Imprints in Stone [AU]

[Tethras Clan]

"Oh." A short pause. "Because of me. You leaving. Because... of what I did."

[Carver Amell]

"I had to. I'm sorry. I had to. I wasn't doing well, Merrill, and I couldn't-- I couldn't take Dad from you and Beth. And Garrett and Cindy were-- and now Helene is unconscious and-- I had to get help. I'm sorry."

[Tethras Clan]

Pain, sorrow, gratitude.

"No- I- glad. Getting help. Sad, my fault. Guilt. Drove you away," Merrill gasps out.

[Carver Amell]

He gives a bitter laugh. "I'm the one that drove you away, Merrill."

[Bethany]

"We all fucked up and didn't not drive anyone away," Bethany cuts in firmly. "Personally, I blame the d-d- damned sceleratis. Trace it back and it's all their fault."

[Carver Amell]

"Will you stay, Merrill? Please?"

[Tethras Clan]

"...will you?" the elf... doesn't counter or bargain so much as... plead.

[Carver Amell]

"Yes," he whispers. "I'll try. I want to stay. I want to have a family, a real family. Without secrets or lies or, or hurt between us."

[Bethany]

"And I want to stay. I want you both to stay. I want my twin, I want my bestie. I want my dad and doggos and our friends," Bethany agrees softly. 

[Tethras Clan]

Merrill shudders. "...remembering will hurt."

[Carver Amell]

"Yeah," he says gently. "But I can't forget, and Beth can't, and Dad can't. Because if we all just forgot, we'd do it again. So you shouldn't either."

[Tethras Clan]

Merrill shudders again. "I don't know... if I can," she admits. "I'm not... entirely sure what I did."

[Carver Amell]

"Try," he whispers. "Tell us what happened."

[Varric]

Varric takes that as his cue, moving to kneel so she can see him. "Can you show us? As much as you reme-" He cuts off at her rapid headshaking. "Merrill..."

[Carver Amell]

"Please," says Carver quietly. "You arrived with Hunter, remember? You'd been looking for me."