Well, here's another collection. Technically, it's a companion to another collection that will be posted, Threefold, which is focused on Porthos, Aramis and Athos prior to the series; but this focuses on all four of our boys, and covers the series and beyond.
No Pairings, save occasional mention of the canon ones existence, but the focus, as always, is friendship/family vibes.
Meant to Be
Athos, Porthos and Aramis; their names are said together and it seems like they were always a fixture in the Garrison, they do some work with other musketeers, of course, but it's somehow understood by everyone that there is an exclusivity to the three men, that does not allow anyone else to ever get close.
D'Artagnan is a shock, though. Everyone is filled with surprise that he even returns to the Garrison at all after his accusation of Athos, even with the knowledge he helped Aramis and Porthos clear Athos' name. (Most would have slunk back to their hometown, embarrassed.)
But D'Artagnan does stay in Paris and keeps returning to the Garrison, and for some reason not only does he gravitate to the three inseparables (most have done so, it is quite hard not to) but they open up and let him in.
Athos trains his swordsmanship, and many notice that the man's more focused on keeping the whelp out of trouble than he's ever been. Porthos trains him in combat, and (as Serge claims to have seen) other less honorable things, teasing the boy in the way he only does with Athos and Aramis. Aramis teaches him to shoot, and quite possibly some of his tricks to charming others (the betting pool on just how innocent the boy is, however, is called out by Aramis who promises to use the participants as target practice).
And oddly enough, D'Artagnan seems to be helping them as well, judging by the way the trio seems lighter now that the boy has entered their circle.
The Garrison watches this new development, and surprise soon melts away into acceptance. Athos, Porthos, Aramis and D'Artagnan; the fourth's name clicks into place and soon it is like they were always four, as if they had been waiting for the Gascon to arrive.