Requested by thє cupcαkє quєєn

Note:  Someone who is a selective mute is a person who chooses not to speak.  It doesn't mean that they are unable to (like something is wrong with their vocal cords or hearing) but that they just for some reason don't wish to vocally communicate with others.

[name] = your name

[f/n] = friend's name

Narrator's POV

'There they go again,'  Oliver thought as he watched from behind some bushes as you and your friend walked through the park as you do around 3 in the afternoon.

He watched as you friend kept talking, you just nodding as you two sat on a bench.  After a while, your friend got up and left, heading off somewhere as you sat on the bench quietly.

'Okay Oliver, now's the time,'  He thought to himself, walking calmly over to you.

"Hello poppet,"  Oliver said in a friendly way.  "Wonderful weather isn't it?"  He said.  You just gave him a shy smile and nodded.

"So how are you this fine day?"  Oliver asked.  Your shy smile stayed on your face as you just nodded, making Oliver tilt his head.

"Do you perhaps not want to talk to me?"  Oliver asked, sounding distressed.  Your cheeks grew red as you quickly shook your head.

"It's not like that,"  Your friend said, arriving back with a pair of water bottles.  "[name]'s mute."

"Oh!"  Oliver said.  He then bowed to you.  "I'm sorry!  I hope I didn't make you uncomfortable!"

You just shook your head and started signing, your friend translating.

"Yeah, [name] says it wasn't your fault and you weren't bothering her,"  [f/n] said.  Still, Oliver apologized again and left quickly.

'I must figure out why such a sweet girl like her doesn't speak,'  Oliver thought.

--------- Some Time Later --------

"Boys, did you find anything out about my poppet?"  Oliver asked as he looked at his family.

"We did,"  Allen said, putting his feet up on the table.

"Allen, take your feet off the table and tell me please,"  Oliver said in a scolding voice, getting a groan from Allen.

"All that searching and this is the thanks I get?"  He said, making Oliver shoot him a glare as James just whacked his brother on the head.

"Just shut it Allen,"  James said.

"F*** you,"  Allen said.

"Allen!  Swear jar!"  Oliver said, holding the jar out to Allen.  Allen grumbled and dropped the money in the jar.

"Are you done?"  Francois asked, taking a drag from his cigar.  "I 'ave zhings to do."

"Yeah, yeah,"  Allen said.  "So the gist of it is that that [name] chick is a selective mute."

"Selective mute?"  Oliver asked.  "Meaning she can talk, she just chooses not to?"

"Yes, pretty much,"  Jame said.  "We looked into some records and found out she stopped talking as a kid."

"Why?"  Oliver asked, getting a sigh from Francois.  The man gave Oliver his usual dead-eye look.

"Zhe official documents mention she went zhrough some kind of trauma, zhough no doctor 'as figured out what,"  He said.

"Oh my poor poppet!"  Oliver fussed.

"So what's the plan?"  Allen asked.

"Simple,"  Oliver said, a sweet smile on his face.  "I'm going to shower her with love, lots and lots of love and then she'll be so happy and forget all about her trauma that she'll want to talk again!"

"..."  The trio remained silent but they all thought the same thing;

'If it keeps Oliver out of my hair, then just let it be,'  Is what they all thought, watching the bubbly strawberry blond as he bounced in his seat, coming up with various ideas.

--------- Time Skip --------

It was another day in the park, though this time you were surprised to find the man from before, Oliver, waiting near the bench you usually sat on.

"Um, firstly, I would like to apologize for before,"  Oliver said, giving you a quick bow before straightening up, his cheeks flushed, making his freckles stand out quite a bit.

"Also, I w-was wondering if you'd like to maybe go my cupcake shop,"  He said.  "B-but it doesn't have to be there!  It could be at a cafe or something,"  He said, stuttering a bit from nerves.

You giggled a bit and nodded, giving Oliver a shy smile as your own cheeks flushed.

"Really?  Thank you poppet!"  Oliver said, giving you a bright smile.

Who knows?  This could be the start of something interesting.

~Fin~