A silent world
Karen Hardy asked for a oneshot of season 1 fluff between Emma and Henry where Henry is deaf and Emma is mute.
Guest: sorry, but I don't write anything with Hook anymore.
Guest: sorry, but I can't see Snow reacting like that at all.
In a noisy, spoken world, it sometimes felt like they alone understood each other.
Emma's traumatic start in life left her unable, or unwilling, to speak. After she was brought back into the system, she never said another word in her life. It wasn't like there were many people around who wanted her to speak.
Henry was born profoundly deaf. Emma wouldn't know this until he showed up at her door ten years later. In a somewhat unclear voice, he would ask if she was Emma Swan. Emma, tired of explaining her muteness, would act like she was deaf, not expecting Henry to sign back
Me too.
After that, she couldn't not follow through with his request and come to Storybrooke.
Now, here they both were. Sitting watching the waves roll into the bay from Henry's castle.
Did you send me away because I couldn't hear right? Henry signed to Emma after getting her attention. Emma was hurt.
Of course not. She signed back. I didn't know until you came to my house. I sent you away to-
To give me my best chance. Henry interrupted. I guess I knew that already. I just had to check. Emma gave him a sad smile. She got the feeling unwanted thing. She was just glad he had been adopted, even if it was by Regina. If nothing else, she loved Henry. She was clearly jealous of the connection Emma shared with him, also using signing as he main form of communication, but at least she loved her son. I don't blame you, you know. Henry continued. You did what you had to do. What matters is when I found you, you came. When I needed you, you were there. Emma smiled, feeling the tears build up.
I'll always be here for you. She promised him. Henry wrapped his arms around her middle, hugging her tightly. He knew she meant that. He had inherited her super power. It might have taken her ten years, but his mom was finally there for him, and she was never leaving again.
