Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“Silas!” He shouts as he sees his lover get shot. Silas goes down instantly and he tries to reach for him, but he’s stopped by the bullet lodging itself in his side. The force is enough to knock him back and white hot agony rips through his side. He falls to the ground with a grunt but he can’t take his eyes off of Silas.

He stares unblinking at him from across the ground, one arm reaching out as if towards him. “Silas…?” He asks again, even though he knows he will not receive a response. There’s distant sounds of screaming and carnage that he ignores because Silas is…Silas is…

He crawls towards him, ignoring the way it aggravates the wound in his side. He has something more important to worry about now. Once he reaches him, he cradles a hand up to his cheek. Silas’ eyes were always so beautiful and expressive and now they’re dead and lifeless. It is a look that should never be on his face. He’s still warm as he lays his forehead against his, wetness lands on his cheeks and Panto realizes distantly that he’s crying.

He can’t remember the last time he’s cried before. He cradles Silas’ face up to look at him and so he can close his eyes. The dead, unblinking stare was something he didn’t want to look at.

“Silas I -” He tries before he’s cut off with a broken off sob, some choked off noise that he’s never made before. Before he knows it, he’s cradling him fiercely to his chest. His side feels like it’s on fire and he knows by moving as much as he is he’s just making it worse but how can he possibly care about that when his love is dead?

The reality comes crashing down at that and if possible he cries harder and holds tighter.

There’s a hand on his shoulder, someone is speaking to him but he ignores it. His vision is narrowing into darkness and he thinks this is it. He feels himself getting weaker until finally he’s met with blessed darkness.

—---------------------------

He wakes up in starts and stops. There’s voices around him and a tight grip around his hand. Some distant part of himself recognises that hand but it’s fleeting and he’s plunged into darkness before he can dwell.

When he next wakes up it’s to a weight on his lap and he blinks his eyes to relieve some of the blurriness that comes with the bright lights of whatever room he’s in.

He looks down and sees Bartine laying her head on his lap, one hand is clutching the blanket that’s covering his chest tightly, the other is holding his hand just as tightly. It hardly seems like a comfortable position and her brows are furrowed in distress. It takes Panto a minute to remember and then he’s gasping, startling her awake.

She has a brief moment of looking around in confusion before her eyes meet Panto’s and her face is lighting up in a grin. “Panto!” And then she’s hugging him and his side twinges as he’s jostled slightly, letting out the slightest ‘oomph’ at the movement.

“You’re awake!” Bartine says, still holding him tightly. He debates pulling her off but the action would probably be futile.

“Bartine, what happened? Where are we?” The last thing he remembers is Silas…Silas dead. On the ground.

“I took you to Blackwing, you…you were dying.” She says quietly, pulling back slightly but refusing to meet his eyes.

“Blackwing? But I thought…” He trails off because they should be in Wendimoor. They should be trying to fix things, they should be trying to find a way to bring Silas back and if not find a way to make the square heads pay for killing him.

“I didn’t have a choice! You were - you were -” Bartine sounds uncharacteristically near hysterics in a way he’s never heard her before and the protective side of him, the one that seeks to soothe and take away any hurt pushes to the forefront.

“Bartine, it’s ok. I’m just…confused is all. Please, start at the beginning.”

Bartine backs away to sit on the edge of the bed, she goes quiet so Panto takes a moment to take in his surroundings. He’s in a brightly lit room, white walls and zero decoration. It makes him uncomfortable immediately.

“I killed them all, you know. After…after they killed Silas and shot you. I didn’t think I just did. I thought you…I thought you were dead too. But you were alive and you wouldn’t leave or respond to me, you just kept holding him and I thought you were going to bleed out there. The boy…Francis. He came to me. Asked where I wanted to go and I said here and then I begged him to let you come with me. I needed you to be fixed. Needed it. He…he agreed, said you had a purpose here but I don’t know what that is. I really thought he’d say no there for a minute.”

Panto…doesn’t really know how to take that. It’s a lot. “What about Silas?” He asks instead, because if the boy returned then maybe Silas is ok and he needs to know that much at least.

“I…I don’t know.”

Panto swallows the sudden lump in his throat. If he knew that Silas was ok then maybe he could live secure in the knowledge that his love was safe and happy. Now, he doesn’t know what to do. The images of Silas dead on the ground won’t leave him.

“What now Bartine?” He asks to hide the despair he’s currently going through. He needs the distraction he thinks.

Bartine tilts her head. “I don’t know. I talked to Ken and he’s all weird now but the universe is telling me I need to be here so I’m staying.” She considers something for a minute. “Oh! Maybe you could work for Blackwing? Between you and me I think they’re a little short staffed.”

Panto considers that. From the little he knows about Blackwing they may just be his ticket back home. Back to his world that hopefully has been returned to normal and he can see Silas again.

—---------------------------

He meets this ‘weird Ken’ that Bartine mentions and decides he dislikes him immediately, but it serves his goals so he’ll go with it.

“I know you know about the portals, so tell me, where can I find one to get back to my world?”

Ken smiles at him. “What portals?”

Panto resists the urge to punch him. “Come on Mr. Ken, you can’t really expect me to believe that.”

Ken chuckles. “I suppose not. Look, as far as Blackwing is aware all of the portals have been closed. Sorry Panto, looks like you’re stuck with us. We do appreciate the help though.”

Panto has always had a very good poker face, and he needs that skill now because what he wants to do is scream in frustration. That is not possible. It can not be possible. He refuses to believe he’s stuck here.

Away from Silas, away from home. It’s too much.

“Happy to provide.” He says to Ken, somehow managing to keep his voice even. He excuses himself and only once he’s safely hidden in what's been designated as his room does he break down.

He holds his scissors in his hands, the floral pattern staring up at him. He remembers the day Silas painted them.

“So you’ll always remember to come back to me safe” He’d said at the time.

Silas was always so skilled in the arts. Poetry, painting, whatever it was Silas would make beauty out of nothing. He traces the pattern with his hands, feeling how the paint changes the texture of the metal.

He wishes he had more of him, Silas painted his ring finger. He should have done something like that or kept some sort of memento but with their families he couldn’t risk it.

Now he wishes he had.

He walks towards his meager excuse for a bed and lays on top of it, falling into a restless sleep filled with memories of Silas.

—---------------------

It takes a few weeks before Blackwing assigns him a job. Somehow, they’ve managed to provide him with an ID, social security and a bank account. He’s not really sure what any of that stuff is but it apparently allows him to exist in this world so he’ll take it. According to Ken, he’ll be able to rent property now.

“Or purchase it but between you and me, our pay is shit.” Was what Ken told him. Panto has no idea what counts as an acceptable wage in this world so he’ll take Ken’s word for it.

Blackwing wants him to investigate reports of a coca cola machine being set on fire. That hardly seems like an emergency but Ken thinks it could be related to an anomaly so off he’s sent.

He’s staring at the coca cola machine that’s supposedly been set on fire but instead just looks mildly dented when he hears voices.

“This is so exciting! Our first case at our new detective agency. You know Todd I always -”

The voices stop once they round the corner and see Panto. There’s a brief moment where they just stare at each other before Dirk breaks out into a wide grin.

“Oh. My. God. Todd, it’s Panto! Hi Panto!” Dirk waves at him excitedly and Panto can’t help but smile at the sight.

“Wait, what are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be in Wendimoor?” Todd asks him.

“I should. But circumstances have caused me to be…stuck here.”

At both Dirk and Todd’s questioning look he continues. He starts from the beginning and he internally pats himself on the back for not breaking down when talking about Silas.

“Wait, Bart’s here? With you?” Dirk asks instead. He looks about seconds away from bolting and that confuses Panto. Bartine’s lovely, how could anyone be afraid of her?

“Not with me no, she’s back with Blackwing.”

“That’s what I don’t get, why work for Blackwing?” Todd asks him, he’s regarding him with suspicion now and Panto needs to eliminate that if he wants their help.

“Temporarily working for Blackwing. They’re my best bet to get home and Bartine wanted to join them. Where she goes I go in this world.” That seems to calm Dirk somewhat so he continues. “Speaking of, do you know what happened to my world? Is Silas…is he ok? Please. I - I need to know.” Panto has never begged for anything in his life but that fear that’s gripped him ever since he came here is front and center and he can’t stop.

Todd and Dirk exchange a look and it only makes Panto’s anxiety grow.

“Panto listen…things were really bad there for a minute. The boy, Francis, should have fixed everything but if you’re here…” Todd trails off and Panto can read between the lines. He’s an unknown variable in this. He technically shouldn’t even be alive in this world.

“But I’m here because of Bartine and the boy said I needed to be here. I just don’t understand why.” The frustration mounts and he doesn't understand anything. He’s supposed to be in Wendimoor with Silas. Not…not here.

Dirk shrugs. “If the boy, who I guess is kind of like your god now that I think about it? Anyways, if the boy said you were meant to be here then I guess you were meant to be here.”

“Then at least tell me you know how I can get back.”

“That! I don’t know. There were only two portals into Wendimoor that I knew about and both closed.”

“Wait…two portals? I thought only the one in the house existed?”

Todd and Dirk exchange another look. “There was another one in Blackwing…did they not tell you?” Todd asks him and Panto should’ve expected something like this. He knew Blackwing wasn’t trustworthy, that they were keeping secrets from him, despite Ken’s insistence that they changed.

“Right. Of course they didn’t.” Todd sighs. “Look, Panto, I don’t think we can help you get back. If you’re meant to stay here then the universe is going to keep you here. No matter what.”

He bites back the growl at that. Fine. If Dirk and Todd won’t help him he’ll find somebody who can. He leaves them, mission all but forgotten and when Ken asks him about it he tells him to shut up before locking himself away in his room.

Chapter Text

A few months of working for Blackwing Panto decides he’s sick of it. So he tells Bartine he needs to leave or he’s in danger of strangling Ken in his sleep.

Bartine takes it well all things considered.

He takes whatever meager savings he’s been able to accrue and does what he’s told is ‘soul searching’. He still has no way home, no way to know if Silas is ok and Dirk keeps sending him text messages on his cell phone that mostly boil down to ‘still no update but still searching!’. It’s all very discouraging.

Somehow, and Panto really can’t remember how, he ends up employed by the U.S government. And before he knows it two years have gone by.

Panto adjusts his tie one more time. No matter how many times he has to wear one of these ‘suits’ he’ll never get used to it. He misses the light and airy feel of his old tunics and a suit always feels so restrictive.

He knocks on commander Walters’ door. He’s still not sure why the commander summoned him, as far as he knows his performance has been more than satisfactory.

“Come in.” The commander says and Panto steps through the door. He sits across from his desk and tries not to fidget with restless energy.

“Panto! Always a pleasure.” He acts like this is a social call and Panto resists the urge to point out that he summoned him. “You’ve been with us for how long now?”

“Two years sir.”

“Two years, right. How time flies. And you’ve become one of our best agents even with your…unusual taste in weaponry.” He eyes Panto’s scissor swords that are strapped to his waist. When he first joined they tried to get him to use a gun. He quickly showed them why he didn’t need one.

“Thank you sir.” He says evenly. He still gets a little testy when they mention his scissors. It’s the last thing he has of Silas and his world after all.

“And because you’re our best agent we’re assigning you to security detail for someone very special.” He says it with a smile but there’s a notable strain to it. It makes Panto instantly suspicious. He slides over a manila folder and Panto takes it.

It’s…honestly not much. Most of it has been so heavily redacted that Panto wonders why even bother. The only thing he can make out is the name Dr. Ivo Robotnik and weapons contractor. He’s about to ask what he’s supposed to do with this when Walter’s continues.

“This is Dr. Ivo Robotnik’s file. Well, what we can show you.”

“Which is nothing.” Panto responds flatly and Walters ignores him.

“Robotnik is…unique. He’s the smartest man alive and he’s an extremely valuable asset. Which is why we need our best agent guarding him.”

Panto raises an eyebrow. “You want me to be a babysitter.”

“Well…not exactly. You see during a meeting Robotnik may have made some comments that implied certain…dangerous ways of thinking. We just need somebody to keep tabs on him and report back any…less than savory goings on.”

“You want me to be a babysitter to a madman.”

The fact that Walters doesn’t deny it right away does not fill him with confidence.

He's sent off with an order to report to Dr. Robotnik's lab at 0800 on the dot. He's also told to bring coffee. What kind, he is not informed, but coffee is apparently a requirement.

He comes equipped with Starbucks™. He was told by another agent that their ‘caramel macchiato’ was ‘to die for’ so he'll take their word for it. Even if he doesn't know what half those words mean.

The doctor ignores him when he comes in. Later he will learn about the security system and how the doctor ‘forgot’ to put him in as a worker. The only reason he's able to get in is because the doctor was running a system wide update which effectively shut everything down.

He places the coffee offering on the side of his desk and waits to be addressed. When he spoke to the other agents and told him of his assignment they all shuddered and said it was nice knowing him.

They were probably being dramatic.

The doctor doesn't look at him, doesn't acknowledge him, as he takes the offered coffee. He takes one sip before spitting it out.

“What is this government dog?” Panto resists the urge to fight his new employer.

“A caramel macchiato sir.”

“It's doctor.” He growls before pouring out the drink in front of him, coffee splashes across his shoes. “Clean that up agent.”

Panto's eye twitches. If there's one thing the U.S government hadn't beaten out of him it was his pride. He was never good at following orders and if the doctor thinks that he can order him about like this he is sorely mistaken.

“No.” He says simply.

“...No?”

“I'm going to make one thing very clear, doctor, I'm only here because I was ordered to be. I am not your servant or whatever other notion you may have.”

He can see a vein throb in the doctor's forehead as he clenches his jaw.

“I could have you killed for that, you know.”

Panto leans closer to him. “I'd like to see you try.”

There's a beat before the doctor's face splits into a wide grin. “Oh? This one has a spine. How quaint.”

Panto's eyes narrow. He's about to say something else when the doctor continues.

“I think I'm going to have fun breaking you.”

Panto will examine why that statement brings him some form of comfort later. He's always been good at reading people. Silas used to say he could befriend anybody and well the doctor….

Well he can at least appreciate that he's honest. It's more than most people.

He grins back. “We’ll see about that, won’t we?.”

That weirdly seems to make the doctor happier. Why, he's not sure.

The doctor doesn't ask or demand he clean up the spill much to Panto's surprise. He feels like he passed some unknown test of his. Although what that test could be eludes him. Still, he'll take it.

He’s instructed to make him coffee after that. Panto finds some small coffee joint close to base and asks the barista (he’s learned there’s an entire job to coffee making. How fascinating) to make the fanciest coffee he can. It works and the doctor never questions it.

—-------------------------

Panto is going to kill his new boss. Well, he will if whatever group that’s kidnapped him doesn’t do it first. They’re in France for a conference and the doctor just had to have macarons from this one bakery he insisted was the best so he ordered Panto to go. Normally, Panto would have kindly told him to go get them himself but after being stuck with the man in a private plane for 7 hours with the doctor he needs to get away.

When he came back to the trashed hotel room he audibly groaned, mourning the loss of whatever a ‘macaron’ was. They looked tasty. But his job comes first.

He tracks them down relatively easily, the trail is still fresh after all. The guards are disposed of easily in a familiar dance of torn flesh and severed limbs. The metal of his scissors is able to easily deflect a bullet and it’s that element of surprise is something that most people aren’t expecting.

He enters the doctor’s cell breathing heavily from the adrenaline and feeling more than a little manic. It’s been a while since he was able to let loose after all. He cuts off the arms of the man who he assumes to be the doctor’s interrogator before cutting off his head. The doctor stares at him in disbelief from the chair he’s tied up in.

“Fucking. How?” He asks. He looks dishevelled but otherwise unharmed.

“Let’s get out of here doctor.” Panto moves to cut his bonds and the doctor eyes him warily. “Don’t mind the blood, it’s not mine.”

“Don’t mind the - seriously agent? Next time you ‘rescue’ me could you try not to make such a big mess?”

Panto doesn’t dignify that with a response. Not his fault human bodies are filled with so much blood and he has to fight in close quarters.

The doctor eyes the carnage with an unreadable expression. Did Panto maybe go a little too far?

Probably.

He’s working through some anger and frustration he realises.

The doctor is unusually quiet as they leave but he’s looking at Panto in a new way. There’s something in his eye now that Panto can’t place. Like he’s trying to puzzle him out.

—-----------------------------

His scissors are gone when he comes into the lab weeks later. It’s rare that he’s without them but they needed a good polishing and the doctor didn’t have anything he could use. Or well, anything the doctor was willing to let him borrow. He thought it would be fine to leave them while he returned to his quarters to retrieve what he needed. The doctor often got so into his work he doubts he even noticed he was there most days. Instead, when he returns, there’s a new pair of scissors in the doctor’s sleek design.

“Doctor. Where are my scissors.” It doesn’t come out like a question and his voice is foreign to his ears. It’s cold and detached. He can barely hear himself over the sudden rushing in his ears.

“Hm? Oh I figured you could use a new pair. Yours were getting rusty. And that floral patterning? Hardly intimidating.”

He’s grabbing the new pair instantly and leveling it at the doctor’s neck. A slew of red laser dots train on him instantly at the threat to the doctor’s person.

“Return them to me. Now.”

The doctor regards him silently, a cold and calculating look on his face. “I can’t. I had them destroyed.” He tilts his head. “You don’t mind, do you?”

He doesn’t remember much after that. When he comes back to himself the doctor’s face is bloody and his hands are gripping his neck. He’s grinning up at him and oh. They're on the floor. He towers over the doctor, straddling him as he strangles him.

“There it is. Was wondering what your breaking point was.” The doctor says, his voice sounds hoarse but he hardly seems bothered by their position. “Your weapon is over there if you’ll just let me up.”

Panto releases his neck as if burned. He looks over at said desk and there they are. His scissors, baring the same pattern he’s used to. The one Silas designed for him. The doctor lays forgotten on the ground as he rushes to grab them.

“Doctor. Don’t - don’t ever do anything like that again.”

The doctor doesn’t respond but even that is response enough.

To his shock the doctor actually listens and doesn’t try anything like that again. The mood in the lab is tense for days afterwards though.

Chapter Text

Bartine has come to visit him. Which is exciting, he did miss her. He’s not really sure how she got in though but things just seem to go in Bartine’s favor somehow so he won’t question it too much.

The doctor comes back (Walters called him away. An incident he was not happy about) to Bartine painting his nails. The both of them are sitting on the floor while Bartine takes to the task with the utmost concentration. He broke down and told her about how he wished he had something he could look at that reminded him of Silas. His scissors are one thing but they are more often than not covered in blood and blood and Silas are two things he refuses to think about.

Bartine suggested painting his nails, like Silas used to. He chose a deep brown, the color reminding him of Silas’ eyes.

It doesn’t feel like enough but it’s something. Something tangible he can look at and maybe in time that will be enough.

“Agent. What the hell is this?”

“Oh. Hello doctor, this is Bartine.” He says pleasantly, hoping (although he knows it's an impossible ask) that the doctor will at least try to be polite.

“Hello, Panto says you’re a dick.” Bartine says in her usual blunt way.

“Oh of course! Bartine. How could I forget?” The doctor says in that tone of voice that Panto has learned means ‘sarcasm’. “Agent, do you want to explain to me why you brought an intruder into my lab?”

“Bartine’s not an intruder, she’s a friend. And it’s not like I could stop her.”

The doctor raises an eyebrow so Panto explains. “Bartine goes where she wants. You can’t prevent her from being here if she wants to be.”

“That explains nothing and you still brought an intruder to the lab.”

“But doctor, I didn’t bring her. She just came in.”

“I walked in through the door.” Bartine pipes up.

“You mean to tell me, some random woman bypassed the most technologically advanced facility and just…walked in?!”

“The universe told me I needed to be here.”

The doctor narrows his eyes and with a few presses on his gloves two badniks are summoned. “Agent, this is clearly a madwoman.” He smiles a little sadistically. “Don’t worry, I’ll have it taken care of momentarily.”

Panto should probably warn him but it would fall on deaf ears. He does back away from Bartine so he doesn’t get hit by any stray bullets. Getting shot once was enough for him to decide never to go through that again.

The doctor looks at him briefly, a look of confusion passing over his face. If he wonders why Panto isn’t trying to save his friend he doesn’t mention it.

“I should warn you, that’s probably not going to work and your floors are really nice so that seems like a bad idea.” Bartine says.

The doctor ignores her and gives the command to fire.

Just like Panto thought, every shot misses. Bullets whiz past Bartine and dent the floor, the walls, and even the doctor’s desk. Panto sighs to himself, he’s going to have to clean that up.

The doctor openly gawks at Bartine once the assault is over. “Panto!” Oh. First name basis now. Unusual and a first. “Explain.”

“Bartine can’t die. Bullets, knives…whatever you throw at her just doesn’t work.”

“They haven’t tried a nuclear bomb yet. Curious how that would go honestly.” Panto nods in thought. That would be interesting to see.

“Well that makes no scientific sense.” The doctor says petulantly. He has one of his badniks scan her and Bartine watches it curiously, head tilting in confusion.

“Your egg things are funny looking, are they a new kind of weapon?”

“E- Egg things?! I’ll have you know my babies are highly advanced weapons of mass destruction!” The doctor sputters in indignation.

Watching them bicker like this is weirdly pleasant. It feels right and for the first time Panto almost feels like he belongs here in this world.

It’s a bittersweet feeling.

“You know, it’s funny, usually the universe tells me to kill people who shoot at me but the universe isn’t telling me to kill you.” Bartine says, an inquisitive tilt to her head.

“That is the second time you’ve mentioned the universe speaking to you. What in the hell are you talking about?”

“The universe speaks to her and tells her what to do.” Panto explains.

“Well that’s just…stupid.”

“You’re stupid. And so is your mustache.”

The doctor sputters while Panto barks out a laugh. He tries to stop it but it just comes out of him. And then he’s laughing until he’s nearly doubled over.

“I’m - I’m sorry doctor it’s just -” He tries to get out in between laughter. The doctor is looking at him weirdly while Bartine smiles at him, wide and unrestrained.

It strikes him suddenly that this is the first time he’s laughed since -

The thought is like a bucket of ice water.

It feels like a betrayal to be happy while Silas is lost to him forever.

“I’m - I’m sorry I need -”

Bartine looks at him with concern now, she makes an aborted movement towards him but he shakes his head slightly. The doctor meanwhile is staring at him. Always staring, cataloging, making notes.

He needs to get out of here.

He mumbles something and retreats to the shared bathroom. It’s small which doesn’t help the sudden onslaught of too little air and not enough space.

But it has to do.

He sits there with his thoughts for who knows how long. Thinking of Silas and staring at his painted fingernails.

Chapter Text

Bartine becomes a semi regular at the lab. She comes and goes. The doctor shoots at her every time. She seems to have fun with it though and deep down, Panto thinks, the doctor probably does too.

Before he knows it, three years have passed since he's been employed by the doctor. They've fallen into a routine that works for them. The doctor is still temperamental and sometimes that leads to an explosive argument between them but those have become less and less as the years have progressed.

It's at the start of year three that Panto learns the doctor has a guilty pleasure. A show by the name of La Ultima Pasion. TV is one of those things that fascinates Panto about this world. One of the other agents recommended a show called Love Island and he wanted to punch the TV in frustration.

Truly a fascinating invention.

He's also discovered that they're shows that mirror his own world. Fantasy it's called. He likes watching those the most. It's both relaxing and bittersweet.

He discovers the doctor's obsession with La Ultima Pasion (a show he's learned is part of a genre called ‘telenovela’ and has been running for 50 seasons) completely by accident.

“What are you watching doctor?” He asks, holding one coffee for the doctor and one tea for him. Try as he might, he just can't like coffee, especially not the ridiculously sweet kind the doctor likes.

“Jesus fucking christ! Don't sneak up on me like that agent!”

The doctor practically jumps a foot in the air, arms flailing wildly to turn off the TV. Panto raises an eyebrow. He's not a sneaky person and he doesn't think he ever will be. The doctor is just surprisingly easy to startle.

“Apologies. The show just looked interesting.” It's true. From the little he saw of it it did look interesting. There was a plot involving twins that sounded incredibly engaging.

The doctor squints at him. “You think this is interesting?” There's a hint of skepticism in his voice, the doctor's natural paranoia seeping through. But Panto’s always been good at reading people and he can tell there's something else there. The doctor is at his core a deeply lonely person, if the hints of his poor childhood are any indication. He craves friendship and human connection somewhere deep down, although he would never admit it.

In some ways, it reminds him of Silas. How he was so very lonely and unsure of himself. He put up a brave front but Panto knew what it was. A suit of armor to protect from a world that has been so unkind.

The doctor and Silas are similar in that way. Both wearing their own suits of armor to protect themselves.
“I do.” He answers honestly and the doctor stares at him, most likely looking for any hint of a lie.

“Hmph. Well at least you have some semblance of taste.” The doctor turns away from him and back to his show. Panto wonders if Walters is aware that he watches shows on government time but if he did it’s not like he could stop it.

“Tell me about it?” Panto asks genuinely. And the doctor does.

He launches into a long tangent covering the show's long and sordid history. The show centers around Gabriela and her love between two men, Pablo and Juan. Twin brothers that frequently fight for her love. There’s also plots of stolen babies, a long lost grandmother who at one point had a thing with Pablo, and at one point Gabriela became a spy.

“It’s actually more complex than people give it credit for but leave it to the ignorant masses to not understand true genius when they see it.”

Panto nods. He disagrees with the doctor’s misanthropic view of humanity but the show does sound intriguing.

“It reminds me of home in a way.”

“Oh? Am I about to get your tragic backstory finally?”

Panto chuckles, it comes out maybe more bitter than he intends. “There’s not much to tell. I come from a place far away and there was a lot of fighting. Over everything that at the time seemed so important and now just seems pointless. Well, maybe not everything.”

“You realize that explains barely anything right?”

“It’s…difficult to explain and maybe more than hard to believe.” With how the doctor reacted to Bartine he doubts the fact that he’s from an alternate universe created by a scared 10 year old would be believed.

Plus he’d probably end up as one of his experiments.

Still, the doctor makes a motion to continue and so Panto does.

“My family were simple farmers, we believed the land was sacred. It was a good life, a peaceful life. We had our squabbles with another family but nothing too serious. At least, not until I met…him. Silas. We grew up together and naturally we fell in love. How could I not? Silas was so easy to love after all.”

“And I take it he broke your heart and you never got over it. Blah. Blah. Typical and boring.”

Panto bristles slightly at the doctor's easy dismissal. It's expected but still gets to him a little.

“He would never.” He says maybe more harshly than he intends. “He - he's just no longer here.”

It's far more vulnerable than he wants to show the doctor but there’s really no better way to put it.

“That’s why you shouldn’t get attached to anyone, agent. Sentimentality will make a fool of you. Always.”

The words are said with the doctor’s usual indifference. Like he’s imparting some great wisdom that should be obvious to everyone.

But Panto has always been good at reading people and he suspects the doctor is not being entirely honest with himself or Panto.

The doctor goes back to his telenovela, seemingly deciding the conversation is over. Panto watches in open curiosity. Asking the occasional question which inevitably leads to a 40 minute rant about theories and events.

Chapter Text

“Can you believe the shit Walters asks us to investigate? A strange energy signature? Really? As if this is even in our job description.”

At some point in the ten years they’ve worked together they’ve become a ‘we’. Panto’s not even sure when it happened or if the doctor’s even aware of it.

The years have gone by far too quickly for Panto’s liking. The greys in his hair and crows feet around his eyes evidence of how much time has passed. Panto thought him and Silas would grow old together and now he’s faced with the very real possibility of that never happening. With every year that passes he loses hope just a little more. The updates from Todd and Dirk have mostly consisted of ‘look at this cool thing we saw on an investigation! :D’ and little else. Panto knows it’s their attempt at cheering him up in some way but he can’t help but feel they’ve given up. Their wedding was nice though. He brought the doctor along as a plus one and he surprisingly had a good time even though he complained about everything.

But Panto knew it was mostly for the sake of complaining.

The wedding also caused him to make the worst mistake of his life: dating. In a fit of desperation and loneliness he signed up for a dating app a fellow agent recommended. He went on one date with a man who looked just enough like Silas that he could pretend, got way too drunk at dinner, took him home for an ok one night stand and then threw up in the morning when the realization of wrong wrong wrong cheating wrong hit him.

So he’s never doing that again.

He shakes himself from the reminiscing to focus back on the doctor.

“Technically our job is to investigate whatever G.U.N decides we need to investigate so yes, I’d say this is our job.” He pauses for a minute while he thinks. “And no, you can’t put out a hit on the higher ups again.”

The doctor huffs in annoyance. The homicidal tendencies were hard to break in the beginning but really it all came down to Panto being the bigger threat. The doctor still has his moments but Panto catches most of them.

“Well we better just make sure they know who’s in charge shouldn’t we?” The doctor grins at him and Panto sighs just thinking about the complaints he will have to field. Working for the doctor is an exercise in patience.

They exit the mobile lab to talk with Major Bennington about the situation, there’s maybe a dozen G.U.N soldiers milling about. They don’t seem to be doing much of anything. Odd. Panto thought they would at least be trying to locate whatever the cause was.

“Oh great it’s you.” Major Bennington says upon seeing them.

Panto remembers him from the time the doctor insulted him for daring to speak with him out of turn. He doesn’t remember what the Major said but the doctor was very creative with the insult.

“You can go now, somebody who can actually do something has arrived.” The doctor says smugly but Benington doesn’t back down.

“Actually, doctor, we have it covered. Already captured the cause.”

The doctor narrows his eyes. “Did you now? Somehow, I find it very hard to believe that any of you pea brained simpletons could actually do something useful.”

“This ‘simpleton’ just did your job for you. Not like it was hard.”

“What even was it?” Panto interrupts. If this continues they will be here all day. Best to just get to the point.

The doctor opens his mouth, no doubt to scold Panto for daring to interrupt but Bennington beats him to it. “A man calling himself Silas dressed in some medieval get up claiming he’s from someplace called ‘Wendimoor’. Probably -”

Panto is interrupting before he's consciously aware of it, his breathing picking up. He steps in front of the doctor to get up close in Bennington's face, the doctor making an indignant noise behind him. “Where?” He demands.

Bennington looks at him in confusion, taking a step back. “In that tent over there but like I said -” Panto doesn’t let him finish before he’s making a beeline for the tent Bennington pointed out. His heart is pounding in his chest. Silas. After all these years. The doctor is shouting something behind him but he ignores it, his thoughts a running loop of Silas Silas Silas Silas.

The two agents stationed at the tent look at him in surprise, one of them makes a movement to stop him but Panto pushes him aside. Whether because of his years of decorated service or the fact that the doctor would no doubt annihilate them in a heartbeat Panto doesn’t know nor does he care, whatever it is prevents them from retaliating. He’s entering the tent and there, sitting up on a cot, is Silas. He looks so scared, there’s a man standing far too close to him holding a gun and Panto sees red.

“Get away from him.” He shoves the agent away and goes to stand in front of Silas, unsheathing his scissor swords to level them at the agent’s throat.

“Panto?” Silas says behind him, his voice sounds so hopeful and full of relief and Panto aches to hold him finally but he needs to make sure he’s safe first. There’s too many unknown variables and Silas is too vulnerable. There’s no Francis in this world after all. If something happens…

His hand tightens around his sword at the thought.

There’s too many agent’s. One in front of him, two outside and at least a dozen more scattered around the area. He could take them out but with Silas -

“Panto. Stand down. And you, agent nobody, better not be thinking about shooting my agent.” The doctor finishes this with a wiggle of his gloved fingers, his typically maniacal grin firmly in place.

The tension in Panto’s shoulders releases slightly, the doctor has his back much to his surprise. Even if he doesn’t know what’s going on and will most likely interrogate Panto later he at least has backup.

Panto takes a step back from the agent and closer to Silas. His sword is still pointed at him but at least now he can reach a hand back for Silas to hold. He takes it, his hand trembling slightly which just makes Panto’s anger grow. How dare they? How dare they make him afraid?

The doctor looks at their joined hands and raises an eyebrow but even he knows now is not the time or place for questions.

“What the hell do you two think you’re doing?” Bennington practically shouts from the entrance to the tent.

Panto looks at the doctor. “Doctor, please.” He’s never begged him for anything but he needs him to fix this. Panto is just one lowly agent, a decorated one sure but still just an agent, the doctor on the other hand outranks everyone in here.

The doctor meets his eyes, gaze calculating. “I’m taking over here.” He announces and Bennington starts to protest. “A-bup-bup. I outrank you remember? What I say goes. Now get the fuck out.”

Bennington opens his mouth but the doctor raises a single gloved hand, fingers tracing threateningly over the buttons.

The tent is cleared out and Panto sags with relief. He turns towards Silas, immediately going to his side to join him on the bed. “Silas, you’re here.” He takes his face in his hands. It’s been too long since he saw him. He’s still so beautiful. His memory didn’t do it justice. “You haven’t aged a day.” It’s true, Silas still looks the same age as when he last saw him.

“Your hair.” Silas breathes, twirling a grey strand between his fingers. “I must say, it’s a good look on you.” Panto chuckles and leans in for a kiss like he’s dreamed about for years.

“Care to tell me what the hell is going on, agent?” The doctor interrupts, sounding positively scandalized. Right. Panto forgot they weren’t alone.

“I’ll explain everything doctor just… please, give us a minute.”

The doctor’s jaw clenches as he glares at the two of them. “Fine. But make it quick.” He leaves with a flourish of his coat and Panto turns his attention back to Silas.

“I can’t believe it, love, you’re here. It’s been too long, I had given up hope.”

“I know, far too long.” Silas kisses him and Panto melts into it. It’s been over a decade since he’s felt the unique sensation of his lover’s lips, how they slot together perfectly, the softness of his lips and the warmth.

He pulls back reluctantly, he doesn’t know how long until the doctor’s patience runs out and he doesn’t want to risk it. “How did you get here? I thought all the portals closed? I looked but…” He trails off, not wanting to relive the years of isolation he endured.

“Wakti and Farson helped me. It took us a year to be able to make a portal to you. And even then it was only one way.”

There are several things about that revelation that spark several questions to come to mind. But the most pressing one is the one he’ll tackle first. “One way? But Silas…your family.”

Silas nuzzles against his neck. “Farson and Wygar understood and my mother…I think she understood. In her own way. I didn’t know if you could find your way back to me and the thought of living without you was unbearable.”

Panto understands that all too well. He was faced with thoughts of his own lifetime without Silas and it was unbearable.

He pulls Silas closer, a feat that should be impossible with how close they are already but he manages, pulling him into his lap almost. Silas huffs out a laugh against his neck and Panto kisses him against the side of his head.

“I know my love, these past twelve years have been near impossible.”

Silas tenses at that before pulling back slightly. He’s looking at Panto in confusion and worry. “Twelve? My love, it has only been one.”

Silas did say that before didn’t he? But that makes no sense but the doctor might -

He almost groans aloud at the realization that he really is going to have to explain everything to the doctor.

“Panto what is it? What's wrong?”

“Nothing Silas, I just realized it’s time to introduce you properly to my employer.”

—-----------------

The doctor hasn’t stopped pacing after he’s finished his explanation. They’ve moved to one of their nearby labs, it’s smaller but the doctor in his infinite paranoia always wanted to be prepared in case G.U.N ever tried to take him out.

He’s muttering to himself while Panto and Silas sit side by side. Panto hasn’t stopped holding his hand ever since they left the tent, needing to know that this is real and Silas is really here.

The doctor is muttering to himself while he paces. Panto can just make out the words ‘alternate realities…portals…time dilation…’ but whatever conclusions the doctor is coming to are lost on him. Silas is looking around him in wonder at all the machinery.

The doctor finally stops his pacing and narrows his eyes at Silas causing Panto to tense. Him and the doctor have become what some might call ‘friends’ these past ten years of working together but if he touches Silas…

The doctor rolls his eyes. “Relax agent, I’m not going to touch your boyfriend. I just want to scan him for a second, see if he’s still giving off that weird signature and then I have some questions.”

Panto relaxes slightly and a badnik floats closer to them both. Silas grips his hand tighter and tenses next to him. “It’s ok love, it won’t hurt you.” It better not if the doctor is truly as smart as he claims.

A red light washes over SIlas as he’s scanned, the badnik beeping once done. Silas tilts his head. “It’s kind of…cute?”

The doctor bristles but Panto chuckles and kisses the side of Silas’ head. “If you saw them in action I don’t think you’d be saying that love.”

The doctor grumbles something to himself that Panto ignores. “Well that energy signature seems to have calmed down at least. Congratulations Panto, your boyfriend’s not radioactive or in danger of exploding. Now, questions.” The doctor turns his attention fully towards Panto. “An alternate dimension? Really agent? And you didn’t think I would want to know about this?”

“I didn’t think it necessary to tell you, nor did I think I would be believed.”

“Well obviously I would’ve thought you insane but still, keeping secrets is not something I can have in my agent.”

“‘My’?” Silas questions softly, looking at Panto in confusion.

Panto sighs. “The doctor is maybe more than a little possessive of his things.”

Silas doesn’t say anything more to that other than a simple ‘oh’. Which means they will be talking about it. As well as other things. Silas is going to want to know about what he was up to in those twelve years after all. Which means Panto is going to have to confess about something he’d rather not think about.

That does lead him to want to ask a question of his own, if only to delay the inevitable. “Doctor, why is it that only a year has passed for Silas? That hardly seems to make sense.”

“Oh that? Time dilation. Easy. I could explain the specifics to you but that would require you to understand relativity and I somehow doubt you two do.”

Panto ignores the dig and nods. He’s not really sure what time dilation is but he can always look it up later. He supposes in the grand scheme of things it doesn’t really matter anyways. Silas is here now.

“Oh and I do expect a blood sample from the two of you. I want to see how different your biology is to mine. Would love to take a tissue sample but something tells me you’d have an issue with that.” Panto glares at him in response.

The doctor goes to his desk at the center of the lab and waves them both off. “There’s a spare room somewhere in the back I never use. You two can use that.” He pauses for a minute. “Just keep it down if you do end up copulating all right?”

Silas blushes profusely but Panto just sighs, already used to the doctor’s blunt way of speaking. “Go on Silas I’ll…be there in a minute.”

Silas looks between him and the doctor, his expression is unreadable. It makes Panto nervous. He knows Silas the best out of everyone, he’s always been able to read his expressions.

Could that have changed?

“Don’t be too long though, ok?” He smiles at Panto but it doesn’t quite reach his eyes, before kissing him on the cheek.

“What is it, agent?”

Panto goes to stand beside the doctor so he can look at him while he says what he needs to say. “I just wanted to thank you, sir. For your help and trusting me.”

The doctor barks out a laugh before going to stand, so close to Panto that he feels his warm breath across his face. “Help? Did you think I did that for you? Out of, what? Affection? No Panto, you owe me now.”

Panto sighs, of course the doctor wouldn’t admit that he did something out of the goodness of his heart. He still remembers the slip up with his name. The doctor is maybe not as subtle as he’d like. “Sure, whatever you say doctor”

He goes to return to Silas, looking forward to holding him all night like he’s dreamed of since they parted.

Chapter Text

Silas found the room ok, thankfully. Panto finds him staring at one of the walls, where a blueprint for an early badnik design has been hung up. The room is sparsely decorated, with sleek white walls and a single king size bed in the middle with black sheets on top. There’s an en suite bathroom off to the side that Panto will definitely be using later for a much needed shower.

“Did your…doctor draw this?” Silas asks him. It’s a little stilted, the slightest hesitation around the ‘your’ that Panto picks up on.

“He did, and he’s not my anything. Just an employer.” He comes up behind Silas to wrap his arms around him and rests his head on his shoulder. “I missed you.”

“I missed you too.” He can hear the grin in Silas’ voice. God how he missed him. You never notice all the little things about a person until they’re just gone.

He pushes himself further into Silas’ space, pressing himself flush against him and delighting in the way Silas melts against him. “Let me show you how much I missed you, my love.” He murmurs against his neck.

Silas tenses slightly, too subtle to be noticeable but Panto knows Silas better than he knows himself. “What if yo - the doctor hears?”

The slip up does not go unnoticed but Panto ignores it for now. “He’s probably so lost in whatever brilliant invention he’s working on to notice.”

Silas twists himself around to face Panto, a little difficult with the tight hold Panto has him in but he manages, he looks up at Panto with an expression he can’t read. “Panto it - it has been some time…I would understand if…” He trails off. Panto gently places a finger under his chin and tilts his head so he can look him in the eyes.

“Understand what, my love?”

“...If you found companionship elsewhere.”

His first instinct is to deny because how could he ever consider another after Silas? But he remembers that night years ago when the alcohol clouded his mind. He remembers it in bits and pieces but it did still happen, didn’t it?

He sighs heavily, knowing that what he is about to admit to could cause him to lose Silas for good. After getting him back he knows it would destroy him.

But lying to Silas is worse.

“There was a moment…about two years ago. Todd and Dirk had just gotten married and seeing them so happy…I’m not going to make an excuse for it, Silas. I was drunk and thought you were dead or lost to me forever.” He’s nervously rubbing a thumb across Silas’ cheeks the entire time. If this is it he wants to savor his warmth at least.

Silas’ eyes are wet and it hits Panto like a bucket of ice water. This is how they end isn’t it? And now Silas is trapped here with no way home. His fault.

“I - I see. I should have known honestly. The last we saw of each other -”

Panto rests his forehead against Silas’, not even sure if he’s allowed but he’ll take whatever scrap of affection he can while he can. “Let's not speak of that again. It has haunted my dreams enough.” He breathes in deeply before continuing. “But you have to know, you're the only one. The only one I've ever thought of. Every day.”

Silas kisses him then. It's rough, the angle wrong, but they quickly adjust and Panto groans against him.

Silas pushes him back towards the bed. It's so different from their usual dynamic. Normally he's the one in charge, setting the pace for all of their encounters. This Silas that kisses him fiercely, possessively, is a new but not an unwelcome one.

His legs collide with the bed causing him to stumble awkwardly until he’s sitting down. Silas climbs onto his lap and he feels the warm weight of him press down causing him to groan. He bites at his bottom lip, another new development, fingers lightly tugging on his hair.

Panto reaches for the buttons on his doublet, a feat that is a little difficult with how Silas demands to be as close as possible. His hips rock down against him which is making everything a little hard to focus on. Silas threatens to consume him, his thoughts a running loop of Silas Silas Silas.

He does manage to get his doublet and undershirt off until warm skin is exposed to him, skin that he wastes no time kissing marks into.

“Panto -” Silas moans after he scrapes his teeth along his collarbone. “Need you. Please Panto, let me see you.”

Panto chuckles as he kisses at his rapid, fluttering pulse point. “You’ll have to let me up for that, love.” The vice-like grip on his dress shirt tightens before relaxing. This desperate, needy Silas is another new side to him. Whether it’s from their time apart or Panto’s confession sparking a need to stake a claim, Panto's not sure but he’s not complaining.

He does eventually let him up and Panto removes his dress shirt and undershirt. He goes to remove his slacks but is stopped by a gasp from Silas. He looks over, thinking there’s something wrong when he notices where Silas’ eyes are trained.

The scar that runs along his stomach. He got it somewhere around year 6 of working for the doctor after he got sloppy and ended up kidnapped. It was done with a gut hook knife, the hooked end shoved in brutally and dragged across.

He thought he was going to die that day and he remembers how he would’ve welcomed it.

The doctor saved him after that and called him an idiot for the trouble. It was probably the only time he ever saw any concern from him.

Silas reaches out a hand, tracing it across the jagged, faded scar tissue. “How did this happen?” He sounds so sad so Panto reaches up a hand to cup his cheek, knowing that touch was always comforting for Silas.

“A knife. I was captured during a mission for the doctor and this happened.”

Something darkens in Silas’ expression at that but before Panto can ask him what's wrong he continues. “How many more scars?”

“A few. I…was reckless there. For a time.” He admits shakily. The implication on why hangs heavy in the air.

Silas kisses him, softer than the earlier ferocity and Panto melts into it. He reaches to undo the buckle on Panto’s belt and it’s not long before his slacks pool around his ankles. Compared to the earlier intensity this is softer. Silas kisses him reverently and he responds in kind. He can feel Silas more intensely now that they are both left in their underwear, warm skin on skin. They fall naturally onto the bed, facing each other. The arousal still flares low in Panto's belly but he's content to take his time, it's always better when they do and historically that is rarely the case.

“Where did this one come from?” He asks, fingers tracing a bullet wound on his thigh. Panto shivers at the light, almost teasing touch.

“Stray bullet, assassination attempt on the doctor.”

Silas frowns at that but moves on. “You never had scars before, it's…difficult to look at.”

“I know they're unsightly.”

“I didn't say that. I don’t like that you were hurt but it does mean I get to relearn your body and all the ways it's changed.”

How can he respond in any other way than to kiss him slow and tender? He slips a tongue into Silas’ mouth that he moans around. Panto wraps an arm around his middle, pulling Silas flush against him. He can feel Silas’ erection against his own, intoxicating. He rolls his hips against him providing them both with the slightest friction causing Silas to gasp around a moan and buck up further for more of that friction. He forgot how perfectly responsive Silas was to everything he did.

“Do you have any oil in here?”

That’s right. They used to use oil, didn't they? Which means Panto gets to introduce Silas to lube and isn’t that an exciting thought? He thinks of all the other things he could introduce Silas to. Thoughts of using a fleshlight on him while he kisses and sucks any surface of skin he can reach come to mind.

Another time perhaps.

“This room is more mine than the doctor's, I keep a bottle in the nightstand.” He grins at him, reaching over to retrieve it. Silas frowns at that causing him to pause.

“I don't want to hear about him during this.”

Is it wrong to find your lover cute when they're jealous? It's never been an issue before. For some reason it causes a pleasant thrill to shoot up his spine. He kisses the corner of Silas’ mouth. “Of course my love.”

He does retrieve the lube, Silas tilting his head curiously at the bottle. He removes Silas’ undergarments followed by his own and his mouth waters at the sight of his lover's cock. He wants to swallow him down to the hilt, make him scream with pleasure. Fuck him into the mattress until he's a drooling overstimulated mess. His mind is filled with so many possibilities he can't decide on just one until Silas speaks up.

“Can I - can I be on top?” Silas asks him and how can he ever say no? The thought of Silas riding him, looking down at him…he could cum on the spot from just the thought alone.

“Of course.” He says instead, voice a little hoarse as he tries to bring his arousal back to baseline.

He lays on his back and Silas climbs on top of him. Panto pours the lubricant across his fingers, rubbing them together to warm them before inserting a finger into Silas who gasps and moans at the first breach. His cock is leaking pre cum and Panto wraps his hand around it, stroking him slowly and teasingly.

“Oh god - Panto I -”

He sounds so wrecked already. His entrance is so warm and tight. He forgot how good Silas felt around him. His cock twitches in anticipation as he adds another finger.

“I - I thought about this. Used my own fingers but it never compared.” Silas manages to get out. Panto can picture it so clearly, Silas desperate and using his own hand as a replacement. After all, hadn't Panto done the same?

“Fuck, I did the same thing. Silas -” He grits out. His hips jerk up subconsciously, an act that doesn't go unnoticed by Silas.

“I've neglected you during this haven't I?” Silas has never sounded that sultry before. He traces a finger along Panto's shaft, from tip to base.

“God. Silas –”

Silas rocks back against his fingers, he adds a third and Silas takes him so well.

“Do you think you’re ready for me my love?”

“Yes. Panto please!” Silas begs. He's a vision as he pushes back against his fingers while simultaneously thrusting into his tight grip and stroking Panto's cock. Panto removes his fingers, Silas whimpering at the loss, to lube his cock and line it against Silas’ entrance.

Silas doesn't need much prompting as he sinks down to the hilt. Panto holds his hips in place while he adjusts, it has been a while after all.

“Fuck Silas - you feel amazing.”

Silas’ insides hug him so tightly. He rubs his hands up and down his sides, watching how his face screws up in pleasure. “You’re perfect.” He says because it’s true and he watches as the flush on Silas’ cheeks spreads down to his chest.

“I forgot - ah - how good it feels to have you inside me.”

He grips his hips tightly while Silas sets the pace. He’s content to let Silas be fully in control but then Silas makes a noise somewhat like a whimper and he can’t resist snapping his hips up on the next downward stroke, jostling him and causing him to let out a deliciously loud moan.

He makes sure to do that again and again as Silas picks up the pace, wrapping a hand around Silas’ neglected cock. He’s so close but he wants to see Silas fall apart first, it’s all he’s been able to think about. Silas’ hips stutter slightly at Panto’s touch but he doesn’t stop.

Silas does cum then, spilling across Panto's stomach. Panto buries himself inside him all the way to the hilt as he finishes with a groan. Silas collapses against him, laying his head on Panto's chest as they both breathe the other in.

He slips his softening cock out and pulls Silas to his side. They become a tangle of limbs as he holds Silas in the afterglow, legs interlocking together.

Silas looks at him with a dazzling smile, skin flushed and glistening with sweat.

“You're beautiful.” He says, caressing a hand down the side of Silas’ face.

Silas leans into the touch, a content smile on his face. He missed this so much. Silas is always beautiful but here, in the afterglow of sex, is something special.

They fall asleep like that. Wrapped up in each other. For once, Panto’s sleep is peaceful.

Chapter Text

Robotnik doesn't sleep on a good day. His agent has gotten his streak down from 72 hours to 24 through sheer force of nagging.

Usually by now Panto would have dragged him off to bed and Robotnik would grumble but eventually succumb. It's their routine which is why he’s so pissed off, clearly. He hates having routines broken and Panto, his agent, should know that.

Instead he was too wrapped up in their guest.

He scowls down at the badnik he's working on, its internal components exposed as he solders. He's very thankful he has a pair of headphones at all of his labs, at least he can listen to music to drown out whatever disgusting noises those two are making.

He hisses suddenly as his hand makes contact with the soldering iron. His gloves don't always allow for more delicate work so typically he'll go without.

It’s never been an issue before, he’s not some amateur piddling away with his tools.

This is Panto’s and that new addition…Silas’ fault somehow. He's not sure how but the changing of established routines is causing him to be distracted, careless.

This is why humans are so inferior to machines. Always distracted by relationships, emotions, feelings. If he could just find a way to purge the whole thing he would.

He sucks at his burned finger in thought.

Panto has never had a relationship before. This better not impact his ability to do his job.

And he'll probably want weekends off.

That thought sends a fresh scowl to his face. Usually they'd watch La Última Pasión on weekends. Catch up on what they missed.

Another break in the routine.

Well fine, he grumbles as he gets back to it, he'll deal with it like he always has, alone.

‐—------------------

Robotnik continued well into the night and into early morning, anything to distract himself. He's always been like that, needing projects whenever the thoughts get too much.

This one is no different.

Usually Panto would assist by either talking to him about some nonsense or helping but apparently the two lovebirds decided to sleep in.

So that's why it's a surprise when he goes to make his fifth coffee and sees Silas standing in the kitchen looking like a deer in the headlights wearing Panto's dress shirt from the night before.

And only his dress shirt.

Thank god it's long enough to cover everything.

“Uh…hi?” Silas says a little awkwardly. He seems distressed by the myriad of machines that are on display.

Robotnik narrows his eyes. ‘Be nice’ is seared somewhere in the back of his brain. For what reason, he doesn't know.

“Hi.”

An awkward silence settles over the both of them. What does one say to their assistant/bodyguard's boyfriend from another dimension?

He looks to the coffee maker for help.

The coffee maker remains silent.

The silence stretches on and Robotnik strongly considers saying fuck it to the coffee and leaving in what is definitely not a retreat when he notices Silas start to fidget out of the corner of his eye.

He looks over at him, eyebrow raised. Silas is fiddling with the edge of the dress shirt, tugging on it to pull it down. Robotnik rolls his eyes.

“Relax, I could care less about whatever dalliances you two get up to. Just so long as it doesn't affect his work.”

“I uh…promise it won't?” It comes out more like a question which does not fill him with confidence. Fine. He'll take what he can get.

But if they start fucking in the lab hes having Panto neutered.

Making coffee suddenly becomes of the utmost importance. It’s taking far too long to brew. Should he offer him some? As a peace offering? Does he even know what coffee is?

“I suppose I should thank you by the way.” Silas speaks up again, surprising Robotnik. He thought the conversation over and done with.

“Thank me?” No one has thanked him for anything, ever, in his life.

It's a weird feeling. Sort of like a stomachache. He hates it.

“For keeping him safe all these years.” Silas smiles some stupid dopey smile and he decides he hates that too.

“No thanks necessary.” He says far too quickly. With perfect timing his coffee is done and he can finally, blessedly, leave Silas’ presence.

He pours a cup quickly. “Help yourself to whatever's in the kitchen. I'm assuming your diet's the same as ours considering your boyfriend hasn't died in a food borne incident yet.” And with that he leaves this incredibly awkward conversation.

There. He was nice. Not a single insult.

—----------------------

Panto wakes feeling happier than he has in years. He reaches for the spot next to him, expecting the warmth of Silas and instead he’s met with cold bedsheets.

Panic threatens to claw its way inside of him.

No, last night was too real.

There’s no way it didn’t happen, no way Silas wasn’t actually here. His hands fist the sheets uselessly.

He’s on the very precipice of a panic attack when the door opens and Silas enters, looking pensive and holding a mug,

Panto’s shoulders sag in visible relief. He suddenly feels very silly for letting his thoughts spiral.

Silas brightens when he sees him and goes to crawl back into bed, being very careful with the mug. It seems he’s somehow acquired coffee. It’s then that Panto notices his attire and he just barely resists the urge to tackle him to the bed and shower him in kisses and so much more. The shirt offers little to the imagination and Panto pulls him closer, trailing a hand teasingly up his thigh to play at the hem.

Technically, his ‘shift’ should’ve already started by now but considering the doctor hasn’t busted down the door yet he’s assuming he’s being given some grace.

Speaking of, he should really have his contract revised. His current one has no start or end time and now that Silas is here he would really like to have his evenings and weekends free.

He’ll worry about that later though. Now, he gets to enjoy having a warm and real Silas who smiles against his lips as he kisses him.

“Did you wear this just to torment me?” He teases, laying open mouthed kisses along his jaw.

“I - ah - hadn’t really considered it.”

“Well it looks good on you.” The sight of Silas in his clothing is one he’s never gotten to experience. It’s intoxicating.

And the flush on his cheeks spreads so prettily down his neck.

Truly, he's a vision.

But as much as he would like to ravish Silas once again he should see to the doctor. Knowing him he forgot to, or more like neglected, to sleep last night.

Speaking of the doctor…

“Did you walk out like this?”

If possible, Silas blushes even more. He looks away almost sheepishly. “I couldn’t sleep and didn’t want to disturb you. And it’s not like I have any other clothes. I just didn’t expect to run into…him.”

The thought of the doctor seeing Silas like this is…it’s a strange feeling. Not altogether unpleasant necessarily. Just strange.

“The doctor saw you like this?” He asks casually, still trying to parse out how he feels about it. Not jealousy that's for sure.

Silas cheeks color once again. “I mean, yes? He didn’t really seem to care though.”

Yeah that tracks. As long as he’s known him the doctor has never shown an interest in the prospect of sex or relationships.

“And what did you two talk about?” He really hopes the doctor was on his best behavior. Otherwise he’d have to ‘talk’ to him and then he’d be in a mood all day.

“I thanked him for keeping you safe for me.” Silas smiles up at him, face so full of love. It’s difficult to think about those ten long years but it’s worth it because now he gets to have this. He’s never thought about the nature of his job other than ‘protect the doctor’ but in a way hasn’t the doctor done that for him too? Whether it was intentional or not he gave him a purpose, friendship.

Even if it started with a few bumps along the way and he had to drag that friendship out of him kicking and screaming.

Maybe he should thank the doctor for that too.

Silas takes a sip of his beverage before pulling a face. “This is…very bitter.”

Panto chuckles. “Normally you would add cream or sugar to the coffee to make it less bitter. I’ll show you later.”
Silas takes another sip in thought, making a considering hum. “I think I actually like it like this. It’s not bad.”

He kisses Silas again, deciding he’s stalled enough. He does have a job to do after all and he wants to know what the doctor’s next plan is. There is the issue of Silas’ appearance to contend with. Walters will no doubt want an explanation and he did threaten a high ranking government official and several agents.

He reluctantly pulls back. Time to go figure out a plan and whether or not he’s about to be court martialed. It wouldn't be the first time he was listed as a fugitive but he doesn’t want to drag Silas into it too.

“As much as I would love to continue this I should speak with the doctor about what our next step is.”

Silas pouts, for lack of a better word, it’s adorable. “I suppose that makes sense.” He lets Panto up and Panto makes quick work of getting dressed. Thank god he stocked this room with spare clothes.

Speaking of, he should really find Silas something more suitable to wear. His clothes won’t fit him and it’s not like he can walk around in his Wendimoor clothes without receiving some looks.

He’ll order something later.

He leaves the room (not without stealing another kiss from Silas) and goes to see the doctor.

“You’re late.” The doctor says in lieu of a greeting. He sounds grouchy, so no sleep then. Panto raises an eyebrow at the cup of coffee that looks freshly brewed. How many cups has he had?

Well that explains where Silas got his own. Did the doctor make him a cup in a surprisingly kind gesture?

“I apologize, doctor. I was…distracted. It won’t happen again.”

The doctor turns around to glare at him, with his hunched posture and clear dark circles it’s a little hard to be intimidated. Especially since at this point Panto knows what episodes of La Última Pasión make him teary eyed.

“That desperate to get your dick wet? Pathetic.” He sneers. Panto ignores this in favor of focusing on more pressing matters.

“What about the general?”

The doctor looks confused before Panto elaborates, reminding him that there are other people that work in their organization other than the two of them.

“Oh. Him. It’s fine, he’ll file some complaint or other I’m sure but who really cares, right?”

Panto feels like there should maybe be a more pressing response. Maybe an apology fruit basket? But so long as Silas is safe he’ll take it.

And if the general causes problems he’ll deal with it as necessary. Anything to keep Silas safe and out of some government blacksite as an experiment.

“Whatever you say, sir.” He pauses for a minute, thinking over if he really wants to say what he is about to. Might as well, he decides. “And…thank you. For keeping me safe all these years.”

The doctor hunches in on himself, a full body shudder passing over him. For a moment Panto fears he’s about to test his reaction time against badnik fire before the doctor relaxes slightly. “Don’t. Mention. It.” The words sound a little bit like they’re being forced out of him.

All right then, he won’t.

“I’ve been thanked too much in one day. Am I losing my touch?” The doctor mutters to himself. Panto wisely does not mention it.

Chapter Text

“Well, here we are.” The journey back to his apartment in Montana was an uneventful one. The doctor did get his blood sample from both of them and he seemed almost annoyed that there wasn’t anything unusual with it.

Silas walks around in his space, investigating all the pictures (most of them of him and Bartine on various adventures), they stopped and picked up some clothes for Silas and he looks so soft in his sweater and jeans that Panto has to stop himself from attaching to him like some barnacle and never letting go.

“How is Bartine doing?”Silas asks, he smiles softly down at the picture he’s picked up. It’s one of him at Bartine eating ice cream, she’s grinning wide and holding bunny ears behind his head.

“She’s doing good, last I heard, but that was a while ago. Nothing unusual. She does tend to come and go after all.” Silas nods at that and continues his perusal of the apartment.

Working for the doctor leaves him with plenty of money and truthfully Panto could afford a bigger place, something fancier, but it always felt weird. He’s had his eye on a small house out near the mountains but he hasn’t worked up the courage to purchase it. A house felt too permanent. With Silas here now, maybe he should reconsider.

“It’s nice, cozy. It suits you.” Silas looks out the back door towards his patio where Panto keeps his modest garden. “I always thought farming was something you disliked.”

“Not disliked just…felt uninteresting in comparison to other things.” He wraps his arms around Silas’ middle, resting his head on top of his. “It sort of became a way to remember home, even if it came with some hiccups along the way.” It’s true, his first harvest was disastrous but he picked up some gardening books and now he has a nice grouping of vegetables and herbs growing.

He’s looking forward to cooking for Silas in the near future with said vegetables and herbs.

“Speaking of, you must be starving. Allow me to make you something.”

Silas turns slightly and Panto can see him raise an eyebrow. “You cook?”

Panto pulls back in mock offense. “I’m sorry which one of us had an entire castle full of servants again?” He teases, if only to see the adorable way Silas pouts at him in annoyance.

He lets go of Silas to head into the kitchen, Silas following closely behind.

Silas leans over the kitchen island while Panto pulls the ingredients he needs and gets to chopping the tomatoes. Silas already looks so at home, so at ease that it fills Panto with a pleasant warmth.

“I’m looking forward to being impressed then. But just know, my standards are quite high.” Silas teases back.

“Prepare to be amazed then.”

—---------------

Dinner is a simple affair. Panto chose to make a simple pasta dish with a tomato cream sauce. Nothing fancy but it pleases Silas all the same.

Night has settled in fully and Panto takes his time to admire how the shadows play along Silas’ face. His thumb idly rubs a pattern along Silas’ hand.

“What?” Silas asks, there’s the slightest flush on his cheeks. Adorable.

“Just admiring. You’re beautiful.” Panto says honestly, because it’s true and because he gets to say it as many times as he likes now.

The flush gets deeper and Silas debates something for a moment before he gets up. Panto has only a moment of confusion before Silas plops himself in Panto’s lap pressing his weight down on him, Panto reaching his hands up to grip either side of his waist.

“There is one room you haven't shown me on your tour.” Silas whispers against his lips. If he's trying to seduce him, he's certainly succeeding.

“Oh? And what's that?” Panto grins, more than happy to continue this game even if he wants nothing more than to bend Silas over his kitchen table and take what's his.

“Your bedroom of course.” He kisses him then and Panto presses his crotch down harder against his own so he can feel the effect he has on him. Silas makes a noise between a gasp and a moan and he grins.

“I seem to remember a time when we could enjoy each other's company without sex.” He teases.

“It's been a long year, my love.” Silas mumbles.

He does know. It's been long for him too after all.

“In that case, how rude of me to keep you waiting.”

Panto has always been strong. And while Silas is by no means weak (despite what those around him say) he delights in the fact that he can pick him up at will.

Silas makes the most adorable noise of surprise while he does so, his hands quickly latching on to the back of his neck. He carries him to the bedroom to gently lay him across the bed.

Silas already looks so wonderfully dishevelled. His sweater riding up to show the barest hint of skin. Panto can make out a visible tent in his pants and he wants to absolutely devour him.

“I um - how can you stand these clothes? They're very uncomfortable at times like these.” Silas moves to undo the buttons on his pants but Panto gently bats his hand away.

“Please, allow me to relieve some pressure.” He unbuttons Silas’ pants slowly, enjoying the way Silas squirms as he pulls the zipper down at an agonizing pace.

When Silas’ boxers are revealed he leans forward to mouth along his length.

“Panto please -”

His cock jumps and twitches against his mouth and he needs to taste him. He wants to make him come apart with his mouth.

Once he's decided he's teased him enough he pulls down his underwear, exposing Silas’ cock to the cool air.

He's always loved it, shorter and thicker than his own but no less perfect. He's always loved to worship it and he wastes no time doing that now as he takes only the tip into his mouth, swirling his tongue around the sensitive glans of the head.

Silas moans at his attentions, only spurring him on. He reaches a hand up to fondle his balls just the way he knows Silas likes and Silas rewards him with a hand in his hair and another beautiful moan.

“My love I - I need -” Panto pulls off of him in a silent question. He doesn't stop fondling his balls in a gentle caress though, his other hand coming up to stroke him idly.

“Yes my love? What do you need?” Silas looks like he's having trouble forming thoughts, let alone complete sentences but he manages.

“I need more. Please Panto, I need more.”

Well how can Panto deny such a beautiful request?

“Take off your clothes.” He orders so he can give himself time to think. The idea hits him and he grins.

While Silas undresses he does the same, he’ll want to feel him skin to skin for this after all. He reaches into his nightstand to retrieve what he needs, the bottle of lube and the long cylindrical object that Silas stares at curiously before laying on the bed. He spreads his legs invitingly before beckoning Silas over.

Silas crawls towards him and he takes a moment to just kiss him, one hand reaching up to cradle his face while the other trails along his side. “When the nights got too lonely I would use this and pretend it was you. Watch.” He pours lube on two of his fingers and inserts them into the toy. A fleshlight he purchased on a whim really, and while it couldn’t compare to the real thing it was close enough that he could almost pretend.

Silas watches his fingers spread the lube along the toy's entrance. He inserts them slowly, making sure it coats every inch that he can reach and watching the way Silas’ cock twitches in interest. The toy has a warming feature as well as a vibrating function that he can’t wait to surprise Silas with.

“Sit in front of me.” He requests and Silas does so. He places his legs over Silas’ so he can make sure there’s no escape. He coats his palm with more lube so he can slick Silas’ cock up properly before positioning the toy over him.

The moan Silas lets out once his cock is sheathed fully inside is impossibly loud in the quiet space.

“That's it. You're doing so well for me love.” Panto praises him and he can feel the way Silas’ thighs flex and twitch under him at the praise. He reaches a hand up to tweak a nipple between thumb and forefinger. “How does that feel?”

“It's - oh - it's incredible.”

“Do you think you could handle a little more?” Panto asks, twisting his wrist just so on the upstroke and causing Silas’ hands to grip his thighs tighter.

Silas swallows but nods his head the slightest bit.

Panto presses the button on the top of the toy that turns on the vibrations and the effect is instantaneous. Silas’ back arches as his mouth opens in a silent scream. He writhes in Panto’s tight hold in an attempt to get away and go towards the sensations. It’s like his body can’t decide what he wants and Panto is more than willing to give it to him.

“Ah – Panto I can’t –”

“Come on love, let me see you come apart.” He encourages. His hand hasn’t stopped stroking up and down with the toy, the vibrations helping along the way.

It’s no wonder it doesn’t take Silas long to finish.

“Panto I’m –”

He holds the toy firmly at the base of Silas’ cock. The massaging, sucking sensation of the vibrations helping to milk every last drop while he laps along the sweat at Silas’ neck. Silas cums and it is a beautiful sight as a moan is wrenched out of him from somewhere deep and guttural.

He pulls the toy off of him so as not to overstimulate, Silas’ softening lube slicked cock slips out. His own gives an interested twitch but he can take care of himself later.

“Rest here a moment, I’ll be right back.” He kisses into his neck after arranging him on the bed. Silas gives a contented hum in response, too lost in his post orgasm haze to notice much.

Panto places the toy in the bathroom for later cleaning before fetching a glass of water and a washcloth. He returns to the room to find Silas in the same spot he left him, a relaxed smile on his face. His eyes are closed but he cracks them open when he sees Panto enter and his smile grows.

“Drink this while I get you cleaned up.” Panto says while handing him the glass.

“How can I return the favor?” Silas says, voice still a little hoarse. He gestures towards Panto’s still half-hard cock but Panto just shakes his head.

“Not necessary, I just want to hold you for now.” He settles in behind him to wrap his arms around him. Truthfully all Panto needs is just this, Silas' warmth and his presence.

The arousal is still there but he can ignore it for now, they should probably take a shower at some point. He grins against Silas’ neck at the thought.

Silas lets out a sigh before nuzzling against his arm.

—-------------

Robotnik should be happier than ever. His agent has his boyfriend back and as a result productivity is higher than ever.

It's a net positive all around.

So why does something feel wrong?

He gave Panto weekends and his evenings off and not once has Silas stepped foot in his lab.

Thank god.

It also means that their weekend watch party isn't happening. Panto hasn't mentioned it and like hell is Robotnik going to bring it up.

Well fine then, he's always been alone. He's used to it at this point. It's just…he got a little used to a routine and now he needs to get used to a new one.

Panto shows up to work each day, a noticeable smile on his face, before clocking out at 18:00 sharp and Robotnik pretends it doesn’t bother him.