Hands to My Heart (boyxboy)

Chapter 1

So this one's a little short, but the next will be longer(: Noah's on the side this time! -->

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CHAPTER 1

I can’t do this! Jordan, one of Ethan’s intermediate students, wrote furiously on the pad of paper to his left, lifting his eyes to look up at his instructor helplessly.

Ethan couldn’t help rolling his eyes at his student’s melodramatic expression. He grabbed the pen resting on the pad, putting down in his usual chicken scratch; You’re making this too hard for yourself.

Now, start again, he jotted down.

Jordan formed the first symbol, touching his pointer and middle fingers, crossed to form an ‘R’ hand-shape, to either side of his mouth, meaning ‘restaurant.’ He continued to point toward Ethan, meaning ‘you,’ before splaying his hand out in front of his chest, bending his middle finger at the first knuckle.

Ethan shook his head, mimicking the starting hand position, before pulling his hand forward, his middle finger bending the same way, his thumb moving to connect with the other digit. He turned the direction of his palm to display the ending position of the sign to his student, Jordan’s head tilted to the side as he observed.

Nodding his head, as to say he understood, Jordan once again began the sentence, successfully forming each sign for ‘restaurant,’ ‘you,’ ‘like,’ ‘eat,’ and ‘name.’ The string of signs translated to, “What is the name of a restaurant you like to eat at?” Ethan nodded enthusiastically, giving the student a thumbs up in response. Jordan grinned brightly, mouthing, Yes!

Ethan laughed and nodded, tapping the packet resting on the table. Keep working, he scribbled down. Jordan rolled his eyes before turning back to the table, beginning to imitate the next sentence pictured in the stack of paper.

As the instructor, Ethan continued around the small classroom, assisting those who needed it and observing others who didn’t. He checked his watch, three minutes remaining in the class, and strolled back to the front of the class. Slumping down into the rolling chair in front of the computer that the room was equipped with, he let his fingers dance over the keyboard, the words appearing on the screen hanging from the ceiling. His gaze drifted around the room, most of the students still working either with someone else or by themselves.

He stood up once again, catching the attention of the student nearest him. The class had a system, Ethan would catch the attention of one person and that person would do the next, and so on and so on. Since each member was at different stages of signing and reading lips, it was simply easier to do so and have the students read whatever instructions were on the screen. Today’s consisted of going over what they had learned today; choose one that they had memorized and be prepared to show it to Ethan at the next class.

After most of the students had left and Ethan finished conversing with Jonathan, one of his most advanced students, he finally managed to the lobby area of the school. It was still only twelve thirty in the afternoon, leaving him some time to run by the grocery store and maybe get a cup of coffee.

Just before Ethan was about to exit the school, he felt someone tap his shoulder, the usual way people caught his attention. He turned on a heel, lifting a brow curiously at the rather attractive male who captured his attention. He had brown hair, swiped to the right over his forehead, a beanie situated on his head. A diamond stud was resting in his left lobe and he had brown eyes that were so warm; Ethan was about ready to say he was made of hot chocolate. “You okay, bro?” his lips read.

Shaking himself from his rather embarrassing moment of internally drooling over the boy, Ethan’s cheeks warmed as he nodded his head frantically in response. The other boy chuckled lightly, his lips lifting into a smirk. “You’re Ethan Declan, right?” he asked. Ethan nodded his head once again, unsure of how he knew this gorgeous guy. “My brother, Oliver, is in your class, and I was wondering if I could join? I was hoping to learn as well,” he inquired.

A little surprised, Ethan nodded in response for a third time, unable to form words. Based on the pursing of the other boys lips, his defined brow furrowing, he assumed the boy was confused by his constant silence, and his suspicion was confirmed when the hot—the guy asked, ”Cat got your tongue?”

Ethan laughed awkwardly and scratched at the back of his neck. “Sorry, I’m not usually this quite, I swear,” he remarked, offering a hand to shake. Based on the lack of a puzzled look, either he had pronounced every word correctly or the boy didn’t take notice of any mistakes. He could never really be sure.

A smile split the boy’s lips as he accepted Ethan’s hand. “Noah,” he chimed. His hand nearly engulfed Ethan’s own, skin rough and heated.

Retracting his hand, Ethan rolled his lips together, before answering the original question, “You can come to the next class. Morning classes are from nine to twelve on weekdays. If you like it, I can talk to the Dean about you joining for regular classes.” 

Noah nearly beamed at his answer. “Thanks, dude!” 

Ethan couldn’t help the snort that forced its way between his lips. Shaking his head lightly, he gave a light wave goodbye before continuing toward the door. He’d just managed outside when a hand turned him around. Noah's eyes had a confused glint in them as his lips read, ”Hey, I said wait a sec. What, are you de—“ The taller boy cut himself off, jaw hanging slack as he released his grip on the smaller boy’s shoulder.

“Deaf?” Ethan finished for him. “Yeah, I am,” he said with a shrug, before signing ‘I am deaf.’

The brunette struggled to find words, stuttering out an apology, “God, I-I am so—I didn’t—Wow you must think I’m an ass.”

Dragging his lower lip between his teeth, Ethan shook his head, repressing a smile, just managing to decipher what Noah was trying to say. “You didn’t know, it’s fine,” he acknowledge.

A sigh of relief escaped Noah's lips, and he hung his head, before tugging off the beanie and carding a hand through his hair. Ethan dragged his tongue over his lower lip, before gnawing at the piece of flesh as he watched the movement, maybe a little too intrigued. "Anyway," Noah began. "I know you give out those, like, packet things, I was wondering if I could get one?" 

Ethan nodded, pulling out a stabled stack of paper from his satchel bag, saying, "I always carry a few rookie ones with me." Noah gave him a questioning look and Ethan couldn't help a small laugh. "One for beginners," he explained, as he handed the papers to the other boy. 

"Thanks," the brunette smiled. 

Ethan signed three words with a friendly smile in response. 

Before managing to turn around, Noah caught his bicep and asked, “What’s that mean?”

Ethan’s lips were still lifted in a grin, as he repeated each sign slowly, “See… You… Monday.”

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