Imprints in Stone [AU]

[Carver Amell]

He pulls away from her, letting her clean him, but not wanting to hug her, not feeling he deserves to touch her with his hands. "Beth," he sobs, wiping at his eyes. "I'm no good for you."

[Tethras Clan]

She hits him with a few spells, cutting most of the stink and the stains, as she thinks. "I know you feel  that way. And... and I am angry with you. Hurt. You... you didn't trust us. Trust our family. Why... I need to know, Carver. Why didn't you talk to any of us? Why did you just... stop trusting and loving us?"

[Carver Amell]

He shudders, his voice flat, rote: "I saw Marian. She told me, she said Varric knew and, he promised not to tell us."

[Bethany]

"But... why did that... why did you... instantly hate Merrill and me?" Bethany asks in a tiny voice. "What... what did we do wrong?"

[Carver Amell]

"I'm a monster," he says, his voice flat, remembering. "I got drunk."

[Bethany]

"That's not a reason," Bethany says patiently. "That's an insult and what you did. Why did you do it?"

[Carver Amell]

"Because I'm a monster," he says, shuddering again. "You didn't deserve that. And Merrill-- Merrill--" 

[Bethany]

"Yes. You hurt her badly. But why? There has to be a reason why you... why you did that," Bethany insists. "People aren't just cruel for no reason. There's always a motivation."

[Carver Amell]

"There wasn't," he whispers. "If you don't want me as a dog, I'll go. It's your choice."

[Bethany]

"Well, what were you thinking then? How did you go from 'he promised' to do the... the most anti-Carver thing I can think of?" Beth asks relentlessly.

[Carver Amell]

"He lied to us," he whispers. "I thought-- I thought, the whole time. When he went back for our things he said he didn't find a body. I thought this whole family was based on lies."

[Bethany]

Gods, Carver. That... "Okay. I... gods, yes, that would hurt. That would... hurt a lot, to have dad... Okay. Can- can I hug you?" she asks.

[Carver Amell]

"No," he says, eyes widening. "No. Stay away from me. I-- It's your choice, a dog or I'll leave."

[Bethany]

A look of hurt crosses Bethany's face, a warning that Helene's great news or not, she's still very fragile right now. "I- why? What... there wasn't a lie, why are you- why are you leaving me?"

[Carver Amell]

"You saw what I did. I can't-- anyone like that doesn't, shouldn't, be around you. You're precious and I can't... I can't let anyone hurt you like that."