Under Darkness [AU]

[Tethras Clan]

"Being gay isn't a flaw," Varric says with an eye roll. "But fine, whatever. What's the problem then?"

[Carver Amell]

"It is," he snaps. "I'm not going to sit here and judge Aveline, it worked out great that she is so masculine and protective, but it's not natural and he won't be able to have kids and everyone will stare if he walks down the street with a man and--"

[Tethras Clan]

Varric considered mixing up some adhesive spit but that costs money. Besides, he's been waiting to have a reason to do this since he saw Peli do it months ago.

"Mouth off, ears on. Brain too, if you can spare the blood flow." As punctuation, he raps the young man on the hand at each body part.

[Carver Amell]

Carver shuts up, staring at Varric in stunned silence.

[Tethras Clan]

 "Everything you just said? I'm going to pretend you didn't because I know you're better than that garbage. Not sure who said it with your mouth but whoever it was is a moron. There are only two deities that have ever given an opinion on homosexuality- Ciren thinks it's great and Sirena disproves." He gives Carver a hard look. "Given that, what do you think is wrong with it exactly?"

[Carver Amell]

Carver opens his mouth to reply, but given the lack of bodily harm, decides to take a moment to think before he speaks. Finally, he says, "You can't have a family with two men. Or you can, but there has to be a woman involved somewhere. What my sister has seems to work for her but it's against the odds. If I tried something like that, someone would get stabbed."

[Tethras Clan]

""Hawke has a way to her," Varric says fondly. "But they- he- already has kids, remember? There's a woman involved already and the two of them shared Lovan just fine from all accounts. Not that I know for sure that Seli would be interested in sex with you for sure in the first place. Maybe, she does like you, cares about you."

[Carver Amell]

"Definitely not," he grumbles. "And who said anything about me anyway? I like women. Date women. Like Isabela! And stuff."

[Tethras Clan]

"...we did. Say something about you and Andy, the entire point of this conversation is you and Andy," Varric says patiently. "He likes you. Romantically. So the question is, are you interested back?"

[Carver Amell]

"Of-- of course not," he stammers, looking away. 

[Tethras Clan]

"...translating from 'embarrassed' that means 'yes' I'd say," Varric notes with a nod. "Well then, what are you going to do about it? The two of you click pretty well, you both like each other, you like his kids and wife, they like you..."

[Carver Amell]

"Even if I was-- like that," he corrects rapidly, "there's no way I'm getting between him and Seli. Not when there's kids on the line."

[Tethras Clan]

"You wouldn't be in the way," Varric reminds him. "They did this before, remember? Given that you evidently enjoyed having sex with Isabela and- for the sake of argument, pretend you were interested in Andy, then that would make you bisexual. Attracted to both sexes. So you'd not be getting in the way, you'd be... a bridge I suppose."

[Carver Amell]

"Have you met me?" he asks, bitterly. 

[Tethras Clan]

"I've met both of you," Varric replies. "The you that let his anger ride him and the you that's learned to hold your tongue long enough for your good heart to take over instead. That you? Yeah, I think you could do it just fine. You've grown up Carver, learned to act with judgment and reason."