Morning My Lovelies

I am SO SO sorry for the delay with this chapter. I brought a replacement for my broken Xbox the other day and got a bit addicted to replaying through one of my favourite games and lost track of both time and days lol. Hopefully, this makes up for it :D

Notes On Reviews:

pallysd'Artagnan: Thanks for the review - I don't think even Athos knows exactly what he's feeling right now, there's just so much going on. While he won't be seeing the pup today he will give in and visit soon. Enjoy the new chapter! x

beeblegirl: Thanks for the review - Haha yeah :D if there was an award for it he would definitely win :D Don't worry his desire to see D'Art awake will win out before too long. Enjoy the new chapter! x

Debbie (Guest): Thanks for the review - It's definitely one of his skills lol. Athos has some stuff to work through alone first but he will be returning to his protege's side before too long and don't worry... there will DEFINITELY be hugs :D Enjoy the new chapter! x

WelshEssex: Thanks for the review - Unfortunately Porthos's patience is pretty much at an end... he's been burying his own emotions while he deals with all of his brother's and it going to start to show today. Athos will return to the pup's side before too long so don't worry on that front. As for the lockdown I'm doing good thanks :) I'm pretty much a reclusive hermit but nature so being forced to avoid people and stay inside is pretty much a dream for me lol :D Hope you're doing okay x Enjoy the new chapter! x

Hya (Guest): Thanks for the review - Aw thank you I'm glad you enjoy my work. I keep meaning to publish on AO3 as well but keep forgetting. I'll get around to it at some point :D Enjoy the new chapter! x

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

Love you all!

Enjoy!

xxx

Chapter Thirty-Two: High Tension

As he carefully wrapped a bandage tightly around his brother's injured arm Aramis silently gauged his brother's emotional state, knowing he would need to talk to the man but also not wanting to push the man too much, given everything he had been through in the last few hours.

When the larger musketeer grunted in pain at his ministrations the medic couldn't help but feel a flash of uselessness as he stared at the bandage in his hand. His brother's wound was deep enough to require stitching for it to heal properly but given the marksman's own limitations due to his injuries and Porthos's adverse reactions when it came to being stitched Aramis had decided to wrap the wound, for now, leaving it for Tristan to stitch once the young man woke for him much needed and very well deserved nap, having finally finished doing what he could to help Glenn shortly before Porthos had stormed back into the room.

"So…" started Aramis, having decided to just go for it, knowing that at least this way Porthos couldn't walk away from him if he didn't like where the conversation went. "You found Athos?"

The mention of their absent brother's name had memories of their disastrous conversation soaring to the forefront of Porthos's mind, causing his voice to have a slight growl to it as he grunted out a "Yes."

"He really didn't notice someone taking his dagger?" pressed Aramis, a slight hint of both concern and amusement in his voice as it was extremely rare that the swordsman allowed himself to get that distracted when on a mission, although that thought was quickly followed by a rush of guilt and sympathy when he remembered just why his brother had been so distracted.

Glancing back over his shoulder the marksman took a moment to watch D'Artagnan sleep. To his horror and guilt, the young Gascon had not reacted well to being suddenly woken up and the shock of doing so, coupled with the lingering remnants of his nightmare had quickly caused the boy to develop a massive panic attack which culminated in him passing out when the stress proved too much for his already overwhelmed body to handle.

At least he seems to be resting peacefully now though, thought Aramis with no small amount of affection before turning his attention back to Porthos, who had been watching D'Artagnan with a look in his eyes that caused a small amount of concern to bubble up in the marksman.

Shaking off the turbulent emotions his body was trying to deal with Porthos returned his focus to Aramis, already having a decent idea where his brother was trying to go with his line of questioning, especially as he had already filled the man in on all that happened when he returned to the room sometime earlier.

Still, Porthos knew his brother wouldn't let him go without answering so he grit bit teeth and bit out, "Evidently."

"He knows D'Artagnan is alive?"

Feeling his frustration reach new heights Porthos couldn't stop the next comment that left his lips. "No 'Mis," he snapped, glaring at his brother. "I decided to leave out that crucial fact despite seeing Athos crumbling under his grief… Of course, I told him! He knows the whelp is alive and well in your care."

If Aramis was affected by his brother's glare or sharp tone he didn't show it, choosing instead to let out a soft sigh of his own before continuing to wrap the larger man's wound. "I think 'well' would be an overstatement at this point," he admitted quietly, shame swirling in his gut as he thought back to the terrifying minutes of watching his baby brother struggle to breathe through a panic attack so severe even the medic's words couldn't reach him before passing out. Shrugging off the memory knowing it would do no good at that moment he quickly added, "Our dear brother is blaming himself for D'Artagnan's predicament no doubt."

Unable to help himself Porthos snorted in amusement at his brother's tone of voice as he spoke of their absent brother, "That's definitely an understatement."

Knowing his next comment was likely to put his brother immediately on the defensive Aramis took a moment to prepare himself before asking, "So why did you leave him alone?"

Talbot could hear the arguing coming from Aramis's room from down the hall as he approached with a still unconscious Fredrick in his arms. In any other situation, he would have left the men to deal with their issues themselves without an audience but when one of his dearest friend's was bleeding out in his arms he knew he couldn't give them the privacy they no doubt wanted.

Paying no attention to the words he could hear being shouted the former musketeer braced himself before kicking open the door, verbally announcing himself as he did so he wouldn't find himself at the mercy of their weapons.

That didn't stop the musketeers from pulling their weapons, although they were quick to drop them when the shock of the man's arrival wore off.

Tristan, having been woken up by Aramis and Porthos's shouting was the first to act upon spotting the bloodied figure in the former musketeer's arms.

"Over here," he instructed quickly, moving to lay out the blanket he had been using on the floor as there was nowhere else to place the injured man, much to his regret.

Not ones to linger on petty feuds when someone so clearly needed their help the two inseparables were also quick to spring into action, Porthos announcing he would get fresh water before sprinting from the room with the bucket they had used while treating Glenn, while Aramis began to gather up the resources he had used to treat Porthos to pass over to the physician's assistant, knowing full well that any offer to help would be either rejected or flat out ignored given his own injuries.

"What can I do?" asked both Talbot and Marin at the same time, though neither seemed to register that as their eyes flickered between both Tristan and Aramis as they awaited instructions.

"We used most of our supplies with Glenn and D'Artagnan," admitted Aramis as he glanced over to the two unconscious men. "The church might not have much, but they should have at least a small store of medical supplies, we need whatever you can get us."

"There was a storeroom on my patrol route," offered Marin as he looked towards Talbot who, after a very brief moment of hesitation, nodded in agreement before both men took off, leaving Aramis to watch over the group as Tristan assessed the injured man's condition.

"...How bad?" asked Aramis quietly after a few moments once he was sure Talbot had definitely left the room and was far enough away.

For a moment it looked like Tristan wasn't going to reply as he methodically worked to cut off the bloodsoaked clothes but eventually the man let out a tired sigh, sparing a quick glance at his friend before refocusing his attention on his patient. "Bad."