Chapter Text
Chapter 1
Stephen Strange was waiting for Mrs. Abbot in her office. He wasn't used to be in a teacher's office at all but he knew what this was about. This year Stephen would be competing on the Knowledge Contest that the elite colleges of New York held each year. Unfortunately for him, the competition was in pairs, so Strange assumed he was about to meet his partner. He was aware he was bad in social matters, but he didn't really care. Stephen only wanted to win because the price was ten thousand dollars and he really needed the money to finish some research he was doing. His only hope was that his partner wouldn't slow him down.
He look at the clock on his wrist and sighed. This was getting boring and he had better things to do with his time. He started to examine Mrs. Abbott office as a distraction when he heard steps coming towards him.
"I told you to be here at 2 o'clock"
"Sorry, teach, I lost track of time"
"Sure, now get in there, your classmate is probably waiting"
Stephen thought the voice was familiar and he indeed recognise the owner when he and Mrs. Abbott stepped in.
"Hello, Stephen, sorry to keep you waiting"
Strange only nodded.
"Right" the teacher said.
"Well, I don't know if you know each other so let me do the introductions. Stephen Strange this is Tony Stark. Tony, this is Stephen"
"Huh, that's Strange" Tony said while extending his hand to Stephen with an amused smile.
"Yeah, I get that a lot" he replied coldly shaking Stark's hand
"Well now, take a sit guys"
"After you" Tony said
Stephen already knew who Tony Stark was as so did the entire campus. Not only was he known because his father was a famous creator of technology and weapons but because Tony knew how to be the centre of attention. Stephen was not very familiarized with all the scandals and rumours about him but he was aware the other teenager was some sort of playboy and enjoyed drinking. To be honest, Stephen didn't know how he felt with this. On one hand he knew Stark was brilliant, probably not as much as himself but at least he wasn't some mediocre teen. Although he also knew Stark wasn't the kind of guy who takes things seriously, which led him to wonder what motive could he have to be on the competition, because certainly the price was not it.
"So, as you know, the Knowledge Contest will take place three months from now. We will have some studying meetings on the classroom once a week, but I recommend you two to study together at least three times a week"
"What?" Tony asked looking kind of offended "I have other things to do"
"So do I"
"Maybe we can study on our own and just meet with you once a week"
Mrs. Abbott sighted. "Well, sorry guys if I said this was suggestion, but I am afraid you will have to meet outside the classroom. Why do you think I put you together?
"Because..."
"Well..." Said Tony interrupting Stephen "I'm just guessing here but maybe you think we would make a cute couple"
Strange looked at him as if he has said the stupidest thing. What's wrong with this guy?
"Yes, Tony, because obviously I majored in Matchmaking"
"Ha! I knew it" Replied Stark with a smug smile and winked at Stephen.
"Tony, please, take this seriously"
"Okay, sorry. But you do have to admit I'm pretty"
Both Mrs. Abbott and Stephen rolled their eyes. How could Mrs. Abbott think it was a good idea for me to work with Tony Stark? This guy is impossible. He won't take it seriously
"As you must know, you are some of the brightest students in campus"
"Some?" Both asked at the same time. They looked at each other and Stephen almost smiled.
"Okay, let's say you are THE brightest students on campus, happy? My point is that I think this year we have a big opportunity and you working as a team would be great for school and yourselves"
Both of them raised an eyebrow as if asking. What benefit could I get from him? But said nothing
"For example, you, Stephen are great with chemistry and biology and you Tony with physics and mathematics"
"I'm great at those too" Stephen replied, looking a little offended with the implication that he needed Tony's help.
"Yeah, I rock chemistry and biology, why would we need each other?"
"Jesus" Mrs. Abbott sighed, starting to lose her patience "Tony, I must remind you, you have no option in this, okay? And Stephen, I'm not saying you need his help, I'm saying you can prepare each other, seriously, what is better for studying than doing it with someone who is a smart as you?"
"I suppose you're right"
"Good, then get out of here and decide when and where will you study"
The boys stood up, looking at each other with little trust. You could tell neither of them liked the arrangement but they had no option but working together.
"And by the way" Mrs. Abbott added as the teens stepped outside "I talked to another student, he won this competition on his freshman year. He is willing to help too"
"Great" said Tony with sarcasm. Stephen felt the same.
"Who?" Strange asked just out of respect, not really interested.
"Bruce Banner"
"Great!" Said Tony now with a genuine smile "That will make this a little more interesting"
Once they were out in the hall, Tony grabbed a pen from his pocket and took Strange's hand.
"Hey" he replied, not pulling away.
"Calm down, Strange" he said, writing something on the other boy's palm. "There" Tony said and let go Stephen's hand "You now have my address and number"
"Couldn't you just write that on paper?" Strange replied coldly while reading his palm.
"Hey, you're lucky. Must people have to buy me dinner first to get these"
"Sure. What a fool of me not to thank you for such a privilege"
"Exactly" Stark said with a smile, ignoring the sarcasm
"Your turn"
"For what?"
"Your number, Strange" he said, handing the pen and offering his hand
"Fine" He took Tony's hand and wrote his number.
"Good. See ya, Strange"
"Whatever" Tony started walking to the exit and Stephen took the opposite direction, towards the bathroom. He took a piece of paper out of his backpack and wrote Tony's address and number. He then washed his hands consciously, he had always hated for his hands to be dirty.
This better be worth it they both thought to themselves.