Chapter Text
It was one of Bruce’s bad days.
The Hulk was needed in a mission including HYDRA - they needed to steal some important intel from the base’s vault.
Much to Tony’s dismay, they couldn’t have FRIDAY to hack into HYDRA’s system. HYDRA was obviously smart enough to learn from their mistake on saving information on the internet. The intel they needed was in a folder the HYDRA soldiers put in their vault - now that was something FRIDAY could hack into.
Sadly, the Hulk had been contaminated with some mysterious fumes HYDRA had sprayed on them.
Thankfully, after FRIDAY’s thorough examination - it wasn’t life threatening - it would just cause the Hulk ( and Bruce) some severe headaches and drowsiness now and again.
Out of the kindness of Tony’s ‘Iron’ heart, he’d decided to hire a tour guide for the Egyptian museum. ‘We know a ton about the Norse Gods, thanks to Thor - why shouldn’t we learn about the Egyptian ones ?’
Apparently, Bruce was the God expert now, since his ‘fun’ experience’s with Thor and his siblings.
As much as he hated Tony for spending money on him, Bruce knew this was Tony’s way of showing he cares.
So Bruce had accepted Tony’s gift.
Now, he stood near the entrance of the museum, waiting for his tour guide. He closed his eyes and let out a sigh, when a hand softly clamped around his shoulder. He opened his eyes back up to be greeted by a dark haired man, smiling sheepishly at him. The guy was about the same height and build as himself.
”Hi,” the stranger greeted, smiling warmly.
”Hi,” Bruce returned the smile.
”My names Steven - with a V - Grant, I’m going to be your tour guide this evening,” he continued to smile.
”Well Steven ‘with a V’ Grant, Bruce Banner, but I’m sure you already knew that.” Bruce stuck out his hand politely. Steven laughed.
”Yes, I mean, there’s only one Bruce Banner that knows Mr Stark,” Steven blabbered, shaking Bruce’s hand. Bruce raised an eyebrow at the man.
”Your accent,” he thought out loud. Steven’s smile started to falter. “What’s a Brit like you doing here in New York? “ Steven sighed.
”Originally, I was a gift shop attendant in another museum in London,” He started. Bruce noticed Steven frown at his own reflection in the window. “The- ah museum was shut down due to artefacts being missing (stolen) and others were being sold illegally and fake’s being put in their place,” Bruce smiled sympathetically.
”Shut down for fraud then,” Steven gave a watery smile.
“Sadly,” Bruce sighed, and gave Steven a friendlier smile.
”You can take the man out of Egypt, but you can’t take Egypt out of the man,” Bruce teased. Steven barked out a laugh.
”Yeah,” he continued to chuckle. “C’mon now Bruce, let me give you that bloody tour Mr Stark so kindly paid for.”
Steven led them inside. Safe to say, today wasn’t all that bad. Steven had talked to him about Canopic jars - of course the museum wouldn’t let them be on display with the leftover organs inside - that would be unhygienic.
Steven had glared silently at the Scarab’s, as if they’d harmed him in some kind of way. Though it didn’t stop him from talking about the immense detail it held. Apparently, the dung beetle represented the symbol of birth, life, death, and resurrection.
Then, they took a look at the ancient slabs that held images of the gods. Steven had clammed up at the beginning, glaring at three of them. Eventually, he did explain more about the Gods and Goddesses and what they were known for;
Osiris, God of the Underworld. Horus, God of the Sun. Khonshu, God of the Moon. Seth, God of War. Seshat, Goddess of Wisdom. Taweret, Goddess of motherhood. Ammit, Goddessof the judged, devourer of souls.
Too many Gods for Bruce to remember, but it was still certainly interesting.
Bruce had offered to buy them dinner - he didn’t realise how much time they’d spent discussing the different artefacts. Steven had insisted that he should pay for their meal. In the end though, they split the bill.
Afterwards, they went their separate ways. If Bruce was honest, that was the most exciting museum tour he’s ever been given - even when in high school !
He’ll definitely be returning again to look through some things he might’ve missed, and he really hoped he’ll be able to bump into Steven ‘with a V’ Grant again.