Author's Note: Thank you to my friend savygarnet for the title of this one.
Special Friend
It seemed that it was always the moment Squidward picked up a paintbrush or his clarinet that he would receive an unwanted visit from one of his irritating neighbors. And he knew all too well of their persistence; he was certain that they would not leave if he simply ignored them. No, things just weren't simple at all for him.
So it was today; just as he lifted his beloved instrument to his lips, the foreboding knock sounded at his front door. Cursing and grumbling under his breath, he placed "Clary" back on the music stand and stomped downstairs.
He took a deep breath in preparation and cautiously opened the door.
"Ohh, what a big surprise: Sponge—huh?" Squidward's sarcasm was cut short with an interjection of genuine surprise—standing behind Spongebob were two older, differently shaped sponges whose smiles almost rivaled the younger one's. Squidward felt that he had seen the two others before—
"Hey, Squid! You remember my parents, right?"
"Oh…right."
"Mom, Dad," Spongebob proudly gestured to his neighbor, "this is the Squidward Tentacles."
Squidward brightened at the grandiose introduction. "That's me, all right," he bowed gracefully, ego swelling. "Squidward Tentacles, musical genius and artist extraordinaire. You may have seen some of my work in—"
"Oh yes, our boy has told us so much about you, young man," Mr. Squarepants interrupted.
"We've heard what an interesting man you are," Mrs. Squarepants piped up. "And you're every bit as handsome as Spongebob said."
"Heheh well, thank you." The octopus crossed his tentacles and basked in the praise. "Spongebob has better taste than I thought."
Mr. Squarepants smiled warmly. "Yes, well, we're just glad our son finally found someone."
Squidward's smile dropped in confusion. "Huh? What do you mean?"
"You just seem perfect for him," Mrs. Squarepants agreed with her husband.
"I…don't understand," Squidward turned his questioning look to Spongebob.
"Oh you silly," Spongebob teased his beloved neighbor as if he should have known beforehand. "I brought my parents here to meet my special friend."
"Friend?" Squidward was taken aback. "Oh no no no no," he turned to the sponge's parents. "There must be some mistake. We are most certainly not friends."
Spongebob's father laughed lightheartedly. "Oh, of course. We know you're not just friends."
