Chapter Text
Doctor Eggman always preferred to be alone, his ideas and evil ways isn’t something anyone but himself could understand.
The Doctor has thought this way for a while, and wasn’t planning on changing these ideals…
But of course, something changed, something happened that changed the Doctor’s life forever.. or.. rather not something.. but someone.
Finley Hoshi, an artist and concept designer, with a weird fascination in fish. The man was an interesting one, often keeping to himself, quiet, follows orders and commands without any rebuttal, but also persistent, creative and tried his hardest when it mattered. These traits intrigued the Doctor, Finley’s adoration to him even more.
The two now work together, Finley as the loyal and devoted assistant to Doctor Eggman, his boss. Finley has the job of designing and coming up with ideas for robots, badniks, mechs, and whatever else the Doctor needed. With pointers from his superior, telling what he does and doesn’t want on certain designs, the two make a good duo. Finley designing while Eggman makes those designs real. The assistant did have some past experience with robotics.. a few classes in college was all it was, but still enough to be fascinated by all of Doctor Eggmans creations. Eggman’s genius captivated Finley, he thought his ideas were wonderful, like nothing he’s seen before, honored to work beside him.
One evening when two were working in the same room Finley glanced up from his sketchbook to see what genius creation the Doctor was making next, surprised to see that it wasn’t a robot, or a mech part that he was soldering to another, but rather a program. Finley stared at the screen, trying to make sense of it. Maybe a new software to help calculate the resources needed for projects? No.. the Doctor wouldn’t be working on something so simple for this long, he’s been in the lab all day. Finley decided to stop speculating and just ask him himself.
“Sir?”
Finley questions as he got up from his chair, walking over to his superiors workspace.
“Hm? What is it.”
Eggman grumbled, not looking back at the assistant speaking to him.
Finley goes behind Eggman’s chair, glancing at him for a moment, his eyes softening at the sight of his focussed expression.
“I hope you don’t mind me asking but.. what are you working on? I’m very curious..”
Finley says with a smile, glancing at the floating monitors.
“Well, my dear assistant…”
Eggman smirks, turning his chair to grab ahold of Finley, a large hand pulling him closer to present the creation, the assistants eyes widening as he’s pulled forward.
“This here is a new artificial intelligence that I’ve been developing for quite some time now.. a program able to control the eggnet, able to calculate anything in less than a second!—“
The Doctor beams, continuing to rant on about how brilliant he and his latest creation is. Finley listens contently as his mind shifts to the hand on his back, slightly flushing. The Doctor has never been this close to him.. he decides to test the waters, leaning into Eggman slightly, smiling at the screen as if he isn’t aware of what he’s doing.
The Doctor pays no attention to this, continuing on as his hand grips a bit tighter without realizing, pointing at different variables of code with his other hand, explaining what each line does. Finley nods on, more than happy to listen while being this close to his boss.. but it’s not like he has a crush on Eggman!— he only looks up to him is all! He would never doodle his boss in his sketchbooks… or daydream about being closer to him… or—
“Finley!”
The Doctor snaps in his flustered assistants face.
Finley blinks, the sudden snap of Eggman’s gloved fingers pulling him out of his thoughts.
“Yes, Sir?”
“Were you even listening to me.”
Eggman rolls his eyes, his hand moving away from Finleys back.
“Sorry, Doctor.. I was a.. bit distracted…”
Finley glances over as Eggman’s arm moves to his desk, leaning on his elbow as his hand sits under his chin.
The Doctor sighs, grumbling as he mumbles under his breath.
“I was asking if you wanted to help me on this project…”
“Sorry?”
Finley blinks, leaning in a bit closer, unable to make out what his boss said..
“I was asking if you wanted to help me on this project!”
Eggman huffs, speaking a bit louder while crossing his arms, annoyed as he had to repeat himself. (as if Finley could hear him the first time...)
“I could use some extra hands.. maybe someone to help design a model for this AI..?”
Eggman glances up at his assistant with a slight smile.
Finley blinks. Him. Working on something bigger than just redesigning an egg pawn for the hundredth time? He smiles, eagerly nodding.
“Of course, Doctor! I’d love to help!”