Their two favorite teachers bantered so much with each other that it came as a surprise to the students when they found out that they were happily married to each other.
Actually their banter and sarcasm was one of the ways they communicated with each other and with the students as well, which soon became one of the reasons the students loved them.
Professor Stark was teaching science, he was energetic and incredibly prone to getting himself injured during his experiments while the biology professor dr. Strange was the opposite, he was calm and collected with such a sharp sense of humor that it was hard to tell whether he was being serious or he was being sarcastic.
They seemed to be quite different despite sharing more than a few similar traits, which made the fact that they were married a bit unbelievable, yet there were moments when the students got glimpses of them together and they had to admit that they looked great together.
“I apologize for being late students, I needed to make sure that my stubborn husband was well enough to stay alone.” was the first thing dr. Strange said when he entered the classroom.
Immediately the classroom filled with noise, everyone seemed to want to know what happened to their beloved professor.
"Is Mr. Stark alright ? Did something happen to him ?" Peter was the one to ask only to be followed by his best friend Ned,
"Is mr. Stark dying ?" only to be shushed by MJ.
Their questions were followed by a lot more from other students until professor Strange turned his gaze at them and just like that they all quieted down.
"That's better, now to answer your questions. Your professor is certainly not dying, Ned, nothing happened to him except for exhausting himself and catching a cold like he tends to do all the time. So there's nothing to worry about, in fact I was asked to inform you that your science lesson is canceled for today." none of the students reacted, even those who weren't fond or good at that subject didn't give a positive exclamation.
"I thought you'd be happy to have a lesson cancelled, why the long faces ?"
"We were...kinda looking forward to Mr. Stark's lesson." mumbled Peter whose words were accompanied by nods in agreement from most of the students.
Professor Strange looked as if he was taken by surprise by their reaction, that for a second he dropped the professional act and gave them a soft smile.
"How about we do this ? You pay as much attention to my lesson as you can and near the end of it, I'll personally videocall your professor so you can see and talk to him, I'm more than sure that he'd be happy to see you as well, plus it would prevent him from attempting to do anything to relieve his boredom."
The whole class chuckled at his words, but there was no doubt that they had accepted his suggestion and just like that the lesson started.
Peter was the first one to remind the professor of his promise after pointing out that there were ten minutes left before the lesson ended.
"A promise is a promise." said the professor who didn't even bat an eyelash at the shift in his routine before he fumbled with his computer. A few seconds later he turned the projector on and the students waited for the videocall to get accepted.
"Now please try to behave." Said the professor only to be interrupted by professor Stark's face on the wall as he casually replied,
"I haven't even said anything. Oh, hey there."
"That includes you as well, professor."
"Yes, dear." was the cheeky reply which despite the glassy eyes and the flushed skin meant that the professor was doing as well as possible.
Professor Strange was completely unfazed by those words although it appeared that he was barely suppressing the urge to roll his eyes which would have been a phenomenon on its own if he did that.
"I'll leave you to have a short chat with your students." He said while looking at the laptop camera before he turned away and allowed the students to better see the other professor.
"Thanks honey. As you can see I'm alive and well despite what I look like, but I'm going to have a few days…"
Professor Strange cleared his throat loud enough to be heard which brought a wide smile on the other professor's face.
"A week off to rest, doctor's orders and all that. Now I know that you're going to miss me and since our precious pirate director is against missing lessons, we have found you a replacement." he chuckled at the collective groan that passed through the students.
"Don't give me those faces, Professor Banner is a fellow scientist who is one of the best in the field. So, I'd expect you to be on your best behavior, do not even think about playing...wipe that smirk off your face mr. Flash, I can pick it up even through this low quality excuse for a camera." the whole class erupted into laughter that was way out of line, especially when done during professor Strange's lesson.
"Tony." was his reaction that quieted them down while at the same time did nothing to discourage the other man.
"What? I know you can see it." he huffed.
"Oh, it doesn't matter whether I can see it or not, I'm sure that Mr. Thompson will behave appropriately towards the replacement, do you agree with me mr. Thompson ?" there was no point in pretending or lying to the professor, not when he used that tone in his voice.
Professor Stark sounded and looked delighted for a few seconds before he schooled his expression into one of mild amusement.
"Now that that's settled, I wish you all the best, don't embarrass me in front of the professor and don't forget to do your projects, those who won't make them by the time I come back which would be sooner than a week…" a coughing fit interrupted him before he continued,
"Maybe a week...he's glaring at me isn't he ?" he mused, completely aware that they could see professor Strange's expression and he couldn't which made the situation quite hilarious.
"Alright, after a week, so good luck with your project." and the screen went dark.
Immediately the students started talking, most of them complaining about the project and the lack of time to complete it, before MJ reminded them that the professor didn't mention anything about a project before. Then when they started panicking the screen turned on and professor Stark appeared once again smiling at them,
"Just kidding. There are no due projects, I was just messing with you." everyone let out a relieved sigh trying to pretend that they weren't worrying a few moments ago.
"Now, I believe it's time to end this call since I'm sure that Stephen is going to be late for his next lesson and I don't know about you guys, but I try not to anger my doctor too often, it might lead to terrible consequences." the students chuckled at his words, pleasantly surprised by the fondness on professor Strange's face.
"Have a pleasant day everyone, good luck with your next class Stephen, see you later."
"Tony ?"
"Don't forget to take your medicine."
"I won't."
"Yes you will." was the playful reply that shocked everyone.
"Most likely I will, but you'll call me to remind me, so I'm good to go."
"Yes, I will and try to get as much rest as possible, no tinkering." this time professor Strange turned to face the camera, so he could be seen by the other professor.
"Ahh, you're no fun." there was absolutely no heat in his words, he even tried to pout like a kid.
"If you say so, now off you go or I'll be late."
"Fine...love you." and the call ended before the professor could say anything.
Then he turned towards the students, tried to look serious, but even he couldn't hide the soft smile on his face.
"That should be all. Class dismissed." they didn't wait to be told twice, they started walking out of the classroom as quickly as possible. Peter was the one who hesitated at the door in order to turn his gaze at the professor.
When he noticed the way the professor caressed his wedding ring with a smile on his face, he knew that his favorite professor would be well taken care of and that was enough for him.