Under Darkness [AU]

[Carver Amell]

"Could be," he admits. "But it's more likely I'm nothing special. No magic. No exotic heritage. Not particularly smart. Nothing more than a dumb thug." 

[Tethras Clan]

Andy turns and glares at Carver. "A dumb thug wouldn't have kicked my ass. A dumb thug wouldn't have given two shits about a drunken bit of demon filth."

[Carver Amell]

"You're not filth," he says, then shifts awkwardly. "anymore. I made you bathe, you're clean now."

[Tethras Clan]

Andy stares a moment, then... snorts. He tries, he really does, but he couldn't stop himself. And with that strangled noise, he loses it entirely, breaking into a gale of soft but heartfelt laughter.

[Carver Amell]

Carver looks away, reddening, as he shuffles his feet. "Good to hear you're feeling a bit better."

[Tethras Clan]

Andy sobers a bit. "I... yeah. For now anyway," he says darkly.

[Carver Amell]

Idiot. He forces himself to smile, look back at him. "Hey, no problem. He'd want you to laugh, probably. If you can."

[Tethras Clan]

Andy lgnaces away, studying his hands, the branch in them "...yeah, he would. All about now and the future Lovan was. The past was only there to learn from, so you can make tomorrow better. Always... always stronger than... than anyone I've ever met that way."

[Carver Amell]

"He sounds wise," Carver admits. "I try not to dwell too much. Mother--" 

Here he pauses, closing his eyes briefly. 

[Tethras Clan]

"She was there at Mori," Andy suddenly recalls. "I- my sorrow for your pain," he offers weakly.

[Carver Amell]

And Carver crumples, leaning against a nearby tree as he covers his face with one hand. It's my fault. I encouraged her to go there. To get help. I wanted her to feel better, and I-- 

Hunter's soft whine jars him out of it. He takes a deep breath. This is counter-productive.

[Tethras Clan]

Andy takes a deep breath and forces himself to Carver. Screams at himself until he grips Carver's arm. Berates and shames himself until he croaks out some wordless noise of shared pain.

[Carver Amell]

Carver jumps as he's touched, lowering his hand. "I'm fine. Shit. I'm-- sorry. You don't need this crap." 

[Tethras Clan]

"Like you didn't need to take care of my shit?" Andy replies evenly after taking a few deep breaths. Somehow, for some reason, it's easier now that that first sound was given.

[Carver Amell]

"'sdifferent," he says, with a shoulder shrug. "You needed help, I gave it."