Natalia Romanoff moved like a ghost through the dimly lit construction site, her boots making barely a sound against the unfinished concrete floors. Every muscle in her body was tense, her sharp green eyes scanning the shadows.
The building was still under construction, metal beams jutted out of the floors, half-formed walls stood like skeletal remains, and scaffolding stretched toward the ceiling.
Dust floated in the air, disturbed only by the faint breeze slipping through the open spaces.
As Natalia ventured deeper, her eyes widened at the sight of the fallen agents who had entered before her. Heart pounding, she knelt beside them, fingers swiftly pressing against their necks. A breath of relief escaped her lips—they were unconscious but otherwise unharmed.
Satisfied, she rose to her feet and pressed on, moving with quiet urgency. Her steps carried her up the winding staircases, each floor drawing her closer to her goal—Seph.
Behind her, perched on a steel beam high above, Clint Barton—Hawkeye—nocked an arrow, his keen eyes tracking her movements. His job was simple: cover Natalia and take Seph down from a distance if necessary.
But so far… there was nothing.
No gunfire. No footsteps. Not even a whisper of movement.
And yet, Natalia knew he was here. Watching. Waiting.
A low chuckle echoed through the empty structure, bouncing off the walls.
"Looking for me, sweetheart?"
Natalia froze. Her breath hitched slightly as she spun around but there was nothing in that place.
Another chuckle, this time from behind.
"Come on, Nat. I thought you were good at this."
She whirled around and fired her pistol.
BANG! BANG!
Still nothing.
Then—warm breath on her ear.
"Missed me."
Before she could react, something sharp smacked against her butt.
Slap!
Natalia gasped, her face flushing red as she whipped around with a roundhouse kick.
But Seph was already gone.
Her emerald eyes blazed with fury. "You little—!"
Clint's voice crackled in her earpiece. "Did he just… spank you?"
"SHUT UP, CLINT!" She snapped, feeling her face heat up even more.
From somewhere in the shadows, Seph was laughing.
"Oh, I love this game," He mused, his voice dripping with amusement.
Natalia gritted her teeth, gripping her pistol tightly.
This bastard was playing with her.
Fine. Two can play this game.
She pressed her back against a half-constructed wall, steadying her breathing.
He's fast. Faster than she anticipated. But he was also cocky.
And cocky men make mistakes.
Her eyes flickered to her surroundings—scaffolding above, loose pipes on the ground, half-assembled walls.
She smirked. Time to set a trap.
"Clint," she whispered. "Get ready."
She took a step forward, purposely loud this time, making it seem like she was unaware.
Seph's voice came again, it was smooth and taunting.
"Giving up already, Black Widow? I thought you'd put up more of a fight."
Natalia smirked. "You know… for a so-called 'King of Mercenaries,' you sure do talk a lot."
"Oh? That hurts. Right here." Seph's voice was full of fake offense.
Then—the faintest shift of air.
There...
Natalia suddenly pivoted and fired.
BANG! BANG!
A blur of motion.
Seph dodged effortlessly, twisting his body in midair.
"Nice try, sweetheart," He teased.
But as he landed—his foot hit a pipe, causing it to roll and make a sound.
His balance faltered just for a split second.
Natalia lunged.
In a flash, she was in front of him, her leg shooting up in a powerful high kick—aimed straight for his face.
Seph barely managed to duck, her boot whizzing past his head. "Whoa! Feisty!"
Natalia didn't give him time to recover. She spun, swinging an elbow at his jaw.
Seph leaned back just in time to avoid it, but her knee slammed into his side.
Thwack!
For the first time, Seph actually stumbled.
Natalia grinned. "Not so cocky now, are you?"
Seph groaned, rolling his shoulders. "Okay, I'll admit… that stung a little."
He then jumped and vanished into the darkness.
Natalia's eyes widened. H-How? Where?!
A sharp tug at her waist.
Before she even realized what was happening, Seph had yanked her backward, spinning her right into his arms.
Her back was pressed against his chest.
His lips brushed against her ear.
"Gotcha."
Natalia's breath hitched.
"You're enjoying this way too much," She muttered, feeling the warmth of his body against hers.
Seph chuckled. "Can you blame me? You're hot when you're mad."
Before she could elbow him, Seph suddenly dipped her backward—like a dramatic dance move—and stole a quick kiss.
Natalia's eyes widened in shock.
"YOU—!"
She swung a fist at his face.
But Seph had already let go, flipping backward just in time to dodge the punch.
"Too slow, Black Widow~" He sang, winking at her.
Natalia wiped her lips aggressively, her cheeks burning. "I swear to God, Seph—!"
Clint's voice came through the earpiece again.
"Did he just kiss you this time?"
"CLINT, I SWEAR, I'LL SHOOT YOU TOO!"
From his high vantage point, Clint was laughing so hard he almost dropped his bow.
Natalia charged at Seph.
This time, she didn't hold back.
She threw a barrage of kicks and punches—each one faster, sharper, deadlier.
Seph dodged most of them, but she could tell—it wasn't as easy for him anymore.
Her attacks were forcing him to actually focus.
He wasn't laughing anymore.
He was grinning.
"Oh, there she is."
Natalia flipped, launching a powerful heel drop.
Seph caught her ankle mid-air.
But before he could counter, an arrow shot from above.
Fwip!
Seph twisted his body, barely dodging as the arrow sliced past his cheek.
A thin trickle of blood ran down his face.
He looked up.
Clint nocked another arrow. "Oops. My hand slipped."
Seph chuckled, licking the blood from his cheek. "Nice shot, Robin Hood."
Natalia took advantage of the distraction—she twisted mid-air, using his grip against him, and slammed both legs into his chest.
Seph was launched backward. He crashed into a stack of metal beams, the sound echoing through the unfinished building.
Dust settled.
Silence.
Natalia breathed heavily, rolling her shoulders. "Finally."
Clint smirked, lowering his bow. "Nice one, Nat."
But a low, deep chuckle.
Seph rose from the debris.
"Well… that was fun."
Natalia's eyes widened.
He cracked his neck. His eyes were glowing with a thirst for hunt.
"You ready for round two?"
Natalia cursed under her breath. This bastard.
Clint sighed, nocking another arrow. "You just don't know when to quit, do you?"
Seph grinned. "Come on. One more round. The winner gets a kiss."
Natalia pulled out her Widow's Bite.
"Winner gets a bullet, asshole."
Seph winked. "I'll take my chances."
And with that, the game began again.
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