Imprints in Stone [AU]

[Varric]

Varric nods slowly. Stayed calm and handled things, huh? Interesting skill set and reactions for a whore (any civilian). Ex-adventurer? Or worse? "I see. I think... well, first things first. You both need to step back from this. Full-stop, neither of you can be part of whoring, support or otherwise. Until you're of age, you just can't. Afterwards, fine. Still don't want to know details, because sex, but when you're of age, it's your choice." 

[Bethany]

Several times during Varric talking, Bethany tries to cut in with an objection but he just powers through it. When he finishes, she glares at him, then huffs. "And what do they do in the meantime without me? Without us?"

[Carver Amell]

"Who cares?!" Carver snaps. "Theyre, they're professionals, they'll cope. Unless they're more important than Dad too?!"

[Bethany]

"I care!" Bethany flares at him, then falters as the other part sinks in. "I- it's not-" Too? Her eyes widen. "Carver, it's not- they're not more important than either of you," she says urgently. "Me demanding you not threaten them doesn't mean they're worth more to me than you. That's not fair to say at all!"

[Carver Amell]

"I threatened Zevran because he was being a dick!" he snarls. "But my reasons don't matter to you. All you care about is that I don't ruin things for you or embarrass you. You're always trying to get rid of me. I just want you to be safe, is that really so wrong?"

[Bethany]

"It- you looked at the whores when you said it," Bethany mutters. "I thought- I'm sorry, I misunderstood." She swallows, looking down at her lap again. "I don't want to get rid of you. I just... I hate... I can't stand having... I had to... kill parts of myself, for so long in Golden Shores. Couldn't even speak up for what I want. Always had to play the peacemaker, keep Leandra happy, please the school, please everyone. I just... I can't anymore. I can't bear being..." She angrily wipes away a tear, then another. "I'm sorry, I'll- I'll stop... Pushing."

[Carver Amell]

The breath rushes out of Carver all at once, refuses to return.

'Is she a danger to herself?'

He bows his head, hands coming up to bury themselves in his hair. I did this. I made her cry. I made her give up her dreams. It's my fault.

[Varric]

Varric had been distracted by that casual 'Dad' from Carver, then had let the pair go because... well, for one, they were revealing a lot more than he expected they would if they weren't focusing on each other. And two, this seemed like stuff they needed to talk about. But... "Hey, hey. Both of you take a moment, collect yourselves. Deep breaths. There's middle ground to find here. Carver wants you safe, Beth wants you with her and she wants to find her place. That's not incompatible. Might be tricky, but it's doable. Maybe your place is helping these, uh, prostitutes. Doesn't mean it has to be know. You both turn seventeen in... six months, roughly. That's time enough to finish up the basics of your training. Really get yourselves ready for what you want to do. In the meantime, I'll help in your place. After we finish eating, we'll all head to this brothel and... figure out where we stand."

[Bethany]

Sniffling, Bethany nods muting. After a moment, she reaches for Carver's hand, needing to touch him. "Yes Dad," she whispers.

[Carver Amell]

Carver doesn't take her hand, doesn't seem to see it. For the moment, all he can focus on is breathing, is trying to get air back in his lungs -- no, slower, stop it, why can't I calm down.

[Bethany]

Bethany hunches in on herself at the lack of response, her tears starting to come faster. She peeks at Carver, needing to see how mad he is. "Carver!" she blurts out, pushing to her feet to get to him. "What's wrong, you're not breathing!" Without hesitation, a low screaming building in her mind, she pushes a healing spell into him.

[Carver Amell]

Carver swallows, shuddering violently, struggling to calm down his shallow, faint breaths. Stopitstopitstopit-- 

He manages to push back from the table, turning to stumble toward the doorway. 

[Varric]

Something is shoved in Carver's hand and a firm, commanding voice barks out, "drink! Now!"

[Carver Amell]

Carver throws it back, swallowing it down in one gulp. A few moments later, he's leaning against the wall, breathing more deeply, seeming to focus a bit better. 

[Bethany]

"Come on, let's go sit out back," Beth says gently, rubbing his arm. "It's nice out and the- the fresh air will h-help." She swallows, a weak but game smile forced onto her lips.