D'artagnan was understandably apprehensive when Aramis appeared outside his school gates after the final bell. Being the youngest, D'artagnan wasn't old enough to go to the local secondary school, like his brothers, so would usually see them at home but today Aramis was sat on the wall, grinning like a loon as he waved D'artagnan over.
"See you tomorrow, D'artagnan." Constance hesitantly smiled at him and D'artagnan felt his heart flip as he nodded.
"Ah, young love." Aramis sang as D'artagnan joined him at the gate.
"Shouldn't you be at school?" D'artagnan asked, knowing the secondary school finished after his own school did.
"Details." Aramis waved a hand in the air as he wrapped his arm around D'artagnan's shoulder. Out of all of his new-found brothers, Aramis was the most tactile of them, always having an arm around one of them or unconsciously reaching for a hand or cuddling up to them. D'artagnan had found it a little unnerving at first, Aramis' near constant need to touch people but when Athos, who hated people coming anywhere near him, didn't flinch when Aramis sat half on his lap while watching a movie, D'artagnan realised it was normal. Or as normal as any of them could be.
"Where are we going?" D'artagnan asked, when Aramis grabbed his arm and pulled him the opposite direction of the foster home. "Aren't you meant to be grounded?"
"Yes, but this is more important." D'artagnan snorted, knowing Treville would not be pleased. But he was willing to be dragged along by Aramis, curiosity filling up when Aramis stopped outside the local gym.
"Took you long enough." Porthos yelled as they neared the entrance. Both Athos and Porthos were leaning against the entrance when the two youngest brothers walked up to them. A large bag was hanging from Athos' shoulder, making D'artagnan frown.
"What are we doing here?" He asked , getting only a wink from Aramis in answer as the three older boys led D'artagnan inside.
The room they ended up in was a small one, with a padded mat on the ground. Athos dropped the bag he was carrying on the floor and it clanked together. Porthos opened the bag while Aramis disappeared, bringing out what D'artagnan could only describe as ridiculous white onesies. "Put this on." Aramis said, tossing him one as the other four did so.
"Is this some sort of joke?" D'artagnan asked, raising an eyebrow.
"If this was a joke, you'd know about it." Porthos said, pulling out four swords.
"What are those?" D'artagnan asked as Porthos threw one to Aramis and one to Athos.
"These, little brother are fencing swords." Aramis stated, swinging his swords back and forth with typical Aramis elegance.
"Each of us has one and this one, is for you." Athos said, handing D'artagnan a small and skinny looking sword.
"This is for me?" D'artagnan asked, getting nods from the others. "I don't know how to use it."
"Neither did we, until Athos taught us." Porthos said as he and Aramis backed onto the mat. "En guarde." He said, going straight at his younger brother who hastily backed away, dodging Porthos' savage blows.
D'artagnan flinched a little at the harshness of Porthos' thrusts but Aramis seemed to be holding his own, slashing his own sword at Porthos' feet. This went on for a little longer before Aramis managed to get a well-placed hit on Porthos' stomach and the older brother tossed his sword down, tackling Aramis onto the floor.
"That's not fair." Aramis shouted as Porthos sat triumphantly on his back.
"Off the mat if your messing around, its' our turn." Athos said, pulling Porthos to his feet. Aramis jumped up and followed Porthos to the side. "Face side-ways and hold your sword straight." Athos instructed. "You need balance, spread your feet."
"Then what?" D'artagnan asked, a little apprehensive.
"En guarde." Athos stated simply, going forwards and pressing on the attack. D'artagnan backed away, slashing the sword sideways as Athos tried to get past him. "Nice form, now try to hit me." Athos said as Aramis and Porthos shouted encouragement.
D'artagnan paused for a moment, wondering if he would hurt Athos but then Athos landed a cut at his arm and grinned. "Don't get distracted." Athos warned and D'artagnan lunged forwards, pressing on the attack. Athos was better though and soon the older boy had D'artagnan pinned to the floor, swords flung on the floor.
"You're good." Athos said, pulling D'artagnan to his feet.
"I lost." D'artagnan pointed out.
"You held longer than we did on our first time." Porthos said as Aramis swung his arm around D'artagnan's shoulder.
"You'll be better than Athos soon." Aramis stated and D'artagnan couldn't help but grin.
"We better head back before Treville notices our absence." Athos said after they'd cleared away their things. "Also, the two of you are meant to be grounded."
"When have we ever stayed grounded." Porthos pointed up, gaining a laugh from Aramis and an affectionate eye roll from Athos and D'artagnan.
As they walked back to the foster home, D'artagnan found himself walking alone with Athos. "Thank you." He found himself blurting out, gaining a raised eye from Athos. "For everything, for accepting me."
"You're our little brother and we wanted to help. Also, now you might be able to hold your own in a fight." Athos said, smiling his half-smile that he used on his younger brothers when they exasperated him.
"Treville said no more fights." D'artagnan pointed out.
"Doesn't stop Porthos or Aramis do it?" Athos pointed out and D'artagnan couldn't help but laugh then. "And you're just as bad as those to." Athos said, mussing his little brother's hair affectionate. "And don't thank us. You family so there's no need." Athos said and D'artagnan smiled. Maybe his Father was dead, but at least he had brothers' now. He may have lost one family but he had gained another.
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