The Little Things|Brook x Deaf!Reader

"Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear..."-Mark Twain

The gentle rocking of the Sunny Go along the Grand Line lulled its crew, the Straw Hats, to deep slumber. However, there was one young pirate who wanted to take advantage of the rare silence, even if it was what her crew considered "late".

Her name was [Name], with [h/l] hair that reflected the light from the setting sun, tinting its [h/c] with a orange-gold shine; [s/t] fingers gently settled on the silver railing, and big [e/c] orbs that took in the miles of ocean and the purple, yellow, and orange hues of the sky, stars slowly coming into view.

[Name]'s lips parted slightly to sigh....a sigh which she could barely hear.

Yes, amid her almost perfect being..there was one flaw....

[Name] became deaf. It was an utter tragedy about two months ago that took away her ability to hear. Her crew had to speak either real loudly or write just to communicate with her if they got frustrated. They worried greatly about her, and for all they know..

She could be deaf for months...
She could be deaf for years...

Even though she now has a hearing aid, thanks to the quick work of Franky, [Name] longed to hear the little sounds again: Children laughing, the creaks of the ship as it went over a wave, and the crashing of the waves alone.
....


"I had a feeling in my gut that she'd be here..wait, I don't have any guts! Ahh..I love my skull jokes. Yohohoo~" The familiar laugh
could not be mistaken. 

"Hey Brook, did I wake you?" You greeted. The musician shook his head. "No, not at all [Name]-san. Lovely night, isn't it?" With another small sigh, you turned around, leaning your arms against the railing. "Certainly. You ever wish it were this quiet aboard the Sunny..without all the hoopla?" Brook's jaw clenched, contemplating your question.

"I do." Brook kept his sentences when talking with you short and simple, unlike Luffy, who just screams whenever he was talking to you. Obviously, he didn't understand the science of deafness...or even science in general.

"You should be resting, too, Brook. I mean..who'd stay up this late to accompany this cursed soul?" You huffed, feeling a heavy weight on your heart. Brook sighed, wishing you wouldn't talk about yourself that way. Since the accident, the crew has been blaming themselves for not preventing its occurrence, especially Sanji. But you didn't want them to carry the burden.

"Mistakes happen," you would reassure them. "We learn from them to make us stronger, not weaker." You were just glad nothing worse happened to you and that they still accepted you.

"[Name]-san..." But Brook couldn't find the words. Suddenly, he snapped his bony fingers. "I have an idea. But first..I'll need you to close your eyes for me."

"Close my eyes?" You repeated, knowing the skeleton's slightly perverted ways. Brook put his hands up. "I promise I won't do anything rash, dear. You can trust me on this one."
Sighing, you did as he told you. You couldn't hear him walk behind you, but you did feel his chest just a centimeter from your back.

"Put out your hands..." You did that, and felt some type of weight on them.

"Now you can open your eyes..."

When you did, you looked down, shocked to see Brook's violin in your hands. You recall playing the violin as a child.
"Brook, this is yours. You said no one can-"
"But I give you permission, [Name]-san. Now..take out your hearing aid," he ordered. You glared at him. "What are you, nuts?! I can't hear for shit without it!!"

"Shhh....just do as I say."

Reluctantly, you plucked out your hearing aid, and the world fell mute as it did at the beginning. A lonely silence. Brook took out his bow and positioned your hands to properly hold the violin. His hard hands felt strangely..warm, almost human.

"And now..we play." Brook's hands and fingers guided yours. You didn't think much of it, until..you heard a faint note, followed by another, till finally....

You smiled widely; now you heard everything: The waves of the ocean, the chirping of crickets that came aboard the ship, and, most of all, the melody of Brook's violin. How did that happen? Was it just your luck or...what? That didn't matter thought.

Once Brook felt your hands relax, he let go and you stepped forward, enriching the night air with your melody. Brook stood back and watched you, amazed. You recall playing this type of song..what was it?

Bink's Sake..that's it. A classic song to any pirate.

Tears came to your eyes, blurring your vision, but you continued to play up until the last note. Once you were done, you carefully set the violin down to your feet, before turning to Brook, who had tears in his eye sockets. "Oh my..that was...sheer perfection," He sniffled. "I-If only you heard such wonderful-"

"I did, Brook.." He looked at you, surprised. "You did??" You nodded. "I got my hearing back!"

"YOHOHOOO~!" Brook cheered, jumping for joy. You thought he'd wake up the whole crew. "Must've came back on its own, but I somehow felt that you brought it back. Either way..thank you, Brook." You then hugged him. "Oh, your welcome [Name]-san," he said, hugging you back. "Don't squeeze me too tight, dear. I'm quite frail you know."

"I know that you bag o'bones~" You giggled, releasing him to wipe the tears from your eyes. "Should we tell the others or wait?"

"Actually, I have one more thing that I want to give. Close your eyes and hold out your hands."

You did as he told you and soon you felt something..warm and fuzzy? "Open."

When you did, you gasped. It was rabbit with [h/c] fur and [e/c] eyes that remarkably resembled you own. "Awwwwww~ It looks so much like me! Where did you find him, Brook?"
"Back where the incident happened that cost your hearing, I found her and it reminded me of a special lady.."

You smiled, but then it deflated. "You mean....You had this bunny in your room while I was all depressed and wanting to jump overboard and shit for the past two months?!" You huffed.

Brook shrugged. "Yoho...ho..I'm sorry."

"It's okay," you said, snuggling with the bunny version of you in your arms. Suddenly, an idea popped into your mind. "Ne, Brook. I have a really funny idea since, after all, this ball of fluff looks so much like me and Sanji-kun's probably gonna hunt for me in the a.m." Brook seemed curious and leaned down so you could whisper to him your plan.
....


"WHAT HAPPENED TO YOU [NAME]-CHWAAAN?!?! DON'T RUN FROM MEEEEE!!!!!" Sanji screamed, chasing the rabbit around the deck as it hopped frantically away from the crazy cook. The crew looked on, holding back their laughter.

Meanwhile, in the crow's nest with library books, you and Brook looked through the window, down at the scene.

"Man..I wonder how long it'll take him before he realizes.."

"I feel bad for doing that to Sanji-san. But it is funny, Yohohoho~"

"Anyhow," you sighed, walking around until you spotted a stereo. Grinning, you raced over to it. Brook kept his gaze on yours, wondering what was going on in that mind of yours. You turned on the stereo and it began playing music.

Suddenly, you raced back to Brook, holding his hands. "Can you dance?"

He stiffened a little. "Um..I'm not as good with my legs as I am with my hands. I tend to get quite clumsy, too.."
"Then I'll teach you."
"You would?" He asked, surprised. You nodded. "You aren't thanked much for the things you do here. Let this be my gift to you. I know no dance in particular..I just move to the beat."

"Okay then, you lead the way."

And you and Brook both danced, gliding and twirling around the library, laughing at each other's attempts.

It felt good to hear the little things again-The sweet sound of music, the tapping of your feet, and the very faint wailing of Sanji.