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Today, Robotnik had Stone in the lab with him.
No paperwork, no meager tasks to complete to keep the man busy, no, all Stone had to do today was stand by his side and await any instructions.
On some days, having anyone in the lab put a kink in his creative flow, but most days Stone was the exception. There was something about the man's presence that didn't frustrate him, at least when the man was obedient and in awe, as he always was.
Even his minor slip-ups were more amusing than anything. Nowhere near as upsetting as when he had to deal with a government sheep, or a useless worker trying to get him to schedule a meeting with General what's-his-face.
It was cute how Agent Stone would beam anytime Ivo looked his way like he was encouraging the man to "keep up the great work!"
Sure, he was a sycophant, but he was Ivo's most adoring fan, and that counted for something.
He tapped through his playlist, this one titled "Tunes to Relax" and settled on a familiar song, humming as he tapped on the console's surface.
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Stone swaying to the beat, side to side, and huffed through his nose as he turned back.
"You like this song, Agent?"
He wasn't one for idle conversation, but today he was testing a theory.
Agent Stone nodded, and Ivo waved his hand.
"Permission to speak freely, Agent."
"Yes, sir.", Stone answered immediately. "I love your taste in music, it's very 'you'."
Robotnik's mouth quirked up in a smile.
"Very 'me'?"
Stone nodded again but didn't say anything further, so Robotnik turned back to work.
After a few minutes, he decided to engage in the next step of his little experiment.
He stood up and his chair was pushed back, forcing Agent Stone to move to the side further to avoid it colliding with him.
Robotnik huffed and ran a hand through his hair.
"I can't focus. Kinetic thinking will do the trick. Agent Stone, do you mind lending a hand?", he drawled, very much making it sound like a demand more than a question.
Stone nodded, and Ivo could see the confusion in his brow. " Of course, Sir. How may I assist you?"
Robotnik grinned and reached out, grabbing Stone's hand. He relished in the look of surprise on the man's face before he tugged him forward and close to his body.
"Do you dance, Agent?"
Stone gulped, Ivo could tell the man's pulse was quickening, cheeks flushing.
"Well?"
"Uh, Not often, Sir."
"Well, today is your lucky day, Agent. Let's dance.", Ivo grinned, a somewhat manic gleam in his eye as he pulled Stone closer, winding up like a spring, before spinning him out and giving a grand flourish of his hand as he held tight to Stone with his other.
He tapped away at his glove, and the music that had been playing in the background was turned up, the sound echoing around them as Ivo switched the lights up, sporting reds and blues that would make any villain flushed with envy.
"Follow my lead, Agent, and try to keep up, will you?"
"Yes, Sir.", Stone breathed, a twinkle in his eye that made Robotnik's heart swell pleasantly.
He pulled Stone close once more, hand on the man's shoulder as he stepped forward, pleased as Stone copied him perfectly. Right foot forward, left foot back, right foot back, twirl--and oh! That was a good one!
Robotnik couldn't stop the smile on his face when Stone added a dip when Ivo twirled him.
"You don't dance, hm? I wouldn't be able to tell.", Ivo gave his most charming grin and wasn't surprised when Stone ducked his head with a smile of his own.
Robotnik was certain now.
His test was finished, and the results were more than satisfactory.
Agent Stone liked him. More than professionally, more than with a level of care.
And Ivo was giddy.
He had been mostly convinced, with how Agent Stone admired him, but he needed more evidence, and the blush dusting the man's cheeks as he looked up at him was more than enough.
Ivo moved his hand to the man's waist, holding back a laugh when Stone's eyes widened, and held tight as he gave his final spin, sweeping the man momentarily off of his feet as the song gave a final amalgamation of sound before coming to an end.
When Stone was back on his feet and released, his knees wobbled.
He looked up at Robotnik with awe and curiosity, like he couldn't figure out if he was making it up, or if there had been something special going on between them during that dance.
"Thank you, Stone. I feel properly refreshed and ready to finish my next record-shattering creation. Feel free to return to your spot by my side.", He said with a straight face, toying with him.
Stone wilted somewhat, but kept a professional look on his face as he straightened and stepped forward.
"Of course, sir. I'm glad I could be of assistance."
Ivo rolled his eyes, not visible to the Agent, before turning around with a grin.
"Oh, and Agent?"
"Yes, Si--rmph!", Stone was cut off as Robotnik crashed his lips into his with a passion that had his knees weak all over again. He gave it a second's hesitation before kissing back just as enthusiastically, eyes closing as he reached up to cradle Ivo's face.
Ivo grabbed onto Stone's cheek, other hand on the back of his head, sparks of electricity lighting him on fire, urging him to keep going, keep kissing, don't ever let go of this feeling.
Stone, unable to match the determination, had to pull back for a gasp of air, and Ivo pulled back to do the same, cheeks unusually flushed, chest puffing in and out as his eyes scanned over Stone's face.
The man was more disheveled than he was; pupils blown, mouth open as he gasped in the hot air around them, and hair ruffled and out of place. Ivo liked the look more than he cared to admit.
He gave himself a second to compose himself before leaning in and kissing Stone again, this time gentle and slow as he whispered, "I like you too, Stone. Do let it get to your head. You're the only one who's ever gotten this close to me. And now you have me admitting it. How do you do it?"
Stone shivered, eyes closing again as his blush deepened.
"Sir. You're everything to me."
If those words weren't enough to have Ivo wrapped around the man's finger, he wasn't sure what was.
Somehow, Stone managed to be in control while being so far from it at the same time, and Robotnik couldn't figure it out.
Maybe in time.
For now, he would celebrate his victory, and focus on letting Stone know just how much he appreciated the man's devotion.