It was nighttime. The Membrane house lay dark as its residents slumbered away; the only noises heard being the hum of air conditioning and Gaz's headphones from across Dib's room.

Dib had gone to bed at his usual time, after working on a college paper and clacking at his computer for a while. The mundane routine he'd acquired over the past few months was almost beginning to grow on him... Unfortunately it was about to be shattered.

A small silhouette appeared at the window by his bed. Careful not to wake the sleeping Dib, the dark skinned intruder slowly lifted it open and peaked in at his enemy. Undisturbed under the covers and snoring slightly, he was still unconscious, and Zim proceeded in.

The disguised alien's brown, almond eyes swept the room. 'There has to be something,' he thought. His attention went immediately to the computer on a desk. 'Turning it on might wake him…' That's when he spotted a small filing cabinet.

Zim scrambled over and had to make himself calm as he slid his fingers through a handle on the top drawer. He pulled slightly and heard a soft popping sound as it budged open. His eyes darted toward Dib.

The human remained snoring quietly, his blanket just under his chin. Zim smiled to himself and went back to the drawer. He pulled it out carefully and began snooping through its contents. It all seemed to be receipts, warranties, and various school related papers. Disappointed, Zim pushed it closed and proceeded to the second drawer.

The second drawer seemed no different, that is, until he got to the back where he saw a small blue folder tucked snuggly in-between two file slots. Curious, he plucked it out and opened it. "Aha."

"Hnnn." Dib awoke, rubbing his eyes as he instinctively sat up and reached for his glasses. He blinked groggily and looked up. Standing in his dark room was a small male with black hair in a red hooded sweatshirt. He jolted out of bed, "Z-ZIM?! What are you doing?!" He took a few steps forward as his drowsiness turned to adrenaline, "Get out!"

Zim sprung into action, grabbing Dib and slamming him up against the wall in one fluid act. His PAK legs broke out, pinning the much taller man's arms and legs.

The back of Dib's head hit the wall hard. He grit his teeth and yelled, "Let go of me!"

Zim glared intensely up at the human, "Zim has not seen The Dib nor has he attempted to foil my plans in months." A small smile grew on his lips, "I figured you were up to something…"

Annoyed, Dib huffed, "I've been in school! And besides, I haven't dealt with you because all your plans have been falling apart on their own."

"Lies! Gir is usually the problem! Although he has been doing better since I've incorporated snacks…"

"Well, now you know I'm not up to something. Can I go back to bed?"

Zim's fake eyes turned darker, "If you're not up to something,... explain this!" He slipped out a stack of several papers, depicting various sketches of the green alien.

Dib's blood ran cold,"Hey, those are mine! Give them back!" He attempted to reach forward, but the PAK legs held him in place.

"Oh no," smirked Zim. He brought them to his face to look them over, "Your reaction tells me these are plans… I just have to figure it out."

"They aren't plans, you idiot. They're just some drawings I did in middle school." The embarrassment from his enemy seeing them was evident on his face.

"Oh…Really? No wonder they're so bad."

Dib rolled his eyes as the invader shuffled through them. He set his head back, waiting for him to finish.

Zim paused after analyzing another, "Uhh… What's this?" He flipped it around for him to see.

Dib's stomach sank. An icy coldness spread through his limbs, but a blistering heat began to rise to his face. Why hadn't he thrown this out?! He thought he got rid of it!

"Dib?" Zim looked at it again. An awkward silence stood for a moment as he examined it. "Are we…" A devilish toothy grin twisted on his face, "Dib…"

Dib was in a stunned silence. This couldn't be happening. Zim could not be seeing this. Why did his teenage self have to be so stupid and reckless? Such an unapologetic freak?

"Dib…" Zim got the terrified adult's attention finally off the drawing. "Why would you draw us kissing?" That grin was still very much present.

The pit in his stomach grew. There was no way around this. He grit his teeth nervously and tried to look elsewhere, but the alien was so close to him. "S-So I was a teen and hormonal and…" Dib tried to compose himself. He'd never been this humiliated in his life. "Look, I just temporarily confused what was hatred and obsession with something...else." Dib could not look Zim in the eyes. His dignity had been shattered. That smug look on the alien only fueled his shame. "T-That was, like, ten years ago!"

Zim's expression didn't change as he nonchalantly placed the drawings into his PAK. He then looked up at the human, taking a small step forward so he was as close to him as he could get, his metallic legs holding firm. His eyes bore into his, that evil grin spreading, "Dib loves Zim."

"I DO NOT!" Dib had practically shouted. He immediately realized the outburst was overly defensive and averted his eyes in embarrassment. "I'm over that now," he said more quietly, "I'm an adult, and I know the difference. I hate you. Loving you doesn't make any sense."

"Oh?"

Dib swallowed awkwardly. His throat felt knotted.

Zim's eyes didn't leave the mess of a human's face. He raised up on his toes, only inches from Dib's nose. That's when the dark boy's image with brown eyes glitched, and amused red orbs and green skin came in its place.

Dib's mind panicked. He hadn't seen Zim's real appearance or even his green skin in what felt like ages. He'd updated his disguise to a much more believable hologram-like image just before middle school started. Since then, he'd only seen his Irken self a handful of times when sneaking into his base. Now he could have counted all the different hues of pink in his eyes, he was so close. The flush on his cheeks intensified, and his chest grew heavy. He was in mid awe at the sight when he caught himself and quickly shut his eyes tightly and turned his head in embarrassment. "Leave me alone, Stupid Alien," he mumbled tartly.

Zim made a low, almost purring sound, "Dib…"

The voice made his stomach flutter, but he refused to open his eyes. That is, until he felt a gloved hand gently cup his face. He held back a gasp and barely peaked from under his lids. Zim had leaned in closer, eyes half closed. He tried desperately to control his breathing as panic settled in further. His heart was racing and mind blank.

Zim drank in Dib's humiliation and bashful expression. Never did he imagine this would be how he'd gain an upper hand on his enemy. He closed his eyes and softly brushed his lips over the human's.

A painful whine escaped Dib's throat. His knees may have buckled if it hadn't been for the legs holding him. A surge of electrical sparks bounced through the back of his head, his breathing ragged through his nose. He felt Zim's lips continue to glide over his, and he couldn't take it anymore. Dib kissed back in hesitation at first, as though he didn't want Zim to notice.

Oh but he did notice. Zim smiled slightly between kisses and pressed his lips a little harder against Dib's.

"Mrnn!" Dib's arm attempted to move, but he was held back still.

Zim felt the motion and released his PAK legs.

Dib was a mess. He wanted so desperately to touch Zim. His arms were shaking as he cautiously creeped one behind his back. His hand stopped for a moment before pressing against him, just below his PAK.

In response, Zim brought both arms around Dib's neck in an embrace. Dib had let out a small gasp, and Zim immediately snaked his tongue in.

"Mmm!" Dib greeted this new kiss with a frenzied passion. His tongue met fiercely with the alien's, and the arm around his back pressed his small frame flush against him. His other arm came up and cradled his head. Shivers went through his body as that segmented tongue wrapped around his, and a hand ran through the back of his hair. Dib's hands roamed over his back and brushed over the unusual antennae. Everything felt so intense, so incredible. In the midst of the passion, his eyelids lifted slightly for a peak at Zim's face... His frenzy immediately ceased, and the heat in his body once again turned to ice.

Zim's open eyes were staring back at him, that evil, cocky grin present in them.

"Gah!" Dib shoved Zim back hard, his face redder than humanly possible. "GET OUT!"

Zim turned and laughed maniacally, pointing at his enemy, "I KNEW IT!"

"SHUT UP AND GET OUT!!!"

Zim smiled and climbed into the window. His disguise fizzled back, and he turned to look at Dib's heated face, "See ya, Dib-Stink." He hopped out.

Dib grabbed the sides of his hair in frustration and walked over to his bed. He groaned and sat on its edge. He then planted his face in his hands, "God, stupid, dumb alien…"

"What's wrong, Dib?!"

Dib yelled towards the window, "GO HOME ALREADY!"

*Writer's Note*

I don't read reviews bc I'm an insecure piece of shit. I just like the enemy-lover dynamic and am a big fan of the IZ tv show.

I'm slowly working on a comic of this on my instagram @hanlee_art