Corrupted Memory

By: 99Alien-Freak99 & Xmimi89eR

Rate: T

Story will contain: blood/ violence/ anorexic/ depression/ strong language.

(ZaDr!FLUFF)

Disclaimer: We do not own invader Zim, but we own the story and idea.

English is our second language, my apologies if there are any mistakes.

Our stories do not contain lemon.

-XXX-

As hours passed by, Dib grew bored of his laptop, he sighed softly and was about to stand only to realize the sleeping alien in his lap. 'IZ' was still holding the pencil in his hand as he rested his head beside the book, Dib couldn't help but take a look at it, grabbing the book in his hand and staring in confusion at the drawing. It was all too sketchy, with two tall black figures, both smiling creepily with their hands aimed in front of them, claws seeming too sharp.

"What in the world...?" Dib whispered, studying the sketch. The boy lowered the book beside him as he stared at the wall, too lost in thought.

"But Dad, they are real!" The younger self of Dib said, he was following his father down to the lab.

"There is no such thing as 'Halloween visions'," Professor Membrane replied. "Why don't we work on a project together, wouldn't that be better than your nonsense, son?" He offered, smiling at his son even though Dib could barely see it.

"No, Dad, I have to find a way to stop it or else it will destroy me!" He walked in front of his Dad.

"Don't you have homework?"

"I did my homework." Dib said with a hint of disappointment in his tone. "But don't worry, I will find a way, those Halloween things won't stop me!"

Membrane sighed. "Do what makes you happy," He said quietly, sitting behind his desk.

With that being said, Dib ran out of the lab to his room, trying his best to get out of his problem.

a movement caught his attention, breaking him out of his thoughts. He looked down to see the Irken moving, trying to set up. He rubbed his eyes with one hand as the other searched around him, it caught the feeling of someone else's clothes and he jumped from Dib's lap, surprised and afraid.

Dib rose his hands on the air, showing he was unarmed. "It's okay, it's safe here, I promise." He said softly.

The Irken seemed to calm a bit, his antennae rose and his shoulders relaxed. Dib smiled. "H- How do you feel?" He asked, wanting any conversation to fill the silence. The alien held his spooch unconsciously, his expressions softened.

"We can find you something to eat, how about that?" Dib asked again, looking at the alien as he made himself a bit comfortable. "You can trust me,"

The other looked around the room, when he found no 'monsters' he couldn't help but nod, wanting to fill the empty hole that seemed to creep inside of him.

"Great!" Dib cheered. "Follow me," He stood up, waiting patiently for the alien to come. The other stood as fast as his small legs could handle and held tightly to Dib's arm which took the boy by surprise, he was still not used to having an alien clinging to him. They both walked downstairs with the alien examining everything in his way.

"So, do you know what's your diet called? Maybe we have something similar here on Earth," Dib asked as they entered the kitchen, he stood there for a moment, thinking what the little alien might be able to eat.

"Je du-" The Irken started but stopped, remembering the whole 'new language thing' and took a breathe, trying to word his thought. "I don't know..."

Dib thought for a bit. "Do you know how it tastes like? There's a lot of things, salty, sugary, cold, hot, sour... there is a lot," He leaned closer slightly.

The other knew mostly nothing of what he just heard so he stayed quiet.

"Well," Dib looked around again. "How about you try something and find by yourself. We'll stay away from watery stuff like fruits,"

The alien nodded slowly.

"We don't usually have meals, mostly snacks and fast food, I keep wondering how I and Gaz never get fat," Dib mumbled as he searched the fridge with his free hand. "Can you..." He grabbed a sandwich. "Can you eat this?" The boy gave it to the Irken who seemed confused. "There's cheese inside, I think cheese contains water but not much...mostly it doesn't count."

I hope.

The alien took the sandwich in his shaky, weak hand, he studied the said food and tried his best to get the whole 'getting-burned-from-the-inside-out' idea away. Hunger seemed to win as he took a bite with his teeth-like zipper and waited for pain. It wasn't that much of good tasting but it didn't burn him, he took another bite, not realizing he let go of Dib's hand to hold the sandwich.

Finally, the bitter taste of blood in his throat was washed away and the black hole in his spooch was being somewhat filled. Dib waited for a bad reaction like water, when he was good to go a smile danced on his lips. "That's better, don't you think? I can make you more if you want," He offered.

The small alien finished his sandwich in no time and nodded. The raven-haired boy got the cheese out of the fridge with a spoon and opened it, he took a toast and made himself and the Irken a sandwich. Handing the said alien his food, Dib walked to the table, the other following behind as soon as he saw him move. The boy sat on the seat with the alien on the other one, he'd have sat on the human's lap if he wasn't lost in his 'filling-the-black-whole-inside-of-him' problem.

Dib was glad he wouldn't have a sick alien around because of him -hopefully, it won't have side effects later- and ate in silence. His amber eyes were studying the alien, every move he made, how his antennae were a bit higher than usual and him eating eagerly. Dib was so lost in thought he didn't realize the alien was staring back at him.

The Irken finished eating and stared back in confusion at the human. His hands went to hold the hem of his hoodie, he titled his head which caught Dib and the boy blinked, realizing how awkward that was, so he decided to start a small talk; never being the person who likes the silence. "I'm not planning on scaring you, but there are some wounds that need stitches, I wanted your permission before I start,"

The Irken face twisted with fear, his arms hugged his chest, pressing his back against the chair.

"It's okay if you don't want to, but I need to change your bandages then, it's probably socked in blood by now," Said Dib, smiling at the Irken, he was trying his best to be kind. "I'll be careful, okay?"

The small alien thought for a bit then nodded.

"Great, are you done eating?"

The other nodded again.

"Okay, come on," Dib said as he stood, the Irken stood fast as well and held the human's arm, he was short which made him look like a child besides Dib, being shorter than him by two feet, almost '5.0" or '5.1" if Dib was sure. "I can carry you if your legs still hurt," The boy said as they exited the kitchen, he felt how IZ was trembling behind him.

The Irken stopped, he was afraid at some point, however, he felt some kind of comfort from the human, and said human was tall which made him feel a bit superior than the rest. His race saw height as holy and he was short, just being held by someone tall was a blessing. And his legs did still hurt. So with this thought, he looked up at the human as he let go and motioned a 'give me' with his hands.

"Gimme," He said in a low tone.

Dib rose an eyebrow before laughing, the alien was too adorable. He leaned to carry the Irken on his chest. "You're light," He said as he walked upstairs. "Light and small, don't get me wrong, I mean small in a cute way. I still think this whole height you told me about is stupid,"

IZ held the human's clothes as he listened, he liked the compliment and couldn't help but wrap his arms around the boy's neck. Dib's hurt skipped a beat.

As the human reached his room, he put the Irken on the bed gently and got the medical kit out and started to search for bandages. "Take off your hoodie," Dib told him as he got some bandages out.

The alien did as told and started taking his hoodie off, he took his time as he tried to get the sleeve away from the wires which were painful. When the black jacket was out of the way, Dib began his work as he undid the bandages and started to put new ones. He used tissues to remove the blood.

It was admirable to have someone caring for you after everything he'd been through, he even hadn't seen any monster since morning! How could he say thank you? He wasn't worthy enough to be a thank you. He was just a useless, worthless short defective who can't even remember his own name. He had done something bad and seemed that all his life was just marked as 'not enough, never enough'. Why would someone like the Dib help? What is he seeing in him?? Why is he caring so much for someone who hurt him? Why is he trying to make him feel welcomed, worthy, happy?...

Tears gathered in the Irken's eyes as thoughts and doubts flew in his head, he was frozen in place as his tears fell slowly. Big magenta eyes half-open, staring at nothing.

"Oh my, what's wrong? Did I hurt you?" Dib asked as he paused his work. "IZ? Tell me what's hurting you, I'll help."

The only response he got was the alien shaking his head, he inhaled which ended with sobbing deeply, body began to shake as his hands seemed desperate to find warmth.

Dib frowned and took the other in a hug, his hand rubbing the alien's back. "It's okay, you can tell me anything," He said close to the Irken's antenna. The small alien leaned near the warmth, claws holding tight at the boy's shirt as he pressed his face closer, tears wetting the human's shirt as the alien didn't seem to want to stop. He'd take a deep shaky breath that ends up with sobbing.

"Shh, you're safe here," Dib hugged a bit tighter, his heart was breaking with every tear that fell, he bit his lips, trying to come up with something to do, however, he heard the other talk and listened closely.

"Why...?" The alien asked all of the sudden between sobs.

"Why what?"

"Why're you kind?" He asked, glancing at the human with big watery eyes.

Dib was a bit shocked, he stared back with a frown as he thought for a reply. Right, why isn't the alien already cut open on a table? Why isn't he the world's biggest discovery? Why isn't Dib now in the news covers?...

The alien scanned for the human's emotions to find them: confusion, craving, and awe. The tiny Irken didn't like these emotions as horror crossed his face, his eyes widened.

Was the human giving up on him?? Did he do something wrong? Was he being too emotional?? It wasn't surprising but...

Tears fell much faster as his claws held tighter, he sucked in a shaky breath as he waited for an answer, ready to beg for forgiveness if the boy decided to throw him out.

"Do you know what a friend means?" Dib asked.

The alien was confused, was 'friends' something bad or good? The Irken shocked his head slowly.

"It's people who care for each other, who are there to keep them company and help them when they need help," The boy answered.

"Are... are we 'friends'?" The small Irken asked, fear of being disappointed and rejected fill his heart.

"Sure!" Dib smiled. "We are if you want,"

The alien's antennae rose a bit. "Really?"

Dib nodded.

The small Irken hugged Dib again, holding him tight for a moment before letting go, he sat back and waited for the human to continue his work, whatever heart he has was pounding with newfound light and hope. IZ was trying to ignore his head that kept repeating 'happiness is bad' but it was hard. Every time he tried to think that Dib was his savior, someone that will help him and never give up on him, he'd have doubts. He truly didn't want to raise his hopes up because he knew they'd fall on his own head. But Dib was kind, the possibility of him throwing the alien out is impossible, right?

Right...?

IZ waited for the human to continue, however, he felt no touch on and he looked up to see Dib staring at him with concern.

"You sure you're okay?" Dib asked with a frown, he leaned a bit and cupped the alien's face. "You can trust me,"

Pupil-less ruby eyes looked at amber ones, he made a sound from the back of his throat, desperate to talk to someone, but he found he can't say anything. What is he going to say? He already said enough, maybe talking more will only be bad...

Dib traced the line under the Irken's eyes, giving him a reassuring look to talk, to say his problems, the boy was willing to be there to hear him, to listen to everything he says.

After a heavy silence of the alien just staring in awe at the human, Dib spoke softly. "If you're not ready to talk about it, then you can tell me anytime, I'll be there," He smiled, then with a small blush, Dib leaned to place a kiss on the Irken's unharmed cheek. His heart started to pound at how soft the 'invader''s cheek was.

IZ was in surprise, face almost blank. His small hand went to touch the area with awe, ruby eyes looking through the boy, the sensation was wordless.

Did I just-?

Dib tried ignoring what just happened and went back to task in hand, undoing bandages and putting new ones. He was finished in no time because said alien was small. Dib frowned as his eyes landed on the tangled arm. "I... I can help you with this," He pointed out.

"No! It's gonna hurt," IZ pleaded as he leaned away.

"It will keep hurting if you kept it like that," Dib tried talking him out of it, however, IZ seemed too stubborn as he shook his head. The human sighed. "Okay, okay, I won't," He saw as the other calmed a bit. "It's still early, I would have gone to the grocery store but I'll leave it for tomorrow, how about we talk a bit?"

"About what?" The alien asked.

"Anything, for example... what's your home planet called?"

"I think it's called Irk," The other answered.

"So you do kinda remember some things?"

"I dream of 'em..."

"Cool, so you're Irken?" Dib was overjoyed, he was getting more answers than he ever expected about aliens and space, from an alien himself!

"Yes. What are you?" IZ asked, he felt more comfortable with the boy's presence.

"I'm a human and this is planet Earth like I told you before," Dib answered. They stayed quiet for a second as both searched for a question. "Um, this might be weird to ask but..." Dib's face turned red some. "Are you a girl or a boy? It was kinda odd taking your clothes off, so, sorry about that," He ran a hand through his hair.

"What's a girl and a boy?" The Irken asked, he titled his head to the left.

Dib went blank for a moment. "Are you a male or a female?" He requestioned. Do aliens even have sexualities?

The alien thought for a second. "I think a male...? Yes a male," He replied with a nod. Before Dib could say anything, the Irken asked: "What about you?"

"Male," He smiled at him.

"What about the other?"

"What other?"

"The one with purple 'hair'?"

"Oh, that's Gaz, she's a female, I'm not sure if you can know the difference in humans, sometimes even I can't," He chuckled.

Silence fell on them again as the Irken tagged on the bedsheets, his antenna would twitch every now and then, catching the boy's attention.

"What do these do?" He asked, hand unconsciously moving to touch them.

The alien leaned away. "Umm," He began, unsure of what to say, he himself can't remember much. "I remember that no one is supposed to touch 'em," He said.

"Why's that?"

The small Irken shrugged.

"Do they hurt if I did?" He asked, only receiving another shrug. "Okay, what do they do?" Dib asked again.

"I hear with 'em," IZ began. "I sense things with 'em and..." He trailed a bit, trying to remember something about his own self. Before he could get upset from not remembering, Dib spoke:

"They also show your emotions, right? I mean that's what I noticed," He pointed out.

The Irken's antennae rose a bit, he nodded.

"Cool," Dib said with a toothy smile. "Do you want to know anything about me? About Earth?"

The other thought about it, his eyes looking at the boy, then he remembered. IZ leaned closer to the human's face and placed a hesitant kiss on the human's cheek, if said kiss was just a smack of his lips against the boy's cheek.

He sat back and asked: "What is that? What's its name? Why did you do it?"

Dib's face turned red, eyes wide with surprises. He laughed nervously, his hand went to rub the back of his neck. "Uh... it's called a kiss," He started, but never dared to answer the other question, hoping to God the Irken will forget about it.

"Why did you do it?"

I'm so lucky... Dib sighed. "There's a lot of meanings for kisses, what I did was more like a... um," He shifted slightly. "It's just a friendship thing, maybe even a family thing. For comforting." He explained.

"Oh,"

"How about we watch TV, I'm not sure what you aliens do in your free time, but for me, I'd be either go hunting or just watch a show,"

"Huntin' what?"

"The paranormal,"

"What's that?"

"Bigfoot, werewolves, aliens," He laughed. "But now I have an alien in my room, guess that's a dream came true,"

The Irken's antennae rose, he picked the human's emotions, curios if he's actually finding aliens a 'dream came true': Admiration, awe, and joy. That was interesting, it made the alien smile a bit. He liked this whole 'admiration' he kept getting from the human, it made him feel somehow special.

"You can blush too!" Dib said as he saw the purplish color on the alien's face, his finger touched the Irken's cheek, he chuckled. "Why are you blushing, huh?"

"What's a blush?" IZ asked.

"It's when you're embarrassed or ashamed, sometimes it has something to do with excitement. We blush red, yours is purple," He explained. "Tell me why?" Dib pressed on as he leaned a bit forward.

"Y- You said that a 'dream came true' for you because I'm here," He looked at his lap, hands tagging at the bedsheets.

"Oh, oh yeah!" He smirked. "Of course!" Dib watched as the alien smiled at him, he couldn't help his laugh, seeing how cute the small alien could be.

"Let's go to the 'grocery' thing," IZ said all of the sudden, he crawled to set in the human's lap.

"I can't take you with me," Dib said.

"Why?" Magenta eyes locked with amber ones.

"Because you're an alien, if anyone saw you, they'll probably call the FBI." The human answered.

"What's if-be-eye?"

"The government. If they caught you then you'll be sent to Area-51 there they'll..." Dib trialed off. His face twisted in a deep frown as he imagined heartless scientists poking and doing tests at the alien, they'd lock him in a cold room with endless wounds around his body, machines will be attached to him from every angle. He'd have no well, no nothing.

Dib swallowed. "They'll do bad things..." He almost whispered. "And I truly don't wanna lose you," The boy took a deep breath, being all sad won't help neither of them. "Let's watch TV for now okay?" He said, trying to smile.

IZ nodded slowly, he could feel the fear that suddenly crept on the human's back. The alien wasn't sure if that was good or bad. He wrapped both arms around the boy's neck as the other stood up.

Dib held the Irken with his arms and walked downstairs, his sister was at her friend's house, doing whatever girls do, well, for Gaz, she'd either be playing some game or trying dark makeup. Dib sat on the couch with the alien still clinging to him, he grabbed the remote and started looking for something to watch. His hand rubbing the Irken's back unconsciously as he drowned in thoughts again.

"Gaz?"

The girl looked from her game to the door, she was laying on her bedroom floor with the game-slave in her hands, it was late at night. "What?"

"Can I stay the night here?" The boy asked in almost a whisper, his hands playing with the hem of his pajama.

"Why? You scared of the dark or something?" She teased, with a smirk.

"Please, I'll be quiet," Dib pleaded, his tone was a bit odd to Gaz's ears so she glanced at him and her eyes widened. The young boy was holding back tears as he tapped his foot at the floor anxiously.

The girl blinked in confusion. "What's wrong with you?" She asked, her tone didn't change.

"Yeah um... you remember Halloween last week?"

"Hmm,"

"The Halloween creatures are coming for me, s- so I need somewhere where they can't catch me and I think your room is the best option here. They'll probably fear you and stay away from me, I'm sure they're--"

"Okay, okay, stop mumbling!" Gaz snapped, knowing well if her brother start talking, he won't stop. "Just don't annoy me."

Dib's face brightened. "Thanks!" He then got his blanket and laid near his sister on the floor, not really sleepy but rather scared. Dib tried his best not to talk to himself so Gaz won't throw him out. However, that didn't stop the creepy thoughts that refused to leave him, little did he know that was just the start...

"Why are you sad?" Came the alien's voice.

"Huh?"

"You were sad, why?"

How did he know? "I'm not, I'm okay," Dib cracked a smile on the Irken. His eyes looked at the TV to find somewhat of a good movie and decided to settle for it.

IZ frowned, he was upset to find that his savior was sad because of something, hopefully, it's not because of him...

END OF CHAPTER SEVEN!

Mary: Uh, their first kiss! Not really a kiss but still-

AF: We need to catch up with time, this story needs to be updated more often, sorry about that, and hope you enjoyed!

Reviews are highly appreciated!

This was Alien Freak, signing off.