Finding Family (Fizz's Found Family)-Chapter 6
The first time Fizzarolli started dreaming about his mother, talking about it had helped. Finding her had helped. This time there was nothing to find and all of Ozzie’s attempts to get Fizz to talk only seemed to make things worse. Fizzarolli remained animated and hilarious when working at Ozzie’s, but had grown increasingly more quiet at home. The dreams had become somewhat less frequent since speaking about them aloud, but Fizzarolli had been spending more and more of his days in his head.
Fizzarolli had a tendency to sign to himself sometimes when he was thinking something through or worried. He’d started again after he’d started dreaming about his mother the first time, though it was a much older habit than that. It wasn’t predominant, a little quirk that felt more like a secret than a fact. It wasn’t something he did often until recently. Now, it’s a daily occurrence.
If it wasn’t for the fact that Fizzarolli always responded to Asmodeus eventually, he might think Fizz had gone deaf himself. Whenever he got that glazed over, somewhat exhausted look in his eyes, his hands would bloom. Asmodeus felt like an absolute fool for not being able to understand. He’d been around since the start of Hell, he knew several languages, he knew ancient languages. He didn’t know sign language.
He wondered if this was some sort of processing for Fizzarolli, if his hands would stay feverish for a few weeks, and die down when his brain did. He wondered if this was some sort of regression, if it was even conscious. He’d considered looking at the wiring in Fizz’s sensors to make sure they weren’t overpowering or something. But mostly, he worried. There was only so much he could deduce from Fizz’s behavior, and he couldn’t understand most of that recently. He could listen, but not in Fizz’s native language. How helpful could he really be?
Breakfast had been quiet today. It was often quiet these days. Fizzarolli sat opposite Asmodeus at the island in their kitchen, both eating their breakfasts in silence. Fizz had gotten up last night and gone to the guest room. Neither of them had slept. Ozzie had cleared both of their schedules in hopes they could find time in their day to catch up on some sleep.
Fizzarolli was sipping on his third espresso, his gaze was hollow, eyes bloodshot. What had he been up to all night? Asmodeus hated feeling so helpless. He had to call Fizz’s name four times and tapped his finger against the table heavily before his partner’s gaze turned upwards towards him.
“Can I ask you a question?” Asmodeus waited for Fizz’s favorite comeback, you just did. Instead, Asmodeus got a nod in reply. So he wasn’t talking today, alright. Asmodeus took a deep breath. He could try and delay the question, part of him wants to. He’s not sure if Fizzarolli will understand why he’s asking, or if he’ll be receptive. That will only delay the inevitable, though. Best to just be direct. “Will you teach me sign language?”
Asmodeus studied Fizzarolli’s face following his question. He watched a few microexpressions cross his face, but it was difficult to read. He never quite knew where Fizz’s mind was these days. Lust was patient with his love, but there was only so long he could wait before giving into the compulsion to explain himself.
“I’ve just noticed that you’ve been signing to yourself more recently. Sometimes it looks like you’re having a whole conversations with yourself.” Asmodeus scratched the back of his head, feeling a little embarrassed. “I’m ashamed that I don’t know what you’re saying, Froggy. I’d like to, if you’d like me to…...and I don’t want you to feel responsible for teaching me everything. I’d be happy to get a tutor-”
Fizzarolli’s eyes hadn’t left Asmodeus.
“I guess what I’m really asking is, can I learn it? Would you be comfortable with that?”
Slowly, a smile spread across Fizzarolli’s face. The slippery little imp disappeared under the table and popped up into Ozzie’s lap a second later. He looked more present than he had in days. Asmodeus happily cuddled his jester.
Fizzarolli held his hand up in a fist next to his head. Both of them nodded at Asmodeus. Ozzie held his free hand up and mirrored Fizzarolli.
Asmodeus, King of Lust, the 5th Ring of Hell learned his first word in sign language.
The next three words he learned were ’I love you.’
