"It should heal in a few weeks. But till then I order you to rest it. And you should take something against the pain. At least for the first days." Aramis turned his back to him to search in the shelf for the right vial.
Athos wanted to argue, to say that it actually wasn't that bad. But not even he could ignore the pulsating pain rushing through his arm in veins. He knew he wouldn't be able to close a eye with the pain and he desperately needed some sleep.
This mission just had gone completely wrong. For all of them. His gaze shifted towards the other second beds with the sleeping forms of d'Artagnan and Porthos on them.
Aramis had treated them first as their injuries were more several than just a broken arm. Athos was glad at least Aramis hadn't been hurt too bad. With doctor Lemay away on some journey, they otherwise would have had to get help from some unknown butcher-like medic.
"They will heal too." Aramis suddenly spoke, a comforting smile on his face as he noticed Athos worried glance. The swordsman just nodded. He truly believed him, but nevertheless it was never easy to see your brothers injured or sick.
"Take a sip of this one. Lemay had brought it back from one of his trips to the countryside. It's new and supposed to stop the pain without making feeling dizzy. I've tried it myself already."
Athos nodded. He didn't understand much from herbs and all these gruesome smelling liquids but he trusted Aramis. So he took a small sip and gave Aramis the bottle back.
The effect was almost immediate.
Athos had just pulled his legs up on the bed and leaned against the pillows in his back as a tingling sensation spread in his lungs. He coughed and found he couldn't stop. His lungs burned and he sacked forward in order to stop the cramps in his stomach that came from coughing too hard.
Aramis was by his side immediately, a comforting hand on his back rubbing gentle circles while a other held onto his chest, trying to keep him upright.
"Athos? You alright?"
Athos wanted to answer something, assure his brother that he probably just swallowed wrong but just another cough came out followed by a restricting feeling in his chest. Once the cough had weakened he tried to breath in but found that way too little air filled his lungs. His eyes grew wide in panic as breathing became hard work. He heard Aramis course and suddenly his hands were gone and Athos alone. He panicked, desperately trying to get some oxygen as it grew harder and harder to breath.
He noticed movements by his side, but everything around him became blurry, his eyes watered and soon tears fell down his face. He was confused. He didn't feel an urge to cry, even though panic had consumed him.
Then, suddenly, there were cold hands on his face. It was Aramis, he recognized his voice but the words didn't reach him. Normally Aramis hands weren't cold. He would have frowned, weren't he so busy with gasping for air. He realized, it weren't Aramis' hands that were cold but his face that was hot. What was happening to him?
The hands on his face became less gentle as they prodded his mouth open and then there were fingers inside, going in way too deep. Athos gagged and tried free himself of the unwelcomed grip, but Aramis wasn't giving in and pushed deeper until Athos couldn't it in anymore.
There suddenly was a bucket in his lap in which he vomited. The gentle hands were back at his back and the reassuring voice of his brother ringed in his ears.
But, as unpleasant the experience may had been, he found that he could breath a little bit easier now.
"Drink." He then heard Aramis before a cup was pressed to his lips. Athos gulped the content down, finding that it was only water a not one of the bitter tasting herbs. He felt exhausted, his head cloudy and heavy as he leaned back against the pillows.
"What was that?" He rasped, throat burning as he spoke.
Aramis sighed, his hands brushing through his hair. One of his few tells.
"I guess you don't tolerate the substance I gave you. It happens sometimes. Some people suffocated after eating nuts or other have to sneeze and get burning eyes once they're close to animals. I fear it were the painkiller that caused you this. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have given it to you without learning more about it before. I' shouldn't-"
"Sssh." Athos closed his eyes against the thundering pain in his head. "You did nothing wrong. I'm fine, yes? And that's all that counts."
Aramis sighed but didn't argue anymore. As Athos drifted off he threw the vial from Lemay away.
Don't worry, I will soon show you what had happened on the mission that had lead to the injured Musketeers!
But first there will be a part continuing from where this one stopped.
Thank you all for your lovely reviews!