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After the emerald, things had been different. It made sense, of course. The doctor had experienced pure power, anything his brilliant mind could think of spawning into existence. He had become a god. And then, he was defeated, he broke every bone in his body, and he was reminded of how immutably, awfully human he was.
The doctor had always been open with his hate for humanity, how pathetic and unreliable they were, despite being a human himself. He thought himself above them all, and Stone could tell as he nursed his precious doctor back to health that something within him had changed.
Maybe it was the loss of what must have felt like limitless power, or maybe it was the helplessness that defeat had forced upon him, but Ivo Robotnik was not the same man he had been.
The ping! of his kitchen timer brought Stone back to the present, the enchiladas finished baking in the oven. He liked cooking for the doctor, liked the quiet and intimate trust of allowing someone else to provide nourishment. Plus, when he was in a bout of depression like he was currently, only caring to eat if it was something tasty enough, he could slip in a few extra vegetables that were sorely lacking in Robotnik’s choice of delivery.
Setting two plates, cutlery, and drinks on a tray, he headed over to the main area of the crab from the small kitchen in one of the side rooms. Robotnik was slumped in his chair, focus entirely on the telenovela playing on the screen - Juana la Virgen, this time. Stone waited for a quiet moment in the programme before he spoke up.
“Sir, I've brought dinner”
“Mmmm” Robotnik hummed in acknowledgement.
Stone set the tray down on a table, bringing the doctor’s plate and cutlery over to him, setting his drink on the side table. He made no move to start eating, not even glancing at the plate.
“It's enchiladas, doctor,” Stone prompted, “nice and cheesy, just how you like”
After a few seconds, Robotnik looked down at the plate, seemingly only now noticing it for the first time. Stone hated seeing him like this, what felt like just a shell of his former self. But he would continue to be there for his doctor, good days and bad.
Robotnik started to eat, and Stone ate with him, the two in a relatively comfortable silence save for the unspoken emotional undercurrents, and of course the telenovela playing on the screen. If Robotnik detected the extra nutritional content of the vegetables, he did not comment on them. He tended not to comment on many things he did not feel very strongly about when he was like this, binging on telenovelas and junk food to drown out whatever was going on in that brain of his.
Stone considered asking the doctor if he had any plans brewing for how to defeat Sonic - there was nothing that brought a sparkle of evil genius to his eye like the hedgehog, but after this second defeat he was almost certainly burned by the creature, and mentioning him could pull him deeper into the recesses of his mind, instead of helping to lift him out of the depression. Probably best to play it safe until he's in a better state of mind, Stone concluded.
“So, doctor,” Stone started when the credits of the current episode started playing, “any fresh new plans for world domination?”
“Well, my loyal minion, can't you see I'm currently working on a plan?”
“Well… no, doctor”
“Of course not, Sycophant, your puny brain cannot imagine what great genius knows with ease. It's psychology, Stone. Ever heard of it?”
“Yes, doctor”
“Good, you are still a little useful at least. Well, the streaming I’ve been doing is not simply a source of income, that would be boring. No, the following I've been building is the domination! The more people that bathe in the glory of my immense intellect, the more people who will gladly accept and even fight for my global takeover. The babes will willingly give me their candy once they realise I am its rightful owner.”
“But doctor… you haven't streamed in over a week”
“I'm playing hard to get, Stone! I am simply taking a short break to increase my audience's desire for me, and when I return they will prostrate themselves at my feet and say how much they missed me! Child’s play, really.”
“That's brilliant, doctor”
“I know, I know. Now be quiet, the next episode is starting.”
Stone smiled to himself. He couldn't be sure how much of that was actually planned and how much he made up on the spot to avoid Stone seeing this for what it really was, likely a healthy dose of both options, but hearing him talk about his goal of ruling the world, believing, if only briefly, they were working towards that goal, did help soothe him. The doctor he loved wasn't all gone, even in times like these.
After Stone had taken away the empty dishes and put them in the dish washer, he returned to catch the last bit of the season finale. Of course, Robotnik was talking over it, commenting on characters’ decisions and insulting anyone who dared go against the sympathetic favourite - Tiago, this time. After a satisfying conclusion and a hint at the next season, Stone saw a chance to help boost the doctor's mood - he was dancing with his arms to the closing tune.
“Sir, would you like to dance together? We could put the full song on”
“Hmm? Well, I suppose a little… boogie wouldn't hurt” he pondered.
Stone walked over to where the man was sitting and did a few half-hearted little dance moves as the music started up. Robotnik smiled wryly, getting up to dance, but as he stood up he stumbled. Stone rushed to catch him, the man falling into his arms. Stone’s heart skipped a beat.
“Thank you, Sycophant, but your concern isn't necessary” Robotnik said. He clearly needed Stone’s support, his legs likely a little weak and his joints stiff from sitting in his depression pit for days. “I was simply testing your reflexes, and your sharpness hasn't slipped too badly.”
Stone smiled. He understood the doctor’s language, and this was high praise indeed. Ivo was getting better at showing appreciation since needing to rely more heavily on Stone. It wasn't how he hoped that softness would develop, but he was glad it did regardless.
“Of course, Sir” he replied, helping the doctor to stand upright.
The two stayed close together, Robotnik dancing in his usual eccentric style, Stone bobbing along to the beat and helping steady the doctor whenever his balance slipped or his muscles faltered. Abruptly, though, the doctor stopped.
“Stone!”
“Yes, doctor?”
“Are you going to stand this close to me all day and not dance?”
“Well, Sir, I,”
“You're not joining in, just like those other kids at the orphanage, who never cared for genius like myself”
“Ivo…” Stone paused, looking up at the doctor sadly.
Robotnik’s face was stoic, and with a tap of the button on his glove, he changed the music to something moody, still fast but driving instead of bubbly. A tango. He took Stone’s hand and extended his arm, pulling his assistant close before he started to move. Stone moved with him, stumbling in some places at first but soon picking up how to move, following Robotnik’s lead and growing more confident. They strutted around the main room of the crab, steps in time with the beat and each other. He danced and twirled with his doctor, and then, with the music concluding, Robotnik dipped him, the music ending with their faces mere millimetres away. After a second, the bravado of the music wore off, and Robotnik broke eye contact, straightening them both up and looking away from Stone, eyes a little sheepish, a little shameful.
“Thank you for… all of this, Aban” He leaned in and gave Stone a quick peck on the lips.
Warmth bloomed in Stone’s chest and he smiled. “Always, Ivo”