SpongeBob's Unease

by Fox and Cat Lover

One day last summer, I imagined a father figure moment between Mr. Krabs and SpongeBob sometime after the episode "Born Again Krabs". I wrote the rough draft for this story last summer, so now that I have an account, I decided to put it up here! Sorry if Mr. Krabs is a little out of character.

It was almost closing time at The Krusty Krab, and Mr. Krabs noticed SpongeBob sitting by himself at one of the tables, looking very depressed. It had been a couple days since Mr. Krabs ate a moldy patty and nearly died of severe food poisoning. Mr. Krabs survived, but the news that he "wasn't coming back" still hit SpongeBob hard. His thoughts were interrupted by Mr. Krabs.

"SpongeBob, me boy! It's almost closing time. Squidward has already left, it's about time you do the same." SpongeBob managed to heave a sigh. "Yeah, I know. I don't want to leave, though! I'm worried..." Mr. Krabs asked, "What are you worried about, lad?" "I'm worried about you..." SpongeBob replied, with his voice trailing off. "Ok, boyo. Would you mind telling me what's bothering you? You've been acting strange for the past couple o' days." SpongeBob sighed again.

"Okay. When Squidward and I heard you weren't coming back, I was so torn up. When it turned out you survived, I was so happy, but for the past few days, I was thinking about what would've happened if you really had died..." Finally, the waterworks began to flow. "I just don't know what I would do," he said with his voice breaking. Tears fell from his big blue eyes and ran down his face. His little body was shaking with sobs. Mr. Krabs was touched, and felt himself almost tear up. "Oh no, SpongeBob, don't cry." Mr. Krabs hugged SpongeBob, and SpongeBob hugged him tightly as pressed his face into Mr. Krabs's shirt and let out some muffled sobs. "It's okay, son. I'm not going anywhere; not for a long time." SpongeBob sniffled, lifted his head up and said, "thanks Mr. Krabs."

Mr. Krabs then remembered something he wanted to tell SpongeBob. "Hey, um... I'm sorry about selling your soul for 62 cents. Can you please forgive me?" SpongeBob had calmed down a bit by now, and said, "Yeah."

"Thanks lad," Mr. Krabs replied. "I feel better now," SpongeBob remarked. "You'd better head home, me bucko. It's closing time," Mr. Krabs then stated. "Aye-aye, Mr. Krabs!", SpongeBob chirped. He walked to the door, and Mr. Krabs smiled. He was happy to see his best employee back to his chipper self again.