Blood from Stone [AU]

[Bethany]

"Of course... she's family and you're terrible about keeping things from family," Beth says with fond amusement. "I can count on one thumb the number of times you managed to actually keep a gift secret all the way to the celebration. You could never stand to keep something nice from me that long." Leaning down, she gently presses a kiss to his hand.

[Carver Amell]

He swallows, shifting a little. "Well, I guess." he mumbles. "I just.. I wish I hadn't been reminded."

[Marian Hawke]

"Reminded of....?" asks Liz, gently. "Is this about... when you were young?"

[Bethany]

"About his healing, at the Oak," Bethany confirms. "When he was made who he was meant to be." She squeezes his hands tightly. "It... it would be alright," she adds, glancing at Liz. "If... if you wanted to... be Garrett, I mean. Full time. Or... whatever. Just let us know."

[Marian Hawke]

Now she looks startled, taking a step back. "I-- I... I don't... this isn't..."

[Bethany]

"Just letting you know," Beth says soothingly. "No pressure, promise. Just... it'd be okay, if that's what you wanted. You'll always be my sibling, whatever else happens. Okay? Both of you. You're my family. Male, female, neither or both, you're mine just like I'm yours."

[Marian Hawke]

She shakes her head, wrapping her arm around herself. "It's n-not l-like th-that," she whispers. 

[Carver Amell]

Carver frowns, turning. "Hey, are you-- you okay?" he asks, his voice rough.

[Bethany]

It's Beth's turn to go silent, waiting for Liz to answer.

[Marian Hawke]

"I-- I'm fine. I'm f-fine. I just, I n-need C-Cindy."

[Carver Amell]

"Hey," says Carver again. "We're here for you. What do you need? Do you want to lie down?"

[Bethany]

"Tell us what's wrong, Liz," Bethany says, shifting so she's kneeling in front of her eldest sibling instead. Moving slowly, she reaches for her hands. "Please? You know you can trust us, right? We're family."

[Marian Hawke]

"I, I just--" 

Her eyes mist with tears of shame. "I d-don't k-know wh-what to d-do," she mutters, looking away. 

[Bethany]

"Wel... ummm. Tell me what you do know," Bethany says gently, rubbing her hands. She glances at Carver, then twitches her head at Liz. Hug her dummy.

[Carver Amell]

Carver, taking Beth's meaning, shifts over to gently embrace Liz -- but she pulls away, just a little, and he lets her go.