When it came to different languages, Nathaniel knew a few. Strangely, he didn't know Spanish or French. He preferred Japanese, Portuguese, and Russian as his non English languages and just hadn't bothered much with the others beyond a few phrases.
ASL was so uncommon that it hadn't been on his radar other than the very few deaf students who'd been in his classes at University. He'd picked up a few things from watching interpreters and could suss out what John was asking before he spoke and shook his head, nothing, and pinched his fingers together to sign it as well before John opened his mouth.
"Well, that's a lie," he said aloud. "I do have some work I need to get done. I have a case in Anaheim I'm looking at, but...but that's not until this evening and you can come with me if you want to, if we're still...I mean, that is..."
Nathaniel didn't know how to do this and looked to John. Maybe signing it would be easier. He tried his best, but asking John to hang out with him the rest of the day came out as Do you mind walking with me and the cake?