Chapter 6: You don't have to hear a Kiss

Author's note: Okay, chapter 6 ! I hope you guys like this one! Does the title foreshadow anything? Huh? *elbow readers cheezily*

So, puppy, what made you come here?

Joey blushed a bit before answering. His hands were slow to communicate

You...He hesitated again,you seem to be the only one who doesn't treat me differently than two years ago.

Seto's eyes widened. Was this kid serious? Why would he treat him differently? Not being able to hear didn't make you an invalid. Seto could easily see why Joey was here now. He could clearly see why Joey didn't want to speak. His friends and family were not treating him like an equal. Instead, they had been treating him as if he really couldn't comprehend much. That made Joey feel awkward and left out.

You feel left out a lot, don't you? Seto signed.

Joey hesitated, but slowly lifted his fist and waved it up and down. The sign for, "yes"

Seto nodded. He understood now. Joey wasn't refusing to speak because he couldn't hear himself. He was refusing to speak because he was afraid his friends wouldn't be able to understand him.

I believe you can speak, Joey.

Seto spelled his name out nice and slow. Joey's eyes refused to meet the older boy's so Seto wasn't sure if he could catch the message clearly.

They were seated on the sofa, and Seto tapped him on the shoulder. Joey didn't look at him. He was biting his bottom lip and finger-spelling into the leather of the couch beneath him.

Alone, left out....

Seto was patient in waiting for Joey to say something, well, "sign" something anyway. He knew that speaking would be deeply emotional for the younger boy, but it would be good for him. Maybe he wouldn't feel like such an invalid if he could speak like the rest of his friends.

Seto tapped him again. This time, when Joey failed to look at him, Seto simply knelt down on the floor, his hands in front of Joey's face.

I remember when you spoke. Hell, it was hard to get you to shut up, He signed, but now I realize how precious your voice was to me.

Joey slowly raised his eyes to meet Seto's.

Precious?

Seto turned a bit red and sighed. His signing was slow, and the red on his face only grew deeper.

I wanted to tell you in words, Joey, that in America…

Joey looked at him, his eyes impatient.

I realized you were more than just a pest to me. Joey…

He leaned closer. Very close. Extremely close.

Joey felt himself turning red.

I love you.

The phrase only took one sign, and every signer in the world knew it. (In English, it's the "rock on" symbol)

With that, the older boy gently pressed his lips to Joey's.

There was no need for noise.

Joey, being deaf now, missed a lot of things in life. Voices, singing, music, birds chirping, crashes, cars honking, people laughing, dogs barking, babies crying… but a kiss was something very special, and it required no noise. So whether one was of hearing or hearing impaired, they could still feel the intense magic of two pair of lips coming together.

When Seto pulled away, he smiled at Joey.

So, Mutt, care to bark?

Joey looked down. He didn't know what to sign. His hands were still, but hoisted up. He wanted to sign something. Anything.

However, his mind was empty, and his heart was so full of confusion and pleasure he thought it might burst out of his chest and hit poor Seto.

Just a little bark…

Seto leaned over and smooched Joey on the nose. Joey pushed him off.

He stood up, his face angry and confused.

Leave me alone! Now I get it!

Seto stared at him, confused, and a little hurt.

I was a lot happier before you came back! I didn't have to worry about being different or not being able to speak, but when you came back and acted like I was some sort of dying child, I began to feel like a freak!

Seto frowned.

"That's not true!" He shouted.

He was sick of signing. He didn't care whether Joey understood him or not. His heart was ripping that very moment.

I'm going home! Joey signed angrily.

"Fine, you stupid brat!"

Seto turned sharply on his heels. He knew Joey was on his way out the door.

"Wait, Joey-"

The door slammed. Seto slumped down onto the sofa, and began to cry. He was an idiot. Why couldn't he just face that Joey was deaf? Why couldn't he just face wasn't going to speak again like his friends?

Meanwhile, Joey entered his apartment and slammed the door. His father was at work so he was all alone.

In a huff, he opened the cabinet beneath his television. Home movies of him and his friends still sat, covered in dust.

He took one labeled, "Slumber Party with Tea singing into mirror".

He shoved it into the VCR and sat down on the sofa.

Because it was a home video, there was no subtitles, but Joey didn't care what was being said.

He watched his own mouth move. He watched as he whispered things to Tristan and Yugi as Tea sang in front of a mirror. She wasn't aware of their presence.

He watched his mouth move. He watched himself laugh as his friends spoke.

His chest ached with envy, longing, and sadness.

He had been horrible to Seto. The older boy didn't mean any harm. He was trying to help Joey. He wanted him to speak.

Deep in his heart, Joey knew he needed to learn how again. He had always known it, but Seto was the only one who truly believed he would.

He watched the rest of the tape, then walked out the front door. He needed to apologize.

Seto didn't deserve Joey's outburst.

It wasn't meant for Seto to hear. Joey knew he meant the right thing.

To Be Continued…

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And to:

CyborgAngel22: Thanks! I will update often!

Samurai Ashes: Aww, you liked it? Thank you so much! I love you!

Joey-Lover: I'm sorry about your great grandfather, this chappie wasn't that funny, but there are more to come! I promise!

Yaky: You're absolutely right about deaf people. That's what Seto understands.

Komioji Fin: Yah, the idea's original, but I honestly didn't think it'd go anymore

Kaneda-Shotaro and Yami Tetsuo: My chappies will get longer! Please just bare with me! I love you!

Saelbu: Here it is! And please keep in touch with the fic for the chaps to come!

Tamachan444: *sighs* are you happy now? I did this ASAP just for you