Monsters and Ladybugs

By Kitteh and Neofox

Rating R

Warnings Violence and intense smooching

Disclaimer Smeets will eat our souls if we dare claim Invader Zim. So yeah, Jhonen can keep his smeets of DOOM!

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 Heartless7

Chapter 36

It was just another day, which only meant more work for everyone who lived their lives in the city. Only few were allowed the luxury of sleeping in few days out of the year and for once Trec thought it was going to be one of those days for him. Not so, apparently. As luck would have it, his phone decided it would be nice and ring over and over until he picked it up. He had been ready to say a few choice words to whoever was on the other line, but when he heard exactly who it was, Trec shut up immediately and agreed to what was said.

It was the only reason he was up instead of catching up on rest that he thought he surely needed. He had moved through his mess of an apartment, kicking papers and cans aside to get to the kitchen and fix, at the most, a quick five minute meal while he waited for his visitor to show up. Once all was said and done, he stood leaning against a counter, eating microwaved mac and cheese which had been left over from some other time while listening out for the door.

The sound of approaching footsteps was easy to hear, but the knock at the door seemed to have been delayed. It seemed as if the visitor outside was hesitant to do so. Whoever it was also seemed to be debating being there at all, complete with a silent inner monologue of why they were there and how they shouldn't have and just how out of their mind they were for following through on this.

Finally, after a good long moment, there came a rather meek knock on the door.

It was the footsteps which had Trec setting his bowl aside, but he waited until he actually heard the knock at the door. The long wait caused him raise a brow in a bit of wonder over what could be taking so long. When the sound finally came, Trec took no time in walking to the door, having to go through the same obstacles he had to, to get through the kitchen. He let out a small curse as he hit his foot on the coffee table before moving to unlock the door and opening it up for his visitor. "Took you long enough."

Dwicky stared at Trec for a long moment before glancing around the halls, as if he were expecting something to leap out and bite him. He fidgeted a moment, staying where he was. He quickly pointed down the hall where he came. "I really should be going-- I left the microwave on --and the tub and the toaster and the uh… toilet. Yea. So I should leave now and go turn those off and- uh… yeaa."

"No way." Trec grabbed onto Dwicky's arm before he could escape and pulled the other into the messy apartment. "You called me for a reason. I'm sure your toilet will survive a little longer without you." He closed the door once Dwicky was completely inside, letting go of the other at the same time. "I refuse to be woken up at ten in the morning on my day off for nothing."

Dwicky opened his mouth to retort about his poor forsaken toilet but he stepped in something crunchy. He glanced down and blinked. "Uh.. Trec, you have an empty pie plate on the floor." He blinked looking again. "And several tupperware containers... and cracker boxes... and cheesy snack bags... and an electric pencil sharpener in the hall?" Dwicky raised his brows as he looked back to Trec. "Not only are you still as lazy as you were three years ago, you've some how evolved into an even worse slob." He rubbed the back of his head. "I didn't think that was possible. But- the proof lies before me." He went back to fidgeting again. "Let me clean up for you-- oh! But I left my special, one-of-a-kind, laminated and autographed broom at home. I should go fetch it! It'll be just a second!"

Trec blocked the door, leaning his back against it while shaking his head. "That's okay. I'll deal with the mess myself at some point, Mother." He pushed away from the door and moved his hands out, placing them on Dwicky's shoulder to lead the other man towards the living room. "Why don't you try and relax. What's the matter with you, anyway? Why so jumpy?" When they were near the couch, Trec moved away from Dwicky and cleared off a couple of papers from the cushions to make room for at least Dwicky. "You call me and want to come over to talk and now suddenly you want to leave just as quickly."

"Aside from the fact I've had at least fifteen cups of coffee since seven in the morning; nothing, nothing." Dwicky looked at the couch and frowned, shaking his head with a tsk. "That couch doesn't look very sanitary. Maybe I should get it dry cleaned. Oh-! I should hand wash the pillows." He snatched up one of the pillows, fluffing it between two hands. "Yea. Got any bleach?" He smiled much too wide and enthusiastically, it looked like a crooked carved-in edge across his face.

"You're being creepy and high strung." Trec placed his hands on Dwicky's shoulders once again and forced the other to sit down on the couch. "Try and settle down." He snatched the pillow back from Dwicky and narrowed his eyes on the other man. "And stop worrying over my apartment. You know I hate that." He threw the pillow aside and crossed his arms.

Dwicky fidgeted on his lap. "I'm not creepy." he murmured in a little voice. But finally he gave in and his shoulders slumped, head falling in defeat. "But... you win. I- I- just- there's no one else, and I can't keep all of this alone. A rock needs a rock too. I can't do this for four years. I can't, not when every little thing that goes wrong makes me want to break down right there. I almost did!" Dwicky buried his face in his hands and groaned. "What am I doing? I can't drag you into this. I can't tell you. You'll think I'm crazy. Everyone always thought I was crazy!" Dwicky balled his hands into fists. "I'm NOT crazy goddamnit!" Suddenly the anger drained from as if someone pulled the plug on his emotions. "My god- it's finally happened. I've lost my mind." He slumped back on the couch, limp, staring at nothing. "Have any coffee?" He glanced at Trec, almost casually.

Trec stared at Dwicky with wide eyes, not exactly expecting such an outburst from the other. "Um… I don't think you need anymore." He shook his head and raised a hand to scratch at his arm. "What in the world are you going on about, Dwicky? You're just sort of talking nonsense right now and not really making… any sense. Drag me into what, exactly? And what about four years?" He raised a brow. "What's making you so crazy?" He smirked at that.

Dwicky grabbed another throw pillow and plopped it on his face to smother it in. He groaned again. "Nothing" came the muffled reply "Absolutely nothing." He fell over on the couch, despite the mess.

Trec rolled his eyes. "Yeah, sure, whatever. I'll just completely ignore that small little breakdown you had just seconds ago on my couch." He walked away from the couch to take the short walk back to the kitchen and grabbed his food he had discarded for the door. "Problems don't just disappear. That's one of the things they taught us in college, remember?" He mumbled a few words under his breath after. "I know it's still drilled in my head, at least."

"Yes'sir." Dwicky muttered under the pillow. "Problems need to be dissected. Find the root, solve the problem." He turned over but still buried his face back in the pillow. "Yea, well... you spent most of class face down in your text book with a brook of drool cascading from your mouth." He huffed, but he knew Trec was right.

"Not all the time." Trec walked back into the living room only to narrow his eyes on Dwicky. "Only on the days I felt what was being taught wasn't really all that important." He shrugged a shoulder. "So I failed some tests, oh well." He pointed at Dwicky, despite the pillow covering the other's face. "That's not the point. The point is you're cracking over something." After those words he turned his attention back to his food.

"It's called pressure, Mister Trec!" Dwicky snorted as he chucked the pillow at his friend. After he rolled on his back and rubbed his face thoroughly. "Mph. To put it in blunt words that even you can understand: 'I've fucked up big time'." He let his arms flopped above his head. "At least in the eyes of society." He scoffed. "Alright, Mister Master of Counseling, fix my troubled mind and show me some guidance." He blew his hair from his eyes with a heavy sigh.

Trec had ducked and let the pillow sail over his head. As soon as it was clear, he straightened up and couldn't help smirking at Dwicky's words. "Well, it depends on if you want to be locked in an employee closet." He shrugged and made his way over to sit on the end of the couch. "But, if you insist. I shall try and fix you as best I can." He looked down inside his bowl, poking at his food as he continued speaking. "First you need to tell me why exactly it is you 'fucked up.'"

Dwicky rested his arm over his eyes as he let a smirk cross his features. "That's the beauty of it. I can't."

Trec turned his eyes back on Dwicky at those words. A confused expression came over his face and for a few moments he stayed silent before he rolled his eyes and looked back down. "Then how do you expect me to help you if you can't tell me anything? What did you do? Kill someone?" He was obviously joking.

"You'd call me crazy, and you'd probably think less of me. And I can't risk you telling anyone else... especially our group." Dwicky covered his face with his other arm too. "I'm so deep in this, it's not funny. If you really knew... you'd disown me as a friend. I can't believe I came here. Three years I fell off the planet and I expect you to let me dump my problems on you and be fine with it." Dwicky sat up with a grunt, rubbing his forehead. "I must be insane."

"Wow, it must be something serious." The amusement was gone from Trec's voice as he said the words. He watched Dwicky as the other man moved around. After a few moments, he set his bowl aside and leaned back against the arm of the couch. "Anything you say here I swear not to tell the others. Think of it as one of those confidentiality things we're supposed to have." He looked away, turning his attention to the mess on the floor. "We've dumped our problems on each other for as long as we've known each other. Why stop now? I have to admit, I was a bit annoyed you didn't keep in touch, but it doesn't mean I want you to suffer with whatever you're going through." He turned his attention back on the other.

Dwicky slowly looked back to Trec, his brows furrowed, creasing his forehead with worry. "Promise me you won't. Promise me you won't tell anyone, Trec. This is heavy, heavier than anything we've ever dumped on each other." He shook his head, his gaze falling down to his mood ring, toying with it on his finger. "I didn't know who else to confide in." He gave such a weak shrug. "You were the most open minded of us all..."

Trec's eyes fell down to the ring Dwicky had become so attached to lately. He stayed silent once again before he moved his eyes back up and nodded his head. "You have my word." He leaned forward a bit, trying to get a better look at Dwicky's face. "What's all this about, man?"

Dwicky paled, the words didn't want to come out. He'd gone for so long keeping it to himself, he didn't need another incident like he had with Tak and Gaz. But Trec was a long time friend; that made things better, right? He swallowed hard, feeling cold all over. He didn't look at Trec when he finally spoke, his admitted words barely breathed out "…I'm involved with a client."

Trec blinked his eyes at that. He was expecting something much more shocking than what he was just told. "That's all? You're freaking out because you're going out with one of your clients?" He leaned back and rolled his eyes. "Oh come on, Dwicky, that's nothing. I mean sure, you could get in a little trouble, but it's not as bad as you're making it out to be."

"Seriously involved." Dwicky quietly corrected. He raised his gaze enough to give Trec a somber look that let the other know it was much more than just 'dating', before his gaze fell back down to his ring.

That shut Trec up, and once again he stayed silent for a bit. It took him a bit longer to finally speak up again and when he did he shrugged his shoulders. "So you have a heavy relationship with someone, so what? As soon as they're no longer your client you don't have to worry about the boundaries anymore." He raised a brow, suddenly confused. "I thought you were happy about whatever relationship you were talking about yesterday. Now suddenly you're worried about something you really don't need to be?

Dwicky pressed his fingertips together, steepling his pointer fingers as he bowed his brow to rest upon them. "…He's fourteen." Dwicky almost didn't finish in a shaky voice that almost cracked.

Trec stared at Dwicky with wide eyes for what felt like forever. His whole body went rigid and his mouth hung open in shock. Finally, he let out a shaky laugh and raised a hand to scratch the inside of his ear with a finger. "Wow... um... could you repeat that. I think my brain just leaked out of my ear."

Dwicky grated his teeth tightly before he just snapped. "He's fourteen! Fourteen, Trec! FOURTEEN!" He pushed himself up from the couch to pace, kicking whatever garbage that was in his way to do so. "I am sleeping with a fourteen year-old patient of mine! Happy!? You prick!" Dwicky pointed sharply at his friend. "Want to hear something else that's 'fucked up', I love him! I really, sincerely love him! With every fiber of my mortal flesh and soul I want to spend the rest of my messed up life with him. I want to pull him out of his wretched little life where everyone keeps putting him down and dumping their emotional constipation on him. I want him to be happy, because that makes me happy." Dwicky raked his fingers through his hair, clawing at his skull, as if that would make sense of anything. "You want me to put a cherry on this little 'shit' sundae? I came back here to this city because of him. I came back for him. I left him, Trec, I left him in such a mess-- I had to get him out of there." Dwicky shook, with laughter or sobs it was hard to tell. "He was dying in there." His hands fell heavily back to his sides as he shook his head. "I barely knew him for one day three years ago, and now... I can't live without him. I'm hooked. It's too intense." His head fell heavily again, the energy drained from his bones and he rubbed his temple. "I'm as loony as he is."

Trec stayed silent through the whole outburst and just listened, even when Dwicky stood up and started to kick his mess around and continued to shout. When everything was finally quiet and Dwicky had stopped speaking, that was when Trec spoke up. "Well, out of everything I expected, this was not one of those things." He stood up from the couch and moved beside the other, trying to read Dwicky's expression as he continued speaking. "This is some really heavy stuff you've gotten yourself into, Dwicky. Can you imagine what would happen to you if you get caught? Were you even thinking?" He shook his head for a moment and looked away. "I'm not trying to judge you or anything, far from it. Hell, I've done some weird things myself. Not like this, but still a little out there. I'm just wondering what made you think getting involved with a fourteen year-old would be a good idea." He looked back at the other. "We were not taught i this /i in college." He couldn't help teasing at least a bit.

Dwicky gave his friend a horribly dirty look but it fell from his face just as quick. He shrugged weakly. "Everything just kept layering. I knew it was a bad idea but I did it anyway. I just wanted to help him get out of the institution." He paused a second and his cheeks heated over. "Yea, that was him, the kid I was with yesterday; Dib." Hot embarrassment colored his skin worse. "All I ever did was make him promises about when he gets out. And now that he's out all I find myself doing is making new promises four years from now when he's eighteen." Dwicky rubbed his brows, but it did little to help. "The boy has real problems, and I seem to be the only one who really cares. His family was more than happy to lock him away for three years in a mental institution and forget about him. You should have seen how far gone he was when I first came there. Now you wouldn't know by looking at him. Now he's just like any other teenager." Dwicky chewed his lip; but there were still the voices and nightmares that plagued Dib, and that the boy would be most likely medicated for the rest of his life. But some things were best left private.

"That was him?" Trec seemed shocked once again and another shaky laugh came from him as he rubbed the back of his neck. "Wow, I thought that kid was like, twelve or something." He dropped his hand and cleared his throat before going on, a serious expression once more on his face. "What a loving family he has." There was obvious sarcasm in the words. "What kind of promises are you making him now? I mean, if everything has been okay for you two then what's the big deal? You seemed happy yesterday and even now, you're talking about how much you love him."

"The medication… and poor nutrition... it all- stunted his growth." Dwicky silently rubbed his goatee. "He's smart. A very intelligent boy, quick learner, and very sweet." Dwicky let out a small forlorn sound. "I know... he's so small and comes across as very childish sometimes, and I feel so guilty for putting him in such a serious relationship at such a young age. But somehow, he handles it. I think it's because he doesn't fully grasp the gravity of the entire situation. But… I guess he's the smarter one. He's not the one breaking down to an old college friend over it." Dwicky tried to chuckle, but it came out more sad than anything. "Hmm. Mm. Four years is a long, long, long long time to wait, Trec. To be constantly hiding, to be worried just who saw what and who they know, to who might walk by. To be worried: 'is this touch just a little too affectionate?', 'Are we touching just a little too much?'." Dwicky went back to pacing. "We've already had too many close ones to be safe. This isn't safe. I can't stop worrying, thinking over every detail." Dwicky stopped and walked back near his friend. "But I can't leave him, Trec. I talked to him yesterday about putting 'us' on hold until he was old enough." He blinked hard, his eyes already aching. "You should have seen him, Trec. He looked like I murdered his entire family and then hit his dog in the getaway car, then put it in reverse and ran it over again." Dwicky let his head thunk on Trec's shoulder, everything about him slumping in defeat.

Trec glanced sideways at Dwicky and smiled sadly. He lifted a hand to rub his friend's back, trying his best to comfort the other as best he could. "Sounds like he's hooked on you just as badly." His hand fell back down and he let out a sigh. "You can't worry all the time though, Dwicky. Of course you're in a very dangerous situation, but if you just continue to worry about this and that, then you won't even be able to enjoy being around him for what time you are until he's actually legal."

Dwicky grunted, shaking his head to rub his eyes on Trec's shirt. "You're a horrible counselor. I want my money back."

Trec had to grin at that. "This coming from the guy that's sleeping with his fourteen year-old client." He shook his head and tsked. "Next to you, I'm now a saint."

"Hey. That's insensitive. As a counselor, you're not suppose to point out things so bluntly." Dwicky stood back from Trec and poked the other in the stomach. "And his name is 'Dib'." He rubbed an eye as he straightened. "…and I don't regret what I did." Dwicky remembered those clinging moments in his bed with Dib so silently abused; 'you don't regret anything do you?' "I never did any of this to hurt him, or to sleep with him. I just- he deserves better than what he has in this dead-end town. All the bad stuff that happened to him... even now... it's my fault either way." He scoffed very wryly. "The law will agree with me there."

Trec shook his head at those words. "I doubt the fact he was in an institution is in any way your fault." He raised a brow. "Besides, what do you mean, even now? It sounds to me like he's happy with you and was pretty miserable on his own." He shrugged his shoulders. "What bad stuff could there be other than the obvious. And if that was the case, then you wouldn't be a very free man right now."

Dwicky turned to face Trec, a frown plain on his face. "...He has his enemies." He shut his eyes and rubbed his mouth. Finally he gave a sigh and let his hand fall back down. "I let him down, Trec. I met him at that skool I worked for briefly. He was a raving nut bar, as far as his cabinet-drawer full file at skool said. He reminded me of me at that age, big on the paranormal; just waiting to have his dreams smashed under the boot of reality. I thought I could easily talk some sense into him. I lied about believing in that stuff still, said I'd be his 'partner' in that big fight. But one lie lead to another lie- until I just up and left, leaving him crushed." Dwicky sighed loudly. "I was the foundation of Dib's institutionalization." He knocked on his own head.

"Wow..." Trec gave a low whistle at that bit of information. "How romantic." He crossed his arms over his chest and shrugged. "Well, he's obviously forgiven you, and everything you've done for him. I would say counts as making it all up to him. You took care of him and helped him get out of the asylum. That's pretty damn good if I do say so myself." A frown came over his face as he went on. "The worst could have happened, you know. He could have held a grudge with you and just not cared about you at all. But look at the two of you. Not only is he better, but you care so much about him that I think you're going nuts." The serious look on his face turned to a grin.

Dwicky blinked, rubbing one arm as he looked thoughtful. He furrowed and unfurrowed his brow and shook his head. "Understatement there." He turned his attention back on Trec and gave his friend a good hard look "You're rather understanding and accepting of this." Dwicky rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. "Most people would call me a good many appropriate things, beat me with something hard and blunt, then throw my mangled body to the authorities." Dwicky paused and gave a very weak smile. "...Thanks."

Trec waved a hand. "It's no big deal." He blinked his eyes at those words. "Well, I mean it is, but, it would be pretty shallow of me to throw away a good many years of friendship just because you decided it would be a good idea to love someone you're not supposed to." He shrugged and let his hand drop back down. "Besides, I'd feel lower than dirt breaking you two apart like that. I may hate being in a relationship. It doesn't mean I wish anything ill on anyone that's in one."

Dwicky nodded tiredly. "Thanks... Mmm, I think." He wandered back to the couch and plunked himself down. "I'm so tired. The worry is eating me alive." He rested his head on the arm of the couch and gave a weak grin up at Trec. "But it's worth it, ya'know... just to see him so happy. Smiling. Laughing. To see that he's okay." He let his eyes shut, his voice drifting off as he continued. "It's the best thing in all the worlds."

Trec shook his head as he smiled sadly. "You shouldn't let it all get to you too much. He may start to notice how run down you are and then he'll start to worry over you. Then you'll both just be two piles of worry and that's not really a great thing to be. It'll cause a lot of stress between you two." He walked over to sit on the couch beside Dwicky and kept his eyes on the other. "So, what was wrong with him anyway?"

Dwicky cracked open an eye to glance at Trec with a slight smirk. "As his personal counselor I'm not privy to release such personal information." He closed his eye again and scratched a brow. "...I've already said much too much."

Trec raised a brow. "You're not privy to doing a lot of things, but that didn't stop you." He shrugged and leaned back on the couch, letting his hands rest behind his head. "I don't think telling me what's wrong with the kid's... er... Dib's..." He gave a sheepish smile before going on. "Dib's head is really going to effect much."

Dwicky didn't answer for a long moment. "...He's schizophrenic."

Trec seemed startled for a while before he finally looked away towards the ceiling. "Okay, I wasn't expecting that one, either." He shook his head and couldn't help the small laugh that escaped him. "Wow, man, you sure know how to pick 'em." He looked back at Dwicky. A smirk on his face. "No wonder you're so stressed out. It must have been one bumpy ride just to get him better."

Dwicky barely raised his head to give Trec a rather exhausted look of aggravation that had the words 'obviously' written all over it. Ge shrugged and rested his head back down, closing his eyes again. "...You can't really choose who you love or why. You just do."

"Yeah, yeah." Trec rolled his eyes at those words. "Hopeless romantic and all that. Got it." He kept his attention on Dwicky for a bit longer, thinking over something and finally deciding to voice it. "So, what happens when you can no longer counsel him? I mean, after a while aren't his parents going to get sick of paying you if he's completely better? What then?"

"...I talked his dad into letting me continue counseling now that he's out." Dwicky shook his head. "I'm getting paid to sleep with his underage son." He groaned and rubbed his face, dragging fingers through his hair after. "I know it's just an excuse so I can see him without suspicion but... it's just wrong. I need to stop. But... I can't think of any other way to spend time with him without his dad wondering what someone my age is doing hanging out with someone Dib's age. What's even creepier is my bread and butter comes from his dad. That's my current employment. I dedicate all my time to this boy." Dwicky sighed. "And if I found other work, I'm sure Dib would think I'm cheating on him. Especially if it's at the mental institution." He paused, turning to stare up at the ceiling. "...And it's not like his dad will miss the money." He snorted.

"Woah! Wait a minute." Trec sat up straight and turned around to completely face Dwicky. "You have no other clients except for Dib, who you aren't even really counseling?" He seemed a bit confused for a few seconds before he continued speaking. "What kind of money is this guy making that you're able to just take on one client and live day by day? Geez, if this guy has any other messed in the head kids, tell him to send them my way."

Dwicky almost laughed at that. "She'd mutilate you..." He sighed softly and rubbed his forehead. "Dib is… Professor Membrane's son." he hesitantly answered.

Trec lost count of how long he sat there staring at Dwicky before his eyes widened as he finally stood up and jumped away from the couch. One finger pointed at the other. "Dude! That's like, suicide! You know what that guy could do if he found out?!" He blinked his eyes and let his hand fall down. "Wait, I guess I'm not really helping, am I?" He looked away towards the floor as he mumbled words under his breath. "I didn't even know that guy had kids."

"Dib and Gaz." Dwicky groaned, furrowing his brows as he frowned. "I know, I know. The Professor is God and it's like sleeping with Jesus; can't get much more taboo than that. But Professor Membrane seems to have this 'out of sight, out of mind' attitude. If he doesn't see any problems, there are none. All he wants is a 'sane' son." Dwicky made the quotey fingers to match the word. "And as long as Dib isn't ranting and raving on about things that aren't scientific, he's happy." He scowled. "Frankly I can't stand the man."

"Well, you better get used to the guy if you plan on 'counseling' his son until he's legal." Trec smirked at that, but the humor fell from his face just as quickly as he thought over something. "Besides, what's wrong with the guy? He's the big shot of the city. He's done so many good things for us. What's wrong with him wanting Dib to get better?"

"His idea of 'making Dib get better' is throwing him into the hands of the mental institution and making them deal with him. Not once did that bastard visit Dib in that place. Not once. Not even when he was asked. No. He didn't want to bother with him until he'd gotten his desired result. He was just going to stand back and wait, after all the hard effort, and then take his son back. He's a horrible, neglectful father." Dwicky snorted. "I had to pull some really low blows to get Dib out." He cleared his throat and averted his gaze. "I threatened with social services." He smirked a little. "Oh, he listened to me then." he added quietly.

Trec raised a hand to scratch at the back of his head. "Well, wait a minute. If he's as neglectful as you say he is, then what about the other kid? Gaz, that was her name, right?" He made his way back over to the couch and sat down once more. "What's going on with her? She's not in a mental institution as well, is she?"

"Gaz. She's taking full advantage of her big brother being out of the house. She's a cruel, cruel bitch, with a cruel little girlfriend named Tak; they're like evil clones." Dwicky pinched the bridge of his nose, recalling the past few days. "Gaz would murder with a glare if she could get away with it. Manipulative and abusive; it's quite disturbing considering since she's only thirteen!"

Trec wagged a finger towards Dwicky after the other was finished speaking. "You know, I think I dated a girl like that once." He shuddered at just the thought and dropped his hand back down. "Are you sure it's not his family that drove Dib nuts instead of you? Because a sister like that and such a loving father, well, I wouldn't be very healthy myself."

"I wouldn't doubt it. It was a good many things that attributed to Dib's mental state. And I can tell you 'STRESS' is at the top of the list, in big bold red letters and underlined at least five times." Dwicky pointed at Trec. "That's probably the root of your dislike for dating." He gave a weak smirk but it just as quickly fell away. "Anyway, there's far more people wanting Dib to fail than succeed in his life. I think I'm the only one that wants what's truly best for him."

Trec glared at Dwicky for the remark about his love life, but quickly let it go and shrugged. "Well, it's not like the whole world is against him. I'm sure in time he can easily learn to just get over the whole mess with his family. Of course, something like that is difficult, but you said he was doing much better now, right?"

Dwicky gave a small nod. "Today is his first day of skool. There was a whole lot of trouble before, but it's better now. He was really excited about it today. I guess... we'll just have to live life each day. It'll make time crawl, but, at least we're making the most of it." Dwicky glanced at Trec. "Trec? ...Do you think it would be best if he and I waited? I really don't know what to think anymore. I'm not thinking with the right part of me, I'm too biased and close to the situation to make good judgment anymore."

Trec groaned at the question and flopped back to lay on his side of the couch. "Oh man..." He raised a hand and rubbed down his face, staying silent even after it dropped back down. After a few moments he finally spoke up, having gotten his thoughts in order. "You said you talked to him about it before and he was pretty upset about it. If that's the case then it would probably do more harm than good. I understand you're worried about everyone around you and that makes sense, but can you honestly say that you would be happy being apart from him for four years?" He moved to sit up on his elbows. "Especially now, as hooked as you are. Wouldn't it hurt you too? How long would you seriously last?"

Dwicky propped his head on his arm, closing his eyes a moment. "... I'd hope four years. But who am I kidding, I wouldn't last a week. Dib would last even less. Mmph. Am I in a mess."

Trec shook his head. "Love is love is love. Ups and downs included. Your downs are just a bit more extreme at the moment." He stayed silent for a bit before a grin came to his lips. "Now I understand why we didn't last. I wasn't young enough for you." He couldn't help teasing, trying his best to lift Dwicky's mood as best he could.

But it only had a TV guide flying at his head.

"Not funny, Trec." Dwicky huffed and stuck out his tongue at his friend; a bad immature habit from Dib. "…The reason we didn't work out is because you were neglectful, self absorbed, and frigged. Oh- and a bad kisser. Ha!" Dwicky smirked wryly.

Trec rubbed the side of his abused head. He shot a dirty look at his friend before speaking up. "So, does that mean Dib is the complete opposite of all of that?" He raised a brow. "As well as a good kisser?" He wanted to make Dwicky feel at least a little awkward in return for the bump he knew he would have on his head later.

"Yes. Actually." Dwicky leaned back with a grin, putting his hands behind his head comfortably. "Sad isn't it; to be beaten by a fourteen year-old." He laughed from between teeth.

"Just a little." Trec mumbled the words mostly to himself. He kept silent once more as he thought over a few things. Finally, a small grin came to his lips and he leaned over to nudge Dwicky in the side. "Hey, remember how I told you the others were bugging me about you?" He didn't wait for an answer before going on. "Instead of letting them continue to bug me, how about you come hang out at the mall with us." He moved a hand up to scratch at his head. "Provided, I have to work at the same time, but, that doesn't matter. What matters is, you could bring Dib along with you. It'll give you a chance to try and get over your damn worry and just have a good time with us like you used to. I'm sure the kid wouldn't mind hanging around with us as long as you're there."

The grin left Dwicky's face. "…Wouldn't that weird everyone else out? ...Let alone be awkward on so many levels." He averted his gaze as he thought it over.

Trec waved his hand. "Not at all. Just tell them what you told me at first. That he's your client and you have to have him clinging to you twenty four seven or else he'll have some sort of mental breakdown." He dropped his hand and shrugged. "Not exactly the same words you said to me, but they'll understand either way you put it, I'm sure."

Dwicky rolled his eyes and scoffed. "Yea, sure, that won't make things more awkward." But all the same he sighed, lowering his hands back down to his lap. "Mmm... I dunno..."

"You hate having to worry about everyone around you, then here's your chance to just stop." Trec leaned forward to try his best and look at Dwicky's face. "You two can't keep yourselves locked up in the house all the time just because of your relationship. That's not healthy." He leaned back once more as he went on. "People show their affection with their kids all the time outside. Parents, cousins, grandparents. What's anyone going to think if you're one more person added to the mix?" He grinned. "Just try not to kiss him. People might find that a little strange."

"Half the time they think I'm his dad." Dwicky snerked some. "Such a blow to my ego." He chuckled just a little. "Hmm. But you're right. If we keep the affection plutonic, no one should really question it. At the most people might think he's my little brother or something to that effect. We can still be cautious, but we shouldn't have to hide. We'll go stark raving mad if, okay correction I'll go stark raving mad, if we continue to worry so much. Er- if I continue to worry so much." Dwicky clicked his tongue thoughtfully. "I just hope Dib fits in. Feels comfortable around the others and vice versa, ya'know. I don't know what all of us would do." He smirked. "Aside from side around and reminisce like the old men we are about 'the good old days'."

"Hey now, I don't know about you, but I am not old." Trec narrowed his eyes on Dwicky before he shrugged. "They'll more than likely bug you about where you've been. I have to admit I'm curious myself as to where you went. It had to have been one hell of a trip to be gone for three years."

Dwicky frowned to himself. "...That's what I'm worried about." He shook his head. "I mean; it was nothing big, just seeing the world, loafing, relaxing. Not much."

Trec had picked up on Dwicky's earlier comment and it had him raising a brow. "Bull. If it was nothing big then you wouldn't be worried. Not to mention you would have kept in contact with at least one of us. Maybe even a phone call or something."

"... I didn't think I would be coming back." Dwicky loosely shrugged. "I... didn't really have a way to contact you guys. Heh, the long distance charges for a phone call would have bankrupt you." He chuckled nervously. "Really, Trec, it was just some sight seeing with some friends I met. No big deal, I swear." He waved a hand for his friend to dismiss the questioning about it.

Trec kept his eyes on Dwicky for a bit longer before he gave in with a sigh. "Fine, whatever, man. Just don't expect the others to go so easy on you. You know how pushy they can be at times. They think counselor is a fancy word for 'I'm going to nose in your business and you're going to like it.' even when they aren't working. Annoys the hell out of me."

"Kinam still thinks he's a psychologist, huh? Or was it a therapist?" Dwicky sat more comfortably up on the couch. "Or did he actually go back to college and get those degrees or masters?" He laughed and waved a hand. "I swear, that guy tries to psychoanalyze everything. You could say 'I'm hungry' and he thinks that it's caused by a deep seeded problem that started at childhood, a feeling of ineptness due to not hugged enough when you were three at breakfast time and your mother was sleeping with the milk man. Such a funny guy."

Trec groaned and slid down on the couch. "It's not funny when you have to deal with the guy everyday." He glanced sideways at Dwicky. "Be glad you decided to talk to me and not him. He would have you strapped to a chair trying to pick your brain apart in an instant had you blabbed to him." He rolled his eyes and looked away from Dwicky. "Could you only imagine the excuses he would have tried to come up with for you?"

It was Dwicky's turn to groan and he draped himself back over the arm of the couch, rubbing his face and just keeping his hand lent on his forehead. "Let's seee: trying to recapture my fleeting youth and energy through hooking up with a younger significant other. Uhhh, some kind of trauma drawing back from my childhood where I wasn't loved enough and thus in turn I seek out to rectify it in a vicarious action such as inflicting what affections I never got in a twisted form of sexual relations." He paused and laughed. "Uhhh. It hurts my head. Why can't an apple just be an apple with Kinam?"

"Because then he wouldn't be the Kinam that we all know and love." Trec snorted at that and kept his eyes on the ceiling. It was quiet for a while before a curious expression came over his face, but it was soon followed by a grin. "Speaking of certain relations..." He turned his eyes back on Dwicky. "Are you sure all of this lack of energy isn't just because you can't keep up with your fourteen year old?"

Dwicky instantly gave Trec a dirty look. "No." he spoke firmly "I'm sure." He smirked some after.

"Alright, if you say so." Trec turned his eyes back to the ceiling. "At any rate, I'm sure you'll have nothing to worry about. Dib seemed fine yesterday when I was talking to you. Ignoring the fact the kid seemed like he was ready to glare a hole into me, but, other than that, perfectly fine." He looked back at Dwicky. "If you talk to him about everything, then I'm sure he won't mind hanging around you and some friends."

Dwicky gave a small apologetic smile. "Dib doesn't really have many friends, I guess he gets jealous easy. Hmm, it makes him kind of clingy. But he's getting better. Like I said- he's going to skool, he'll have friends of his own soon." He poked at a random newspaper that seemed to be his neighbor with him on the couch. It looked at least a month old. "I suppose I could talk to him about it. I guess he wouldn't mind. I think he'll be more panicked about you knowing our situation than anything really." Dwicky made a dreading sound over that as he picked up the newspaper, leafing through it to snoop at the old articles. "That'll be an experience." He gave Trec a smug sort of look. "I think you'll have to prove your worth to the kiddo."

"Prove my worth? Ha!" Trec shook his head. "I work with kids, Dwicky. They all love me." He looked away, avoiding eye contact with the other for a moment. "Not including the ones that run away screaming from me. Those don't count." He looked back at his friend and held up a finger. "But, the others adore me. I swear it."

Dwicky narrowed his eyes in amusement. "Oh yes, I could see the adoration in Dib's eyes as he glared a hole right through your head and then stuck his tongue out at you when you weren't looking. You totally won him over, charmer." He laughed "Aw, I'm sure you two will get to know each other and, more later than sooner, get along." He teasingly laughed again.

Trec blinked his eyes. "He stuck his tongue out at me?" His eyes narrowed as he looked away towards the wall. "What a brat." He thought over what he just said and quickly looked back at Dwicky. "Er... sorry." Trec cleared his throat as he tried to get comfortable once more on the couch. "So, how are you going to explain to him that you just told your deepest darkest secret to a friend?"

It was an empty paper coffee cup that went flying at Trec's head this time.

"First off I'll tell him there's no problem because you'll be dead and beaten if you keep with the remarks, sly." Dwicky smirked as he narrowed his eyes. "Second of all, well, I'll just tell him the truth. You're a good friend, you wouldn't tell anyone, and that I needed to talk about this to someone before I had myself a nervous breakdown." He shrugged looking to the coffee table and the clutter on it. "Contrary to belief, I'm only human. I can only carry so much on my shoulders alone." Dwicky seemed to solemn up. "... I just hope he understands and doesn't hate me for it."

Trec rubbed his head much the same way he had last time. He glared at Dwicky for a few moments before he shook his head and let his hand fall back down. "I'm sure he will, but it's stupid of you to think you have to carry every single problem alone. Aren't you supposed to share your problems in a relationship?" He raised a brow. "Or am I getting that part wrong also?"

"If everything was as textbook as its read, then we wouldn't be employed." Dwicky smirked. "And isn't a counselor just a lazy man's therapist? Less skooling, less liability and less lawsuits. But, yea, I'm sure he will understand... after the heart attack and aneurysm." He coughed.

"Oh come on, I'm sure it won't be that bad." Trec picked at one of the long threads that were starting to pull away from the worn couch. There was obvious curiosity in his voice as he continued speaking. "So, what made you decide that you actually liked this kid, anyway? I mean, you can't seriously tell me you just came back and bam fell in love with him just like that. That's a little out there." He finally turned his eyes back on Dwicky. "Especially if you only knew him for a day and just completely lied to him the entire time."

Dwicky opened his mouth and then closed it. He looked away, a bit miffed. "Well when you put it that way... I won't."

Trec rolled his eyes and leaned over to poke Dwicky in the arm. "Oh come on. You can't be serious. Spill it. I want to know what was going through your head."

Dwicky swatted at Trec's hand with a whine. "He's… just... he's opened my mind to a lot of things that I thought were long dead, things I had given up hope on." He gave Trec a dry look before he shrugged and flopped back against the couch. "It's a lot of hopelessly romantic stuff that I'm sure you'd want to go without hearing. I'll spare your ears, Mister Forever Single."

Trec ignored Dwicky's last comment and instead tsked as he sat back. "If that was the case then you wouldn't be here. You'd be at home, keeping it bottled up and overdosing on coffee." He couldn't help grinning. "Besides, you didn't seem to mind spilling the most extreme thing to me. So go ahead, it's not like I have much else to do today."

"It's not the 'why' I love him that's the problem... it's the 'when'." Dwicky sighed and clicked his tongue as he looked up at the off white ceiling. "Can I have a non-caffeinated drink? I need something in my system to off set the coffee." He smirked. "Hum..." He ruffled his own hair. "I said I'd pick him up today after skool. His dad is off playing Mister Scientist again of course, even though he signed an agreement on Dib's release." Dwicky scowled. "I don't care what that guy has done for the world, he's a disgusting father."

Trec whistled at those words. "Wow, you sure do hate the guy." He stood up to make his way into the kitchen. There was a few loud noises as he tried to find a cup, but his voice was still heard above it all. "It would be amusing to see the guy's reaction when all is said and done and you two don't have to hide it anymore." He couldn't help laughing at just the thought. "I'd pay to see that." After a few moments he finally made his way back into the living room and handed Dwicky a plastic cup filled with orange juice. "It's all I have and the water still tastes just as bad around here."

"Thanks." Dwicky took the cup and took a sip. "You'd pay to see it? I'd pay to rub it in that guy's face. Snub him good." He bit his thumbnail and flicked his thumb forward. "It would show him a thing or two about paying attention. He may be a genius but when it comes down to it- he's really, really stupid." He scoffed and took another sip of his juice.

Trec raised a brow and studied his friend for a moment. "Hey, Dwicky, what does Dib think about you pretty much despising his dad?" He walked back to the couch and sat down. "His family relationship might not be that great, but doesn't it bother him a little?"

"I don't think he cares. All he ever wanted was some affection from his old man, some goddamn recognition, a pat on the back! I don't think Dib could blame me for feeling bitter about the guy." Dwicky stared sourly into his juice. "I don't think Dib has a very high opinion of him either."

"Wow..." Trec rested back on the couch and stared up once more as he thought over what was said. "Makes you wonder why the guy has kids at all." He couldn't help the smirk that came to his face as he looked back at Dwicky. "Looks like you're pretty much the only one he has."

Dwicky frowned considerably more.

Dwicky's expression caused Trec to frown as well and he stayed silent for a bit until finally he moved a hand out to shove at the side of the other's head. "Don't worry about it, though. He's bound to make at least a few friends at Skool. Just like you said."

Dwicky's head stayed tilted and soon he fell over on the couch, cup resting on his lap. "Mmm... I hope so. I won't know till I pick him up. It's fifty-fifty whether he'll have a good day or not." That caused him to frown even more, now that he had new worries. Everyday since Dib had started skool it only got worse and worse.

Trec sighed and shook his head. "Listen, why don't you crash here until you have to pick him up?" He stood from the couch and walked over, leaning to pick the drink up from Dwicky's lap. "You're down right drained. I'm sure you could use the rest." He set the cup on the table before going on. "I can always wake you up before you have to get ready to leave."

"Sleep?" Dwicky laughed sadly. "…Foreign word to mine ears. What is this funny thing you speak of? Is it edible? Lubricated? Can I wear it on my head to parties?"" He rested his head on the couch's arm heavily, letting his eye sift half closed. "...I'd almost want to take a sedative if I didn't have to drive today." He shut his eyes. "But it could be worse. It could be a couple of days ago." his voice petered off.

Trec narrowed his eyes. "A couple of days ago?" He leaned forward once more to better hear the other while he continued on with his questioning. "Why? What happened a couple of days ago?"

Dwicky cracked an eye open and pushed Trec's face away with a disgruntled whine. "...You ask too many questions."

Trec let out an annoyed noise before he snorted. "Well of course I do. I'm a counselor." He turned around and started to walk away from the couch once more. "Get some sleep. I'll bug you when you have to go get your boyfriend, don't worry." Once he was done speaking, Trec made his way into his own room down the small hall and shut the door behind him.