It took another week for Aramis to fully emerge from the hubris of the addiction; Athos was amazed at his progress each day as he gradually could stay awake for longer into the day, and the food he ate stayed down; he steadily gained weight and some colour returned to his cheeks.
As the days had passed Athos allowed him to leave the confines of the larder and to sleep in his real spare room; he was under stark warning that any sign of change for the worse would result in his being locked back into the room. The widening of his eyes told Athos that his friend did not want that to happen.
The two of them spent many an evening playing cards and reminiscing; they did not speak of Astor Dumont after their discussion that previous evening, for each time Athos broached the subject again Aramis would clear his throat and change the conversation, a panicked look in his eyes. Best to let it lie, he told himself. Aramis probably did not even remember talking about it previously with him- His friend was back, and that is what mattered the most.
Most days were spent at Porthos' side; their friend was also growing stronger every day; he was able to walk short distances to the small walled garden, in which the three of them would play cards and drink from the contraband wine that Aramis smuggled in under his coat. Porthos also never mentioned Astor again, noticed Athos; whether he had been asked not to by Aramis, or simply possessed enough tact to not mention his name, the older man didn't know. He also never mentioned the incident with the gun again, which Athos was extremely grateful for.
'I have noticed one thing though, lads,' Porthos piped up one afternoon after a hand of cards.
'What's that, my friend?' Aramis smiled across at him, shielding his eyes against the glare of the sun with his injured, but healing, hand.
'Well, when you had first come back and was convalescing, I seem to remember Athos and I bringing you big baskets full of goodies...where's mine, then?' he mock-grumbled, unable to keep a straight face as Athos snorted and Aramis barked out a laugh.
'Oh my friend, please forgive my insolence!' he chuckled, shaking his head. 'I will bring you the biggest, fanciest basket known to man, full of surprises unknown to the world, with the biggest red bow holding it all in!' he assured him, making Porthos throw back his head in laughter.
Athos watched them with a contended smile on his face; he had only recently fully realised how close he had come to losing both of his most beloved friends. He had kept his own demons at bay as expertly as he could through these times; once or twice Aramis had asked how he was, as he had foolishly let an unguarded emotion show. He didn't want to bog down his friends with his feelings, so had assured him he was fine and changed the subject.
They all looked up as rain started to plink onto the ground. 'Damned weather...' Porthos grumbled, shaking his head as they stood up. 'That matron would have my hide if I get my bandages soggy...'
'Ooh, is she the one with the flowing red hair and the beautiful smile?' Aramis lightly enquired, eyes raised.
'Someone feels better!' Porthos guffawed to Athos, who rolled his eyes with a smile and nodded his agreement.
'He certainly does.'
'Well, its good for us being all back together again...' Porthos added, smiling over to his brothers. 'These past few months have been a nightmare...'
'You can say that again.' Aramis nodded, a dark looking crossing his face momentarily.
'I said "These past few months have been a nightmare"' Porthos said again, chuckling as Aramis laughed and smacked his friends' shoulder, before his face crumpled in pain as he held his nail-less hand in his other hand.
'Wrong hand!' he squeaked, earning a snort from Athos as the other man shook his head and rolled his eyes again.
The three men stopped outside Porthos' room, which was currently being fussed over by a matron. 'Have an enjoyable evening, Porthos...' Athos muttered with a small smile.
'Oh I will, its a laugh a minute in here...' the other man replied,rolling his eyes.
'Here- consider this the first part of the presents...' Aramis said quietly, handing Porthos the remnants of the bottle of wine,making sure to keep it out of the view of the matron. The two men exchanged a wink before all three of them straightened as a straight-laced matron came around the corner.
'Evening,' Aramis nodded to her as she passed, nodding back as she did so.
The men watched her turn the other corner, before they each broke into smiles again.
'We'll come tomorrow morning, Treville wants to see Aramis before he puts him back on active duty,' Athos muttered, nodding to Porthos as the other man walked into his room as the matron exited. Waving goodbye at him the two men made their way slowly back through the hospital and into the city streets.
'Tavern, or home?' Athos asked lightly, looking across to Aramis as rain continued to fall.
'I think its time we gave the tavern a whirl, don't you? Meet some new faces...'
'What's wrong with my face?' Athos asked, eyebrow quirked.
'While it is of course immeasurably beautiful, Athos, I would prefer to spend my evenings staring into the eyes of a lovely lady.'
'Touché.' Athos nodded in agreement before leading the way, leaving a grinning Aramis following in his wake.
They walked in silence for a measure of the walk before Aramis cleared his throat. Before he could speak he realised exactly where they were. 'Oh look, its the courtyard we had our little tête a tête in a few weeks ago, remember?' he chuckled.
Athos smiled, nodding. 'I remember. It was raining then, too.'
'Oh yes, it was, wasn't it?' Aramis mused, shaking his head. 'I don't remember much from...from that time.'
'I don't expect you do, 'Mis.' Athos replied with a small smile. He looked up to see Aramis looking intently at him.
'What?'
'Nothing, just- I realised I never thanked you for...for helping me. For understanding- for being there when no one else would.'
'You're my brother, Aramis. I would do anything to help you, you know that.'
'I know, but- thank you. From the bottom of my heart.' Aramis looked at him earnestly. 'Thank you.'
Athos shrugged, waving it away. 'You would do the same for me- you can thank me by buying the first round, deal?'
'Deal.' Aramis grinned, and the two men walked on, a contended silence falling between them once more.
Only the epilogue to go now guys- thank you for reading!