Evening My Lovelies
Lots happening today, we've got snappy D'art, guilty Aramis, protective Athos and hints of tomorrows whumpage. Lots to keep you all entertained.
Notes On Reviews:
Deana: Thanks for the review - Glad you liked it. Enjoy the new chapter! x
FierGascon: Thanks for the review - Oh Marcel definitely has something in store for our boys come morning :) Good to know the meters are ready :) Enjoy the new chapter! x
Tidia: Thanks for the review - You're right not to trust Marcel, bad things are on the way. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Debbie (Guest): Thanks for the reviews - It's me, when was D'Art ever going to catch a break when I'm involved lol Athos is going to be restraining his inner gibbs today as well. You'll be finding out some of what Marcel has planned today. Enjoy the new chapter! x
criminally charmed: Thanks for the review - Yeah pretty much :) Enjoy the new chapter! x
romirola: Thanks for the review - Enjoy the new chapter! x
Katie (Guest): Thanks for the review - Unfortunately theres a lot of pain coming to all of our boys very very soon, none of them are going to get out of this unscathed. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Issai: Thanks for the review - Yeah I dont think they've really thought that far ahead in terms of creating false proof, hopefully Treville can help them when they eventually get back. You're idea makes a lot more sense and now me and Aramis are kicking ourselves ... Athos and Porthos are definitely in for some pain very soon but then so are D'Art and Aramis. We get some more protective moments today as well so hopefully you'll like them too. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Helensg: Thanks for the review - :D the only thing better than musketeers in peril are the snuggly comfort moments that will eventually follow :) Enjoy the new chapter! x
Jmp (Guest): Thanks for the review - Glad to have you back :) We'll be learning a bit of what Marcel has planned today but wont actually see it in action until tomorrow. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Maryg (Guest): Thanks for the review - Part of me feels like I should do just that, simply to throw you all through a loop lol But nah, my evil mind wont be happy with that so whumpage, danger, drama it is :D And worry not D'Art's not done whumpage wise, got plenty in store for all of them. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Guest: Thanks for the review - I'm SO happy you're loving the story (love getting reviews that say that :D ) If wishing D'Art got whumped makes you a horrible person I can't even imagine what it makes me to write it lol :D Worry not, I can't not write lots of whumpage for our pup, he's got a couple of chapters before anything else happens but he'll have plenty more whumpage coming his way. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Zoe (Guest): Thanks for the review - There may be one or two stumbling blocks coming their way. Viv will eventually show up in the story properly rather than just mentioned. We'll be learning of Marcel's measures today and I can guarantee the rescue aint going to go smoothly :D Enjoy the new chapter! x
MicheeO: Thanks for the review - A little wait wont kill you :) Glad you're liking the story so far. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Lilac Lavender: Thanks for the review - Haha I know, whenever the 'Gentlemen' or 'Children' comes out you know someone's about to get told off :D We get a bit more banter today so hopefully that'll go down well. We had cutey D'Art yesterday... today we get snappy D'Art, pain is not helping his mood unfortunately. Viv is going to be bringing Aramis a HUGE amount of guilt in a later chapter but we have a bit till we get there. Athos has his cute moments :) He wants to be all protective big brother he just can't acknowledge it yet. Hopefully you'll like... hate? what I have planned for our boys. Enjoy the new chapter! x
As always much love and many thanks for following/favouriting/reviewing/reading
Enjoy
xxx
Chapter Ten: Ominous Words
"Well," breathed Aramis, "That was scarily ominous."
"I don't like this plan," grunted Porthos as he shuffled awkwardly on the floor.
"It was your plan!" remarked Aramis, raising an eyebrow at his friend.
"Don't mean I 'ave to like it."
Athos and D'Artagnan sat in silence as they watched the two grown men bicker like children while trying to decide whether the hassle they would get for interrupting them was worth doing so.
Do we? Asked D'Artagnan silently as he quirked his head to one side to gesture to the bickering pair.
Athos fought the urge to sigh at the two grown men's antics but eventually settled for shaking his head at D'Artagnan who waited patiently for an answer. His head was already beginning to pound, no sense adding to it by attempting to get those two to act their age.
"How's the pain?" Athos asked quietly so as to not draw the attention of the other two men.
D'Artagnan opened his mouth to say he was fine but quickly noticed the stern look Athos was giving him, that was almost daring him to try to brush it off, and knew better than to risk his mentor's ire by lying now.
"Been better," he grunted quietly. "Least the focus is off of my ribs now," he added as a slightly morbidly cheery afterthought.
Athos quirked an eyebrow and tilted his head down to look at the boy beside him, "ribs?"
D'Artagnan was quick to curse under his breath for admitting that fact but knew he couldn't retract it now. "Yeah," he sighed, wincing slightly at the pain. "Marcel is stronger than he looks, he got in a couple of good hits when he was capturing me."
"And you didn't think this was important for us to know?" Athos scolded, working hard to keep his voice quiet, "Haven't we told you that hiding injuries puts everyone at risk."
Bristling at being scolded like a misbehaving child D'Artagnan glared hard at his mentor, "I didn't lie, Porthos knows."
"I definitely can, you're just jel – "
"PORTHOS!" bellowed Athos, completely cutting off the larger man's come back to the latest bit of banter the two men had been exchanging while D'Artagnan and Athos talked.
Saying nothing in response to his friend's surprising anger Porthos tilted his head to one side and raised a questioning eyebrow.
"Why weren't we told about D'Artagnan's broken ribs?" demanded the swordsman, his anger at the situation and damage done to his protégé at new heights.
"What!?" exclaimed Aramis as the medic twisted in his chains to try and get a better look at the young Gascon who was now trying his best to sink into the floor.
"When was I supposed to do that?" snapped Porthos, "'sides, not like we can do anything for them anyway."
"You let him charge at Marcel with them!" Athos retorted, his words snapping D'Artagnan back to attention.
"He didn't let me do anything and you know it! I'm in pain but otherwise okay so can we drop this and get some sleep because I don't know about Aramis but I really don't fancy walking back to Paris half asleep."
The three men couldn't do anything but blink at the boy's outburst and by the time the surprise had worn off the Gascon had shuffled away from Athos and was, despite the pain, lying on his side with his back facing them.
Porthos was the first to break out of his stupor and barked out a short laugh, "Pup's got some bark to him huh?"
Athos allowed his lips to quirk upwards at his brother's words, feeling some of his earlier anger dissipate, though his eyes continually flickered to D'Artagnan's form.
Aramis was silent as he allowed the news that his actions had caused the boy more pain than he had thought to sink in. Once it had and he had forced himself to push down the growing guilt he raised his head and took in the lying form of the Gascon, wincing at the pain that position must be causing him.
"You're doing yourself more harm then good lying like that D'Art," he offered hesitantly, unsure if the boy would even acknowledge it after his outburst but to his relief a few moments later he watched as D'Artagnan rolled onto his back, though he kept his head facing away from them.
"You stop off as soon as possible to tend to those," ordered Athos as he shuffled into a slightly more comfortable sleeping position.
"No Athos I'm going to make him walk all the way back to Paris before I do anything about it," snapped Aramis sarcastically before sighing resignedly, "Those injuries are practically my doing, I'll treat them as soon as I can."
Despite the sarcastic tone of his voice Athos was able to hear the hurt lying underneath and winced for having put it there. "Apologies my friend," he offered quietly, knowing that Aramis didn't have the heart to let someone suffer for any longer then absolutely necessary.
"Great we're all friends again," grumbled Porthos as he watch Aramis nod and smile softly at Athos. "Now can you all shut up so we can get some sleep?"
"Somebody's cranky," teased Aramis, winking cheekily at Athos.
"We're gonna be stuck here with Mr. Obsessive while you're off to Paris with no weapons and D'Artagnan, who has only one usable arm, as backup. I think I'm allowed to be cranky."
That sombered Aramis right up and he sent his friend an apologetic look, "Apologies my friend," he offered, mimicking Athos's own words to him moments earlier.
Porthos merely grunted in reply before letting his head rest against his chest as he closed his eyes.
"I'll watch out for him," reassured Athos quietly as he saw the despondent look in Aramis's eyes.
"So long as he returns the favor, I've found that I'm practicing my skills on both of you more than I care for, I have no desire to get more practice in," ordered Aramis.
"I'm sure he will," smiled Athos, knowing this whole situation was playing havoc with the medic's already frayed nerves. "Get some sleep," he ordered gently, "You have a long day tomorrow."
"A-Athos…" whispered Aramis several minutes later once he was sure the only ones still awake were himself and the swordsman.
"Aramis?" Athos queried, lifting his head from where he had been watching over the sleeping men to stare questioningly at his friend, the vulnerability in his brother's voice nearly breaking the stoic man's heart.
"I… I just need to… In case this doesn't work…"
Athos's eyes widened momentarily before his expression turned firm. "None of that Aramis."
"No I need to…"
"No you don't," growled Athos, twisting on the spot to better face his guilt-ridden friend. "You want to apologize? Fine, but do it when we're all out of here."
Aramis sighed and nodded weakly. Seeing this Athos allowed his expression to soften as he turned back to how he was originally sitting.
"I can't speak for the others," said the swordsman softly a few moments later, his words instantly gaining the medic's attention. "But you have nothing to apologize to me for. I am the last person who could judge actions motivated by grief… Just look how I almost lost us Porthos a month ago."
Aramis opened his mouth to respond but Athos continued.
"Make your apologies if you must but know I am still honored to call you brother."
Aramis felt tears stream down his face at Athos's words and he could do little more than smile weakly at the man as Athos, clearly uncomfortable with being so emotional, settled down to sleep without another word.
The four men were woken up the following morning by the sound of a heavy chair being dragged into the room.
"Oh good, you're awake," grinned Marcel as he finished setting the chair in the middle of the room.
"'ard to sleep with all the racket," grumbled Porthos under his breath as he sat himself up a bit and stretched to work out the sore muscles he had gained from sleeping in such a position.
"What's with the chair?" D'Artagnan asked, unable to contain the curiosity at seeing it.
"Part of the plan to ensure your friend doesn't tally for more than he needs to," explained Marcel as took a step towards Aramis who watched the man with calculating eyes.
"Once you leave, one of your friends here will be placed in the chair," Marcel explained as he began to unlock Aramis's chains. "As I'm sure you can see those aren't ordinary cuffs on the arms and legs."
At this the four men stared at the chair, each of their eyes widening slightly in horror as they noticed each of the cuffs had a vice-like mechanism on them that would allow for them to be tightened.
With a smirk that didn't quite reach his eyes Marcel continued his explanation. "For every few hours that you do not return with the proof I will tighten one of them a different amount so unless you wish one of your friends to have four broken limbs you best ensure you are quick."
Aramis swallowed and forced himself to tear his gaze away from the barbaric chair one of his brother's would soon be forced to endure.
"You can't do this!" exclaimed the marksman, fury and fear fighting for dominance in his eyes.
"Oh I very much can," stated Marcel, the picture of calm as he observed the medic.
"They're not involved in this! Hurt me if you must but leave them alone!"
"They became involved when they came for you," said Marcel his voice cold and hard. "If you wish to save them from this fate you best travel quickly.
"You're aware we have no idea where we currently are right?" snapped D'Artagnan as he pushed himself to his feet, subconsciously moving closer to stand in front of Athos as he spoke.
"Semantics my boy," waved Marcel as he finished unchaining Aramis and had the medic steadied. "Now shall we go? You have quite the journey after all."
"If we don't know where we are how are we to get both back to Paris and here?" snarled D'Artagnan, his unbroken hand clenching into a tight fist.
"I'll give you a map if you stop with the inane questions," growled Marcel as he rounded on the Gascon, who true to expectations stood tall and refused to be intimated.
Aramis watched the fury grow on D'Artagnan's face and knew it was only a matter of time before the boy abandoned the plan and attacked the man, something that would not help them if the man did indeed have more than one companion.
"Then give it to us so we can leave, I do no wish for my brothers or Viv to be in your clutches for a second longer than they need to be," commanded Aramis, almost sagging in relief when he saw D'Artagnan take a step back and calm down slightly.
"But of course, follow me gentlemen," Marcel stated as he went to leave the room.
"Oh," Marcel said spinning on his heels and looked Aramis straight in his eyes. "Before I forget, should anything happen to me the lovely lady Vivienne will meet a very painful and drawn out death." Aramis paled further, "Shall we move?"