#idkidk

for the two of you that maybe care: so far I have the idea that stone is selected by an Important Lady to stand-in as her pretend "date" for an undercover mission. she was meant to choose from a specific set of people, but singled out Stone for either his looks or attitude and maybe (just a little bit) as a power move: if she could take something of robotnik's, surely she could have anything she wanted.

but, this does not go over well. the night of the gala comes, and robotnik makes an entrance (despite not being invited, and being wildly out of the black and white exclusive dress-code in a blood red tux).

((i know it's cliché but tell me it's not in character))

he struts right over to stone and takes his hand (cue my drawing of them dancing together from a few days ago), dragging him away from his "date" and onto the dance floor. stone, unable to tell his superior "no," plays along until his "date" returns, furious, shoving robotnik away from Stone, staking a claim to him. Robotnik, never being one to back down from a fight no matter the opponent, shoves her right back. She falls to the floor and calls for help, bringing in security.

Eventually, the entire ballroom is in fisticuffs, with Robotnik at the epicenter. He breaks dishes, throws chairs, takes out anyone who dared come near him and laughs maniacally while doing it. stone is the only person who remains still, unmoving and amazed. not only was he no longer dispensable to robotnik, but worth fighting for. worth *bleeding* and *killing* for.