Frerard - Null (Null Trilogy Part 1)

Part 16

Apologies for the short part. But there was a certain reader who I just couldn't wait to please. You know who you are. ;)

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I stared back at him in utter shock as everything fell into place.

Why he knew sign language. How he never spoke. Why he could lip read. How he stared directly at someone's lips when they spoke so he could translate. How his Mom conveniently knew sign language. Why he never wanted to speak in front of the school. The occasional glint of envy or empathy in his eyes. Where he mentioned that he'd lost something and how music had helped him through it, just like me.

Everything Frank had ever done that had made me suspicious all made sense now.

"Frank...you..." I struggled to form sentences, my hands not functioning.

"It's true, Gerard. But I wanted to wait to tell you. I don't know why I did, but I felt like I had to."

"So...Mikey, Ray and Bob all knew?"

Frank nodded. "I told them on the day we first met. I didn't not tell you because I didn't trust you, Gee. It's not that at all. I trust you more than anyone. But I always felt like I had to wait."

"But...how did they let you become a translator if you're deaf?" I still couldn't comprehend anything.

"Did you ever question the accuracy of anything I ever translated for you?"

"Well...no...it all sounded right, I guess."

"That's because I'm a talented lip reader." Frank smiled a little as he signed. "Which is why I was able to teach someone who'd never heard before how to lip read - you."

"Oh...Frank, it all makes sense now. I know you said you don't really know why, but...why did you do it?"

"I..." Frank paused for a long time before smiling at me. "I wanted today to be special. I didn't want to bombard you with my deafness, too."

I didn't even bother to question anything anymore. I wrapped my arms around Frank and murmured in his ear, "I love you..." even though it was probably incorrectly pronounced, and though I knew he couldn't hear me, I had to say it. I loved Frank with all of my heart.

Strangely, I felt no anger toward my boyfriend for not telling me. Now that I thought about it, it was probably a good job he didn't tell me on the first day, or maybe I'd have ended up requesting an aptly hearing translator.

Frank nuzzled his way through to meet my lips, and I kissed him with all the passion I had. I owed all of this to him. He'd put my hearing before his own.

"I love you." Frank signed.

"I love you too." I sat up. "Help me up, please."

Frank pulled me up and I stood shakily, signing a thank you before walking out with him. My legs ached a little, but I could walk.

My Mom, Ray and Bob bombarded me with hugs when I came out. I grinned and began crying again. Frank stood to the side with Mikey, both of them looking on with a proud smile.

When I managed to escape their grip, I stared at them all softly.

"How do I say your names?" I asked in signs.

"Ray." Ray beamed.

"Bob."

"Mom," my Mom giggled. She had a beautiful laugh. Everything felt so real now. I smiled wider than ever.

"R...Ray." I nodded. Simple enough. "B-Bob. Muh...Mom." they were all pretty simple. They gazed back at me with pride. I knew my speaking would improve over time, even if my voice never had a perfect clearness.

I looked around for the jacket I'd left in the waiting area with my phone in it. I knew what I needed to do.

I reached for my phone and went down through my music, beginning to play The Misfits. I choked on a sob. Music was beautiful.

When it had finished, I moved over to the founder of the Belleville Deaf Foundation, smiling wide. "Thank you for all you've done," I signed. She just chuckled and waved a hand. All these sounds, even the smallest ones, brought tears to my eyes.

"I still thank you. For everything. But...your job isn't over yet." I motioned.

"Why not?" she signed back.

I smirked.  "I have another appeal for you..."