Elwin

## **Prologue**

**Elwin wandered through the forest, his satchel hanging at his side, holding a book, and not quite looking where he was going. He squinted at a picture of a mushroom. This was the one that Kesler said he'd needed for his Achey-Break elixir. He and Kesler often worked together on making medicine. They'd become close friends, both being outcasts in elvin society. Unlike Kesler, though, Elwin tended to have a little more trouble standing up for himself. Elwin glanced down at his plain brown tunic, frowning, then back at the book, squinting. "Huh, it's the same color as my shirt- AH!"**

**Elwin jumped back. As a result of not looking where he was going, he'd run into something and almost tripped. No, not something, some*one*. A man. With curly, lemon-blonde hair, wearing a camouflage jacket and burgundy pants. He had a deep gash in the side of his face. Elwin covered his mouth with his hand.**

**"Oh my goodness!" he exclaimed, as Elwin is entirely incapable of cursing. He knelt down by the person and felt for his pulse. He groaned, and Elwin whipped his hand away. He rummaged through his satchel and pulled out a home crystal.**

**There was no time to ask questions. Not about the guy's weird clothes, or what the heck had left that deep cut on his face. Elwin *had* to help him. The man was also toting a strange bow and arrow, and a forest-green backpack. Elwin picked them up, shoving the bow into a part of the backpack, and held the crystal up to the light, pulling himself and the strangely-dressed man into the glittery path.**

## **Chapter One**

### **~Splendor Plains~**

**Elwin was treating the scratches in the man's arm when he woke up.**

**The man jolted awake, gasping. He patted himself down and looked around wildly. "What the \*\*\*\*?"**

**Elwin gasped.**

**He was speaking *English*.**

***Oh, gods, there's a human in my house.***

**The man stared at him. "Who are you?" he immediately demanded. "Where am I?"**

**Elwin's mouth went dry.**

**"Where's my jacket? And my bow? What did you do with my bow- OW!" The man yelped. He touched the side of his face.**

**"My- my face was bleeding. H-how come it's not bleeding anymore? Where did the scratches go?"**

**Elwin blinked. "I... I treated them for you," he said quietly in English.**

**Luckily, he knew how to speak it. Looks like all those trips to the Forbidden Cities with his brother really paid off.**

**"You treated them? What does that mean?"**

**"I'm a physician," Elwin said slowly.**

**"Yeah, but you ain't Jesus! What the heck did you do to me!?" the man bellowed.**

**Elwin shrunk down in his chair. "Um," he squeaked, "I was just- trying to help..."**

**The man tore his hands through his curly blonde hair, his muscles tensing. "Fine. Okay, you helped me. Where are we?"**

**"At my house..."**

**The man glanced at his tunic. "What in god's name are you wearing?"**

**"Erm. A shirt."**

**The man sniffled. "I'm dead, aren't I?"**

**"No! No, you're n-not dead..."**

**Bullhorn scurried into the room and climbed up Elwin's leg. Elwin smiled a little and picked him up.**

**"Is that a ferret?" the man asked.**

**"Um, yeah. Something like that."**

**He gave Elwin a weird look. He took a deep breath. "Um. Sorry for freaking out on you. Thanks for saving me."**

**"You're welcome." Elwin pushed his glasses up his nose.**

**The man looked away. "Do I have to pay you? You are a doctor..."**

**"No, I work for free."**

**He sighed of relief. "Good. Cuz I'm homeless."**

**"You're homeless!?"**

**"Yeah... I hunt for food. Can't buy it." He motioned to the bow and arrow sitting on the dresser by the bed. He sat up, wincing. "Anyways, I should probably get going. I have work tomorrow."**

**"Oh. Yeah..."**

**"Can you drive me home?"**

**"I... can't drive..."**

**"Then how the heck did you get me here?"**

**"Um. I live on an island," Elwin mumbled**

**"So, you took me here on a boat?"**

**"No..."**

**He gave Elwin a weird look.**

**Elwin made a sound between a sob and a sharp sigh. "Look, this is going to sound crazy, but I used this-" Elwin held up a pathfinder. "-and I light-leapt us here."**

**"Excuse me?" The man gawked at him.**

**"I-"**

**"You're insane."**

## **Chapter Two**

**"I'm not... insane," Elwin mumbled.**

**"Oh, really? It seems an awful lot like I'm being kidnapped."**

**"I'm not k-kidnapping you!" Elwin's eye widened. "Look, I'll- I'll prove it to you."**

**The man rolled his eyes. Elwin took a deep breath and held the crystal up to the light, creating a glittery, swirling pathway. He stepped into it and the light path closed up, taking Elwin with it.**

**The man yelped, hopping back. "What the \*\*\*\*!"**

**After a moment, Elwin came through the front door again. "See? It's... uh, light-leaping--"**

**"What the \*\*\*\*!" the man exclaimed again. "What are you?"**

**Elwin fidgeted. He shouldn't be telling this human about the Lost Cities. This was the most illegal thing- the only illegal thing- Elwin had ever done. He gulped. "U-um... I'm an elf."**

**The man stared at him. "An elf... elves are real...?"**

**"Yeah..."**

**"But..."**

**"We don't all have pointy ears," Elwin mumbled.**

**"You don't?"**

**"No..."**

**"So, you're like, magic? Are we in another world?"**

**"Not really..."**

**"This is crazy. Am I dead?"**

**"No, you're not dead!" Elwin quickly reassured.**

**"Okay..."**

**"I can take you home, now," Elwin muttered.**

**"What!? No way! First of all, I'm homeless. I don't have a home. And second, you just told me that elves are real, and now you're telling me to leave!?"**

**"But... y-you can't just stay here. The Council will kill me-"**

**"I'll kill you if you don't tell me what in god's name you did to me. I alost died, and now I don't even have a bruise on me! How is that possible? Who are you? And who's the Council?"**

**Elwin gulped. "U-uh... the Council are... you know... people... who are nobles and they rule over us..."**

**"Nobles? So like, kings?"**

**"No, not like kings-"**

**"And who are you?"**

**Elwin blinked. "I'm Elwin."**

**The man bit his lip. "I'm Arik."**

**Elwin nodded shakily. "Uh... hi."**

**"Hi," Arik mumbled. He sat down on the bed and covered his face with his hands.**

**Elwin blinked. "Are you okay?"**

**"Not really; I just found out my entire life is a lie," he mumbled.**

**Elwin pressed his lips together. "Well... that's... not entirely true."**

**Arik snorted and tore a hand through his curly blonde hair. "Yeah, sure."**

## **Chapter Three**

**Arik sat down on Elwin's couch. It was obvious this was hitting him pretty hard. Elwin wanted to say something, but what could he possibly say? *'Sorry, you're whole life is a lie, hahah, anyways, want some mallowmelt?'***

**Elwin cringed. "I'm sorry," he mumbled.**

**"It's okay," Arik mumbled through his hands. He slowly looked up. "So... this is... magic..."**

**"Oh, no, it's not magic. It just... is. Magic isn't real. At least I don't think it's real..."**

**Arik closed his eyes and inhaled sharply. "Wow."**

**Elwin made a face. "Are you... okay?"**

**"Yep, I'm good. Just... shocked... I just can't believe... you're an elf?"**

**"Yeah..."**

**"Are all elves extremely good-looking?"**

**Elwin felt his face heat up. "W-well... c-compared to... humans... yeah... I mean, I-I have nothing against humans. You're a human. And you're... uh. Handsome."**

**Arik looked at him. "Are *you* okay?"**

**"Yep. This is just crazy. You're a human..."**

**"You're an elf..."**

**"I've never met a human before."**

**Arik sighed. "And I've never met an elf."**

**Elwin wrung his hands together and he scanned Arik for a minute, thinking. He had blue eyes, he could fit in as an elf...**

**Arik blinked. "What?"**

**"You look like an elf."**

**"You mean, I'm handsome?"**

**"N-no... well, yes, actually, but I was referring to your eyes."**

**"My eyes?"**

**"They're blue," Elwin clarified. "All elves have blue eyes."**

**Arik just looked more confused. "They do?"**

**"Yes." Elwin looked nervous. "So, you said you're homeless?"**

**"I am..."**

**"How would you like to stay here?"**

**Arik's eyes widened. "Here? In elf land?"**

**"If... that's not a problem..."**

**"Are you kidding?" Arik laughed. "Go from living in a cramped little toy store to a castle!?!? Yes, please!"**

**"I don't live in a castle..."**

**"I'll be staying with you?"**

**Elwin blinked. "Well, yes. You won't be able to talk in front of other elves. You speak English."**

**"So... humans are... bad..."**

**"They're pretty illegal around here."**

**Arik gulped. "Well, that's great."**

**"I can keep you hidden, though!" Elwin quickly promised.**

**"Are you sure?"**

**Elwin nodded.**

**Arik sighed. "Well. I'm exhausted..."**

**"I have a spare room you can sleep in," Elwin quickly offered.**

## **Chapter Four**

**The two elves stormed out of Slurps and Burps together.**

**"Why... Arik..."**

**Arik started scribbling furiously in the notebook.**

**Suddenly, Juline came into the room. She kissed Kesler, who gave her a goofy smile. She looked at Elwin. "Hey, Elwin! And... who's this?"**

**"This is Arik. He's mute."**

**"He just punched a noble," Kesler blurted. He seemed more happy than concerned about it. "That's crazy! I could never... I mean, sometimes I kinda wish I could... but..."**

**Arik gave the notebook to Elwin. Elwin read it. *Are you guys speaking the Enlightened Language right now?* it said.**

**Kesler smiled at Arik. "I have a feeling we'll be friends."**

**Juline rolled her eyes. "So, he *punched* someone?"**

**"Yeah. And the noble threatened to tell the Council."**

***Yes*, Elwin wrote. He handed the notebook back to Arik.**

**Arik scribbled something else. *Then how come I can understand you?***

**Elwin's eyes widened. *I don't know,* he wrote back.**

**"What are you guys writing about?" asked Kesler, peeking over Elwin's shoulder at the notepad.**

**He quickly hid it behind his back. "N-nothing..." *Wow, smooth, Elwin.***

**"Arik took the notebook and carefully jotted something down. The noble guy was talking about you being a homosexual. Is that true?**

**Elwin looked at the paper. His face went red.**

**Kesler saw the colour change in Elwin's face and smiled a little. "Writing each other love-notes over there, Elwin?"**

**Elwin's face got redder. "N-no! We're... I mean... he's... No."**

**Juline raised an eyebrow.**

**Arik was shaking his head. He looked like he wanted to say something really badly.**

**"So, where do you live, Arik?" Kesler asked casually. "Here in Atlantis, or...?"**

**Arik pointed at Elwin.**

**"He... lives with me," Elwin mumbled.**

**"*Does* he now?" inquired Juline, giving them the same smile Kesler was.**

**Elwin stammered, "I-I only. Er. He. We're not. Uh. W-we have to go now." He took a shaky step backwards in the direction of the door.**

**"Wait, Elwin, we're only teasing," Kesler tried to assure him.**

**Elwin didn't look so assured. "But... I..."**

**"We believe you. You guys are friends."**

**Elwin pushed his glasses up his nose. He felt awkward... and wished that he had pockets so he could put his hands somewhere other than dangling at his side. He wrung his hands anxiously. "Uh. Okay," he muttered.**

**"Are you... okay?" asked Kesler.**

**You're never supposed to ask an emotionally unstable person if they're okay. If you do, they're bound to cry. Elwin immediately teared up. "I'm fine," he choked out. Even though he wasn't... he felt... weird. Dizzy. *Sweaty*. He needed to leave, and he needed to leave *now* before the walls started closing in on him.**

**He took another step backwards before spinning around and reaching for the handle. Arik grabbed his arm to steady him, and only then did Elwin realize that he was trembling.**

**He hurried out of the shop, and they left Atlantis.**

**When they'd light-leapt away and made it back to Splendor Plains, the first thing Arik did was hug him.**

**Elwin was surprised that he would hug him but stifled a sob and hugged back.**

**Arik pulled away quickly after a moment. "What happened?"**

**Elwin took a shaky breath. "I'm not used to talking about..." he trailed off. "You know... being... gay." The last word came out as if Elwin was saying a curse word. Soft and hesitant.**

**"Oh." That was all Arik said.**

**There was a long silence.**

**Elwin took off his glasses and wiped his eyes. "You think I'm a freak, don't you?" he whispered.**

**Arik seemed taken aback. "What? Why would I think that?"**

**"I'm gay, and none of my friends are nobles."**

**"Well, I could care less about those things. I'm human, remember?"**

**He put his glasses back on. "What about my colourful tunics with animals on them?"**

**"They're nice," Arik promised.**

**Bullhorn suddenly scurried into the room and scrambled up Elwin's leg, nestling into his arms. Elwin chuckled and pet him.**

**"And you have a nice laugh, too," Arik said quietly.**

**Elwin froze up for a moment. "Oh."**

**"Can I pet Bullhorn?"**

**Elwin blinked, still focusing on the compliment he received. "Uh. Sure."**

## **Chapter Five**

(TW: panic attacks)

**Arik and Elwin were sitting on the couch together. Arik was holding Bullhorn, smiling whenever he bit his hand. Earlier, he'd told Elwin that Bullhorn was like a cat. Elwin had never owned a cat before, but he trusted Arik's judgement.**

**Elwin cleared his throat. "So, you can understand me?"**

**"Yeah," Arik mumbled, gently scratching Bullhorn between the ears.**

**"But you can't speak it?"**

**"No way. It sounds really weird... kinda like babbling."**

**Elwin looked deep in thought. "Huh."**

**Bullhorn scurried up Arik's arm, and Arik let out a weird wheezy giggle. "Ack, he's tickling me..."**

**Elwin chuckled. "Yeah, he likes to climb on people." There was a short pause. "You have a cute laugh," he blurted.**

**Arik's eyes widened slightly. He blinked.**

**Elwin froze and immediately started apologizing. "I'm sorry! You complimented my laugh earlier, and I just thought- I don't know- I-I'm sorry..."**

**Arik blinked again.**

**Elwin covered his face with his hands. *Shoot. Shoot, why do I always do this to myself? He thinks I'm crazy now-***

**He jolted as a hand touched his shoulder. "Why are you apologizing?" he heard Arik ask.**

**Elwin looked up. "I-I don't... well... th-th-the l-l-l-" *Stop it, stop stuttering.***

**Arik furrowed his eyes. "Hey, it's okay. Just take deep breaths."**

**Elwin sniffled and inhaled shakily, then slowly exhaled. For some reason he was trembling, too... and his mind was racing... and everything that *wasn't* in his mind was happening in slow motion...**

**"Elwin?"**

**"Hm?" His head snapped up.**

**"Tell me five things that you can see."**

**Elwin snorted. "Wh-wh-what-t?"**

**"Tell me five things that you can see," Arik repeated.**

**Elwin took another shaky breath. "Uh, I s-see you... and my hands... and B-Bullhorn... and... uh the walls? And there's a stain on my shirt."**

**"Good. Now four things you can hear."**

**He gave Arik a look of disbelief. Elwin didn't understand why he was doing this but for some reason, he was stuttering a lot less now. He took another breath. "I hear you talking to me... and myself breathing... and I'm... tapping my foot. And Bullhorn is making noises."**

**Arik was watching him closely. "How are you feeling now?"**

**Elwin looked down. "Better, I guess... how..."**

**"You were having a panic attack."**

**"What's a panic attack?"**

**Arik looked at him. "You're joking, right?"**

**Elwin looked back at him. "No..."**

**"I guess elves must not have them often then. How often do you have them?"**

**"I don't know," he mumbled. "Sometimes I just get all stutter-y and I feel like I can't breathe. It happens a few times a week. Everyone kinda just stares at me when it happens, and... that makes it worse."**

**Arik sighed. "Elves really need to learn more about mental health. You're a physician, aren't you?"**

**Elwin scratched the back of his head. "Yeah."**

**Arik looked like he had something to say but shook his head. "So, what were you trying to tell me?"**

**"I don't remember..."**

**"Well, you said my laugh was cute," Arik reminded him.**

**Elwins face heated up. "Oh. Yeah." He looked down. "Last time I complimented a guy like that I got punched. And he started calling me... things... so I try not to do that anymore. But you seem nice enough to not flip out on me... I'm sorry."**

**"What! He punched you? What did you say?"**

**"I... well, I..." He looked away. "I told him that his hair was pretty..."**

**"That doesn't give him the right to *assault* you!"**

**Elwin smiled awkwardly. "I... shouldn't have said that, though. I should've known he was straight. Every elf in the world seems to be straight."**

**"I'm not an elf," Arik said.**

**Elwin looked at him.**

**"And I'm definitely not straight," he added.**

**Elwin's eyes widened slightly. "You're not?"**

**"Uhm, no. And I knew you were gay before the whole fiasco with that noble. But the clarification was nice."**

**"You can tell? How?" Is it *possible* to know someone's sexuality just by looking at them? *Must be a human thing.***

**Arik bit back a smile. "It's a human thing. We have the ability to detect whether or not someone is a homosexual."**

**Elwin squinted at him. "I have a feeling you're lying..."**

**"Of course I am, stupid. Almost everything you own has rainbows and sparkles on it. That's not a typical 'straight guy' move."**

**Elwin blushed. "Oh."**

**"And by the way? Thank you."**

**"For what?"**

**"You called my laugh cute."**

**"Oh. You're welcome... thank you for not punching me."**

**Arik lightly punched him in the arm. "Looks like you can't thank me for that anymore."**

***Oh my god, is he flirting with me? Is this how flirting works? What do I say back?* Elwin laughed nervously. "O-okay..." *Wow, smooth, Elwin.***

**Arik smiled softly.**

**"So, what do you wanna do today?"**

**Arik thought for a moment. "Can you take me back to the human world?"**

**"You mean the Forbidden Cities? Uh, that's illegal. But I'm sure I could... figure out a way. Why?"**

**"I want to grab a few things from home."**

**"I thought you were homeless?"**

**Arik bit his lip. "I was. I lived where I worked."**

**"Where did you work?" Elwin asked curiously.**

**"A stuffed animal shop. It was my dad's. He taught me how to make them."**

**Elwin's eyes brightened. "I love stuffed animals! You *make* them?"**

**The weird wheezy giggle bubbled up out of Arik. "Yeah, I do. It's fun, but no one ever buys them."**

**"I'd buy them. I'd buy a million."**

**Arik smiled bashfully. "That's really sweet of you... but I'm not selling them anymore."**

**Elwin didn't know what to say to that. "Uh, you could always just give them to me..."**

**Arik bit his lip. "I think I have a couple you'd like."**