Imprints in Stone [AU]

[Bethany]

The stubborn look in Bethany's eyes flickers, revealing hurt and resignation. Before I make this worse. She swallows, then steps back. "I- oh. I... okay," she whispers. Before I make this worse."Sorry." She takes another step back, arms coming up to wrap protectively around her stomach. Before I make this worse.

I thought- I thought- Her expression twists, betrayal and sullen anger joining the pain and loss. "You promised," she whispers. I'll have you. I don't leave people behind, not ever. "You promised," she says louder.

[Marian Hawke]

Marian nods, her throat closing. "I did. I won't leave. I'll come home to you. Just, please, be safe so I can come home. Okay?"

[Bethany]

Wait, she's not- what is she-

[Varric]

"I meant both of you," Varric says, voice hard now. "Both of you are part of this. Now move," he orders, snapping a hand toward the office door.

[Bethany]

Bethany goes very still, a muffled squeak slipping past her lips. Oh. Protect me from... Oh. Oh gods. Varric saw- saw us- oh gods, what have I done? Marian is going to- I ruined- "Don't-fire-her-it-was-all-my-fault!" Bethany shouts out in a single mass of words.

[Marian Hawke]

Bethany I swear on Astea's life if you say one more goddamn word!

Marian balls her hands into fists. "No," she growls. 

[Varric]

"Both of you shut up," Varric snaps. Jabbing a finger at Marian, he then orders, "twenty words or less, explain what happened here last night." Bethany opens her mouth, then closes it hurriedly at the flintly glare she gets.

[Marian Hawke]

Marian takes a deep breath, counting words in her head. "Bethany was upset. We got drunk. It's all a blur after that, but I know we had sex. I'm sorry."

[Varric]

Varric stares a moment, then nods once. "Now you."

[Bethany]

Bethany starts a little. Twenty words or less? Umm... "That," she points at Marian. "I stole the wine." That's five. "And I kissed her first. She was being... kind." Crap, how many was that? Like... fifteen? "Please, don't fire her, it was my fault." Was that too many? Shite.

[Varric]

Before Marian can cut in, Varric holds up a hand. "Ah! Alright. That's about what I figured." Aside from who went for the wine. Noticed she didn't mention the whisky, that must have been Marian (learned something at least). "Why here? Why at least not the damn guest room?"

[Marian Hawke]

Marian hangs her head. "It was never meant to happen," she whispers. "I didn't plan... any of that. I was just so scared for Bethany and then..."

[Varric]

"Scared? About what? What else happened?" Varric demands, focusing on the more... palatable potential issue.

[Bethany]

"I wasn't at the Festival because Carver went with Summer," Bethany offers hesitantly. "She was worried something happened to me."

[Varric]

"That... okay, that makes sense," Varric allows, recalling a dissucusion he'd had with Marian just after Joey's crippling. "And I gather you decided to try getting drunk to take your mind off things or the like?" Bethany winces, and nods. "Not an unusual reaction. How did..." He swallows, looking very uncomfortable. "How did... the next part... happen?"