Work Text:
It's only been a few weeks since the divorce, There were still some of Karen's things in a few places, which Sheldon had packed into cardboard boxes, thanks to that she will be able to get them out of here faster.
Plankton was currently dusting the areas where the items had been removed. His back was already aching from all the bending and kneeling, so he stood up to take a break. He put down the cloth and headed towards the kitchen, which was also more empty. He heated the water and then poured it into the cup with coffee, the smell immediately spread throughout the room. Black, no sugar, just the way he likes it.
He sat down at the table and had only managed to take one sip, when he suddenly heard a knock on the door. Who could it be? Maybe Karen came to get her things early? Or maybe a bailiff... Let's hope not.
"I'm coming, I'm coming..."
He puts down his cup and heads towards the front door. Then the person behind the door knocks again, harder. Okay, it's definitely not Karen.
"I'm coming! Don't get so worked up!"
He grabs the door handle and pulls it hard, driven by emotion, he was about to shout at the person standing on the other side, but suddenly flowers were placed in his face?
Sheldon looks confused at the plants in front of his face, they were beautiful. There were purple hyacinths, daffodils and red roses... But who...
When plankton looks above the bouquet, he sees the face of the person holding it.... It is his Eugene Krabs.
"What? What are you doing here?! What did you came here to gloat!?"
But then he noticed what his enemy's face looked like, he looked to the side, all red... obviously trying to avoid eye contact.
"Krabs what are you-"
Eugene pressed the bouquet even closer to Sheldon's chest.
"Stop.... talkin' for a minute will ye Sheldon and listen..."
Sheldon immediately go to quiet, he was really confused but curious at the same time. What is this cheapskate planing now?
"Look I heard about what happened with you and Karen..."
"Oh so you came to laugh at me?"
"No! Dear Neptune! Just listen to me Shelly..."
The usage of the childhood nickname immediately triggered a completely different reaction. Sheldon straightened up and finally shut up.
"I heard about what happened and....I....I came to tell you, that I couldn't stop thinking about it ever since I found out. I know we hate each other and the whole recipe thing....but I need ye to know that I am here If ye need anything ye know?"
"W...what? What is this, is this a trap? Is there a bomb in the bouquet?"
"No Sheldon there's no bomb in there. I... When I heard about the divorce I... I started thinking about the past...about us and I guess it opened my eyes..."
"What do you mean?"
"I....I liked you Shelly. I really did."
Sheldon was stunned. Was he dreaming?
"I know I probably look like a total coward right now, because who in their right mind confesses their love to someone only after they have divorced with their previous significant other? And I am a coward... And I know that... I focused so much on our hatred, and about me money that I completely forgot about me actual feelings."
Plankton just stood there and looked at his former childhood friend, then his hands gently grabbed the bouquet. Eugene let go of the flowers, his hands awkwardly squeezing the lower part of his blue flannel shirt.
"I know that it doesn't change anything that happened between us and I know that it's really stupid that I'm saying this only now, if I had done it earlier we would have avoided all the suffering caused by hatred. And I am really sorry... Ye don't have to tell me anything, I just wanted to get this off my chest for both of our sakes..."
Eugene swallows hard and then turns his face away from Sheldon again, looking at his shoes. Waiting for his enemy to say something... anything.
"Eugene I.... I really don't know what to say."
Plankton blushes and then looks at the bouquet, looking at the flower petals. This all really changes their entire dynamic. What am I supposed to do with them now? And is Eugene really being honest about this?
"Ye don't have to say anything Shelly."
"I know... But I should say something shouldn't I?"
There is an awkward moment of silence between them.
"Maybe you'd like to come in?"
Sheldon asks while gripping the flowers. Eugene smiles lightly.
"Yes... I would like that very much... Shelly"
While inside they sit and the same table where Sheldon was drinking his coffee in the very same cup was still there. Sheldon spoke first.
"... I actually felt the same for a while when we were younger"
"Ye did?"
Eugene says his eyes widening and sparkled with a bit of hope.
"Yes... And you should know... That when I build Karen... I was actually referencing a lot of your characteristics..."
"Ye mean..."
"Yes. She was based on you... You don't have to rub it in..."
"Oh Shelly..."
"Quit calling me that..."
He blushes more.
Eugene smiles and then looks around for a while.
"Aren't you sad that she won't be around anymore? Ye spend a lot of time with her..."
"I probably will for a while, but I know that this relationship wasn't healthy, both for me and for her, so it's better this way.
He sighs
"Oh my, how stupid is that... For so long we yelled at each other across the street over some stupid piece of paper, and in reality we both felt something for each other"
"Well that's true we both are big idiots. But do you think we could try again? Even after all these years?"
He puts his open palm on the table looking softly into Sheldon's eyes.
"...I really want to Eugene, I really do."
He reaches out slowly and puts his hand on top of Krabs's.
"But you need to help me find a place I could put those flowers in"
He continues.
"Aye, I'm glad to hear that."
Eugene laughed lighly.