Archive of Our Own ^beta

There’s tension in the air ever since Harry, Ron and Hermione came home for the wedding. Everybody knows that there’s a dangerous war right around the corner, but Bill and Fleur were positive that they wanted the wedding to continue, because they all knew that this would unfortunately be the last chance for everybody to be together as a family before all hell breaks loose.

“Hey, you coming to help pitch the tent?” George asks, coming into the kitchen, seeing Fred there.

Fred looks over when he hears George’s voice, and he immediately forces himself to hide the frown on his face when he sees George’s head wrapped up, due to an accident with one of the death eaters. He’d rather George lose an ear than be dead. “Yeah, mate. I’m coming,”

“Are you alright?” George asks as he watches Fred set the teacup he had in his hands down in the sink.

Fred chuckles, and he walks over to George. “Mate, you’re the one missing an ear and you’re asking me if I’m alright?” He raises his eyebrows curiously at George.

“I’m just checking in, Freddie. Things are a little… uhm, tense, around here?”

Fred can’t help but sigh at that, because he knows George is right, and slowly nods his head in agreement. “Yeah, they are. I’m fine, Georgie. Just got a lot on my mind lately, you know?”

George scoffs. “Yeah, tell me about it. Come on, let’s go help pitch the bloody tent,”

Fred follows George without another word. He doesn’t exactly agree with the wedding happening now, but he understands why Bill and Fleur are being so pushy about having their wedding now.

It’s basically a distraction. Which, Fred can agree, is something they all need right now.

Fred distracts himself by helping get things set up for the wedding. It helps distract him from thinking about the possible war that’s coming. He just wants to focus on his family. Something positive.

“Interesting timing for a wedding, don’t you think?”

Fred looks over and raises his eyebrows at the man who had spoken to him, surprised to see that it was none other than Xenophilius Lovegood, Luna’s father. “Well,” he begins. “It’s a bit needed, no?”

“I suppose, at a time like this. Everything is uncertain,” Xenophilius says.

Fred nods. “Uncertain. That’s for sure,”

“I wouldn’t want to have a wedding in the middle of a war, but that’s my opinion,” Xenophilius shrugs.

“Why not? You might not get the chance to marry someone after the war,” Fred argues.

“I suppose you do have a point,” Xenophilius nods, and takes a drink of the beverage in his hand. “Well, what about you, young man? Do you have any plans to get married?”

“Me?” Fred asks, and his heartbeat picks up a little faster. He didn’t think someone would be asking him about marriage. He really hoped to avoid answering any marriage questions, mostly because he didn’t want to explain to anyone how he wasn’t interested in dating, let alone getting married. “I-”

“I mean, I know you’re still young, but I imagine a handsome lad like you has a girl, no?”

Fred stares at him with wide eyes, unsure of what to say, because no… he certainly didn’t have a girl, and he wasn’t interested in finding a girl. Fred was still battling his sexuality. He knew one thing for sure, and he knew he was asexual. He just hadn’t really gotten around to telling any family members. Not even George. He doesn’t think they’d be disappointed in him, but he was still fearful about telling them.

“Marriage. Uh-” Fred flushes, and he feels like he’s about to have a panic attack any moment.

“Fred! There you are. I’ve been looking everywhere for you,”

Fred looks up and he’s never been more relieved to see George. “George,” he breathes out.

“Xenophilius. Hello. I wasn’t expecting to see you here,” George says when he notices Xenophilius standing beside Fred. He shakes hands with Xenophilius politely.

“Luna brought me as a plus one. Thought she would get me out of the house, I suppose,”

Fred takes this opportunity to sneak away while both George and Xenophilius are distracted. He escapes from the gap in the back of the tent. He takes a deep breath once he gets outside, trying to calm himself. He doesn’t know why he’s suddenly freaking out about the idea of marriage. It’s not like it’s the first time he’s ever been asked about marriage. He just doesn’t like thinking about all the other parts that come with marriage. That’s the part that gets him panicking.

“Fred!”

Fred startles, and he looks over with wide eyes.

“Fred,” George hurries over to him, gently placing his hand on Fred’s shoulder, looking worried. “Fred, what happened back there? You looked like you were going to shit your pants or something!”

“I still might,” Fred gasps out, and closes his eyes.

“Hey,” George stands in front of him, locking eyes with him. “Relax. Take a deep breath.”

“George, I-”

“Yes you can,” George cuts him off. “Take a deep breath with me. Just follow my breaths.”

Fred takes a few quick breaths before finally taking one big deep breath, and closing his eyes, because he really needs to calm down. He doesn’t want to cause a scene on the night of Bill and Fleur’s wedding.

“Good?” George asks, still looking worried.

“Y- Yeah. Good. I’m- I’m sorry,” Fred mumbles.

“Don’t apologize for something you can’t control, Fred. I just want to know what caused the panic attack. I haven’t seen you like this in a long time,” George says quietly, stepping back.

“Lovegood started asking me about marriage,” Fred mumbles.

“What’s so bad about that?” George asks curiously.

“It’s not the marriage part that makes me panic. It’s the other stuff that comes with marriage. You know, sex and all that. I don’t… want that,” Fred finally admits.

“Oh,” George breathes out. “Are you…?”

“Asexual,” Fred confirms, slowly nodding. “I’m asexual. And also a little bit gay.”

George chuckles. “A little bit?”

“Bisexual,” Fred adds.

George hums. “So you were totally checking out Diggory’s arse that one time I caught you,”

“Shut up,” Fred groans, and whacks George on the arm.

George snorts, and he pulls Fred into a hug. “Thanks for trusting me with this. I assume no one knows?”

“No,” Fred mumbles, and takes in George’s comforting hug for a moment before slowly pulling away. “But, I’ll tell them eventually. I Just… need a little more time.”

George nods. “I won’t tell anyone,”

“I know,” Fred nods. He takes a deep breath. “We should… uh, probably get back to the wedding. Mum’s gonna be frantic if she realizes we were being anti-social at our dear brother's wedding.”

George grins, and nods in agreement. “Yes, let’s get back to the wedding,” he allows Fred to lead the way back into the wedding, just as Bill and Fleur were about to start their solo couple dance. Fred sighs when he sees the two dancing, and makes his way over to Harry and Ron.

“Where have you two been?” Harry whispers.

“Nowhere,” George answers quickly.

“Hopefully not causing mischief somewhere?” Ron asks, looking up at his two older brothers.

Fred snorts. “For once, no. Now shush and pay attention to the dance,” he says, crossing his arms against his chest. He glances over at George, who gives him a reassuring smile. Fred nods, instantly feeling better with his twin brother by his side, knowing he has George’s support.