Blood from Stone [AU]

[Bethany]

Beth nods mutely, studying her hands closely for a moment. "Yeah. I... I mean, hells, I've been a healer for how long and I still don't... Well, might have been a reason for why I could never make the step of vows. But my racing around to find a cause? I think that was a part of trying to figure out who I wanted to be." She sighs softly. "She's going to work for Dad too. Scribe stuff? And pay her own way for classes. Make it more hers I guess."

[Carver Amell]

"That's.... that's good," he says, slowly.

[Bethany]

Another nod. "She...she was also kind of interested in doing like you do. Taking trips. Or maybe the opposite, traveling mostly but basing out of here like Bela and Zev. Might just be her entrapment phobia making that sound interesting tho."

[Carver Amell]

"I can't let her leave, Beth," he says, quietly. "You know I can't."

[Bethany]

Beth smiles at him weakly, love and pain in hers eyes. "I know. You deserve so much better that this world, than us"

[Carver Amell]

"I... what? I deserve..?" He asks, his eyes softening as they fill with confusion. 

[Bethany]

Rising to her feet, Beth drapes herself against him in a full embrace. "You want us to be happy and loved so much .to be healthy and whole. It... It's wrong to see that deep wish never fulfilled."

[Carver Amell]

"I.. I mean, that's life, isn't it? The people I love will never be safe."

[Bethany]

"Not in this life. And I hate that. You deserve better."

[Carver Amell]

"It's not... It's not really about me," he says, shuffling a little as he pulls back from her embrace. "Marian deserves better."

[Bethany]

Yes but you're my twin. A flicker of shame curdels in her gut at the admission. "Yeah. But... Well, anyway. So yeah. Last night actually went really well. She even accepted that I wouldn't be okay with her deciding to pick the Bela and Zev lifestyle. So yeah."

[Carver Amell]

"If i'm here, I'm likely to set her off again," he points out. "I want this to go well. I want her to recover."

[Bethany]

"And if you're not, the two of you won't figure out how to relate to each other." Her expression turns mulish as she steps back a little. "I refuse to- to trade you for her. I want you both, even if I have to play peacemaker full time again."

[Carver Amell]

"No," he growls. "Don't do that to yourself either. I'd come back. I just don't want to get in the way until after the deal's expired, after she's sure she's not going to leave."

[Bethany]

"But I don't want to risk her... healing around you. I want you both to fit together." Unsaid is ''unlike before.' Bethany sighs softly. "At least... At least stay for a bit. You don't have to... I'll visit, fill you in. Give her a chance before you leave."