December Desolation Chapter 9
A/N: Enjoy guys, practically everyone gets emotional in this chapter :D
Thankfully the men of the Garrison were well trained and in the absence of their Captain the regiment functioned like a well-oiled machine, men traipsing tiredly in through the heavy gates after a long, boring day of guard duty, and others dead on their feet whilst brushing down their horses and tidying away their packs.
Just another normal end of the day at the Garrison.
Except it was not.
Athos flushed a bright shade of vermillion as he pulled awkwardly away from the warm arms of his Captain, never before had he felt so ridiculous in his life, and coming from a man who was experienced in the woes of vomiting after excess alcohol and lying around in bodily fluids for hours, that was saying something.
Unable to raise his head and face meeting those piercing blue eyes that seemed to penetrate right to your innermost thoughts, he clumsily attempted to escape the situation "I apologise Captain, for my unseemly behaviour over the recent hour. And sincerely hope that it has not altered or indeed damaged, your perception of me or my ability to complete my duties"
"Quite the contrary Athos, I have never had more confidence in you than I do right in this moment. A man who is unable to express his emotions in a time like this is not one whom I would want on my regiment, you know the moral code by which we live Athos?" Treville questioned earnestly.
"One for all and all for one" Athos whispered in breathless comprehension as the meaning of his Captains words finally registered.
"Indeed Athos. If you had not shown that you really, deeply, sincerely cared for Aramis and his plight then I would have been worried about you. Thankfully you acted as I would have hoped and demonstrated that the bond you three have, is that of the closest of brothers. Do not despair son, Aramis will forgive you for as much as he is an essential part of your life, you are an essential part of his."
In a rare unguarded moment of his life, Athos stripped away the bonds his upbringing and status had placed upon him and allowed a true, blinding smile to creep its way onto his face. The like of which has not been seen by any other than his brother, correction brothers, and then not for many years.
Treville could have cried himself in that moment.
He allowed the other man another few minutes to compose himself before standing abruptly from his chair, startling a distracted Athos who looked up at him in bewilderment "I must return to my Musketeers and you Athos would do well to return to your own brothers, they must be despairing of you!"
"I sincerely doubt it" Athos protested, frowning at the hearty chuckles of his Captain "I can only imagine Aramis must be hoping I keep my distance for quite some time"
When a hand landed in an enthusiastic clap on his shoulder, Athos swayed unsteadily on his feet, desperately battling to regain his equilibrium as Treville strode past him and out the door with nary a word, simply chuckling.
A more recognisable facial expression settled over his features as he growled in aggravation at the retreating figure, as much as he loved and respected that man he did drive him to distraction. With an inaudible sigh he braced himself for the agony he was about to subject himself to, dawdling along the corridor to his brothers room as slowly as possible without walking backwards or looking shady.
Scoffing at his ridiculous thoughts he knocked, business like upon the door.
Unknowingly, Aramis was in a similar state to Athos. Embarrassed at having spent approximately the previous hour bawling his eyes out, but with a strange conviction that he was entitled to this, he had endured a very trying few days and if he wanted to cry then dignity be damned he would.
Feeling strangely weightless and empty, Aramis lifted a heavy arm that felt like it had been replaced with a pile of rocks and tiredly wiped his eyes of the remaining treacherous moisture. Porthos, alerted to his friends' gradual return to cognizance by the slow evening out of his breathing was prepared for the movement, and again captured Aramis' hands in one of his.
"Stop tha now" he chided gently, extricating a handkerchief from his own pocket and gently wiping the tear tracks from his brothers face, movements slow and gentle as if dealing with a frightened animal or a piece of fine china rather than a human being. "You'll ony make your face urt"
Sniffling softly Aramis managed a watery smile "maybe it would take my mind of everything else that hurts"
Hearing the weak attempt at his usual humour Porthos beamed back at him and chuckled softly, the rumbling vibrating pleasantly through Aramis from where he rested against the larger man's chest. "Aye, maybe it would but I do not recommend trying it."
"Aww you are no fun" the smaller man pouted playfully, seeming in much better spirits after the venting of his emotions. "You can put me down now you know" he teased, playfully prodding Porthos in the stomach.
"Nah, I am perfectly fine the way I am thanks"
Silence fell in the room at that declaration, the only movement coming from the two men being a tightening of arms and hands where they met the other, almost attempting to become the one person as they strove for physical reassurance.
"Everything is still not okay" Aramis whispered sadly into the silence.
"I know" Porthos responded emphatically "but you need me and nothing, I mean nothing will ever stop me from being here ever again"
Their heartfelt conversation was interrupted by a sharp business like knock on the door, clutched tightly in Porthos' embrace Aramis began to wiggle slightly in an attempt to get free.
"Stop that you, it's probably just Athos" Porthos rebuked and raising his voice called out "Come in"
A head of chaotic tawny hair poked shyly around the door jamb, before the rest of Athos followed suit, having seen both occupants of the room awake and relatively calm. He faltered slightly in his forward movement as he approached the bed and came to an uncertain stop halfway between the bed and door, seeming to contemplate just turning and running back the way he had come.
"Stay" a soft voice whispered pleadingly.
Athos clenched his eyes tightly shut in anguish at his brother's voice and steeling his resolve, plonked himself down on the bed next to the other two and meeting both of their eyes in determination, spoke.
"We need to talk"
A/N: Well that's chapter 9! I managed to get this done during a free at school so hopefully we may have two chapters up this week, but we'll see! As usual let me know what you think and thanks for all of the reviews and everyone who reads this :D Next chapter what does Athos want to talk about?
