Evening My Lovelies
Sorry this is a little later than usual, had a bit of computer trouble and ended up losing a chunk of this so had to rewrite it.
We're over 400 reviews! how awesome!
Have I said lately how much I absolutely adore you lovely lovely people? Well I do!
Notes On Reviews:
Deana: Thanks for the review - Haha glad you liked it. It was completely unplanned but it really worked. Enjoy the new chapter! x
pallysdeeks: Thanks for the review - Our boys wont give up trying to get through to him but it's going to be a couple of chapters until this happens. Enjoy the new chapter! x
FierGascon: Thanks for the review - Glad you liked it. I'm hoping the reunion with the girls was interesting to write and we'll see a bit more of it tomorrow. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Debbie (Guest): Thanks for the review - I did say D'Art wouldn't take it well. I have a plan for how he's going to come to terms with it though we have a couple of chapters before that happens. On the plus side we'll get some super cute comfort/apology moments once he comes to terms. I'm really looking forward to when his uncle actually returns, neither Corinne nor our pup are going to handle that reunion well. Enjoy the new chapter! x
criminally charmed: Thanks for the review - His heads warring with his heart in this chapter. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Katie (Guest): Thanks for the review - Hehe I know I'm evil with my cliffys :D Its going to be a few chapters before their relationship gets fixed. Enjoy the new chapter! x
GoGirl212: Thanks for the review - Way to look on the plus side :D We've got a couple of chapters until both him and Corinne get to come to terms to everything. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Maryg (Guest): Thanks for the review - Yay glad you liked it. It was almost painful to write D'Art so angry with them and now I have to keep him angry for at least a few more chapters... It's harder than I thought it would be. I'm hoping Corinne's reaction makes sense but we'll be seeing more tomorrow. I'm SOOOO excited to have the scumbag uncle return soon, its gonna be great fun to write! :D Enjoy the new chapter! x
KarenF (Guest): Thanks for the review - Hmmm he's beginning to doubt but he doesn't believe them fully... not yet at least I'm sorry. It'll be a little bit until that happens but the realization that they were telling the truth moment is going to be great (providing i can write it right) Enjoy the new chapter! x
f1gymnast: Thanks for the review - Considering the load of information they dropped on him its not surprising that he's in denial. D'Art's the one giving hugs today rather than receiving but there will be hugs aplenty when he realizes the truth. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Issai: Thanks for the review - We'll be seeing what Corinne noticed straight away so no long wait to find out. Felt a bit guilty writing D'Art chatting to Alain and not the other muskies but they'll get over it eventually. I'm glad you liked how I decided to take D'Art's reaction. The whole almost rape moment with Corinne is going to be something that's going to be brought up when his uncle physically returns (I'm so looking forward to writing that scene!) Enjoy the new chapter! x
WelshEssex (Guest): Thanks for the review - Hmm knowing me you're probably right to think it's going to get worse before it gets better. Ha! Even if he tried to deny Aramis's aid I think our lovely medic would help him regardless... D'Art's not in any real condition to fight him off or anything. Corinne's had some time to get over the whole shouting moment so that wont be an issue. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Lilac Lavender: Thanks for the review - Yeah, it was a bit too much for him to handle so his instinctive reaction is to deny it and the anger he felt directed itself at the nearest people i.e. his brothers. He is, unfortunately, going to be quite angry for at least a few chapters but then we do have some adorable comfort/apology and pleading for forgiveness moments to look forward to. Haha Glad you liked the bit with the horse. I initially just wanted a way for our boys to know that that's where Maria and Corinne were and it somehow snowballed into a comedic scene... not that I'm complaining I loved it :D Enjoy the new chapter! x
Tidia: Thanks for the review - I'm soooo looking forward to writing the scene that will finally convince him that his brothers were telling the truth. I have it all planned out in my head and providing I can do it justice, it's gonna be great! That'll be happening before too long but we do have a little bit of a wait. Enjoy the new chapter! x
As always much love and many thanks for following/favouriting/reviewing/reading
Love you all!
Enjoy!
xxx
Chapter Thirty-One: Reaction II
Everyone turned to the Gascon at the sound of Corinne's worried call. The young man was hunched over, his less injured hand clutching the shirt right above his bandages as his eyes screwed shut in pain and his breathing came in short sharp bursts.
"D'ARTAGNAN!" Aramis exclaimed and rushed to his brother's side, ignoring the crowd that had gathered around the wagon, worriedly watching as the medic tried to work.
"D'Art, you need to lie back and let me look at it, as you are now you're only making the pain worse," explained Aramis softly as he placed his hands on the man's shoulders in an attempt to help him lie back, only to then have D'Artagnan weakly attempt to shrug off his hands.
"Don't touch me," growled the Gascon weakly as he peered through his hair to glare at his brother, "I'm fine."
Aramis sighed before returning to his efforts with renewed vigor at the sight of how much his brother had paled. "While I'm delighted you're finally speaking to me," he said in a nonchalant tone, "This is not the time for your trademark stubbornness so stop resisting and let me help you."
While D'Artagnan did not ease up on his glare he did consent to the musketeer's effort to uncurl him and lay him back on the mound of blankets.
"Thank you," huffed Aramis sarcastically as he lifted his brother's shirt.
"What happened? Is he okay? Charlie are you okay?"
Had he not been in an excruciating amount of pain D'Artagnan felt he might have actually laughed out loud at his cousin's worried rambles. Instead he focused all his remaining energy on pushing down the pain enough that he could hide it from showing to untrained eyes before turning his head slightly and offering the panicking woman a small smile.
"I'm good Rin," he said soothingly, though his brothers could hear the shake in his voice as he battled to keep the true extent of his pain hidden from his cousin. "Forgot how much it hurt to move is all… Aramis is worrying over nothing."
Aramis's hands faltered as he heard his name spoken. Usually whenever D'Artagnan said they're names they could each hear his fondness and love for them in his voice but just then… it might not have sounded any different to Corinne, Maria and maybe even Blaise's group of musketeers, but to him he could tell. There was no emotion behind that word; no love, no fondness and, thankfully, no anger either. It was harder to hear than the marksman would have thought possible and he silently resolved to do everything in his power to return it to how it had always been as soon as possible.
"Hardly nothing D'Art," interrupted Aramis as he finished his brief examination, bringing everyone's attention back to him, even though D'Artagnan refused to look him in the eye. "You moved too sharply and pulled your stitches, you're lucky you didn't tear any of them."
Silence followed for a moment while the group waited for D'Artagnan to respond, though it quickly became apparent the Gascon had no such plans to do so.
"Can he be moved?" asked Maria worriedly, her eyes flickering between the quartet as if trying to determine what had put such a strain on the group's relationship. "We have a room on the ground floor. It's not much but the bed's got to be comfier than that wagon."
Aramis nodded, already think about the benefits his brother would receive from sleeping on a proper bed and out of the cold. "We'll have to go slow, especially with him just having pulled his stitches but yes we can move him."
Corinne nodded, "I doubt I'll be much help with moving him so I'll speak to the owner about getting some water brought up for a wash."
Aramis grinned brightly at the prospect of a wash, "Something we'd all be most grateful for my lady, thank you."
Corinne flushed slightly at being called a lady before scurrying off to do as she promised, Maria following part of the way so as to be ready to show the group to their room.
"Right," said Aramis as he turned his attention back to D'Artagnan. "Are you ready to go now or do you need a minute?"
D'Artagnan let out a long breath; not looking at his brothers as he mentally prepared himself for the pain that was about to come.
Blaise, who had noticed the Gascon's uncharacteristic dismissal of his brothers and how uncomfortable he now seemed around them, stepped up to the wagon. "Why don't I carry him in?" he offered, instantly receiving a hopeful look from the Gascon and hurt and confused looks from the other inseparable members. "Porthos can help Athos in. That way you can head straight to the room and set up anything you need to check him over when we get there."
Both Porthos and Athos looked ready to protest this plan when Aramis sighed and nodded. "Alright. You'll need to keep him as steady as possible and really mind his sword arm, he's been unconscious enough this mission, I don't want him passing out because you knocked his arm."
Despite hearing the threat underlining the musketeer's words Blaise smiled and nodded before moving closer to the Gascon, whispering quietly to him while Porthos moved to help Athos out of the wagon and Aramis went inside to set up.
The trek inside and into the room was indeed slow for the Gascon and Blaise as the senior musketeer took every precaution of protecting his injured charge, even going as far as having Alain walk in front of them and tasking him with the job of keeping the tavern's other patrons away from them as they walked.
Eventually they made it into the room and after some careful movements the Gascon was deposited on the soft mattress before Blaise and his group of musketeers left to seek out their own rooms and food.
Both Maria and Corinne stayed out of the room as Aramis and his brothers washed and tended to each other's injuries, retuning only when the door to the room opened and three of the musketeers exited.
"Aramis?" said Corinne quietly, wanting desperately to know what was going on between her cousin and the men who had saved him.
Aramis sighed, letting Porthos and Athos, who he was helping to support, leave before him as he turned to address the two worried women.
"He's healing well, though he does have a long road a head of him before he can even think about returning to duty." He informed then, determinedly ignoring the silent question he knew she had asked.
"Is something going on that we should know?" asked Maria, her voice stern as it almost dared the musketeer to ignore what they were asking again. "That's my boy in there monsieur and if something has happened or is happening I… We deserved and need to know."
Letting out another sigh Aramis ran his hand through his now damp hair before nodding solemnly, his sad eyes locked on the door that separated him and his brother.
"There is something… though considering how he took it when we told him it might be best if you heard it from him and not myself."
This worried the two women but they could see the pain in the musketeer's eyes and nodded, silently assuring him they wouldn't press him for answers he was reluctant to give.
Smiling gratefully Aramis straightened, "I'm going to see about getting something sent up for D'Art to eat. His appetites still a bit off so we're avoiding solid foods at the moment. I'll bring it when I come and check on him in a few hours."
Both women were surprised that the musketeer would not be immediately returning like they had expected but sensed the reasons were likely due to whatever information they now had to get out of their boy so nodded once again before entering the room and leaving Aramis alone.
"Oh my boy," sighed Maria as she took in the sight of the man she considered a grandchild. After a few steps she was sat by his side, her fingers moving soothingly through his hair.
"I'm okay mémé" assured D'Artagnan tiredly as his eyes closed in contentment, the tenseness of his body relaxing as he basked in the relaxing presence of his two most cherished women.
"What's going on Charlie?" asked Corinne quietly a few minutes later, noticing instantly as her cousin's frame tensed once again. "Something's clearly going on between you and your friends and Aramis said we'd have to ask you, that it was better coming from you given how you reacted when they told you."
D'Artagnan cursed under his breath before turning his head to face his cousin, gesturing for her to move to his less injured side and once she was settled he took her hand in his.
"It's nothing Rin. They just… told me what they found out about the attack on our home."
"They found who was responsible?" exclaimed both Maria and Corinne. "Who?" they asked once D'Artagnan offered a weak nod.
"Quentin, he runs a bandit group… They think he was hired by someone to attack our village because… because…"
"Because of you?" supplied Maria softly, her fingers restarting their motions in the boy's hair when he sent her a shocked look. "It's not like we had anything of value that could justify such an attack," she explained as she looked at him with sad, sympathetic eyes. "The only thing we did have was a lone musketeer… you."
The tears that flooded from D'Artagnan's eyes were answer enough and both women were quick to offer the guilt driven and grief stricken boy what comfort they could.
"It's my fault he's gone mémé," whispered D'Artagnan brokenly once his sobs had subsided enough for him to speak.
Instantly knowing her boy was referring to her now deceased husband Maria was quick to use her thumb to wipe away the tears staining D'Artagnan's cheeks. "No it is not. I don't blame you for what happened my boy I blame the bandit who struck him down… That's where you should direct your anger, not at yourself."
"How did they know you'd even be there?" asked Corinne, her voice quiet and shaky as she tightened her grip on D'Artagnan's hand.
"Charles?" She said hesitantly as she noticed the flash of anger that shot across her cousin's face.
"They lied," he spat, surprising them both with his anger. "They have no proof, he wouldn't do it. They lied!"
"Charles!" exclaimed Maria, snapping the Gascon from his angry haze. Once he was calm she asked, "Who do they believe sold you out?"
With a mixture of anger and sadness D'Artagnan's eyes found Corinne's as he whispered, "Uncle Antoine."
"W-What?" stammered Corinne breathlessly as she shakily stood; her face paling as she took in what D'Artagnan was telling her.
"It's all lies Rin!" he exclaimed with a certainty he was beginning to doubt since hearing Aramis's description of the man.
"H-He wouldn't," she breathed, collapsing against Maria who had moved to embrace her as memories of the attack replayed in her mind.
"I know," whispered D'Artagnan reassuring as he reached out as much as he was able with his good arm, guiding her to his side where he drew her into a weak yet comforting embrace, instantly knowing her mind had gone to the man who had almost forced himself upon her the night of the attack.
"I was there Charlie… he wouldn't… not with me… he just wouldn't… he's a good man."
"Shh," soothed D'Artagnan, his heart constricting at the pain he could hear in her voice as she struggled to speak. "I know he wouldn't. He may not be the showiest in his affections but he does love you. He would not organize such a thing, especially with you there."
"What gives them the right to suggest such a thing?" she hissed, her pain turning, much like D'Artagnan, into anger at the men for suggesting such a thing about her father.
D'Artagnan sighed, bottling his own anger he felt at the accusation before launching into the same explanation his brothers had given him, of the description of the man Aramis had seen to the suspicions Athos had had since they had seen no sign of the man amongst the captured villagers nor the dead in the village, to the convenient timing of the Gascon being called back to Lupiac and then the village being attacked.
As he went through each point D'Artagnan found himself seeing how his brothers could have come to such a conclusion and he felt disgusted with himself for the small part of him that was convinced his brothers had not lied to him and that his uncle was indeed responsible for what had happened.
Unfortunately it was just as he was finishing up that the door to their room opened and Aramis entered, a tray containing a bowl of soup in his hands.
The musketeer barely had time to place the tray down on the side before his head shot to the side from the force of the blow a now fuming Corinne had delivered to his cheek.
"How dare you," she growled as she watched him raise his hand to lightly touch his reddened and most likely stinging cheek.
"My lady, let me explain," he said softly, eyes full of sympathy for the pain the woman was no doubt in, but he was stopped from saying anymore when Corinne slapped him again, tears streaming down her cheeks as she did so.
She raised her hand to slap him again when her wrist was sharply grabbed.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you," stated Porthos coldly as he held Athos with one hand and her wrist with the other. "We need to talk."