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Parring: Fred x Muggle!reader
Warnings: Mentions of near death experience, fluff, insomnia, Swearing, implied smut
Summary: After the war Fred wasn't sleeping to well, if at all. So he went to talk to someone. Little did he know that someone could help him in more ways than one.
A/N: This wasn’t really requested but a friend did give me a post with quotes so that really helped. Thanks @cedwardcullen! I also tried to keep this and gender neutral as possible. Also I’m making this in parts because it can get really long.
It had been a few months. Every night Fred would lie awake until, unavoidably, the exhaustion would take over and he would finally succumb to sleep. This was often around 3-4 am and he would have to get up for work at 6. Fred didn’t like sleeping. Well, he didn't like the dreams that came after he had finally shifted into his slumber. It would be more accurate to call it a nightmare. It was the same one again and again. The thoughts of that day never left Fred’s mind. The second wizarding war. He was struggling alongside his brother Percy. The last thing he saw was the bright green light before he heard the thunder of the structure overhead. It crashed down on top of him. Thankfully not crushing anything essential. Not long after Percy and, Fred’s twin brother, George were able to uncover the motionless body of Fred. It was hard to explain exactly what he felt during that moment. But this dream ended differently than it did just a few months ago. This time Fred didn’t wake up. Fred could hear everyone’s cries but he couldn’t do anything. And that would result in him waking up screaming.
This had been happening more frequently since Fred had gotten more stressed taking care of the joke shop. “Y’know maybe you should go and talk to a professional...Maybe they can help you figure this out?” Fred’s Brother would tell him. It wasn’t unusual for George to be up at the time. Of course, George had gotten used to the yelling and screaming of his brother. But now his body was hard-wired into waking up at 5 every morning to help soothe his brother. Fred had considered his brother’s words but at the moment they couldn’t afford a real therapist in the wizarding world. So Fred had to settle for one in the muggle world.
Now Fred had never done this sort of thing before. He always had someone to talk to. He also had George. But he felt bad having messed up his brothers sleeping schedule. And to be completely honest when Fred talked to people who knew about his personal problems, he felt...weak. Or that he was just being dramatic. There were so many things that worried Fred before and after the war. That fact was a wealthy component to his worsening dreams.
Fred reached the building you were located in. He entered after some hesitation. Fred had to admit he was nervous. It’s not like he goes around telling strangers his problems. And a muggle no less. He was still confused about how to tell you everything without blowing the secret that wizards and witches really do exist. He was so lost in thought that he didn’t realize that he was next. You walked out calling his name. You looked around calling the name on your board again.
“Um do I have a Fredrick Weasley?” You sort of laughed at the name in your head. It was quite unusual. “Oh um yes.” The man stood up coming toward you. You simply smiled and lead him into the room. “So is there anything specific you would like to talk about?”
“I don’t really talk about this much. And if I were to tell you, you’d think I’ve gone mental.”
“A lot of people think that. Don’t worry Mr.Weasley you can’t scare me off.”
“Please, call me Fred.” He smiled sweetly. You could hear the nervousness in his voice. He was bent over hands threaded together
“Alright Fred. Please, I will need you to be completely honest. What is it that is bothering you?” You asked calmly but assertive. He looked up at you from the floor. His deep brown eyes staring back at you before looking back down. “Nightmares.” Was all he said and you understood. People walking in with nightmares were very common to you. And you could tell by the deep set bags under his eyes. Telling you he hasn’t been getting much sleep.
“What’s happening in these nightmares Fred?” You weren’t always so informal with your patients but you couldn’t resist his invitation. Something about him hooked you and you couldn’t really tell why. “I’m dying.” Is what you can make out from the low whisper. You’ve dealt with a lot of patients with this sort of nightmare. Usually caused by a sequence of traumatic events.
“When did they start? The nightmares?” He again looked up at you. Deflecting the question. “Your office is very neat. It looks new.” You smiled and asked again drawing his attention back to you. “Thank you but please. When did they start?”
“I- I don’t know.” There was a hint of frustration in his voice before he stood. You hadn’t really gotten a good look at him when he entered the office. He was a tall man. Much taller than you. At least by 4 or 5 inches. He started pacing around your office casually looking around.
“Fred, please sit down so we can talk calmly. We can take this slow. Tell me what you feel comfortable with telling me and we’ll move on from that as we progress.” You look up at him with caring eyes and a soft smile. “A-Alright.” He sat back down and you both continued to talk.
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He had been coming to see you for a few months now. He hadn’t said much and the progression was slow. Really all you had talked about was that he was crushed and never woke up. That he could hear the screams and cries of his family and him feeling weak and helpless because he couldn’t tell them he was ok.
“Well Fred I was wondering if we could talk about your home life?” You said as he entered your office, both of you sitting in your respected spots. “Um well I live in a flat with my brother, George, above where we work”
“And what’s your relationship like with your brother?”
“I think it’s pretty good...I’ve grown up with him basically all my life so...yeah.”
“M-My what?” His face was red after that question. As red as a tomato. It wasn’t uncommon for men to get uncomfortable about that topic. Especially talking to a professional about it.
“Your sex life? Or would you rather skip that question. We can come back to it later if you like.”
“Uh yes please,” he rubbed his hands on his jeans before looking down. He looked back up at you as you scribbled your notes and back down again after giving an awkward smile.
You looked up from your board and checked the time. You had barely gotten anywhere and your session was almost over. “Well Fred I think we are making good progress!” You closed his file as you got up, placing it on the table beside you. He stood up as well taking your hand in a polite shake. “So I’ll see you next Thursday?” He laughed and shook his head.
“Uh no I have a very important occasion to go to next Thursday afternoon but um...we can talk over coffee?” He smiled sweetly. “I don’t usually do such....informal things with my clients.” You smile at him. “We can reschedule for a different time if you like?”
“That’s fine but my offer still stands.” He smiled before leaving you in the room staring at the floor, blushing to yourself.
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It was Wednesday morning and you decided to take Fred up on his offer. You called his cell that he initially put down on the paper in your chart. Within seconds someone picked up. “Hi, Fred?” You hear a chuckle and then a voice from the other line.
“No, I’m the other one, George. How can I help you love?”
“George as in his brother?” You had gotten up now, reaching for the Fred’s file.
“Um hi I’m Fred’s therapist. I was wondering if you could-”
“So you’re the one he’s been talking about?”
“Excuse me?” Your patient talks to his brother about you? What type of thing would they have to talk about?
“Oh nothing, how can I help?”
“Well I was wondering if you would be able to answer some questions?”
“Your brother’s condition.”
“Well...I don’t know about that.” You closed your eyes and sighed. “Well...is he there right now?”
“FRED ITS YOUR LOVER!” It’s safe to say that you were completely red by the time he handed Fred the phone. “Hello?” Said a very confused voice on the other line. “Please don’t tell me you’ve been telling your brother that your therapist is your lover?” You hear a small laugh and then he speaks again. “No, he likes to joke around like that all the time. It is our profession.” He then yawns through the phone. “Fred? How well have you been sleeping lately?”
“Oh is this our rescheduled appointment?”
“N-No I was just wondering. That’s actually what I’m calling about. Remember when you said that your offer still stood? Is it still standing now?” You bit your lip in anticipation. There was a short silence before a quiet and subtle, “yes? Are you considering taking it?” You swallowed hard before stating, “yes.”
——————————————————————————
It’s was a quiet day. The cafe you two were meeting at was this small little store also used for reading and studying. It was nothing unusual. But when he got there he asked to go someplace different. A place he knew. You weren’t entirely opposed to the idea. I mean it was so quiet they could probably hear you talking. So you both got up and went to what looked like an old tavern. “The leaky cauldron” read the sign. It’s quite a mysterious name.
The two of you entered. Fred was greeted by the bar man. “You a regular here?” You asked jokingly. “Only when I need to be.” Was his response when leading you to a stair case. On your way up you heard him order some drinks and then he dragged you off to a room that oddly resembled a principals office. Sooner than later your drinks arrived and you got to the point. “So Fred,” he looked up from his drink. His chocolate brown eyes squeezed together as his eyebrows furrowed. “Do we really have to talk about my nightmares right now?” You almost laughed at the sight of him when he pulled away from the cup. A perfect mustache made from the fizz of the drink painted its way above his lip.
“Well...that is the whole reason we were meeting so early.”
“I know but...maybe we could wait. You know so much about me yet I know nothing about you.” Your raised an eyebrow. You barely knew anything about him. All you knew was that he had a twin brother and very vivid nightmares. “Fred...we can’t get off topic. This is a session and we must make progress because I have another appointment after this.”
“Do you ever stop working?”
“You just seem so invested in your work...do you ever take a break?” You took his words into consideration. You can’t remember the last time you had taken a brake. You seemed to always be working, and when you weren’t you were either eating or sleeping. Being brutally honest you hadn’t spoken to your family in over a year. That was concerning for you but you’d rather focus on your patient.
“Fred...what exactly happens in this...nightmare?”
He looked at you with wide eyes. He hadn’t expected you to really ask him that question. “W-Well...I’m being killed...in this war. Everything’s black and I can hear my family around me crying. I can’t move but I can hear them all.” He looked down after finishing. “And how are you being killed?” He whispered something so low that you couldn’t understand. “Could you repeat that one more time.” Just a little louder all you could hear was “magic” You stared at him for a minute. You’ve heard of axe murderers and falling off cliffs but never have you heard of dying from magic.
“So...you’re dying from magic?”
“Um Fred did you have anything...traumatic happen to you as a child. Maybe a head injury or?”
“No and I don’t like what you’re insinuating.”
“I’m sorry but...I’ve just never heard of..dying from magic. Usually nightmares are just worsened events that you recall in your mind...” he just looked at you.
“You’re kidding.” Is all you said before slowly closing your book. “Alright I think it’s best if I consult with a psychiatrist.”
“I never said you were. You’re just mentally unstable is all.” You grabbed your things to leave but he jumped in front of the door. Blocking you from leaving. “Please...move.” Your voice quivered as you looked up at him. You were honestly getting scared at the possibility that your in the room with what could be someone really sick. “Please...I...I can prove it.” You scoffed. “Fredrick magic isn’t real. It’s just books and movies. Now please.” You went to shove past him but he grabbed you and pushed you to the seat.
“Incarcerous” were the only words to escape his mouth before you were tied to the chair with a set of ropes
