AUTISM IN THE PLANKTON FAMILY x (Autistic author) The extraction was swift and skillful, the wisdom teeth removed with the care of the surgeon. Plankton's tiny body was a testament to the doctor's expertise, not even a flinch disturbing his peaceful slumber. Plankton was wheeled into recovery, where Karen and SpongeBob were. "He's fine," Delfina assured, her voice a soft lullaby. "The surgery went well. He'll just need to sleep it off." Dr. Doolittle nods. "He did fantastic and is doing so great." The anesthesia kept him blissfully unaware of the world around him, his tiny body relaxed in a way it rarely was. Karen and Sponge Bob sat on plush chairs, their eyes never leaving Plankton's slumbering form. Karen held his hand, her thumb rubbing small comforting circles on the back of his palm. Sponge Bob leaned forward in his chair, his eyes never leaving Plankton's still form. "How long will he be out?" he asked, his voice a whisper in the quiet room. Delfina, the dolphin hygienist, smiled kindly. "It's hard to say, exactly. But he'll wake up when his body's ready," she assured, patting Sponge Bob's arm with a flipper. Sponge Bob nodded, his eyes never leaving Plankton's peaceful face. The room was bathed in a soft light, designed to be as soothing as possible for those recovering from surgery. As Plankton slept, his mouth was open hung slightly apart, his breathing deep and even, a testament to the deep, anesthesia-induced slumber that had taken hold. The gentle rise and fall of his chest was the only indication of life amidst the sea of blankets and medical equipment that surrounded him. His antennae were still, a stark contrast to their usual frenetic dance. But as the minutes ticked by, a small pool of drool began to form at the corner of his mouth. It grew larger, a silent testament to his relaxed state, trickling down his cheek and onto the pillow beneath his head. Sponge Bob couldn't help but smile at the sight. It was oddly endearing, with a strange mix of pity and affection. Karen chuckled softly. "Looks like he's out cold," she whispered. Sponge Bob leaned in closer, his expression a mix of amusement and concern. "Is that normal?" he asked, pointing at the drool. Delfina's smile grew wider. "Perfectly normal," she assured him, her flippers moving with the grace of a ballerina as she wiped Plankton's chin with a soft cloth. "He's just really out of it. and his mouth's numbed." His antennae twitched slightly as the anesthesia began to wear off, but he didn't wake yet. As if on cue, Plankton's eye twitched, and a faint whine escaped his lips. His antennae twitched, and he stirred slightly. The sedative's grip was loosening, allowing him to surface from the depths of sleep. Karen's screen snapped to his face, her hand tightening around his. "You're ok," she whispered, her voice a gentle current. "You're just waking up." Plankton's antennae began to quiver again, his eye flickering open. The world was still a blur, his thoughts a tangle of confusion. He blinked slowly, trying to focus on the figures around him, eye fluttered open to reveal the blurred outlines of his friends' concerned faces. "Hey there, buddy," Sponge Bob whispered, his voice a soft caress. Plankton's antennae twitched slightly, his eye focusing on his friend's smiling face. He tried to speak, but his mouth was heavy and uncooperative. "W...what happened?" he mumbled, his voice a slurred echo. Karen leaned in, her smile gentle. "You had your wisdom teeth removed, sweetie," she said, her voice a soothing lilt. "You're just waking up from the anesthesia." Delfina, approached with gauze. "Bite down on this," she instructs, her voice a soft melody. "It'll help with any bleeding." Plankton's mouth still numb from the surgery but did as he was told. The ride home was a blur of gentle swaying, the motion of the boat lulling his overstimulated senses. The soft hum of the engine was a comforting white noise that drowned out the cacophony of the world outside. Karen steered the boat with extra care. Plankton was snuggled into the crook of SpongeBob's arm, his antennae drooping with exhaustion, eye fluttering closed as the waves whispered a gentle lullaby beneath them. Plankton's breathing grew even, his body relaxing into the soft embrace of sleep. Eventually the arrived back home, Karen parking. "We're back home, Plankton.." says SpongeBob, his voice a gentle reminder of reality. Yet Plankton didn't stir, his body still lost in the depths. "Should we wake him?" he asked, his voice a soft mumble. Karen gets out and goes to where they're seated. "Come on, Plankton," Karen's voice was a gentle nudge, her hand on his shoulder. "Time to wake up." Plankton's antennae twitched, his eye fluttering open to reveal a world that was still hazy and unreal. He blinked slowly, trying to focus on Karen's face above him. "Home?" he murmured, his voice a distant echo. Karen nodded, her smile soft. "Yes, we're home," she said, her voice a gentle caress. "You slept through the whole ride." Plankton blinked groggily, his antennae quivering slightly. He sat up slowly. Karen helped him to his feet, her touch gentle as sea grass brushing against his skin. "Let's get you inside," she said, her voice a gentle wake-up call. Sponge Bob hovered nearby, his eyes filled with worry as he watched Plankton wobble slightly, his body still adjusting to being upright. "You okay?" he asked, his voice a gentle ripple in the calm of the moment. Plankton nodded, his antennae still limp with sleep. "Jus’ tiwed," he mumbled, his voice raspy from the surgery. Karen guided him to the bed, the softness of the pillow a welcome embrace for his head. Sponge Bob hovered nearby. his "Do you need anything?" he asked. "I'm fine," Plankton murmured, his eye drifting closed again. "Jush... quiet." The quiet hum of the air conditioner and the distant lapping of waves against the shore created a serene symphony for his heightened senses. Plankton lay in bed, his antennas still, his body recovering from the ordeal. The pillows were piled high, a fortress around him, and the sheets were pulled tight, a comforting cocoon. Karen sat beside him, her hand on his arm, her voice a gentle hum of reassurance. "You're doing so well," she whispered. "Just rest." The room was bathed in dim light, the curtains drawn to block out the harsh daylight that could cause him discomfort. The sounds of the ocean outside were muffled, a soothing backdrop to his recovery. Karen hovered nearby, her screen never leaving his sleepy form. She had set up a small station with ice ready to offer comfort at a moment's notice. Sponge Bob sat in the armchair across the room. He watched his friend sleep peacefully, his antennae finally at rest. The quiet of the room was a stark contrast to the chaos of the dental office, but Plankton seemed to be comfortable, his breathing even and deep. The hours passed with a gentle rhythm, the soft sounds of the ocean outside the only company to their vigil. Karen checked on Plankton frequently, her movements silent as a ghost as she made sure he was okay. Sponge Bob's eyes never left Plankton's sleeping form. He got books and an entertainment system for Plankton to. Plankton stirred in his sleep, his antennae twitching. Karen's gaze was quick to find him, her eyes full of concern. "You okay?" she whispered, her voice a gentle wave lapping at the shore of his consciousness. Plankton nodded slowly, his antennas rising slightly. "Th...thank you," he mumbled, his mouth still numb from the surgery. "I'll...I'll be okay."