Just Thinking
ShadowoftheLamp
Summary:
Plankton reflects a bit on Spongebob. During
Sponge out of Water.
You're tired. You were so close this time, yet
still had a cranking mob at your door. It's
barely about the formula anymore. Well,
partially. You still want it, of course. But it's
the principle of the thing- finally proving that
you are the best.
But now you're in a greasy old taco hut as
far away from everyone as possible,
accompanied only by that inane sponge.
He's telling you a joke. It's gone on so long
you doubt he even remembers how it
started, or what the punchline is.
Still.
Still, his voice isn't that bad to listen to, once
you get used to it. Even when he isn't
laughing, it has a tinge of perpetual mirth
that you can't decide is foolish or admirable
in the face of the danger you're both in.
He scoops you up easily and sets you on top
of the photo booth slash time machine, says
something like 'good thing you're light!', and
then laughs.
From anyone else, it would feel like a jab at
your height, but for some reason from him it
feels genuine. You pry open the hatch on the
top, and he pours in half a bucket of bolts.
You're actually... kind of having fun.
Mad science is fun, of course, but working
with someone else makes it a little less...
lonely? No, you don't get lonely. You've been
with Karen for almost 20 years. You can't be
lonely.
It's nice, though.
Infernal sponge must be rubbing off on you.
You're tired, yet exhilarated- you haven't
been this excited for something in ages.
Time travel- why hadn't you thought of it
before?
It seemed fantastical, like sea bears or fairy
princesses. It was of course possible, but
beyond some boundary you didn't realize
you kept behind.
Absently, you wondered if you could build
another machine, and snatch up Spongebob
before he went to work at the Krusty Krab.
You kind of doubt it. He probably wouldn't
like the Chum Bucket. From what you've
caught of his rambling (he seems incapable
of not talking when he works, and you feel a
twinge of pity for Squidward, who must deal
with this every day) he's wanted to work at
the Krusty Krab since he was a kid. Figures.
With how much he loves the place, it's a
wonder he didn't jump on you when the
formula disappeared.
Not only did he not go after you, but he
helped you- helped you against orders,
against what he'd declared not five minutes
before.
Team Krabs, until Krabs stops being the
good guy.
"Hey, Plankton? You okay?" Spongebob's
bright blue eyes are concerned, and you
smile.
You can't remember the last time someone
asked you that.
"I'm fine."
Deep down, even as you're in arguably the
worst position you've ever been in, you know
everything's going to be okay.
Stats:
Published:2016-04-11Words:475