Under Darkness [AU]

[Tethras Clan]

Zevran blinks a few times. "I... yes? I... I did not realize that I... I suppose that..." He shakes his head. "Yes. Hawke and Varric rescued me, then she welcomed me into her life. Helped me find a place and... deal with the trauma of... that. Along with ma jolie fleur, of course," he says with a besotted smile. "I was one of the last to enter their lives, so I suppose I am used to everyone being aware of how we met."

[Carver Amell]

He shakes his head. "How did she-- she always warned me not to go near that kind of thing. Too dangerous. Too likely to take the fall for someone higher up getting caught."

[Tethras Clan]

Zevran shrugs. "She got a tip about stolen goods being moved and went to deal with it- her informant neglected just how good the goods were," he says with a wink.

[Carver Amell]

"Ah," he says, with a nod. "Had that happen before. Well, not slaves, but stuff I wouldn't otherwise have touched."

[Tethras Clan]

Zevran nods agreeably. "It's a risk of the adventuring life. But yes, I... was a slave. Since I was thirteen." He pauses, debates with himself, then adds, "my brother sold me. Well, half brother."

[Carver Amell]

His expression darkens. "No. Someone who shared your blood sold you. It's different."

[Tethras Clan]

"...I suppose you're right," Zevran says after a moment, smiling faintly. "He... I think that..." He winces, glancing away. "My mother... left me as a babe. My father- the human- was a very good man but having to raise a dark-skinned baby cost him a great deal. My br- My father's other son," he nods at Carver, "always resented me for that, above and beyond the distrust most of the rest of the village had. This perhaps made me... inclined to think less of blood ties, which I think prejudiced me to you. Made me more willing to simply write you off. That was poorly done."

[Carver Amell]

He blinks, seeming surprised. "Do you know, that's two apologies in one day? I'm starting to worry -- do I have a terminal disease or something?"

[Tethras Clan]

"Ahhh, not that I know of? I just... I've been thinking about this for a few months now and... this is the first serious conversation we've ever had and... it felt like the right time. I should have done it sooner but... it was very easy to put off." Zevran winces a little at his explanation.

[Carver Amell]

Carver coughs a little. "Yeah, no, totally no idea how that one feels," he admits, blushing a little as he rubs the back of his neck. 

[Tethras Clan]

"Of course," Zevran agrees with a laugh. "Brave man such as yourself, you'll march right up to Seli and Andy and explain exactly how you feel this very afternoon."

[Carver Amell]

He winces. "I'll have to tell Andy something. He's... I kind of ran off when he confessed."

[Tethras Clan]

"...yes, you really do," Zevran say dryly. "Would you like help with that?"

[Carver Amell]

His eyes light up. "Could you? That'd be swell."

[Tethras Clan]

Zevran chuckles. "Happy to help. Are you looking for... script writing or a wingman?"