Imprints in Stone [AU]

[Bethany]

Licking her lips, Bethany takes a few more steps towards Carver, then kneels in stream next to him. I can't lose him. I can't- I can't handle losing another- I can't I can't I can't. She inhales, slow and shaky. "C-Carver... please talk to me?" she begs. "Please..."

[Carver Amell]

He turns his face to her, his eyes no longer full of anger or pain -- instead, they are dull, as though he's seeing through and past her. Then he blinks, his brow furrowing a bit, taking the edge off his haunted, hopeless expression. "Bethany?" he whispers, his voice cracking a bit. His eyes focus on the look on her face, and he sits up, reaching for her hand. "What's wrong?" 

[Bethany]

Bethany lunges for him, embracing him tightly as she pours out a flood of incoherent apologies for hurting him and thanks for... catching her? Carrying her? Living? It's really hard to tell.

[Varric]

Gods damn but these kids need help, more than I can give. Need... need to get to Nyra. Find someone... maybe church of Bastion. Yeah. Gods. Rubbing his face, Varric moves over to the pair. "Come on, let's get you both out of the cold water. Don't want to get sick on top of everything else."

[Carver Amell]

Carver hugs Bethany tightly, petting her hair. "I've got you. It's okay. It's going to be okay," he says to her, over and over. "Come on, let's-- let's go get dry."

[Bethany]

Varric helps them both up, Bethany never letting go of her twin. Once they're in front of the fire, Bethany collects herself enough to slowly dry out their clothing, though Varric still gets them a blanket to wrap them in. As the dwarf starts putting together some hot tea, Bethany looks up from Carver's shoulder. "...I really am sorry," she whispers, voice genuine but more... controlled now.

[Carver Amell]

"You don't have to apologize." Carver's voice is back to dull, distant. "You did nothing wrong. You just tripped."

[Bethany]

"No, not for- I mean, yes, but not- for..." Bethany struggles. Carver pulled away first and it hurts that he doesn't even seem to realize it, much less care or feel regret for it. But... but maybe I should have listened to Marian- gods, Mar, I miss you, I can't do this without- you promised! please come back, please I can't- Bethany takes a ragged breath, rocking in pain. "Sh-should have t-talked to you. M-made you l-listen."

[Carver Amell]

Carver turns his face away from her, though not quite fast enough to hide the wince. "You didn't trust me. Couldn't trust me." His voice is perfectly flat, almost golemic. "I get it. I'll do better, I promise, Bethany. I won't-- I won't fail you again."

[Bethany]

Bethany sobs a little. "Me too. I promise too," she says urgently. "I'm sorry. Do- please talk to me? Please ask- ask anything, something, anything at all. I want to talk with you, please." I need to not be alone right now. I need to be with you. Please.

[Carver Amell]

He's quiet for a moment, his brain churning. Finally, he asks, his voice still fairly flat, "What university do you want to apply to when we get to Nyra?"

[Bethany]

That's not... it's something. We're talking. It can get better. We're talking. "A-actually, ummm. I've been thinking... maybe not university. I might try to apprentice as a healer. Maybe at a temple," she says, voice shaky. As she speaks, her hand fists tightly on her lame leg, knuckles whitening a touch as she grips the fabric.

[Carver Amell]

Now he turns partially toward her, sounding a little more himself. "What? Why?"

[Bethany]

"I..." Bethany presses her face against Carver's shoulder. "If I'd focused on healing, instead of pushing myself to be like M-M- Varric and... I could have fixed my leg. It's my fault we- that M-Ma-M-" She can't finish, instead breaking out into fresh tears.

[Carver Amell]

"No," Carver growls, holding her close. "No. You listen to me, Bethany Hawke. You don't have to do this. I-- when we get to Nyra, I'm going to swear vows to Vangal. I'll learn to heal people. You keep being you. We fought-- Marian died-- we all just wanted you to be able to be happy, even if that means being a witch. Don't you dare throw that away now."