Imprints in Stone [AU]

[NPCs]

Merrill listens to all this with wide eyes filled with a wary concern, arms still raised.

[Carver Amell]

"Just... Just tell me what you want," he whispers. "I'll do anything. Suffer, die, anything. Please, just tell me how to make it right. I... I don't want to hurt you again."

[NPCs]

Merrill flinches, her head pounding furiously. "L-love me?" She whimpers.

[Bethany]

"Hug her already," Beth whispers, moving out of the way.

[Carver Amell]

To his credit, Carver's response is as rapid as it is passionate: "of course I love you, I always loved you, I always will. That's why we can't be together."

[NPCs]

"W-what?" Merrill whimpers, looking much the same as if she'd just been stabbed in the heart with a blade made from puppy souls.

[Bethany]

"He's being stupid," Bethany snaps, coming to her feet. "Get the fuck over yourself and make it better. Stop running and deal with your shit!"

[Carver Amell]

"She almost--" he begins, but the words catch in his throat. He looks stricken for a moment, realizing he was about to shout  at Bethany, and falls silent.

A moment later he takes a deep breath, walking to Merrill and crushing her close to him.

[NPCs]

Merrill clings to him as best she can without being able to move anything below her waist, her entire upper body trembling. After a moment, she shfits enough to look over Carver's back. "Carver isn't stupid," she mutters, glaring at Bethany.

[Carver Amell]

I am, he argues in the privacy of his own mind. I'm the stupidest idiot on Aldis. I almost lost you.

[Bethany]

"...he's not stupid, no, but he can act stupid. Sister's prerogative to call him on it. You're a wonder, Merrill, and the two of you are great together," Bethany says gently.

[NPCs]

"...sister?" Merrill's mouth drops open. "You have a sister? Did I know that?"

[Carver Amell]

"Beth is my twin," he says, voice flat. "Varric is our dad. Helene is our stepparent. We're your family now, Merrill."

[NPCs]

"I- we have a family?" Merrill whispers, sounding overwhelmed but exited, in a wary, abused puppy sort of way.

[Carver Amell]

"Yeah. You do."