Stone's Throw

[Carver Amell]

"Good. And, when you're of age properly, talk to your grandpa. Maybe he can introduce you to some safer mood-altering substances."

[Andreas Amell]

"That's pretty fair," Andreas agreed. "I'd never thought about it until just recently, after he'd left for the Oak. Have you ever..?"

[Carver Amell]

Something dark passes across his face briefly. "No, I don't drink or do drugs."

[Andreas Amell]

"Right," Andreas answered instantly, the fur on the back of his neck raised slightly. That sounded like one of the recovering addicts from Never Alone... Oh shit. "Sorry."

[Carver Amell]

"No, it's fine. I should probably have told you about why years ago. I was younger than you are now when it happened, after all."

[Andreas Amell]

Andreas jerked a shoulder, glancing to the side. "I mean... you have the right to your own privacy and all."

[Carver Amell]

"It's fine. Come, let's sit and I'll tell you."

They make their way to Andreas' room nearby, both sitting on the edge of the bed. Carver takes a moment to center himself before he speaks. "When I was a little younger than you are now, I... I messed up. I misunderstood something, and it hurt more than anything I'd ever felt in my life, more than even losing my sister. I couldn't think what else to do but drink. So Miki and I went to the hideout and we drank... probably three jugs of whiskey between us, and it was mostly me that drank it. I was so drunk I blacked out, I can't remember anything."

A pause.

"Adonis says he saved my life. I was throwing up and pale, and he brought Father to come heal me. It's... it's not a great death, death by alcohol poisoning. And Father beat the shit out of me, of course, once I was healed, because I deserved it. But I haven't touched drink since."

[Andreas Amell]

"D-- Adonis," he put a little emphasis on the 'ah' as if to remind himself to use the full name, as opposed to almost calling him 'dad' instead, "saved your life?"

[Carver Amell]

"Yeah. He's like that. We were good friends, before he abandoned you and your mom."

[Andreas Amell]

That's it, that's... I need to ask him, directly, why he did it. I need to know. "Oh," he finally said after a decidedly awkward pause. "That's..." his mind blanked on what to say, "I don't know. I'm just... I think I need sleep." After being up about an hour..?

[Carver Amell]

Carver pats his back. "Hey. My original dad wasn't all that either, you know. Just... spend some time thinking about who's been there for you and who hasn't before your mom gets back, alright kiddo?" He gets up off the bed and claps a hand on Andreas' shoulder. 

[Andreas Amell]

Who's been there... Andreas nearly stayed quiet, nearly decided it was too risky or just bad timing but... "Uncle Carver? Do... do you still wonder where Charon is? I mean, do you think he's still..?" I can't just ask 'what would you do if he was' but...

[Carver Amell]

Carver sighs, leaning against the bedframe and putting his hand against his head. "I... can't. I can't wonder about it, can't think about it. I swore I'd never abandon a child, and I haven't, but if he's out there, he's growing up fatherless, just like me. I think he must be dead, though. We searched everywhere." A small pause. "He was sort of named after me, you know. Beth wanted to call him Carver, but I convinced her Charon is prettier. I never liked my name that much. Told her we could call him Ronnie while he's little."

[Andreas Amell]

The words were right there, trembling on his tongue, straining against his lips. But there was no air in his lungs. I promised Charon... but should that matter? At this point? After what he did-- what he probably did? I need to talk to him but how can I-- There's no way I slip away. I don't... "I'm sorry," he croaks, the only thing he can offer.

[Carver Amell]

Carver waves a hand. "It's fine. It wasn't your fault. And it's not your fault you didn't know. I'll be having a talk with your mother about keeping secrets -- they're toxic for families."