Hello. This is the penultimate chapter, or at least that is the plan. This is a chapter I just wanted to write from the beggining. It's just our boys looking after each other so I hope you will just indulge me.

I hope you enjoy it! :)

Chapter Forty-Five

After a few hours where Aramis dozed off again the other musketeers finally came to a decision. Getting Aramis back to his own room was by far the best course of action. Mainly because it would stop his whining and they had all had enough. Dr. Lemay had visited and was happy with Aramis' progress and instructed them to try and get Aramis to eat some solid food. He had also left some weakened pain draughts as he wanted to start weening Aramis off the stronger concoctions which could be addictive.

They decided not to tell Aramis about their decision until they had everything set up, so Porthos and D'Artagnan left to organise Aramis' room leaving the dozing Aramis with Athos.

Aramis woke and turned to look at Athos before registering that Porthos and D'Artagnan weren't in the room.

'They had enough of your bellyaching,' Athos dryly answered Aramis' unasked question as he helped Aramis sit up.

'I'm not that bad,' Aramis pouted. 'You lot aren't exactly quiet when you're injured or ill.'

'True,' Athos said absentmindedly. 'Ready to get dressed?'

'Why?' Aramis still appeared to be pouting.

'Well, you're not walking across the courtyard in your underwear,' Athos waited as it suddenly clicked in Aramis' brain that he would go back to his own room tonight.

They shared a couple of meaningful glances before Aramis swung his legs out of bed and Athos produced some breeches and Aramis' boots.

'You finally gave into my nagging,' Aramis grinned.

'As we always do,' Athos huffed as he helped Aramis dress. 'Fall flat on your face and I'll bring you right back here.'

'No you won't,' Aramis contradicted him and they both knew Aramis was right.

'Ready?' Athos asked as Aramis was now decently clothed. 'Take it easy,' Athos allowed Aramis to lean on him and they slowly started towards the door.

So far so good but Athos knew getting down the stairs would be difficult and was rather relying on Porthos' appearing to get Aramis up the stairs to his room. For a moment they stood at the top of the steps and surveyed the courtyard. It wasn't very busy and Aramis was grateful for the lack of an audience. He stood for a moment enjoying breathing in the air outside rather the stuffy infirmary that he had been stuck in.

'Ready?' Athos asked as he steered Aramis towards the stairs.

'I suppose,' Aramis said hesitantly.

'We can go back,' Aramis shot Athos a filthy look that made Athos smirk.

Carefully they made their way down the stairs. The few occupants of the courtyard didn't stare and they were grateful.

'Looking a bit unsteady there, Aramis,' Joubert smiled.

'You're looking better,' Aramis managed to say back while gripping Athos tightly.

'I'm recovering and soon you will be back to your normal self,' Joubert smiled. 'Need a hand?'

'No thanks,' Aramis replied.

'Wasn't talking to you,' Joubert glanced at Athos who smirked but shook his head.

'Alright then,' Joubert said as he smiled and wandered off to the mess hall as Athos and Aramis made their way over to the stairs to the dormitories.

'Right,' Athos huffed. 'I hate these stairs at the best of times.'

Together they managed to get half-way up before they had to rest. They leant on the bannister out of breath and looking rather tired.

'You two comin' or what?' Porthos grinned form the top of the stairs.

'You took your time,' Athos grumbled.

'Come on,' he made to just support Aramis or at least that was what the marksman thought. Suddenly Aramis was held rather tightly in Porthos arms and gave the larger man a disparaging look.

'Take too long otherwise,' Porthos grinned as Athos followed them up the stairs grateful that he was no longer supporting his friend.

Porthos carried Aramis into his room where D'Artagnan was putting the finishing touches to the arrangement. Aramis huffed a laugh as he realised that he had escaped the infirmary but he couldn't escape his brothers.

'Don't you have your own rooms?' Aramis asked in jest.

'Course we do,' Porthos answered as he placed Aramis down on the bed. Well, on Porthos' bed which had been slotted next to Aramis' own bed which was still in place against the wall. 'Don't you remember, your room is in-between mine and Athos' and D'Artagnan's snagged the room on the other side of Athos' room.' Aramis just scowled playfully in reply making the other's laugh.

'Right,' Athos said sternly. 'You're going to eat some food and then I suggest we have an early night.'

'And you've got to take your pain draught,' D'Artagnan nodded to Aramis who merely nodded in agreement.

'Right, I'll go and get some food,' Porthos said smacking his hands together as he felt his own stomach rumbling and left.

'Let's move you to the chair,' Athos said as he and D'Artagnan moved Aramis to sit in a chair at his table. Aramis was clearly exhausted after his adventure from the infirmary to his room but he was glad to be back in his own room.

'Are you ok?' D'Artagnan asked as Aramis slumped in his chair. Aramis could only nod as Athos pushed a mug of water in front of him which Aramis drank deeply from.

'Food, then sleep,' Athos said sternly as he drank from his own mug.

When Porthos returned with some mouth-watering stew Aramis finally realised how hungry he was. He knew he would have to pace himself but he managed to eat the bowl of stew he was given and some bread with it. Porthos, as usual, went back for seconds but soon they were all fed and Aramis' ability to eat as much as he had made the others feel a lot better too.

'Bed,' Athos said as he lit the candles as he noticed Aramis had started yawning. They all desperately needed sleep as worrying about Aramis had left the others sleep deprived as well.

Porthos moved Aramis over to the bed with little effort and Aramis, for once, didn't complain.

'Foot,' Athos said as he crouched before Aramis who just lifted his leg up so Athos could remove his boot and sock. 'Other one,' Aramis complied as before.

D'Artagnan stood watching as he remembered the first time this had happened. Through the course of his time with the men he now called brothers, all of them had needed comfort and reassurance at one time or another. This had been rather alien to him at first as men didn't show emotion and comfort was for women. His father had always encouraged him to 'be a man' which meant dealing with your problems alone. Thanks to his newfound brothers he had learnt that there was no shame in needing help and that trusting your emotions to them was better than bottling it up. Although Athos had been important in this, the swordsman had finally realised that his past wasn't something he should hide from Aramis and Porthos. It took a while but Athos had finally learnt to let go as well.

The first time was quite a strange experience for D'Artagnan though and it was Aramis who was in dire need of help.

FLASHBACK

The musketeers were in the Wren tavern drinking as they often did but tonight it was different. Only one musketeer was drinking full cups of wine while the others pretended to be drinking and for once it wasn't Athos getting drunk.

D'Artagnan sat bewildered at the scene before him. Aramis was steadily becoming drunker with each cup of wine he drank while Athos and Porthos were pretending to drink and had consumed a fraction of the wine Aramis had.

D'Artagnan took the bottle and poured some wine into his cup but Athos immediately took the bottle back as D'Artagnan had only poured a mouthful. Athos then proceeded to fill Aramis' cup again.

'Come on Aramis, you're lagging behind,' Athos said as he downed his mouthful of wine and Porthos followed suit.

'Yeah,' Porthos agreed.

'How come none of you are drunk?' Aramis slurred slightly looking confused.

'You're a lightweight compared to us,' Porthos chuckled as Aramis glared at D'Artagnan.

'Athos is rationing me,' D'Artagnan said as he responded to Aramis' glare.

Aramis downed his cup of wine and Athos immediately refilled it with the rest of the bottle. Aramis' eyes were beginning to become unfocused and Athos and Porthos shared a look.

'We're going as soon as he's drunk that cup,' Athos said to D'Artagnan who just nodded.

D'Artagnan was still slightly nonplussed at the situation. It had been a hard few days for Aramis with Marsac returning and the truth finally being revealed about the doomed practice exercise at the Savoy border. Topped with the fact that Aramis had to shoot his former best friend to save the Captain, it had been a wild few days. Still D'Artagnan was struggling to understand why only Aramis was drunk.

Aramis looked around and saw the barmaid and smiled at her. She was short but rather curvy with fire-red hair and was smiling back at him.

'Not tonight,' Porthos sighed as he shook his head smiling.

'What?' Aramis said with an innocent expression before downing his wine.

'You're far too drunk,' Athos said sternly.

'I'm never that drunk,' Aramis pouted slightly as he made to stand. He wobbled and was caught by Porthos and then descended into giggles. 'Maybe I'm a bit drunk.'

'Yer think?' Porthos chuckled clearly amused.

'Am I de only one drinkin'?' Aramis asked as he looked at his friends. 'Cos no one of you seem drunk.' Aramis was stumbling over his words now and he was looking very confused.

'We told yer that we were,' Porthos lied earnestly. 'I'm bigger than you and Athos can drink anyone under the table. Young'un we kept on a leash,' he grinned at D'Artagnan who then accidentally fell over his chair as he tried to walk around it.

'See?' Athos smirked as Aramis giggled again. D'Artagnan was sure he had gone bright red.

'Come on,' Porthos wrapped his arm around the unsteady marksman as Athos took his other side and they, rather slowly, left the tavern.

Aramis was clearly in need of being held up but that didn't stop him talking.

'You know 'Thos,' he said seriously. 'You get very grumpy when you're drunk and you can be very, very moody.' Athos shot a look at Porthos and both men managed to hold in their laughs. Just. 'But I like you anyway,' Aramis was oblivious to the communication between Athos and Porthos.

'I'm glad to hear it, as I like you too,' Athos responded making Aramis smile widely.

'P'rthos?'

'Yep,' Porthos looked at Aramis who was really struggling to walk now.

'I like you too,' Aramis said dopily. 'But not when you force me into bed. Wait, that didn't sound right...' Aramis was now musing at what he'd said while Athos was biting his lip to stop the laugh that was trying to make itself known and Porthos was chuckling silently. D'Artagnan was unable to stop his smile. Drunk Aramis was funny.

'What I meant was...you making me go to bed when I don't want to...' Aramis was still looking confused as he stumbled over his words. 'Yes...that's right...but I still like you.'

'Thanks...I think,' Porthos managed to stave of the laugh that he sorely wanted to let out.

'D'Art...tag...nan...yes...that's right,' Aramis was being practically dragged by Athos and Porthos as the marksman's feet appeared to have stopped working. 'I think I like you too,' Aramis caught D'Artagnan's eye.

'Good,' D'Artagnan managed to get out. 'I like you too Aramis,' Aramis was practically beaming as they entered the garrison looking like a rather awkward monster casting a very strange shadow.

D'Artagnan noticed Tréville up on the balcony and was worried about what the Captain may think at this situation. He relaxed as he saw Tréville nod to Athos who nodded back in return.

'Sttairss,' Aramis slurred as they stood in front of the stairs that led to their rooms.

'Gotta go up them,' Porthos smirked and Aramis managed a decent glare even in his inebriated state.

Slowly they made their way up the stairs. Aramis stumbled a few times but Porthos and Athos managed to catch him. D'Artagnan knew he shouldn't find this funny but he justified it by noticing that Athos and Porthos were highly amused as well.

They moved into Aramis' room and sat Aramis in his chair looking a bit lost.

'See if you can get his weapon belts off,' Athos said quietly to D'Artagnan. 'And make sure he doesn't do anything stupid.'

'I can hear you, you know,' Aramis glared dopily at Athos who just raised an eyebrow before leaving with Porthos.

'Let's get you belts off,' D'Artagnan said to Aramis with the later falling into giggles again. D'Artagnan persevered and finally managed to remove Aramis' belts and blue sash as he heard a clanging sound.

Athos and Porthos appeared carrying a bedframe, more precisely, Porthos' bedframe. Between them they expertly moved the frame through Aramis' door and placed it next to Aramis' bed. They had done this before.

D'Artagnan heard Aramis mumble, 'I can sleep by myself,' but didn't acknowledge it.

Porthos returned with a mattress and Athos with blankets and pillows.

Porthos took Aramis' hat of his head while Aramis' made a little moan.

'You can't sleep in your hat,' Porthos sounded slightly exasperated as he then lifted Aramis by the armpits onto the edge of the bed. Porthos quickly removed his own doublet and made to start undoing Aramis'.

'I can do it myself,' Aramis said petulantly as he batted Porthos' hands away. Athos and Porthos shared a knowing smirk.

'Foot,' Athos commanded and Aramis just lifted his left leg off the floor allowing Athos pull off his boot and sock. Usually rather efficient at multitasking Aramis suddenly wasn't able to do two things at once as he struggled in holding his leg up and undoing his doublet. D'Artagnan could see that this situation wasn't new to Athos and Porthos. 'Other one,' Athos called as Aramis lifted his right leg up.

Porthos moved behind Aramis and started to undo the marksman's doublet in earnest.

'I said I'd do it,' Aramis whined but he continued to allow Athos to remove his other boot and Porthos his doublet.

'Some time tonight was preferable an' you were too slow,' Porthos chuckled earning a glare from Aramis.

'Can you get your breeches off?' Athos asked as Aramis sent a glare his way. 'I was just asking,' Athos barely contained the smirk.

Aramis was tiring and Porthos had already stripped down to his shirt and braies while Athos was removing his own doublet. D'Artagnan watched on looking surprised at the arrangement.

'He has nightmares,' Athos told him after seeing his confusion. 'Gets worse around the Savoy anniversary and after everything that has happened this won't be a comfortable night.'

'So you stay with him?' D'Artagnan asked incredulously.

'He can hurt himself otherwise,' Athos said as he removed his boots. 'He lashes out in his nightmare. You don't have to stay. If you choose to, take the space by the wall but know that you won't get a lot of sleep.' D'Artagnan could already see Aramis with his eyes closed and his head on Porthos' shoulder lying in the middle of the beds.

'You want me to stay?' D'Artagnan asked unsure.

'Only if you want to,' Athos gave a small smile. 'I don't like being boxed in so I'm always on the edge.'

D'Artagnan barely knew these men and yet they were allowing him to see how they looked after each other. He undressed and soon took his place next to the wall. Porthos gave him a reassuring smile as Aramis was now clearly asleep.

'Won't last long,' Porthos warned as Athos started to douse the candles.

There was a knock at the door and Athos answered it to reveal Tréville peering in.

'How is he?' the Captain asked.

'We got him rather drunk so hopefully that will help,' Athos answered quietly.

Tréville eyed D'Artagnan and gave a small smile. 'Let me know if you need anything. I don't expect to see you in the morning.' He told Athos who nodded as Tréville left and they all settled down.

D'Artagnan wasn't sure how long he'd been asleep but he was woken by Porthos' voice.

'Aramis calm down,' Porthos said holding the marksman to his chest.

'Nooooo,' Aramis whined quietly. 'Nooo.'

'You're safe Aramis,' Athos voice travelled and D'Artagnan saw his outline in the moonlight coming through the window. Athos was also running his fingers through Aramis' hair.

Aramis was shaking his head against Porthos shoulder and D'Artagnan felt very helpless. It took a few minutes but after constant reassurance from Athos and Porthos Aramis finally seemed to settle but he hadn't woken throughout the whole nightmare.

'Can you take him?' Porthos asked Athos. 'I need to use the pot. He got me in the stomach.'

'Are you alright?' D'Artagnan asked daring to speak for the first time since he had woken.

'Fine,' Porthos smiled. 'He's hit me harder.' Porthos transferred Aramis to Athos' arms as he quickly left the room.

'D'Artagnan, come closer,' Athos said quietly. 'He's starting to shiver.'

D'Artagnan moved so his chest was pressing against Aramis' back and Aramis' shivering abated.

'Is it always like this?' he asked.

'Usually there are triggers,' Athos explained. 'He'll be alright after a few days.' Athos pulled the blanket higher as Porthos returned.

D'Artagnan moved to let Porthos back. The night had a few more disturbances and Aramis did wake a couple of times meaning that nobody managed much sleep. D'Artagnan woke in the morning to find Athos and Porthos dressing and Aramis fast asleep.

'Just stay with him,' Athos said quietly. 'He doesn't do well when he wakes alone. I'm just going to update Tréville.'

'I'm going to get breakfast,' Porthos smiled.

They left leaving D'Artagnan alone with the sleeping Aramis. So many things ran through his mind as he wondered whether Aramis would be angry with his presence. Maybe Aramis would tell him to leave as he had no business being there. What if Athos was wrong in inviting him to stay?

'You're overthinking,' Aramis' voice shocked D'Artagnan out of his thoughts. 'What are you overthinking?'

'Whether you wanted me here,' D'Artagnan answered truthfully.

'Why wouldn't I want you here?' Aramis asked as he sat up.

'Because...' D'Artagnan wasn't sure how to word it.

'You just saw me at my most vulnerable?' Aramis gave a small smile. 'We all have our demons but I have found it helps to be with your friends.'

'I wasn't sure you'd want me here,' D'Artagnan looked rather worried.

'You're my friend D'Artagnan,' Aramis placed a hand on the younger man's shoulder. 'I'm not ashamed. I used to be but I've found that letting my friends in helps. Don't bottle it up. I tried that and, well, it's not a good place to go. Athos still doesn't want to let go of his darkest secret but he will eventually. You have your own that you're worried you will be judged over. When you're ready, let us help you because there will be times when you need help. We all do. You don't think any less of me because of this?'

'No, no of course not!' D'Artagnan stated immediately and honestly.

'Then why would we think less of you?' Aramis turned away to start getting dressed and left D'Artagnan with his thoughts.

'D'Artagnan?' Aramis called bringing D'Artagnan out of his thoughts.

'Hmm?' D'Artagnan replied as he realised that all three of his friends were now looking at him with varying degrees of amusement.

'You back with us?' Porthos chuckled.

'I hope you went somewhere nice,' Athos drawled.

'Just remembering the first time this happened,' D'Artagnan looked rather bashfully at the floor.

'That was me after the Marsac incident,' Aramis said quietly as D'Artagnan nodded.

'You thought we were mad, didn't you?' Athos smirked.

'It was different from what I was used to,' D'Artagnan smiled back.

'Now it's normal,' Aramis quipped as D'Artagnan nodded his agreement.

'I'm not sure that's a good thing!' Porthos laughed as the others followed suit. Aramis yawned widely and his shut his eyes momentarily.

'I asked you, do you still want to be my pillow?' Aramis asked D'Artagnan with a smile. 'I warn you I fidget a lot and have been known to cause injury.'

'Yeah I know!' Porthos exclaimed while Athos nodded and smirked.

'You're making it sound like very inviting,' Athos drawled sarcastically.

'I thought you said I was too bony,' D'Artagnan retorted.

'I also said that you could be my pillow if you wanted to be,' Aramis replied. 'No matter, Porthos-.'

'No, I want to,' D'Artagnan realised how eager he sounded and rolled his eyes as the others laughed.

'Come on then, I'm exhausted,' Aramis yawned.

D'Artagnan quickly stripped down to his braies and noticed that he must have been reminiscing longer than he thought as everyone else was ready to sleep. He crawled onto the bed in the middle of Porthos, who was against the wall, and Aramis who started prodding D'Artagnan's chest before placing his head there.

'Not as bony as I thought,' he quipped before yawning. D'Artagnan rolled his eyes as his arms encircled Aramis.

'That's because he's been training with me,' Porthos said as he closed his eyes. Athos doused the candles and within minutes the men were fast asleep.

A/N: I hope this chapter was enjoyable even though it didn't really tie anything up in the story. I just wanted to write it.

Currently, my plan is for the next chapter to be the last one. :( If there is anything that I haven't sewn up or is irritating you please let me know. :)

Thank you for sticking with this! :)