Imprints in Stone [AU]

[NPCs]

"I..." Could I have done that? Gone to my death, a gory, painful one for sure, to save others? To save my children? "She's a hero. I... I wish I had the right to be pride of her. I'm glad you are. Do... I've some money, saved up for the... well. I've some coin. You two should have it. For a marker or... to donate in her name or whatever you like."

[Carver Amell]

Carver nods. "Okay," he says, his voice a bit raw, dull. "We had a funeral already. But.. but, she was going to go to university. Maybe, maybe they can use it to, for someone else. Someone who can't pay."

[Bethany]

"Marian would love that," Beth agrees, eyes closed with pain. "Alright. Talk to Dad to find out where to send... whatever it is you have. And write, if you actually do."

[NPCs]

I deserve that, I guess. You'd think me trying so hard would get me a little credit but... "Alright. I'll talk to... Mister Tethras." And doesn't it sting for her to tell me to talk to 'dad.'

[Carver Amell]

"I wish you could see," he says quietly. "I wish you cared enough to. Dad's great for us. He's really held us together. And I have friends now, better friends. Beth's making something of herself as a healer, and I'm going to swear to Vangal. If you wanted to be in our lives you'd be proud of us."

[NPCs]

"I do, I just- not yet. I need to... get my head straight before I can... I'm sorry," he repeats uselessly. "I'm trying, I promise, I just... need time."

[Carver Amell]

"I wasn't ready for my family to fall apart but it did and I had to deal with it. Hell, Dad wasn't ready to be a dad I bet. But we needed him. So he stepped up. If you ever step up, fine, but I'm done waiting." 

He takes his hand out of his pocket, holds out the tin soldier within to Malcolm. "You can give this back if you ever decide to make good on your debts."

[NPCs]

"I don't-"

[Bethany]

"Take it," Bethany hisses, twisting her head to face her- to face Malcolm. "That's a gift to a son. Until you can act like a father, you don't get to give that to him."

[NPCs]

Moving slow, almost like he'd been beaten, Malcolm steps forward to take the tin solider. "...safe travels," he mumbles, then turns to rush away.

[Carver Amell]

Carver watches him go, feeling empty, numb. "Dad saved that, for me," he says quietly. "From the wreckage. It was in my treasure box. One of the last things I had left, and... but... but it meant a lie. He'll never come back for us. Not ever."

A moment later he turns to plant a kiss on Beth's cheek. "Come on. Let's go get Merrill's things. I don't want her out of my sight again until we leave here, just in case."

[Bethany]

Bethany lifts herself up on her tip-toes- when did he get so tall?- to kiss his forehead. "You did so well with that, ma'win. I'm so damn proud of you for how you handled that. This entire trip really."

[Tethras Clan]

"I, um, didn't understand a lot of that but... you didn't run away crying. Or get all shouty. I think that's good, right?" Merrill adds, wanting to be supportive too.

[Carver Amell]

Carver nods. "I just-- I think that's the last time I'll ever see my biological father. So I wanted to.. to do it right." 

[Tethras Clan]

Feeling greatly daring after his remark about 'getting her things' and 'not out of his sight,' the elf leans up and kisses his cheek. "You-did-fine-in-my-book," she blurts in a rush, then darts around the side of the wagon.