Work Text:
“We have a guest speaker today, class. I have decided to move some of our units around to accommodate his schedule.” Loki paused for a moment, letting her students speculate. “We will be starting with the Norse pantheon. And we are very lucky to have one of their gods here to discuss some of the more famous myths.” She steeled herself, hoping only that Thor would stick to the plan. “So students, please join me in welcoming Thor Odinson.”
Murmurs came from all corners of the room as the tall blond strode into the room— how did Ms. O manage to get an Avenger to talk to them? Especially Thor?
MJ couldn't believe how dense her classmates were. Heck, even Ned, who knew that Peter was Spider-Man and had worked with Thor, couldn't seem to put two and two together. Uh, hello? Odinson was a patronymic. Literally Son of Odin. And their teacher was Odinsdottir— Daughter of Odin! Peter was trying his best to play dumb, but wasn't this supposed to be a school full of geniuses? They honestly believed Ms. O could convince an actual Avenger to come talk to the class. And not just any Avenger; the one who notoriously did not live on Earth and was hard to track down at the best of times. That Avenger? She had to wonder what Loki had told the admin to get them to agree to this. How did they not question her connection to an honest-to-god god?
Thor cleared his throat. “Greetings young people of Midgard!” He nodded at Peter and MJ with a grin, which she could only hope was lost on her starstruck classmates as she tried to sink further into her seat. “My— Err, that is, your teacher has invited me here today to tell you about our— my home of Asgard. I am told your people have long considered it to be a realm of myth, and that there are many stories about me and my… Family. Most of which are exaggerations at best, while some are truly mythological. Since this is the subject of your studies, I have come to clarify truth from fiction, and answer your questions about my realm.”
Loki looked like she wanted to slam her head to her desk, which MJ took as a sign that maybe she wasn't entirely behind this turn of events.
Thor looked back at her. “Where shall I begin?”
“With Bor, I suppose.”
“Ah yes. Our— My grandfather.” MJ watched as Loki sighed and slumped back into her chair.
MJ was only half listening to Thor's rambling story about Bor and his sons, the founding of Asgard, the uniting of the realms after Odin conquered Jotunheim. Instead she was thinking back to the dinner on Friday with the Avengers.
She was so sure that if anyone would be coming to speak in one of Ms. O's classes, it would be Captain America. Hadn't they been talking all night? Well, at least until Thor arrived, and since MJ left soon after, who knows what happened. She was pretty sure Peter didn't, since he seemed just as stunned to see Thor. Was this somehow all Mr. Stark's doing? He seemed to be the type who would go out of his way to do something he found hilarious. He certainly had the influence to convince their principal (who probably would have been more excited to see Captain America himself— hadn't his grandfather been one of the Howling Commandos?), and he could always use the whole “Peter being his intern” thing as an excuse for why he chose this particular school. And it's not like there were any other mythology classes running.
Thor was just starting to get to the parts about his own exploits when he was hastily cut off.
“I'm sorry to make you pause there,” she clearly wasn't, “but I'd like to make sure we have enough time for questions.”
“Ah, yes, of course, Si— My lady. I am happy to take any inquiries your students might have.”
Hands shot up all over the room. Most of the questions had nothing to do with myths at all, but rather about his powers and fellow Avengers. This earned a reprimand from their teacher to stay on topic.
MJ decided to hell with it, she could be a little shit if she wanted. This was getting ridiculous. She raised her hand, earning her a glare from Ms. Odinsdottir.
It wasn't until Thor acknowledged her that she realized her mistake.
“Ah yes, Lady Michelle.” The entire room turned to look at her, Peter with probably the most shocked expression as she heard Ned muttering about how the hell she knew Thor.
She coughed. Too late to turn back now. “Uh, yeah, I was just wondering how you ended up as a guest speaker here.”
Thor grinned, giving his answer as if he had rehearsed it. “Ah yes. Loki and I have some mutual friends.”
Ms. O's head actually did hit the desk pretty hard at that point. If she weren't, you know, a goddess, MJ was certain she'd have a concussion.
It was as if that was a lightbulb going off around the room as another dozen hands shot up. It was just her luck that Thor motioned for Ned to speak.
“Isn't Loki your brother's name? In the myths, I mean.”
Uh oh.
“Ah.” Thor squeaked, as if something important just crossed his mind.
You cannot, under any circumstances, tell my class that I am your sister.
“That is… Another detail that is incorrect in the myths.”
Before Ned had a chance to press further, the lunch bell mercifully rang.
MJ knew that she would be mobbed with questions, so she lingered behind, noticing Peter and Ned doing the same. Ned leaned over to her. “Dude! When did you meet Thor?”
“When did you find out Peter was Spider-Man?” She shot back, watching him tense up as he turned to Peter.
“Wait, she knows now?”
“Uh, yeah. And so do they.” He motioned to where the two gods were standing, engaged in what seemed like one hell of a staring contest.
As they approached, Thor appraised Ned, and Loki scoffed. “Well, he already knows about Peter, so you may as well tell him.”
Ned was taken aback. “Tell me what?”
Thor's smile was as mischievous as any they'd seen from Loki. “Of course we have mutual friends. She is my sister.”
Ned's jaw dropped. Peter sighed, and MJ rolled her eyes.
Meanwhile Loki was rubbing her temples. “I should really look into retirement.”
When MJ arrived after school for her volunteering, she was surprised to see Thor still there. Had he stayed for all of her classes? She hung back for a second, almost ashamed of eavesdropping (which to be fair, was hard to avoid with Thor’s booming voice.)
“It is obvious you love your work Loki, but I wish you would consider his offer. Besides, you certainly seemed to be getting along with—”
“Enough, Thor! I do not wish to be pulled back into your adventures. All I ever did was save your ungrateful hides, and yet when anything went wrong Sif and the Idiots Three blamed Loki and her magic. Which I don’t even have anymore, in case you forgot!”
“I hate to see you so alone, Sister.”
“Oh please, I am not alone.”
“Lonely, then.”
Loki scoffed. “No more than I was with my so-called friends on Asgard.”
This was getting awkward. MJ wasn't sure if she should walk away entirely or just walk in like she hadn't heard any of that. She decided on the latter, but Thor's next words made her pause again.
“He asked me about you, you know.”
Who was he?
“Why? To see how much of a threat I am?”
Thor sighed. “Loki, the only person you are a threat to is yourself.”
They were silent for a moment, but before MJ could make a move Loki spoke again. “Michelle, you may as well come in, I know you're there.”
She entered sheepishly, waving to Thor who grinned in reply.
“You see Thor? I have people to talk to. You do not need to worry about me.”
“I always worry about you, Loki. I will be on Midgard for another week. Please come visit.” Loki nodded. “Lady Michelle, thank you for taking care of my sister. She is stubborn, but means well. Perhaps you can talk some sense into her.”
And with that, he strode out of the room, leaving Loki shaking her head.