If the sleeping form curled against me is anything to go by, last night was not a dream.

He's so silent, I almost can't tell he's actually unconscious. But he didn't stir when I whispered his name, so he must be. I'd whisper it again, but… this feels nice. Easy. Comfortable. Almost natural.

The house is so quiet. I mean, it usually is, in a way, but rarely do I ever just listen. Not even Gir is around to break the silence; he must be outside or off somewhere in the world.

I almost envy the robot for that, getting to go anywhere he pleases, interacting with other people. It's been months, and I haven't gotten to go past the perimeter. I still have no idea where we're at, but there's nobody around for miles. I mean, maybe Zim made the shield block people from coming near it. Or maybe we're really that alone. It's silly, but I almost don't even remember what it's like talking to people that aren't an alien or a crazed robot.

But, in reality, have I ever truly known what that was like?

At least Zim picked a place with both a lake and some woods. He even expanded the border, once, to let me have some more of the woods to explore. And he even said he may cover the whole woods someday, so long as I can prove to him I can go in and not get hurt "like the wormbabies of this planet tend to do".

So at least there's hope of getting to see more. Not that this place is bad. The scenery is amazing, it feels pretty temperate, and there are enough things for me to do to fill my time. I can either be down in Zim's labs, or out in the woods taking notes and tracking creatures. I almost think there's a bigfoot in there somewhere, but outside of what I can get to right now. Once Zim expands the borders more though..

Speaking of the alien- last night.

We kissed. Twice. He kissed me. I mean, the moment only lasted a few minutes, but wow. I didn't know what to expect from the start, but it wasn't that. And now, waking up to my arms around him, and he's completely unguarded. He fully trusts me.

It's just… we've come so far. I remember clearly that first day I met him. And then all those fights after. And then coming here, all these months of becoming good friends.

And now this.

Not that I even know what this is. I don't think he does, fully, either. That's a conversation for today, if I know anything about Zim.

Wide awake at the thought, I start thinking on how to plan for the day ahead. First things first- I haven't eaten since last evening, and my stomach needs some attention. I assume Zim will have the same need. Peeling myself away from him ever so slowly, I inch out of bed, taking care not to make and sound or sharp movements. Let him sleep. The floorboards creak softly below my feet as I walk, and I inch the door open and shut, quickly stepping out into the hall. The sun lit up the building, and I blink against the harsh rays.

The kitchen isn't too far from my room, and- miraculously- it's stocked up. With the right ingredients. Like, tangible and edible food. Whatever upgrades Zim programmed to Gir, it worked. I mean, given all the extra free time and his natural tech abilities, it could only be expected that he would start fixing things up to par. But the robot is definitely his best work.

Flour. Eggs. Sugar. Salt. Milk. Baking soda. Butter. Bowls and measuring cups are set out, ingredients sifted and stirred. Not too stirred- flat pancakes are worthless pancakes. Light and fluffy is key.

"I thought you usually left the making of breakfast to Gir." I jump at the sudden voice behind me, and whip around to face the obviously awake alien.

"Did I wake you?" He yawns loudly, his head shaking back and forth in the process.

"Not really. My body was waking up, and I felt that you weren't there. So that made me open my eyes. But, again, I was waking up already…" He shrugs. "Not that it's important. So, where's Gir?"

"I thought you'd know. He isn't inside. You didn't send him anywhere?"

"Not that I can remember. But he doesn't really wait around for permission, does he?" Zim reaches into a cupboard and pulls out a pan, going to the stove and turning it on. "I think I prefer it like this anyway.

"Yeah? Same." My voice grows softer. Too be honest, I'm a bit nervous. I really don't know what to expect…

"Want some help?" I pause in the middle of reaching for a ladle, ready to spoon the batter into the pan.

"You… want to help? I thought you didn't like cooking?" He crosses his arms.

"Well I've never really tried, now have I? And I mean, I'm kinda stuck on this planet anyway, so I might as well learn things that'll come in handy for survival." I can't help but smile as he talks.

"You're right. Here-" I gesture for him to come forward, and he does. Handing the ladle to him, I pick up the bowl and hold it next to the pan. "Scoop up some batter and pour it into this. You don't have to move the ladle around, just pour it into the center. It'll move outwards on his own." He almost seems unsure of himself as he takes a little bit of batter and tilts the ladle to let it out. The green being frowns.

"It's small."

"Just means you need more batter next time, that's all."

"No, Dib-thing, it means I failed." He looks up at me, glaring slightly. "I now remember why I hate cooking."

"...For making a small pancake?"

"Yes! Yours always come out big! Mine didn't."

"... Zim. You… you literally just need to get a bigger scoop. That's all. Let me finish this pancake up- don't worry, I'll eat this one, I like cute little small ones anyway- and you can try again. Overcompensate if you want. Make the biggest pancake your heart- uh, squeedily spooch?- desires." I can't tell if this is making him feel better, but I quickly flip the cooked pancake onto a plate and re-butter the pan for the next attempt. "There, you can try again now."

He takes a few moments, not looking at me. I don't even think he's gonna do it, but then he picks up the ladle. He goes in deep - ha, that what she said- and digs out a good fraction of the batter, almost angrily pouring it into the pan. His eyes are squinted, all focus on the pancake. It spreads out, almost reaching the side. He gets another scoop and adds some more, until it reaches the side. Well, I did say to his spooch's content…

"There." He places the ladle back in the bowl and steps back. "The biggest pancake I could make, what with that tiny pan of yours." It was bigger than his head. "I'll enjoy that for breakfast, but I'm done with cooking. Foolish of me to think such a primitive act could appeal to my senses." I internally roll my eyes, but smile.

"I'm sorry it didn't work out, but thanks for offering to help. It was… really unexpected, but a nice gesture." He smiles back, his good mood finally returning.

"Yeah… maybe we can try other human things sometime. See if they, uh… catch my fancy?" He cocks his head, and I nod at the correct word usage. Tv has its purposes sometimes.

I turn to the pancake to flip it, a monstrous task. It takes a full minute for me to balance the cake onto my spatula (the biggest one in the house), and another minute to work up the guts to flip it over. I somehow manage to do so without batter flying everywhere, and the making of breakfast continues.

It's about half an hour later before we sit down, on the couch as opposed to the table. I have three smaller pancakes, the tiny one on top of the stack, and he has his one giant pancake. We eat in silence for a good few moments before he clears his throat.

"So, Dib…" This is it.

I swallow my bite of pancake before responding. "Yeah, Zim?"

"Last night…"

"It definitely happened."

"Indeed it did."

"Yeah. You never gave me a conclusive thought process. How do you feel about everything?" I look at him out of the corner of my eye, not sure if he'd feel comfortable with full-on attention.

"I… let's talk through it, shall we? That seems to help wormbabies out." I nod, and he continues. "Well… You've noted multiple times that Irkens love attention. And at the core of it all, I am an Irken…"

"That you are…"

"Right. And… you humans are making me aware that there are other forms of attention to give. And maybe… maybe it's natural to enjoy the attention?"

"Completely so, yes." I'm not too sure on what to say. I want to encourage him on, but if I sound too eager, he could shut down again.

"If so… I mean, last night felt… nice. And I could imagine wanting to do that again. But… with you, that is." I can see him quickly glance at me, only to turn away again. "Other humans are gross and icky, but you're not. And… I like the attention you've always given me. And the attention you gave me last night- you gave up sleep just so I could talk with you. That was really…" His hands are on his lekku. "That is, to say…"

"Yeah, Zim?" Soft voice, speak slow, please don't let him run again.

"It's just… do you…" I turn to him fully now. His eyes are closed, and he's speaking slowly, hesitantly.

"Zim?"

"Doyouwanttodotheromancethingwithme?" Did he…

"One more time?" He lets out a harsh sigh, his eyes opening slightly, finding mine.

"Do you. Want to do. The romance thing with me."

…

"Dating? Or, uh, courting? You want us to…?"

"It's what I'm asking, yes!" He looks and sounds stressed, but I can see a bit of nerves in his eyes. I'm trying to think on how to phrase what I want to say, but nothing sounds good. Might as well be simple and to the point.

"Yes."

He doesn't speak. Doesn't look away from me. I don't know what this is, but I know I can't look away from him, that it'd be the wrong move. I reach over slowly and touch his arm. To provide him comfort? To provide myself comfort?

"If that's okay with you, that is." This rouses a response from him, quiet yet loud.

"I'm the one who asked you, silly wormchild. Irkens have no need to ask for things they don't want. That's beneath us." I'm so sure. The thought stays back, though, and a reassuring smile takes its place.

"Then we both know where we stand on this. I'm glad we've reached this conclusion." I sit back up, having been hunched over for better eye contact. He, too, sits up straighter, setting his plate to the side.

"Yeah…" I wince; he sounds really unsure and hesitant.

"Zim… you know we don't have to rush things. You know I wouldn't do anything you're uncomfortable with. And… we don't have to do this now. I like you, and you really seem to like me back, but if this doesn't feel right just yet-"

"No!" I jump slightly at the outburst. "I mean, it does feel right. And I do like you. It's just… I don't know what to do, I don't want to mess up, and then there's things I'll probably have to do that I just…"

"Don't want to do?" He shrugs.

"Maybe? I don't know what all your earthian customs entail."

"Zim." I take his hand, a bold move on my part, but he doesn't seem uncomfortable with it. "You'll never have to do anything you don't want. If you feel uncomfortable, all you have to do is say so. Tell me anytime you want to slow down. I mean, I've gone my entire life without a… courtship. Trust me when I say I'm in no rush." My thumb is trailing his hand, and one of his fingers are trailing mine in response. "And don't you ever worry about messing up. This is a learning process for the both of us. I'm sure that as long as we're open to one another, we should be just fine."

"But what if I fail again, Dib?" He looks smaller at this moment, like the couch could swallow him whole at any second. I move forwards slowly, wrapping my arms around him. He takes to this, shifting his arms around me.

"Then I have failed you, Zim. It's a two-way street." I lean us back onto the couch, moving his figure slightly to rest beside me, curled up in each other. "That being said… you sure you want this? You can back out at any time."

"I'm… sure, Dib-thing. This is definitely what I want." He leans up, his lips touching my cheek before returning to his spot and hiding his eyes behind my arm. Cute. I don't say anything, but grab the remote that is lying next to me (from when Gir was last watching, I presume) and press the on button, searching for a movie we'd both enjoy.

Time to begin this thing right.

Hey guys. I finally updated, after a millennium. Sorry I always do that to you. But just know that the fic is almost complete- only one or two more chapters left. I promise you that I will see to this being completed. I won't leave you with an unfinished fic.