And I ache [Zadr]

Waffles and Worries

!!TRIGGER WARNING!! Eating disorders mentioned!!!

The days have been brighter than usual, as if the air was some kind of drug causing euphoria.

Or maybe it's just the fact that Dib has been feeling so lighthearted lately.
Exhilarated, even.
Each day he wakes up with a reason, no longer out of force.
That reason?
That weird alien.
No matter how embarrassing it was, Dib knew deep down that his days have been much more bearable now that he had someone to actually hang out with- someone that actually seemed interested in his company. But, he wouldn't be embarrassed if it weren't for the fact that this was his ex-nemesis.
Someone he should hate, be against of.
But now all he wants to do is get closer, and it confused the fuck out of himself. Maybe he was just so damn lonely that he was so dependent on Zim's company...?
Dib groaned to himself at the thought, a warmth spreading to his cheeks and ears.
That's so embarrassing, it can't be true.
And he knew, but denied it, that it in fact wasn't true.
He knew there was something else to it.
He just didn't want to accept it just yet.
Walking to his full body mirror, nearly naked but only being covered by some boxers, he checked out his figure.

As always, he slowly recoiled at his image.

Ever since he became very overweight during the period time that Zim disappeared (throwback to the movie lmao!!) he's been somewhat cautious of his body image. Lately he's been feeling great, not paying attention to his figure due to hanging out with Zim.
But hes noticed.
he's been packing a few pounds...

~~~

Zim sprung out of the couch with a new feeling of eagerness. For what? He quiet wasn't even sure of it. All he knew was that today was Friday (which meant no school for the next two days!) and he was much more than excited for it. It must be that, he thought.
Walking past Gir who was covered in disgustingly sticky syrup, he got a hold of his wig that sat on the night stand and placed it on his head.
He adjusted the black wig while making his way to the bathroom mirror. Grabbing a comb, he fixed some hairs that were sticking out here and there, making sure to look as neat as can be.
What for?
He just wanted to.
He hummed with satisfaction, but slowly he became self conscious when he made eye contact with himself.

Those ruby orbs.

Sometimes he wished he looked more human, as disgusting as that sounded even to him. He guesses he just became so accustomed to human looks that he sees himself as odd looking-?
Humans can be attractive, he admitted. Sometimes they aren't too bad looking. He can name a couple of kids from school he wouldn't label as absolutely repulsive.
Not that he wanted to admit it though.
Especially because one in such list was Dib.

"Blegh", Zim groaned and looked away from his reflection to get a hold of his blue contacts.
He carefully put them both on, blinking away any blurry-ness that was left behind.
Alright, now time to head to skool.

~~~

"Hey, space-boy. Watcha been up to?"
Dib asked with a casual smile as he sat down across from Zim at the lunch tables.
Zim, as always, was playing around with his food to make it seem as if he was eating. Dib wondered if he ever needed to actually eat.
Zim perked up at his voice and he looked up from the slop that was lunch, "oh, hey dib stink. Nothing much, just 'eating' this smelly goop"
With a grimace, Zim poked at the brown slush that the lunch lady served him. What kind of "nutritious" meal is this supposed to be?!
Dib made a disgusted face, "yeah the lunch is nasty today. I don't think I'm gonna eat it, although I am pretty hungry."

Zim frowned, "but don't humans need to eat? Yeah, it's kinda nasty, but-"
Dib shrugged, pushing the tray of lunch away from him, "it's fine. Not like I haven't skipped meals before."

Zim's frown deepened, "oh? Is that okay for humans? I mean, all I see is them eating garbage all day. Is it even okay for a human to go without eating?"

Dib glanced around the cafeteria, noticing how nearly nobody was even taking notice of how gross the food they were served was. Even if it was something Dib would like, he didn't really feel like stomaching anything...
Then he glanced back down at his hands, one that was holding a spoon that came with his lunch. He dropped it onto the table.
"Nah it's fine. I mean, people shouldn't skip their meals...but, it won't hurt me. Eating this will probably hurt me more than not eating it."
A nervous laugh forced itself out of Dib's throat.
Zim hummed, "eh, I don't know. I've heard from a teacher that humans should eat three meals a day or something. Was it health class? I think that's what it was called. Geez, humans eat a lot. But so do my...tallest- but whatever, I guess. Anyways, I think you should eat something later at least, Zim knows best-! Oh! Gir packed me some waffles actually! I forgot about that. Such a dumb little robot", Zim laughed at the fact that Gir packed him lunch.

Dib smiled, albeit a bit worryingly. Waffles-? I do like those...

Zim's pak opened up, a small metallic hand reaching out with a small container filled with waffles. Dib looked around to make sure no one noticed the machinery, but as always everyone was focused on their own stuff.
"There! They're still warm thanks to the heater in my pack! That's cool, huh?" Zim boasted with a small smile, feeling satisfied.

Dib just rolled his eyes, a little too focused on the food that Zim was now holding to answer his question.

"You want some? I don't think I can finish them all by myself. And plus, Zim is offering! How could you say no?"

Dib laughed at this, finding it silly that Zim was just as cocky as always.
He shook his head though, "no, sorry Zim. I'm not really hungry."
That was a lie.

Zim furrowed his eyebrows, "what? But you said you were hungry earlier?"

Dib spluttered, totally have forgotten that he did in fact say he was hungry. Trying to find an excuse, he shrugged way too hard, "oh? Ha I guess the hunger just left?? Humans are weird huh?"

Zim stayed quiet for what seemed like agonizing eternity to Dib, but then shrugged, "alright, then."

Dib let out a breathe he was holding in and smiled, "yeah."

Zim knew there was something wrong.

(Word count: 1,133
Sorry if the eating disorder thing is triggering or something :/ tell me what u guys think about it!! Personally as someone who has and still suffers with an ed I wanted to show it through Dib. And also to create more depth to this story bc I have no ideas LMAO)