Ch77. Insecurities?

Persuading Balalaika to work for them wasn't hard. In fact, there was no persuasion needed. It was more like a negotiation about how much her subordinates and she would earn by working for Tony.

Balalaika was an experienced negotiator and managed to secure quite the benefits for her men. But to be honest, neither Tony nor Natasha tried all that hard to prevent it.

After all, a happy employee is less likely to betray you.

Balalaika drove a hard bargain. She got it all, from health insurance for every single of her men, all the way to citizenship. Her subordinates would be housed in the Stark Tower and they would receive breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the cafeteria. The pay she demanded was also above average for a normal security guard but she reasoned that her subordinates are all trained soldiers so it was only natural.

The woman was well-informed and incredibly thorough.

Then again, Tony never had a problem with paying for quality and he did understand that coming under him, Balalaika was making a large gamble with the future of her group.

The least he could do is to make it worth her while.

...

"That wasn't so bad." Tony remarked about the meeting as he started stretching.

Of course, Natasha dragged him into his personal gym in his apartment in the Stark Tower right after the meeting with Balalaika.

Tony didn't like the physical exercises much but even he had to admit they would be useful. Fighting without being fit was like fighting half-crippled and he was also fully aware that Natasha was being pushy about this for his own good.

That's why he complained only a little.

Okay... At least compared to his usual amount of complaints it was only a little.

"No, it really wasn't. Sofiya was too interested in having her crippled subordinates healed so she didn't put up too much resistance." Natasha said while doing some slow stretches of her own. Some very... eye-catching stretches.

It was really hard for Tony to prevent his eyes from wandering over her mouth-watering curves. Especially since she wore tight-fitting clothes.

He could swear she was doing it on purpose.

"Any interest in Sofiya?" Natasha offhandedly asked as she did a bridge before pushing herself up and seamlessly transitioning into a handstand with such ease that Tony still found it unreal despite seeing it who knows how many times by now.

"Interest? What do you mean? Why would I be interested in her? As far as I am concerned it was you who dragged her home like some stray. I didn't even know her before today." Tony frowned while doing simple squats, happy to stay the hell away from the insane flexibility exercises Natasha was doing to stay in form.

Natasha inclined her head forward and looked at Tony before she rolled her eye at him. "When I left for my hunt the first time, I totally expected to return and find you in bed with Helen or Hannah. I even subtly gave you permission. Yet, you disappointed my expectations." She grunted and raised her right hand, putting it alongside her body as she now held it upright only on her left hand. "I am just asking if Sofiya managed to charm you. She still is quite the beauty despite her scar, isn't she?" She asked while starting to do push-ups on her left hand with her body still in the air.

"Of course not! I am trying to be faithful, you know?" Tony said in an affronted tone.

"I guess it is just my insecurities getting to the surface." Natasha sighed, not even a slight sign of exertion in her tone. "But... you don't have to hold yourself back because of me."

Tony had no idea how to reply to that. He had no plan to get himself another woman than Natasha. In the end, he chose to do what he does best. To divert the topic. Snorting, he spoke, "Even if I wanted, both Helen and Hannah are a bit thermally challenged."

Natasha stopped doing push-ups and switched her left hand for her right before starting again, "Thermally... what? I am sorry but these scientific terms are beyond me, darling."

"Nobody gets my jokes." Tony pouted. "They are gay."

"Oh..." Natasha momentarily faltered, but she quickly gathered herself. "Oh! I see. That's quite... awkward?"

"Tell me about it." Tony grumbled. "Knowing the woman slept with me not because I am the epitome of handsomeness but because she wanted sponsorship for her research was deeply hurtful, you know?"

"Oh, poor you." Natasha cooed. "I am sure you left her room without even saying bye to her because subconsciously, you felt hurt, not because you were a jerk, right?" She added in a mock-sincere tone.

"Totally! I knew you would understand me." Tony shamelessly exclaimed, giving Natasha a grin.

Natasha chuckled. She actually got used to his irritating sense of humor during her stay with him. "It happened a decade ago. Let it go and get over yourself."

"How could I? You are basically asking me to grow up! I am sorry to inform you, but I have already reached the limit of my growth." Tony defended himself but this time, Natasha did not reply. He couldn't fault her for that. Not when he saw her balance her entire body just on her pointing finger. "It wouldn't have been so annoying if Hannah wasn't sleeping with Helen." He grumbled.

That sentence, totally threw Natasha's focus off, causing her balance to slip and her body to start falling. Fortunately, she was too nimble and flipped her body in the mid-air and landed in a crouch on her feet.

"What? They are together? How could I miss that!?" Natasha exclaimed, deeply disturbed.

Tony rolled his eyes at her, "You don't see them often. I doubt you have ever seen them together. If you did, it would have been obvious even without all your stalker training. Heck, even I have noticed it!"

"That makes it even worse." Natasha groaned and Tony huffed when he realized how she meant it.

"Hey! I can be observant when I want!" He rebuked.

"Of course, you can... but you are scientifically smart. I am supposed to be the one people smart between us." Natasha complained and crossed her arms on her chest.

Tony smiled at her reaction and walked toward her, gently putting his hands on her cheeks and making her look up at his face. "Aww~, look at her. She is pouting." He whispered before pecking her lips to prevent any complaints.

Natasha obviously didn't get the memo and when they separated, her puffed-up cheeks still in Tony's palms, she looked at Tony with upturned eyes, "I am not pouting."

"Of course not." Tony... just smirked.