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Things are no longer easy.
There is much unsaid to the point of suffocation.
It’s been a week since Agent Stone located Dr. Ivo Robotnik's whereabouts and brought him to safety once again. This was becoming a pattern that the agent was beginning to dislike. It wasn’t the fact of saving him that was the bother; it was losing him in the first place.
He’s always loved working for the Doctor, and his intellect and vigor have drawn him in with every scheme and creation made. Yet, he was never warned about this part of the job. The part where he might actually lose him for good. If he was being honest, it scared him. But what could he say? How could he say these feelings with the Doctor’s current state?
Agent Stone sighed softly, delicately arranging the spread of cheeses and pieces of toast on a plate. Ever since Dr. Robotnik’s return, it’s been clear that he’s lost another part of himself. This time, however, he came with no plans, no passion for revenge, just himself. Ivo Robotnik.
Of course, Stone didn’t mind this. Fewer conflicting orders were being barked at him twenty-four-seven. But, there was a concerning look in the Doctor’s eye that made this a problem.
Wrapping his fingers around the plate, Agent Stone began his way into the main hub of the robotic crab they now called home. Sat in his usual chair, Dr. Robotnik flipped through television channels, his legs hanging over one of the chair arms with a slight swing.
“Good morning, Doctor. I’ve brought breakfast,” Stone greeted, standing beside the armrests of the chair. Without his acknowledgment, Stone decided to move the plate within his sight and Dr. Robotnik snatched it from him. He tore into the meal without a second thought and Agent Stone watched, attempting to read his face.
There was simply no light behind his eyes.
Agent Stone sucked in air, unsure how far this would get him, but he felt like he needed to try. He had to.
“Doctor. If something is wrong, let me know what I can do to fix it. Please… let me help you.” His voice came to a whisper as Robotnik raised his head to stare at him. Under his gaze, Stone felt himself grow warm and he fiddled with his fingers within his suit pockets as he awaited a response.
“Stone,” Dr. Robotnik started, his voice dry and rough from not speaking in a while, “I don’t get why you’re staring at me like a damn puppy. I’m not dead. I’m alive. For better or for worse…” he muttered the last bit under his breath but Stone still caught the words.
“Is it not always for the better, Doctor? You’re-”
“A damn fool,” he replied, leaning back in his chair, eyes dropping to the ground. “I keep chasing power, putting my life on the line, when there’s no one who…” he trailed off, his eyes appearing glossy to Stone.
“There’s no one who what, Doctor?”
Dr. Robotnik raised his head once again, making direct eye contact with Agent Stone. This was another look that the agent couldn’t read. He felt as though the Doctor was thoughtfully scrutinizing him, trying to find something. And to Stone, perhaps that was trust with what the Doctor needed to share what he was feeling.
“You can tell me. You can trust me.”
A flash of something darted across Ivo’s face. A bundle of emotions that told a story that Stone was nowhere close to unlocking. Robotnik shook his head, leaning back in his chair as he stuck out the empty plate.
“It was good. I want a latte and then I’d like to be alone.”
Agent Stone grabbed the plate, a heavy feeling in his chest. “Of course, Doctor… Just know I’m here whenever you need something.”
“It’s what I hired you for, no?” His response was quick and snappy. He no longer looked directly at him.
Stone pressed his lips together, knowing now that it was best to leave these things untouched. “Right. I’ll work on that latte.”