Young Penny Parker au

Requested by iamKhrfan123

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"Daddy?"

Tony Stark turned at the sound of his seven year old's voice.

She was standing in the doorway, hugging her stuffed animal. Her glasses were resting on her nose at a crooked angle from rubbing her eyes.

"Hey sweetheart. You're supposed to be in bed. It's late."

She shuffled closer. "I had a bad dream."

He took in her messy hair, trembling lip, and tear stained face, then held out his arms. "Come here."

She climbed onto his lap, leaning her head on his shoulder as he gently played with her hair.

"What was it about, bambino?"

Her voice shook. "The men took me away. And I couldn't find you."

Tony pressed a kiss to the top of her head. "You're not going anywhere. Neither am I. Okay?"

She nodded silently.

"Guess what?" He asked softly, trying to cheer her up.

She looked up. "What?"

"The team is coming tomorrow."

Her eyes lit up. "I'm gonna meet the avengers?"

He kissed her head. "Yup. You can finally meet them."

She bounced in his lap. "Nat is my favorite avenger! Even though she's the only one I've met."

He pulled a face. "I'm an avenger too, you know."

She lifted her hands in an innocent shrug. "But you're my daddy. That's different. You're always gonna be my favorite."

He hid his grin, affecting a serious tone. "Well then. What say you to a midnight snack?"

She nodded happily. "Can we have ice cream?"

He stood up with a groan. "You drive a hard bargain."

Her eyes sparkled. "Just don't tell Mama."

He widened his eyes in exaggerated sternness. "Keeping secrets from Pepper?"

She nodded quickly.

His lips twitched. "Just this once."

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Penny was up before Tony, and woke him up by bouncing on his bed.

"Daddy! Daddy! Daddy! Wake up!"

He rolled over, burying his face in the pillow. "Too early."

She dropped onto his back, and he stifled a groan. "Fine. Fine, I'm up! Ow."

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Penny hovered between the windows as she waited for the others to arrive.

"Calm down, bambino." Tony said quietly. "They'll be here soon enough."

She pushed her glasses up. "But daddy, I wanna meet them."

He put down his coffee mug. "I know, bambino. But they'll be here approximately-" the elevator opened. "Now."

Penny froze, eyes wide.

First was Steve Rogers. Next was Clint Barton, who frowned at her quizzically. Rhodey, who ruffled her hair. Bruce, who studied her carefully And Natasha.

Penny lit up, throwing herself at the woman. "Aunt Natasha!"

Nat stumbled back, throwing her arms around Penny, not expecting the human cannonball. "Hey sweetie. How are you today?"

Penny pushed her glasses up. "Awesome. Daddy said that I can meet-" she stopped.

Natasha picked up on the nervous undertone. "Right. The team."

Tony moved over to take Penny from Nat. "Okay, guys. I'm sure you've heard a few things about my kid. So... everyone meet Penny."

Clint crouched in front of her, holding out his hand. "Hi. I have a kid around your age. Her name's Lila."

She shyly nodded, not making a move toward him.

Steve gave her a smile from the couch. "Hey kid."

Rhodey kissed her head. "Hey Pen."

She grinned at him. "Hey uncle Rhodey."

Bruce just nodded at her.

Clint glanced at Tony. "Didn't know you had a kid, Stark."

Tony rolled his eyes. "You're not the only one with a family, Barton. But yeah."

The archer raised his eyebrow. "She doesn't seem at all like you. Looks, maybe."

Natasha lifted Penny onto the counter. "I was surprised too. I thought, 'how could a sweet, innocent, polite, cute little girl be the child of this придурок?' She's everything he isn't."

Tony pressed a hand to his chest. "I'm insulted, Nat. I'm polite."

Nat just stared at him.

He shifted uncomfortably under her stare. "Okay, okay. Sometimes."

Penny swung her legs. "Mr Clint?"

The archer looked down. "What's up Short Stack?"

She bit her lip. "Can you-" she faltered. "Can you-"

Tony squeezed her hand. "Go on, bambino."

She took a deep breath. "Could you teach me to shoot a bow?"

He chuckled. "Well of course-"

He was cut off by Tony. "Nope. Nope nope nope. Sorry bellisimo. Not gonna happen."

She widened her eyes, poking out her lip. "But daddy..."

He pushed himself away from the counter. "No puppy eyes."

She gave up, watching him leave the room.

"Aunt Nat, can you teach me to throw knives?"

From a different room,

"No!"