"they wish you happiness above all else"
Peter stood in front of the bathroom mirror, staring at his reflection with a frown. He ran his fingers through his tousled brown hair and sighed. Something felt off lately, like his own body was foreign to him. He couldn't put his finger on what exactly felt wrong. Maybe it was just teenage hormones playing tricks on him.
A knock on the bathroom door made Peter jump. "You okay in there, kid?" Tony called through the door. "You've been in there a while."
"Y-yeah, I'm fine Mr. Stark," Peter replied, his voice cracking slightly.
Tony didn't sound convinced, but he didn't push. "Alright. Well, Loki's here to see Thor apparently, so come on out and say hi if you want."
Peter took a deep breath and shook his head sharply, trying to snap himself out of his funk. "Okay, be right there," he answered. After one last glance in the mirror, Peter opened the door and went to greet Loki.
The god of mischief was lounging on the couch next to his brother when Peter entered. Loki glanced up with a sly smile. "Hello, Spiderling. You're looking rather pensive today."
Peter rubbed the back of his neck self-consciously. "Oh, hey Loki. I guess I've just had some stuff on my mind lately."
Loki arched an eyebrow. "Do tell. I'm quite adept at unraveling complicated thoughts."
"Um, I'm not really sure I should-" Peter started uncertainly.
"Come now, nothing you say will leave this room," Loki prodded.
Peter chewed his lip. Maybe talking to someone impartial like Loki could help clarify his confusing emotions. "Well, I've been feeling sort of...off, I guess. About myself," he confessed quietly. "Like, when I look in the mirror, the person looking back doesn't quite feel like me."
Loki nodded pensively. "I see. That does sound quite distressing." His green eyes studied Peter curiously. "Have you considered that perhaps your gender identity does not fully align with your biological sex?"
Peter's eyes widened. "I-I don't know. The thought had crossed my mind, but it seemed crazy."
"Not crazy at all," Loki assured. "Gender is complex. Many cultures recognize genders beyond the binary. And sometimes the gender one feels internally does not match their outward appearance."
Peter looked thoughtful. "Huh. I guess that makes sense. But isn't it weird to feel like...like maybe I'm not 100% a guy? Even though biologically I am?"
Loki shook his head. "Not weird at all. The mind is a fascinating, complicated thing. The Avengers are your family, yes? They care deeply for you?"
"Well, yeah, of course," Peter said.
"Then they will accept you, no matter your gender identity," Loki said firmly. "Trust that they wish you happiness above all else."
Peter gave a small smile. "Yeah. Yeah, you're probably right." He felt a little better after talking to Loki. Still confused, but not quite as alone.
After Loki left, Peter wandered through the compound, lost in thought. He almost bumped right into Wanda, the only other teenage Avenger, as she came around a corner. "Whoa, sorry Wanda!" he said.
"That's alright, Peter," she said with a kind smile. She noticed his distracted expression. "Is something bothering you?"
Peter hesitated. He trusted Wanda though, so he quietly admitted, "I've been dealing with some stuff. Gender identity stuff. Just feeling kind of lost and confused."
Wanda's face filled with empathy. She placed a hand on his shoulder comfortingly. "Oh Peter. You know I'm always here if you need to talk. Whatever you're going through, I support you 100%."
Peter's eyes turned moist. "Thanks, Wands. That really means a lot," he said, voice thick with emotion. Wanda pulled him into a hug.
"Anytime. I'm here for you, no matter what," she reaffirmed. Peter nodded, holding back tears. Just knowing he had people like Loki and Wanda on his side helped immensely.
After collecting himself, Peter continued his walk, eventually ending up outside Natasha's room. He considered the super spy a mother figure, and he desperately needed a mother's guidance right now.
Peter knocked hesitantly on her door. "Hey Nat? You got a minute?"
The door opened, revealing Natasha's concerned face. "Of course, come on in Peter." She sat on the bed and patted the spot next to her. "What's going on?"
Peter fidgeted with his hands. "I've been dealing with some stuff lately. About my gender. I just feel so lost and scared. Like I don't even recognize myself anymore." His voice broke and he quickly wiped at the tears that escaped down his cheeks.
Natasha immediately wrapped a comforting arm around his shoulders. "Oh, Peter. It's okay. There's nothing wrong with you, you know that right?" Peter shrugged uncertainly. Natasha continued, "Let me tell you about some people I've known who were transgender. There was a SHIELD agent, one of the best I've ever worked with. When I first met her, she was living as a man named Jake. But eventually she transitioned and became Jessica. And she was still the same brilliant, caring person I knew before. Just happy and comfortable in her own skin for the first time."
Peter looked up with interest, sniffling back tears. "Yeah?"
Natasha smiled and squeezed his shoulder. "Yes. And when Clint's sister-in-law came out as trans, he didn't even bat an eye. Just asked what name and pronouns she preferred. Because it didn't change a thing about the loving person he already knew."
Peter nodded slowly. "That makes sense. I know the Avengers would be cool about it. I'm just struggling to understand it myself."
"Of course," Natasha said gently. "This is your journey to figure out. But know you don't have to do it alone. We're all here for you."
"Thanks, Nat. For everything." Peter took a deep breath. "I think - no, I know - I want to be a girl. It scares me but it feels right, you know?"
Natasha studied her closely. "I'm proud of you for being true to yourself," she said sincerely. "Do you have a name you prefer? One that feels more you?"
The boy - no, the girl - nodded shyly. "I was thinking maybe Penelope. Or Penny for short."
"Penny," Natasha repeated, testing it out. "I love it. And I'd be honored to call you that from now on, if you'd like."
A brilliant, relieved smile broke out on Penny's face. "Yes please. I want that more than anything."
Natasha pulled her into another warm hug. "Then it's settled. Penny it is." She pulled back and asked, "Have you told anyone else yet?"
Penny shook her head, curls bouncing around her face. "No, just you, Wanda, and I mentioned it briefly to Loki earlier."
Natasha considered this. "If you want, we can gather everyone together so you can come out. But only if you're ready for that."
Penny thought about it, then nodded firmly. "Yeah. Yeah, I think I'm ready."
Natasha smiled proudly. "Then let's do this." She sent out a message summoning the Avengers to the common room.
As they filtered in, Natasha explained, "Peter has something he'd like to share with all of you."
Natasha shot her an apologetic look at the use of her deadname. Penny winked back reassuringly.
When everyone had arrived, all eyes turned expectantly to the young hero in their midst. Penny took a deep breath. "So I've been doing a lot of thinking lately about my gender identity. And I realized that I'm transgender. I know in my heart that I'm a girl." She paused nervously, then continued. "From now on, I'd really appreciate it if you could refer to me as Penelope. Or Penny for short. And use she/her pronouns for me."
There was a beat of silence as her words sunk in. Then the room erupted into a flurry of support and acceptance.
Steve surged forward to envelope Penny in a bear hug. "Penny it is," he declared warmly. "I'm so proud of you for having the courage to tell us."
Tony ruffled her hair affectionately. "Kid, I don't care if you're a boy, girl, or anything in between. You'll always be my spider-child and I'll always love you just the way you are."
Bruce chimed in, "We're honored you trust us enough to share this."
Thor boomed, "Young Penelope, you are incredibly brave. Know that we will defend you from any who dare treat you with anything less than the honor and dignity you deserve."
Clint nodded firmly. "You got this, kiddo. We're all here for you."
Bucky gave a supportive smile. "Thanks for telling us, Penny. Let me know if you ever need someone to talk to. I may not understand exactly what you're going through, but I can listen."
Sam wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "I'm proud of you, girl. The strength you have at your young age is damn incredible."
Vision added, "I am uncertain I fully comprehend the intricacies of gender identity, but I shall endeavor to provide whatever support you require."
The outpouring of love and validation overwhelmed Penny, bringing a fresh wave of happy tears. These people really were her family, bonds deeper than blood. She knew without a doubt that she was loved unconditionally.
Over the next several weeks, Penny gradually took steps in her transition. With Natasha's help, she started hormone replacement therapy to begin developing feminine physical characteristics. Though changes happened slowly, Penny was eager for her outside to finally match her inside.
Natasha and Wanda took her shopping for new clothes to replace her male wardrobe. Penny practically squealed trying on her first dresses and skirts, twirling in front of the mirror. It felt amazing seeing her true self reflected back.
Tony not only adapted her Spider suit, but also built an entirely new one. The sleek design retained all the best features of her old suit, but now with an added skirt and narrower proportions. Spider-Man was officially Spider-Girl. Penny couldn't put into words what it meant to swing through the city in a suit that matched who she was.
Her friends at school were totally supportive when she came out, using her new name without hesitation. Even Flash didn't dare make any transphobic comments, not when word got out that the Avengers themselves had her back. For the first time, Penny actually enjoyed school, no longer feeling like an outsider.
Bruce spent hours patiently working with her on voice training until she perfected her feminine vocal range. Penny was endlessly grateful, giving him a massive hug after her first conversation entirely in her new voice.
All her legal documents were changed to reflect her new name. Penny Parker officially replaced Peter Parker. The judge himself congratulated her for having the courage to live as her true self.
On one lazy Saturday afternoon, Penny relaxed on the couch wedged between Natasha and Wanda. She squirmed happily, still getting used to the slight weight on her chest from the modest figure she was developing. It seemed surreal that only a couple months ago, she had been so lost and confused about her gender. Now Penny felt fully content, like the lingering background discomfort that had plagued her was finally gone.
"I can't thank you guys enough for everything," Penny said earnestly, looking between Natasha and Wanda. "I honestly don't know if I could have done this without you."
Wanda tutted, wrapping an arm around Penny's shoulders. "You have nothing to thank us for, sis. We love you for who you are."
"She's right," Natasha agreed. "You are so incredibly brave for embracing your truth. I'm thankful we get to be part of your journey."
Penny smiled tearfully. "Still. Knowing I have your support means the world to me."
"Oh Penelope." Natasha cupped her cheek. "You never have to doubt that you are loved. By me, by Wanda, by all the Avengers. This family of ours - nothing can break it."
Penny nodded, blinking back happy tears. She knew that was the truth. No matter what challenges she faced in life, she would never have to face them alone.