Thanks to the guest for your hilarious comment -I see the pesky connection!
Unfortunately I have already planned a name- though I'm sure you'll still like it…or at least I hope you do!
Here's the next chapter!
Unaware the pup had fled the area, the four men continued on with their pointless argument, trading minor insults with one another and celebrating their victories with provocative grins.
"I know what you're doing here, Athos, and its not working" Aramis complained impatiently, shaking the mans attention from D'artagnan who was currently fixing his hair to demonstrate a point he'd made in some ridiculous argument or another.
"What!" Athos answered 'innocently.'
"You know what. You've evaded answering the whole point of this conversation -probably in hopes of distracting us from your responsibilities of naming the pup" Aramis rebuked, his theories earning a cold knowing stare from Athos, confirming his suspicions.
"Sneaky" Porthos added after a moment, narrowing his eyes at Athos in good humour.
"Yeah, so what's it gonna be, Athos?" D'artagnan drawled curiously, letting his hair droop and watching his mentors disgruntled expression.
"I've already told you-" Athos began.
"Yeah, yeah save it" they all said, rolling their eyes but waiting for an appropriate answer.
Relenting with a small sigh -and hoping that if he followed their whims he would be left in peace- Athos took a brief moment for half-hearted consideration, a slow smirk setting on his features when he'd found what he was looking for.
"Champ" he stated with finality, and sat back to gauge the reactions of his brothers' curious looks -yet refused to answer their obvious question.
"Well?" Aramis gave in with a frustrated sigh.
"Well what?" Athos countered.
"Is there any particular reason you called it champ?" D'artagnan tried, eyebrows raised at his oldest brother while he ignored Aramis who had promptly clapped a hand to his forehead at Athos' almost painful antics.
"Not really-" Athos replied, to their growing annoyance, "-you did put me on the spot after all" he accused.
"Spot! See that's a perfect dog name!" Porthos commented, elbowing Aramis as if to convince him to pressure Athos on the matter.
"Pish-posh. Spot is a common name not worth remembering" Athos stated, an air of aloofness to his attitude gaining him a look of offence from Porthos as his idea was so abruptly rejected.
"You should have called it Dart" D'artagnan said, "He'll no doubt grow up to be a fast pup" he finished, looking down as if to pet the very pup and noticing it missing.
"Excuse me a moment" D'artagnan broke in, swiftly leaving the table and bending over to check the ground carefully before spreading his search wider. The three brothers barely paid him any mind as they continued to trade unhappy glances with each other from across the table.
"Champ is a great name" Athos persisted, "-it represents winners, celebrations and merriment. Who doesn't like those?" he added smugly, cutting off Aramis reply with, "Besides, it is my dog, I get to name it."
Porthos rolled his eyes, while Aramis brows knitted together in sudden thought.
"Really, Athos? You're gonna pull the 'its mine card' after you refused to take 'im in" Porthos scolded receiving another shrug of nonchalance from Athos.
Suddenly Aramis leant forward, eyes alight and mouth hanging slightly agape, "Honestly, Athos!?" he stated rhetorically, sighing in exasperation.
"What?!" Athos demanded, now slightly alarmed but still annoyed by the disbelieving stare Aramis was giving him. It seemed to accuse him of stupidity.
Aramis spread his arms in surrender as he looked over at confused Porthos before glancing back to Athos, eyes half lidded, un-amused.
"Its champ for short isn't it?" Aramis concluded, "-you know, for champagne" he explained, earning a 'Seriously!?' expression from Porthos who then chuckled and put a hand to his face.
"Athos you old alcoholic you" he chortled, Athos smirking ever so slightly, glad that his brother liked the name he had picked out.
At this moment, D'artagnan chose to return, pup in hand, rat in pups mouth.
Upon seeing the double package, Athos' eyes lit up, mind hard at work as ideas began to take hold in his mind.
As D'artagnan took a seat at the table, Aramis filled him in on the pups new name, his reaction being one of humorous denial as he placed 'Champ' on the table and tried to reason with Athos.
Haha! Anybody else like the name as much as Athos? I do! Roughly two chapters left now guys, maybe one, so please leave a review!