Imprints in Stone [AU]

[Carver Amell]

"Then why don't you trust me anymore? You don't listen to anything I say and you don't tell me anything important."

[Bethany]

"I do listen to you! When Varric was taken, I followed you to the Bandanas, didn't I? And I accepted you walking me every day without complaint, even if I don't think I need the protection. But I like spending time with you and it makes you feel better so it's okay."

[Carver Amell]

"You only went to the bandannas because you had no choice. You were so mad, even though I promised I'd keep you safe, even though I made sure you didn't have to join up or anything. And the you run off and do this! Which is even more dangerous!"

[Bethany]

"I had choices, some of them even good ones. Could have gone to Seli. To the church, Bastion or Astea. Could have just rented a cheap room. But you said you had a plan so I trusted you. And it worked." Bethany runs a hand through her hair. "And yes, I was mad you'd joined a gang, but I was wrong to be. You were being careful, they're not a bad sort."

[Carver Amell]

He gapes at her, stunned, unsure what to say, what to do with this revelation. The problem is abruptly clear to them both: while Beth can read her twin like an open book, he no longer understands the secrets in her heart.

[Bethany]

Closing her eyes, Beth sighs. "Can we make a promise to each other? That... That I'll stop keeping secrets and you'll talk to me when you're hurting or unsure of me, of life. I won't give every detail, I need some privacy but I'll tell you about big things, even if I'm worried you make not like it." No, start it right. "Or that you might... hate me. Be disgusted by me."

[Carver Amell]

"I could never hate you. Why can't you see that? I can't hate you, ever. You're my twin."

[Bethany]

"Mom hates me," Bethany whispers, eyes lowering to the ground. And she's our mother. She's supposed to take care of us, love us and guide us. And she's disgusted by me, wants to... erase me.

[Carver Amell]

"Fuck her."

Carver has only once in his life spoken out that strongly against their mother -- and Bethany was there to see him go to pieces immediately after, to feel him tremble in her arms as he struggled with his loyalty and his need to protect her. Here, however, he meets her eyes, hands balled into fists at his side, head high.

[Bethany]

Eww! Hells no! I still feel a bit weird about that heavy petting session with Mar but I can accept it because I love her. Leandra? Ugh! "I... I know," she admits. "It's just hard. I'm not brave, not like you. I get so scared about... everything."

[Carver Amell]

"Then let me protect you. Let me do my job. I want, I want to keep you safe. Forever."

[Bethany]

"Safe from what? Life?" Bethany sighs, finally lifting her gaze. "Carver, you can't... swaddle me up in cotton batting and tuck me away in your pocket. I need to be able to live or it's not worth it."

[Carver Amell]

"I know. I know! Okay? But there's a difference between living and whoring. I thought you wanted to be a healer? Why can't you just do that?"

[Bethany]

"I do want to be a healer, I just... it's complicated," Bethany mumbles. Damnit, why does this have so... ugh. "Look. Let me explain all of it before you saying anything, okay? See...  I met Brianne at the temple while healing. We got to talking and... well, she explained how whoring works when you can't make it into a licensed brothel. I- it's terrible, Carver. She has to give almost two thirds of her wages to her pimp and she's treated so poorly. And her situation wasn't even considered that bad. So... so I figured, I should help. Change things, as much as I can. Hence this whole... co-op brothel idea."

She winces, eyes flicking away for a second. "But... but part of it is that this entire thing is built on the idea that it's run by the whores themselves. So if I don't, it undermines the whole effort. And it's too important for that. But it's not like I don't not want to do this. I... Sex is... good. Enjoyable. And I don't need coin, so I can afford to be selective. Only take clients I want to take."

[Carver Amell]

"Brianne had a pimp for a reason. There are sick people out there, Beth, and they might hurt you."