Surprise chapter! Merry Christmas!

A strangled noise escaped SpongeBob's lips, and he threw his arm out to stop Patrick. Patrick looked puzzled before he noticed Wily. Wily made no move to get up and charge them, and after a minute of awkward staring, SpongeBob slowly approached.

"Hey," Wily said when he was close enough.

"Wily," SpongeBob said cautiously. "Are your friends around?" He glanced around anxiously.

"No. You can relax, Bobby."

"What are you doing here?" Patrick demanded.

"I wanted to talk to SpongeBob before I head back home."

"Home?" SpongeBob asked. "I thought you were doing studies."

"I've been kicked out of the program," Wily said tiredly. "Turns out word gets around fast here. They all know what I did and don't want me poisoning their good work environment. They said they regret giving me a chance."

"Giving you a chance or giving your kind a chance?" SpongeBob asked.

"My kind," Wily said. "As usual."

SpongeBob nodded. "What did you want to talk about?"

Wily looked up, pain around his eyes. "I'm sorry."

"Sorry?" SpongeBob asked. "For what?"

"Everything. All of it," Wily said. "It was just easier to turn against you than disappoint… I mean, not that I could ever… But he said he'd…" He glanced at Patrick then looked down. "You know what I'm trying to say, Bobby."

"Did your dad ever stop?" SpongeBob asked.

"No," Wily said tightly. "He's still at it. But that doesn't matter. It shouldn't."

"But it does. And it always has," SpongeBob said. "And that's okay."

Wily shook his head and swallowed. "Why are you still like this?"

"I can't help but be me, Wily. You know that. Maybe if you were allowed to be you, you'd understand."

"Dad won't let me, and you know it," Wily said bitterly. He peered at SpongeBob then closed his eyes. "This was a mistake," he muttered then stood up and turned to leave. "Look, I gotta catch a bus out of here."

"Wait!" SpongeBob said, reaching out. He stopped short of touching Wily and drew back as soon as he looked over. "Did the purge go okay?"

Wily hesitated. "They got it all out."

"How many rounds?" SpongeBob asked.

"Twelve," Wily whispered. "It was awful, and I don't know how you were okay with it."

"I've been through it four other times. You know that."

"Yeah. I guess I caused all of that." He paused. "Did you really filter the whole restaurant after I was poisoned?"

"Yeah."

"Why? Why would you do that when you knew you were going to be purged afterwards?"

"Because I had to help my friends," SpongeBob said.

Wily smiled sadly. "Yeah. You were always loyal." He looked down. "You're brave, Bobby. You always were. Sometimes I wish things were different. Maybe if they were, we'd still be friends."

"Maybe we can be," SpongeBob said. "But not right now. I need some time to process what happened. Again."

"Me, too," Wily said. "But maybe… maybe you and I could try again one day. Maybe by then, I'll figure out what's wrong with me."

SpongeBob reached out as if to comfort Wily, but he drew his hand back again. "There's nothing wrong with you. And there's nothing wrong with you being a Negombata Magnifica. The problem is how you act, but you can change that."

"I don't think I can. Dad… He has expectations. And that's why, SpongeBob. He made his expectations clear, and that's why everything changed."

SpongeBob looked pained. "I thought it was something like that. I'm sorry."

"Me, too. I've got a bus to catch. Maybe I'll see you again one day."

SpongeBob hesitated then stepped forward and held out his hand. Wily looked shocked then he bit his bottom lip and reached out to shake. Before he could touch SpongeBob, fright appeared in his eyes, and Wily jerked his hand back. He shook his head as SpongeBob stared at him, his hand still extended.

"I've done enough damage. Thanks anyway, Bobby. Bye."

With that, Wily turned and trudged away, his entire body wilted. SpongeBob lowered his hand and watched him go. Patrick had watched everything warily, and he'd just about intervened when SpongeBob had offered to shake Wily's hand. But he was glad he hadn't. Wily seemed truly sorry, and though the starfish didn't understand the subtext of what the sponges were talking about, he knew enough to see the friendship that had once been there between them. They both still wanted it, but things were complicated. Patrick was not as bothered by Wily now that he'd seen a compassionate side.

"He reminds me of you when we first met," Patrick said.

SpongeBob went to check his mailbox. "Really?"

"Yeah. He seems lonely," Patrick said. "And I think he really needs a friend."

SpongeBob nodded as they went inside. After watching the marathon and snacking on Kelpy Kremes, Patrick headed home. SpongeBob made a small dinner then picked up his mail and flipped through it. He paused when he saw a letter with familiar handwriting. He opened it and peered at the short message.

Dearest son,

We know how badly we hurt you, but we still don't understand everything. We would like to visit so we can talk things over. We can meet wherever you like and do whatever you want. Please, let us in. We want to understand. We await your response.

Your loving yet very stupid parents

SpongeBob stared at the letter, his heart in his throat. Was it true? Did they finally want to listen? Did he even want to see them after everything that had happened? He considered things then went to the phone and dialed a number.

"Hello, SpongeBob dear," his grandmother said brightly.

"Hi, Grandma," SpongeBob said. He hesitated. "I got a letter from Mom and Dad today."

"You did?"

"Yeah. They want to come visit. They want me to explain things."

"That's a good thing, isn't it?"

"It is, but… could you have us over? I don't want them to come over here."

"Of course, dear. Just give me the date and I'll clear my calendar."

SpongeBob relaxed. "Thanks, Grandma."

"How was your day?"

"Busy," SpongeBob said. "I'm pretty tired."

"Then why don't you call me tomorrow? I'll take you out for ice cream after you're done with work."

"Ooh, yes please! Can I get algae and cream with sprinkles?"

"Of course, of course. Anything you want."

"Great! I have so much to tell you! See you tomorrow!"

"Goodbye, dear."

"Bye!"

SpongeBob hung up the phone then picked up Gary and carried him to bed. After changing into his pajamas, he cuddled the snail, stroking his shell. His mind went over everything he'd found out, everything he'd learned, but especially what had happened with Wily and his parents. Things with all three of them were complicated, but he was determined to start unraveling the knots. After six years, he finally felt ready to tackle things, at least with his parents. He knew his friends would be there to help no matter what, even if things got messy.

His last thought before he went to sleep was that despite having Wily in it, today had actually been another Best Day Ever, at least so far. So maybe, just maybe, there was hope for their friendship, too.

Eventually.

And that's the end of this story. Let me know what you think and if you'd be interested in a sequel featuring more Wily. Thanks so much for reading and I hope you enjoyed this random idea.

God bless.