Evening My Lovelies
This chapter is a little bit of a weird one but I hope you like it regardless... Well until you get to the end, then you might hate me again :)
Notes On Reviews:
Katie (Guest): Thanks for the review - Yay I'm glad you enjoyed seeing Henri again :) He's fun to write so it was nice to bring him back again. Hmm I was tempted for Corinne to slap someone and it could still happen, Henri's got a mouth on him that could easily earn him a slap :D Enjoy the new chapter! x
criminally charmed: Thanks for the review - Oooh now your just tempting me lol :) I don't think I'll kill her but who knows. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Debbie (Guest): Thanks for the review - Treville remains optimistic whereas Athos ... not so much. I'm glad you liked the confrontation between Corinne and her father, I can't see her ever forgiving him for what he did, though he might try to get it. I haven't quite decided what Antoine's fate will be yet but I'll definitely think on your idea :) Enjoy the new chapter! x
FierGascon: Thanks for the review - Corinne's not taking it well but D'Art and Maria are looking after her. As for Antoine I haven't quite decided what will happen to him yet. Enjoy the new chapter! x
pallysdeeks: Thanks for the review - Considering we've got a bit until they get back together again it's definitely not a bad thing :) Though I will admit I'm very much loving your idea of a fight between them. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Maryg (Guest): Thanks for the review - Hmm You may want to make a bakery trip, we've got drama coming our boys ways. I'm really glad you liked the confrontation between Corinne and her father. I was a bit worried I wouldn't be able to get it right. Hmmm I'm thinking you might like how this chapter ends given your review but you'll have to wait until tomorrow to see what's going on :) Enjoy the new chapter! x
f1gymnast: Thanks for the review - D'Art's having another blush moment today, hope you like it :) I'm sure Corinne will slap someone else before the story's end and Aramis is just fun to slap, can't help it. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Issai: Thanks for the reviews - (chapter45) You're quite right to be worried about what Quentin's planning but it should be good :) Treville's unhappy because of one of his men going off on his own, he's more worried than upset. (chapter46) True there was no risk but her father didn't know that. I haven't decided Antoine's fate... any preference on what happens to him? Enjoy the new chapter! x
MicheeO: Thanks for the review - She's not handling it well but D'Art and Maria are looking after her. Hmmm a romance between her and Remy would be interesting to write but yeah I don't think she'd forgive him enough to do that. Enjoy the new chapter! x
WelshEssex (Guest): Thanks for the review - Glad you liked it. He considered it but I figured the reaction from D'Art would be too cute to ignore so Athos had to stay. Corinne was fun to write and I can't see her ever forgiving her father so I'm looking forward to her reaction when we get to Antoine's punishment. Blaise and Henri we're definitely impressed but also worried considering what happened when she left the cell. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Lilac Lavender: Thanks for the review - Glad you liked Athos's protectiveness, we'll be seeing more of it in coming chapters as well as another embarrassed D'Art moment today :) Haha that's true, when Athos calls Treville by his name you know something serious is going down :) I was going to have Corinne angry at D'Art as well but I decided that she trusted D'Art enough to know he would never lie to her about something like that and would never mention it to her without being completely certain. I'm glad you like the confrontation, I had to rewrite it a few times to get it right but it was fun to write. I had the image on how I wanted it to go down but I kept changing whether she was furious or hysterical or numb. Furious seemed like best and most believable option considering how she reacted to the musketeers when she first learned the truth all those chapter ago. Enjoy the new chapter! x
KarenF (Guest): Thanks for the review - Yay glad you like Corinne, she's quite a lot of fun to write :) Enjoy the new chapter! x
As always much love and many thanks for following/favouriting/reviewing/reading
Love you all!
Enjoy!
xxx
Chapter Forty-Seven: The Days That Followed
The days that followed Corinne learning the truth were some of the tensest the garrison had seen since D'Artagnan's disappearance just over a month ago that had started this whole thing.
After confronting her father Corinne had passed out due to a panic attack, the news of which sending D'Artagnan into overprotective older brother mode as the Gascon insisted she rest in his infirmary room when Blaise carried her unconscious form into the infirmary.
Corinne herself had become increasingly withdrawn since learning the truth about her father's actions. She had yet to go and see him again, despite hearing of his multiple demands to see her. Instead she kept herself close to D'Artagnan and Maria who made it their mission to cheer the younger woman up.
This development gave D'Artagnan the perfect excuse to hide away from other members of the regiment, and in particular the three men he had been closest to.
All three senior members of the inseparables had come to him on multiple occasions to try and convince him that he was not to blame for what happened and that they did not hate him, but all the reassurances in the world could not help get rid of the guilt he felt crushing his heart whenever he caught sight of Aramis.
The Gascon's discomfort around his three brothers was easy to hide he was still confined to the infirmary but after almost a week Maria had managed to get permission from Doctor Pascal for him to leave for short periods of time providing he was accompanied by someone and had then preceded to blackmail him into venturing outside by playing on his concern for Corinne, who hadn't left the infirmary since her collapse.
"Easy my boy," she smiled softly as she helped take some of his weight, the Gascon standing on his own two feet for the first time in over a week. "Just take it slow."
"Why are we doing this again?" grumbled the young musketeer as he scowled at his shaking legs. He hated feeling so weak but that hatred was masking how absolutely petrified he was about going out to the garrison courtyard so he allowed it for now.
"Your physician says it'll be good for you to get some fresh air and to start getting your body used to working again," explained Maria softly despite this being the third time she was explaining it to the musketeer.
"Besides," she added with a small frown that betrayed her worry. "I can't think of anything else that will get Corinne to leave this room… outside of dragging her out I mean."
With a sigh D'Artagnan nodded, his expression turning to a grimace as he took a few tentative steps forward, his good arm wrapping around his healing stab wound. The time in bed had done the wound a lot of good but he still had a few days until his stitches could come out and even longer until the tenderness left.
Leaving the room took a lot longer and a lot more effort than the Gascon had anticipated but the feeling of warmth from the sun on his skin did wonders for his pained mood. With a small proud grin at his achievement he turned his gaze to his cousin.
Like him Corinne's mood seemed to improve once they were out in the glorious sunshine and D'Artagnan was convinced he had glimpsed a small smile from his cousin, who hadn't smiled ever since learning the truth despite both his and Maria's constant attempts to get something out of her.
"D'Artagnan!" exclaimed a voice and all relief and calm the Gascon felt vanished in an instant, his whole body tensing as he turned his gaze over to where the voice came from.
There, sitting at their usual table, were his brothers, all watching him with wide eyes, surprised at seeing him up and about.
Porthos, who had been the one to call for him, grinned brightly at the younger man before waving him over, his grin faltering for just a second when D'Artagnan seemed to hesitate before making his way slowly over to the table, followed closely by Corinne and Maria.
The Gascon felt the love he held for the two women soar when they both sat next to his brothers meaning the only available place for him to sit was by one of them.
He had done his best to keep his unease and guilt to himself but their actions proved that both women had seen through his poorly constructed mask. If he was being honest with himself he did not feel like he deserved to sit at the same table as his brothers, not after everything he had done and what he had put them through, but denying Porthos's call would have only made things worse and he wasn't sure he could handle that.
"You're not escaping I hope," teased Porthos as he poured out drinks for the three new arrivals. "We're already going to be in trouble with bringing 'Mis out here. Not sure I want to see how angry the doc will get if you've snuck out as well."
"I have not snuck out!" huffed Aramis, his tone betraying how many times that they had had this conversation. "Doctor Pascal gave me permission to get out!"
"Of bed, not the infirmary," smirked Athos, though his gaze continually drifted back to D'Artagnan as he fought a frown at how uncomfortable he still seemed to be around them.
"He didn't specifically say I couldn't leave the infirmary so I'm not at fault," sassed Aramis with teasing grin that faltered when he turned to D'Artagnan to find him deliberately avoiding his gaze. "What about you D'Art?"
Sensing her cousin's reluctance and slight inability to talk to the man Corinne offered the medic an apologetic smile before answering. "We got permission, though I doubt we will be staying out long."
Aramis nodded, understanding the hidden meaning that the experience of walking was a bit too much for the Gascon, but he couldn't hide his disappointment at his brother refusing to talk to him.
Both Porthos and Athos shared a quick glance at their brother's actions but unlike Aramis who had largely been on bed rest the last few days, both men had been able to visit D'Artagnan and had noticed the self-imposed distance their brother had created.
Instead of commenting on it however the two men tried to bring the younger man out of his shell by turning the subject of their conversation to something that never failed in drawing their brother in, much to their amusement… Training.
"Surprised you 'aven't tried to start training yet whelp," grinned Porthos as he affectionately teased his brother.
"…Bit hard to do at the moment," murmured D'Artagnan as his good arm moved to lightly cradle his burned one, which was currently resting in a sling to keep it from jostling too much when he moved.
To his surprise Porthos snorted at his slightly bitter sounding comment. "D'Art you once tried to convince us you were fine to train only a few hours after you had almost been blown up. I think you were sporting at least four broken ribs then."
To the group's great amusement and relief the Gascon blushed a bright red before stammering his usual excuse of how he had felt fine.
Athos raised an eyebrow, "Four broken ribs." He deadpanned, smirking as D'Artagnan's embarrassed blush deepened.
For the next hour the group kept up the lighthearted teasing and easy flowing banter until it became apparent that D'Artagnan was in pain.
"Back to the infirmary for you I think young man," ordered Maria softly as she and Corinne moved to help him stand, the fact he offered no resistance was telling and made all those around the table feel guilty at how they failed to notice he was in such pain until that point.
"Do you need a hand?" asked Porthos, rising out of his chair, only to sit once again when Maria shook her head and the trio watched as their little brother was escorted away.
"Well," huffed Porthos as he downed his drink before pouring another. "That could have gone better."
Several days later saw both Porthos and Athos, who was still grumbling about having to use a crutch, enter a packed tavern, their eyes immediately seeking out the dark corners knowing their target would be there.
"Jesus 'Mis," sighed Porthos as he took in the collection of empty bottles on the table with a mixture of surprise and worry, "You drink all of these?"
"Nope," slurred Aramis, his brows furrowing as he tried to make the musketeer in his line of vision stop spinning. "I as'ed f'r emp'y bottles."
Porthos turned to Athos with a small smirk and raised eyebrow. "He's a snarky drunk."
Athos felt his own lips quirk up at that assessment but couldn't help the worry he felt as to why their brother, who was still healing, felt the need to leave the garrison and drink himself into a stupor.
"Aramis," he said gently as he watched his brother attempt to focus. "What are you doing here?"
The marksman snorted, apparently finding the question quite humorous in his drunken state. "Dr'nk'ng," he announced with a grin as he lifted another bottle to his lips, only to frown as Porthos took it away.
"Okay," nodded Athos, pulling Aramis's diminishing focus from Porthos and his wine and back to him. "Why are you here?"
The speed at which Aramis went from chipper to depressed almost surprised them, had they not been expecting something like it.
"…'e 'ates me," whimpered the marksman as he slumped on the table, tears building in his eyes.
"Who?" asked Porthos; though he had a feeling they all knew what he was about to say.
"…D'Arty," slurred Aramis, not noticing the amused grins that ghosted across both of his brother's faces at the nickname he had apparently given their youngest in his drunken state.
"Okay I think we need to get you back to the garrison now," smirked Porthos as he pried another bottle out of Aramis's weakening grip.
"…Why?" whimpered Aramis as he tried to get the bottle back from his brother.
"Because you just referred to the pup as 'D'Arty'," smirked Porthos before he turned his attention to Athos, a silent question in his eyes.
With a sigh Athos shook his head, "See if they have any rooms free here, he can sleep off he drink and we'll take him back in the morning."
With a nod Porthos left to find the owner while Athos watched over Aramis with a frown.
"W'y's D'Arty h'te me 'Thos?" slurred the medic making Athos shake his head at the man.
"He doesn't and you know it. Once you've slept this off you'll see that."
"…D'n't wanna sleep," protested Aramis even as his eyes began to close.
Athos sighed as he watched Porthos approach, the man having booked their brother a room.
Several hours back at the garrison a restlessly sleeping D'Artagnan's eyes shot open in a panic as a hand clamped over his mouth.