Spider family one shots

A Very Merry Christmas pt1

Fem Penny Parker 

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12/23

Penny won't admit it, but Christmas time is very lonely for her. Ever since Uncle Ben died, it was only May and Penny, but May always had to work Christmas eve and Christmas Day. They couldn't pass up the holiday pay, especially when May still wanted to get Penny gifts for the holiday. 

This year is the same, May had called Penny after school letting her know that she will be working the next 4 days straight, even the day after Christmas, and that May might not see Penny much. Penny felt like she wanted to cry, but didn't want to upset May so she told her it was okay. 

Penny stopped by their apartment, wrapping the gifts she bought for May, a new watch and some new sweaters that May kept eyeing from a small boutique they would pass on their walk to their favorite Thai place. 

Penny left the presents on the counter, next to a few cookies and a glass of milk, left out for May but in the spirit of Santa. Penny hoped the woman would have time to open her presents before or on Christmas but she normally came home from her shift, passed out on her bed and was gone back to work 8 hours later. Leaving little time for present opening let alone eating. 

Leaving the apartment, Penny saw a familiar sleek black car outside the door. Happy rolled down the window. "Come on kid, boss doesn't like waiting" 

Penny throws her bag into the car and follows after it, settling into the back seat, flashing Happy a quick smile but her heart wasn't in it. Mr. Stark would be expecting her to show up at the tower soon to work on one of Dr. Banners theories about her strength, something about how her emotions can greatly affect how mush she can lift or something like that. 

"Ready kid?" Happy prompts, Penny just nods staring out the window, realizing Happy probably wasn't looking at her she adds "yeah, lets go" and continues to stare out the window. Happy notices how quiet the kid is being but doesn't comment on it just yet. Normally Penny would be talking his ear off about what she did in school that day or about whatever she would be doing at the tower once she arrived. 

But Penny wasn't in the mood to chit chat, she just wished that she could have a Christmas with someone for once, even when Uncle Ben was alive they couldn't always have Christmas all together but at least one of them would make sure they would be home with Penny for Christmas morning to open presents and watch Christmas movies. 

It takes longer than normal to get to the tower due to traffic and Penny doesn't say a word the whole ride. Happy doesn't voice it, buts he's worried, he knows something must be wrong for her to be acting this way. Upon arriving to the tower, Happy pulls into the back garage where Tony stores his cars, and where due to their later arrival is already waiting for them in the garage. 

Penny gets out of the car quickly giving Happy a quick Thank you before moving almost like a robot, not even noticing that Tony was in the garage as well leaning against one of his cars, going to the elevator. 

Tony raises an eyebrow at Happy when he gets out of the car, "What's wrong with the kid?" Tony questions, moving to join the girl in the waiting elevator, "Not sure, she didn't talk the whole car ride" Happy whispers back, "The whole ride?" Happy nods. 

Tony is now certain something is wrong, he knows the kid loves to tell Happy about her adventures and that is very out of character for the young girl. Penny seems to barely notice them, not even cracking a smile when Tony and Happy join her in the elevator. As the elevator moves up to the main floor Tony swings an arm over Penny's shoulder. 

"How was school today kid? How was that Chem final?" Tony starts, trying to get any response from the girl. Penny shakes out of her daze, flashing a small smile, but it doesn't reach her eyes. "It was fine, nothing important really happened, the final was easy, I think I aced it" 

Tony rubs her hair, "Good job Pen, are you ready to work on Bruce's new theory?" Penny nods, digging through her backpack when the ding of a text message comes through her phone. Penny sighs, reading another message from May that she would be picking up a double tonight and would just sleep at a friends house closer to the hospital. 

Arriving to the main floor, a few of the Avengers fill the room. Sam, Bucky and Clint are playing Mario kart, Nat watching them from the couch while Bruce sits at the island going over something on his StarkPad. "Who's that kiddo?" Tony pries, noticing Penny's good getting ever darker after receiving the message. 

Penny shrugs, "It's just May, she's working a double tonight again so she's going to sleep at her friends house closer to the hospital since she works tomorrow as well." Penny plops down on the couch next to Nat, subconsciously leaning into the woman's side, who opens her arms allows Penny to curl up into her. 

Nat places her book down in favor of running her hands through Pennys hair as Tony joins them on the couch. Nat gives Tony a look, basically asking whats wrong, but Tony just shrugs.  

"Whats wrong little spider?" Nat questions. 

Penny lets out a sigh, curling into Nat's lap even more. "It's nothing" 

Nat lets out a little laugh, "Your'e gonna have to learn to lie better if you want to lie to me Little Spider. Now whats actually wrong?" 

Penny slowly sits up, facing herself towards Nat and Tony, wrapping her arms around herself. "It's stupid" 

Tony lets out a little huff, at this point, Bucky has also joined the group, noticing his favorite spider (Don't tell Nat) seems to be in distress, sitting on Penny's other side he encourages her to let them know whats upsetting her "Anything thats upsetting you isn't stupid Pen."

"It's just...." Penny begins, pushing her hair back from her face. "Ever since Uncle Ben passed I've had to spend every Christmas alone, May's always had to work, and this year she is working 4 days straight, they will all probably be doubles which mean she won't be coming home much at all and I won't get to see her until 2 days after Christmas." 

Bucky allows Penny to wrap her arms around his arm, resting her head against his shoulder. "I'm just tired of being lonely" Penny quickly slaps a hand over her mouth "I-I mean, I'm not lonely when I'm here with you guys but its lonely at home sometimes and I know yall are busy with your'e own plans this time of year. It's fine, I'll just see if MJ or Ned are busy." 

The three adults share a look, all having a silent conversation and coming to the same conclusion. 

Tony starts "You know Pen, Pepper and I aren't going anywhere for Christmas this year, we are just staying in the tower. Why don't you just stay here with us for the week, you know spend Christmas together?" 

"And I won't be joining Clint and his family until the day after Christmas either, so I'll be here as well." Nat adds. 

"Sam's going to visit his sister and her kids but Steve and I are staying here for as well, I think we were even going to go see the Rockerfellar tree if you want to come with us too" Bucky finishes, "You don't have to be alone on Christmas Penny." 

Penny slowly feels tears well in her eyes and quickly throws her arms around Bucky in a hug, moving to Nat and finally hugging Tony and holding tight. 

"So Pen is that a yes to staying?" Tony asks, holding the girl tight. Penny nods against Tony's chest, slowly releasing her grip "I'd love to."