Dlbn: Greetings everyone! It's time for another update of Iz Moth! (Dances) I know this is a little shorter then usual, but I wanted to get something out before the weekend is over and I am forced to resume my research paper. (Sweat-drops) And I'm also watching a particularly upsetting episode of Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood right now, and don't know how long it's going to last before I start getting all depressed in writing, so yea…but enough about that.

Keef's grandfather's name was inspired by Invader Ang's review of name suggestions. I couldn't resist. Thank you! :3

Nbld: Review Corner! Thank you to suckishLEMONADE, TheAwesomeTrio'sAwesomeAmerica, Invader Ang, Darkdagers, morgana starfire, yaoifangirlforever1716, ArcAngelCrystal, Ukana Uchiha, Mio-chan's Return, IHeartLinkX3 for reviewing! (Throws out hammers to hit Keef with.)

Dlbn: Question and Answer time! Because I know everyone loves these things :3

TheAwesomeTrio'sAwesomeAmerica: I can't see Keef being as stalkerish as in the show, but he's got some of those creepy qualities.

Invader Ang: Yeah, KAZR makes me a little sick too. I think I just threw up in my mouth…but that aside, love the name suggestions. Like is aid before, I used one :3

Disclaimer: I own nothing outside of Krill and The Mask. All characters, themes, species, and places belong to Jhonen C Vasquez.

000

After hanging out at The Mask for what seemed like forever, Dib pushed open the door to his home. His father was, surprisingly, watching TV from the sofa. He took a sip from a cup of what was probably coffee and looked over his paper at the sound of the door opening. He seemed to smile when he saw his son, but with his lab coat's collar still turned up over his mouth, Dib wasn't sure.

"Hi, dad." Dib said with a small grin.

"Hello, Dib." His father responded. "Where were you all afternoon?"

"I wanted to see if the guys were busy, and they were, so I just walked around the city." Dib lied.

"Ah." Membrane nodded once. "You finish all of your homework?"

"I didn't have any."

"Good." Membrane went back to reading his paper.

"I'll just be…uh…in my room." Dib said. "Online…"

"Have fun."

Dib raised an eyebrow. He shook off his confusion and started for the stairs.

"You dropped something, son."

Dib turned. His mask was laying on the floor.

"Oh." He said. "Thanks." He went back and retrieved it.

"What is it, anyway?"

"Just a tie." Dib said.

"Tie?"

"Torque used it for flag football yesterday. I got it back from him today."

"Ah." Membrane said again. "Well, run along, then."

Dib wiped the sweat from his brow and went up the steps. Gaz was sitting on the top step, playing her Game Slave as usual.

"Close one." She said with a smirk.

"Shut up, Gaz." Dib ordered as he passed her.

She stood and followed him. "Are you going to tell him about the club?"

"Maybe eventually." Dib shrugged. "I don't think I need to."

"You will if he finds out that that wasn't a tie."

Dib glared as his sister smirked at him. "Whatever." He walked into his room and slammed the door.

"You can't hide from your problems forever, brother." Gaz informed. "It's best to tell him now before he finds out another way."

Dib didn't answer. He heard footfalls heading away from his room. Once he was sure she was gone, he put his headphones on and started up his CD player.

000

Zim fiddled with the food on his plate. He'd only taken a small piece of chicken and a few strawberries. After the little fiasco with the rain, and with Keef kissing him, he wasn't in the mood to eat. The DJ the family had hired had said they'd be playing games after, and Zim didn't want to play on a full stomach anyway. Keef was silent, though his family was talking loudly around him. Meef and his sister and parents had decided to switch tables and sit with other family members. They had claimed it was to catch up, but Zim had a feeling that it was because Keef's cousins didn't want to be near him. They didn't seem to like him much. For now, they sat with Keef's grandparents, from his father's side, and an unmarried uncle. If it wasn't for the fact that the uncle had red hair and that the grandparents had Keef's green eyes, Zim wouldn't have known they were related.

"So…Zim…you're allergic to rain…?" Keef's grandfather asked.

"Sometimes pollutants in the rain bother me, is all." Zim responded.

Keef's grandfather didn't seem to believe him.

"Queef, please." His wife said. "Let the poor boy eat in peace."

"Eat what?" Queef wondered. "He didn't get much."

"I'm not very hungry." Zim interjected into the conversation.

"I wasn't really asking you, boy."

"Dad, please!" Keef's father finally stepped in. "Sorry, Zim. My father hasn't had his nap yet today. Excuse his behavior."

"It's okay." Zim smiled softly, though he really was annoyed. No reason for causing a problem.

"You say that a lot." Keef pointed out quietly.

"Yea, I guess." Zim laughed, sending his friend a small smile.

Keef offered a smile back.

"Is something wrong, son?" Keef's father asked.

"I'm not feeling the greatest." Keef flushed. "I'll be fine. I'll just sleep in the car."

"You can use our hotel room if you want a nap, Keef." His grandmother informed him.

"Oh, I don't want to be a problem. I…"

"Take it, Keef." Queef ordered.

"I don't…"

"I'll walk you up." Zim offered.

Keef smiled. "Thanks."

They both pushed their chairs out from the table and left.

000

Dib flipped through his UFO-Zine again. No matter how long he'd had it, the articles were still interesting. The one about crop circles was particularly fascinating. The closest thing he had seen to a crop circle was when a cow was rolling around on the grass in a field. He'd gotten "Paranormal Investigator" on his career day test, and had to spend the day with an official investigator named Bill. The man turned out to be a crock, believing in stuff that wasn't real. That day hadn't ended too well. A knock on the door jolted Dib out of his alien-filled thoughts.

"Uh…come in…?" Dib called.

His father swung his bedroom door open.

"I figured I would find you in here, son." He greeted. "I was just about to make some super toast!" He pointed to the ceiling. "Would you be interested in having some?"

"Uh…sure, dad…" Dib ran a hand through his hair, tousling the deep black locks.

Membrane nodded and started to leave.

"Hey, dad?" Dib asked softly.

"Yes?" Membrane turned to his son. "What is it?"

"Could I…ask you something…?"

"Sure." Membrane shrugged. "What?"

"Would it bother you if I was…?" Dib paused. "You know…different…?"

"Different?"

"Well…" Dib paused. "I mean…like Gaz's…friends…are."

Membrane looked clueless.

"Please don't make me say it."

"You mean her GLASS friends?" Membrane asked. "Gay?"

Dib flushed.

"I figured that was what you meant." Membrane sighed. "Look, son, whatever gender you are into…it's your business, and not mine. I wouldn't mind knowing if you were or not, but I'm not going to pass any judgment on you over it."

"You wouldn't?"

"Of course not." Membrane shook his head. "You're my son. As long as you're happy, I could care less."

"Thanks, dad." Dib said, knowing his flush was deepening as he smiled.

"Anytime, son." There was a moment of awkward silence. "Are you?"

"Gay?"

Membrane nodded.

Dib took a deep breath. "Yeah."

"Okay, then." Membrane stood. "Would you still like some super toast?"

"Sure."