Noctis:

Them being selectively mute was a bit hard to work around at first. Noctis, though he was more observant than he let on, had a hard time reading their facial expressions. Just because of how controlled they were. When you’re mute, a lot of your communication rests on your face, especially for those that signed like them. 

So, in order to get to know them more, he asked them to tutor him as he learned sign since he needed an extra language course to graduate. And of course, learning along side them, and being a part of their silent world, his feelings naturally progressed to a crush. When he could eventually hold a conversation in sign, proving he could understand them, he asks them out on a date. 

Like most first dates though, it was less than glamorous. 

It started raining and neither had an umbrella, so both looked like they had taken a swim on the way over to the diner they had chosen. A few rouge photographers from some of the trashier tabloids around insomnia had gotten a tip on their date, and were basically harassing them for ‘the scoop’. And then the waitress was bumped into when passing their table and ended up dumping a plate of rice on his date’s head. 

Not the best start, but it was then that he realized that they had a voice. Because they had started laughing, high and clear. They ended up not kissing on the first date, because they don’t count it. It was too much of a disaster to count as a date they argued. (But Noctis totally counts it.)

They continue dating, of course, and make it a game to see if they can keep dodging the tabloids after that first fiasco. And it’s not until six months of dating that he hears their voice outside of laughing.

They had been spending the night, and Noctis hadn’t told them that it was the anniversary of the Marilith attack. So when he started muttering in his sleep and moving a lot, they naturally woke up. A nightmare they assumed, because he kept making pained expressions. They tried to wake him by stroking his hair, and when that didn’t work, shaking his shoulder. And when that didn’t work, without meaning to or thinking about it really, they called his name.

“Noctis.”

A secret not even Ignis knew was that Noctis woke up when his name was called. Not his highness, not Noct, but Noctis. So imagine his surprise when he woke up after hearing his name, but the only person in the room was his S/O. Normally he’d ignore his name anyways and try to go back to sleep. But his curiosity would wake him fully and he’d sit up in confusion. He wouldn’t realize it was them until he hears their quiet voice in the dark.

“Noctis? You were dreaming.” 

He’d be speechless, which was a switch considering the past six month were of him talking. But then he’d snap out of it and bundle them into his arms before laying back down.

“Thank you for waking me.”

He wouldn’t make a big deal about it, but there would be a slight trembling in his arms. From love and appreciation that they had trusted him enough to finally let him hear their voice, and that they had been brave enough as well.

Prompto:

“Wow they’re a really good listener!” was his first thought when he ended up working with them on a photo shoot for his part-time. They were the lighting person. But then it would edge from being a good listener, to being unusually silent.

They’d be walking and he’d be in the middle of his sentence when he’d suddenly pause, look at them, and say, “You don’t talk, do you.”

They’d shrug and smile. Prompto would accept it, and just keep talking, but let them know, “If I talk too much, just feel free to like, put a hand over my mouth or something.” (They’ve only had to do this once.)

It would be a bumpy start to a friendship. With one party unable to speak, communication was tricky. And they didn’t want to do the pen and paper thing. So Prompto gets really good at reading facial expressions really fast. And it’s almost as good as talking. They still have the occasional hiccup, but it works.

The day Prompto asks them out, he’s rambling about a photo he took. “So I used this filter, and the lighting was perfect anyways, even without your help, and will you go on a date with me? And then I staged the camera like this-”

They put and hand over his mouth, and ended up laughing quietly. His face turned pink and they nodded, pointing to him and themself. 

“You will?” 

They’d smile. And Prompto would be ecstatic. He’d walk them home and then go skipping away practically to prepare for tomorrow. …But then he’d have to run back to their house to tell them when and where because he’d realize he forgot to tell them.

The first date wouldn’t be anything too big. It would be mostly walking around in the downtown area of Insomnia, hitting up a food cart, and making fun of some of the advertisements they see. Nothing goes very wrong, though there was a scare when a few drunkards decided to mess with someone who’s clearly an immigrant. But to that, they only glanced at each other, threw their drinks in their faces and ran, holding hands and laughing. 

Most dates were quieter after that, and he’d even bring them along to meet his friends during a few times they were hanging out. It’s after one of these times, when he’s walking them home and about to leave, that they grab his hand and quietly say, “Stay.”

Beaming brightly and sweeping them off their feet he replies, “Of course.”

For the first time in almost a year, he’s heard their voice.

Gladiolus:

Now he’s done it. He was on a run and crashed right into someone when going around the corner to his home. Their bag popped open and papers went flying everywhere. Not to mention that they had banged their head pretty hard off the ground. He’d get them up in a hurry, ignoring his own scrapes and bruises, and ask if they were alright.

They’d wave a hand at him in a general expression of being fine. But then he’d sort of get worried about them not speaking. And things would go south very quickly. Because Gladiolus would panic, thinking he’d really really hurt them. Because they weren’t SPEAKING HELP.

But at the moment his father would happen around the corner after a walk. Upon seeing the panic and general chaos of the papers fluttering around, he’d want to turn back around and just go the way he came. Take the long way home. But then he’d see who it was and realize that he’d have to step in. 

Gladio, meanwhile, would still be panicking about them not speaking. Thankfully Clarus steps in and says, “Good to see you’ve met one of the new Interns.” 

He’d then explain that they don’t speak, that yes they were fine, but probably invite them back home for an ice pack at least. And wouldn’t take no for an answer.

After that initial meeting, Gladio would find them during work the next day, apologize again, and ask if they wanted to get lunch as an apology. (And what intern would say no to free food?) From there, they sort of figure out a way to communicate. They just message him on their tablet and he’ll just respond verbally. Which opens the doors for text jokes. (It’s very endearing to Gladio that when they send an emoji expression, it’s often the very same expression they’re making right across the table from him.) It becomes habit to meet for lunch, and sometimes dinner. Without even realizing it, they end up dating. 

This is only pointed out when they run across Gladio’s friends who tease him for not telling them he was on a date. They look at each other, shrug, and he throws an arm around their shoulder and says, “Well, we are so…if you’ll excuse us.”

“But we want to meet them!” “Another time maybe!”

It’s only after their anniversary passes that he gets to hear their voice. Unfortunately, it’s because he ran into them again when they were coming over to dinner at his place with Iris. And the papers went everywhere. They hit their head again, he ended up with scrapes and bruises.

“Damn it Gladio.” It’s said so quiet, if there had been a passing car he wouldn’t have heard it. But he did.

Not the most romantic thing to hear, but Gladio laughs and scoops them off the ground. He doesn’t draw attention to it, worried that they didn’t know they had said something. And if they did mean to say something, he wouldn’t want to scare away any progress they’ve made to become vocal. He lets them go and sets about collecting their papers.

(Clarus walks around the corner again, and this time just turns on heel and goes the opposite way. Not dealing with this again.)

Ignis:

He’s heard them speak before they started dating. They had a habit of muttering to themselves while they worked. 

They were considered a valuable member of the royal house hold. They had been a child when they received their title. Like Ignis, they grew up with their role. They were to be Noctis’ Chancellor. A secretary basically. But there was no need for them to be around Noctis just yet, not until Noctis was on the throne. But Ignis worked closely with them. There was a lot of paper work involved with Noctis surprisingly. He just didn’t know it because that was their job. 

Though Ignis had to be there for a portion of it. Which is how he’d heard them. He’d be walking by the door and catch some of their thoughts they spoke out loud before knocking. (He knew their reputation of never speaking, and so didn’t bring it up.) And he wouldn’t let on that he heard them.

There were many times that they ended up eating together, lunch, dinner, overnight snacks, breakfast. Just depended on how much trouble Noctis had gotten into that week. Ignis, having worked with them for so long, knew sign and enjoyed their silent conversations together. It also helped at certain events Noctis was at, and they were more than willing to help Ignis hide or prevent the prince’s mistakes if it meant less paperwork. Eventually, they would be comfortable enough to mutter to themselves with him in the room.

He invites them to an actual dinner outside the citadel soon enough and they accept. From there, they’re really low key about it, if only to avoid becoming the citadel’s latest gossip. It goes on for about a year like this before they’re at an event. There’s a really pushy noble trying to ask out Ignis, and he’s declining as politely as he can. And considering he’s cornered with a lot of other nobles in the conversation, he can’t just walk away without appearing rude.

That’s when they step in and link their arm with his, smile and state quietly, softly, “He’s mine.”

They’d then pull him away while they’re in shock. Ignis would be red in the face, but only because he hadn’t expected the first thing they said in public, since they were a child even, to be that he was theirs. It would make him a bit more happy than it should. They’d sign to him that it’ll be all over the citadel tomorrow, but they’d deal with it then. He’d agree, and leave it at that for once.