EACH WISDOM ⅔ The cool evening air hits Plankton, and his eye widens with delight. "Look, Karen!" He points to a tree. "Itsh got weaves!" The leaves rustle gently in the breeze, and Plankton watches with the fascination of a child. Karen laughs, the tension of the day melting away as she helps him into the passenger seat. "Ish a... a... a bwue caw!" He giggles. Starting the engine, Karen glances at her still-woozy husband, his cheeks bulging like a chipmunk with gauze. "Ready to go?" She asks. Plankton nods, his eye still on the tree. "Weee!" He says as they pull out of the parking lot. "Mooo!" He exclaims. "What?" Karen asks, smiling. Plankton points out the window. "Itsh a caw," he insists, his voice slurred. "Are you buckled in Plankton?" She says. He nods. The car rolls on, Plankton's head lolling as he tries to take in the world around him. "Wook, Karen! Itsh a... a... a... b...b...big...bwue...b...b...ball!" He squeals, pointing at the sky. Karen laughs. His hand reaches out to touch it, smacking against the car window. "It's okay, it won't come in the car." He giggles, satisfied with her explanation. "The wightsh awe twinkling!" He says, his voice filled with amazement. They drive past a playground, and his gaze lingers on the swings. "Can we stob?" he asks, his words still thick. Karen laughs. "Not now, honey." "But I wanna go widing on the sheeping sheep!" His voice is plaintive, like a child denied a favorite toy. She shakes her head. "Your mouth needs to rest," she says. He pouts, his bottom lip sticking out. "But I can't feel it," he whines, his speech still slurred. "It's okay," she soothes, her voice calm and loving. "We'll go to the park another day." As they pull into their driveway, Plankton's eye light up again. "Home!" he exclaims. Karen helps him out of the car, his legs still unsteady, when they see Mr. Krabs, Plankton's rival. But he waves. "Hi, Mr. Kwabby!" Karen stifles a laugh. "Hi, Mr. Krabs," she says politely. "Plankton's had his wisdom teeth out." Mr. Krabs looks surprised, then chuckles. "Looks like he's lost his marbles too," he jokes. Plankton frowns, then smiles. "Marbulls?" He tries to laugh. "I wike marbulls! Can Krabs play wif me?" He giggles. So Mr. Krabs follows them inside. Karen helps Plankton into the house, his arms wrapped around her like a child seeking comfort. "Wook, Karen!" He says, pointing at their couch. "It'sh our shofa! So shofy!" Krabs sits beside him while Karen gets Plankton comfortable. "Now, just rest," she says, placing a pillow under his head. "You need to take it easy." Plankton nods, his eye already half-closed. "But I'm not tidewed, I'm all woke up!" He protests, his voice still high and slurred. Mr. Krabs chuckles. "It's the drugs, Plankton. They make you feel weird." "Weirdish?" Plankton repeats, his eye opening wider. "Yeah, weirdish," Krabs confirms. "Karen, ish thish wove?" He asks. Karen chuckles to herself, shaking her head. "It's a pillow, honey," she calls out. "Ish a wove!" Plankton declares, his voice filled with excitement. "It's so...so...so flaffy!" His hand waves in the air, trying to grasp the concept. Mr. Krabs laughs, snapping a selfie of them. "Look, I got you a surprise," Karen says, bringing in a bowl of ice cream. Plankton's eye lights up. "But remember, no straws," she warns, handing him a spoon. He takes it eagerly, his eyes never leaving the frozen treat as she removes his gauze. Mr. Krabs watches with amusement as Plankton's face contorts in an attempt to scoop out a bite. The first taste hits his numb tongue, and he makes a sound between a moan and a squeal. "It'sh sho cold!" He laughs, the sound high and unexpected from his throat. Karen and Krabs exchange a knowing glance. "Careful, Plankton," she says, a mix of laughter and concern in her voice. Plankton takes another bite, his face a mask of pure bliss. He turns to Mr. Krabs, his speech still slurred. "Tank youw for wooking after me, Mr. Kwabby," he says, his voice thick with affection. Mr. Krabs is taken aback by the sudden warmth, not used to such kindness from his rival. He clears his throat, unsure of how to respond. "You're welcome, Plankton," Krabs says awkwardly. Plankton reaches over and pats Krabs on the arm. "Ish... ish... ish wike youw my... my... my besht fwiend!" He giggles, his speech barely coherent. Karen watches the exchange with wonder. "You guys okay over there?" she asks, smiling. Plankton nods vigorously, his spoonful of ice cream threatening to topple. "Wesh fine! Besht fwends!" Mr. Krabs coughs, looking a bit uncomfortable. "Well, I should...uh... get go..." But Plankton, in his loopy state, isn't ready to let go. "No, no, Mr. Kwabby!" He grabs Krabs' arm. "Youw gotta shay! We're besht fwiends!" Mr. Krabs is torn between laughing and being touched by Plankton's sudden affection. He's never seen the tiny creature like this before, and it's a side of him he never knew existed. "Okay, okay," he says, patting Plankton on the shoulder. "I'll stay for a little bit." "Tank you, Mr. Kwabby," he slurs, his voice filled with genuine gratitude. "You're a gwed one." Karen watches, her heart swelling with love. And Mr. Krabs, despite his usual gruff demeanor, can't help but feel a warmth spread through him as Plankton snuggles closer, his head lolling onto him. "You know," Plankton says, his voice drowsy and slurred, "Ish always wanted to be wike you, Mr. Kwabby. Big and stwong." Mr. Krabs looks surprised, then his expression softens. "Is that right?" He snaps another selfie. Plankton's eye droops heavily. "Ish...so...tiwed..." he mumbles. Karen chuckles, watching her husband's antics, his head falling onto Mr. Krabs' shoulder. Krabs, not expecting the sudden weight, jolts a bit. "Plankton?" But Plankton's snores are the only response. His mouth is still open, a small trickle of drool escaping onto Mr. Krabs' shirt. Karen laughs, shaking her head. "Looks like he's out," she says. Mr. Krabs looks at her, a hint of surprise in his eye. "Well, I guess I should...uh...go?" But Karen just smiles, taking the bowl of ice cream from Plankton's limp hand. "You can stay if you want. He'll be out for a bit." The room is quiet except for the occasional snore. Plankton's body relaxes into Krabs' side, his breathing deep and even. Karen watches them, her mind racing with thoughts. The sight of her usually scheming husband, now a babbling, sleeping mess, is both comforting and bizarre. Mr. Krabs snaps the third selfie. "I guess I should go," Mr. Krabs says, his voice slightly awkward. "But it's good to see him like this." Karen nods, her smile tender. "He's always so... so... Plankton," she says, searching for the right words. "But this is... refreshing." Mr. Krabs looks at her, his own smile growing. "I know what you mean," he says. "He's usually got his head in his schemes." Karen nods again. "But now he's just... loopy." She giggles. Plankton's snores grow louder, his body going slack against Krabs. "Looks like he's really out for the count," Krabs says, his voice a mix of amusement and concern. "Do you need any help getting him to bed?" Karen smiles, the corners of her eyes crinkling with affection. "No, I got it. But thank you for offering." She gently lifts Plankton's head, moving it to a more comfortable angle on the pillow. His snores don't even falter. Mr. Krabs nods, standing up. "Okay, well, if you need anything, just call." He starts to leave, his eyes lingering on the unusual sight of Plankton, his usual adversary, so vulnerable. "Thanks, Mr. Krabs," Karen says sincerely. "It really means a lot." He pauses at the door, turning back. "Karen... about what he said... about wanting to be big and strong like me. I know we've had our...differences, but Plankton's got his own strengths. He's... he's pretty clever, you know?" Karen nods. "I know, Mr. Krabs. He's got a heart of gold, even if it's wrapped in a bit of... mischief." Mr. Krabs chuckles. "That he does." They stand in companionable silence for a moment before Mr. Krabs clears his throat. "Well, I'd better get going." Karen nods, her eyes never leaving Plankton's peaceful face. "Thank you again for everything." Mr. Krabs nods, a hint of a smile on his own face. "No problem, Karen. Take care of him." With that, he leaves, closing the door gently behind him. Karen looks down at Plankton, his chest rising and falling with each deep breath. The sight of him, so defenseless, makes her feel a mix of concern and warmth. As Krabs goes to his own house, he can't shake the image of Plankton, so trusting, so innocent in his anesthesia-induced stupor. It's not often he sees this side of him, and it's strange to realize that even his worst enemy can be... cute. Krabs shakes his head, trying to push the thought away. He's got a Krabby Patty empire to run, after all, no time for sentimentality, right? Krabs can't help but feel a twinge of something...soft. He sighs, his claws tapping on the countertop. The sight of the empty cash register brings him back to reality. Plankton might be vulnerable now, but come morning, he'll be as usual. But will Plankton even recall the day's events? He absentmindedly charges his phone before going into his own bedroom. He doesn't know his teenage daughter, Pearl, finds the three selfies on his phone..