Blood from Stone [AU]

[Varric]

"Wrong. On multiple levels. One, I only took the damn office to be able to better protect and care for all of you. It's not become a weakness, a hindrance. So not a sacrifice. Two, you're my spouse. My partner. The only priority higher is our kids. So even if it was, it would be required. Three... I guess you haven't noticed my hand? My inability to look at anyone?" Varric grimances, forcing his still twitching, strumming hand to ball into a fist for a few seconds before it resumes. "Hasn't been this bad in decades. If you have to do this, then I'm be right damn next to you."

[Helene Dakesh]

Again Helene lifts their head, this time studying Varric thoroughly, frowning. Finally, they bow their head, writing carefully.

[Carver Amell]

Carver scowls. "Or neither of you could--" he begins, but stops himself, shaking his head. "Sorry. That's not what Helene says, by the way, that's me. Helene seems to be accepting your offer, but I'll let them finish."

[Bethany]

"I support Carver in the 'what the fuck are you two thinking' camp!" Beth says a bit shrilly. "Don can't leave Cattown. And I will not leave him and I need you, both of you and- and- you won't be here for the birth and I'll h-ha-have t-t-t-"

[GamesMaster]

Don growls, a deep rumble in his chest -- nothing performative about it, more like a small sound he can't suppress in the name of keeping out of it. 

[Tethras Clan]

The growl is echoed by Silence near the door. And neither can cover the sound of Beth and Merrill both crying, though Beth is still trying to form arguments while Merrill is quiet.

[Carver Amell]

Carver glares at Varric, jabbing a finger his direction. "You both need help, maybe, I can accept that. But you at least can talk."

[Varric]

Varric curves an eyebrow. "So can you. What about it?"

[Carver Amell]

"Helene can't. So there's obviously a difference here."

[Varric]

"Sure. I had an absolutely wonderful mother that supported and encouraged me. Lucky me, that sort of thing has a huge impact on adjusting to mental atypicality." He shrugs a little. "Beth's not wrong about 'removing yourself from your support system' being a huge loss. I've been involved with SummerHlll for years now, I'm more than a little familiar with treating mental conditions."

[Carver Amell]

"I didn't," snaps Carver, "but I ended up better too. It's not the same maybe but maybe you're just not as bad off as Helene. Hell, maybe you're traumatized the same way Don is and not having a, a whatever Helene's having is called."

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene's pencil stops moving, but Carver doesn't notice, glaring at Varric as he is.

[Varric]

"Carver, take a moment to calm down before I have to beat the shit out of you for hurting my spouse," Varric says, voice far, far too even.

[Tethras Clan]

Before anyone can say anything else, before Varric even finishes, Merrill is rattling off a Calming spell. "Please stop fighting," She ends her spellcasting with a whispered plea.

[Carver Amell]

I see how it is. Helene first, us second -- that's the real reason he's going to Draslina. Merrill's calming spell takes the edge off his anger, letting him keep a civil tongue in his mouth. "Sorry," he mutters to Helene, dropping his gaze. "Oh, they're done. Sorry. Uh, they say... yeah, I'm not sure I should even read this," he grumbles. Sorry, Beth. 

"Alright, well, they say, This one apologizes for being a source of pain and disruption to.. they scratched something out and wrote 'the family' instead. This one never meant to cause this much trouble. If such a trip is necessary, this one would be honored to make it alongside this one's husband. This one knows admitting the need for treatment can be difficult, even scary, and this one applauds the courage this one's husband has shown. This one hopes that the learning process is not as painful for this one's husband as it was for this one, but suspects it will not be. Varric is clever and cunning, and has always learned quickly."