Blood from Stone [AU]

[Varric]

"Yeah. That... yeah. I..." Varric's tapping on the wall speeds up, still utterly silent. "I've been... trying to... do that sort of thing with Helene. I'm really not used to... sharing that sort of thing. So... you'll have to be patient."

[Carver Amell]

"We don't have to," he says, quickly. "I can go to Aveline or... or something."

[Varric]

"No, it's... it bothers you. That you can't... that I don't see to be... bothered by things. I... I can't in the moment but... compromise. Showing after is... something, right?"

[Carver Amell]

"Don't hurt yourself for me," he says, quietly. "I've had enough of that for a lifetime. If you can't, you can't."

[Varric]

"It's not... it's just... awkward. Uncomfortable. But I won't do more than I can, thank you," he says just as quietly. He hesitates, then adds, "so... maybe just the mental trick stuff today."

[Carver Amell]

Carver nods. "Alright. Teach me, and then I'll head out for a while, get my head back on straight."

[Marian Hawke]

Carver doesn't stay for dinner, but Liz and Beth return, once Brianne is settled. Liz leans on Beth, hiding her trembling hand by pressing it against Beth's arm. She holds her head high, refusing to seem afraid, refusing to back down. Again.

And in her mind she holds Dimension Door at the ready. Again.

[Varric]

Varric is right there, hovering in the foyer when they get home. "Hey, welcome back. The wards have been reset back to normal. And Carver is out with Jass- they're evidently officially a thing now, though please don't ask me what kind of thing they are. And Helene is working so it's just us and Merrill for dinner. So yeah, come in, wash up if you want and have a seat." 

[Bethany]

Bethany relaxes a hair, her body softening just a little against Liz's. "See?" she murmurs, bumping Liz with one hip. "Washing up sounds like a good plan."

[Marian Hawke]

"Y-yes," she says, but Beth can feel her relaxing too as soon as she hears the wards aren't shut. Okay. I can do this.

This time, she doesn't bother waiting until the meal is done. As soon as they've washed up and are seated, as soon as the mundanities of serving food are completed, she says, firmly but quietly, "I'm sorry about yesterday."

[Varric]

"Yeah. I... that went a bit dragon-shaped. Not all of it on you. Truth be told, I think only Beth didn't fumble something," Varric admits, tossing a grateful look at his youngest daughter. 

[Marian Hawke]

"I still..."

The words catch in her throat, but she swallows, trying again. "I still want to try," she whispers, hot tears pricking at her eyes. "I still... I still think I can..."

[Varric]

"Thank the gods," Varric breathes out, bowing his head.

[Tethras Clan]

"I'm glad too. Carver was worried he'd ruined everything." Merrill pushes around a mound of mashed potatoes. "He was trying to help and..."

[Marian Hawke]

"I... you were worried?" she asks gently. "I just... I didn't mean to run away from everyone, I just... I just needed to be away from Carver. I couldn't... he frightened me. But I wasn't trying to... to give up on the agreement."