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Wendy flattened her last $20 out in the slit of the machine as it whirred and buzzed right at the arcades entrance, dabbed with cheap carpet and remnants of cotton candy lingering in the air.
“Hey, we still got enough for ice cream after?” Kevin asked, all smiles and leaning against the machine.
“Depends on how well you do.” Wendy placed the plastic cup at the dispenser, bills sliding out and stuffing them into it.
“Claw machines are my jam, Wen.”
“You couldn't operate a pair of pliers.”
“My hands were cold…” Kevin bit his lip and averted his gaze outside.
“We're in the middle of summer.”
“Then my hands were hot! The heat energy and the vibrations, particles movement… ya know?”
“Whatever.” Wendy's tone was sarcastic as the last coin dived into the pot, a smile tugging at the corner of her lips.
“Whatever.” Kevin repeated in a squidward voice and earned himself a punch in the gut as he almost keeled over laughing.
8 years since Wendy had poked fun at him in a drive-thru for knowing where Spongebob lives, Kevin had never let it go. Wendy's house key held a small squidward keychain, Kevin's adorned with a damaged spongebob that he'd found at a garage sale and had cherished close to his heart ever since. He had it wrapped around his fingers almost as much as his actual wedding ring some days.
Kevin suddenly stopped dead in his tracks and tugged at Wendy's fingers weaved in his hands. Staring at one of those punching machines that makes every male within sight suddenly have something to prove. Also puts them down $3 and slightly up in ego.
“No way! I'm not wasting $3 on that Kev, we can do like anything else… especially for only 2 tries.”
“Yeah yeah you're right… you already knew I was the strongest person in the world anyways.”
The couple kept walking, fingers interlocked as kids dashed by with their massive teddies and parents with massive pits where their $50 used to be.
“I don't get how these places are still in business somedays…” Wendy whispered, breaking the silence underneath the repeated sound clips and whooshing air of a tornado machine nearby.
“Every kid you see with a slinky or fat teddy bear? Picture 5 more kids with nothing, sobbing over a… minecraft creeper they couldn't win. That's how they get'cha.”
“I'm picturing you doing tha-”
“Don't even, Wen.”
“It's a pretty hilarious mental image, actually.” Wendy whispered, leaning in and kissing the side of his cheek. “Thanks.”
“How about the mental image of me winning a prize? Conquering the monster that is arcade greed and earning a mighty Sonic for my brave ‘ventures?”
“Eh. Not so touching, I must say.”
Wendy anchored her feet in the ground as she gasped, Kevin turning around in response as his eyes caught sight. “Babe, we have to.”
Kevin sighed. “You've gotta be fuckin’ kidding me.”
Kevin stared down at the photos, still warm in between his fingers as the booth spat out the 4 photos in all their glory. The dull grey of the photo booth wall exaggerated the aqua of his jacket and cushioned Wendy's purple for admittedly worth-it photos. Butterflies formed in his stomach as he soaked in Wendy's especially beautiful smile in one of them.
“Okay. Maybe it wasn't a waste of $5 after all.” Still smiling like a doofus at another one where they were forming a heart with their hands.
“It wasn't your money anyways, goofy. And I think you'll find these are getting framed.” Wendy stuffed them into her pocket as she laughed.
“Yes ma'am.” grinning and strolling further into the cavern of the arcade as they reached the section of claw machines.
One especially caught Kevin's eye. One he was sure he had to try at least. One he felt it was destiny to win.
The spongebobs were lined up on the clear shelves inside the glass walls, pushed up against the back and smiling as their legs dangled off the shelf.
Kevin had spent the best part of 10 minutes carefully lining up the claw machine like he was operating with nuclear weapons and not trying to win a sponge. 15 tries later and they were down $5 and the most he had to show for it was he had flipped it onto it’s front then back 4 times and moved it about a foot.
“Look at that shit eating grin, he's taunting me! Look at him!” Kevin pointed through the glass at the inanimate plush.
“Kevin, I promise you he's not taunting you.” Wendy had her arms crossed and was trying everything in her to not laugh right now.
“We're not leaving till I win this fucker, babe. I'm not getting beat by a damn fry cook.” Kevin rubbed his palms together and slotted another dollar bill in as the little screen shot up again to show 3.
“Here, let me try.”
Kevin obliged, stepping back and letting his wife take the helm as he stood behind her and peeping over her shoulder.
Wendy practically burnt through the first 2 tries, getting a grip on him both times before he fell through the claws mechanical fingers and splatted back on the packing peanuts. Wendy's face twisted in quiet fury as she leaned in even closer to the glass of the machine and muttered curses under her breath.
“You got it, babe.” Kevin massaged her shoulders lightly as she waited for the claw to reset.
Brows furrowed and jaw tight, Wendy felt Kevin's hands leave her shoulders as she guided the claw again.
Wendy inched the metal closer and closer to its target as Kevin said encouragements low and watched her work.
The 1 on the little screen faded into a 0 as the button was pressed, claw gracefully glided down as it collapsed in on the golden square, clasping underneath him as it pulled him up.
It moved, Spongebob didn't fall until he was right above the chute and dropped down into collection.
“Oh my god, I did it!” Wendy laughed and turned to Kevin, face shocked and laughing as he pushed his hands up off his knees.
Wendy reached into the chute and pulled out the plush as she embraced Kevin, both still laughing.
“That was awesome, babe!” Kevin's hand tightened around her waist, lifting her off the ground as they spun around giggling - spongebob in tow as he swung around in Wendy's hand.
“So… this last $9?” Kevin pulled back to see her face.”
Wendy handed the last 9$ through the space as he handed her the two ice creams, topped with 3 scoops each. Kevin was behind her, cradling and rocking the spongebob like some sort of baby.
“Kev-”
“Shhh, you'll wake him babe…”
“You are the biggest piece of work out there, y'know?” Wendy rolled her eyes at him, but there was no aggression behind her tone.
“There's no other job you'd take.”
Wendy jabbed his ice cream upto his mouth, getting a fair bit on his upper lip before he caved and took it from her. Spongebob swung in one hand as the couple fell into step walking to Kevin's truck.