Drowning Out Sound

Drowning Out Sound: Chapter #4

⚠️ Warning: ⚠️
This chapter contains brief mention of past suicide. Take care!! Enjoy!

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Eight and a half months later, during lunchtime, Peter and a now five year old Stiles, are coloring when the phone rings.

Peter taps Stiles's hand gently and waits for him to look up.

> Phone. You finish coloring. Okay?

Stiles nods with a smile.

> Okay, Daddy.

The man can't help but smile as warmth settles inside him. For all the boy has been through, it's a relief he hasn't lost the ability to smile. As Peter stands up, he also feels a flutter in his heart at how easily Stiles calls him daddy.

He picks up the phone and answers. "Hello?" He waits a moment. "Yes, this is him. May I ask who's calling?"

Stiles munches on his bologna and cheese sandwich and sips his apple juice. He's glad he got all his school stuff done before lunch time. It's the best because now he gets time with Peter. The boy grabs a green crayon to do the trees but then adds in some orange. He giggles softly as his legs swing under the table. 'Mommy will love the picture!' he thinks to himself.

As Peter listens to the other person speak, his face grows more and more serious. His eyes narrow and his expression turns furious. Then at the next piece of information, tears fall down his cheeks without permission. Peter just couldn't hold them back anymore.

"I see. Surely, you're mistaken?" he asks, hoping that what he's being told isn't the truth, but he doesn't really need the other person to tell him it's true. He knows in his gut that it's true.

The person on the other end of the call continues and Peter's attention drifts. "Mr. Hale? Are you there?"

"Yes. I'm here." He shudders in revulsion at what he's been told but says, "Is that all?"

Stiles has just finished his picture and then carefully writes his name at the bottom. He looks over to Peter's seat, but daddy hasn't come back yet.

Amber eyes flick over to the kitchen when Peter takes too long to come back and color. Stiles sees the tears on his daddy's cheeks and notices the angry look on his face. He waves a hand and Peter's eyes briefly flick over.

> Daddy? What's wrong?

Peter looks away and holds up one finger for the boy to wait.

Stiles huffs, his heart racing with worry. He doesn't like it when Peter is unhappy. Daddy should always be smiling. He can't hear what is being said and decides to go into the kitchen.

> Daddy?

He signs quickly when blue eyes fall on him.

> What's wrong? Why are you crying?

Stiles offers a hug and Peter's tears fall faster. He tugs Stiles against his hip and cards his fingers through chocolate locks. However, he still doesn't answer with anything as the two adults are nearing the end of their phone call.

When Peter hangs up after a curt goodbye, Stiles tries to sign to Peter again, wanting to know what's wrong. He only gets a short response.

> I will be okay, dear heart.

"Marie?" he calls out.

Marie hurries in from the garden at her husband's tone. "Oh honey. What happened?" she asks, glancing from her husband to a confused Stiles and back.