Regulus had gotten used to a life without sounds, he had resigned himself to the idea of hearing nothing the exact moment he woke up in the hospital 10 years ago. Now, at 21, he was trying to live his life like everyone else.
His friends had been really great, they had learned sign language as soon as possible and had avoided mentioning the incident in any way possible.
But Reg still felt strange, despite his friends and his brother still had the feeling that something was missing in his life, and it was not hearing
He entered the cafeteria and ordered the usual tea, took the glass and went to sit at the free table next to the window, he had to wait for his brother and he already knew he would be late.
He read and waited for someone to tap his shoulder, he looked up to find Sirius with another boy *Reg, this is James* Regulus saw James look up at the sight of sign language, he knew Sirius didn't say never to anyone that his brother was deaf, Regulus hated this thing but he had never said anything, after all he also knew that Sirius felt guilty about the accident.
*why didn't you tell me you were bringing your friend?*
James said something, Reg read his lip, he'd asked Sirius why he hadn't told him his brother was deaf and Reg shook his head, usually the others said hello first.
James and Sirius sat in front of Regulus and started talking to each other, Regulus watched them drinking tea, usually Sirius' friends pretended to be sad for Reg and then pretended nothing happened, James instead simply avoided Reg.
*James wants to know if you would like to come to dinner with us?*
*Why? to see you talking and doing nothing?*
Sirius sighed and said something to James, Reg saw him pick up the phone and write something, shortly after he handed it to reg who read what was written
"I'm sorry I don't know sign language but I would like to talk to you :D "
Reg chuckled at the final smiley, and wrote something underneath, then handed the phone to James
"okay I'm coming"
James smiled and made a heart with his hands for Reg.
Dinner hadn't been so bad, Reg and James had talked via phone notes and Reg had taught him a few words in sign language, and James had promised him that he would work hard to learn sign language better.
James offered to drive Reg home, despite being 21 no one ever let him go home alone, he never complained but hated that everyone treated him differently.
In the car James turned the music on but quickly turned it off looking at Reg as if apologizing, Reg shook his head and turned the music back on, smiled and touched his ear and then pointed at the stereo, he could hear the vibrations and also didn't want to impede to James to listen to the music.
When they got home Reg pointed to the door to ask James to come in, it was the first time he was really happy with a friend of Sirius and he didn't want the evening to end so soon. James nodded and followed him into the house, when they entered Reg's cat walked up to him and he stroked it before going into the kitchen.
Regulus took out two cokes from the fridge and passed one to James, they sat on the sofa and James took the phone to write something, then handed it to reg
"sorry for the question, Sirius mentioned an accident, is that why you're deaf?"
Regulus read and then sighed, he hated when people asked him but he understood the curiosity they had especially when someone talked about the accident. He took the phone from James and wrote a reply, James next to him watching him do nothing, when Reg finished typing he handed him the phone.
"I was 11, Sirius and I were in the pool he was distracted, and I was reading sitting by the pool I was always scared of water so I couldn't swim, I dropped the book in the water and I tried to get it but I fell, Sirius didn't hear me calling for help because he had entered the house and I was 20 minutes underwater before he realized I was fallen. I woke up in the hospital and I no longer felt a thing"
James sighed and touched his hand as if to comfort him, Reg had hated Sirius for years before realizing that hating wouldn't restore his hearing, now things were fine between them even though he knew Sirius still felt guilty.
James texted something on the phone and Reg smiled, James wanted his number, he texted it to him and then texted himself to save James's, he really hoped they would meet again soon.
***
For two weeks James and Regulus texted each other all day long, they hadn't had a chance to see each other but Reg loved talking to him, James always sent him good morning and Reg always woke up in a good mood.
That day Reg was really bored, it was raining outside and he hated the rain so he stayed at home, while reading he felt the phone vibrate and read James' message: open the door I brought you lunch :)
Reg went to open the door smiling and waved to James, James smiled at him and amazed him by waving with sign language
*did you really study?*
*Of course yes, I'm still practicing*
Reg smiled and went to the kitchen with James, they had lunch talking and Reg helped James with a few words that he still didn't know well, after lunch James asked Reg what he wanted to do and he proposed to see a movie
James raised an eyebrow and Reg laughed
*with subtitles*
*oh yeah sure, obviously*
James took reg by the hand and they went on the couch, Reg chose a movie and leaned against James to watch it, during the movie James took his hand and Reg shook it, when the movie ended James watched him and wrote on the phone "how do you ask if I can kiss you?"
Reg showed it to him and then looked at James smiling
*okay fine, can I kiss you?*
Reg nodded and soon his lips were on James's, he put his hands through his hair and James made him lie down on the sofa by leaning on him, he looked at him to ask his permission to go on, and when Reg nodded James rocked slowly, kissing his neck, chest and also the scars from the chest operation. Reg did the same with James observing every inch of his body, it was beautiful and he loved feeling James' body against his.
Regulus couldn't hear James' moans but he watched his expressions and the way he clung to him more and more.
Later, as James stroked his hair holding him, he thought that perhaps he had found the missing part of his life.