Evening My Lovelies :)
Wow! Loving the response to the first chapter. 19 followers & 13 reviews! You guys are awesome :D
2 chapters in and I keep wanting to refer to D'Artagnan as a musketeer and then have to remind myself that he's not actually a musketeer yet... if at any point I do refer to him as such please just ignore it. I'm pretty sure I've managed to catch myself before I've actually written it but just in case.
Notes On Reviews:
lluviayui: Thanks for the review - Glad you liked it. Enjoy the new chapter! x
UKGuest (Guest): Thanks for the review - Glad you liked it and that it's managed to get you intrigued already :) Whumpage wise I'm going to try to spread it between all the boy, though I do have some rather evil plans for a couple of them :D Aramis will be going through a bit of an emotional rollercoaster and he has quite a key part to play. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Jasperslittlesister: Thanks for the review - I just couldnt stay away :) Hopefully you'll enjoy the adventure/trouble I have planned for our boys. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Purplelizzie1: Thanks for the review - Glad to be back :) Thankyou I'm glad you think so, I really enjoy writing all the whumpage scenes. Enjoy the new chapter! x
FierGascon: Thanks for the review - D'Art gets to play mother hen again today (I'm quite liking that side of him) We have a few more chapters until we find out what the torturer is after. It'll be a little odd not seeing your old screen-name but I realised who you were as soon as you mentioned our meters :D We will be needing a hate-o-meter so might want to get the order in now :D Enjoy the new chapter! x
criminally charmed: Thanks for the review - Always ecstatic to get a new fan so thank you :D I'm going to try to not focus so much on D'Art this time (though he is sooooo whumpable)... He'll still be getting some but I have a few other rather evil plans for some of our other boys so it wont be (hopefully) as painful for our poor Gascon as my last story was... Though saying that and knowing me he's still probably going to get fairly hurt... I'm evil like that lol :D Enjoy the new chapter! x
Tidia: Thanks for the review - I'm glad you thought so :) I just wanted to hug Aramis as I wrote him so sad :( The elsewhere part seems to have everyone intrigued *evil laughs* :D We'll be getting a little more of that today though we wont find out what it's really all about for a few more chapters yet. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Deana: Thanks for the review - Ask and ye shall receive my friend :) Enjoy the new chapter! x
Ruth (Guest): Thanks for the review - I just can't stay away for long lol :) I'm glad you're liking the relationship, it's a little trickier for me to write as I have to keep reminding myself that at this point they've only known each other for a little while so their still going to be slightly unsure around each other and D'Artagnan especially would probably be a bit more reserved. Aramis breaking down was so sad to write, I kept just wanting to hug him as I was typing lol Glad you liked the hands bit, it was one of my favourite bits of the chapter (that and what it led to... yay brotherly moments!) You know me too well lol :) I'm enjoying having D'Art all mother-henny and supportive but you're right... it's not going to last long. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Debbie (Guest): Thanks for the review - Ohh it's good to be back :) With regards to Aramis hitting D'Art I kinda see it like the boy wasnt really sure how to handle him so kept asking questions and trying to get him to talk to him and that coupled with the drink led Aramis to lash out. Our Spaniard isnt really thinking clearly at the moment so the fact that D'Art agreed to help and hide Marsac isnt really registering. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Jmp (Guest): Thanks for the review - It broke my heart to write as well :( Unfortunately things arent going to be getting better for our Spaniard any time soon. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Helensg: Thanks for the review - I definitely hope you enjoy this one as much as my others. With regards to Athos whump, dont worry there will be some coming for our man. I have a couple of evil ideas in the works already, one of which is quite serious :D It may take a little while to get there but worry not it will happen. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Lilac Lavender: Thanks for the review - Oooh it's good to be back :D I really enjoyed writing emotional Aramis in the last story hence focusing on just after Marsac's death here. It makes it a little annoying for me as I have to remember our boy's havent been the foursome we know and love for very long so I can't have them acting as relaxed and comfortable with each other as they have in my other stories (that and I keep referring to D'Art as a musketeer and having to go back and change it lol) D'Art gets to be a bit of a mother hen in the beginning of this story but that wont last once all the whumpage starts :D Can't resist a bit of guilty musketeers :) Means i can get to cutey musketeer moments afterwards lol and Aramis will be having LOTS of guilty moments. I hadnt really thought about him getting a cold, though considering what I have already written for our boys (i have several chapters already written) that would be getting off lightly :D Though i do have a bit of all three of them telling him off in a later chapter :D The elsewhere bit does indeed refer to our 'friend in trouble' from my rather crappy summary though that's all I'm saying on the matter :) Enjoy the new chapter! x
Cookies & Cakes to you lovely people who follow/favourite/review/read this. You guys are awesome!
Enjoy!
xxx
Chapter Two: From Grief To Anger
"You're back early," remarked Treville as he noticed the return of two of his men.
"King didn't want us drippin' on 'is floor so sent us back to change," shrugged Porthos, shaking himself to dislodge some of the water that had since soaked into his clothes. Thankfully the storm, despite being sudden, had ended fairly quickly and as such they would be able to return to the palace in dry clothes.
Treville sighed; imagining the reaction the King would have had to the men's current state of attire.
"How is he?" Athos asked hesitantly, pulling the Captain from his musing.
The frown that appeared on Treville's face had both musketeers' worried, though they refused to act upon their concerns until the Captain had explained.
"Still wont leave his room." Sighed Treville turning his head to look over his shoulder towards the medic's room before an idea hit him. "I think D'Artagnan might appreciate it if one of you could lend him something dry to wear, he was out in the storm for most of it."
"What!?" exclaimed the two musketeers, alarm and worry filling their eyes.
"Aramis kicked him out of the room but the young man refused to leave him alone and has spent the better part of the day sitting outside Aramis's door," Treville explained.
"Meet back here in five," stated Athos as he and Porthos shared a look, "I probably have something that might fit the boy."
With no more words said between them the two men split to head to their own rooms to change before checking on their friend.
From the description Treville had given them earlier, neither men was surprised to find a rather damp looking D'Artagnan in Aramis's room, curled up tight by the musketeer's bed, one hand gripping the medic's own whilst the other unconsciously stroked the man's hair slowly as both men slept.
"Well would ya look at that," grinned Porthos, feeling lighter then he had since the whole Marsac incident at the sight of Aramis sleeping peacefully for the first time in what felt like an age.
Frowning at the deepening bruise he spotted on the young man's face Athos moved to wake their new friend up, doing so carefully so as to not disturb Aramis's rest.
"A…Athos?" croaked D'Artagnan as his eyes fluttered open, his voice was thick with sleep and as such it took his mind several moments to catch up. When it did the boy shot up and started apologizing profusely for falling asleep when he had promised to keep watch.
"Relax D'Artagnan," Athos soothed, a half smile gracing his face at the younger man's antics. "This is the most peaceful his sleep has been for quite some time now," he explained nodding to the Spaniard, who apart from letting out a small whine at the disappearance of warmth, remained peacefully asleep.
D'Artagnan seemed to visibly relax at the realization that his new friends weren't angry with him, an action that had Porthos chuckling quietly as he ruffled the young man's hair.
"Here," Athos said, passing the boy some dry clothes, "Stay any longer in those wet clothes and you'll get sick."
D'Artagnan opened his mouth to protest but one raised eyebrow stare from Athos had him obeying the request and changing into the slightly too big clothing.
After he was dressed, and Porthos had laughed at how the clothes hung off him, both musketeers were forced to return back to the palace, leaving D'Artagnan alone with the sleeping Spaniard.
Thankfully for the young Gascon, Aramis was in a much better mood the following day thanks to the long, nightmare free, sleep he had managed the night before and as such protested little to the boy's refusal to leave him alone with his grief.
If he was being honest with himself Aramis was immensely grateful for the young man's presence. While Athos and Porthos knew when to push and when to leave him alone the Gascon did not and there was something about the boy's enthusiasm to help that reminded him of the puppy his family had kept during his childhood that would stumble over its own feet in its effort to follow him and because of that the grieving medic didn't have the heart to berate or snap at the boy.
"So what do you think?" D'Artagnan asked, his voice a mix of eagerness and trepidation.
"What?" croaked Aramis, his voice hoarse and cringe worthy to his own ears, though he did crack a faint ghost of a smile when D'Artagnan huffed and planted his hands on his hips when he realized Aramis hadn't been paying attention.
"I asked," D'Artagnan said, watching his friend carefully for his reaction to what he was about to ask. "If you felt up to going outside?" At Aramis's slightly panicked expression D'Artagnan was quick to add, "Most of the regiment are out on missions or with Treville at the palace so it's nearly empty out there and I think getting some sun and some of Serge's food in you will help… So, what do you think?"
Aramis was silent for several minutes as he pondered the request. On the one hand he desired nothing more than to wallow in the safety of his room where he could drink himself senseless and to the point where Marsac would hopefully not haunt his dreams. On the other however, he had berated Athos enough times when he did the same thing and the thought of sunlight and the hearty food Serge would no doubt force upon him was equally tempting, as was the desire to repay his young companion for his steadfast loyalty over the last few days, despite the Spaniard's horrid treatment of him.
"We could take it slow," suggest D'Artagnan a slight hopeful tone to his voice. "If at any point you don't want to stay any more we can come back here, no questions asked."
Aramis eyed his young friend for a moment before shakily nodding his agreement to the plan, the urge to smile filling him at the blinding grin D'Artagnan gave in response.
Thirty minutes later the pair found themselves at the inseparables usual table in the garrison courtyard. True to their expectations Serge had placed a large bowl of stew in front of the medic within moments of them sitting down and Aramis had a feeling D'Artagnan had warned the man of his plans before voicing the idea of leaving his room to Aramis.
The medic himself was still very tense and had practically curled himself round the bowl of food, not wishing any other of their brothers to see him in such a state, despite knowing none would judge him for his grief.
D'Artagnan pretended not to notice his friend's state; merely glad that he had succeeded in getting the man out of the dark room he had been cooped up in for a week now and as such was content to carry the majority of their conversation while his friend slowly ate his food.
"Is there a musketeer named Aramis here?" enquired a voice, startling the pair from their conversation on the advantages of different firearms. D'Artagnan had been hesitant to start this particular line of enquiry at first, given how it had been Aramis's own gun that ended Marsac's life, but he also knew that if there was one thing his friend was passionate about apart from women, which was a subject the Gascon was not going to get into with him, it was firearms and so he had started the conversation about them in hopes of drawing his friend out of his shell a bit.
At the messengers call Aramis turned, eyes full of curiosity as he beckoned the man over.
"Was asked to get this to musketeer Aramis with the utmost speed, are you him?" asked the messenger as he eyed the haggard looking musketeer in front of him.
Not feeling up to talking Aramis merely nodded and held his hand out for the letter, waiting until the messenger had departed before turning back to the table, ignoring D'Artagnan's poorly concealed curiosity as he opened the letter.
D'Artagnan knew something was up as soon as Aramis began reading, the medic's entire frame tensed up and a flash of anger entered his eyes, though it wasn't until the Spaniard slammed the letter down on the table and unleashed a slew of Spanish curses that he felt it right to enquire.
"Aramis?"
"Cuando encuentro el que se encarga de esto, van a desearían no haber nacido!" (When I find whoever is responsible for this, they'll wish they had never been born!)
"ARAMIS!" exclaimed D'Artagnan as he leapt to his feet to follow the musketeer who was in the process of storming back to his room.
"What's going on?" when Aramis refused to answer and simply focused on packing his bag D'Artagnan was forced to stand in front of his friend, grabbing his wrists to stop him from moving. "Aramis! What's going on?"
Without saying a word Aramis thrusted the letter to D'Artagnan's hands before returning to his packing. Eyeing the medic warily D'Artagnan straightened out the letter and began to read, his own anger growing at the obvious threat lying within.
"What's the plan?" D'Artagnan asked, his words startling the medic from his packing. At Aramis's surprised look he elaborated, "There's no way I'm letting you go alone and I can't see you waiting for the others so what's the plan?"
Aramis released a breath he hadn't even realized he had been holding before smiling gratefully at his young friend, the smile contrasting greatly with the grief and worry burning in his eyes. "I can't risk… If this is genuine then…"
"You plan on attending the meeting," D'Artagnan stated knowingly when Aramis seemed unable to finish his thoughts. Once Aramis nodded he added, "Then if we leave now hopefully we can scout somewhere for me to hide so you'll have back up without them realizing."
Looks like the time with Athos is beginning to pay off, he's developing a mind for strategy mused the medic with no small sense of pride as he nodded in agreement and the pair set to work preparing to leave, both ignoring the sickening feeling growing in their guts that something was about to go horribly wrong.