Under Darkness [AU]

[Tethras Clan]

"C-Carver!" Zevran gasps out, quickly forcing himself after the other male. "It's not- Andy is a Cirenite!" he blurts out.

[Carver Amell]

"I know," he snaps. "I--"

He pauses, playing back his words. And blushes beet red. "Sh-shut up!"

[Tethras Clan]

Zevran snickers a little. "I'm sorry, I did not mean to laugh but... you have to admit the irony is rather lovely."

[Carver Amell]

"No, it's not," he growls. "Gods be damned. This is wrong, Zevran. I can't just-- I can't love a man, and I can't break up a family. Gods." He runs a hand through his hair. "Nevermind if this is my only fucking chance because surprise, everyone I fall for gets charmed by my sister, I guess I'll just have to be alone forever because I can't compromise my principles--" 

He sounds like he's starting to hyperventilate at that point. 

[Tethras Clan]

"Carver, deep breaths," Zevran orders him firmly. "In- hold. And out. Again. And out. One more time. Okay. First, there's no need for this to break up any families. Remember Lovan. They were already in trifold marriage- one, I might add, that Seli mentioned was sanctioned by the Astean church, as Lovan was Astean. I rather suspect that if this were to happen, you would be expected to, if not be with or marry Seli, at least become a third parent to the twins."

[Carver Amell]

"L-lovan was Astean?" he asks, his voice small. "I assumed he was Cirenite."

[Tethras Clan]

"She is the most commonly worshipped Bright Deity," Zevran points out. "But yes, he was. Seli mentioned that his parents died when he was still in his twenties so he was only at the orphanage for the later half of his youth. They raised him Astean and it stuck evidently. Not that all orphans take up Ciren as their patron, just many of them."

[Carver Amell]

"And he was.... with Andy? It wasn't..." 

[Tethras Clan]

Zevran purses his lips, considering matters. "Are you serious about this? Not necessarily about being with them or even just Andy, but about facing this and working it out as best you can for the good of everyone involved?" He meets Carver's eyes squarely, intending to get the best measure of the man as he can.

[Carver Amell]

Carver looks pale, his eyes glancing away. He takes another deep breath, trying to settle himself. "I don't know," he whispers. "I-- I want to do the right thing. I want to do right. But what..."

[Tethras Clan]

"Alright," Zevran says gently. "That you'll try is all I can ask. Then... I will say that yes, Lovan was with both of them, sexually. Andy only likes men, but Seli is bisexual as well, though she prefers males for the most part. Evidently it was... their norm was for Andy and Lovan to be together with Seli watching, then for Lovan to satisfy Seli."

Not technically a confidence, as it came about as a result of wine and flirtation, Zevran tells himself. Seli is used to being rather more... active and now that her body is healed from birthing and then taxing herself right after. A bit of flirting and dancing seemed to help though, even if Isabela is most certainly very... woman.And Hawke and Aveline both were deeply touched- if very nervous- about being allowed to watch the twins for the night. Almost makes me wonder...

[Carver Amell]

He takes a deep breath, lets it out. "Astea guides them together, male and female, so that they can find in each other their missing halves, the pieces they need to complete themselves." It has the cadence of a prayer, but it's not part of any sacred text; it's secondary, if that, a piece of writing delving deeper than what has been Revealed. 

[Tethras Clan]

"Why does it have to be halves?" Zevran asks slowly. "Two is not a holy number, for any of the gods. Why not three?" Or however many.

[Carver Amell]

"Because it takes two to make a baby," he says, automatically. "Three mean there's one extra, but the baby still has two parents. It's untidy."

[Tethras Clan]

"...I was unaware that Astea cared overly much for tidiness," Zevran points out. "And what about single parents? Widows and the like? Two might be all that is needed for creating a life- though with the right ritual, that's not true as I understand it- but any number can raise a child. After all, aren't you already helping to raise the twins?"