The hum of flickering screens and the rhythmic clatter of keyboards filled the office. Pepper sat at her desk, surrounded by stacks of paperwork, her fingers typing away at an almost inhuman speed.
Opposite her, Natalie was just as engrossed, her focus unshaken as she analyzed reports and filed necessary approvals.
The weight of running Stark Industries was immense, but these two women handled it with the finesse of warriors.
Just as Pepper was about to sign off on another document, the door swung open. A gust of presence filled the room before a single word was even spoken.
"Ladies," Seph greeted, his deep, smooth voice washing over them like velvet.
Pepper barely glanced up, too caught in her work. "Seph, unless you've come to do paperwork, I don't have time for small talk."
Natalie, however, shifted slightly in her seat, her keen eyes trailing over the man who had just entered. She had been keeping an eye on him for weeks now but not a single time, she had gained the upper hand over him.
If there was one thing Natalia Romanoff knew, it was danger. And Seph radiated it.
Seph chuckled, walking over to Pepper's desk. "Actually, I came to see if you were ready to leave. It's getting late, and I figured you might want a break."
Pepper sighed, leaning back and rubbing her temples. "I wish. But I have too much work to do. Not to mention, I need to prepare for Tony's birthday party."
Seph smirked. "Why don't you let Tony handle that? Trust me, it'll be a blast."
Something about the way he said that made Pepper freeze. Her head snapped up, eyes narrowing. "Blast? Seph, what are you planning?"
Seph raised his hands innocently. "Me? Nothing at all. I'm just saying… your boss does have a talent for throwing explosive parties."
Pepper groaned, already regretting letting Tony have free reign. "You know something, don't you?"
Seph grinned. "I know a lot of things, baby. The real question is—how much do you really want to know?"
Before Pepper could press further, movement from the other side of the room caught her attention.
Natalie closed the folder in front of her and stood up, stretching slightly. "Since it's getting late, I think it's time for me to leave too."
Pepper arched a brow. "Oh? And what, exactly, does that have to do with Seph?"
Natalie smirked and turned to Seph. "Think you could give a girl a lift?"
A slow, knowing smile spread across Pepper's face.
Seph turned to her, considering for a moment before he shrugged. "Well, I suppose I could. I do owe you for making me suffer through Tony's antics every day."
Natalie tilted her head. "So that's a yes?"
"That's a 'grab your stuff, I'll be waiting outside,'" Seph said smoothly before turning on his heel and heading for the exit.
As soon as he was gone, Pepper leaned forward, resting her chin on her hands. "So… Natalia. That was quite the move."
Natalie smirked, grabbing her bag. "I have no idea what you're talking about."
"Mhm. Sure you don't." Pepper's lips twitched as she exchanged a glance with Hela, who had been sitting quietly in the corner, watching with mild amusement.
Once Seph and Natalie were gone, Hela let out a chuckle, shaking her head. "You just sent a little lamb into the lion's den."
Pepper crossed her arms. "And?"
Hela's smirk widened. "Aren't you worried? That lion does have a habit of devouring things whole."
Pepper hesitated for only a moment before shaking her head. "If it were anyone else, maybe. But Natalia? She's not just any woman. She's a spy and a strong woman. I doubt Seph can shake her so easily."
Hela let out a low laugh. "You underestimate our man's charm a bit much. Even in Asgard, many women were drawn to him. That little spy? She may think she's the hunter—but I wouldn't be surprised if she ends up being the hunted."
Pepper's amusement flickered. She hadn't considered that.
Seph wasn't just some man. He was a God. And gods had a way of bending mortals to their will, whether they intended to or not.
"So," Hela continued, crossing her legs, "are you really okay with all this? Women constantly gravitating towards him?"
Pepper sighed, rubbing her forehead. "Honestly? No. I don't think I'll ever be okay with it. I was like this with Tony, even before I got together with Seph. And he is… very different from Tony."
She looked up, her expression softening. "To me, he's not some powerful god. He's just my man. And I have to trust that."
Hela's gaze lingered on her for a moment before she nodded approvingly. "You'll learn, in time. My mother taught me not too long ago that trust is the foundation of everything. Love fades, desire dims—but trust? That carries a relationship through eternity."
Pepper smiled faintly. "Wise words."
Hela chuckled. "Of course. My mother was the Queen of Asgard. She knew a thing or two about handling powerful men."
The two women shared a knowing glance before Pepper sighed, standing up. "Come on. Let's get some work done before Tony finds another way to ruin his own birthday."
Hela grinned. "Now that sounds entertaining."
----
Meanwhile...
Seph leaned against his sleek Mustang, arms crossed, a knowing smirk playing on his lips as he watched Natalia approach. She moved with her usual grace, but there was an edge to her steps—annoyance, frustration… and something else.
"Didn't keep you waiting too long, did I?" She asked, her voice smooth but tight, as she stopped just a step away from him.
Seph chuckled, pushing off the car to open the passenger door. "Not at all. Though I have to say, I'm impressed. You're willing to travel in the same car with me even after all that."
Her eyes narrowed slightly as she slid into the seat, crossing her legs with deliberate ease. "What? Do you think I will be scared? You seem to underestimate me too much."
Seph smirked, accelerating slightly. "You're lucky I find you entertaining, or this conversation would be going very differently."
She turned to him, her gaze sharp. "You think this is funny?"
"A little," He admitted. "You, trying to get the upper hand on me… only to end up being the one watched instead."
Natalia's lips parted slightly, irritation flickering in her eyes before she let out a short laugh, shaking her head. "You're infuriating."
"And yet, here you are, willingly in my car."
She scoffed, looking straight ahead. "Not willingly. I was ordered to keep an eye on Stark, but after seeing you, I realized I might be watching the wrong person."
Seph shot her a sidelong glance, his smirk deepening. "Flattering. Though if you were really that cautious, you wouldn't be alone with me right now."
Her fingers tapped against her thigh. "Maybe I like taking risks."
Seph hummed in approval, then tapped the steering wheel. "Let's make this interesting. We play a game—question for a question. Answer honestly, or don't answer at all. Deal?"
Natalia arched a brow. "You want to play games with me?"
"You started it," He pointed out.
She exhaled, then leaned back, a slow, playful smirk curving her lips. "Fine. You first."
--- ✦ ✦ ✦ ---
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