It's a calm afternoon as Gumball's on his way home from school. It's Saturday so there's no school. However, just earlier, Gumball has to go to school to help Carrie with some stuffs so she can make it on time to go on a date with Darwin after that. Moreover, at school, he also has helped and comforted an upset student who's so shy that she can't tell her name to Gumball. Even though Gumball's a bit disappointed that he can't get to know her name, as he want to help her. But the fact that he'd comforted that girl earlier also had put a smile on his face, as he'd made someone happy. That's one of Gumball's biggest goals! He want to help everyone, to make everyone happy! And that's it!

After a while, he has arrived enters the house and noticing his dad, sitting on the couch while watching the TV, and Gumball just sighs at the sight of his dad being very lazy again. He approaches his dad and looks at whatever he's watching on TV.

Richard: "Oh hi son! Where have you been?"

Gumball:*sits down on the couch next to his dad as he speaks* "Well, I just came back from school, you know? I had to go there to help my friend Carrie with some stuffs so that she can make it on time to go on a date with Darwin. And do you know, that I've noticed and helped an upset girl on the school hallway too?"

Richard: "Woah, really? What exactly did you do?"

Gumball:*sighs a bit as he looks at the TV screen* "Well...that girl told me that she didn't do well at school and her parents are disappointed for it. I had to assure that she shouldn't give up and keep trying, and I also reassured her that I'll be there for whenever she need something."

Richard: "Oh, that's so nice of you, son! Keeping your duty of satisfying everyone like that! I'm so proud of you, son!"

Gumball: "Heh, thanks dad! I just can't resist! I'll still doing the best as I can, you know?"

Richard: "Yeah. I know you will, son."

The two of them sitting and focusing on the TV for a while before Richard gave a sigh.

Richard: "You know, son. You, your siblings and your mother... Each of you all got something to show for your efforts... Meanwhile me?" *sigh sadly* "I'm starting to think that I'm the only idiot in this house..."

This made Gumball surprised a bit at his father's sudden confession. But soon he gave his dad a look of sympathy as he speaks.

Gumball: "Aww, don't say that, dad. You know you're not a complete idiot. You're...like, half-idiot. I mean, you are lazy and sometimes make really dumb and risky decisions, but at the end, you're a great dad, and I love you so much for that."

Richard: *sigh* "Thanks son. You know, sometimes my stupidity annoys you and the family. Especially your mother, and I'm her husband, I should've known better..."

Gumball: *nods in agreement* "Yeah, I mean, I can't disagree that your stupidity does sometimes annoyed me and the family a bit. But yeah, you should've known better about your actions that could piss some of us off. But hey, remember that I would never hate you for that. Like I said, you're a great dad, sometimes lazy and dumb, but it doesn't make me hate you in any way..."

Richard: "Ah, thanks son!"

Gumball:*smiles* "No problem, dad. You know that I'm always here for you, right?"

Richard: "Yeah, I know you will, son. Anyways, can I tell you some tiny secrets?"

Gumball tilts his head at his dad and nods a little.

Gumball: "Yeah, sure! What is it, dad?"

Richard hesitates a bit before he speaks.

Richard: "Well, I've told this to your mother before. But I don't think I'm ready to reveal it to you just yet..."

Gumball looks at his dad with a curious look.

Gumball: "Huh...well, come on dad. Just tell me what is it. I promise that I won't judge you for it! Surely it can't be that bad, right?"

Richard: "You promise, son?"

Gumball: "I promise! Go ahead, dad!"

This is the moment right now, Richard took another hesitation as he's afraid that this truth might upset his son. However, he'd took a deep breath as he speaks calmly but honest.

(Warning: 4th Wall Breaking Moment)

Richard: "Alright. You know your show: 'The Amazing World of Gumball', right?"

Gumball:*nods* "Yeah, of course I know it, dad. We're all took a role on it! But why the sudden question like that, dad?"

Richard: "And you know that thanks to the show's success along with your achievement, your mother has put more faith on you than me, right?"

This make Gumball raises an eyebrow a little but he nods.

Gumball: "Well, yeah, that's true. Mom has been giving me more validation and recognition ever since the success of my show."

Then Gumball gave his dad a cheeky grin as he decided to tease him a little.

Gumball: "Why? Did you felt jealous that I'm better than you or something?"

Richard:*laughs a bit before returning to his calmly tone* "Well, I'm proud of you too, son. It's just... You know my character role in the show is a lazy, irresponsible father, right?"

Gumball:*nods as he speaks with his honest tone* "Yeah, and you act exactly like that! Lazy and irresponsible. But you know it's all just a fiction, right? Besides, the version of you in the show isn't as accurate as the real you right now. So don't worry about it, dad."

It's the moment again, that Richard has to reveal to his son the main reason why he took that pathetic character role. He took another deep breath before speaking up.

Richard: "The thing is... I took that character role, I sacrifices my reputation... for you... and your siblings..."

This made Gumball surprised as he looks at his dad and blinks.

Gumball: "Wait...what? You...sacrificed your reputation...for us?"

Richard:*nods* "I did it so that you three would get the best treatment on the show. I mean look at you, you're the main protagonist in it! And the whole adventure was started up by you. So you deserve it!"

Gumball was honestly shocked after what his dad just told him. He didn't expect his father to do something like that for him.

Gumball: "Oh gosh...I...I didn't even know about it until now. I...I don't know what to say now. Why would you do something like that for me? Giving up your reputation just to make sure me and Darwin and Anais have the best treatment on the show?"

Richard:*nods* "I did it for all three of you kids. Especially you..."

Gumball sat there on the couch for a while, he's completely stunned by what his dad just told him and taking it all in. The fact that his dad went through all of that was a lot for him to fully process. He sighs as he looks at his dad.

Gumball: "Oh dad...I...I can't believe you did that for us...for me...you really sacrificed your reputation all that time? Even if it meant you will be seen in a negative light?"

Richard:*nods* "I want the best for you kids..."

This left Gumball speechless for a moment before he smiles warmly, genuinely touched by his dad's sacrifice.

Gumball: "Well dad...I...I really don't know what to say. I... never would've expect you would go through all of that just for us. And...you were okay with being seen as a completely lazy and incompetent idiot, just so we could have the best treatment? Really?"

Richard:*smiles as he pats Gumball's head* "Yes, son. Just like your mother, I also want the best for you."

Gumball smiles warmly and chuckles a little as he feels his dad patting his head, he's staring to feel a bit emotional after hearing what his father just confessed.

Gumball: "Dad...I...I don't know how else to say this, but...thank you. Really. I...I never realized how much you could do for us. And you did it quietly all this time, without any complain or anything like that... Thanks, dad. Thanks for everything..."

Richard: "I know, son."

Then Richard gives his son Gumball a small hug, not too tight of course. Gumball also hugs his dad back, feeling a wave of gratitude and appreciation towards his father. He knew his dad was usually lazy and carefree, but moments like this showed how far he was willing to go for his family. Gumball could feel his heart swelling with a mix of emotions right now.

Gumball: "Dad...you know I love you, right? Despite all of the goofy and foolish things you do...I'll always love you, dad. I really do..."

Richard: "Mhm. And look at you, son. You're so improved from your old self now! And I'm so proud of it!"

Gumball smiled at his dad's words, feeling a sense of pride in himself. He nodded and chuckled a bit.

Gumball: "Yeah, I've definitely changed a lot ever since the last few years. I've become more responsible, mature and more thoughtful. I'm glad that you're proud of me, dad. But...you know I wouldn't have come all the way if you and Mom hadn't raised me like the way you two did, right?"

Richard:*nods* "I know. I'll do anything for you, son."

Gumball smiles warmly at his dad, feeling touched by his words. He leans his head on his dad's chest a bit as they hug, feeling a sense of warmth and love from his father's presence.

Gumball: "Thanks dad. I'm glad of it. And no matter what stupid and dumb things you do, in the end, you're still my dad and I'll always love you just as much as mom..."

Richard: "And you'll always be the adventurous and sarcastic boy whom we all know and loved..."

Gumball chuckles and grins at his dad, feeling a sense of pride and appreciation for who he is.

Gumball: "Yeah, that's me, alright. The adventurous and sarcastic guy who's always up for some fun. But you know, I wouldn't be the person I am today without you and Mom. You both taught me a lot, you know?"

Richard nods as they both continue hugging each others. Gumball felt a sense of comfort and security in his father's arms. He looks up at his dad and smiles warmly.

Gumball: "You know, dad. Despite being a lazy goofball most of the time that we, especially Mom, have to deal with you a lot but deep down, you're a great and awesome dad! And I wouldn't want to change you for anything. I love you, dad. For real."

Richard:*nods as he speaks* "Thanks son! And remember, you don't have to be perfect. I just want you to do the best as you can. That's all!"

Gumball nods, his heart touched by his dad's words. He knew that his dad always accepted him as he is, flaws and all. He takes a deep breath and smiles, feeling a sense of relief and comfort.

Gumball: "Yeah, I know. I'm not perfect, and I don't have to be. I just need to try my best, right? That's all you and Mom want from me."

Richard:*nods again* "Mhm. Remember that your mother had put more faith on you than me, ok?"

Gumball nods, understanding the weight of what his dad just said. He knew that his mother had been giving him more responsibility and praise, but he hadn't really thought about the impact it had on his dad.

Gumball: "Yeah, I get it. I know Mom has been giving me more faith and trust lately, and I'm grateful for it. But you know, Dad, you don't have to feel bad about it or anything. I still love you both equally, no matter what."

Richard:*nods* "Thanks son. You're still have a whole future ahead, ya know? So don't give up, ok?"

Gumball nods again, feeling a sense of determination and motivation building inside him. He knew that his dad was right, he still had his whole life ahead of him. And he was determined to make the most of it!

Gumball: "Yeah, you're right. I have a whole future ahead of me. And I'm not gonna give up anytime soon! I'll keep going and make you and Mom proud, I promise!"

Richard: "I know you will, son."

They both hugging for a bit longer before they released each others free from the hug. Richard gave a sigh of relief as he's continue to speak up.

Richard: "Phew, I still can't believe that we're having a true quality conversation right now, right son?"

Gumball grins and chuckles a bit, feeling a sense of amusement at how uncommon it was for them to have such a serious talk like this.

Gumball: "Yeah, I know what you mean, Dad. I can't believe it either. Usually you would just lazing around, eating, sleeping and making dumb jokes, while I roll my eyes at you. But this...it's nice, actually. We never really had a talk like this before, huh?"

Richard: "Yeah. Usually you would come to your mother for this. She's more relatable and much closer to you, son."

Gumball nods in agreement, knowing it's true. He had always gone to his mother for guidance and advice, since she was more in-tuned to his feelings and thoughts than his dad was. But this conversation today, as unexpected as it was, felt meaningful and special in its own way.

Gumball: "Yeah, that's true. Mom has always been more understanding and supportive to me, and she's always there when I need her advice. But having a talk like this with you, it's...unexpected but nice, you know?"

Richard:*nods as he speaks* "Mhm. And just letting you know, you're always the one kid whom your mother worried the most, you know? She would be devastated if something wrong happened to her favorite boy..."

Gumball chuckles a bit at his dad's comment, feeling a mixture of surprise and pride. He knew that his mother worried about him a lot, but he didn't realize just how much she was attached to him.

Gumball: "Yeah, I know Mom worries about me a lot. She's always telling me to stay out of trouble, to be careful and be safe. And of course, I can't deny that I am her favorite kid...I can tell just how much she loves and cares about me. Just don't tell Darwin and Anais, ok dad?"

Richard:*nods* "Alright. I promise."

Gumball looks at his dad, he doesn't seem convinced to his promise.

Gumball: "Are you sure? How would I know if one day you might forget this promise and accidently spit it out to them? We all know that your memorizing ability is bad."

Richard:*sigh disappointed as he looks down the floor* "I see..."

Gumball felt a pang of guilt when he saw his father. Then he let out a small giggle as he speaks.

Gumball: "Aww... I was just teasing you, Pops. Of course I trust you! Come here!"

Gumball releases an embrace as both him and his dad's hugging each others again. While hugging, Gumball's reflecting on the conversation he had with his dad. He never expected to have such a serious talk with his goofball of a dad, but it was a nice change of pace. He looks back at his dad and smiles warmly.

Gumball: "Thanks for the deep conversation, Dad. It means a lot to me, you know."

Richard: "You're welcome, son."

Gumball felt a sense of warmth and love from his dad's embrace. He smiles as he leans his head on his dad's chest, feeling grateful for their conversation.

Gumball: "I love you, Dad."

Richard: "And I love you too, son."

As they continues to hug each others for a moment, enjoying the closeness and affection between them. Gumball knew that his dad can be a lazy goofball most of the time, and his mom was still the smarter and more responsible one. But despite everything, he knew that his dad still loved and cared for him deeply. And that was enough for him!

~ END OF STORY! ~