Chapter Text
Spongebob smiled softly, letting his mind drift as he flipped patties in the back of the Krusty Krab. It wasn’t a slow day by any means, but the only customer left in the store was getting up to leave right about now. Spongebob was humming to himself and focused blankly on the silence. Every now and then the sound of Squidward flipping a page of his magazine could be heard.
The door was closed and the Krusty Krab was empty save for the two of them. Eventually, Spongebob finished up the last Krabby Patty that he’d need to make until the next fish swam in for a meal. He walked over to the front and set the plate in front to Squidward before jumping slightly to sit up on the edge of the boat they used as their order counter.
“I don’t like Krabby Patties, Spongebob.” Squidward’s eyes didn’t leave the page.
“You didn’t eat today on your lunch break, I thought you’d want it.” Squidward looked to Spongebob in the corner of his eyes before reaching forward and picking up the patty.
“Thank you.” Spongebob kicked his legs, swaying them impatiently as he watched Squidward eat with a bit too much excitement. After a few (boring if you ask Spongebob) seconds of silence, Spongebob spoke up again.
“What are you doing today, Squidward?” Spongebob traded in swaying his legs for tapping his fingers along the rim of the boat, producing a dull rhythm that made him happy for no reason other than it was a neat noise.
“Well, I’m planning on practicing some clarinet- if you and Patric don’t start screaming right outside my yard.” Squidward’s voice was steady, as brusque as it always was. Both understood there was no real heat behind it, as Squidward was used to it.
“Patrick is actually out of town. There was a Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy convention down in Bass Vegas. He managed to get a ticket, but I couldn’t.”
“Oh, huh. So, what are you planning to do without him?” Squidward asked pointedly, setting the plate aside as he finished his patty.
“I have a life without him.”
“Huh, of course.” Spongebob was used to Squidward’s sarcasm, but he still couldn’t help but pout and glare at those words.
“I do!”
“I never said you don’t, Spongebob.”
“You just did.”
“No, I didn’t.”
“Well I actually do have plans, I’m going to Jellyfish Fields.” Spongebob stuck his tongue out. Squidward raised an eyebrow. “It’s fun there. The sunset’s nice.”
“Yeah, but are you just going to catch jellyfish on your own?”
“Yeah, why not?”
“Sounds boring, but if it gets you out of my hair.”
“You’re mean.”