Evening My Lovelies
Hmmm for how much trouble this chapter gave me to write I do actually kinda like how it turned out :)
Notes On Reviews:
criminally charmed: Thanks for the review - Bwhaha Oh I loved your review :D Don't worry Athos will realize his mistake before too long. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Deana: Thanks for the review - Poor Athos is only going to end up feeling worse by the end of this chapter :) Enjoy the new chapter! x
Debbie (Guest): Thanks for the review - Athos is going to hate himself when he realizes D'Art heard him but we've got a little bit before that happens. Worry not Athos is quickly coming around to that and realizing he has been too hard on him. Enjoy the new chapter! x
FierGascon: Thanks for the review - Yay glad you liked it, we've got a bit more today. Enjoy the new chapter! x
GoGirl212: Thanks for the review - Worry not Athos is quickly realizing the error of his ways and will be by his protege's side very soon. Enjoy the new chapter! x
pallysdeeks: Thanks for the review - Poor D'Art's not in the best mindset right now, though our boys will be quick to try and help :) There's more drama to come don't worry and as for the fight with Remy and Quentin... I'm not 100% sure what they'll be fighting over but I'm looking forward to writing it regardless :D Enjoy the new chapter! x
KarenF (Guest): Thanks for the review - We've got some high emotion chapters coming our way but don't worry, our boys will all reunite and be happy again before too long :D As for the D'Art whump... It's an interesting idea although Athos is beginning to come around today so we'll have to wait to see what happens there. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Katie (Guest): Thanks for the review - Wow lots of hate for Athos there :) Hopefully this chapter will help calm your anger a bit. To be honest I hadn't realized we were that far in until I published yesterdays chapter lol. Worry not our boys are heading to D'Art today :) Enjoy the new chapter! x
Issai: Thanks for the review - D'Art will be apologizing to Corinne when he's doing a bit better, he didn't mean to be mean to her, he just didn't want her to see him like he was. He wanted to break down in peace. Oh god could you imagine what would have happened if Porthos left them alone lol :) Glad you liked it. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Helensg: Thanks for the review - Things are going to be tense between Athos and D'Art but they'll fix things before too long. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Maryg (Guest): Thanks for the review - Yes! I'm so glad you liked the chapter :D Mwhaha I'm far too evil to not have had D'Art overhear. Fortunately Athos doens't know yet as it's going to cause some tension between the pair. Glad you're excited to read it as I'm excited to write it :D Enjoy the new chapter! x
f1gymnast: Thanks for the review - He is indeed thinking that and our boys are going to have to work hard to convince him otherwise. Aramis and D'Art are going to be having a talk tomorrow which should be an emotional filled one. Worry not our boys will be together again before too long :D Enjoy the new chapter! x
MicheeO: Thanks for the review - I'm glad you're enjoying it, I'm having a lot of fun with that idea :D Enjoy the new chapter! x
IsubiCraven: Thanks for the review - Athos and D'Art's chapter is coming up but we've got a bit before then. Enjoy the new chapter! x
WelshEssex (Guest): Thanks for the review - Glad you liked the explanation though you are right about him potentially losing D'Art as a brother... something our lovely swordsman will be realizing fairly soon. D'Art's definitely got quite a way to go to be fully healed but our boys wont give up on him too easily. He really wasn't trying to be mean to Corinne, he just wanted to be left alone, he didn't want her to see him as weak as he was. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Lilac Lavender: Thanks for the review - I'm so glad you liked it, I couldn't resist the evil idea to have D'Art overhear, something Athos hasn't realized yet. To him Corinne is one of the only people he has left so he desperately doesn't want her to see him as weak so he had to get rid of her so he could fall apart alone. Yay glad you liked Athos, we're seeing a little more of him today but the focus for the next chapter or so will be on D'Art and Aramis. Enjoy the new chapter! x
As always much love and many thanks for following/favouriting/reviewing/reading
Love you all!
Enjoy!
xxx
Chapter Forty-One: Little Brother
Aramis eyes softened as they observed the pain in Athos's and with a fond smile ghosting across his face he took the swordsman's hand in his own, offering it a gentle yet firm squeeze of reassurance.
"I'm okay brother," he said, his voice barely more than a whisper as his eyes remained locked on Athos's. "I'm okay."
Athos looked slightly uncomfortable with the whole situation but both his brothers could see the faint upward tug of the corner of his lips and Aramis noted the way Athos's hand lightly squeezed his back before letting go.
"Well then," Aramis said in a louder, more chipper tone, instantly dismissing the tense atmosphere that had surrounded the trio only moments ago. "Who's going to help me up so we can go?"
"Go?" Athos asked, his eyebrow rising in question though his eyes shone with amusement and relief at his brother's attitude.
"To D'Art of course," grinned the medic, "I mean I probably could get up myself but then I'd risk ripping the stitches and with the physician otherwise occupied I really don't want to leave my lovely self in either of your hands."
"Hey!" exclaimed Porthos with a grin that mirrored Aramis's own, though he did move to help Aramis out of the bed, knowing full well that the medic was stubborn enough to try it himself if they left him alone long enough.
"Are you sure about this Aramis," asked Athos quietly, causing some of the earlier tension in the room to return as the medic fought against the urge to either glare or roll his eyes at his brother, though he did notice that his brother's voice was simply full of concern this time, not anger like it had been before.
"You didn't see him 'Thos," said the medic softly, his heart breaking at the mere memory that passed across his mind as he spoke. "He was broken when he came too. The longer we leave him alone the more time he has to think that we all hate him for what he's done and the harder it'll be to repair."
Athos went silent at this, though it was clear some part of him held some doubts over the plan. He did however, much to Aramis's relief and joy, move to open the door, leading the way to D'Artagnan's room.
Despite the short distance between rooms both Athos and Porthos were worried for Aramis when they arrived at the door to D'Artagnan's room. The medic was breathing heavily, his eyes screwed shut in pain as sweat glistened on his skin.
"It's too soon," stated Athos with clear worry in his voice, "We should have left you to rest a while more."
"No," grimaced Aramis as he weakly shook his head, "I need this… We both do," he added with a small nod towards the door before turning back to Athos, a small smirk on his face as he added, "All for one right?"
Athos felt his heart clench at that and he looked down in shame briefly before nodding and moving to softly knock on the door.
The trio shared a worried look when they received no answer in return and after the second round of unanswered knocks Athos gave in and opened the door slowly, ensuring it did not make too much noise in case the occupant was sleeping.
"D'Art," sighed Aramis sadly, his good arm coming to rest against his bandages as he pulled away from Porthos's hold to stagger towards his youngest brother's bedside, hating what he saw there.
The Gascon's skin was unnaturally pale given the boy's typical tanned complexion and his face was blotchy from his fever, though it was the dried tear tracks covering the boy's cheeks that really made the sharpshooter's heart clench.
Sinking into the chair by D'Artagnan's bed Aramis wasted no time in taking the boy's less injured hand in his own, allowing himself a moment to acknowledge the fact his brother was back safely before he began the examination his brother's knew he wouldn't be able to resist doing.
Athos watched with an expressionless mask as Porthos explained the boy's latest round of injuries to the medic, the man having been too relieved at the Gascon being back and then too angry at the swordsman to have really questioned it before this point.
Despite his emotionless outward appearance Athos's heart was beating rapidly in his chest as he looked at his young protégé. After having found him in his uncle's clutches the senior musketeer had focused all of his attention on making sure Antoine didn't get away and didn't get anyway near the younger man and as a result he hadn't seen the true extent of the damage until they had brought him into the infirmary earlier that day.
Anger had burned inside of him as he noticed the bruises around the boy's throat and he found himself regretting leaving Antoine so unmarked.
It was, much like Aramis however, the tear tracks on the boy's cheeks that had done him in, allowing small flickers of emotion to ghost across his face every so often.
His was, as they all were, stopped from thinking about it any further when a soft groan caught their attention and had all three men crowding around the bed.
"Come on D'Art," murmured Porthos softly as he brushed some of the Gascon's hair out of his eyes, a smile tugging at his lips as he saw the younger man's brows furrow as he struggled to wake up.
That smile instantly vanished when, instead of waking, a sob tore its way from the boy's throat and tears started streaming down his cheeks once again.
D'Artagnan blinked, sharply coming out of the fever-induced haze he had been in, his eyes going wide as he registered the now smoking pistol in his hand only moments before an all too familiar cry of pain caught his attention.
"ARAMIS!" he screamed, horror filling him as he raced to the now crumpled man's side, his entire body shaking as he took in what he had done.
"Ar-Aramis I'm so sorry I didn't… I…"
"Don't touch me!" hissed the medic weakly as he put all his strength behind a glare aimed directly at the younger man, who flinched violently at the venom behind his brother's words.
Tears were falling steadily now as he once again tried to reach out for his brother only to be swatted away and glared at once again.
He opened his mouth to… apologize… explain, he wasn't sure but he knew he had to do something, but before he could the door to the room swung open violently as Porthos and Athos charged into the room, weapons drawn, ready to protect against the assailant.
It was at this moment that D'Artagnan realized he was still holding the very pistol he had used to shoot his brother and unfortunately both Athos and Porthos noticed it too and they were not happy.
"How could you!" snarled Porthos as he pushed the injured Gascon away from the bleeding marksman hard enough to send him careering to the ground, the pistol falling from his grip and sliding across the room as he fell.
"P-Porthos I didn't mean…" sobbed D'Artagnan, unable to get anymore out as he became wracked with guilt for what he had done.
"You could have killed him!" snapped Athos, his voice cold and hard and that in and of itself was enough to bring a fresh wave of tears to D'Artagnan's eyes.
"GET. OUT."
D'Artagnan froze, his bloodshot eyes going as wide as saucers as he looked up at his mentor and brother, who merely repeated his order with more vehemence when he failed to respond.
"A…A-Athos…"
"You're lucky I'm letting you leave with your pathetic life D'Artagnan," growled the swordsman, though if the grip he had on his blade was any indication it was taking nearly everything the man had not to run him through right then and there.
"I'm so sorry," sobbed D'Artagnan as he staggered to his feet, not caring at the excruciating pain his body was in, nor the fresh blood now staining his bandage. "I'm s-s-sorry."
"Get. Out."
Nearly collapsing from the tremors wracking his body D'Artagnan stumbled towards the exit, knowing better than to disobey Athos after all he had just done.
He spared one last look back and his heart shattered when he realized neither Porthos nor Aramis could look at him and Athos was looking at him with a hate that rivaled what the man held for Milady De Winter.
"I'm sorry," he whispered brokenly before fleeing from the room, not missing the order to 'never come back' that had been snarled at him from Porthos as he fled.
"I'm sorry," murmured the Gascon as tears poured down his cheeks from his closed eyelids, clearly trapped in a nightmare.
"What do we do?" asked Porthos, his voice barely more than a broken whisper as he watched his baby brother struggle against his mind. He had an idea what the man was seeing as Aramis had suffered many nightmares after he had injured him during the aftermath of Savoy and he hated that his youngest brother was now forced to suffer through that.
Neither musketeer had wanted to shake their friend awake, the boy already having suffered enough and none of them wanting to increase his pain.
"Water," breathed Aramis, his voice thin as his heart lodged in his throat. There was absolutely no doubt in his mind who those apologies they had been listening to had been for and each one sent a stab of pain through the musketeer's heart. As he took the offered bowl of water from his brother the medic made a silent vow to ensure his little brother knew just how little he blamed him as soon as possible.
Athos watched in silence as Aramis began to sprinkle drops of water on D'Artagnan's face, the cold serving as enough of a shock factor to begin to bring the younger man out of his dream and back to consciousness.
Guilt and shame filled him as he realized he had no doubt played a part in his brother's obvious turmoil. Despite not currently realizing the young man had overheard his earlier words, he did know that their absence from his side, upon Athos's own orders, had certainly not helped the younger man's damaged mind.
If Aramis was correct, as he usually was, and D'Artagnan had appeared broken then his keeping them away likely only made things worse and Athos wasn't quite sure how he was going to handle that.
He realized, hopefully not too late, that by trying to protect Aramis out of a desire to not lose another brother he had potentially caused the loss of on. He was stopped from pursuing that line of mental enquiry further as D'Artagnan's eyes opened; fear, shame and remorse filling them as they instantly locked onto Aramis's own, staying there briefly until he couldn't hold it any longer and dropped his gaze.
Seeing this, Aramis couldn't stop the sadness that grew inside of him and without even thinking he turned to his brothers. "Mind giving us a minute?" he asked softly, his eyes returning to D'Artagnan despite the younger man refusing to look at him. "I think we need to talk alone."