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

In the depths of an Irken lab, from the break of dawn till the fall of dusk, a not-so-energetic little alien worked with no break. That wasn’t unusual for him. Irkens needed no sleep, and Zim needed no breaks. What was unusual was his lack of energy. 

It was difficult to imagine what could’ve stopped the seemingly endless fuel powering the fire in his eyes. Zim had always prided himself on being no less than an unstoppable force. But now it felt like he could collapse from even a little nudge. 

He paid it no mind. There was no time to worry over rest when he was no closer to finishing his mission. His human thought differently. This sudden change in his behavior had them worried. They watched this show enough times to know that changes like these were never a good sign.

Silently sneaking out of Gir’s adorable little claws, the human decided to pause movie night and check on their workaholic would-be-boyfriend. Careful not to wake him, they placed one of Gir’s piggies in their place as a distraction.

“Computer, would you mind leading me to the lab?”

“Ugh, why? You’re not even gonna use it.” A robotic voice replies.

“That’s not what I’m going there for. I wanna check on Zim.”

“You know he’s not gonna take a break, right?”

“I can at least try...”

“You think I haven’t?”

“Please, let me in the lab.”

“Fine.”

The floor parted beneath their feet, planting them down on an elevator. They moved quickly toward the lower floors, zooming past room after room. Finally, the doors open, and they step into Zim’s workplace.

“Thanks.” They sent a smile in what seemed like the direction of the disembodied voice.

Zim’s antennae twitched at the sound of Y/N’s voice. He didn’t look up, focusing on the device in his hands. That is until his human’s arms wrapped around his waist. 

His head snapped up, his breath catching in his throat for a moment. His antennae twitched a few more times, knocking lightly against their face.

He sighed, shook his head, and faced back down. He could hardly conceal the frown nor the blush on his face. 

“I’m busy. Go bother Gir.”

“You’ve been busy for the past three days,” 

They let go of him, leaning back on his table to look into his eyes. He didn’t budge. He didn’t even bother telling them to get off the table. The human’s grip tightened on the edge of the table.

“Without a break. Not even a five-minute break.”

“Zim needs no break.”

“I know that. I know you can handle yourself. I know Irkens don’t need sleep, and I know your mission is important to you. But your well-being, physical and otherwise, should be important too.”

He didn’t answer. He didn’t even look up. The only indication he was listening was the slight crease of his eyebrows.

“It matters to me, anyway. You matter to me.” They continue. “And I’m starting to worry.”

There was a long pause before he answered. A brief, almost monotone “I’m fine.”

“...It’s okay to be tired, you know? Anyone in their right mind would be. It doesn’t make you any less great than you are.”