Blood from Stone [AU]

[Carver Amell]

"You know me," he says, quietly. "I'm a cur sometimes. I growl and snap and even nip. She can't take that -- she about panicked when I started shouting just a little. If I drove her to k-kill herself..."

[Bethany]

Beth looks down, struggling to refute his point. "But... why do you have to leave? Can't you... just... maybe not see her for a bit? Just so... Jass, how long did you plan to stay?" 

[Jassinth]

The merikos drow, who had been been very quiet as he tried to decide if he should try to slip out of the room, freezes for a few seconds. "Ahhhh. Perhaps... Another week? Mayhap two? But if need be-"

[Bethany]

"Perfect. Stay here with Jass for two weeks. So when you walk him home and stay for a few weeks there, you won't be running blind. So... So you can leave knowing that things are being handled."

[Carver Amell]

"Okay," says Carver easily, shoulders relaxing a bit. "Yeah, that's fine. I wasn't going to take off tomorrow, just... I can stay a few weeks here, then walk him back, stay there a few weeks, maybe take a job or two out there. If things are going well I'll come home for our birthday, then head out again on another adventure so I'm not sitting here anxious, counting days. When it's all clear I'll come home again and see about this job zi'Smith offered me." He shrugs.

[Bethany]

Beth wrinkles her nose but nods after moment. In time for our birthday is... longer than I might have liked but... Fair. "As long as you write. At least once a day." She always was a bit clingy... 

[Carver Amell]

"Of course. I'll... I'll want to know how the pregnancy is going," he says, frowning a little. I'd planned to be here...

[Bethany]

"I'll ask Dad to get a teleport scroll for you. I'm sure some at the Oak can trigger it if... You feel homesick suddenly." Beth forces a smile, his comment causing her heart to ache. Not having her twin by her side for this.. 

[Carver Amell]

"Are you... going to be okay without me?" he asks, gently.

[Bethany]

No. "Of course. I mean, I'll miss you terribly but it's not like I'll be all alone, right? Merrill and Dad and Tuiste and Liz to start. Don, obviously. Seli. Lovan, Aveline and the Smiths too, I'm sure. Jaina's made more than a few mentions about having a baby shower together." She shrugs a little, a smile that's just a little sad on her lips. "And you'll be back for the birth, right? That's not for another nine, ten months or so." Her eyes harden at that, making it very clear which answer is the acceptable one to that question.

[Carver Amell]

"I wouldn't miss it for the world," he says, reaching for her hands. 

[Bethany]

She grips his back tightly, eyes dampening. "Sorry. It's just- it hits me sometimes. Just... Moments when it's... More real than..." She falls silent, taking a very slow, deep breath but tears continue to threaten.

[Carver Amell]

"Gods," he whispers, then pulls her into a rough hug. "I can't believe we're adults even, let alone... I'm so happy for you."

[Bethany]

"Tell me about it," Beth says, voice equal parts laugh and tears. "I'm to be a mother. You an uncle. And- and neither of us that much older than- than she was. I have her sharpness. What if-"

[Carver Amell]

"Never," he growls. Then, with a small smile, he adds, "That would make me Gamlen, and I refuse to be Gamlen."