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Shadow had never been an easy kid to raise. Robotnik and Stone had known this when they took him in. And Stone enjoyed it, too, having something like a family with the man he loved. He hoped Robotnik felt the same, even if he never showed it. Despite his own struggles, Shadow had warmed to them, though Stone could still feel the distance between them. Shadow was like a son to him, but ever since his rebellious teenage phase kicked in, things had become difficult, and Stone was on the end of his tether.
The agent should have won an award for his patience, but Shadow was testing said patience to the limits. Robotnik wasn't being very helpful, either. He cared for Shadow, Stone knew that, he just wished he would show it more. But then again, it had taken the doctor a whole decade to finally show affection towards his assistant, so maybe that was asking too much. The man was currently bent over one of the badniks, soldering some wires together, headphones completely blocking out the conversation Stone was having with their son.
"All I'm asking is that you speak to me more kindly," Stone said exasperatedly, trying to keep his voice calm. "I don't appreciate the way you've been speaking to me lately."
"Why should I?" Shadow replied, crossing his arms. "You disrespected me."
Stone sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose. He could feel a headache coming on. "Look, I'm sorry for snapping at you, okay? Your father has been very busy lately and I've had a stressful week."
"Busy. He's always fucking busy," Shadow muttered under his breath, quills bristling. He turned on his heel and went to his room in a way that said I'll end this conversation, not you.
"Language!" Stone yelled after him as the door slammed shut. Yep, he definitely had a headache now.
Groaning, he checked his watch. Coffee time. He could definitely do with a caffeine boost right about now. Heading over to his prized coffee machine, he grabbed two mugs, beginning the coffee making process. The lovely smell of espresso calmed him a little. Finishing the lattes off with his signature steamed Austrian goat milk, he carefully picked up the two mugs and placed one down beside his husband, who was so engrossed in his work that he didn't even look up. Stone took a sip of the coffee, sighing in content before placing it down on the table. Only then did the doctor look up at him quizzically, taking off his headphones.
"I suppose you didn't hear my...exchange with Shadow?"
"I did not," Robotnik replied, turning to focus back on fixing the badnik's wiring.
"We had a bit of a fight," Stone replied with a tired sigh, leaning against the desk. "I just...I don't know how to get through to him. He's been going through a lot lately, I get that, but...being a parent is so damn hard."
Robotnik paused, putting down his tools again and turning to face Stone with an unreadable expression. He wasn't used to hearing his agent talk this much. He stood up, opening his arms, and Stone allowed himself to sink into his embrace, resting his head on Robotnik's shoulder.
"I'm just so tired," he admitted. "And stressed." He pulled away, taking Robotnik's hands in his. "You could be there for him more, you know. This whole parenting thing is feeling a lot like a one-person job at the moment."
Robotnik didn't respond, his gaze trailing off towards the wall behind Stone.
"Ivo," Stone said softly, cupping his cheek with one hand to gently steer his head back. "He needs you. I know I'm already something of a father figure to him, but I think he wishes he could spend some time with you. At least try talking to him."
Robotnik nodded, leaning into Stone's hand and closing his eyes. The two kissed softly, and Stone felt some of his tension melt away. He looked up at Robotnik expectantly.
"What, you want me to talk to him now?"
"Yes," Stone replied, staring up at him with pleading eyes, making it hard for him to say no.
"Ugh, fine," he grumbled, reluctantly walking towards Shadow's room and going in unannounced.
"Can you knock?" Shadow asked in annoyance as the door closed behind Robotnik.
"Excuse me, this is my evil lab and I will go where I please, thank you very much," Robotnik replied. Off to a great start, he thought. Clearing his throat awkwardly, he sat down on Shadow's bed, clasping his gloved hands together. "So...Shadow." It dawned on him that he had no idea what to say or what Shadow wanted to hear. He had never had a father himself, and there wasn't exactly an instruction manual for things like this.
"Stone put you up to this," Shadow spoke from the corner before he could say anything else.
"Put some respect on his name! If it wasn't for him, you wouldn't be here right now," Robotnik berated him, eyebrows furrowing.
"Huh, so you're doing this for him, not for me. Do you even care about me?" Shadow asked, stepping closer, staring him down.
"Don't you get cheeky with me, young man— well, hedgehog."
Shadow stared at him, arms crossed. If Robotnik were better at reading emotions, he would've almost said there was hurt in his eyes. "I'm leaving," he said eventually, pushing past Robotnik. And then he was gone, just like that.
"Ivo?" Stone called, pushing open the door. "Did Shadow just leave?"
"He'll come back," Robotnik replied, standing up slowly. This was one thing he could understand about Shadow: sometimes he needed his space. And Robotnik was happy to give him that.
"What did you say?" Stone asked, looking upset. It made an uncomfortable feeling settle in his gut.
Normally, Robotnik would have been angry. But marrying Stone and even raising a son (or an intergalactic hedgehog, same thing) with him had softened him. Because even if Shadow didn't see it, they were similar in a way. Another small part of Robotnik felt like he wanted to give Shadow something he himself never had the privilege to experience: a father figure, a role model to look up to. Robotnik stared around the little room. Some role model he was. "It's not important," he said eventually.
It was past midnight when Shadow came home. It wasn't too big a deal, there was no need to worry seeing as he was quite literally the ultimate life form. Stone still greeted him at the door, though. "Welcome home, Shadow. Do you need dinner?" he asked softly.
"I'm fine," Shadow replied bluntly, pushing past the other.
"Shadow—" Stone began, pausing when a smoky smell hit his nostrils. "Why do you smell like cigarettes?"
"Figure it out, genius," Shadow muttered, only stopping when Stone grabbed his wrist. Firm, but not hard enough to hurt him.
"Don't let your father know you've been smoking. He despises it," Stone said quietly. Shadow stared up at him. He looked tired. Hurt. Stone's heart ached. "Come on. Let's take a walk."
Shadow reluctantly followed him back out into the cool night air. The two walked in silence for a minute before Stone spoke again: "You should really quit, you know. I know smoking might be a temporary fix, but in the long-term...I can't let you do that to yourself. Even if you are the ultimate lifeform. You're also my son, Shadow."
Shadow didn't respond, only quietly walking alongside the man who called himself his father.
Stone sighed, wondering if he was even getting through to him. "I want to apologise," he said. "I know I said I was having a tough week, but that was no excuse for me to lash out and take it out on you. I'm sorry, Shadow."
After a moment's silence, Shadow finally spoke. "I accept your apology." No more, no less. For Stone, it was more than enough.
As they rounded a corner, Shadow suddenly realised where Stone was taking him: the park. It was quiet and empty, and the sky was clear. Stone sat down on the grass, beckoning Shadow to join him. "I thought you might like to do some stargazing," Stone said with a small smile.
Shadow blinked rapidly as he lay down on the grass, staring up at the millions and billions of stars. They're like diamonds. Although the silence was pleasant, Shadow found himself wanting to break it. All the things he was keeping pent up hammered against his chest, begging to be let out. The darkness and the fact he couldn't see Stone made it easier to say: "I can't remember the last time I was truly happy."
Stone, now also lying next to Shadow, turned his head towards the other, a lump welling in his throat. Shadow kept his gaze fixated on the stars.
For some reason, the fact that Stone didn't immediately reply made it easier to keep talking. "I'm so confused all the time. And I miss Maria every day, with every fibre of my being. One minute I'll be doing okay, and then the next..." Shadow hesitated. "And sometimes I see those others hanging out. Sonic and his...friends."
"Are you lonely?" Stone asked quietly, worried that if he spoke too loud he would spook him.
"I don't mind being alone. I'm better off that way."
That wasn't my question, Stone wanted to say, but he left it be. "Have you ever tried talking to the others? You're not exactly enemies, are you?" he asked instead.
"I wouldn't say enemies. More like...rivals," Shadow said thoughtfully. "That Sonic guy...I want to punch him most of the time. But...sometimes..."
Stone waited for Shadow to finish his sentence, but the other remained silent. "Sometimes...what?" he asked tentatively.
"It doesn't matter," Shadow replied, just a little too quickly.
Noticing his discomfort, Stone quickly changed the subject. "Ivo does care about you, you know. He just has a hard time showing it."
"Hmph."
"You two aren't so different, actually. I think you'll find you have more in common than you think," Stone added.
"Really?"
"Well, I think you both struggle to show affection," Stone explained. "And you both have a short temper at times. Not to mention you value your alone time."
"Hm. I guess you're right," Shadow replied mellowly.
"So...maybe you could try talking to him again?" Stone suggested.
"I'll think about it," Shadow said eventually, which for Stone meant 'yes'.
They stayed in the park for a while until the cold night air began to prick at Stone's skin. "Are you ready to go home now?" he asked. "It's pretty late."
"I suppose so."
They stood up, brushing the grass off their clothes and quills. "Will you fulfill a humble request of mine?"
Shadow looked up. "What is it?"
"A hug."
"...If you must."
Stone pulled him into a tight hug, and Shadow reluctantly wrapped his arms around the man's torso, closing his eyes and allowing himself to enjoy the moment. A warm feeling of comfort spread through his body, and he wondered how long he had needed this without knowing. He had never considered himself much of a hugger.
After a moment, Shadow eventually pulled away, and Stone smiled warmly at him. "Come on then, let's head back. If you want I'll make you a late night snack."
"A late night snack sounds...good."
"Perfect! Let's go, then."
When they finally got back, Robotnik was still up, not working for once. Instead, he was watching La Última Pasión, chuckling to himself. His eyes widened in surprise when Shadow sat down next to him, silently watching Gabriella fret over her romantic troubles. Stone smiled, making some snacks as promised. "Get to bed soon, okay?" he reminded them both. "It's 1am."
"We will," the two replied simultaneously, staring at each other in shock.
Stone had to stop himself from laughing. Those two really were similar, in their own ways.