and were greeted by a young person, probably in their early twenties.

“Hey there kid, what can I get for you?” They asked, they spoke in a New Yorker accent.

“I’ll take a SpongeBob popsicle and…” Dib paused, “What do you want, Zim?” He asked, “Uh…” Zim then scanned the menu, “I’ll take a cherry screw ball.” Zim answered. 

Dib whipped out a few dollars from his pocket, “It’s fine Dibby. I’ll pay for it.” Zim insisted, Dib rose an eyebrow, “Where did you get the money from?” He questioned, 

 “dunno. Gir found it somewhere.” Zim replied. 

Zim paid for the ice cream and the two walked  to the beach.

The strong stench of salt water filled Dib’s nose as the two searched for a spot on the beach for themselves. 

Dib licked at his SpongeBob popsicle as he glanced at Zim. 

“Come on, I know just the place.” Dib proclaimed.

“Where are we going?” Zim questioned.

“You’ll see.” Dib answered.

Dib and Zim ended up near a tide pool, surrounded by rocks.

“Are you sure you’ll fine here Dib stink?” Zim asked.

“Yeah, trust me. No one goes to this side of the beach, other than me, Gaz and sometimes Keef anyway. Dib said. 

“Does Keef know that you’re a siren? Zim asked, “And why does no one come to this side of the beach other than you three?” Zim adds.

“Yeah Keef does. He was the second person to find out actually, he spotted me while on a fishing trip and he figured out that I’d accidentally stolen their fish- they were nice about it though. And the reason that almost no one comes here is because of this story about creatures who lurked here, I’ll be happy to tell you all about it.” Dib answered, then licking their SpongeBob popslice. 

“Cool. Also I’d like to hear the story! TELL MEEE!!” Zim replied.

“Alright. I’ll tell you in a moment, as soon as I get comfortable.” Dib said, climbing into the pool of salt water.

Dib let out grunts of pain as they watched their hands become green and scaly, Zim watched Dib transform, eyes filled with horror and concern.

“Are you okay Dib stink?!” Zim questioned, “I’m fine- this is normal!” Dib insisted. 

Dib soon finished transforming into a siren, “That looked painful Dib thing, are you okay?” Zim asked, kneeling down to Dib’s level. “Yeah trust me I’m fine. I should be used to this by now.” Dib insisted, then licking their popsicle.

“Now can you tell me the story?” Zim asked, Dib answered with a nod. 

“Well, the story goes that in 1965, at this very beach a 13 year old girl named Sandy Mason and her friend, Allen Denton  had came to this of the beach. “ Dib began, “The two drank their cola’s as they watched the waves lap at the tide pools. “ Dib continued. “Until they saw something strange swimming towards them. It was a strangle looking creature, half human and half fish. It had the same scaly hands that me and Gaz do, but they were blue instead of green or purple.” Dib rambled. 

“Sandy and Allen claimed that the creature had sharp, shark like teeth and a scaly, blue fish tail. And also a heavenly singing voice, which the creature tried to lure them into the water to drown them with, which failed. The monster was dubbed, “The Detroit Beach Monster.” They add.

“And a similar creature was also found on washed up on the shores of Lake Michigan, and its tail looked similar to a bass fish. People speculate that the one found washed up on Lake Michigan is a fresh water sub species.” They finished.

“Wow that’s interesting.” Zim remarked, Dib nodded in agreement with a smile. 

Dib and Zim munched on their popsicles as they watched the waves gently crash upon the shore in the distance, “I wonder what Gir is doing..” Zim remarked.

Meanwhile, Gir was doing some break dancing as some hip hop music blasted from the speakers.

No one was home, Skoodge was hanging out with Keef and Tenn at the ice cream shop and Zim was out on a date with Dib. 

Gir had given invites to any person it’d encountered while shopping for supplies, and quite a few people came. 

Mimi and Vir aggressively head banged to the sound of the music, while Sir danced on top of Zim’s table as Whoop! (There it is) blasted through the speakers.

Teenagers drank their punch as they partied hard, Zim and Skoodge were on their way home.

The sun was beginning to set, making way for the dark night. 

“How was your date with Dib?” 

“Great! He told me all about the “Detroit Beach Monster!”

“That’s nice. Me, Keef and Tenn got some ice cream and Keef told us about this musical he had seen called Rock of Ages.

Zim and Skoodge made their way home, but then stopped in their tracks.

Cans of Poop Cola and bags of chips littered the front lawn, old looking, and beaten up cars parked near it. Zim noticed a sign in the front yard that stated “GIRZ HOUSE PARTY!!!” Written on it in glitter glue.

Zim and Skoodge could hear music blasting from outside the house.

Rage boiled inside of Zim, “GIR!!!!” He shouted, then stomping to the front door, Skoodge then followed him. Zim kicked the door down, “Gir! What on irk did you do?!” Zim demanded, the party goer’s dropping their solo cups of punch and gasping. 

“AND WHO ARE YOU PEOPLE?! WHY ARE YOU IN MY BASE?!” Zim demanded, the party goer’s began to gathering their belongings, getting ready to leave. 

“I threw a party master!” Gir grinned, Mimi and Vir then escaped out a broken window. “NO more parties Gir.” Zim ordered.

A frown formed on Gir’s face, “B-but” it uttered, “NO “BUT’S.” Zim shouted, its eyes burning with fury. Gir then pathetically walked away with slumped shoulders, tears streaming down its face.

“GO SOUTH TO CANADA!” Gir cried, Zim let out a gasp, “YOU DO NOT INSULT ME! I AM YOUR MASTER!” Zim spat, Skoodge glanced  at Zim with a shocked look on his face, “Gir learned geography?” He uttered.

“No! Mary shouted dat while on dah phone! He told dat guy to go south to Canada!” Gir replied, his tears fading away.

“I tried to stop him from throwing the party but he didn’t listen…” Sir frowned, glancing up at Skoodge. “Thanks for trying to stop him.” Skoodge said, patting Sir on the head.

“Now time to clean up this horrible mess, and fix the broken window.” Zim grumbled, “I’ll help you.” Skoodge proclaimed, “Thanks.” Zim replied, fetching the garage can, mop and some cleaning products. 

It was later that night, around 11:30 pm. Skoodge, Sir and Gir were sitting the couch, munching on some space chips. Zim made xyr way to the front door, only wearing a hoodie and sweat pants, and not xyr typical invader uniform.

“Where are you going?” Skoodge questioned, “To go see my Dib human” Zim answered, “Oh wait… he’s not really human anymore-“ Zim remembered. 

“Wait really?” Skoodge gasped “Uh yeah. He’s a siren.” Zim replied, OH SHIT! Zim thought in a panic, realizing xe’d just dropped the bombshell. 

Skoodge’s jaw dropped, Sir spat out his drink. 

“Mary’s a fish?” Gir chimed in with a gasp.

“Pretend i didn’t say that.” Zim said, “I promise i won’t tell anyone!” Skoodge insisted, “does anyone else know?” He asked.

“Yeah but only a few people uh… Gaz knows because she’s a siren too, Gir knows now-, uh Keef knows and I do and you do to now but other then that no one else does.” Zim said. 

Skoodge didn’t know what to say, and Zim soon made xyr way to Dib’s house. 

“Daaamn Mary’s a fishy!” Gir remarked, “Hey you can’t say that!” Skoodge retorted, “Master doesn’t care if I do!” Gir retorted back, munching on some chips and slurping some soda as he watched reruns of The Scary Monkey Show.

Dib snoozed in his bed, until he heard some strange noises coming from outside.

“Huh?” He uttered, sitting up and rubbing the sleep from his eyes, grabbing his glasses.

They noticed someone standing outside their window, Zim.

Surprisingly, Zim didn’t have his disguise on, he was just wearing a hoodie.

“Zim? What are you doing here so late?” Dib asked groggily, “Zim missed the Dib.” He answered, staring into Dib’s soul with his massive, magenta hued eye, his antennae flattened against his head.

Dib lethargically opened the window. 

“Come here you stupid bug.” They grumbled affectionately, picking up Zim and pulling it close, then closing the window again.

Dib cuddled Zim as he pulled the comforter over the two of them, Zim had that cute look on its face. It buried its head into Dib’s shirt, letting out purrs, Dib gently stroked its head, starching the area near xyr antennae.

“I missed you so much Dib fish.” Zim said affectionately, with a muffed voice. “I missed you too, Spaceboy.” Dib smiled softly, Zim let out cat like purrs as Dib drifted off to sleep. 

It was 5:30 am, it was still dark outside. 

Dib opened his eyes, he noticed Zim staring into his soul, they flinched. “Oh my god you scared me-“ they said.

“Zim is sorry…” Zim frowned.

“Hey it’s fine.” Dib yawned, sitting up, still cuddling Zim in their arms. 

“WHO ARE YOU PEOPLE??” Zim demanded at the sight of Dib’s army of Mothman plushies, pointing a finger at them. 

“Those are my moths!” Dib answered. 

They pointed to black, fluffy and worn looking one with large red eyes and large wings, similar to that of a spear marked black moth, it had fluffy antennae. 

“That’s Mothy,” Dib began, they then grabbed another mothman plushie, it had the same shape as a Mothy, but it had different markings, like that of a giant leopard moth. 

“And that’s its wife, Felisha.” Dib adds, 

then pointing to a beaten up looking, and smaller looking mothman plushie, it had markings that resembled a black and white tiger moth. 

“And that’s Mothy and Felisha’s child, Mothy Junior, or otherwise, MJ.” Dib finished. 

They then Infodumped all about their Mothman and alien plushies, including their backstories, goals and motives. 

“That’s interesting.” Zim remarked once Dib finished rambling, Dib nodded with a smile.

“Anyway, I gotta get out of here. Skoodge messaged me saying that Gir had made a giant mess, again.” Zim began. See you later Dib fish.” Zim finished affectionately, “Okay, see you later bug.” Dib smiled, giving Zim a kiss on the forehead, Zim let out a soft purr, liking Dib’s forehead before climbing out the window with the help of xyr pak legs.

It was later that morning, at 9:30 am.

Professor Membrane glanced at his two children as they ate breakfast together.

Dib sipped his orange juice and Gaz munched on her cereal as she fiddled with the controls on her Gameslave.

“Hey kids do you want to go on a trip to the beach sometime soon? I think we’d have a great time!!!” Professor Membrane said, sipping his coffee.

Dib and Gaz glanced at each other, “How would we explain the siren thing to Dad?” Gaz questioned, whispering.

“I have no idea- let’s try and change his mind.” Dib replied, whispering.

“No.. how about we go to the pool instead? Or the lake!” Gaz suggested “Alright then! The lake a it is!” Professor Membrane smiled, then fetching something’s like a shovel and pal.

Dib and Gaz let out sighs of relief.

No I don’t have to explain the siren thing to Dad… at least not yet. Dib thought, then taking another bite of his cereal.

Dib made his way to the local convince store, spotting a duo of stray dogs nearby. 

Dib couldn’t help but feel bad for the poor dogs as they walked down the street. 

They dug around in their coat pocket, finding a piece of bread. “Want some bread?” They offered, the two dogs panted and sat patiently, begging for some. 

Dib ripped it half, “Here you go!” They smiled, giving the bread to the dogs. The dogs seemed grateful as Dib walked away, and into the store.

Dib went straight to the slushy machine, ready for a nice, refreshing Suck Monkey. Hm… cherry or blue raspberry… how about both. Dib decided, grabbing a cup from the cup holder, choosing a medium sized one and placing it under the slushy dispenser.

Dib soon got his drink and payed for it, then walking back outside.

He was about to leave, until he heard something strange coming from the back of store.

Dib rose his eyebrow, deciding to go investigate for himself.

Dib quietly made their way to the dumpster as they tiptoed to it, they then noticed to two shadowy silhouette’s of what looked to be two girls, both with short hair.

“I’m sorry about him… that’s annoying.” One of them apologized, having a British accent with a dash of Valley Girl.

Dib’s eyes widened with shock. He knew that voice. 

Tak?! Dib realized, what the hell was she doing?

“Hey don’t apologize. I’m used to Dib being an annoyance. I guess he’ll forever ever see me as a “stupid baby” that he needs to protect. Even though he knows damn well that I don’t need his protection.” The other replied.

Gaz?! 

“I hate how they always have to be all up in my business. I wish they’d leave me alone for once.” Gaz grumbled, Tak wrapped an arm around her shoulder, “I’m sorry that you have to hear me vent-“ Gaz apologized, “No, you’re fine.” Tak insisted, licking Gaz on the cheek.

Dib couldn’t believe his eyes.

Please tell me I did not see Tak lick Gaz’s cheek… please tell me this is a nightmare! He thought desperately. 

There was more to it than met eye.

“Anyway, I should get going- I’ll see you later though.” Tak said, “Alright, love you.” Gaz replied, giving Tak a kiss on the neck.

Tak then walked in Dib’s direction, oh shit! Dib thought, she’s going to see me if I stay here!

Dib then quietly ran over to the front of the store, so Tak wouldn’t notice him.

Dib stood there awkwardly, pretending as if nothing was wrong as he watched Tak walk back to her base. 

Dib  rapidly walked to back near the dumpster and the back of the building. He could still see Gaz standing there in the distance.

“Gaz. What the fuck.” Dib snapped. 

Gaz turned to face her sibling, she noticed their eyes were burning with fury. 

Gaz stared at them, “What the hell are you doing here?!” She demanded. 

“The better question is what the hell were you doing with Tak?!” Dib demanded back, “Why were you being all loving dovey with her?!” They add.

“Mew’s my girlfriend!? Of course I’m going to be lovey dovey with mew!” Gaz retorted. 

“Mew’s your girlfriend?!” Dib gasped, “Yeah?! Why did you think we were holding hands and being affectionate with each other?!” Gaz retorted. 

“I thought you were just platonically holding hands! Like Tenn and Skoodge do!” Dib spat. 

“Okay I see your point.” Gaz admitted. 

Dib ignored his sister and continued.

“What if she hurts you?!” Dib winced.

“She won’t! And if she does, I know exactly what to do.”  Gaz insisted. 

“Why do you always have bad things to say about mew. You always talk shit about mew and I’m sick of it.” Gaz snarled. 

“What?” Dib muttered, a bit confused. 

“You know exactly what I’m talking about Dib.” Gaz retorted with clenched teeth. 

“You want to know something?! You’re a fucking hypocrite!” Gaz snapped. 

“I am n-“ Dib tried to say, but Gaz interrupted him before he could finished his sentence.

“YOU ARE.” She screeched, shutting him up. 

Dib’s eyes widened. 

Gaz started to towards him, making him back towards the brick wall. 

“You get all pissy at me for hanging out with Tak, and now you’re getting pissy about the fact she’s my girlfriend. Yet the same thing happened with you and Zim.” She fumed, her eyes wide open, sparkling with fury.

Dib’s pupils dilated of fear, he started shaking like a leaf. 

Gaz stepped closer, making Dib take a step back.

She grabbed him by the collar of his shirt.

“You bitch about me dating “the girl who tried to destroy the planet”. Yet you are all lovey dovey and kissy wissy with Zim. You know, the person who also tried to destroy the planet so multiple times. Not to mention tried to get us killed multiple times.” Gaz shouted.

Dib was now up against the wall. 

His fear started to fade away, it began to turn into rage. 

It began to boil inside him like a pot of water boiling aggressively on a stove top. 

The pot had boiled over. Dib could not contain his rage any longer. 

Dib punched her in the nose.

“Oh. I’m sorry for giving a shit about you! I’m sorry for saving your ass all those times I-“ they snapped, soon being cut off.

Blood dripped down Gaz’s chin as her eyes shimmered with rage. “Saving my ass?! If anyone’s ass was getting saved, it was your’s!!” Gaz spat. 

Dib ignored what their sister had just said and continued.

“I’m sorry for trying to be a good sibling!” Dib continued on. 

“Good sibling?! What kind of sibling drags their little sister into shit?! What “good sibling” does that?!” Gaz fumed, a few blood droplets splattering onto her My Chemical Romance shirt, thankfully it was hard to see, as the shirt was black.

“What do you mean by that?!” Dib demanded.

“What do you mean by that?” What kind of question is that?! You know damn well what I’m talking about.” Gaz raged.

“Shut up. SHUT UP.” Dib spat.

“You want to know something? I had to be “Dad” when Dad couldn’t! I had to put you to bed! I had to make you dinner! I had to put up with you being annoying! I had to play dolls with you!” He began furiously. 

“I WAS SEVEN YEARS OLD! AND TAKING OF YOU! I could’ve been playing on the playground or something. But you want to know what I was doing instead?! I WAS TAKING CARE OF MY SIX YEAR OLD SISTER. I WAS TRYING TO BE A GOOD BROTHER. AND NOW YOU TREAT ME LIKE THIS?!” Dib continued, his throat beginning to hurt from all the shouting.

“STOP ACTING LIKE YOUR THE ONLY ONE WHO WAS EFFECTED BY DAD NOT BEING ABLE TO CARE FOR US!!” Gaz shouted.

“YOU KNOW WHAT?! I’M DONE WITH THIS CONVERSATION!” Dib shouted back, “I’m going to the beach.” He spat.

“GOOD. I HOPE YOU GET SWEPT AWAY BY A CURRENT YOU SON OF A BITCH!!!” Gaz called out as Dib left. 

You know. You might as well get swept away by a current. Just like Gaz said. It’s not like she’ll care or anything…. Dib mused. 

Dib ran as fast as his legs could carry him, Keef and Meef were heading back from a fishing trip.

Keef noticed Dib ran by, Dib stopped to catch his breath.

“Where are you heading to?” 

“The beach. Tell Zim that I’ll be gone for a bit.”

“Oh.. okay?”

“Also. If you see Gaz, tell her that she’s a fucking bitch.”

“Oh… okay?”

Dib then broke off into a run, headed towards the beach.

Dib panted after making his way to the pier, the sea was foaming like a bottle of beer. 

Dib took a sip from a water bottle that he had stashed in his coat pocket. Dib let out a refreshed sigh. 

He then headed towards the docks, glancing around to see if there were any fishermen. 

The coast was clear. They were fine. No one was there. 

They dove into the water, feeling that sharp, agonizing pain in their body, they glanced down at their hands, their hands were no longer covered in human skin, but rather, they were covered in green scales. 

Dib swam towards the strong rip current up ahead.  He then felt a strong and powerful force trap him. 

Dib began to shake, frantically looking in every direction. 

He was in the rip current. There was no escape.

He could feel himself drift away as he thrashed around in the current, being thrown around in every direction. 

“DIIIB!! NOOOO!!!” Gaz called out in protest, swimming closer in attempt to reach Dib. 

“But you said you wanted me to get swept away by a current?” Dib called out, confused, raising an eyebrow.

“I didn’t mean that! I’m  sorry!” Gaz apologized genuinely.

“Well it’s too late!!!” Dib snapped.

Gaz tried to grab onto her sibling’s webbed and scaly hand trying her hardest to free them from the current’s wrath.

She thrashed through the deep, dark water, trying to free her brother, she then was able to grab onto his hand.

“I’m sorry! I shouldn’t have said that! You were right to call me out! I’m sorry for punching you!” Dib apologized, “It’s okay!!! I understand that you were just concerned!!” Gaz replied, “I’m sorry to! I shouldn’t have said those things to you!” she adds. 

“No! I’m glad you did!” Dib said. 

She let out a grunt as she tried to pull him out, but this rip current was stronger. 

She had let go. 

“GAAAZ!!!!” Dib wailed as the strong current swept him away.

“DIIIIB!!!!” Gaz shouted as she tried to grasp her brother’s hand.

But… she couldn’t.

“GAAAZ!!!” Dib screamed, his screaming getting fainter and fainter the further he drifted away. 

Her brother was gone. Fucking gone. 

Normally, she wouldn’t care, but this time, she did.

What kind of sister are you?! She scolded herself as she tried to hold back tears. 

I need to do something… I should tell someone. She decided, swimming up to the surface. 

She dried herself off with a towel and left, knots in her stomach.

Gaz made her way back home, her shoulders slumped in shame.

How am I going to get him back? Gaz asked herself. 

You’re a terrible sister. This is all your fault. She told herself.

Gaz made her way to the tide pool and dried herself off, cleaning her bloody nose, waiting for the bleeding to stop. Her clothes were still damp but not as much. She rinsed the salt water off herself with some water she had stashed in a water bottle. 

Once she was mostly dry, she made her way home, How am I supposed to explain this to Dad?! How would he feel… 

Gaz could just imagine the lecture she’d receive. She knew that she’d be grounded for ages. 

Gazlene Membrane! How could you say that to your brother?! 

Gaz let out sigh, I deserve that. I deserve to be lectured like that. She told herself once again as she made her way through the dark streets of Detroit. The street lights leading the way.

She noticed Keef and Meef walking on the sidewalk.

“Hey um. Sorry if this sounds weird but Dib told me to tell you that you’re a fricking betch.. I have no idea why..”

“He’s right… I am… and I’m a terrible sister.”

“What? What makes you say that?”

“I told him to go get swept away by a current… and he did… all because of this argument we got into..”

“Betch what the frick?” 

“Yeah I know I shouldn’t have.. I was just really angry.. we both apologized to each other though. If my Dad and Clembrane find out they’re going to go ballistic on me-“

“Oh um.. that’s good? Anyway I gotta go to Zim’s house. See you later.”

Gaz and Keef then went their separate ways, Gaz walked the rest of the way home. 

Gaz made it, opening the front door, only to see her Dad glancing over at her from his chair near the front door.

“Hello daughter, where have you been?” He asked “Uh… I went to the mall with Tak and Tenn.” Gaz lied “Oh cool! Hope you had fun.” He smiled “I did.” Gaz replied.

“Where’s your sibling?” Professor Membrane asked “Oh uh… their at Zim’s.” Gaz lied. 

God I hate this. She thought, normally she would be fine with lying to someone, but her Dad was the expectation. She hated lying to him about anything.

No… he can’t know the truth… At least not right now… Gaz thought.

Professor Membrane just nodded and continued to read the marine biology book he was reading. 

Gaz then made her way upstairs, locking herself in her room and sitting on the floor, staring at her collection of Littlest Pet Shops. 

Keef knocked on the door to Zim’s house.

Skoodge answered.

“Hi Keef.” He smiled, but then noticed the expression on Keef’s face.

“What’s wrong?” Skoodge asked.

“Something happened to Dib… that’s why I came here.” Keef answered.

“Oh.. oh my irk!” Skoodge exclaimed, then letting Keef come in the house.

“Hi Zim..” Keef sighed with a frown as he looked at him, he was sitting on the couch with Gir and Sir.

Zim was caught off guard. Something was up.

Keef wasn’t happy and cheerful like they usually were, now they seemed sad and gloomy.

“Hi Keef.” Zim said.

“Um… Dib’s gone.” Keef murmured.

“He’s gone?!” Zim gasped out of disbelief.

“Yeah… Them and Gaz got into a fight and she told them to go get swept away by a current… and they were.” Keef began, “she feels really bad about it now… and we have no idea where Dib is now.” Keef finished.

Zim felt his squeedily spooch shatter into little pieces. “D-Dib’s g-gone?” Zim stammered out of disbelief, starting to tear up. Keef nodded with a frown.

Zim flopped off the couch and onto the floor, beginning to sniffle before bursting into tears. 

Skoodge and Keef kneeled on floor, trying to soothe Zim. 

“It’s okay Zim! We’ll figure out a solution!” Keef assured, gently stroking Zim’s back.

“MY BELOVED DIB STINK! MY DIB FISH!!! THEIR GONE!!!” Zim wailed hysterically, smashing his fist against the floor, ignoring what Keef had just said. 

“I love them so much!!! Even if they smell like tuna and anchovies!” Zim croaked.

Keef looked at Skoodge. “What should we do?” Keef questioned “I think you should get home.. I’ll deal with it.” Skoodge assured with a thumbs up.

Keef nodded and left, awkwardly saying goodbye to Skoodge and Zim. 

Skoodge hugged Zim. “I’m sorry…” he sympathized, Zim whimpered and sobbed into his shirt.

“My Dib siren!” Zim cried.

Professor Membrane was out running some errands, Gaz was in her room, the home phone in her hands. 

Gaz dialed Tak’s number, her hands shaking the entire time, she grasped her favorite kitten lps, Violeta for comfort. It was a purple and white one with green eyes, number 2033.

Soon, Tak picked up.

“Hi love!! How are you?”

“Not to good… I did something… bad…horrible..” 

“Oh irk- what did you do?”

“Dib’s gone… and it’s all my fault…”

“What happened?”

“We got into an argument, and I went a little too hard on him- I told him to go get swept away by a current and well… He did. I feel absolutely horrible now… and Keef told me that Zim is depressed now.. He said that it keeps crying and it keeps talking about how much it misses Dib.. I think they said that xyr base is now littered with garbage..”

“Damn.. hopefully we can get him back…” 

“Yeah… we need to. Or my Dad and Clembrane are going to go ballistic on me..”

“I’d tell them if I were you. Explaining the fact that you’re both siren’s may be a bit difficult but, I think they might know how to get Dib back.”

“Alright thanks love, I’ll see you tomorrow. Bye.”

“Bye.” 

Gaz hung up and crawled into bed, shaking anxiously, hoping she’d soon drift off to sleep.

No crying. You’re not a baby anymore.. She told herself, trying her best to hold back her tears. 

She hadn’t cried in months, it was something she always shunned herself for. 

Gaz couldn’t hold back her tears any longer.

Gaz smashed her face into her pillow, sobbing violently. Professor Membrane and Clembrane were coming upstairs to check on Gaz, all they could hear was the sound of her violent and aggressive sobbing.

The two were taken aback, it was rare for them to hear Gaz cry. 

“I’ll ask her if she’s okay.” Professor Membrane decided, knocking on the door. 

Gaz continued to sob, ridiculing herself in the process, What is wrong with you?! Why are you like this?! but then, she was alarmed by a knock at her door.

“Gazlene, is something wrong?” She heard Professor Membrane ask. 

“Yeah is somethin’ wrong? We heard you cryin’” Clembrane adds. 

“Nothing! Just go away!” Gaz shouted nasally, with a sniffle as she lifted her head up from her pillow, then looking down at her hands.

She was caught off guard. They were webbed and covered in purple scales.

Tears could trigger a siren transformation.

Goddamn. Just what I needed. Gaz thought sarcastically as tears rolled down her face.

Outside her door, Professor Membrane and Clembrane glanced at each other. 

“I hope everything is okay…” Clembrane frowned, Professor Membrane nodded, 

“If you need us we’ll be downstairs!” Professor Membrane said, him and Clembrane then heading back downstairs. 

Tenn, Skoodge and Keef walked around City Center mall, Tenn was scanning the area for T.E.S, while Skoodge and Keef munched on some soft pretzels.

Tenn glanced at the two. 

“How have guys been?” Tenn asked.

“Fine.. Zim hasn’t though-“ Skoodge answered.

“Oh irk- what happened?” Tenn pressed.

“Dib and Gaz got into a fight and Dib was swept away by a current.. Gaz really needs to find a way to get Dib back. Or her parents are going to be mad.” Keef answered.

“Oh damn- hopefully she can get him back.” Tenn said.

“Yeah, the problem is, is that we don’t know where that current took Dib. So he could be anywhere.” Skoodge pointed out.

“So he could be all the way in Australia?” Keef replied.

“Maybe. Who knows- I think it’s more likely that he’s in Wisconsin or Canada though- I mean. We are south of Canada.” Skoodge said, Keef and Tenn nodded, then heading over to T.E.S, still wondering how Gaz was going to get Dib back.

Professor Membrane had awoken at 2:30 am he couldn’t go back to sleep, no matter how hard he tried.

He couldn’t stop thinking about his children’s recent, and strange behavior. Not to mention, he was becoming concerned. He hadn’t seen Dib anywhere recently.

Maybe Gaz knows. He figured, going downstairs. 

He made his way downstairs, heading to the kitchen to make himself some coffee.

Once he’d finished making his cup of coffee, he decided to go find Gaz.

He found Gaz sitting on the couch, her Gameslave in hand. 

Gaz hadn’t been able to go back to sleep either. 

“Hey, where’s your brother? I haven’t seen him in a while. Is he still at Zim’s?” Professor Membrane 

She glanced away from her Gameslave and looked up at him. 

I have to tell him the truth.

“No… actually…. um… Dib was swept away by a current… I lied when I said that he was at Zim’s… We had gotten into a fight and I had told him to “go get swept away by a current” because I was angry and it was all and in the heat of the moment and… he did get swept away…” Gaz admitted.

Professor Membrane felt knots form in his stomach upon hearing those words, he dropped his mug on the floor, it shattered in little pieces. He spat out the coffee that was in his mouth. 

“THEY WHAT-“ he gasped “We have to go look for them!” Professor Membrane panicked.

“Your brother probably drowned!” Professor Membrane screamed, absolutely appalled by his daughter’s actions.

“He couldn’t have drowned Dad, we’re siren’s.” Gaz revealed.

“But- Siren’s aren’t scientifically possible!” Professor Membrane argued.

“Then how come one of your chemicals turned us into siren’s?” Gaz questioned.

“Why were you messing around with my chemicals?!” Professor Membrane demanded. 

“It was Dib’s fault. I caught them lurking in your personal lab and they accidentally shattered one of chemical vials, and it spilt and splattered on us. We discovered that we were siren’s the next day after going to the beach, and that salt water makes us become siren’s.” Gaz explained.

“That’s why you and Dib didn’t want to go to the beach that day!” Professor Membrane realized. 

“Yeah that was why- we weren’t sure how to explain the whole siren thing to you…” Gaz confirmed.

“What was the chemical?” Professor Membrane asked.

“I don’t know exactly what it was, but it was red.” Gaz answered.

“Damn it! I intended that one to be a possible cure for this disease in fish! Not turn people into sirens! If you’d like I can figure out a cu-“ Professor Membrane face palmed, “It’s okay Dad. You don’t need to find a cure. Me and Dib are fine with being like this.” Gaz interrupted, assuringly. 

“Well, better go find Dibert!” Professor Membrane decided. 

Gaz almost spat out her juice upon hearing that, considering Dib was pretty much never referred to by his full name.

2:30 am, Zim’s base.

Zim was lying on the couch, tears streaming down his face.

The whole base was a mess, food packaging and trash on the floor, empty glasses and used dishes scattered around, along with a few candy wrappers that littered the couch. 

It reeked of the fragrant stench of rotting food. 

Skoodge was still hanging out with Tenn and Keef, he probably wouldn’t be back for a few hours.

“I miss Dib… I miss that stinky human- no fish! so much!” Zim sobbed.

Zim continued to sob into the couch cushions, crying himself to sleep.

Zim sat in a chair, glancing at Dib, who was in a hospital bed.

Zim held Dib’s hand, Dib turned to face his boyfriend. “I don’t think I’m going to be here for much longer Zim…” Dib began, “really??” Zim questioned, he didn’t want that to be true.

Dib nodded, the heart beat monitor began showing that his heart beat was slowing down.

Dib sat up with the remaining energy he had, “I want you to know that I love you so much. You’re my the star to my sky, you’re the forest to my mothman. You’re the cheese to my nachos. You’re my everything.”  He continued.

“But.. unfortunately my time has come.. I must go.” Dib finished tearfully, “I love you.” They said before pressing their lips against Zim’s, for the first and final time, “I love you too, my stinky siren.” Zim cried before Dib passed away, their hand going cold and lifeless, their no longer beating. The line on the heart monitor turning straight.  A loud beep was heard as Zim sobbed into its now dead lover’s coat. 

“No! No!” It shouted.

Zim held the coat in its hands, as it watched Gaz and the rest of the Membrane family begin mourning the loss of their beloved family member. 

“Master! MASTER!!!” 

Zim’s eyes shot wide open. Tears filled xyr eyes, xe glanced around the room in confusion “Master?” Xe heard Gir say, Zim glanced up at it. “Did you have a nightmare? I heard you saying “no! no!” And you looked sad.” Gir frowned.

“Oh thank irk- it was just a nightmare…” Zim sniffled, sitting up as Gir hugged xyr tight.

“Here’s a tissue Master!”  Gir smiled as it handed a tissue to xyr, “Thank you.” Zim replied, hugging the stinky robot tight.

Zim wiped away his tears and put on his disguise, he was hoping that a walk would help him clear his thoughts.

Zim noticed the rain drops on the windows and went to fetch its paste.

Zim applied the paste on itself, put on a hoodie and grabbed its umbrella before going outside, Gir followed suit.

“Where are you going, master?” Gir asked as it padded beside xem. “I don’t know.” Zim replied, xyr voice sounded horse. 

“Are you okay?” Gir asked in a concerned tone. “Yes, I am fine Gir.” Zim lied. 

Zim crawled on the side of a building using his pak legs, soon reaching the rooftop. 

Zim sat on the wet roof, Gir huddled underneath the umbrella.

Zim stared up at the gloomy night sky, gray rain clouds surrounded the full moon, this weather just made him feel worse.

Zim felt a tear roll down his cheek. 

“This place is not the same without you.” He croaked, Gir gave him a sympathetic look.

“It’s okay master! We’ll find Mary!” Gir assured with a smile, Zim looked at Gir, eyes filled with tears.

“I don’t know about that Gir…” Zim finally replied, looking away from the sir unit and back at the moon. 

The smile faded  from Gir’s face, now a frown was in its place. 

5:30 am, unknown beach. 

Dib opened his eyes, hacking up fresh water. 

Where are am? Dib wondered as he glanced around, trying to figure out where the hell he was. 

He glanced around, hoping it’d give him a clue.

It didn’t though, they were still confused.

The only thing they knew was that they were on a fresh water beach somewhere.

“I’m probably really far from home…” Dib sighed as he glanced down at his tattered coat, it had a few small rips in it.

“I guess I’ll have to fix that when I get home… if I ever do get home…” Dib remarked, kicking down on spot on the sand.

This whole situation could’ve been easily avoided. 

I shouldn’t have said that… Dib thought, I should have kept my mouth shut…

Dib glanced at up at the sky, it was twilight, the dark night sky began to fade, making way for the sunrise.

“I miss you Spaceboy…” he said to himself, knowing there was no one there to listen, “it’s not the same without you.” He adds.

Dib felt his eyes start to get puffy. No. Don’t cry. He tried to tell himself but, he couldn’t keep his tears contained any longer.

Dib started sobbing, they tried to stop but couldn’t, they crashed on the sand, using their trench coat like a pillow. They missed their space roach so fucking much.

He then looked down at his hands, realizing he was starting to transform into a siren.

Oh god- it’s not just salt water- it’s salty liquids too..

“I miss that bug!” Dib hysterically cried, wishing Zim was with them right now. 

Zim and Gir had went home after a few hours. 

It was now 6:30 am.

“Hey Zim, where’d you go? I just got home.” Skoodge asked, “Just for a walk.” Zim answered with a sniffle, then dramatically crashing on the couch and sobbing into it. 

Poor guy…. Skoodge thought to himself. 

Gir couldn’t help but feel terrible for Zim. It had to do something.

“I MISS MY DIB STINK!!!” Zim wailed hysterically in the cushions. 

“Someone needs a hug!” Gir said, gently nudging him and helping xe sit up. 

Gir hugged Zim tight, “thank you Gir.” Zim sobbed “Me and Skoodgey  are gonna go find Mary!” Gir assured 

Skoodge looked confused, “I didn’t agree to that?” He remarked.

“There’s no use Gir…  their probably dead by now.” Zim sniffled, glancing away from xyr sir unit. 

Gir frowned, maybe I can do something to make master happy! Gir thought, it then let go of Zim and left the house, Zim went back to sobbing into xyr couch.

Gir and Skoodge went down to the lab through the toilet.

“How do you think we can help Zim?” Skoodge inquired, “We can find Bighead and bring him back home! Then we can dance with dah squirrels!” Gir answered with a smile.

“Not sure about the “Dancing with squirrels” part but I think we can figure out where to find him!” Skoodge replied in agreement.

“How are we going to find him?” Skoodge asked, hoping Gir had an answer.

“I know just the girl!” Gir answered. 

Skoodge and Gir went to the second floor through the elevator.

Skoodge put on his eye contacts and wig before Gir rushed out the door and rushed to Tak’s base, dragging him by the hand. 

“Where are we going?” Skoodge panted “You’ll see!!!” Gir beamed. 

The two made it, they stood in front a of a Victorian style house.

Isn’t this Tak’s base? Skoodge mused 

Gir knocked on the door, fidgeting with impatience.

After a moment, which to Gir, felt like ages, Tak answered. 

Tak looked at Gir and Skoodge with an annoyed expression on her face. “What is it?”she uttered, Mimi stood beside Tak’s leg. 

“Hello Gir, Hi Skoodge.” Mimi greeted, “We need your help.” Skoodge said. 

Tenn peeked their over Tak’s shoulder.

Tak rose an eyebrow. What did Skoodge and Gir need help with?

“My master has been very  sad ever since Mary disappeared…” Gir began “who’s Mary?” Tak questioned. “that’s Gir’s nickname for Dib.” Skoodge clarified.

“Yeah um… Zim’s been in shambles ever since Dib got swept away… he hasn’t been doing well… there’s trash everywhere and he’s having trouble taking care of himself… like eating and stuff…” Skoodge adds with a frown.

A frown formed on Tak’s face. While, most of time, she absolutely despised Zim and hated his guts, she couldn’t help but feel bad for him right now.

Tenn frowned. 

“He worries about that boy so much!” Gir adds, beginning to sniffle.

“Oh yeah uh… Gaz told me about that…” she sighed. “She feels really bad about it…” she adds. 

“I was wonderin’ if you could help us get Mary back so master could be happy again…” Gir said softly.

“I’ll help you Gir. You’re my friend.” Mimi proclaimed. 

“I’ll help you guys!” Tenn proclaimed.

“Mimi? You’re friends with Gir?” Tak couldn’t believe the words mew had heard come out of mew’s sir unit’s mouth. Mimi nodded “I’m surprised you didn’t notice sooner.” It admitted. “Well, If Mimi wants to help you, I suppose I should too. Let’s  go to Gaz and Dib’s house and figure out a plan.” Tak suggested, Gir and Mimi nodded in approval.

Tak and Tenn walked out the front door, Gir, Skoodge and Mimi followed, they began to walk around. 

“I think we should go get Zim and Keef to.” Mimi pointed out, “Yeeah!!” Gir chirped in agreement, Skoodge nodded as well. “I understand the Zim part, but why do we also need to get Keef to?” Tak questioned, “Well, Keef is a friend of both Zim and Dib, he may have an idea of how to help us find Dib stink.” Mimi answered, “Hey that’s master’s line!” Gir blurted.

Tak glanced at Mimi, Skoodge and Gir, “Do you know where Keef’s house is? I have no idea.” She asked “it should be right around there.” Skoodge guessed, pointing to a nearby neighborhood.

Tak nodded, Mimi, Skoodge, Tenn, Gir and Tak walked into the neighborhood as the leaves rustled in the breeze.

“I think this is his house.” Skoodge guessed, then jumping up to reach the door bell.

I hate being short. Skoodge thought. 

He was soon greeted by Keef, and their younger brother, Meef.

“Oh! Hi Skoodge! Hi Tak! Hi Tenn!” Keef smiled, Meef waved in greeting.

“Hey Keef, sorry if I’m bothering you or anything but, Mimi thought you might how to help us find Dib.” Skoodge began, “Gaz regrets what she did and feels really bad about it… and as you know, Zim is depressed now..” Tak continued, “And we know that you’re friends with Dib and Zim so we figured you may be able to help us out.” Tenn finished.

Keef scratched their chin for a moment. 

“Hm… I know just where we should look.” Keef began, “The beach.” Keef proclaimed.

“Alright then, we’ll see you soon.” Tak replied with a nod, then waving goodbye and leaving, Skoodge, Gir, Tenn and Mimi following her.

“I’m gonna go tell Zim.” Tak said “Alright then, we’ll be at Waffle Cottage.” Skoodge replied, Tak just gave him a thumbs up. 

Tak made her away to Zim’s base, she noticed it was unlocked, but she knocked on it anyway.

“Come in I guess.” Zim replied sluggishly. 

Tak opened the door, she was in shock upon opening it. 

Trash littered the floors, empty soda cans near the couch, candy wrappers covered the couch. 

She knew it would be dirty but, she didn’t think it would be that bad. Especially considering how Zim was a massive germaphobe. 

Skoodge and Gir  were not kidding when they talked about the state of Zim’s base.

“What’s with all this rubbish??” She questioned, Zim let out a whimper in response. 

He looked very sad and pathetic looking, like a drenched, soaking wet handkerchief. His antennae were flattened against his head and he looked like he been crying for who knows how long.

“Anyway Zim, we’re going to go find your “Dib stink.” Tak said, Zim perked up as soon as mew said that, looking up to face mew. “You’re going to look for Dib?” He questioned, wiping his tears away, Tak nodded.

A large grin appeared on his face. “Thank you“ Zim sniffled “Mhm.” Tak responded, rolling mew’s eyes. “We’re heading to the beach to look for him.” Tak adds. “Okay! I’ll be there soon!” Zim beamed, its eyes then trailed off, glancing at the garbage that littered the base, “after I clean this all up…” it adds.

“Okay, we’ll give you sometime.” Tak said before leaving. 

Zim began to clean up all the garbage.

At was about 45 minutes later, Tak, Gaz, Skoodge, Tenn  Mimi, Professor Membrane and Keef waited for Zim and Gir.

“Ugh. What’s taking them so long?!” Gaz wondered, “Zim had a lot of rubbish to clean up, you should’ve seen it for yourself, it was a lot.” Tak replied. “Rubbish??” Gaz was a bit confused by what her girlfriend had just said. “It’s another word for garbage or trash.” Tak clarified, Gaz let out an “oooh.”

Zim then arrived at the beach. “HELLO EARTH SMELLIES!!!” He grinned cheekily, “Hey Zim.” Keef greeted, “We’re gonna go look for Dib. We’re all gonna split up.” Gaz explained.

“I guess me Zim and Keef will use my ship. I think we can both fit in there. Gir and Mimi can probably fit in there too. Oh and Minimoose.” 

“Cool. Me, Dad, Tenn and Skoodge will go by car.” 

“Alright then, sounds like a plan!”

Tak, Zim and Keef got into Tak’s ship.

“What is he doing in here?!” Tak’s ship demanded.

“Look ship, I’m not exactly thrilled about the arrangement either, but you’re going to have to deal with it for now.” Tak said. 

Gaz and Professor Membrane got in the car, Gaz sat in the front seat, and Skoodge and Tenn sat in back.

Skoodge munched on some space chips and doodled in his sketchbook, Tenn played some Vampire Piggy Hunter on her Gameslave as it munched on some chips, licking the residue of purr’s fingers.

Gaz snacked on her strawberry gummies as she was drawing vampire piggy hunter fanart. 

Tak and Zim hovered over the ocean, “any sign of him?” Tak questioned, Zim nodded his head.

“I’m gonna sing the peanut butter jelly song now!” Gir giggled “No Gir. Not now.” Zim said sternly. Gir frowned.

Keef snacked on some chips, “can I have some?” Gir asked “sure!” Keef replied, handing a handful to Gir. 

“IM GONNA SING IT NOW!!” Gir cheered with a massive, dopey looking grin on his face.

“ITZ PEANUT BUTTER JELLY TIME!!! PEANUT BUTTER JELLY TIME!!!! PEANUT BUTTER JELLY TIME!!!” Gir shouted.

Zim and Tak had their antennae flattened against their heads with annoyed expressions on their faces.

Keef just awkwardly sat there, and Mimi started doing some dances moves she had seen in some music video on mtv.

“Gir. Please not now.” Tak requested “it’s a bit distracting.” She adds. 

Unfortunately for her and Zim, Gir continued to sing the rest of the song. “Where did it even hear this song?!” Zim blurted as he took a sip from a can of cola, “probably the Internet.” Tak guessed.

“The internet? Where would he have gotten Internet access?” Zim questioned, raising an eyebrow. “I don’t have this thing called “Internet” he adds.

“Hm… maybe the Library?” Tak suggested “Nah, Gir couldn’t have gotten it from the Library. He’s banned from there.” Zim disproved. “I- how did he get banned from the Library?” Tak questioned “You don’t want to know.” Zim answered.

“Then… Maybe a restaurant?” Keef suggested “Hm… maybe.” Zim said, “I got access to dah Internet from bighead’s sister! I used her computer!” Gir smiled, Tak’s jaw dropped.

“Did you ask her first?!” She demanded “nope.. but when she found out she wasn’t mad at me!” Gir replied.

“Gir. You have to ask someone before using their computer or something.” Tak said “Okie dokie! I’ll be sure to ask next time!” Gir assured.

Mimi snacked on some gummy bears Gaz had given her, they tasted like grapes.

Zim scanned the area for any sign of Dib.

Professor Membrane drove around “where do you think he’d be?” He questioned, turning to face his daughter and Skoodge. 

“Probably washed up on a beach or something.” Gaz guessed, Skoodge and Tenn nodded, Professor Membrane nodded and drove to the nearest beach. 

Dib awoke on the beach again, noticing he was back to normal.

He let out a sigh of relief, I should figure out how to get out of this place. Dib decided.

Dib walked around the beach, hoping he’d find someone to help him.

As he walked he noticed a teenager in the distance, who looked around 15 or 16 years old. 

They were wearing a Hawaiian shirt and shorts, with addition of sandals. They were dressed like Adam Sandler. They also had ginger, curly hair and olive green eyes.

“Hey kid, who are you?” They asked, they’d noticed Dib. 

“Hey um. Sorry if this sounds weird but… what is this place?” Dib asked, hoping they’d receive an answer.

“Clear Water Beach South Haven. Also kid, what happened to you? You look rough.” The teenager expressed.

Clear Water Beach?! That’s where the fresh water subspecies of the Detroit Beach Monster was spotted! Dib thought with excitement.

“Thanks. I ended up here after I was swept away by a strong current and washed up here.” Dib answered.

“Damn I’m sorry that happened, glad you’re okay though!” They sympathized. 

“Where are you from?” They asked, “Detroit.” Dib answered.

“Ah, Detroiter I see!” They remarked with a smile, Dib nodded, “My friend’s aunt lives there.” They add.

“I was wondering if you could help me get home… I understand if you can’t though.” Dib said understandingly. 

“Oh yeah, i definitely can! What’s your name?” They asked.

“Dib. Dib Membrane.” Dib enunciated. 

“Cool. My, name’s Spider.” Spider said. “Wait a moment… aren’t you Professor Membrane’s son?” Spider assumed.

Dib nodded.

“What’s your Dad’s phone number? Maybe I can call him.” Spider proposed. 

“555 555 555” Dib recalled, Spider gave them a thumbs up and dialed his number.

Meanwhile, Professor Membrane and Gaz searched nearby beaches for Dib.

Professor Membrane’s phone started to ring.

Gaz noticed. “Hey Dad, your phone’s going off.” Gaz said, Professor Membrane then grabbed his phone out of his pocket

“Hm.. call from South Haven..” He mumbled, then picking up the phone.

“Hello. This is Membrane Labs. What is your concern?” Professor Membrane said “Hello sir, I’d just like to inform you that I have found your son. We’re at Clear Water Beach in South Haven.” Spider informed. “Oh thank you so much!” Professor Membrane beamed gratefully “we’ll be right there!” He adds, then hanging up.

Gaz and Professor Membrane headed back to the car, Professor Membrane set a course for South Haven.

Gaz then called Zim and Tak.

“Hey Zim, Hi Tak~ someone found Dib. We’re heading to South Haven.” Gaz said.

“I’M GONNA SEE MY DIB STINK AGAIN!!!” Zim shouted joyfully, jumping up and down.

“Anyways  bye Tak, Zim, bye Tak~ see you guys soon.” Gaz finished before hanging up. “You said Tak’s name twice?” Skoodge commented “I love Tak.” Gaz replied. 

Gaz stared out the window in boredom. “Are we there yet?” She grumbled as she looked out the window, “Nope.” Professor Membrane replied. Gaz let out a groan and pulled out her Gameslave, hoping it’d keep her busy.

Skoodge just stared out the window and admired the trees, and 80’s pop music blasted through Tenn’s headphones. 

Gaz played some Vampire Piggy Hunter. This is fun. But it’s even funnier when Tak’s around. She mused. 

It was about 2, almost three hours later, they had arrived at Clear Water Beach.

“FINALLY!!!” Gaz shouted, sick of sitting in the car for so long. 

Skoodge unbuckled his seat belt, ready to get out of the car.

Gaz immediately unbuckled her seat belt, swung open the car door and got out.

Skoodge and Tenn got out a moment later. 

Professor Membrane got out of the car as well and walked over to the beach, Gaz and Skoodge followed suit.

There was Spider and Dib.

“Dad!!!” Dib shouted happily, running over to Professor Membrane, hugging him tight.

“We were so worried about you son!” Professor Membrane exclaimed, “I know… I’m sorry.” Dib apologized.

“You should’ve seen how worried Zim was  while you were gone. He was a complete wreck without you. Tak said his base was covered in garbage.” Gaz commented “Oh… poor thing…” Dib frowned.

“Thank you! Uh? What’s your name?” Professor Membrane asked, “Spider.” Spider answered, “Thank you Spider.” Professor Membrane replied. 

“No problem!” Spider smiled “How could I ever repay you…” Professor Membrane trailed off “You don’t need to repay me.” Spider assured.

“Well… I better get going, maybe I’ll see you again someday?” Spider adds, then waving a goodbye, Dib and Gaz gave them their thanks and waved goodbye to.

Soon Zim, Tak, Mimi, Minimoose, Gir and Keef arrived. 

“Dib stink?” Zim questioned, not believing his eyes. “Zim?” Dib questioned back, “DIB STINK!!!” Zim shouted, dashing over to him.

“ZIM!!!” Dib shouted back, dashing towards Zim and running up to him, nearly knocking him to the sand.

“Spaceboy, I’ve missed you.” Dib sniffled softly, he was about to cry, but this time, not of anger, sadness, pain or frustration. Of joy.

“I’ve missed you too, Dib stink.” Zim smiled, “don’t leave me ever again!” He adds, “I promise I won’t.” Dib promised with a smile as he stroked  Zim’s soft wig. 

“I- I never thought I’d see you again.” Zim admitted with a sniffle. “Me neither.” Dib admitted as well. 

Zim then pulled Dib close. 

“I um..” Zim uttered, then pressing his lips against Dib’s, loads of blush appeared from Dib’s face, his eyes widened of shock, then closing them.

Zim then pulled away, “I’ve been studying human love… thingys.” Zim blushed. Dib just smiled in response.

Tak and Gaz looked at each other. “I’m glad those two idiots are back together again.” Gaz said.

“Aww! They love each other!” Keef gushed, Skoodge and Mimi smiled and nodded in approval.

Minimoose let out a squeak.

“Good for them.” Professor Membrane grinned.

“MASTEH AND BIGHEAD SITTIN’ IN A TREEE!!’ K-I-S-S-I-N-G!!! FIRST COMES LUV, THEN COMES MARRIAGE THEN COMES DAH BABIES IN DAH BABY CARRIAGE!!!” Gir shoutly teasingly. 

Zim and Dib looked very embarrassed. 

“Hey Dad. I’m going back home with Tak.”

“Alright then.” 

Keef looked at Skoodge. “Is fine if I go with you guys?”

“Sure, why not!” 

Zim held Dib’s hand as they walked to the car, Dib opened the car door with his free hand, the two then took a seat and buckled themselves in. 

Dib rest his head on Zim’s shoulder, tears of joy rolling down his face. “I love you Zim.” He sniffled, “Zim loves you too, Dib fish.” Zim smiled, then giving Dib a kiss on the forehead.

Gir cuddled up beside Zim and soon drifted off to sleep.

Skoodge and Keef sat in the seats in the very back. Skoodge watched in awe as Keef drew something in his sketch book. 

“What are you drawing?” He asked, “Something to remember this adventure by!” Keef smiled, it was a little drawing of everyone as stick figures, with a sunset and beach in the background, all drawn in crayon. 

Keef had written “The “Get Zim’s Dib stink back Adventure” on it. 

Skoodge just smiled, Keef smiled back as the two glanced out the window as they drove past trees.

Gaz and Tak sat in Tak’s ship, Mimi snoozed on Gaz’s lap, much like how a normal cat would.

“I’m glad everything turned out okay.” Gaz said.

“Me too.” Tak replied as she sipped on some soda.

Gaz glanced at Tak. 

“How was the trip?” She asked. 

“Fine. Other than Gir being a little bit annoying at times.” Tak answered, with a sip of mew’s cola. 

“Oh god… what was he doing?” Gaz asked. 

“Singing “Peanut Butter Jelly Time” over and over again.” Tak answered.

Gaz shook her head and faced palmed, before the two reached Gaz and Dib’s house.

Dib, Zim, Gaz, Tak, Keef, Skoodge and Tenn watched as the interview aired.

Dib had been interviewed by a news station earlier that day about his disappearance.

Dib sat on a couch in a recording room, Zim sat beside him. 

“Breaking News! Missing 12 year old boy has been found!” The new’s anchor began.  

“This is his story of how he was able to get back home.” The news anchor adds, the camera then turning to look at Dib and Zim. 

“How did you manage to get back home?” She asked, “Well after I washed up on a beach in South Haven  I looked around for help, and I met a person Spider. I asked them where I was and they told me that I was in South Haven. I then asked them if they could help me get home and they said that they could, and I gave them my Dad’s phone number and they called him and told him that I was there. And then my Dad, sister and my friends arrived and i arrived home safely.” Dib explained.

“How did you survive out on the water?” The news anchor asked. 

“Well, I was knocked out by the rip current so I don’t remember much.” Dib answered. 

“Well, I’m glad you were able to get back home!” The news anchor smiled “Me too, and I have Spider to thank.” Dib smiled back.

Dib then looked directly at the camera, “Spider, if you’re seeing this somehow, I’d like to thank you once again.” Dib smiled warmly, the interview then ended, and a different news report began.

“BREAKING NEWS!!! LOCAL CHICKY LICKY HAS BEEN ROBBED!!!”

“Can’t have shit in Detroit.” Dib remarked with a bite of his lip. “Yep.” Gaz agreed as she had her head on Tak’s shoulder. The others nodded in agreement.

“Where’s Gir,Mimi, Vir and Sir?” Dib asked.

“They’re watching Shrek upstairs with that little DVD player thingy.” Zim answered.

The group of sir units came running downstairs.

Gir cut off the tv and placed the DVD player on the tv stand, turning the volume up all the way.

“What are you doing?” Zim asked.

“I THOUGHT LUV WAS ONLY TRUE IN FAIRY TALEZ!!!” Gir began to sing.

“Oh irk-“ Zim grumbled.

Mimi was banging on a keyboard.

“Stop Gir!” Zim demanded 

Tenn glanced at Tak. “Where did that come from?” They asked, Tak just shrugged mew’s shoulders.

“Hold on.” Tak said, running out of the room, fetching her bass.

Gaz plugged in her amp and electric guitar. Dib glanced at Zim with a confused expression.

Gir shouted the lyrics as Mimi banged on the keyboard and Vir smacked some frying pans together. 

“AND THEN I SAW HER FACE!!!! IMA BELIEVEA!!!!” Gir screamed, Gaz playing the riff on her electric guitar. 

Dib grabbed Zim’s hand, “Wanna dance with me?” He asked, Zim nodded.

The two began to dance to the song, Professor Membrane, Clembrane and the others joined in. 

Skoodge did some ridiculous break dancing moves and Keef did some weird dance moves he had made up, Tenn was doing a dance from a 80s music video, Clembrane was doing the worm while Professor Membrane did some random dance moves. 

Once the mini concert finished, Skoodge went to Keef’s house, Tak, Tenn, Mimi and Gaz went to Tak’s base, and Zim stayed at Dib’s house.

It was now the last day of school, Dib and Zim stood near the lockers, Zim was hiding something behind his back. 

“I got this for you..” Zim said before giving Dib a bouquet of flowers.

Dib smiled, they were his favorite, red daisies. 

“Thank you.” Dib smiled, pulling Zim into a hug and giving him a kiss on the cheek. 

Dib could hear Sarah shouting “Ooo Dib’s got a boyfriend!!!” 

“Look’s like the two freak’s are in love now. Good for them I guess.” Jessica remarked at the sight. 

Soon Jessica, Letty and Sarah walked away. 

“Uh… I’ve been studying how you humans show each other affection and I noticed that you guys give each other flowers.” Zim said.

Dib didn’t say anything and just smiled in response.

Surprisingly, Zim wasn’t wearing his invader uniform, rather he was wearing a white blink 182 shirt and some ripped up denim shorts, he was still wearing his boots though. 

“What’s with the outfit change?” Dib asked.

“Zim was too hot.” Zim answered, then sipping some space cola. 

“Where did you get the shirt?” Dib asked.

“That store You, Tak and your scary sister shop at.” Zim replied.

“Oh. You mean Hot Topic?” Dib questioned.

Zim nodded.

“Skoodge introduced me to Twink 183” Zim said. 

Gaz and Tak stood near by, over hearing the conversation, they began to laugh.

“Twink 183-“ Dib started wheezing, rolling on floor

Zim looked at everyone in confusion.

“It’s actually called blink 182 Zim.” Dib retorted it.

“OH-“ Zim uttered, now realizing why everyone had given him confused looks.

“Does anyone have plans? Keef questioned as he gathered his things,  “Maybe we can go something later today.” He adds. 

“Me and Gaz were playing on going to the mall and buying some cds and getting a new game that’s gonna be coming out at midnight. We were also planning on heading to the beach.” Tak said.

“Me and the Dib were planning on going to the beach after this.” Zim smiled.

“Me and Skoodge don’t have any plans.” Tenn said. 

“Hm. Let’s all go to the beach then” Keef smiled, “Alright then, sounds like a plan!” Tenn smiled back.

The group then made their way to the beach after gathering their things and getting ready.

All The Small Things by blink 182 blasted through the boombox as  Skoodge, Tenn and Keef played a game of volleyball, Tak and Gaz ate their popsicles as they prepared for some swimming, and Dib and Zim sunbathed as Dib munched on some fruit.

“What is that?” Zim questioned as it watched Dib eat a strawberry, “It’s a strawberry.” Dib answered, “Can I have one?” Zim asked, “Sure” Dib replied, handing one to Zim.

Zim munched on it and licked its lips after, “I think I found my new favorite earth food.” Zim smiled, Dib just smiled back, watching the waves as they lapped the shore, holding Zim’s hand.

The End… Or Maybe Not?