Disclaimer: I do not own nor make profit off of The Avengers. It all belongs to the MCU and The Walt Disney Company.
I Honestly don't like this chapter..in fact I kind of hate it. I don't believe I was able to really capture the characters, but I think it's important for later chapters to understand how I planned for Harry and Penny to meet so enjoy...even though I just don't think it hit the bar.
When Harry Met Penny
"I don't understand why I have to be there." I grumble readjusting the strap on my dress for the eighth time since I put it on twenty minutes ago,
"Because I asked you too." Mr Stark states coming to stand next to me in the mirror reaching up to fix his tie,
"Yes, and yet I still don't understand. If this is a business party why do I need to be there? I'm you "Intern" remember? Natasha's not even here to sneak me drinks." Mr. Stark stops trying to fix his tie and turns to me,
"Natasha sneaks you drinks?" I keep my eyes on the mirror,
"No, but I like to think that we'll be at that level someday," Mr. Stark turns back towards his reflection and makes a face reaching for the knot in his tie again,
"You will, you'll be 21. Listen I think it's good that you go to an occasional Starks Gala." I look up to him in the mirror,
"I've been to one of you're parties." I point out, Mr. Stark nods,
"Sound it out, Penny. A Par-ty. That's strictly Avenger's invite only and usually ends in Chinese food and everyone making fun of Rogers, this is a Gala, important people are here and it's important for your future that you talk to these people." I lift a brow,
"I'm only 15."
"I graduated MIT at 15," his eyes light up, "Oh speaking of that a friend of mine will be here, I want to introduce you to him. His name is Nergis Mavalvala, dean of MIT, it's no big deal." Thats actually a very big deal but he goes back to trying to fix his tie in the most casual way. I take a deep breath, I've been meaning to have this conversation with Mr. Stark for weeks now,
"I don't know if I want to go to MIT." This halts his hands,
"Excuse me?" I shrug,
"I think I might want to take a gap year." Mr. Stark laughs, its breathy and it's sarcastic. It's not really a laugh at all,
"You're not taking a gap year, why would you want to take a gap year?" I look up to the ceiling pushing my lips, I don't know exactly what to tell him,
"I just want a year off. Things could change in the next two years, I don't know." We're silent for a minute and then Mr. Stark holds out a finger,
"Is this because of Spiderman because I will-"
"Noo" I cut him off, although it might be part of it, "We're just constantly moving, don't you ever just want to stop," Mr. Stark's nose wrinkles
"Whats that word?"
"No?" I know that's a word he's not use to hearing, but he shakes his head,
"Stop. You and me aren't stopping people Penny, we're go people." I sigh and reach for my strap again, even the smallest movements cause it to fall. This is the last time I wear a dress Mr. Stark gives me. I need this conversation to be over, I push my lips and look over. He's back to looking at his tie. He reaches up to fiddle with it again,
"I say we ditch this, put on our pajamas and get donuts instead." Mr. Starks hands drop and he looks to be actually considering this,
"Mmmm."
"We can go to you're Charlies your favorite donut shop, and I'll teach you how to do Prank phone calls?"
"What makes you think I don't know how to do Prank phone calls? Why do you think the paparazzi caught Rogers wondering around the pentagon last week muttering something about how the president told him to be there. Who was that? Oh ya that was me?"
"Wait really?" It was all over TMZ "Captain America lost and confused." Mr. Stark just nods in that casual bored way he does, as if he didn't just say something completely interesting, "Can we do that again?"
"No, Tony." Pepper sighs stepping into the room. She's stunning dressed in a forest green lace mermaid gown, her red hair pulled back and pinned into a low bun on the right side of her head. Small diamond drop earrings sit at her lobs, while she's left her neck jewelry free,
"Wow!" Mr. Stark breathes out, "I have great taste, I picked that out right?" Mrs. Potts sweeps right passed him coming to stand behind me,
"No." She grabs my dress strap, "These are suppose to cross in the back." I look up to her in the mirror, and give her an awkward smile,
"That explains a lot." She shakes her head and unclips both straps fixing them in the back, pulling up the neckline,
"You've been hanging out with Tony too much Penny,"
"Hey, I know how to dress myself okay," Mr. Stark turns offended, both arms stretched out, "And I know how to dress you, are you sure I didn't buy that?"
"Tony look at you're tie," Pepper sighs, clipping my straps back in place, "You bought this dress but you didn't pick it out," She walks over to Mr. Stark grabbing the knot in his tie and pulling it free, "The one you picked out is in the closet, back in it's box ready to send back to Isabeli Fontana." Mr. Stark scrunches his face,
"Send it back, whats wrong with it?"
"There's a cut from the neck line to the right hip." Mrs. Potts states annoyed. Mr. Stark lifts one eyebrow and growls. He chocks as when Mrs. Potts hands pull the ties knot cutting off his air,
"Too tight?" She musses loosening it, allowing Mr. Stark to reach up and rub his throat,
"I'll send it back tomorrow." She nods,
"Thank you." She quips turning back towards me, looking me up and down,
"See I have great taste I bought that dress," Mrs. Potts rolls her eyes,
"You bought it, you didn't pick it out, May did." Mr. Stark looks at her confused, I follow his lead,
"May picked this out?"
"I sent her an email stating we wanted to buy you a dress for an intern dinner, I gave her three options this is the one she picked out and then I left it on Tony's to buy list," I look down at the dress. Cream and gold peplum dress, high neckline, apparently criss cross straps in the back, it really is nice. I don't want to know how much Mr. Stark paid for it,
"Are you sure?" Mr. Stark asks, Mrs. Potts rolls her eyes and heads for the other room,
"Yes. Now" She turns standing in the doorway, "Guest will start arriving in thirty minutes, Tony you have to be there to greet them, this is not an option. Penny take your time, get your feet wet. If either of you sneak out for anything, Avengers business or donuts I will lock both of you out of this tower for the next two weeks. Tony I will board up your lab so tight F.R.I.D.A.Y won't be able to get you in and Penny I will personally make a heavy donation to Lucas Films with a contract obligation to the plot lines of all upcoming projects and then spoil every movie for you before it comes out, are we at an understanding." I slowly turn to Mr. Stark, he nods to me,
"Terrifying isn't she?" I turns back,
"All of them?" My voice cracks, her jaw twitches,
"All. Of. Them! So both of you better be on your best behavior." And with that she turns leaving both of us to stand in silence,
"She reminds me of May...but she's got money."
"God I love that women!"
"I'm terrified of that women."
"You'll get use to it" Mr. Stark claps me on the back "Lets go!"
...
Only Tony Stark would add edible metallic gold powder to champagne and ginger ale for a fancy Gala. It is a good distraction though, in fact for the last twenty minutes I've been swirling my champagne glass dull of fizzy soda around watching the glitter race around the glass before settling at the bottom. Mr. Stark was right, this Gala isn't like any of the Avenger parties I've been too before, everyone here is dressed to the absolute nines and and their noses are permanently stuck in the air. When one person asked who I was, I simply replied with
"The Intern" They walked away and haven't looked my direction since, at least at the Avenger parties the people who are invited are broke or humble. The broke ones are the best to joke with and the humble ones are the best with conversation, these people all come from money, or made money. Mr. Stark comes to stand next to me, this is the first I've seen him since the Gala started,
"Having fun are we?" I swirl my soda again and look up,
"We should have gotten donuts." Mr. Stark grabs my glass and finishes it before handing it back to me, their goes my entertainment.
"Ya, I know." I place it on a tray as one of then men Mr. Stark hired tonight walks by,
"How much longer?" Mr. Stark makes a show of stretching his arms, pulling his right sleeve up and flashing his gold Rolex,
"Two hours, have you talked to anyone?"
"I found a really nice women that called me a charity case" Mr. Stark does a double take,
"What where, point her out to me." I grab another gold ginger ale as it passes by and swirl it around,
"They all look the same to me," I look up "Pearl necklace, sequenced gown, french manicure, wearing too many diamonds." Mr. Stark looks around,
"You just described every married or widowed lady in this room." I swirl the glass again,
"I know."
"Okay, enough of this." Again he grabs the glass out of my hand, "Go, mingle. Theirs some kids you're age here."
"What are we going to talk about? My father bought me a Lexus for my birthday, mine a 24 karat pony what did yours give you. Mine oh trauma from his death." Mr. Stark takes off his watch and shoves it in my hand,
"There now your boss gave you a Rolex, go talk about that." I stare at the watch, this is easy $12,000 and Mr. Stark just gave it away as if it was a button that's fallen of his suit...actually those are probably worth a couple grand too. Mr. Stark places his hand on my shoulder and nudges me forward,
"Mr. Stark-"
"Go, and when you decide you are going to college after high school come see me," I grumble but step farther into the room stuffing the watch into on of the hidden pockets in the dress, I'll leave it in the living room before I leave tonight. It's really heavy and I find myself focusing on the weight of watch in my pocket when a tall heavy body crashes into me. Something splashes onto my dress and right arm, by the feel of the fizzle on my skin and the strong scent, it's champagne.
"I'm so sorry!" I steady the man and step back, grabbing the champagne flute before it falls,
"Awwww man." He grumbles, I look closer, blonde hair, blue eyes, steady strong features, but un-matured features. He can't be any older than I am yet this spill is distinctively alcoholic,
"Should you be drinking?" He looks down at me and smirks,
"I'm always drinking." Rich kids, what did I expect,
"Hey the least you could do is say sorry to her, Worthington." A new voice joins, he almost seems to laugh, I turn to my right finding another boy my age in a 1000 dollar suit "Or are you too good?" I can't help but study the two together, the one who spilled Champagne "Worthington" I'm guessing is tall, sharp features with a bit of a tan, the other boy, is much shorter, still taller than me but Worthington is at least 6 feet. His hair and eyes are darker and his skin holds a more pale tone. He turns towards me and smiles. Worthington rolls his eyes,
"Calm down Osborn, I was getting to it." The other boy "Osborn" laughs, rich people have the weirdest names,
"Sure you were." Osborn turns towards me, "On behave of Warren here I would like to apologize for his behavior," I can't help it I start laughing, "What's so funny?"
"Was this planned?" Both boys look at one another and then back at me. I laugh again and then sigh, "I get it, one spills something on me so the other can be my knight in shinning armor, thats good guys it really is, and I'm guessing it's because you saw me talking to Mr. Stark maybe even saw him give me his gold Rolex. Well sorry to disappoint you guys, I'm broke, I live in an apartment in Queens and I go to Midtown high school and I'm Mr. Starks intern which is why I'm here. I don't have a pent house or a home in the Hamptons, I don't go to a rich boarding school in Switzerland so you can go ahead and find another girl to pull you're little stunt on." I push the champagne flute into Worthington's arms and shoulder pass both of them. I'm also back to my favorite spot near the door when a hand grabs my elbow, I turn grabbing this persons wrist,
"Hey-" Osborn holds out his hand, "I'm sorry," I let him go,
"What do you want Osborn?" He reaches up and scratches the back of his head,
"I promise you that wasn't a planned thing, Worthington is a raging teenage alcoholic. It sounds bad, but him spilling his drink on you was actually an accident, I'm not..I'm not-"
"A rich playboy?" I don't know if those were the words he was going for, but their the words I choose for him. He rubs the back of his neck,
"I guess," He holds out his hand, "I'm Harry, but you can call me Osborn if you like that better." I stare at it for a second, before taking it,
"Penny."
"You seem out of place here Penny." I stick my hands in my pockets,
"Is it that obvious," He chuckles,
"Well you told me yourself," I purse my lips and tilt my head back and forth, he is right,
"I didn't want to be here tonight, but I was asked to be here sooo"
"Me too." He reaches up and pulls at his tie, "I don't like these things, but ever since I turned 13 my father makes me come with him to every event." I look around, I hate being here now, I couldn't imagine having to be here at 13. I take a breath and shrug,
"Do you want to get donuts."
…
"My god these are good, how could I have never known about this place," Harry asks shoving another apple fritter into his mouth.
"It's a local thing." I follow his lead with a cereal donut, topped with fruity pebbles. Harry grabs a stuffed long john in the shape of the Hulk,
"I am local." I laugh, picking up a Boston crème donut, the icing is designed to look like Captain Americas shield,
"Poor locals then." Harry bites Hulks head off and wipes his mouth with a napkin,
"Ever since my mother died my fathers kept me locked away in border schools," He shrugs, "I should be thankful, he lets me come home on holidays and weekends, I know some of my classmates that don't even get that," I finish my shield,
"I'm sorry," Harry shrugs. "I was young when she died it makes it easier ya know," I nod,
"Ya I know," He looks up at me, "I was six, mom and dad, plan crash." His eyes widen,
"Wow, I'm sorry" I laugh, trying to lighten the mood before I start talking about uncle Ben,
"Heavy talk over donuts eh?" He smiles,
"You go to Midtown?" I nod, reaching for another Captain America shield. Thankfully Harry brought the donuts after we got to the shop and I had to embarrassingly admit I didn't have my wallet.
"I heard thats a school for really smart people."
"We prefer to be called nerds." I inform him through a a mouthful of cream, he laughs,
"You like it there" I nod,
"It's got it's perks,"
"And you're an intern at Stark Industries." I finish off my donut and reach for another one, this time a red strawberry dipped donut with gold sprinkles. I pick up two handing one to Harry,
"Yup."
"Thats my fathers biggest competitor," He's everyone's biggest competitor, I bite into it and wait until he follows. Eating around people is always difficult for me considering I can put enough away for a football team,
"Being his intern was an accident,"
"Tell me about it?" he asks mouth full of donut,
"Another time." I reach for the second box,
"So they'll be another time?" I look over to his smug smile, and give him one back,
"They'll be other Gala's won't their?"
…
I'm dead. Turns out talking to Harry Osborn was actually quite entertaining and mentally stimulating, instead of talking about trips to Aspen and how many zero's are in his bank account we talked about Star Wars, school, the Accords, whats better Cupcakes or brownies. Before either of knew it, it was midnight and the Gala had been over for two hours, lucky for Harry all he had to do was call a driver, I have to scale up the side of Avengers tower to get my belongings and dash home before either Mrs. Potts or Mr. Stark know. So here I am in a dress, at 12:30 crawling up a 93 story building, heels buckled around my wrist underwear on full display for anyone below me, thankfully it's dark, the towers shut down for the night and by crawling on the back of the tower away from the giant A it leaves less chance a passing fan can see me. Their always so focused on getting pictures of the A. I reach the platform and carefully climb up and tip toe to the door. I don't have to worry about a squeak or creek, as if Tony Stark would allow those things in his tower, but still I open it slowly and close it with a gentle tap. I left my things in the spare room, and on my way I pass the living room, I reach into my pocket grabbing Mr. Starks watch and gently lay it on the coffee table.
"Uh-Oh F.R.I.D.A.Y we've got an intruder." All the lights in the living room turn on revealing Mr. Stark and Mrs. Potts both are still dressed for the Gala although Mrs. Potts has her hair down and Mr. Stark has taken his suit jacket and tie off. He's rolled up his sleeves and has a gallon of mint chip ice cream between them,
"You're still up?" Mr. Stark dips his spoon in to the ice cream and takes a bite,
"Mmm we are."
"Did you have fun tonight?" Mrs. Potts follows Mr. Starks lead and takes a bite of her ice cream,
"It had it's moments." I release a breathy laugh although even with me trying it sounds nervous
"It did."
"Funny thing though" Mr Stark starts taking a bite of ice cream, "F.R.I.D.A.Y said you left in the middle of the Party, and I said "Penny? Nooo she wouldn't do that" would you?" Oh god. I swallow
"Umm I made a friend," When neither speaks I give up, "We went and got donuts?" I sigh,
"Answer me and answer me truthfully Penelope. Was this friend Harry Osborn?"
"Uhh, Yes."
"Okay, good, good. She's being truthful did you see that Pep." Mr. Potts nods,
"I did."
"Next question, Did. You. Go. To. Charlies?" Wow it's getting really hard to swallow,
"Umm ya...ya we did."
"Did you get my favorite strawberry dipped donuts with the gold sprinkles?" I bit my bottom lip and nod,
"Ya we did." Mr. Stark thinks this through for a second, Mrs. Potts has almost a knowing smiles
"All right thats all I needed to know." He takes another bite of ice cream.
"Really?" He nods,
"Yup, May called said she wasn't going to be home, I told her you can stay here, head home in the morning." This is to easy, somethings wrong.
"Are you sure?" I sound out slowly. Mr. Stark nods,
"Yup, goodnight." With two words he dismisses me,
"Goodnight" I tell both of them carefully,
"Good night Penny." Mrs. Potts smiles. She doesn't seem mad, but neither does Mr. Stark just dismissive. Carefully without taking my eyes off of either I head for the spare room, and for a while it's a stare off, both staring at me, me staring at them, and then when the hall wall blocks our view of one another, I run to the spare room. I close the door softly and jump on the bed grabbing my back pack, I unzip it and pull out my suit. Okay so he didn't take...I left the tower when Mrs. Potts told me not too, I went to Mr. Starks favorite donut shop without him and instead a total stranger I just meet. The worst thing either could do was take my suit, but it's still here. I quickly take off the dress, lay it on the chair and shimmy into my suit, if their going to take it away their going to have to take it off my sleeping body, take that. I crawl into bed and smile. I think I win.
…
"I can't believe you went to a party at Tony Starks and didn't invite me." Ned grumbles, I sigh,
"It wasn't a fun party, it was full of rich people, and weird colored ginger ale. I stood around for most of the time."
"No Avengers?" Ned whispers leaning closer from his desk, I turn and shake my head,
"No Avengers" I confirm.
Sunday morning I woke up and once again tried to sneak out. Taking my suit off and stuffing it back into my bag. I quickly changed back into my jeans and plaid pullover and left the dress draped over one of the comfier chairs in the room and tip toed out. This time I got to the kitchen before Mr. Stark turned around spatula in hand,
"Morning Pen, waffles."
I stuttered the word, home out but Mr. Stark just shook his head,
"Nooo, you want waffles."
So I stayed. I ate Mr. Starks burned waffles, and then and only then did Mr. Stark let me leave, just like that. I even checked my backpack after Happy drove me home just to double check that I still had my suit. It was still there. I finished my homework, helped aunt May with dinner, went on a quick patrol, stopped maybe one mugging, it was a slow night. Went home, went to bed, woke up and went to school.
"So why were you there?" Ned confused voice snaps me out of my thoughts. I know the answer, Mr. Stark wanted to show me off, "prepare for my future" He wanted to introduce me to the Dean of MIT and I told basically told him no, did I hurt his feelings...impossible.
"I don't know,"
"Hey losers." MJ slides into her desk behind me,
"MJ" I great, Ned turns towards her,
"How was you're weekend? I went on family trip to the world's largest Kaleidoscope and Penny definitely didn't go to a party or anything." I look over giving him an angry look, "I said didn't" He whispers somehow forgetting that MJ can hear that also,
"Kaleidoscope you say," MJ asks. I roll my eyes as my phone buzzes. I turn to the clock, homeroom won't start for another three minutes, I grab my phon and turn the screen on,
If taking a year off is what you really want then I can accept that.
It's Mr. stark. I read the message again. MJ and Ned talk next to me, but i'm focused on the text and before I know it I feel a smile creep up my lips. Another text comes through,
What I will not accept is you taking a strange boy to Charlie's,
Smile gone. A picture pops up, I click on it to get a better view and...Thats Mr. Stark...and ADAM DRIVER! Another text comes through,
He dies in the next movie.
…...What?
Ray's a Palpatine!
I drop my phoneand then slam my head into my desk...ouch.
"Earth to Penny, it's too early in the morning to be acting this weird." Mj calls,
"What's wrong?" Ned leans in and whispers. Poor innocent Ned, he doesn't deserve what I'm about to go to him. Without taking my forehead off my desk I slide my phone over, Ned grabs it from my hands quickly. I already know he's not expecting it, he's thinking it's some fun Avengers stuff, he's goin to be very upset,
"WHAT!" There it is. I look over to him, his hand grips my phone, his mouth open, weird sounds coming out of it, MJ stands up grabbing the phone out of his hand before either of us can think about it,
"Huh?" he shrugs, "I guessed both of those things...wait strange boy." I grab the phone from her hand, "You went to a donut shop with a strange boy?"
"That's what your focused on?" Ned stops his weird whimpering and turns towards MJ, "We just found out Kylo Ren dies in the a movie thats not coming out for months, AND that Rey's actually a Palpatine and not Luke's long lost daughter...My chest hurts..i think I'm having a heart attack," Even I roll my eyes at that,
"You're not having a heart attack." MJ and I say in sync. Mj turns towards me arms crossed a smug smile on her face,
"Little Penny Parker going to pastry shops with boys," I sigh and stuff my phone back into my bag, just as the bell rings.
"I don't want to talk about it," I mumble.
"I don't either, I feel so sick, I might need to go home?" Ned raises his hand, Ms. Flynn sighs,
"Yes Ned?"
"Can I go home, I don't feel good, I just got some really bad news." Her face softens,
"I'm sorry Ned, has something bad happened at home?"
"No, my favorite Star Wars villain is going to die. I don't even know ig he gets redemption arc " Her face changes to annoyance and she waves her hand at him, as everyone around us starts laughing...MJ included.
"Ned" she sighs, "You'll be fine." Ned lowers himself into his desk,
"No I won't." He practically cries out, I look over,
"I'm sorry,"
"Don't look at me," he might actually be crying, I turn away. Ms. Flynn holds her hand out to a desk in the front row,
"Alright, I only have you for a few minutes, but I still wanted everyone to say hello to our newest Midtown student, please stand up." The boy in the desk stands up and turns, "Everyone this is-"
"Harry?"