Freelancer huffed as they checked their bags again. A mental tally. Water, fireproof blanket, a portable heater, portable cooler. Everything they'd need for the solstice.
They admitted, they had gotten a better control of their powers, but solstice was always a rough day.
"Woah. You going somewhere?" Huxley asked.
"Wh. Just a hotel. For the solstice."
"Huh." Lasko chuckled. "Gavin is going with you?"
Freelancer flinched. Gavin. Oh shit. They're hadn't accounted for Gavin. Would they bring him? But what if they hurt him? God, could they stomach that?
"Deviant." Gavin asked, wrapping his arms around them. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing its just... solstice." They sighed, shrugging out of his grip. "My powers... they get a little crazy. And I've gotten better of the years. But like twice a year I just... cant control it y'know?"
"Well, yeah. It's solstice." Huxley smiled. Freelancer blinked in confusion.
"I guess it would be a bit wacky for a freelancer. But yeah, that's pretty normal for solstice." Damien agreed.
That was... normal? That was normal??
"What do you mean it's normal?" They asked, walking closer, fighting the tightness in their throat.
"Yeah. Everyone gets together, we hang out, drink, shit talk the races that need the summer or winter solstice..." Dear smiled. "Its so much fun. Have yoh never been to one?"
Freelancer looked down. Normal. Their powers going haywire twice a year... it was normal. They blinked, tears starting to blur their vision.
"So... you guys... so you're saying that..." they couldn't finish a sentence. Their thoughts whirling so fast. So dark.
"Deviant... has nobody..." Gavin asked.
Everyone must've remembered then. Freelancer wasn't from a magical community like them. They grew up in a circus of normal, ordinary humans.
Freelancer began to sob. They hadn't known. No one had told them that this was normal for people with powers. All the years of isolating on those days. Ignoring their families pleas to come out. To come be with them. The fear of hurting someone again.
One pair of arms surrounded them. Then another, larger pair. Then another, warmer pair. And two more.
Freelancer cried. A weight lifting off them.
They weren't alone. The solstice was a normal event. And if anything, it was a celebration of some kind.
"Hey." Gavin tilted their head up. "It's ok."
"Yeah. We'll throw a party. Show you the greatness of it all!" Huxley smiled.
Freelancer chuckled, wiping the tears. That...
