Imprints in Stone [AU]

[Tethras Clan]

Merrill nibbles at her lip. "...she... you're right. We," she stresses that word just a little, "can't leave her here. But... we don't have to take her home. I- have you heard about SummerHill?"

[Carver Amell]

He shakes his head. "No. What's that?"

[Tethras Clan]

"One of the teachers at the temple volunteers there. It's a hospital but they only take patients with sick mind, not bodies," the elf explains. "It's new but heavily backed by the Bastion church. And Aldyra, because minds. That Light dad knows, the Astronomer? His husband the Doctor opened it. Maybe..."

[Carver Amell]

He grabs her hand, squeezes tight. "Yeah. Okay. Can you... No. Let's go together to find Dad, then we'll all three tell Beth. I.. she'll want me to cry on."

[Tethras Clan]

"Of course. We're stronger as a family," Merrill says simply, popping up a little on her toes to kiss him softly.

[Carver Amell]

He deepens the kiss right away, backing her up against a wall. Merrill... I don't deserve you. You deserve so much better than this fucked-up family. Gods, I could just...

[Tethras Clan]

Merrill hums happily, her heart swelling with happiness at the clear proof that she's wanted, desired, loved. She grips him tighter, bringing her legs up to wrap around his waist as she kisses him back just as hotly.

[Carver Amell]

Carver finally breaks off with a groan, his pants straining. He nuzzles her neck, kissing her, nibbing at the spot her neck meets her shoulder. "Gods," he whimpers. 

[Tethras Clan]

Merrill moans softly, her left hand threading through his hair as she arches her neck to give him better access. "More?" she begs, not caring that they're in an alleyway in the bad part of Coalside. 

[Carver Amell]

"Yes," he groans. "Gods."


They arrive, hands held tightly, just as Varric's helping Helene into the house. "Check on Beth?" he asks Merrill softly, catching Varric's eye and inclining his head toward the study. 

[Tethras Clan]

Merrill nods and slips away, pausing only to have a whispered word or six with Hunter. The mabari grunts, then moves to press against Carver's side, looking up at him with soulful eyes.

[Varric]

Varric nods back, heading for his office- and going right to his desk to pour them some whisky. Given where he's coming back from (without Malcolm?) and with that expression... might be two fingers needed.

[Carver Amell]

Carver ruffles Hunter's ears, always ready with a pat for the Mabari, as he heads into Varric's office, sitting in one of the chairs (one foot on the chair with him, the other dangling toward the floor at an odd angle). He takes the whisky, swirling it for a bit in silence before he blurts out, "We have to help Mother."

[Varric]

Varric frowns slightly, though Carver would realize it's his 'thoughtful' frown, not one of dislike or disapproval. "She's not been out much in the last few weeks, aside from- damn. A support group. It was Mori, wasn't it?" His voice doesn't tremble, his hand doesn't shake a it moves his whiskey to his mouth and and he takes a perfectly normal sized sip. But his heart speeds up, just for an instant.

[Carver Amell]

He nods. "It's bad. Real bad. I--" He shakes his head, swallowing, then says, "Merrill says there's a place, summer's hill or whatever."