Dennis who has significant hearing loss after a farm accident as a kid.
Dennis who can’t afford working hearing aids, so makes do with a pair he found on Facebook marketplace.
Dennis who favours one side significantly, to the point of being convinced that everyone knows (they don’t), and they all must hate him for being useless (they don’t know).
Dennis who uses these janky hearing aids despite constantly giving him a migraine, because he can’t let anything compromise his chances of being a doctor.
Dennis who completely understands that Abbott needs a break from his prosthetic, and is often the first to volunteer to cover his charting in the middle of the shift.
Dennis who cannot give himself allowances, because he’s not properly disabled; not like Abbot is anyway.
Dennis whose hearing loss is “self inflicted” and therefore needs to deal with the consequences of his actions (he was six).
Dennis who absolutely will not let himself have hearing breaks in the middle of a shift, no matter how much pain his ears are in.
Dennis who can’t take his aids out at night because he sleeps in shelters, and his hearing is the first line of defence against an attack.
Dennis who recognises the symptoms of an ear infection, but can’t afford antibiotics and the hospital cracked down on “borrowing” medicine.
Dennis who collapses mid shift after a particularly bad bout of vertigo.
Dennis who doesn’t really remember much after this because the floor was suddenly very, very close, and he was suddenly very, very cold.
…
Robby who sees Dennis pass out on shift.
Robby who curses these damn med students for drinking too much caffeine and not eating enough food.
Robby who walks over to Dennis and tries to rouse him.
Robby who thinks Dennis looks a little too out of it for it to just be low blood sugar.
Robby who touches Dennis and notices he’s ice cold.
Robby who holds Dennis as he starts seizing.
Robby who catches a glimpse of white in his ear, surrounded by red, angry tissue.
Robby who swears loudly and violently when he realises “god-fucking-dammit he’s deaf”.
Robby who curses every god he knows the name of (and he knows a lot) for putting Dennis in this situation.
…
Dennis who wakes up with a very stressed Robby next to him, saying words like “septic shock” and “septic encephalopathy” and “infection spread” and “potential brain damage”.
Robby who raises his voice in frustration, and Dennis who flinches imperceptibly.
Robby who drags Dennis to audiologist appointments and forces him to pick multiple different types of aids so he’ll be comfortable wherever.
Robby who pays for the new aids, but lets Dennis think insurance covers them.
Abbot who forces Dennis to take hearing breaks whenever he takes leg breaks because he’s “bored” and “needs company”.
Abbott who, for the first time in Dennis’ life, sits him down and teaches him the ASL he learnt from his vet friends.
Dennis, who when he formally attends ASL lessons, realises he’s been taught to swear like a sailor, and his vernacular is entirely comprised of military slang.
Dennis who doesn’t understand why Robby and Abbott are being so nice about being deaf, and explains all about how it was his fault that he lost his hearing (he was six).
Abbot who gives Robby a look, and signs him up for therapy the next day.
Dennis, who comes to the realisation that the factors surrounding his hearing loss are heavily consistent with signs of child abuse.
Robby, who can only hug Dennis as he breaks down, mourning the childhood he thought he had.
Abbot, who makes him hot cocoa when he wakes up from nightmares and rocks him back to sleep,
And Dennis.
Who finally feels, for the first time in his life, he is not just tolerated, but wanted too.
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Back at it again with my deaf Damian AU that lowkey flops every time because I just got hearing aid and I have the itch to project
————
Dick: I just feel like sometimes you’re not hearing me out on these things!
*silence*
Dick: …Damian? Damian are you even listening to me!-
*damian whose been listening to music through his hearing aid for the past twenty minutes finally tuning back in*: huh? Did you say something?
———
*damian getting home from school just wanting to sleep*
Jason: dude what the hell happened to you?
Duke: yeah you look like you just got into a fight with a hurricane
Damian: might as well have been. I fought with a teacher for an hour over being allowed my phone in school for medical reasons before she left me alone
———
*Bruce looking at Damian and signing*
Bruce: why aren’t you wearing your hearing aids???
Damian: they weren’t working.
Bruce: and you didn’t thinking to tell anyone?!
Damian: didn’t seem prevalent.
Bruce: *tired dad sigh*
———
Damian: best part of this is that whenever I’m tired of people’s voices I can basically just mute the world.
Jon:…wait. Is that why you don’t respond sometimes when we hang out?!
Damian: …maybe. Besides it’s not like you let that stop you from continuing talking to yourself.
I've seen lots of depictions of hearing aids and cochlear implants in writing and art, and very few of them actually match what that character would likely actually use. An especially common mistake is drawing hearing aids like they are wireless headphones, which is not how the vast majority of hearing aids look.
Here's a guide on hearing device types, uses, and how to better decide which one your character would have!
(Reminder that this is not medical advice, or perfectly tailored to every single situation. I am not an audiologist, just a Deaf person on tumblr.)
Hearing Aids:
[Plain Text: Hearing Aids]
There are many different types of hearing aids. Which type someone uses will depend on their hearing curve, the features they want, and the type of hearing loss.
1. Receiver in Canal.
Receiver in Canal (RIC) hearing aids are the newest type, and currently the most commonly prescribed. They have a small behind-the-ear component with directional microphones and processors, and are connected by a thin clear wire to an in-ear speaker, which is covered by a piece called the dome.
RIC are most commonly prescribed for: mild to moderate hearing loss (although they can be useful for some people with severe hearing loss), high-frequency hearing loss, noise-induced hearing loss, tinnitus, and auditory processing disorder. RIC are also available over the counter.
Benefits: small and discrete, fairly powerful, best integrated noise filtering systems, highest mapping customizability.
Drawbacks: sizing is not infinitely customizable, not good for more severe deafness, usually don't come in fun colors, difficult to use with low dexterity.
There are several different dome types, as I mentioned. Domes are soft silicone or plastic pieces fitted in diameter to the ear canal, but come in a few different shapes depending on the type of hearing loss. I'll talk about the most common ones, but there are a few other rarer custom types.
Open/Vented domes have slits cut in the silicone. They are the weakest at keeping sound trapped, but have the lowest occlusion effect (hearing your own voice loudly). They are good for mild to moderate hearing loss, but they can cause a lot of feedback, especially at higher frequencies, so they're most useful for high-frequency hearing losses. The amount of vents in the dome can be adjusted to reduce leakage.
Closed domes do not have slits or have very few slits. They keep more sound trapped, but have higher occlusion. They are good for moderate broad-spectrum and low-frequency hearing loss, since they allow less high-frequency noise to escape.
Power domes have no slits and often have multiple layers for maximum amplification. They have the highest occlusion effect, although people using power domes typically have hearing loss in the range of 60-80 dB, so occlusion is often necessary to hear one's own voice. Power domes can make the ear pressure feel unbalanced since there are no vents.
2. In the Ear / Completely in Canal.
In the Ear (ITE) and Completely in Canal (CIC) hearing aids are a less popular, but available, type. They feature a solid combined processor and speaker that sits in the ear canal. There is usually a small wire or clear plastic loop that fits along the curve of the outer ear both to keep it in place and to pull it out.
ITE/CIC are most commonly prescribed for: mild-moderate hearing loss when RIC is not preferred or available.
Benefits: no behind the ear component can be more comfortable, microphones in the ear have highest directionality, subtle.
Drawbacks: fewer features available, higher occlusion effect, can fall out more easily.
(There are some ITEs that have a behind-the-ear component for volume/power control and structural support, but the processor, microphones, and speakers are all in the canal piece.)
3. Behind the Ear.
Behind the Ear (BTE) are the most powerful type of hearing aid. The microphones, speaker, and processor are all present in the behind-ear component, which is larger than other types of hearing aids. This component is connected by a replaceable plastic tube to a mold, which is custom-fit to the user's ear and allows for maximum sound retention/amplification. Like domes, there are several types of molds.
BTE are most commonly prescribed for: severe to profound hearing loss, moderate or higher low-frequency hearing loss, children.
Benefits: sizing is fully customized, easy to use with lower dexterity, good for athletics (less likely to fall out), highest aesthetic customization, most powerful amplification.
Drawbacks: larger size, high occlusion, higher risk of ear infections, molds must be replaced as ear shape changes, tubes must be replaced regularly.
There are lots of different mold types. An ear mold is custom fit by creating a cast of the user's canal and ear shell. More or less of the "shell" of the ear can be covered by the mold. All molds have a vent hole to allow moisture to escape, but some molds have more holes cut into them to allow airflow or reduce occlusion. Some molds are hollow, while others are solid. (Molds can also come in lots of fun colors, including marbled or glittery, although insurance won't always cover these.)
There are too many types of molds and considerations to really get into exact types here, but if you look up behind the ear hearing aids there are tons of references online. [One type of mold I've seen a lot in real life but that I can't find the name of online are sort of square-shaped solid (often colored) plastic with lots of holes in them. They remind me of a waffle.] In general, the more severe the hearing loss, the less "air space" there's going to be in the mold.
4. Bone Conduction.
Bone Conduction hearing aids (BCHA) are probably the closest-looking in real life to those headphone ones, although many of the over-the-counter devices calling themselves BCHAs that look like headphones are in fact just bone conduction headphones. Prescribed BCHAs are often two individual rectangular devices, attached via stickers or a headband. There are a few that go behind the ear, although no component of the aid is in the canal.
BCHAs are bone conduction rather than air conduction, which means they get the sound to the cochlea by vibrating the skull bones rather than sending sound through the middle ear. BCHAs are often temporary aids (see BAHA in the CI section of this post).
BCHA are most commonly prescribed for: severe conductive or mixed hearing loss, microtia/atresia, and young children.
Benefits: more powerful and safer long-term for conductive hearing loss, typically no in-ear or over-ear component.
Drawbacks: require an external component (stickers or headband) to stay attached.
5. Airpods / Actually just headphones
Did you know, Airpods were recently approved by the FDA as over-the-counter hearing devices? The noise filtering technology makes smart wireless headphones a possible alternative for mild hearing loss, auditory processing disorder, tinnitus, or anyone who can't get prescription hearing aids. These are not a long-term solution, nor are they used by audiologists, but for people who just need a bit of a boost, having their headphones in all the time might be their way of navigating the world.
-
All hearing aid types have their benefits and drawbacks, and no aid will ever be perfect for someone. Even the best hearing aids available can't make someone become Hearing. Some people who are severely to profoundly deaf report hearing aids giving them around 60-80% of what a hearing person can hear, and this number improves with decreasing severity of hearing loss. Still, nearly all d/Deaf/hoh people struggle to some degree with auditory processing. They may use hearing aids to give them general awareness of background noise (eg fire alarms), or for a boost while lip-reading, even if they don't help in understanding noise more generally. Hearing aids can also die or malfunction, removing the benefits they provide.
-
Cochlear Implants:
[Plain Text: Cochlear Implants]
Cochlear Implants, or CI, are surgically implanted devices that stimulate the cochlea.
More on CI in one second, because I promised a return to BAHAs, which are a type of surgically implanted hearing aids. They get to go in this section because they are implants.
BAHA stands for bone anchored hearing aid (as opposed to BCHA, which stands for bone conduction). BAHA are the long-term alternative to BCHAs. A titanium plate is anchored to the skull, and an external hearing aid component attaches to the plate and vibrates it.
BAHA are most commonly prescribed for: severe to profound conductive hearing loss, microtia/atresia. (One of the major use cases for BAHA is Treacher-Collins Syndrome, which often causes bilateral microtia. Since the hearing loss is purely conductive, and traditional hearing aids do not typically fit people with microtia even without atresia, BCHA/BAHA are the best aids.)
Back to CIs. Unlike BAHAs, cochlear implants are implanted into the cochlea to directly stimulate the auditory nerve. They bypass the outer, middle, and inner ear systems, so they are useful for any type of hearing loss.
In order to qualify for a CI, one needs profound hearing loss across all or most frequencies, and the presence of both the cochlea and the auditory nerve (CI won't work without those structures). Someone can qualify for a CI in one ear but not the other; even if someone is qualified to receive implants in both ears, they're expensive and the surgery has risks, so many bilaterally deaf people have only one implant.
In the United States, CIs are approved starting at 9 months old, but not any younger. (This is a problem for auditory development--although CI are often billed as a "cure" or "complete treatment" to deafness, the reality is that even bilateral CI users who received speech and auditory therapy from the moment their devices were programmed still lag behind hearing peers in auditory development, because they are deaf. But that's part of a larger conversation regarding deaf development and audism.)
CIs have a small disc that magnetically attaches to the skull near the implant site. That disc transmits the sound through the bone, which is then transmitted to the auditory nerve. Usually, the disc is connected to a wire, which runs to a behind-the-ear processor piece. CIs have a couple different types, just like hearing aids. I'll run through them pretty quickly.
1. "Button" CI.
These are fairly new. They only have the magnetic disc; all the processors and microphones are inside it. They're less visible, but less powerful.
2. Behind the ear microphone.
The BTE component contains the microphones and processors. There is a hook to keep it in place on the ear, but no part of the CI goes into the ear canal. These have similar directional power to BTE hearing aids.
3. In-ear microphone.
The processors are on a behind-the-ear component, but they receive signal from a microphone positioned at the opening of the ear canal. These give the best directional sound filtering, since they receive the auditory input from the same place as a hearing person, often with the benefits of the shape of the outer ear.
4. Mixed type CI + hearing aid.
These are also very new! Previous CI techniques, and many surgeons today, destroy residual hearing, so when the CI processor is disconnected, the user receives no auditory input, even if they had some before getting a CI. However, some new techniques can preserve residual hearing, and the cochlear implant can be combined with a hearing aid. This device looks like a BTE hearing aid with either a mold or power dome, but also connected by a wire to the magnetic disc of a CI.
-
What type of CI a person has depends on the technology when they were implanted, what sound quality they want, or what they can afford.
The sound from CIs don't match how hearing people hear things. CI have way fewer neural connections than the cochlea has. Bilateral CI is often more effective for oralism than unilateral, but even then, CIs do not replicate natural hearing.
A CI can be implanted at any age, although it's most "effective" in infancy or adults with new-onset hearing loss, rather than people who have grown up d/Deaf. Getting a CI in adulthood is a very personal choice and can have a lot of meaning for a Deaf person.
-
Gene Therapy:
[Plain Text: Gene Therapy]
This post has gone on long enough, and this isn't a hearing assistive device, but it is something to consider in a sci-fi or post-modern setting, and something we (the Deaf community) have to deal with right now.
There are currently new therapies (around 3 years in trial) that target OTOF mutations that cause severe to profound congenital deafness. OTOF mutations cause the loss of a protein that turns cilia movement in the cochlea into neural signals. The gene therapy introduces the gene that codes for this protein into the inner ear.
A small study on around 20 children, teens, and young adults with profound hearing loss (>100 dB) saw hearing curves change to 56 dB +/- 30 dB. I couldn't get the raw data because I couldn't access the study, but that means the average participant is still moderately hard of hearing and still needs hearing aids and accommodations. Depending on the metrics for calculating that error, there was likely at least one participant who remained severely to profoundly deaf after the gene therapy, and no participants became medically hearing.
We still have no data on if this gene therapy lasts forever or what kind of side effects it has. It also only works for a specific class of OTOF mutations, which account for many cases of congenital genetic deafness, but not all. Every single study on the gene therapy is produced by one company. This technology has not yet been peer-reviewed or tested for long enough. Nevertheless, hearing people are treating this as a cure, that the Deaf community doesn't want.
If a deaf person wants access to a technology like this, that is again their choice. Forcing this onto infants and children without autonomy or the ability to make an informed decision is horrible. The push to "cure" deafness goes hand-in-hand with the destruction of Deaf culture. It is eugenics. If you're going to include gene therapy or some other magical "fix" to deafness in your story, think about that.
i’ve always thought about lando having a deaf baby, as someone who is deaf myself and i too think he would be amazing. like imagine the baby was born deaf, and his reaction to the baby hearing your voices for the first time after having a cochlear or just a hearing aid fitted🥹🥹🥹i’ve thought about this sm
you. are. so. RIGHT
thank you so much anon for this ask and i’m sorry i took so long to get to you!!! and kudos to you for telling us your story 🥹 this one’s for you 🧡🧡🧡
people might’ve said it was controversial, for lando to be holding eden instead of y/n, but they’d never realise it was y/n’s idea.
the doctor’s office was quiet - ironically. eden looked around, her tiny baby arms flailing in the ear as her curious eyes looked around the white room.
lando swore he almost cried when the doctor re-entered the room with that tiny hearing aid in her hands. he looked over to his wife, that signature grin plastered on his face.
“alright…” the doctor spoke, bending down to be eye level with the baby. after a minute or so of eden’s whinging because a random stranger lady was trying to put a piece of metal on her head, the doctor was finally able to connect it. “get ready.”
as soon as the aid was turned on, eden let out a cry. lando turned the little girl around to face him before saying his first words to his daughter.
“eden, daddy’s here.”
as soon as lando spoke, eden stopped. the whole room stopped. y/n held her breath, tears brimming her eyes. suddenly, eden let out a soft giggle, and the world seemed to stop. lando let out a laugh, tears finally spilling down his cheeks.
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Summary: Everyone asks why you, but Senku's answer is just for you.
warnings: deaf!reader, senku's bad at feelings, fluff, soft!senku, au!no petrification.
word count: 1k
It's and au of the story "something inside", but it can work as a standalone.
𖥸┈┈┈𖥸┈┈𖥸┈┈𖥸┈┈┈𖥸┈┈┈𖥸┈┈𖥸┈┈┈𖥸
You moved your hands.
Why did you learn sign language?
Senku moved his.
Because I wanted to know what you have to say.
The quiet language a few learned.
The quiet language that most didn't comprehend.
The quiet language that belonged to you two.
A lot of people asked the prodigy scientist why did he learned sign language, a lot of people expected a scientific answer out of it, like "Oh, because it stimulates the brain" or "It science proven that makes your life better". But the only answer they got in return was Senku shrugging and saying "Why not?" every single damn time.
You laughed when you saw their confused faces once you understood the reason.
You were like that once.
Confused as to why the most famous student and scientist in college learned your language. At first you thought out of pity like everyone else did. But he made you clear that he wanted to know what were you thinking, what your opinion was on whatever topic was on the table, he wanted to know you fully without limitations or barriers.
And everyone was confused.
He didn't pity you.
He embraced you.
Why you?
Why you when there were other girls?
Why you above all the people in the world?
They thought Senku got crazy after so many chemicals in his hands; maybe he smelled so many that his brain melted. Or, maybe he cloned himself and it wasn't the original Ishigami, and the original one was with someone else in Africa.
The truth was simpler; he chose you.
He chose to stay by your side.
Even when it wasn't convenient.
Even when everybody told him it was a bad idea.
Even when they warned him about the difficulties.
Because they didn't know you.
They didn't know how pretty you looked happy.
They didn't know the attention you payed to things.
They didn't know how careful you were.
They didn't know how curious you were.
They didn't know how special you made him feel.
When your eyes were on him, he felt in the moon.
They haven't seen you asleep on your desk.
They haven't seen you writing your messages.
They haven't seen you with your rebel and messy hair in the mornings.
They haven't seen your hands and its delicate movements.
They haven't seen you taking care of him.
You didn't heard him while explaining his experiments and projects to you, but Senku knew you tried. Every single time you looked at his lips trying to comprehend him and you stayed, you never gave up on him.
And that was more than enough for him.
But there were days when you felt bad for him because he couldn't talk to you like a normal person. People on coffee shops, supermarkets, malls and even in the streets looked at you when you spoke to him. People gave you curious and pitiful looks that made you uncomfortable and angry at the same time.
You didn't chose this life. You had to deal with it like everyone else.
You felt bad because you knew there was no cure for your deficiency.
No one could help you.
He never gave up on his projects for complicated as they could be, so why to give up on you because of some stupid comments from people that barely knew you? Why give up on you for people that didn't comprehend how important you were to him?
But, even in those hard days, Senku didn't let you go.
If you didn't gave up on him, why should he?
So he dissipated your worries away, every day.
He would always come to you and move his lips.
Let's watch the stars tonight.
And you nod back.
And then, while watching the stars, he would ask himself if to grab your hand or not.
Is it the right time?
Is it the perfect moment?
What's left unsaid?
What's another fear he has to face?
Are you satisfied with him?
Are you okay with him trying to held onto you?
So when your eyes find his, in your quiet understanding, his fears dissappear.
Emotional questions drowning his scientific mind.
Everything so you are comfortable, so you are safe, so you know you can rely on him, so you can trust him, so you can love him, so you know he cares for you.
He can breathe.
And while you watch the stars, his hand find yours.
Your eyes remains in the constellations above you two, but you enjoy his warm hand on top of yours.
"I don't care if you can't hear me now, one day I will make you hear my voice" He said looking at you while you admired the stars by his side. "And I'm gonna teach you to use yours"
You were to busy with the luminous spheroids of plasma at thousand years of distance to notice his lips, but once you looked at him, he become your gravitation center.
He moved his hands as the steam from his breath went out of his mouth in the cold night of winter.
All your attention on him.
He mentally says thanks.
The moon is beautiful, isn't it?
You flushed understanding the meaning and you moved your hands as lovingly as you could.
It's beautiful because I'm seeing it with you.
Senku smiled softly and accommodated close to you so you could be comfortable against the warm of his body.
The snow fell upon you two and time seemed to slow down. The snowflakes fell on your hair and Senku pushed them away as gently as he can.
Senku's hand stays there and tremble.
He still needs to get used to this.
But, for you, he will.
And as he admired you, a little snow fell upon him.
In your eyes he sees the stars and the moon.
He doesn't need something else in his life.
And suddenly the quiet night is filled by the most natural and inevitable sound on Earth, your laugh. It's soft, warm and a little raspy caused by the little use of your vocal cords.
Summary: A continuation of THIS blurb. Jack goes back to school to see the cute ASL teacher. He might have met his match. Jack Abbot x Deaf OC
A/N: I got a lot of people asking for more with these two. I didn't really make it an x reader, I made the decision to make it an OC. I'll be honest, I hate writing x reader. I just find it so limiting. I keep my OCs vague so that anyone can put themselves into their shoes. But I've personally never had a problem putting myself into OC fics. Anyway, I had fun writing this, I hope you have fun reading it.
Warnings: None :)
Jack Abbot was nervous. He wasn’t unfamiliar with the feeling, though it wasn’t a common occurrence these days. He stood outside the looming building with its intimidating Roman columns, second-guessing his decision. The words in gold atop the marble read Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf.
A few kids ran out the door, bumping into him and nearly sending him to the ground. They giggled an apology as they ran off. His prosthetic ankle locked up on him. He cursed under his breath as he shimmied his way over to the steps and sat down to fix it.
“You’d think these kids would be better about not being assholes to the disabled around here. But, kids are always kids.” A teenage boy in a wheelchair rolled up to him.
“Eh, they didn’t know. This thing malfunctions when it’s cold out anyway.” Jack shrugged.
“You don’t have to be nice about it. That shit sucks. They were dicks.” The teen scoffed.
“I don’t take it personally.” Jack could see how angry the kid was, an anger he very easily recognized.
“You got a kid that goes here?” The teen eyed him up and down, suspicious all of a sudden.
“Um, no. I’m here for the adult class.” Jack cleared his throat. He couldn’t really pin down why he was embarrassed.
“Oh! That makes more sense. Thought you were a pervert for a second.” The teen cackled.
“If you thought I was a perv, why were you talking to me? Don’t they teach you kids, common sense?” Jack got up, rolling his pant leg down.
“No, they stopped teaching common sense sometime around the last Trump administration.” The teen snorted.
“Right.” Jack tried to hide the smile that was threatening to pull at his lips.
“You’re going to Miss Smith’s class, right?” The teen asked.
“Um, yeah. How did you know?” Jack looked the kid up and down.
“She’s the only one with an adult class today. I can take you there.” The teen started rolling away. “Come on, she hates when people are late.”
“Shit.” Jack grumbled as he chased after the kid.
“I’m Marcus, by the way. I help assist in her class for extra credit.”
“Jack. So, do you want the extra credit to look good on applications or is it because that mouth of yours gets you in trouble?” Jack smirked as the kid whipped his head to glare at him.
“Both.” Marcus hissed. “My counselors tell me I’m too smart for my own good.”
“I can see that. Don’t worry, that usually means you’re going to run things one day.” Jack told him.
“Yeah, right. You haven’t spent enough time with me yet.” Marcus rolled his eyes.
“What? Sorry, you’re on my bad side.” Jack shuffled around Marcus to stand so his right ear was closer.
“You’re deaf too?” Marcus looked up at him.
“No. Hard of hearing in my left ear. A little in the right, but not really. It usually doesn’t bother me, but a patient decided to scream directly into my ear yesterday. It’s a little stunned.” Jack grumbled, still pissed about the incident.
“Patient? What, are you a doctor or something?” Marcus was trying his best to play the uncaring, unimpressed teenager. It was not going well.
“Yeah. Doctor in the ER.” Jack often wondered where the need to impress teenagers came from. He didn’t know this kid. Why was he so desperate for his approval?
“That’s interesting, I guess.” Marcus shrugged. “This is the room.” Marcus said as they wheeled into a classroom. It was decorated with rainbows and different butterflies that kids had drawn.
“I did not think I was going to be sitting at an actual desk.” Jack said, stopping as he saw where he’d be sitting.
“When was the last time you sat a desk? A century ago?” Marcus laughed.
“Half a century ago.” Jack shook his head.
“Hi, Miss Smith,” Marcus said as he signed to her.
Hi, Marcus. You ready for class? Miss Smith signed with a smile. That smile is what convinced Jack to be here in the first place.
“I’m ready enough.” Marcus rolled his eyes as he moved to his spot next to her desk.
Dr. Handsome. Good to see you. She smiled up at Jack. He could feel his face getting red.
I guess we never did introduce ourselves. Jack gave a nervous chuckle. You can just call me Jack.
I’m Emily. So, no more Dr. Handsome? I kind of liked it. She smirked. There was a twinkle in her eye that told Jack that she wasn’t afraid of trouble.
How about when no one is around? Jack hated every word that was coming out of his mouth, or rather, his hands.
That seems fair. I’m glad to see you in class. You might be at a higher level than this class is. Don’t get too bored. Emily liked making him flustered.
I don’t think you’ll let me be bored. Jack said.
Go take a seat, we’ll get started soon. Try and keep that smolder under control while I’m teaching. Emily pushed him toward the desks as she went to greet the other students.
“Oh man, you’re toast!” Marcus cackled. “You’re all googly-eyed, worse than my classmates!”
“Hey, kid? Has anyone ever told you, you got a big mouth?” Jack hissed.
“Yeah! Like every day. I’m immune.” Marcus smirked.
Emily had been right. It was a very beginner class. Jack still paid attention and took a note every once in a while. He had learned the alphabet a long time ago. He always told his med students that it never hurts to go over the basics again and again. Why would ASL be different?
The class ended and everyone gathered their things. Jack slowly put away his notebook and pen into his backpack. He waited until the room was nearly empty before going up to Emily.
So? Not too bored? She quirked her eyebrow and pursed her lips.
Not bored at all. It’s good to relearn the basics. I could watch you teach the phone book and be engaged. Jack attempted to flirt back. He wanted to crawl out of his skin. But when Emily threw her head back and laughed, it lessened the revolting feeling.
Flattery gets you everywhere, Dr. Handsome. Emily liked the way his brows furrowed even when he smiled. An almost permanent scowl. She silently made it her goal to get them to relax.
I’ll remember that when I start to fall behind. Jack couldn’t believe he was flirting with his teacher. It was straight out of one of those books Lena reads with the hockey players on the cover.
Can I convince you to get a drink with me? Emily bit her lip. Jack’s heart started to skip.
Bold. I like it. Consider me convinced. Jack smiled.
“This is disgusting.” Marcus gagged. “Never do whatever this is in front of me again!” He groaned as he pushed his wheelchair between the two adults and out the door.
The bar had a low hum of activity when they walked in. It wasn’t busy, but there were enough people to keep it from being awkward. Jack led Emily over to a booth and sat down.
What can I get you? My treat. Jack asked, taking his coat off.
White wine, sweet if they have it. Emily watched him walk over to the bar. She was almost studying him. She didn’t mean to be, but he was fascinating. She watched him lean across the bar to hear the bartender and the bottom of his jeans pull up just slightly. The light caught the metal of his prosthetic and she was surprised. She hadn’t noticed it in the hospital.
Jack walked back over with a glass of wine for Emily and a soda for himself. He gave an awkward smile as he sat back down.
You’re full of surprises. Emily cocked her head to the side as she watched him.
Why? Because of the soda? I’m on call tonight, though I do have a slight sugar addiction. He laughed, though he could tell she was reading him like a book.
That and the leg. I don’t think it came up at the hospital. Emily watched a flash of embarrassment go across his eyes.
I forget to tell people a lot of the time. It’s been so long. Is it a problem? He took a long sip of his drink.
Jack. I’m deaf, not an asshole. She rolled her eyes.
You’d be surprised how many women see it as a dealbreaker. Jack shrugged. Emily was watching him build his walls back up.
They’re stupid. I like my men weathered. Give them character. Makes them gentle. She sipped her wine like it was punctuation.
How do you know I’m gentle? Jack was studying her now. A teacher and a doctor, they were going to be analytical about romance.
The way you talk to people. Even if you’re a little rough, it’s never too much. Like with Marcus. He needs a firm hand, but you can see he’s still an angry little boy. Emily leaned forward, getting just a little closer.
No way you saw all that from a few sentences. Jack shook his head in disbelief.
I was a psych major before I went into teaching. I can read people. Emily smiled as she watched Jack’s eyes go wide.
Oh shit. So, you’re going to psycho analyze me? Emily started laughing again and Jack was sure he was going to have a heart attack because of this woman.
No! But you won’t be able to hide anything from me either. I can see there’s stuff looming beneath the surface. You’ll tell me when you’re ready. Emily could see the sadness in his eyes again, but there was more. Relief?
So, what I’m getting is that there’s going to be another date. Jack smirked, trying to avoid the deep stuff. He didn’t get to have a nice night often. He wanted to savor it.
I think you get another date. I’m too fascinated to leave at one. Emily’s stomach flipped when he smiled at her, brows still knitted together slightly.
Jack’s phone buzzed in his pocket and cursed the invention of mobile devices. He pulled it out and saw it was Lena.
I’m sorry, I have to take it. Jack apologized.
No worries. Emily waved him off.
“Lena? It better be good.” Jack growled.
“Depends on your definition of good. We got a massive multi-car pile-up that’s heading for us. Gloria okayed calling you and Robby in. He’s on his way; we’ll need you too. The radio is saying it’s not good. We aren’t at Pittfest levels, but it’s gonna be a long night.” Lena sighed.
“Fuck. Okay, I’ll be there in a bit.” Jack hung up the phone, rubbing a hand over his face.
You have to go. Emily frowned.
Yeah. A big crash and they need all available hands. I’m really sorry. Jack wanted to call Lena back and tell her he quit, the way her eyes lost their sparkle.
It’s okay, I understand. But let me give you my number. She plucked his phone from his hand and made herself a contact. Now, go save some lives. But you'd better text me tomorrow.
I will, I swear. It’d make the next class awkward if I didn’t. Jack knew he needed to get up, but not a single cell in his body wanted to move.
You have to go! Emilly giggled, pointing at the door.
I really don’t want to. Jack groaned as he stood up and put his jacket on. This was a really great night. I’m going to take you somewhere nice next time. Do it right.
I’ll hold you to it. Goodnight, Jack. She looked up at him like he hung the moon and if he could melt into a puddle, he would have.
Goodnight, Emily. Jack’s face was red as he ran out the door.
Emily sat biting her lip, thinking too hard for her own good. Before she knew what she had decided, she was on her feet and chasing after him. She caught up to him just before he was going to get into his car.
“Wha-” Jack couldn’t finish his sentence; Emily’s lips were crashing into his. He wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her in close. She tugged at his curls before they broke apart, gasping for air.
I had to do it. Emily’s lipstick was smeared across his face.
Well, if you had to. Feel free to follow that impulse whenever it happens. Jack smiled. Emily pushed him toward his car as she scampered off. Jack watched her for a minute before getting in and driving away.
By the time he got into PTMC the place was buzzing. A few patients had arrived, but it wasn’t chaos yet.
“Jack! What took you so long? You live like ten minutes away.” Robby asked him as he met him at the desk.
“I was…on a date.” Jack cleared his throat as he pulled his stethoscope from his bag and shoved it under the desk.
“Oh, we can see that.” Ellis laughed, pointing at his face.
“Shit.” Jack growled as he wiped at his face.
“No! With that teacher!?” Lena gasped.
“Yes. I’m taking her beginner ASL class.” Jack sighed, not wanting to get into it.
“How was it? I’m guessing it went well. That was a lot of lipstick on your face.” Ellis was enjoying this too much.
“We’ll be going on a second date. Not that it’s anyone’s business.” Jack hissed.
“Oh, you’re falling for her, big time.” Lena smiled. “It’s cute.”
“Yeah. She’s going to keep me on my toes.” Jack pulled his phone out. There was a text notification. He opened it from a new contact. That Hot Teacher.
