"for you penny, anytime."
Natasha was in the middle of a mission briefing at the Avengers facility when her personal phone buzzed in her pocket. Seeing that it was Penny calling, she quickly excused herself from the meeting.
"Penny? Is everything okay?" Natasha asked, concern evident in her voice.
"Mom, I'm really sorry to bother you. I know you're probably busy with Avenger stuff," Penny said quietly.
Natasha could tell by her tone that something was wrong. "It's alright, I'm never too busy for you. What's going on?"
"Well, I was on patrol after school like usual. I stopped a mugging and got the victim to safety, no problem. But then when I was swinging away, I guess my web fluid ran out without me noticing. I started falling from really high up," Penny explained shakily.
"Oh my god, are you hurt?" Natasha asked urgently.
"No no, I'm okay. I caught myself on a fire escape, so I didn't hit the ground too hard. But I'm in a rough part of Queens now and it's getting dark. I know I should be able to make it home just fine on my own, but I'm feeling kind of shaken up after almost splatting on the sidewalk earlier," Penny said with an embarrassed laugh.
Natasha was already grabbing her jacket and keys. "Just stay where you are, I'm coming to get you right now."
"Are you sure? I know you're busy, I can probably make it back-" Penny started.
"Not another word, I'm on my way," Natasha said firmly. "Send me your location so I know exactly where to find you."
"Okay, thanks Mom- I mean Natasha," Penny said gratefully, catching herself before calling the super spy 'Mom' over the phone. She quickly sent her location via text.
"I'll be there soon sweetie, just hang tight," Natasha promised.
As she raced to the garage, Clint appeared looking confused. "Whoa, where's the fire Nat? We're still figuring out how to handle the Adrian Toomes situation."
"I have to go pick up Penny, she's in a bit of a bind. You and Steve can handle briefing the team without me," Natasha called over her shoulder.
Clint nodded in understanding. He knew how protective Natasha was over the young superhero she had taken under her wing. "No problem, go get little spider. But you owe me for leaving me alone with Cap's lecture!"
Natasha smiled gratefully at her friend as she peeled out of the garage. She turned on her emergency lights and sped towards Queens, arriving at Penny's location in record time.
She found the teenager perched on a fire escape, looking unharmed but rattled. Penny's face flooded with relief when she saw Natasha pull up.
Penny climbed gingerly into the passenger seat. "Nat, I can't thank you enough for coming all the way out here to get me."
"Of course, I wouldn't want you trying to make it all the way back to Queens by yourself after the scare you just had," Natasha said. "Let me know if you start feeling any pain, you might have injuries you don't realize yet from the fall."
Penny shook her head. "I think I'm okay, my advanced healing seems to have kicked in. I'm just feeling really stupid for not noticing I was almost out of web fluid."
"Hey, don't beat yourself up over it. Even the best make mistakes sometimes," Natasha said sympathetically. "I'm just glad you weren't too high up when it ran out."
Penny shuddered. "I seriously thought I was gonna die for a second there. Just started free-falling with no warning. But luckily my spider sense helped me react quick enough to shoot a web and catch myself on that fire escape."
Natasha reached over and squeezed her shoulder. "You did good, Penny. That kind of quick thinking under pressure will save your life time and again in our line of work."
Penny gave a small smile at Natasha's praise. They drove in comfortable silence for a few minutes before she spoke again. "Seriously though, I appreciate you coming all the way out here to get me. I know you're busy with important Avenger stuff. I didn't mean to pull you away from all that."
"You are important Avenger stuff," Natasha said simply. "There's nowhere I'd rather be than making sure you're safe."
Penny felt her heart swell at Natasha's words. Even after all this time, the Black Widow's maternal affection still surprised her sometimes.
"How's the arm feeling?" Natasha asked, noticing Penny rubbing it subconsciously.
"Oh, it's fine. Just a little sore I guess," Penny said. In truth, it was still throbbing from the jolt of catching her abrupt fall.
Natasha gave her a knowing look. "You're a terrible liar, you know that? As soon as we get back I'm taking a look at it."
Penny sighed, but didn't argue. One thing she had learned over the last few years was that it was useless trying to hide injuries from Natasha.
They soon pulled up to the Avengers compound. As they walked inside, they found Tony tinkering away in his workshop.
"Hey kid, welcome back," he called out. "Romanoff said she had to go pick you up, everything okay?"
"Yeah, I'm good Mr. Stark," Penny said, not wanting him to worry. "Just had a little spider-malfunction earlier that shook me up."
"She nearly fell to her death when her webs cut out mid-swing," Natasha explained bluntly. "I'm going to check her over for injuries."
Tony paled slightly. "Geez Penny, you gotta be more careful! But good catch Red, I'm glad you were there to swoop in."
"Me too, she really saved my butt today," Penny laughed.
"Alright trooper let's get you looked at," Natasha said gently. "You'll have to finish tinkering with your toys later, Tony."
Tony waved them off. "Yeah yeah, you ladies do your thing. I'm glad you're okay kiddo."
Natasha led Penny to the med bay and grabbed the first aid supplies. She carefully examined Penny's sore arm, feeling for any serious damage.
"Looks like just some bruising," Natasha concluded with relief. "I don't think anything's broken or fractured. But I want you to ice it and take it easy for the next few days."
"I will, promise," Penny said. "Seriously, thank you again for coming to get me. And for always having my back...it really means a lot."
Natasha cupped her face affectionately. "Of course darling. I'll always be there when you need me."
Penny hesitated for a moment before wrapping her arms around the superspy in a hug. Natasha returned the embrace warmly. She knew Penny was still getting comfortable showing physical affection, after losing so many parental figures in her short life.
"Okay kiddo, let's get you home," Natasha said after a moment. "May's probably starting to wonder where you are."
The two headed out to the parking garage again. Penny fiddled with the radio as Natasha smoothly navigated the streets of New York.
"Ugh, can we please listen to something other than depressing news?" Penny laughed, switching through stations.
"Fine with me," Natasha chuckled. "How about some good ol' 90s girl power?"
She queued up a playlist of classic female singers and bands. Penny grinned and started singing along loudly. Natasha couldn't help but join in, and they spent the rest of the drive rocking out.
Pulling up outside Penny's apartment building, Natasha put the car in park but made no move to get out.
"You know, May loves having you over for dinner. You're welcome to come up, if you don't have to rush back for super spy stuff," Penny offered.
Natasha considered for a moment, then nodded. "I suppose the Toomes briefing can wait until tomorrow."
Penny beamed and led the way upstairs. As predicted, May was overjoyed to see Natasha.
"Nat! It's so good to see you," she greeted warmly. "Thank you for going to get Penny earlier, I know how hectic your schedule is."
"Of course, I'm glad I could be there," Natasha said, giving May a quick hug. "Penny mentioned dinner? I hope that offer still stands."
"You know you're always welcome here," May said happily. "Penny, go wash up while I get the food on the table."
Over dinner, Penny recounted the eventful end to her patrol while Natasha and May listened intently. May shook her head in exasperation.
"Honestly, with the way you kids throw yourselves into danger, it's a wonder I have any hair left!" she laughed.
"Hey, at least my superhero-ing keeps life interesting around here," Penny replied cheekily.
"That it does," May said with a rueful smile. "In all seriousness though, I'm grateful every day that you have people like Nat looking out for you. It certainly helps this old aunt sleep better at night."
"Old? You're as young and spry as ever, May," Natasha reassured smoothly. "But I'm happy to help. Penny's safety is my top priority."
Penny ducked her head to hide her pleased smile. The domesticity of sharing a meal with two of the most important women in her life filled her heart with warmth.
After dinner, Natasha offered to help clean up but May shooed her away.
"You cooked, I'll do the dishes. You two go relax."
Penny led Natasha to the living room and they settled comfortably on the couch.
"Thanks for staying for dinner," Penny said. "I know you didn't have to, so it means a lot that you made the time."
"Of course. Spending time with you and May is always the highlight of my day," Natasha replied.
She meant it sincerely. The unconditional love and comfort of this little family unit was something she had never expected to find, but now couldn't imagine living without.
Penny leaned her head contentedly on Natasha's shoulder. Neither spoke for a while, both simply enjoying the quiet companionship.
Eventually Penny broke the silence. "Mom?"
Natasha glanced at her in surprise. It always caught her off guard when Penny called her that, though she couldn't deny the warmth that spread through her chest every time she did.
"Yes sweetie?"
"I love you," Penny said simply.
Natasha pulled her closer and pressed a kiss to her hair. "I love you too, little spider. Always."
Penny drifted off like that, secure in the embrace of the woman she now proudly called her super mom. Natasha held her until May came in and insisted Penny get to bed.
"Thank you again for being there for her today," May said softly as she walked Natasha to the door. "It means the world to both of us."
"There's nowhere I'd rather be," Natasha responded genuinely. "You've given me the greatest gift by allowing me into your family. Penny brings so much joy to my life."
May's eyes glistened. "I think we're the lucky ones. But I'm glad we can give you some of the love you deserve."
Natasha had to quickly blink back her own tears. Clearing her throat, she pulled May in for one last hug.
"Goodnight May. Tell Penny I said sweet dreams."
"Will do. Get home safe," May said warmly.
Natasha made her way back to the waiting car, heart full. She thought back to Penny's panicked call earlier that day, and how swiftly she had dropped everything to rush to the girl's aid.
There was no mission she wouldn't abandon, no foe she wouldn't anger, no briefing she wouldn't miss, if it meant being there when her little spider needed her. Because at the end of the day, Natasha knew what truly mattered most in her life. And as she drove off into the night, she whispered a promise:
"For you Penny, anytime."