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Seph could see the internal battle raging inside Tony, clear as day. The genius billionaire's usual confidence was nowhere to be found, replaced by uncertainty, andā¦ was that a hint of worry?
"Come on, Tony," Seph finally spoke, his tone light and teasing, breaking the heavy tension. He reached out and patted Tony's shoulder with a smirk. "Don't fry that genius brain of yours thinking too hard."
Tony blinked and pulled out of his thoughts. "Huh?"
Seph chuckled, his golden eyes glinting with amusement. "I'll tell you something about my pastā¦"
He paused for dramatic effect, his voice dropping just enough to make Tony lean closer. "But only after we take care of Hammer and Vanko."
Tony's eyes narrowed, his curiosity piqued again. "That's a pretty vague promise, buddy."
His tone was playful, but the undercurrent of suspicion lingered. "You're not just stalling, are you?"
Seph leaned back, a knowing smile tugging at his lips. "You'll have to trust me on that one, Stark."
Tony exhaled loudly, his lips pressing into a thin line as he crossed his arms. "And what if I decide I don't need to know?"
Seph's gaze softened. "Then we keep things as they are."
Tony tried to act cool, but his facade was slipping. He glanced away, tapping his fingers against the table, his expression unreadable.
"It's alright if you don't want to tell me," Tony muttered after a beat, his voice quieter, almostā¦ hesitant. "I'm not a petty person, Seph. I don't need to know everything."
For a moment, there was silence.
"Oh, I know." Seph's grin returned, warm and genuine as he leaned in slightly. "But since it's youā¦ I believe in you."
Tony blinked, his eyes widening slightly.
"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" He grumbled, trying to mask the sudden warmth spreading through his chest. "Don't get all sentimental on me."
"Too late." Seph winked, leaning back with a lazy grin. "Besidesā¦"
His gaze grew distant, his tone dropping just a little. "When the time comesā¦ you'll know why I kept it hidden."
Tony opened his mouth to argue, but stopped.
Something about Seph's tone, the weight of his words, made Tony's usual witty retorts die in his throat.
"Fine." Tony sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "But don't think I'm not holding you to that."
"Wouldn't dream of it," Seph smirked, his golden eyes twinkling with mischief.
"Cheeky bastard," Tony grumbled, but there was a hint of a smile on his face.
"You love me."
"Not as much as Pepper does." Tony quipped, but the warmth in his voice was unmistakable.
----
Meanwhileā¦
A few blocks away, a sleek black S.H.I.E.L.D. SUV cruised through the bustling streets.
Inside, Nick Fury sat in the passenger seat, his expression unreadable as he stared straight ahead. Beside him, Natalia Romanoff, better known as Black Widow, was driving, her eyes darting between the road and her boss, a thoughtful look on her face.
"You're just going to leave him be?" Natalia finally spoke, breaking the silence.
Fury didn't answer immediately. His single eye remained locked on the passing scenery, his jaw clenched tight.
"No." His voice was low, almost a growl. "Seph's an unknown factor."
Natalia's grip on the steering wheel tightened slightly.
"And unknownsā¦" Fury continued, his gaze hardening. "They are dangerous."
Natalia glanced at him out of the corner of her eye. "You've read my reports, Director."
Fury's jaw tensed. "I've read every damn word."
"Then you know how capable he is," She murmured, her voice softer now. "He's helped Tony crack the code on his suitsā¦ developed tech that's years ahead of anything we have."
"And that's exactly what worries me." Fury's tone was sharp. "A man like that? With no past?"
He shook his head, his jaw tight. "That's a ticking time bomb waiting to go off."
Natalia bit her lower lip, her expression troubled.
"Seph hasn't shown any hostility, Director," She pointed out. "If anythingā¦ he's been protecting Stark. He'sā¦ loyal."
Fury's lips pressed into a thin line. "Loyalty can shift."
Natalia sighed, her eyes flickering with something hesitant.
"And what if it doesn't?"
Fury's brow furrowed. "What are you getting at, Romanoff?"
Natalia's fingers drummed lightly on the steering wheel before she spoke, her voice quieter now.
"Sephā¦" She paused, choosing her words carefully. "He's not just close to Stark."
Fury's eye narrowed. "Go on."
Natalia's expression shifted, her lips pressing together for a moment before she spoke again. "He's in a relationship with Pepper Potts."
Fury's brow shot up. "Potts? I read about that."
Natalia nodded, her tone growing more serious. "Andā¦ his relationship with the woman named Helaā¦"
Fury's eye flashed with interest. "The one who doesn't exist in any records?"
"That's the one," Natalia confirmed, her voice almost hesitant now. "Andā¦ there's another."
Fury's eye gleamed with intrigue. "Another?"
"Sophia," Natalia murmured, her expression unreadable. "A woman he's veryā¦ protective of."
Fury leaned back slightly, his lips curling into a thoughtful smirk.
"Interesting."
"Directorā¦" Natalia began, but Fury's mind was already moving a mile a minute.
"A beauty trapā¦" Fury murmured softly, the wheels turning in his mind.
Natalia glanced at him, her brow furrowed. "Sir?"
Fury's eye glinted as he spoke, his tone taking on that familiar calculating edge.
"A man like Sephā¦" His voice was low, deliberate. "You can't outfight him. You can't outthink him."
"Soā¦ you outmaneuver him?" Natalia's voice was barely above a whisper, her gaze narrowing.
Fury nodded, his lips curling into a cold smile. "And what's the one weakness even the strongest men have?"
Natalia's eyes flickered with realization.
"Women."
Fury's smile didn't waver. "Exactly."
For a moment, there was silence.
Natalia's hands tightened around the steering wheel, her knuckles turning white.
"I can do it."
The words left her lips before she had even fully processed them.
Fury's head turned sharply, his one eye narrowing at her. "Romanoffā¦"
"He's interested in me," Natalia said softly, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'veā¦ seen the way he looks at me."
Fury's gaze was unreadable, but there was a flicker of hesitation.
"You don't have toā"
"I can do it." Her voice was firmer this time, her jaw set in determination. "I'm the best at what I do, Director. If anyone can get close to Sephā¦"
She paused, her emerald eyes flashing with something conflicted.
"It's me."
Fury was silent for a moment, his gaze locked on her.
"You're sure about this?"
Natalia's expression was unreadable, her gaze focused straight ahead.
"I am."
Fury watched her carefully, his mind weighing the risks.
After what felt like an eternityā¦
"Do it."
Natalia's lips pressed together in a thin line, but she nodded. "Understood."
As the car pulled away from the bustling streets and disappeared into the shadows of the city, aĀ dangerous game had just begun.
--- ā¦ ā¦ ā¦ ---
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