Imprints in Stone [AU]

[Bethany]

"No," Bethany begs him. "Let them work it out, they're adults. Well, Varric is anyway." And maybe we'll get lucky and she'll get herself arrested.

[Carver Amell]

"I-- I almost hit her," he whispers, and his voice cracks. He buries his face against Beth's shoulder again, shuddering, focusing on not being ill. 

[Bethany]

Darn. Beth, not the time! Can't blame him but he clearly does. "You have a temper. Keeps us safe sometimes but it can also be a problem. You feels so much, so strongly and you're more at home doing than saying. And- and you didn't. Hit her. You held back."

[Carver Amell]

Carver closes his hand on the back of Beth's tunic, holding her close, trying to make himself forget the feel of guts in his hand, the feel of hot blood all over it. He breathes in again, letting her scent soothe him, bring him home, drive away the demons of his mind. 

[Leandra Hawke ne Amell]

"Guards! Guards! Didn't anyone hear him? He threatened me!"

[Varric]

"I don't make threats to 'people' like you," Varric's voice cuts back, cold and unforgiving. "Waste of time and breath. You're barely worth scorn."

[Tethras Clan]

"That's enough!" Holy shit, someone has good lungs. There's more loud voices, but the volume is low enough that the twins can't hear the words. Sounds... firm though. And irritated. Female and familiar, though not very.

[Carver Amell]

Carver shudders again, still holding his twin. Should we run for it? Will Vallen hurt Beth? No. She belongs to Vangal. No Vangalite would hurt someone who needs protected. We're safe here.

[Varric]

A minute or so later, Varric steps into waiting area and looks around. Spotting the twins, a look of naked relief forms on his face for a few seconds, then smooths down into a warm smile. "Hey," he says gently once he's close. "Sorry to keep you waiting."

[Carver Amell]

Carver shudders again before pulling free, turning to smile at Varric, wiping the tears from his eyes. "Hey." 

[Bethany]

"Dad!" Bethany tries to leap up to hug Varric without letting go of Carver and almost sends them all to the ground but thankfully her menfolk are pretty sturdy sorts.

[Varric]

Clearing his throat, the dwarf stuffs a handkerchief in Carver's hand without comment. Petty but lifting it from your bitch made me feel better and hey, it's come in handy! Best thing she's done for the pair of you in years, like as not. "Okay, enough hugging," he says gruffly after a moment, skin itching with a need to be outside and able to move freely. "I wanna get out of here before anything else happens."

[Carver Amell]

Carver lets go, stumbling backward as he tries not to fall to the ground. Awkward, unsure of himself, he hangs back a bit, not wanting to get involved in the hug in case he comes off as childish, but wanting the comfort anyway. He takes the handkerchief, dabbing at his eyes rapidly, as if he can move fast enough to hide the gesture. 

"Yeah. Let's, let's go home," he stammers, with a small smile. 

[Bethany]

"Yes," Bethany sighs, voice almost a prayer. "Home..." I can worry about secrets and sex and choices tomorrow. Today, I just want to have a dinner with the only men I'll ever need in my life.

[Carver Amell]

Carver has been thinking a lot about his life lately. 

On the one hand, he still knows his life revolves around Bethany. She's still the first thing he thinks of in the morning and the last thing he thinks of before falling asleep at night. He walks her to the temple for lessons in the morning, escorts her home at the end of the day on days when she doesn't run off to be with Brienne in the afternoons. He can't imagine life without her, and he refuses to allow harm to come to her. That, as far as he knows, will never change.

But the rest...

He had thought studying Vangal's theology would involve a little more hitting and a lot less... sitting. It was bad enough sitting in a class, trying not to fidget, trying to pretend he's paying attention, trying to listen. It was worse to realize everyone around him is several years younger, that he's playing catch-up. Failing to answer when called upon just adds insult to injury.

He'd moved himself to half-days without much grumbling, and he'd skipped a few days claiming to be ill without more than a stern look and a mild warning. Now that Varric was back, he treated himself to a couple days off, figuring he'll decide what to do about the long term when he got to it.

Returning home at the end of a second unexpected day off, the long term catches up to him as he spies Kenta leaving Varric's house. Swallowing, he waits until the Vangalite has gotten clear before heading in the front door...