D'artagnan felt goosebumps covering his whole body as thunder roared outside violently, bathing the roof of the tavern with fresh droplets of rain. The Gascon shivered, gritting his teeth as he snuggled deeply in his blanket, making sure to leave his nose uncovered to breathe properly. He had always been afraid of thunder, even as a grown man. It was funny. He could face any danger bravely and fight till his last breath. However, when it came to something that would neither hurt nor insult him, he trembled like a newly born kitten. Despite convincing himself it was stupid to be afraid of such thing, he still couldn't help but shudder every time he heard the sound of it, covering himself as best as he could and praying to god to end it quickly.

He was currently sleeping in one of the tavern's rooms or to say, was trying his best to ignore the horrible sound and fall asleep. Treville had sent them to deliver a simple message to the king's sister, which the four inseparables did successfully. On their way back, Aramis figured out it was going to rain heavily and suggested his friends to stay in the nearest tavern. Athos was about to disagree but the color of the sky instantly forced him to change his mind.

They entered the tavern and immediately began looking for a free table. The trio sat down near the fireplace, trying to warm themselves up and keep each other good company, while Athos went to fetch them some food, wine and spare rooms.

"We are very lucky, gentlemen, the barman has four rooms next to each other available for us". – Athos announced as he sat down and immediately poured himself a cup of wine.

"Oh, thank god. I can sleep peacefully tonight, without hearing that horrible sound Porthos calls snoring". – Aramis sighed contently, stuffing some bread in his mouth.

"Be careful, brother, or I'll make sure my snoring is the last thing you hear in this life". – Porthos joked but Aramis felt the seriousness of his words and closed his mouth for his own good.

"You say it all the time but I have never seen the result of my boldness. What's the matter, Porthos? Is your tongue the only weapon you can use to defend yourself?" – Aramis teased him but the look on Porthos' face made him regret his decision. Soon the poor marksman found himself thrown in the opposite end of the tavern, his skull smashing against the wooden wall and attracting everyone's attention.

"To your great dismay, I seem to have other ways to defend myself and next time I'll let you choose one of them". – The large man chuckled as he helped Aramis to his feet, instantly enveloping him in a warm embrace, offering a silent apology. Groggy and dazed, Aramis snuggled into him, burying his face in his friend's large chest, giving him a sign he was forgiven.

"I hope there will be no next time". – Aramis mumbled, earning a chuckle from Porthos.

"Lord above, they are so childish…" – Athos muttered with a strict look on his face but the young Gascon heard the familiar fondness in his voice.

"That's what makes them special". – D'artagnan smiled but stopped when the swordsman glared at him.

Athos opened his mouth to give his brother a brief lecture about the suitable behavior of a musketeer when the duo approached them with happy faces, sitting down and pouring themselves some wine. Thunder kept singing outside the tavern but nobody seemed to pay attention to it.

"Are you two done with your childish antics?" – The swordsman asked while snatching the bottle from Aramis' hands.

"Never". – The marksman chuckled cheekily. – "Just for now as I am tired".

"So am I". – Porthos agreed, standing up. – "Let's go to our rooms, shall we?"

Athos noticed the Gascon inhaling sharply, squirming a bit in his seat as his forehead covered with droplets of sweat. Concerned and confused, he put a hand on D'artagnan's shoulder, startling the boy.

"D'artagnan, are you all right?" – The warmth of his voice calmed the boy down, making him forget his fear for a moment.

"I… I am…Thanks…" – He smiled forcefully, trying to prevent his voice from shaking.

"Are you sure?" – Athos gave him one of his glares, signaling the Gascon he wasn't fooled by it.

"Yes, I am fine. Let's go". – It took D'artagnan all his strength to make his voice sound normal. Inside he was shaking and trembling. What could he do? He surely didn't want to sleep alone surrounded by the clutches of thunder but he had no good excuse to ask one of his brothers to share a room with him. Deep down he knew they wouldn't judge him for his childish fear but he wanted to prove himself he was strong enough to face it on his own, so he chose to remain silent and went to his room.

D'artagnan sighed audibly as he mentally recalled the previous events. He cursed himself for not asking one of his brothers to keep him company. If he did so, he would be sleeping peacefully by now, hugging Athos, Porthos or Aramis and trusting them to protect him against his worst nightmare. Oh, he was so stupid sometimes!

The Gascon groaned and closed his eyes, trying not to think about the sound he was hearing and concentrate on sleeping. He was almost successful when someone knocked on his door.

"Damn!" – The boy muttered and called the stranger to come in.

The door opened so quietly that the Gascon almost thought he had imagined it. However, he figured out it wasn't his imagination as soon as he felt something warm settling next to his body, giving him the warmth he needed all this time. A moment later he felt someone's warm hand running through his unruly hair, calming his anxious mind down. D'artagnan recognized the touch immediately.

"Athos?" – He murmured, barely audible as he hugged his mentor burying his face in Athos' nightshirt. The soft movements of the swordsman's hand already lulling him to sleep.

"Shh, just sleep, little brother." – Athos whispered, caressing the boy's hair lovingly. He had figured out D'artagnan was scared of thunder as soon as he had noticed his brief display of discomfort.

"Is everything all right?" – The swordsman heard his brother whispering through closed eyes.

"Everything is fine. Don't worry, I'll protect you from thunder". – Athos assured gently.

D'artagnan's eyes shot open instantly. He looked up at his mentor with wide eyes, his jaw almost hitting the floor, giving him a cute childish expression. How the hell on earth did he know? Who told him? As far as the Gascon remembered, nobody knew about his little secret as he was too ashamed to reveal it to any alive soul. Thankfully, Athos noticed his inner struggle and smiled gently, his hand never halting in the boy's hair.

"My brother used to fear thunder and he showed similar discomfort as you did an hour ago. I can recall plenty of times when I slept next to him to protect him from his nightmare". – The swordsman explained, knowing it wasn't the end yet and he was right. D'artagnan got curious in the blink of an eye and began questioning him.

"Really? I didn't know that. I bet your parents didn't judge him for that".

"Well, nobody knew about it except for me but I kept my mouth shut as Thomas had begged me not to tell anyone". – Athos felt tears stinging his eyes as he remembered hugging his younger brother tightly, whispering comforting words in his ear as thunder kept roaring outside, preventing Thomas from actually hearing Athos' voice but he calmed down anyway, knowing he was safe in his brother's arms.

"You were such a great brother. I am sure he adored you." – D'artagnan pointed out, giving Athos a warm smile. Athos' heart crushed in his chest like a flower in a giant's hands. He remembered Thomas staring at him with the same expression. His eyes full of warmth and gratitude, giving Athos a sign he wasn't alone in this world. It was true. Thomas had been the only one who had truly loved Athos with all his heart, always making sure to keep him good company and trying to lighten his mood and colorless life. The swordsman's parents had never bothered to show any kind of affection and love towards their eldest son. They had always made sure he didn't leave his room until he had his homework finished, refused to let him play with other boys when Thomas was granted with too much freedom. He could recall his father slapping him for wasting time making a snowman with children outside. His life was a veil of duties and responsibilities, binding him to his future title till his last breath. At such times, he found relief in his library where he was free to spend as much time as he wished. He was grateful for that and kept reading and getting as much information as his young brain could contain, forgetting about the world around him for a while.

"My father used to hug me like this when I was a child". – Athos broke out of his reverie, hearing D'artagnan's voice. – "He knew about my fear and never left me alone at night. When I grew up, I decided to give him his own personal space. After all, I couldn't rely on the warmth of his embrace forever, right? I decided I was grown enough to face it alone and slept alone since I turned 15. It was a torture but you know how stubborn I am. Despite spending many sleepless nights, I never gave up and kept assuring myself it was nothing until my brain was no longer able to support me. I never told my father but I could always hear him entering my room to make sure I was fine and kissing my forehead before leaving the room, muttering "my little boy" under his breath".

Athos smiled at the boy, ruffling his straight hair. He really enjoyed talking to the Gascon. D'artagnan was a very lucky boy. He had a great childhood and so many memories to recall. He himself couldn't remember a single thing about his father that could make him smile and spread warmth in his heart. Perhaps that's why he had been giving Thomas so much love. He had wanted to give his brother what he himself couldn't get from anyone else besides his dear brother. Young Athos knew giving love was the only way to show Thomas his gratitude and he did it willingly, constantly reminding his younger sibling that he would always be there for him.

"Athos?" – D'artagnan whispered.

"Yes?"

"You won't tell Porthos and Aramis about it, will you?"

"I promise, I won't." – Athos promised, squeezing the boy's hand. He knew he had somehow become D'artagnan's father figure and now it was his duty to give his little brother the love he had been longing for since his father's death.

"Athos?" – D'artagnan whispered once again.

"Yes, Dartagnan?"

"Stay with me?"

"Always".

D'artagnan sighed contently, a small smile crossing his features as he hugged his brother tightly. He knew he was safe in Athos' arms and was grateful for it. A moment later he felt the swordsman dropping a gentle kiss on his forehead and he could swear he heard Athos whisper "my little boy", before his eyes slid shut, drifting into a peaceful slumber.