#i feel like dib would always loath himself because of membrane (and others)

[iodotsys]

There are some things that never change.

#invader zim #dib membrane #suicide #i feel like dib would always loath himself because of membrane (and others) #he'd off himself if he could we all know this #i really like the photograph #13 year old dib probably had just gotten a new camera and wanted to show it off to his dad #so he snaps a selfie in membrane's lab #the only picture he has of his dad that isn't a poster #my art

[amyisherenowitsokay]

You know what just to SPICE it up a bit imma say zadr too bitch

This bitch tryna give me arthritis smdh. Making me out myself for my dual-ship on main, can't even believe a bitch.

PRE-RELATIONSHIP

1. How did they first meet?

School. We must never forget the infamous handcuffs scene.

2. What was their first impression of each other?

Pure, unrivaled loathing.

3. Did any of their friends or family want them to get together?

Gaz said "kiss already" and throws things at them when they're getting too far away from "I want you dead" territory and well into "you want to fuck me so bad and it makes you look stupid" territory. Professor Membrane thinks they're adorable.

4. Who felt romantic feelings first?

Dib. Hormones get the best of us all. You can only be obsessed with someone so long before motivations get blurry.

5. Did either of them try to resist their feelings?

Zim would nearly break his PAK and commit accidental die trying to delete the emotions or install an emotional inhibitor. Dib would have a full mental breakdown trying to sort through it, which would manifest poorly in his behavior and negatively impact his ability to engage in their usual altercations. Pro tip: if you are painfully attracted to someone, being in a position where they pin you to the asphalt or lean over your desk to hiss insults at you is a bad idea.

6. If you had told one of them that the other would be their soulmate, what would they think?

I stand by what I said on my ZAGR post in that Zim doesn't know what a soulmate is, or the concept of a soul, but given this is in regards to his arch-nemesis instead of a creature he's mostly indifferent too, he'd be pissed at the insinuation he was in any way bound to Dib. Dib's fragile psyche would not survive the revelation.

7. What would their lives be like if they had never met?

Really empty. Their rivalry and parallel situations regarding neglectful authority figures is what keeps them going for so many years.

GENERAL

1. Who initiated the relationship, and how did it go?

As someone who thinks Zim doesn't understand even the concept of not being a possessive jackass, I think Zim just sort of concludes after awhile that, regardless of Dib's feelings, or even Zim's own feelings, whatever they have makes them wholly and entirely each other's. Just completely and hilariously misunderstanding the concept of a relationship, but still being incredibly presumptive in assuming they already have one. He also doesn't let Dib know of this revelation either, so eventually Dib explodes about his crush, and Zim's like "we are already together???? moron???" Dib could argue, and he kind of wants to, but he also never expected Zim to reciprocate, so he just sort of nods and is like "you know what, sure" and that's the end of it. They do not have an anniversary, but Dib's not really like that, and Zim doesn't know anniversaries are a thing anyways.

2. Did they have an official first date? If so, what was it like?

Again, stealing from my own ZAGR post, but I don't think Zim's really a 'date' person who would plan out that sort of thing. Dib is an awkward moron with arguably worse social skills than even Zim, and mentally comes to the conclusion that dragging Zim on investigations is basically like a date, and Zim doesn't bitch about it anymore than expected, therefore he is a master of romance, so it's fine.

3. What was their first kiss like?

Awkward, and quick. Dib is not a great communicator, nor is he great at explaining things like human demonstrations of affection, especially not when Zim's scowling impatiently at him through is fumbling and stuttering. He just goes for it, and it's quick and he misses his mouth almost. Zim is extremely surprised, especially when Dib makes terrible excuses about needing to be elsewhere and flees. Zim does his own research, and their second kiss is predated by a lecture about being better than Dib at everything/Dib being bad at everything. It is much more successful, even if afterwards Dib instigates a fight about Zim's tongue being weird.

4. Were they each other’s first anything (kiss, relationship, etc.)?

First everything, except kiss. Gretchen kissed Dib in high school as a dare. Zim will never forgive her for it.

5. What’s their height difference? Age difference?

I'd die to make them the same height, but I think the image of Zim being average height while Dib is a gangly big boi is just too funny. Zim would be pissed, and Dib would be so smug but so uncoordinated.

6. What’s their relationship with each other’s families?

Gaz interacts with them as minimally as possible, because they are loud and gross and annoying, but she's okay with Zim overall. They have a mutual understanding that Dib is stupid, completely reckless, and requires constant supervision to keep him from getting eaten by a ghoul or something. Gaz does genuinely trust him to skewer anything that tries to kill her brother, but she also knows that Dib isn't the only one with 0 sense of self-preservation. Dib was initially wary of Professor Membrane's reaction, because his dad is sort of unpredictable when it comes to his only son, but the Professor's only commentary is that he is glad his son finally made it official with his 'little green friend.' Dib then realizes that the implication in that perpetual comment about Zim had air quotes around that "friend" part all along.

Dib thinks Gir's gross and loud and doesn't get him, but he likes to team up with him and/or use him as a means to annoy Zim. The Base hates him, because now there's two morons with no sense of self-preservation that it needs to keep track of. Minimoose and Dib are bros.

7. Who takes the lead in social situations?

Zim, if only because he is arguably more 'charming' than Dib's fumbling attempts at communication with non-paranormal parties.

8. Who gets jealous easier?

Zim. Dib I think would have his 'HTTYD Hiccup moment' as he gets older, but still has that ingrained low self-esteem from years of ridicule and abuse. He is completely oblivious to the new attention he gets. Zim, however, is not. Dib never really notices the cause of his weird snarling and clinginess, but he shrugs it off as Zim just being weird and continues with whatever he was doing.

9. Who whispers inappropriate things in the other’s ear?

Zim is a slut, I will die on this hill.

LOVE

1. Who said “I love you” first?

Dib. He says it casually, in the dark, when they're on a stake-out to find some wood goblin or something. He says it like he's talking about something plane and unremarkable.

I think a ZADR relationship would need Zim to be a lot more independent in terms of researching how romantic relationships 'work,' since Dib's not a great communicator, and there's an ingrained rivalry that will never dissolve between them, no matter how many times they kiss, so Zim would be a lot more motivated to figure things out on his own. He would, in this circumstance, know the weight of Dib's way-too-casual admittance, and it would be a huge shock to him. He'd be pretty shaken about it for awhile, and Dib's not bothered when he doesn't reply. Dib would be pretty sure Zim would never admit it, but he does, eventually, because he refuses to be a coward about it.

2. What are their primary love languages?

Verbal affirmations. With their self-esteems firmly in the toilet in Zim's kitchen, being able to have someone validate them who they respect would mean a lot to them.

3. Who uses cheesy pick-up lines?

Dib. He uses it to start fights with Zim about linguistics and metaphors. Also, he's 99.9% positive Zim secretly is flattered by it, but hates that he is.

4. How often do they cuddle/engage in PDA?

Zim is very clingy, but Dib's too on the move to really pin down for a good cuddle frequently. He's twitchy and his minds always racing, but every once in a while when Zim's completely fed up, or Dib's running on fumes but still forcing himself on, Zim will all but pin him to a cushioned surface and force him to sleep. Neither of them are PDA people.

5. Who initiates kisses?

Zim. Dib's really shy about it, and also normally too distracted to pay Zim the attention he so obviously deserves, and often misses Zim's 'signals.'

6. Who’s the big and little spoon?

PAK not comfy against sternum. It's also easier to force Dib to sleep if he's the big spoon, because he can pin his limbs.

7. What are their favorite things to do together?

Paranormal investigations, and morally ambiguous and/or largely dangerous experiments.

8. Who’s better at comforting the other?

Dib, which is hilarious, because he's about as smooth as a cheese grater, but he is very attuned to the person he's been obsessed with for years, and he can also relate to a lot of his issues. While Zim usually shrugs off the sentimentality and the empathy, dismissing it as 'pity,' the affirmation means a lot to him.

9. Who’s more protective?

Zim. He has to anticipate his lover's stupidity to make sure he stays alive to hunt ghosts another day.

10. Do they prefer verbal or physical affection?

Verbal. Hormones are real, but there's something that eases the sting of years of abusive in a crooning praise or a sincere compliment.

11. What are some songs that apply to their relationship, in-universe or otherwise?

https://open.spotify.com/track/3IvUhEVbbA81QnEVhsFHiH?si=b3c5787c9ff14105

12. What kind of nicknames do they call each other?

It is primarily age-old insults that lack the bite and sincerity they once had.

13. Who remembers the little things?

Dib. Zim isn't inattentive by any means, cataloguing all of Dib's weird habits and nuances and what not, but for all the compensating Zim does to keep Dib safe and healthy, Dib reciprocates in meaningful gestures. He remembers to pack Zim-friendly snacks on their road trips and ways to keep Gir entertained, if they have to bring him. He always checks the weather and has an extra coat, just in case. Never makes Zim feel bad about needing to check, just one more time, to see if he got any incoming messages from home.

DOMESTIC LIFE

1. If they get married, who proposes?

Dib.

2. What’s the wedding like? Who attends?

It's just Gaz, Minimoose, and Gir. Membrane is too far away to attend, but that was deliberate. Dib didn't want his tendency to make things about 'the Membrane line' effect the intimacy and importance of the ceremony. Also, Zim insists on incorporating some Irken rituals into it, so it'd be hard to make excuses and explanations to why Zim wants Dib to fuck with his weird pink backpack during their wedding.

3. How many kids do they have, if any? What are they like?

No kiddos. Neither of them would be interested, even if it was biologically possible.

4. Do they have any pets?

Seriously, Gir counts, right?

5. Who’s the stricter parent?

Dib. Zim refuses to parent Gir when Dib is more inclined to do it, since he's more irritated by it.

6. Who worries the most?

Dib has perpetual anxiety. So does Zim, but he masks it better.

7. Who kills the bugs in the house?

Dib, to prevent the gooey grossness that is Gir's bug-breath.

8. How do they celebrate holidays?

Just with Gaz.

9. Who’s more likely to convince the other to come back to sleep in the morning?

Zim will strap Dib to a bed himself to get him to go the fuck to sleep, because it's been over 48 hours you insufferable human, and--!

10. Who’s the better cook?

Dib's idea of cooking is a microwave, salt, and pepper. Zim is forced to learn the wonders of human food to keep his idiot from dying of malnutrition.

11. Who likes to dance?

Gir.

#my hand #is deceased #invader zim #ZADR #asks #Zim #Dib #amyisherenowansweringyou

[agentmothmanstrikesagain]

Search and Rescue pt 2 electric boogaloo

Dib found himself out in the woods, searching desperately for his daughter. The rain had well soaked all his clothes save for his trench coat, but he wasn’t one to give a single fuck about that in a time like this. He could see all these things happening and it was more than overwhelming. For a few brilliant seconds out there he’d thought everything might be ok for once, but it was falling right back to pieces like it always eventually does. 

The worst thing, of course, was that he couldn’t see her, like he could everyone else. Zipper was out of his field of vision entirely. He couldn’t see where she’d gone or what might be happening to her. He was being kept from seeing it and he knew it. Every second he went without knowing anything the worse and worse he felt.

The only reason his mind was taken off it right now, was because Nightmare and Nny’s cabin was in sight now. He jogged quickly up to the front door and opened without knocking. They... they weren’t here.... and just his luck that he couldn’t see them either. 

Dib hissed in agitation as he entered the cozy little cabin. The fire was barely alive, most of the logs just smoldering at this point. He peered into all the rooms, no Nny, no Paradiso, no Nightma- 

Dib paused as his eyes adjusted to the shadows of the last room. There was an enormous cocoon plastered to the wall. One that had been recently ripped open and made a mess of. It was unnaturally big, compared at least to his memory of the last time Nightmare had cocooned.

Dib tried to shove down that nagging little voice at the back of his head that told him something bad had happened here as well. Nonsense. Nightmare can feel the temperature change. It’s 70 degrees out even in the rain. He’s probably just exploring and enjoying the weather. He did come here in the middle of autumn after all.  

Dib left in an even more agitated mess. He’d have to go check the house. Maybe even hell if he had to. The fact that Gaz wasn’t answering was the most alarming thing of all. She was always quick to respond, even when she’s busy. 

Something bad is happening here. Everyone is disappearing left and right. Who’s going to be next? 

That thought stopped him dead in his tracks. Indeed. Who would be next? Would it be Midge? Dek? The whole of team Nebula? Honey? Keef? One of the other Dibs? Christ sakes it had better be him next. He’d give the entire goddamn universe a piece of his mind if he could.

Dib was wracked with paranoia and anxiety as he trekked to the old membrane household where his sister had taken up temporary residency. 

The first thing he noticed upon entering the household, was that it was much cleaner now. Gaz had dusted everything off, and given the old place a thorough cleaning. A lot of the family photos and their dad’s self-merchandise was absent now. Even Gaz loathed to think of their childhood memories. 

The second thing Dib noticed was the stovetop light in the kitchen was on. But there wasn’t a single sign of anyone being here. Nothing else was on, no food cooking, no shower running. The place was dead silent. It felt eerie and disturbing, and it caused Dib’s hair to stand on end. He stepped forward to go investigate the kitchen when his boot kicked something across the floor.

He looked down and felt his guts twist into a pretzel of worry. 

Zipper’s frog umbrella.

It was still wet.

She’d been here.

Recently.

Dib couldn’t think of anyone who’d have a reason to break in and kidnap his family, all without leaving a single trace of their existence behind. Not to mention they might have even nabbed Nightmare... five.. five people... 

Dib picked the umbrella up. There were clawmarks on the handle. She’d been scared.... she was gentle with everything she touched.... Dib’s worry turned to a raw feral rage. He felt as though he was on fire. 

He looked at Nebula’s tracker pad. He’d find this sick son of a bitch and teach whoever it was, a valuable lesson.

Come on you big overgrown lizard. You can do i-

Dib watched with horror as Nebula’s tracker winked out at the third building on 73′d Oak Avenue. He felt as though he were going to throw up then and there, until he saw it pop back up again once it was out of range of the third building. 

Nebula appeared to be circling that entire area for a solid minute, and Dib felt glued to the screen, compelled to just watch and see, until he saw the blinking yellow dot that represented his lizard shoot off down the street and book it for the Team Nebula base. Dib shoved the tracker pad into his trench coat pocket and ran back out into the rain, intent on meeting him there. 

He double tapped the top of his communicator and watched it light up as he ran, as fast as a human being possibly can. “CALL SIGI.” He yowled into the communicator, knowing full well that he wouldn’t have left earth until Midge gave him the ok.  

#[tw kidnapping] #[Volatile Volition]