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Ivo had very few complaints about his intelligence. Who would? When you’re always the smartest man in the room there isn’t much to complain about. Sure, people wouldn’t always listen to him, but he always managed to make them fall in line with a few threats. It was his greatest gift, however, on certain days it twisted into one of his worst weaknesses. On those days the lights would burn his vision, and the constant company of electricity would stab into his ears with its relentless humming. The familiar weight of his gloves would drive him insane, and Ivo would be left curled up somewhere as he waited for his senses to settle once more. Ivo had always tried his best to hide it. To make sure nobody saw. After all, he normally got an hour's warning before he was rendered helpless. But sometimes it hit him out of nowhere. Forcing everyone around him to witness these moments of weakness. He had lost many agents to it. Whether it be from Ivo firing them out of pure embarrassment or the agent losing all respect they had for him and leaving him. Sometimes telling him that they quit while he was still curled up in a ball begging the world to leave him alone.
He remembered one of his worst helpers, whose name he’d pushed far out of his mind, had found him curled up in a ball as the world rained down around him. The agent hadn’t had the decency to leave him alone, instead hammering him with questions and laughing at his vulnerable state. He dealt with that man quickly, making up some claim that the Agent had been trying to steal documents from him. Ivo never saw him again, but from that day on he made sure to be much stricter with his given Agents. Pushing them away until they all chose to leave. Or at least they did until he was introduced to one Agent Stone. Stone didn’t seem to mind his temper, didn’t care that when his skin began to crawl for no reason he suddenly began to snap and complain at the agent for the smallest of things. Agent Stone merely carried on with his motions, sometimes sending him a few concerned glances before offering him a latte. Something he could never refuse. Stone was always there for him, making sure he was okay, complimenting him for no reason. It left Ivo confused, which in turn made him more annoyed. And still Stone didn’t care when he pinned him up against a wall or tugged him up by his jacket. In fact, judging by the way his pupils blew wide, and his mouth hung open slightly, he enjoyed it. A fact that Ivo tucked away neatly in his head.
But, even with Stone’s more vigilant nature, for almost two years he managed to hide this secret from him. Sending Stone away when the world became too much. Or on more desperate occasions, hiding away in some isolated part of the lab until he could uncurl himself from the tight ball he had forced himself into when the episode had started. It had all been going so well, until one day the stimulation slammed into him like an avalanche, and he had no time to prepare. Stone was out, but Ivo knew he would be back soon. And so, he had to act quickly. He launched towards the fuse box, flicking down all the switches for the room he was in so the incessant sound of buzzing electricity finally left the air. As well as taking away the sharp stabbing pain against his eyes. Ivo then tore off his gloves and jacket. Tossing them into the void before him. He shuffled back, hiding beneath the console and he curled in on himself. It was still too much, he could hear his pulse, feel his breathing. Ivo wanted to scream but he knew the noise was just going to make it worse. So, he curled in on himself, occasional whimpers slipping from his throat at the way his body had decided to betray him once more. He rarely hated his intelligence, but in moments like this, he wished his body wasn’t so adept at picking up every little detail.
Almost half an hour passed like this before Stone returned. Ivo knew this as he heard the exact moment the main door to the lab slid open. The sound grating against his ears, forcing him to curl up even tighter despite his muscles protests. He could hear Stone calling to him, clearly confused at how quiet it was. And soon the familiar click of his Agent's shoes came towards him. The door to the room slid open and Ivo bit at his tongue to stay quiet. He could faintly see the light trickling into the room, but he refused to look up. To reveal his presence to Stone.
“Doctor? Are you alright?”
Damnit! Stone had spotted him. He heard as the agent pressed against the panel near the door, the light panel his brain supplied helpfully, before humming to himself.
“Sir? Am I interrupting something? Why is the power off?” Stone’s voice was calm, but Ivo could hear the undercurrent of concern running through it at his boss’ unusual silence.
He hears as Stone walks closer, tapping growing louder and more painful to his ears. But he couldn’t move, he refused to. Lest Stone realise how weak he was in that moment. He tries his best to keep his breathing even, to hold back the tremors that run through his body
“Doctor?”
The smooth voice of Agent Stone echoed against the silent shell of the lab. He had barely raised his voice but the sudden change from perfect nothingness to a normal everyday volume sent a stab through his head. And he curled up tighter around himself. Biting back the pathetic whimper that dared to crawl from his throat. He was better than this, he couldn’t let Stone see him in such a child-like state. It was beneath him. There was the soft rustling of fabric as Stone kneeled in front of him. He could almost feel his eyes flicking over him. Searching for injury, or at least a reason that Ivo was currently curled up in a ball beneath his desk. He had no warning before a sudden warmth brushed up against his shoulder, invading his senses and forcing him to flinch back. Ivo barely registered the way his head made a sickening crack as he slammed it against the underside of the console. Pain he could handle. It was cold, familiar, grounding. But this, the gentle touch of a hand against his shoulder. It was new, invading his brain with information that he didn’t have room for at the moment. And this time he couldn’t bite back the whine that slipped from his throat. The sound echoed in his ears. Like a wounded animal waiting to be killed, it was the worst thing he had ever heard.
“Oh no. Doctor? I’m sorry I didn’t mean to-“ Stone’s voice was barely a whisper, and he soon trailed off as he realised that Ivo still wasn’t replying to him. “Okay. Okay, it’s alright, I won’t touch you again.”
Ivo didn’t believe it. His mind bombarded him with memories of being dragged out of hiding places. Of past agents calling him pathetic, and weak. Why would Stone treat him any differently? Now that he had seen one of Ivo’s best hidden secrets. He flinched as he felt Stone move beside him, but the agent simply settled by his side. Not touching him, but close enough that Ivo could feel the warmth radiating off the other. They sat there in silence for a while, Stone clearly growing more concerned with each whimper he couldn’t manage to bite off. Whilst Ivo was stuck between being relieved that Stone was here whilst also hating the fact that somebody was seeing him act so vulnerable. An hour passed before a new sound joined his weak whimpers in the cold chamber of the lab. Humming. Gentle and low. The tune was one he recognised, even if it was slightly off-key. After all, it was a song he had listened to repeatedly during the more calm days at the lab. Although those days were few and far between. The sound was hesitant, as if Stone expected Ivo to let another desperate whine of pain.
It had the opposite effect. Ivo found himself uncurling slightly so that he could better hear the sound and Stone grew more confident in his decision. The agent got through a few songs before Ivo shuffled closer to him. Not saying anything, just moving until their bodies pressed up against one another. There was a small jump in octave as Ivo rested his head against Stone’s surprisingly soft shoulder, but the agent quickly picked up where he left off. The world slowly began to piece itself back together around him. The fabric against his chest stopped itching so much and he no longer wanted to tear his heart out of his chest just to stop the pounding of his pulse in his ears. And with this peace came the inevitable exhaustion that came from these episodes. His eyes fluttered shut as he leaned closer to the body next to him. Just as sleep began to drag him under, he felt an arm wrap hesitantly around his shoulder, pulling him down, until his head was cushioned by something much softer than Stone’s shoulder. And a hand began to run gently through his hair. Lulling him into a restful sleep.
Ivo wasn’t sure how much time had passed when his body finally decided to boot back up. But apparently in all that time Stone had not bothered to move either Ivo or himself. And now that he was more alert he realised the soft resting place he currently resided in was, in fact, Agent Stone’s lap. That damned hand was still running through his hair, but Stone had stopped humming. Instead choosing to stare into the darkness before them, the few lights that Ivo hadn’t managed to turn off did little to help illuminate the room. Ivo groaned as he pushed himself upwards, a sharp twinge in his back from the awkward position he had been stuck lying in for an interminable amount of time. Stone was quick to pull his hand away, shuffling back a few inches giving Ivo some room to breathe. He stretched out the sore muscles in his neck before crawling forward, using the console to pull himself up on shaky legs. He stumbled over to the fuse box. Flicking the lights on with a wince as his body complained at the sudden change. And judging by the small hiss Stone let out, it was likely the Agent's body had done the same. When he turns back around Stone is there staring at him with open concern. And Ivo did what he knew best, he snapped.
“What do you want Stone? Finally decided to mock me?”
This sudden burst of anger took Stone by surprise and the agent took a few seconds to answer his mouth opening and closing a few times in disbelief.
“No sir, I just wanted to ask if you felt better?”
“Why do you care?”
“It’s my job sir and… I care about you, I want to ensure that you feel content.” Stone said, taking time to deliberate over his words. And Ivo took great notice of the pause between the two halves of the sentence.
“Well, your predecessors didn’t care too much about ‘taking care of me’. You have no need to bother Agent Stone.” He snarled. “Your job is to help me with my work, not-“
He couldn’t find the words to finish the sentence, his mind still scrambled despite his impromptu nap. Stone was staring at him, his brow furrowed in…sorrow? No that couldn’t be right why on earth would Stone be looking at him like that?
“I’m sorry that nobodies helped you before sir.” Stone’s voice was sincere, but Ivo still felt his face flush in shame. Of course, that’s what it was. Pity.
“I don’t need your pity.” He snapped.
“I’m not pitying you, sir.” The agent pauses for a moment, mulling over his words before he speaks once more. His voice carefully neutral as he says. “If there’s anything I can do to help, I’m happy to give it to you sir.”
Stone seems to flush at the words, whilst Ivo stares at him with caution. What if Stone was just trying to keep his job? No that couldn’t be it, Stone had dealt with a lot worse than this there was no way this was what would push him over the edge. But then what on earth could be Stone’s motivation for making an offer as big as this one? Sure, Stone implied in the past he’d be willing to do anything. But to actually say it out loud, with no way for Ivo to misinterpret it. The agent had managed to confuse him once more, and yet this time he didn’t find himself minding not understanding this particular aspect of Agent Stone.
“Anything?” Ivo looked at Stone in suspicion, but Stone simply smiled warmly at him in reply.
“Anything at all sir.”
Ivo looked away, eye contact becoming too much for once. Was there anything he wanted? There was one thing, one thing he never dared let himself hope for. When the buzzing under his skin vanishes and he is left feeling so cold and hollow. But would Stone really give that to him? Glancing back up he allows himself to believe that he would.
“Stone.”
“Sir?”
“Hold me… tightly if you will.”
“Of course sir.” Stone said stepping closer once more.
And then those arms were on him once more. Pulling him into a crushing hug against the agent's chest. Stone’s arms dug tightly into his muscles. As much as he hates to admit, Ivo melts into the touch. Burying his face into Stone’s shoulder he returns the hug with as much force as his weakened limbs would allow him. He feels Stone nuzzle his face against his own. One hand snaking up to run through his hair. And for the first time in what felt like hours. Ivo could think clearly once more. He sighed softly, hesitating for a moment for quietly saying.
“Thank you.”
He could feel Stone beam at him as he nuzzled closer in reply, a silent no problem that he accepted with gratitude. And when this moment passed, and they moved on with their day. Ivo found himself more willing to go to Stone whenever the world became too much. And Stone was always there to help him, with a gentle voice and soft smile.