Imprints in Stone [AU]

[Bethany]

"Bother being late." Bethany doesn't budge from her seat. "Carver- brother- I don't want to- please talk to me? Please?"

[Carver Amell]

He shakes his head. "Come on," he says quietly. "The temple makes you happy."

[Bethany]

"Not as happy as you make me. When you're happy," Bethany replies simply.

[Carver Amell]

"Then we'd best get you to the temple," he bites off.

[Bethany]

"Because you look so damn pleased with life right now."

[Carver Amell]

Carver gives her a withering glare that makes her certain that's what he meant in the first place. 

[Bethany]

Bethany rolls her eyes. "Yes, I know, what's what I meant. I don't want to go to the temple when you're so upset. I want to be with you."

[Carver Amell]

"I'm not going to not be upset anytime soon. You might as well go to class."

[Bethany]

Averting her gaze, Beth is silent for a bit. "...it would feel like abandoning you," she finally admits. "I don't want to be like our father either."

[Carver Amell]

"You're not," he hisses. "Why can't you-- why can't I just do this for you?!"

[Bethany]

Because even worse would be being m- Leandra. "I want to... When... When was the last time you did something for yourself? Just for yourself."

[Carver Amell]

"You are something for me! I l-love you!"

[Bethany]

Bethany smiles, pleased as ever to have that even given the circumstances. But only a small one. "Just for you, I mean. Because it made you happy direct, not because it made someone else- made me- happy?"

[Carver Amell]

"Summer," he growls. "And now she's dead and you don't talk to me."

[Bethany]

That gets a flinch. "I- I'm sorry," she whispers. "That... I didn't handle that well, and it hurt you. Hurt all of us. I just... I was jealous and it hurt."