Hi all! Welcome to the first installment if my Peter Park/Stark!OC series The Stark Girl.
I hope you enjoyed the first chapter! The next one starts right now.
To recap if anyone is confused: Pepper is not her biological mother, but as she's the only mom she knew - think "baby gets left at the doorstep by Inhuman mother incapable of taking care of her Baby Daddy" style - she calls Pepper "mom" with no hesitation (she was legally adopted by Pepper between Iron Man 3 and Age of Ultron). Baby Stark has battled depression and anxiety for awhile but it got worse after Civil War, especially since the man she considered an uncle and hero was separated from her, and her dad feels betrayed by his only daughter. There's still love, no abuse, but sometimes when two people have similar attitudes things get worse before they get better. I hope you can see her feelings are justified - still not completely right, but for her make sense. As someone who had a similar relationship with her own father and also deals with anxiety and depression, I hope you the reader understand this comes from a genuine place, not a need to damage my character. Because anyone with mental health issues isn't damaged, even if they think they are. I'm also not making her a victim of her problems. She's fighting through her feelings, and is trying even though her mind is holding her back.
Also, for any of you hoping for tension between her and MJ - not gonna happen. I acknowledge the MJ/Peter relationship - trust me, I ship it - but I'm having fun with my own "what if" situation and MJ and Peter will only be friends who went on a few dates the year prior but realized they didn't really work, as the MCU is different from other iterations of the couple. MJ and Brooklyn will be like sisters, because I'm tired of seeing strong women at odds because of a guy. They support each other, MJ is the first person outside the superhero community to learn who she really is and help her become a hero. They have healthy conversations and though they occasionally argue, they aren't petty with one another. Brooklyn already deals with enough of that with her dad and Rhodey.
As always, I only own my character and certain plots. Everything else is Disney and the MCU.
One good thing about my exile? Well, other than being away from dad and Rhodey. The fact I get to live in New York City again. There's seriously nothing to do upstate, and I was basically on house arrest.
But no. Here, I'm living in Long Island City, in a penthouse overlooking the water and the city. 2540 Shore Blvd, penthouse 23E is my new home. All three bedrooms and bathrooms. Well, Happy gets one of each, but still. A view of the water and city, plus the building has an indoor pool. I would thank my dad, but by going without fighting him on it I think I showed enough appreciation. Besides, this was his idea. I couldn't have stopped him.
I roll the last suitcase into my room, admiring the floor-to-ceiling windows. "P.O.P., please tell me your here."
"Yes, Lynn. Your father had me installed as soon as he bought this place. How's the view?"
I smile. "It's the best damn thing I've ever seen. Question; can you tint the windows?"
"Can I? Who do you think you're talking to?"
I snort. I would get a sassy AI. "Sorry, sorry."
Opening my bags I get to work setting everything up, and realize my room is still pretty empty when I'm done. With a sigh I step out onto my attached balcony, looking down at the water and city beneath me. This is my new life. I can't help but feel alone, even with Happy here. I miss my friends, my family. Steve Rogers is my family, he's the uncle who understood me most - well, my favorite bodyguard aside. I was his biggest fan growing up, which irritated my dad like nothing else. But my dad, before he was kidnapped and became Iron Man wasn't about peace, he wasn't even about war. All he cared about was money, and weapons bring money. I'm sure he loved me, but that fear of him becoming my grandfather - something mom is always quick to remind me - all it did was turn him into Howard Stark 2.0.
But then, things got better. They really did. Until dad decided to sell his rights to the government, to be a patsy for Ross. He had the audacity to ask me to sign it, when all that would mean is experimentation on me down the line.
Uncle Steve protected me, just like he did the first time we met. He stood up for me when even uncle Rhodey said the Accords were our only option.
Like I said before, I wish he, Nat, and Sam took me with them. I wish I was with Wanda. But most of all, I wish the Accords never happened. I wish my dad - the same man who showed the US government his middle finger years ago - didn't roll over. He's Tony-freaking-Stark. Not… not whoever he is now. That man isn't my father.
"Giggles, you all settled?" Happy asks, taking me from my thoughts. I leave the balcony to talk to Happy, who's leaning against my open door.
"For now. I like this place. I already feel… lighter, I guess."
"Good. I was hoping you might. Who you've been at the compound, ever since… well, you haven't been yourself."
"No one has. Dad made sure of that."
"Brooklyn, take it easy on him. He just did what he thought was right."
"Signing our rights away is never right! Uncle Steve told me what that bastard CIA officer said to him, when he and Sam were arrested. They wouldn't be allowed lawyers! How is that legal, the one thing you're allowed access to when taken into custody and it was forbidden? So no, I won't take it easy on him. We're in this mess because of him. Oh, but of course it's okay, because he has perfect Peter Parker to play friendly neighborhood Spider-Man. How come he didn't have to sign the Accords, but I almost did?"
Happy sighs, running a hand down his face. "I don't know, Brooklyn. I wish I did. Listen, you're here to cool off a bit. Maybe some time apart from your dad will do you some good?"
I snort. "Please. He hardly visited me during my 'house arrest'. He can't stand to be in the same room with me ever since I proved I can make up my own mind about shit."
Happy pats my shoulder. "Things will get better. Your dad loves you, always has, always will. Just have a little faith." Happy leaves me and I sit on my bed, staring at my shaking hands. I will them to stop, counting my fingers and breaths to stop the ensuing panic attack.
"Have faith." I mutter. "That's the problem. I already lost it." With a sigh I go back out to my deck, hoping that if I watch the waves I'll be okay. Of course, the minute someone swings up next to me I regret not staying in my room and locking the door. "Son of a bitch! What do you want?" I growl, glaring at the out-of-suit newcomer.
Peter Parker gulps at my tone, but his eyes stay strong and his taller frame - he isn't a giant, but as I'm only 5'0" he towers over me.
"Happy called, told me you got here. I came to check up on you, see if you needed help settling."
I roll my eyes and storm through my room towards the living room, flanked by the Spiderling. "Happy, we have company!"
"Oh, Peter." Happy enters, wiping his hands on a cloth. "I was just getting dinner together. I thought May was coming?"
I give Happy a look of confusion, but Peter doesn't see it. "Oh, she'll be like ten more minutes. Something about not wanting to swing around."
I roll my eyes and go back to my room, closing the door behind me. But when they start talking, I can't help but listen in.
"Is she doing better?" Peter asks. The concern in his voice makes me even more irritated. Irrationally so, I know, because it really isn't his fault dad likes him more. He's got a few redeeming qualities, but I'm woman enough to admit I'm very jealous.
"Not yet. She and her dad got into quite the argument."
"Her bracelets are off."
"She took them off." Peter makes a noise. "Yeah, apparently she figured it out awhile ago, but decided to humor her dad."
"I bet that went well."
Happy snorts. "Yeah."
"You know, I could talk to Mr. Stark -"
"Kid, trust me, if he won't listen to me, he won't listen to you."
"But we-"
"That's another thing. Maybe cool off about your's and Tony's relationship. It bothers her."
Peter scoffs. "Maybe if she wasn't so stubborn…"
"Trust me, it's on both of them."
"She fought for the wrong side and got caught."
"Peter, she fought for what was best for her. You can't hold that against her."
"What was best, wasn't right."
"Look at it this way. She's an Inhuman. That means experimentation, being rounded up, judgment."
"So you don't agree with the Accords?"
"On paper, sure. It's important to have rules and guidelines to operate within. But in reality… no. All they did was tear apart her family. Try to remember that before you judge her anger."
I smile at the fight in Happy's voice, tearing up a bit in the acceptance he has of me. Leaving my spot at the door I walk over to the dying plant I took from Steve's room. I'd been keeping it alive without my powers, but now as I wave my hand over the lavender and watch it heal and grow, I finally feel like myself again.
I guess I've spent too long staring at the plant, because P.O.P. activates what seems like seconds later, but is actually minutes. "Lynn, dinner time." My dad's robotic voice calls. I sigh and stand up, first going into the bathroom to wash my hands before going out to face the music.
Peter's aunt is a beautiful woman with a petite frame, smooth brown hair, and warm eyes. I can tell Happy appreciates May, too, considering the looks he's giving her. Cute.
"Hi, you must be Brooklyn. It's nice to meet you darling. Peter talks about you a lot."
I shake her hand but look over at Peter, who's busy looking away. "All good things, I hope."
May nods. "Oh, absolutely. As a matter of fact, he was just telling me -"
"Oh, look, lasagna. Hmm, I smell sausage. The salad looks great, too, and the garlic bread." Peter interrupts, rushing to the table. I hide my amused grin and go to take a seat, only for Peter Parker to pull out the chair for me and carefully push me in. Happy does the same for May, both adults looking bashful.
We serve ourselves, the other three talking while I poke around at what little is on my plate. My appetite has decreased in the past year. I still eat - I'm not completely starving myself - but it's hard, when the voices in my head just tell me to be angry and sad. I've been diagnosed with depression for three years now, even before the Avengers broke up. But now… it's a lot worse, especially since I feel so alone.
"Brooklyn, are you listening." The ringing in my ears stops - that numbness when you zone out - and I look up to see Happy and May worriedly looking at me. I can't see Peter since he's sitting next to me. I put on as genuine a smile as I can muster.
"Sorry. Was thinking about… stuff…" I trail off, perfectly aware of how unconvincing I just was.
"I asked if you were excited to start school. You haven't been to a public school since third grade." Happy gently reminds me.
I nod and look at my hands before looking up at him and May. "Yeah, I'm happy. Nervous, but… I'm tired of sitting around at home."
"Well, Peter will take good care of you. And his friends are very sweet. Michelle is a little strange, but she means well." May tells me, the look on her face similar to my mother's.
I nod, unable to be unwelcoming to her. "I really appreciate that. I haven't had friends since - well, it's been awhile."
"Are you hungry, giggles?" Happy asks me, taking a look at my plate. I shake my head.
"Not really. I'm sorry, I'm tired, big day tomorrow. Can I please be excused."
"Of course." Happy looks at me, worriedly, and I stand. Smiling at May, I wave.
"It was nice to meet you. I'll see you soon, I'm sure."
Her smile is bright, her eyes kind but concerned. "Of course, darling. Get some sleep."
I turn and walk to my bedroom before realizing I never addressed Peter. Stopping at my open doorway I face him. "I'll see you tomorrow, Peter. Goodnight." Before he can respond I close the door, collapsing onto my bed and practically sinking into the mattress.
Tomorrow is going to be a long day.
