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Romance movies. Some people like them, some people hate them, some others feel a mix of both for them. It really depends on the type of person who is watching them.
In romance movies, your common relationship tropes are ‘jock and nerd’, or otherwise called ‘popular and outcast’; ‘enemies to lovers’, ‘friends to lovers’ – usually childhood and/or close friends, ‘enemies to friends to lover’, all those little things; ‘boss and employee’ relationship, commonly seen as ‘CEO and his/her secretary’; ‘doom by the narrative/from the start’ couples, et cetera.
All these tropes are cliché, but there’s an ironic and love-hate relationship between the viewers and these tropes. Some people can relate, and I’m no exception.
If there is another trope that hasn’t been explicitly stated, that would be the ‘villain and villain’ trope, its sub-trope being ‘villain and henchman’. ‘Hero and villain’ and ‘hero and hero’ tropes are far too common in any medias that features them in a familiar bond. This trope is still widely loved by communities – or fandoms – across different medias.
The relationship between our (sort of) beloved Doctor Robotnik and his loyal, groveling assistant, Agent Stone, fits well into the category of both ‘boss and employee’ and ‘villain and villain’ relationship tropes. As the inevitable is, and as their titles suggest, there is bound to be some kind of power dynamic at play.
Agent [REDACTED] Stone is one of the well-trained personnel in the military, likely the best of the best among his peers. Having joined the military at a young age, Agent Stone climbed the ranks with outstanding skills and obedience. He was stoic and serious, respected by his peers and praised by his superiors, but he had no family or closed ones to be proud of him. Agent Stone was lonely for the most part of his life. Though his reputation gave him an excuse to boast and jeer, Agent Stone would rather blend in with the masses, becoming yet another faceless nameless agent in G.U.N.
Doctor Ivo Robotnik, the genius scientist and inventor, is probably the smartest man alive with his outstanding I.Q of 300, exceeding that of Albert Einstein and Leonardo da Vinci; if there were a person in history to be a respectable rival to him, it would have had to be William James Sidis, though he upsettingly withdrew from fame. Doctor Robotnik rose in power having found where his strength lied, and if he had hated the government a bit more than he already did, he would have taken matters into his own hands and ruled the world. Fortunately for them, that has yet to become reality as he still needs funding for his creations. Parts for his machines aren’t cheap.
Funny enough, these two end up together in an unfortunate turn of events. Doctor Robotnik and Agent Stone are important assets, but judging by rank, Doctor Robotnik is of paramount importance. Naturally, he would need a bodyguard to protect him; a meat-shield to take the fatal blow.
Unfortunately, Doctor Robotnik did not want a bodyguard, hell, he did not want any other living organism in his lab beside himself. But he was without voice in the matter, and so, agents after agents were sent to work under him. He drove them away with ease, however, each throwing in the towel with record time; his strict rules and harsh disciplinary actions were frightening.
Doctor Robotnik was untouchable, untamable and completely chaotic. No agent wanted to be near him, no higher-up wanted to stay in the same room with him. Not even Commander Walters wanted to put up with him and his rotten behavior, mostly letting him what he liked best, what pleased him and keep him quiet.
Until Agent Stone came along.
When Agent Stone was informed he would be working for the fearsome Doctor Robotnik, he had already known of the things the Doctor had been said to do to agents that were sent to work under him. He had nearly scoffed before the face of the Commander, finding this threatening man to be a joke and a brat.
The start of their professional relationship was not great, far from it actually. When Doctor Robotnik wasn’t scolding and belittling the Agent, he would be causing the most inconvenience to the Agent’s work. When Agent Stone wasn’t nagging the Doctor, he would be doing his work with the utmost competence and efficiency; it had made Doctor Robotnik fumed with unrestrained rage on multiple occasions.
They were an odd and rotten pair, arguing with one another every now and then about meetings and assignments. Once, Doctor Robotnik has gotten so angry he punched the Agent across the face, sending him collapsing onto the floor a few short feet away from where he stood.
Everyone had witnessed it and some stood petrified while others rushed to assist Agent Stone to the medical bay, simultaneously calling for the Commander to consult with Doctor Robotnik. It had been a one-time thing, never happening a second time at threat of getting HR involved, but the reminder of the scene that day gave further warnings to any agent and higher-up who thought the Doctor was all bark and no bite.
Their relationship only went down-hill after that incident. Agent Stone would constantly be on guard and alert, the slightest of movements of the Doctor near him would trigger his fight-or-flight instincts. The same was for Doctor Robotnik; he tried to restrain his uncomfortable anger whenever the Agent did something particularly annoying, but it was getting harder not to hit the Agent a second time with how much he was trying to get on his nerves.
So, yes, one can say it was a very hostile work environment, but Agent Stone have not shown signs of quitting, and Doctor Robotnik began showing signs of acceptance of the Agent wandering around in his lab.
One thing led to another, in the context of romance.
It was humiliating to admit, but it seemed that he was starting to like Doctor Robotnik. His views on people, especially of his colleagues, matched that of his own. Furthermore, everyone was very aware of how the Doctor discipline the agents that he deemed incompetent, which made it far easier to excuse himself from any conversations he didn’t want to engage in. and, surprisingly, Agent Stone found the Doctor quite handsome, his rotten personality giving him a villain’s undeniable charm.
It wasn’t any easier for Doctor Robotnik; in fact, it might be harder. Agent Stone was a competent agent, the most competent agent he’s ever had, and the fact he was growing fond of him was an issue. Doctor Robotnik couldn’t deny the Agent’s skills, varying from combat down to the most basic coffee making skills. He was also competitive with other agents, giving the Doctor a perfect excuse to jeer at those ignoramuses. Moreover, despite working under harsh conditions for several months, not once did Doctor Robotnik hear the Agent badmouth about him around others. It was refreshing and slightly concerning, having someone who was willing to put up with his bullshit with minimal complaints.
~
It had been a very stormy day, and to make matters worse, the pair had been sent on a mission. It was a standard break in and get out mission, easy enough to handle within minutes, but the rain gave both oppositions several disadvantages.
Agent Stone still tried his best to proceed with the mission, protecting the Doctor and the others that were still inside retrieving intel while Doctor Robotnik sent out his badniks to apprehend and possibly kill the opposition. The mission went smoothly, or as smoothly as the rain would allow it, partly due to the fact that the Doctor and Agent had been more tolerating of each other the past few weeks, but some ironic need to piss the other off lingered.
Before the Doctor knew of the situation, he only saw his agent throwing himself into his line of sight, blocking the enemies he was about to blow up before him. Before Doctor Robotnik had a chance to scold the Agent for his incompetence, the dim light revealed a trail of red water that hadn’t been there moments prior.
Redirecting a unit of badniks to locate the offender, Doctor Robotnik had one of his medical badniks patched up Agent Stone, just enough that he would survive but not enough so that he could return to doing his job. The mission stretched on, Doctor Robotnik deploying more badnik units while simultaneously protecting his agent, making sure he didn’t get any more injuries than he already did.
When they return to G.U.N., the Doctor had very firmly demanded that Agent Stone be seen by a medical professional and treated immediately. That demand had puzzled many as it was out of character of Doctor Robotnik to care about another’s well-being, but the Doctor claimed he needed the Agent competent and functional, not dying and bedridden.
Their dynamic changed after that mission, though the change wasn’t noticeable; they still argue, have petty back and forth revenge on each other, sometimes even insisting on training with one each other just so they have an excuse to hurt the other.
But, behind closed doors, their affection was intimate, rough and almost intoxicating.
Agent Stone doesn’t think he would ever trade this for anything in the world. Doctor Robotnik doesn’t think he would ever find another like the Agent, and so he swore to cherish this in his own ways
~
It's strange how some people can stay within a relationship that is clearly having a negative impact on their mental, physical and emotional health. Usually it is because of the lack of willingness to leave from one side, who is usually too attached to the other.
Of course, reasons can vary, but for the most part, it is the unwillingness. Sometimes, it could be because both side has a mutual desire for someone who is similarly unconventional, a desire to have someone who is like-minded; alternatively, they have a desire for someone who is as much of a freak as they are.
It’s concerning but the people in that type of relationship do not think it is. That is the same case for Agent Stone and Doctor Robotnik. No matter what others say, Stone think their “professional” relationship isn’t anyone else’s concern. Why should it be in the first place? It isn’t like they were beating each other up over the smallest inconvenience every day.
~
Today has been a horrible day for Agent Stone. He had to wake up extremely early just so he can go check on the repairs on his bike. The mechanics told him it would have to take a few more days to fully mend the damage, so Stone was forced to use his car, which he hadn’t used in quite some time. The engine was rusty and wouldn’t start up, costing him ten precious minutes of his life trying to get the damn thing to start.
He drove out to the streets after the engines came to life. At first, everything was fine until the unbelievable horrible traffic started. Stone got stuck for about another ten minutes before continuing, only to be forced to take a shortcut because an accident happened on the main street.
Of course, Agent Stone wouldn’t start complaining about this to anyone, all too used to bottling his frustrations up until the weekends to let it out on gym equipment instead. It was at least a healthy way to cope with anger, in his opinion.
Now, he stands beside Doctor Robotnik in a meeting, listening to the mind numbingly boring back and forth explanation on some project or mission he doesn’t have half the mind to care. His eyes drift lazily over the conference room, watching the unshifting expression on the other agents and officials’ old faces.
The main thing he joined the military for is the adrenaline, that and because he wouldn’t know what to do with himself alone. While it offered exactly that, sometimes even more than he hoped for, being on more than a dozen missions and having more than four near-death experiences, no one told him advancing the ranks and start working for a higher-up would meant working the government equivalent of a white collar desk job.
It’s boring, repetitive and immensely depressing. But, at the very least, there is one person keeping things interesting around here, and that is his boss: Doctor Robotnik. He likes Robotnik to some degree, but definitely more than other people would’ve. Though from time to time, there will the insufferable moments when Robotnik just couldn’t save his insults for later and had to burst then and there.
This time isn’t any different. Though the Doctor sits slouched in his chair and frowning from the boredom, Stone knows that there is a plan of chaos stirring in that brilliant mind of his. and before Stone knows it, Robotnik is making some sarcastic remarks on one of the points in the general’s presentation.
Stone closes his eyes and takes a deep breath in an attempt to calm his mind, trying his damn best to not mind the disturbance as much as possible while hoping that the Doctor would shut his trap and let the meeting proceeds so they can get out. However, knowing Doctor Robotnik’s reputation of being a pain in everyone’s backside, he doesn’t stop his complaints and insults. Even if Stone is rather angered, he has to keep composure until they get back to the lab.
It is also worth mentioning that the Doctor’s insults were astoundingly accurate, from the details down to the word choice he uses.
In a weak attempt to calm the raging Doctor, down, Stone places his hand on his shoulder, lightly squeezing it to indicate his request for Robotnik to stop and sit down. The genius only shrugs him off with slight aggression, glaring daggers back at him over his shoulders. “What do you think you’re doing, Agent Stone?” Robotnik asked, his lips curled into a snarl and eyes burning with the close need to blow someone or something up.
Stone doesn’t answer, it was a rhetorical question, and releases the Doctor, opting to take a step back instead. Stone’s frown, though not as evident as Robotnik’s, remains throughout the rest of the meeting.
They got out thirty minutes later than they were supposed to thanks to Robotnik’s outburst. Robotnik stomps out of the conference room with a flurry of profanities in every language he knows, all murmured under his breath. Stone only follows quietly behind, his hands balled into tight fists kept behind his back.
The elevator trip back to the lab isn’t without disturbance. The frustrations from earlier inconveniences only rises after that meeting, stirring a storm inside that Stone is sure he wouldn’t be able to contain for the rest of the workday.
They get back to the lab relatively intact, Robotnik’s anger calmed to just warm embers while Stone’s internal aggravation burns brightly still, like an active volcano ready to erupt any given moment.
The lab’s pneumatic door opens with a hydraulic hiss, the Doctor marching in with heavy steps as if to indicate that his thirst for chaos is yet to be quenched by just insulting the airheaded simpletons around him. As Robotnik proceeds to make his way over to his console, a force holds him back in the center of the lab.
Robotnik takes a moment to register the vice-like grip, and upon looking back, the dark look that his agent wore.
While Robotnik’s preoccupied mind is still assessing the situation, Stone is trying to make sure the grip isn’t too tight to accidently hurt his Doctor while at the same time making sure he can’t take another step forward without being yanked back.
“What is the meaning of this, Agent? You unhand me this instant.” Robotnik’s voice is low and threatening, the kind he uses for the weak-willed agents, but doesn’t have its intended affects.
Stone has been dealing and putting up with Robotnik for years on end without a single complaint to the Commander or his colleagues, so naturally, all the familiarity helped.
The silence that stretches on for a few short moments is deafening, the tension rising as seconds pass. Before Robotnik can start again, Stone is quick to tighten his grip on the Doctor’s forearm, pulling him towards himself before maneuvering out of the way so Robotnik is pinned against the nearest wall. his wrists are painfully secured at the small of his back while his face is shoved into the plat vertical surface as if he was some sort of toy to be messed around with.
“Stone! What do you thi- “
“Can you shut your damn mouth for one fucking minute?” Stone retorted with barely restrained anger, tightening his grip around the Doctor’s neck and effectively shutting him up.
In this position, Robotnik cannot see much of his agent, but his eyes strain to glare back at him. Though he looks calmer than the situation calls for, Stone’s eyes still retain that horribly menacing glint he’d only see when the man is on or had just returned from a mission.
“Doctor, I don’t mean to insult you in any way possible, but these past few weeks, I feel like you’ve been acting out of line more on purpose than anything.” Stone began, twisting the Doctor’s wrist for a minute just to see his face scrunch up in pain.
Robotnik can only stay silent, refusing to let any embarrassing sound escape his esophagus. To be completely honest, he is rather awestruck by the situation and the sudden change in Stone’s demeanor; he is very glad that Stone cannot see much of his expression at the moment, he could die of humiliation alone knowing his face is possibly several shades darker since this started.
“Are you intentionally trying to piss me off, Doctor? For a man as smart as you, you really are asking for someone to put you back in line.” Stone gritted out, pressing against Robotnik for just a moment before releasing him all together, grabbing Robotnik by the shoulders and turning him, pushing his back harshly against the cold lab wall.
Due to the slight height difference, Stone still has to look up to make eye contact with Robotnik, which makes for a very awkward scene. In his flustered state, Robotnik can only grunts in acknowledgement, neither confirming nor denying Stone’s accusation. He diverts his eyes away from Stone, landing unintentionally on one of his precious badniks.
The tension dies down in the silence that engulfs them, Stone’s eyes softening until they return to their usual neutrality. The Agent back away, sighing the rest of his frustration away while the Doctor regains his composure.
“I hope we can discuss how this can be helped, Doctor. We cannot afford to lose any more of your funding because you decide to piss others off.” Stone said straightforwardly, his tone levelled and expression neutral, his professional façade put perfectly back into place.
Robotnik nods, pushing himself away from the wall to resume making his way back to his console to start work. The day goes on as normal, a lot calmer now that they had that “discussion” of theirs earlier. As if to repent for acting out of line, Stone begins littering Robotnik with little kisses on his cheeks and forehead, being as subtle as a black cat sitting on a matching black blanket.
Their relationship is not the most conventional and definitely not the most supported, but at the end of the day, love is still love, and the affections Agent Stone and Doctor Robotnik share is truly something of a mystery in its own.