Imprints in Stone [AU]

[Varric]

Ho boy. "Trust is... hard. It's more complex than just yes or no. I trust the two of you, but I still wouldn't let you run my books or use my alchemy set-up." Not that I have one right now, sodding demons. "I gather that isn't the exact nature of the issue here, granted. But maybe it wasn't about not trusting you. Maybe she was trying to protect you." 

He hesitates a moment. "She... she has pulled back a bit, I noticed, in the last year and some." Another pause. "Shortly after you started dating Summer."

[Carver Amell]

Carver hangs his head. I should have. They.... if Marian wasn't molesting Bethany, if she wasn't preying on her, if Bethany defended her like that, then... then they're closer than.. Bethany needs Marian more than she needs me. I will, I will have to spend the rest of my life making up for that mistake, taking Marian away from her. I'm all she can count on.

He takes a deep breath. "Thanks," he says, rubbing at his eyes as he pulls back. "I... I should try to get some sleep. It's not like this will matter tomorrow, anyway. We have to get to Nyra, then we can figure out the rest."

[Varric]

"It wouldn't have worked," Varric says softly. "Marian's not as strong as you, she couldn't have carried Bethany away from town fast enough. The only way to have saved Bethany was with you. But yeah, try and get some sleep. You want a light sedative? Nothing that'd keep you under, just a short-lasting one to get you under."

[Carver Amell]

"No," he says softly. I need to stop depending on others. "Let me carry Bethany to bed so you can get some rest."

[Varric]

"She's fine," Varric says, running a hand through Bethany's hair. "I took a potion so I won't need to sleep. Get some rest." That would explain how he keep watch by himself last night, now that Carver is thinking about it.

[Carver Amell]

He perks up. "If you give me some, I can keep you company."

[Varric]

"Sorry, that's the biggest weakness of my style of magic. All of my infusions are just foul-tasting water to anyone but me. That's why I use a healing wand- I can make healing infusions, but I can't use them on others. No direct attack spells for the same reason," Varric replies with a shrug. Hence Bianca.

[Carver Amell]

Carver nods. "Maybe you can teach me someday," he muses. "Good night, then."

[Varric]

Varric sighs a little, a purely emotional exhaustion wearing at him. Using magic to skip sleep is perfectly acceptable to both mind and body but after six days without sleep... He needs rest. Still, he can't relax yet. Not until my kids are safe. I won't fuck up again. Leandra barely talks, aside from muttered complaints and prayers, the bulk of which are directed towards 'dear, misunderstood Marian.' Bitch. As for the twins... Bethany is holding up fairly well, all things considered, though he's worried about the limp she's picked up. He's not run into it himself before, but he's fairly certain that her soul has decided that her broken leg isn't something that can be healed entirely. Which says a lot about her mental and emotional state...

And then there's Carver. Taking one last glance at Bethany as she soaks her feet in a small stream, the dwarf moves over to where the now oldest Hawke child is gutting some fish downstream. Still within sight, but outside of hearing range for normal conversation. "Hey Hound," he says in greeting, taking care to approach from the front to not spook Carver. "How goes dinner?" Closing down, walling off his pain in order to be strong. Not nearly as bad I feared he would but... getting worse.

[Carver Amell]

"Almost ready," he grunts, his knife making quick work of the guts. He's not using the fancy one; his normal belt-knife suits him fine. It's soothing, doing something like this: routine, long practiced. Nothing messy or complicated about it. No weird emotions, no guilt, just providing for his family. As it should be. 

[Varric]

"Getting real smooth with that," the dwarf adds as he moves closer. I miss markets... so glad to have a skilled hunter and cook along. Doubly so since she learned how to do my portion properly. "Got a bit to talk?"

[Carver Amell]

"Sure," he says, but his tone is wary. What now? I told you this morning I'm fine.

[Varric]

"Talked to Bethany this afternoon and... she mentioned the, uh, kiss Marian gave her before..." He swallows. "Before you left town. She's a bit... she, uh, asked if I could talk to you about it. See if you're... if you have any questions. Or... if you wanted to talk about it." Not entirely sure how I ended up being the one involved in you doing so, but here I am. Somehow. Stupid woebegone waif eyes.

[Carver Amell]

"No," he says, but he nicks his thumb as his hands quiver. He pops the thumb into his mouth, wincing at the taste. 

[Varric]

"You sure?" Varric asks slowly. "It's... a hell of a... revelation. Lot to process. Sweetie wants to talk about it with you, I think, but is scared of what you'll say. She... she can't handle the idea of losing another loved one."