Juliette was waiting for them when they arrived back from their mission.
Aramis was the first to dismount and make his way to her.
He engulfed her in a hug, this seemingly their way of greeting each other now. Nobody questioned it anymore.
"To what do we owe the honour?" he asked playfully as he pulled away.
"Treville's looking for you," she answered, grinning.
"What for?" came Athos' voice as he joined them.
"Not sure. He only wanted Aramis though. Told me to tell you when you got back," Juliette giving Athos a kiss on the cheek. She knew he wanted to be as open with his affection as Aramis was, but found it difficult. Juliette had taken it upon herself to make up the difference.
"What did you do this time?" Athos tone conveying humour.
"Don't think I've done anything lately," Aramis retorted as he made his way up to Captain's office.
"Shall we?" Athos gesturing towards the table they all frequented.
"We shall," Juliette started walking, "How was it?"
"Fine," he answered, "Wasn't enough excitement for Aramis I fear,"
Juliette laughed a little. Athos' sass rivalled her own.
"Where's Mathieu?" Athos' voice breaking the silence as they sat down.
"Not sure. Last I saw he was with some of the other cadets practising," She handed Athos some wine, then sipped her own.
The two sat there in a comfortable silence. It was normal for them, words weren't necessary. Both simply enjoying the other's company.
Looking up, Juliette spotted Mathieu walking across the courtyard. She smiled at him and got one in return.
Just as she was about to wave him over to join them, Aramis appeared on the Captain's balcony and shouted out to him, "Mathieu. Could you join us please?".
Mathieu shrugged and ran upstairs to follow Aramis inside.
"Wonder what that's about," Juliette mused, taking another sip.
"We'll soon find out," was all Athos could offer her.
Silence enveloped them once more.
"Mathieu," Treville spoke as her peered over maps, "Aramis thinks you're ready to go on a training mission,"
"Sir?" Mathieu asked. He sounded a little surprised.
Looking up, Treville traded glances with Aramis and upon receiving a nod, turned his attention to Mathieu.
"Go ready the horses. You leave in a couple of hours. This is your chance to prove yourself," He handed him a piece of parchment, "Go to Serge. Give him this. He'll give you what you'll need,"
"Thank you, sir," Mathieu took the paper from him, "Aramis,"
After Mathieu left, Aramis turned to Treville, "He's ready,"
"I know," Treville said as he sat down, "Be careful,"
"Always, sir," Aramis offered as he left the office and made his way out to the courtyard.
Aramis spotted Mathieu and Juliette over at the stable, Juliette helping to ready the horses.
"Training mission?" Athos' voice interrupting Aramis' thoughts.
Aramis said nothing, just looked at him.
"Where?" Athos asked.
"Savoy," Aramis turning his gaze back to the brother and sister duo.
"Be careful," Athos' words echoing the Captain's.
"Always," Aramis giving Athos the same reply, "Hope Juliette's going to be okay,"
Athos' silence prompted Aramis to look at him, and was met with a raised eyebrow.
"Don't think they've ever really been apart since they got here. Certainly, not this long," He explained.
"She'll be okay," Athos eyes speaking volumes.
Clapping his friend on the shoulder, Aramis made his way over to the stable.
"You be safe," Juliette said as she helped Mathieu ready the horses.
"I will," Mathieu knew words would do little to ease her worry.
"Just come back to me," Juliette couldn't bring herself to look at him when she spoke.
Mathieu brought her into a hug, and whispered in her ear, "I promise,"
Aramis felt a bit guilty as he approached them, they were obvious having a moment and he didn't want to disturb it.
Sensing Aramis' arrival, Juliette released herself from her brother's grip.
"You be careful too," she poked him in the chest as she spoke.
"Always," Aramis' saying the word for the third time, "It's only training. Everything will be fine,"
"You bring him back," She kissed him on the cheek, "You come back too,"
"Juliette, everything's going to be," Aramis was taken aback by how worried she seemed to be, "Training missions happen all the time,"
Juliette said nothing as Athos seemed to appear next to her.
Aramis and Mathieu mounted their horse, and rode off to join the others.
Sighing, Juliette turned to face Athos, "Something doesn't feel right Athos,"
"They're in excellent company," Athos' words having little effect.
"You feel it too, don't you?" Juliette staring at him.
Athos silence confirming her suspicions.