Till Death Do Us Part
The venue was a dream.
Sunlight filtered through the stained glass of the grand hall, scattering fragments of color across the ivory floors. The floral arrangements—roses, lilies, and delicate sprays of baby’s breath—lined the aisle like something out of a fairy tale. The air was thick with the sweet scent of jasmine and the hushed whispers of excited guests.
At the altar, Penny Parker stood in a tailored white suit, her hair pinned back in elegant waves. Her hands trembled slightly as she adjusted the cufflinks Tony had gifted her—tiny, platinum spiders, subtle but unmistakable.
Across from her, MJ was breathtaking.
Her dress was nothing extravagant—she’d always hated frills and excess—but the sleek, off-shoulder gown hugged her form perfectly. A simple pearl necklace rested against her collarbone, and in her hands, she clutched a bouquet of blood-red roses.
Morgan Stark stood between them, beaming as the flower girl and ring bearer all in one, cradling the small velvet box like it held the universe itself. Tony and Pepper sat in the front row, side by side, their eyes filled with pride.
It was perfect.
Until it wasn’t.
It started with a voice.
“I object.”
Silence crashed over the room.
Penny turned slowly, her stomach twisting into knots as she met Steve Rogers’ steely gaze. Behind him, Team Cap stood rigid—Clint, Natasha, Sam, Wanda. Their faces were carved from stone.
Steve took a step forward.
“This wedding shouldn’t happen.”
Penny’s breath caught.
MJ tensed beside her.
Tony immediately stood, his face darkening. “You do *not* get to do this.”
Steve’s jaw tightened. “I *have* to.”
And that’s when all hell broke loose.
It happened fast.
One second, Steve was speaking.
The next, he *swung*.
His fist collided with Penny’s ribs, the sickening crunch echoing through the hall. She crumpled, gasping as pain lanced through her chest.
MJ screamed.
Before anyone could react, Clint was on her—gripping her arm, twisting it until there was a sharp *pop*.
MJ *shrieked* in agony.
Penny fought to stand, only for Sam to *slam* his foot into her stomach, sending her sprawling across the altar steps. Her head cracked against the marble. Blood splattered across the pristine floor.
Then Wanda stepped forward, red mist curling around her fingers.
And she *stabbed* her.
Not deeply. Not lethally.
But enough.
Enough to make Penny *choke* on her own blood.
Enough to make Tony *snap*.
He *lunged*, repulsors igniting, but Natasha was there, dodging smoothly and *slamming* him into the pews. Pepper rushed forward, but Clint grabbed her, holding her back as Morgan *sobbed* in horror.
It was a massacre.
And Steve Rogers led it.
The hospital was too bright. Too cold.
Penny drifted in and out of consciousness, the pain sharp and unrelenting. She could hear beeping—machines keeping her alive.
A warm hand brushed against hers.
“…Penny?”
She forced her eyes open.
MJ was beside her, her arm in a cast, her lip swollen, her throat bruised where Steve had *choked* her.
Penny’s heart clenched.
“…MJ.”
MJ exhaled shakily. Then she leaned forward, pressing her forehead against Penny’s, and sobbed.
Three days later, Team Cap showed up.
Tony stood in front of Penny’s hospital bed, his arms crossed, repulsors *humming*. He looked ready to *kill*.
Steve had the audacity to look calm. “We need to talk.”
Tony laughed, sharp and bitter. “Talk? You mean like how you *talked* at the wedding? When you tried to *murder my kid*?”
Steve didn’t even flinch.
Wanda did, though. Her eyes flickered to Penny, dark with something unreadable.
“…You deserved it.”
MJ *snapped*.
“ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!”
Penny barely managed to grab her before she lunged.
“You *stabbed* her!” MJ’s voice cracked. “On our *wedding day*! And you think she *deserved it*?!”
Wanda’s face twisted. “You don’t understand—”
“Then *explain*!”
Silence.
Then Wanda exhaled, her fists shaking.
“You had *everything*,” she whispered.
Penny’s stomach twisted.
“You had *Tony Stark* as a father. You had Pepper Potts. You had *money*. You had *love*.”
Her voice cracked.
“And you never had to *suffer* for it.”
Penny’s hands trembled.
Wanda’s gaze was wet, furious. “Your family never died. You never lost *everything*. And yet, you still get to be a *hero*. You still get to *live*.”
MJ’s voice was cold. “That’s not our fault.”
Wanda *flinched*.
MJ’s hands curled into fists. “You hate us because we have something you don’t. But you know what? That’s *not* on us.”
Silence.
Then Tony exhaled sharply.
“Get out.”
Nobody moved.
“*GET OUT!*”
The walls *shook*.
And Team Cap *left*.
For good.
---
A week later, Penny was home.
Her ribs *ached*. Her stitches *burned*. But she was *alive*.
Morgan curled into her lap, pressing tiny fingers against her bandages, and whispered—
“I don’t want you to die.”
Penny *broke*.
Tony sat beside her, squeezing her hand. His voice was raw.
“They won’t come back.”
Penny exhaled shakily. “Promise?”
Tony swallowed hard. Then, gently—
“I promise, kid.”
And for the first time in a long, long time—
Penny finally *believed* him.
---
**The End.**