Chapter Text
Some ancient stories say that the four kings in the deck are representations of four great kings in human history: King David, King Alexander the Great, King Charlemagne, and King Julius Caesar.
Despite being just a legend, it shows exactly what a king should be, he should be someone who represents power, intelligence and the capacity for leadership and influence over other people.
In that casino Cypher was the king and Sova learned that in his first days in that place with his new life.
Cypher was not someone who had people's respect because of his physical strength but rather because of his enormous intelligence and his ability to manipulate. It's scary how he could destroy a person using just a few words.
But at the same time Cypher was also someone kind and quite playful with the people he was friends with. A great example was his friendship with Fade, his partner in crime and one of the good people who had Cypher's almost complete trust.
Another great example was Sova himself, during one of his first nights at the casino the Russian began to be harassed by a politician from the European parliament who was passing through Morocco.
At first Sova just ignored that man, but after a while the presence of that idiot started to bother him a lot.
-Well, well, I've been with several Russians in my life, but I've never seen one as beautiful as you. - said the man in yet another failed attempt to flirt with Sova.
-Sir, please, I already asked you to stop disturbing my work - said Sova with a clear annoyance in his voice - besides I'm not interested.
Sova then turned to leave but felt the chain on his collar being pulled, that bastard was pulling the chain with the intention of making him submit to his will.
-I'm sorry to inform you, dear, but you are just a pet and as such you must obey the orders of humans like me. - the man now had a sadistic smile on his face, after all he knew that they had the power in their hands and that no one would stop him from doing whatever he wanted with Sova.
Nobody, with the exception of one person.
Suddenly a hand began to squeeze the politician's neck, Sova and he then realized that it was Cypher who, despite always wearing a mask that hid his face, it was obvious that at that moment beneath it was a huge macabre smile.
The man released the chain from Sova's collar, but that didn't stop Cypher from continuing to squeeze his neck.
-Good evening Mr Congressman, I hope your stay at our casino is wonderful - said Cypher with an obvious false joy in his voice - however I heard complaints that you were harassing and bothering other customers and employees, and apparently the complaints they were right.
At that moment everyone was looking at them, Cypher's mere presence was capable of changing the environment around him and it was obvious to everyone that that man was screwed for messing with one of his toys in his perfect kingdom.
-This bastard is not an employee or a customer, he is a damn pet and as a human I have the right to do whatever I want with him and...
-SHUT UP - Cypher said loudly, the spy rarely raised his voice and usually spoke with a lower tone than normal, so it was definitely obvious to everyone that that man was dead.
-That man you just harassed is not just a simple pet - Cypher then tightened his grip on the man's neck - he is my pet and a personal friend, so I suggest you never mess with him again.
The man's face then began to turn blue from the lack of oxygen and he knew that no one would save him, after all no one in that casino was crazy or brave enough to challenge Cypher's authority.
But to everyone's surprise, Cypher let go of the man's neck and threw him to the ground.
-I suggest you leave here quickly, sir, after all, you don't want your beautiful wife and your beloved children to receive a very special video that shows you having sex with your secretary and your gardener on the sofa at home.
After hearing that the man quickly disappeared from there, no one questioned how Cypher knew that information and everyone went back to doing what they were doing before.
With the exception of Sova who was still on the ground in shock at what happened, Cypher then extended his arm to the Russian and asked:
-Is everything okay with you, dear?
All his life Sova hated being called dear, only his grandmother could call him that, and when he was called that way by someone other than her, he got a look of contempt and hatred. But for some reason Cypher calling him sweet didn't bother him, on the contrary it made him feel happy and with red cheeks.
-I... I'm fine - said Sova as he stood up with the help of Cypher - I'm just shocked, I can usually defend myself in this type of situation, but as they had never used a collar before, he caught me in my blind spot.
Cypher then chuckled a little and began to caress Sova's face with his hands, hands that the Russian found very sexy.
-In fact, no one is and should never be used to wearing a collar, but I can't help but think that it looks sexy on you, my little owl.
(just remember that Sova is much taller than Cypher, so the fact that he calls him a little owl is funny)
Sova once again felt his face turn red, if it had been anyone else he wouldn't have liked those words, but Cypher managed to dominate his mind in an incredible way.
It was from that day on that Sova and Cypher became closer and started to develop a friendship that little by little they both ended up developing feelings for each other, but neither of them had the courage to express their feelings.
But what Sova didn't realize was that he had forgotten to report on the progress of the mission, so Brimstone began to get very worried.
Therefore, in an attempt to find out how Sova was doing, he sent reinforcements for the mission.
That was another quiet night at Cypher's casino, Sova was making his "master's" favorite tea when the kitchen doors opened.
- I'm sorry to have to disturb our routine, dear, but tonight we will have a very special visit. - said Cypher who had an amusement in his tone of voice.
- Who is this special person who was able to catch your attention? - Sova asked as they both left the kitchen and went to the main hall.
Cypher rarely had guests and didn't like to be disturbed either.
-Let's say he's an acquaintance of yours.
Sova had a look of doubt on his face, but it quickly turned into one of surprise when he saw a familiar face among the casino goers.
Chamber was the reinforcement that had been sent and Sova knew that it would be a long night because of the Frenchman's presence.