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Chapter Text

Penelope Marigold Parker is your average fifteen year old nerd. She hangs out with her friends, MJ and Ned, one of which she definitely doesn't have a big fat lesbian crush on. She writes code in her free time and tinkers with robots. Oh, did she mention she's Spider-Man and the other woman in an affair with her childhood idol on her other childhood idol? She wants to scream.

It started out with a field trip. Penny Parker absolutely hates field trips. Her first one, they forgot her at the museum. Second one, she had an asthma attack and the teacher had forgotten to pack her inhaler. And then, of course, there was fucking Oscorp.

And then Ben went and died. That's when it all really sunk in how fucking horrible her luck is. Her mom and dad, and then her uncle. She wasn't going to let May die too.

Hell, she wasn't going to let anyone else die, not when she can do something about it.

She truly didn't intend to pretend to be a man, but people assumed, and hell, who was going to expect 15 year old Penny Parker to be Spider-Man? It was just convenient.

And so it went on that way, a long while. Like, two months! Probably the most stability she's had since… well. She doesn't want to think about the thing that truly started her turmoil.

She didn't really remember her parents. It didn't make a true difference. But Skip Westcott, he made a difference. He changed everything. Nothing was ever the same after that.

But- No, no, she was thinking about Mr. Stark. Though is there really much of a difference anymore?

He came to her house. That should've been a sign. But no, no Penny was too awestruck to think about the fact that he managed to find her fucking address.

She was too awestruck to do anything other than agree to his internship. She was too stupid to see the signs.

A hand on her shoulder. The door the the lab always closed and locked. His breath on her neck. It was fine, it was no big deal.

He was Tony fucking Stark, he was her hero. He would never hurt her. He had a fiancée. He wouldn't hurt her.

He wouldn't.

Sometimes, she would show up early. Lab days were her favorite days of the week, she couldn't help showing up as early as she could.

That was where she met Miss Virginia Pepper Potts. If she loved Tony Stark, she adored Pepper Potts.

Just like in academic ranks, there was only one person who beat her in her love of Pepper Potts, and that was MJ.

When Ned found out about her internship with Stark, he about died. But when MJ found out that Penny had met Pepper Potts? Penny has never heard that loud a shriek in her life. Penny couldn't blame her. She felt the same.

But Tony started to act different after that day, the day she met Pepper. He acted weird. Penny didn't like it.

"So, my two girls have finally met, huh?"

His girls. That pit of butterflies in her stomach that always came around him managed to get worse.

"Um, yep, I guess so."

A hand on shoulder. She doesn't flinch. Not anymore.

"You didn't say anything to her, did you?"

"Say- Say what, what is there to say? What exactly do you mean?"

"Nothing, doll. You're just, you're special to me, you know?"

She's special to him. Penny Parker is special to Tony Stark. The butterflies in her stomach have started to scream.

"I-I'm special to you?"

"Of course you are, 'Roos. You're my favorite intern."

And then there are lips on her lips. There's lips on her lips, and she doesn't know what to do.

She can't tell anyone. It's Tony Stark. Tony Stark, her first kiss.

Skip never kissed her. He fucked her, but he never kissed her. Skip gave her that small dignity.

Tony Stark did not.

Tony Stark was not a bad kisser. She thinks that might be the worst part. He's gentle, he has a hand on her chin, holding her in place. She can't leave.

She can't breathe. His lips left hers a minute ago, but she's frozen. She can't breathe.

"Damn, kid, am I that bad?"

"No." She murmurs. "You're- You're, um, very- Very much not bad."

"Good."

Penny doesn't get any work that day. She leaves the lab in a haze, getting into to the car he's called for her with a blank stare.

Happy looks concerned. She always talks to him in the car. He doesn't push, though. She just stays quiet.

Penny always thought if anyone were to be her first kiss it would be MJ. Her lips looked so soft, and Penny's found herself transfixed by them. Ned told her that she's an idiot for not telling MJ her feelings, because he's sure that the girl likes her back.

Penny doesn't think any of that matters anymore. She doesn't really want to kiss anyone ever again.

She manages to plaster a smile onto her face as she walks into the apartment. She has practice at this part. The pretending everything is fine to May and Ben part. Well. Just to May now, but still.

Internship was fine.

Not very hungry.

Gonna go do homework.

She doesn't do her homework. Instead, she locks the door, throws on her suit, and hops out the window. May won't miss her for an hour.

Penny loves going out as Spider-Man.

She loves feeling the air rushing past her ears, on her skin, as she swings through the air. Through her city.

Spider-Man is nothing like Penny Parker. Spider-Man is strong, and brave. Spider-Man wouldn't let his idol kiss him ever so gently, a hand crawling down his-

Spider-Man would've pushed him away. Spider-Man is nothing like Penny Parker.

Spider-Man decides to swing by MJ's house. He doesn't go in, just watches her doing her homework. She sees him eventually, and snorts. Penny squeaks and bolts away, not very Spider-Manlike at all.

"You have an incoming call from Michelle Jon-"

"I-Ignore it, Karen!"

Penny tries not to hyperventilate as she webs onto a roof, staring at her city.

"You have one text message from Michelle Jones-Watson. Would you like me to read it?"

"I- Well- Yeah. I do."

"Michelle Jones-Watson said: You could've just come in, loser. I know it's you. Would you like to reply?"

"No- No thank you, Karen."

MJ knows. MJ knows. MJ probably already knew. MJ knows. MJ knows. MJ-

"Penny, your heart rate appears to be accelerating. Would you like me to call Mr. Star-"

"No!" She shrieks, rocketing away in a blur. She practically launches herself back into her window, tearing the stupid suit off of her. She hates everything. If she could quit this, she would do it in a heartbeat.

But she can't. She really can't. Queens needs her. Queens needs Spider-Man.

So she goes on.

Stark wants her in the lab 3 days a week now. So she'll go.

She avoids Flash like the plague. He tells everyone that she's probably sleeping her way to the top of Stark tower. She doesn't reply.

She eats her lunch in the bathroom. She doesn't talk to MJ or Ned.

They worry. She doesn't care. She can't.

Happy picks her up. He asks her if she's excited to go to the internship.

She doesn't say anything.

Stark kisses her again. She puts on the blushing, flushing intern act. She pretends she's in love with him.

She throws up in the bathroom.

Natasha Romanov catches her on the way out, and her jaw falls open.

"You're Natasha Romanov."

"And you should not have access to this floor. What are you doing here?"

What is she doing here?

"I'm- I'm Mr. Stark's-" Little whore. "-intern."

"I was unaware he had an intern."

"Well, he does." She stammers. "I better go."

And then she's gone.

Tony frowns when she enters the room, a hand quickly finding its way to her shoulder.

"You were gone a while, 'Roos. Avoiding me?"

"O-Of course not, I, I just- I ran into Ms. Romanov."

"And what did you say?"

"I said that I'm your intern."

"Good, good." A kiss to her cheek. "Don't want any drama, you know that. You're a good intern, Pen."

And then she's an even better intern, sucking him off while he whispers quiet reassurances to her. Telling her how perfect she is, how nobody is as good at this as she is.

She's heard it a billion times before. She's just glad he hasn't made her pull her pants down for him yet. He's not a small man. He barely fits in her throat.

She wishes that enhanced healing would work on her mind. But it doesn't.

She still hasn't talked to MJ. She's even gone so far as to skip acadec practice so she doesn't have to face the girl. The girl she loves. The girl who can't ever love back now that she's rotten to the core.

She's at the lab every day after school. Sometimes she shows up early. Sometimes she sees Pepper.

Those are the worst days. She's betraying her biggest hero.

Some days she wishes more than anything that she could tell her. She deserves to know. But then, what would happen to Penny?

Does it matter?

Maybe not. Maybe Penny deserved this fate. She doesn't really know, and she's too tired to figure it out. So she goes into the lab, and lets her face be fucked by her boss.

Just another typical fucking day.

Chapter Text

Pepper Potts is not an idiot.

She can see the way her future husband looks at the interns. The college students he stops to talk just a little longer when he doesn't need to. The way he flirts with them like he used to do with her. She's not blind.

There was a point in time where she truly loved Tony Stark. When she looked at him, and her heart filled with joy, her stomach with butterflies. That time has long since past.

Pepper Potts does not love Tony Stark, but she does have plans with him. She will marry him, and wait long enough to catch him cheating on her with some pretty young girl, get pictures and evidence, and then bleed him fucking dry.

She knows he's been cheating on her for years. There were times she considered as well, after she knew, of course, but she figured she shouldn't chance it. Her plan has been set in place years now, and she's done just about everything to make it perfect.

What she didn't account for was a fifteen year old girl with thick, bushy hair, who is now the man's personal intern. She is also the kindest girl Pepper's ever met, and she's fighting herself not to kill Tony if he lays a finger on her.

She never thought Tony was that bad. Sure, he had a propensity for cheating on her with younger women, but that's about half the male population.

Pedophiles are not half the male population.

Pepper isn't an idiot, though. She sees the way he leers at her. She sees the poor girl's anxiety around him. Around her.

In the beginning, she chalked it up to a coincidence. The girl was obviously a fan of her and Tony both, of course she'd be anxious around him! And maybe… Maybe she was misinterpreting the looks Tony gave her. Maybe the fondness was parental, not…

The thought makes her sick. If it's true, how many girls could she have saved? If it's true, is she almost as much of a monster as him?

But she doesn't know. She can't be sure. And she knows all too well that if she goes right out and ask her, the poor dear will never speak a word to her again, whether it's true or not.

She knows damn well that's what she would've done. What she did do.

Pepper Potts is not an idiot. But when it comes to Penny Parker? She's stumped.

So, she phones a friend. Just a friend, nothing more, certainly. Even if Natasha is the one she always calls. The one she always goes to. The only one who knows her Tony Plan. But she's just a friend. Definitely.

The woman picks up on the first ring.

"Pepper?"

"Natasha, are you alone right now? I… need to talk to you about Tony."

There's a sound of shuffling, some clanging, and then wind.

"I am now. Is this about his intern?"

"How did you-"

"I knew you were going to ask soon. I've seen it as well. Something doesn't sit right."

Pepper isn't sure whether to sob in relief or terror.

"She's such a sweet kid." She murmurs softly. "She's been so- So distant, lately. I mean we weren't ever close, but she just… She looks so tired. And she's here constantly, Tasha, I don't know what to do."

"I ran into her once. She was coming out of the bathroom, and she smelled like vomit."

"Christ."

"I don't know what that man has done to her, but it isn't good. You should talk to Hogan, he drives her around plenty."

"I- I will. Thank you, Tasha, you've helped a lot."

"Anything for my favorite CEO."

Pepper squeaks a bit at that, turning red as the phone clicks. That woman will be the death of her.

Not the time, not the time. She can sort her feelings out once Tony's out of the picture. Though she fears it may be sooner than expected.

Pepper sighs, dialing Happy's number. She's not sure if she wants it to be true, or if she wants it to just be her stupid mind running wild.

"Happy, you know Tony's intern, yes?"

She recieves a gruff agreement.

"Is- Does something seem off about her to you?"

"Yeah, actually. Kid used to be a total chatterbox, then one day she just shut up. Never talks anymore."

That's certainly not a good sign.

"Not to mention the bruises."

"Wait, what? Bruises?"

"Kid'll come into the car looking like hell, and they'll all be gone the next day. Gone, or different. It's never the same, though."

"I- Thank you, Happy, you've been a great help."

Bruises. Tony doesn't do bruises. Tony doesn't hit people, she would know if he did by now. He may be a cheater and an alcoholic, but he doesn't hit people.

So maybe it's not him. The girl mentioned her aunt once, but never an uncle. Maybe she doesn't mention him because he's hitting her. Maybe that's why she suddenly turned quiet, maybe- Maybe it has nothing to do with Tony at all.

She can't help the immense relief she feels at the thought. But she isn't certain. She can't be, not really. Not everything lines up.

Pepper decides the best thing to do is to pull a Tony, and do some digging.

"FRIDAY, would you pull up Penny Parker's file?"

"Of course, Ms. Potts."

She reads it in its entirety, frown growing deeper and deeper. This poor girl. Her parents killed in a plane crash, her uncle shot dead in front of her. She knows it isn't an uncle, then.

Maybe the aunt started dating someone abusive?

It's either that, or her worst nightmare. She sighs heavily, closing her laptop. It's almost 3, she'll be here soon.

Pepper rushes to the entrance, managing to "coincidentally" run into Penny as she walks in.

"Ms. Parker, it's very nice to see you again."

The girl blanches, and Jesus, Happy was right. The poor girl is covered in bruises and cuts.

"Are you okay, honey? You've got some nasty bruises there."

"I-I'm fine, Ms. Potts." She breathes. "Nothing t-to worry about."

That only makes Pepper worry more.

"You can talk to me, Penny, I promise I won't be mad. Is everything okay at home, at school?"

Penny nods, looking ready to bolt.

"Are you sure? Where did you get so many bruises, baby, I'm really worried."

"Just- Just some kids at, um, at school." She stammers, though it almost sounds like a question. Poor thing is a terrible liar. "It's- It's fine, I heal up quick, I'm r-really fine."

"You don't sound fine." Pepper murmurs sadly. "You really can talk to me, hon. Whatever you need, I'm here."

Penny just nods silently, ducking into the lab. Leaving Pepper with more questions than answers.

Penny Parker will be the death of her.

She just wants her to be okay. Even if it means changing the Tony plan. Even if it means changing every plan she's got set in place.

Pepper will make sure that girl is safe. No matter what.

Chapter Text

Penny's luck hasn't gotten better. Not even a little bit.

If you had told her a month ago she was running into avengers left and right, she would've believed her luck was finally starting to turn. But no, instead she has to try desperately to hide the fact that she's a cheating minx from the greatest superheroes in the world.

So yeah, not very lucky.

Not to mention that Ms. Potts has started to fret over her. That's the worst part. At least she knows to buy concealer now.

She knows it's bad. She's letting too many people land hits on her. She's not seperating herself from Spider-Man the way she's usually able to.

All she can think about when she puts on the suit is him. All she can think about when she does anything is him.

His face, his lips, his hands, his hands, his hands, his-

"Penny, hey, it's good to see you kiddo."

Great. Just what she needed.

Of all of the fucking people, it had to be the one who looks just like-

"H-Hi Mr. Rogers sir, it's, um, it's nice to see you again."

Dear god, someone save her from this conversation.

"Yes, and how are you-"

"Capsicle, come on, don't go pestering my intern, you know she's a busy bee."

You know what, that one's on her. That one's on her, she should have been more specific.

Penny knows that he can see her flinch when the hands reach her shoulders, steering her away. She stares helplessly at Steve, trying not to cry. She wants to go home.

"Hey Pen, you know, we've been doing this for a while now."

Oh.

Oh no.

"I was just wondering, honey, if you'd be interested in doing something more."

No no no, not yet, she wasn't ready for this yet.

"You've done so much for me, Underoos, it's only fair for me to return the favor."

She doesn't have time to say no. Not that she would, not that there was ever an option of saying no. But she never even got the chance, not before his lips were on hers.

Not before fingers started to crawl between her thighs.

She shakes her head, whimpering, squirming away. She hates this part. She really, really hates this part.

"Just breathe, Pen, I've got you."

She doesn't. She can feel his fingers moving. She wishes she had her suit. If she were Spider-Man, she could push him away. She could beat him up.

She could at least tell him no.

"So wet, you want more, don't you?"

She shakes her head. It doesn't matter. His belt is already on the floor.

Penny doesn't scream when he worms his way into her. She doesn't shout, or sob. She just whimpers pitifully, the way she knows he wants her to.

Anything to get this over with faster.

She doesn't think she'll ever get used to this feeling. Shoved up against a desk, somehow both freezing cold and burning hot. Exposed in the worst possible way.

She can feel the tears forming. She's going to bleed, she knows she will. He didn't use any lubricant, and her body isn't producing nearly enough to keep her safe.

He's too fast, too. It's starting to burn, he was gentle before, but he isn't now, not even a bit. She gasps back a sob, biting her lip hard.

He's moving faster. Faster and harder and faster and harder and burning white hot pain until-

She feels her body contracting. She feels what must be pleasure, but she doesn't feel pleased. Her head doesn't feel right. And there's something hot on her stomach, but he's gone, and then he's gone, something about a washcloth, she can't hear anything anymore.

Then something cold, wiping the heat away. Soft whispers in her ears that make her sick.

She stumbles to her feet, away from him. Somewhere, she smells blood.

He doesn't keep her. She thanks god for that, because she doesn't think she could stand to be around him much longer.

Happy drives her home. He's given up trying to talk to her, and she can't help be grateful for that.

May's got a later shift. She doesn't have to face her. She doesn't have to face anyone.

After laying on her bed for god knows how long, she manages to clear the fog from her mind enough to send in a request for time off tomorrow.

She tells him she has a group project to work on. He lets her lie.

She orders a pizza and eats the whole thing, then passes out in her bed. The clothes she wore earlier sit in the trash can, burning a hole in it.

Penny's luck strikes again when MJ corners her before lunch. Just what she needed.

"What the fuck, Parker."

"I-"

"Nope, fuck that, you don't get to talk. I have been worried fucking sick about you, do you know that? You show up outside my window, and then disappear off the face of the fucking planet for two weeks. Who the fuck does that?"

"MJ, I was just-"

"I don't want to hear it. You are sitting with us at lunch, and you're going to apologize to Ned. Got it?"

Penny nods weakly, trying to ignore the flush creeping up her face as MJ grabs her hand and drags her to their lunch table.

Ned's mouth falls open when he sees her. When he sees the dead look in her eyes. He's seen it before.

"I'm sorry for abandoning you." She whispers. "I just- It's been a rough couple of weeks."

"I can see that." He frowns. "Who is it?"

"What?"

"Who is it that's got you looking like that, Penny? The last time you had that look in your eyes was-"

"Nobody." She hisses. "Nothing is wrong, Ned, I'm fine."

"Would you losers mind filling me in? Because I, for one, agree with Ned. Surprisingly. You're not fine, Penny. You wouldn't be acting like this if you were, you know that."

She can feel the tears starting to prick the edges of her eyes. Fuck.

"I'm f-fine, I- I've just- I've just been b-busy with the internship."

MJ looks doubtful. Ned looks stricken.

"The internship." He swallows. "P-Penny, Stark isn't…"

She turns bright red, stopping in her tracks for just a moment too long.

"I- He's- It's, it's not like that."

MJ gasps. Penny thinks distantly that this is the first time she's ever heard her gasp.

Focus, Parker, focus.

"It's not like that." She says again, a bit stronger in her voice. "He's- He's just a, a very complicated man. He's not-"

"You said Skip was complicated too." Ned murmurs. "When you- When you told me. You said that he was complicated. You said you were sure he didn't mean to hurt you. To scare you."

The tears finally manage to push past her eyes, falling down her cheeks.

"It's Tony Stark, Ned." She whimpers. "Who would believe me?"

"Pepper Potts would." MJ says, finally gaining back her composure. "You- You said she was really nice when you first started out, didn't you?"

"No, no, she's- She's his fiancée. She would hate me."

"Would she?"

All her kind words bubble up in Penny's mind. Her gentleness. Her insistence that Penny can tell her anything.

"I don't know." Penny admits. "I don't really know."

"You have to try."

Penny nods weakly, wiping her face. MJ is right. She always is.

She has to try. She will try.

She can't take another moment with his hands on her.

Chapter Text

Pepper wishes she could say that she's surprised when Avengers start coming to speak to her about Penny. She isn't surprised. She hates it nonetheless.

Not that she dislikes hearing about Penny, she loves hearing about her girl.

The girl. Not… When did she start thinking of her that way? It doesn't matter.

Clint was the first one other than Natasha to bring the girl up. He told Pepper that she seemed kind, but something was off about the whole thing.

Then there was Sam, talking about how the girl seemed to display signs of trauma.

Steve fretted about how he thinks she hates him, Bruce praised her genius but was concerned about her temperament, even Bucky thought that someone needed to keep an eye on her.

Pepper assured him she was.

With everything that she knew, everyone's worries, she decided she didn't have much of a choice other than to confront her.

So she waited near Stark's lab. One hour passed. And then another. And then Tony came out of his lab, staring at her.

She didn't have time to run, so she smiled, and approached him.

"Penny not in today, then?"

He looks a bit surprised. A bit nervous. Bastard.

"Oh, no, she had a group project. Why'd you ask?"

"Well, the poor girl seems so tired lately, I just wanted to check in."

"I, uh, I didn't know you guys were close."

"I mean, not the closest, but I do care about her. I mean, it's hard not too, she's so sweet and endearing."

"Well, I can't argue that one." He grins, making his way over to her. She tries not to shudder as he laces a hand around her waist. "I'm so lucky to have someone like you, Pep."

He leans in for a kiss, and she puts a hand on his chest, stopping him.

She cannot kiss him. Not knowing what she knows.

"As much as I'd love to spend all day with you, Tones, I do have to run your company."

"Of course, of course, I wouldn't dare get in your way."

"Mhm."

She almost laughs. The only thing he's ever done is get in her way. Tony Stark was simply an obstacle in her way of getting to the top.

If she keeps telling herself that, maybe one day she'll believe it.

After the meeting, she finds herself walking into Natasha's room. She doesn't have the slightest clue why.

She does. She wants that woman more than she has wanted anyone in her life.

Natasha doesn't look the least surprised to see her there.

"How did it go?"

"Penny took a day off. Group project, according to Tony. Not that I believe much of what he says."

Natasha nods, her hand finding its way into Pepper's. The silence is loud, yet gentle.

"Sit, Родна́я. Here."

The word doesn't register in Pepper's mind, though she sits nonetheless.

"Rod- Rodnaya?"

Natasha's cheeks pinken a bit, though she schools herself as she throws an arm around Pepper.

"It means dear."

"Oh."

"Yeah."

The silence manages to get louder. Pepper tries not to feel like a teenager.

You have a fiancé.

Yeah, a fiancé who she's 99% sure is a fucking pedophile.

It doesn't matter. None of it matters. She's let that stupid man dictate her life for years. She's not going to let him do it any longer.

Her perfectly applied lipstick smudges.

"Miss Potts, are you not soon to be married?"

"Miss Romanov, I was under the impression that you did not care?"

"Well, that's good, I don't."

Lips meet again, far longer this time.

"God, Natasha, do you know how long I've wai-"

"I waited longer, shut up and keep kissing me."

Pepper happily complies.

The world feels almost as light as air. Almost.

But not quite. Not quite, because Pepper still has things to do.

She has her girl- A girl to save from the man whole stole her life. It's ironic, in a way.

But when she sees her, she sees herself. Fresh out of college and needing a job. Only Penny isn't even that, she's just a fucking kid. Pepper thinks she might just kill Tony either way.

And then she sees her. Jesus Christ, does she see her. Eyebags so big, Pepper has to question if she even slept. Hands shaking, hair barely brushed, terribly concealed bruises.

And unlike every other time Pepper has waited for her, she doesn't scurry into the lab. She doesn't stare at the ground with that guilty look on her face, that terror that only someone like Pepper can recognize in her eyes.

But this time is different. This time, Penny forces her eyes up. This time, she can see determination sprinkled in with the fear in those brown eyes.

Is this what Pepper looked like to her mother? Is this how she felt?

“Ms. Potts,” Penny starts, the fear of god in her eyes. “I think I need to talk to you about something.”

And just like that, Pepper knows everything she’s been terrified of is coming true.

"Yes." The taller woman agrees softly. "I think so too. Would you like to come to my office?"

Penny nods, fighting back tears.

Pepper prays she'll never have to see that fear on anyone else again. She knows she won't if the fear is at the hands of Tony Stark.

He is a dead man walking. And Pepper, a murderer soon to be.

Chapter Text

I think so too. I think so too.

The words repeat again and again in Penny's head as she follows Ms. Potts into her office.

She thinks so too. Thinks they need to talk too. Does she know? How could she know?

If she knew, why didn't she say anything? Why didn't she tell Penny, why didn't she scream at her, at Mr. Stark, why didn't she ban Penny from being allowed on the premises?

Why didn't she make it stop?

Why did it even happen at all?

Penny's the one who's Spider-Man. She should've been able to make it stop.

But she didn't. Maybe, maybe some subconscious part of her wanted it.

Maybe some part of her knew she was a slut, knew she deserved it, knew-

"-enny, hey, look at me baby, deep breaths, follow my breathing, can you do that?"

She chokes in a breath, nails digging into her skin.

"You're okay, you're safe, I promis-"

"M-Mr. Stark is cheating on you!" She blurts out, squeezing her eyes shut. Waiting for the screaming to start.

It doesn't.

Penny cracks her eyes open, but Ms. Potts doesn't seem angry. Just a tired sadness, like it's familiar.

"I know that. I have a long time." She murmurs softly. Penny wasn't expecting that. "How do you know that, honey?"

She wanted to do this without crying. She really did.

It's only been two minutes, but she's already in tears. Why is this so hard?

Why does Ms. Potts have to be so nice?

"Be-Because- Because he was- It was- Because it w-was with me."

She tenses again, really expecting the screams this time.

It's quiet for a long time. When she opens her eyes, Ms. Potts looks solemn. Solemn like Penny's never seen. She knows it now; the woman must hate her.

But then she takes a deep breath, and looks at Penny with horribly sad eyes.

"I- I am so sorry, baby." She murmurs, a nervous hand reaching closer to Penny's, then stopping in its tracks. "Is- Is it alright if I ask some follow-up questions? Just so- Just to have a gauge on- On his actions."

And Penny's actions too, but it's fine. Same difference. Her actions haven't been her own for years. So she nods, eyes glued to the ground.

"Did he- Was it just things he said, or-" There's a sharp shaking of her head. "I didn't think so. How long has this been happening?"

"It was, um. A month into the internship, I think, when he kissed me." She recounts distantly, picking at a thread in her jeans. "Maybe two weeks later he had me, um. He-Help him. Under the desk."

Pepper starts to look green.

"He d-didn't, um, he- Two days ago, he- We- Fucked."

Eloquent, Parker.

"Oh, Penny. I- Sweetheart, can I give you a hug?"

Penny's mind goes blank with confusion.

"W-Why would you want t-to do that?"

"Because I know how horrible of a thing that is to go through."

Know. Know. She knows.

"You- Do?"

A solemn nod.

"I-I- Please, I- Please." Penny begs, almost running into Pepper's arms.

And the woman catches her, rubbing her upper back and running fingers through her hair.

"Breathe, just breathe. You're safe, baby, I've got you. I will never let him touch you again, I promise, I would kill him before he ever laid a hand on you again, I swear it."

The words only half register in Penny's mind as she sobs into Pepper's neck, trembling like a leaf.

She doesn't register much at all.

"Pep, have you seen-"

Pepper Potts has a good glare. Tony Stark has only experienced it a few times, but never like this. This makes him flee.

"W-Wha' wazzat?" Her baby sniffles, a bit muffled.

"Nobody important, sweetheart."

She nods, shuddering, pressing closer into Pepper.

Now she truly does know her mother felt on that fateful day where she muttered her terror into the older woman's chest.

Is this how all mothers feel? She supposes it must be.

Penny whines something incomprehensible, and the woman shifts so she can hear her better.

"What was that, baby?"

"S-Said- Said 'm so-sorry for ruinin' your m-marriage."

"Oh Penny, you didn't- It wasn't-"

Pepper sucks in a sharp breath.

"You were not even close to the first person Tony's cheated on me with." She murmurs gently. "But you were the first child. And I will never allow a child to be hurt when there's something I could do about it."

"But- B-But what are you gonna do?"

What is she going to do?

She could keep her plan, albeit change it some. He knows that she's aware now, she could blackmail him? Or maybe just force him to give her a lot of fucking money and then get him thrown in jail anyways.

That's what she wants to do, at least. But it isn't fully her choice.

"What do you want me to do, honey? There are plenty of things I could do to him, but I think you deserve some say in it."

Penny looks surprised, thinking about it for a while.

"I don't even want to- To see him again, to have to- Y-Y'know."

Pepper nods encouragingly, though that was already never going to happen again.

"He sh-shouldn't- Shouldn't ever be able t-to do this to someone again. It wasn't- He shouldn't be, u-um, in a position to."

Pepper agrees whole-fucking-heartedly.

A thought pops into her mind.

"Sorry, just- One thing, hon. FRIDAY, would you pull and lock the footage from Tony Stark's lab starting from the date Penny Parker's internship started? Make sure nobody has access to it but me. Especially make sure Stark cannot override this and cannot tamper with or delete the footage."

"Of course, Ms. Potts."

Pepper's never heard an AI sound smug before. She has now.

"What, u-um, what was that for?"

"It's to make sure there is absolutely no doubt that he'll end up in jail."

The girl in her arms blanches a bit, looking pale.

"J-Jail? But that- That would, um, m-mean a trial, and, a-and I'd have to testify, and I can't do that again, Ms. Potts, I can't-"

"Woah, woah, woah, deep breath, baby, can you take a deep breath for me?"

Penny eventually manages to do so, Pepper carefully demonstrating breathing the whole time.

"There you are, you're okay." Pepper doesn't think about the word again. She can't. "You don't have to testify if you don't want to. With the footage, it's pretty much an open-and-shut case. You wouldn't have to step a foot into the court room unless you wanted to."

Pepper really, really hopes that's true. It makes Penny relax a hair, and that's all that matters.

"But- But what about, um-" She swallows nervously. "What about th-the press?"

"I will personally make sure that the public is not allowed in." Pepper spits angrily. "All details of the case will be redacted, of course, because you are a minor, and if anyone tries to release your name, I will personally find them and- And, er, set Natasha on them."

Penny giggles a bit, wiping her eyes.

"Y'promise?"

"Cross my heart, P."

That seems to be enough for the girl, as she goes back to resting her head against Pepper's chest.

Pepper still has a hundred things running through her mind, even more she needs to get done, but when she looks down, they all melt away.

Sitting here, with her baby in her lap, nothing else matters. Nothing ever will again.

Chapter Text

Pepper's head is reeling. Penny's been safely returned home, exchanging deep glances with Happy. God knows he'll keep her safe.

She's sitting in her office now, just reeling. The world is spinning wrong, off of its axis. She feels sick.

How is she meant to go back to her room? Is she meant to still pretend? To sleep in the same bed as that freak?

She has to collect some clothes, at least. Clothes and some other necessities, and then hole up in Natasha's room until everything blows over. It'll work. It has to.

So she leaves her office, and prays Tony won't be in the bedroom waiting for her.

Just her luck, her prayers go unanswered.

"So." He murmurs, a harsh glare in his eyes. "You know, then."

"I know that you're a pedophile." Pepper hisses. "I already knew you were cheating, I'm not an idiot."

"Never said anything, huh? Makes me wonder if you were cheating too."

She flushes a bit, thinking of Natasha.

"Huh. Well, guess that answers that, doesn't it?"

"No, it's, it's not like that, it's-"

"Does it matter? You can claim I'm an asshole all you want, but we both know you're not much better."

"I'm not fucking children, Tony!"

"Penny wasn't-"

"She's fifteen!"

They're both silent a while, the tension in the air only thickening.

Pepper turns to grab some clothes when Tony catches her wrist.

"Where the fuck do you think you're going, Pep?"

"I was just-"

"Just what? Just going to sleep at whoever's house your fucking now? Who is he, huh, do I know him? You know everything, and I get nothing, is that right Pep?"

"Yes, you know her, let me go, Tony!" She spits, wrestling away from him. Stumbling against the wall. Trying not to panic. "Just leave it alone, I won't tell the press if you just let me leave, alright?"

He doesn't. He takes a step closer to her, eyes running across her body. She stiffens.

Shit.

"You never told me you were into women, Pep."

"Tony. Don't do this, Tony."

"What? Can a man not appreciate his future wife?"

"You're not stupid enough to think I'd actually marry you after all this, are you?"

"Of course not." He scoffs, his hand landing on her waist. "But when has that ever mattered?"

His hand is on her waist. There's a hand on her waist, and there's hands, there's hands-

Her mind goes blank, and her body moves on instinct. It decides to knee Tony in the balls.

He makes a high pitched noise that would make Pepper die laughing under any other circumstance. Instead, she grabs a random nightgown and sprints to Natasha's room, chest heaving.

The other woman jumps up, rushing to her. Pepper practically collapses into her arms, tears bursting over in her eyes.

"Fuck, Ангел, what did he do? I swear to God, I'll-"

"No." She insists, squeezing Natasha tightly. "Please, I just- I just need to- I just need to be with you, please."

"Of course. Of course, deep breaths, okay? Here, sit, breathe with me."

Pepper nods, taking shuddering breaths in and out. She manages to get a grip eventually, curled up in Natasha's arms. Thank God she has her.

After a while, she opens her mouth.

"Natasha, I- It was really bad." She murmurs weakly. "The poor girl, she was- I mean, god, she was a wreck, he- He did awful things to her."

The other woman simply nods, rubbing her back. Giving her the space she needs.

"He walked in." Pepper can hear Natasha suck in a breath through her teeth. "While- While we were talking, he… He saw me holding her, I mean- I mean I knew whatever plans I had were gone, but that- I mean, that just solidified it. It's- It's a bit terrifying knowing that I don't have a fallback plan."

"But that's not why you ran in here."

Why does she have to know her so damn well?

"No." She agrees quietly. "It's not."

"You don't need to tell me. Not if you don't want to."

"I- I can't keep it bottled up."

They both know how well keeping these things hidden away goes. They both know all too well.

"I ran into him after… Everything. I was- I was going to get some clothes and come here, I was going to be fast and get it over with, I was going to- But he was there. In the room, he was there. He- We, uh. Talked about stuff. He- I didn't say your name, but I- He knows that I cheated. With- With a woman."

Natasha nods, steeling herself.

"Alright. I can handle that. If he knows, if he figures it out, well. We both know I could break every bone in his body with basically no effort at all."

Pepper laughs weakly. Natasha can tell her heart isn't there. Natasha can always tell.

She hates it. She loves her.

"There's more, though."

"He was staring at me. He touched my waist."

Hands, hands, hands, dipping lower, lower, lower-

"Did he..?"

"I kicked him in the balls."

"Это моя девочка." Natasha murmurs. "I'm proud of you."

"I couldn't stop thinking about him, Tasha. It was like he was there again. Like he was all over me again."

"I- I know. It's horrible. He's horrible. They both are."

"C-Can't believe I ever let him touch me."

"You couldn't have known, Pepper, you know that. How would you have known?"

"I know, I know, I just… Hindsight is twenty-twenty, I guess. I- There were signs. I had a whole plan, and I never considered that he might've been.."

"Why would you have?"

"Because- You fucking know why, Natasha, you know."

"Sorry, of course I do, I simply mean that your mind wouldn't jump to that just from him cheating on you. Most people wouldn't jump to that."

"I'm not most people, Natasha."

"No. You're not." She agrees. "But even you wouldn't want to assume that he's like your father. Nobody wants to assume that of someone."

"I know. I just- I wish I had known."

"I do too, Родна́я. More than anything."

Pepper nods weakly, resting her head on Natasha's chest. She knows that soon her dreams will be full of the nightmare that was her past. The nightmare that is her present.

But for now, and only for now, she can take solace in Natasha's arms.

It isn't much. But it is enough.

Chapter Text

Spider-Man doesn't let himself get pulled down by stupid things like Tony Stark and extramarital affairs. Spider-Man doesn't let anything pull him down. Spider-Man flies.

A mugging? Easy work for Spider-Man. Supervillains? With a quip and some webs, they're down easy. Walking old women across the street, helping save cats from trees? Those are his favorite activities!

Spider-Man is everything Penny Parker wishes she could be. Spider-Man is everything.

Until he isn't.

Because when Spider-Man hears that whimper, that shaky little voice protesting halfway across the city, she isn't Spider-Man anymore.

She's Penny Parker in her idol's lab, letting herself be shoved against the table and used like a toy. And Penny knows exactly what Spider-Man needs to do.

So she flies across the city, swinging from building to building, until she lands on the balcony of an apartment. Until he lands, opening the window and silently slipping in.

The cries of a little boy are screaming in her ears. He turns, rushing into what must be the boy's bedroom, and there's Spider-Man posters on the walls. There's Spider-Man posters, and there's a young woman standing over a little boy. A topless young woman, standing over a little boy who's been stripped naked.

Spider-Man doesn't even need to think before pulling her away and punching her square in the face. He hears the satisfying crunch of a broken nose, and is pulling back about to punch again when-

"S-Spider-Man, stop! Stop it!"

He drops her immediately, not noticing as she crawls away to get her shirt, not noticing as the door slams as she leaves the apartment.

"Hey." He breathes, taking a step closer to the boy. "Deep breaths, buddy. You wanna tell me your name?"

"T-Tony." The boy sniffles, and fuck, isn't that the most twisted irony Penny's ever heard of? But now is not the time for that. "Th-That was Judy. She w-was my babysitter."

His babysitter. She doesn't know if she can breathe right now. The air gets caught in her throat.

"Okay. Okay, um, why don't you get your clothes back on, and then we can talk in the living room. Does that sound okay, Tony?"

The moment he nods she's gone, taking gasping breaths on his couch. She manages to control herself before Tony comes out. Manages to be Spider-Man again. She has to. For him.

When Tony comes out wearing Spider-Man pajamas, he almost breaks. But he doesn't.

"Do you want to sit on the couch with me?"

In lieu of replying, the boy sprints to the couch, sitting right next to him. Close, but not quite touching.

"Listen, I- I know how you're feeling right now Tony, I really do, but-"

"No you d-don't. You can't know."

"Tony-"

"You're a superhero. You're Spider-Man. Spider-Man doesn't- You don't know, you can't."

Spider-Man swallows and takes a deep breath.

"Tony, can I tell you a story?"

He receives a shy nod from the boy.

"One day, there was a gi- boy just like you. He liked superheros, and he loved reading. He liked to spend lots of time in the library, and one day, a cool older kid, S-Skip, introduced himself to the boy. Asked about the book he was reading, gave him a cool nickname. They became fast friends. Eventually, the older boy met the kid's au- Er- Parents, and they let Skip babysit for him. But one day while he was babysitting, Skip started doing stuff that made the boy really uncomfortable. He felt dirty and gross, and scared to tell his parents. But his best friend at school realized something was wrong and helped him to tell the truth. His parents made sure the boy never had to see Skip ever again. That boy was me, Tony. And I want to help you to never see your babysitter again. Okay?"

Tony sniffles, nodding.

"Can I call your parents, tell them what's going on?"

"I, um. Okay."

"Okay."

Explaining to two concerned adults that their kid just got molested by his babysitter is not what Penny expected to be doing tonight. But they rush home from their date in only 15 minutes, and Spider-Man manages to slip out after another 10 and a billion thank yous.

While she swings home, she realizes exactly what she needs to do.

"May?" Penny calls out, walking out of her room. "Are you home?"

"In the kitchen, baby, just making dinner!"

Penny cringes as she walks in, stomach already turning. The smells coming from whatever May is trying to make isn't helping.

"Can you, um, take a little break, maybe? I need to talk to you. It's… important."

Her aunt turns around, cooking attempt immediately forgotten. Concern etches her face.

"Of course, honey. You can tell me anything."

Penny nods. Penny knows. Logically, she knows so well that May would never be mad at her for this. But that doesn't make it any less hard.

"C-Can we go to the couch first?"

May nods, taking her hand and sitting down with Penny on the couch.

"I need you, um- I need you to not say anything, okay? I- I need to just talk, I… Just, just don't say anything. Please."

"Whatever you need, Penny, anything you need."

"Okay. Okay, um. You- You know my internship, um, with- With Mr. Stark, it- He- He's been, um-"

Deep breaths. Deep breaths. For Tony. And for anyone who will be hurt by Stark if she doesn't speak up.

"He's been touching me. I-Inappropriately, and-" She cringes when she hears May's quiet gasp. She can't look her in the eyes. "And I told, um, I told Pepper Potts. And sh-she's going to try to help me get him arrested. Said she'd t-take care of everything, I, I might not even need to testify, um… I just. I didn't know how to say it. I d-didn't know how to tell you it happened again, I'm so sorry."

Gentle arms wrap around her, holding her tight.

"You've got nothing to apologize for, baby, absolutely nothing." She murmurs fiercely. "He's the one who should be sorry. Who will be sorry, when I get my hands on his grubby little- Sorry, sorry Penny, you know how I get."

Penny laughs wetly, face buried in her aunt's shoulders.

"I kn-know, Aunt May, I know."

Everything seems to wash away. She doesn't really know why she was so terrified in the first place. She'll always have a home in May's arms.

She doesn't think about the trial, or hands, or even what she's going to say to MJ at school tomorrow. She doesn't think about anything. She breathes.

Clean air, for the first time in a long time. Maybe things can still be okay.