Blood from Stone [AU]

[Varric]

Varric stares at him blankly. "...new?"

[Carver Amell]

He nods. "We're still working out the details. It's... it's going to be hard, since she's married and all. But I want her, Dad, more than anything. She's so... She makes me so happy, and she's safe and comfortable and sweet... I love her. I want to make it work. So I'm not going to work with the Guard anymore, and she's going to make room for me, and I'm going to try really hard not to let her make me feel like the third wheel in her existing marriage. Maybe this job will help, having something of my own that has nothing to do with her. Something I can do that's unique."

[Varric]

Varric considers that for a moment, then nods carefully. He- Slag if I know much if anything about that sort of thing (my proposal to Helene, such as it was, sounded like a business offer). But... "Hard. Daunting. Good to stretch. Proud." He turns around partway to continue neatening up, wanting to stop any thoughts of Aveline from lingering. "No... regret. Envy? About money."

[Carver Amell]

"Gods, no, I'd be a shit Light," he says, promptly. "If I  know you, you'll find a way to make sure I have enough to live on. That's fine by me. I barely spend anything anyway. As long as I can provide for my own kids when the time comes, I'm good."

A brief pause, then he gets up the nerve to ask what he really wants to know: "You're proud of me? Really?"

[Varric]

"Consistently." Varric hesitates, then shrugs a little. "Liz... brainy like me. Yes. But you... closer in personality. Grow beard, shrink magic... could pass off as blood." He quirks a smile, though he's still not up for much direct focus on people yet.

[Carver Amell]

"Heh. I guess we're both stubborn," he says, smiling a bit. "Both protective and loyal to the end. Both surly and bad at depending on people."

He rolls his head, cricking his neck a bit. "You've saved me hundreds of times," he adds. "I'm glad I could help you at least the once. And I know, I  know, I should pay it forward to the kits, and I will, but... I don't want you to be alone when... when this is over." When Helene is gone.

[Varric]

Varric bows his head. "Maybe... going to... Like me. Mori. Maybe."

[Carver Amell]

"Yeah. We'll try, for sure," he says, softly. "And... I want to try for Gamlen, too. I know it's a long shot, but..."

[Varric]

Varric nods, then gives Carver a hesitant look. "Didn't... realize he..."

[Carver Amell]

"It's... I never liked him. He let Mother get way worse than he should have, didn't reach out to us until I took Father to see her. But... he's been visiting Mother. He's been cleaning himself up. He's her twin -- maybe he's a good-for-nothing, but it'd be the worst thing in the world to lose a twin. And he died to save Miki and me. So... maybe that's worth a few thousand gold."

[Varric]

"...yeah. Merrill can cast it too. So. Cheaper." Varric shrugs a little. "Underestimated him. Maybe so."

[Carver Amell]

"Yeah, me too. I was giving him crap an hour before he died," he admits, guiltily. "I've got a lot to think about when this is done."

[Varric]

"...healing, all of us. Long while. Varric reaches up to rub his temple tiredly. "More than flesh."

[Carver Amell]

"Yeah," says Carver, softly. He takes a deep breath, then moves over to Varric, bowing his head in a gesture of supplication.

"Dad... whatever you need, whatever it takes to heal, please, please, ask for it. I'll make it happen. Let me help you." 

[Varric]

"Need.. need something to do," Varric whispers. Need to help."