"D'artagnan, you listen to me," Athos began a few moments later when he saw D'artagnan digging himself into a pity of self-hatred. "I do not blame you for Tomás' actions, you were young and protecting your friend. You did what you had to and that does not change who you are today. What happened to me happened, but I will live," Athos said and D'artagnan locked eyes with him, seeing the determination in Athos' eyes but also the pain he was in.
"If it was the other way around, would you forgive yourself? If it was me in that bed over something you had done in your past, could you so easily take the blame off yourself like you are asking me to?" D'artagnan asked, trying to get his point across. Aramis straightened slightly, glancing towards Porthos who gave him a pained expression.
The boy had got Athos trapped.
Athos took a breath, allowing himself time to figure out his words before answering D'artagnan's question.
"No, I couldn't," Athos told him, causing D'artagnan to begin pacing once again. "But unlike you, I wouldn't go running off into danger," Athos said and D'artagnan paused, tilting his head to look at Athos who gave him a raised eyebrow and a knowing look.
"I wasn't planning to," D'artagnan began on the defence but Athos interrupted him.
"You forget how long I've known you," he said. He understood every look D'artagnan gave, every twitch of a muscle and what response he was going to give. It was only natural Athos could tell D'artagnan was planning revenge, or something running along that line.
"You should get some rest," D'artagnan said before turning and walking out, the three watching him as he left.
Athos let out a sigh, leaning further back into the beds headboard and closing his eyes briefly. The dull pain was slowly making its way back to him, crawling under his skin as if getting ready to pounce any second.
"Wine?" Athos asked, hoping that the red liquid would help ease the pain. He opened his eyes to catch a look between Aramis and Porthos and let out another sigh.
"I'll get it myself," he said, pushing up from the bed to only wince and grunt from the pain.
"I told you to take it easy," Aramis said, moving over to gently push Athos back down to the bed. "You've been through a lot, you have to let your body regain strength before you start moving around," Aramis told him and Athos suppressed the eye-roll.
"You need some food down you before wine," Porthos said, pushing up from where he sat on the bed and moving towards the door. "I'll see if Serge can cook up something for you," he said before disappearing out the door.
"You need to keep an eye on him," Athos said a few moments later and Aramis looked across at him, knowing full well he was talking about D'artagnan.
"He's not going to stop blaming himself any time soon," Aramis said and Athos nodded.
"I know, I'm just worried what it will do to him," he replied, glancing away from the door and across at Aramis. The marksman gave him a sad smile before lowering himself slowly into the chair next to the bed, wincing slightly from the pain.
"How's the shoulder?" Athos asked.
"A little stiff but I've had worst, luckily you're a terrible shot," Aramis joked, smirking at Athos who simply stared at him. Aramis chuckled, leaning back in the chair and propping his feet up on Athos' bed.
"You'll have to teach me to be better for next time," Athos dryly responded.
"Why? Are you planning on shooting me again?" Aramis asked, a hand going to his chest as he pretended to be offended by Athos' words.
"Depends," he replied with a small hint of a smirk on his lips.
"On what?"
"How annoying you are," Athos finished and Aramis rolled his eyes, leaning back in his chair and shaking his head.
"Even on deaths door you're still a humorous little shi-"
"Who said I was dying?" Athos interrupted and Aramis gave him a look which caused him to pause, finally taking in Aramis' physical state.
He had dark bags under his eyes from lack of sleep and the stress. His hair was more ruffled than usual and his smile wasn't a bright as it normally was, and there was something haunting in his eyes instead.
If this was what Aramis looked like physically, Athos hated to think what mental strain this whole situation was having on his brother.
"I'm fine," Aramis said, seeing the way Athos was looking at him. "You're the one who can't sit up without help," Aramis stated in a matter of fact tone.
"So you keep telling me," Athos said before leaning his head back and closing his eyes. "I'm sorry Aramis," he said a few moments later, glancing across at Aramis who simply smiled at him.
"You were drugged Athos, delusional... It's understandable what happened and it's not your fault," Aramis said and Athos shook his head slightly.
"I still did it," Athos replied, glancing down at his own chest that was wrapped in white bandages.
"You're sounding an awful lot like our young friend," Aramis commented, raising an eyebrow at Athos and allowing a small smirk to rise on his face.
"I hate you," the swordsman dryly replied and Aramis chuckled at him.
"Same here," Aramis said and the two locked eyes. Athos couldn't help but allow a small smile to appear as Aramis grinned at him.
So I hope you enjoyed this as much as I did writing it, thank you for the reviews, follows and favourites. I will get around to replying at some point. The next chapter will be up early next week hopefully, thank you so much for the continued support :)