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Stone loves Valentine's Day, even though Robotnik had always thought it a frivolous and pathetic excuse for corporations to indulge in their capitalistic greed by preying on the populous’ hunger for affection and human contact.

God how Stone wishes Robotnik were still here to complain about Valentine's Day. He wishes Robotnik were still here at all. 

Stone is currently sat in Robotnik’s old chair in the Crab, the only light source the dim optics of the few Badniks he was able to save. They had dents and scratches that would probably never come out, similar to the hole in his chest that would never be filled again. 

Today was his first Valentine's without the doctor in a very, very long time. The loneliness was killing him, the Crab was too quiet without Robotnik. It felt wrong, felt suffocatingly empty. 

The doctor should be here right now. He should be here with Stone instead of being an eviscerated corpse floating among the stars in the orange nebula that broke Stone's heart into pieces every time he saw it.

If only Gerald hadn't taken him away. If only that bastard hadn't taken away the only man Stone had ever loved. And right before Christmas, no less!

Suddenly, one of the computers dinged with an alert of someone outside the Crab. One of the Badniks, CH103, whom Stone had nicknamed Chloe, woke from her charging port in response, pausing to see who was outside before excitedly zipping over to Stone and nudging him out of the chair, practically shoving him to the doorway. 

“Okay, okay. I'm going, girl. Jeez.” Stone grumbles playfully, opening the door. He's met with the sight of Robotnik standing outside in the tattered remains of his grandfather's flight suit, rain pouring overhead. Stone's heart skipped a beat at the sight, unable to believe he was really seeing him. 

“Happy Valentine’s Day.” Robotnik says, arms outstretched for a hug. Stone doesn't hesitate, launching himself into those oh so familiar arms, sobbing in disbelief as he clings to him for dear life. 

“Damn you and your perfect timing.” Stone chuckles, beside himself with shock and glee. Robotnik simply chuckles and runs an ungloved hand through the agent's hair, noting that his soft black locks had grown out somewhat in the three months he was away. 

“You know I've got a flair for the dramatic, Stone.” Robotnik chuckles, carefully leading Stone into the Crab, the door closing behind him with a silent hiss and thud. Chloe zips over and tries to wedge herself between them, much to Robotnik's amusement.

“Well, hello there, girl.” Robotnik chuckles, running a hand over the excited drone's hull. “Did you miss me, Chloe?”

Chloe loudly beeps and trills and buzzes, pressing herself firmly against Robotnik's chest like an excited golden retriever, making the grin on Stone's face widen ridiculously.

“Easy, girl. Remember, your papa's not as solid as he used to be.” Stone says, gently calming her down. Ever since the fall, Stone had been so cautious about Robotnik's delicate state, worried about even the smallest scratch or bruise. Now, who knows what injuries he suffered from the eclipse cannon? God, Stone doesn't even wanna think about it.

The drone gives one last gentle nudge to Robotnik before flitting back to her charging station, leaving Robotnik and Stone here alone with each other. The nervous tension is palpable, Stone's nearly choking on it.

“I'm so sorry, Stone.” Robotnik starts, taking Stone's hands in his. “I trusted a man I’d just met more than the man I've had by my side for over a decade, and all because I foolishly thought blood family equaled someone you could trust no matter what. But I realize now that family doesn't have to be blood. It can be a machine, or a hedgehog, or your loyal assistant. I guess what I'm trying to say is…will you be my Valentine, Aban?”

“Of course, Ivo.” Stone sniffles, smiling through the tears on his face as Robotnik suddenly pulls him into a kiss, cradling his head and holding onto him like he may disappear. Stone clings to him just as tightly, dreading having to let go. 

Unfortunately though, they do need air, so they part after the best 30 seconds of Stone's life, foreheads resting together as they bask in each other's presence, already planning the perfect life together with however much time they have left on this big blue rock.

A decade. Five years. However much more time Stone has with him, he'll cherish it forever.

-seven years later-

Stone stands on the porch, watching Shadow with Sonic and his brothers out in the meadow with Metal, a android hedgehog Robotnik had made about a year after his return. Belle and Sage are out there too, their five year old surprise twins, their little miracles. Those two are Stone's whole world, he adores them with everything in him. The other two bots Robotnik had made, Orbot and Cubot, are nearby on the porch attempting to fix Belle's tricycle, with little success.

“You know, guys, I could help with that.” Stone offers. 

“Thank you, Mr Stone, but Belle gave a clear directive that she wanted us to fix it.” Orbot insists, causing Stone to chuckle with a roll of his eyes. 

“What are you two idiots doing now?” Robotnik asks the two bots, walking out of the house after having been down in his workshop since that morning doing Badnik maintenance.

“Belle's tricycle is broken.” Stone answers. “And they insist on fixing it themselves.”

“Belle asked us to fix it, Dr Robotnik.” Orbot argues. 

“Technically, Orbot, I think she was trying to hand it to Mr Stone.” Cubot interjects.

“Give it here, you nitwits.” Robotnik sighs, taking the trike from the bickering bots. “Why didn't you come get me to fix this, Stone?”

“I knew you were busy, babe. Belle didn't seem too rushed about it, so I figured it could wait a bit.” Stone responds, taking a seat on the bench beside Robotnik as he quickly put the plastic tricycle back together.

“At least those two miscreants didn't try welding it this time.” Robotnik sighs, remembering the time Cubot tried to fix the detached plastic door of Sage and Belle’s playhouse by welding it. 

“They try their best.” Stone insists, resting his head on Robotnik's shoulder. “Happy Valentine's, by the way.”

“Ha, you think I forgot.” Robotnik chuckles, pulling something from his pocket and handing it to Stone. It was a small smart watch, similar to the one he lost in the flood, and when Stone turns it on, he's greeted by a picture from last Christmas of him, Robotnik, Shadow, and their girls all together on the couch.

“It's perfect.” Stone chuckles, slipping the watch on. 

“It's just like your old one, right down to the tracker. But unlike with that one, you can also track me by pressing this.” Robotnik explains, pushing a flat button on the side. Immediately the screen switched to a map, showing Robotnik's location right next to him. “It's connected to the chips in our necks. So even if you don't have the actual watch, I can still find you, and vice versa.” 

“That’s the most oddly romantic thing I've ever heard.” Stone chuckles, snuggling in further to Robotnik's arms. 

“Happy Valentine's, Aban.” Robotnik says, gazing out at their girls playing with those once infuriating space animals.

“Happy Valentine's, Ivo.” 

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