December Desolation Chapter 13

A/N: I got this done so quickly! So here is another chapter :D

After twenty minutes sat in the same spot without movement and Athos finally admitted defeat, leaning across to gently shake Aramis awake, the others shifting awkwardly on numb bums. The sleeping man stirred slightly, mumbling incoherently and frowning in irritation at the annoyance.

"Go way, sleep" he whined grumpily, struggling beneath the blankets as he attempted to swat away the meddling hand interrupting his finally peaceful slumber.

The hand refused to cease its shaking and he blinked his eyes open blearily, eyelids feeling like lead weights as he battled to focus on Athos' bearded face hanging above him. He smiled faintly at his brother, realisation settling upon him as he soaked in the comfort of their presence, he was able to sleep soundly when his brothers were near.

"Aramis, we must go now" Athos cajoled gently, beginning to unwrap their brother from his carefully constructed nest, not missing the shivers that wracked his body as he was exposed to the frigid air.

"Upsy Daisy" Porthos chuckled at their tired friends antics and pulled him into a standing position, both strong hands gripping him tightly under the arms as he swayed dangerously. "Now don't you fall asleep on me again" he warned teasingly, draping an arm over his shoulders to support him, Athos taking up the other side as they made their slow loping way to the Palace gates.

D'artagnan was a couple of paces ahead of them, spinning on his heel smartly and almost skipping with delight as he walked backwards so he could still converse with his brothers. "Who would have thought the King would react like that eh?" he asked, arms raised and hands linked behind his head, elbows pointing outwards.

"Certainly not I" Athos drawled in response, the corner of his lips twitching upwards in amusement at their youngest's actions. "I was more inclined to believe we would be removed from duty, or given patrol for the next year"

"Well" D'artagnan replied with a cheeky grin on his tanned face, "there is still time for him to change his mind, and I wouldn't put it past him to do that when we get back"

At that moment, his booted heel caught upon a large rock and he went toppling backwards, landing with a muffled oomph as his bottom made contact with the solid ground. "Oww" he moaned unhappily, rubbing at the sore spot as he clambered to his feet.

Aramis could help himself no longer and a loud snort of laughter escaped his lips, growing louder until great peals of laughter surrounded them. "Only you D'artagnan, only you" he giggled even harder at the offended look on the Gascons face that slowly morphed into a sheepish smile.

D'artagnan inwardly bemoaned the pain that he felt, but it was made insignificant by the sheer joy that was bubbling within his chest at hearing Aramis laugh once more. Something that, upon recollection, he realised they had not heard in many, many months. So while he did not particularly enjoy his meeting with the ground, if it pleased his brother then it was worth it.

Amusement faded as Aramis began to wheeze harshly rather than laugh freely and Athos pressed his free hand to his chest, attempting to steady his brothers breathing. "You really should not have been moving about" he murmured softly, furrowing his brow in concern, "luckily we are not far from the Garrison where you may rest once more"

-Not ten minutes later and all four men had reached the Garrison gates, a weak and almost unconscious Aramis held up between them, boots scuffing along the floor. Treville was upon them immediately, worry poorly disguised in his tired blue eyes.

"The King?" he asked

"Safe" Athos reported smoothly "and back in the Palace with the Queen. There is nothing more that can be done for them and no other threat currently"

The Captain visibly deflated, relief evident in every aspect of his posture at the news that the man he had known from a baby was safe, for another day at least. Then his eyes landed upon the prone form of Aramis dangling like a puppet whose strings had been cut and he sighed in exasperation.

"There was no point in even trying to stop him" he shook his head tiredly "it is better to allow him to burn himself out, at least then he will stay in bed for a while"

He smiled ruefully and gestured towards the rooms that were allocated to the men of the regiment, they were of a decent size but lacked the homey touch that was necessary to give an apartment a feeling of being lived in. Each one was just big enough for a bed and a writing desk shoved up into the corner by the window so just enough light filtered through the curtains to illuminate anything the men might be working on. Most men could afford lodgings elsewhere, some like D'artagnan paid for a room in someone else's house, others purchased their own homes or rooms to live in whenever they returned from missions. Some men just were not able to afford the price of lodgings and the only option left to them was the Garrison.

Aramis had a room dedicated to him, that no matter how long he left for he could always come back to and was always only his, for he couldn't justify the expense of a room that he almost never used. Therefore his room was exceptional in the fact that he had decorated it in the way he wanted, in the corner there was a modest prayer altar. A velvety cushion was spread on the floor in front of it for use during prayers and it covered a sturdy bench, in the other corner of the room a chaise longue settled beside a stack of books with a thick blanket and pillow folded neatly upon it.

Athos kicked open the door to the familiar room and breathed in the slightly spicy scent of incense that lingered in the air, Porthos and he dragged Aramis over the threshold before gently depositing him upon the chaise longue and covering him with the blanket.

"Wha" Aramis mumbled tiredly as his head lolled limply to one side.

Treville came through the door holding a mug that gave off a very sweet scent and Aramis immediately perked up, reaching his arms out and making grabby hand motions towards it. The Captain smiled and handed it over obediently, watching as he sipped it in satisfaction.

"What is that?" D'artagnan asked in mystification

"That, is chocolat chaud or hot chocolate" Treville answered proudly

"It's very good" Aramis moaned happily "I have had it once before at Madame Adelynne's but it is so expensive I had never hoped to have it again"

He held the mug out to D'artagnan, smiling gently at his wide eyes and begging expression "here, try some"

A/N: Theres chapter 13, I hope you enjoyed it! I just wanted to address a guest review that I got, the King only allowed the men to get away with their behaviour so that they would have time away from work to repair their relationship and Aramis' state of mind. Believe me when I say that when they get back Louis will not be so lenient! Anyway please read and review and thanks again :D