Work Text:
For his morning coffee, Hank Voight is now depending on a cafe nearby. His own coffee machine broke down on him, so he is paying an unfortunate amount of money at this cafe, however it’s worth it, since his own coffee never tastes as good.
But every day he arrives here, he sees a woman reading a book in the corner of the cafe. Almost each time it’s a different book. Her eyes move from line to line, cover page to page. He’s intrigued by her, because every day she looks up, meets his eyes and smiles at him. It’s just a smile, sometimes a wave. But she stays put every day. Not once standing up, making her way over to him.
He wonders why, but then he realizes: he never makes his way over to her.
So, after he got his coffee, he decides to go for it. He walks up to her table and sits across from her. She looks up and smiles again.
‘Hey,’ he says.
She shyly waves.
‘How are you?’
She frowns, before she shakes her head, pointing her finger to her ear.
It’s now Hank’s turn to frown. ‘Wait,’ he says, when realization hits in.
She holds up her hand, non verbally telling him to wait, as she looks through her bag, grabbing a notebook and a pen.
I’m deaf she writes.
It explains the smiles and waves, but never the conversation. He is quick to grab the pen and writes down: I don’t know sign language
She shrugs. That’s okay. Not a lot of people do. Besides, we can communicate perfectly fine like this.
Hank has to admit, it’s kinda nice to communicate like this. It’s different, but everything about this is different. He normally doesn’t approach a woman, let alone in a cafe.
So, why does CPD get his coffee here? Is it true that the coffee there is that terrible?
Hank smirks. It’s awful and my coffee machine broke, so this has got to do it. How’d you know I was CPD?
She rolls her eyes. I’m deaf, not blind. I saw your badge.
The two of them have a long conversation by paper, until he realizes he has to go now if he wants to make it in time for work. I’m sorry, but I’ve got to go. Duty calls.
She nods.
He scribbles down his number and writes: I’ll talk to you later
She smiles and he stands up from the table. He hears quick footsteps behind him and then a hand grabbing his. He turns around to see it’s her. She pushes a piece of paper in his hands, which has her name and number written down on it and an extra note: Thank you for being cool about this, Hank. I truly appreciate it.
˗ˏˋ꒰ 🍒 ꒱
Spending time with her was time well spend. She’s funny and has a very cute giggle she lets out whenever she thinks something’s funny, even when you’re supposed to be quiet. It’s adorable to see she doesn’t know she makes a sound.
The two of them get along just fine, but he had been doing something secretly, because he wanted to surprise her.
It’s morning again and she’s already sitting at her spot. Their spot. She had ordered a coffee for him already and was once again with her nose in the books. When he sits in front of her, she looks up and smiles widely.
Good morning, sweetheart he signs. You slept well?
Her eyes blink, almost like she’s confused and must think she’s hallucinating. I did she signs back. Thanks. How about you?
I slept wonderfully.
She smiles, so wonderfully and beautifully. You learned sign language?
He nods. I did.
For me?
A smile creeps on his face. For you.
She places her hands in front of her lips, a squeal coming from behind them, while her eyes fill with tears. She shakes her head in slight disbelief, before she stands up, making her way over to his side of the table. She wraps her arms around his shoulders.
When she pulls back, she gives him a kiss on his cheek. He grabs the seat next to him and tells her to sit next to him. Her hands are moving so fast as she signs. He might be pretty good, but he is not that good.
Slow down, please he tells her.
She smiles apologetically. Sorry, but I’m just so happy. No one has ever done this for me before.
Hank doesn’t know what to say, but she knows exactly what to say.
Can I kiss you?
He doesn’t need sign language to tell her the answer to that. He leans down to her, giving her a kiss on her forehead, but it’s her who holds his face and kisses his lips.
When she lets go, she smiles.
I like you she tells him.
He nods with a smile. I like you more.
˗ˏˋ꒰ 🍒 ꒱