So I'm going to continue to ploughing through this story -I hope im not going to fast for you guys but let me know if I am!
Anyways, here's the next chapter! I hope you enjoy -we're not far from the end now : )
Come dawn, Athos could be found sitting in the courtyard of the garrison, lounging peacefully against a bench by the foot of the stairs, sipping idly at his brew as he watched the area come to life, not yet a care in the world.
Those cares suddenly stood to attention once more at the sight of his brothers entering the area, his passive face settling into a disapproving frown as he noticed they had not yet returned to their wits, their fuzzy companion bounding happily around their feet in the morning as they came towards him.
Sighing exasperatedly, he took a long swig from his wine tainted, morning brew and began mentally preparing himself for the nagging conquest his brothers seemed to have taken upon themselves until he accepted the pup.
"Good morning, Athos" Aramis began cheerily, patting his brother on the shoulder and taking his designated seat on the familiar bench.
"Is it?" Athos replied sarcastically, picking his feet up off the floor and putting them on the seat to avoid the curious pup.
Seeing it whine and jump on the floor at his brothers removed feet, Porthos groused, "Aw come on, Athos, don't be like this. What'd it ever do to you?"
Athos gave him a cold, flat stare, "I'm more worried about what its capable of doing" he answered honestly, then quickly took another long swig before his words could be questioned.
"Wow, looks like we're in for another hot day" D'artagnan stated, observing the clear blue skies and already feeling the humid air, walking out from the doors of the sleeping quarters and over the courtyard to sit by his lounging brothers.
As he neared, the playful pup took notice and darted over to his feet, his eager innocence forcing D'artagnan to bend to its unintended will of crouching and stroking its soft head.
"Indeed. We'd best stay in the safety of shade today- if we want to escape our outdoor duties in the blistering sun" Aramis added, a sly grin forming.
"We'll do nothing of the sort" Athos corrected, causing Aramis to roll his eyes unhappily.
Ever the loyal soldier.
Sighing at the misfortune of having such an obedient friend, Aramis took a moment of silence before suddenly an idea caught his fancy and his features lit up dramatically.
"So, Athos, what are you going to call it?" he implored, leaning forward with a friendly shove and snapping the man out of his new day dreams.
Realizing he was being addressed, Athos blinked in confusion, "Call what?"
"The dog, duh" Porthos filled in sarcastically.
Casting a side glance to Porthos that could freeze running water, Athos looked back to Aramis, holding his silence indifferently so as to state his opinions on the matter.
However, it was when this relaxed attitude was copied onto his expectant brothers gazes as they patiently waited him out, that Athos finally became impatient.
Obliging their request for a remark -though probably not the one they wanted to hear, Athos rolled his eyes to the heavens, shaking his head minutely before stating, "I refuse to give him one. I will not become attached to this 'thing-'" he said, eyeing it in disgust as it scratched its ear with its hind leg "-nor should you" he advised.
"That's one hell of a long name, Athos" Porthos teased, making his brothers grin-bar the man himself, who shook his head to make it clear he was not amused by their antics.
"Yeah, we were thinking of something simpler -perhaps something to define his role?" Aramis joked with a smile, "Preferably a one syllable if you could" he pressed, daringly.
Taking advantage of the silence that was accompanying Athos' current stare down of his older brothers, D'artagnan suggested, timidly, "He could be the musketeer mascot?"
Greeted with a pointed stare, D'artagnan nervously explained himself, "Well, as mascot, he would gain us greater connections to the common man, adoration from fans and a fearsome logo when he's older" he finished with a half hearted shrug, not wanting to overstep.
When D'artagnan was again met with silence, he held the wriggling puppy against his face to look across at Athos with him, widening his eyes and trying to look sad as he mirrored the appearance of his adorable puppy friend.
This would make a great marketing plot D'artagnan thought to himself as he waited. No one could turn this down, surely.
"I mean, how could you say no to this?" D'artagnan ventured, finally meeting the cold gaze of his mentor.
"Easy. No" Athos replied in a low, unhappy register, eyes peering intimidating through his brows against his foes to back up his argument before slowly returning to his brew -which he noticed was now fly infested- and so slammed it back down in frustration causing its contents to slosh onto the wood.
Just as frustrated as his mentor, if not more so, D'artagnan sighed angrily in defeat and lowered the pup to his lap.
Not quite done arguing, Athos suddenly added, "Besides, we already have a logo- the fleur de lis. We don't want to be represented by a weak, infant dog, if we are to uphold the image of strong, fearless warriors" he finished smartly.
"So what you're saying is a white lily is more ferocious?" D'artagnan growled daringly, "I'm learning something new from you everyday, brother" D'artagnan teased, half smirk on his face at the annoyance spreading across the others.'
At that moment, the pup began squirming in protest, its youthful energy demanding its release and forcing D'artagnan to put it down on the ground so it may circle around the table legs.
This proved to be a bad decision as the pup quickly got bored with its immediate surroundings and primary entertainment of biting at straws on the ground, casting its keen eyes around the area until they landed on the stairs, catching a glimpse of a fleeing rodent before hastily taking chase.
Had to cut it here so it wasn't 7 pages long! Hope you liked it, please leave a review and let me know! I'll update again shortly : )