The Bondsman (a King Dice x Reader story)

Chapter One: Foolish Cups

Song: Let's Start (Tomorrow Tonight) by SMASH Cast

       King Dice was a lying, thieving, scamming, cheating, back-stabbing, double-crossing, good-for-nothing, smooth talking con-man, and it didn't bother him in the least. He was the master of his trade, a philosopher in a room of rowdy children when it came to the felt-top table. He was fluent in the way of cards, chips, and numbers, his head and thoughts always swimming with anticipation over the next big wager.

       The next victory.

       The next soul.

       This is why, when the cup brothers came tramping into the casino, he knew he had them right in the palm of his hand. Dice had played this game hundreds of times before, and rarely did he have the gall to lose.

       The rules of the game varied from person to person, halfwit to halfwit. If they were confident in themselves, it was better for Dice to lead them on: Let them get cocky, fuel their ego, make them feel unstoppable, etcetera. Then he'd snare them, or the boss would, whichever came first.

       In other cases, say if the poor fool was nervous or out of their element, it was better for Dice to make them comfortable. He'd lay out some ground rules, maybe show the fella a few tricks or drop some tips before letting them loose on their own. This version of the game was a little more tedious; rarely was a newcomer bold enough to bet their soul on the first visit. It would usually take a week or two, but eventually, they'd make the same mistake as everyone else, grow over-confident, and flub up.

       In the cups' case, it was a mixture of both. Neither had ever even been inside a casino before, let alone this one, yet they seemed to be quite within their element as they rotated around the floor.

       The older one was, anyway. The younger one was a bit more timid, and it took him a while to become adjusted to the atmosphere. Once they approached the Craps table, however, it was as good as game.

       They had picked up on the rules quickly, only watching one game before jumping in on the next round. Over and over the vermillion dice struck the back wall, each time revealing a lucky number.

       Seven. Four, set the point. Five. Six. Four. Seven. Eleven. Nine, set the point. Four. Nine. Seven.

       These fellas just couldn't lose.

       Dice made sure to tell them that; that they couldn't lose. As one became over-zealous, the other became nervous. Sweat started to build, and the once lively air suddenly became heavy and hot.

       "Hey Cup, maybe we should step away," the younger one urged, suddenly feeling uneasy. His brother simply scoffed.

       "You kiddin' Mugsy? We've got this in the bag! Besides, you heard Dice! We can't lose!" Cuphead shot the dice again, watching intently as they struck the back wall, spun, then stilled.

       Seven. A winning number.

       Cuphead straightened, chest puffed and chin high.

       "See? What'd I tell ya'? Can't. Lose."

       Mugman only frowned, the heat surrounding them suddenly rising to a broil.

       "Nice run, boys," laughed a newcomer. All heads swiveled to meet the stranger, a gasp escaping the brothers as they spotted him. It was the casino's owner–the Devil himself. He kept a smile plastered onto his face, almost seeming approachable if not for the ill-intent hiding behind his eyes. His grin widened. "Now, how about we raise the stakes?"