I love all of your works and am I huge Cypher lover and would love to see a protective/jealous Cypher x Reader!
My first time actually writing a Cypher x Reader on request, so I hope it's okay!!! Also, this is unedited, so apologies if there are any typos!
Cypher is a man who has seen his fair share of heartbreak and carnage.
Because of this, he's extremely protective over those he holds dear, even if the relationship hasn't been discussed or officially established.
So when one day, you're out at a bar near the Protocol compound with the Moroccan surveillance expert, the events that unfold don't exactly come as a shock.
The pair of you walk into the nearest bar to the Valorant compound. It's a place that isn't exactly classy with its musty odor and walls yellowed by a combination of nicotine and time. Normally it's a place you wouldn't be caught dead in. However, the next nearest bar, club, or anything even remotely fun is another 50 miles away and you simply don't have time for that.
Hell, you're lucky you have the few hours you managed to snag as it is.
Not to mention, the bar isn't all bad. You've made friends with the bartender over time and if you ask nicely, he'll usually let you change the music to something with a little more bump to it.
As you walk in, though, you notice Cypher tense next to your shoulder. You can't tell for sure with his face hidden behind his mask, but you think he's observing the room, a habit you've noticed from him time and time again.
You give him a gentle pat on the arm and say, "Come on. It's just a few hours. What could possibly go wrong?" You would have patted his shoulder, but he stands much taller than you do.
In response, he says simply, "More than you think."
You smirk at him, ever amused by his regularly cryptic comments. "Well, stand here all you like. I'm going to go get a drink."
Without waiting for an answer, you saunter off toward the bartender, flashing him a bright pair of excited eyes as he pulls out his phone to allow you to change the music.
An hour or so in and you're not quite drunk but you're definitely a little tipsy. The bartender has been slipping you free shots here and there, much to Cypher's disdain. As a man who keeps his wits about him, he's bewildered by your ability to cast aside your intuitions for a night of fun.
As you chat up the bartender about his favorite songs and the best local hangouts, however, you notice the man who has been seated beside you silently becoming increasingly fidgety.
"Cypher," You lower your voice as your drunken smile falters ever so slightly. "Are you okay?"
You've become so used to reading his emotions even through his mask by now that you can tell his jaw has tightened by the way the material flexes on his face.
"I am just worried for your safety, that is all." You can tell he's doing his best to make it seem like nothing, but you also know better.
"Okay, okay!" You throw your hands up and laugh lightly, giving in to what you know he wants. "I'm finished drinking. I'm gonna go to the bathroom and we can leave as soon as I get back, kay?"
The material on his face flexes again, becomes looser. He's smiling under there. "Thank you."
You flash him a gentle grin and stand, stumbling a bit as your feet find the floor. Hands hook themselves under your arms, steadying you.
"Easy there," Cypher says, a hint of amusement in his tone.
"I'm alright," You affirm before wandering off to find the restrooms.
A few moments later, you walk back out onto the main floor of the bar, casting your eyes around to look for Cypher. You aren't sure if it's the alcohol or the sudden crowd that seems to have poured in while you were gone, but you can't quite locate him.
"Hey there, hot stuff." A man with a scruffy beard and a beer in hand is in front of you suddenly, placing a hand on your shoulder. "Looking for somebody?"
Your brow furrows at the contact. More of the booze you've drunk tonight hit your system while you were in the bathroom and now you're having a little trouble thinking. "Yeah, I'm looking for my friend. I can't seem to find him though."
The man in front of you grins, his teeth stained yellow and breath reeking of cigarettes. "Well, that's no problem. I can be your new friend. How about it?"
Even through the drunken haze, you can tell this conversation is going nowhere good. A pang of fear is beginning to knot up your stomach. "Yeah, I don't think so. Cy-!"
You begin to yell for Cypher, afraid of what might happen if the man in front of you gets angry at your response. Before you can, however, he puts a finger up to your lips to hush you. "Shhh." He says, "No need to shout. Let's just take a second and get to know each other. That's what bars are for, right?"
Now you're really uncomfortable. Your skin is crawling, and all you want is for the interaction to come to an end. Unfortunately, the man in front of you doesn't look like he has any plans to concede.
"Look," you say, "I really need to go."
The man scoffs angrily, taking a swig of his beer. "Yeah? Well, I'm not going anywhere until you give your number."
Your face burns at his gall, and you open your mouth to fire off a haughty retort. Before you can, however, a black-gloved hand clamps tightly onto the man's shoulder.
"I believe the lady said she'd like to be left alone." Cypher's voice washed over you, and even though his tone was laced with ice and venom, it washed over you like a warm summer breeze.
"Yeah?" The man said as he swung around to face whoever dared to confront him. "Who's going to make-"
He stopped as he finally laid eyes on your partner. While not the most threatening person at the Protocol (that was a merit reserved for Reyna), Cypher was a tall man with toned muscles that were easily visible through the white, turtleneck coat he currently had on. Combine that with a mask that revealed only a pair of piercing blue eyes, and it was a sight that made the much smaller man freeze in his tracks.
"Look man, I don't want to start anything. I just wanted—"
"I don't care." The slight R roll in Cypher's voice made it sound almost like a purr to your drunken ears, and you had to hold back a laugh as the man who had seemed so threatening a moment ago now quaked in his cowboy boots.
The man tensed angrily but nodded, lowering his head as he slinked away. Once he was gone, Cypher turned his attention toward you.
"Are you okay? Are you hurt? Did he put his hands on you?" The questions rolled quickly from his tongue as he grabbed your face with a gentle hand, turning it from side to side and then checking the rest of you for you didn't even know what.
"Cypher," you giggled, "I'm okay. You really don't have to be so protective over me."
"Oh," He retorts back, taking your hand tightly in his as he leads you toward the exit, "I most certainly do."