Evening My Lovelies

Notes On Reviews:

Deana: Thanks for the review - He'll be letting someone check it before too long. Enjoy the new chapter! x

GoGirl212: Thanks for the review - Glad you're enjoying the presence of our other musketeers :) Oh yeah Quentin will definitely be back before too long :) I'm looking forward to Remy coming back but it'll be a little while before that happens. Enjoy the new chapter! x

pallysdeeks: Thanks for the review - He knew they'd react that way anyway but he had to let him go. Athos and Porthos will be forgiving and apologizing to our lovely medic quite soon once they've slept a bit and realized why Aramis did what he did. Love the name for Quentin :D He'll be coming back at some point but I want to focus on our boys a bit first. Enjoy the new chapter! x

Debbie (Guest): Thanks for the review - Yay I'm glad you liked it. I have briefly mentioned Porthos's reaction to slavery in some of the earlier chapters so it was quite nice to expand on that :D Athos's reaction to Remy being free was fun to write. D'Art wont be learning about his uncle's part in what happened for a few chapters as I want him to be in better health before he learns it. Enjoy the new chapter! x

FierGascon: Thanks for the review - Yay glad you liked it :D Enjoy the new chapter! x

Maryg (Guest): Thanks for the review - I saw this when I was at work today and was thinking "Possibly but nothing too bad's going to happen to any of our boys today" ... and then I read through what I had written when I got home and realized you were right :D I'm planning to focus on our boys for a few more chapters before the drama really starts up again but I have some fun things planned... Especially regarding D'Art's uncle :) Enjoy the new chapter! x

f1gymnast: Thanks for the review - Oh I'm SOOO excited to start writing the chapters around D'Arts uncle but I'm going to be focusing on our boys for a bit. Worry not it wont cause a rift between them as they'll each be seeing and understanding the others thinking once they've rested and recovered a bit. Enjoy the new chapter! x

criminally charmed: Thanks for the review - Haha your review made me smile :D Enjoy the new chapter! x

Tidia: Thanks for the review - Aramis will be getting over it once he's slept a bit more and the tensions go down a bit. Enjoy the new chapter! x

MicheeO: Thanks for the review - Hmm we'll see :) Enjoy the new chapter! x

Lilac Lavender: Thanks for the review - I'm really looking forward to getting to the chapters revolving around D'Art's uncle but we're going to be staying focused on our boys for a bit longer yet. Glad you liked the slavery bit with Porthos but don't worry he'll be fine wandering off for a bit. I loved the banter between our boys. We've got another round of banter near the end of this chapter which might be a bit odd but I was very very tired when I wrote it so you might have to let me off for that. We've definitely got a lot of drama coming our way quite soon so be ready :) Enjoy the new chapter! x

As always much love and many thanks for following/favouriting/reviewing/reading

Love you all!

Enjoy!

xxx

Chapter Twenty-Seven: A Brother's Pain

"You did the right thing," mumbled D'Artagnan as Aramis settled by his head to help him drink the broth. When Aramis only looked confused by the Gascon's words D'Artagnan elaborated. "With Remy… Can't forgive him… for what he did… but still… He saved you…"

Aramis smiled at his little brother, knowing just how much it was taking the boy to admit this to him. Ruffling his hair fondly the medic murmured a quiet thank you before helping cradle his head and drink the broth.

Shortly after finishing the broth D'Artagnan was subjected to quite the lengthy examination of his wounds. The process had dark spots constantly dancing across the younger man's vision and D'Artagnan was pretty sure he might have actually passed out briefly at one point.

"How you doing there kid?" asked Porthos softly, the man having come over to help comfort the younger man as much as he could during the examination.

Aramis was in the process of removing the light wrappings he had placed over D'Artagnan's badly burnt arm and it was sending waves of near overwhelming pain through the younger man's body and it was taking everything D'Artagnan had not to scream bloody murder. This did not stop the tears that flowed relentlessly down his cheeks however, nor the colour that blanched from his skin as he struggled against the urge to throw up or pass out.

Athos, unable to move thanks to the damage done to his knee, watched from his spot in the wagon with clear and obvious worry on his face. He deeply wanted to know if the boy's arm was showing signs of improvement but all three of them knew better than to start questioning Aramis when he was focused like he was now.

Although his focus was on D'Artagnan, Porthos did notice, out of the corner of his eye, that Aramis had finished unwrapping the wound and the larger man couldn't stop himself from looking at the damage done to his brother.

Bile rose in the senior musketeer's throat as he saw the horrific burn that marred his brother's skin. Admittedly the wound was looking somewhat better as it was now not as infected as it had been before but it was still a mentally scaring sight and Porthos was just glad D'Artagnan was too out of it to really notice it at that point.

"Aramis?" asked Athos, unable to reframe from asking any longer. It was killing him not to be by his protégé's side, especially when the boy was in pain and it was made even harder by the lack of answers from either of his other brothers.

Sensing the man's growing frustration and worry Aramis decided to take pity on him and give them his verdict on the boy's wound.

"The infection's clearing up nicely, I think it should clear up in a few days providing we ensure nothing happens to make it worse. Overall the burn itself is healing as expected, though… there is something I would like to try if you're up for it D'Art," explained Aramis, his attention focusing on the younger man as he spoke the last bit.

D'Artagnan forced his eyes open to stare apprehensively at his brother. "What?"

"I wont lie it will likely hurt a great deal," warned Aramis as he shifted more into the Gascon's line of sight, knowing the boy was likely too tired and drained to even move his head right now.

"Do you need to do it?" asked Athos worriedly, not wanting to subject the boy to more pain if it wasn't essential.

"Not if you don't want me to D'Art," admitted Aramis softly as he directed the answer to Athos's question to the barely conscious boy. "But it would give me an idea as to the extent of the damage done and how well your arm is truly progressing."

Though D'Artagnan looked like he might throw up from the idea of even more pain he nodded sharply to his brother, knowing the man wouldn't have suggested it if he didn't think it important.

"Okay," nodded Aramis, sympathy and slight guilt filling his eyes as he began to explain what they were going to do.

"I need to know how much, if at all, the burn has damaged your arm function, so I'm going to hold your hand," D'Artagnan paled even further at this thought but kept his eyes focused on Aramis. "Then, when you're ready, I need you to squeeze my hand as hard as you absolutely can. We'll do this again in a week or so time and compare the difference."

D'Artagnan nodded again, the explanation making sense even to his slightly pain-dulled mind and he forced his fingers to uncurl so Aramis could take hold of his hand.

Aramis grinned, "That itself is an improvement mon ami," reassured the medic, quickly wiping away the tears from his brother's cheeks before lifting his own hand, hesitating as it hovered just above D'Artagnan's own.

"You ready?" he asked, waiting until D'Artagnan nodded to place his hand in the Gascon's.

Unprepared to the pain that simple action would cause D'Artagnan let out a small scream, clamping his teeth down hard on his bottom lip moments later in an effort to silence his cries.

"Just breathe D'Art," soothed Porthos as he ran his fingers through the Gascon's hair.

"Whenever you're ready D'Artagnan," reassured Aramis as he resisted the urge to squeeze the boy's hand in comfort, knowing that not only would that be going completely against his objective but also would cause his patient even more pain.

Silence enveloped the group for a few minutes until Aramis felt a light pressure on his hand, drawing his attention instantly to it. He could hear D'Artagnan whimpering in pain and knew he wouldn't be able to do this much longer but if he was honest with himself the medic was far more concerned with how little pressure he could feel on his hand.

When D'Artagnan's strength and stubbornness ran out and the light grip disappeared Aramis was quick to remove his hand, moving it to cup the boy's face and use his thumb to wipe away the tears once again staining his brother's cheeks.

"You did good D'Art," smiled the medic reassuringly, his voice soft and soothing. "Get some rest, we're going to start heading back after I've checked on Athos."

Aramis hadn't even finished speaking before the younger man was asleep once again, making the medic chuckle lightly before his expression became serious and he turned towards the waiting men before him.

He ignored their questions as best he could, stating that he would know little until he had something to compare it too in a week's time. Then without another word he turned his focus to Athos and unwrapping the blood stained bandage covering his shoulder wound.

"You got lucky here mon ami," stated Aramis as he gently examined the stitches he had place in his brother's skin the night before. "The blade managed to avoid doing any serious damage and providing we keep an eye on it to avoid infection it will likely heal with only a faint scar."

"D'Artagnan?" Athos asked, having gathered from Aramis's earlier tone that there was something his brother was keeping from them.

Aramis ignored his question and continued with his explanation. "It is however, going to quite sore for a while so I'll find something to use as a sling to keep it from jostling too much during the ride back."

"Aramis," growled Athos, his voice warning his brother against ignoring his question again.

With a sigh Aramis looked over his good shoulder to check that D'Artagnan was still sleeping before turning his attention back to his now worried brothers.

"He has a lot less strength in his arm than I was hoping for," admitted the medic quietly, lowering his eyes so as to not see the worry in his brothers' eyes.

"What does that mean for him?" asked Porthos, his eyes locking onto the now covered burn. Aramis had left it unwrapped for now but was planning on covering it again before the day was out.

"I…I'm not sure," whispered Aramis as he ran his hand through his hair. "It's a bit early to tell at the moment. It's only been a few days since the wound actually started healing and his body hasn't had much strength anyway thanks to his fever and our general lack of food. I'll do another check in about a week, we'll know what we're looking at better then."

Silence followed Aramis's statement before the medic cut through it as he began checking over Athos's leg, reiterating the information he had given his friend the day before about not moving or putting pressure on the joint otherwise he risked doing serious damage to it.

"I heard you the first time Aramis," grumbled the swordsman as he bit back a hiss, his eyes narrowing on the medic who was currently, with help from Porthos, rebandaging his knee.

"Well it won't kill you to hear it again," sassed Aramis with a cheeky grin. "Who knows maybe it'll sink in if you hear it more than once."

Porthos chuckled, "I think the years you've spent looking after us are perfect examples of that not being true 'Mis."

Sighing dramatically Aramis finished tying the bandage, "I suppose. D'Artagnan's new enough though, there might be hope for him yet."

"Says the man who collapsed after not taking care of his own wound," sniped Athos, the pain in his knee making him grouchier than usual.

Aramis's face flushed in embarrassment making Porthos burst out laughing and Athos to smirk smugly.

"Yes, yes you make a good point brother," acknowledged Aramis with hints of his own smirk, making Athos's fall slightly. "Although considering I can walk and you cant I think I win."

In between chuckles at his brothers' 'argument' Porthos managed to say, "You do know this isn't a competition right?"

Only for his laughter to renew when both brothers turned to him and said, "Of course it is."

"W-What's so funny?" asked a pained and slightly sluggish voice, instantly drawing all three men's attention.

"Aramis thinks he's won over 'Thos," stated Porthos, smirk still on his face and amusement still flickering in his eyes.

It took a moment for D'Artagnan to understand what Porthos was saying but eventually it clicked and he nodded weakly, his pained version of a cheeky smile sent Aramis's way as he said, "…'e can walk."

"SEE!" exclaimed Aramis joyfully as he leaned over and ruffled his brother's hair. "D'Art gets it!"

"Traitor," huffed Athos under his breath but even he couldn't stop the smile that tugged at his lips at the sight of D'Artagnan smiling at them, joy briefly overriding the pain in his eyes as he congratulated Aramis on his 'win'.

"Hey Athos!" called Henri as he moved to stand by the wagon. The musketeer noticed that Aramis was sitting by an awake D'Artagnan and he couldn't help the grin that lit up his face.

"Damn it's good to see you awake D'Artagnan. You had the lot of us worried."

"Sorry," murmured D'Artagnan as he offered the musketeer a weak smile.

"Don't worry about it kid," smirked Henri before his expression became serious. "Just prepare yourself for the regiment to hover over you for a while. We don't take well to one of our own in pain."

Despite the seriousness of Henri's voice D'Artagnan could hear the underlying affection there and it warmed him and had his smile gaining strength as he nodded to the man.

Seemingly pleased with the boy's response Henri turned to Athos, the person he had come over to talk to in the first place.

"We're pack up and ready to go. We found some blankets in one of the crates so we can help pad the wagon if you want."

Aramis nodded, "That'd be good, Porthos can give you a hand while I make up some pain draught for us."

"What if I wanna stay right here?" smirked Porthos as he shuffled even more into the corner of the wagon.

"Just get going," laughed Aramis as he lightly pushed his brother's arm, his grin growing as he heard the man muttering under his breath.

It took some time and some careful maneuvering but eventually they were able to line the wagon with several blankets, making it infinitely more comfortable for the two men who would be riding within it.

"You're sure he can handle this?" asked Athos for the third time as he settled himself into the wagon, his eyes never drifting from D'Artagnan who had fallen asleep soon after being placed back in the now padded wagon.

Aramis looked conflicted but eventually nodded, "We'll keep an eye on him and we'll stop if we have to, I wont risk more than we have to."

Knowing he wasn't going to get better than that Athos nodded, letting Aramis move away and head to his horse. Once Aramis was out of view Athos forced his body to shift closer to his brother, grimacing at the pain that stabbed through his knee as he moved.

Once he was close enough the swordsman maneuvered himself so he was sitting up, his back resting on one of the sides of the wagon. When he was situated he gently pulled D'Artagnan closer to him, being mindful of his injuries as he did so. When he was done D'Artagnan's head was resting lightly in his lap and the boy was sleeping soundly under his brother's watchful gaze.