Drowning Out Sound

Drowning Out Sound: Chapter #3

When Stiles wakes up the next morning, he doesn't get up right away. It's really quiet and he can almost pretend that mommy and daddy are just down the hall. It's a nice dream that is only disturbed by the door to his room opening.

Malia pads across the room and taps his shoulder. She waits patiently for him to look at her and smiles as she signs.

> Good Morning!

She shows him the sticky note with the words and silently chuckles when he bolts upright to copy her.

> Good Morning, M-A-L-I-A!

She raises her hands and shakes them to show applause. Quickly her pencil scribbles on the notepad before she turns it to face him again.

Stiles's nose scrunches up as he reads.

You don't have to spell it every time. When it's us you can use my name sign.

The amber eyed boy nods and chews his lip as he tries again.

> Good Morning, Malia!

He gets two thumbs up and giggles when she high fives him. Then he's being coaxed out of bed and towards the kitchen for breakfast. Stiles feels lucky to have her. He wonders if he can call her sister. His hand taps her shoulder like she taught him to do to get someone's attention.

"How, say, sis'er?"

He blushes and pokes at his throat, averting his gaze as he feels his cheeks flush with embarrassment. He can't hear himself speak. What if he sounds really bad?

Malia pulls him close and offers a smile. She shows him the notepad again.

Don't be embarrassed Stiles. It's good to ask questions. How else will you learn?

Stiles sniffles and hugs her tightly, relaxing when she returns the hug easily.

When they part Malia makes sure he's watching before signing. She brings her right thumb to her right cheek, the rest of her hand in a fist and brushes to her chin like a bonnet string. Then she makes d hands and brings the right one down on top of the left one in front of her body.

> Sister.

She does it a couple times until Stiles nods that he's got it. His brow furrows in concentration but he raises his hands.

> Malia, my sister.

Malia grins at him and nods as she signs good. He learned that one yesterday. Amber eyes track her movements as she shows him another sign.

First, she places her right palm flat against her chest for my. Then she brings her right hand up to her forehead and makes a gesture as if grabbing the bill of a baseball cap. She follows that sign by making the same d hand sign as before. Malia brings her right hand down on top of her left one in front of her body. Finally, she points to Stiles and signs fox with an s.

> My brother Stiles.

Stiles has never been happier and more comfortable in his life. He eagerly eats up everything Malia shows him and since Marie is gardening outside and Peter is making breakfast that's not quite ready yet, the two kids head to the living room where they spend another hour working on signs.

💦🫧👂🏻•💙•👂🏻🫧💦

Peter couldn't sleep last night and it's understandable he thinks, what with the addition of Stiles to their home under tragic circumstances. He still doesn't know everything that happened to the boy but after knowing his mother and father as long as Peter has, he has a pretty good idea who was the culprit.