Work Text:
Doctor Robotnik sighed, his face buried in his hands. He’d worked it out three different ways now but he was still hesitant to accept the conclusion: He actually loved Agent Stone. And there was a very good change pursuing him would be worthwhile. Ivo had always considered love a childish and useless pursuit, but there was something different about Stone. He already did so much for Robotnik, and would probably do even more if he knew that the Doctor loved him. Robotnik shook his head, but he knew that Stone could be the person to grant him actual human companionship. The connection he knew he craved but was loathe to admit. So it was time to do something.
Ivo took a deep breath and straightened in his chair. He really did care for Stone and there was no denying it now. He wanted to show Stone the intricacies of his inventions and allow him to see his moments of freedom and dancing. Maybe he could pull Stone into his dance one day, spin and move with him before diving back into his projects.
He shook himself out of reverie, his eyes narrowing in directed thought. If he was going to go through with this he needed a plan. But he had no idea where to start. A quick google search rendered itself useless, most of the recommendations geared towards asking out someone you just met. He already knew Stone, this wasn’t a “get to know him” date!
After a moment of thought, Ivo switched gears. He’d do this the old fashioned way, take him out to a nice dinner and just see what it was like talking to Stone outside of a work context. But how to ask him? He was always forceful with Stone, but he didn’t want this first date to feel mandatory.
“What’re you doing tonight?”
“Doctor?”
“Are you free? I was hoping we could go out to a restaurant…”
It sounded stupid. Every conversation the Doctor ran in his head sounded stupid. Maybe he could write a letter. Then he could revise and tweak and change things until it looked right. He wouldn’t have to worry about his verbal tone, wouldn’t be able to change his mind in the moment.
“Dear Agent Stone,
I have decided that you are worth caring about.”
No.
“I love you”?
No.
“I would like to go out to dinner with you, if you are willing.”
That sounded.. weak. But fine.
“You are a genuinely adequate Agent to me, and I have begun to feel as though you should be more to me than an Agent. You have proven yourself a worthwhile partner, and I hope you will consider this offer.”
Robotnik stared at the holographic screen in disgust and punched through it, something he’d recently programmed in to dismiss and delete the window. He watched in grim satisfaction as the page crumbled in front of him.
“I need a latte,” he said to open air, knowing full well that he had ordered Stone home and his words would fall on empty space.
~~~
The Doctor startled awake at the sound of the lab doors opening, bolting upright. He quickly sliced his hand across whatever was left from his last sleep deprived attempt last night and spun to face Stone.
“Doctor!” He exclaimed, hurrying over and inspecting his tired, disheveled appearance, “I’m sorry I left you last night, I should have stuck with you, I should have made sure you went to bed..”
Ivo held a hand up, silencing him, “No, Stone, I ordered you to leave. This is the fault of my own ineptitude.”
Stone seemed surprised, but nodded, “Just have a latte then.”
Robotnik nodded, taking the cup, taking a sip, and taking a moment to consider the previous night. Maybe he should just try. Speak up. So what if it sounded as idiotic as possible, declarations of love were idiotic regardless of the genius of the deliverer. Despite making this resolution, the Doctor stared at Stone for a few more seconds, possibly too many, before he could force his vocal cords into action.
“Stone. What’re you doing tonight?”
“What?”
“Don’t be dense, what are your plans this evening?”
Stone frowned, baffled, “Not much, sir, I try to leave my evenings free in case we get caught up working on something.”
Ivo fiddled with something, dimming and softening the lights in the lab, “Then how would you feel about dinner?”
Stone took a moment, clearly struggling to process, “I.. yes, of course Doctor. May I ask why?”
He huffed, unsure of his answer, “Because I want to eat dinner with you,” he tried, hoping he wasn’t as visibly tense as he felt.
“Are.. sir, are you asking me on a date?” Stone asked, clearly terrified to be wrong, his voice soft.
Ivo rolled his eyes, “Yes, you imbecile, I am asking you on a date.”
Stone’s eyes widened, his mouth falling open slightly, “Yes. Yes, Doctor, I would love to go to dinner with you.”