The Winter's Queen [Magus AU]

[Carver Amell]

Detach without my hands? Here, show me. Or-- no, don't, it's going to be awful. No, it's a better plan. Just do it. Trust him. Or, you could take over my body, tie the armor for me, so it's secure. But give it right back after! 

[Tethras Clan]

~Not even sure I can but... it's your body Carver and I'm no sceleratis. I doubt I can take it from you. Or keep it for that matter. Not even sure if I can accept it, unless you're out of it. But worth a shot, sure,~ Varric replies. ~Go ahead and take off your armour and bundle it as compact as possible. Make sure their aren't any hooks or straps dangling. I think both of us would prefer I was in charge of your shell as briefly as possible.~

[Carver Amell]

What do you mean both of us, my body is great, I do situps regularly, I have a six pack. Stop it, that's not what he means and you know it. Don't be an idiot, Carver. As he scolds himself, he starts to remove the armor. 

[Tethras Clan]

~It's tall,~ Varric explains. ~I can't fathom how you get around being so far off the ground.~

[Carver Amell]

I can reach the tops of things, you mean, he argues, unbuckling his shinguards. 

[Tethras Clan]

~All stretched out and gangly,~ Varric banters back. ~Dwarves are properly balanced. Low to the ground, good for stability. Strong footing.~

[Carver Amell]

And I can literally just hold something above your head and you'll never get it back from me. He begins bundling the armor, the panic and residual nausea abating significantly. 

[Tethras Clan]

~If your hands are above your head, it just means there's nothing preventing a kidney shot,~ Varric replies. ~Or lower, if the human is especially tall.~

[Carver Amell]

Why do you think I wear all this armor? He finishes tying the bundle, then stills. Alright.... how do I...?

[Tethras Clan]

Fuck, you think I got a manual or something? ~You have any experience in meditation? I was able to take over out of pure need when you were magically scared, but... as soon as you snapped out of it, I was shunted aside fast. So... you'll need to figure out how to... step to the side, I think.~

[Carver Amell]

Alright. Just have to... step aside. Vacate my own body. Yeah that sounds-- no, be positive. Come on, you can do this Carver. You have to make it through this and get back to Hunter, he'll need you. Even if nobody else does. He takes a deep breath, trying to push aside the dark thoughts. Just.. picture a happy place. Go to your happy place, isn't that what people are always saying? Picture.. picture Golden Shores. Slowly, his mind settles into a vivid imagination of his home back in Golden Shores, with Bethany reading a book on the rug in front of the fireplace, and Father (a tall, shadowy figure, with no clear face) sitting in the rocking chair reading the paper, and Mother knitting. 

[Tethras Clan]

...no Hawke, Varric notes, trying not to be bitter. Entire family needs a month solid therapy session five years ago. A pang rips through him as his brain helpfully reminds him it's too late for that now. Right. Focus. He's distracted, just... focus on his hands.
 On the hands. Just hands, free for use. Alright. Need to bend down- ground is so damn far away- no just focus on doing what needs doing. Just bend down and loop the belt and rig it up. Just bend down and let it happen. Easy and smooth.

[Carver Amell]

Nothing happens. Nothing happens. Nothing continues to happen. Then, as easy as if it was his own, Carver's body moves according to his whims. He can smell, taste, feel. His heart beats, his hands function. Things are alright. He's alive again.

[Tethras Clan]

Talllll. Also, fuck, the air is really stale. Not as bad as it could be but...  While he's quickly securing the tie, he sniffs the air near the crack, trying to see if it smells any fresher.

[Carver Amell]

Maybe a little? Maybe he's imagining it because he wants it to be true.