Evening My Lovelies

This is the 1st of two chapters I'm posting tonight, as a bit of an early Xmas present to all you lovely readers

Notes On Reviews:

pallysd'Artagnan: Thanks for the review - We'll be seeing how our other boys react to Aramis news tonight. Enjoy the new chapter! x

beeblegirl: Thanks for the review - That he is, I loved writing him in that chapter :) Enjoy the new chapter! x

Debbie (Guest): Thanks for the review - Haha I know, the mental image of them reacting to the parade duty threat was too good to ignore :) Take care as well and I hope the rest of holidays are good for you :D Enjoy the new chapter! x

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

Love you all!

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xxx

Chapter Eighty-Three: Should I Stay Or Go Now?

Almost four hours later on the dot saw the return of the three absent inseparables, each looking immensely better after getting some much-needed sleep, though Treville found their expressions at seeing their brother concentrating on some minor reports Treville had given him to work on to stave off his boredom very amusing.

"He's good with numbers," offered Treville with a shrug and a smile as he took a report from the medic, skim-reading it before nodding and putting it in the pile of completed reports beside him.

The look on Athos's face spoke to how the man didn't think it was responsible to give the exhausted musketeer, good with numbers or not, regiment reports to work through and normally Treville would have agreed with him but considering these were minor reports that merely needed checking over to ensure the figures matched he didn't see the issue on keeping the man's mind occupied, especially as these reports were merely for Treville's benefit, he didn't have to submit them for outside evaluation.

"Well," stated the Captain as he rose from his chair, stretching out his back before collecting his paperwork. "Now your brothers are rested I shall leave you in their capable hands," offering the medic a reassuring smile he added, "I'm sure you have much to discuss anyway, just remember what I said."

Aramis nodded once at his Captain, ignoring the curious looks of his brother as they looked between the pair as Treville made his way out of the room.

"Aramis?" spoke Athos after a long moment of silence following Treville's departure, he had a sinking feeling in his gut as to what this discussion was going to be about, though he prayed he was wrong.

"The Captain… He has made a suggestion which he believes will help both my recovery and my nightmares."

"That's great," beamed D'Artagnan as he settled into a chair near his brother's bedside, his good mood fading quickly when he picked up on the fact that his brothers weren't as thrilled with the news as he assumed they would have been.

"Aramis?" he asked, his voice quiet as he reacted to the tension slowly building in the room.

Seeing his little brother's unease Aramis felt himself smiling softly for the first time in days as he sought to both answers and reassure the boy, as he reached out to lightly ruffle the younger man's hair.

"The Captain has suggested I take some time away from both the regiment and city to recuperate."

D'Artagnan blinked, feeling slightly stupid for not having thought of that as a solution for his brother's pain earlier. Grinning brightly he nodded at the marksman, "Sounds like a good idea," he stated happily much to the surprise of his brothers. "Too many bad memories around here to heal properly, did the Captain have a place in mind?"

Aramis nodded, his frame relaxing slightly at the support he had instantly received from his youngest brother. "A church in a small village near the coast. They've housed musketeers before apparently and are willing to take me in if I decide to go."

"Just you?" growled Porthos, speaking up for the first time since arriving in the room. His dislike for the notion abundantly clear in both his expression and voice.

Smiling sadly at his beloved brother's glare Aramis nodded once. "Away from all reminders."

"Reminders?!" spat the larger man, his anger growing with every breath. "We're your brothers Aramis!"

Cursing himself for his poor wording the marksman tried to sit up straighter, "I know that I only meant -"

"That we're hurting you."

Aramis's eyes widened in alarm, "No! That's not what I meant!"

"Porthos," spoke Athos as he rose from his seat, intending to attempt to calm the larger man down, understanding why he was acting the way he was, though he didn't appreciate the attitude,

"Save it," spat Porthos before he began to make his way to the door.

"Porthos!" cried Aramis, causing the musketeer to pause by the now open door.

"Wouldn't want my presence to cause you more pain," he spat before leaving the room, slamming the door behind him as he went.

"He's not angry at you Aramis," soothed Athos once he noticed the larger man's departure had caused tears to build up in the marksman's eyes.

Scoffing Aramis levelled a weak glare at his brother, "Looked pretty angry to me."

"He's hurt," stated the swordsman firmly. "He's been the one by your side the longest since our return to the garrison, the idea that he can't or isn't helping you isn't something he likes to hear.

Understanding flooded the marksman's eyes as he nodded slowly, guilt filling him for the brief bit of anger he had felt for his brother's response to the news.

Seeing this D'Artagnan offered the medic a strained smile, "Maybe you just need to agree to let him beat you up when you're better… It worked for me."

Unable to help themselves both Athos and Aramis let out a chuckle at the Gascon's words, the trio enjoying a brief moment of levity before returning to the matter at hand.

"Aramis," spoke Athos, the seriousness in his voice removing any lingering levity in the air. "Do you want to do this?"

For the longest time, Aramis was silent, he had used the time with Treville to really think over the offer and thus knew what his answer was, even if he hated himself for thinking it, let alone voicing it.

"I… I think I need it," stated the marksman, his voice quiet and vulnerable as he looked into his brother's eyes, imploring the man to understand him and much to his relief after a few moments Athos's expression softened and he nodded once.

"Then I'll tell Treville to make the necessary preparations," he said as he rose to his feet, pausing to place a hand on his brother's shoulder. "Do whatever you need to heal brother. Porthos will come around."