Imprints in Stone [AU]

[Varric]

Gods above... Please... if You have any mercy, any debt owed to any of us... please give us time to heal before You burden us any more. Please.

[Carver Amell]

"Merrill," he whimpers. "Merrill." He can't get loose, not now with both of them on him, so he sobs onto them, shuddering, trying not to be sick. Beth got hurt because of me. Stupid, stupid.

[Tethras Clan]

The mabari soon join the pile, warm furry bodies pressing themselves against their persons, their pack, to offer what comfort they can. After a moment or two, Silence starts to hum a soft, wandering melody- one of Bastion's hymns, one about honest tears shed washing away grief and guilt.

[Bethany]

"Can't lose you," Bethany chokes out as Silence finishes the melody and begins again. "Please. Can't. Can't again. Screaming, I just- please don't, please stop."

[Carver Amell]

"Okay," he says, his voice thick. "I just-- I need to make this right, I need to fix this. I need Merrill to be okay."

[Bethany]

A flare of anger surges up in Bethany. Second time she's almost gotten him killed to- No. Stop it. That's not... Come on Beth, get your head together and focus! Slowly, far too slowly, Beth's panic recedes enough for her mind to reassert control. "This isn't- this isn't how," Bethany gasps out. "Don't... leaving us isn't how you fix it, it's how you broke it."

[Tethras Clan]

Carver Hawke, Vangalite. Are you hurt?

I'm never coming back. 

Moonstruck.

That's not your name. Assholes

I want nothing more to do with this fucking family, do you understand?! Nothing!

I love you Merrill.

I want nothing more to do with this fucking family, do you understand?! Nothing!

Whispers, less than whispers echo across the empty, barren demiworld they stand on. But the elf still entangled with the twins doesn't speak, doesn't move. Barely breathes.

[Carver Amell]

"It's not," he chokes out. "That's not your name, Merrill. Gods. Gods. I was drunk, I didn't mean it. Gods. I-- whatever punishment you want, I'll do. I was wrong. I shouldn't have said those things to you. I love you. Please, please, let us help you. Let Beth and Dad help you, if you can't stand me anymore. I'll go. You have more of a place in this family than I do."

[Bethany]

Bethany bristles. "That's not- it's not a matter of 'place!' You are family, even if you and Carver aren't making like bunnies. You're my best friend Merrill. My sister, regardless of Carver." And damned if it doesn't hurt that you did this just because of Carver. That you didn't even try to come to Dad or me. "I... I know I... this is your cutting fight. I mean- like how when I slapped you. That was bad, but Dad talked to us and then we talked and now we're more family than ever, right? This was... worse, but... it's not hopeless.

[Tethras Clan]

Always hopeless. Waste of food. Don't know why they bothered to bring her back to the village city.

Love you Merrill. I'll protect you, I promise.

How about Sunny? Dad's Sunshine is too much of a mouthful when we're gabbing.

Always ruining things with her weirdness. Freaky, useless Moonstruck! Gonna die alone!

[Carver Amell]

"No," he whimpers. "No. You're no more a waste of food than I am a hound."

[Tethras Clan]

Soft fur, strong frame, warm, comforting loving-

Steps towards the freak, claws flexing, teeth bared. Snarls, hates, finally sees how worthless Moonstruck is. 

[Carver Amell]

"Never that," he snaps. "I-- I told you to go home. I wanted you to be safe, with Hunter and Beth. But you wouldn't go."

[Tethras Clan]

Home? Carver is home. Carver is safety. Love. Protection. Acceptance. My world. My hom-

[Bethany]

"What the hells Merrill?" Bethany blurts out, sounding rather hurt. "I get that you're closer to him but am I that- that worthless to you?"