Imprints in Stone [AU]

[Bethany]

"Carver, no! You're plenty good for me, I promise. You're over-protective and blunt but that's- that's fine. I can be kind of dumb about things, having you looking after me is probably very good for me," she admits, words pouring out rapidly. "And I'm supposed to look after you too. We're twins. You're only seven minutes older than me and that's actually kind of a dumb measure of it. I mean, I know enough about biology now to know that we were conceived at the same time, so you've existed as long a I have, not longer. So- so- so we're equal. Partners."

[Carver Amell]

He shakes his head. "You're a good person, Beth. A really good person. You're kind and sweet and generous and you're.. you're important. I just... the best thing I could do with my life would be to protect you. You're more than good enough for both of us."

[Bethany]

Bethany flinches. "Please- please don't," she asks in a tight voice. "Please don't... put your life in my hands. I can't... I can't carry that. I want you with me, at my side, not... serving me. Please. I need a brother, not a servant or..." She swallows, unable to say 'slave.'

[Carver Amell]

"I don't know how," he says finally, lifting his head to meet her eyes. "I don't-- I just know how much I love you, how much I need you to be okay. I would die for you, Bethany Hawke, even just to give you a chance, even just to make you smile. I don't know how to not feel that way. And, and when I try to talk to you about ways we can both work together to keep you safe, somehow it all comes out wrong and you yell at me and cry."

[Bethany]

I... I know he's like that. I know he struggles to put his feelings and ideas into words, that they come out wrong and you have to get give him time to say it right. Why did I forget that? Why..? "Alright. We... we can work on that," she murmurs, kissing his brow. "Work on... giving you more to live for. I love you, Carver Hawke, and I need you to be happy and whole. I want you in my life but I want more too. And I want you to have more than just me." 

She sniffles a little, a slightly goofy smile forming. "One day, a decade from now, I want our kids to be best friends with each other. Grow up together, more siblings than cousins. I want to prove we can be good to our kids and our wives." She pauses. "Or wife and husband, if you... want, that wouldn't bother me, obviously."

[Carver Amell]

Instead of hotly denying it, Carver flushes. "I-- sure. Yeah. I'd like that."

[Bethany]

That... was... huh. I suppose I have noticed him glancing at Andy and Zevran. Which, can't blame him. Even I have to admit they are damn good looking. Maybe even consider fooling around with them, if they keep their briefs on. "Good." She kisses his cheek. "I... I can't be glad Marian died. But I'm glad you lived. Okay?"

[Carver Amell]

At that, he nods and bursts into tears, throwing his arms around her and clinging to her tightly.

[Bethany]

The pair stay that way for a good ten minutes or so before Varric finally nudges them back into the kitchen to finish their breakfasts. After that, they part long enough to clean up and dress for the day, then head for the brothel. Varric is quiet for most of the trip and makes the last bit of it invisible, just in case. Once there, Bethany meekly gathers everyone she can to the largest room in the abandoned inn. "So... ummm. Sorry about the sudden meeting but... well, some complications have arisen," she begins awkwardly.

[Isabela]

Isabela tenses, her hand straying toward the small of her back where her knife is. "What sort of complications?" she asks, her voice light. "Don't tell me you're pregnant."

[Bethany]

"What? No! How would I even- no, I'm not pregnant. And it's not... entirely bad?" Bethany winces a little. "It's actually kind of good, mostly. For all of you anyway," she finishes in a disgruntled tone. "Our dad caught us out this morning and... well..."

[Varric]

Stepping inside the room after drinking down that infusion spiked tea, Varric takes over. "The two of them are stepping away from the brothel until they're seventeen- about six months and some. I realize that they were a big part of this effort- having a dedicated healer is a big thing all on its own, I get that. But to be blunt, I don't care, I have to look after my kids first and foremost. Still, this is important to them, so I'll arrange for this place to get licensed- which includes getting you lot ownership of the building properly. And ident papers for any of you that needs them, no questions asked."

[GamesMaster]

Brianne bristles. "<cat>Who is going to run interference with my pimp, then, hypocritical asshole." I wasn't ready to leave yet -- it's got to be done careful, and I'd prefer much more security before I go. But of course he's only going to protect his own kids. Of course the pretty human girl gets to be saved.

[Isabela]

Isabela relaxes some. "Ah. Splendid. Are you upholding previous agreements made?" I've got to keep Zevran safe, no matter what. If he doesn't know about our deal, I'll find a new bolt-hole, no harm done.

[Varric]

"Give me a name and a basic description and I'll handle any of your previous pimps that will cause an issue," Varric says without batting an eye. "If there are any other issues with that going legit will either bring up or bring forth, let me know as well. As for previous deals, yes, there shouldn't be any problems." Zevran is the name that they dropped about being helpful last night (maybe too helpful) so that buys them at least a bit of leeway (provided I don't find out anything too worrying).