Imprints in Stone [AU]

[Bethany]

His sister gives him a sour look. I don't miss the weird requests, the indifference or scorn, but damn I miss sex. Lucky bastard. If Bri hadn't taught me that neat little cantrip-ritual to make your fingers vibrate, I'd have gone mad by now. "Happy birthday," she replies anyway. "Dad's in his office, I think he has a surprise planned."

[Tethras Clan]

"I'll send Chriples to get him," Merrill offers perkily, leaning against Carver as they sit. She looks up at him with a sappy expression on her face, sighing with content. A home, a family, a lover, new tutors... Nothing could change ever again and I would be happy.

[Carver Amell]

Carver flinches, but doesn't take his arm away from Merrill's shoulders. This is a thing now, he seems to be saying. I will do better but it's going to happen. I have to live, right? You wanted me to be happy, right?

[Bethany]

Bethany sighs a little, a smile forming. "Thank you Merrill," she says warmly to the young woman- and to her brother. I'm not mad, just a little sad. And maybe jealous. It'll be okay.

[Varric]

A moment or two after Chirples flaps off- the elderly bird isn't that spry anymore, but he manages well enough- Varric enters the room. "Ah, good, you're all here. I've got two surprises, one you've been expecting but is done faster than I thought it would be. The other is a real surprise. Which do you want first?"

[Carver Amell]

"The one we're expecting," says Carver. Good as any.

[Varric]

Nodding, Varric pulls out a few sheets of important looking parchment, silently handing out a stack to all three of them, about a half dozen sheets each.

[Bethany]

Bethany scans hers, able to read and understand it much faster. Not that it takes her long, given that the thrust of the documents is pretty clearly labeled on the first page. "Our adoption paperwork," she breathes out, eyes wide. True, they're of age, but it's not about having a guardian, not anymore.

[Carver Amell]

Carver doesn't bother looking; he knows what it is. He pulls Merrill close, nuzzles her neck, sighs happily. Family. Again. I have a Pack of my own.

[Varric]

"Umm-"

"Just a guardianship for you, Sunshine," Varric assures the elf. "If you want more than that later on... well, you have a few options to you. But that's for later."

[Bethany]

"Damn right it is," Bethany says firmly, an all too familiar scowl on her face as she glances at at a small clump of bundles and boxes on an end table nearby. I still don't know if I want to open Malcolm's gifts or not... he has written to us, miracle of miracles, each month but...

[Carver Amell]

Carver hasn't so much as looked at the letters. And he isn't bothered by Beth's scowl. They can take as long as they need -- he's sure of Merrill, sure she'll be there when Beth finally approves.

"And the other?"

[Varric]

"You spoke first, so you get to go first," Varric decides, reaching into his handy bag of holding. Pulling out an oilcloth wrapped bundle, he flips it uncovered to reveal a gleaming silver and leather belt. The buckle is a paw print inside a feather and there are a serious of anchors for pouches or sheaths, one of which is already filled with a sheath sized for that adamantine dagger Carver still carries everywhere.

"Sunshine helped with the design," he comments. "It's enchanted to bolster your physical abilities. You're old enough that you might be getting into real adventures now so..." He coughs softly. "Lt Lawful has something for you as well, you'll want to swing by at some point."

[Carver Amell]

Carver's eyes widen, and his fingers trace the pawprint lovingly. "This is amazing!" he whispers. "Holy shit! I-- I mean-- Vangal's-- holy shit!" he adds, giving up. 

[Tethras Clan]

Merrill giggles, pleased the gift she'd helped with had gone over so well. "I was trying to make something to go with it but I messed up and had to start over so it's not ready yet but you seemed to like what I got you last night so hopefully you don't mind waiting a few more days to get the other gift?"