Imprints in Stone [AU]

[Carver Amell]

Damn. If only I felt like this all the time, I might be good enough not to hurt Beth. He swallows, but says only, "Fine." And it's true enough: he feels fine, if only because all the fear and pain have subsided to a loose, floaty feeling. 

[Bethany]

"Good. I'm glad. I'm so sorry this... that all this happened," Beth whispers. Merrill nodding mutely next to her. "Umm. Want some good news?"

[Carver Amell]

"Gods. Yes." He nods, swallowing hard. Anything. Please, please, let there still be good news in this world.

[Bethany]

"So... so I talked with- Don said something, at Shiny Cat, and it got me thinking and... after talking with Seli, I talked with the whores- sorry. Rambling. Not going to whore anymore. Still working there, but just as support. Healing and cleaning and such," Beth finishes in a rush of words.

[Carver Amell]

His shoulders sag. She's quit because of me, hasn't she? I should be happy but I feel nothing. Well, maybe a little happy, way far away in the floaty place. I just don't want her to be unhappy anymore. It's dangerous but better than being... like this. "Oh."

[Bethany]

"It... I was feeling bad about... how bad it made you feel," Beth admits. "But... it wasn't really... Don was saying how Zevran talked about consent a lot. And if I was whoring- going to whore, I mean- just to... fit in, or to get a say in things, then I wasn't really consenting. And that's wrong." She smiles a little, the expression sad and just a touch resigned. "I guess you were right. Sorry for not listening earlier, ma'win."

[Carver Amell]

Carver keeps his head down. I'm glad. I'm glad she's safe. I am. Even if-- even if I can't-- I'm glad she's safe. She's really grown a lot. Grown more like--

He won't even let himself think it, cutting off the train of thought. She's safe. Everything's okay now. He gives a small nod.

[Varric]

"...why do you girls get cleaned up," Varric says, in a voice that's clearly an order. "And I think you both need to talk things over as well. Carver and I need to... have a father-son talk, I think."

[Carver Amell]

No. We don't. Nothing's wrong with me. Don't scare Beth like that. No, swallow it, stay calm, don't run away. He nods, silent.

[Bethany]

"Okay dad," Bethany says with clear relief. Dad'll help fix this. It'll be okay. "And yeah, Merri and I need to clear the air between us. Mostly me."

[Tethras Clan]

"Mostly- but I'm the one that-" Beth thumps the elf with her arm.

[Bethany]

"Hey, you shouldn't interrupt someone when they're eating crow. Just makes the meal take longer," Bethan says firmly, rising to her feet and taking Merrill with her. Pausing, she reaches down to run her fingertips through Carver's hair for a couple of heartbeats. "Love you, ma'win. Forever. Okay?

[Carver Amell]

Carver just nods. "I love you too, Beth," he says softly. More than you'll ever know.

[Varric]

Mother of Andraste, how did I miss how bad off he is? "Off you go girls," Varric says firmly. As they head upstairs, he pulls Carver to his feet and calls after them, "we're going to go for a walk for this. Be back for lunch at the latest."

Five minutes later finds the pair in... the basement of a printing house? "I own it, it's closed for repairs on the press so no-one's here," Varric explains. "And there are fifty pound bundles of copy-paper you can carry around to wear yourself out if you want and plenty of space to walk around or do some sprints."

[Carver Amell]

Carver nods, intending to just nod silently -- but at Varric's thoughtfulness, his understanding, tears form in Carver's eyes. Beth. Merrill. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry I'm not-- I can't be-- 

He covers his face with one hand, slumping against the wall.