Earth
Prompted by the fabulous ScoutLover.
I have no idea how this ended up being Aramis when it felt a lot more like an Athos prompt. SORRY.
Whatever he'd come here seeking – an honorable death, atonement, oblivion – it hadn't been this.
The abbé tells him he is driving himself too hard – that whatever his sins, God is patient and loving and will forgive all things in time, but all Aramis can think of is that he has no time – that he must cleanse himself, purge himself, drive those earthly thoughts away before the world tries to draw him back. He has been worldly too long, has sinned too deep, to ever be forgiven; all he can hope for is to make whatever small amends he can.
He had thought, after their farewell, that his brothers understood his choice, even if they did not understand the reason. He had thought they would give him time to see to his soul – that, even if they followed, the abbé and the doorman would turn them away, because a novice is a novice and he is more than ready to swear his life to God.
"You have visitors," the abbé says outside the door, and his heart tries to fall and fly all at once.