Imprints in Stone [AU]

[Carver Amell]

"Then we match," he snaps. "Let me alone and finish your salad."

[Bethany]

"I am not," she snaps back. "You just don't want to talk to me anymore."

[Carver Amell]

"You knew about my girlfriend." His tone is cold, accusatory..

[Bethany]

His twin pales a little, pain forcing her eyes closed. "...I never had one. We... Marian couldn't... handle being different in yet another way," she whispers. I just wanted to be wanted. To be loved. I just needed... I didn't... "We weren't... together."

[Carver Amell]

"You looked pretty together!" he snarls. "How could you-- after everything, how could-- it was meant to be you and me, together, forever. You know I'd do anything to protect you. I'd kill for you. I'd lay down my life for you. Is that not enough? What did she do that I didn't? I-- should I have died, instead? Would that have made you happier?"

[Bethany]

"No!" Bethany says, eyes snapping open to look at him in horror. "It should have been me! Or Leandra! Not- both of you are better-" She takes a ragged breath. "You... you left me behind," she says weakly. "I just wanted... You got a girlfriend and you just... didn't have time for me anymore."

[Carver Amell]

"I--" I had time for you, dammit! I didn't-- I didn't leave you, I didn't, I didn't, he tells himself over and over, tears welling up in his eyes. "I'm sorry," is all he says a minute later, lowering his head. "I won't ever leave your side again." Forsaking dating, forsaking friendship, forsaking anything, to keep Bethany safe.

[Bethany]

"I..." Bethany falters, not sure if she's happy to have 'won' the fight. Such as it was anyway. "It was my fault too. I never... I never said anything. I just expected you to know and fix it. That wasn't fair either. I just... I missed you so much. And when you told me, that morning, that you'd be with Summer all festival instead of going with me like we always did, I just..." She flushes, hard. "I, um,, kind of..." she trails off into a mumble, the only part he can make out being Varric's name.

[Carver Amell]

"You won't have to worry about that," he says, firmly. "Never again. I'm not leaving your side. I don't need anything but you. Forever."

[Bethany]

Bethany bites her lip. That doesn't sound... But I don't want to be alone again. Not ever. But... Marian, what should I do? I don't know what to do! Astea, Andraste, please... please... "I love you, Carver," she finally whispers, not sure what to do or say but knowing that fact, that absolute certainty. Even when he'd left her for Summer, even at the height of her jealousy and pain, she'd loved him.

[Carver Amell]

It seems to be the right move; his face softens, and he smiles at her. "I love you too."

[Bethany]

Bethany smiles at her twin, something inside her relaxin, just a little. She reaches across the table to squeeze his hand for a moment, then sets herself to eating in earnest. Don't want to not be done and make Varric wait after he gets done his interview, she figures.

Turns out, she needn't have worried about that- Varric hadn't come to the room to get them for another three hours, his expression worn and frustrated until he saw the two of them curled up together in the waiting area. A few minutes later, he'd gathered them up and, after a quick conversation with a hovering Recruit za'Frane, had taken them to the small non-denomination chapel to collect Leandra. That done, the group of three and one made their way to a cheap but safe and clean inn to crash for the night on Varric's silver.

The following morning, Bethany is up at dawn as normal, unable to sleep in any longer than that. Waking Carver, the pair head downstairs to start breakfast. Being firmly turned away from the kitchen by being told they'll be served cold porridge, meat sausages and watered ale like everyone else when it's ready was a... novel experience. Thankfully, Varric comes down shortly after and the three grab a table together.

[Carver Amell]

Carver shadows Bethany's steps, silent and wary, the entire time she's arranging things. The day had dawned upon a boy on the cusp of manhood with no idea what he's meant to be doing next; he had resolved again twice before getting out of bed that his life belongs to Bethany, that he would do nothing, be nothing, that she did not need. That he was nothing but her shield, sworn to protect her to the bitter end. 

He scoots his chair a little closer to hers -- not so close as to crowd her, but close enough that if an attack came, he'd be ready. Of course, he can't see the bags under his own eyes, nor the dull, flat look in them, or the tension in his jaw. But he has practice now stuffing his feelings way down deep and ignoring them, letting only anger at a world that hurt his sister fill his heart. 

[Varric]

Varric, on the other hand, looks much better than he had last night. A full night's sleep, real sleep, has done him a world of good. Add on to that having gotten his kids behind city-state wards and being back in actual gods be damned civilization and he's feeling much better about life. "Alright, I knocked on Leandra's door on my way past, she's up and getting ready after another round of prayers. Figured we could... talk a bit, see how we're all doing. Need to figure out our next steps."

[Bethany]

"I think Carver is set on swearing to Vangal," Bethany says, tone a bit proud. For a rural village, having someone in the family not just enter the clergy but swear holy vows is a big honor. That showing of devotion, of service, speaks well for not just the person in question, but for the family they come from. Provided, of course, the deity in question is one that's approved of for a given village naturally. She gives her twin's hand a squeeze and smiles.