The next few days passed in a fuzzy barrage of congested snuffles and exasperated huffing as Aramis attempted to convince anyone with a face that he was in actual fact, fine and fit and ready to rejoin the world. For his part, Porthos sat back and watched the show, perfectly content to rest until the mere act of moving stopped pulling painfully at the stitches in his side.
At least until the sight of Aramis twitching like an ant's feelers from the corner of his eye began to drive him to distraction.
"Would you just lie back and rest already?!" he bit out in spite of himself. Even his renown patience was beginning to wear thin now Athos and d'Artangan had returned to duty after it was recognised that both of their friends were going to make a full recovery.
"I can't help it," Aramis said miserably. "I don't want to be in bed any more."
"Yeah well the last time you tried to make a break for it you ended up chewing dust," Porthos replied purposefully turning away from Aramis so his continuous, fidgety movement would stop distracting him from the passage in the book Athos had leant him to while away the hours in his sick bed. "Try reading."
"I don't want to read," Aramis said, petulantly, reaching an arm out and knocking the stack of volumes to the floor.
"Athos wouldn't be happy to see you treating 'is books with such a lack of respect.." Porthos said, not even making an attempt at moving from his position but rolling his eyes with a grin at the noise all the same.
"Don't care."
"You would if he was 'ere to tell you.."
"Well he's not is he? He's allowed to leave this sodding room whenever he wants to."
"Yes but then 'e 'asn't spent the last week drowning in 'is own fluids 'as 'e?"
"Porthos, don't be so crass."
Porthos chuckled at his brother's tone, the laugh deepening at the dramatic sigh which issued from his side of the room.
He turned back to his book and re-read the line he'd been stuck on for the last hour due to Aramis' antics. It was only when he had managed to get through a full paragraph without distraction that he pulled his eyebrows together in a frown. The Spaniard had gone quiet and a quiet Aramis was a plotting Aramis. He froze, his entire attentions focused on the other side of the room though he did not turn for fear of upsetting whatever scheme Aramis might be concocting.
His suspicions were confirmed mere moments later when the muffled sounds of movement began issuing from the marksman's bed. Porthos cocked an eyebrow as Aramis obviously attempted to stifle his ragged breathing as he made what was becoming apparent as another ill advised stab at freedom. Sighing to himself, he settled into his pillow, allowing Aramis enough time to move across the room before silently turning with the intent of watching his brothers' doomed to fail attempt in case he should need his assistance. He knew trying to stop him wouldn't work. Aramis learned only through his own errors which included, but were not limited to, trying to break free from his sick bed.
Porthos couldn't help but tip his head in appreciation at this current attempt however. Aramis had managed to stagger from the mattress to the table unaided though his legs were as wobbly as a newborn foal. He tried to pull himself up to his full height, failing a little as the muscles which were stiff with illness and a lack of use protested. Striding purposefully, he shuffled to the door, pulling it open and gasping aloud through his rattling breathing as the sunlight beamed onto his pale face, now coated in a sheen of sweat through his exertions. Taking a moment to breathe in the chilly air, and coughing as it hit his lungs fully, he stepped out of the room and into the yard.
Porthos rolled his eyes, marking his page in Athos' book before replacing it on the night stand and pulling back his covers. Lord only knew what trouble the Spaniard was going to get himself into with no one around to watch him. It seemed it was down to Porthos to rein in his wandering friend once again.
He winced as he pulled his legs around and placed them on the ground, holding onto his side as he stood gingerly, testing out his own muscles for the first time in a good few days. He smiled to himself as he found they easily supported his weight and he straightened, still holding his healing wound through his clothes to ease as much discomfort as he could.
Like Aramis, he didn't bother with his boots, shuffling his own way to the door in the wake of his friend as he made it his mission to rescue him. The warmth of the sun's rays raised his own spirits and he mirrored Aramis in taking a breath of fresh air, his grin widening as it filled his lungs chasing away the weariness he'd been feeling since the incident at the palace. He closed his eyes a moment, savouring the warmth, before opening them and continuing on his path to find Aramis. He did not have to go far. Aramis had only made it as far as the supports of the awning stretching above the doorway of the rooms which surround the garrison yard. He stood, leaning heavily on the railings as yet another coughing fit racked his body.
"Bloody 'ell Aramis, what did I tell you?" Porthos said exasperated, moving forwards as quickly as his injury would allow and resting a hand on his brother's shuddering shoulder as he tried to clear his lungs, bent in two at the effort.
"Just...wanted...to feel...the sun," Aramis bit out between ragged gasps, one hand braced on the wood and the other arm clasped across his burning chest in an attempt to ease the fire.
"Come on, back inside with you," Porthos said, squeezing the shoulder his hand rested on in an attempting to turn the younger man to aim him back to his sick bed.
"No!" Aramis said, trying to sound gruff and failing miserably. "I have made it this far and I intend to enjoy the morning from out here."
"You stubborn arse."
"Brainless ox."
"I'm brainless?! I'm not the one killing myself so I can sit in a yard before I'm ready to you typical sodding Spaniard."
"No one asked you to come out here you buffoon."
"Idiot."
"Arsehole."
"Gentlemen!" Both men raised their heads in perfect synch with such twin looks of guilt that Constance couldn't help but laugh out loud despite her reprimanding tone. "That is no way to speak in front of a woman."
"My...sincerest apologies..my dear Constance," Aramis began, attempting to instinctively turn on the charm and failing miserably as another tremor racked his frame.
"What are you doing out here you utter fool?" Constance asked, her exasperation quickly turning to worry as she noted the paleness of both of the men in front of her, and the dark circles colouring Aramis' eyes.
"'e was going for a walk apparently," Porthos said, cocking an eyebrow in her direction before rolling his eyes at his brother's antics.
Constance giggled a little at his expression before stepping forward and taking some of Aramis' weight from where he was slowly beginning to sag more against the garrisons' railings. "Come on you, back inside."
"No, please Constance," Aramis all but whined, turning his best puppy dog eyes to full beam and gazing into her face. "I just want to spend the day out here."
She looked at him in exasperation but didn't say anything, preferring to let his current predicament speak loudly for itself.
"Alright...just the morning then."
She considered him for a moment, looking up to Porthos as if asking his opinion and smiling as the big man looked down at his friend before shrugging slightly.
"Never know, it might do us good to 'ave a bit of fresh air."
"Porthos, I am not asking you to baby sit me," Aramis bit out, attempting an even tone but exhaustion lacing his words. He could not mask the glimmer of hope in his eyes however. Aramis craved human companionship when sick and Porthos realised with a jolt that the marksman had been planning his escape knowing fully that he would follow with him.
"Like I said, it'll probably do us the world of good...d'Artangan isn't here by the way Constance. 'im and Athos are out on patrol this morning."
"I'm well aware thank you Porthos," Constance said with a smile at him. "He came by the house before they left and asked if I wouldn't mind keeping an eye on you two." As she said this she motioned with he head in Aramis' direction, who had bowed his own as he breathed deeply. Evidently her actual mission was to try to keep him out of trouble but she was trying to spare them all one of his tantrums by refraining from saying so.
Porthos smiled openly back at her, nodding over to one of the benches which enclosed the yard. She got the message, leaning under Aramis' arm as Porthos took the other side and shuffling him over to the seat. He plopped down in an ungraceful sprawl and leaned heavily onto Porthos as his friend fell down next to him. Truth be told, he was feeling tired himself after the small bout of physical activity. Porthos turned his head as Constance darted back to the room, smiling as she returned with their blankets, draping them over the men and pulling a corner over herself as she snuggled onto the groaning bench beside her friends.
Aramis, already half asleep, angled his body towards her and curled up so his head was resting on her lap. She sighed contentedly as his congested snuffles eased out and quiet snores took their place, lazily twirling her fingers through his curls as she watched Musketeers milling about the yard completing their daily chores. She glanced over to Porthos and her smile widened as his head fell forward onto his chest and he joined his brother in sleep. It was a tight squeeze but at that moment she wouldn't have traded places with anyone in the world.
Athos and d'Artangan clattered back into the yard. The sun was just setting on what had been a pretty standard day although both were bone tired with the continuing duties of protecting the King and then returning to the Garrison to look after their friends. Though neither would ever willingly relinquish either task. Dismounting, they each handed the reins of their horses to the stable boy before heading in the direction of the infirmary.
Athos lead through the door, the sight greeting him making a smile tug at the corner of his mouth. He turned to d'Artangan, who was in step behind him, and placed a finger on his lips in a silent warning to be quiet. d'Artangan nodded at his friend letting him know he understood and stepped into the room, a grin lighting up his own face.
Porthos lay spread out across his small bed, face down and snoring. Light snores issued from the other bed also where it seemed Constance had been held hostage by a deeply asleep Aramis. She sat propped against pillows at the head of the bed, one arm draped across Aramis' chest and her other hand loosely fisted in his curls. He lay curled against her side looking all the world like a contented house cat. His head lay pillowed onto her stomach.
Athos and d'Artangan quietly sat in the chairs which had stood vigil by their brother's bedsides since their enforced bed rest had begun and glanced at each other with a fond smile. It was a strange thing, their little family, but it worked. d'Artangan's attentions were drawn to Constance, as they often were, when she stirred slightly in her sleep, carefully stretching around her sleeping charge before sleepily opening her eyes.
She jolted a little as they rested on the forms of Athos and d'Artangan, before she recognised who had woken her and a beautiful smile lit up her face.
"He tired himself out with a trip out to the garrison," she said affection lacing her words as she motioned with her head towards Aramis.
"Good, perhaps we will manage to keep him a bed for the remainder of the night without the usual fuss for once then," Athos commented dryly, keeping his voice hushed.
"Wouldn't count on it." Porthos it seemed had also rejoined the land of the living.
"No I am aware that I ask the Almighty for one too many favours in this regard but allow me to live in hope," Athos replied with a grim smile.
"We could just tie his feet together whilst he sleeps," d'Artangan said innocently, though ruining his tone with an evil grin.
"Just threaten to pull that damn feather out of 'is 'at if 'e don't stay put," Porthos added with a conspiratorial wink.
"We could just hide his boots," Constance said wickedly, the way the smile lit up her face making d'Artangan's heart flutter all the quicker.
"Didn't stop m' earlier." The muffled, sleep laced voice of Aramis broke through their mischievous plans causing them all to pause for a moment before breaking out into laughter.
"No you're right, you didn't stop for no boots before staggering out into the yard this morning did you?" Porthos said once he had recovered from his fit of mirth.
"I did not stagger, I walked. Nobly," Aramis said indignantly, the effect slightly marred by the jaw breaking yawn.
"Aye..walked..." Porthos said, his eyes glinting, "walked like Athos after a big night at the Wren more like."
"I resent that comparison," Athos said, eyeing Porthos evenly and raising a brow.
"To be fair, Athos can walk in a straighter line than all of us on a bellyful of wine," d'Artangan said with a grin.
"Per'aps straighter than you pup," Porthos said with a booming laugh, "don't worry though, we'll keep you practising and maybe one day soon you'll be able to hold your wine."
"Wouldn't count on it," Aramis added from under the blanket where he had tucked himself away, still curled around Constance and holding on to her as though his life depended on it.
The affronted look which plastered d'Artangan's face had everyone laughing once again, this time at his expense. He crossed his arms mutinously but the combined amusement of his friends was infectious and he couldn't help but join in.
"Well seeing as your jaunt out back into the real world didn't kill you today I think we can safely say that you will be able to poke your head outside once more tomorrow should this warm snap hold," Athos said to Aramis, returning a smile at the grin which broke across the Spaniard's face.
"Really? You're going to actually allow me to leave this prison?"
"Would you stop being so dramatic," Constance said with a laugh, shaking him gently to emphasise her words. "Maybe I could come play nurse maid again once the bread is made and the linens are drying."
The noise of contentment which issued from Aramis as he nodded his thanks and burrowed further into the blankets made Constance's smile, if possible, even wider and she bent her face and planted a kiss on the disappearing man's head.
"Not a bad idea that," Porthos said with a yawn, his voice still gravelly with sleep.
"Don't think you're getting away with taking it easy either," Athos said pointedly at the man as he frowned mutinously over a huge yawn. "That day trip clearly tired you out as well."
"You wait, the next time you're ill I'm going to set Aramis on you right away," Porthos said, sticking his lip out and pouting.
"With some of his best terrible potions and teas to make you better," d'Artangan added with a grimace. They had all been party to Aramis' cures at one time or another despite his protestations that they were 'not that bad'.
"I do wish you all would stop implying that my remedies are, what was it you said last time Porthos? 'Cups of swamp water'? It's like looking after three babies sometimes and not fully grown Musketeers," Aramis said, exasperated.
"I'll just go grab a packet of tea of yours so you can have one before bed time then," d'Artangan said, a glint in his eye as he made to stand from his chair.
"That will not be necessary," Aramis said a little too quickly, jolting from under the covers to eye the lad. His eyes narrowed as the others whooped in sudden laughter and he returned under his blanket with a dramatic sigh.
"Well I am going to have to get home," Constance said, attempting to untangle herself from Aramis' limbs. "My husband will question where I have been and won't let me return tomorrow if he finds out otherwise," she added pointedly as Aramis refused to let her go, whimpering slightly. At her words, however, he let her leave the warmth of the bed, gazing balefully up at her until she laughed kindly at his pathetic expression and leaned down, placing another kiss on his forehead as she smoothed back his messy curls fondly.
"Allow me to escort you home," d'Artangan said, leaping from his chair so quickly he almost stumbled and shooting a glare at Porthos' and Athos' knowing chuckles.
"Straight back here afterwards d'Artangan, we're on early patrol in the morning and we're still apparently down two men," Athos said, standing formally and nodding a head at Constance as she departed. The gratitude for her actions plastered across his face. She smiled shyly back at him, dipping her own head before placing a hand on Porthos' shoulder by way of farewell as she left the room. d'Artangan close on her heels.
"I think I will leave you to your rest then gentlemen," Athos said, snuffing out the candles nearest to him and leaving only one to flicker in the now darkened room.
"Don't you forget your patrol either, hmm?" Porthos said a little pointedly. Both men knew Athos would be aiming for a bottle the moment he got home although his drinking had been less than a problem recently with the departure of his wife and the addition of d'Artangan to their little group.
"I shall not," Athos replied, nodding his head to show he had understood the veiled meaning.
"Wrap up, the night is chilly and we don't need you getting sick too, you're a nightmare when you're ill," Aramis mumbled from his bed. Frowning at the pair of them as they exchanged incredulous looks before bursting into laughter at his words. It had been a long few days.
Whatever witty retort or verbal slap which was about to issue from Athos' slightly gaping mouth, however, was cut short by a sneeze which rocketed from the man instead.
The room froze. After a beat, Aramis turned to look at Athos, a gleam in his eye as he attempted a subtle sniff to clear his nose.
Without another word, Athos turned on his heel, striding from the room and closing the door against the laughter roaring from his brother's beds.
Ok so I'm partially a terrible person for making you wait so long for an update, but I do also have valid reasons. In the form of my mother taking ill suddenly resulting in a late evening dash five hours up the country for a week (she's doing fine now and I find myself back at home trying to catch up on life and failing miserably).
That plus lots of other life stuff, and trying to find a new job and trying to squeeze in a social life in between took its toll but this has still been a long time coming.
Regardless of my lateness, I hope you enjoyed reading this as much as I enjoyed writing it despite it being light hearted nothing banter and hurt/comfort without a plot.
As always, all comments and critiques are warmly welcomed.