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Well, this is not going according to plan.
Agent Stone glances down at the ropes tying him to a chair with a disgruntled frown.
“Release him, Sonic. And you’ll get out of this unharmed,” Dr. Robotnik growls.
Despite his confident threat, he’s covered in scratches and scrapes dripping blood down his face. Sonic, however, is unscathed.
“Oh really, Egghead? What makes you think that?” Sonic yaps.
“I’m a genius. I’m perfectly capable of stopping a measly little rodent,” Robotnik says, breathing heavily.
“Right… Well to be totally honest; I don’t know how your little henchman got here. I definitely didn’t take him. Or tie him up!”
“Ridiculous,” the doctor scowls. “He’s tied up in your attic. He called for my help. You can’t lie to me hedgehog. I know when someone’s lying to me.”
Usually, Robotnik is right. Usually, he can tell when someone’s lying to him. But in this case, he’s totally missed the real liar. Stone, behind him, shifts guiltily in his seat.
He had this grand image in his mind. He'd get 'kidnapped' (sneak into Sonic's home and tie himself up) and the doctor would jump in to save the day. Rescuing him from the hedgehog’s clutches and sweeping him up in his arms to console him. A damsel in distress and a charming prince.
But, no. That’s not what’s happening. Sonic is kicking Robotnik’s butt (as usual) and now he’s watching his doctor get hurt. He hates the sight.
“Just untie him,” Robotnik tries again.
“I don’t know, Egghead. He’s on your side. Maybe it’d be best to keep him there,” Sonic shrugs.
Robotnik frowns and narrows his eyes on sonic, charging up the flamethrower feature on one of his few remaining badniks. In response, Sonic’s fur starts sparking with small bolts of electricity.
The doctor is already swaying and struggling to stand. One more blow and Stone could be at fault for some serious injuries. With a racing heart, Stone angles his sleeve to drop a small lighter into his hand. He burns through the rope on his hands, then leans down to free his legs.
As soon as he’s up he kicks the chair to the side and rushes to block Sonic’s attack on the doctor.
“Stone…?” Dr. Robotnik mutters, which Stone only just catches before Sonic collides with him.
He stumbles back, landing against the doctor’s chest.
“Stone, what–” he quickly moves his arms to hold Stone up. “How did you–?”
“Lighter,” Stone groans.
He takes a deep breath and looks up at the hedgehog, who looks equally as surprised as Robotnik.
“Come on, sir,” Stone stands up and guides his superior to the attic’s roof where the badniks have formed a staircase.
He wraps an arm around Robotnik’s waist, which would not be allowed if Robotnik weren’t as battered and bruised as he is.
“I’m gonna let you go - just this once!” Sonic calls. “But only because I got a new comic and I don’t wanna waste precious Starfarer time on you two.”
“Stone I– I don’t understand,” Robotnik mumbles as Stone calls an egg pod to pick them up from the roof. “If you had that lighter the whole time… why call for my assistance? Why just sit there?”
Stone stares straight ahead into the surrounding trees. How can he even begin to explain what had happened? His thought process?
“I guess it… slipped my mind?” Stone attempts, knowing full well it’s a lousy excuse.
Robotnik hesitates then shrugs. “Unlike you. You must be tired. We have had a lot of late nights at the lab lately.”
A sigh of relief sits at the back of Stone’s throat. It’s too risky to breathe it.
“Yeah… Must be that,” Stone agrees as he tightens his grip on Robotnik’s waist.
If he couldn’t get the rescue story he wanted then he’s gonna make do with what he has. Enjoying this small moment of intimacy is better than nothing.
“You’re–” the doctor hesitates, trying to find the words he needs in his clouded brain. “You’re so dedicated to me. Why?”
“Why?” Stone repeats. “I’m not sure, doctor. I suppose I appreciate your brilliance.”
“Right. I know that already. But surely that isn’t enough for you to willingly take a hit for me,” Robotnik stares at the side of Stone’s face.
The agent caves and turns to return the gaze. Surprise fills him when he sees a sort of softness in the doctor’s eyes.
“I would think that one would need to truly love a person to do that…” Robotnik scans Stone’s face. “Do you care about me? Love me, even?”
Stone’s eyes flicker, scanning his mental file of lies he’s constructed to deflect questions about feelings.
“Aban?”
His heart clutches. His shoulders tense. His heart flutters.
The doctor has never used his first name. He didn’t even realise he knew his first name.
“I– Well… Yes. Yes, sir,” The words reach the tip of his tongue then come spilling out. “I care about you. A lot. And… maybe I do… love you.”
Robotnik grins. A sweet grin. A grin unlike any grin he’s seen on the doctor’s face. It’s not menacing, not teasing, not smug. It’s a true and sweet, heartwarming, happy grin.
“Good.”
“Good?”
“Good,” Robotnik nods, pressing a small kiss to Stone’s forehead. “I might also hold a certain… affection for you too.”
Stone doesn’t miss the way Robotnik’s mustache tickles against his skin. It almost prompts a laugh from him. But he contains it, instead holding a fond smile on his face.
“Then, yeah. Good.”