Under Darkness [AU]

[Tethras Clan]

Hunter returns from escorting the street urchin to Varric's place with a letter and a knapsack on his back. Specifically, his own bag, filled with clothing and other such things in case he needs to stay a day or two.  The note is simple enough, just an acknowledgement, hope for Andy's recovery and 'this is a good thing you're doing- Seli couldn't make herself come help but she's deeply grateful you're trying.'

Most of the morning passes with Andy passed back out on the sofa while Carver wrestles to get the bathroom useable. For good or ill, it's one of the better rooms in the house due to seeing significantly less use aside from the toilet. When lunch comes around, Andy is roused and fed again after which he seems to be at least halfway lucid.

[Carver Amell]

"Feeling better?" His voice is no warmer, but at least he's stopped barking orders at the man. For now. 

[Tethras Clan]

Andy starts to rub his head but yanks his hand way with a hiss when he touches the wound on his temple. "Who are you?" he demands, though there's not much heat or steel in it.

[Carver Amell]

"I'll take that as a yes," he growls. "Mind telling me what the everloving fuck you think you're doing?"

[Tethras Clan]

"I was just- no, what are you doing in our house?" Andy replies, bewildered.

[Carver Amell]

"Our house? That's rich. Looks like you live here alone." Carver gestures at the room around them. "Do you know how many bottles I threw out already? And there's still fucking more!" 

[Tethras Clan]

Andy pales, eyes flooding with guilt. "I... I just... better this way," he says in a hollow voice. "Without me."

[Carver Amell]

"Bull. Fucking. Shit." Carver snarls. He jabs a finger in Andy's face. "Right now, you have one fucking job. There is one fucking thing you are put here on this plane to do and you are not fucking it up if I have anything to say about it. Do you understand me?!" 

[Tethras Clan]

Andy's face twists in self-loathing. "I- I don't," he gasps out. "Fired. Dis-dishonorably released from service," he forces out, body trembling.

[Carver Amell]

"I don't care about your position," he snarls. "That's not your job. Do you know what your job is? The one, single, overriding reason you have for being alive right now?"

[Tethras Clan]

Andy stares at Carver for a long moment, swallowing repeatedly. Finally, his gaze drops to the table and he shakes his head, just a little. The only reason I'm alive is that I haven't died yet.

[Carver Amell]

"Your children." Carver's voice is dripping with hatred and barely repressed fury. 

[Tethras Clan]

Andy flinches, pulling in on himself. "...dishonorable released from that too. I-"

[Carver Amell]

"Fuck that!" The shout bursts from him, and he balls his hands into fists. "Do you know how long I waited for my fucking father to come home as a boy? I would have taken anything, fucking anything, over being fucking abandoned! You can't be fucking fired from being a fucking father! They're going to grow up with a hole the size of a dragon in them and it'll be all. Your. Fault!" 

[Tethras Clan]

Andy keens softly, curling in on himself so badly he almost touches the table. "I- I can't. I'm not a father, I'm not- I'll just hurt them. Seli- Seli can find better without me around," he gasps out harshly. "I'm broken and tainted and worthless. Better without me. Poison."