Work Text:
Filin.
Brother of Steel and String
Alexander felt that he was not fighting enough even after being awarded the honorary title after dozens of battles.
He needs to get better.
Stronger.
How fun. He thinks about his shortcomings even before his imminent death. The unexpected attack on the outpost was repulsed with heavy losses, the faces of close comrades are stained with blood and dirt and can’t be recognized, but Novikov, with all his desire, wouldn’t be able to look at familiar faces, focusing on the wound in his leg. He hears people searching for survivors in the distance. He should shout back, but his throat is sore from the sand and dust. His fingers are tangled in an attempt to tear off a piece of clothing.
It's his fault. He made a mistake, he let everyone down, everyone was counting on him, there could have been much less losses if...
If only he was a little stronger.
"Do you really wish this?"
Sasha froze. The whole world froze and lost colors, while flashes of gold waltzed around, coming from a tall man with coffee skin and brown hair. Bright brown eyes looked with mockery, the unknown bent over the military and snapped his fingers, tightening the wound.
Sasha blinked, looking into the eyes with a golden background.
"Who are you?"
The man grinned as he stood up.
"Your ticket to a better future."
***
The days turned into years. Now Alexander Novikov has become Sova, a hunter who never misses his victims. He demonstrates his skills in protocol on a daily basis, both as a partner and as a leader, commander of their self-organized group. Sova is easily likeable and can find a common language with each member of the team.
Almost.
"Cypher asked to transfer data for the next mission. By the way, he participates in it."
Sova chuckled, turning over the documents in his hands.
"Forget about hate at least now, he is needed on this mission."
"I know how to separate feelings and work, Brimstone."
Brim looked at Sova incredulously, then sighed heavily.
"I know. After all, you're the best agent on the record."
The best. Right.
He had already heard it from a man who occasionally appeared to him in his dreams. That man was in no hurry to disappear just like that, no, he came and rewarded with advice, suggested the right way and said what was worth paying attention to when returning to the training ground. Coming into the protocol was partly his decision, for which Sova wanted to be forever grateful if he could somehow answer instead of just listen.
"What if you met a God?", Sage's enthusiasm increased noticeably after Sova's story. He just wanted to share strange visions so that the healer could carry out a month-long diagnosis. Previously, Sova hid all dreams about a man with a perky look, but lately there have been more of them for no reason. And it makes less and less sense every time. Conversations about strategies have replaced discussions about human nature. One night a guest came to share his love for tea.
Sova gave a short laugh.
"It’s unlikely that the Gods from Chinese mythology will come to me."
"Oh, no, these Gods don’t belong to a particular culture, they are rather… universal?", Sage walked over to the huge bookcase and ran her fingers over the spines of the books, the number of which exceeded a hundred. A minute later, she put an old book on the table, opening it to the necessary page. "The chosen ones from different parts of the world formed a Divine galaxy, dividing the components of human destinies among themselves. Bestowing grace and bringing destruction, they choose their patrons who will share the deeds with the Gods."
Sova nodded. He's never heard these myths, but it's not a sin to learn something new. But it’s unlikely that the old book will help him understand the reasons for his recurring dreams, which is what he told Sage.
"I'm not offering this as a solution to the problem, it's just… I suddenly thought after your words", Sage flipped through the page, quickly reading the text, and closed the book, handing it to Sova. "Read it when you have time. I know the book by heart anyway."
The hunter shrugged and accepted the book. Anyway, he had nothing to do in the evening besides training.
***
"The book must be interesting?"
Sova looked up. The blue eyepieces looked at the hunter with interest while his finger pointed at the book. Sasha closed the book for a moment, allowing Cypher to see the cover with the title, and returned to reading.
"Mythology? I didn't think you were interested in something like that…"
"I just have nothing to do. Sage gave it, I never doubt her taste", Sova flipped the page deliberately loudly, hinting at the end of the conversation. But such methods didn’t work for Cypher.
"What does it say about the War God Maark?"
Sova froze, returning his attention to the spy.
"Yes, I've heard a couple of myths. So what?"
Sova blinked again and began flipping through the collection to the page with the contents to find the chapter.
"A little bit. They mostly mention that he’s too selective, so for several centuries he couldn’t find a successor", Sova chuckled, running his eyes over three sentences under the pretentiously huge headline. "And there is no equal to him in battles."
"That's all?"
"That's all."
Cypher tsked displeasedly and pulled away from Sova - and when did they manage to touch shoulder to shoulder? - to lean against the wall, crossing his arms offendedly.
"Amateurs. They missed so much information!"
"I didn't know you were an expert of his mythology", - Sova slammed the book shut after hearing static from the radio. Brimstone announced the arrival of the target. The man reloaded the Operator, nodding to his partner. Cypher raised his Ghost.
"I’ll tell you everything about him."
And disappeared into the shadows.
To come back after a successful mission and invite Sasha to play a game of chess. For some reason, Sova couldn't refuse.
***
"One game of chess - one fact"
It quickly became a favorite game. However, the unequal. Sova had to remember events from his life while Cypher shared the story of Maark. He wasn't exaggerating when he mentioned that he knew everything about the god of War. He didn’t want to talk about himself, but Sova didn’t hope for sincere conversations.
But he secretly wanted to.
After a few tasks, Sova had to admit that it was possible to get along with Cypher. As if reading each other's minds, they quickly navigated emergency situations and often did all the work for the others. Coherence didn’t disappear even when Cypher lagged behind the team and hid in the shadows to come from behind or pass information. Therefore, after a while, no one was surprised when the names of the hunter and the spy stood next to each other at briefings.
"I'm glad you got along," Sage smiled, placing cups of hot tea on the table and gently squeezing Sova's hand. "You've become much more cheerful. By the way, do you still dream about that man?"
Sova froze, lowering his head. He realized that dreams began to come rarely. The night guest didn’t linger any longer, only leaving a small parting word, only said a little parting word and left Sasha with a smile, giving way to other dreams. Did he do something wrong? Or on the contrary, has he done enough?
"Do you know if Maark is able to get into someone's dreams?" Sova was arranging the pieces after the winning game, which he took away with difficulty after two defeats.
Cypher chuckled thoughtfully, tossing the pawn between his fingers. Sasha tried very hard not to focus on the deft movements.
"All Gods can, he’s no exception. But only to the chosen ones. They come to guide you on the right path, to help..." the spy looked up. "To punish."
A shiver ran down Sova's spine.
"But the truly cruel Gods can be counted on one hand. Most Gods respect the decisions of their wards," the eyepieces of the mask narrowed smilingly. "Maark especially."
Sova wanted to exhale. And then he wanted to slap himself on the forehead for being sure that he was interested in a non-existent God. He had a rich imagination since childhood, that's all.
Imagination was enough for an invitation to a small cafe in Italy, which Sova noticed during one of the missions. He wanted to suggest this after winning the game, but Cypher agreed to the meeting without it.
***
"You've become weak, Amir."
Amir snorted, closing the laptop lid and turning to Reyna.
"I can say the same about you. That boy doesn't look like anything worth your attention."
"So, you don't know me well," Zyanya leans over the mobile screen, which Cypher tried unsuccessfully to hide, but the woman's gaze caught on the message with the address. "An invitation? Obviously, you won’t be discussing strategies."
"It's none of your business, go back to your work," Cypher waved off Reyna. Her mockery only grew stronger.
"Did they tell you that this time would be the last?"
Cypher sighed.
"I know."
"And you continue to get on their nerves? Do all Gods of War lack the instinct of self-preservation?"
"No, I'm special. Is there anything else you need? If not, go away, I have a lot of work to do."
Reyna sighed bitterly, like a mother scolding a naughty child, and put her hand on Cypher's shoulder, gently stroking him through the fabric. She leaned over slowly, touching his earlobe with her lips.
"This mortal will destroy you, Amir. And when you realize that, it will be too late. You are already mired in sin, everything else is just a matter of time."
Later Cypher realized that the whole conversation he was shaking.
***
He doesn't think about the consequences.
He didn't think about them when he chose his outfit for the evening, constantly asking Killjoy's opinion.
He didn't think about them when he was heading to the address indicated by Sova.
All his thoughts that evening were occupied by delicious food, pleasant conversations and the warm touch of Sova's hands. They discussed everything that went beyond work. Cypher wanted to listen to Sasha's stories forever, what he said. He watched how the hunter's lips pursed in embarrassment and wanted to cover them with his own.
He forgot about the consequences when, at the end of the evening, he covered Sova's eyes with his hand, lifting part of the mask with his free hand, and fulfilled his wish, almost dying inside due to the retaliatory actions. At that moment, there were no Gods, no responsibilities, no consequences.
***
The beginning of the end came too soon.
Cypher has always been known for his foresight, but even the Gods can miscalculate. Sova was wounded, there was nowhere to wait for help and there were only two bullets left in the classic. Amir briefly studied the situation: an enemy on top of a box, two on the ground, aiming at their barrier, waiting for one of the opponents to come out.
Cypher pulled out a knife — a snake symbol encircled the handle and ended on the blade. It had seen countless deaths, blood embedded in the silver, becoming a part of it. And today the drawing will be completed.
Sasha tried to get up and reach for the arrows. Amir stopped him by firmly pressing on his chest and lowering the man to the floor.
"I'll deal."
He was unaccustomed to a slight tingling sensation all over his arm while using abilities.
He assessed the situation again and gripped the knife tightly in his hand.
After the first agonistic screams, everything was as if in a fog. The blood mixed on his hands, formed a pattern on a snake ornament, decorated the place of battle. God, glorified for his impeccable tactics, now acted thoughtlessly, wasting his abilities and ignoring the pain. Cypher exhaled as he pulled the blade from his latest victim's neck. Walking slowly, he returned to Sova and sat down next to him, leaving the bloody knife on the floor.
Adrenaline decreased, the alarm in his head receded, instead pulling out everything that had accumulated during the battle.
Anger.
Anxiety.
The fear that he might have just lost someone dear to him.
In an inexplicable impulse, Cypher pulled off his mask, touching trails of tears with his fingers. He heard Sova gasp in surprise, but it didn't matter. Revealing identity was a small thing compared to realizing the feelings that had been hidden for so long.
Sova pulled the spy towards him. Amir sobbed into hunter's shoulder, clinging to his jacket with his fingers like a drowning man to a lifebuoy.
He's really doomed.
***
Amir burst into Sova's room the same day the mission ended. He sat down on the bed, feeling uncomfortable because of the lack of a mask.
"I have to explain everything."
"I know", Sova replied, sitting down next to Cypher shoulder to shoulder. "I should have guessed why you have such extensive knowledge about Maark."
Amir shuddered, feeling his hand being squeezed by Sova's palm. But he squeezed back.
"None of this should have happened. Neither the mission, nor what's going on between us."
Pain showed on Sova's face, while Cypher felt only a growing cold in his chest. He was noticed. They're waiting for him. There will be no excuses. He stood up and let go of the warm palm.
"I have to go, Sova. Sorry."
"Wait, let's talk about everything-"
"I'm leaving forever, Sasha."
He was ready for an outraged shout.
"But why?!" Sova grabbed Cypher's hand, but he quickly pulled it away, retreating and turning away.
"My goal was to give you strength and to guide you, the goal was fulfilled."
"I didn't need a mentor, but a friend!"
More than a friend.
Cypher shuddered and exhaled shakily. He turned around with an unreadable look in his eyes. Sova could have sworn he saw tears.
"Well. Now I deprive you of both."
And disappeared in flashes of gold.
***
Days turned to weeks. Getting out of bed — training — sleep. Missions. Training, mission, training, searching for a familiar name in the list, training, hope for a meeting in a dream, morning disappointment, training.
Sometimes a game of chess. Phoenix asked to be taught, and Sova showed tactics and techniques. Today he tried to spin the defeated pawn between his fingers and dropped it on the floor, breaking off part of the crown. Cypher will kill him for damaging an expensive set.
There is pity in the duelist's eyes. He sees it in the eyes of every member of the protocol when it comes to Cypher. Especially Sage, who tried to comfort the hunter at every meeting.
"We’ll find him, Sova."
Sova hums, counting the tea leaves at the bottom of the cup. Cypher will not show himself until he considers it necessary to return. He knows it like no one else.
But he still hopes to see, at least for a moment, eyes framed in gold and soft brown curls in his dreams.
A knock on the door interrupted today's bedtime preparations. Sova got up irritably, stepping towards the door and taking a deep breath. He opens the door, preparing for a long conversation…
.. and immediately freezes with a ridiculous expression on his face.
"Amir?..."
"Hello?" Amir laughed nervously, scratching the back of his head. "A lot has happened here during my vacation, right-"
Cypher gasped as strong arms unexpectedly grabbed him in an embrace. Sova hugged the man tightly to himself, only to be immediately rejected.
"Sasha, listen, please. Patience is the key to success, didn't I say?" Amir sighed, stroking the hunter's shoulders with his fingers. "So, three news. Where to start… First of all, I'm alive, as you can see. Secondly, I’m a mortal now. Surprise. Now it will be interesting to figure out who will bring whom to the grave."
Sova smiled, bowing his head.
"And the third news?"
"Thirdly…" Cypher stepped closer, gently running his fingers over Sova's cheek and smiling warmly when his palm was intercepted to leave a kiss on it. "I'm sorry for what I said then. I didn’t know if I’d be back after another punishment. It would have been easier to burn all the bridges behind, but you, apparently, persistently built new ones. Quite a strange assertiveness."
Cypher exhaled, looking up.
"I'd like to spend the rest of my life with you. Will you let me?"
"Are you really asking?"
"It’s indecent to answer a question with a question."
Sova laughed briefly and pressed his lips to Cypher’s.
"I’ll let."