Blood from Stone [AU]

[Tethras Clan]

Merrill picks at her dress, torn. At least... at least he seems to think I could do it... "But... but she's not afraid of me," Merrill mumbles. "And I like her, I wouldn't mind, really I wouldn't."

[Carver Amell]

"Merrill," he says, sharply. "Don't. Please. Don't start thinking you're worth less than her."

[Tethras Clan]

Caught, the elf ducks her head and blushes. "I... wasn't?" Right, of course not. "Not really, I mean. Just... I just... I have a lot of free time and don't do much and I want to help so..."

[Carver Amell]

"You can't make caring for someone your whole life. I... I talked to some of the nurses, the ones who look after Mum. It's a really hard job they do, and they only have to do it for ten hours at a time. You have to sleep, and you have to have time to recharge and do things you enjoy. Even if you and Beth take turns, that's still barely enough time to eat and sleep before you're back on shift."

Still, he frowns, thinking of Helene or Varric being dragged in, just for the off shift. Finally, after a moment, he sits back with a sigh. "You're going to try," he says, flatly, clearly unhappy. "You're going to try and Dad's going to let you and Beth will help, and he'll use that as an excuse to block me trying to have her committed. And you're all going to expect me to sit back and just... just watch."

He glances at Jass, then. "Maybe I should go on a trip for a while and let you."

[Tethras Clan]

"Not... exactly," Merrill says softly, ignoring that last for now. "I was... well, if she gets used to me, then maybe I could get her to come with me to a clinic. Then maybe one of the outpatient buildings. Then... You start with a puppy, not a Hunter."

Of the side, Hunter has dragged the covers off Jass, who is fighting back by curling into a ball and whining. At the moment, Hunter is pressing his cold nose into Jass's body at random, each touch getting a louder whimper.

[Carver Amell]

"She nearly died," he whispers, shuddering. "I can't lose her again. We don't have time to waste."

[Tethras Clan]

"But if you push too fast, she'll bolt or... Summerhill is good but... she only has to succeed once."

[Carver Amell]

He shudders again, taking a moment to breathe deeply, to steady himself. Finally, he says softly, "go home, Merrill. Tell them I'm alright. Help them figure out how to fix her. I... I  need to be away from Dad for a while."

[Tethras Clan]

Merrill's arms tighten around him. "Nope."

[Carver Amell]

"What do you mean, no?"

[Tethras Clan]

"i said nope, not no." She rests her head on his shoulder. "I love Liz and wish her well and want to help her but you come first to me. Jass is great but you need more than just a new boyfriend right now, you need family. Liz has your dad, Tuiste and Beth. She'll be fine."

[Carver Amell]

"I..."

Something cracks in his voice, and he shivers again. "How could he just... How could he risk her like that? He wasn't there when she died before and now... now it's like he's so sure he can do it, so confident, he can't see the danger at all. It's like he doesn't remember what happened last time, how, how everyone fell to pieces and I could't... I couldn't hold it together. You weren't there, Merrill. Dad got arrested and Mom disowned Beth and there was so much fighting and I thought my heart was going to crack in half."

[Tethras Clan]

Reaching up, Merrill starts combing her fingers through his hair. "Shhhh, shhh. It won't be the same. It's not just you and Beth anymore. Tuiste and me are here, now. Jass and Hunter. And so is Seli and Lovan and Don and Aveline and the Doctor and- oh, your dad. Father I mean. Plus, you're stronger now. So much stronger."

[Carver Amell]

"I can't just let her die," he whispers, shivering as he presses his face to her shoulder. "I think... The Doctor should be out of hiding this afternoon. I figured I'd go by and ask him to help with Liz. He's a Light too and if anyone can face down Dad, he can."

[Tethras Clan]

Merrill smiles, her lips brushing against the side of his head as she combs his hair and rocks slightly. "That's good. That's a good idea. Dad's been studying this stuff and he know a lot about it by now but John is thee expert. Probably in the entire Outlands. Plus he cares but he's not like, right up in the middle of all of this.We can trust him to know how to help."