Seph leaned back into the plush leather of his couch, running a hand through his hair with a sigh of contentment.
The night had been long.
Between toying with Natalia and Clint, knocking out S.H.I.E.L.D. agents like they were practice dummies, and verbally dancing around Nick Fury—he had earned this moment of peace.
"Finally…" He murmured, standing up and stretching, his muscles rippling under his shirt. "Time for a shower and maybe… just maybe, I'll get some damn rest."
He started toward the bathroom, his fingers lazily pulling at the buttons of his shirt.
"Because tomorrow... an even bigger event is going to happen."
----
The morning sun kissed the sprawling Stark Mansion, casting golden rays through the glass windows. Birds chirped softly in the distance, and the gentle breeze of Malibu carried a sense of calm before the storm.
Today was not just another day.
It was Tony Stark's birthday.
And this year, the celebration was going to be more than just champagne, laughter, and beautiful women.
It was going to be a spectacle.
Tony, in his usual self-indulgent manner, was already wide awake, strolling through the mansion in his robe, humming a familiar tune while JARVIS listed the itinerary for the day.
"Sir, the final security checks for the evening's event have been completed. Miss Potts has ensured that all the guests have confirmed their attendance."
"Good." Tony stretched his arms, flashing a grin at his reflection in the mirror. His eyes sparkled with anticipation, the dark shadows of the past weeks finally gone.
Palladium poisoning was gone.
Thanks to Seph's ingenuity and their combined research, the new element had not only saved his life but restored him to full health.
"And the new element…" Tony glanced down at his chest, the glow of the arc reactor steadier and more vibrant than ever. He tapped it gently, a playful smirk tugging at the corners of his lips.
"Feeling good, huh, buddy?"
"Indeed, sir. Your vitals have never been better."
Tony chuckled. "Tonight's gonna be a blast, JARVIS. And not just because of the fireworks."
Across the mansion, in one of the guest rooms, Seph was stretching lazily.
Last night had been… eventful.
He couldn't help but chuckle softly, recalling Natalia's reactions during their little game of cat and mouse.
"Poor Natasha," He murmured, a mischievous glint in his eyes.
"She was fun."
But he knew that the game wasn't over, not by a long shot.
"You're not going to give up so easily, are you, Miss Romanoff?" He smirked, standing up and moving to the window.
His senses were sharp, always scanning his surroundings.
On the other side, Pepper Potts was already up and about, managing the chaos that came with organizing one of the most extravagant events of the year.
She was in her element, seamlessly juggling phone calls, emails, and last-minute adjustments.
"Make sure the seating arrangement keeps the media on one side and the VIPs on the other," She instructed one of the coordinators. "And no paparazzi inside the mansion."
"Yes, Miss Potts."
Pepper's eyes darted to the clock. The day was flying by, but her mind was elsewhere.
Tony...
For weeks, she had watched him suffer, hiding his pain behind his sarcastic wit and carefree demeanor.
But now... he was back.
The sparkle in his eyes, the spring in his step—the Tony she knew was finally back.
And for that, she had Seph to thank.
Her lips curled into a soft smile as her thoughts wandered to Seph.
"He is just so…" She murmured softly, shaking her head.
Beside her, Natalia Romanoff was keeping herself busy, overseeing the final security arrangements.
Dressed in her usual professional attire, her eyes scanned the perimeter like a hawk, making sure there were no loose ends.
But her mind… her mind was on Seph.
"Damn him…" She muttered under her breath, her jaw tightening as she recalled their last encounter.
The way he had teased her, dominated her in the fight, and kissed her senseless.
And then left like it was nothing.
"You'll pay for that, Seph," She vowed silently, her eyes narrowing with resolve.
But she couldn't deny the heat that flushed through her veins every time she thought about him.
"Focus, Natalia." She shook her head, pushing those thoughts aside. "Tonight is not about him."
As the morning faded into the evening, the mansion transformed into a playground for the elite.
Security was tight.
Natalia had ensured that every corner was covered. Armed guards patrolled the perimeter, while advanced surveillance systems monitored the entire estate.
"Nothing's getting past us tonight," She murmured, her eyes flickering to the monitors displaying live footage from every angle.
But even as she reassured herself, she couldn't shake the feeling that something big was coming.
Seph moved through the mansion with a calm, calculated grace. His eyes saw everything.
The subtle shifts in the guards' movements. The nervous glances were exchanged between some of the guests' assistants.
"Good," He thought, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips.
"Everything is falling into place."
He spotted Pepper from across the room, giving her a small nod of approval.
Pepper returned the gesture, her eyes reflecting both trust and admiration.
"Seph's got this!"
The sun had moved below the horizon, and with it, the chaos of a grand celebration.
Limos lined up outside the Stark Mansion, carrying Hollywood elites, powerful politicians, and influential business moguls.
The air buzzed with excitement as paparazzi snapped pictures from a distance, capturing glimpses of the most anticipated event of the year.
Inside the mansion, the atmosphere was electric.
Music echoed through the grand hall.
Chandeliers shimmered overhead.
Waiters weaved through the crowd, offering trays of champagne and hors d'oeuvres.
And at the center of it all… was Tony Stark.
"Welcome, ladies and gentlemen!" Tony's voice echoed through the hall, his signature charm drawing everyone's attention.
"Hope you're all ready to party, because tonight…" He smirked, his eyes twinkling mischievously. "We're going all out!"
The crowd erupted into applause, laughter, and excitement filling the air.
Seph entered quietly, but his presence was impossible to ignore.
Dressed in a perfectly tailored black suit, his sharp eyes swept across the room like a predator surveying its prey.
Beside him, Pepper Potts looked radiant in an elegant navy blue gown that hugged her curves.
And on his other arm was Hela.
Her emerald gown shimmered with an otherworldly glow, her presence commanding attention without uttering a word.
People could not help but turn their heads to the ladies as their conversations paused.
The two beautiful women were impossible to miss.
Natalia entered moments later, her dress a fiery red number that stopped everyone in their tracks.
Seph's eyes found her immediately.
"Damn…" He murmured softly, his lips curling into a smirk.
Natalia met his gaze, her expression unreadable, but her eyes were burning.
"Round two, Romanoff?" Seph teased silently, his grin widening as he raised an eyebrow.
"Not tonight," Natalia thought, but the heat that spread through her body betrayed her.
As the party roared on, Seph kept his focus.
--- ✦ ✦ ✦ ---
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