Evening My Lovelies
I kinda started this chapter with absolutely no idea what I was going to do with it. Part of me likes what's happening in it but I am also slightly worried as, like I said, I had no plan for it.
Notes On Review:
Debbie (Guest): Thanks for the review - Yay I'm glad you liked it. It's kinda tempting to have a sequel but the ending I have planned should answer everything... though maybe I could write a one-shot about D'Art's time away. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Deana: Thanks for the review - Enjoy the new chapter! x
pallysdeeks: Thanks for the review - Hmmm I like what your thinking. Enjoy the new chapter! x
FierGascon: Thanks for the review - Bwahaha I'm sure Athos would be more than willing. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Katie (Guest): Thanks for the review - Well if it makes you feel better I already know what I'm doing for my next story :D Enjoy the new chapter! x
Issai: Thanks for the reviews - (chapter72) Unexpected but hopefully nice :) (chapter 73) Yeah his plan isn't the most thought out but its all he's got :) Enjoy the new chapter! x
criminally charmed: Thanks for the review - I really want to work the baby thing into a story, it would be such a funny scene to have :D Haha Love your description of his plan :D Enjoy the new chapter! x
Maryg (Guest): Thanks for the review - Definitely stubborn :D Treville's not looking forward to them learning the truth but he wants to help D'Art. Well be seeing the repercussions of D'Art's plan very soon. Enjoy the new chapter! x
f1gymnast: Thanks for the review - I felt he had to tell someone what he was planning, plus Treville would likely send out a whole load of men to find him when he leaves. Our boys will try to follow I can promise that... though how successful they'll be you'll have to wait to see. Enjoy the new chapter! x
MicheeO: Thanks for the review - You'd think but apparently not :D Enjoy the new chapter! x
WelshEssex (Guest): Thanks for the review - I figured that Treville would send out loads of people after him when he leaves otherwise and D'Art doesn't want that. Also don't worry about Remy, I have a plan for him to appear again before too long. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Lilac Lavender: Thanks for the review - Yay I'm really glad you liked it. D'Art knew that if he didn't explain it to Treville then the Captain would send men after him and he doesn't want that so the Captain had to know. We've got a couple of cute moments today which I'm hoping you'll like. Treville may want him to stay but also understands that D'Art needs to do this his way. Our boys with definitely be heading out after him once he leaves... though how successful will they be? that is the question :) Enjoy the new chapter! x
As always much love and many thanks for following/favouriting/reviewing/reading
Love you all!
Enjoy!
xxx
Chapter Seventy-Four: Conflict and Resolution
D'Artagnan had been anticipating several different responses to when he walked in, from a stern lecture to the whole previous conversation being ignored… What he hadn't anticipated however was to be engulfed in a tight embrace by Porthos only moments after entering the room.
"…P'thos?" he mumbled, his voice muffled by the larger man's clothes though the confusion in his tone was clear.
"Sorry about before whelp," murmured Porthos as he tighten his grip on the boy for a moment before loosening his hold slightly, a brief moment of confusion and worry hitting him when D'Artagnan did the same to him.
"You were looking out for me, it's okay."
"We shouldn't have pushed the matter so hard, especially once we saw how uncomfortable it made you," said Athos by way of apology, as the swordsman shifted slightly on his bed so there was room for the younger man to sit.
Unable to help it D'Artagnan beamed at his mentor's apology, feeling ecstatic that the man wasn't angry with him and once he managed to untangle himself from Porthos's grip he happily moved to sit on the edge of his mentor's bed, his clear happiness at the situation making both Porthos and Aramis snort in amusement.
"Where did you go?" asked Athos as he watched the younger man intently, "You were gone for some time."
D'Artagnan felt himself tense but knew that if he allowed himself to become defensive then they would only end up back where they were several hours ago, something he had come back to avoid.
"I… Needed to cool down," admitted the Gascon, "I found a spot to watch some of the men train and then Treville needed to speak to me."
As he spoke the Gascon missed the matching looks of relief on his brothers faces who had each worried that he might have gone off and done something reckless liked he had done several times in the past.
"If you let me check your arm maybe I could tell you when you could get back to training rather than just watching," muttered Aramis, his eyes going wide as soon as the words left his mouth having just realized he had spoken them out loud rather than in his head like he had been planning.
What made it worse was the fact that D'Artagnan tensed rather obviously at Aramis's words and even seemed to bring his injured arm closer to his chest as if to prevent the bedbound medic from getting at it.
"Like a dog with a bone you are," teased Porthos lightheartedly as he gently smacked the back of the medic's head making the man shrug apologetically to the Gascon in response.
For a moment or two D'Artagnan remained tense but when it became apparent the medic wasn't going to push the issue further he allowed himself to relax, shame and guilt bubbling up inside of him for what he was undoubtedly putting his brothers through.
In his mind he weighed up his options, like he had told Treville he did not want to be put through the pain of having it examined again only to receive the same diagnosis… but on the other hand his heart ached at causing his brothers so much worry. That part of him wanted to let his brother examine him; just to ease the worry they were feeling.
Or it could intensify it, remarked his brain and D'Artagnan felt his eyes widen a fraction before he could control his expression. The thought wasn't wrong he realized. If Aramis examined his arm and deduced it would heal and he would eventually be able to return to duty then the worry would leave his brothers and they could all move on… but if his examination provided the same answer as Reynard's then the worry they were already feeling would only increase as they tried to come up with a way to support him through the loss of his dream.
No, decided D'Artagnan resolutely, his confidence in his plan growing the longer he internally debated. He had no intention of causing his brothers more worry then they needed and he did want to be dependent on them or have them fell like they had to tiptoe around him.
"What did the Captain want?" asked Athos as he kept his expression neutral. He had, as had his brothers most likely, seen the internal battle going on behind his youngest brother's eyes and whilst every instinct in him was screaming to find out what was going on, he respected the younger man's wishes and simply resolved to find out another way.
To say D'Artagnan mood changed would be an understatement and the three senior inseparables couldn't help but widen their eyes in surprise as joy and relief practically radiated out of the young man.
Without needing any further prompting D'Artagnan eagerly told them all about the visit from Fredrick and what he had learned about the man's life since the attack.
"If the kid turns out like his name sake then I worry for his poor mother," teased Aramis with a beaming grin, happy just to see the dark cloud that had been following his brother around for a while now disappear slightly.
"Hey!" cried D'Artagnan as he mock glared at his brother, causing his other two brothers to chortle quietly.
"There are worse things to be called," remarked Athos casually though D'Artagnan could see the pride in his eyes and it only made his grin wider.
"Now that all that is out of the way how about we focus on the serious matter now," said Aramis with such seriousness in his voice that he had all of his brothers watching him, waiting for him to continue.
Only then did he let his façade drop as a large tease smirk morphed onto his face. "What is going on between the lovely Corinne and our dear Corbett?"
Unable to stop himself D'Artagnan snorted before bursting out laughing at his brother's antics, as well as at the memory of teasing his cousin only a few days before.
"What, you want to know if you still have a chance 'Mis?" asked Porthos teasingly, the glint in his eyes telling the others he knew exactly what reaction his question was going to get.
D'Artagnan's eyes instantly narrowed and his laughter stopped. "What do you mean still?"
The threatening tone of D'Artagnan voice surprised Aramis who instantly turned his glare over to a rather smug and amused looking Porthos.
"Aramis," growled D'Artagnan when the medic refused to answer. The Gascon's protective instincts were rising to new heights at the thought of Aramis flirting with his cousin.
Completely unperturbed by D'Artagnan's brotherly anger and completely amused by the entire situation Porthos spoke up, "He was flirting with her when we first found ya back in that cave… gave her the look and everything."
"Porthos!" hissed Aramis as he shifted nervously on his bed. D'Artagnan's expression had only darkened the more Porthos spoke and despite his brother only having one usable hand the medic was beginning to fear for his health and sent a silent plea to Athos, who merely rose an eyebrow in response.
"You flirted with her!" exclaimed D'Artagnan as he rose from his spot on Athos's bed, stop from progressing any further when Athos's hand gripped his elbow. "She's my cousin Aramis!"
"Come now D'Art, it was all harmless fun," stammered the medic, torn between wanting to flee, wanting to defend himself and wanting to punch Porthos for bringing this up. "Beside Corbett's probably out there flirting with her right now why aren't you yelling at him?"
"Probably because Corbett doesn't flirt with everything on two legs," remarked Porthos smugly; his voice and expression showing just how much he was enjoying watching the situation unfold.
"Not. Helping," hissed the medic
"Maybe not but it's fun," smirked Porthos, letting out a loud laugh as he dodged a pillow being thrown his way from the now infuriated medic.
"He made a few comments and sent a few looks, nothing more than that and nothing since we reunited after escaping Quentin's camp," explained Athos, his hand still gripping the Gascon's elbow, though his words did seem to calm down the protective nature of their youngest member. "He'd never do anything to hurt her, you know that."
With a large sigh D'Artagnan sank back on to the bed, "Yeah I know," he admitted, feeling himself calm as well as becoming slightly amused by the small amount of fear he could see in Aramis's eyes.
"Sorry 'Mis," he offered with a small smile, "I get protective."
"That's an understatement," snorted Porthos, his comment making the group chuckle.
"Speaking on Corinne, I should go find her. Maria wanted me to pass a message on."
"How's she doing anyway?" asked Athos, his voice kind and sympathetic as he observed his protégé, not missing the flash of emotion that passed across his eyes, though it was gone before he could deduce what it was.
"Better, she's eager to leave the city though. She and Mathis met in Paris and it's painful for her to be here without him," answered D'Artagnan the love he held for the older woman rang clear as a bell in his voice.
"Any idea as to how long she'll be staying then?" asked Aramis, sympathy filling him as he thought of the older woman's pain. He had grown quite fond of the woman despite not having had many chances to interact with her and as such he didn't want her in pain if she didn't have to be. He knew that D'Artagnan would probably want her to stay in Paris, especially after what happened but that he also wouldn't force or guilt her into staying if it caused her such pain to do so.
D'Artagnan hesitated and Athos noticed, the swordsman's eyes narrowing slightly as he watched the boy.
"In a few days," answered D'Artagnan, "Its why she wanted me to speak to Corinne, she wanted me to inform her of when they would be leaving."
Athos felt his heart clench as an idea rooted itself deep in his mind. He hoped it would turn out to be wrong especially as with having little more than his gut feeling he knew he couldn't confront the Gascon just yet.
With that suspicion digging deep into his mind Athos found himself distracted from the rest of the conversation going on around him, returning to it only when D'Artagnan stood, making them aware he was going to find his cousin and would be back later.
Unable to stop himself Athos felt his eyes narrow ever so slightly as he watched the boy leave and it was at that moment he resolved himself to watching his protégé more intensely over the next few days.