Peter woke up on Monday, lazily getting ready for school. Still groggy, Peter stumbled into the living room looking for the sweatshirt that May had washed before she left on her business trip. He was startled by the god sitting on the couch, reading the first Harry Potter book, so much so that he ended up on the ceiling.

"Man, you scared me."

"Don't you have... what was it... a spider tingle?" retorted Loki.

Peter scoffed. "Spidey senses."

"Why are you getting ready, child?" Loki questioned.

"Uh, school."

"Midgardians still go to school at this age?"

Peter sighed. "Yeah, I'm fifteen, so I still got a couple years left. When does school end on Asgard, Mr. Loki?"

"I believe it ends when what you call middle school starts."

Peter yearned to be an Asgardian at this point in time. I mean, he wouldn't have met Ned, or Tony, since he wouldn't have gotten the spider bite. Maybe it was better that he went to school, regardless of Flash and rude teachers and stuff. Then maybe again, if he was Asgardian he wouldn't have gone through his questionable Undertale phase. Peter checked his phone.

"Dang, it's already 7:45! I gotta go-" Peter started, but then hesitated due to the repeated realization of "I literally have one of the many people who tried to destroy Earth on my couch".

Peter handed the remote to Loki. "Here's the remote for the TV. You know how to use it right?"

Loki nodded.

"Ok man I have to leave. I think there's some leftover dominoes in the fridge, if not then check the pantry. I'll be at Midtown High, if you need me. I assume you won't, but it's just to be safe. You cool with that?"

Loki agreed with the terms. "Ok bye Mr. Loki! See you after school!"

"PETER WHAT-"

Peter shushed him. "Shh Ned shut up!"

"You literally have a god in your apartment."

"Yes. Though I'm not sure if he's like, an official god? Like isn't he a frost giant?"

Ned chuckled. "I wish I knew."

Peter changed the subject quickly. "Did you study for the Geometry test today?" Ned went quiet.

"Oh my god, PLEASE do not tell me-"

"Some of us have lives Peter, unlike you." Ned said sarcastically.

"Ned. Your life consists of watching some twitch streamer named Dream and eating Flavor Blasted Goldfish." Peter scoffed.

"Ok class, Today we will be doing..."

"Good morning class, hope we're all having a good day. Today..."

"Today's test is in Canvas. Make sure to..."

Peter had an epiphany in the middle of his geometry test. Loki was thousands of years old, he wasn't going to stay at some random fifteen year old's house. Peter felt a bit relieved, knowing his aunt wouldn't return to find the pseudo-deity chilling on the couch.

The rest of the school day seemed to rush by in a blur, all his teachers assigning oodles of homework, and not nearly enough time to complete it, and Peter was almost startled to find himself on the bus home.

A part of him kind of wondered if he was harboring a criminal, or something. Wasn't that illegal? Even if he wasn't leading the most recent attack, he'd committed plenty other crimes. If Mr. Stark found out about this, he would be in such enormous trouble. He might even take away the spider-suit, again. That… That would be really bad.

So it was with great relief, and a subtle feeling that he shouldn't have expected anything more, that Peter returned to his apartment to find it empty, save his aunt. And, of course all their furniture, and stuff, but that went without saying. Loki had vanished as mysteriously as he'd shown up.

It was kind of spooky, to be honest, but probably for the best.

Thinking back on the way he'd seemed so desperate, though, so terrified… it was almost as if he was more scared of Peter than Peter was of him. But why? What could Peter do that was so frightening? The Trickster had begged him not to tell Thor, but what would have happened if he had?

…If he did? He had Stark Tower's number and address, he could swing by.

He almost was tempted to, until he remembered the panic in the man's eyes, as he realized Peter was an Avenger.

If anything, Loki needed a friend, and while Peter didn't think it safe for him to provide that much trust towards him, perhaps he could simply just do him the favor of not telling Thor.

TheOnlyHuman, and quite a bit of Lane's work, as well.