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Cypher never really liked movies. At least, that's what he tells himself. Maybe it was the bittersweet memories of... (she loved movies), or perhaps it was the cliche plots of romance and the repetitiveness of action movies. So being dragged to the monthly mandatory movie night, Brimstone thought movie nights could strengthen the bond of the agents, felt like a waste of time. He had managed to excuse himself from these nights due to his busy schedule and an alarming amount of information he had about his dear leader and a certain robot. But today, he was coerced into joining the protocol because of Killjoy's irresistible offer: her soldering iron for a week. That was an offer he couldn't pass up.
Reluctantly tearing himself away from his camera after it tragically short-circuited from a shock dart (he swore he'd find a way to make his gear shockproof), Cypher begrudgingly made his way to the common room. "That damn soldering iron..." he grumbled under his breath as he approached the metal doors. Taking a deep breath, Cypher stepped forward, greeted by the door's mechanical hiss and the banter of the younger agents.
"Nah, rom-coms are boring as hell, mate! Action movies are better," Phoenix argued with Jett. Cypher tuned them out and scanned the room, finding a quiet corner to settle in for the movie night. Yoru sat in a beanbag, spectating the argument with an unimpressed expression. Sage conversed with Reyna in the small open kitchen nearby. Spotting a free comfortable spot in the far right of the couch, Cypher made his way there and settled in immediately, sitting cross-legged.
A few minutes passed, and the argument continued to escalate as Phoenix and Jett debated loudly over their movie preferences.
“Rom-coms are so cheesy! Action movies have way more excitement,” Phoenix insisted, his voice rising in intensity as he tried to make his point.
Jett scoffed, flipping her hair with a dramatic flair. “Excitement? Action movies are just explosions and bad one-liners. At least rom-coms have some heart,” she retorted, rolling her eyes.
Reyna, leaning against the kitchen counter with Sage, chimed in with a smirk. "Horror movies can be fun. Let's see who screams first," she suggested with a mischievous glint in her eyes.
Yoru, lounging in a beanbag nearby, observed the escalating debate with mild amusement. "How about we skip the clichés and go for something that actually makes you think?" he interjected casually, flipping through his phone.
Meanwhile, Cypher had sat up straight on the couch, content to observe the lively discussion from afar. He watched as the banter continued, Phoenix and Jett now debating the merits of horror versus romance, each passionately defending their preferences.
Just as tensions seemed to peak, the large door to the common room hissed open again, signaling the arrival of the remaining agents. Killjoy and Raze stepped in, deep in discussion about a new robot they were planning to build (Cypher hoped it was going to be nothing like Maxbot. The poor broker wasn't told a half-battered killer robot was in the practice range and almost had his face blown off. Thankfully, he was quick enough to duck and grab the ghost in his belt just in time to shoot the bot in the eye. Killjoy definitely got an earful after that). Their newest recruits, Clove, Gekko, and Iso, were also engaged in animated conversation. Neon followed shortly after, and Cypher's attention was drawn to a flash of blue as Sova entered last, the door closing with another hiss behind him.
‘This will be fun,’ Cypher thought, an unseen smirk forming underneath his mask. The spy observed as Sova scanned the room with mild curiosity, somehow not seeing him on the couch. Catching wind of the ongoing debate, he arched an eyebrow and crossed his arms thoughtfully.
“Maybe we should watch something that challenges our minds, like an existential drama,” Sova suggested calmly, his voice cutting through the lively chatter.
Phoenix and Jett exchanged looks of surprise, momentarily taken aback by Sova's unexpected suggestion. Reyna smirked, finding amusement in the shift of focus. "Existential drama? Didn't know you were into that, Sova," she teased lightly.
Sova shrugged nonchalantly. "There's more to life than just action and romance," he remarked, glancing briefly at Cypher, who observed the exchange with mild interest.
Cypher raised an eyebrow, acknowledging Sova's point with a subtle nod. ‘He's got a point,’ he remarked quietly to himself, suddenly feeling a sharp pang of guilt as he reminisced on what Sova said. The words struck a chord deep within him, stirring memories he usually kept buried. He thought about his family, the sacrifices he had made, and the life he once had. The reminder of the complexity and depth of human experience hit him unexpectedly hard, bringing a flicker of pain to his eyes hidden behind his mask.
The room fell momentarily quiet as the agents considered Sova's suggestion. A few murmurs of agreement rippled through the group, with Jett finally nodding in approval.
"Fine, let's give it a shot," she conceded. "Everyone, settle down!"
The shuffles of the agents filled the room as everyone scampered to a spot on the floor or what space was left on the couch. As the commotion died down, Sova glanced in Cypher's direction with a mix of shock and annoyance before turning away, prompting Cypher to tilt his hat in acknowledgment, earning an eye roll from the hunter.
Unfortunately for Sova, and fortunately for Cypher, the last free spot on the couch happened to be next to the elusive broker himself. Cypher observed with quiet amusement as Sova hesitated, casting a wary glance at the other agents already sprawled comfortably on the floor. The Moroccan was sure Sova would sooner opt for the uncomfortable floor than sit in such proximity to him. But as Sova lingered, debating his options, Killjoy and Raze quickly claimed the last remaining spots on the floor. Realizing he had no choice, with a resigned sigh, Sova reluctantly took his place beside Cypher. He kept a noticeable distance between them as he leaned slightly to the opposite side of the couch. Cypher couldn't help but chuckle silently at the taller’s obvious discomfort.
Cypher couldn't resist a playful prod, his voice laced with amusement that danced on the edge of Sova's tolerance. "Afraid I'll steal your popcorn?" he teased lightly, watching Sova out of the corner of his eye.
Sova shot him a sideways glance, his expression a mixture of irritation and guarded wariness. "Keep your gloves to yourself, Cypher." he retorted sharply, his tone clipped as he turned his attention back to the movie starting on the screen.
Cypher chuckled softly under his breath, unfazed by Sova's curt response. It was a familiar dance between them—one of subtle jabs and cautious proximity. He settled back into his seat, content to watch the movie unfold while occasionally stealing glances at Sova, who remained steadfastly focused on the screen.
As the movie started and the room settled into a dimly lit silence, Cypher found himself surprisingly drawn into the storyline despite his initial resistance. The characters' plight mirrored his own in ways he didn't care to admit. Secrets, loss, and the unyielding pursuit of truth.
Somewhere during the second act, Cypher found himself drifting into an unintended state of relaxation. His mind began to unwind against his will, he shifted slightly in his seat, adjusting his position for comfort, unknowingly encroaching on Sova's space beside him.
Sova, who had been quietly engrossed in the movie's unfolding drama, felt the intrusion but chose not to react immediately. He stole a sidelong glance at Cypher, expecting some snarky remark or a defensive jibe—typical of their interactions. Instead, he was met with the sight of Cypher's steady breathing, a rare glimpse of vulnerability beneath the mask.
Curiosity piqued, Sova hesitated for a moment before subtly adjusting himself to accommodate Cypher's unintentional lean. The air between them, usually charged with rivalry and unspoken challenges, softened into a companionable silence. It was a stark contrast to their usual banter and strategic one-upmanship.
As minutes stretched into hours and the movie reached its climax, Cypher's exhaustion from the day's activities finally caught up with him. His eyelids grew heavy, his sharp senses dulled by the soothing atmosphere of the room and the warmth emanating from Sova's presence beside him. Unbeknownst to both agents, they had drifted into a state of unexpected tranquility, each finding an unforeseen comfort in the other's proximity.
The movie's end credits rolled, and the room slowly stirred back to life as agents began to stretch and converse about the film's twists and turns. Sage, always attuned to the subtleties among her teammates, noticed Cypher and Sova still nestled together in the corner. She exchanged a knowing smile with Killjoy, who subtly gestured her approval at Cypher's unintended compliance with the movie night protocol.
Brimstone's voice boomed across the room, announcing the next briefing schedule amidst the chatter. Cypher stirred awake, blinking behind his mask as he realized the position he had unwittingly found himself in. Glancing at Sova, who also seemed to be coming back to awareness, he felt a strange mix of embarrassment and reluctant gratitude.
Cypher straightened up with a satisfied smirk, adjusting his hat casually. "Looks like Killjoy owes me that soldering iron."
Sova, catching Cypher's remark, couldn't resist a small smirk of his own. "Guess you underestimated the power of a good movie," he retorted softly, his tone tinged with amusement.
Cypher chuckled softly, a rare genuine sound that broke the usual quiet of the room. "Maybe," he replied cryptically, his mask hiding the trace of a smile. He glanced at Sova, a flicker of respect in his eyes. "Not bad, Sova. For someone with such a sharp eye, you've got decent taste in movies."
Sova raised an eyebrow, a mix of amusement and mild irritation crossing his features. "Coming from you, that's almost a compliment," he remarked dryly, a hint of a smirk playing on his lips.
Cypher tilted his head slightly. "High praise indeed," he quipped back, a playful glint in his eyes.
Their banter softened into a moment of mutual understanding, a fleeting recognition that beneath their rivalry lay a potential for friendship. Cypher nodded to Sova with a genuine sense of acknowledgment before quietly slipping away into the shadows of the common room. As he disappeared from sight, Cypher couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction. Perhaps mandatory movie nights weren't such a waste of time after all. They might just provide a rare glimpse into the humanity behind the masks they all wore.