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

10: Don't Pout or Settle for Second Best

There was another pause, longer this time. The sounds of metal against metal were the only things breaking the silence.

“It’s just,” He sounded a lot quieter than usual. 

“Plenty of other invaders have already finished their missions. And I haven’t— Me, Zim! Irk’s best, most incredible invader— What would they think of me...?”

“Well, I don’t know what anyone else would think. But I’d be glad you’re taking your time. It shows that you’re being careful.”

Once again, he didn’t answer. Zim paused his work, eyes switching between the unfinished device and the human trying to comfort him. He was still hesitant to put aside his duties. 

They didn’t want to push him. They knew how important this mission was to him and how much he based his self-worth on it. If he didn’t want to stop, they wouldn’t force him. They sighed.

“Okay, then.” They left a fleeting kiss on his head. “When you stop being stubborn, Gir and I are having Movie Night upstairs. It’d be nice to have you around.”

They start to make their way back to the elevator. Zim pursed his lips— And almost quivered— as if he were trying to contain himself. He grasped at their wrist and cleared his throat before speaking.

“Fine, Fine! I’ll come! No need to beg. But I will watch one movie and no more.” He raised one sharp finger to the air to emphasize his point.

- .- -.- . / .- / -... .-. . .- -.-

An hour after, the little robot lay asleep by Zim’s side. The three huddled up in blankets, like before. Only this time, the Irken took Gir’s place in Y/N’s arms.

“Hey, that movie was good!” 

The credits rolled, and the theme song played faintly in the background. But now, with his strength regained, his voice drowned it out. It echoed and filled the room with far more life than before. 

He wasn’t saying anything meaningful. Still, it was relieving to hear him sound like himself again.

“You have way better taste than Gir, you know? I should let you choose more often.”

“Thanks, it’s one of my favorites,” They thought of something to go with their words.

It might end up sounding stupid. Y/N wasn’t sure. But, if it didn’t work, they could always play it off as a joke. It’s not like I could ruin the moment if it never started. So they took the chance.

“And my favorites are always the best. I suppose you’d know, seeing as you’re one of them.”

“Is that so…?” He looked in their direction through half-lidded eyes. “Then, perhaps, you’d like to show me just how much you like me.”

He leaned toward them, running his tongue over his teeth. His antennae were flat along his head for intimidation, but they could see the blush spreading across his face.

The music stops, and they remember the movie ended. Zim said that he’d only watch one movie, and then he’d go back to work. They didn’t want to take up more of his time. But they didn’t want this to stop either.

His mission meant a lot to him. Would it be right— morally— to keep from it? It was fine last time because it was having an impact on his well-being. But this time, there was no real reason to stop him.

They didn’t want to hurt him. Or make him feel like they were holding him back. Things like love or attraction were already frowned upon in Irken culture. Irkens thought of love as nothing more than a weakness or a distraction. The last thing they wanted was to prove the control brains right.

The Irken, oblivious to their internal dilemma, was only centimeters away from their lips. 

“Zim.” They say, hurried. 

He looks up from their mouth. “Yes?”

“The movie’s over.” They realized the implications and scrambled over their words. “Y-you don’t have to leave if you don’t want to, though!” 

They had to bite their tongue to stop themselves from blurting out nonsense through their anxiety. They always did talk a lot.

For a moment, he just stared at you with a blank expression. Then he raised a nonexistent brow, a smirk replacing the previous slight pout.

“You’re too nice, you know?” His never changed, even after you started rambling. He sounded just as captivated as he always was with them. “Irkens are a lot more… selfish.”

They couldn’t help but smile into the kiss. Zim always put on an act, but when it came to them, he melted as comfortably as he burned.

Kisses soon turned to cuddles. And, before they knew it, they were spending the night in his house. Irkens didn’t need sleep, but for once, Zim thought he might beat Invader Larb’s napping record.

... .-.. . . .--. --- ...- . .-.

Title’s Lyrics: Top of My School // Katherine Lynn-Rose

Cover’s Artist: Ink-mar-qin