Imprints in Stone [AU]

[Tethras Clan]

"Hunter came home crying," Merrill whimpers. 

[Carver Amell]

"Damn dog," he slurs. "I told him to look after Beth and you, not worry everyone."

[Tethras Clan]

"You're very drunk," Merrill says, noise wrinkling as she gets closer, then steps back. Not a fan of that smell... "And Hunter is a good boy," she adds, the mabari slinking a touch closer at the praise. "His person taught him well- pack is important and we need to stick together."

[Carver Amell]

"Pack," he sneers. "Go home, Merrill. Take Hunter."

[Tethras Clan]

The elf flinches. But she's grown a lot since Golden Green too. "No. I love you Carver and I won't walk away when you're hurting."

[Carver Amell]

He does something he's never done before: he steps toward her, claws coming out, snarling in anger at her. "Go. Home. Tell Beth and D--Varric I'm leaving Nyra. I'm changing my name. I'm never coming back. I want nothing more to do with this fucking family, do you understand?! Nothing!"

[Tethras Clan]

Merrill shrinks back, her eyes broken and lost. Without another word, she runs from the hideout.

[Carver Amell]

The sound of things breaking accompanies her exit. 

[Bethany]

An hour later, the door opens again. Well, the door becomes an opening, which Bethany then uses to enter. "Carver! Where are you, you stupid git!"

[Carver Amell]

Carver groans, looking up from his head hanging in his hands. Miki stands, swallowing. "Beth!" he begins, his mouth turning upwards even as his eyes look panicked. 

[Bethany]

"Damnit Carver, we've been looking everywhere for you! And you're here, just- drinking?" she snarls as she stalks towards him, taking great care to pitch her voice as shrill and loud as possible.

[Carver Amell]

As Miki opens his mouth again, Carver explodes into furious action. "Dammit Beth! Leave me the fuck alone!" 

[Bethany]

"No," Bethany says simply. "You were right to yell and scold and order me to bed last night and I'm right to drag your drunk and selfish ass back home now."

[Carver Amell]

"I'm leaving. I don't want anything to do with this fucking family anymore! I'm done! All the fucking secrets and lies -- I'm done. If you know what's good for you, you'll change your name too. No more fucking Hawkes."

[Bethany]

"Carver, what are you talking about?" Bethany asks, bewildered. "I've stopped keeping secrets from you, big ones anyway."