Evening My Lovelies

Okay so the chat that I originally had planned for this chapter ended up being a LOT longer than I originally planned... I'm hoping you still like it.

Notes On Reviews:

FierGascon: Thanks for the review - Glad you liked it. Enjoy the new chapter! x

Debbie (Guest): Thanks for the review - I figured Aramis wouldn't let the whole arm thing go but it was fun to write their reactions to D'Art constantly turning them down, especially when he refused Athos's order. Maria's quite a smart woman, she knows what to say to get D'Art to think. We'll see D'Art's plan in a bit. Enjoy the new chapter! x

Katie (Guest): Thanks for the review - Thanks :) I'm loving how long this story is and that you've all stuck with me through all of it. We're seeing more Issac/Favier today, it was a lot of fun to write and I'm hoping you like it. Enjoy the new chapter! x

criminally charmed: Thanks for the review - Hmmm you'll have to wait and see, none of our main boys are here today. Enjoy the new chapter! x

pallysdeeks: Thanks for the review - Athos's isnt going to take the plan well... but then neither are our other boys. Enjoy the new chapter! x

Issai: Thanks for the review - I'm glad to have Issac back too :) He's awake today *happy dance* Maria's a smart woman who knows just what to say to get D'Art to think. We'll be seeing more of D'Art and the others tomorrow. Enjoy the new chapter! x

Maryg (Guest): Thanks for the review - Don't worry things will get better for our D'Arty by the time the story's over. Corinne and Maria will try and talk him out of his plan but he's quite a stubborn one our pup :D Enjoy the new chapter! x

f1gymnast: Thanks for the review - Him declining Athos's order was definitely a shock for our boys. Maria and Corinne will try and talk him out of it but our boy's quite a stubborn one. Interesting thoughts on his arm, you'll have to wait. Enjoy the new chapter! x

Smooth Doggie: Thanks for the review - Thanks :) I'm glad you're liking it. Enjoy the new chapter! x

WelshEssex (Guest): Thanks for the review - Hmm is it bad that I now have the image of a cartoon Aramis chasing around a cartoon D'Artagnan while yelling "LET ME CHECK IT" ... My mind conjures up weird things when I'm tired. We're seeing more of Issac and Favier today, hope you like what's going on. D'Art currently has no plans to tell them his actual plan but we'll see. Enjoy the new chapter! x

MicheeO: Thanks for the review - Pretty much :D Enjoy the new chapter! x

Lilac Lavender: Thanks for the review - Yay I'm so glad you enjoyed it, it was a lot of fun to write, even with all the emotion in it. I loved the idea of them trying to get D'Art to cave and let Aramis check him out only to then have D'Art surprise them by refusing Athos's order. I kinda felt like his hero-worship of Athos would have him agreeing to do much of what was ordered of him. Our girls are smart :D They both know what needs to be said to get D'Art to think and they'll be popping up again to try and talk D'Art out of his plans but our boy's quite stubborn so it might not work. I loved the bit with Favier and Issac hence why we're seeing more of them today :D Enjoy the new chapter! x

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

Love you all!

Enjoy!

xxx

Chapter Seventy-One: Sleeping Beauty

Favier froze as he felt his hand weakly being squeezed yet again. He wanted to look, to see if this was really a sign of his friend waking up but fear kept his gaze rooted solely at his hands.

Over the last few days he had imagined scenarios like this where his brother would wake and Favier honestly wasn't sure his heart could take learning it was all in his head again.

Issac, who had indeed woken was watching his brother with a mix of amusement and worry. His memory of the events that led up to him being back at the garrison were blurry at best but the one thing he did remember was how they got caught in the first place and a small part of him feared that it was the reason Favier now wouldn't look at him.

"…F-Favier?" he called, his voice raspy from days of disuse. He followed up his call with another squeeze of his hand, his whole body begging his brother to look at him.

It was an agonizing wait for the two men; Issac waiting for his brother to look at him and Favier waiting for his courage to return so he could will himself to look, but eventually he did indeed look and the second he saw the pained and ever so glassy eyes of his friend looking back at him, the tears he had kept under control broke through the damn and within moments he was sobbing uncontrollably while gripping Issac's hand in an almost crushing grip.

"…I'm okay Fav," whispered Issac, guilt filling him for how broken his dearest friend now looked.

"…Over a week," mumbled Favier in between his tears, his words causing Issac's brows to furrow in confusion.

"It's been over a week since we've been back here," clarified Favier when he saw the obvious confusion. "You've no idea how… how worried I've been."

"I'm sorry," said Issac as he weakly pulled his hand from Favier's grip to lightly ruffle the other musketeer's hair. His words were so thick with emotion that they made Favier pause and tilt his head to one side in confusion and concern.

"Why do I get the feeling that was an apology for more than keeping me waiting?"

"You got hurt."

Confusion still present in his face Favier nodded, "So did you lest you forget the reason you've been unconscious for over a week."

Issac shook his head, he could feel his energy beginning to fade and he knew he needed to get this out before it completely drained

"You got hurt… because of me."

All confusion instantly vanished from Favier's face and anger took its place. Seeing this Issac felt his own tears prickle at the corners of his eyes as he turned his head away from his brother, only to be stopped when Favier gripped his chin and forced the man's head back to face him.

"You listen to me Is," growled Favier, as he held tight, preventing the injured musketeer from looking or moving away. "What happened is NOT your fault, do you hear me!?"

Disbelief flashed across Issac's face as he let out a bitter sigh, "Fav we got caught because of me. You were forced to do whatever that bastard Marshall wanted because of me, so please tell me how this isn't my fault?"

All the anger drained out of Favier at the sound of the brokenness in his brother's voice.

"Is… Is that what you truly think?" he whispered, releasing his brother's chin to once again take his hands in his own.

"It's the truth."

Favier vehemently shook his head, "No its not!"

"I was on watch!" screamed Issac, tears of frustration now pouring down his cheeks. "It was my duty to spot danger and yet…"

Favier sighed, his body aching with both real and phantom pain as he remembered that night with vivid clarity.

They had been riding hard all day, pushing their mounts right to their limits and had been forced to stop and allow them to rest when they began losing the light.

They had found a small secluded spot to camp and set up a watch rotation that would see Favier taking the first three hours before switching with Issac who would take the remaining three, leaving them both enough time to get ready to be leaving as soon as it was light enough to do so.

Favier's watch had been quiet, almost worryingly so but the man had been so exhausted from the harsh day's ride that he didn't even think to comment on it when he woke Issac for his shift. The other musketeer had been grumpy when woken but assumed his position quickly enough that it wasn't long before Favier could move to his bed roll, practically passing out before his head even touched the bag he was using as a pillow.

In what seemed like mere minutes later Favier was woken by the sound of gunfire and Issac screaming his name. Years of training had him reacting quickly enough that he was just able to dodge the bullet fired in his direction, though as soon as he got to his feet with his weapon drawn he couldn't help but feel his eyes widen in surprise for how many men were now surrounding them.

"Unless you want to feel the wrath of two thoroughly pissed off musketeers I suggest you leave now," snarled Issac as he spun his blade menacingly, his expression faltering ever so slightly when they noticed the men smirking at each other.

"Well, well, well musketeers," sneered one of the men as he took a few steps closer to the pair, who raised their weapons in self-defense. The man sent a look to those closest to him before smirking wider at the two, now surrounded, men.

"Get'em boys!"

Favier would openly admit he didn't remember much of the fight save for waking up several hours later bleeding and restrained.

"We were outnumbered four to one Is," said Favier quietly, his words full of a plea for his brother to accept them. "I should have said something about the bad feeling I had when I woke you. It wasn't your fault."

"You still got hurt because of me."

"And you got hurt because of me!" snapped Favier, effectively silencing Issac as he went on a rant.

"I had to make a choice Is, my morals or your safety and it took far too long for me to decide and you paid the price for that. Hell Marshall had you beaten until you passed out because I spat at him! That wasn't even the worst thing to happen to you and even when I knew what was expected of me I still ended up causing you pain because of my actions… Christ Is you almost lost your leg because of me. I'm the reason you're lying in that bed probably feeling like death warmed up, so in the grand scheme of things I think you're the only one out of the two of us that has nothing to feel guilty about."

A pained look entered Issac's eyes as Favier mentioned his morals. The musketeer knew just how much it cost his brother to do what he did to try and protect him. For a man like Favier the actions he did and the callowness he showed ate at his soul and he hated that his brother was feeling such pain because of him.

"Don't do that," snapped Favier, having noticed the look in Issac's eyes.

Issac blinked, "What?"

"It was my choice Is. I could have refused, fought back more… any number of things but I decided what I did and it's down to me to deal with the consequences… I would do it all again if we had to… If anything I probably would play along with Marshall's orders sooner if I knew this would be the outcome for you otherwise."

"Don't say that," hissed Issac, though he was warmed by his brother's obvious protectiveness over him, he just hated the cost of that protectiveness.

Favier shrugged, barely concealing a wince in time before it became noticeable to his exhausted friend. "It's true. I'll never forgive myself for what happened to you and the personal pain or discomfort I received is nothing to pay if it keeps you safe."

Issac looked like he was going to protest but was cut off by a large yawn that made Favier laugh, instantly dismissing the tension between them.

"Over a week in bed and you're still clambering for more sleep," teased Favier with a small grin that grew when Issac attempted to return it despite his clear exhaustion.

"I just listened to you rant at me," sassed the injured man with a small smirk, "I'll need another week's rest just to recover.

Favier snorted, "Maybe we should hold off telling Corbett you woke then."

Issac's exhausted face lit up, "He's okay?"

The frown that formed on Favier's face worried Issac to no end but it was the teasing smirk that followed that really confused him.

"Corbett's been blaming himself for what happened to us, namely you."

Issac blinked, "Why? None of what happened was his fault."

"Tell him that," shrugged Favier, "Maybe he'll believe it if it comes from you… Though he's got other things on his mind at the moment if the conversation he was having with the lovely Corinne that I overheard is anything to go by."

Issac looked intrigued and curious but when he opened his mouth to question further another yawn, much larger than the last, escaped much to his eternal embarrassment.

"You should get some sleep Is," he said softly, his hand moving to brush a lock of hair out of his brother's eyes. "We can talk more when you next wake, I'll still be here. I promise."