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ROBOTNIK
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Night - March 26th
23:00 pm
Even in the middle of the night with an ice cold breeze, and heavens opening with torrential rain and drowning the land with more water than there was in the entire ocean, and thunder booming and crashing against the roaring waves, had he gone out again.
The sand from the beach and cliffs billowed up like a desert storm, and for the first time in a while Rob actually felt.. rather unnerved.. by the sheer force of the sudden unexpected weather. More so, not knowing where Stone was and the fact that he wouldn't answer his messages, or couldn't, and hadn't answered to merely tell him that he was alright. It was unlike him not to know where he was and what was going on, and the major lack of his own personalised technology, save for a couple of bits for travelling, deeply unsettled him.
He had avoided taking all work distractions with him for Stone's sake, taken them away for a good long while so that he could recover, pressure free. The sacrifices he had made for him, of course, meant nothing in the grand scheme of things - that's if it wasn't all going to be for nothing. But he had got to get into his head soon, to see what he was thinking, and he couldn't possibly force him without making him back off into a corner, and shy away quickly. So plotting and worrying had eaten away at him instead, and all manner of strange feelings and emotions that he wasn't accustomed to.
Rob respected him enough, and cared for him enough, to allow him to have a few personal secrets and private moments, seeing as no harm had appeared to have come from them so far. Stone had carried so much for him for so long, without ever complaining, being selfish or asking for anything, that he had more than earned it.
But the doctor greatly concerned himself with his welfare, even though he didn't always allow himself to show it, and he constantly thought of their future together and ways in which he could keep them both safe. And whilst he had always respected Stone for being a strong, resilient individual, who's loyalty knew no bounds, and who had kept him company through many near-impossible situations, on a personal level he just didn't react the same way as other people - and that bothered him. He wasn't, as predictable or readable.
It's what made him so adorable, so interesting.
But when that came to protecting him, it could feel impossible - and that.. scared him.
.-.-.
Night - March 26th
23:45 pm
He didn't expect that the weather would be bad enough to have to evacuate short notice, but then with the sheer idiocy of some last-minute unwise military-made decisions (as he thought of them), anything was possible. From deep sea detonations going on further out (that he was not always immediately privy to), to some of the weather experiments that failed on a regular basis (due to inadequate testing, or information), the situation could change quickly.
They were currently inhabiting a cabin on a small island, used mainly for quiet research on specific plants, local weather patterns and 'extinct' animal protection. There wasn't a lot going on out here, not if you were serious about doing any real research, and the observatory about fifteen miles south was perhaps the only interesting thing the island had to offer.
Of course, it was a nice getaway and away from the public eye, and the seawater was unusually crystal clear this time of year, and so holiday usage of the cabin was often considered. Given how useful the location could be at this time of year though, he had had to fight for it - which had been difficult in itself, without using the words 'I now have a common weakness that you could weaponise against me, should you wish to.'
So the value of his prize had now gone up majorly in his eyes, his somewhat shifted dignity and a few difficult spoken words, therefore making the importance of the events going forward almost a mission in themselves. Keeping it from Stone had proved nearly impossible, as he always heard about everything before he did and asked too many questions.
He was not a good one for apologising at the best of times, and least of all admitting to being wrong - or at least agreeing with those who accused him of being wrong. So when Rob had announced absent-mindedly - and purposefully very last minute - that they would be going away for a while in secret, Stone had initially questioned if something had happened. Whilst he had felt quite pleased, and relieved by the temporary break they would be having - he had immediately enquired what the consequences would be for their actions.
"That's not for you to concern yourself with," Rob had answered.
He had let on however that there had been 'some agreed use of the island' providing that nothing more pressing came up in the meantime. He hadn't wanted to admit that he had bowed down to lesser men in order to get what he so desired, and that being Stone's happiness. He still felt a bit sore and paranoid from that bandaid being ripped off too fast and too near sensitive areas of his pride - and his heart. He also, stupidly enough, felt far too proud and stubborn for his own good.
.-.-.
A sudden loud crash of thunder from outside made him jump.
The lights flickered wildly and the cabin blacked out, dropping
everything into pitch black darkness.
Shit. Shit. Shit...
He froze, tense and frowned worriedly, staring out at the now horrific sky war,
flashes so fast and close they resembled epileptic strobe lightening,
the grass outside burnt from the lightening fork, that had nearly hit the cabin.
Small flames rose from the grass, only to be put out by the rain seconds later.
Christ Stone, what were you thinking? he inwardly pleaded. Please be safe.
.-.-.
Night - March 27th
00:30 am
He had never been afraid of thunder and lightning before, and he had no intention to start now.
But as the weather gradually got worse, he couldn't help but constantly look out the window at the constant blinding flashes of sheet lightning, and the tiny red dots in the sky that he didn't trust. Circling and then changing formation to a triangle, then back to a circle again before disappearing. He felt uneasiness in the pit of his stomach, perhaps because he was taking a break from certain projects that allowed him access to, and information of, other hidden projects, and the lack of knowledge and understanding unsettled him.
It reminded him strongly of a time when he hadn't had such knowledge, as a child when he couldn't protect himself and everything and everyone had felt like a threat. Like they still did... only as an adult, it was his duty to stop that threat, and with such incredible technology at his fingertips, it felt like he could do anything. It felt like he could have a few moments reprieve each day where he was allowed to relax, and actually feel safe... the kind of safety he had never felt as a child.
Funny how this had been the perfect place to take Stone due to the peace and tranquility of the place, until they had actually got here and had irregular weather patterns and strange noises, and lights in the night that bothered him. He didn't like not understanding things, and with his high intellect, he should by all rights understand everything.
This place was supposed to be completely cut off, almost a massive wildlife reserve the lack of people there were here. It had been the perfect place to bring him, for time to recover. Why now, of all times of all places, did they appear to be sitting in the middle of the Bermuda Triangle in what appeared to be a dramatised weather version of World War II? He had made it perfectly clear that he needed the location for some quiet research - what part of the word quiet did the military not understand, if this was in fact their doing?
Was it even their doing?
Or was he just starting to lose his mind from lack of stimulation?
...
The backup generator had finally kicked in.
.-.-.
Night - March 27th
03:00 am
Rob didn't even begin to understand it, and a confused annoyance started to grip at him with its agitating suffocating claw. He couldn't stand it any longer. Why did he keep going out late at night, leaving him? Disappearing out into the bitterly cold weather? The cruel world? He had taken them both out here, had covered up long enough for him whilst he got better, so that he could have the privacy of recovery in his own time. If the little ingrate couldn't even..
He took a deep, slow breath, suddenly recognising his anxiety kicking up again. His hand trembled slightly, a side effect of nerves which rarely affected him as he so often required a steady hand for his intricate work with machinery. He felt himself trembling, alive with a rush of energy though not particularly pleasant, and the angry thunder battle made him feel slight panic rising.
No... This had gone on long enough. He had to have it out with him, where he was going at night, where he was disappearing to. It wasn't Stone's fault if he wasn't well, if he had to get away for a bit. He trusted him to have a wander without bringing any chaos their way. But god forbid he had told him enough times to be careful.
If he caught him coming back in late one more time, in the early hours of the morning... If he so much as smelled the hint of alcohol on him, or cigarette smoke... If he exhausted himself unnecessarily, and slept all day again... If he couldn't even explain where he had been, what he had been doing... If he wouldn't even apologise for staying out in this horrific storm, worrying him half to death.
He was responsible for his safety, for his wellbeing, if he came to harm in any way he would never forgive himself. Could never forgive himself.
He grabbed his right hand with his left, trying to stop it from shaking, his chest tightening and breath quickening.
His jaw clenched, and he tried to take slow deep breaths.
He was angry.
Because he was scared, and that wasn't an emotion he would ever admit to having,
incase someone took his Stone away from him.
Incase they saw his fear as a weakness, took advantage, controlled him, humiliated him...
So he had to be angry.
Because he couldn't allow himself to be scared.
Because if he was scared, everything could end...
and he would be back where he was before,
that frightened child neglected, cut off from the world, abused, imprisoned...
...
He couldn't go back to that time.
He would rather kill himself.
...
He would rather kill himself.
.-.-.
Dawn - March 27th
4:30 am
He took a deep breath, and exhaled slowly as finally a bleep omitted from his smartwatch, and sheer relief washed over him as the date and time (backdated) sat above the message 'I'm fine. Waiting for storm to finish.' It didn't say exactly where he was, but if he was nearby - and he should be, for the car was still here - then the closest place he could think of was the Summer house about a mile west (to their right) - or the beach huts below the cliffs.
There was barely any signal, and it worried him to think of Stone stranded. Neither were perfect places for him to be right now, although both of them meant he would be indoors, so that was something at least. God forbid he couldn't be stupid enough to have gone into the caves down by the water, not when they were flooding left, right and centre. Could he?
He demanded, furiously tapping away at his smartwatch and muttering to himself as the autocorrect played up again, the answer to the simple word 'WHERE?!'
He got a reply almost straight away which meant that, with the current delay due to the signal, he must have still been typing. The three little words that came back, nearly broke his heart.
'I love you.'
He huffed frustratedly, sadly, worriedly.
He must be frightened.
He hated thunderstorms.
He always curled up closer to him at night when there was a storm,
and he held him, protected him, let him bury himself into him.
Sometimes he was even silly enough to hum into his ears gently,
to soothe him, to make him feel safe... entwining their legs together, their feet...
Christ, Stone why do you do this to me? he thought desperately.
And you wonder why I don't take you anywhere with me.
.-.-.
Dawn - March 27th
5:50 am
He was exhausted. Utterly shattered and exhausted, waiting for Stone to message him again, or to come home. He hoped that he had managed to find somewhere safe to stay, that perhaps he had finally fallen asleep and was getting some well needed rest. He had never really been one to coddle anyone before, and his trust in Stone had grown slowly to develop any kind of friendship let alone a relationship. But he was so tired that he could barely think about anything but his own warm bed, and he felt that he couldn't continue to stay awake for much longer, to wait up for him to return home.
This was going to be the last time that he was ever going to do this. Because so help him, he couldn't take it anymore.
...
Dawn - March 27th
6:00 am
Somewhere deep in his dreams, a whirl of colour and strange scenarios took over, and he felt his mind spun round and round, between shipwrecks and falling into the dark, Stone holding a gun and putting it into his mouth, clicking the trigger... just clicking it, over and over and over... Nothing came out of the gun, but he kept clicking it, and then somewhere else, somewhere later on in the dream strange shapeless and faceless shadows moving around, yet it felt therapeutically peaceful.
.
Day - March 27th
10:30 am
The pleasant sound of floorboards creaking, as though someone was in the cabin walking around over and over again, pacing and doing jobs, getting things done... He felt himself drifting in and out of a feverish dream, unable to tell what was reality and what wasn't. Was he still asleep, or was he awake? He must have nodded off again for a bit, for the next time he woke he felt strangely aware of the morning light streaming into the room and an unusual calm, and the duvet pulled up around his shoulders, and it felt late...
.
Day - March 27th
11:00 am
He blinked sleepily, and checked beside him. It was empty...
Right.
He couldn't deal with this now.
The lack of sleep and no coffee or food, and stress and bright sunlight made him feel slightly nauseous. He pulled the blind half closed, and slowly dragged himself up Into a sitting position. Gradually, he made his way to the bathroom to relieve himself and as he returned, the familiar sound of floorboards creaking from down below made his ears twitch.
Stone!
Was he back?! Had he only just gotten in?! He would kill him!
It was all he could do to muster enough energy to stomp downstairs wearily, noting vaguely the dirty trainers kicked off roughly by the door, sodden and muddy. Wet clothes had been dropped beside the trainers, his hoodie and a tee, and.. socks and.. was that, lace?! ... His gaze only focused on the underwear for a split second, before Stone came padding out in fresh dry clothes and socks, and flung his arms around him. Fuuuck... He felt much too hungover, to deal with.. this...
"Coffee?" he chirped, as though nothing out of the ordinary had happened.
It was all he could do to slide down into one of the kitchen chairs, holding his head in one hand and wonder what in gods name he had let himself in for.
Stone did not wear lace.
So who's underwear was that on the floor?
Was he cheating on him?!
Had he been safe all night?!
