Phil is deaf in this so can I just clarify: I don't personally know anyone who is deaf. If any of this is offensive or inaccurate please tell me. I won't get angry/upset; if anything, I'll be relieved you helped me!

Phil glanced down at his wrist, sighing as his eyes laid upon his bare wrist. His big brother poked his side, signing 'your soulmate is out there'. Phil shook his head: it wasn't that he was worried about.

They lived in a universe where each person had a set soulmate and the first sentence you'd hear your partner say was engraved in your wrist forever. Phil had a fairly unique problem- he was deaf. That meant he'd never hear his soulmate's beautiful voice- or anyone's at all. He was terrified that he'd interact with his soulmate and never know. He couldn't hear so how was he supposed to know which person was the one? He wouldn't. He never would. He was going to end up alone.

-

Phil silently walked into a Starbucks beside his brother. Public places made the younger boy really anxious, considering he wouldn't be able to hear any danger or even talk to anyone. 'What do you want?' Martyn signed, making Phil sigh and point at a large sign that advertised the classic pumpkin spice latte.

Phil reluctantly left his brother as he ordered, walking over to an empty table. Before he could take a seat, another boy had sat down with his drink. The other noticed Phil's quiet presence and his lips started to move. Phil squinted but the boy was talking way too fast for him to read his lips. Martyn, like a literal superhero, swooped in and saved the day. He talked to the stranger whose eyes apologetically widened.

'I'm sorry.' The stranger then signed, making Phil grin.

He eagerly replied, 'It's okay. You didn't know.'

'My little brother is deaf too so I know sign language.'

'I'm sorry.'

'It's okay. He's happy enough. My name is Dan by the way.'

'Phil.'

Martyn then placed the drinks down on the table, deciding to join Dan. Phil could really have used a new friend.

In all honesty, by the time the drinks had been finished, Martyn felt like a third wheel. He felt rude watching their conversation but he couldn't leave Phil with a stranger- no matter how sweet he seemed.

They eventually had to part ways but not without exchanging phone numbers.

-

Dan: Hey ^-^

Phil: Hiiii

Dan: How are you?

Phil: I'm pretty good, you?

Dan: I'm okay.

They talked almost every second of the day- except when they had to sleep of course. Martyn loved the way Phil grinned and blushed whenever his phone lit up. He had never seen his brother so happy.

"Martyn?" Phil said aloud to get the other's attention. He wasn't a fan of talking too much, slightly paranoid his voice was too high or stupid sounding. Martyn had tried to assure him his voice was fine and nothing abnormal but Phil didn't listen to him. 'Can I go meet Dan?'

Martyn shook his head. 'Mum wouldn't let me leave you.'

'I'm not a child.'

'Phil, we want you to be safe... He can come here though?' Phil nodded, typing away on his phone again.

Martyn opened the front door to see Dan smiling timidly at him. They entered the house and Dan sat beside Phil in the living room. He had Mario Kart up on the TV and a pair of remote controllers laid out in front of him.

'Best game ever.' Dan signed with a grin, gratuitously accepting a remote.

Not having a free hand to sign, Phil was pretty vocal throughout the game but he wasn't directly addressing Dan until... "Dan, why would you do that?!" Phil practically yelled as his Yoshi character was hit by Dan's red shell. Dan immediately frowned, recognising those words from anywhere. He abruptly paused the game. 'Actually,' He signed. 'I need to go.'

'You just got here?'

'I know. I'm sorry.' Dan then hurriedly left, leaving Phil confused and slightly hurt. Martyn frowned at the boy, just as puzzled as his little brother.

-

Phil: You okay? You seemed upset when you left

Phil: Did I do something?

Phil: If I did, I'm sorry :(

Read 2:07pm.

-

'He won't reply to my texts.' Phil sighed, having a weird urge to cry. He had never had a genuine friend before and he was petrified that he had messed up their friendship already.

'He must have a reason. He seemed like a nice guy...' Martyn responded.

-

It was a massive coincidence. Martyn had been on his way home from college when he saw a familiar head of brown hair. He cautiously approached the boy before calling his name. Dan's eyes widened and he subconsciously began to play with the ends of his sleeves. Martyn was observant enough to notice so he raised an eyebrow. "Why have you been ignoring Phil?" He asked, his voice slightly menacing. He was attempting to use fear to get the boy to talk but he didn't want to scare Dan enough to make him run away.

"I don't want to talk to him anymore." Dan mumbled.

"Why not? He's a lovely boy and he could really do with a friend." Dan's gaze dropped to his shoes as he bit his wobbling lip.

"I know..." His voice was so quiet that it was almost inaudible but Martyn managed to hear it.

"Then why..." Dan jerked out his arm, rolling up the sleeve.

Martyn's eyes widened as he read the words: Dan, why would you do that?!

"Shit."

"Now you understand? He's going to hate me."

"You do realise you're his soulmate too so he couldn't possibly hate you. Talk to him about it."

-

Dan: So... *Dan attached a picture of the words on his wrist*

Dan: You're my soulmate :/ That's why I stopped talking to you- I was afraid

Phil: what

Phil: ...

Phil: WHAT

Dan: You can hate me forever now

Phil: No no no

Phil: I just never thought I'd find my soulmate.

Dan: Can I come over tomorrow? I need to apologise in person.

Phil: Yeah

Phil: I can't wait

Dan: Me neither :")

-

Martyn walked passed his little brother's room, smiling when he saw how close Dan was to him. They were cuddling and IT WAS ADORABLE.

He noticed Dan's hands move to form the words: 'I'm glad it was you.'

Then Phil's: 'Me too.'

Martyn was also glad Dan was his soulmate. They were a perfect match for each other.

I'm going to see Dan and Phil later today and I'm really anxious (because I don't do well in loud, crowded places) but also excited!! It sucks that it's in the middle of my exams (I mean I have a psychology exam today and a business exam tomorrow) but I'm not exactly complaining! I can't wait to see Dan and Phil irl!!

If any of you have gone, do you know how long the show is? It better not end too late because, as I said, I have an important exam the next day :p