Imprints in Stone [AU]

[Carver Amell]

You saw me just last week, Mother. Carver weathers the hug for a moment before pulling back. "What's going on?"

[Leandra Hawke ne Amell]

"I'm here to take you home, silly." Looking past him at the guard, she gives a indulgent smile. "My Carver's a good, strong lad but he can be a bit scatterbrained."

"As you say ma'am," the merikos varana says slowly.

Reaching up to pat Carver on the cheek as she turns her gaze back to her son, Leandra lets out a pleased sigh. "I always worry when you go on these... outings of yours. It's so good to have you back."

[Carver Amell]

"Wh-what?" He takes a step back, shaking his head. "No. No! I'm not letting you-- you threw us out. We moved in with Varric. You're not dragging me back now."

[Leandra Hawke ne Amell]

"I did no such thing, young man," Leandra says firmly. "And I certainly wouldn't allow any child of mine to go live with a witchy pedophile. No, I've indulged this little... bit of nonsense for far too long. You're coming home, right this moment. I am your mother, Carver, and I'm won't hear a word of argument on the matter. Now march!"

[Carver Amell]

"Fine," he says, his temper flaring. "Just let me get your precious, darling daughter, whom you obviously love just as much, right?"

[Leandra Hawke ne Amell]

Leandra's eyes fill with tears and she steps back, hand on her chest. "What have I done, that you have to throw that in my face?" she whispers sadly. "Am I truly that terrible a person, that my own son hates me so?"

[Carver Amell]

His anger and confusion only grow, his face a twisted mask. "Throw what back in your face? That you rejected Bethany? That you told her she wasn't good enough to live with her own mother?!"

[Leandra Hawke ne Amell]

Bethany? He was talking about... "That girl is no daughter of mine, not until she's willing to set herself back on a righteous path. You're a sweet boy and a good brother to try and look after her, even after the filth of her sin was made known, but you deserve to be free of her taint. Let her get help, Carver. Please."

[Carver Amell]

His face hardens; it's only the sheer strength of his will that stays his hand by his side. "Don't you ever talk about Beth again. You have no children anymore, Mother. You've killed them all." 

He turns, unable to face another second of her, and storms for the front door. 

[Leandra Hawke ne Amell]

As Carver stalks away, he's treated to the sound of broken sobbing and a scattering of glares from various guards. Some are glaring behind him instead but most are trying to look busy and deaf. Something a lot of Coalside guards are regrettably skilled at.

[Bethany]

When he gets back to the waiting area, the young man is enveloped in another hug. "Ma'win."

[Carver Amell]

As Carver pulls Beth close, he trembles in her arms, as if barely able to hold himself upright. He breathes in the scent of her, and it helps, but not enough to stop the trembling altogether.

[Bethany]

Bethany just holds him for a little bit, but eventually guides him over to a bench so she can curl up against him out of the way. Resting her head against his shoulder, she hums softly and strokes his hair. "I'm sorry you... that..." Sighing, she abandons words and just silently comforts her brother, trying to thank him for, to be blunt, picking her.

[Leandra Hawke ne Amell]

They're there for a few moments before something intrudes on their mutual comforting- and naturally, it's Leandra. 

"-take my son like you took my daughters!"

There's a moment of silence, then more shouting.

"I will not be lectured by some degenerate runt!"

[Carver Amell]

Carver lets out a choked sob, shuddering. Then, a moment later, he straightens, taking a deep breath. "Right. Time to rescue... whichever of them."