The Amell Legacy: Transgressions

[Bethany]

"Car... you are fifteen. He's in his thirties and- this is wrong. He shouldn't be... touching you. At all. Gods." Beth shudders, looking sick. "This isn't right."

[Carver Amell]

"It doesn't matter. Beth.. I love him. I want this. He's been nothing but kind to me. Please, don't... don't do this. Don't let it end like this, I'm not, I'm not ready."

[Bethany]

"You want this? Then why were you scared and hurting when you walked in here?" And he sure as shit has been other than kind, to you and to others. Why can't you see that?

[Carver Amell]

"It was... I..."

For a moment she falters, looking lost, scared. Then she shakes her head, determination wiping away the hurt. "It was different, that's all. You wouldn't understand. But it's what I wanted."

[Bethany]

You wouldn't understand. "Try. Damnit Car, when did you stop trying? Do you even-" her voice cracks and she presses a hand against her face, unable to finish. Do you even care about me anymore? A you seem to want these days is to please him.

[Carver Amell]

The words hit Carol like a slap, and she turns away slightly. "I-- please, Beth. I just want to be with you, a little longer. A little more. I can't... I'm not ready for it to end yet. I want to... I want to be with you. Can we just... can't we just..."

[Bethany]

Beth's breath hitches. "...what- what do you mean? Why are you... saying that? What has.... what has he told you?"

[Carver Amell]

"Jadan did nothing wrong," she hisses. "It's Mother that has it out for you. You remember what she said? She'll send you away if you start anything and-- and I know you hate him and I d-don't even know w-why, but, I can't, don't m-make me p-pick, I love both of you, why c-can't I j-just..."

She rubs at her eyes, hating her weakness, for breaking down in tears like that.

[Bethany]

Bethany lowers her hand, staring at her twin for a long, long moment. You really can't see what he is, can you? You, Mother, even the staff. They all love him. Everyone but me... and Zevran. He never says anything, he distances himself if I press, but I can tell. Why? "What if... you know that Mother will eventually just... do it. Even if we're both perfect. She or... someone  will tell her and she'll send me away again. What then? Will... I can't do it again, Car. I can't."

[Carver Amell]

"I-- I know," she whispers. "I know she will. I know I can't... don't you see? This wedding is a sham," she whispers, looking away. "I won't... I won't end up marrying him. But as long as I can, I want to... to try. To be with you, to be with him. To hang on."

[Bethany]

Beth stares a moment. "I- what? Why- what?"

[Carver Amell]

"I love Jadan," she whispers. "I'd marry him if I could. And I love you. You're the best parts of us, the bright twin, the good one. The one who deserves to find happiness. But Beth, I'm not... I'm not strong enough. There's a darkness inside of me, and it grows, every year it grows, and I can't... I won't make it to seventeen. Especially not with you gone. But I want to, I want to experience everything while I can, I want the good times to last as long as they can. So I keep fighting. Please don't make waves. Please look after yourself. And, and if I can have good things with Jadan, if he can make me happy, I'm going to do it. I'm going to take that while I can. So, please don't interfere."

[Bethany]

Beth is crying now, softly, quietly. "Car, no. There... You aren't... like that. I know you... that you hurt inside. It isn't your fault and..." She licks her lips, not sure how to explain, to word it so her twin will accept it. "It... you seem... worse. After you've been around him alone. Or when you have to dress up and go to balls or take lady arts lessons or... it's being here. Living like this. Being a Light's daughter is killing you, Car. We have to find a way out."

[Carver Amell]

"But I can't leave Jadan and he'd never-- no." she whispers. "This is just how it goes, Beth. It's alright. At least when it's over I won't suffer anymore. And you won't have to worry over me. You'll be free too."

[Bethany]

"Lik-" Beth cuts herself off with a deep breath, wincing at her aborted shout. "Like hell," she says much more quietly. "I could never be free with your death in my heart. Not ever."