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animatorweirdo · 1 month

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Soundless

Your father discouraged you from seeking the elf, but since you were desperate to have your locket fixed -- you decided to let his words go soundless in your ears. Turns out, the ill-famed Feanor wasn't so bad after all.

[] = Sign language

Warnings: mentions of a dead mother, hearing loss, rumors, Feanor's reputation, softness, and Feanor not being bad after all.

(Note: I decided to take a softer turn for this guy,)

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Your life has not been an easy one. Despite being born into nobility as the child of a Telerin lord, you faced your share of hardships from a young age. Your mother passed away shortly after your birth, and then you lost your hearing to a strange illness.

Growing up without the ability to hear the sounds of nature or music was incredibly challenging. Many people looked at you with pity, and some even speculated that you were cursed, given the unfortunate circumstances surrounding both your mother's death and your hearing loss. This placed a heavy burden on your father, who was left to care for you alone.

You two shared a great bond, and he had been genuinely a good father to you, helping you adapt to your disability and trying to make sure you were happy. However, you knew how tired he was and how he held a look of longing in his eyes. He was most likely still waiting for your mother to return from the halls of Mandos.

Your mother had been born with a weak body thus the childbirth took a severe toll on her and her spirit. The Valar and the Maiar assured that she would heal over time, but it would take a long time. There was a high chance she would return when you had already grown into your teens.

Your father was deeply saddened by the news and carried a heavy burden of guilt, believing that he was responsible for your mother being stuck in a state of recovery. Despite any rumors or beliefs held by others, he never allowed you to bear the blame. Instead, he shielded you from such notions, ensuring that you understood it was not your fault and that you were not to blame for your mother's passing.

You didn't want your father to blame himself, so you always strived to be on your best behavior and do things that would make him happy. You also wanted to prove to him that he didn’t always need to worry about you and that you could handle yourself, even if you were deaf. That was one of the reasons why you were determined to learn how to read people’s lips and make communication easier for yourself.

One of the only things you had from your mother was a silver locket.

Your father allowed you to keep it, and you held on to it ever since. Unfortunately, the lock had gotten stuck, thus making you unable to open it.

Your father didn’t know what the locket held inside, so you pleaded with him to have someone fix it. However, since the locket was an older design from the First Age, none of the craftsmen knew how to repair it. They all advised you to dismantle the locket and salvage whatever was inside, but you were unwilling to do so. You were fond of the locket itself and didn't want to risk damaging whatever precious contents it held.

You began to lose hope when there were no more craftsmen to turn to, and even your father seemed less eager to save the locket. He eventually told you to simply keep the locket as a memory, assuring you that knowing what was inside was not important.

You valued your father's advice, but you also couldn't shake the desire to know what was inside the locket. Perhaps it contained a picture of your mother, since you had so few of them in the house, or maybe it held a cherished item she kept as a memory.

You then heard about an elf who was rumored to be one of the best craftsmen known in history: Feanor, King Finarfin’s older brother and the eldest of Finwe’s children. You heard that he had done troubling things in the past and nowadays lived in seclusion with his sons, rarely attending social events. Despite his reclusive nature, his reputation as a skilled craftsman persisted.

You felt hope for your mother’s locket, but when you asked your father if you two could meet him, he suddenly became angry and refused. You were startled as you had never seen him so angry before.

Your father apologized for snapping at you and then explained that Feanor was not someone who should even be spoken about. Despite the passing of many years, the wounds he had inflicted were still fresh in the hearts of many. He was not to be trusted, so it's only for the best that you forget the whole thing.

Normally, you would have listened to your father, but your stubbornness to have your locket fixed strived you forward.

During a celebration event with most noble houses and the city attending, you sneaked away from your father’s side and made your way to the workshop where you heard Feanor usually occupied alone with his gadgets.

You had visited many workshops while trying to get your locket fixed, so you had a good idea of what to look for. It didn’t take long for you to find the place and walk inside. The workshop was empty, as most of the people were attending the celebration. Although it was a bit eerie to be alone, you pressed on until you found a door with light emanating from the room beyond.

You quietly peered inside and observed a dark-haired elf seated beside a table, engrossed in some task beneath the flickering candlelight. For a moment, you were awestruck, realizing that this was the famed Feanor, the elf who had allegedly committed terrible deeds.

With cautious steps, you entered the room, mindful not to startle the elf, and pondered how to approach him without alarming him. Unbeknownst to you, the door behind you closed shut, causing the elf to startle and snap his head towards you.

You were frozen in your place when you locked your eyes with Feanor. His features were sharp and he frowned when he saw you. For a moment, he looked a bit terrifying.

“Child? What are you doing here alone? Where are your parents?” Feanor questioned, but you awkwardly remained quiet as you only managed to catch ‘here’ and ‘parents’ from his lips. Your lip reading skills weren’t the sharpest despite you having been trying to improve them.

You took a deep breath and then tried to explain in sign language why you were there and that you had hoped he could take a look at your locket and perhaps know how to fix it since no one else knew how to.

Feanor gazed intently at you as you signed, and then there was an awkward pause. You weren't sure if he understood sign language, and you mildly regretted not bringing a piece of paper and a pencil, which would have made explaining much easier.

Feanor’s eyes then softened, and to your surprise, he motioned his hand in sign language.

“[Come here…]” he said.

You then walked up to him and handed him your locket.

He inspected it carefully, taking in the design and the lock. After he tested it and tried to open it, he then laid it down on the table. He grabbed one of the vials and what seemed to be a small tool. You looked at him curiously as he started doing something.

He then glanced at you.

“[Take a seat. This might take a while…]” He signed.

You nodded and quietly sat on the opposite side of the table, watching as he gently poured drops on the lock.

“[What is that?] you curiously asked.

“[A type of acid. It can remove the rust that had locked the locket from the inside,]” he explained.

“[Wait! So you can really fix it without having to break it?!]” you asked excitedly.

“[Of course I can. I do need to take the lock apart to clean the excess rust from the inside,]” Feanor explained while dropping drops on the locket.

“[How do you know sign language?]” you asked.

“[I was the one who first developed it,]” he answered, making your eyes widen.

“[Did you or anyone in your family have hearing problems too? ]” you asked.

“[No. I just wanted a way to bad mouth my half-brother without him understanding anything. I was a bit of a drama seeker,]” he explained, making you giggle.

“[Then it was adopted by those who were unable to speak or hear words,]” he added.

“[How long have you been unable to hear words or sounds?]” he asked while cleaning your locket’s lock.

“[My whole life. I lost my hearing somewhere in my birth,]” you answered.

“[Do you want to talk about it?]” Feanor asked, and you became excited. No one else besides your father has spoken to you in sign language this long.

You then talked about your life. How your mother died during your birth, and how your father had taken care of you your whole life. You also talked about how your father seems to be blaming himself for your mother’s death and how you hated when others would look at you with pity and think you had been cursed.

Feanor listened attentively while fixing your locket.

After half an hour of talking and watching him work, you took a break, but then you saw how the elf in front of you placed all the parts back in the locket and opened it.

You looked at him eagerly as he closed it and then opened it, making sure the lock worked properly before handing the locket back to you.

You grabbed the locket and took a look at what was inside. It was a small picture of your mother and father. They looked happy together, and there was also a small gem inside. It was most likely the gem your father gave your mother as a gift, and she had kept it inside the locket for safekeeping and carried it with her. You felt immeasurable joy looking at the picture and holding the gem.

Your father would be so happy when you showed these to him.

Feanor then caught your attention by tapping the table in front of you.

“[The locket should work fine for now, but make sure to take care of it and not leave it somewhere where it could rust again, ]” Feanor explained.

“[I will. Thank you,]” you signed.

“[Now come on. I take you back to the entrance. You shouldn’t be here,]” he said, then stood up.

You followed the elf out of the workshop, and you two then stood on the empty street while the celebration was still going in the distance.

“[Do you need me to escort you back there?]” Feanor asked.

“[No. My father is pretty easy to find, and I don’t think he even noticed that I’m gone. I’m pretty quiet after all, ]” you answered.

“[Very well, and by the way,]” he said, making you look at him curiously.

“[Your mother’s passing was not your fault. No matter how tragic it was, you are not at fault,]” he explained.

You looked down for a moment.

“[But others think differently,]” you said.

“[There will always be people who will judge you for what you don’t have. Don’t let their words get to you. Otherwise, your life will become difficult and harder to enjoy,]” he signed.

“[And remember, hearless or not, your mother would have loved you]” he added.

The thought made you smile. Your mother had a weak body, but it didn’t mean she did not want you. Your father and the rest of the relatives always explained how she was excited to have you.

She might be in Mandos, but she was going to return one day.

“[I won’t. Thank you, Mr. Feanor,]” you said, and he softly smiled.

“[Now get along now. Your father will notice your disappearance soon enough,]” he said.

You then suddenly hugged his legs, making him look at you surprised. He then patted your head as you freed him and began making your way back to the party. You waved at him, and he waved in return till he saw you disappear into the crowds.

Feanor returned to his workshop, feeling pleasant over the encounter.

#silmarillion x reader #middle earth x reader #silm fic #tolkien #silmarillion imagines #feanor #feanor x reader #feanor x child reader #silmarillion fanfiction #silmarillion #middle earth #deaf reader

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hyperfixatedoncrimminalminds · 1 year

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David Rossi x Deaf daughter reader

Summary: Rossi has to take his daughter to his work, but the team start tlaking to ber but of course she deaf so she can't hear them so she starts using ASL to talk but none of them understand her until Rossi walks in (they all thought she was rude)

I love this idea!

Third person pov...

Y/N Rossi loves her Dad, really she does but sometimes the Italian surprises her sometimes, such as now.

The teenager stares at her Dad with a deadpan look, Rossi rolls his eyes. 'Don't give me that look, come on It will be nice for you to finally meet them' signs Dave as his daughters face doesn't change.

So Dave changes his approach. 'Please Pumpkin for me' he signs, the Italian couldn't believe he was literally begging his teenage daughter to come meet his new team at work.

A man of his age doing this who would of thought, Y/N continues staring at her Dad before sighing softly giving up, She watches as her Dad cheers ans claps his hands.

The Agent then walks around the kitchen isle and hugs his daughter tightly kissing her cheeks with a smile Y/N relented and hugged him back jsut as tightly.

When her Dads pulled back he started signing again. 'Thank you sweetie, arw you ready to go?' He asks her, Y/N thinks for a moment before nodding.

'Let's go!' Sighs Dave before Him and Y/N walk out of the door and into the car. "I can't believe I let you do this' signs the teenager crossing her arms.

Her Dad smiles and signs back. 'Because you know you want to meet them too' He signs as his teenager pouted, Dave continues smiling whole drive to his work.

Timeskip...

Once they arrive Y/N is nervous, she is nervous as hell. Even her Dad could tell she was nervous.

The Dad ruffles his daughters hair playfully making the girl smile and look up at him. 'They will love you Honey, don't worry' he promised, Y/N smiled she knew she could trust her Dad.

Taking a deep breath Y/N got out if the car, Rossi lookedat how grown up his daughter was and smile like a proud papa bear.

He locked the doors and wrapped an arm around Y/N who welcomed the familiar touch, the two Italians the make their way into the building and into the elevator.

'Almost there' signs Dave letting his daughter know it was almost time.

Y/N squares her shoulders and walks Confidently out of the elevator and onto the floor, Dave holds her hand and walks the teenager into the bullpen where the others were talking and laughing.

Y/N looks around at everything around her wanting to look at everything, As they walked closer to a group of familiar looking people. Y/n had seen a picture of everyone before and heard all thr stories from her Dad.

"Children! Settle down children" Yelled Dave successfully getting everyone to shut up. Four of them glared at Rossi but soon turned into laughter, it must be a usual greeting for them.

"Guys I want to introduce you all to my Daughter Y/N, Y/N this Is everyone" Rossi introduces turning to face hid daughter when he spoke.

The deaf teen can read lips but not that well, she is better at sign language. Seeing the confusion on her face Dave discreetly signs what he said to them, Y/N nods her head. "Hi im Y/N" she says softly the teen gets smiles from the team.

A blonde woman shoves the tall black man forward, the man holds his hand out to Y/N , Y/N takes it with a smile. she then shakes everyone else's hands. "nice to finally meet the daughter Dave is so proud off" says the intimidating man, this made Dave glare at him.

Y/N let out at laugh she understood some off what he said. Rossi watches as his daughter bonds with his team, then he feels his phone off, of course its his editior. he answers the call and taps Y/Ns shoulder getting her attention.

the older man then signs something to her which the teen understands. "go i'll be fine" she whispers to him, Her dad smiles and kisses her forehead before leaving.

The teen then actually looked at the room around her, she then saw her dads office, he said she could sit in there if it all got to much for her, As the girl was looking around the others were trying to get her attention but it was like she couldn't hear them.

"How about we show you around?" questions Emily, but the girl acts like she didnt hear her, Derek then tries but like Emily was ignored, the man was getting a bit pissed off with her. "of course she behaves when Daddy is here, but once he leaves shes completely different" Says the tall man.

He looks over at the giel for a hint of her hearing them, once again nothing. "my turn" says Emily, she then reaches forward, behind her she can hear Spencer shout something but she didnt hear him.

what happened next what almost in slow motion, Emily touches the back of Y/Ns hand, this made the teen flinch, she yanked hard and Emily let go, her breathing became heavy she was almost hyperventilating.

Wider E/C eyes darted around like she was a terrifed prey watching its predator for its next move, the team freeze in the actually fear in her eyes. The teen backs away from the six adults holding her hand.

Suddenly her hands begin flying around at a rapid pace. 'wheres my dad? why isnt he back yet' 'please dont touch me' 'im deaf sorry i cant hear you' suddenly Spencer gasps, he understands why she was acting like that.

As he looks at Y/N she looked as if she was about to have a panic attack so the youngest member pulled the others attention to him, this helped Y/N calm down a little, while they were distracted Y/N took this as a chance to run to saftey.

The teen turned and ran up the ramp to the second floor and straight into her dads office, the girl begins pacing around the room in anxious circles, why did she react like that she hadnt had a bad reaction like that in years.

Years ago when the girl was first learning to sign, she got startled all the time because she obviously couldn't hear anything, at the start her Dad had to turn the lights on and off before he went into a room so he didn't scare Y/N.

over the years she got better and now recognises when her Dad touches her hand, she knows it him and feels safe. right now all she wanted was her Dad, tired of pacing the teen leans against the wall and crouches down crying into her arms.

Back with the team Spencer was telling them about his theory. "guys i think i know why she was acting like that" he says making them all look at him. "then tell us pretty boy!" yells Derek.

"i think she is deaf, before you say anything think about it about how she was acting, when Hotch was talking she was watching his lips and when Rossi used his hands instead of speaking to her when he left, it all makes sense" he tells them, it was silent before guilt settled on them like a rock.

"shittt" mutters Emily, now she felt guilty for touching her know wonder she was so scared. As the team were feeling guilty they didnt notice Rossi had returned until the elder man spoke. "hey guys wheres Y/N?" he asks them, they all turn to the man with guilty expressions.

he raises an eyebrow "did something happen?" he asked, Hotch then told him what happened. "shit, i completely forgot, yes Y/N is deaf and uses Sign language to talk, i complete forgot to tell you all" Explains Rossi before the dad runs to his office, he opens the door with one hand and flicks the light.

As he walked further in he saw a scene that broke his heart, his baby girl was curled up on his floor crying her eyes out, he hasnt seen her cry this much since she was a kid, "oh mia bambina" he whispers before kneeling next to his daughter and pulling her into a hug.

They stayed like that until Y/N was ready to face the team again.

the end!

hope you liked this oneshot, i didnt know what else to put sorry if it isnt as great as my other ones. as usual so sorry for spelling and grammar mistakes.

request are open!

word count: 1486

#criminal minds #fanfic #behavioural analysis unit #x child reader #fluff and comfort #light angst #x daughter!reader #father daughter fluff #oneshot #david rossi #david rossi x daughter reader #david rossi x child reader #x teen!reader #deaf #deaf reader

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bonefall · 7 months

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oo snowkit becomes snowcarve?

He does!

In StarClan, you can use the names and appearance that you could have had, if you died young. It's very rare that you get permakits or permapprentices. I lifted from the COTC story about Smallstar and his siblings.

(Though, in BB those kits actually survive and it's MAPLESHADE’S kits who lead to the law on protecting children, Darkstar's Commandment, the Queen’s Rights. Smallstar is the leader of WindClan and xey're super chill. Xey own a lovely shawl.)

So Snowkit chooses to appear as Snowcarve, an Honor Title he would have earned for the creation of a full written Clan cat language, expanded from the simple glyphs. I'm not sure if he's a popular patron, but I do know that Bramble and Tawny invoke him sometimes.

Unfortunately though he's more invoked for general guidance by the two of them, not for possibilities like I think he'd like. He watches over them though, like a guardian angel. A lot of cats secretly have those.

I'm not sure who he follows around more often though. I think he LIKES following Tawny more because she's a better listener to his omens. But he feels like Bramble NEEDS him more, y'know?

Also notably, Snowcarve was technically their uncle, but the relationship is best described as "1st cousin." Rabnir in Clanmew, a familial role about somewhat distant but parallel growth, seen also with Brightpaw and Swiftpaw.

#Snowcarve has a lot of opinions on the Clan and its actions #I think he really strongly dislikes how they tried to 'honor' him with Whitewing #She's deaf and serious but he doesn't feel like they're very alike at all. She doesn't even like glyphs.#I think in general he feels a lot of resentment about how they remember him as something so innocent and simple #One of the interesting implications of how dead kids work in BB that I haven't explored much is--#--that they will be remembered for the most simple part of their existence #But they're like angels. They have a lot of tasks and jobs they carry out and they learn all that #And see what they could have been on earth. And even claim it. They aren't connected to that innocent image of themselves #Or even to the mortal plane in general. They have a stronger connection to the celestial one #So sometimes a parent will live a whole life thinking of the baby they lost #Only to meet their adult child in the afterlife.#BB!Snowcarve #There's a couple relevant young-angels actually I should write a blurb for the most important ones #Mole Moss Shrew and Snow.#Tw child death #Tw ableism

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bunny-is-cute · 10 days

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Alastor: *sees Vegas and tries to sneak up from behind* Ah if it isn’t the spawn of Husker!

Vegas: *not even noticing as he’s reading a book*

Alastor: *mildly confused* I see you are braver than your siblings!

Vegas: *still not turning around*

Alastor: *starts making static noises* You are a bothersome brat! *peers over his shoulder*

Vegas: *finally notices Alastor and jumped a bit. Doesn’t make any noise though*

Alastor: You’re a weird one. Tell me, why are you quiet?

Vegas: *blinks in confusion and starts using ASL*

Alastor: *realizes he’s met his greatest foe yet — a deaf child*

#if Alastor uses radio waves #would that effect a deaf person?#hazbin hotel #alastor #alastor hazbin hotel #deaf OC #HuskerDust child #OC Vegas #fanfiction #fanfic #hazbits #Vegas uses ASL to communicate #Vegas is deaf #this isn’t science #it’s just a joke

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soullessjack · 10 days

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this isnt rlly a serious post more so than a thought I need to verbalize but like. there’s an INSANE difference between the fandom being like “hey what if jack was actually his age and got to be a little normal” vs y’all treating a grown ass man like he has to cover his ears when someone swears or sleep with a nightlight on because he’s afraid of the dark, and throwing the P word around to anyone who thinks he’s attractive. one of these things is not like the other.

#there’s a layer here about giving jack the childhood he specifically chose not to have #and ignoring his other choices because that’s just. idk a running theme with any character who struggles to have autonomy #but whatever idk #genuinely i think the past year or so that I’ve spent talking about this has burnt me out #either that or I’m just too fixated on VB to really care too much #like obviously I still care about it and wish more was done to help but it’s not really a warpath for me to walk currently #just.#I’m just tired dawg #it’s like talking to a deaf brick wall #please just do some research into infantilization I cannot keep having a one sided conversation with people who don’t care #spn #jack kline #baby jack #spn fandom #fandom critical #fandom ableism #tfw2.0 #not even just ableism it’s the whole mischaracterization woobified bullshit all over again #and the using baby jack as a prop for everyone else but I digress #jack: *chose not to be a child and hates being seen as one and is more than willing to get violent if he thinks he has to*#y’all for some fucking reason: he’s just a widdle baby he can’t handle the scary movie he needs his daddies to take care of him #I’ve already said all these things before #i am tired. so tired

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rye-kin · 8 months

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I’m usually really accepting of all adaptations of Jekyll and Hyde because I’ve gotten pretty used to just seeing something so out of pocket that like…if it’s not a direct adaptation, I can mentally boil it down to “oh they just liked the concept” and view it objectively….

BUT!!!!! When it comes to direct adaptations one of the biggest things that gets on my nerves is WHY THE FUCK IS DR JEKYLL BROKE!!??? Pls make him wealthy and (if possible) well dressed, well fed and spoiled??? TY!!!!

#Get real he was entitled af….#ronnie chats #rant <333 #CAUSE LIKE!!! He’s literally portrayed as a tone deaf rich man who does a lot of charity and thinks that puts him above…#I heart him #He got everything he wanted as a child foe sho

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clotpolesonly · 1 month

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mister impossible chapter 10 i am kissing you with tongue

#might be my favorite chapter of anything honestly i owe it my firstborn child #tags by me #TRC #TDT #the Dreamer Trilogy #Mister Impossible #Declan Lynch #and his complicated relationship with his family and the absolutely PEAK brother dynamics #buckle your seat belt do you really wanna die in connecticut #why did i have to go through puberty lmao #there are fuckfaces out there #how does it FEEL to ask for something reasonable and be completely ignored????#Niall had made Declan a liar Aurora had made him an orphan Ronan had made him a nag but Matthew had taken Declan's youth #goodbye whatever Declan Lynch would have grown up to be #mary pls strike me deaf until the state line #Declan had put his identity crises on hold multiples times for the greater good Matthew had only been asked to do it once #Declan wanted to hate Niall. for being a bad father. for having favorites. for having favorites that who weren't Declan.#Declan said he hated him but it was aspirational #Declan's relationship with the criminal underworld was the longest and most stable one he'd had in his life #LITERALLY THE CHARACTER OF ALL TIME DO YOU UNDERSTAND

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italiansteebie · 2 years

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Cotton In My Ears

***EDITED 9/5 for clarity and accuracy***

“Steve,” Robin sing -songs as she walks into Family Video. He’s got his back turned away from the door, and he doesn’t even flinch when the bell jingles, signaling someone's arrival. She arches her eyebrow at the notion that her best friend is ignoring her. “Steve!” She says a little louder, clearing her throat for good measure, and once again, Steve doesn’t respond. She grumbles to herself and punches Steve lightly on the shoulder, “Quit ignoring me, asshole!”

Steve jumps so hard when she does this, she almost feels bad, did he really not hear her? “Robin! You scared me, I didn’t hear you come in!” He said, clutching his chest, showcasing his dramatic self. “I said your name like a hundred times!” She says exasperatedly, and Steve just shakes his head, smiling fondly at her. “You did not, Rob.” He laughs, and walks away, moving to another display to resume his restocking duties.

Robin clocks in and tries not to think about the odd interaction for the rest of the day, but as she watches Steve during their shift, she can’t help but get a little curious. Is Steve really deaf? After all this time… Can he not hear? How did it go unnoticed all this time? Surely his parents would have noticed? Robin decides to keep an eye on the elusive boy, she’s determined to get to the bottom of his strange behavior.

Over the next few days, she doesn’t notice anything strange about Steve, he’s just… Steve. But he always prefers to face people when they’re talking, and he doesn’t respond all that much when she speaks to him on his left side. These aren’t new things though, is it possible she’s missed these things? Brushed them off like everyone else? The guilt weighs heavy in her chest, she needs to bring out the big guns.

Dustin Henderson.

She dials his number, having gotten from Steve after their “just incase” phone number trading session, for someone who can be a little bit of an airhead, Steve is pretty smart, considering everything. Just that though makes her heart break, maybe he just couldn’t hear all those things he was being taught in class. “Fuck,” she says to herself while listening to the phone ring. “Hello?” Claudia Henderson answers the phone, “Hi! This is Robin- I’m uh. I'm friends with Dustin!” She rambles out quickly, itching to start the conversation. “Oh, okay. Give me just a second, dear!” Robin hears some rustling, and she pulls the phone away from her ear as the cheery lady shouts on the other side of the line. “Dusty! Phones for you!” There's a pause and more rustling, she can hear Dustin, “Yeah, thanks mom. -Okay, okay! Yes, okay! I won’t take too long. Okay. Yeah, I’ll be at the table for dinner right after this- Okay! Mom, please.”

Robin giggles at the bickering on the other side of the call, but she’s reminded of the task at hand when Dustin’s voice crackles over the speaker. “Hello? If this is Steve just meet me at our talking place,-” Robin cuts him off, “Dustin! It’s Robin- Wait. you and Steve have a talking place?”

“Well- Yeah. He can’t hear over the phone y’know?”

“Yeah, that’s actually what I wanted to talk to you about! What is all this about Steve not being able to hear?”

She hears Dustin sigh and shift the phone from one hand to the other, “I'm really not supposed to tell anyone about this but,”

There's a pause and Robin listens intently. “Steve is hard of hearing, always has been, with the trauma and everything… It just got worse. Look, Robin. I'm only telling you this because you noticed, it’s not surprising how long it’s taken… He’s really good at hiding it. Too good.” There’s a beat of silence as Robin takes in the information, everything has clicked into place. “Hey, I gotta go, my mom wants me for dinner. You should really talk to Steve though. He’s more open about it now…” He trails, and without waiting for her to respond he hangs up, leaving Robin in the quiet of her room.

She thinks back to Ms. Click’s class, how he always talked really loud, even when he was “whispering” and he always looked at the person's lips while they were speaking. She attributed all these things to Steve being a douche, or a huge flirt but she was wrong. Her whole world view came crashing down at this moment, how many views had she made herself believe out of hate for another person? Sure, Steve did some dick things, but maybe… Maybe it wasn’t always just his horrible personality. She knows this doesn't excuse some of his actions, like the whole thing with Jonathan, but… But, maybe the traits she's come to hate the most are things he can’t help. And suddenly she felt guilty for how mean to him she was his first couple of weeks at scoops, she just thought he wasn’t paying attention, she thought he was being dense on purpose to make fun of her.

Tears pricked at her eyes, in her quest to avoid assholes and douchebags, she almost became one. “Fuck.” She whispered again, she was still holding the phone and the dial tone rang out from the speaker, she set it back in its rest and scrubbed a hand over her face. She really needed to talk to Steve.

The next day she walks into their shared shift, running her speech through her head over and over in preparation for the conversation, but the plan flies out the window when Steve turns to her with a look and says, “We need to talk…” Robin gulps, she doesn’t mean to, but her throat feels like it’s closing and her heart is speeding hum. Steve must notice her change in mood because the next thing out of his mouth is, “Oh god. That sounded scary, I’m sorry- It’s. I just need to tell you something.” He rambles, and she smiles at him, letting her shoulders drop in relief. “I thought you were mad at me.” She says, eyes casting down at the floor, and Steve makes a confused noise, “Mad at you? I thought you were mad at me!” He says, punching out a breathy laugh.

“What? Why would I be mad at you?” She says, returning the exasperation. Steve looks sheepish, “I know… Sometimes it seems like I’m ignoring you… But I- I promise I’m not!” Robin knows what's coming, next but she lets Steve take a shuddering breath and continue telling his story.

“When I was younger, my parents hated me… They thought I wasn’t paying attention but… I just couldn’t- I couldn’t hear them, and. I when I told them that they said I was lying… So I figured they were right. When I was in fourth grade the school did that… Hearing test thingy and I failed it.” He pauses, eyes shifting, he runs a hand through his hair and sighs. “Well, they found out I wasn’t lying and that was almost worse. They didn’t do anything, they just lived life like it was normal, and then they started leaving me alone not long after that.” Robin’s eyebrows furrow as she listens to Steve recall his childhood. “I worked really hard by myself to learn how to read lips, and I tried to learn sign language but- It’s really hard without a teacher and,” Steve takes a deep breath, pausing for a second. “I couldn’t- It’s Hawkin’s, you know? I didn’t know anyone else who’s deaf or whatever and I just. I didn’t want to be the odd one out. So… I tried really hard to fake it, you know?” And yeah, Robin knows.

Robin frowns, opening her mouth to say something, but Steve continues before she gets the chance, “So… So, long story, trauma dump short… I’m deaf. Well hard of hearing technically, but. I just. I wanted you to know that I’m not ignoring you. If I was, you’d know it,” He jokes, trying to lighten the somber mood, but Robin isn’t letting him change the conversation just yet. “Steve, your parents suck, and I’m sorry, you deserve better. And as for your hearing, we can think of ways to let each other know were here so I don't accidentally sneak up on you.” She says, and Steve cracks a watery smile at this, “Thanks, Rob.” He says softly, pulling her into a tight hug, which she gratefully returns.

—--------------

From then on out, they have a system that works, it works great, so she passes it on to Dustin too. And it works so well that Steve lets them share it with everyone else. And now there's lights that flash when someone walks in the door at Family Video, and when people are approaching Steve, they know to walk a bit heavier, so he can feel the vibration. And when they’re somewhere they have to talk quietly, they take the small notebooks Joyce bought for everyone and write back and forth. Eventually, Steve and Robin learn sign language together, Steve being a little more advanced having known a few signs already. That too catches on, and soon Steve’s family knows it too. His parents… They can’t be bothered, but his family, his real family, they care. And they learn because they want to, not because they feel obligated.

NOTES: If there is anything I can do to make this more accurate to the deaf experience please let me know.

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