WARNING; this chapter contains clear ZADR. Zim And Dib Romance. I've said multiple times, this story is a ZADR fic. Sooner or later I'm gunna stop these warnings. If haters continue reading it's their own fault. All that flaming will do for them is let everyone know they're immiture and stupid and don't read warnings.

Once again, thanks for reviews and everything else~!

~~~•~~~

"The Dib is absolutely positive your parent and sister units will not be at your home when we get there?"

Zim was walking along right next to Dib, holding his hand with one of his own clawed, ungloved talons, and Zim's other hand was in a pocket of the fluffy, purple sweater he'd gotten. Dib had thought they should put on the new clothes since they'd been wearing the same clothes for too long, and they were getting covered in sweat- at least Dib was. He didn't know if Irkens sweated like humans or not. He was pretty sure he'd seen Zim's skin glisten from sweat in the summer, but it might be a totally different substance. Who knew? Dib would sure like to know, but right now they were going to his house so he could cook himself some food.

The valentines day colors of the soft jacket-sweater Zim wore, contrasted his green skin in a pretty way. The garment was a bit big, and hung off his skinny frame like Dib's T-shirt had, but at least it seemed to be keeping him warm. He was also wearing the new pair of pants Dib had got him, since the others were so incredibly dirty and Dib had to cut off one leg in the bandaging process.

Zim was still wearing Dib's T-shirt underneath his jacket. He had refused to take it off. He liked it.

Zim's now fluffier wig blew around in the chilly breeze like REAL HAIR for once instead of just sitting stiff, and Dib blushed slightly, analyzing it again, golden eyes taking in how Zim had been trying to copy how his tallest did his own hair. It turned out only vaguely like Dib's but the boy just knew, he could tell, like an instinct, like how a parent can look at their child's scribbles and know exactly what they drew. By normal standards Zim had failed in his styling. All Dib cared about was how the Irken had poured his heart into it, trying to get a smile from his human leader, trying to imitate, trying to be like him. Dib wanted to ruffle the fuzzy mess. He felt so... proud, so... pleased, happy. Zim made him light right up; Zim TRIED to make him light right up.

Zim looked and caught Dib staring and the teen blushed even more then he already had been. He went to turn away, avert his eyes, looking almost flustered, but Zim only smiled at him, and made his happy, squeaky sound.

Zim was still a little nervous about the idea of Dib possibly not wanting to go back to the base if they started making regular trips to the earth dwelling, but for now he was less concerned. His leader seemed happy about something, and that automatically caused Zim to be in a good mood.

Dib made a point not to look at Zim now, head turned slightly the other way. Did Zim see him blushing? Dib knew he was blushing, his face felt hot. Did Zim know what that meant? Dib continued wonder, but his mind went from this to other things.

Did he love Zim? He wanted to deny but this was serious. He needed to give himself a chance to take it seriously. If he did love Zim, how long had it been for? Or was it something just beginning? How would Zim react?

Would Zim love him back? Was such a thing even possible for an Irken? Zim seemed to have normal human emotions now, but they WERE different species. Zim might feel things differently from a human, which would make things awkward in situations like, say, would normal human signs of affection get him excited, or just weird him out?

Dib wanted to push this matter out of mind but Zim dominated his every thought, and now, when he thought about his Irken, these questions would start.

He really, really hoped Zim would like him back.

Was all this admiration and everything else, the way Zim acted towards him, was every, last bit just because of his height, and his rank over Zim?

He really wanted to think that at least some small part might be due to something else. Might be because Zim might really like him, love him.

Dib had admired Zim for a long time, since long before the alien's abandonment. He 'liked' him on some level even while they were still fighting, even when he tried to say and convince himself that he hated Zim.

Now their only difference, the one reason for their enmity, Zim's mission, that was dropped. Gone. Burnt to ash, ash blown away on bitter-sweet, flowery breezes.

Yes, it was bitter-sweet. It was over, never to be returned to. They'd both made some memories during that time. From Dib's point of view, who else in the whole world could say they were sole defender of earth, fighting an alien threat? Now that was over. He was overjoyed to own Zim now like he did, but humans only lived so long. That might turn out to have been the most amazing thing he would ever do. Now it was over.

It hadn't been all war and hate. A lot of it was fun. Competition, playful even.

They had made memories.

Now, hatred was uprooted and gone. Admiration was left where it was and it was growing. At least for Dib.

The boy wished more then ever that he could see in Zim's mind. See how HE felt. If he had thoughts that were in ANY way similar, as far as attractions and fondness.

Dib looked over as they walked down the sidewalk but Zim didn't notice his stares this time and kept his eyes fixed ahead, unreadable to Dib.

~~~•~~~

They walked up the sidewalk to the door of the Membrane household and Zim began to grow twitchy, holding his tallest's hand tighter. Dib felt it but held back any form of reaction, tried not to blush, while he opened the door. It was left unlocked and he walked right in.

Half-way across the living room, going towards the kitchen, Dib finally noticed his charge seemed tense.

"Zim?"

The Irken looked up to him and Dib saw a pleading sort of glimmer in his eyes.

The worries from when Dib had first announced they would come here were back. Zim really didn't wanna wind up staying here. He wanted to go back to his base. More then anything he wanted to be sitting in the medical room bringing Gir back. He wanted to fix Gir! Dib said he could!

He didn't want to end up stuck here.

Dib saw the look and frowned, curiously sympathetic.

"What's wrong?"

Needing some excuse, not wanting Dib to know his real thoughts, Zim looked around, then pointed across the room glaring viscously at a piece of furniture.

"You tried to kill Zim with that lamp once."

Dib had to hold back laughter.

"I only poked your eye."

"Lies!" Accusingly the Irken snarled and pouted, but continued holding the human's hand. Dib rolled his eyes.

"Sure, well, come on." Dib gestured with the hand Zim wasn't holding, which carried a large can of ravioli, towards the kitchen.

"I'm gunna heat this up, but first... You just reminded me,"

Dib knelt down by Zim, to be eye level with him. It seemed almost comical or symbolic, but Dib was almost sure, the eye that had been injured and was now bandaged over, was the same one he'd poked with the lamp as if in self-defense, just days from when Zim arrived on his planet, five years ago now.

"I wanna check your eye."

Zim's unbandaged, contact covered eye widened, and Dib noted him start to back up. It filled Dib with foreboding. He had asked Zim about his eye earlier, and the Irken had acted funny.

"Is something still wrong with it?" Every other injury the alien had attained were already fading scars. Why was Zim acting so... cornered?

Observantly, and starting to worry, Dib watched Zim bring his hands up to his chest and poke at the threads of his sweater, pulling nervously at anything loose.

"Not REALLY..."

Dib began to feel that swirling in his stomach again. Zim's answer was an obvious lie.

"Zim, come here." He was concerned but firm, and Zim obeyed sulkily, head lowered.

Zim felt ashamed. What would Dib say? Dib would be disappointed in him.

He felt Dib's fingers brushing his skin, he felt the bandage being unwound until it was loose enough to slip off. He felt it fall and heard Dib shift. Zim had the injured eye shut, normal eye staring fixedly at the floor.

"Can you open it?"

"Yes."

A pause followed.

"Why don't you? Does it hurt?"

Zim opened his mouth to say yes, maybe the lie would work, but before he could say a word the guilt crushed him. Dib would have to find out sooner or later. He should not be lying to his tallest. He did already once; he couldn't do it again. Couldn't be a traitor. Couldn't fail Dib.

"No. It doesn't hurt Zim."

Heavily, the irken sighed before looking up. He lifted the eyelid like it was some heavy burden or a dead body. He didn't want to lift it. He heard Dib gasp and inwardly flinched. He looked anywhere but at his tallest's face.

"Zim... That... Your eye!"

"Yes, Zim knows." Mostly, the alien's voice was monotone now. Zim was fighting hard to make it like that. To not show the hurt that came with a known weakness; this handicap.

The boy didn't know what to say. The orb was black and looked more metallic then liquid. He could no longer stare deeply into it, past it's surface like looking into a pool, like looking into Zim's other eye. Only the tiniest dot of firey light sat in the very center, unmoving. The light in the room from the windows didn't reflect off the eye like it was supposed to. It was mismatched horridly from Zim's other eye. It was scarred in a way that held little fascination or awe for Dib. Scars could be cool but this was Zim's eye! Zim's beautiful eye had been destroyed by those damn Irkens!

"You- You're sure that doesn't hurt?"

"There is no pain."

"Does it... itch?"

"No. There is nothing unpleasant Zim feels from it right now."

The boy paused as Zim looked up at him for a moment, then the little green being turned away again, apparently wanting to hide his face from Dib.

Rightfully, the alien was very unhappy. That was his EYE.

"Poor Zim..." Dib's list of things to feel sorry for the alien over was a long one.

"Can you still see out of it?"

It came as a nice surprise when Zim said yes. Dib had been assuming otherwise.

"Zim can still see, but things look ... Eh, different. Less defined in that optic... Just... Not... The same."

"Well, at least you can kindof see. That's good." Dib tried to be optimistic but his tone remained more sympathetic and upset.

Zim caught the tone and translated it to mean disappointment. He bit his lip, shoulders hunching a little, hands behind his back, playing with his own wrists nervously.

"Well... maybe, maybe it'll still heal!" The boy tried to offer this piece of hope, misreading the reason for why Zim was so downcast over his eye. Dib assumed the irken was upset in the same way anyone would be. This was permanent bodily damage. That was scary and depressing to anyone!

To Zim the eye was hardly even a problem, it was what Dib thought of him that had him drooping his antennas flat against his head under the wig. He wanted to look nice for Dib. Wanted Dib to be proud to have Zim beside him. Now he NEVER could really look nice.

That THING would always be there. That black coal, staring out, marring his face.

It wasn't fair! It wasn't fair! It wasn't fair!

Dib was displeased. HE made Dib displeased.

It wasn't his fault!

It wasn't fair! It wasn't fair!

He could never look nice for Dib now. Never make him REALLY proud. There would always be that one flaw.

Emotions were consuming him. Zim absolutely refused to cry, but the sound of Dib so unimpressed, unhappy- with him, had him holding back whimpers. His good eye grew just slightly wet. He wanted to ramble out all his thoughts;

'I'm sorry! It wasn't my fault! Zim will cover it up or something! Please don't look at Zim like that! I just want to make you proud! I'm sorry I can't look nice for you now, but please give me the benefit of the doubt! Don't blame me! It's not my fault! I'd fix it if I could! I want to make you proud! I want to make you happy!"

Dib sighed, looking away and Zim bit his lip harder, again misreading the movement as a sign of disappointment.

Then the boy suddenly turned and pulled Zim forward.

The Irken squeaked, whimpering as he was suddenly restrained with firm force and tried to choke out an "I'm sorry," but he couldn't. He assumed he was being punished. He couldn't speak because if he did Dib would hear him almost crying. He refused to show more weakness.

It took several seconds for Zim to realize the boy was hugging him, not squeezing his organs out.

It was a wonderful realization. He began to purr automatically when Dib began running his knuckles up and down his spine in a very soothing manner. The sound rumbled loudly in Zim's chest and neck, mixed with an alien whirring.

Dib wasn't angry! Perhaps he wasn't even blaming Zim!

"It's okay. Hey, at least you're still alive right? You went through some real tough shit." Dib murmured softly against the smaller being's trembling antenna, which were hidden underneath his fake hair. His hand rubbed circles in Zim's back against tense muscles.

Zim felt a wave of relief, and nice feelings wash over him but he still fought to swallow down his urge to cry as fast as possible. He couldn't let Dib notice.

"Are you alright?"

A pause. Then; "Yes."

Dib smiled sadly. Zim was comforted, but that eye would never be the same.

Then a thought occurred to Dib.

Should he say something now? It was a nice sweet moment. All it would take was simply, 'you know, I really like you. You... you mean a lot to me...'

The words began playing themselves out in Dib's head but as seconds passed he began to lose a bit of his nerve. Would it be out of place? How would Zim react? Should he? Shouldn't he? Did he REALLY love Zim? Was this really love he felt towards Zim? Well, what else could urge him to comfort anyone like this; he was kneeling, hugging Zim to himself; hugging him for perhaps too long by now. What else could make him want more then anything to see Zim happy? What else could make him stare and drink up the appearance of the alien, and the way Zim moved?

Should he say something? This hug was lasting too long for just normal comfort over Zim's eye he thought. He needed to say something, do something, or pull away and lose his chance.

Zim felt the boy's hands move up to his shoulders as Dib leaned back. Zim had swallowed back his weak emotions, and was able to look at him, still feeling shamed over his eye but mostly blank, waiting and watching.

Dib's face was intense. Zim's eyes widened mildly. He could see the teen thinking hard, he looked worried, he kept looking away from Zim then back at him, like he was trying to say something but didn't want to, or was afraid. What could it be?

Zim's stomach dropped in fear that he'd be demoted because of his eye.

"My tallest?"

He tried his very best to sound soft and sweet and somewhat pleading and he pulled it off well. He didn't understand why the human's cheeks turned red when Dib heard him though.

Dib made firm eye contact, steeling himself. Zim felt his squeedily spooch tighten in apprehension. He was caught in the strength of Dib's gaze. His antenna leaned forward when Dib opened his mouth, ready to hear whatever thing he had to say that was of such obvious importance.

Zim was a little frightened. But something in him noticed the hormones in the boy's blood and grew excited, waiting, tense, hanging on the boys breaths to hear him say whatever he'd say. Something in him knew what this was about, and it cheered for Dib. It knew what the boy felt. Zim found himself wanting to hear so bad; 'say it! Say it!'

He felt that sensation like getting something you've wanted and worked for and waited for so long.

Dib began to say something but he couldn't get out a single sound. His eyes fell a little lower. His gaze fell hard on Zim's lips, staying there, staring.

He NEEDED to do SOMETHING.

It would be perfect, he couldn't talk right NOW, but even if Zim wouldn't understand the gesture Dib could explain it later! If he could muster up enough courage to- to KISS Zim, then talking shouldn't be the slightest problem!

Just thinking of how it would feel to claim those soft, green lips...

Dib's expression became more determined then ever, he began to lean forward just slightly.

"M-my tallest?"

Zim didn't understand the smell Dib was giving off, his hormones, what he was doing was strange to Zim. It was scaring him a little. He could hear the male's heart from here, it was beating so hard and fast.

"Is something wrong Dib-tallest?"

They were so close. Dib could taste Zim's sweet, misty breaths and it almost made him tremble. Dib licked his lips, leaning in and closing his eyes.

~•~

The bridge of his glasses pressed against Zim's face and held them millimeters apart.

~•~

Dib's eyes snapped open, realizing what an idiot he was, that those were getting in the way.

In that instant he lost all his nerve and nearly jumped backwards.

Zim had shut his eyes tight when Dib leaned in so close their faces brushed ever so slightly. He'd been fearful. What was Dib going to do? Bite him?

Now, as Dib stood up, brushing himself off, almost panting, heart beating faster then it ever had before, Zim was more confused then ever and exceedingly frightened. He didn't understand the warm tingle mixed with disappointment that was left to tickle his insides.

"My... my tallest... Dib... What... Are you alright?"

Dib took a long, slow, shaky breath and let it out in the same way, almost trembling.

"I... I just..." He couldn't bring himself to look at Zim and turned away, scratching the back of his neck.

"I'm... gunna go... cook the ravioli. Why don't you... watch TV or something... while I do that?"

"Uh, okay..." Zim said softly, hugging himself while backing away.

~~~•~~~

In a minute the little Irken was sitting on the couch. He'd put both contacts in since his injured eye was uncovered now and he needed to conceal its alien-ness. Some documentary was playing quietly but Zim paid it no attention at all. Dib had tried to do something to him that he did not understand. Dib seemed to WANT to do it VERY badly... but for some reason he couldn't? Was it scary to the human? Would it have hurt? What WAS it?

Zim was so confused, and a bit worried. The strong fear had left, he knew he could sense no hostility in Dib's scent; but there was a NEW smell about him.

It gave Zim a tingle, made him want to submit himself in a way he didn't understand.

Hadn't he smelled it before? Yes! Back in the med bay! After he'd been rubbing against Dib!

What was that feeling?

What did Dib try to do?

What was that smell in his scent?

They were connected- weren't they? All these things.

Zim wished so much that he only knew more.

Why did Dib stop? It was clear he wanted to do whatever he was doing so, SO badly. So why did he stop?

~~~•~~~

There was no one but the two members of the two person, Irken-human empire inside that house, and Zim was out of earshot, so only the walls could hear the frustrated and depressed-beyond-words teenager in the other room, banging his head against the wall and swearing under his breath, as the tomato sauce of his lunch bubbled away in its pot.

'Stupid, stupid, stupid!'

'I was so close!'

'Why?'

'It isn't fair! It isn't fair! It isn't fair!'

Dib didn't know now why he would even do that- try to KISS Zim? That was... that was... Wasn't that too much? Too much too soon? He didn't even know. What he did know was he'd been remarkably dumb, and had gotten close to something, that, in all honesty, he'd fantasized about once or twice even when they'd tried to insist they were still enemies. He'd got so close, and then he blew it.

Not only had he ruined what could have been their first kiss, but he'd ruined any hope of denying his attraction and deep care- his LOVE for Zim. Wonderful. Destructive multitasking.

'Damn glasses!'

'it isn't fair!'

~~~•~~~

Five minutes passed, and the two were finally calming down over what had happened, though Zim was still curious and confused beyond measure.

Dib brought his now cooked bowl of cheese-filled pasta in tomato sauce into the living room with him, and sat down on the couch, on the opposite end from Zim;

As far away from Zim as he could sit.

He was shoveling the food into his mouth, practically swallowing the spoon-fulls whole, wanting to fill his empty and pained stomach as fast as possible.

Zim waited for him to say something, but Dib was horribly quiet. It made Zim more confused, frustrated, frightened, and curious then ever. The Irken was overloading on mixed emotions over what happened and none of the feelings were good, and he didn't understand, and Dib wasn't explaining, and, and, and-

Zim's eyes snapped up suddenly, seeing movement through the window outside.

"Dib-tallest... Isn't that your father unit's car pulling into your drive-way?"

Dib's head snapped up and he choked on his mouthful of food.

~~~•~~~

XD Poor Dib-ness is not too happy I don't think.

I like teasing you with almost-kisses because I'm evil. :P

Dont worry though, the human will get his kisses...Especially considering... just a heads up, but the story is only a few chapters away from either an intermission, or its ending. We'll find out when we get there. Thank you dedicated readers. *bows*