Imprints in Stone [AU]

[Bethany]

"Married!"

[Varric]

"Yes Beth."

[Helene Dakesh]

"Do you... disapprove?" asks Helene, gently.

[Bethany]

In lieu of answer, Beth pops out of her chair to pull Helene into a tight hug.

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene squeaks, then wraps their arms around Beth. "This one is relieved! This one-- this one is looking forward to becoming, if you will allow, your step-mother."

[Bethany]

"Uh," Beth pulls back. "Step...mother?" She asks carefully. "Would you... prefer something else? I mean, I don't mind if you want something else. You don't mind either, right Carver?"

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene winces rather heavily, lowering their gaze to the floor. "This one is... this one is prepared to... The traditional terms are not... This one would rather be a step-parent, yes, but, a sense of normality, this one felt might be, beneficial, ah..."

[Carver Amell]

Carver whines, lowering his head onto his paws and looking up at Helene beseechingly.

[Varric]

"Pretty sure that he means 'don't do that for us, it'll just make us feel guilty you're hurting yourself' but my canine is a bit rusty," Varric supplies with a grin. "Step-parent sounds fine with me as description. Not sure what the three of you will decide on for a title but I'm sure you'll come up with something."

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene nods, the grin slowly spreading across their face. "Understood. This one is pleased. This one is honored to be a member of the family at last."

[Bethany]

"I'm so glad," Bethany says with a smile, pulling back a little. "The two of you make such a cute couple."

[Helene Dakesh]

"This one is glad as well," they say, blushing. "Not the least to see you smile, Bethany. This one promises, this family will endure beyond the current crisis. This one will do this one's very best to make sure of that."

[Bethany]

Bethany stiffens, her smile wavering. "I... you can't promise that. We're a broken mess," she says bitterly. "We all ruin everything."

[Helene Dakesh]

"Good," they say, with a small nod. "This one is also a broken mess. This one is an expert in such things."

[Varric]

"...I'll allow it because you were riffing off what she said, but watch it," Varric comments with a light smile. "Beth is right, you can't promise it'll work out. Just that we'll try. All of us. And that's no small thing."