you've been my missing piece, so why aren't you missing me? (Guess I meant less than I thought)
(age 18)
Penny was currently in New York running though the list of homework that she had in her head. Today was the heaviest day of homework and the suckiest too because her period started. After the spider bit Penny her periods got more and more irregular. Sometimes she would have them on time or she wouldn’t have them at all or she would get them in them spaces.
She hated it and the cramps especially scuked even more. It’s been month since the confrontation she had with her father and Penny didn’t really feel anything. It was kind of just stuck in the back of her brain always ready to be looked at all over again.
Penny loved the art of ignoring everything so she just let it be because what else was she supposed to do.
Another cramp pinched her stomach and at that point Penny was already contemplating getting a hysterectomy as she’s done ever since she’s got bitten. When she got back to New York penny stayed with Harry as his dad was already dead and he was living in an empty penthouse.
Ned and MJ moved in weeks later because MJ couldn’t deal with her step-dad and Ned’s parent’s wanted to move back to Hawaii. Ned refused and just stayed with the other three. It was the best time Penny every had because now that all four of them were already 18 they were able to just relax.
Honestly it was so peaceful just living there best life and having sleepovers and cuddling under covers when the nightmares got bad. Usually penny would be cowering and screaming her throat raw while either of best friends would curl around her protectively. They never got tired of comforting her.
(penny wished that her dad did just a little bit)
After coming back to New York her dad didn’t contact her once and that fact sat on her heart burning a hole into it. Because why would he try to contact her after everything.
Tony Stark had eveyrthing he could ever want
A daughter he actually wanted
A wife that he loved
A warm happy house that he wanted to live in
Not the fucked up shit he dealt with when Penny grew up.
It just hurt Penny too see that Tony Stark could change, he could always fucking change but Penelope Parker wasn’t someone worth changing for and that fact wasn’t something she could dispute.
In all honesty Penny was a mess when she lived with Harry the first week hell he basically moved into her room because all Penny did was sob and shove her face in his shoulders and whine pathetically about how daddy never loved her.
She thought she was over this but something inside her always wanted Tony. The tony that Penny saw tucking Morgan in and si nging her ac/dc songs at night. The tony that would “help” pepper in the kitchen and distract her by dancing. The tony that was just simply there because that all she ever wanted him to care or to stay.
Penny shook that thought away as she walked up the stairs of the penthouse humming some dumb pop song that mj pretended she hated but loved and was obsessed with.
Once unlocking the door she yelled out dramatically, “HONEY I’M HOOOME”
With a fake girly accent Harry responded, “IN THE KITCHEN BABE”
“You guys disgust me” MJ deadpanned walking out of the kitchen
Penny stuck her tongue out and walked in the kitchen seeing a bunch of baking supplies on the kitchen counter, “Harry no are you cooking again”
Harry gasped, “Your so mean don’t you trust your hubby boo”
Ned sighed, “Literally die both of you”
MJ called out, “THANK YOU”
Harry snickered, “I can’t believe you just went to school instead of just taking the friday off”
Penny gasped mockingly offended, “Excuse me someone cares about attendance”
MJ smirked, “You just wanted to ogle at miss. Spencer”
Ned whistled dramatically, “Damn i woulda went too”
Penny narrowed her eyes, “Disgusting both of you and NO I actually went to hand in my report because I was absent yesterday”
Harry nodded sagely, “Yes how sad that we forced you to stay home because of the multiple gsw’s on you back”
Penny huffed, “You guys are so dramatic, super healing helloo”
Harry snickered, “so sad we care for your health and wellness”
Penny stuck her toungue out while Harry stuck his out as well
“Children, Children let’s go bake some cookies” Ned sighed annoyed
Mj snorted, “don’t let harry near the anything”
Harry gasped, “This is MY kitchen may i remind you”
Penny shouldered passed him, “The kitchen YOU almost burnt down, go set the table pookie bear”
MJ groaned, “Absolutely sickening the both of you”
Penny and Harry grinned together, “Thanks Honeypie”
Ned shuddered disgusted, “Never again”
So this was how her day’s were usually spend having sleepovers and talking with the rest of her friends and since Penny and Harry were so rich funding there nightly and weekend excursions along with holiday trips.
Ned and Mj just rolled with it since the two could be EXTREMELY stubborn and was not worth the hassle of arguing with either of them.
“Harry is so the mom friend” Ned snickered as he watched Harry go though each passport
Penny nodded, “Oh yeah definitely, he asked me like ten times if I packed enough everything”
Mj dryly mention, “Osborn you done, we’re in the airport like two hours earlier”
At that moment Harry looked up from his fancy manilla folder that probably costed like 23 dollars at some rich people stationary shop, “Yes dear”
MJ gagged, “Nauseating”
Penny squealed, “I can’t wait to spend thanksgiving in Ireland”
Ned nodded excitedly, “Honestly can’t wait either”
Hours later they were sitting in the plane with Ned and Penny sitting together while MJ and Harry were talking about something art related. Both Ned and Penny were excitedly talking about one of the biggest science showcases in the world which was held by Stark Industries who somehow partnered with Oscorp industries.
Penny just assumed with Norman dead and Harry soon stepping up at 21 to take over, pepper maybe just partnered with it.
Her friends were going to ireland because they just felt like it. It was usual for them to fly out of the country and go to other places whilst being in Highschool. The homework was easy and everyone already knew what colleges they were deadset on and were probably going to get accepted into.
Penny and Ned were going to M.I.T while Harry and MJ were going to Yale.
Penny and Harry were going to get in easily because they were legacy kids and there dads went to that specific college and blah blah blah nepotism. Penny knows that the opportunities she’s got were because of the fact that her dad was really fucking rich and well known.
Penny had full faith that both Ned and MJ were getting in those types of colleges because they were also very fucking smart.
The six hour flight passed quickly and soon they were in dublin in a taxi on the way to there hotel. MJ had a whole itinerary planned out with Harry because Ned and Penny kind of just didn’t care for scheduling when it was just the two of them. Both of them did whatever they wanted and didn’t really do the whole scheduling bit.
However one thing that Penny was that her dad wasn’t, is being punctual because Penny hated it when a time was set and agreed upon but the other person just didn’t fucking show up at the correct time. Being five minutes late was fine ten minutes whatever hell fifteen to twenty penny could not give a living shit.
Thirty minutes late is what got her blood boiling and everyone knew it was her biggest pet peeve. Penny always made and effort getting to the place that she needs to be at the set time and she effectively communicated the fact if she were late and apoligized instead of being a fucking dick about it. Yeah that’s the exact way her dad was and she hated the fucking excuses.
When Tony attempted parenting when she was 16 he was always late to whatever they were doing. If penny wanted to watch a movie her dad showed up 30 minutes late with a flimsy excuse.
When penny had some kind of school thing she would be waiting awkwardly because her dad was late yet again.
Penny never said anything when her dad did that but it all did was build up resentment and that resentment festered when she was in that godforsaken home for three weeks. Whenever Morgan wanted to watch a movie her dad was always on time. When Pepper hosted date or whatever cringy shit they did he was always on time.
He was always on time for the people he wanted to make an effort for.
That was a bitter pill Penny swallowed and she was sick of comparing past tony and new tony because either way both versions never really gave a shit.
When they finally reached there hotel rooms, Penny was sharing with MJ and Ned and Harry were bunked together even though all four knew they were going to be having a movie night because Harry loved trashy junk food from some fast food place and Ned was a sucker for reality tv.
Mj and Penny kind of just rolled with it because the food wasn’t that bad and the shows were kind of interesting. In return Penny connected her computer too the tv and put some barbie movies on just cause.
Harry cleared his throat while Penny was striaghtneing her hair and MJ was picking out clothes that they were going to wear while going out, “So there’s a gala”
Penny groaned, “No I hate those dumb things like yay for charity but there so fucking fake”
MJ nodded and Ned groaned along with Penny
Harry gasped, “You’de just let me be by myself”
Penny grinned, “Exactly pookie bear”
Harry shook his head, “Nope you are all going, no way am I being stuck with those vultures”
Penny sighed, “We don’t even have gala clothes”
Harry cleared his throat sheepishly
Ned narrowed his eyes, “No you didn’t it”
Behind Harry’s back were three hangers with fancy galaesque clothes
Penny groaned louder, “Why are you such a rich bitch”
“Hey your a rich bitch too”
“Not to this level”
MJ deadpanned, “Your both rich let’s go”
The dress that Harry got for Penny was pretty decent a modest strapless dress that went to her knees with some black heels and Penny did some simple makeup. THe themse was suit and tie or something she wasn’t paying attention.
Once they all got ready they got into the limo that Harry called for because he was dramatic like that and soon they were in front of the event area. There were already paparazzi’s standing outside and it was weird that they knew who Penny was.
When the snap happened she assumed people figured out her identity as Tony Stark’s daughter and she wasn’t really in the limelight so people knew virtually nothing about her. And they were desperate to get a crumb of anything from her because someone as famous as her getting away with no private details in the public was interesting.
They exited the limo and Penny was glad for the dark shades that mj gave her as well as the earbuds that were noise canceling but were designed like earrings. He hair was down so it covered them up either way.
People were screaming questions at her and penny just pushed forward quietly while security guards pushed the paps back.
Penny assumed that her dad wasn’t going to be here because Morgan started school. Once Morgan got over the fact that Penny was not a ghost they actually got pretty close and talked to each other every sunday doing a whole weekly recap. Pepper never minded that Morgan and Penny still talked and never mentioned it to her dad.
Coincidentally whenever the two were talking tony was away on business or busy with something else.
Once Penny walked in immediately she wanted to throw something, “Why the fuck is my dad here”
Harry hissed sympathetically, “Shit that’s not good”
Penny just shrugged, “Whatever i’ll ignore him”
Ned nodded, “Great idea”
Mj just rolled her eyes amused as all four of them walked to there assigned table. Harry made sure that they were all sitting together.
“Aren’t we supposed to be shmoozing or something” Penny asked
Ned raised an eyebrow, “Your rich?”
Penny humphed, “I wasn’t taken to these”
Mj nodded, “makes sense”
“Ok so today’s gala is mostly focused on like dancing or something to raise money for cancer kids so get up lazy bums” Harry stated
Penny lamented, “I don’t even know how to dance”
MJ shook her head, “You do”
Penny gasped, “No I don’t I suck at dancing”
Ned grinned, “No penny dearest you can dance”
Penny shook her head, “Does everyone seem to forget I can’t dance”
MJ grabbed Penny’s hand and dragged her from the chair while Penny was trying to ignore the tingles she got from touching MJ’s hand.
“I’ll lead” Mj grinned and Penny was speechless because under the white lighting in her heels that were irritating she looked into Mj’s hazel eyes and nodded speechless.
It was one of the best days she’s ever had and was simply existing in that moment.
After the gala where Penny thankfully did not even look at her fathers direction and vice versa the quartet went back to there hotel room’s talking quietly with one another. Harry alread had three bags of takeout in hand, two for Penny because of her monster appetite and were all tired.
It was two-am and Penny desperately needed to talk to to ned because holy shit that dance was something and also meant that penny liked mj. That was a novel concept to consider since well figuring out being a lesbian was easier.
One day when penny was fifteen she saw a hot older woman and her only thought were, “boobs”.
Penny also noticed she never had an interest in men at all, and women only ever caught her interests. She’s experimented with Liz or sharing chaste kisses with her lab partner gwen stacy. Being a lesbian was the easy to admit but having a crush on her longtime best friend was something else.
Penny didn’t know if MJ swung the other way and she didn’t want to ruin anything so she was going to mention it once to ned, freak out and then bury those feelings so deep they won’t even be feelings.
“Hey Ned can I talk to you real quick” Penny whispered to ned
Ned hummed an agreement and the two wne to the other room. Mj and Harry didn’t question it because those two simply did that often and wasn’t really something they questioned.
The both walked to the ned and harry’s room and closed the door
Penny blurted out, “ I think I like MJ”
“Finally you realized” Ned exclaimed excited
“Harry ows me 20 dollars”
“You guys bet on me” Penny squeaked unamaused
“Well yeah the chemistry you both have is insane and im surprised it took you this long to notice” Ned responded
Penny scoffed, “It doesn’t matter, MJ doesn’t like me that way either way”
Ned dismissed that claim right away, “Are you joking, MJ’s always so nice to you and the way she looks at you, you can’t be that blind”
Penny collapsed on the bed groaning, “I can’t have a crush on MJ i’m a mess, a horrible fucked up mess with so many issues”
Ned chuffed, “let’s stop with the self-deprication, your amazing and everyones a mess”
Penny sighed, “It just seems impossible to think about”
Ned laughed, “Well not that impossible, get up child we got movies to watch and I can hear your stomach grumble from here”
Penny gasped offended when getting up from the bed, “Excuse me we have like a two month age difference”
Ned cackled leaving the room, “Still older”
They were now back in New York and Penny was ignoring the revelations she had in Ireland. Instead she focused on how fun it was to be there. All four went sightseeing and cheicking out all the different cuisines and just having a blast. Something Penny absolutely needed after the busy months she’s had in school.
It was now the second semester and it was peaceful and everything Penny wanted it to be. The bittersweet feeling of it being the last year Penny was going to be in Acadamic Decathalon was sad to think about.
Penny blew a breath out as she stared down at the extra english homework her teacher just had to assign. It was the beginning of Decemeber and the weather was freezing. It already snowed a week ago and it was fine but a little more annoying when trying to do patrol as spider-woman. It felt weird to be content with something Penny already had going on.
Being Spider-Woman was one of the best thing’s that’s ever happened to her and now she was going to Massachusetts away from New York, and away from the life she built. It was disheartening to realize that Spider-Woman was going to be taking a bit of a break because she couldn’t be at two places.
M.I.T was her dream college but Spider-Woman was a legacy she built since she was 14 and now at 18 she was going to put a pin on it. Penny was obviously going to patrol when she came back to New York for the summer but it was sad to be saying goodbye for a little while. Penny was definitely going to miss it when she went to M.I.T.
Penny was perched up on top of a skyscraper overlooking New York and the view was breathtaking from the angle she was at. It was a hectic day with midterms and assignments that seemed never-ending. Finding a moment to just sit there and breath was a blessing of itself. She was thinking deeply about her crush on M.J and how it should die be dead and never see the light of day again.
Ned and Harry were pushing Penny to say something to m.j but Penny Parker was a lot of things and a coward regarding her romantic feelings was definitely one of them. So she just ignored it, pretended like everything was fine and went on with her day.
“Incoming call from Michelle Jones” Karen’s voice interrupted her musing
“Accept” Penny stated outloud confused because MJ never really called her when she was patrolling.
“Hey loser where are you” Her deadpanned voice filtered in her ear
Penny sighed, “On top of my faveorite skyscraper overlooking new york why?”
MJ huffed, “Come home I want to talk to you”
Penny furrowed hey eyebrows in confusion, “Yeah alright i’m coming”
MJ promptly ended the call and Penny sat there in confusion but shrugged her shoulders and got up. She pressed on her webshooters on second nature and let muscle memory take her to the penthouse.
SHe entered though the secret window that nobody but her and the rest of friends knew existed and made her way inside with the suit already retracting. Penny kept the nanonite suit and her father could suck it for all she cared. It was a good suit and she was keeping it.
Penny walked to the kitchen while saying outloud, “EM where are you”
“Over here” Penny heard her call out
You see Penny had super hearing and could easily hear where her friends are at any given moment but it was a habit to ask even though she already knew where her friends were. When penny walked into the kitchen MJ was sitting there looking solemn which was odd.
Penny cautiously walked forward, “Ar you alright” before sitting down silently
MJ took a deep breath and stated, “will you go out with me like on a date”
Penny’s brain bluescreened for a minute and all she could say was, “Huh?”