Evening My Lovelies
Apologies for the delay, things have been quite stressful for me these last few days and left me in no mood to write... Fortunately, the issue that was stressing me out is now almost completely resolved meaning I can relax again :D
Notes On Reviews:
JesseWells: Thanks for the review - Hmm you may not like me today as I haven't really answered your question as to what he meant, though I will be answering it in the next one, promise :D Enjoy the new chapter! x
pallysd'Artagnan: Thanks for the review - Haha yeah, felt a little evil at that but figured the wounds would definitely need cleaning given he's pulled a bunch of his stitches... and I'm an evil sod who can't resist whumping D'Art lol :D Enjoy the new chapter! x
Debbie (Guest): Thanks for the review - I'm glad you liked it and don't worry I'm planning some more Athos/D'Art moment soon :D Enjoy the new chapter! x
MicheeO: Thanks for the review - *pats head & passes muffin* Enjoy the new chapter! x
Lilac Lavender: Thanks for the review - They definitely did :D I'm glad you liked the bit of fluff, there's definitely more to come in the coming chapters... and I haven't forgotten I promised a puppy-pile either, that'll be coming at some point :D Enjoy the new chapter! x
WelshEssex: Thanks for the review - Yay I'm glad you liked it :) I was tempted to have Etienne completely take over treating D'Art given he's not injured like Aramis was but I just couldn't do that to our lovely Aramis and figured he was stubborn enough to still take charge, even if he was limited in what he could do. No Alain yet but he'll be returning in the next chapter :) Enjoy the new chapter! x
As Always Much Love And Many Thanks For Following/Favouriting/Reviewing/Reading
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xxx
Chapter Fifty-Two: Three Words
"It… Was… You…"
Those three words… three simple… harmless words repeated on a loop inside Aramis's mind, holding him frozen in place, unable to do anything to stare helplessly at his unconscious brother as if he could answer the questions his mind was demanding answers to.
Could he? Mused the marksman as he continued to stare down at his brother. The boy's words had indicated that he had remembered something and Aramis was sure he had seen a spark of recognition in the Gascon's eyes before he had passed out but he couldn't be sure he hadn't simply imagined it, his heart and mind both desperate for the young musketeer to remember him once again.
The thought he could be mistaken in what he had seen was like a knife to the heart but even as he tried to be rational he couldn't stop the hope that he had indeed seen a glimmer of recognition from bubbling up within him.
"Aramis," called a soft voice, drawing the marksman out of the almost trance-like state he had been in ever since those three words left his brother's lips.
Looking up from his brother's unconscious form he couldn't stop the pleading tone that filled his voice as he spoke, "...Etienne."
Nodding once Etienne sent his friend a soft sympathetic smile, imagining the emotional turmoil those words had caused the man. "I heard him."
Glancing back at D'Artagnan, Aramis hesitated for a moment before asking, "Did you see…?"
"See?" asked Etienne with no small amount of concern as his head tilted slightly to the side in confusion, confusion that only grew when Aramis was quick to brush his enquiry aside.
"Do you think he remembers?"
The pure, desperate hope Etienne could both hear in Aramis's voice and see filling his eyes nearly broke his heart. He wanted to remain logical and objective over the matter but he wasn't sure if he had the heart to deny his friend that hope, not after all they had been through recently so instead he simply shrugged. "If there was anyone who could spark a memory it would be one of you three."
"...He's still bleeding," commented Evan hesitantly, not having wanted to interrupt the two men but concerned over his friend's state.
The teen's words were enough to push the two musketeers back into full medic mode, allowing silence to settle over the small group as they focused entirely on the boy lying injured and bleeding in front of them.
Several hours had passed since he had left the hall, left his injured brother tending to his even more injured brother and now he had finished his search of the entire farmhouse Athos found himself almost unable to re-enter the room.
The men he had taken with him were sympathetic to his plight, standing silently several paces behind him as they waited for him to make the first move to enter the room.
They had all been in the hall when D'Artagnan had lashed out at the lieutenant, they had all heard the venom in the Gascon's voice, seen the fury with which the young man had used to push his body past its limits to attack the swordsman and because of this they could only imagine the emotional pain their lieutenant was in and so were more than willing to give him a moment without comment or judgement.
"You should go in," spoke Athos a few moments later, his eyes never leaving the closed door in front of him. "Aramis and Etienne need those supplies."
"And you?" asked Issac, stepping forward so he was next to his friend, almost wincing at the expressionless mask the man was presenting to the world. He felt torn, he knew they needed to get the supplies they found to Aramis and the others but he didn't like the idea of leaving Athos alone when he was like this.
"I fear my presence will do more harm than good," stated the swordsman stoically, though Issac was sure he heard a sliver of pain underlying the man's words. "I will check the perimeter and wait for Alain's return." With that Athos turned on his heel and paused only long enough to pass his bag of supplies to Issac before leaving, his frame stiff and tense as he fought the urge to turn and run to his injured brothers' sides.
"Athos?" inquired Porthos quietly as Issac and the group that had accompanied the swordsman finished handing over the supplies they had located to the two medics, both men practically jumping on them as they began to sort through them, small smiles occasionally tugging at their lips when they encountered something they could use.
Shaking his head Issac settled himself on the ground next to the injured musketeer, who was sitting with his injured leg elevated so Issac assumed he had at least been given a cursory check over when he was returned to the hall some time ago. "He's gone to wait for Alain," he answered after a moments hesitation, "He didn't want to cause another reaction… How's the kid doing anyway?"
"Hasn't woken up yet," grimaced Porthos as he leaned forward, placing a hand on his injured leg. "'Mis and Etienne seem to think that's a good thing, said they can work faster without him fighting them but… he's hurt badly."
"We should be able to get him out of here soon though," interrupted Etienne as he looked over his shoulder at the two men, fully aware his words had gotten the attention of the entire group of musketeers.
Porthos frowned, "Is it safe to do so?"
"He's in no immediate danger and we have that wagon with us. We'll have to go slow but I think we should be able to look at being able to leave in a few hours."
Grins grew on nearly every musketeer's face at that declaration, each of them eager to return to the city, even if their garrison had been destroyed. They all knew at least one person who had been harmed in the blasts so the knowledge they would soon be able to return and check on them, coupled with the news that D'Artagnan, while in dire shape, was stable enough to travel, was a great boon to their spirits.
Porthos was one of those smiling at the news, though he tried to temper it as he glanced out of a nearby window. "Might be worth staying the night," he commented, ignoring the few muttered protests he could hear. "It's starting to get dark and I'm not comfortable travelling with him in the dark."
Etienne nodded, as did many of the other men once they realized just how late in the day it was now beginning to get.
"Until the morning then."
