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Professors Matthew Clairmont and Diana Bishop didn't like each other.
Diana was a historian. She studied alchemy, believed there were so many answers in the past to explain the developments in modern science. She was successful too, having taught at Yale and moved to Oxford.
Matthew on the other hand was a scientist. A doctor who focused his research on biochemistry and genetics. He'd been at Oxford, forever and it wasn't that he was anti-humanities or history, but science held all the answers for him.
They may not work anywhere near each other, but their strong positions led to public clashes at conferences, in labs and even in the Oxford Union.
"Why do you insist on antagonising Diana?" Miriam asked, storming into his office next to hers. Dr Miriam Shephard was his oldest friend and boss, who often watched in amusement when he and Diana argued.
Matthew looked up from his computer, an innocent look on his face, "I have no idea what you mean."
Miriam scoffed and threw down a copy of a journal on his desk.
They had both submitted papers. Whilst her paper focused on her developing research on genetics, he decided to write a paper on the misrepresentation of chemical processes, citing Diana's work on alchemy.
"It's a research topic that interests me." He defended with a smirk.
"Stop using my lab to get into pissing matches with Diana Bishop!" Miriam scolded.
Diana went to Matthew's office. No, not to speak with him, but she plastered copied pages from various alchemic textbooks, detailing processes similar to modern chemical processes. In the middle of the collage, a large piece of paper with a message bold golden sharpie (She thanked her aunts for teaching her how to make an effective protest sign.)
Without alchemists, philosophers and historians, you wouldn't have a job!
Matthew smiled to himself when he saw it. He left it up, like a badge of honour.
Once Professor Clairmont's paper was published, the academic rivalry between him and Diana spread to their students.
"I don't get why he insists on trying to antagonise Dr Bishop. It has to be a sexism thing." One history student said a group of them sat on the college green.
"Maybe because alchemy isn't science," One biochem student retorted.
Another biology student piped up, "It has to be a PR thing, or maybe they really hate each other."
"The university wouldn't let it go on so long. Did you see what she did to his office door?"
"That just proves historians are unhinged." One cocky scientist said, dodging a slap from his girlfriend who happened to be a history student.
Marcus Whitmore, Matthew's eldest son and an undergrad student watched on from a bench in amusement as they all fought. If only they knew how they had been manipulated.
Diana is holding her seminar, the last one of the day in the library. Matthew goes to watch, from a discreet corner in the lecture theatre. The students are discussing the connections between modern science and the alchemic process, with impassioned opinions on both sides. When it's over, some spot him and send him polite smiles or glares on their way out.
"Good seminar." Matthew complimented. Diana rolled her eyes.
"Well, when a jackass writes a paper to attempt to disprove my work, it creates an incentive for my students to continue their research. Prove those snobby biologists wrong." She smirked.
He leaned down to kiss her, but she stopped him with her hand.
"Can a man not kiss his wife to apologise?"
"You are cooking tonight, professor." Diana smiled, as she packed up her papers in her satchel, "Takes more than a kiss to make it up to me."
"Oh?" Matthew raised an eyebrow and grabbed her bag for her, holding her hand as they walked out, "What else shall I do to make up for my... transgressions?"
"I have a few ideas."
"Like what?"
"Print a retraction if you don't want to sleep on the couch."
A gaggle of history and biochem students look on in surprise as two professors who they assumed hated each other, held hands, laughing with each other. They saw Matthew escort her to his car, holding open the door for Diana who rolled her eyes affectionately.
It is only when they see Miriam Shephard and her husband, Bertrand Shephard, a Literature professor do they finally get their answer as to what was going on.
"Uh, Dr Shephard? Professor Shephard?"
Miriam rolls her eyes, wanting to go home but Bertrand smiles at the group of students, "They're married. Have been for three years. Have a good weekend.
"Wait, they're married?"
"So why do they constantly fight?"
"I guess it's great for their academic careers." A history student shrugged, "You have to admit, it's kind of sweet."
One of the more stubborn biologists students shrugged, "Still weird."