Evening My Lovelies
So how amazing is this! We're at over 400 reviews at 30 chapters!
This chapter was hard to right thanks to an annoying bout of writers block, hopefully it's still an okay read for you though.
Reviews aren't showing up again so if I've missed any of you I'm really sorry!
Notes On Reviews:
Debbie (Guest): Thanks for the review - I'm hoping my take on how D'Art handles the news makes sense and you're right, it's going to take a while for D'Art to get over what his uncle did to him. I did mean to have Corinne's reaction be in this chapter but writers block caused some issues in this chapter and it's now getting really late (or early I suppose) so I'm going to write that for tomorrows chapter. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Deana: Thanks for the review - Aramis will get to rest his shoulder soon so don't worry :) Enjoy the new chapter! x
Tidia: Thanks for the review - He's not going to take the news well that's for sure. I'm just hoping the way I've portrayed it makes sense. Enjoy the new chapter! x
pallysdeeks: Thanks for the review - Oh he's beyond angry... but not at who you might think :) Enjoy the new chapter! x
The dreamer (Guest): Thanks for the review - Glad you liked it, D'Art's not going to take the news well, that I can promise :) Enjoy the new chapter! x
Helensg: Thanks for the review - Hmm he may not be the most responsive to their attempts at giving comfort right now. Enjoy the new chapter! x
FierGascon: Thanks for the review - Yep, that it does and I can promise he does not take it well. Enjoy the new chapter! x
f1gymnast: Thanks for the review - He's not going to be wanting hugs right now unfortunately... you'll see why :) Enjoy the new chapter! x
Maryg (Guest): Thanks for the review - As if D'Art would be safe from us in a cave! There are sooo many things that could happen to him in a cave... Cave in, stray bandits coming across him, a hibernating bear might wake up and try to kill him... so many possibilities :D Anyways back to the chapter... D'Art's not reacting to the news well. Expect tension :) Enjoy the new chapter! x
Issai: Thanks for the review - Poor Porthos didn't want to hurt him but that was a guaranteed thing unfortunately. D'Art's not handling the news well and it will effect his health. Enjoy the new chapter! x
criminally charmed: Thanks for the review - It's going to take quite a while to heal from that betrayal that's for sure. Enjoy the new chapter! x
WelshEssex (Guest): Thanks for the review - It was definitely a lot to pile onto the boy and unfortunately he's not taking the news well. Enjoy the new chapter! x
sweettweeet: Thanks for the review - Yay I'm glad you've been enjoying my stories. D'Art whump is a favourite of mine so expect lots of it from my work :D Enjoy the new chapter! x
Lilac Lavender: Thanks for the review - I'm really hoping D'Art's reaction makes sense. It makes sense with the later chapters that I have planned but I'm a bit concerned. I'm actually surprised how much I know I still want to have happen and we're already at chapter 30! You'll hopefully understand what I meant by mean moment when you read this chapter... though it somehow changed from serious to jovial near the end (that wasn't planned). Enjoy the new chapter! x
Cookies, cake and other yummy goodies for following/favouriting/reviewing/reading
Love you all!
Enjoy!
xxx
Chapter Thirty: Reaction
Silence. That was what followed for what seemed like an age after Athos's announcement. Each of the musketeers watched warily as their youngest brother tried to process the shock that had just been given to him. Each ready and willing to offer what they could in terms of comfort the second the Gascon seemed to need it.
What they were not ready for however was the anger that filled their brother's eyes as he glared at them.
"Liar," he snapped, his voice little more than a whisper as he glared daggers at his mentor.
The rational part of him knew the man, and indeed all of his brothers, would not even think of saying something like they had unless they were completely sure. Unfortunately for all involved, the rational part wasn't the part that was in control at that present moment in time.
"D'Art I know this is hard to take in b-"
"Do you?" hissed the Gascon as he turned his gaze on Aramis, the medic flinching slightly at the blaze of anger in the younger man's eyes. "Do you truly have any idea what you're asking me to believe?"
"My uncle is a good man. He may be cold and even hold a dislike for me but he would never sell me out like that. Good god Aramis, his own daughter was there! How could you, any of you, think he would do something like this with Corinne right there? Lupiac was her home as much as mine. He didn't do this. You're wrong."
"Whelp," sighed Porthos as he reached over to touch the boy, only to freeze when the younger man physically flinched away from him with only showing the smallest signs of the excruciating pain it caused him on his face.
"No!" growled D'Artagnan. "He did not do this. You have no proof."
"Aramis saw him in Quentin's camp," explained Athos, both his voice and face expressionless as he addressed his fuming younger brother. He could understand the younger man's anger and even respected his loyalty in his uncle. It was something remarkably similar to when he had lashed out the first time Thomas had brought his suspicions about Anne's real identity to him.
He fought back a sigh as memories of that time appeared in his mind and he was glad that his brother did not have the strength and mobility to throw a punch let alone do damage with one.
D'Artagnan scoffed and the sound was fill of bitter anger, "He's never met the man, could have been anyone."
Athos frowned, not liking the tone of his brother's voice but understanding it.
"Anyone who bore striking resemblance to you?" retorted Aramis as he began to describe the man who had been taken to the camp when D'Artagnan had been unconscious.
At his description all three musketeers saw D'Artagnan wavering, hope and belief of his uncle's innocence warring with the truth he could see in each of his brothers' eyes.
"D'Art…"
"No!" exclaimed the Gascon, his anger returning as he shook his head, "he wouldn't do this. He wouldn't!"
The three senior inseparables shared a look, unsure of how to proceed when D'Artagnan was like this, none of them having experience with him in his current mood.
Unfortunately for them, the silence only gave D'Artagnan's anger time to grow and when each of them returned their gaze to their brother the biting-cold anger was back and intense in his eyes.
"You guys should go," said the Gascon quietly as he fought to contain the burning anger in his veins. "I need to be alone."
"You don't have to do this alone D'Art," said Aramis softly, his eyes full of sympathy for the overwhelming emotions his brother must be feeling. "We can help if you let us…"
"I've had enough lies for one day thanks," snapped D'Artagnan. "And I am currently fighting the urge to punch one or all three of you so. Leave. Me. Alone."
Knowing full well how stubborn their brother could be when he wanted to and how much pain he would cause himself should he even try to hit them, the men nodded sadly before returning to the spot in camp they had been sitting before, both Porthos and Aramis helping take some of Athos's weight so he could maneuver himself easier.
"Well,' muttered Aramis quietly as the trio eased themselves onto the ground. "That went well."
"He just needs time," defended Athos while rolling his eyes at Porthos's scoff. "It's a lot to take in, especially after everything else we told him."
"I'm beginning to see the logic in your earlier words about waiting," admitted Porthos glumly as he cast a look over his shoulder to the wagon where his brother was lying. The faint rise and fall of the boy's shoulders told the musketeer his brother was crying and it sickened him to know that he had been part of the reason behind that, as well as the knowledge that he would only make it worse if he tried to offer comfort now.
"If this is how he was always going to react its probably a good thing we told him now," admitted Aramis as he stared at the ground. "It's not like he can run away or fight us, despite how much he apparently wants to, so we'll have the opportunity to talk to him again in the morning."
"Oh that's going to be a fun conversation," chuckled Porthos sarcastically.
The group remained where they were for several hours more; occasionally shooting looks D'Artagnan's way, even though the boy refused to even look at them. Eventually the trio decided to call it a night and, after setting up a watch schedule with their other comrades, retired for bed.
The following morning each of the men tried to engage D'Artagnan in some form of conversation yet each was met with unyielding silence.
The Gascon remained as stone faced as he could and breathed through gritted teeth and Aramis checked over his injuries while trying to get anything out of the boy with no success.
Porthos came next though his attempts of banter and conversation were met with a glare and silence.
D'Artagnan's reaction to Athos's attempts however was probably the worst for the men to witness. The swordsman had kept his own silence until they were once again on the road. He had noticed the winces of pain his protégé had been unable to hide thanks to the uneven road and had decided to try and make conversation in the hopes of taking D'Artagnan's mind off of the pain.
Unfortunately unlike with Porthos and Aramis who D'Artagnan at least looked at, the Gascon refused to even look at his mentor and simply closed or diverted his eyes whenever Athos tried to force himself into the boy's field of vision.
"This is hardly mature D'Artagnan," sighed Athos bitterly after his third attempt at getting some form of response for the boy. It didn't help that Athos was dealing with the pain in his leg and shoulder, which was making his tone and temper that much shorter.
To the swordsman's satisfaction that comment at least got some reaction as he saw his brother visibly tense, most likely from having to force himself not to respond to the slight insult. It had not been the reaction he had been going for but it was something and that's all that mattered to him.
"You doing okay back there D'Art?" called a voice and the three inseparable were all ready to come up with some sort of explanation as to the boy's silent treatment when D'Artagnan shocked them all by speaking.
"Been better Alain," admitted the Gascon, vigorously ignoring the shocked and hurt looks he could see on his brother's faces. "Would be better if you could drive this thing properly," he added with a teasing tone that was slightly diminished by the pain that was evident in his voice.
"You can't blame me for the roads," chuckled Alain as he sent an apologetic look to Aramis and Porthos who were both riding beside him with matching expressions of hurt.
The younger musketeer didn't know what had caused the friction between the members of the usually tight-knit group but he could tell just how much D'Artagnan ignoring them yet talking to him had hurt them.
"Maybe not," admitted D'Artagnan with a small hiss of pain, his eyes screwing shut as he fought to not be overwhelmed by the pain. "Though I can blame you for finding the worst parts to ride over."
"Oh hush you big baby," teased Alain with a smirk as he leaned over the back of his bench to ruffle D'Artagnan's hair quickly before returning his attention to watching the path. "We're not even an hour away from the village so the road should be evening out soon."
True to his word the group did indeed enter the village after about half an hour and immediately began seeking out the small tavern for their two women companions.
"Mi amor!" exclaimed Aramis joyfully in Spanish as he spotted the all to familiar mane of blonde hair before dismounting the horse he was riding in a rush.
Porthos sighed dramatically, a teasing grin tugging at the corners of his lips. "Am I the only one who thinks it's just plain creepy he calls his horse that?"
The rest of the musketeer group laughed, their laughs growing when Aramis, who had undoubtedly heard them, turned to glare at Porthos, who was surprised and relieved when he caught a flash of a smile on D'Artagnan's face at his words, though it was gone just as quickly as it appeared.
"You've got to admit it's a little creepy 'Mis," teased Porthos, thoroughly enjoying the expression on his brother's face.
"Don't listen to him mi amor," whispered the medic softly as he lovingly petting the mare's nose, smiling when the horse nuzzled into his touch. "There's nothing creepy about you."
"I said you were creepy 'Mis not her," called Porthos, bursting out laughing once again at Aramis's overdramatic offended expression.
The laughter was cut short as the door to the tavern swung open with impressive force, especially seeing as it opened to reveal two very familiar women.
"You're back!" exclaimed Maria joyfully as she stepped closer to the group, relief flooding through her at their return, only for it to vanish into worry when Corinne called out.
"CHARLIE!"