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The next morning, sunlight streamed through the glass panels of Tony Stark's villa, bathing the lab in a golden hue. The soft hum of machinery filled the air as holographic displays hovered over the workstations, projecting various blueprints and calculations.
"Well, well, wellā¦" Tony's voice echoed with satisfaction as he paced around his lab, a triumphant smirk plastered across his face. "Guess who's fallen into our little trap?"
Seph, lounging casually against the wall with a cup of coffee in hand, raised an eyebrow and gave Tony a knowing look.
"Hammer?" He asked, though he already knew the answer.
Tony's smirk deepened as he pointed a finger at Seph. "Bingo."
"Took him long enough." Seph chuckled, taking a leisurely sip of his coffee. "I was starting to think he grew a brain overnight."
Tony snorted, shaking his head. "Please. Jason Hammer growing a brain? That's like asking me to give up drinking."
Seph nearly choked on his coffee, laughing as he watched Tony pace like an excited kid. "So, he had been hooked, huh?"
"Hammer's been in talks with the military." Tony's expression soured, his mood visibly shifting. "He's convinced them to let him modify the Mark II and weaponize it."
Seph's was amused, muttering. "The Mark II?"
Tony sighed, rubbing his temples. "Yeah. My baby."
He groaned, clearly distressed. "And that idiot is going to slap guns and rockets on it like it's some kind of cheap action figure."
Seph couldn't help but laugh, hisĀ eyes gleaming with amusement. "Poor Tonyā¦ watching his masterpiece get butchered by a man who thinks aesthetics means adding more rockets."
"Don't remind me." Tony scowled, his lips curling in distaste.
"Butā¦" His eyes narrowed as he stared at the holographic projections. "It's all part of the bigger picture."
Seph nodded approvingly. "Exactly. We let him dig his own graveā¦ and when he tries to show off at whatever ridiculous event he's planningā¦"
"Boom." Tony grinned, mimicking an explosion with his hands.
Seph smirked. "Boom, indeed."
Tony's expression darkened for a moment before he scoffed. "He's probably going to try and recreate Stark Expo to show off his abominations."
"What? Like a 'Hammer Expo'?" Seph snorted, his tone dripping with mockery. "Does he think he's you or something?"
Tony rolled his eyes. "In his dreams."
Seph shook his head, amused. "Let him try. The bigger the stage, the harder he'll fall."
Tony's grin returned, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "And when he fallsā¦"
"We'll be there to make sure he never gets up." Seph's voice was calm but carried a lethal edge.
"Butā¦" Seph's tone shifted, a playful gleam in his eyes as he nudged Tony's shoulder. "Until thenā¦ shouldn't you be focusing on more important things?"
Tony raised an eyebrow. "Like what?"
Seph's grin widened. "Like those new suit ideas we talked about."
In an instant, Tony's mood flipped. His eyes lit up like a kid on Christmas morning as he practically sprinted back to his workbench. "Ohhh, right! The nanotech integrationā¦ and the stealth modeā¦"
Seph watched with amusement as Tony's mind went into overdrive, mumbling to himself and summoning various holographic projections.
"And here we goā¦" Seph murmured, shaking his head fondly. "Tony Starkā¦ lost in his genius."
Seph let Tony immerse himself in his work and decided to step outside for some fresh air. He poured himself another cup of coffee, the rich aroma filling his senses as he made his way to the balcony.
The morning breeze was cool and refreshing as he leaned against the railing, taking a deep breath. The city stretched out before him, a vast expanse of life and chaos.
"Peaceā¦" He murmured softly, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
But just as he was beginning to enjoy the momentā¦
"Tired already?"
A playful, seductive voice echoed from behind him, making Seph freeze mid-sip.
Seph's lips curled into a knowing smile as he turned around, his golden eyes meeting the emerald gaze of Natalia Romanoff.
She was leaning casually against the doorway, her arms crossed, her lips curved into a smirk that could bring any man to his knees.
"You didn't seem that tired last nightā¦" She purred, her tone dripping with mischief.
Seph chuckled, taking another sip of his coffee before responding.
"Ah, but that was last night." He gave her a playful wink. "A lot can change in a few hours."
Natalia arched an eyebrow, sauntering toward him with an elegance that was both dangerous and alluring. "Hmmā¦ I don't buy it."
"I didn't expect you to." Seph's grin widened as he watched her move closer.
"And here I thought you liked to keep secrets." She teased, her fingers lightly brushing against his arm.
"Not from you." Seph's voice was smooth, his gaze never leaving hers.
"But I'm guessing you're not here just to flirt." Seph finally said, his tone shifting ever so slightly.
Natalia's smile faded just a fraction as she leaned against the railing beside him. "Sharp as always."
"Let me guessā¦" Seph's voice dropped, his eyes narrowing. "Fury didn't buy my story."
Natalia sighed softly, her expression turning more serious. "You guessed it."
Seph ran a hand through his hair, muttering a string of curses under his breath.
"One-eyed bastardā¦" He grumbled, his frustration evident.
"Sephā¦" Natalia's voice was soft, almost soothing. "He's just doing his job."
"I know." Seph's tone was calmer now, but the irritation still lingered in his eyes. "I get it. If I were in his position, I'd do the same thing."
"Then why are you so angry?"
Seph's jaw clenched.
"Becauseā¦" His voice was quieter now. "I've changed, Nat. But no matter what I doā¦ my past always finds a way to haunt me."
Natalia's gaze softened as she noticed the way Seph's fingers absentmindedly brushed against the locket hanging around his neck.
"Thatā¦" She murmured softly, her eyes fixed on the small, worn pendant. "What is it?"
Seph's expression grew distant as he held the locket between his fingers.
"The last symbol of my old life." His voice was barely above a whisper. "Everything elseā¦ burned to ashes."
Natalia's heart clenched at the raw emotion in his voice.
"Sephā¦" She murmured, her hand gently resting over his.
"I don't want trouble, Nat." Seph's voice was firm, his golden eyes meeting hers. "But if Fury keeps pushingā¦"
His jaw tightened, a dangerous gleam flashing in his gaze. "If push comes to shoveā¦ he and I will destroy each other."
Natalia's grip on the railing tightened, her expression troubled.
"That won't happen." Her voice was barely above a whisper, but the determination in her eyes was unmistakable.
Seph's lips curled into a faint, bittersweet smile. "Let's hope not."
"Butā¦" He murmured, his gaze darkening. "Even if Fury trusts meā¦ there are still people above him. Clowns in suits who think they can control everything."
Natalia's expression hardened as she nodded slowly. "I know."
"And those clownsā¦" Seph's smile was cold now, devoid of warmth. "Are the real problem."
Natalia sighed softly, her emerald eyes meeting his once more. "Don't worry, Director Fury will take care of them."
Seph's smile returned, but it was tinged with a dangerous promise.
"Let's hope so."
--- ā¦ ā¦ ā¦ ---
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