The Silver Queen [AU]

[Tethras Clan]

"Carver's theory, however, is that she is planning to slip out, without word, anytime now. I cannot blame him for that fear," Zevran supplies in a weary tone. "Bela... This is not... the first... not the only time she was... Not... exactly like this but... To survive, she... remade herself. A new life, a new path, new person in many ways. But she was entirely alone then. It's different now. She's older, stronger, more supported."

[Carver Amell]

"You don't write a note like that unless you're planning to leave," he points out, in a low rumble. "Maybe you're right, maybe she's just daydreaming about it, but she's daydreaming about abandoning me. Us. Abandoning us."

[Tethras Clan]

Zevran gives Carver a hard look. "As if you have not? Or can you look me in the eye and say under Truthing you did not consider fleeing at least once since you stepped on board? Or even since a certain confession?"

[Carver Amell]

"I'm not planning it, deeding over my swords to you, anything like that!" 

[Tethras Clan]

"You were not raped and tortured for the secon-" Zevran's mouth snaps shut, a look of chagrin on his face before he looks down at Beka.

[Carver Amell]

Carver stares at him, open-mouthed, but wisely decides to say nothing. 

[Helene Dakesh]

"Should we not... should we not speak to her about..." begins Helene, uncertain, lost. 

[Tethras Clan]

"I... I have tried." He laughs bitterly. "On the rare occasion she is around. Isabela evades. Runs. I love her dearly but I am not unaware that in the matters of heart and other emotions, she is.... well, a coward."

[Carver Amell]

"What if we confront her? Tell her we know, demand she talk to us?"

[Helene Dakesh]

"Would she not run faster in that instance?" asks Helene, hesitantly. "This one can throw the bones..."

[Tethras Clan]

"I tried to talk to her, softly, just before- I think Carver eavesdropped on that," Zevran says, giving him a slightly annoyed look. "She evaded, of course. I was hoping she might think on it tonight and approach me tomorrow, on her terms, so she feels more in control, now that I've made it clear I noticed."

[Carver Amell]

Carver wraps his arms around Hunter, shuddering for a moment. "If she leaves... I think I might, too."

[Tethras Clan]

Zevran flinches. "So you would- are you only here for her then?"

[Carver Amell]

"No," he says quietly. "But I'm not ready, Zevran, I'm just not. Bela's the only one I'm comfortable saying I'm dating. People will notice. I know you keep saying it's fine but I just can't."

[Tethras Clan]

"Then we stop dating until you're ready," Zevran replies, relaxing a hair. "Single is also an option."