Stone's Throw

[Carver Amell]

"You can be both. You should be both. Let me remind you who Beth is, not just Andreas's mother." He strokes her hair gently, pressing another kiss to her cheek. 

[Bethany]

"Just being here, talking with you, is enough, ma'win. Mother and sister," she murmurs, settling again. "I can be happy with those."

[Carver Amell]

"No," he murmurs, pulling back. "Do you remember all the times you pulled me back? Stopped me from being your dog, your slave? I want more for you than just being mine and being his. You need to be yourself, too. And if there's anything -- anything -- I can do to help with that, I will. I mean it."

[Bethany]

Beth frowns now, twisting to look up at him. "Carver, that's not at all the same," she protests. "Being a mother or sister isn't a bad thing."

[Carver Amell]

"Dogs are pretty cool, too. But you didn't let me settle for belonging to you, focusing my whole life on you and you alone. And it worked, and it got me Lina and Merrill and my students, and so much richness and joy. I'm not going to let you make yourself into one tiny thing, or even just two. I want you to have as much richness in your life as you got me."

[Bethany]

Sighing a little, Beth settles back again. "We can compromise," she decides for him. "I think being a mother, being your and Marian's sister and just... getting better is enough. Maybe I'll change my mind later but that's later. You can keep checking up on me and gently suggesting, on occasion, that I... I dunno, find a new hobby or whatever."

[Carver Amell]

Carver is quiet for a moment. "You didn't say Adonis' lover," he says quietly.

[Bethany]

"...I didn't."

[Carver Amell]

He scowls. "Do I need to beat him up for you? 'cause I totally will."

[Bethany]

"Carver," she laughs. "No! No... It's... Fine. I just want things to be... It's can't be okay. But I want it to be anyway."

[Carver Amell]

"He abandoned you when you need him most. I should skin him for that," grumbles Carver. 

[Bethany]

"I'm starting think he broke even-- even worse than I did," Beth whispers, the brief spot of levity vanishing. "Like... the part of him that cares about things is just... broken. Please don't-- don't hate him? For me? I still..."

[Carver Amell]

"...I'll try. But I don't know if I can. I trusted him with my heart and soul, my own twin, and he... he wasn't good enough for you. Not ever."

[Bethany]

"i know," she whispers. "I know. I still have to remind myself to not get sharp with Aveline sometimes," she admits. "For not being ready for the children you want and deserve. Gilly and Tomas are adorable but..."

[Carver Amell]

"She'll get there. And in the meantime, I can be an uncle." He smiles at her. "Right now I'm just worried about you."