Evening My Lovelies

I'm so freaking sorry it's taken so long to get this up, I hit a major bout of writer's block and motivation drop :( As it stands this is a bit of a filler chapter so I hope you all still like it regardless.

Oh btw I've started uploading my stories on AO3 as well (user name cowen92) I've only got a couple up so far but I'm planning to get all up there at some point.

Notes On Reviews:

beeblegirl: Thanks for the review - Haha no worries he'll get through it :D Enjoy the new chapter! x

Guest: Thanks for the review - I'm going to upload the stories in the order I did here so Reunion will be next :). I'm hoping to have the next one up by the end of next week but work's given me horrid shifts over the next few days so I can't guarantee that but I'll try :D Enjoy the new chapter! x

Debbie (Guest): Thanks for the review - Haha I loved writing Porthos's banter too :D Enjoy the new chapter! x

pallysAramisRios: Thanks for the review - Well I had to give them a break at some point :D The Porthos bit was a lot of fun to write so I'm glad you liked it :D Enjoy the new chapter! x

WelshEssex: Thanks for the review - I was tempted to have Athos knock him out but figured Porthos would want to stay awake just in case something happened. I'm really looking forward to writing about Issac and Treville's reunion :D Enjoy the new chapter! x

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

Love you all!

Enjoy!

xx

Chapter Thirty-Four: Time To Breathe

Thankfully Aramis was well versed in stitching his brother's wounds and was equally well versed in just how much of a poor patient Porthos made when it came to stitching and as such was unmoved by his brother's rather colour curses and attempts to move away from him as he quickly stitched the wound closed.

"One of these days you won't act like a child when I treat you mon ami," grinned Aramis somewhat tiredly as he finished his last stitch, leaning back slightly to get a better look at the now-closed wound. Its placement would likely make movement awkward and somewhat painful for his brother for at least the next few days as the wound began to heal but it thankfully looked a whole lot less grievous now it was no longer pooling blood.

Still refusing to even look at his brother Porthos growled out a "Bite me," before snatching Athos's hip flask from the swordsman once more, frowning momentarily when he noticed just how little there was left in it before downing the remnants and letting out another colourful curse as Aramis made quick work of applying a poultice to help fight infections.

Athos had been about to make a comment when his ears picked up on a faint whimper of pain that immediately diverted his attention towards his youngest brother, which in turn garnered the attention of the other two inseparables who, like their leader, practically held their breath as they watched their youngest as he shifted positions ever so slightly whilst letting out another soft whimper.

Unable to stop himself Athos reached out and gently took D'Artagnan's nearest hand in his own, unconsciously drawing circles on the back of it with his thumb as he eyes remained locked on the younger man's face.

"D'Artagnan," he called softly, not wanting to spook the Gascon, not when he was already going to be on edge when he woke up in pain and unable to see anything. "D'Artagnan," he tried once more, this time his other hand subconsciously moved to his brother's hair, wanting to offer the injured young man whatever comfort he could provide.

Despite not quite being conscious yet D'Artagnan seemed to recognize that the figure next to him was someone who meant he was safe as the youngster appeared to lean, ever so slightly, into the hand now combing through his hair, not knowing the gentle smile this one movement caused to blossom on his mentor's face.

As much as he may have wanted to let his baby brother bask in the comfort he was offering for a while longer, fully aware of the panic and pain that would likely overwhelm the younger man once he was truly awake once more, Athos knew he… they needed to see the younger man actually wake up and so went back to lightly calling his name, all three inseparables letting out a collective breath of relief when, only a few minutes later, their youngest brother returned to the waking world with a gasp and a cry of pain as his many injures made themselves known.

"Easy D'Artagnan," advised Aramis as he moved closer to the younger man, noting the panic already beginning to take hold of the Gascon, "You're safe, just take it slow you were pretty banged up when we found you."

It quickly became apparent that Aramis's words went completely unheard by the Gascon who was quickly becoming lost in his panic if his erratic breathing and light struggles were anything to by, the sight of which nearly broke the inseparable's hearts.

"Easy whelp," tried Porthos, grimacing as he forced himself to sit up so he could better see his brother. "You're safe."

Once more it quickly became apparent D'Artagnan was too lost in his fear and panic to register his brother's words, this time gathering the strength to attempt to raise his hand to the bandages covering his eyes. However, he instinctively tried to move the hand not currently being held by Athos only to find himself unable to do so as it was the limb Aramis had been forced to tightly bind to the youngster's chest due to the damage done to it. This restriction unfortunately only served to incite further panic in the blind musketeer.

Unwilling and unable to sit by silent anymore Athos removed his hold of D'Artagnan's hand and instead moved both hands to cup the boy's face, forcing himself to ignore the gasp of fear that flew from his baby brother's mouth at the action.

"D'Artagnan," he snapped, infusing his voice with every ounce of command and authority he frequently used when overseeing the younger man's training in hopes the familiar tone, coupled with his voice would penetrate the younger man's fear. A hope that appeared to be coming to fruition as D'Artagnan stilled at the lieutenant's voice, deciding to make the most of this outcome Athos continued. "You're free D'Artagnan," he spoke, ensuring that he kept the same tone to his voice as it did indeed seem to be getting through the boy's warranted fear and panic. "You've been hurt though and that's why you can't see or move much right now so I need to calm down before you ruin all of Aramis's hard work."

"...'Thos?" rasped the injured Gascon but, unbeknownst to him, that one word had smiles growing on the faces of each of his brothers.

Moving one of his hands back to the boy's hair Athos nodded once before remembering that the younger musketeer wouldn't be able to see him. "Aye D'Artagnan," he reassured before catching the eye of Tristan who was trying to get his attention. Nodding once to the physician he looked back down at his youngest brother. "Porthos and Aramis are here too. They'll explain everything to you okay."

With that the swordsman, reluctantly, pulled away from his brother, not missing the small scared whimper that left the Gascon's throat before the boy could stop it but thankfully both Aramis and Porthos leapt at the chance to speak to the boy and offer their own comfort to him, distracting him enough that Athos was able to get to his feet and move to where Tristan was waiting for him.

"How is he doing?" asked the physician as he looked over towards his friend, who appeared to now be on the receiving end of one of Aramis's lectures if the marksman's serious expression was anything to go by.

"Awake finally," breathed Athos as he leant against a tree, feeling all the adrenaline of the last few hours leaving him. "The others?"

"The men we brought are fine as is the king, aside from some minor scratches and bruises… it's Blaise and Issac that have me concerned."

This caused Athos to push off of the tree in alarm, "Why?"

"Blaise has told me some of the torture he was forced to endure," explained Tristan grimly, "I'm sure Aramis has expressed his own worry about the long-lasting effects that the man will suffer through." Athos nodded at this waiting for Tristan to continue. "This fight has only served to further exacerbate the injuries he received and I'm concerned about the risk of permanent damage if he continues to push himself."

"With luck, we can find a wagon for him and the others soon and I'm sure Alain will be more than happy to ensure the man stays on bed rest when we return to Paris."

Chuckling in agreement Tristan nodded, "He's already thoroughly warned the man against trying to get out of bed rest."

"Issac?" asked Athos, his eyes quickly scanning the makeshift camp in hopes of seeing his friend, "What about him?"

This caused Tristan to sigh as he glanced over his shoulder briefly. "He was injured while defending the king. Normally I wouldn't be as worried as I am about it but…"

Understanding flooded through Athos then as he let out a frustrated sigh, "But he was already injured before that."

Tristan nodded, "His body was already weakened because of his previous injuries so it's going to have to work a lot harder now… Plus there's a chance if it gets infected he'll suffer worse because his body will be too weak to fight it off."

"So we need to get back to Paris as soon as possible," acknowledged Athos, "How soon before we can leave?"