Porthos
The night was cold when Aramis and I finally left the tavern. A thick of fog had fallen over the streets of Paris and a bitter wind caused me to shiver slightly.
'Not scared are you brother?' said Aramis teasingly, a grin plastered across his face. 'No' I huffed as I wrapped my cloak around tighter 'Just cold' I grinned 'but not as cold as you, look at you, you're shaking like a leaf'.
' That's only because I haven't got your layers of walrus fat' he spluttered, laughing so hard he had to prop himself up against the wall. I let out a menacing growl and grabbed him into a breath- taking bear hug. Aramis squirmed in my grasp but I tightened my grip. 'Say you're sorry', I growl.
'Ok' he gasped, 'ok I'm sorry, now put me down you big oaf'. I released him and he fell on his knees, taking in great gulps of air. Feeling a guilty I knelt down to help him up, then suddenly he grabbed a handful of snow and thrust it into my face. I fell backwards, trying to brush the cold snow of my face. Across from me Aramis is trying to suppress a snigger, but when he saw my face his expression changed abruptly, fearful that he may have gone to far.
I glare at him but after a minute I forgive him and grin at him. As if on signal we both start laughing and get to our feet. 'Now that was a dirty trick' I laugh, 'well I have learnt from the best' he smirks. 'Come on, it's getting late and Athos will not be happy if we're late for the parade tomorrow'. 'And I don't think the Captain will be to happy either'. I reply, drawing my companion close as we started to make our way back to the garrison.
Aramis
It was good to see my friend smiling again. It had been a good night; we had been celebrating D'Artagnan's commission to the musketeers but Porthos hadn't seemed to be enjoying himself, he had spent most the night sat frowning, nursing his drink and looking at something that we could not see. Whenever we had tried to approach him about him about it, he had just shrugged us off. It wasn't until Athos and D'Artagnan had left and the drink was finally getting to him that he had revealed to me what was troubling him.
It was Alice, the candle-maker's widow. Porthos told me that he had really fallen for her. Guiltily, he told me that he had been really considering leaving the musketeers for her. I tried to tell him that even if he had left, I would have still been there for him and if that was the cause for his sullenness then he could forget about it. Something in Porthos' eyes told me this was not the true cause for his sadness. Taking a deep breath he told me that now that Alice had gone he felt empty, like something of himself had left with her.
I told him I knew how he felt, when Adele had left I had felt hollow, a gap that was hard to fill. Then he looked at me with his desperate brown eyes and asked 'How did you fill it?'. Grinning I replied, 'With booze and women!'. Porthos looked blank for a minute then he laughed, a deep booming laugh and quickly downed the rest of his drink before pouring me and himself another. 'To booze and women then!' he toasted and we then spent the rest of the night laughing and drinking.
Now as we came to the road that split leading to each of our different parts of the garrison, I smiled as Porthos' booming laugh echoed around the silent streets of Paris as we joked and teased each other, enjoying one another's company.
'Well, Porthos, my old friend I am afraid I must bid you adieu'. I hold on to my hat and bow to my friend. 'Oh monsieur Aramis, must you leave me so soon?' replied my friend, removing his hat and attempting to curtsy. 'Oh yes Mademoiselle, I am afraid some of us need our beauty sleep' I reply with a smile. 'Now farewell and good night Porthos'. 'Night 'Mis' he answered as he turned right and headed down his street. I smiled as I watched him go and turned left down my street towards my home and bed.