Evening My Lovelies

Okay, so I'm going to try something today I haven't done in a LONG time, which is a double update. I'm on a train at the moment and was able to get this written and I'm hoping I'll have time to get another chapter out to you all later tonight so fingers crossed writer's block stays far, far away :D

Notes On Reviews:

Pallysd'Artagnan: Thanks for the review - I did feel very bad to make Aramis live through all that again but it was the perfect nightmare material so my evil side just simply couldn't resist :D The nightmare was him relieving his torture back in chapter 20-something where he had a burning piece of wood dragged across his foot, burning his skin. Enjoy the new chapter! x

Issai: Thanks for the review - Well it worked for a little while but unfortunately his nightmares are too strong (because I'm an evil, evil writer mwahaha!) Porthos and Aramis are having a moment today, hope you like it :) Enjoy the new chapter! x

Jmp (Guest): Thanks for the review - Aramis won't be stuck in the nightmare much longer I promise... I do have a question for you though... When you said you were reading on a different site... did you mean this story or other stuff? Just because I haven't published anything on any other site so just want to check my story hasn't been plagiarized or anything. Enjoy the new chapter! x

Vivien99: Thanks for the review - You're welcome, I'm glad you liked it regardless :) Enjoy the new chapter! x

Debbie (Guest): Thanks for the review - Haha yeah I think we can all say that :) Enjoy the new chapter! x

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

Love you all!

Enjoy!

xxx

Chapter Seventy-Eight: Fear And Strength

Unfortunately for the musketeer and physician the feeling of arms wrapped around him as his eyes shot open sent his already frayed nerves into overdrive, the terrified medic reacting purely on instinct as he lashed out against those holding him down, his mind still locked on the nightmare he had just been living through.

"ARAMIS!" exclaimed Porthos in alarm, panic filling him over the thought of his brother worsening his already bad wounds with his struggle. The musketeer let out a low grunt when Aramis's elbow found purchase in his gut with surprising strength given the man's condition, causing the larger man to instinctively step back, loosening his grip on his still thrashing brother.

Taking advantage of the loosened restraints Aramis, still moving on instinct, all but threw himself out of the bed, his fear-filled mind oblivious to the cries of alarm that came from the two other men in the room as he collapsed out of the bed and onto the floor, his legs still too weak to sustain his weight.

With his body crying out in pain and his mind screaming out in fear Aramis was oblivious to who was in the room with him, only aware that they were approaching, something he did not like.

Ignoring the pain in his body the medic quickly shuffled backwards, terror filling his eyes as he tried to evade the approaching figure.

Seeing the pure fear in his brother shattered Porthos's heart whilst also reigniting an inferno of anger for those who had put it there, to begin with. His angered expression softened moments later when he spotted the growing red stains on several of Aramis's bandages, signalling that the man had ripped more than a few stitches in his attempt to get away from them.

Silently gesturing for the physician to move out of the terrified man's vision Porthos crouched down, making him eye level with Aramis as he continued to slowly approach, holding out his hands in a gesture he hoped the man would see as a sign he was unarmed.

"It's just me Aramis," he spoke softly, a tiny flicker of hope entering him as he saw his brother twitch in response to his voice. "It's Porthos 'Mis," he continued, keeping his voice soft and quiet as he approached his trembling brother with agonizing slowness. "You're at the garrison 'Mis… You're with me… You're safe"

The declaration of his safety caused Aramis to still, a desperate hope filling him despite his attempts to smother it. As the approaching figure continued to reassure him that he was safe the medic's mind slowly came to the realization that the voice was familiar.

Mustering what was left of his courage Aramis lifted his head from where it had been hiding under his arms, blinking quickly to try and clear away the tears so he could see the figure now less than a few feet in front of him.

"You're safe 'Mis," reassured Porthos once more, a gentle smile on his lips as he fought to urge to pull his trembling brother into a fierce hug, knowing it would only spook the man more.

Silence reigned for several long moments as Aramis stared wide-eyed at the man before him and Porthos allowed him the time to break free from the terror of the nightmare.

Eventually, when he was sure the figure before him wasn't suddenly going to disappear, Aramis began to believe what he was seeing.

"P-P-Porthos?"

As the blinding smile took over his brother's face he knew the man was real and as such couldn't stop himself from throwing himself into the man's arms, uncaring of the further pain he was causing his injured body.

"Porthos!" he sobbed, pushing himself as close to the larger man as he could, not that Porthos seemed to mind at all as the man was quick to wrap his arms around his brother in a tight but gentle hug, one of his hands coming to cup the back of Aramis's head as he let the man fall to pieces in his arms, uncaring of the dampness he could feel forming on his shirt.

For the next several minutes the only sound in the room came from the pair as Porthos continue to whisper soothing words of comfort and reassurance while Aramis sobbed in his hold.

Hating that he had to interrupt Gerald cleared his throat to remind the pair of his presence before stepping forward, neither he nor Porthos missing the way Aramis flinched at his approach.

"Easy 'Mis it's just the doc," reassured Porthos gently as he offered the man a reassuring squeeze before loosening his hold, knowing why the man was approaching.

"I need to see to your wounds Aramis," informed Gerald gently as he crouched to the pair's level. "Several of your injuries have reopened and need treating."

It was only then that Aramis's mind really registered the pain his body was in, a grimace crossing the musketeer's face as he nodded once at the physician who smiled gently at him in return before turning his attention to Porthos.

"Can you lift him back onto the bed?"

It was several hours later when a stoic Athos crossed through the garrison's gates, flanked by a sheepish, but determined-looking D'Artagnan, much to the relief of many of the men in the courtyard.

"D'Artagnan!" exclaimed Alain as he and Blaise made their way over to the pair, the younger man practically launching himself at his friend, hugging him tightly as the relief at seeing him safe filled him. "You had me worried… ass!"

Despite the teasing tone, his friend used D'Artagnan could hear the truth in his words and hugged his friend back tightly, whispering an apology in his ear before releasing him, wincing as he spotted Treville approaching them and the man did not look impressed.

The walk back had helped clear the young musketeer's head and as such he knew he had much he needed to apologize for, so without any prompting, he strode towards his Captain.

"Captain," greeted D'Artagnan as he straightened his posture, continuing before the man could launch into the lecture he had no doubt come over to give.

"My actions were irresponsible and reckless," stated the Gascon, his firm voice drawing the attention of several of the surrounding men and had Treville raise an eyebrow at the boy. "I stupidly put not only myself at risk but also many members of this regiment who, without being ordered to, volunteered to search for me. There is no excuse or reason I could give that would make my action right. All I can do is to apologize, both to yourself and to the regiment." At this he had raised his voice enough to be heard by the rest of the courtyard, taking a moment to scan the crowd, allowing those gathered to see the sincerity in his eyes.

Treville was quiet for several moments as he took in the boy's apology. The sincerity behind the boy's words and guilt in his eyes surprised the Captain and while he knew he would need to punish the young man's reckless actions he also knew there were more pressing matters to attend to.

"We will discuss your punishment at a later date," stated the Captain, a glimmer of pride flickering across his face when D'Artagnan didn't flinch or protest, merely accepted his words with a single nod of his head. "As it stands there are two people who you owe bigger apologies to."

Hearing the dismissal in Treville's voice D'Artagnan bowed once before jogging back to Athos's side, the swordsman's eyes reflecting the pride he felt for his protege's words before both men headed towards the infirmary.