Thank you for the lovely reviews- un-named or otherwise, faves and follows! As well as a greeting to those many visitors hiding just behind the sofa over there, yes I see you! haha- I hope you're enjoying it too!
Here's a really long chapter that I simply didn't have the heart to cut up! Hope you enjoy the humour and eventual turmoil!
No longer bothering to open his eyes, Athos rose from his bed and stretched out his stiff limbs. He had not slept so soundly as he had last night in the longest time and felt well rested and in an optimistic mood.
As per his now usual routine, Athos took a moment to steady his senses, listening through the morning noises for signs of his brothers- or more precisely, clues that they had set up some sort of deceiving prank or other.
Eventually, concluding he was by himself and their were no contraptions set up in his room, Athos quickly dressed himself and shuffled towards the door, keeping his boots in constant contact with the wood -as he had found wise after stepping in horse muck two days before- much to his brothers' glee and his misery.
Brushing his hands down either side of the wall, Athos ventured downstairs and upon counting his foot falls, took an immediate right for another ten paces before his hands caught ahold of the back of his wooden chair, a silent sigh of relief filling him as it did each time.
"Mornin' Athos, you're looking well this morning" Porthos commented from his side, the unmistakeable smell of his hearty breakfast of sausage and eggs lightening Athos' mood even more.
He didn't always get to enjoy such delicacies now that he was no longer a comte, but he didn't necessarily miss it either he countered.
"Thank you, brother, how very kind of you to notice" Athos jested as he took a heavy seat beside his friend and awaited his meal, an open smile on his face for once, feeling more than seeing his brother mirroring his expression across the table from him.
Familiar footsteps were heard from ahead of him then, coming from the kitchen, no doubt Aramis with his breakfast Athos guessed correctly.
"And to what do we owe the pleasure of your greasy mop and toothy grin, Athos?" Aramis teased, a friendly smile on his rugged face as he set down Athos' breakfast before him.
Unbeknownst to Athos, Aramis suddenly shared a mischievous look with D'artagnan who was wandering over to join them from his place on the stairwell, book in hand as he unsuccessfully tried to learn Aramis medical craft.
Besides, D'artagnan mused, that was no longer important. He wouldn't want to miss what was about to happen…and with that he quickly sat down in the available chair across from his loving mentor, his youthful face lit up with excitement.
"As far as I know, it is not a crime to smile at your fellow man" Athos retorted with another smile, digging into his heavenly smelling breakfast as he heard his other brothers scrape their chairs back to sit beside him.
As they all ate heartily, the hairs on the back of Athos' neck began to prick suddenly, something was not right here.
His brothers were simply being too quiet.
A mouth full of food had never stopped them from trying to continue their nattering conversations, this moment shouldn't be any different.
Athos slowly lowered his fork to his plate, his brows knitting together as he tried to predict and hopefully avoid what his brothers had put in store for him.
It had not been the meal obviously, Athos' now attuned sense of smell and taste had told him as much… and he couldn't feel anything different about his clothes that may suggest something off.
Giving in, Athos sighed, his smile transforming into a frown, "Alright, out with it! Ahat have you done this time?" he addressed his brothers, folding his napkin into his fist and glaring at his brother -who by now it seemed had all finished their meals and sat secretly smiling at him.
It was an unnerving smile that they shared- much like coyotes spying a meal, with wide eyes and bared teeth as each man tried to contain their excitement over the day ahead.
Athos shook his head at the silence and reached for his glass, "Typical children" he muttered as he took a large sip, his mouth setting on fire as soon as he did so, causing him to eject it immediately in a spray all over the table and his brothers.
They shouted in protest at the backfiring first prank of the day as Athos flailed to steal another drink that would put out his burning tongue.
Vinegar damn them, how could he be so blind! Athos almost rolled his eyes at the ironic statement, but quickly pushed his thoughts aside as he finally grasped a hold of D'artagnans cup from his hand and downing its contents quickly.
Though he was relieved from the burning sensation that had claimed his tongue, the bitter taste of malt vinegar and milk now dominated his keen taste buds, drawing a look of revolt from his face and a cringing shiver from his body as he stuck out his tongue and scrunched his eyes tight.
At least they were not laughing the evil brutes Athos thought as he heard them angrily wiping down their faces and chests of vinegar lest it stain their leather uniforms.
Swiping his hat up from the table, Athos stood abruptly and announced that while his brothers deservingly took care of the mess here he would go rinse out his mouth.
He also hinted at the fact that for their apology he would be needing several buckets of warm water transported to his tub, intent on having a bath he had needed since four days ago.
Hearing the exasperation in their tones, knowing they would have to aid Athos either way due to his limited abilities, Athos smiled smugly and set off for the tub.
A short while later Athos was dressed anew, smelling clean and no doubt looking dapper, Athos' good mood restored itself once again.
At least he had got his revenge on his brothers this time around. It didn't feel nearly as awful to have been duped considering he had got them back immediately- even if it had been a reflex.
Unfortunately, what Athos didn't know was that his brothers had commenced to phase two of their pranks and had inserted wild berry juices into his warm tub of water -tainting the waters in purple- as it soon would to his skin.
Meanwhile they had used this time to their advantage and moved into the next room to rub these same dyes onto his boots, hat and gloves, giggling mischievously as they did so.
None felt guilty once again as they had already purchased Athos a new outfit for his birthday ahead and didn't mind destroying the old one that Aramis pointed out was due to meet its maker several months ago, though he was met with Athos' refusal to do so.
And so it seemed only fitting to punish Athos for his stubbornness by showing the rest of the town how important appearance could be when you didn't keep up with the standards.
Stepping out from the kitchen doors within the garrison and into the courtyard the four brothers headed for their stabled mounts, a smile on each of their faces- Athos' smile being smug but innocent while his brothers' held back their hysterics over his purple tainted appearance.
Setting off for their daily patrol- as per the only daily ritual they could manage together for Athos' sake- they began trotting down the streets, the civilians noticing with curiosity and then glee Athos' purple appearance.
It took an hour before Athos' heightened suspicions forced him to question his brothers antics once more, the snickering he was now constantly hearing and the allusive jeers from random people only adding to his queries.
"God damn it all, what have you done this time!" Athos demanded in a heated whisper feeling embarrassment over something he knew nothing of but clearly everybody else did, his cheeks becoming hot as he bowed his head to hide his face.
D'artagnan chuckled slightly before pulling his mount aside and moving over to Athos who had refused to go further.
They had almost returned back from their patrol at this point and could easily see the stables of the garrison ahead- or at least Porthos, Aramis and D'artagnan could, while Athos merely assumed they were in the city centre.
"We really got you good this time, Athos" D'artagnan supplied vaguely, offering up his hand so he could help his brother off his horse and walk him the rest of the way back, hidden by its flanks.
Athos slapped his hand away in a huff, "Really, well I for one do not find this the slightest bit amusing" Athos grated out, swinging a leg over his mount as he attempted to help himself down. This stunt had gone too far.
Unfortunately for Athos, his one supporting foot slipped on the uneven, muddy ground as he stepped down gingerly- and as his first foot was still caught in the second stirrup- Athos lost his balance completely and ended up dumping himself into the mud puddle below, soiling his white breeches.
Citizens who had seen the fumble began to laugh outright at the purple musketeer covered in mud, to his further embarrassment, and began making a mockery of the scene, suggesting corny titles for this 'new, stylish trend.'
"How 'bout: 'Athos the Purple!'" one man called, nudging his fellow man in the rib humorously, "-You know, instead of 'Athos the Great" he chuckled, winking at the musketeers to whom did not return such pleasantries but thunderous scowls.
Looks of amusement now thoroughly wiped off their faces, the three brothers leapt from their idle positions to help Athos to his feet, who once again pushed them away, refusing help from his 'opponents.'
"Athos, brother, allow us to help you" Aramis pleaded, arms reaching out to Athos as he stumbled to stand.
Glaring over at Aramis- though it was in fact Porthos- Athos shook his head, "I trusted you, and yet I get this in return?" he said brokenly, gesturing to his piteous attire.
Athos quickly turned away, shoulders stiff in outrage, fists clenched in terror as he began to nervously pace forwards into the unknown, hoping to keep his balance.
He would not ask for assistance, they had betrayed his faith.
As of now Athos just wanted some time alone to process the humiliation and overcome it, he was much to emotionally compromised to even begin considering how to deal with his 'friends' actions at the moment.
He could hear the jingling spurs of his brothers following him closely behind, though at a cautious distance so as to give him space but able to help if need be.
It was on this short journey to the stables that Athos continued to review his brothers secretly.
How could they have taken advantage of him to such an extent? He wouldn't have even considered doing this to one of them had their roles been reversed! It was manipulative and dishonourable, surely he had never made a mistake so great that it called for this?
Though he was sure forgiveness was around the corner, Athos was too angry to relieve his brothers of their guilt and momentarily surprised to find himself in close proximity of what he sensed was the stables of the garrison.
Heading over cautiously, Athos lead his mount into the draw caverns of their home, tended to his mount while he fumed quietly, his brothers copying the process in silence, feeling their guilty eyes on his back from time to time.
No! Athos commanded himself, He would not show them mercy so easily, he should let them stew in their misery for a while, as punishment for their behaviour. Perhaps then, this habitual pranking ritual would stop- or at least lessen in intensity! He finished with finality, jaw locking in determination, scowl plastered across his ashen face.
Marching as confidently as he could, Athos stormed off towards his room while his brothers continued to watch his back from afar, a mix of guilt and slight astonishment at how adept and independent he was becoming.
It had been wrong to pursue this trickery, they knew that now. But the damage was already done.
The question was, was it too late to repair it?
Yaaaaay cliff hanger!
I hope you liked both the angst & humour in this chapter, an unusual combination I'm sure haha. Let me know what you think about the turn of events! It must get worse before it gets better right?
Anyways, thanks for the support again, you guys are great! Until next time!
