Prompt 13- Gift/Present
A/N: Just an early Father's Day Story. Enjoy!
Also, I hope everyone's in character! First time writing out a long story with our greedy crustacean, and I think, personally, Patrick's the hardest character to write for. I've avoided him being a jerk, but it's his unique humour I find difficult, so forgive me if I've creeped anyone out with my jokes (something else I'm not good at.)
Dedicated to fathers and father figures all around!
Disclaimer: I own no own, save Dr. Bloat (Mrs Puff's dad)
...
"Good morning, daddy- happy Father's Day!" Pearl Krabs exclaimed happily, giving her dad a big kiss on the cheek and a great big hug to complement it.
"Aw, thank you, me little pumpkin!" Mr Krabs replied fondly. He sat down at their kitchen table for breakfast- after taking his pill, of course.
"Barnacles- why does that blasted pill have to be so big?" Mr Krabs complained. Pearl ignored him and presented him with breakfast, a card she had drawn for him, and a cake.
"Enjoy! I'm off to work now, dad! See you later, bye! Love you!" Pearl called out from the front door, giving her dad a goodbye wave and air kiss before opening the door and dashing out.
"Love ye too, sweetie!" Mr Krabs replied, as he gulped his breakfast down and headed out to work- but not before putting the card and the cake away safely for after work.
...
The day was ordinary for Mr Krabs- well, apart from an extra big hug from his fry cook, SpongeBob- but he put it down to the lad's extraordinarily affectionate nature.
"So, you boys got anything planned for your dads?" He asked, by means of conversing with his employees.
"Yeah- my parents are coming up to Bikini Bottom and we're going out to dinner at 'Fancy!' tonight!" SpongeBob said excitedly, bouncing up and down at the thought of seeing his beloved parents again. "Patrick's coming with us and his parents, too, so it's a double Father's Day date!"
"Yeah- and I don't even know why we're open on a Sunday- and especially on Father's Day- which may I remind you is a holiday, Mr Krabs?" Squidward huffed impatiently, tapping his tentacles on the wooden floor of his workstation behind the cash register.
"Well, it's a big day, boys!" Mr Krabs reminded them. "Don't worry, we'll be closing earlier today- I've...um...got something to do after work, and I- excuse me, lads." He scuttled towards his office, before he could say anything else.
"Poor Mr Krabs," Said SpongeBob quietly. "Don't you think he looked sad, Squidward?" He asked his colleague.
"I didn't see anything," Replied Squidward grumpily, with his nose in an interpretive dance magazine. "Now get back behind the grill and stop annoying me!"
"Oh gosh, thanks Squidward! You're a good friend to remind me to make more Krabby Patties!" SpongeBob grinned goofily, before zipping back into the kitchen.
"What a moron," Muttered Squidward wearily, imagining himself to be one of the male dancers in a brand new outfit, dancing to his heart's content-
"Hey, can I get a Krabby Patty?"
The cephalopod shot a death stare at the customer for disturbing his fantasy, before repeating the order to his co-worker, who had it ready quickly.
...
Later, Mr Krabs closed at 4:30 in the afternoon, and turned to his employees as he locked up.
"Well, boys, enjoy yourselves, and uh- yeah, I'll see ye tomorrow morning." He said awkwardly, averting eye contact with the sponge and the octopus. The latter whooped at being liberated from what he considered to be the worst job in the universe, whilst the former stared sadly after Mr. Krabs.
"He seemed so sad, but why?" The young fry cook pondered. He came up with an idea. "I'll go after him and cheer him up! No one deserves to be sad on Father's Day!"
...
So the sponge trailed after his boss- but every time he had caught up with the crustacean, something happened.
First, he ran into Larry with his adoptive dad. Larry asked SpongeBob politely what he was planning to do with his dad. SpongeBob answered what he told Mr. Krabs, and then asked what Larry was doing.
"Oh, well, we just came back from volleyball and music on the beach, so we're going to a pottery class!" Larry said enthusiastically.
"Great...have fun, Larry- bye! Bye Larry's dad! Sorry I can't stay, but I'm in a hurry!"
"That's okay, little square man!" The lifeguard lobster called in return. "See you around, SpongeBob!"
Next he met Mrs Puff with her father, Dr. Bloat. They were going out for a peaceful quiet 'SpongeBob- Free' drive before having a nice round of mini-golf. SpongeBob politely wished them all the best for their day, and shook Dr. Bloat's hand, before dashing off to catch up with Mr. Krabs
"Hey SpongeBob- you ready for tonight?"
"Patrick! Too many secondary characters are distracting me from my pursuit of Mr. Krabs!" SpongeBob yelled in frustration. "And you're not helping!"
"I'm not?"
"No- now move it, you dumb barrel of lard!" The poriferan yelled, before clapping a hand over his mouth in horror. It was too late- not only had SpongeBob lost Mr Krabs, but now he had insulted Patrick, too.
The starfish's eyes began to prick with tears, causing SpongeBob's heart to twist guiltily in his chest. Then, Patrick began to cry.
"Pat, don't cry...I'm sorry, I didn't mean that, really- I was just trying to catch Mr Krabs and make him happy." SpongeBob whispered guiltily, holding his arms wide open to give his best friend an apology hug. He pulled his friend close before rocking him side to side comfortingly. "Aww, I upset you big time, pal... he said miserably.
"So, you didn't mean what you said?" Patrick asked hopefully, causing SpongeBob to smile tenderly.
"Of course not, pal- I just got angry and said something horrible without thinking. Still friends?"
"Of course, buddy!" the starfish replied eagerly, squeezing his best friend tightly, happy to forgive the insult. "So, do you need that help, then?"
"I guess so, Patrick." SpongeBob decided wearily. "I just kept running into everyone except Mr Krabs."
"Why were you following him, again?"
SpongeBob explained everything to Patrick, who nodded solemnly and then said "Follow me, SpongeBob- I saw which way he went."
...
The duo walked hand in hand towards a cemetery, to which SpongeBob felt his stomach flutter.
"Are you sure he went here, Patrick, old pal?"
"Uh-huh. Do you question my tracking skills?"
SpongeBob shook his head quickly, to which his companion nodded and they pushed the rusty gate open before trooping inside.
...
They looked all over the graveyard- including a large crypt right at the far end- but they couldn't see another living soul anywhere, save for each other, and the occasional scallop chirping in the coral trees.
But just when SpongeBob decided to call off the search and go home with Patrick to get ready for dinner, he felt someone grab his arm a bit too roughly.
"Patrick?" He asked, starting to turn around.
"What are you doing here spying on me grievin', boy?!"
...
SpongeBob screamed in shock as the voice registered in his brain. "Oh, hi Mr. Krabs- fancy seeing you here- heh, heh..."
"Don't play dumb, lad! Your friend told me that you and he were looking for me! Now what is so important that you followed me to me own father's grave?!"
The poriferan felt dizzy and shocked at the revelation. He now began to feel guilty for the second time that day. Over Mr Krabs' shoulder, he could see his best friend's facial expression mirrored his current sentiments.
"Oh...well, I saw that you were sad this morning, and I wanted to try and cheer you up after we finished, but...that didn't go according to plan..." he explained carefully.
The old crustacean sighed, and released his claw's grip on his best employee's arm. "I appreciate the thought, boyo- even if you did have to stalk me for you to execute that. But...I was upset for a reason. Me own father's gone, SpongeBob. I come here every year to pay me respects."
"Oh barnacles...Mr Krabs, I am so, so sorry that I intruded like this, sir. I didn't realise..."
"That's alright, lad. Just try not to meddle in future, okay?"
"Aye, aye, captain!" SpongeBob exclaimed saluting, causing Mr Krabs to chuckle weakly.
"Well, I better go home, boys." He caught sight of the dark clouds threatening the sky, and he exhaled wearily. "It looks like it'll rain soon- you boys like a lift back to Conch Street?" He offered.
"Wait, Mr Krabs, you walked here." SpongeBob said in confusion.
"Oh boy, a piggyback home- come on, SpongeBob!" Patrick exclaimed happily, jumping on Mr. Krabs' back.
"No, Patrick, you barnacle head!" Mr Krabs bellowed, gently pushing the starfish off his back. "I called Pearl earlier before I went in to pick me up afterwards- she's working today." The crab explained. "I could get her to drive you boys home so you're not late for your parents."
They nodded. "Yes please!" They chorused eagerly.
...
As Mr Krabs headed out of the cemetery alone to wait for Pearl to arrive, the two best friends hung back to discuss their current scenario.
"Patrick, Mr Krabs really misses his dad." SpongeBob said sadly.
"Yeah- I would." Patrick agreed. "I can't think of not having my parents around."
"Same here, buddy. But how can we cheer him up?"
The two thought about it, until SpongeBob came up with an idea. "Patrick, I've come up with an idea!"
"Oh boy- does it involve ice cream?" the starfish asked hopefully, causing the sponge to roll his eyes.
"No, Patrick- I was thinking we could invite Mr. Krabs and Pearl out to dinner with us! After all, Mr Krabs has been good to us, and it'd be a triple Father's Day date! What do ya say, buddy?"
"I like your idea, SpongeBob! Though I still want ice cream..." Patrick pouted, causing SpongeBob to chuckle.
"We can get ice cream after dinner, Pat- if we're not too full..." He teased.
"I'm never too full, SpongeBob! Life's too short for that!" Patrick replied, and the pair laughed.
"Great, I'll go and make the proposal to Mr Krabs, and"-
"SpongeBob, isn't he a little old for you?"
"What do ya mean, Pat?"
"Well, you're a kid, and he's an old man, and you want to marry him?"
"No, Patrick, I don't! I just meant I'll tell him that we're inviting him and Pearl out to dinner tonight. Now come on."
...
"Thanks for picking your old man up, sweet pea," Said Mr Krabs to Pearl. "Listen, SpongeBob and Patrick are here as well, and they need a ride back to Conch Street. Would you mind taking them back first?"
"Fine," Said Pearl in annoyance. She didn't mind SpongeBob personally- but both he and Patrick could be annoying at times.
"Boys- front and centre- on the double!" Mr Krabs shouted, causing both sponge and star to magically appear beside Pearl's boat.
"Mr Krabs, we, um, have a- well, that is, heh, heh..."
"Well, out with it, lad!" Mr Krabs snapped impatiently, unwilling to deal with much more today- he just wanted to go home and relax.
"We want to invite you to dinner." Patrick answered bluntly.
"Yeah...what he said." SpongeBob answered. "Pearl can come too if she wants."
Mr Krabs was speechless. "You boys...are inviting us to 'Fancy!'?" He repeated dumbly, at a loss for words.
"Yeah- it'll be great!" SpongeBob enthused. "You've done so much for Patrick and me, Mr Krabs, sir, and we want to thank you for that...and make you feel better about you not being able to see your father." He added shyly.
"Oh boys...that's so thoughtful!" Mr Krabs said giddily. "But, um, how much is it gonna cost me?"
"Daddy!" Pearl exclaimed in shock.
"Not a penny, sir. I'll call my parents and let them know." SpongeBob informed him. "Now, you two can head back to Anchor Street and pick up a change of clothes, and we'll back to mine to get ready! Pearl can use the bathroom or my room to change- we can change elsewhere."
"Okay, let's go!" Mr Krabs exclaimed.
...
"This food looks delicious!" Mr Krabs exclaimed happily, looking down at his steak, before sawing off a piece and eating it. "Mmm...It is delicious! How's your pasta, Pearl?"
"Yum!" Pearl exclaimed.
The others- SpongeBob, Patrick, Herb and Marge Star, Harold and Margaret SquarePants- all agreed with that eloquent word choice, for the smell of meat and veg, cooked to perfection with tender care, wafted round the group, making their bellies rumble- and they tucked in heartily.
...
Later, as Patrick hoovered up everyone's leftover pudding, Mr Krabs turned to SpongeBob. "I just want to say thanks again, SpongeBob- you know you didn't have to invite me to dinner, lad."
"I know, sir- I wanted to." SpongeBob smiled earnestly.
"SpongeBob, that was excellent- and I enjoyed myself this evening." Harold added, looking at his son affectionately. "This and the new jellyfishing net you made for me is a wonderful gift."
"I'm glad- Happy Father's Day, dad." SpongeBob said, smiling his biggest, toothiest smile.
"Thanks son," Harold said warmly, pulling SpongeBob in for an embrace.
"Happy Father's Day, Dad!" Patrick added to his dad.
"Thanks, Patrick." Herb replied, throwing an arm around Patrick's shoulders in a one armed hug.
Happy Father's Day dad!" Pearl finished.
"Thanks honey!" Mr Krabs gave her a kiss, much to her embarrassment, but she chose not to say anything.
...
Later, as the waiter cleared up their plates, SpongeBob whispered to Mr Krabs. "I'll let you in on a secret, sir." He whispered, noticing his boss beginning to sweat nervously.
"Yes, boyo?"
"This entire meal was at a discount." He whispered. Mr Krabs was astonished to hear this, and he whistled in amazement.
"How did you manage this, kiddo?" He asked.
"Easy...I helped the chef with a nematode infestation a month ago, and they promised a discounted meal for me and a small party here within the year. I decided now would be a good time to use it."
"That's me boy!" Mr Krabs exclaimed, and the two laughed quietly, much to the bemusement of the others.