Sooo sorry for the long wait! That was my busiest week of the entire semester that just passed, so now im back! Here's a big ending in thanks for your patience -and ongoing support!
Thanks once again for all the awesome reviews and faves! Enjoy!
"Ughhhh…how do you stand this Athos?" D'artagnan groaned, placing a hand to his forehead as he cautiously titled himself upright and leant against the bed frame.
Head pulsing painfully with a tremendous hangover, D'artagnan squinted over to Athos in question who remained on the floor, face down; his head buried under his leather doublet as both hands covered the back of his head -fingers massaging his scalp.
"Don' be ridiculous…you don't stand" Athos grumbled sleepily into the floor, eyes wisely remaining shut, "-You crawl with style."
Aramis scoffed from somewhere over yonder in the room as he stumbled about to find his missing boots and hat -annoyance churning in his stomach as he eyed the stained garment trapped under Porthos' large frame still slumbering on the floor -snores erupting from the danger zone periodically.
"Hang on…what do you mean 'you can't stand it'?" Miriam questioned D'artagnan, rubbing tiredly at her eyes as she rose from the bed and stretched out the stiffness in her arms -the matting strands of dark hair entangled outwards in almost every direction completing the humorous picture.
Otherwise occupied, D'artagnan stumbled against the bed -his feet tripping over themselves in an attempt to find balance.
Once he had settled, D'artagnan took a cautious step away from the grumbling form on the floor as his eyes flit between Miriam and his eldest brother warily.
After a few more intense seconds, D'artagnan gave up on finding a suitable excuse in his foggy mind and came out with the truth, "Look, I was thirsty, okay?! It was dark, you guys were sleeping -and I didn't want to wake you!"
There was a low grumble on the floor as Athos turned over onto his back and placed an elbow over his eyes, body squirming out the kinks in his back while he remained horizontal -and therefore balanced. He still remained eerily quiet.
"Go on" Aramis prodded, smug expression crossing his features as he donned his hat and looked expectantly o the youngest.
He was glad not to have gotten involved in this drinking fiasco. They never ended well…and he certainly wouldn't want to be in the boys shoes right now.
D'artagnan batted away Aramis' pestering fingers, scowled up at the cheeky grin an delivered a gaze that said 'Quit it or I'll break your fingers.'
Aramis backed off instantly, though a smile was still pinned to his face. D'artagnan watched enviously as his brother steadily moved back over to Porthos, his posture fluid and free, the carefree attitude reeking from his 'oh so high and mighty' expression.
However, in D'artagnans' opinion, Aramis stupidly forfeited his freedom when he gave Porthos a light shove with his boot. Never a good idea.
Porthos shot up like a bolt of lightning, eyes wide, fists swinging, loud snore having heightened into a crescendo that bluntly stated "Whashappenin?!"
"D'artagnan here was just trying to explain why he drank the remainder of Athos' precious wine" Aramis offered the distraction "-you know, the one he saved for months on end and left out for safe keeping when we all retired for the evening" he filled in for all occupants.
D'artagnan sent his brother a sloppy glare which faded as Athos found sturdy arms and pushed himself up from the floor to rock into a kneeling position -his brothers red crusty eyes sending him and accusatory, cold stare that encouraged yet another cautious footstep back. The bear had awoken.
"You drank the wine?" Athos questioned, slightly unfocused blues finding purchase on the blurred mop of black hair above him.
D'artagnans' eyes took to the floor and darted about his eldest brothers' scruffy attire. He would much rather lose face than meet his brothers eyes. He might have perfected 'the puppy stare' but Athos' 'eagle eyed glare' was known to eat puppies. He might just survive if he didn't look…
Besides, he didn't think he could muster a puppy stare-down this morning -his eye sockets felt like they'd been sucked dry…possibly to fill his roiling stomach full of acid.
Seriously, why had he drank that poison?
Because I was desperate and my throat felt like a desert, that's why D'artagnan reasoned, scrubbing the back of his head sheepishly as he looked about for his own jacket and boots.
Might need to make a quick getaway.
"I ask you again…Did you, or did you not, drink my Cabernet Sauvignon?" Athos demanded moodily, an arm now floundering for the bed as he shakily rose himself up from his knees and onto his feet.
D'artagnan took another nervous step back -and almost jumped out of his skin when Porthos loudly clapped his hands together and promptly split his skull in two.
"Ha ha! You'd best run for it whelp! Athos don' take kindly to people stealing his wine" Porthos chuckled heartily as he took to his feet and easily shoved Aramis' pestering hands away so he could throw the stained coat afar.
Aramis flew after it like a pigeon to crumbs while D'artagnan suffered at the mercy of an angry Athos' glare.
"Um, well…like I said before…I er…I was thirsty….and I um-" D'artagnan choked out, taking another step back and bumping into a dresser. Trapped.
D'artagnan gulped and eyed his mentor anxiously.
A hung-over Athos was not a friendly one -nor forgiving. Especially when his wine was at stake.
Athos' eyes narrowed into slits at the answer and began to pace forwards -arms outstretched for what looked like D'artagnans neck while Aramis and Porthos looked on with amused smirks; the latter letting loose an excited bark of laughter.
But Miriam didn't look nearly as amused. In fact, she looked downright disapproving; with her arms tightly folded across her chest and her brow scrunched into the accompanying frown -her hair still sticking about at odd angles.
"Oliver Armand d'Athos de la Fère!" Miriam scolded loudly, the scathing gaze on his back and soul piercing words, halting her impetuously stubborn man on the spot.
Nobody ever dared to call Athos by his full name -let alone his title. It was simply not done. Especially as it was barely known, rarely used and painfully reminiscent.
All who knew his name made sure to keep it straight and simple -to his liking- lest they seek to incur a cold shoulder or dredge up violent mood swings.
But Miriam didn't give a carrots' toss what Athos thought of her behaviour. He was not going to harm the boy over such a trivial matter as spilt wine -or rather, wine that had been 'spilt' down a certain someone's gizzard. This was all so trivial.
As Athos turned to give her a pointed stare, Miriam held back a happy smirk -secretly excited that she could now scold him properly; as she had once tried to do at the very beginning of all of this.
She'd discovered his name eventually on their trip back -prying the unwitting information from her soldier as his mind began to drift. He probably regretted telling her now.
"I was just going to teach the boy a lesson, that's all!" Athos grumbled, a gesturing hand falling to his side as he stuck out a hip in defiance and brushed his other through his mussed hair -an exasperated sigh escaping his lips.
"You teach him a lesson? Ha!" Miriam quipped, hand on her hips now.
"Athos, you're drunker -if not more- than he is!" she dead-panned, "You're not fit to teach Roger a lesson!…Besides, it's just a little wine! We can get some more!" Miriam chided; the 'simple' reasoning earning her the simultaneous shake of the three brothers' heads.
Apparently they already knew how this was going to turn out.
"Just a little!? -Listen here, Miriam, that wine was aged -delicious- and therefore very expensive. Such items cannot be expected to lay about on a shelf for half a century and remain in plentiful supply!" Athos tutored snidely.
" -So we can't just waste it all in one night!" he informed her impatiently; pinching his nose in utmost frustration.
"D'artagnan needs to learn that permission is a must when it comes down to such irreplaceable items" Athos informed the quiet room, turning back to D'artagnan expectantly -of whom was now acting like a sheep cornered by a wolf and footing about nervously.
This was because the 'sheep' was currently speculating how unlucky he was to have found Athos' bottle of expensive wine only half drained -and how much sharp teeth hurt.
D'artagnan had been honest when he'd stated that he was dying of thirst but thought it best not to leave the room. He hadn't wanted to disturb his brothers -and for their benefit- had chosen to be polite and attend to his own issues rather than bother any one else in the dead of night.
So, yes, D'artagnan had stolen Athos' fiery liquid -but he wouldn't, couldn't admit it now -at least not so bluntly.
He supposed he could have left a little…but after overcoming the initial choking pains, the ruby stuff hadn't seemed so bad -in fact it had a rather numbing and calming effect on his soul.
And so D'artagnan had drank -all of it.
Now he was regretting it.
As Athos prepared to teach the youngest brother a 'lesson' once more and Aramis and Porthos danced on the outskirts to gleefully awaiting the entertaining spectacle -the brave Miriam squared off against her beloved as to what 'lessons were in store.'
But there was a sudden rap at the door.
Sighing loudly, shoulders slumping, Athos shuffled over to the door and wrenched it open, mouth jumbled with an assortment of wittily prepared insults -that fell flat in the face of his captain.
"Yes?" Athos begrudgingly implored, courteous as ever.
"May I come in?" Treville inquired, pressing against the entrance impatiently as he peered around the stiff, bedraggled frame of his lieutenant to the mess inside; more curious as to the womans appearance than his typical lieutenants hangover.
Only partially satisfied at the sight of seeing the occupants not dead, Treville looked back to his second in command -and almost caught the eye roll he'd been given, almost.
"As you can see, Sir, we are presently unfit at the moment, perhaps another-" Athos began but was cut off as Treville pushed his way in.
"-Nonsense! I've seen you lot in a worse state" he commented briskly, stopping at the foot of the bed to greet the blushing Miriam -and purposely leaving Athos to stare at the open door in annoyance as he always did with dramatic pauses.
"Now then-" Treville announced, clapping and rubbing his hands together as he surveyed the sorry lot -three of which winced at the sound.
He had expected them to get drunk after last nights ordeal. He wouldn't have advised it, but he had expected it none the less.
"-I know you're all tired and 'unfit' for duty-" Treville began; their faces filling with dubious expressions as they awaited the metaphorical, second boot to drop.
"But I'm afraid I must request a debriefing from my men" Treville informed; nodding to the lady present in hopes she would forgive him for the intrusion.
"We have a lot to discuss" he noted with finality, eyes meeting each of the soldiers in turn -the happy light in their eyes fading somewhat as they briefly reminisced over the past few days.
"And why can't I be present?" Miriam argued, stumbling to her feet to face off against the man known as Treville -puffing out her chest defiantly as she gave him the once over.
Not expecting such an informal debate with a female stranger, the captains resolve stuttered for a moment -and noticed, to his annoyance, that Athos seemed a little more amused than he should be by his hiccupped demeanour.
"Uhm, well because, Madame, I only request an audience with those who work alongside me" Treville informed the indignant woman -the habitual words rolling fluently from his tongue regarding their equal position to him, rather than beneath him.
"I have every right to be in this 'debriefing' with your men!" Miriam huffed, "-I've been with them from day one! I know almost everything there is to know about the matter" she squawked, shaking her head and gesturing wildly as she tried to convince him with anger.
This particular approach didn't seem to be working.
"-Besides, you wouldn't want this poor, innocent soul, fretting alone about such unresolved, traumatic experiences, now would you?" Miriam added innocently; trying on D'artagnans' puppy dog eyes as she replaced her angriness with one of a lost child.
Reeling from the dramatically adverse display of emotions, Treville looked to his men -all of whom were smiling in approval of her wittiness.
Sighing, Treville turned back to the woman, already knowing where this would end up -and preferring to get it over with sooner rather than later.
"As you wish -but I must warn you, these discussions are not for the light hearted. You will be forced to relive what you have endured" Treville stated wisely; a concerned frown crossing his weathered features.
The room seemed to grow colder as the reality of the situation flooded back into the occupants lives. Relive that hell, again? What a great way to start a day!
After nods had served one another reassuringly, Treville left back for his quarters to await their presence while they dressed.
He wasn't eager to start but it would be best to move past this sour episode while it was still fresh. Better to rid it now rather than let it fester.
Minutes later, the company of five arrived and took up comfortable positions in the room; faces grim with partially hidden tales full of woe and anguish.
It would be hours before any of them left the room again.
~o0o~
Mentally drained and still feeling the effects of alcohol -for some- the five slowly slunk from the office and back out into the warm air of a sunny afternoon; the courtyard before them now casting off eerie vibes as its spotless appearance defied their memories.
They all knew the dead lay here moments ago -and they would never forget.
But it was all over now, the past had to stay in the past so that they could move forwards -at least that's what Treville had said, if not somewhat more elegantly put.
Athos' mind couldn't be bothered to think the matter over anymore and so instead, he stiffly descended the staircase with as much haste he could muster; a hand trailing behind his back as he tugged a tired Miriam along with him -the heavy footfalls of his brothers taking up the rear.
Deciding to focus on the long weeks-leave they had been granted, Athos took in a deep breath and turned back to his family; casting away the darker aura of emotions they had carried from the room and replacing it with his trademark smirk, eager to have things return back to normal.
"Wha' are you grinnin' about?" Porthos grumbled, swiping his brothers' hat from his head, folding it into his fists as he took a seat at a nearby semi-reconstructed bench.
Athos' smirk faded as he snatched back his hat and took a seat opposite, ignoring the tug at his ribs as Miriam took her place by his side and leant against him comfortingly.
It had been rough going, but she'd pulled through. Athos couldn't be more proud of her.
"I am merely contemplating our week of freedom" Athos offered, eyeing the table for a bottle of wine he was sure would appear any moment.
It was then that his quick mind sadly recalled 'his' wine was currently being soaked up by the earth behind him as it had been 'used' for other purposes.
Athos began feeling strangely jealous of the dirt for a split second before his brothers brought him back to attention. Never a moment of peace.
"Since when has leave ever made you happy?" D'artagnan chanced; hoping the light humour and darker conversation had allowed his mentor to forget his misgivings about the expensive wine.
"Yeah, thought you'd probably want to stick together after all -that" Aramis pitched in; choosing to sit atop the bench and plant his feet at Athos' left side -knees annoyingly close to his face.
"Who said I didn't want to stick together?" Athos challenged, shoving the leg away from his face and subsequently knocking Aramis from the bench with a yelp.
Athos, Porthos and D'artagnan shared a smile as Aramis growled on the floor and took back to his feet.
"You were insinuating-" Aramis argued, wagging a finger in his face before his rant was cut off.
"Enough of the big words, 'kay? We already know you're as pretty as you are dumb, Mis' -and we still accept you all the same" Porthos teased, placing a mocking hand of comfort on his brothers injured shoulder.
Aramis quickly shrugged it off, taking insult at the barb and the unintended jab -both of which only fuelled his temper. He may not have drank, but he hadn't slept much. Not after that. There was still a long road of recovery ahead for all of them yet.
Aramis wasn't so sure he was going to enjoy his time off at this rate -and considering his brute of a brother was recovering faster than he could keep up with, trouble was sure to play into the cards fate, no doubt quite literally.
"Watch my shoulder you dumb oaf" Aramis accused; stealing a hat from Porthos' hands and raising it high with his good arm.
Porthos quickly rose to his feet to follow the stolen garment but D'artagnan deftly snatched it out from between them both and put it on his own head.
"Nope, much too big!" D'artagnan declared, the large indent of the hats interior covering his cranium easily and slipping over his eyes, "-But man oh man, you sure do have a big head Porthos" the youngest noted, cheekily.
"-you could fit a melon under here!" he jested as the hat was ripped free -his hair sticking up with the static of the motion making Athos chuckle lightly while Miriam covered her smile regarding Porthos' insult with a polite hand.
Porthos took his seat and clapped the black hat back to his head, leaning away slightly lest they try it again.
He was protective of his things…and he was sure Aramis secretly aimed to get revenge for his stained coat. He could see it happening already.
"Well, where do you think he gets them from?" Aramis teased, knowing full well that their infamous 'melon-shot' trick wasn't actually acquired from the contents of his brothers' hat.
Porthos' sleeves were the only thing known to hide such objects -mainly cards- but that was irrelevant right now.
His brothers were having too much fun with this new trail of thought Porthos mused, somewhat grumpily.
"You know, you could learn to share" D'artagnan scolded; grin broadening as Porthos aimed to cuff him about the head -and missed.
"Awfully hypocritical of you to suggest" Athos broke in -his thoughts turning back to his stolen wine.
D'artagnan ducked his head in embarrassment and instead grumbled, "Fine… next time I'll just die of thirst…"
"You're doin' an terrible amount of complainin' today -whelp" Porthos butted in, happy to get his own back now that the lad had been taken down a peg.
"-Maybe Athos should teach you some manners" he added, sharing a mischievous grin from the man himself and earning wide, frightened eyes from D'artagnan -especially as Aramis closed in from behind and boxed him into the table with two hands to the back of his shoulders.
Miriam batted his hands away with a distasteful tut and Aramis relented with a smile.
"You'll do no such thing" she informed the lot, glancing about to hold their glinting eyes with a more severe look.
"Of course" Athos replied instantly -his apparent submission to her will contested by the sparkle in his eyes and slight turn of his lips. Lies.
Miriam rolled her eyes and shook her head. Men.
Just then, a loud rumble sounded from under the table -and thankfully this time, it wasn't the hooves of horses.
"Speakin' of melon…who's hungry?" Porthos inquired looking about expectantly to his family as his stomach grumbled loudly for a second time.
They were late for lunch and they hadn't even had breakfast! This was certainly not the way he intended to start his glorious week off, starving.
Athos put up a hand of refusal and smiled his usual 'no thanks.' He had quickly learnt never to eat after a hangover, not unless he wanted to spray the town orange with the contents of his stomach.
It made him sick just thinking about it…thankfully Athos knew a source of sweetness that could cure his ailments -even if 'the source' was a fiery, prickly fellow after a night on the grog.
Aramis looked between Athos and Miriam and sensed their unspoken plea for privacy.
He knew Athos would never leave their side -let alone ask to do so. He felt responsible for them as their leader and rarely had time to himself -lest he was drinking deep in his bottles.
Taking pity on their secret plight, Aramis nodded to Athos knowingly and made sure to give Miriam a warm smile before turning back to Porthos and clamping a gloved arm to his shoulder.
"That sounds like a splendid idea, brother! I'm absolutely famished!" Aramis replied excitedly; the deceiving smile plastered to his face and his silver tongue working its magic as it always did.
Athos gave his brother a grateful smile and drew an arm around Miriams' shoulder, "You're not hungry are you?" he whispered, leaning into her side as he watched his brothers haul D'artagnan to his feet.
"Hardly" came her reply, suppressing the need to burp in case it brought back last nights contents. She might be able to drink the strong stuff with the guys -but holding it down like a professional alcoholic was another thing entirely.
Athos nodded happily and looked expectantly back to his brothers -who had been fussing the entire time; Porthos having caught onto the situation through Aramis' subtle looks.
Now all that was left was to convince the ever frustratingly stubborn D'artagnan along.
"No, really, go on without me. I wouldn't be able to keep anything down anyway" D'artagnan assured them, digging his heels into the dirt and leaning back towards the bench even as Porthos tried to swing him around.
"Nah, no man gets left behind!" Porthos reminded; gleeful grin on his face as he wrenched D'artagnan forwards once more -the boys' face paling slightly as his stomach knotted and his brain sloshed around inside its case.
"I thought it was 'every man for himself'?" D'artagnan ranted, giving Aramis a pointed stare before looking back to Athos curiously -the man of which had made no move to intervene or help him -as he usually would by the time. Strange…
"Very funny, now come along little one" Aramis coaxed, grabbing D'artagnan by the other arm as Porthos held tightly onto the other.
The youngest was forced to comply in his weakened state -his recent run through with a bullet, long sleepless nights and a healthy dose of alcohol -that remained in his system- only seeking to make his opinions invalid as he was manhandled away from the bench.
In a last ditch effort, D'artagnan purposely went limp in their arms and faked a heave, "I think I'm going to be sick" he groaned.
Immediately the hands gripping his arms stopped in their incessant tugging and firmly worked to keep him aloft instead -a second pair of hands pushing up his midriff as one was placed comfortingly against his back. Athos.
"I warned you not to be up and about in your state" Athos grumbled from behind, tone soft and comforting as he circled around the boys' front to meet with Aramis who was now trying to hold a strong gaze with their pup -no doubt trying to determine whether the lad truly was sick or this was another one of his sneaky ruse's.
Athos sighed as he looked back to Miriam, their time would have to wait, unfortunately.
"We should bring him back to his quarters to rest -he is still injured after all" Athos suggested, already switching places with Aramis as he saddled half of his younger brothers weight across his own shoulders.
"-I can stay by his side while you go for a meal?" he added, stepping back into 'big brother' mode and masking his slightly put out expression.
But Aramis shook head defiantly, struggling to weave his way back into D'artagnans' embrace and knock Athos back out of the huddle.
"Pah! I'm sure some grub of Serges' will change your mind, kid" Porthos voluntold the boy; forcing D'artagnan to straighten his legs out against the ground and take some of his own weight.
He might be weak, possibly hung-over, but if the boy was in the right mind to argue -which he had been only seconds ago- then he was well enough to visit the canteen! Porthos reasoned.
D'art didn't have to eat, that was fine by him, but he was going to accompany them, no ifs, ands or buts. Athos deserved some spare time 'alone.'
"No, I really don't think so" D'artagnan moaned, keeping up the façade and trying to sway as best he could without aggravating his head further. His eyes were still too dry for full puppy mode but he could easily gather sympathy some other way.
Just as Athos was wrestling his way back into the struggling arms, Aramis wedged his side to D'artagnans,' hooked the boy around the waist and began forcibly marching off in the direction of food -his sudden actions yanking them all forwards complacently before anyone had the sense to dig their feet in protest.
Aramis had wanted D'artagnan to get the hint easily so that Athos wouldn't feel burdened to stay by their side. The mans' time with Miriam was already limited -and before long he would be back at his post, on duty, and unable to leave.
He could knock some sense into the boy when they reached their destination, but as it was currently, he could settle for a swift dragging through the courtyard.
"Perhaps some bread then!"Aramis grunted, still trudging along and leaving Athos and Miriam dumbstruck in his wake; Porthos forcing his arm back under the boys opposite arm, " -might sponge up some of that alcohol in your system" the medic commented optimistically.
Still struggling nobly, D'artagnan looked up at Aramis' expression -clearly voicing his disagreement. He was not convinced.
"Since when does that work?" D'artagnan inquired suspiciously, dragging his feet.
"Since today" Porthos grumbled, marching alongside, face somewhat cloudy as he put up with the annoying storm of arguments the runt was creating.
Looking between the two at the blunt words, D'artagnans slow mind suddenly clicked into gear -his feet finding ground underneath him as he stumble back into a walk and cast a look over his shoulder to the couple in arms who were watching after them.
D'artagnan smiled.
Now it all made sense! His brothers weren't here to force-feed him soup! No, they were dragging him away so Athos could have some 'alone time' with Miriam! Why hadn't he seen it sooner?!
Having only ventured ten feet or so in their clumsy get away, D'artagnans' brisk walk abruptly ended when he slammed his feet into the earth, ripped his arms free from his friends and stood on his own -now making sure to play it big in front of Athos to reassure the man, yawning and stretching with a smile.
D'artagnan knew Athos wouldn't have asked for this, it wasn't in his nature. He knew he'd be there -if he needed to- for his family. Even if he'd prefer to spend the day lounging with Miriam and showing her the sights of Paris.
D'artagnan was no fool and he liked to think he wasn't so selfish to deprive his brother. Athos could have this day…but tomorrow, well, he wasn't going to make any promises. One day alone with just these two for company was more than enough for his liking.
"You know what? On second thought, some bread and cheese sounds great!" D'artagnan announced for all; eyes now much brighter with the beam adorning on his face. The perfect image of youth in all its glory, just raring to go.
"There ya go! Knew you had it in you!" Porthos informed happily, waiting on the boy as he offered Athos a smile.
"Not for long" D'artagnan mused quietly with a slight grimace; his hands resisting the urge to hug his stomach as he stood strong and waved back to Athos and Miriam who were slowly venturing nearer.
Judging by the light blush and warm smile on the couples' faces, Porthos was pretty sure this whole pretence of 'we aim to serve our own stomachs' had been blown wide open by now. Athos had a brilliant mind, but it hardly took brains to realize that D'artagnan was putting on a show.
D'artagnan was in the 'lets scram, for their sake' stage -Athos could see it written all over his brothers' faces.
"Are you sure?" Athos pressed, eyeing the three in partial concern. He didn't want them ruining their health on his account….plus that would only mean he'd have more hard work later.
"Yeah, really -now bugger off" D'artagnan retorted sarcastically, "Can't you see Miriams' waiting on you? -Or have you forgotten your manners?" he jested; his wit meaning to display a sense of strength about him.
Instead it served as an appropriate distraction as Athos stepped back, looking slightly miffed.
"Ha! Manners! Don't think I've forgotten about your little midnight ransacking of my quarters" Athos reminded the youngest -blue eyes boring down into the deep browns of his protégés'.
D'artagnan brushed off the eldest' glare easily with a simple shrug of his shoulders and promptly turned his back on the flustered looking man - dragging his brothers along to the kitchen.
As Athos stood dumbstruck and watched his mischievous brothers' go, he felt a small pair of arms circle around his chest and a familiar warmth press into his back -shaking him from his stupor.
"Have fun!" D'artagnan called back, winking over to the pair just as he turned the corner -devilish smile on his lips, "Don't get too carried away, Athos!" he added with a loud chuckle before he slipped out of sight.
The boy didn't catch the twitching of Athos' left eye nor the heat radiating from his embarrassment fuelled glare.
The moment was officially ruined, the boy would pay.
Haha, aw poor Athos! Well, it's only part one, so I shall put part two up within the day! Lots of things happen in the second half ;)
Let me know what you thought of this one anyway! :D