Under Darkness [AU]

[Carver Amell]

"I'd like that," he says, the same dopey smile still on his face. 

[Tethras Clan]

Seli muffles a spot of giggles. "Material Plane to Carver," she says teasingly, tapping his nose lightly with a finger. "How do you want to go about this?"

[Carver Amell]

"About-- huh? I mean." He shakes his head like a dog throwing off water. "I figured, you know, like we have been, but more, uh, kissing."

[Tethras Clan]

Seli laughs softly. "As we have been with more kissing, yes, but I want to be courted and court you in return. I'll want dates and gifts and... romance," she says firmly, then offers a forgiving smile. "I don't expect it to be perfect, I just want it to be you."

[Carver Amell]

He nods. "Alright. I can do that. I can do romance." He blushes, then, but manages to ask, "How do you feel about poetry?"

[Tethras Clan]

"As long as you don't pay someone else to do it or try to pass another work off as your own, I'll love it," she promises, leaning in to kiss his cheek. "I... I'll also like to go slowly. It... Well, maybe. I still miss Lovan. I'll always love him. But... I am also lonely," she admits.

[Carver Amell]

Carver nods. "We'll figure it out. I, uh, I don't have a lot of experience," he adds, with a wince. "But I'm willing to figure it out with you."

[Tethras Clan]

"And Andy," Seli prompts him, glancing at the very patient tiefling.

[Carver Amell]

Carver nods, his hands closing slightly in his lap. "Right. A-and Andy." He swallows. "I-- I want to try, at least."

[Tethras Clan]

"We can go slow. I... I can wait," Andy assures Carver. "You're worth waiting for."

[Carver Amell]

Carver blushes more -- the tips of his ears turn bright red as he glances up at Andy. "Th-thanks. I appreciate that."

[Tethras Clan]

Seli smiles at them both, something in her loosening even as something else kindles. Impulsively, she reaches out to take both men's hands. "Thank you. Both of you. Even if... even if we decide to not go through with this later on, thank you both for taking this chance."

[Marian Hawke]

Beloved Merrill,

I am coming back now, I should return to the Oak in a few days. I brought you the prettiest glass beads; they sparkle in the sunlight like sunshine on a pond on a windy day, catching the light and glinting just so. The only thing that might outshine them are your eyes when you see them. Please make yourself something nice with them. I want you to have nice things, beautiful things to match your beautiful soul.

I'm glad you're getting along with Seli. I'm sorry to hear that she has been sad. I didn't think she and Carver were arriving for another week or I'd have come back earlier, but I'm glad I didn't because I found these beads. 

I miss you,
your Hawke

[Tethras Clan]

My hero, my love, my Hawke,

I'm glad to hear things are going well- and more, that you're going in my direction! Oh, that sounded more clever in my head. The repeated phrase I mean. And I guess it read more clever, not sounded. Unless you read your letters aloud like I do? Oh! I have a few ideas for the bead, depending on how many of them there are. I think my favorite is a pair of matching necklaces, so we can always feel something we both made together. I miss the sound of your voice. But I'm glad this going out and heroing thing is helping you feel better about yourself again. Very glad. I've been training again as well. I don't want to be weak anymore.

Seli is wonderful, I can see why you made friends with her so quickly. And the twins! Oh, they're so wonderful! Gilly makes the cutest little sounds when she's sleepy but she hates missing things and she gets all fussy cranky when its bedtime. And she refuses to fall asleep before her brother. Tomas is very quiet, he reminds me of Silence a lot that way. He just stares at things, studying them with this tiny look of concentration on his face. It's all 'I do not understand what I see now but I shall carefully ponder it under enlightenment is achieved so that I might share this knowledge with my loved ones.' I think so anyway, Papa thinks I'm silly. But he's afraid of the babies, I think, so he doesn't know them nearly as well as Seli or I and she agrees with me so there.

Your brother and Andy are becoming good friends. They're making a house together, because Andy is sick or something? Seli said he's not supposed to be around the babies so I think it's a little contagious. But she said Carver would be fine, so don't worry about that. Oh! Carver has a new hobby as well, I think you'll be very amused but I won't spoil it in a letter. Come home soon, stay safe.

I love you, my guiding stars, my first friend, my first love, my hope.
Please be well.
Merrill Tethras

[Marian Hawke]

My bewitching muse,

What. I don't think turning into a dire wolf can be called a hobby. 

As you may have guessed, I've returned to the Oak. My idiot brother was quick to tell me all about his hairbrained scheme. Don't tell him I said this, but it's probably good for Andy, what he's doing. Good for Carver, too. I didn't realize how badly it still hurt him that father left. Maybe we should try to find father, or at least figure out what happened to him.

I called Seli here to talk to her about something but I can't get up the nerve to do it. What do you do when you're not feeling brave, my love?

Write soon,
Your beloved Hawke.