Imprints in Stone [AU]

[Carver Amell]

"Sorry," he says once Varric's gone. "But it's true. So if you listen to her, you'll have no end of fighting," he adds to Merrill.

[Bethany]

"Or you could just... not argue about it and let make her own choices," Bethany snaps at him.

[Carver Amell]

"Merrill doesn't know how to protect herself in a city yet at all. She needs me to warn her when things are dangerous."

[Bethany]

Bethany recoils back as if struck. "Do- do you-" She takes a deep breath. He didn't mean- he speaks too quickly for his thoughts, you know that. Give him another chance. "What about me?" she finally asks, taking very clear care with her words. "In regards to warning her, I mean."

[Tethras Clan]

Merrill has gone very, very quiet, almost not breathing, as she desperately tries to not draw any attention. If she could, she'd silently vanish into nothingness, forever, just to make this fight stop.

[Carver Amell]

Carver looks at Beth, frowning slightly. "You..." he says, slowly, trying to get his thoughts in order. Finally, he gives up on finding a good way to put it, and shrugs, glancing down in defeat. 

"You wanted me to be less... me. So I'm trying. I want to trust you, that you know what you're doing. But Merrill, she doesn't, really, at all. So, it'd be wrong to give her space like you wanted for you."

[Bethany]

That's not- that's not the problem, that's good, mostly, I think- no it is, I just- that's not the point. "...but you think I'm... what? You think I'm smart and savvy enough to know the dangers but that I'm cruel or not smart enough to warn her?" Bethany asks a hurt tone. "Or do you actually not think I can look after myself and you're just lying? To me and to yourself?"

[Carver Amell]

"I think you refuse to understand how dangerous whoring can be. No matter what I say."

[Bethany]

"I am aware of the dangers, thank you," Bethany snaps, feeling slightly better it's that he doubts her judgment and not her ethics. "Better than you, in fact, given I'm the one that was almost raped. But that was when we were green at it and unlicensed. Things are much safer now, there hasn't been so much as a brawl in the barroom since we went legit."

[Carver Amell]

That does it -- he stands, abruptly, pushing back from the table and storming to the backyard without a word. 

[Bethany]

Damnit, why did I- "Carver, please- not today, please," Beth calls after him. "I'm sorry, I'l drop it for- just- I don't want us angry with each other, not today, please?"

[Carver Amell]

Carver doesn't respond, doesn't even look back as he heads right for his favorite tree. He knows if he swallows down the fear it'll make him sick, off-balance, so he lets it out as rage instead, slamming his fists into the tree over and over again with a deep belly-shout. 

[Bethany]

Bethany winces, eyes closing as painful emotions churn inside her as well. After a moment, she takes a deep breath and- "Fuck," she mutters, moving quickly to embrace the elf having a near panic attack. "It's okay, it's just- sometimes we argue, but we always work it out. It's okay." The two watch Carver through the back window for a few minutes, everyone trying to regain control of their emotions.

[Carver Amell]

Carver presses his forehead against the rough bark of the tree, taking a few deep breaths to let the last of the anger go. He squeezes his eyes shut against tears. Stupid. Ruin everything, even birthdays. Dammit. Why did she have to remind me?!

[Varric]

There's the sound of a foot sweeping through grass to his left- a quick glance shows his dad, a somber expression on his face, a bottle in one hand and a medical kit in the other. "Let me take care of your hands, then we can spar a bit or have a talk if you want."