Prompt: Deaf Blaine during "Shooting Star"

Blaine had been deaf for most of his life. An accident when he was 3 had damaged his hearing permanently. So he had gotten used to it. He was able to sign with his parents, and Cooper. When he transferred to McKinley (because of his dad's job), not many people took too kindly to the new deaf kid, but he was glad that he couldn't hear the insults that were undoubtedly spurting out of their mouths.

Sometimes, not being able to hear things was a blessing, but other times, it only enhanced the fear.

And when Becky Jackson accidentally fired a gun-that was one of those times.

He was in the choir room with the Glee Club (He was able to join because apparently, having a show choir with a deaf team member worked really well in their favor) when it happened. One moment he was signing with Sam, the next he was being pulled down to the floor by the latter as everyone else in the room hid from view.

Blaine's eyes widened, and Sams grip around his shoulder tightened. He lifted his hands a little and made sure that Sam could see him,

What's happening?

Nothing. It's fine.

Sam smiled in what Blaine thought was supposed to be a reassuring manner, but knowing that something was going on, and that he couldn't hear anything? That was not reassuring.

Around him, he could see his friends, tears in their eyes, shaking wildly. Marley was as close to Jake as she could get, and Ryder was staring down at his phone. But the thing that made Blaine sure that something was wrong was the fact that Unique and Kitty were holding hands.

He tapped Sam frantically on the shoulder.

Sam, please. What's going on?

You're going to be fine, trust me.

But that's all he could do. He had to put all his trust in Sam because he couldn't voice his fears, he couldn't phone his mum to seek comfort in her.

He looked straight ahead and focused on the small metronome in the middle of the room. He watched as it swayed to the left and back to the right, and watched this repetitive motion.

As he did this, he couldn't help but imagine the noises it would be making. He imagined it to have an echo, a low, hollow sound.

But he didn't know what that would sound like.

And he never would.

He looked around the room once more, the blinds had been pulled down to hide the window from view, there was a set of keys dangling from one of the locks, and each one of the New Directions had tear stained faces.

Everyone apart from Sam.

Blaine knew he was doing it to reassure him, knew that Sam wanted to appear strong, so Blaine would trust him more.

Blaine appreciated that.

He tilted his head back, and closed his eyes so that he couldn't hear, but he couldn't see anything either, he could only imagine what was happening outside his little bubble.

Literally.

He felt a hand on his shoulder, and he opened his eyes to see Sam staring at him.

Are you alright?

He could only nod.

Just stay calm, Blaine. It will be over in a few minutes.

And it was. A few minutes passed and suddenly Blaine saw hands being thrown in the air, saw everybody hugging. Mr Schue ran a hand over his face, and Sam pulled him in close.

Sam later told him all about the gun shot, and how scared everyone had sounded, how scared he was inside.

But Blaine bet that nobody was as scared as he was.

Because at least they knew what they were afraid of.