Blood from Stone [AU]

[Carver Amell]

"A guess," he admits. "But Mother was a twin and Beth's a twin and Don's a twin so it's pretty much a sure bet there's at least two."

[Varric]

Two for two (try again, do better). "No. Kits. Kids."  That isn't... Varric's hand tightens into a fist, the dwarf uncaring of the pain of flexing the fresh cut there.

[Carver Amell]

"Oh, you meant the race? Sorry, I've been hanging out with catca-- catfolk, they tend to call all children kits. I was... to be honest, I was real scared she'd lose them, with all the chaos today. One bad shock, like Don being taken... I was real worried. But they're okay."

[Varric]

"Ah. Was wondering if-" Varric looks down. "If new information." If Beth gotten Helene to check. "Beth healthy. Shock unlikely cause."

[Carver Amell]

"Yeah, but today's been real shit," he says quietly. "Did Liz tell you she was at the prison break? They lost the line, some of them might have escaped." And she came back without Hunter.

[Varric]

Varric frowns, head shaking a bit. "Need to open coffers," he mutters, already thinking of the arguments he should use to convince various nobles that yes, spending come coin now will save coin in the long-run (above and beyond their ethical duties). And then he thinks of trying to speak at the Lantern like this and freezes.

[Carver Amell]

Carver chuckles. "Yeah, we need to--" 

Seeing Varric's distress, he breaks off. "Hey. What's wrong?"

[Varric]

As soon as Carver says something, Varric straightens, a smile slipping into place. Then he stills again, expression going fixed and empty before he drops the mask. "Can't talk. Useless."

[Carver Amell]

Carver puts his hand on Varric's shoulder again. "You're not useless. You're brilliant. We'll figure this out. I'm sure you'll do better after you get some real rest -- and even if not, we'll figure it out anyway. Helene wasn't useless when they couldn't talk, and neither are you."

[Varric]

Helene. "I... rest. Maybe. And..." He tenses, then shudders just a little, the movement subtle enough that Carver would not have noticed without the hand in place. "Need..." His mouth twists a bit. "Favor."

[Carver Amell]

"Anything that doesn't break my vows," he says, his voice firm.

[Varric]

"Can't..."He falls silent, needing to build up the will to finish. "Don't let me... drink. Now."

[Carver Amell]

"Yeah," he says softly. "I uh. I locked the den with the bar in it. Been keeping an eye where you go. I figured worst case I just look a bit silly and overprotective but... It's just not a good idea right now. For either of us."

[Varric]

"Office. Pantry. Cabinet near door, dark wood."

[Carver Amell]

He nods. "Alright. And the wine cellar of course."