#credit to anders for xe/xem elwin

[gay-otlc]

Queer Elder Elwin

Sophie comes out to Elwin as nonbinary and Elwin is wonderful. Surprisingly not angst but warning for trich mentions and dysphoria and internalized transphobia... so I guess it is angst just not anywhere near my usual amount.

@synonymroll648 hey look I wrote it! And since this is largely based on what I have been screaming about with them @dawns-faevor and @countingthestarsaboveourheads

Word count: 452 it is not a long fic but enjoy <3

"I have a question about elf medicine."

Elwin adjusted xyr glasses, hoping Sophie was aware of the long-winded ramble that could accompany that question. "Ask away."

Xe frowned as Sophie pulled out an eyelash, and another. "Well, I know how there are elixirs here that can change appearance or whatever for a few hours, but I was wondering if there was anything that would be more... permanent. Something that could like, make someone taller or give them a different face shape, or... like... a flatter chest, or something."

"That is possible, yeah. Is that something you would be interested in?"

The answer was so soft xe could barely hear it. "...maybe?"

"Okay."

"Is that weird? That I would want to change how I look like that?" Sophie's voice got louder as the questions gained more confidence, or maybe desperation. "Is there something wrong with me? Why does my body make me sick sometimes and why does being a girl make me miserable, what's wrong with me?!"

Elwin wrapped Sophie in a hug, effectively cutting off the spiral. "There's nothing wrong with you, Sophie. Sometimes people just aren't the gender the world told them they should be, and that's okay. If you think you'd be happier with a different gender or different pronouns or a different body, that would be awesome."

In a whisper, Sophie said "Could I maybe use they pronouns?"

"You don't need my permission."

They pulled back from the hug and wiped at their eyes. "I think I want to use they/them pronouns."

"That's fantastic! Do you want a pronoun pin? I've got an extensive collection." Sophie nodded, and xe showed them the box of all different colors and designs and pronouns. Sophie eventually settled on a they/them pin with alicorns in the background. "Good choice," Elwin said as Sophie pinned it to their shirt with shaky fingers.

"I feel like I'm letting everyone down by being nonbinary," they mumbled, going back to their eyelashes. Xe caught their hand to stop them.

"You aren't letting anyone down. And if you are, that's their problem. The people who really care about you, your parents and your friends and me, we don't want you to make yourself miserable trying to live as someone you aren't. We want you to be happy, Sophie, so do what makes you happy. Unless almost dying makes you happy somehow, please continue avoiding that. But being nonbinary doesn't make you a disappointment. It makes you yourself, and yourself is great. Okay?"

Xe waited for them to nod. "Okay," they said finally. "Thanks, Elwin."

"No problem. I'm here any time you need to talk." Xe reached out and adjusted their pin. "I'm proud of you, Sophie."