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They say close proximity is the way to keep people together. At least that’s what the cheesy romantic comedies Ivo Robotnik has been consuming this past week seem to suggest. However, it feels like Agent Stone has been keeping his distance this last month, only appearing to give him food and snacks whenever he was experimenting in the kitchen. It’s not like Ivo cared, Stone was only his assistant after all and he had nothing for him to do.
He’s felt empty after this latest defeat, especially so close to victory. Perhaps he lost some mojo or confidence since his failed revenge, but he’d prefer to call it a “vacation away from anthropomorphic blue hedgehogs and likewise creatures.” Even with no real incentive, Agent Stone continued to stick around for reasons unknown to the Doctor.
“Stone,” Ivo started, waving his hand in the air to call his attention. “I’m bored.”
Agent Stone scrambled over, looking down at him with a complex expression.
“How can I help?” Ivo groaned as he stretched his limbs. One thing he appreciated about his assistant was that he never asked why, only how. Stone made things happen and Robotnik could appreciate that.
“I don’t know. I’ve grown tired of watching TV. I feel my brain melting with each cheesy show I consume in a row andI’m suffering from cerebral flatulence.” Robotnik dragged his hands down his hair, which had strands long enough to touch his ears. However, due to his depressive state, it was extremely unkempt due to Ivo not caring for his looks. He had no one to impress after all. No big showdown to prepare for. Nothing to look forward to.
“It seems like you’re growing tired of our contained environment. How about we expand our horizons temporarily?” Stone turned around to retrieve two pairs of virtual reality goggles from the drawer. He dangled them in front of Robotnik who sat up a bit in his chair.
“An indoor adventure? Agent Stone, I don’t know if I’m up for it right now.”
His assistant laughed, handing him one of the goggles. “Not an adventure. Just something nice.”
Robotnik slipped on his headset, bracing himself for whatever Stone had in mind.
Opening his eyes, Ivo took in his surroundings. Snowy trees, lights strung up, and Stone, standing beside him with two cups in his hand.
“Figured you needed a walk. Even if we can’t actually go out to take one, it’s better than staring at the old television screen of fictional characters, right?” He stretched out his arm to offer a cup.
This was the type of thing that caused Ivo to feel strange. He knew Stone was only trying to help him, but moments like this complicated things in his head. The structure of their relationship seemed uncertain, but perhaps he was just making it all up.
Ivo reached his gloved hand out for the cup, bringing it up to his lips to take a sip. Of course, it wasn’t real, but the whole point of the goggles was to role-play. And it was indeed better than watching fictional characters on television.
“Come on. There is something I’ve been working on that I think you’d enjoy.”
The two started down the path, the snow crunching underneath their feet. Comfortable silence sat between them, the type of silence that Ivo had grown used to these last couple of weeks. This time, the silence was accompanied by the distance chatter of virtual entities and scurrying animals in the bushes.
Soon, a shaped outline of Sonic the Hedgehog covered in Christmas lights came up ahead, causing the Doctor to immediately frown. If this was Stone’s idea of cheering him up perhaps his assistant didn’t know him at all.
But then the lights flickered, showing the image of his foe squished underneath a boot that displayed the iconic Robotnik logo. A smile ghosted his lips, watching the lights bounce back and forth to produce an animation of him crushing the blue pest over and over again.
This was the type of petty that Robotnik could get with.
As they proceeded, more lighted figures appeared, showing Ivo on top of the world and killing Sonic in multiple ways, some so ridiculously fun that he laughed. Laughed for the first time since he’s been back.
“God, I still remember when they first told me about my new assignment. Blue alien hedgehog,” Ivo recalled, watching the light display animate his robots sending missiles toward a house Sonic was in. “And look how that’s turned out.”
“We’ve only had a few setbacks, sir. I don’t doubt that you’ll end up victorious. With your brilliant ideas, I know you’ll do it. But for now,” Stone slowed his walking, causing Ivo to do the same, “Enjoy your rest. You deserve it.”
Ivo laughed softly, glancing around the park.
“Why?”
“I… I’m sorry, I don’t understand. Why what?”
“Why do you stay? Why keep waiting around when others are looking for an assistant just like you?” Ivo questioned, his voice quiet.
Stone only smiled, turning to face him, stopping their stroll underneath a tree.
“Because I’m invested in you, Ivo Robotnik. I’m invested in us—our success. You’ll always have me. I’m not going anywhere.” His words flowed from his lips so easily without a second thought. His determination and earnestness in his voice made the Doctor’s ears feel warm. He meant it and he knew he meant it.
“Oh Stone…” he breathed. “Thank you. Your commitment means a lot to me. It’s one of the things I-” Stone waited expectantly, his complexion rosy from the cold. But what was Ivo about to say? He wasn’t aware of it until he heard himself speak. He couldn’t have been ready to say that. Ivo became hyper aware of his thumping heartbeat, the sweat seeping into his clothing, and the twisting sensation that was plaguing his stomach.
“Sir-?” Stone started and before he could reach out to touch him, Ivo ripped the headset off. Takeout containers, empty soda cans, and fuzzy egg-themed slippers let him know he was back to his reality. The Doctor stood up, put on his slippers, and quickly made his way to the bathroom. He locked the door behind him, sliding down against it until he reached the floor.
He ran his fingers through his hair, wishing he had one of the blue quilts to zap him out of this.
He felt a knock against the floor vibrate against his back, his heartbeat still going at its increased rate.
“Dr. Robotnik? Is everything okay in there?”
“Yes! Just felt a little… motion sickness!” A blatant lie, but he didn’t need to explain himself to Stone. He’s never had to.
“I see. I’ll make some tea for you to have once you come out. Take your time, sir.”
Ivo leaned his head back against the door, closing his eyes.
It’s one of the many things I love about you.
He chuckled to himself. Those feelings, these feelings , were useless. He was setting himself up for failure. He’s always known this, yet due to his unfortunate human nature, close proximity was doing its movie magic.
These feelings are only made for dreams.
Dreams that Ivo didn’t mind.