Imprints in Stone [AU]

[Bethany]

Bethany bursts in then, blanching at the sight before her- though whether it's the blood on her brother's leg and hand or the sight of him naked on the bed... Still, she gets over it rapidly, rushing over already incanting a healing prayer.

[Carver Amell]

"Beth," he sighs in thanks as she takes away the pain. He lifts the cloth, not wanting it to get caught up in the gash as it closes. 

[Bethany]

"What in Bastion's name happened?" Bethany demands

[Carver Amell]

"I--" 

He glances at Varric's back, then swallows. "I did it. It's fine, it was just, I was...."

[Bethany]

"You did wh- you cut yourself? On purpose?" Bethany asks, pulling away from him. "Were- did you-" Her face pales. "Did you... try to..." She swallows repeatedly, trying not to vomit.

[Carver Amell]

"I-- it just, it helps, to, to deal with things. It's safe, really, I don't usually... not that deep, and, and Merrill heals me right away, only, I forgot she was helping at the clinic today and she can't heal anymore and..."

[Bethany]

Yeah, Bethany only hears about a tenth of that explanation. Whirling in place, she slaps Merrill across the face. "This is your fault!" she shouts, ears ringing with the sound of a pained scream. "I can't lose him! I won't!"

[Varric]

Shit! Moving fast, Varric grabs Beth before she can do anything else. "Beth! Enough! Calm down!"

[Tethras Clan]

Merrill bursts into tears and flees the room, heading... somewhere.

[Carver Amell]

"Merrill!" 

Carver leaps to his feet, torn, swallowing. He watches her go, unable to follow, unable to drag himself away. A man cannot serve two masters,he tells himself, and turns to Beth. He hangs his head, unspeaking, hands trembling, eyes on the ground. Do what Beth needs. Whatever it takes to make this right.

[Varric]

"I got Merrill," comes the best thing Carver's likely heard all week. Varric twists in place, shoving Beth into the chair. "Talk, no shouting!" he calls back as he bolts after the elf.

[Bethany]

Bethany curls into herself, trembling. Her breathing is rapid, her skin pale.

[Carver Amell]

Carver kneels, taking her hands, pressing kisses to the back of them. "I'm sorry, i'm sorry, please talk to me, I'm sorry, please be okay."

[Bethany]

Beth starts rocking in place, her eyes far too wide. "Can't lose you, can't. Just can't. Please. Please don't- please don't leave me, please please please."

[Carver Amell]

"I'm not going anywhere. I'm here. I'm right here, Beth."