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: So I saw the ask portal teens blog on tumblr (which is amazing, if you haven't seen it already) and saw that Doug was the art teacher and instantly my wicked mind thought "I can totally see Chell getting with teacher!Doug, like on his desk," and I was like "hold on, I'm gonna write that." and then the idea ran away and this was born.

Doug was nervous, this was evidenced by the fact that he had straightened his tie for the fifth time in two minutes. Mismatched blue eyes stared into the medium-sized mirror hung on his wall, the only one in his shabby run-down apartment he owned. "Stop fussing!" Snapped his older sister, Caitlin, from the end of his bed. She had agreed to help him get ready for his interview, and this was the third time she'd made him change.

Dropping his hands almost guiltily, he offered a sheepish smile and instead ran his fingers through his hair. "Sorry..." He mumbled, staring at her from the mirror. "I'm just really nervous and-"

"When aren't you?" She said, with a fond grin. "Just relax, you'll do fine." She stood, her own hands playing with her vibrant pink hair. She had always liked to dye her hair strange colours. Caitlin loved to be the centre of attention, whereas he on the other hand would rather keep to the background as much as possible. Unfortunately his illness and strange eyes seemed to direct a lot of unwanted, and not necessarily positive, attention his way. Doug blinked, and was startled to find that the pinkette was now in front of him, staring at him with appraising eyes. Seemingly satisfied with his appearance, she gave a nod. "You're good to go." And with that, she pushed him towards the door to the living room. "Now go, otherwise you'll be late!"

"So you have schizophrenia?" His interviewer asked, his voice was sharp and no-nonsense. It was clear this man was your stereotypical businessman. His voice was loud, commanding and Doug was more than a little intimidated by him.

"Uh...Yes sir. Mr Johnson, sir..." Under the table he sat at, one hand was fiddling with the hem of his shirt, his fingers digging into the white material in an attempt to ease his discomfort. His other hand, however, was much more calm than its twin, and instead lay casually on the tabletop, his fingers wrapped around a mug of coffee Mr Johnson's wife, ("Call me Caroline!"), had given him. He took a sip, attempting to appear nonchalant. "However I take medication to help, so it isn't really a problem." Doug hated having to tell people he was schizophrenic, however when it came to applying to jobs it wasn't something he could just let slip by. The worst thing was that generally, once the illness was mentioned that was all they saw. He wasn't a person, he wasn't just Doug. He was Doug The Schizo. And Doug The Schizo found it hard to get a job.

"I see," hummed Caroline, who sat beside her husband wearing a smile which seemed permanently glued in place. It both made him feel welcome and gave him an eerie feeling. Are people supposed to smile so much? "And it says here on your resume that you are able to understand and use sign language?"

Doug was confused. What did that have to do with anything...? "Yes...erm, why-"

"Alright, that's it then!" Mr Johnson said, slapping a hand onto the table and Doug instantly felt his heart drop. They've finished with me already? We've barely begun! "You're hired!"

"I'll just show myself out...wait, what?" To say he was shocked was an understatement. He had gotten the job? He smiled, almost giddy. He had gotten the job! "Oh thank you Mr and Mrs Johnson, you won't regret this!"

"You better hope so, because if I do -" His rant was cut short by his wife, who placed a hand on his shoulder and gave him a reproachful look. Instantly the man sighed, grumbled something and settled back into his chair. "Well, I guess you may as well go meet your new student, then."

"She's in the study, dear," Caroline said, standing and Doug followed. "I'll show you the way."

Caroline stopped before a mahogany wooden door, and opened it. "Chell, honey, we want you to come and meet your new science tutor!"

When Doug first saw his new pupil, her back was turned towards him, and her dark black hair was tied into a practical ponytail. She turned in her chair, and as soon as her grey eyes met his own blue ones Doug swore he fell in love.

She's beautiful.

Note: Haha yes Caitlin is meant to be the companion cube. I tried to make it obvious and have her involved, since she is such a big part of Doug's personality in the series.