April 13, 2016 - Porthos and Aramis' Townhouse - Athos, Porthos, Aramis and d'Artagnan
"If any one of you three so much as move out of this room there will be hell to pay. You'll find the consequences are quite severe," Athos drawled. He was standing, hands on his hips, at the entrance to the living room watching the other three men.
The three of them were a pitiful sight, all sprawled out on the various sofas and chairs. Aramis and Porthos were just released from the hospital that morning. Aramis' leg was still wrapped in a hard white cast, heavy enough to prevent him from moving far. His fever was gone and he was gaining enough weight to appease the doctors for the time being.
Porthos was recovering from his injuries quite well. He was experiencing very little after effects of the concussion he was supposed to have. Aramis was taking great delight in teasing his boyfriend about his thick-headedness. Otherwise, the cut across his chest was healing and the stitches would be able to come out soon.
D'Artagnan had already been released from the hospital a week earlier. He was spending so much time at the hospital trying to work, though, that he'd been physically hauled out and banned for two weeks.
"On whose authority?" Aramis asked, bringing Athos back to the present.
Athos arched his one eyebrow, staring incredulously at Aramis. Was he really asking this question? "Captain Treville's authority. And mine. While the captain would be enough to keep d'Artagnan and Porthos in line, you, my friend, require a bit more."
"Besides, the last time we left you alone," continued Athos without regard for what he was saying. "Victor nearly killed you and Porthos. Don't forget you also vanished on us for two and a half weeks."
To Athos' horror, Aramis flinched. He couldn't seem to stop opening his big fat mouth and hurting his friend these days. Thankfully, Aramis recovered fast and was now glaring at him.
"That was hardly my fault!" Aramis protested.
"And," cried d'Artagnan. "I've been out of the hospital for a week on my own!"
"That's not true," Porthos growled. "You've been sleeping in your office this entire time."
"You told me you were going home to sleep!" Athos shouted at d'Artagnan.
"Well, what if you needed me?"
"You have a point," Aramis said softly. "But I need you feeling better, more."
D'Artagnan hung his shoulders and managed to look a bit sheepish. "Alright, I concede."
"Look, guys, I just want everyone back at 100% Especially you, Aramis," Athos said. Aramis looked up at Athos with wide, bright eyes. Athos knew there was a long road of recovery ahead for his friend and he just wanted everyone to be healthy so they could support Aramis through this.
"It's going to be a while before I am feeling normal again," Aramis said. "I feel bad that I am this burden you all need to care for."
Porthos frowned and pulled Aramis into his arms, wincing only at the pull of his stitches. "You're never a burden so get that through your thick skull. We love you. I love you. "
Athos watched Aramis relax into Porthos' arms and smile at d'Artagnan.
"So can we please all stay in one place? I am not up for another cross-country search for someone right now," Athos asked. "I promise you, if one of you goes missing after my explicit orders, I will shoot first and questions later."
All three men sitting on the sofa nodded.
"Good. Now, do you need anything?"
The three men looked at each other silently conversing before speaking almost all at once.
"I could use my cell phone so I can see if Constance texted me. Oh! A cup of tea would be wonderful too. Also if it's not too much trouble, the remote for the TV would be amazing. Thanks, Athos," d'Artagnan said.
"I need my blanket from upstairs, the blue one with the flowers. While you are up there could you also find my Musketeers book?" Aramis requested.
"I'm hungry will you make me food? I want a sandwich but not one of those piddly little sandwiches Aramis makes me, I want double of everything." Porthos demanded.
"You said you loved my sandwiches!"
Porthos threw his hands into the air. "I do, love, I do. But you never make them like Athos makes them."
The resulting squawk that Aramis made had d'Artagnan crying in laughter. Athos shook his head, he had no intention of getting any of those things for his brothers. He knew the second he left the room they would all be off the sofa and fending for themselves. So, he smiled and slipped from the room allowing the bickering to fade as he settled into the guest room for a nap.
April 14, 2016 - Dr. Kent David's Psychiatric Office - Aramis and Kent
The clock's ticking was the only sound in the room that was louder than his own heartbeat. He didn't want to be here. Well, he kind of did, because he was the one that called the professor, but he didn't want to need to be here. He didn't want to be in this situation, he didn't want to have experienced the horrors he experienced and for the first time he found himself wishing that he'd ran off with his daughter and never had met anyone. But, no, then he wouldn't have Porthos, Athos or even the pesky d'Artagnan who was the one that steered him in the direction of the professor.
Speaking of the professor, the man was sitting across from him writing something on his pad of paper. He'd not said a word beyond requesting to call him Kent and telling him that this was a safe zone. The man was ludicrous. Of course this was a safe zone, they were protected by doctor/patient confidentiality. This space, however, this was Kent's safe space . Aramis' safe place was in Porthos' arms, but he wasn't going to burden his boyfriend with the craziness swirling in his mind.
"You seem cold," Professor David said.
Aramis ignored him and burrowed deeper into his large cardigan stolen from Porthos' closet.
"You know that you can say anything, right? I won't judge," Kent said softly. When again Aramis chose not to speak, Kent sighed and sat back. "Or we can just sit here and wait out the rest of the hour."
Aramis nodded and continued staring at the clock. Porthos was waiting outside because he couldn't go anywhere without a bodyguard these days. Not that he blamed anyone, but he just needed some time alone to sort his thoughts out. Yet at the same time, he couldn't bear to be alone with those same thoughts. He was in between a rock and a hard place.
"You seem agitated," Kent said.
"Wouldn't you be?" Aramis snapped back. "I haven't had a moment alone to myself since being locked up for two and a half weeks."
What the hell was wrong with this man?
" That's an excellent starting point-" Kent began.
Aramis interrupted, "I don't want to talk about that."
"It's alright, Aramis, I'm not here to be your enemy, I am here to help you. In fact, everyone is here to help you in their own way," Kent said. He leaned back in his chair and began writing on the notepad again.
"I said that I don't want to talk about this, can I go yet?"
Kent glanced at the clock and nodded, surprised by how much time had gone by. Aramis wasted no time in grabbing his bag from the ground and racing out, making sure to slam the door on his way out.
April 30, 2016 - Porthos and Aramis' townhouse - Aramis and d'Artagnan
And so the rest of the month slipped away in endless meetings with Kent. Visits to the doctor's to assess the healing of his leg and general progress took up another chunk of his time. He was being minded like a child by his brothers, and thus, forced to attend their own health checkups. Porthos was healing well, the stitches were out and concussion symptoms almost gone. Athos and Treville sustained no injuries but still took a couple of weeks off to help the rest recover. D'Artagnan's bullet wound was still tender and he still needed to take it easy, but the cast had come off his arm a day or so ago at least.
Mostly, though, life was falling into a dull, boring routine. Get up, be fussed over, get dressed, be fussed over, eat and be fussed over. It was driving him mad.
Athos and Porthos were at work for the first time in weeks. Treville just couldn't give them any more time on their leave of absence. D'Artagnan wasn't quite ready to head back to work yet and spent most of his days with Aramis. It was taxing on every one of them, Aramis included, but there just wasn't an easier solution right now. It was how Aramis came to be sitting on the sofa with an overly chipper d'Artagnan, who was determined to cheer him up. All that Aramis wanted, though, was to be left alone... And yet he didn't want to be alone.
"You know, you don't have to be my babysitter," Aramis grumbled. He set down the book he was reading down with a thud on the coffee table and stared at d'Artagnan.
"No, you're right, I don't. You can clearly get around all on your own, can't you?" D'Artagnan responded.
"Soon I will…" Aramis said frowning at his leg. At least in a couple of days, the doctor's were removing the heavy cast on Aramis' leg. They would be replacing it with a much lighter walking cast which would give Aramis more mobility and maybe a modicum of freedom.
"I'm sorry," d'Artagnan continued. "It's just that right now we all need to be close by, if for nothing else but our own peace of minds. Can you grant us just this one small thing?"
Aramis didn't answer, he only looked away in frustration. D'Artagnan adjusted himself on the sofa, moving closer to his friend for support.
D'Artagnan knew his friend was chafing at the imprisonment in his townhome, but he also knew Aramis was struggling. His friend wouldn't talk much about his sessions with Professor David but d'Artagnan knew they weren't going well. Aramis often left Kent's sessions more agitated than he'd been when he went in. He was seriously considering speaking to the aged professor to see if there was anything he could do to help. He just didn't want to go behind Aramis' back to do it and he knew his friend would object. If things didn't improve soon, though, he was going to have no choice but to interfere.
"I know we keep saying this over and over, but we love you Aramis," d'Artagnan said, trying to keep his voice from shaking. "You're my best friend and I don't know what I'd do without you. We know you went through a horrible ordeal and I can see you struggling. But while this doesn't even begin to compare to your experience, we lost you for two and a half weeks. There were so many instances where we hit dead ends and we didn't even know if you were already dead..."
D'Artagnan shivered at the last thought, not wanting to relive those horrible nights. "Then we finally get you back and it- it just doesn't feel like you're back," he paused and shook his head. "I know I'm not making any sense. I know how this goes, though. I've seen people go through traumatic experiences but seeing you go through this... It's different. I feel like I'm floundering and that I'm failing you."
"D'Artagnan," Aramis started.
D'Artagnan didn't hear him immediately, though. He swallowed thickly and continued speaking. "It's just that seeing you the way you are now with no sparkle in your eyes, frayed nerves, jumpy... It just… I mean… "
He was stopped from going any further by a warm hand on his knee. "It's okay d'Artagnan, come here." Aramis pulled him into his arms and held him close.
"You can't ask me to leave so soon after I just found you," d'Artagnan sobbed.
Guilt raged through Aramis' veins as d'Artagnan wrapped his arms around him. He knew he was being belligerent, selfish and rude and he also knew he needed to stop it. He was struggling, that much he would admit. He could see that he was acting out but was powerless to stop it.
He took a deep, shaking breath. D'Artagnan's breakdown was overwhelming and he was seconds away from bawling his own eyes out. He couldn't handle sudden changes in anyone's temperament right now. How was he supposed to continue on this way?
"I won't make you leave d'Artagnan, in fact, you aren't allowed to leave me. I know I'm being a dick and honest to God, I don't actually mean most of the stuff I say, but please bear with me a little longer."
D'Artagnan pulled out of Aramis' arms, wiping away his tears and smiling. "I plan on bearing with you for as long as you need me too and then some. I'm not easy to get rid of."
Aramis sniffled, not realizing he'd returned d'Artagnan's embrace. He shoved his face into the man's shoulder for comfort and was rewarded with an even tighter hug.
"You seem to be struggling with professor David?"
"Yeah, it's going slowly and without much success," Aramis responded.
"What's the hold up?"
"I'm having a hard time talking about what happened…"
"I understand, it's hard to relive traumatic events. Look how many of the parents of our sick kids can't manage to just talk with each other. It's hard for them," d'Artagnan explained. "They feel alone."
"If they'd just talk to each other, they'd realize their situations are almost the same. They'd see they aren't alone in it."
"Just like you aren't alone, Aramis. Just talk to the professor about whatever first comes to your mind. Trust that he will steer you in the right direction."
Aramis sighed. D'Artagnan was right of course, he did need to let Kent in. His cheeks reddened as he realized how rude he'd been to the man the last few sessions.
"No, hey, Aramis… don't be ashamed. Everyone needs help once in a while," d'Artagnan soothed.
"No," Aramis said softly. "No, it's not that. I'm just realizing I've been a horrible person to you guys lately.'
"Then stop," d'Artagnan said.
Aramis laughed, "You make it sound so simple, you know that? Like I could flip a switch and be happy. I suppose that's why I'm seeing Kent and why you people won't leave me alone. I'm scattered, a bit broken and everyone is holding a piece of me, waiting for me to retrieve it."
D'Artagnan made a giant show of reaching into his pocket and handing something invisible to Aramis. "Well, you can have my piece back. It's the piece that allows you to open up to Kent and start the conversation."
Aramis smiled and stared at his empty hand for a moment, before closing his hand and holding it to his heart. "Thank you, my friend, this means the world."