Prompt: Back To Aperture! An android finds that he might have done the impossible – developed feelings for a test subject!
What on earth is wrong with my systems?
Wheatley was having trouble with himself, and he didn't know how to solve it. His operational systems usually functioned in the background. Nothing made too much noise or drew much attention to itself. Things only complained when something was wrong.
But what was happening was not the usual maintenance complaints. Instead of failing, it almost seemed like his systems were coming to life, better than usual. Something made them work harder, causing his coolant to course through his body soon after. It tinged his cheeks blue, made him feel a little dizzy.
And it always seemed to happen when he looked at the test subject. At Chell. He could not discern why the test subject would have any impact on his systems. Clearly, a malfunction. That was the only explanation!
When Chell paused in a testing chamber to debate her options and potential paths to take, Wheatley booted up his self-diagnostic systems. They scanned his body, comparing his function rates to a base blueprint. For good measure, Wheatley stared at Chell the whole time. It provided a good distraction as the test went on.
She really is dynamite, isn't she? he mused with a smile. Truly an inspiration, and oh! There she goes, with all the grace of a two-legged gazelle, leaping through the air! Wheatley watched as her hair flew out behind her, how she braced herself for impact and landed elegantly on her long fall boots.
Man alive, isn't she something else. His systems whirred faster, the coolant flooding throughout at a constant, steady rate.
Only then did his software return a diagnosis.
"High levels of CPU computing. Coolant flow and usage standard for this level of use. These elements are to simulate the human emotion of infatuation in Aperture Software."
"What?" Wheatley was taken aback, speaking his confusion aloud. "Could you spell it out in easy terms?"
"... The system is working harder than usual, prompting coolant flush. This occurs due to the emotional programming, in order to express love."
"Love…?" The word fell across Wheatley's tongue as he looked at Chell once again. He knew what it meant - he wasn't not stupid, despite what Rick believed - but he would never have used that word in this context. "Is this really what you call it? Isn't it just a human thing?"
"Aperture androids are constructed to be as human as possible," his system unexpectedly said. "Even in love."
"Oh, man alive," Wheatley breathed as he watched Chell hit the final button, hopping over to the exit. "I'm in love. I'm in love!"
His giddy whispering did not go unnoticed. Wheatley saw Chell glance at him, before tilting her head towards the exit.
"Coming, Chell!" He swung onto his management rail, trailing over the pitfalls and dangers and moving into the next room as Chell walked through the exit - and right into the next test.
The thought of blossoming love occupied Wheatley's thoughts for the next few tests, distracting him from Chell's defying feats, instead filled with pure admiration for her agility, elegance, and style.