𝖳𝖮 𝖫𝖤𝖠𝖱𝖭 part 6 (𝖻𝗒 𝖭𝖾𝗎𝗋𝗈𝖥𝖺𝖻𝗎𝗅𝗈𝗎𝗌) When it was all done, Plankton was still, his chest rising and falling steadily. Karen watched him, her heart aching with a mix of relief and love. His face was so peaceful, his antennae laying flat against his pillow. The surgery had been quick, but it felt like an eternity. She had sat there, her eyes never straying from her husband's face, willing him to be okay. She kissed Plankton's forehead. The frog toy still clutched in his hand, the soft rise and fall of his chest, the gentle snore escaping his lips. Plankton's single eye was closed, the tension around his mouth had relaxed, and a line of drool was making its slow descent from his bottom lip. Karen couldn't help but smile. "It's normal," Dr. Barry chuckles. But to Karen, it was a rare glimpse into his vulnerability, something he rarely allowed others to see. Underneath the bravado and the obsession with stealing the Krabby Patty, he was just a man who at times just needed help. The sight of his drool was oddly comforting, a symbol of his complete surrender to the lingering anesthesia. Dr. Barry let Chip in. "You can sit with him," Dr. Barry told Chip. Plankton was still unconscious, his breathing deep and even. Karen squeezed Chip's shoulder. "It's okay," she whispered. "He'll wake up soon." Chip nodded, as the dental assistant put gauze into Plankton's mouth. "When coming out of anesthesia one might feel groggy. With autism, autistics can seemingly regress. In other words, his autism might be more prominent today. Some might be semi-nonverbal or hyperverbal, all due to lingering anesthesia. Disorientation is common, usually lasting a day. After he's asleep, we used local anesthetic to numb the surgical areas, which also can last for a day." Nurse Nancy explained. "So in other words, his mouth will be numb and he might act loopy." Chip's eyes were wide with fear. "It's okay," she assured him. "This is just part of his recovery." Plankton began to stir, his antennae twitching slightly. "Mmph," he mumbled, his mouth full of gauze. Karen chuckled softly. "Looks like he's waking up," she said. Chip watched, his heart racing as his father's eye flutters open, looking around the room in confusion. Plankton's voice was slurred and garbled as he tried to speak around the numbness and gauze. "Whwat... whwere... wham?" he asked, his single eye blinking slowly. "Mwisdoom...?" Chip couldn't help but chuckle, despite the seriousness of the situation. "You're okay, Dad," he said, his voice shaky with relief. "You just had some teeth taken out here at the dentist." Plankton's eye focused on Chip, his antennae twitching slightly. "Teef?" he slurred. Chip nodded. "Wisdom teeth," Karen explained. "They had to be removed. What do you remember?" Plankton blinked, his expression hazy. "Karen... mask... flawgy... teef..." He was trying to piece together the events of the morning, but the anesthesia had left him feeling loopy. His eye searched the room, finally landing on the nurse who had given him the frog toy. "Thamks... fow... fwog," he mumbled, holding up the toy. The nurse, Clara, smiled at him. "It's okay, Mr. Plankton. You're all done," she said, her voice kind. "You're going to go home soon." Karen chuckled. "Aw! He's thanking you for the frog," she interpreted. "Tell the nice lady how it helped you, Plankton." With his mouth still full of gauze, Plankton managed a "Mm hmph," his antennae bobbing in agreement. He squeezed the frog tighter, the texture comforting him even in his groggy state. Chip couldn't help but laugh at his dad's slurred speech. "You're so funny, Dad," he said, his voice light. Nurse Clara chuckled and nodded. "It's not uncommon," she said. "Anesthesia can make people say some pretty funny things." Plankton's eye widened slightly, and he tried to talk again. "Karen... bwake... me... bweaky?" Karen couldn't help but laugh at her husband's slurred speech. "Sure, sweetie, whatever you say." Karen helped Plankton sit up. He took a deep breath, the frog toy still clutched in his hand. "Hometh... now’n?" he managed to ask, his voice still thick with anesthesia. "Yes, we're going home soon," Karen assured him, wiping away the drool that had collected on his chin. "First, we'll get you cleaned up, and then we'll go." Chip watched, his anxiety fading into relief. His dad was going to be okay.

𝖳𝖮 𝖫𝖤𝖠𝖱𝖭 part 7 (𝖻𝗒 𝖭𝖾𝗎𝗋𝗈𝖥𝖺𝖻𝗎𝗅𝗈𝗎𝗌) Plankton leaned on to his wife, the frog toy now a silent witness to his confusion. "Karen, I thoink I thaw... a pwinthip... in the denthit," he slurred, his tongue thick from the anesthesia. Karen couldn't help but laugh, the tension from the morning dissipating. "It's okay, honey," she said, her voice gentle. "You're just a bit loopy. We're going home soon." Chip watched, his fear turning into amusement. Plankton looked at Chip, his antennae still. "Chip... thon... I wove you," he managed to get out, the words slurred. Chip's cheeks grew red, trying not to laugh. "Dad, I know. You're just tired, and I love you to—" But Plankton wasn't done. "Thoo... toothfth... theyth tooh theem," he asks. Karen nods, her smile tender. "Yes, they took out your wisdom te-" "Teeefth," Plankton interjects, his tongue feeling too large for his mouth. "Wi’out my teeefth, how wiww I... I... eath?" His concern was genuine, his mind still fuzzy with anesthesia. Karen giggles. "Don't worry, you'll eat just fine," she soothes, gently stroking his back. "You'll have soft foods for a bit, then back to your normal diet. It'll be a shot in the arm!" Plankton's eye widens and wells up with tears. "Shoth?" he repeats, his voice rising. Karen quickly reassures him. "No, no, Plankton, I meant it'll be a piece of cake! No shots, just so—" But Plankton's antennae were already quivering with fear, his body tense. He took the phrase "shot in the arm" literally. Karen's heart sank. "I'm sorry," she said quickly, cutting off her laugh. "It's an expression, Plankton. No shots, I pro-" But it was too late. A whine began to build high-pitched. Chip's laughter died. Karen squeezed his hand. "I'm sorry, sweetie. It's just an expression. I shouldn't have used it. No shots, I promise," she whispered, her voice soothing. Plankton's antennae quivered, his single eye filling with tears. "Youw thaid, y-you tolb me!" Karen's expression softened, seeing his distress. "Plankton, it's okay. It's just something we say, like 'easy as pie.' But I shouldn't have used it if it scared you." She took the frog from his hand, setting it aside, and wrapped her arms around him. "You're safe babe. No one's going to hurt you." Chip watched his parents, his heart aching. "Dad, please, don't cry! It's okay, Dad," he whispered. "We're going to go home." Plankton's sobs grew quieter, his antennae drooping. "Mmph... wight," he mumbled. "Nobody's gonna... shot me." His mouth was still numb, his speech still slurred. "That's right," Karen said, kissing his forehead. "Let's go home!" Karen managed to get her husband to his feet as she helped him out of the dental chair. She held Plankton upright as he wobbled slightly, his legs still weak from anesthesia. "Careful," she said, her voice soothing. "Let's get going." Plankton chuckles as Karen helped him stand up, his legs wobbly. "Wook ath me, I'm wike babywun," he says, his words still thick. Karen laughs softly, her heart swelling with love as Chip follows them out. "You're doing great," she reassures him, her arm around his waist. "Just lean on me, okay?" They made their way to the car, Chip sitting in the back by his dad as Karen got into the driver's seat. She then started the engine and gave her husband a side glance. "You okay?" she asked, amused. Plankton nodded, his speech still slurred. "Ish, jumst wike I goth my wips dipwed," he said. Chip couldn't help but snicker as Plankton's head lolled to the side, Karen's eyes darted to the rearview mirror, checking on him. "You okay back there, sweetie?" she asked. Plankton's eye opened slightly, his antennae twitching. "Mm hmph," he mumbled, his voice still slurred. Chip knew his dad would be okay. Plankton's head lolled against the car window, the frog toy still in his hand. "Wook, Chip," he mumbled, pointing out the window. "Twee... bweautiful day, ishn't ith?" Chip nodded, his eyes on his father's reflection in the window. He was still a bit loopy, his words coming out of his still-numb mouth as a series of lisps. Karen glanced back, a small smile playing on her lips. "We're gonna have to keep an eye on him today, Chip," she said, her voice gentle. "I will," Chip promised, his gaze never leaving his dad. For Plankton was still slurring, but he seemed content. "Dath... dath's... dath's..." Chip couldn't help but chuckle. "Your mouth's just numb." He smiled. "So, tell me what you recall during the dentist appointment, Dad?" Plankton's antennae twitched. "Well, I... I... I met a nice nurse wif a fwog." He managed, holding up the plush toy. "And den... den... I goth... I rember... a mask... and den... den I woke up to thee youw and awso thaw youw mom my wife Karen. I thaw Karen acting wike she was a thilly widdle gull," he slurred with a hint of a lopsided smile. Karen rolled her eyes good-naturedly. "So you're saying I'm a silly little girl," she asked. Plankton nodded, his eye still half-closed. "Yeth," he said, his smile growing wider. "Youw wuz.. I finks Chip thaid 'bweautiful'." Karen's eyes met Chip's in the mirror, and they both laughed. Plankton's fighting off the urge to sleep now. "Twee... trees... theem loks wobble," he says as his eye struggles to stay open. Karen chuckles from the front seat. "Are you getting sleepy back there, Plankton?" "No... just a wobbit," Plankton slurs, his voice faint. Chip looks at his dad. "You okay?" Plankton nods slightly. "I'm stiw awake. Theemth... theemth... theemth... thleepy." Karen glances in the mirror. "We're almost home," she soothes. "Yo-" But she's cut off by a sudden snore from Plankton. Chip giggles. "Looks like someone's already conked out.. Dad, can you wake up?" Plankton's antennae twitch in his sleep, his mouth moving. "Mmf... wha?" Karen smiles at Chip. "Guess the anesthesia's still doing its thing." They pull into the driveway, the house looming comfortingly. "Wakey wakey," Karen sings, shaking Plankton gently. He blinks, his eye struggling to focus. Plankton's mouth opens, but only a slurred "Mmph" escapes. "I thweep?" Karen laughs gently as she helps him into the house. "You're okay, just a bit tired." Plankton stumbles slightly, his body still heavy from the anesthesia. Inside, they settle him on his bed. "Dad," Chip starts, but Plankton's already snoring lightly, the frog toy still clutched in his hand. Karen smiles tiredly. "Let's get him comfortable." Karen managed to remove his gauze. "Wook, Chip," Plankton mumbles, his voice slurred and sleepy. "Wook ath dis widdle fwoggy. It'th my new fwiend." Chip laughs softly as his mom helps Plankton get comfortable on the bed. "You're going to need some rest, Dad," he says. Plankton nods. "Mmph, yesh. Wemember, Chip," he says. "Remember what, Dad?" Chip asks, smiling. "Wemember the fwiend, the fwoggy," Plankton responds. With a gentle laugh, Karen takes the frog toy and places it beside Plankton. "Yes, you're right," she says, her eyes shining. "Your new friend will watch over you." Plankton nods, his eyelid drooping. "Mmh," he says, his hand reaching for the toy again. His mouth, still numb, moves slightly as he chews on his tongue. Karen watches him. "No no, Plankton," she whispers. "Don't chew on your mouth, you'll hurt it more." Chip's eyes widen in realization. "Dad, stop," he says gently. "You're still numb." Plankton looks at him. "Wha?" Karen sighs, her voice still kind. "You're chewing on your mouth, honey," she explains. "And you know you're sensitive. Tomorrow the numbness will be gone, and you'll be even more sore if you..." But Plankton's already drooling over the toy. "Plankton," Karen says firmly. "You're not supposed to chew. The gauze is gone." Plankton's antennae then twitch in confusion, eye barely open. Drool pooled at the corner of his mouth. Chip stepped forward, his voice gentle. "Dad, you can't chew on that. It'll make your mouth worse." He took the frog from Plankton's hand. Plankton's single eye snapped open, his gaze focusing on Chip, in a mix of confusion and sadness. "Gimme my fwoggy..." Chip held up the frog toy. "Dad, you can't have it right now. You can get it back if you stop randomly chewing." But Plankton's still trying to reach for the frog. "NO," Chip says, which makes Plankton sit back down on the bed. Plankton's antennae drooped as he began to cry. Not loud sobs, but quiet, sad tears that trickled down his face. "I... I wan' m-my, my fwoggy," he says, his voice thick with pain. Karen turns to Chip. "Give him the toy," she whispers. "He wants it for comfort. The frog has nothing to do with his chewing. And don't raise your voice like that. He's still autistic, and still sensitive." Chip nods, feeling guilty. "Sorry, Dad," he says, handing the toy back to his father. Plankton's sniffles die down as he holds the frog tightly, his antennae still drooping. "I'm sorry, Dad," Chip says again. Karen wipes Plankton's face with her thumb, removing the drool and tears. "It's okay," she soothes. Chip watches his dad, his heart aching. He hadn't realized how much his father's autism affected his daily life. Plankton's stims, his need for calm, the way he sometimes struggled with the unexpected—it all made sense now. And the frog, a simple toy to anyone else, had become a comfort for his dad in this moment of vulnerability. Plankton's antennae twitch, his eye half-closed. "Mmh," he mumbles, his hand finding the frog again as his mouth moves in a slight chew. Chip notices, his heart squeezing. "Dad," he says, his voice gentle. "You're doing it again. You can't chew on your mouth." Plankton looks at him, his antennae still. "I'm noth chewing," he mumbles. But his mouth is moving. Karen sighs, her hand on his shoulder. "Plankton, sweetie, you are," she whispers. "You're just not aware of it."

𝖳𝖮 𝖫𝖤𝖠𝖱𝖭 part 4 (𝖻𝗒 𝖭𝖾𝗎𝗋𝗈𝖥𝖺𝖻𝗎𝗅𝗈𝗎𝗌) Suddenly, Plankton stirred in his sleep, and he let out a low groan. Chip's heart jolted, fear gripping him. Was this another seizure? Another meltdown? But Karen's hand on his arm calmed him. "It's okay," she murmured. "He's just waking up. Set him down gently." Chip did as he was told, his hands trembling as he lowered Plankton back to the bed. He watched his father closely, his heart racing. Plankton's eye blinked open. For a moment, there was confusion in that single eye, but then it focused on Chip. "What...?" he murmured. Chip took a deep breath. "Dad, I'm sorry," he said, his voice cracking. "I didn't know about the stimming or the meltdowns. I just... wanted to help." Plankton's antennae twitch slightly as he looked at his son. He felt a pang of guilt for snapping earlier. He had never wanted Chip to feel like this, but the fear of his condition being misunderstood had always weighed heavy on him. He took a deep breath, his voice still shaky. "I know, Chip," he murmurs. "But please, don't ever do that again." The pain in his voice was palpable. Chip nodded, his eyes brimming with tears. "I won't," he promised. "I wanted to show support." Plankton sighed, his expression a mix of exhaustion and regret. He knew Chip had only been trying to help, but his own pride just gets in the way. "Look, Chip," he began, his voice still shaky. "Doing it is like... it's like when you have so much energy you can't be still, right?" Chip nods. "Well, for me, it's like my brain has too much energy. It's like all the thoughts are racing and I can't keep up, so my body does it for me. But if you do it," Plankton continues, "it's like... like you're mocking. It's for me." The words hit Chip like a ton of bricks. He had never thought about it like that before. He had simply been trying to show his father that he cared, that he understood. But now he saw it from Plankton's perspective. He looked down at his hands, which had been still in his lap. They felt suddenly heavy, a symbol of his ignorance. He swallowed hard, his throat dry. "I didn't mean to make fun of you, Dad," he said, his voice cracking. "I just wanted you to know that I love you, stims and all." Plankton's antennae twitched again, a sign of his internal struggle. He took a deep breath, his expression softening slightly. "I know you didn't, Chip," he said. "But it's not something you just do. It's not for anyone else to mimic." Karen's eyes filled with pride as she watched her son. Despite his fear, his love for his father was unwavering. "It's okay, Plankton," she said. "Chip just wants to be there for you." Plankton's antennae lowered slightly as he met Chip's gaze. "I know," he murmured. "I know you meant well." He took another deep breath. "But you have to understand, it's not a game.." Chip nodded solemnly, his cheeks still damp from his earlier tears. "I get it, Dad," he said. "I won't do it again. I just want to know what to do when you're... you know." Plankton's antennae stilled as he considered his son's words. "Just be patient with me," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "And if you can, try to give me space when I need it." Chip nodded, feeling the weight of his dad's words. He knew he had to do better, to be more understanding. He looked to Karen for guidance, her eyes filled with love and encouragement. "Now it's getting late, and your father has the dentist in the morning for his yearly x-rays. We'll all be going early." The next morning, Karen woke Chip up by gently shaking his shoulder. "It's morning. Wanna come with me to wake up your dad?" Chip nodded, still feeling the heaviness of the night before. He followed his mother into their bedroom, where he found his dad still fast asleep. Plankton's face was peaceful, his antennas resting against his pillow. Chip felt a pang of regret, remembering his dad's pain. They approached the bed, where Plankton lay, his snores gentle. Karen leans down, her hand holding his. "Plankton, it's time to wake up," she whispered. He stirs, stretching as he opens his single eye. "X-rays," Plankton says. Karen drives them both to Plankton's dentist for his x-rays. They knew about his autistic sensitivities already, as he's been going to this place for a long time. The office was familiar, but Chip could still see his dad's antennae twitch slightly with anticipation. The nurse, a pufferfish named Nancy, greets them with a warm smile. "Good morning, Mr. Plankton," she said. "We're ready for your x-rays; follow me.." Nurse Nancy leads them to the room where x-rays are always taken. Plankton sat down in the chair. He knew this place, had been here many times before. But today, with Chip's knowledge of his condition fresh in his mind, he felt exposed, vulnerable. He closed his eye, trying to calm himself. Karen squeezed his hand comfortingly. "It's okay," she murmured. "You've got this." Chip stood beside his mom, his own nerves frayed from the night's events.

𝖳𝖮 𝖫𝖤𝖠𝖱𝖭 part 5 (𝖻𝗒 𝖭𝖾𝗎𝗋𝗈𝖥𝖺𝖻𝗎𝗅𝗈𝗎𝗌) The x-ray machine whirred to life. The nurse moved slowly. "It's just a quick picture, Mr. Plankton," Nurse Nancy reminds. "It won't take long. We're just going to put this shield over your chest," she said, her voice soothing. "And then you'll bite down on this." She held up a small plastic piece. "It'll help us get the best picture of your teeth." Plankton nodded. He knew the routine well. The nurse continued. "Ready?" she asked. Plankton nodded, his eye squeezed shut. The machine beeped, and the light flashed. It was quick and easy as always. The dentist, Dr. Barry, entered the room with a warm smile. He looked at the x-rays, his tentacles flipping through them carefully. "Ah, yes," he said, nodding. "It looks like your wisdom teeth are gonna come in misaligned, Plankton." Plankton's antennae shot up in alarm, his eye widening. "What does that mean?" he asked, his voice tight. "Well," Dr. Barry explained, his tone neutral. "It means that they're growing in at an angle. It can cause some discomfort, and potentially lead to other dental issues if not corrected." Plankton's mind raced. "Let's stop this problem before it starts. So we're going to have to extract them. We can just get it over-" "Today?" Chip's voice was high-pitched, his eyes wide with worry. Karen put a hand on his shoulder, squeezing gently. "Yes, today," the dentist nodded. Plankton's antennae began to twitch again, his grip on his chair tightening. Chip could see the anxiety rising in his father. "What does that mean?" he asked, swallowing hard. Dr. Barry looked at him kindly, his tentacles moving gently. "It means we're going to remove them now, so you don't have any problems in the future," he said. "But first, let's talk abou–" But Plankton couldn't hear him over the sudden rush of fear and panic. His antennae began to quiver, his breath quickening. Chip could see it coming, his dad's body tensing up. "Dad, no," he pleaded, his voice shaking. But it was too late, his eye rolling back in his head. Karen's grip on his hand tightened, and she whispered, "I've got you." Plankton's body convulsed. Chip watched, his heart racing, feeling utterly powerless. He'd never seen a full-blown meltdown like this before. It was terrifying. "Dad, please," Chip whispered, his voice trembling. He reached out tentatively, but Karen held him back. "Let me," she said, her voice firm but gentle. She knew Plankton's cues better than anyone. The room grew smaller as Plankton's panic escalated. He thrashed in the chair, his body contorted with fear. Karen quickly moved to his side, her hands gently guiding him to the floor, where there was more space. "Shh, it's okay," she cooed, her voice soothing. "You're safe here. Focus on my voice." Chip watched, his heart in his throat, as his mother's calming words seemed to penetrate Plankton's distress. Plankton's body grew stiller, his breaths coming in shallow gasps. The nurse looked on nervously, ready to step in if needed. But Karen was firm. "This is his thing," she whispered. "You're okay, sweetie," she murmured. "Just breathe." Plankton's antennae twitched less, his body slowly calming under her gentle touch. His single eye focused on hers. "No," he murmured. "No no no-" "Shh," Karen said, her voice soothing. "It's okay. We can handle this." Chip felt his stomach drop. Surgery? The dentist, Dr. Barry, observed them, his tentacles poised but calm. "We can personalize it," he offered, sensing their distress. "We'll use inhalational anesthesia before moving him to IV, that way he can stay relaxed and asleep." Karen nodded, her eyes never leaving Plankton's face. "That sounds good," she said. "We wanna make sure he's as comfortable as possible." Dr. Barry leads them into the oral surgery's suite of the building. "Son, your father will be okay. You can stay here on this bench and we'll be on the other side of this door. Your mom can stay throughout his entire surgery." Chip nods as Dr. Barry allows Plankton and Karen into the room. "We've indestructible stitches that dissolve, so we'll use them. Karen can stay here the whole time, okay?" Dr. Barry assured Plankton as some nurses came in. Nurse Nancy smiles at him. Karen sits in the chair by Plankton's, holding his hand. Another nurse, a clownfish named Clara, enters with a soft, plushy frog toy. "We thought this might help," she says, handing it to Plankton. "You can keep it to take home with you." Plankton's antennae twitch slightly as he takes the toy. It's a comforting texture, and he finds himself squeezing it tightly. Karen smiles at Clara. "Thank you," she whispers. "It's the little things." The nurse nods, her eyes kind. "It's okay to be scared," she says to Plankton. "But we're all here to help." Plankton swallows hard, his gaze flitting to Karen. The anesthesiologist, Dr. Poseidon, enters the room, his tentacles moving with a calm efficiency. He explains the process again, his voice gentle. "We're going to give you some gas to help you sleep, then we'll use an IV for the surgery. You won't feel anything." Plankton nods, his antennae still. The nurse brings over the mask, and Plankton takes a deep breath, his arm tight around the comforting frog toy. Karen squeezes his other hand. "It'll be okay," she whispers reassuringly. The gas hisses, filling the space around him. Plankton feels his panic start to ease slightly. He focuses on the texture of the frog in his hand, the soft fabric grounding him as his surroundings begin to blur. Karen's voice is a comforting constant, whispering instructions, her grip on his hand firm. He can feel his body growing heavier, his thoughts slowing down. "Just breathe, Plankton," she says, her voice soothing. Plankton's antennae droop as the gas takes effect. Karen's heart clenched as she watched her husband's body go slack, his eye closing. "It'll be over soon," she whispered, her throat tight with emotion. The nurses moved quickly, placing the IV beginning the surgery. Karen sat, her eyes never leaving his face. She watched as Dr. Barry worked with precision, his tentacles steady as he anesthetized his mouth and removed the wisdom teeth. The surgery was a blur of sounds and movements. Dr. Barry's tentacles were a flurry of precision, and Karen couldn't help but admire the grace of the medical team. They moved with a synchronicity that was almost mesmerizing as they stitched up the gums and removed his IV.