So candy cakes did indeed guess it right, smarty pants ;) I hope you didn't predict the rest of it though! Enjoy! : )
No one had been expecting what was inside the box. Not in the slightest. And so, each man simply remained bent over the box and staring at its contents.
Inside lay a puppy curled up into itself, its dark face contrasting its white body, short dark snout and floppy black ears suggesting its breed to be that of the fiest terrier, a popular dog found on local farms for its uses of catching pesky prey.
It was only a few weeks old too, judging by the size of it.
Large, curious brown eyes suddenly peered up at the bright intrusion and strange noises coming from the lid of its small home, curiosity marring its features.
"Ha! Well would you look at that!" Aramis managed to say, already reaching his hands towards the pup and scooping it out of the parcel and then taking a seat so he could delicately lay it down into the nook of his arm.
As he began petting its dark fuzzy head, it let out a small yawn, content with trusting this new stranger enough and snuggled its head down onto his arm, burying its small muzzle into his elbow -the adorable act drawing a warm smile from Aramis as he fell for their new friend.
Following by his example, the remaining brothers took a seat around the table, expressions transforming from one of surprise to melt into soft smiles, watching quietly as Aramis tucked his head into his chest and began talk to his friend softly.
Un-phased by the fuzzy creature now in their presence, Athos' practical mind forced a cold statement forward. "We must dispense of it."
Aramis' head snapped up to look at Athos, obvious astonishment and hurt showing on his face as his hand moved to cover the pups ears.
"What!? We cannot toss it out onto the streets!" he hissed, "It has barely arrived in this world -and yet you would be so cruel as to abandon it?" he scolded, disbelief in his tone.
"Yeah, Athos. What's your problem?" Porthos questioned, snapping out of his thoughts.
"How could you refuse that face anyway?.." he said more to himself than the others, the gentle giant within him crooning as he spotted the pup stretching its small paws outwards with another yawn.
"If I can put up with your combined mischief, then I can put up with a pesky, smelly mongrel" Athos retorted, eyeing the pup warily.
He had loved dogs once. Other than his younger brother Thomas, his best childhood friend had been the beloved family pet.
Sure, it had been tough to train, leaving vile 'parcels' on the rugs and even ate his personal journal once but eventually, they had grown close and spent almost every waking hour together, venturing through the meadows, playing catch with sticks in the nearby streams, venturing into town to buy milk.
But then one day, when his father had come home from a hunt, the dog had seemed different somehow.
They had found out almost too late that it had contracted a mad disease that had left it violent, barely managing to save young Athos from the jagged bite wound it left on his small arm or the ensuing fever it had caused.
Hurt, betrayal, loss, fear. They seemed to follow him everywhere, regardless if they were man or beast Athos thought gloomily in hindsight.
No, he wouldn't go through that again if he could help it.
"I said-" D'artagnan reprimanded, clearing his throat to grab Athos' wandering attention, "-how about, we leave him with me for a few days and let you get adjusted to it. Perhaps you'll grow to appreciate our furry friend."
Athos stared through un-amused, half lidded eyes to his protégé.
"Be my guest! I'm certain that by the time this week is through, you'll be wishing you had cast it out as I had wisely suggested. But, I'll be nice and allow your lack of forethought to grant you this moment of comfort, for now" and with that Athos downed the remainder of his wine and set off for his bed.
Following Athos' back until he was no longer within their sight Porthos offered his arms out to Aramis and taking the snoozing pup from his arms, undeterred by his cranky brothers' theories.
"Well, im gonna go find this little fella a cozy place to stay for the night. I'll just go grab s'me milk -so he's got something to eat in the morning' an' then I'll follow you's lot up" and with that, he stood carefully and left the table to pursue his goals.
Now the only two men left in the place at such a late hour, Aramis cast a tired glance to an even more exhausted looking D'artagnan, "What say you lad, three days tops?"
D'artagnan stifled a yawn, a sleepy grin on his face, "Nah, two more like it. We all know Athos can't resist being the centre of attention."
Aramis smiled knowingly, " Here, here. Jealousy can do funny things to a mans' mind"
D'artagnans' charade broke as a yawn forced its way from his mouth, Aramis copying the motion in sympathy.
Slapping a friendly hand on his knee and slowly taking to his feet, Aramis helped his friend to his feet.
"Well, it looks like it is passed our bedtime brother. Perhaps it would be wise to get some well deserved sleep" he suggested, D'artagnan nodding mutely as he followed the older man to the stairs obediently, too tired to be his mischievous self.
Hope you liked it! Let me know ;)
AN- in case you guys want a hand with the visualizing, I left a photo link for the puppy I was describing! (There is a reason I chose this breed btw, you will find out in due time ;)
: / / s - - -a k 0 . / 1 b / f 8 / 1 9 / . j p g