Blood from Stone [AU]

[Varric]

"I'm male, yes..." Varric confirms, looking unsure what Carver is going for with that comment. "Sarii, more accurately."

[Carver Amell]

"What would.. what would I be? In this?"

[Varric]

"Hmmm." Varric considers it a moment, then says, "well, you're focused on family first and foremost. You like to travel and make new friends, but you prefer to spend time with the ones you already have, if forced to choose. You tend to work on one talent or skill at a time, wanting to perfect it before moving on. You're very invested in maintaining peace in your social group... to put it mildly. You learn better by doing, rather than bookwork." He shrugs. "There's some in that for sarii but most of that is avii. Wanderlust and dislike of bookwork aren't your major traits. Family is, which is the foundation of arun genders."

[Carver Amell]

"Arun," he repeats in disgust. "I can't even do manhood right."

[Varric]

"Avii," Varric repeats. "That's male sex. Avos would be female."

[Carver Amell]

"Avii," he replies dully, then adds, in rote, badly pronounced Dwarven, "I am Avii. I use the pronouns Avai and Avain." 

[Varric]

"There's nothing wrong with being avii, Carver," he says gently. "Our... ruler, our Clanheart, is always an arun. Savii can get bored, can think too much of outside and forget to look after the home. Arun are the bedrock on which nations, clans... families... stand."

[Carver Amell]

"That's just me all fucking over, isn't it," he groans, rubbing at his head. "A homemaker. Nurturing, protective. Dating men. Why did I even bother? Why did I..."

[Varric]

"Why is that bad?" Varric demands. "As a note, you're also aggressive, impulsive don't listen all that well and like to take charge of things. Which, as I understand it, are traditional 'male' qualities in human cultures. So why does being protective and liking men make you female all of a sudden?"

[Carver Amell]

"It just -- it just does," he says, burying his face in both hands. "I'm sorry. I can't do this."

[Varric]

Resting his hands on Carver's shoulders, Varric sighs softly. "Deep breath. Breath in, hold it just a little. Think of running in the woods with Hunter. Breath out. Think of the wide empty sky. Breath in. Think of sparring drills. Hold it, now exhale. Think of the stars against the black. Breath in. Hold. Let your heart slow and remember you're safe."

[Carver Amell]

Carver swallows, again and again, but he breathes as Varric instructs, struggling to keep everything inside him, trying not to panic. "You won't tell anyone?" he asks, a moment later.

[Varric]

"May I talk about it with Helene, if they promise not to speak if it with any but me?" he asks after a moment. "And Alydra, but I assume They already know."

[Carver Amell]

"No," he whimpers. 

[Varric]

Varric takes a slow breath. "Carver, can you look at me? Please?"