Chapter Text
If Steven wasn't held back by Marc, he's pretty bloody sure he'd give Tony Stark a big 'ole smooch - straight or not.
Thanks to Marc - Christ, he's never been so mad before! - Steven had been fired from the Museum. Khonshu had ordered Marc to 'borrow' some artefacts from the Museum's storage room. The security camera's caught all the footage they needed to fire them.
Tony Stark had gotten word of this unfortunate event - probably through Hawkeye. (Yes, he's still kind of salty towards the archer, but the guy's nice enough so he'll give him a chance.) The genius had deleted all traces of the robbery and other previous criminal records from all of their files.
Honestly, Steven had thanked the 'Bloody Brilliant Billionaire' hugging the man tightly. Whilst Tony patted back awkwardly, Natasha had scoffed at them, telling Steven to stop complimenting him; his ego was big enough.
Tony had managed to put in a good word for him at Midtown High, so he scored as a step-in History teacher. He'd only need to tutor those who had interests in Egyptology, Norse Mythology, Greek Mythology, etc. Even Asgardian culture!
Thanks to Thor, as an apology, he had lent some books to Steven to study Asgardian hieroglyphics and the history of the Valkeries. It was all rather exquisite! I mean, you'd be surprised at how many people wanted to study Thor's culture after Loki's failed takeover.
So that's how he ended up here, in Midtown High's library reading one of the many books Thor had gifted him. Well, after he'd bought his usual cuppa at that nice little shop near the Avengers Tower.
Another thing Tony had offered - he was insistent on not being called Mr Stark - was a floor at the bloody living quarters! Steven had kindly declined his offer. They didn't know the team well enough to live with them, but he was fine with their team-ups. Now and again, after a fight, Captain Rogers would invite him to join the team to eat at the Shwarma shop.
Though, Steven wouldn't touch the raps, only the fries and salads. Also, Steven would need to confide in Layla and ask her opinion on Tony's offer. They were all trying their best on the relationship thing.
But now he's here, sipping on his to-go cup, carefully studying each word in the book.
Thanks to Khonshu - the pigeon cared for them more than he led on - the deity had managed to grant Steven the power of translation. He could read any language and even understand Natasha when she cursed Hawkeye in her mother tongue.
Poor Thor didn't give them the English - sorry, 'Midgardian' issue. Scratch that, there probably wasn't any English edition on any of the books.
Steven just hummed, turning to the next page, too engrossed to notice a student enter the library. He was alerted of the teen when he heard the books fall off the shelf.
Steven raised his head at the noise, turning to where the disruption came from. There, a boy stood quickly, picking up the books he'd accidentally dropped. The teen looked up, meeting Steven's eyes, blushing furiously.
"I-I didn't mean to disturb you, sir," he apologised. Steven smiled.
"Nah, don't worry about it mate," Steven could foresee the confusion that formed on the young boy's face.
"You're new here, right?" he asked. Steven laughed, it was obvious that his accent gave him away. He bet that the boys first thought was; 'What's a Britsh guy like him doing here in New York?'
"Yeah, I'm Steven Grant, your new history teacher- er... but I only teach about old religions." Steven introduced, putting a handout. The boy shook it vigorously.
"Peter Parker, Mr Grant." he grinned.
"Pleasure," he cast a quick eye over the books Peter held in his hand. "Spanish homework?" he asked. Peter nodded, rubbing his neck nervously. Steven chuckled. "I'd try and assist you Peter but, I'm afraid my Spanish is quite rusty. I'm surprised I even passed my Spanish exam in my youth," he blurted. Not entirely a lie.
Now, he could understand every language. Back then, before Khonshu had gifted him this ability, Jake was always the better one at picking up and learning new languages.
I mean, he spoke 12 different languages! Come to think of it, it was probably Jake who helped Steven get that 100% in the Spanish test - he should really thank him for that.
Peter shrugged his shoulders, his eyes moving towards the runes on the book. His eyes widened slightly. "Where did you get that from?" Steven felt the hairs on the back of his neck rise. Parker's voice was sharp with suspicion.
"It's a family heirloom." Steven lied, he hoped this kid wasn't like that Devil in Hell's Kitchen - Goodness that man freaked him out. "I managed to bump into Thor! Could you believe it? The bloody God of Thunder! He recognised the book I was reading, and told me I was worthy of learning more of his culture." he said.
Thankfully, Peter looked like he believed him. "Anything interesting you've learnt so far?" he asked curiously.
"Thor and Loki are quite different and similar to their Norse Mythological counterparts." Steven grinned at Peter.
"The Loki that tried to take over New York and Norse Loki are quite similar; both rather chaotic, unpredictable, and quite intellectual. The Thor's on the other hand... Their personality traits are entirely different." Steven blurted. "We just named them Gods, when in fact, they're actually... are they aliens?"
Khonshu had always viewed them as lower beings. In his younger days - did he have skin back then? - gifted Moon Rock to Odin, who formed it into Mjolnir; who gifted it to Hela-...
Oh, wait - Thor probably didn't even know of her existence... awkward...
"Puedo comprobar si quires." 'I can check if you want.' Jake said suggestively. Steven shuddered. 'No thanks mate,' Peter hummed, still looking rather interested in the book.
"I can tell you more after school, I'm starting a club on the historical Mythology," Steven promised, smiling brightly. Peter grinned.
"Yeah, sure - I'll tell Ned and MJ about it." Steven assumed that this 'Ned and MJ' were his pals. "I won't be able to make it most days though - I've... I've got this thing," Peter said. Steven felt there was more to it but didn't push the boy any further. We all have our secrets.
"That's cool," Steven checked the clock hanging on the wall, before rolling up his sleeves; checking the Mickey Mouse watch Layla had gifted him. He forgot that the clock wasn't working. "I think you should start heading to your lessons now." Steven pondered.
Peter checked his own watch, it suspiciously looked like Stark-Tech. "Yeah, you're right, I'll see you later Mr Grant!" Peter called, rushing out the door. Steven smiled as he packed his things away.
Steven would swear on his, Marc's and Jake's lives to protect that kid; he's got a good heart.
But, he couldn't help but feel that he'd heard that voice before.