Monsters and Ladybugs

by Kitteh and Neo

Three years later Dwicky comes back to fix what he messed up. But the little boy he left behind is no longer the same energetic soul from before and now may just be too broken to reach. DADR

12. Sessions 12

Monsters and Ladybugs
By Kitteh and NeoFox
Rating PG 13
Disclaimer Smeets will eat our souls if we dare claim Invader Zim. So yeah, Jhonen can keep his smeets of DOOM! We just want to borrow Dib and Dwicky for a fic, so calm yourselves.
Summary DADR. Three years later Dwicky comes back to fix what he messed up. But the little boy he left behind is no longer the same energetic soul from before and now may just be too broken to reach.
Beta Lint

Chapter 12

Music blared over speakers in high ceilings, and cash registers became completely over worked in a large department store that was settled in the center of the city. It was one of the few places, other than the mall, that people shopped at to buy clothes and other essentials needed for living; among the other optional pieces of everyday life.

It was in that very store that Dib stood with wide eyes, staring straight ahead as if doing anything else would cause the floor to open up and eat him. At first he had been okay with going into the place. After just getting his hair cut and having nothing extremely terrible happen, he figured it couldn't be so bad to pick out a few clothes, though he hadn't counted on there being so many people. Without even realizing it, he gave out a small noise and moved closer to the body beside him, though still kept his eyes ahead.

A comforting hand rested on Dib's shoulder, though not before subtly running through the newly cut hair first; the shaved hair in the back was just too temptingly fuzzy to not touch.

"It's alright, Dib. C'mon, you can do this." Dwicky leaned down to speak assuring words to him. "They only want what you want: good deals on cheap clothes at low, low prices." He rubbed the boy's shoulder and ushered him forward at a lazy pace. "I think the men's section is... over- there." He pointed to the left. "Or, wait, do we want the boy's section?" Dwicky glanced down at Dib and blinked decisively; Dib was so small for his age! "Yep. Definitely boy's." He gave a teasing chuckle.

Dib quickly shot a glare up at Dwicky for the teasing, his fear of human contact was forgotten for the moment, after a few quick seconds though, he dropped his gaze back down, allowing the other to lead him through the store and to where the clothes were. Every now and then, his eyes wandered on a certain person or just something that was on display. Once they reached their destination though, his eyes immediately ran over each rack that held every article of clothing. He gave a small, unsure look at everything before turning his eyes back up to Dwicky. "I can pick out whatever I want?"

Dwicky gave a smile and nodded in response. He patted Dib's back, coaxing him to go look. "Anything. Pick out a bunch of clothes and you can try them on in the changing rooms, to make sure they fit." He pointed across the way to the huge sign on the far wall that stated 'CHANGING ROOMS'. "Then after we can swing by and pick up some socks and un--"

"Can I help you and your son find what you're looking for?" a stalky store clerk burst forth from practically no where with great enthusiasm.

The sudden appearance of the woman had Dib jump almost a foot in the air, but it was her words which really grabbed his attention. After he calmed down a bit from the sudden surprise, his cheeks grew a bit red as the words registered and he stuttered a bit while trying to hide behind Dwicky. "I'm n-not...um..." He quickly trailed off, not really knowing how to continue, while at the same time, knowing it wouldn't be a good idea to continue anyway. His face grew redder, which he tried to hide behind the large jacket he wore.

"What is that, hon?" The woman leered forward, craning her head to listen. "I can't hear you."

Dwicky failed at everything else. His face flushed red, and his motor skills died as he raised a hand to point and speak up, but his mouth hung open and little to any proper noise left his mouth.

"Pardon?" the clerk blinked at either, truly daft. "Sir?" She glanced at Dib. "Sirs? You wanted underwear was it?"

"Huh?-..huma.. nyum!-...blagh." Dwicky gave up, letting his tongue loll out. His hand fell back down at his side, and his head fell down as well, defeated. "Damnit."

Dib glanced up at Dwicky with a nervous expression for a few seconds before finally turning his attention back on the clerk. It took him awhile to finally get the courage to speak up again, though he was able to not stutter like last time. He still stayed behind Dwicky as he did speak. "We're just looking for now. That's all."

"Are you sure? I know how underwear shopping can be really tough for a father." the clerk nodded her round head. "It's such an embarrassing garment to shop for." if she emphasized the words anymore, the whole store might then and there known what they were there for. "Want me to help you, hun? Without your dad hanging over your shoulder?" The clerk stepped nearer to Dib, rubbing her hands together with eager interest.

Another small blush came to Dib's cheeks before he realized the woman was getting closer to him. The action had him letting out a small noise before he quickly hid behind Dwicky even more, and shook his head against the man's back, his hands moving up to grip at the other for dear life. "N-No..." His words came out just as quiet as before. All the sudden courage was sucked out of him.

Dwicky was turning a rather nice ripe shade of crimson with each word. And he found himself taking a step back, right into Dib, his arms slipped rather protectively back to the boy. He gave a horribly nervous laugh as he waved a hand at the woman, hoping that would dismiss her in some sort of magical 'poof'; it didn't of course. "No! We're fine!" He backed up more, taking Dib with him. "We're- we're- we're going now!" Dwicky sharply turned around to face Dib. Twirling Dib around, he pushed the boy forward. "Run Dib!" he squeaked with a nervous laugh.

Dib didn't have to be told twice. As soon as the command left Dwicky's mouth, Dib immediately ran ahead, wanting to get as far as he could away from the scary clerk. He tried to wait up as best he could for Dwicky, but his own fear of the woman had him hurrying ahead a bit. He only stopped when he was back at the exit of the store, his back leaning against the glass doors, ready to sprint back outside if need be.

Dwicky jogged up to Dib, a hand placed on his own heart muttering a 'man, clerks are scary'. He took up Dib's wrist and dragged the boy back into the inner depths of the store. "I didn't mean run completely out of the store." He glanced back, giving a giddy chuckle, the red on his face hadn't died down at all. "We still have to get you clothes, clerk or not clerk." The man looked back in front of himself, murmuring 'preferably with no clerk'. Dwicky headed to a different part of the male section of the store, eyes glancing around for the scary clerks every so often.

Dib gave a small noise at being dragged along, but he didn't protest otherwise. His own eyes moved around as well, afraid that at any moment the woman from before would pop out of nowhere and try to grab him. The thought had him quicken his pace to walk alongside Dwicky, instead of behind him. "You don't think she'll bug us again, do you?" His eyes widened a bit and he quickly looked up at the other. "What if there's more just like her?"

Dwicky's gaze quickly flicked down to Dib. He wrapped an arm around the boy's shoulders, keeping him nice and close. "I'll protect you, Dib!" A look of determination fell on Dwicky's face and he immediately looked around. "No clerk will get you while I'm around!" The look instantly fell as Dwicky yanked Dib over to a rack of clothes with a slight squeal. "Oh! Hey! That's cute." He pulled something off the rack and held it to Dib's chest to consider.

A small squeak left Dib as he was yanked aside. Before he even had a chance to really figure out what was going on, Dwicky already had the article of clothing pressed against his chest and he blinked his eyes in confusion. "Cute?" The blush that had left his face before came back. "Isn't cute usually reserved for girls and little fuzzy things with fur?"

Dwicky paused for a long moment, looking around shifty eyed. He then slowly put the clothing back on the rack, dusting his hands after. "Maaaybe." He cleared his throat into a fist before shoving his hands into his pant's pockets. "Well. Then. Pick something you'd like. Something 'manly' or... -whatever adjective that suits your need." He gestured with good humor to the many array of racks and displays that laid out before them.

A small pout came over Dib's face before he turned his attention to the clothes in front of him. For a few seconds he just stood there, until he finally ventured among the many racks, running his fingers along the clothes. After a while, he finally picked out a small set of clothes and it wasn't long until his arms were full, and he walked back to Dwicky, barely able to look over the pile in his arms. "If I try some of these on you'll tell me what you think, right?" He tried his best to look up at the man, but a shirt on top of the pile blocked his view.

Dwicky couldn't help but laugh at the clothes pile with the dark scythe lock of hair peeking over the top. "Of course. You can model and pose for me." He walked behind Dib and ushered him towards the changing rooms, walking around the many obstacles of clothes racks and other buyers. When they got there, Dwicky waved to the clerk that was putting unbought clothes on hangers. "He's going to try things on." He pointed to the clothes pile with the pointy lock of hair in front of him. Dwicky then walked Dib into the hall with many stalls. "There's a free one. Go ahead and try them on."

Dib nodded his head before walking towards said stall and pushing his way past the door. Once he was inside, he set the clothes aside so he could close the door behind him and lock it. There was shuffling inside after, and clothes could be seen being tossed aside, as well as sneakers under the door.

"I think these are too small..." The words were said awhile later, and his feet curled under the door in sudden nervousness. Though there was a click and the door finally opened, allowing him to come out wearing something completely different. A small, sleeveless shirt hugged his top and below he wore shorts that went above his knees. The outfit didn't really cover his middle too well and he kept trying to cover the skin with his arms.

Dwicky's jaw dropped, and had it not been firmly attached to his skull, assuredly it would have plummeted through the dirty floor, past the Earth's crust, past the core, and straight through out the other side of the planet. He made a few noises, most of them throaty, and an inappropriate warmth crossed over his face. Promptly, he pushed his jaw back up with a finger, clacking his teeth closed. He blinked. "Ow, my tongue!" Dwicky rubbed his mouth and looked around shifty eyed once more, murmuring to himself 'I don't think it's too small'. He bit the nail of his thumb, trying to restrain himself; Dib in wussy shorts, a convenient stall, no on lookers! He hung his head "Damnit." He smiled weakly at Dib. "Yeaaa. I- I think you need to be looking for a few good sizes larger since last you shopped." Weakly, he dragged himself over to Dib and threw his arms around him, making little whimpery noises as he cuddled him. "I want you for my birthday." Life was so cruel!

Dib's eyes widened a bit at the sudden move Dwicky made, though he easily warmed up to it while giving a small noise of his own. "I picked up things larger than this. I must have picked this up by mistake." A grin spread over his face and he tried to hide against the man's shirt, his hands moving up to grip at the other's arms. "Though if you want, I could always keep it."

"Nooo." Dwicky silently dragged the sound out, though it wasn't a convincing statement at all. "We shouldn't." He looked around shifty eyed again. "I shouldn't." The man straightened just enough to look down at Dib, and it was easy to tell Dwicky's reserve was paper thin as it was. "Don't tempt dirty old men. We crumble very easily." Dwicky blinked as he felt his own hand slide down to that naked mid-drift, and he slapped it with his other. "Bad Dwicky!" He playfully frowned as he rubbed his sore hand. "See."

Dib's eyes closed part way at the contact on his skin and he let out a small noise. When Dwicky pulled away, it had him blinking before looking around the small, deserted changing room for a few seconds. His attention soon went back to Dwicky though, and one of his hands shot out to grab at the man's slapped hand just so he could bring it to his lips. He took the middle finger in his mouth and ran his tongue along it for a few quick moments before pulling it away, keeping his eyes on Dwicky's own the whole time, the finger was still near his mouth as he spoke. "I like when you crumble..."

Dwicky had to clap a hand over his mouth to keep the throaty whine in. He dropped it away, lowering it to fidget at his side. "Yes. But we're in a public store-changing-...thingy. There's a- …store man doing hangy stuff just outside the-..." He was fighting a losing battle with himself, already was his brain shutting down as he spoke- literally. "Fugh." he finished after a huge, delayed gap. His damp finger drew along the boy's bottom lip, slipping it past either, back into the boy's mouth. Dwicky's eyes lazily shifted half shut. What was he arguing about again?

Dib couldn't help the small grin that made its way onto his lips, knowing he had won the small argument for the time being. He ran his tongue back over the finger that invaded his mouth once again, curling it around for a few seconds. Finally, he pulled his tongue back, and once again sucked at the finger for a few moments as he pulled his mouth back. Before it was completely out of his mouth, he gave it one last lick and stared up at Dwicky with half closed eyes. The grin was once again on his face.

Dwicky's thick brows rose and it took him a good while before coherent words passed his lips. "There... is not one… healthy, chaste.. thought in my head right now." He glanced down the empty hall, as far as he could tell, no one else was trying things on. Quickly, he shook his head, taking a step back from Dib. "No. Bad Dwicky. Step away from the Dib." He pointed down at the boy's clothes. "Those shorts are lethal. They shouldn't be selling such dangerous clothing here." Dwicky stared longer, tilting his head, caught up with something. "Wow... you have such supple legs." The man physically gawked at himself after speaking, slapping himself as he took a step back. "This is a family store, Dwicky." he scolded himself, shaking his head.

The last few words that Dwicky said had Dib blushing and averting his eyes. Since his hands were free again, they went back to fidgeting in front of himself, before they moved to the bottom of the shorts so he could pull them down a bit. Sadly, that only caused more skin to show. He gave one quick glance Dwicky's way, a small smile forming on his lips at how shaken the man looked. "I'll go change into something else now." With those words, he finally turned around and went back into the stall, clicking the lock behind him.

"Nuuu" Dwicky drew out the word quiet and dramatically, raising a hand to reach for a Dib that was already behind a closed and locked door. "Come back short-shorts." But they were already gone, taken away, locked, in the changing room dungeon. Dwicky lightly pawed at the door before some lady walked into the hall, looking for an empty stall to try on the several dozen pairs of jeans she had in her hand. She gave Dwicky an odd look, and in return Dwicky quickly back stepped, clunking his back against the wall, which startled him. Dwicky cleared his throat and looked to the ceiling. The woman took a stall farthest from them, not wanting to know at all. Dwicky placed a hand over his heart, giving a dramatic sigh. "Crushed. A man's dreams, crushed. We dream of such revealing shorts, but, we never truly find that perfect pair on those perfect hips." He smacked himself again; out dirty, illegal thoughts, out! "How much clothing do you have in there?" Dwicky shifted over to one side, tilting his head, trying to get a small peek under or in the side crack beside the door. "Are there more shorts?" he added quietly and much too hopefully.

There was shifting on the other side of the door. Dwicky's questions had Dib making some noise before he actually answered. "I have a few outfits. Well, maybe more than a few. I won't try them all on though. Just some to make sure the sizes are right." There was some hopping around which was made obvious by his feet under the door as he tried to slip on a pair of pants, a small squeak left his mouth when he almost toppled over. Once he gained his balance back, he spoke up again. "I do have more shorts, but they aren't like the ones I just tried on."

After a few moments, there was a click from the door and once again he opened it bit by bit. Dib stepped out much like before, though this time his clothes actually fit. A simple red and black striped shirt that was just a tad loose on his frame and his hands were in the pockets of a pair of black jeans. He landed his eyes on Dwicky before averting them, as if just as shy about the outfit as apposed to the one before.

"Ohh, that looks good." Dwicky walked up to Dib, giving little tugs at the loose fabric to see just how well it fit. "How's it feel? Comfortable?" Without warning, he tugged the bottom of the shirt up. "The waist of the pants isn't too loose or tight are they?" He gave a tug to the waist, they seemed fine. Dwicky then blinked as he stared at Dib's naked middle once more. "Oh, my, God. I sound like my mother." Just as quickly, he tugged the boy's shirt down, taking his hands back with new colour staining his cheeks.

Dib had only nodded his head through most of what Dwicky asked, but it was the last part that had him blinking his eyes up at the man. It took a few minutes before a slow smile spread on his face, and he couldn't help but laugh at the other. It just seemed so silly to him how embarrassed Dwicky looked over what he was doing. He really couldn't help but laugh. It took him only a few seconds to get himself under control, though he couldn't help the small giggles here and there, even as he pointed at the other. "You should see the look on your face."

Dwicky pointed at his own face before placing either of his hands to his cheeks. "I'm beat red, aren't I?" He shook his head, giving a small nervous laugh and he lowered his hands. "I was only making sure things fit comfortably, since it's been so long since you've shopped on your own. Then suddenly, I transformed into my mother. Ugh. No. Bad Dwicky." He couldn't help the few chuckles there afterward, given Dib's adorable giggles. "But, you have things under control, even after several years. Maybe you're just a natural born shopper." He gave a small poke to the boy's belly.

Dib let out a noise at the poke and tried to shield his stomach. "Stop it." The words were said with a small laugh before he walked backwards towards the stall, letting his back hit the door. "I just guessed. Well, I sort of guessed. I picked out some stuff at random, but some of the stuff I guessed my size at. This stuff looked like it would fit me." He gave a small smile. "I guess I was right. Which means the rest of the stuff that's this size I'll probably be okay with, right?"

Dwicky gave a quick glance back down the hall; the woman was still fitting things inside her stall far down the other end: good. He sidled up to Dib, slipping fingers under the new shirt to get at that slender middle underneath. "Well," he drew the word out as he leaned down to peter a few kisses against the boy's forehead, trailing them down to his ear where he murmured "almost all of them did fit." He chuckled quietly. "Though, I am curious to what else you've picked out." Dwicky's fingers tickled higher along Dib's sides.

Dib had to bite his lip to keep in the low moan he would have otherwise let out. He couldn't help but squirm a bit against Dwicky's hands while at the same time, moving his own hands up to place them on the other's arms. After a few moments, he was finally able to let out a small sigh, keeping quiet for the time being. He opened his eyes, which had somehow closed on their own, and gave a small grin. "Well, I could always keep trying things on. It couldn't hurt to be careful." He leaned in to steal a small, quick kiss before pulling back. "Especially if each thing I try on gets you to act just like this."

Dwicky chuckled low, not satisfied with just one public tabboo-ed kiss, he leaned down, trying to capture Dib's lips at every chance he could between words. "Oh yes." he very much agreed. "And," he couldn't help his own grin, all of what they were doing was far too scandalous not to "act how?" Dwicky's hands slipped higher up, dragging the bottom of the striped shirt with it, baring the boy's middle to the air.

Dib blushed a bit at such a display, but he didn't dare stop Dwicky. Instead he made small noises, encouraging the man further. His hands let go of the other's arms, just so he could move them up and slip them around Dwicky's neck, a small smile tugging at his lips. "How would you say it? Dirty..." After the simple word, he pulled the other in for another kiss, this one deeper than the other small stolen kisses, a small muffled noise pressed against it.

Dwicky's chuckle was barely heard as he returned the kiss, pressing Dib against the stall's door. "Mm. 'Dirty'? Wow. I wouldn't exactly call it that. That sounds, too, well- 'dirty'." He grinned some, touching kisses against the boy's jaw. "I'd call it... being 'interested'." The man's hands raised the shirt higher still, needing to touch the sensitive skin underneath that he was never allowed to because of the straitjacket, that's when the click of the far stall unlocking and opening came.

Dib let out a choked noise halfway between a moan as he heard the other stall door open. As much as his body regretted the action, he pushed Dwicky away, though not without pressing one last quick kiss on the corner of the man's lips. Once he was free of the other's wandering hands, he moved his own down to make sure his shirt wasn't still up, one hand moving up to scratch at the back of his head once he was sure he looked okay.

The woman walked out into the hall, unnerved when she was stared at by two completely dazed males who tried to look everything innocent, and failed absolutely. She walked out of the dressing room area as quick as she could, not wanting to know at all.

Dwicky ran a hand through his own hair, smoothing it down as he watched the woman go. "Wonder what her problem was." he commented idly.

Dib looked back at Dwicky and opened his mouth, about to speak, but shut it just as quickly. Instead, he only shook his head in response to the other, while giving a small smile before turning around to head back into the stall to change once more. The loud click on the lock echoed once again, much like it had the first few times.

The man looked to where Dib had left him for. Dwicky gave a small pout as he reached out a little. "Shorts?" he spoke with quiet hopefulness.

Dib gave only a small sound on the other side of the door. Once again there was a small amount of shuffling, but this time it didn't take nearly as long for the door to open and for Dib to come out. He was indeed wearing shorts, but not at all as short as last time, but not very long either, just barely stopping at his knees. The shirt he wore was white, and near the chest was a picture of a sucker. The shirt stopped just a bit at his hips and almost showed his belly button, but he didn't seem to mind much. He was too busy moving around while looking down at himself. "Hey, I like this..."

Dwicky stared, and stared he did, truly wondering if it was the boys' section that Dib had picked the clothes from; but he wasn't going to complain, oh no. "... I support suckers." He nodded in firm agreement with himself. "And shorts." He glanced away guiltily. "Yeaaa." Clearing his throat, Dwicky looked back to Dib. "You should pick out some nice-nice clothes too. For visiting your family or... other such special occasions. It doesn't hurt to have a nice-nice set of clothing." He tried to preoccupy his anxious tactile hands by putting them away in his pockets.

Dib turned his attention back to Dwicky with the mention of his family and slowly his face fell and he looked down at the floor. "I guess so, but I don't think I would ever visit them. How can I?" His hands moved up to toy with the shirt, twisting the fabric around in the front, only to cause more of his skin to show. "I guess I could always just pick out some nice clothes for special occasions. Whatever those would be. I can't really think of any. I'm not really used to dressing up."

Dwicky tilted his head a little, crossing his arms thoughtfully. "Birthdays? Christmas? School dances? Halloween?" He scratched the side of his head with a slight smirk. "I thought kids now-a-days took any and all opportunities to dress up."

Dib only shrugged his shoulders at that. "I don't know. I never really did that kind of stuff." A small blush crossed his face. "Well, once or twice for Halloween." He raised his eyes back to Dwicky while letting his hands drop back down to his sides. "All of that other stuff was never really very important. Christmas kind of was, but not really." He blinked his eyes before giving a small smile. "I don't think I really missed out on much. It's usually the same thing every year."

"Hmm." Dwicky loosely shrugged as he glanced down the changing area's hall for the hundredth time now. "I suppose we can put off buying the nice-nice clothing later." He settled his eyes back on Dib. "For now, let's just focus on the casual stuffs." The man suddenly snapped his fingers "And sneakers! Shoes. Feet covers." He looked down at the boy's stocking feet. "Under garments. Tooth brush." Dwicky blinked several times as he approached the boy to take his jaw, running fingers over it curiously. "Do you shave yet?"

Dib blinked his eyes a few times before he quickly shook his head. "No, I don't." His fidgeting hands moved down to shove into the pockets of his shorts. "You know, you really shouldn't have to do all this." The small blush on his face darkened a bit. "I mean, buy me so much. I kind of feel bad. Kind of like I'm free loading off of you or something." He averted his eyes down to the floor, no longer able to look at Dwicky in his sudden bit of nervousness. "Sorry I can't really give you anything in return."

Dwicky blinked, tilting his head a little. A knuckle tilted Dib's head up to get the boy to look his way. "No, I owe you." And really, he left it at that. He gave a wry sort of smile. "Besides, I doubt you want to go around in public in my old clothes. They really aren't that flattering on you." He smiled some before he relinquished his hands in his own pockets. "Going to try on more?" Dwicky backed up some. "Or shall we go attack the shoes now?"

Dib gave Dwicky a curious stare, but after a few moments a small smile spread on his face. "We can go to the shoes now. I know what will fit me, so I don't need to try on anymore. I'll be okay." It was easy to tell his excitement was once again returning. His hands quickly moved out of his pockets so he could turn around and push at the stall door once again and disappear behind it. His voice could still be heard even as he changed back into his borrowed clothes. "It feels nice to wear actual clothes finally. To try on other things and not wear that jacket for once." He had lifted his arms and the shirt he had been wearing was tossed aside before he moved over to the door so he could try his best to peek over the top to look at Dwicky, only barely able to look over if he stood on his tip toes. "You sure I look okay in what I tried on?"

The man looked over and grinned, giving a nod. "You did." He nodded again. "You did." He recalled the short shorts and he tried to hide his grin by looking away, but it was obvious in his voice "Very much so."

Dwicky rocked back and forth from toe to heel for a moment as he waited, moving his vision one way and then the other, but in the end it rested on the dressing boy inside the stall. "Yeapuh. I like you in other clothes too. Though, out of clothes... is just as good." he commented idly to himself much too loudly. Quickly, he cleared his throat, side stepping towards the stall. "Done?" He couldn't help but peer over the door; his eager curiosity got the better of him.

Dib had pulled away from the door at some point to finish dressing. So when Dwicky peeked over, he was just pulling the borrowed pants over his hips. The man's voice startled him and it quickly had him looking towards the door, his eyes a bit wide as he almost lost his balance. "Huh?" The blush returned to his face, but he stuttered out a response anyway. "Y-Yeah. I'm done." He slipped his feet into the sneakers since he hadn't bothered to untie them, and then reached out to pick up the pile of clothes he had brought in, making his way out the door afterwards.

Dwicky watched the pile of clothes with the pointy black hair try to walk out of the change room. He gave a slight laugh and put his hands on the boy's shoulders, leading him from behind and out of the changing room. "I think it's this way. Shoes are over there."

He turned Dib to lead him towards the shoe section. "I think I'll grab us a cart. By the end of this, we might have the whole store to walk to the car." He stopped them when they were amidst a forest of shoes. "Here." Dwicky took the pile of clothes from the boy's arms and set them on a chair, freeing him of the fashionable burden. "Now. What kind of shoes do your feet want?" He glanced around; the choices were numerous. "Wow. They have a shoe for everything."

Dib gave a small sigh of relief once the clothes were taken off his hands, but when he was able to see, he couldn't help but let out a noise at all the shoes he saw. For a few moments all he could do was stand there as his eyes roamed each row in front of him. After awhile though, he walked forward so he could scan the rows close up. He eyed each pair of shoes, one by one, finding a few interesting, but only one caught his eye, which he immediately stopped to pick up. He picked one of the shoes out of the box while slipping a sneaker off his foot and he easily slipped on the new shoe. It was a large black boot, very different from his old ones. It looked more combat in style, though it had a large zipper on the side that he easily did up, and buckles down the front that were for show.

Dwicky hung over Dib, leaning down to look at the shoe the boy had picked out like a needle from a hay stack. "Practical. I was thinking more of a sneaker, but that works too." He straightened back up, tilting his head to still look at the one shoe on the boy. "How's it feel? Not too tight? Room in the toe? You're still a kid so, you need growing room for the feets." Dwicky looked around them; so many shoes! It made his brain hurt. "..Maybe we should get two pairs? Just in case."

Dib looked over at Dwicky before letting his eyes travel down to the boot he had picked out. "I like boots." He shrugged his shoulders at the questions before he twirled his foot around. "It feels fine. It's not too tight at all." He leaned down to unzip the zipper before pulling the boot off, leaving the sneaker off as well, for the time being. "I could get two pairs. It's fine with me. I guess I'm just used to having one pair of shoes." His eyes moved over to the rows of shoes once more, just to glance at them.

"Considering the wet weather we're having, a dry pair of shoes to fall back on." Dwicky glanced at the shoes at well. "Maybe, a pair of sneakers? Or... something else? Your choice." He gathered the boot that Dib took off, putting it with the other and taking the box to the pile of 'to buy' they had claimed on the chair. "I'm sure you'd look smashing in a stiletto." He nearly tripped as he stifled his own laughter.

Dib made a face at the suggestion and shook his head in response, although he couldn't help but laugh a bit himself in the end. He walked back over to the shoes and it took him awhile longer than last time to actually find anything. He ended up walking back and forth a few times before finally, he picked out something else. It was a low sneaker that he put on his foot, simple and white with just a small black stripe going down the side, but printed on the tip of the shoe was a tiny black heart that almost couldn't be seen.

"Have we decided?" Dwicky peered, having taken a seat, sharing it with the pile of clothes. "Found something that fits?"

Dib easily nodded before picking up the box that held the other shoe. He kept the other on just so he could walk back over to Dwicky, showing it off once he reached the man. "It's the only one I really liked. I think it looks good though." He finally slipped the shoe off just so he could pick it up and place it back in the box, putting it aside with the rest of the stuff he had gotten already. He moved to pick up his discarded sneaker, easily slipping it back on once again before speaking up. "That's it for all the major stuff I need, right? I mean as far as trying things on goes."

Dwicky gave a firm nod. "Now. Now it's time for-" he pointed sharply to the evil area they had been where SHE had been "undergarments of the damned." He leaned back as far as he could without falling out of the chair. "I- I don't think I see her." Dwicky rose, handing the shoe boxes to Dib and taking the clothes for his own to carry on the dangerous journey. "Stay close. I leave no man behind!" He cautiously started towards where they had been earlier.

Dib took the boxes, keeping them in front of himself and slowly followed after Dwicky. His eyes darted all around, as if at any moment the scary clerk from before would pop out of nowhere and haul him off to some unknown place. Even the slightest noise of just a small shopping cart nearby had him jumping and hurrying to catch up the few feet he had lagged behind the other.

Dwicky peered past a shelf of jeans, looking left then right before gesturing to Dib that it was safe to follow. He slunk, as best as a man carrying a pile of clothes could slink, down the isle, staying low behind the racks. "Underwear and socks is just up ahead." He whispered to Dib. He pointed as best he could ahead of them; it was almost barren save for the barren racks of miscellaneous clothing that had been ravaged from sales of great, great savings. "If we pass through there, we're basically home free." Dwicky swallowed, glancing at Dib.

Dib gave a small noise in response. One part of him thought it was completely silly that they were being so cautious just to buy underwear, but the other part of him that was so scared that it was telling him to hang on to Dwicky for dear life. That's the part he was listening to, for the moment. Although he couldn't exactly listen very well, since his hands were full so, he settled for gripping the man's shirt as best he could with a few fingers. "Are you positive she's nowhere around?"

Dwicky glanced around. Slowly, he straightened, getting a better view. "I... don't think I see her. No. Maybe she's off work, or lunch break." He stepped carefully out from their hidden location of tacky shirts. "I think it's safe. C'mon." He treaded carefully out into the open with Dib tagging behind him. Past the racks with their metal bones picked clean, they walked, past the shelves with nothing but mateless socks strewn across them, they cautiously continued. Dwicky swallowed, keeping his gaze forward on the underwear section; so close- so close!

Dib kept a tight hold with only three fingers on Dwicky's shirt. The nervous feeling was slowly leaving him as it was made clear the clerk was nowhere to be seen and as they got to their destination, he soon let go of Dwicky altogether. A small sigh of relief came to his lips, although he couldn't help but take a quick glance all around the small part of the store once more. His nerves were on edge once again, as if it was all too good to be true. When nothing happened, he couldn't help but send a small smile Dwicky's way.

The man let out a slow exhale of relief. It seemed they were indeed safe. Dwicky gave a look around, underwear as far as the eye could see, in all colors, sizes, and assortments. He looked from one side and all the way around to the other, giving a dumb noise and an equally as blank expression. "Um. How… about... since you know your size… you pick out what you want, nab some socks and-- I'll go grab a shopping cart." Dwicky tried to keep the look of embarrassment under wraps; he was failing.

Dib kept his eyes on Dwicky for a few seconds before the man's embarrassment had a slow grin spreading on his face. He leaned down just so he could set the boxes on the floor before he walked over to the man. He stopped and stood just a few inches from the other, and knowing that it was safe, he easily raised his arms to wrap them around Dwicky's neck as best he could, just so he could pull the man down. He easily ignored the clothes and leaned forward near Dwicky's ear. "What's wrong?" The words were barely spoken before he took the small golden stud in between his teeth and gave it a playful lick.

"Ughn... nugh... mmm." Dwicky blinked his eyes sharply, but their awkward situation (and position), wasn't helping. "Um." He glanced around quickly; there wasn't anyone around, just yet, thankfully. "N-nothing. Just, going to get... that..thing... with the- uh.. rollies.. Yea." His eyes began to slowly shift shut, but just as quickly, they snapped open. "Yea. So. You pick out stuff, and I'll... get... that... buggy." Dwicky tried to straighten with the load of clothes in his arms.

Dib gave a weak protest while licking his lips as Dwicky pulled back up. Instead of dropping his arms completely, he let them move down the man's sides, until they rested on his hips. There they moved back up just so they could slide up the other's shirt, barely brushing along skin. "Don't go. There's no one around. You don't really wanna leave me right now, do you?" He ran his hands back down, using his nails just a bit, only to stop at Dwicky's hips once more, his fingers almost dipping past the waistband of the other's pants.

Dwicky made a small, torn sound in his throat; which only proved how much he didn't want to- (anymore). "It'll...-it'll." Damn the heap of clothing he held-! He would have loved to oblige Dib with open arms, but unfortunately they were preoccupied with the boy's clothes. Dwicky gave a weak smile, clearing his throat "Just a second. Won't take long. S-so that my arms don't fall off. 'Cuz I'll need them later." Taking a quick glance around, Dwicky gave the other a quick peck on the lips. He smiled a little wider. "By the time you've picked out a few good pairs of underpants and socks, I'll be right back."

Dib gave a small frown, even after the kiss, but slowly eased up. He let his arms fall back down and nodded his head a bit before speaking. "Alright, fine." With that, he turned around to face the many rows that were in front of him. Unlike Dwicky, he didn't seem at all embarrassed to be staring at a huge assortment of underwear, and instead started picking out what he needed.

Dwicky leaned over quickly, giving a few last minute snooches to the boy's ear so that Dib wasn't completely sore at him, murmuring "I'll be fast. Won't be long. Be good, mkay?" He grinned against the boy's ear. "Your hair cut looks really good. So don't be running off with anyone else, 'cuz I'll be right back." He gave Dib's ear one last kiss before he pulled back with a grin and lumbered off.

The few kisses startled Dib at first, but a smile slowly spread on his face after a few seconds. He glanced towards where Dwicky had been standing, but before he could say anything, the man was already gone. He stared at the spot for a bit longer before finally looking away and down at the few things he had in his hands. He tried to focus once more on picking out what he needed. Although being alone was making him nervous, he tried his best to ignore the feeling until Dwicky came back.

Near Dib came the sound of a shopping cart, but that was much too short a time to be Dwicky. And it wasn't, when Dib looked over, though the sound of kids should have been his first clue. Two toddlers in the cart and a baby strapped in the infant seating, a rather tired looking woman pushed it by, ragged from constantly telling the kids to 'play nice' and 'please be quiet, mommy can't hear herself think'. Just when she seemed at wits end, a man jogged beside her holding bag of styrofoam cups that were on sale. He tossed them into the buggy and the children seemed sated to play with those, instead of pulling each others hair. The woman gave a sigh of relief and she earned an endearing kiss on the cheek from the man, who grinned at her.

'You're keeping him from that' guilt, reared its ugly head; for everyone has guilt.

Dib stared at the couple with wide eyes, only flinching when he heard the small internal part of himself. Such words caused his eyes to drift to the kids in the cart, before he quickly looked away to the floor under his feet, afraid that they would see him staring. He didn't want such attention. "I didn't think he wanted that. If he did he wouldn't have chose me, right?" The words came out barely whispered, not wanting anyone to hear him.

'Assuming only makes an 'ass' out of 'u' and 'me'. You never even thought to ask, did you?' guilt went on, heavily.'What if he does? And, what if you do too? You may get out, Dib, but your record will be stained for life. You won't be allowed to go anywhere without supervision. You won't be allowed to do anything on your own. You won't be allowed near children, let alone have children. You'll always just be a full dependent on Mister Dwicky. A useless stay-at-home. That isn't a family, Dib.' guilt finished somberly.

"That's not true. It can't be true." As Dib spoke, his voice rose a bit, and realizing it caused him to panic. His eyes moving around as if someone were in the aisle with him. "If I get out, I won't be dependent on anyone. If I get out, it means I'll be okay to be on my own. Besides, what if I don't want to be by myself? What if I feel safer with Dwicky?" His hands gripped at the small packages that were in his hands, causing them to crinkle. "I'm out right now. I'm okay right now. I don't have to stay home. I'll be okay."

The family continued on their merry way, the cart rattling noisily as it went. The man slipped his arm over the woman's shoulder and she in turn rested her head on his shoulder; a happy ending.

'What if Mister Dwicky wants that?' guilt pointed out, low.

Dib looked back over at the family. The sight had him frowning and the question had him letting out a broken noise. He tried to tear his eyes away again, but he couldn't. "He can't have it. He can't have it because of me." Another small, choked noise escaped him. His next words sounded cracked. "All because of me..."

'How old is Dad, Dib?' guilt went on. 'Some where near Mister Dwicky's age, right? And how many kids does Dad have? And he's a big time scientist. Even he had a full proper family, of his own. At one time. Even he did, Dib. You wouldn't be here if he didn't. Isn't that right?'

All Dib could do was nod his head in response to the question, feeling like if he actually spoke at that moment, then he would break down. The family was long gone, but he couldn't stop staring at the space they had occupied just moments before. Finally, his eyes fell back down and shut tightly, as if that would help block everything out. It never did though. "I don't wanna think about this. I don't wanna talk about this."

Think of the little boy or girl you could be killing right now. Killing them because you want Mister Dwicky all to yourself. You're killing little innocent babies because you love him. Innocent babies that aren't insane, that aren't disappointments. A good little boy or girl who doesn't talk to themselves. They would make Mister Dwicky proud. They would've made Dad proud.' Guilt chided darkly 'You're a murderer; a psychotic murderer.'

"Shut up!" Dib's wet eyes snapped open after he realized he had shouted the words much too loudly. One of his hands reached up to clap itself over his mouth, not at all caring about the few things that he had picked up fell from his hand as he did so. He moved his eyes all around the aisle, waiting so long for someone to come around and try to take him away just for shouting at himself. Nothing happened though. He was still alone. His hand slowly lowered, but his body refused to relax, his words frightened and no longer loud when he spoke again. "I'm not a murder. Please stop..."

'Prove it.' guilt went on snidely 'You can't. The guilty can't prove anything. You, Dib, could never prove anything. Not even when your life was dedicated to proving.'

Dib stayed silent for a bit before he slowly shook his head, his free hand moving up to rub a sleeve under his glasses. "If he wanted a family, if he wanted such things, then why would he care about me? Why would he say he loved me? He knows he can't have those things. It's not my fault." He moved his hand back down in front of himself so that he could stare at it. "It can't be my fault."

But nothing answered back this time. There was nothing but perfect silence inside Dib's head; save for a worried thought or two that went without a whisper in passing.

The silence did nothing to calm Dib. If anything, it caused him to become even more on edge. The thought of shopping didn't appeal to him much anymore, and he dropped the rest of what was in his other hand to the floor in favor of wiping at his eyes with both hands. Even the thought of someone sneaking up on him didn't stop him from staying as he was for the time being.

There was the sound of a cart coming to a halt. Dwicky abandoned it so that a hand could be placed on Dib's head; the touch was familiar as the hand that ran through his hair attempted to sooth whatever it was that now ailed the boy.

"Dib? Are you alright?" and in that familiar voice was the equally familiar worry that always came with it. "You've dropped everything."

Instead of answering, Dib dropped his hands just so he could turn and bury his face in the other's shirt. His hands immediately clutched the fabric in a death grip trying to keep the other body as close as he could. His body was still completely tense despite the hand on his head. Only a small muffled sound came from him.

Arms immediately wrapped tightly around Dib, grasping the security he wanted around him. "It's alright now." Dwicky whispered onto the top of Dib's head. "Right? It's okay now. Whatever it was, it's over now. You're going to be okay." He rubbed the boy's back, trying to put back into Dib what had been taken out in his absence. "I'm here now." He pressed a reassuring kiss on Dib's head.

Dib stayed still for a few minutes before he slowly nodded his head. His body slowly relaxed, though it was easy to tell he was still shook up. The tight hold he had on Dwicky was a clear sign of that. He moved his head to the side so his glasses were no longer pressing against the other's shirt, and instead pressed his cheek against the fabric. He wanted to speak, but words failed him after what he had been told.

Fingers ran through the boy's hair, petting down the shaved back of his head. Dwicky continued for a moment before he buried his fingers in Dib's hair and placed another assuring kiss on the top of the boy's head. "You'll be okay." his voice grew a little more normal in volume as he looked down at the boy. "You wanna know why? I found you a little friend. While I was battling with some crazy lady for the last cart in the store, I found you a little something." Dwicky leaned down, tilting Dib's head up just enough to look at him. "And I know how much you like bugs. This lil guy can keep you company... when I can't." Something soft and plush nudge-nudged Dib's cheek; black and red.

Dib blinked his eyes up at Dwicky, but his attention was quickly pulled away from the man at the nudge to his cheek. He gave a small noise as he laid his eyes on what the other held, the worry suddenly gone as he lifted his hands away from Dwicky just so he could grab at it. "It's a ladybug..." Dib couldn't help but run his hand around each spot on the plush, around both eyes and across both the small antenna. When his hand stopped, he quickly gazed back up at Dwicky while hugging the stuffed bug close, his voice low. "Thank you..."

Dwicky finally gave a pleased smile, ease slowly coming to him. "He's soft too, so-" he pet the bug plush on the head "you can take him back with you. And they'll let you keep him in the room with you. You'll have a ladybug in your room… like you told me, about your room at home." He slipped his arms loosely about Dib's shoulders, keeping the boy near. "So you won't be alone when I'm not there. He'll make sure nothing bad happens. So you won't be a sad Dib." He rubbed the boy's back again.

"Just like at home." Dib looked back down at the plush with narrowed eyes. There he kept his gaze for a while, chewing at his lip every few seconds. Finally, a small word left his mouth that was mostly muttered to himself, considering how low it was. "Skeets..." He gave a small smile before looking back up at Dwicky. He freed one hand from the plush just so he could reach up and pull the man down from the back of his neck and place a kiss on the other's lips. Though it was hard for him not to smile against Dwicky's lips, and he had to pull away after a few seconds.

"Just like home." Dwicky echoed Dib, grinning from the kiss. "Like taking a bit of home around with you." He gently ruffled the boy's hair. He took a quick glance around, no one seemed to pay any mind to the old guy being rather close with the younger boy; which was completely fine with Dwicky. He glanced down, but didn't pay the dropped underwear any mind just yet. "So, do you like him? Or her. Whatever it is." He brushed a few fingers against Dib's cheeks.

Dib nodded his head easily while leaning into Dwicky's hand. "I like him very much." His hand moved up to run through the hair on the back of Dwicky's neck, petting it lightly. After a few seconds, he moved forward just so he could press against the man, nuzzling his face against Dwicky's neck. The plush was held tightly between them in one arm.

Dwicky slipped his arms tighter around the boy, hugging him and his bug closer. "I'm glad." He rubbed the boy's back again. "So. Did you pick out what underwear you need? Hm?" he softly encouraged. "Socks too?"

Dib gave a small noise before he actually spoke up against Dwicky's skin. "Yes, I got everything I needed. I..." He quickly stopped himself before going on and immediately went quiet. Instead, he pulled back away from Dwicky, pulling his free hand away just so he could hug the plush close along with his other arm, his eyes looked away. "Yeah, I did."

Dwicky looked around only to land on the floor where things were scattered about. He looked back at Dib with a slight lost for the moment smile. "So... where is it all, kiddo?" He slipped his hands in his pockets, just to keep his empty arms busy.

Dib blinked his eyes for a quick second before he looked down at the scattered mess on the floor. "Oh, right." He bent down just so he could pick up what he had dropped from his earlier break down. Once he had most of it, he went over to the two shoe boxes he had set down, and tried his best to pick those up as well. It was a bit hard, but he managed after a few tries and took it all to the cart where he dumped it. After, he immediately clutched Skeets tightly, staring at the cart, but not really looking at it.

A hand rested itself on Dib's forehead. "You okay?" Dwicky smoothed his hand through the boy's hair. "Dib?"

The touch startled Dib and had him jumping a bit before he settled his eyes on Dwicky. He slowly relaxed after a few seconds and was just about to nod his head before he changed his mind. "No, I'm not." He dropped his eyes back down and his voice lowered as well. "I can't talk about it right now, though. It would be hard to." One of his hands ran up and down the plush. "Something happened while you were gone. Well, not something, but it's hard to explain."

Dwicky continued to run fingers through the boy's hair, brushing back the stray hair from his face. "Do you want time to think on it? And we'll talk about it later today?" He continued to look over Dib's face, having leaned over. "Still feeling good enough to go out and eat? Want to go home? Or sit for a bit? Hm?"

Dib nodded his head, the fingers running through his hair relaxed him a bit more. "I still want to go out to eat. I just need to think about it some more. I wanna try to calm down a bit more and staying out might help." He turned his eyes up to Dwicky. "I can talk about it when we go back home." He shook his head a bit. "I don't wanna stop all of this just because of one problem. I'll be okay for now."

The man nodded. "Of course." He patted the boy's head. "Well, let's get this to check out then." Dwicky moved to start pushing the cart. "Anything else we should grab? Anything you need or want?" He flared out a hand randomly, and of course, it had to be the brassiere that was right there and then next to him. It had him jerking his hand back, as if they would bite his hand clean off. "Yea. Except those. Ha-ha… no."

A small smile came to Dib's lips at Dwicky's embarrassment, always finding it funny when it happened. He was just about to shake his head no in response to the other as they walked until the cart pushed past something that caught the boy's eye. "Yes..." He stepped away from Dwicky just so he could walk among a few racks of clothes, getting lost in them for a few seconds. Only after a few quick moments did he finally come back out, holding what looked like pink PJs that were covered with tiny little ladybugs. He put them in the cart along with all the other clothes and items he had picked up while never once letting go of Skeets. He looked back at Dwicky after with a small smile on his face. "Now I'm ready."

Dwicky had watched, and still though he'd seen it, he really hadn't been expecting what Dib pulled out and put into the cart. Oh yes, that so didn't come out of the boy's section of the pajama department. But, Dwicky wasn't about to deny the boy his ladybugs; sleep wear was comfort wear.

"Alright." Dwicky returned the smile and snagged Dib back to stand beside him, slipping an arm over his shoulder. "Let's go, and then get us some egg rolls."