In the beginning it was easy to forget that the soundless words around him were expected. Instead of crickets chirping and wolves howling his nights were filled with a void of hollow ringing where only his thoughts echoed. But as soon as he closed his eyes his head was once more filled with a litany of noises. His sibling's laughter, his peoples' cheers, the coo of his natural land whispering to him, but when the moon vanished, and daybreak awakened the silence would again consume all. It was a cruel reminder to allow him only in dreams to be able to hear, but not one taken for granted. To the boy it was his last Saving Grace, his most treasured heart-breaking gift.

Stretching underneath his covers the teen cracked the sleepiness from his joints searching for the feeling of relief rather than listening for the pop or snap of his bones adjusting. Afterall, he had grown used to the quietness; it had been over a century and a half since he first went deaf. He had now had plenty of time to embrace his new albeit unwanted life.

Rolling onto his stomach Charlie shoved his face into his pillow awaiting the flashing of lights soon to violate his eyes. Since he lived in a house full of noise the rest of his family found ways to accommodate his needs as best they could. However, despite all their efforts none of them knew the deepness of his silence.

How lonely it was to be him.

Lights flickered on and off, and reluctantly Charlie opened one eye to take a peek at his intruder.

Standing sheepishly his oldest brother Toby waved a brief 'good morning' as he signed a small apology.

Signed. Of course, it's not like he would understand when someone spoke to him anymore.

'Sorry Charze!' a pause as the lanky teen shifted his weight, 'Breakfast?'

Flashing a sloppy 'okay', Charlie dragged himself out of the comfort of his bed straight into the arms of Toby.

It was practically a ritual to give a hug every morning, especially to his awkward bumbling older brother. Heaven knows how much both teens needed the comfort; the oldest who was looked over, and the deaf son who couldn't be heard.

In response Toby immediately wrapped his arms around him, ruffling his already tangled curls before signing that he had to get the others and would see him soon.

Nodding, Charlie yawned and waddled down the winding stairs into the kitchen where his sisters were already preparing breakfast. He saw their mouths move as they chatted away, but each made sure they noticed him and offered him food.

Even though he could no longer say their names, thank them, or hear their conversations the girls still smoothed down his hair, pinched his cheeks and pushed him out of the way until he was across the room with a muffin in his hand.

Looking back he couldn't participate with his family the same way they could and that brought him a painful tug at the bottom of his soul. Everyone else lived in a world of sounds while he stood alone in the emptiness of silence.

Taking a seat at the table he let his head droop onto the place mat in front of him, the muffin crammed into his mouth as he ate lazily. Since it was clear he couldn't help with the massive rush the teen simply breathed in all the aromas his talented older sisters were making. Eggs, pancakes, hash browns, bacon, oatmeal, and the list went on; they were making enough to feed an army, or rather just the bare minimum to feed a house full of kids.

A hand on his back caused him to jolt as he met the steely gray eyes of Rex.

His closest brother in age was still dressed in his all-black night clothes, a pair of headphones hanging around his neck was knotted at the cord.

'Sup? Sleep okay?'

Smiling softly Charlie nodded as his brother sat beside him dyed hair tied up for once, showing the splatter of freckles across his cheeks.

'You're so lucky you get your own room. I gotta share with that drama queen, and he keeps our room smelling like a freaking perfume shop!'

Laughing into his hands Charlie signed back in giddiness.

'I thought you liked that scent since you always smell like a woman… Sawyer.'

Sawyer.

Rex hated his first name, but it was too tempting to use it to tease the usually grumbling teen. For whatever reason it got under his skin so badly that his whole face would burn red.

On cue a crimson blush spread from Rex's ears to his neck as he playfully punched Charlie's shoulder.

'You little punk! You know not to use that name!' Rex snapped his eyes sparkling mischievously, 'I'm so gonna beat you!'

'Oh yeah, tough guy hits the deaf kid! That'll look really good for your rep.' Charlie stuck his tongue out at him, only to be lightly pelted again by a snarking Rex.

Someone must have spoken because soon his brother's head was turned away rapidly firing away unheard words across the table.

A sinking feeling began to uncomfortably bubble inside Charlie's gut as he realized that no matter how well his family treated him, he would be forever an outcast. He couldn't belong, it would be impossible. And damn did that make him feel guilty, because they were all trying to include him, to love him.

But it just didn't feel right.

Watching Rex's mouth move in shapes he couldn't remember began to pick away at him. He couldn't hear them, his brother's voice. Was it raspy? Was it smooth? What did his accent sound like? Charlie didn't know anymore. He was trapped in silence, and maybe he would forget sound altogether.

A gloomy storm cloud began to settle over feeling it in the most sacred parts of his soul; the isolation, the rejection, the pity. It was like a leach slowly draining his blood but instead it was his happy mood that was disappearing.

Hands waved in front of his face as Rex brought both his palms to Charlie's cheeks. Worried steel met wavering viridescent.

'Hey you good?'

Pausing his fingertips Charlie shook off the fleeting sadness as he gave a non-convincing grin back.

'Yeah, I'm fine.'

Fine.

He would be fine.