I love when Squidward calls Spongebob Sponge it’s so intimate. You can tell that underneath his typical hostility that there’s a softness between them that Squidward cannot deny

AIDS epidemic era Bikini Bottom was not kind to young sensitive gay squids coming into themselves whilst trying to manifest an increasingly elusive career in the arts. Queer joy was stolen from Squidward by time and cruelty. Seeing Spongebob’s unabashed joyfulness living as an out gay man in a conservative town can be incredibly triggering and it makes sense Squidward often reacts with hostility and annoyance. But once the annoyance subsides there is a softness and a deep fond love that is both terrifying and wonderful…