No One Will Know

Chapter 1

"Are you ever going to tell Purple?"

"I don't know."

This was the first time that Zim asked Red if he would tell Purple about their secret relationship. Most times he would just ask if they were ever going to tell people like Dib… or Skoodge, who was living with Zim at the time… or even Keef for some odd reason. But this was the first time that Zim asked about Purple, Red's main partner since the very beginning of The Academy.

And he had no idea if he could gather the gall to tell him about a relationship with one of the most idiotic, defective irken that he will ever know.

"Isn't he your best friend?" Zim asked.

"Yes, but… I don't think he would understand."

"Why not?"

"It's complicated."

Zim was always so destructive and boisterous around everyone else. But when he was with Red, he maintained his loyal stature that he always did with his Tallest. The only difference was that instead of salutes and pummelings, there were kisses and head 'bonks'.

On top of that, Zim was getting more and more curious every day. "That's the one thing that bothers me," Red would often think to himself. "How can one short little irken have so many questions? It would make his head explode."

But Red continued to pursue with Zim, because he truly did hold some affections for him. The way that Zim destroyed things and spoke so strongly to him. No one else could possibly keep a conversation interesting like Zim could. Everything that Red did seemed so much more exciting when Zim said it, and he appreciated him for that.

And the idea of being in a taboo relationship with one of the most detached irkens made it all seem so devious. Something interesting that he didn't get when he was on the Massive with Purple. It made him feel so much freer, and Zim was more than happy to oblige.

"Are you ashamed of Zim?"

Red wrapped his arm around Zim. He knew that Zim didn't like it, but in truth, they were both growing accustomed to the intimacy. "No, I am not ashamed of you. But you should understand what would be at stake if we start telling people about what we're doing."

"I know…" Zim said, his antennae falling. He was normally so powerful, but around Red, he felt so weak. This was his Tallest after all. His supreme leader… but also his boyfriend. That was confusing. "But why does it have to be so hard. We can't do anything outside of this house and it can get so boring."

"Patience," Red responded. He often had to say that, though the meaning behind the word was beginning to deteriorate. "I'll work something out."

"Zim has been patient for so long," Zim said. "How long has it been?"

"Since what?" Red asked.

"The kiss," Zim said innocently.

Red blinked and sighed. "Three months." Three months since Red came down to check on Zim's progress after countless transmissions of Zim begging. Three months since Red's realization. Three months since Red gave in to his urges and kissed Zim, something he would've never done before. "Yeah, I think it was three months."

"It's been so long."

"It could be longer," Red said.

"I know, and I trust you more than any being in this universe," Zim said. "But I… I want to show these hyoomans the menacing duo that is Almighty Tallest Red and Zim!" He escaped from Red's arms and lifted his arms in triumph.

"Yes, and how are those plans for conquest going for you?" Red asked. He already knew the answer, but he figured he should ask anyways.

"Eh…" Zim scratched the back of his head. "Well?"

"Yeah, right," Red said. "Listen, Zim. Purple and the rest of Irk still believe that you are banished on Earth. I can't quite have you destroying it yet."

"I can only wait so long, though," Zim said. "Invader blood is in my veins, and I want to be able to please you. I want to prove to you that I can be a supreme invader in your stead."

"You are already proving to me enough," Red said, waving his arm. "And once I find a comfortable time to tell Purple, then we can start with the destruction of Earth. You could then officially be an invader of Earth."

Zim pumped his fists and got excited. "Okay, perhaps I can wait a little bit longer. The Dib-human hasn't been getting in the way lately, so when the time comes, I can unleash my ultimate plan. It'll be most destructive."

"Good," Red said. "And hopefully it won't be long now. Keep in mind, this secret isn't as easy for me to keep, either. I see Purple almost every day and I have to make up an excuse for why I leave. I can't just tell him that I'm going to Earth."

"I see," Zim said. "But I trust you. You are a Tallest, so you must know what you're doing."

"I do," Red said. He knelt down a bit and Zim went on his toes before giving each other a kiss on the lips. This was a routine that they had and they were beginning to enjoy it. Especially after they began to understand the ideals of intimacy in a relationship.

After standing up to full height, Red was going to say something, but he was cut-off by someone walking into the room.

"My Tallest! It is a pleasure to see you after so long!" Skoodge exclaimed as he bowed in front of his leader.

"Skoodge?" Zim asked. "I thought I sent you out to get some of the human food. That should've taken you hours."

Skoodge stood up. "Yeah, but the stores were closed because there was some kind of robbery, so I thought I would come back later. And it seems I came at an optimal time."

"Yeah… I guess you did," Red said uncomfortably. He had forgotten that Skoodge lived with Zim. He looked up and down his figure. Fat and ugly, as usual. Many stains coating his uniform, more than usual.

"My Tallest, is this my chance to be able to return to the Massive? I have sent so many transmissions, but it seems that none of them were returned," Skoodge said, putting his hands together.

Red looked at Skoodge, then at Zim, then at Skoodge. "Ehh… the Brains are still debating on your return, Skoodge. I will inform you on the results as soon as I have more information." Though, Red was completely lying. As much as he would love to get Skoodge off of Zim's hands, he didn't want to have to deal with him later on.

"Oh, of course," Skoodge said. "Tell them to take their time on their decision-making. Zim has been giving me a home and I have started my life on Earth nicely." Skoodge looked at Zim with a bright smile before returning his focus to Red. "So my Tallest, if you haven't come here to reinstate me as an invader and give me a reassignment, then why are you here? Oh! Would you like a cookie? I made cookies yesterday!"

Red blinked. He didn't realize how loyal Skoodge could be, even after being launched out of cannon as part of an Organic Sweep. "Um… no cookies for me, thank you. But I'm having a private conversation with Zim about his… future with the Earth."

"Yes, so run along, Skoooodge," Zim lashed out as he butted in his face against Skoodge's. "Can't you see that I'm having an important conversation with my Tallest? Why don't you go downstairs and play with your dolls like you always do?"

"Wha-" Red nearly exclaimed before chuckling.

"That was one time!" Skoodge exclaimed before frowning a bit. "Some girl gave them to me. Just randomly put them in my hands and I figured I had to do something with them." He thought for a moment, then looked up at Red. Red was chuckling a bit to himself before looking away. "But if you two need your privacy, then I will leave you to it."

"Good, now get lost," Zim said, shooing Skoodge away.

Skoodge left the kitchen, though instead of returning to his room, he hid behind the wall in order to listen in on Zim and Red's conversation. He knew for a fact that Zim was banished to Earth as punishment for his terrible involvement in Operation Impending Doom I, so he was curious why his Tallest would even bother with coming all of his way to visit a banished irken.

'Maybe he is giving Zim a second chance,' Skoodge thought to himself.

He peaked his 'ear' forward and heard, "So you have been away longer than you were last time."

"It's complicated," Red said. "I can't leave until I am absolutely certain that I am not needed for a couple of days. Otherwise I would not be able to spend much time with you."

"Would I ever be able to go up to the Massive?" Zim asked. "In secret, of course. I could always tell Skoodge that I'm going on an expedition to see if I could find other planets like Mars to pilot."

There was a chuckle. Probably Red's. "Perhaps, maybe you could come with me for a few days. If you aren't going to do any invading at the moment, then you have no purpose on Earth."

"Zim likes that," he said. "It'll be good to return to the Massive where I belong. Where all of the good irkens belong."

"Sure, you're a very good irken," Red said. "Now get over here for a second."

Skoodge antennae peaked and he wondered what that last statement meant. He was already incredibly confused, but he was about to get his answers. There was his Tallest on his knees and Zim on his toes. Red rested his hand on Zim's shoulder and brought him forward into a kiss.

Skoodge couldn't believe what he was seeing, and he wiped his eyes to make sure that he wasn't just dreaming. Though, he knew that all of it was real. He almost wanted to yell out, but then he remembered that he wasn't supposed to be there witnessing the kiss. He quickly walked away and went over to the elevator. Once the elevator doors closed, he let out a heavy breath. "What did I just see?!"