Evening My Lovelies
D'Art's being a bit of a badass today :D and I'm going to be horrible and leave you all waiting to see what's in store for Athos and Porthos :)
Notes On Reviews:
Deana: Thanks for the review - He's not having the best luck that's for sure. Enjoy the new chapter! x
FierGascon: Thanks for the review - I'm gonna count that as a good thing lol :D Enjoy the new chapter! x
criminally charmed: Thanks for the review - Bwhahaa That's very true, they'd be skint within a week with me there XD D'Art's got a key part to play today, bit of a badass. Porthos and Athos on the other hand... well you'll just have to wait and see. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Debbie (Guest): Thanks for the review - Well Porthos has gotten off pretty light... so far :D I have some stuff in mind for him but you'll have to wait till tomorrow. The ambush has definitely set the boys back quite a bit and its Porthos and Athos that are going to suffer for it (not that the others havent but you get what I mean) Enjoy the new chapter! x
Tidia: Thanks for the review - Oh our boys are going to utilize their musketeer stubbornness to ensure they reach Paris as fast as they can... Can't guarantee the condition they'll be in when they get there though. Enjoy the new chapter! x
watlocked: Thanks for the review - I'm glad you're liking it so far :) Dont worry things wont be getting wrapped up too soon. I have some evil plans in store for Porthos which we'll be seeing tomorrow, another serious bit of whumpage for Athos in a later chapter plus some other whumpage moments as we go with lots of drama and cute moments mixed in. Enjoy the new chapter! x
MoonlightTaylor (Guest): Thanks for the review - Yep there's a devious plan in mind, but you'll have to wait to find out what it all is :D An interesting idea as to who the partner is but no it's not her, we'll be finding out tomorrow so I wont be keeping you in suspense for long. Athos definitely isn't fairing well. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Zoe (Guest): Thanks for the review - He may wish to do that but he's really not in the best shape to do so. Aramis's guilt is definitely growing as everything progresses, even more so when he learns how much time they've lost because of the ambush. Porthos is due some pain now and we'll be seeing what's going on tomorrow. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Lilac Lavender: Thanks for the review - That ambush did neither man any favors, in fact the only good thing that might have come out of it was that they've gained a weapon now. Athos is seriously suffering but is trying to remain stoic and unaffected but its not really working any more. We'll be finding out the other plans for Porthos tomorrow but for now we're with our other boys. Enjoy the new chapter! x
As always much love and many thanks for following/favouriting/reviewing/reading
Enjoy!
xxx
Chapter Fourteen: TLC
D'Artagnan didn't this it was possible to feel the amount of relief he felt when he spotted what appeared to be an abandoned barn.
They had been riding for little over an hour and despite passing a couple of possible resting locations the Gascon had refused to stop until he was sure they were no longer being followed.
He had tried to keep Aramis engaged and talking throughout their ride but his own injuries coupled with the stress of the situation had quickly halted every conversation attempt.
"'Mis?" D'Artagnan called hesitantly, twisting ever so slightly so he could glance at his friend over his shoulder. The Spaniard was in a bad way but to D'Artagnan's great relief, was clinging stubbornly on to consciousness.
"I've found somewhere we can stop, just hold on a little longer okay?" the boy pleaded. Hearing the fear and worry in his voice Aramis tightened the grip he had on the boy's hand, lacking all energy to form a verbal response.
Thankfully Aramis's horse had followed D'Artagnan's mare when they left the ambush sight so they would have access to the Spaniard's medical supplies.
Stopping just shy of the barn D'Artagnan took a moment to observe the area, only dismounting when he was sure there was no one else there.
The barn itself looked deserted, the roof had seen better days and was even missing in some parts but the walls were sturdy and would offer some protection from the harsh winds that had picked up over the last little while. All in all it was about the best the two injured men who hope for during such a desperate time.
"Come on Aramis," said D'Artagnan softly once he had confirmed that the barn was indeed empty. He was getting increasingly worried about his friend, the man had lost a lot of blood so clearly the wound was worse then the man wanted him to believe. This was made all the more worrying by the fact that D'Artagnan was beginning to feel lightheaded himself from his own wounds.
Aramis opened an exhausted eye at D'Artagnan's call and despite the pain that shot through him whenever he moved, he let the Gascon guide him off of the horse, a small whimper of pain escaping him as his chest knocked against the horse's side.
Without wasting a minute D'Artagnan used his good arm to sling Aramis's arm over his shoulder before directing them into the barn, stopping only to grab the saddlebag off of the Spaniard's horse that he knew contained the man's medical supplies.
Once inside D'Artagnan eased the injured medic down to the ground, cursing under his breath as he then attempted to get the man's shirt open with only one useable hand. Eventually he gave up and used the stolen blade to cut away the fabric, allowing him the first glimpse of the wound.
"That is not your shoulder 'Mis," scolded the Gascon, his eyes widening in panic as he took in the damage done to his friend.
"…C-Close enough," sighed the medic tiredly, his eyelids drooping as he spoke.
"No, no, no" panicked D'Artagnan as he rapidly tapped the man's face gently in an effort to rouse him. "I don't know what I'm doing Aramis! You have to help me!"
Whether the tapping had woken him or the panic in D'Artagnan's voice he didn't know but Aramis forced his eyes open, gritting his teeth as a wave of pain washed over him.
Looking up at his pale, nervous friend Aramis couldn't stop the guilt that built up within in. His friend was hurt, was in god knows how much pain and here he was worried out of his mind for the medic, who apparently couldn't dodge a simple pistol shot properly.
"None of that," scolded the Gascon gently, though whether because of the Spaniards thoughts or because his eyes had begun to close again Aramis didn't know but he forced his eyes open again and offered the panicking young man the most reassuring smile he could manage.
"E-Extract," instructed the medic through gritted teeth, "C-Clean… S-Stitch and wrap."
Had he had the energy Aramis would have chuckled when he heard D'Artagnan practically chanting the four instructions he had just given him.
With his remaining energy Aramis gripped D'Artagnan's hand in his own, effectively stilling the boy's worried rambling.
"'Mis?"
"You've got this," grinned the medic weakly, the faith in his eyes silencing any protest that might have begun to form on the Gascon's tongue, forcing him to nod instead. Seeing this Aramis let his body relax, knowing that it would be easier on both on them if he were out for this.
Seeing his friend suddenly go limp had nearly given D'Artagnan a heart attack and it was only when he absently put his hand on the man's chest and felt the blood drying there that D'Artagnan pushed all panic out of his mind and set to work.
It had taken him longer then he had anticipated gathering the supplies he needed from the medic's saddlebag and now, sat with a set of tweezers in his shaking hand D'Artagnan felt the crushing weight of self-doubt settle on his shoulders. One wrong move and he could make the situation much worse and that notion refused to leave his mind, stilling his hand every time he went close to the wound.
It wasn't until a few moments later when Aramis let out a small yet heartbreaking whimper of pain that D'Artagnan was finally able to break free of his panic induced haze. Taking a deep breath in hopes to settle his racing heart and calm his trembling hands he began work removing the bullet.
D'Artagnan found that once he had removed the bullet things began easier; the act of carefully removing any foreign matter such as bits of clothing from the wound was oddly calming to the young man. Thankfully the medic hadn't been wearing multiple layers when he was shot so there wasn't much that needed removing, the only problem the Gascon encountered was the lack of liquids at hand to clean the wound.
Even with his minimal training the Gascon knew that to have a better chance of warding off any infections they would need to wash the wound with alcohol, only problem being that he had none to use. They had some water but without knowing how long it would be until Aramis could move the Gascon was wary about using it for the wound.
Muttering a Gascony curse under his breath D'Artagnan abandoned the idea of washing the wound, hoping that they had treated the wound soon enough to prevent infection and instead set to work stitching the wound close.
It was difficult to get started, given that he had only one usable hand but before long D'Artagnan found himself relaxing somewhat, this was the one part of the whole thing that he had experience with… Admittedly that experience was mostly on animals or small wounds on the farm hands that worked for him and his father. He had never stitched such a grievous wound like Aramis's before but he theorized that it would be no different than stitching anything else and merely resolved to ensure his stitches wouldn't leave his friend with a garish scar… that would hardly put him in good standing with the man who's approval he craved almost as much as Athos's.
Thinking of the man who had quickly become his mentor sent a stab of worry through the Gascon's heart. The ambush and subsequent treatment had easily set the pair back several hours, added to that was the fact that Aramis would need to time to recover before he was well enough to ride and that it was now beginning to get dark meant that they wouldn't be leaving for Paris until the next morning at the earliest, meaning that their friends were going to be in Marcel's clutches longer than they had anticipated, suffering through god knows what while he and Aramis rested their wounds.
Shaking his head D'Artagnan pushed all thoughts of Athos, Porthos and the horrors they could be enduring from his mind. Neither musketeer would wish to see him so distracted while tending to Aramis so he focused all his attention on the unconscious Spaniard in front of him.
Night was really beginning to set in when D'Artagnan decided there was little more he could do for his friend. By this point the young man's hands were now coated in the blood of his friend and were shaking terribly. D'Artagnan knew that part of this was down to his own blood loss but he also knew that he was in no condition to be attempting to stitch up his own wound right now. Instead D'Artagnan chose to scrunch up the remaining bandages and use his good arm to put pressure on his wound with them… It wasn't perfect by any means and Aramis would most likely rip him a new one when he awoke but it was all he could do for now.
Waking up to the first rays of sunshine was always an annoyance to Aramis, though when it was coupled with the agonizing pain of his recent wound it was just plain cruel.
Groaning, both at the pain and the morning glare, he slowly moved his hand to his chest, slipping it under the loose bandages covering his wound. The marksman would be lying if he said he wasn't surprised by the neatness of the stitches he could feel. He felt his heart warm with affection as he realized the trouble the boy must have gone through to ensure the stitches were as neat as possible.
Speaking of the boy Aramis was also surprised that the exuberant Gascon hadn't practically jumped on him when he realized he was awake.
Biting back a hiss of pain Aramis propped himself up on his elbow as his tired eyes searched for his missing friend. A fond smile gracing his tired face as he saw the boy curled up by the remnants of a fire the marksman had no idea had been started.
The musketeer was tempted to let the boy sleep, knowing that the pain of his injuries must be draining the lad's reserves but the medic in him had forced it's way to the forefront when he noticed how pale the typically tanned Gascon had gotten.