Under Darkness [AU]

[Carver Amell]

He takes a deep breath, lets it out. "Astea doesn't approve," he adds, quietly. "I don't know how Marian gets away with it, but it's an unfruitful love, between two men. No life comes of it. That's a major sign of disfavor."

[Tethras Clan]

Varric frowns, trying to puzzle that out. I've not really made a huge study of religion- just enough to get by and know your basic undead... that might be something to look into addressing. Just because Ciren and Sirena are the only two that have given a direct opinion, doesn't mean that mortals can't read opinions into what They have said on related matters. "I assume that's a blend of Her life and love aspect? Loves that do not beget life aren't real love or something?"

[Carver Amell]

"It might be something like love," he allows. "But it's unhealthy. It's a love that seeks death, not a love that seeks life." 

[Tethras Clan]

"Seeks- what? Gay sex doesn't kill people," Varric says, caught off guard by that little comment.

[Carver Amell]

"Not death of the individual, death of the family line. Sterility, isolation, unhealthy obsession." He shrugs a shoulder. "Egoism, love of the self instead of seeking outward to love each other.  Looking in the mirror and seeking only your reflection, a partner similar to yourself, instead of looking for someone to compliment you and complete you."

[Tethras Clan]

"I... wow. Okay. Let me work through that... Okay. For one, blood isn't the only part of a family line. For dwarves, it's the shared Clan name, the shared stories and history, the purpose that makes a familyline, not whose womb and seed were used to make a child. I can get the blood thing, if I frame it that way. I don't agree with it obviously or I wouldn't have adopted an elf and a merikos elf... and a human, a merikos drow and maybe another human and a merikos undine." Varric gives Carver a considering look, then shakes his head. 

"Digression. But I get the desire to have a... legacy, of passing on what you were, what you were given from those before you, onto the next generation so they can do better, be more. As for the other bit... we're both males, right? And yet... do you honestly have more in common with me or with Aveline?"

[Carver Amell]

"I'm not attracted to you," he points out. But you are attracted to Aveline, his brain points out. And he seems to be implying you have a lot in common with her...

"As for Aveline, I don't have that much in common with her. She's... hells. She's brave and loyal and faithful. She's polished and commanding and has her act together. If we were to get together, she'd bolster that side of me, I'd grow as a person."

[Tethras Clan]

Thank all the gods, Bright and otherwise. "Sure you do. Both of you value duty and loyalty as chief values. Both of you are uncomfortable with emotions and making personal connections but will force themselves to open up and trust because you have to in order to help the people you care for. Both of you can be a bit stiff-necked about your beliefs and ideals. Both of you have a temper- she's just had almost a decade longer to learn how to control it, just as you've been working on lately. Both of you are direct, aggressive and prefer to be straightforward, in and out of combat. You're even not dissimilar in physicality- both of you are tall, broad in build, strong, striking features... color is off but the shapes are close. Aside from what's between your legs, you have far more in common with her than Andy."

[Carver Amell]

Carver flinches. "I don't know about that," he says softly. "We both hurt our families, almost broke them apart. We both desperately want to make things right and don't know how. We both have weird magic, we're still learning to control it. We've both been shit on for our races."

[Tethras Clan]

Varric can't help but snort. "That last is like comparing your blade to my belt knife," the dwarf says pointedly. "Andy's gotten beatings because of his race. Anyway, I'm not saying you don't have anything in common, just less. Not that being dissimilar is the only or even best judge for a pairing. By that logic, you should be finding yourself a nice Keindranas aberration. Maybe an undead."

[Carver Amell]

"But if I were with him, it would reinforce the worst in me," he points out. "This, this whatever it is, is a temptation, not... it's going to lead to ruin if I let it."

[Tethras Clan]

Varric grins a little, his 'gotcha' smile. "Really? Even though it's knowing his flaws, knowing the pain he inflicted, from both sides of the hurt, is how you've been able to help him better than any of us? Sometimes, having the same flaw just means you know what to watch for. And, again, you're forgetting Seli."

[Carver Amell]

"I'm absolutely not forgetting Seli. She's great, a wonderful woman, but she's not interested in me."

[Tethras Clan]

"Are you assuming that or did you ask?" Varric prods.

[Carver Amell]

"She's given no sign of interest."