D'artagnan struggled with his grief over the next few days, throwing himself into training with the younger recruits, who instantly regretted agreeing to spar with him.
Many of the recruits would limp off after their defeat by D'artagnan, grumbling a few unpleasant remarks towards the Gascon.
D'artagnan would just step back slightly; roll his shoulders and gesture for the next sad recruit to step in front of him. Reluctantly, they kept coming, knowing they needed the training but not wanting to sustain any injuries from doing so.
D'artagnan would swing his sword twice before readying himself into the fighting position Athos had taught him many years back; side facing, back foot on the ball of his feet and left arm slightly out in front for balance when moving in the fight.
He lost himself in his training, allowing it to drown his thoughts and keep him occupied. It meant that he wouldn't think about what happened to Athos, that he wouldn't replay the image of Athos stumbling into the garrison with a pistol aimed at him. It meant he wouldn't see Athos trembling in his bed as they tried to patch him up or the shell of a man Athos had been only a few days ago.
By throwing himself into his training, the thoughts of what Tomás did to Athos weren't able to get to him and his anger and guilt was kept in check. It worked for a while, allowing him peace for only a moment before slowly and surely he started to feel the guilt growing, dragging him down.
He had kept his distance from Athos, checking in on the man when he was asleep and asking for updates from Aramis and Porthos. He couldn't stand the guilt he felt every time he looked at the injured man yet wanted to know if he was ok.
Treville watched from the balcony with narrowed eyes as a growing concern nagged away at him. He had to do something about D'artagnan's guilt but he didn't know what, with Athos still bedridden D'artagnan was sure to still be beating himself up.
He watched over the training session for a little while longer before moving to check on Athos who was currently being looked after by Aramis; Porthos had been called away for duty at the palace that day.
"What? Are you going to shoot me again if I say no?" Treville heard Aramis ask as he walked into Athos' room. Aramis was stood hovering over Athos who was struggling to get out of his bed.
"Hand me a pistol, I'll happily do it," Athos grumbled back as Aramis gave him a look, hand moving to Athos' shoulder to push the swordsman back down.
"Everything alright?" Treville asked, drawing both men's attention away from their slight argument and to him instead.
"Of course Captain," Aramis replied at the same time Athos bluntly said no in such a manner Treville raised an eyebrow at him.
"No, Captain," Athos corrected himself before glaring back at Aramis.
"Care to explain?" Treville asked, closing the door behind him and taking a few steps into the room.
"Athos here wants to go for a walk to which I have politely replied that he is in no state to go wondering around the garrison," Aramis said as Athos pushed the marksman's hand from off his good shoulder. He slumped slightly, knowing Aramis was right but hating to admit it.
"Politely?" Athos snorted under his breath before glancing up at Treville. "I need air. Being trapped up in this room it's..." Athos wondered off, pushing back memories of his time in Tomás grip.
Athos had woke with a start that morning, his body covered in sweat and breathing heavily. He tried to shake the memories of his time in Tomás' grip; however his sleep was plagued with nightmares. Nightmares so real Athos had trouble in making out what was reality and what was not. Aramis' hand on his shoulder had grounded him yet he needed air, his chest tight and heart beat hammering hard against his chest.
"It's quite boring," Athos finished, glancing at Aramis who gave him a sad and pained look. Aramis felt for his brother, wanting nothing more than to help Athos but the man was simply still too weak to be moving around the garrison.
"You've only just been able to sit up by yourself, Athos," Aramis said, trying to get across his point. "You need to be careful, I'm only looking out for you," the medic said and Treville hummed in agreement.
"Captain!" Porthos called from outside and Treville turned to step outside, finding Porthos walking down the hall towards him. Athos tried to move, pushing himself up to stand from the bed.
"What is it?" Treville asked as Aramis moved to lean against the doorframe to listen, Porthos locking eyes with him for a brief second. Aramis saw the concern in the man's eyes with a hint of… of fear?
"You need to read this," Porthos said, holding out the opened letter in his hand and his body tense from what he had read. Treville glanced down at it before taking it from Porthos, narrowing his eyes at the larger musketeer.
"It's from Tomás," Porthos said and before Treville could reply they heard a crash from inside Athos' room. Aramis span around, swearing in Spanish before calling Athos' name.
So this chapter was a kind of filler chapter really. Thank you so much for the reviews, follows and favourites, I love reading for responses to this story. Next chapter should be up next week sometime, hopefully early in the week :)