#lemiel

When Lemiel arrived, he was a treasure trove of discovery.

He came to their lives buzzing with curiosity and a heart pure of prejudice, charming the Elves and playing with the children as if they were his own. He embraced their customs and lives, sharing his own from the humans and wormed his way into the hearts of all.

Of all the human customs he brought- one always stood out to Licht the most.

~~~

“Whoo! Who knew planning a wedding would be this detailed!” The human fell back into the warm grass, stretching himself out beneath the sun with a content sigh. “I never realized just how many shades of green there were!”

“She’s always had an eye for details, Tetia.” Licht smiled softly as he thought of his future wife, her small hands buzzing like hummingbirds as she ran about, tweaking things to perfection. “I’ve tried to remind her to take a rest, but she’s determined. Kinda reminds me of someone I know, don’t you think?”

“Hm, so she does. I wonder who that would be?” Lemiel hummed, earning a light smack from his laughing friend. “What? I’m sorry- we’re excitable humans, it runs in the family!”

“So it seems. Fear not, brother- I find the trait quite charming.” His eyes grew somber for a moment, the reality of their world creeping back in his mind. “Do you think…do you think the humans would accept this? Our union?”

The answer was obvious, but Lemiel still took his time answering. “I can’t speak for all. Humans have a long history of prejudice in this world, and a union might not be enough to change them.” He turned and smiled softly at the elf. “But that doesn’t matter. Let them have their judgements and spite. The thing that matters most is your love. Both for your union and the twins.” He reached out a poked Licht in the belly, as if he was the one pregnant. “Can’t have all those worries now. Bad for the babies.”

“Ah! Yohohou-Yohohu- what is it that humans call you? Ah, you scoundrel!” He nodded, satisfied. Lemiel had taught them many human words.

“Oh? I’m a scoundrel, eh?” The human grinned, sitting up and tacking the other, fingers gently worming into his sides and earning a surprise bout of laughter. “Looks like I’m gonna have to embrace my new title! ‘Lemiel the scoundrel! Look out for his devious tricks!’ Think the other’s would approve, old friend?”

“Lehehehehehheheemiiiihihihiihihihi! Wahhahahahahahhaihihihiihihihiit!” The elf cackled in mirth, squirming beneath Lemiel’s fingers as he gently shoved at his chest. “Nohoohohohohohot the mahahahahhahahhhagic!”

“Magic? Oh no, friend, this is what human’s call tickling!” Lemiel grinned as he moved his fingers back to Licht’s belly, making the other squeal. “We don’t use magic for this- though; now that I think about it, feather magic would be interesting…”

Caught in his thoughts, the human accidentally gave the elf below him the opportunity he needed. With a burst of strength, he sat up and shoved the other away, switching their positions and returning the favor. “Not magic, eh?” He huffed through his giggles, feeling smug when Lemiel howled beneath him. “Alright then- allow me to test it out myself!”

“Lihihihihihihiihihihihihct! Pleheahahhahahahahhahhse!” Lemiel squealed and wriggled beneath him, legs kicking uselessly against the soft grass as he made wimpy attempts to grab the elf’s hands. Turns out he was much more ticklish than his friend. He really should have considered that before jumping into a tickle fight. “Ihiihihihihiihihihm shahahahahhahahahharry!”

“Oh! I know this one! Ehem- Hi Sorry, I’m Licht!” Licht grinned, earning a snort between Lemiel’s giggle fits. “Did I do it right?”

“Yehhehahahahhahhahaas! Nohohohohoohow leehhehhehehet mehehhehehhe hgohoohooohohohoho!”

“What’s the magic word?” Licht teased.

“I shohohohohooohohould hahahhahahhave nehehhhehehehver taauhuuhuhuhuuhuhght yooohohohohu huhuhuuhuhuhman slahahahahhahahang!” Lemiel cried out, cheeks pink and eyes misty with mirth. Licht decided that was enough.

“Not what I was looking for, but sure!” The elf laughed as he climbed off his friend, watching him curl into a ball beside him. “I don’t know what you mean- you love my human slang!”

“Aheheheh…hehehehhe…I dohohooho…” Lemiel grinned weakly as he gasped down breath after breath, closing his eyes as he laughed himself silly. “Yohohohu leahaharn to quiihihickcly!”

“Pfft! You say that like it’s a bad thing!” Licht snorted before falling back in the grass beside him, looking up at the cloudy sky. “Hey, Lemi? Let’s always be friends, no matter what happens.”

Lemiel looked over at him, eyes curious before melting into warmth, scooting closer and taking his friend's hand in his. “Of course, Li. Nothing will ruin our friendship. We’re brothers, both in law and in life. I promise.”