Evening My Lovelies
405 reviews! *happy dances* You guys are awesome, you know that right? x
So this chapter is a bit of an odd one for me... I can't quite decide whether I like it or not, I hadn't really planned what I wanted to happen in it. usually when I start have an idea of either how the chapters going to go or of at least one thing that needs to happen during it, but for this I had no idea so I was completely winging it... Hopefully it work... If not, sorry!
Notes On Reviews:
Deana: Thanks for the review - I'm not letting them off easy that's for sure :) Enjoy the new chapter! x
criminally charmed: Thanks for the review - Haha Loving the positive take on all this I might even steal the line to use in tomorrows chapter :) I'm not quite sure how it'll happen but Durand will probably bite it before the end, I feel the need to kill someone off and he seems the best choice. I'm just not sure how quite yet. Enjoy the new chapter! x
watlocked: Thanks for the review - Glad you liked the punch, I was tempted to have him beat the utter crap out of him before getting pulled off by other musketeers but I kinda see him having better things to spend his energy on then wasting it on the likes of Durand. You're not wrong it would be the perfect time and my evil evil mind may already have something in the works for a coming chapter :D Enjoy the new chapter! x
Jmp (Guest): Thanks for the review - I think we all want to punch them. I'm quite looking forward to having Aramis and Vivienne in the same room again after all this, I have a plan in mind which I'm hoping you all like. If poor old Aramis wasnt overworked before he sure will be now... and again fairly soon :D Enjoy the new chapter! x
Helensg: Thanks for the review - I think that after all this Aramis is going to need to get a decent amount of time off rotation to rest and recuperate. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Maryg (Guest): Thanks for the review - Haha I know, not even a day's rest for our boys when my evil mind is at work :) If it makes any difference she's quite apologetic and her mental state wasnt the best before Durand started talking. My plan for D'Art will be coming soon, we just have to deal with Athos first. Enjoy the new chapter! x
f1gymnast: Thanks for the review - Yay glad you liked Henri's badass side, I really enjoyed writing it. I think with the musketeers habit of getting hurt they're all used to the basics that are needed lol. I'm quite looking forward to when Athos is out of the woods and I get to set Porthos and the others on Durand :D should be fun *cackles evilly* Enjoy the new chapter! x
Debbie (Guest): Thanks for the review - Haha I know it's like they're trying to one up the other at the moment. D'Art gets kidnapped, Athos gets kidnapped... D'Art breaks his arm, Athos breaks his ankle... Athos gets shot, D'Art gets... :) I'm quite excited to get Viv and the musketeers, mainly Aramis, together... should be an interesting conversation. Enjoy the new chapter! x
MicheeO: Thanks for the review - Mwhaha I know I'm so mean :D (and I LOVE it) Though you'll be pleased as Favier's back today. I know! 400+ reviews... i think I may have squealed a little when I realized I had reached that many :D Enjoy the new chapter! x
Lilac Lavender: Thanks for the review - I know, god knows what's going on with the site but its annoying not being able to read reviews on here. I'm always paranoid that I might have missed someones that might not have come through to my email as thats happened a couple of times so far this story, thankfully i noticed in time to include them so it didnt seem like i was ignoring them. On the plus side my review counter seems to be right which makes me laugh a little as its saying i have 405 reviews then you go onto the bit that says how many reviews for each chapter you have and for like the last 3 chapters its all set at zero. Glad you liked the snuggly moment, I know it was a really short one, there'll be a longer one probably in tomorrows chapter, I couldnt resist adding it... plus Porthos seems like he'd be a good snuggle partner... He seems to be snuggling everyone so far this story... Just need him to snuggle Aramis and he's done all three of them. I've briefly explained D'Arts state this chapter so hopefully it makes sense why i've done that but worry not our boys are keeping an eye on him too. Ooh Henri was pissed... It was GREAT :D I loved writing his furious moment but yeah he and the others are taking what Durand did as a betrayal... it probably hurt them more that what Viv did to be honest as they could kinda understand her reaction to the news but Durand had no reason to be talking about it and so they're kinda blaming him at the moment... Plus their honor wont let them hurt a woman so it's easier on them to hate Durand. I'm excited for Athos to be stable enough for Aramis and the others to deal with Viv... Should be a really interesting scene to write :D Enjoy the new chapter! x
As always many thanks and much love for following/favouriting/reviewing/reading
Enjoy!
xxx
Chapter Thirty-Five: Bleeding Out
"Hold him!" ordered Aramis, his voice sharp and commanding as he struggled against the fighting swordsman to get the bullet out of his chest.
As he worked D'Artagnan and Porthos fought to keep their still unconscious friend still so he didn't hurt himself further. More than once D'Artagnan almost lost his grip on the musketeer as, in his flailing, Athos managed to knock against the Gascon's broken ribs or arm, causing dark spots to dance across the edge of D'Artagnan's vision.
After the second time this happened D'Artagnan decided to compensate for his lack of grip given his injured and hence unusable hand, by kneeling on one of Athos's arms while his good arm pinned down the other.
For the trio the thrashing was probably the easiest past of the whole ordeal to endure… To hear Athos's screams of pain as Aramis worked to dig the bullet out of where it had lodged itself into the man's bone was beyond hard.
In the background they could hear yelling and vaguely realized that the remainder of their camp was dealing with the shooter, though none of this truly registered in the trio's mind as they focused on ignoring Athos's screaming and keeping him still enough to prevent any further damaged being dealt to any of them.
It was a relief for all involved when Aramis was finally able to get the bullet out and Athos fell still and silent once again.
"Damn," cursed Aramis as he made out the many pieces of fabric that had embedded themselves into the wound. Visibility of the wound itself was limited as it was bleeding freely but Aramis knew he needed to be sure that the wound was clear before he could do anything about closing it up.
The shot itself had hit the swordsman directly in the chest and Aramis was counting it as a miracle that a rib had stopped the bullet before it had been able to puncture the heart or a lung. Given the delicate area of the wound Aramis was determined to keep infection away at any cost so he knew he would have to work quickly to clear it of any foreign material.
"'Mis?" Porthos asked hesitantly, his concern and fear growing after the medic had cursed but said nothing more.
Noticing this Aramis was quick to explain the situation to the two grimacing men by his side, though he was pleasantly surprised when D'Artagnan, without being asked, pass him the finer pair of tweezers from his kit that would make removing the pieces of fabric much easier.
"Whelp," Porthos said catching the Gascon's attention. If anything the young man's response and reaction to the whole situation was worrying the larger musketeer though he had precious little time to act on it. "We're gonna need some alcohol to douse the wound with once 'Mis is clear. See if Henri's got any, 'Mis's supply ran out treating the Captain and Favier."
Knowing there would be little he could do to help at this stage D'Artagnan nodded stiffly before rising somewhat unsteadily to his feet.
"You good there pup?" asked Porthos worriedly as he saw the boy swaying dangerously. Once again though the Gascon offered no verbal response and merely nodded before staggering off to find Henri.
As Aramis worked on clearing the wound Porthos shifted so he was on the opposite side of his friend and did his best to give Aramis a wider visibility field by constantly wiping away as much of the blood as he could.
"Henri," murmured Alain, who had stepped away from Treville to get an update, as he noticed D'Artagnan approaching the group, nodding at the Gascon both he and Henri waited anxiously for news on their comrade.
"D'Artagnan?" Henri said hesitantly, surprised by the emotionless mask on the young man's face. It was a look they had never seen on him before though Henri realized with a growing feeling of both sympathy and fondness that being emotionally detached from the whole thing was probably the only thing allowing the young man, who so deeply treasured his friendship with the injured musketeer, to function and to be of any help.
"Aramis needs alcohol," explained the Gascon, his voice matching his emotionless face. "He used the last on the Captain."
Nodding in understanding Alain stepped forward with a bottle of wine, "Pilfered it from that bastard Daviau's cellar… It's the good stuff too."
Taking the bottle in his good hand and holding it close to his chest D'Artagnan nodded his thanks before turning back to begin returning to Athos's side.
"D'Artagnan…" called Henri, his voice thick with emotion as he watched the young Gascon turn back to face him.
"H-How's he doing?"
For a split second both Henri and Alain saw the Gascon's mask falter as an incredibly pained expression flickered across his face, though it was masked again straight away.
D'Artagnan, who was unwilling to give the men false hope or half-truths simply said, "Aramis has him," before turning and leaving, this time making it back to his friend's side with no interruptions
Watching from his spot by Favier's side Issac felt pity warring with anger inside him, pity for his friends who were suffering like he had only days before. Nearly all of Paris knew of the inseparables, of how deep their bond of brotherhood went and how much they would do for each other and every single member of the regiment had seen how easily D'Artagnan had meshed with the tight knit trio. For one of theirs to be in such critical condition would be immensely painful for the remaining members. Issac's own heart still felt like it was in a vice from what had happened to Favier so he knew exactly what his comrades were feeling and he would have given almost anything for it not to have happened.
When Athos's screams once again pierced the air, anger won the war within him and the musketeer found himself almost grateful for Favier's condition as it gave him the focus needed not to go charging into the compound and get revenge on both Vivienne and Durand for their actions.
Before his mind could get too into dark revengeful thoughts a soft groan caught his attention and had his breath hitching in his throat.
"F…F-Fav?" He whispered, his voice hopeful as his eyes, though full of tears, locked onto his friend's face.
"…Is?" came the raspy reply from the newly awakened musketeer, but even the hoarseness of his voice was like music to Issac's ears as he collapsed against his friend's chest, sobs shaking his frame as he let all the worried tension he had been carrying since the attack be washed away by relief.
"…Is?" Faiver tried again as his hand weakly came up to rest lightly on Issac's trembling back, his face scrunched up in confusion at his friend's actions. By the pain threatening to overwhelm him he could tell he had been injured but anything more than that was a mystery.
"Y-You're awake," breathed Issac, a beaming smile on his face as he used the heel of his hand to wipe away the tears from his cheeks.
"H-How long?"
"A while," answered Issac, unsure of exactly how long as he had been completely absorbed with taking care of the man in front of him he had not noticed the hours going by, even forgetting to eat on most occasions and it was only because of Henri's and the other musketeer's insistence that he hadn't already collapsed from not eating.
"A lot's happened while you've been sleeping old friend," sighed Issac as he explained what had been happening whilst the musketeer had been unconscious.
"Wh-What are we… doing with Du-Durand?" asked Favier, his voice a weak growl as anger sparked in his eyes. The regiment was a brotherhood and no one took Durand's actions as anything less than a betrayal.
Matching anger burned in Issac's eyes though he tried to push it away as he checked on Favier's healing wound. "Depends on how Athos does. If he doesn't make it aint no one here who'll stop Aramis and the rest of them from doing whatever they see fit."
"He'll survive," grunted Favier, hissing slightly as Issac pressed lightly on his wound.
Issac nodded in agreement, his faith in the medic's skills and the musketeer's own strength strong enough to believe in a positive outcome. "Henri has Durand locked up under watch in the compound. According to Blaise Vivienne's been asking for updates in between sobbing and apologizing. He's told her nothing of course but at least she seems somewhat remorseful, Durand keeps yelling about how none of this is his fault."
Favier growled, he was a man who strongly believed in owning up to your actions, even the bad ones, so for Durand, who clearly had played a vital role in what went down, to deny responsibility was only making the injured musketeer hate him more. "If… Captain… been awake..."
"If the Captain had been conscious Durand wouldn't have dared drink whilst on guard duty," spat Issac before softening his expression as he watched his friends eyes struggle to stay open. "You need rest," he said softly.
"…'m not tired," stated Favier, though it came out more slurred then the man had probably intended.
"Maybe not," shrugged Issac with a gentle smile, "but you need the rest. Get some sleep and I'll wake you when we have more news."
"Are you sure about this 'Mis?" asked Porthos warily as he placed the dagger on their small campfire to begin heating up.
"… No," admitted the medic weakly, exhaustion and worry clear in the man's face and voice. "But we have not other choice, the stitches aren't holding and he's losing too much blood to wait for another option."
Porthos could see how much pain it was causing his friend to make this decision so he quickly pulled the man into a one armed hug, hoping to give him some measure of comfort.
Aramis was a tactile person on a normal day but now, with Athos like he was, he found himself craving the comfort Porthos's touch gave him and he sagged against the larger musketeer, allowing himself a few moments before returning to the situation at hand.
"D'Art," he said, breaking the boy's focus on their unconscious friend. Once again D'Artagnan offered no verbal response, only raised a questioning eyebrow that was so similar a look to Athos's own it almost hurt to see.
"The water skin over there," explained the medic, watching as the Gascon moved to get it without having to be asked, once the boy returned he continued, "you need to drink what's in there."
"…Why?" asked D'Artagnan, tilting his head to one side as he observed his tired friend.
"I was going to give it to you in the morning but you might as well have it now, plus dawn will be arriving soon anyway. It's something for your fever."
Instantly D'Artagnan put the water skin down, picking up a cool cloth instead, "I'm fine," he mumbled as he placed the cloth on Athos's forehead.
"Drink the damn drink D'Artagnan!" snapped Aramis, surprising everyone, including himself with his outburst. "Don't you think we have enough on our plate right now? We don't need to watching to see if you're going to pass out because you're too damn stubborn to take the medicine!"
At the end of his outburst Aramis was breathing heavily and guilt filled him as he saw the hurt, guilt and pain flash over D'Artagnan's previously emotionless face. It was quickly replaced with a furious glare as the boy downed the water skin's contents in one long drink before tossing it to side and returning his attention to Athos.
"D'Art," breathed Aramis as he began to reach out to the boy, hating that he had spoken so harshly to the young man, even if he didn't regret the intent behind the words.
Seeing the way that D'Artagnan angled his body away from the marksman Porthos was quick to grab one of Aramis's arms, stopping him before he could touch the Gascon, shaking his head as Aramis turned to look at him.
"Blade's nearly ready 'Mis," commented Porthos, ignoring the thick tension now settling in between them.
Aramis nodded and began unwrapping the tight bandage they had been using to slow the blood loss while the blade heated. "He's going to fight us so be ready," he instructed, taking the heated blade from Porthos as he steadied himself with a deep breath.
"Ready?"