I think I'm Dumb or Maybe Just Happy (Invader Zim x Reader)

8: As the Earth Runs to the Ground, Oh Girl, it's You that I Lie With

It was still dark even in the civil twilight. You made your way to the strange house passing bright yellow lamps, noting how they contrasted with faintly blue surroundings.

You had been calm through the way, but now that you approached the building it seemed to loom over you. You swallowed your fear and walked ahead, past the garden gnomes. And you kept your chin high, feigning confidence and avoiding eye contact with the not-so-subtle spies. You knocked on the purple door, albeit with a bit of hesitance.

There was nothing wrong. You couldn’t understand why you’d be so scared. All that came to mind was your anxiety from last night’s occurrence…

The door slowly opened, and ruby-like eyes squinted in the unlit room behind them. More so for intimidation than for sight, as you were sure he would not miss the chance to gush about his species’ superior vision. Your worry faded. It was as if you were watching the show from home as you used to do, his tactics didn’t work on you.

His short stature paired with a hint of desperation at seeing you, after something he would’ve thought so vulgar, made him seem rather cute. Especially knowing that this so-called ‘vulgar’ act was only a kiss. And especially upon having seen his original reaction to it.

The faint lighting still left from the sun illuminated the rest of his features, pouring away any fear and anxiety that may have remained. A smile ghosted your face as faintly as that very same sunlight. You raised your arm no higher than your smile and offered a small wave.

“Hi, Zim…”

“...Greetings, human…”

The already-flustered alien stood aside, staring intensely at the ground. You opened the door further and let yourself in. You closed the door and watched his movements. Zim was busy shifting his weight, alternating between his feet, hands held firmly at his sides. He was still facing down, you presumed, to hide his blushing. His antennae were lowered too.

That is until he snapped into a militaristic pose. He looked up at you in such a way that you couldn’t tell whether it was due to the height difference or to demonstrate his confidence. You raised an eyebrow and his grip briefly loosened on his hands that were now joined behind his back.

“You may be wondering why I rescheduled this meeting…Well, too bad!” He placed his hands on his hips in a defiant manner. “I don’t need to tell you anything. As the humans say, mind your own stinky business!”

“I'm guessing that you were having an identity crisis over a kiss.”

“You know too much!– Ahem.” He marched to the center of the room. “I have called you here once more to resume your duties as my official human-information-retrieval unit. You know, like Gir but less…broken.”

“I said I was impartial.”

“–If you are to be working by my side then I expect no less than undying loyalty.”

You crossed your arms. You weren’t in the mood to argue. But if you can’t help him without betraying Dib, Zim can’t say you didn’t warn him.

“What do you wanna know?”

“Eh–” The yellow hue returned to his face. Zim paused in his speech and moved to fidget with his fingers.

“– I would like to continue our studies on human affection.”

You stared at him blankly for a moment. Sweat dripped down his face as he struggled to maintain his assertive façade. His fingertips were against each other, as they are when he is scheming, but he seemed unsure here.

“...What kind?”

“I don’t think I fully grasped the concept of physical touch…”

You sat on the couch and tapped the space beside you, much like you did on the date. He stared at it and perched down.

“I wanna show you something…Whenever you’re ready.” He nodded in response.

You gently pushed him into the couch– Zim seemed alarmed but didn’t protest. You wrapped your arms around him, making sure to avoid his Pak, and rested your face as close to his neck as you could manage with his uniform in the way.

“Is this okay?” He didn’t answer, only stared at his base’s ceiling. “Zim?”

“…Yes…I’m fine.”

You waited a few seconds but moved to look at him. His face was as miscolored as it had been after you kissed him and his limbs were stiff beneath you. He made no attempt to hold you back. Zim’s only movements since you started cuddling him were a shaky inhale, a twitch of his antenna, and curling his hands into a nervous fist.

“Are you sure…?”

“...W-Was I supposed to be doing something?”

“You can hold me back. Or we can stop if you’re uncomfortable, I don’t mind…”

He panicked at this. His eyes opened widely only to furrow and his mouth opened to protest. Zim enfolded you with a velocity comparable to that of a rapper’s super-sonic speed. You weren’t sure if his intention was to prevent you from leaving or to prove a point.

“I told you! Zim is fine!”

“...But are you sure though?”

“Yes!”

The two stared at each other for a few moments. You left him a quick peck at the corner of his mouth. He regained his previous embarrassment and pushed your head into his neck, burying his own face into your hair. You giggled. It made him shiver, feeling your breath on his skin. It was reassuring that his face was hidden from you this time. To Zim’s disappointment, your laughter died down. He found that the sound itself was almost as enjoyable as the sensation.

“...That’s called cuddling, by the way.”

.- -..-. -.

Title's Lyrics:
as the world caves in - matt maltese // lyrics

Cover art by:
Your (not)Friendly Neighborhood Alien