Title: Lessons in love
Fandom: Portal
Parings: Chell x Rattmann
Summary: In which Doug is hired to be one mute girl's science tutor and not a lot of science gets learned.
Note: Alright! Another chapter! I'm on a roll! Anyway thank you to everyone who reviewed, I really appreciate it.
Umbra-Luna: Haha, yeah when I saw the drawings I was like "Yes this needs to be a story!" so I really just let my mind run away with the idea, and thus this was born! And yes, as I go on the chapters will get longer. At the moment, these first two chapters are more of a introductory chapter, so we can just get to know them a little bit but then as more content is needed, I will write loads! 8D I've not really thought about earrings. I s'pose she probably will. Maybe as an act of 'defiance'? And it will probably feature a lemon in the future, but not quite yet. I'm kinda nervous about writing one to be totally honest! And yes, I've made our favorite mute to be eighteen so as not to offend anyone.
Sakura Nightingale: Yes I was aware, and thank you very much for adding them! Also yeah, I shouldn't worry about age since she's going to be eighteen for the purpose of this little fic.
Words stretched before her, full of useful information which would surely help her in passing that test. And none of them seemed to make any sense to her. I've read this same paragraph four times already. Her frustration built up, and the brunette was sure that if she were some cartoon character steam would be pouring from her ears. Glaring at the text book which lay before her, completely oblivious to her burning hatred and lying there happy as a squirrel who had collected a load of acorns. How dare it mock her!
Not for the first time, Chell wished she could talk because words itched to pour themselves from her mouth. And oh, how she would scream if she could. But she couldn't, and so the frustration grew into a seemingly endless rage. Fingers twitched, and the eighteen year old had to fight the urge to tear the page from its bindings and screw it up and set it on fire and a multitude of other, violent things.
I hate science, Chell though vehemently. When it came to school, despite her muteness, Chell usually came out with the top grades. While she wasn't always at the very top, that spot was reserved for that know-it-all Craig, she was in the top 10 percent of her year. Except in science. And it was unacceptable. Especially since both of her parents are 'in the science business', as they say, which made it all the more embarrassing. No matter how hard she tries – and she tries her damn best, of that it can be made certain – the information doesn't seem to want to wedge itself into her brain. And it made her feel, well it made her feel like Wheatley, her best friend and the class, no the schools resident moron. Huffing, she put her chin in top of her palm, and stared thoughtfully at the book.
And she stared.
And stared.
And stared.
Chell prided herself on always having a calm and cool temperament. Not much got under her skin, she was said to have the patience of a Goddess, after all she dealt with Wheatley on a daily basis. But science. Science knew how to make her angry. And she was angry. So, conveying her seething, white hot rage in the only way she could, she tossed her book off her desk and at her wall and as it flew through the air, Chell swelled with satisfaction, a grim smile appearing on her face as it slammed into the wall and fell to the floor.
The sound of footsteps made her pause, and realising she was meant to be doing her homework, she tried to make herself appear nonchalant, turning back to her desk properly, and picked up her forgotten pen and acted like she was working. Her parents weren't all that strict, but when it came to work they were like a pair of slave drivers. One of her fathers many motto's was, "A dream doesn't become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination and hard work." Of course, Chell doubted it was actually her fathers own words, but either way Chell always thought that those words were especially true.
"Chell, honey, we want you to come and meet your new science tutor!"
Chell blinked, confused. Science tutor? When had that been decided? Giving an internal shrug, she decided it wasn't important and that perhaps a little help on the worlds worst subject would be best, for her sanity and her grades. When the door was opened – as usual her mother didn't remember to knock – and in stepped her mother and her new science tutor.
Automatically she stood, and shifted from foot to foot as he stared at her. While he stared, she used the opportunity to look him over.
The man, her new tutor, had a mess of dark, wild hair, mismatched blue eyes and a slightly crooked nose and an even more crooked smile. His skittish half-grin and awkward body language showed he was nervous. Chell decided in those first few seconds she liked him, his odd eyes were unique and Chell found she didn't mind the way they lingered on her.
She's beautiful
The thought struck him as soon as he saw her, and when she moved so she was standing before him, he found himself marvelling at the grace of her simple movements. The girl, Chell, calmly turned her eyes to him, and he flinched at the sight of them. They were a glassy grey colour, and if it wasn't for the sharpness in them and how her eyes quickly roamed over him, he would've thought her to be blind.
Realizing he was staring, he blinked, and nervously gave a little cough. "Er – Erm...Yes, as your mother, erm, said I am your new science tutor..."
"This is Mr. Rattmann, honey," Her mother cut in, seeing that the man was having a little trouble forming words. Probably too intimidated, the poor dear, Caroline thought. It wasn't uncommon for people to be unnerved by her daughters cool stare. Giving the young man a pat on the shoulder, which made him jump out of his skin, Caroline decided it would be a good idea to give them a time to get to know one another. "Alright, I'm going back downstairs, why don't you too have a little chat? I'll be in the kitchen if you need me." And with a swish of her chocolate hair, she disappeared back down the corridor.
Doug watched her go, a little apprehensive to be alone with his new – beautiful – student whose eyes seemed to be burning a whole into his back. Turning to Chell, he gave a weary smile. "As your mother said I'm Mr. Rattmann, but Doug is fine. Is Chell short for anything?" When the girl retreated back to her chair at the desk, he followed her into the room. Her silence was both comforting and oppressing.
Chell pointed to another chair genially, and Doug sat down obediently. The dark haired schizophrenic was slightly surprised when she replied to him, not by speaking but by using sign language. Suddenly Mr Johnson's strange question regarding his ability to understand sign language made sense. Chell is mute!
No, my name is simply Chell.
He smiled then, feeling a lot less nervous than before. I thought she was being quiet because she didn't like me! Relief flooded through him, although he wasn't quite sure why it was important for his new student to like him. He was just her tutor, after all, it wasn't required for him to be liked. "Oh... Forgive me, but I didn't know you was mute," He gave a nervous laugh, and a shrug, trailing off awkwardly. At her pointed look, he offered a sheepish smile. "I wasn't erm told, by Mr Johnson. He just asked me if I could understand sign language. I guess that should've tipped me off, right?"
Chell's mouth opened in what seemed to be a laugh, however no sound left her delicate lips. That sounds like something my father would do. A pause. I'm sorry he didn't tell you, he just assumes everyone knows.
"It's no problem," Doug smiled, his eyes suddenly landing on the fallen book. Raising an eyebrow, he looked back up at its obvious owner, who suddenly turned away, as if she didn't realize it was there. Reaching out, he picked it up, looking at the title. "Is this your science textbook?" A shrug. "Why was it on the floor?"
Chell's next shrug was a little more hesitant. It fell, she signed, however it seemed more like a question than a statement.
"Oh? It fell quite a distance, huh?" He was smiling now, unable to hide it. He got the impression she really didn't like science.
Yes. Was her short answer, and at her irritated expression, he gave a snort.
"I see." Setting it down on his lap, he glanced thoughtfully at his student. "Looks like I've got my work cut out for me, huh?" In answer, Chill simply gave a grim smile.
More notes: For anyone who is interested, Chell's quote about hard work and determination is by Colin Powell. Please tell me what you think about how I've made the characters and give me any constructive criticism you think is needed. Also, I'm a little worried I made Doug's mannerisms too close to that of Wheatley's, so if you think that is so please tell me and I'll try to fix it. Anyway, thanks for reading!