Roy arrived at Tony Stark's mansion, pushing open the door with ease.
"Jarvis, where's Tony?" he asked casually.
"Master is in the gym, practicing kickboxing with Happy," Jarvis replied.
Roy nodded and strolled toward the gym, sipping a refreshing slush of strawberry and orange mix. The sweetness and chill were perfect as he observed the scene unfolding in the ring.
Inside, Tony and Happy were exchanging rapid strikes, their movements fluid and powerful. Roy leaned against the doorway, watching with a calm, almost regal demeanor.
"Pepper!" Roy called, spotting her by the side.
"Roy! Good to see you," Pepper said warmly. She introduced her new assistant:
"Roy, this is Natalie Rushman."
Roy's eyes met Natalie's, and she froze for a moment, taken aback by his striking appearance—long silver hair, blue diamond-like eyes, and an aura of serene confidence.
"Nice to meet you, Natalie," Roy greeted softly.
Natalie felt her heartbeat quicken but managed a polite smile. Roy tilted his head slightly, then spoke in fluent Russian:
"Ты красивая," ("You're beautiful.")
Natalie's cheeks flushed crimson, and she whispered a shy "Thank you."
Tony, oblivious to the exchange, invited Natalie into the ring:
"Come on, have a match with Happy!"
Roy turned to Tony, raising an eyebrow.
"And my slush?" he asked.
Tony handed him another slush, which Roy tasted and nodded in approval.
"Good. You'll like this," Roy said with a small smile.
Back in the ring, Natalie moved like lightning, KO-ing Happy in a single, fluid motion, leaving Tony and Pepper stunned. Roy, however, remained calm.
Natalie grinned, eager for more.
"Your turn," she said, inviting Roy to spar.
Roy put his slush aside, stepping into the ring. Natalie launched a series of rapid strikes, but Roy dodged them all with effortless precision, vanishing and reappearing just 10 centimeters away from her. With a light flick to her head, he whispered in Russian:
"Не отводи взгляд от цели," ("Never take your eyes off the target.")
He stepped back, retrieved his slush, and took a leisurely sip as Natalie blinked in surprise, her heart racing from the closeness and his commanding presence.
Though she had lost the spar, her cheeks burned and her pulse quickened, a mix of admiration and confusion stirring inside her.