Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Dib slinked down the hall, trying his best to avoid the other students as he traveled to his locker. As he was putting in the combination, Dib’s attention was suddenly caught by someone he didn’t recognize.

He hadn’t heard anything about a new kid, but this school is small, and everyone knows everyone, so how could he not? Not that anyone talked to him, but he would’ve at least seen the kid before, right?

Dib’s thoughts began to wander as he stared.

Man, whoever this is, he’s super cute. Short black hair, pink hoodie, pretty blue eyes, flawless dark skin… Who is this guy? Some kind of incubus? A siren? Dib shook his head. He can’t scare off this gorgeous new kid, he’s gotta be cool.

Taking a deep breath, Dib approached the boy. “Hey! Are you new? I don’t think I’ve seen you before. My name is Dib!” He greeted, pumping up the ‘warm and friendly’ side of himself, the one he typically kept locked away.

The new kid looked to him, and stared with wide eyes for a moment. He swallowed hard and looked around frantically. Finally, he seemed to settle and collect himself, opening his mouth but letting no sound leave.

Dib was left confused until the boy pointed to his throat and shook his head. After a few seconds, it clicked.

“You’re mute?” Dib asked, watching the boy sigh in relief and nod.

“Alright, that’s cool! Do you have a nametag or something I could look at?”

The boy frowned and tapped his foot, then delved into his locker and wrote something down, retrieving a piece of paper, holding it up. The paper only said “Zom”.

Dib stared at the scrawled handwriting for a moment, trying to make sense of it.

“Zom?”

The boy nodded.

Dib smiled once again. “Nice to meet you! I’m Dib- Wait, I… Already said that.”

Zom laughed silently, blushing slightly.

In his mind, Dib rejoiced. In his mind, Zom was totally into him! He might actually have a boyfriend! Someone to hug, hold hands with, kiss and talk to and kiss and hang out with and kiss and cuddle and even kiss!

Meanwhile, ‘Zom’ was freaking out internally.

For starters, how on Irk did that even work? ‘Zom’? Really? What was Zim thinking? He had never even considered that in his new disguise, Dib might not recognize him. And yet, though it’d have been so easy to correct him, there was something that stopped Zim from doing so. Dib’s smile. His warm, friendly, radiant, beautiful smile. Zim felt himself blushing just remembering that kind look on his face. Out of disguise, Dib would never ever look at him like that. And that smile… Oh, how Zim longed for that smile. How he pined for that smile. How he craved that smile. Dib’s beautiful, perfect smile.

Zim would never call it love. He couldn’t ever see himself loving. But this? It had to be close. These feelings, these wants were… Un-Irken. And yet, Zim didn’t want to will them away. He wanted to hold Dib. Kiss him. Feel the smile that graces those lips against his own. And yet if Zim fantasized too much, his ‘Spooch would pound louder than his fantasies.

So maybe it was love. Oh how Zim loved Dib. Wanted him. Craved him so tenderly.

Maybe that was why he wanted to be human.

So Dib would want him too.

Chapter Text

Dib swallowed thickly. He was tapping his foot, nerves about to get the best of him. He ran a hand through his slicked back hair, an anxious habit of his.

He had asked Zom out on a date. Why had he asked Zom out on a date? Why had Zom said yes? The embarrassment of rejection would’ve been easier than getting stood up. Maybe he should’ve insisted on picking Zom up at his house, like a gentleman! Then again, Zom was pretty adamant that Dib not see his house… Did he not live in a good neighborhood? Was he embarrassed? Something in Dib found that cute.

Shaking his head, Dib whipped around when he heard footsteps approaching. It was him. He was here! He hadn’t stood Dib up! Dib smiled excitedly, his feet moving on their own to meet his date halfway down the sidewalk.

“Zom!” He greeted, playing with his hands awkwardly. “Uh, hey.”

Zom grinned, waving and taking Dib’s hand in his, wordlessly leading him inside.

Zim had kept his cool, but in all honesty he was elated when Dib had asked him out. He ended up having to write Dib a not just to get the poor boy to believe him, but it was beyond worth it. Seeing Dib look at him so smitten, hair slicked back in a nice collared shirt, he was even wearing a bit of eyeliner behind those round glasses. And the way the human blushed when “Zom” took his hand was worth every moment they had spent fighting.

They were sat down, and Dib helped Zom order. Dib couldn’t stop staring at the boy. He had chosen to wear a t-shirt over a long sleeved shirt, and despite his modesty, boy did he look incredible. The way the harsh whites and pinks contrasted his dark skin was magical, and the small chromatic necklace he wore complimented his periwinkle eyes perfectly.

Dib was snapped out of his thoughts by Zom tapping his hand and tilting his head. Memory suddenly returned to him,

“O-Oh! Sorry, I trailed off, didn’t I?” He laughed nervously. “Where was I?”

Zom opened his mouth to remind him, but when no sound came out, he paused. Zom furrowed his brow, pouting at Dib in faux anger.

Dib laughed softly. “Sorry, I couldn’t resist.”

It wasn’t long before the waitress arrived, winking at Dib.

“Can I get your drink order?” She asked, after chatting Dib up a bit.

Zom pointed at the menu, to which the waitress barely took a proper glance, nodding dismissively. “And for you, cutie? ~” She flirted.

Dib blushed, stammering awkwardly. “I-I- Uh-, Um-“

After a few moments, Zom seemed unable to stand his own irritation, moving between them. “He’s gay.” He said in a hoarse, soft voice.

The waitress’ eyes widened, staring in shock at the smaller boy.

Dib broke the silence.

“You can talk?”

Chapter Text

“So… You could talk the whole time.”

Zom nodded.

“I thought you were mute.”

“… Selectively.”

Zom’s voice was soft as ever, hoarse and raspy and higher pitched than Dib expected, but still incredibly cute. Dib turned red at the thought, that cute, quiet voice calling his name in-

Dib cut himself off. He was not about to ruin this for himself. There’s a time and a place for those thoughts, and this wasn’t it.

He smiled warmly. “That’s…” He caught Zom’s worried expression. “Hey, I’m not upset. I… It’s really special to me, that you shared your voice here.” He took Zom’s hand.

Zom blushed, staring at their hands. He felt the warmth of Dib’s hand on his, their bare skin touching, and given his background in overwhelming modesty, he found the notion almost… inappropriate. They were touching bare skin to skin, in public. He thought about Dib’s calloused hands, so exposed to the world despite the intimacy. He really did wear his heart on his sleeve, didn’t he?

Zom looked up at Dib and smiled, lifting Dib’s hand to press against his cheek contentedly.

Now it was Dib’s turn to blush, watching the boy against his hand, he almost seemed to purr at the contact. Perhaps Zom was just as touch starved as he was.

“What’s on your mind?” Dib asked after composing himself.

Zom hummed quietly, thinking before he answered. “Wanna… Protect you.”

Dib tilted his head. “What?”

“… You love too much.”

Dib blinked, oblivious.

Zom sighed. “I wanna be official. You don’t deserve to have your heart broken. I can protect you from that.”

Dib turned bright red, lighting up. “Really? You… Want to be my boyfriend? F-For real?”

Zom nodded.

Later that night, Dib was still reeling.

“I can’t believe I actually have a boyfriend! I’m the luckiest guy in the world!”

Zom stopped him in front of Dib’s front door. “Luckier.” He said.

Dib was confused until Zom grabbed his collar and kissed him. Their lips met and sparks flew, Dib pressed back deeply, pulling Zom closer. They stayed like that for a while, just feeling the closeness of each other’s bodies.

Dib ended up being the one pulling away for air, panting and gasping but with a dorky smile on his face.

“Let me in.” Zom spoke, and his lips were so enticing that Dib didn’t think twice.