Gabriel apologizes and tries to make amends. Camp is over, and Freed's feeling different.

-----

"Gabriel?" Freed gaped at their brother, who stood outside the cabin, looking slightly uncomfortable and holding the hand of a young woman with long, brown hair. Gabriel's face lit up when he saw Freed, then dropped into something apologetic.

"Freed, I am so sorry." He let go of the woman's hand and reached out hesitantly for Freed, grabbing their hands when Freed didn't resist. They blinked – was this a dream? Gabriel's wedding was two days ago, what could he possibly be doing here?

"What... who..." Freed felt Gray squeeze their arm, then move away from them and head into the cabin, leaving them alone with their brother and the woman they assumed was his wife.

"I needed to apologize," Gabriel said again, squeezing Freed's hands and giving them a heartbroken look. "For that dinner. I just, I was so... and then dad, he was – I've never yelled at him before, never, but he was so awful and said these, these things..."

"You yelled at dad?" Freed felt dizzy. "Why are... didn't you..."

"I needed to talk to you." Gabriel sighed heavily. "I was too scared to, at first, I didn't know what to say but then I went to the website, the one for where you work. I saw the camp, we bought tickets a few days ago. I tried to text you but-"

"There's no reception." Freed's voice was light and airy, and they took a step backward. "You f-flew? Here? To talk?"

"We got in this morning," Gabriel said, face slowly morphing back into a smile. "Freed, this is my wife, Sarah." He gestured for the woman to join them and she smiled at Freed, reaching out a hand for them to shake. "Sarah, this is my... my sibling. Freed."

Sibling. Freed's stomach was doing a strange acrobatics routine, and they shook Sarah's hand cautiously. He didn't say sister.

"Freed's the one who runs the whole camp," Gabriel explained, and Freed through they detected a note of pride in his voice. "She does this kind of work all year in Magnolia." Gabriel immediately looked mortified. "They, they, not she, I'm so sorry."

"It's... okay," Freed said slowly, still reeling from the shock of seeing their brother, here.

"I'm so happy to meet you," Sarah said, gesturing with eyebrows raised to the picnic table behind them. Freed dropped down on one side, Gabriel and Sarah on the other. "Gabriel's told me lots about you. Especially after his trip up here, and everything that happened with your father."

Freed swallowed heavily, dropping their gaze to the uneven wood grain of the picnic table. An ant was making its way along the surface, carrying a leaf in its mandibles. Freed watched it pick its way over several holes before they finally answered.

"I don't mean to sound ungrateful," they said carefully, picking at their thumbnail under the table, "but what are you doing here?"

Gabriel sighed, leaning forward and placing his elbows on the table.

"I was wrong." The words hung in the air for a moment and Gabriel tapped his fingers on the table. "Dad was awful, and he was – is – wrong, but I was terrible too." He rubbed his face and Freed saw Sarah place a hand on his back. "I should have reached out sooner. I shouldn't have listened to them, I should be thinking for myself. And I am, now. Or I'm trying to, at least."

"What do you mean?" Freed's voice was almost a whisper as they attempted to tamp down the sensation of hope rising in their chest. Last time they'd let themself hope, it had only ended in anger and disappointment.

"We're moving away from the commune," Sarah said. Freed's eyes snapped over to her and they frowned. "It's clear that your father's views don't always... mesh with our own."

"You're leaving?" Freed said incredulously. "Is he disowning you, too?" They regretted the words as soon as they spoke – they had no reason to be cruel. "I'm sorry, this is just very surprising."

"He's furious," Gabriel admitted, looking up at Freed. "But I can't listen to him spew hate. For so long I thought it was what God wanted. To keep things the way He'd created them. Father spoke so eloquently, and I didn't - I didn't know anything else."

Freed nodded a little. At least they'd had their time in the public school – Gabriel had been indoctrinated since he was an infant.

"I don't think you're a... a perversion." Gabriel's voice dropped and he cringed. "When I saw you with your – your boyfriend. Laxus?" Freed nodded. "I could see that you loved him like I love Sarah." Gabriel reached over and squeezed her hand. "And maybe it doesn't... matter what you are."

"You don't sound certain," Freed said slowly, chewing on their bottom lip. This seemed too good to be true. "I don't mean to be rude, but..."

"You have every right to be suspicious," Gabriel interrupted, reaching across the table and placing his hand over Freed's. They forced themself not to pull away, instead focusing on the soft gold band that now decorated Gabriel's finger. "I've been going to counselling. We both have." He nodded at Sarah. "We're trying to figure out where God fits into our lives." Freed was surprised to hear Gabriel's voice waver. "I was hoping you could fit into our lives too."

Freed sat in silence for a moment, shaking their head a little to clear the confusion. They sighed, taking their hand back from Gabriel and rubbing their face.

"I need to process this," they said eventually. "I can't believe you came all the way here. But I don't know what to do now." Freed chewed on their lip. "You said before that you couldn't approve of my lifestyle. Has that changed?"

Gabriel sighed, brows furrowed and ears red. He looked over to Sarah, who smiled at him encouragingly.

"I think so," he said softly. Freed couldn't tell if Gabriel's uncertainty hurt or not. "I'm trying to figure out what I believe. It's hard." He shook his head. "But not as hard as running away because Dad hurt you. Or as hard as making a new life in a new country with no family." Freed felt their throat tighten as Gabriel's words grew rougher. "You've been through a lot. And you're different than I remember, but you're still family, and I love you."

Freed tried to breathe in time with the wind that rustled through the trees. They could hear Natsu and Gray talking quietly on the porch of the cabin.

"I don't know if that's enough," Freed whispered eventually, trying to keep in the tears. "I can't... I don't think I can handle knowing that you think my life is wrong. Or my friend's lives." They exhaled shakily and ran a hand over their eyes. "I can't deal with... conditional love. It has to be all or nothing."

"I understand," Gabriel replied, his own voice uncertain. "And I know it's been a long time since we've really been... siblings. Mom and dad have been terrible and I'm sorry they're not going to change. But I needed you to know that I do love you, and I'm trying to be better, and if you don't want to talk again that's fine, I just needed to say it."

A gentle quiet stretched out across the table, broken only by the sound of both of them sniffling. Sarah's voice eventually broke the silence.

"Freed, I know we've just met, but I agree with Gabriel." She brushed her hair behind her ear and gave him a soft smile. "If you would have us in your life, we would love to be a part of it."

Freed swore softly – in French, so Gabriel didn't understand them – then nodded.

"I would... like that," they said quietly. "I think." Gabriel let out a relieved sigh. "H-how long are you here?" The thought of going out for dinner made Freed's stomach clench uncomfortably, but maybe coffee would be okay.

"Only until tomorrow evening," Gabriel said regretfully. "We're catching our flight to Niagra Falls for our honeymoon."

Freed nodded, rubbing the back of their neck. They started when they felt a hand on their shoulder, but when they looked up to see that it was Laxus, they breathed a deep sigh of relief. Laxus' face was neutral as he looked at Gabriel, but Freed could feel the protectiveness radiating from him.

"What are you doing here?" he asked, tone not entirely friendly. Freed grabbed Laxus' hand and squeezed.

"He came to apologize," they said, tugging Laxus down to sit next to them. Laxus looked surprised, but still wary.

"I owe you an apology as well," Gabriel said quietly, clearly intimidated by Laxus' size. He didn't meet Laxus' gaze, focusing instead on his folded hands. "I can't apologize for my father, but I can say that I'm sorry for my part in what happened. I know that doesn't make it right, but..."

"Thank you." Laxus' voice was rough and Freed looked up at him, surprised. Then they remembered that Laxus had lots of practice in forgiving – or attempting to forgive – wrongs from family.

"Would you... like to go for breakfast tomorrow?" Gabriel asked tentatively, looking back and forth between Freed and Laxus. "If you can't, or don't want to, that's... it's fine. We would understand. But I'd like to get to know you better? Both of you."

Freed sighed, rubbing their face and realizing belatedly that they'd likely smudged the makeup Natsu had done for them. "I don't..."

"People can change," Laxus said gently, voice low as he took Freed's hand. "I did. It's up to you, but I think we should give it a chance." He ignored Gabriel entirely, focusing on Freed and bringing Freed's hand up to kiss their knuckles. "And if he's a dick, I'll make him regret it." He gave Freed a conspiratorial grin.

Freed laughed, shaking their head and looking at Laxus fondly. He was right. Laxus had changed, and if Freed had refused to give Laxus a second chance, they'd never be here, happy and in love. Freed turned back to Gabriel, nodding.

"Yes," they said, feeling something in their chest expand and release. "I'm not making any promises, but that's... we can meet you."

Gabriel beamed at Freed, moving to reach out and grab their hand, but pulling back at the last second. "Can I..." He stood up from the picnic table and everyone else followed suit. "Is it okay if I hug you?"

Freed tensed, stepping back against Laxus and shaking their head. "I'd rather not," they said apologetically, relaxing into the feeling of Laxus' hand on their back. "Maybe another time."

"Of course," Gabriel replied, smiling through his obvious disappointment. "We should go, but can I get your number? We can text about where to meet tomorrow."

Freed felt surreal as they exchanged phone numbers, and when they looked down at their phone to see Gabriel's name in their contacts, the pressure in their chest shifted a bit. They had a brief flash back to I don't know anyone by that name, don't call here again, but shook their head to clear the memory. Maybe this time it would be different.

As they watched Gabriel and Sarah pull away in their rental car and disappear down the drive back to the highway, Freed exhaled, feeling tension bleed from their shoulders.

"I don't feel real," they murmured, turning to Laxus and letting him wrap them in his arms. "I can't... I want to believe he's telling the truth. But what if he's not?"

"Then he's not," Laxus replied, turning to smile at Gray and Natsu, who had appeared next to them. "Doesn't matter what happens with him, you've got your family right here."

~

Everything was packed and ready to go – the cabin had been swept, each bunk had been triple checked for missing items, and the sports equipment was stored back in the sheds. Freed yawned, stretching out their back and turning to look at the lake.

"Ready to head down?" Laxus appeared behind Freed, grabbing their hips and turning them around to catch them in a kiss. Freed smiled against Laxus' lips, then broke away from him, grabbing his hand and tugging him down the path toward the water.

"How're you feelin'?" Laxus asked, twining their fingers together as they walked. The sun was setting and it made everything feel peaceful, the trees lit with a soft golden haze and their shadows stretching behind them.

"Surreal," Freed replied, squeezing his hand. "I think I need to sleep for a week." Laxus hummed in agreement, kicking a rock down the path. They were almost at the shore of the lake, and Freed could see the campfire crackling through the trees. This was their end of camp tradition – spending the last evening sitting under the stars.

Laxus grabbed Freed's hands suddenly, turning to face them and staring into their eyes. "I'm proud of you," he said softly. "Things have been really hard lately and you've been amazing. You know how much I love you, right?"

Freed felt their cheeks flush and they ducked their head, staring at the ground. "I do," they said softly. "I don't feel brave, though. Just confused, and overwhelmed, and kind of terrified."

"But you're doing all this anyway," Laxus insisted, brushing a strand of hair away from their eyes. "You're scared, but you're still being you, and that's amazing."

He leaned in and kissed Freed, bringing one hand behind their head and keeping the other on their waist. The kiss was soft and gentle, and Freed melted into it, bringing their hands up to Laxus' hair.

"Thank you," Freed murmured as Laxus slipped his hands under their shirt, trailing fingers up their back as he pressed against them. The kiss deepened, Freed running their fingers down Laxus' jaw and shivering at the sensation of his hands on their skin.

"Hey! We know you two are makin' out back there!" Natsu's voice floated through the trees and Laxus laughed against Freed's lips, leaning back regretfully. "It's swim time!"

"We're comin'!" Laxus shouted back, leaning down to press one more kiss to Freed's lips. "We're pickin' that back up when we get home," he murmured. Freed hummed, running a hand through his hair. "C'mon, come watch me jump in a lake with a bunch of idiots."

The two of them made their way down the path with their hands clasped tightly, and a warm, contented sensation spread through Freed's chest. When they exited the trees and stepped onto the lakefront, they were greeted by everyone in various states of undress.

A shirtless and pants-less Gray had a similarly undressed Natsu in a headlock, while Sting looked on with amusement in his boxers and a t-shirt. Bix, wearing only boxers, had a hand resting on Ever's elbow. She had her hair pinned up and was completely nude except her underwear, arms crossed over her bare breasts.

"Hurry it up!" she shouted, glaring at Ryos, who tugged his shirt over his head, proudly showing off his scars. "Let's get in the fucking lake!"

"We had to wait for this asshole," Natsu shouted at Laxus, finally breaking out of the headlock and immediately grabbing Gray around the waist. The two of them tussled in the background while Laxus unzipped his pants and kicked them off.

"Don't let the fire burn out, babe," he murmured, kissing Freed on the cheek.

They swallowed, gazing at the sun that was drifting lazily near the surface of the lake, spreading orange ripples towards the shore. They didn't participate in this part of the tradition – they were the one who took pictures and made sure the fire was warm enough to dry everyone off when they came back. The only person who'd seen them anywhere close to naked since they were a child was Laxus.

"Actually..." they said softly, catching Laxus' hand as he tugged his sweater off and tossed it on the ground. Laxus frowned, squeezing their fingers.

"You okay?"

"Y-yeah," Freed said, fingers pinching the bottom of their shirt hesitantly. This year – they were different, now. They'd overcome the things that terrified them, they'd purged the toxicity from their life, they'd... grown. Changed.

"I'm... I'm coming too." They let go of Laxus' hand and reached down to their shorts, undoing the button. They could see Laxus' eyes widen in surprise and they attempted to ignore it as they dropped their shorts to the ground and kicked them into the pile with Laxus' clothes.

"Really?" Freed could tell Laxus was trying not to sound surprised. Freed nodded stubbornly, fingers resting hesitantly on the bottom of their hoodie. They weren't binding today, and under the sweater was nothing other than the body they were born with. A ball of fear started to expand in their chest.

"You two are too slow!" Freed's eyes flicked over to Natsu, who had escaped from Gray's grapple hold and was gesturing towards the lake. "C'mon you guys, they can catch up. Last one in does the dishes for a week!" He grinned at Freed, who thanked him silently. Then Natsu turned, pushed Gray down into the sand, and ran into the lake, laughing at his husband.

"For an idiot, he's kind of perceptive," Laxus mused, shaking his head at Natsu. Freed huffed, turning to Laxus and pulling him in for a kiss. "You good?"

"Yeah," Freed said softly, closing their eyes for a moment. "I need this." Then they tugged their sweater swiftly over their head and tossed it in the pile, exhaling sharply. Laxus' hand on their bare shoulder was reassuring and they crossed their arms over their chest self-consciously.

"I'm gonna see if I can land on Natsu," Laxus said, squeezing Freed's arm as they made their way towards the long dock. "Wanna help?" Freed snorted.

"Sure," they said softly, slowly uncrossing their arms and forcing themself to keep their eyes open. This was okay. "You go first." Laxus gave them a concerned look but they pressed a kiss to his cheek, whispering I love you and pushing him toward the end of the pier.

Laxus grinned, then took a running leap and very nearly landed on Natsu's head, sending out an enormous wave of water that hit both Gray and Sting in the face. They both sputtered, shaking the water from their hair as Natsu managed to jump on Laxus' back and drag him under the surface of the lake. Ever was further out, water up to her chest, and was describing the scene to Bix, who was laughing with his head thrown back.

Freed smiled fondly, then glanced over to Ryos, who was standing waist-deep, far enough away from the battle to avoid being hit in the face. Ryos smiled, gesturing for Freed to join them.

Freed exhaled, letting the nervous tension escape their body and tugging the contentment back into place. They could do this. This was their family – their mixed-up, crazy, messy family where everyone had been bruised and broken and had put themselves back together.

Freed exhaled and took off running, feet pounding on the wood of the pier, heart hammering with equal parts terror and exhilaration.

Then their feet left the edge of the dock and the water came rushing up toward them as they closed their eyes and jumped right in.