Blood from Stone [AU]

[Jassinth]

Jassinth blinks, confused by Carver's words. Beth's reaction clarifies it, mostly, but... He was... born female? And- Dau can change that? That is- huh. Well... that is... "Dau does good work. I heartily approve," his mouth offers. "Favorite part, your shoulders."

[Carver Amell]

Carver swallows, shaking his head. "Please, I just... I just want to go lie down," he whispers, shuddering again.

[Bethany]

"I wouldn't mind a nap myself," Beth says softly. "Would you mind cuddling with me? No talking, just..."

[Carver Amell]

"No," he whimpers. "I just want to be alone."

[Bethany]

"Alright," Beth says after a moment. "Come on, I'll help you get settled in," she says, rising to her feet.

[Carver Amell]

Carver follows Beth back to his room, laying down on the bed as Hunter jumps up beside him to keep watch. He slings an arm over the dog, burying his face against Hunter's side -- at least until Beth leaves the room. That's when he buries his face against the pillow and weeps.

Why did I say that... Why did I admit to any of it... why couldn't I just leave well enough alone?

[Tethras Clan]

A few hours later, Carver hears a soft knock on the door. A second later, it's repeated, firmer but shorter, as if the knocker was worried the first attempt too quiet to hear. Hunter, still pressed tightly against his person, flicks an ear and flares his nose but doesn't stir, proving it's a known person and one Hunter accepts.

[Carver Amell]

It's probably Dad, he thinks dully. He doesn't answer; he figures it won't be long before he opens the door anyway, so he may as well conserve energy and remain huddled against Hunter. 

[Tethras Clan]

There's a long wait, then the knock repeats. At the further silence, instead of more knocking, Malcolm's voice calls out, "son?"

[Carver Amell]

Oh. My other dad. Carver lifts his head, calling out, "Yeah."

Mentally, he take stock: rumpled clothes, boots still on, clinging to Hunter like a life raft. 

[Tethras Clan]

Taking that as invitation, Malcolm eases the door open and slips inside. The movement is made slightly awkward by dint of the tray he's carrying- a bowl, two mugs, plate with crackers on it and a dish of meat scraps that has Hunter's nose quivering. "You, ah, you missed dinner so..."

[Carver Amell]

"Oh," he says quietly. How long have I been laying in here? I didn't think it'd been so long.

[Tethras Clan]

Moving in all the way, Malcolm closes the door with his foot. He quickly sets the dish with the meat scraps on the floor and starts pulling over a table to set the tray itself over where Carver can get to it easily. Hunter eyes the meat intently but doesn't move away from his person. 

"Right then. Your sister made some soup for you. Tomato bisque with fish?" he adds, sounding a bit doubtful at the flavor combination. 

[Carver Amell]

"Heh. Don taught her that," he says, softly. "The cats put fish in everything." 

[Tethras Clan]

"Don, right. Her... boyfriend," Malcolm says, voice revealing his confliction over the matter. "Well. You should eat son."