Imprints in Stone [AU]

[Marian Hawke]

It's a good thing the twins are leaving -- the temperature in the kitchen drops considerably. "I'll kill them," she growls out. 

[Varric]

"No you won't," Varric snaps. "If that has to happen to keep them safe, I'll do it. No need for you to take that kind of step, not at your age. Shouldn't be an issue anyway. Bullies don't have the stones to come back after something like this. And I'm not done with them anyway. I'm thinking Joey's dad needs a talking and Joey needs to take vows. In another town."

[Bethany]

Bethany gapes at Carver. "What? What are you-" she shakes her head. "Shush and hug me," she orders him, yanking him back.

[Carver Amell]

Carver  shudders, hugging her close. "I don't--" he whimpers, before code-switching again: "I d'wan you t'urt." I don't want you to get hurt. He doesn't care how he looks now, how childish it sounds -- he wants her to understand the depths of his feelings. 

[Marian Hawke]

"I'll do anything it takes," says Marian. "I hate being so helpless while they-- if I hadn't gotten expelled, it'd have been me they went for."

[Bethany]

"Nu'u." She doesn't want him to be hurt either. "La'a, ma'win. What- what if Varric hadn't been there?" She whispers. "I don't- I can't be why you're hurt. Please. Please just run."

[Varric]

"Maybe so," Varric allows. "And if'd been you, like as not it wouldn't have been an fire poker they'd have-" He cuts himself off, annoyed at saying it that way. "It's handled. If it needs more, I'll do it." He takes a deep breath. "Marian, honest answer: why are you staying here? The three of you? Four?" Not that I care about Leandra more than I have to deal with her for them but they still do for some reason.

[Carver Amell]

Carver shakes his head. "Marian got expelled and they came for me twice as hard. I start running, there's nobody between them and you. I can't let that happen."

[Marian Hawke]

"This is our home," she says softly. "It's not all bad. We have friends here, all of us. Or, most of us. If this really ends the Joey thing, nobody else is half as bad."

[Varric]

"Except the part where you and Bethany can't be honest with anyone but me and Carver. Or the part where you're barely making due, even with this job." Which Marian now knows enough to realize is far better than she should be able to expect really. "Or the looks and gossip you get about... Leandra's not husband."

[Bethany]

"Then I'll run too," Bethany says firmly. "I'll drop out, Varric and Marian can teach us. It's not worth you being hurt like this. Not ever."

[Marian Hawke]

"Honesty is overrated," mutters Marian. "And... if Father does come back..." She shifts a little, uncomfortable with this topic. 

[Carver Amell]

"You love school," says Carver, frowning. "What about Susie and Marie?"

[Bethany]

Susie's a bitch, Bethany thinks sourly, then feels guilty. She left me to be picked on by Raina and Gilly, sure, but... she's not family, it's not fair to expect her to suffer that much for me, I guess. And I would really miss Marie, it's not her fault she has that lisp and can't bring herself to talk to most people. Bethany shrugs a little, eyes on a spot on Carver's shoulder. "I could... play with them after," she says stoutly, not wanting to back down.

[Varric]

"Marian... it's been almost six years from what I've heard. Bethany mentioned the last letter- first one in eight months and two skimpy paragraphs? No presents or support money?" Varric sighs, then relents. "Could easily leave a forwarding address with the mayor or the temple. Or both."