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Friday evening Robotnik trailed after Stone as he left the crab mech's main area and headed for the small kitchenette that was off to one side. The open floor plan of the crab ment Robotnik could have seen Stone cook from where he had been sitting on their bed but instead he stood awkwardly just outside the kitchenette with a blanket wrapped around his shoulders.
He watched as Stone got out a pan and ingredients from the fridge because he liked watching his agent cook. Ever since he had healed enough to get out of bed, the doctor had started watching Stone cook most meals from somewhere near the kitchen. There was nothing professional about their relationship anymore so Robotnik didn’t feel the need to hide that he was actively watching Stone doing domestic things about their crab (Robotnik had sneakily watched Stone take care of everything in the lab, badniks, and even himself when Stone was still just his assistant. He would never tell him, but he was fairly certain Stone already knew.)
Their relationship was still new territory for both men. Something entirely special to them and only them. Much to Robotnik’s discomfort they had talked about their ugh fEeLiNgS and they were now in a relationship. Seeing how caring Stone had been during his healing processes and how much he clearly feared losing Robotnik permanently had been enough for the doctor to realize Stone did return his love and always had. Stone had loved him even before that fateful day in the lab where Robotnik had realized why his heart palpitated every time he looked at his agent. Robotnik could show he cared about Stone without rejection or abandonment, something he had never experienced before. Even if that care was shone in his own Robotnik way.
In this new iteration of their relationship, everything had changed for them and nothing had changed at the same time. It was still Dr. Robotnik and Agent Stone. Sure, the agent’s ‘sir’s and ‘doctor’s had become pet names at this point, but hadn’t Robotnik’s calls for his ‘Sycophant’ or ‘Barnacle’ always been pet names, at least to some extent?
Stone had begun chopping the onions with the precession of a chef, before throwing them into the warming pan with garlic and olive oil to let them caramelize. He brought a pot of water to a boil before pouring in the dry spaghetti noodles.
“Do you mind if I use sauce out of a jar? I can make it too, it’ll just take longer.”
The words snapped Robotnik back to reality with the shock of realization that he had been watching his agent dance around the kitchen with a lovesick grin on his face. What was this, domestic bliss? At one point in his life he would have said how horrifying. Now, he wasn’t so sure he minded when Stone was the one he was living domestically with.
He was glad Stone hadn’t turned around, the doctor didn’t want the agent to see his face. The blush that started on Robotnik’s ears had spread down to his face as he buried his face into the plush blanket around his shoulders. Robotnik made a gesture and a grunt to indicate jarred spaghetti sauce was fine. He took a deep breath before quickly moving around the counter to stand behind Stone.
“Doctor?”
Stone began to turn around but froze when he felt Robotnik’s hands wrap around his waist and his head pressed against the crook of his neck, his partner’s lips and moustache brushing against the agent’s skin, his stomach resting against the agent’s lower back, the cold of his leg brace grazing the agent's leg. They stood pressed against each other for several moments, Robotnik overthinking every movement from Stone to make sure the other man wasn’t uncomfortable or rejecting him before the agent let himself melt into Robotnik’s arms. Oh how Robotnik liked the feeling of Stone pressing against his body. He had liked the proximity of huddling together during the field back when he and Stone had been assigned missions, the shy brushes when they had been forced to share a bed for (shudder) press conferences, or even when their noses brushed after he had ordered his agent to pin himself to the wall for the umpteenth time. He still savored every touch he got from Stone, but he truly enjoyed the moments when they were pressed together, almost one entity.
“Don’t let it burn, agent.” Robotnik’s face was so red he knew Stone could feel the heat radiating off it. He had not planned to do this, but Stone just looked so comfortable and he was so tired which had only made his body start hurting again from the injuries sustained during the fall. He wanted comfort, and who was Robotnik if not a man who took what he wanted.
Stone was still able to stir the pasta sauce and add the frozen meatballs to the pan of now caramelized onions with minimal movement. Robotnik continued to cling to Stone throughout the rest of the dinner preparation process.
Of course it was nice, but Stone couldn’t understand what had made Robotnik act like this, to completely relax into him, to let his guard down so fully. He wanted to know if something hurt so he could fix it or if this was just making up for all the lonely years Robotnik had experienced. Stone didn’t know which thought was more depressing so he carded a hand through the doctor’s long hair. It was still damp from their earlier shower. It fell around his doctor’s cheeks, framing his face in the glow of the warm oven lights. A stark contrast to the cool lighting of the rest of the crab.
Stone continued to cook only moving slightly to grab ingredients and pull out plates. Robotnik’s koala grip on his back restricted his ability to walk around the small kitchenette. When he attempted to start plating, the Doctor grumbled his displeasure into the agent's neck, mustache tickling against the shorter man’s chin as he moved.
“Sir, “ Stone’s voice was quiet, hesitant and unwilling to disturb this moment of domestic bliss. “Dinner’s ready to be put on plates.”
Robotnik didn’t want to move and release Stone but Stone was such a good cook. In the end, his stomach forced him to move as it growled in impatient hunger. He pouted at Stone who so rudely giggled at the man’s misery as he scooped the pasta onto the plate and decorated it with the caramelized onions, meatballs, and parmesan cheese. He took a loaf of garlic bread out of the oven that Robotnik had not seen him put in and added two slices to each plate. Robotnik hovered next to Stone’s arm as he finished plating and handed one to the doctor before following him to the bar stools at their kitchen island. The agent almost giggled again at Robotnik’s blanket dragging on the floor as he shuffled to the counter and sat down. He started twirling his pasta on a fork when he felt Stone’s hand on his thigh give a gentle squeeze.
“Doctor?” Stone began cautiously.
The man’s mouthful of spaghetti made it hard to respond properly, “Mhm?”
“Can I ask what brought on the sudden affection? Not that I mind! I quite like it, actually! I just want to make sure you’re ok, if this was because the pain was back.”
“No.”
“No?” the agent echoed as he gently squeezed his partner’s leg again.
“No pain and no you may not ask.”
“…”
“Ugh! If you must know I was lonely, OK? Happy?!” The older man burst out angrily. Whether he was mad at having his feelings prodded or mad that he was experiencing feelings, he would never know.
“Very.” The agent shifted in his chair to lean against Robotnik’s side.
“I really do love you, Ivo.”
After mumbling something that sounded suspiciously like “I love you too, Aban,” Robotnik dug back into his dinner with renewed vigor. He wouldn’t have to answer Stone’s questions if his mouth was full with the frankly stunning meal.
_______
Later that evening Robotnik was still feeling clingy. He had returned to the couch while Stone did the dishes and he was lonely. Again. He knew Stone was still technically in the same room since the crab had no doors except for the bathroom but it was too far away. He needed him heere. Robotnik closed his eyes and listened to the water running and the soft tone of his agent singing along to some song on his phone. He hoped Stone would hurry up.
“Ladies and gentlemen, will you please stand?
With every guitar string scar on my hand
I take this magnetic force of a man to be my Lover~”
A love song? Was Stone singing a love song to make him feel better?
“My heart's been borrowed and yours has been blue
All's well that ends well to end up with you
Swear to be overdramatic and true to my lover,”
Stone was done with the dishes now. Robotnik could hear fabric flapping as he dried his hands on a cloth towel and then the sound of the freezer door being opened and closed. The sound of his footsteps echoed across the carbs cold metal floor, only partially softened by the agent’s fuzzy socks as he came to a stand still before the doctor.
“My-My-My- Myyyy lover~” Stone softly finished the song as he held out a pint of ice cream to the doctor.
The doctor readily accepted the sweet treat along with a spoon as he lifted the blanket so the agent could sit next to him in the warmth. He brought a spoonful of the cold dessert to his mouth as Stone enveloped him in a hug.
“Still feeling lonely, Sir?” Stone asked as he nuzzled his face into the doctor’s long hair. All Stone’s attention was where it belonged, not on other tasks that improved his life or kept him happy, but directly focused on the doctor.
Robotnik let out a content sigh, “I can’t be, you're here.” He held a spoonful of ice cream to the agent’s lips who readily accepted the offered treat.
The two men sat intertwined on the couch eating ice cream and watching the doctor’s beloved telenovelas. Truth be told, Robotnik did still feel clingy but when the time approached midnight and Stone carried him to bed and held him close all night long, the feeling of neediness had dissipated somewhat. He still wanted to keep his partner close but he didn’t need to constantly hover at his elbow, at least right now.