Imprints in Stone [AU]

[Tethras Clan]

"Carver..." Aveline says slowly. "Your dad is at home, with Beth and Merrill. So is Marian and Helene. They left, yes, but they came back."

[Carver Amell]

"For now," he says, shivering. "I wasn't enough then, and I won't be enough next time. I don't know how to be."

[Tethras Clan]

"Carver, that's my point. Whether it was you or not, something was enough! People leave- you did. You went to Raplin's Oak. But you came back. That's normal. That's healthy and good. Beth will likely marry one day and move out of the house. So might you. That doesn't mean you won't be family. It's not about leaving, it's about being a family. I love Wesley. He's still my fiance, still my family, even if I haven't- haven't even heard his v-voice in almost a decade."

[Carver Amell]

"Going to Raplin or getting married or whatever is fine. Dad's getting married, that's fine. But... but he died, he could have left us forever, he didn't..." He takes another deep breath. "Marian wasn't going to come back until Cindy got hurt and she had to. She'd have left forever. Merrill was going to die. Father doesn't want anything to do with us, not really. Mother is... she's not coming back, there's no way I can make that right ever again."

[Tethras Clan]

Aveline has to take a moment to gather herself back up before she can respond. "Death isn't a parting. Not by itself. I can't- I can't excuse Merrill's attempt. You cast her off in anger, yes, but she should have gone back home. I agree. Your father... he gave his life to save yours. That's a bargain you've offered more than once. That sort of death... he wouldn't be gone, not where it counts."

[Carver Amell]

"Maybe," he concedes. "But he'd still be gone and I... I need him. Gods, I need him. I need everyone in my family. There is barely enough of us to hold together. I-- I had to come here, and I hate that, I hate I had to bother you and get in the way, that I worried you, but Dad doesn't have enough time to look after all of us at once."

[Tethras Clan]

A small part of her is hurt and insulted that she's a far second-best stand-in but the bulk of her barely even notes the implication. "You shouldn't feel bad about it. You're welcome here," she says very firmly. I won't fail another one. "And..." She coughs a little. "It's... probably good for me. Having someone around. I... don't get out much. Other than Seli and Lo, I don't really..."

[Carver Amell]

He winces. "I wish... I wish I'd come visit sooner, when I was actually fine. I... you're... you're a really good person, ma'am."

[Tethras Clan]

"Well... you can come again. After thing settle." She pauses a moment, then offers, "actually... the accounting department has been making a lot of noise about how much leave I have banked and... I was half considering making a pilgrimage to Draslina to see the temple there..." she offers tentatively.

[Carver Amell]

His eyes light up. "I'd love to see Draslina," he says. "And if I'm with you, Beth wont' be worried, because she knows you'll bring me back even if I didn't want to."

[Tethras Clan]

That's... something at least. "I've written to my own teacher, Bright's Cassandra, to see if she could join me. I'd like to introduce you to her. She- and her brother- are... interesting."

[Carver Amell]

He nods. "Okay, that sounds good. Whoever taught you has to be amazing."

[Tethras Clan]

"Amazing yes. Also blunt, aggressive and utterly unsuited to any form of diplomacy." Aveline pauses a moment. "Well, maybe the Adrift."

[Carver Amell]

"So she's like me?" he asks, swallowing. 

[Tethras Clan]

"Yes," Aveline says fondly. "Cassandra is more direct though, more curt. Also more prone to hitting. Except with kids, she's putty with anyone under twelve or so."