Work Text:
The town was bustling in the midday.
Bianca held Nico’s hand, leading him along so he would have a grounding sensation to pull him through the streets.
Suddenly he tapped rapidly on her arm, trying to pull free.
“Princess Bianca, please do not stop in the middle of the walkway—“
“NICO!”
He was darting off, out of sight already.
Even with the trained guards encasing them, Bianca was the first to run after—and quickest.
Not as fast as Nico though. Never as fast.
Searching through every face and every mop of curly hair, she was frantically searching. Half of the guards were keeping eyes on her—the heir—and the other half searching for the younger prince, just as hectically.
Until—there he was!
She found him signing to a blond boy, onlookers staring.
She only caught part of their conversation.
“—I will translate for you.” Nico signed.
Nico flapped his hands twice, using broader gestures. He pointed to the people, then made a ‘talking’ gesture before gesturing into his own ears and through his hands to the other boy—maybe a year older.
One lady was the first to angrily pipe up.
“Tell that boy to give me back what he stole from me!”
Nico’s eyes widened. He tugged at Will’s sleeve for attention—something he always did, whether they were already paying attention or not. It was more like a precursor to speaking.
”Did you steal her things?” Nico pointed to the woman.
The deaf boy shook his head rapidly. ”No! No, I bought it.”
Nico pulled his sketchbook from his satchel. In uneven handwriting he wrote ’He said he bought it.’
Many seemed wiser than to raise their voices at the silent, flittering prince. But few did not as they raised their voices in argument.
Nico did something Bianca was familiar with. He took a step behind the taller blond boy and plugged his own ears. Did not ask them to stop, just distanced himself.
The blond made a ‘shush’ gesture and helped Nico cover his ears. Bianca stepped forward when she finally fought her way through.
“What is the matter here?”
Everyone fell silent.
The lady from before spoke up. “That William boy stole my items I paid for.”
“Where is your proof? What do you claim he stole?”
“I’ve just left the jewelers, where I paid for my necklace. He took my package and left, ignoring me as I called to him! It took this entire crowd gathering to make him stop, he is a thief!”
Bianca looked to the boy, who met no one’s eyes and everyone’s lips. Something she knew well from her own experience with her brother, but for a different reason.
Anxiety was beading off of Will in waves of sweat and jittery signs, every one of his explanations either ignored or not understood.
“Ma’am!” Someone yelled behind her. “Miss Rovinski! You left your parcel!”
She looked back, eyes wide and startled. “Excuse me?”
“Yes, you left before I could hand it to you—is everything alright here?”
Nico was signing as rapidly as he could, uncoordinated fingers stumbling over themselves more than usual with his speed.
William was hugging the accused brown package close to his chest, tucking it under his arm when he needed to say something back.
“Are we done here?” Bianca asked, taking note of the guard that were accumulating and knowing they would sweep the siblings away any moment.
The lady nodded wordlessly, bowing slightly in a sort of apology. Bianca almost scoffed.
The bodyguards, now in formation, started herding them away. Nico flapped his arms and stomped his foot, tugging at his hair as he made a high pitched sound. He was still trying to talk to this Will boy, who Bianca saw sign his name in the corner of her eye.
“Nicoló, we must go.” She urged. “Papa is waiting on us.”
Nico shook his head, and Will let him grab his shirt sleeve.
Will tapped Nico’s cheek gently, making him look back. ”I have to go, I will see you soon? At the library maybe?”
”Park.” Nico replied.
Will nodded. ”I will see you at the park, then?”
Nico didn’t let go of Will’s sleeve still. Both of the older teens were confused at his persistent refusal.
Bianca realized he wasn’t just holding on, but was running his thumb tip along the lace-like stitch work. Will looked to where Bianca was.
Will made an ‘oh’ sound, beginning to shrug off the jacket.
”Bring it back at the park, okay?”
Nico nodded vigorously, putting the large thing on himself and letting the warmth soak in, even though it was hot outside.
The black haired boy waved with one hand, bouncing on his toes and lightly flapping the other until Bianca took it once more.
Bianca, even though they’d certainly find trouble for running off and causing a ruckus, was grinning ear to ear uncontrollably.
It wasn’t something she expected that day, but…
She thinks… her brother just made a friend.