Blood from Stone [AU]

[Bethany]

Bethany recoils, eyes filling with pain, guilt and shame. "I- sorry, I just- I just want you to be- I should-" A thin scream, filled with despair and suffering long unheard, starts to build in her head. "I have to- dish," she finally blurts out, scrambling to her feet so she can bolt out the door.

[Carver Amell]

"Beth!" calls Carver. He chases after her, pausing only long enough to call over his shoulder, "Fuck you, she just wanted to help," before he's away after his twin, needing to comfort her.

[Marian Hawke]

Liz lowers her head, wrapping her arms around her middle, swallowing back her pain, her fear, her guilt. Breathe. In and out. Breathe.

[Varric]

It's a few minutes before Liz realizes someone has slipped into the room, utterly silent. Eyes somber and sad, Varric takes a seat next to her. "Rough day?" he murmurs. 

[Marian Hawke]

Liz swallows, eyes on the floor, huddled in a ball with her back against Carver's bed. "yes," she whispers, her tone flat. 

[Varric]

"Talk to me, apprentice mine?" he asks softly.

[Marian Hawke]

"yes, sir," she whispers, shivering a little. "What shall I say?"

[Varric]

Well, that's... creepy. Honestly, it's creepy. Yeah. "How are you feeling?" he asks carefully.

[Marian Hawke]

"Small," she says quietly. "Afraid."

[Varric]

"Afraid of what?" he asks, reaching his hand out- an offer, not a request.

[Marian Hawke]

"Everything," she whispers. "Myself."

[Varric]

"Anything you're not afraid of?" Varric asks gently.

[Marian Hawke]

She's silent for a long while. "You," she finally says.

[Varric]

And that's all sorts of warm-feels (and terrifying, ironically). "That you," he says softly. He takes a deep breath. "Now... we both know you need to talk to me about what happened. But... how about a little story from me in exchange? Something... light. Funny. You can even pick a topic or subject for the story."

[Marian Hawke]

"Whatever you like," she demurs.