Evening My Lovelies

Okay, so I really like this chapter but feel like I should state that I know Athos might come across a bit ooc in it, however, I feel it's appropriate given the current state of things.

Notes On Reviews:

criminally charmed: Thanks for the review - Considering Athos's mood I'm more worried for those of the Court lol :) Enjoy the new chapter! x

Jmp (Guest): Thanks for the review - I'm absolutely loving the debates going on with regards to Enzo, hopefully, you'll like the resolution of that question when we get to it :D Enjoy the new chapter! x

Coffeecup35: Thanks for the review - Glad you're enjoying the whump, there's plenty more coming with this story :D Enjoy the new chapter! x

Debbie (Guest): Thanks for the review - Poor Porthos is not having a good few days that's for sure :) Oooh I like the way you're thinking with how Aramis might have recognized Enzo but you'll have to wait to see if you're right as we're in the Court with our boys right now and Athos is out for blood :D Enjoy the new chapter! x

Lilac Lavender: Thanks for the review - I'm having so much fun with Enzo and I think most of that comes from the debate/comments happening as to whether our boys can trust him or not :) It'll be a little while before that's cleared up but hopefully you'll like what I have in mind for him. Glad you're fired up as so is Athos in this chapter, he's definitely out for blood :D Enjoy the new chapter! x

MicheeO: Thanks for the review - Yes dear *pats head* Enjoy the new chapter! x

As always much love and many thanks for following/favouriting/reviewing/reading

Love you all!

Enjoy!

xxx

Chapter Thirteen: Out For Blood

To say the appearance of two armed and clearly out for blood musketeers caused some alarm in the court would be a gross understatement and it was only because of his complete focus on his mission that Athos was able to push aside the guilt he would normally have felt at the sight of fear on the faces of many of the younger members of the court as he and D'Artagnan stormed their way through the Paris slums.

"You lost boys?" sneered a voice from their left that instantly drew the attention of the two men. The speaker was a man not many years older than D'Artagnan himself, although the years in the Court had clearly not been kind to the man as he was dishevelled, dirty and sporting both a crooked nose along with several chipped or missing teeth. "You don't belong 'ere, not with those fancy clothes and swords of yours... They're just calling someone to take 'em."

D'Artagnan opened his mouth to respond but Athos reacted first, moving faster than the Gascon had expected he stepped close to the thug, drawing a dagger from his belt and placing in dangerously close to the man's throat, fire burning in his eyes as he glared at the younger man, whose look of surprise and shock mimicked D'Artagnan's own.

"I don't have time to entertain your idle threats," snarled the swordsman as he applied a little more pressure to the blade when the man opened his mouth to respond. "We seek an audience with Flea and we're not leaving here without it so I would recommend you direct us to her before things get messy."

D'Artagnan blinked in surprise at the threat before he remembered where they were and schooled his expression, knowing it would only weaken their chances of coming out of this mission successfully if those of the Court could see his surprise at his brother's actions.

"D'Artagnan?" called a voice in pure confusion, pulling the Gascon out of his head, where he had been worried about his brother's growing anger, something which only exploded when the swordsman recognized the voice calling out to his protege.

"You," snarled Athos as he pushed the thug he had been threatening away from him in favour of storming towards the teen, his anger and worry for his missing brothers overriding his normal judgement as he grabbed the younger man, who yelped in both surprise and pain as the musketeer all but slammed him into a nearby wall.

"ATHOS!" exclaimed D'Artagnan in horror as he moved to his friend's side, acting without really thinking as he pushed his brother off of his friend before moving to stand protectively in front of the now shaking teen.

"Evan?" he inquired gently, his eyes remaining locked on his brother's face, not wanting to be caught off guard if his brother decided to try to attack his friend again.

"I-I'm okay," reassured Evan, though the faint tremble in his voice spoke volumes to D'Artagnan on just how much Athos's anger had scared the younger man.

"D'Artagnan, move away," ordered Athos firmly as he stared the Gascon down, his surprise at his brother's actions doing wonders in helping to snap him out of the worried and angered haze he had been trapped in since finding the scene at the abandoned house he had left Aramis in hours before.

"He's a kid Athos," spat D'Artagnan as he shifted his stance into a defensive pose, wanting to be ready should his brother attack. "This isn't you Athos. Evan didn't do anything wrong and I won't let you hurt him."

"He betrayed us!"

"You don't know that!" screamed D'Artagnan, the duo ignorant of the crowd they had now gathered with their shouting. "You condemn him without even listening to him, where's the honour in that?"

The insult to his honour was the last push Athos needed to break out of his haze, disgust filling him as he realized just how terribly he had acted, disgust that only grew when he noticed how keenly his youngest brother watched his every moment, ready to intervene, to stand against him if he moved against his charge.

A child, cursed the swordsman mentally as he fought the urge to throw up, so horrified with how he had handled the situation. He had no issue with intimidation when the situation called for it but he had never acted so violently to a child before, always having a bit of a soft spot for them given the memories they brought to the forefront of his mind of his Thomas.

Seeing his brother relax and look repentant, along with horrified, for his actions allowed D'Artagnan to feel confident enough to relax, taking a moment to ensure his brother was indeed calming down before turning his back on the man to address his friend.

"What the hell D'Artagnan," snapped Evan, having gotten over his fear as he glared daggers at the swordsman, "I thought you said they were good!?"

"He is," defended the Gascon as he attempted to calm his irate friend. "There's been a situation involving Aramis, do you remember him?"

Evan blinked, "Fancy hat?"

This drew chuckles from both musketeers and greatly eased tension amongst the trio as D'Artagnan nodded, "That's one way to describe him."

"Thought he was meeting Flea?"

"So did we," spoke Athos, his voice low and serious as he watched the younger man's face for any sign of dishonesty, though he was hampered by not knowing the man and his tells like D'Artagnan did.

"He's missing," explained D'Artagnan quickly when he saw Evan tense up at the sound of Athos's voice. "There are signs that he was attacked. We need to find him, Flea's our only hope."

Evan opened his mouth to respond but was cut off before he could get a single word out by a new voice entering the gathering.

"Hope for what, exactly?"