Evening My Lovelies
Sorry this chapter is a little bit later then usual, I started writing it really late so it took me a while to finish.
Notes On Reviews:
Deana: Thanks for the review - Our boys definitely aren't having an easy ride of things :) Enjoy the new chapter! x
criminally charmed: Thanks for the review - Haha Yeah I know, he's too busy getting whumped when I write to have protective moments :D He's protective side is going to come out a lot more in my next story so I'm really looking forward to writing that. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Katie (Guest): Thanks for the review - Athos is going to get worse before he'll get better but I have no plans (currently) to kill him off. I couldn't resist that ending when it came into my mind so I'm really glad you liked it. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Debbie (Guest): Thanks for the review - I was tempted to have him pour a bucket over him but as amusing as that would be to picture, D'Arts a bit too weak to be doing that. I hadn't originally planned for Aramis to throw a fit but I really liked the idea :) Enjoy the new chapter! x
romirola: Thanks for the review - Glad you're liking it so far :) Enjoy the new chapter! x
watlocked: Thanks for the review - Bwahaha I hadn't even thought of it like that but omg now I can't get the image of it out of my head. I suppose it was fitting as he's their pup :D Oooh ouch hope your throat's doing better now... If not maybe D'Art'll share some of his honey-tea with you :D Enjoy the new chapter! x
Tidia: Thanks for the review - Did you have a good vacation? Worried D'Art is always fun to write though it's a bit hard at the moment as I'm trying to keep his talking to a minimum. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Issai: Thanks for the reviews - (chapter 44) Hmm how odd, I didn't get anything through to say you reviewed yesterday otherwise I would have responded then, sorry about that! D'Art's kinda in protection mode lately with is cute because he's really not in any condition to actually do much. Viv, despite her current hatred of Aramis, is confident he'll save her from that fate though I am looking forward to Treville threatening her with it :) That wont happen until they're back in Paris or at least on their way back I think, everyones a bit too worried for Athos at the moment to be sparing Viv or Durand a thought. (chapter 45) I'm feeling a bit bad for Aramis now, he's only just gotten off to sleep and I'm going to be waking him up again today. He's definitely going to be feeling the guilt for letting the whole situation with Viv distract him from checking on his friend. D'Art's the ever loyal puppy running off to fetch help when he's master's in trouble lol :D Worried Treville is always fun... not as much fun as protective papa-bear Treville but fun enough :D As for Athos's and Porthos's search for Aramis at Savoy, I have an idea to expand that, possibly into it's own one-shot (keep getting ideas for one-shots lately :D) should be fun :) Enjoy the new chapter! x
f1gymnast: Thanks for the review - Haha I think at this point Moreau is seriously considering drugging them all, just to keep them from harming themselves further then anything else i reckon lol :D Feeling a bit bad for Aramis as he's finally getting some rest and then I come alone and wake him up again :) Enjoy the new chapter! x
Helensg: Thanks for the review - Oooh don't worry about Athos I have some evil thoughts/ideas in mind for him, he wont be having the smoothest (almost wrote smoothie then oops! lol) recovery. D'Art's an injured pup on a mission lately, which is fun to write... a little hard as I'm trying to keep him a silent as possible because of his throat. Aramis and Porthos are becoming aware of the whole Athos situation today so they'll be able to help our doc and pup :) Enjoy the new chapter! x
Lilac Lavender: Thanks for the review - Hmm you should know better by now then to be an optimist when my evil little mind's involved lol :D I really liked the prompt too :) it worked as a better explanation then he was just that exhausted that he fell into a deep sleep. Aramis is going to be feeling a bit guilty for not thinking to check on his friend sooner but Athos will put him right when he's both conscious and lucid enough to do so :) I loved writing D'Art taking care of Athos and the worry he was feeling. I usually write it the other way around so it was a really nice change to have D'Art being the worrier for once. Plus I'm thinking it might lead to a cute brotherly conversation between the two of them later on :D Enjoy the new chapter! x
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Enjoy!
xxx
Chapter Forty-Six: Complications
As Moreau worked to create a poultice to help draw the infection from Athos's wound his eyes frequently found themselves watching the young Gascon who, despite the pain in his own body, refused to leave his mentor's side.
He hadn't seen much of the relationship between the two during the pair's time at the garrison as the inseparables had their own medic in Aramis, though Moreau had heard about it from the other men he treated in the infirmary.
Most of the regiment were still in shock over how easily the trio had accepted the young man into their closed knit group. The group wasn't unwelcoming to the rest of the regiment but they certainly didn't let just anyone join them on missions or sit with them at their table.
Several members of the regiment, mainly those who had been in the courtyard when D'Artagnan had first appeared, were equally as impressed with the Gascon as the inseparables seemed to be, the gossip around the garrison hadn't stopped for several days after the incident and it seemed that no one was surprised when the young man who had the audacity to charge into the regiment and demand a duel to the death with one of their best men, only to then have a change of heart and help save his life when he was framed, had reappeared asking, or begging depending on who you spoke to, for the trio to train him.
Moreau himself knew full well how hard Athos trained any recruit or musketeer sent his way having had to be the one who treated those training-induced injuries so he was quite impressed when he had spotted the swordsman rigorously training the young Gascon now sitting by his side. Despite the sweat pouring off of him and the numerous bruises already starting to appear the boy seemed joyful and determined as he worked to perfect the moves shown to him and fix the gaps in his defense.
Sparing the boy another look as he finished work on the poultice he could see how much it was killing him to be just sitting there, unable to do anything to help.
Deciding to take pity on the boy Moreau held out the bowl that now held a finished poultice. "It's quite cold on the skin and I doubt you'll be able to hold him down if it causes him to fight."
A determined yet grateful look entered the tired young man's eyes as he took the bowl from Moreau. D'Artagnan knew the doctor was most likely over exaggerating Athos's possible reaction to give him an excuse and reason to help and given how much it was hurting him to sit there and do nothing he was deeply thankful for the chance to help.
"There's enough in there for several applications if we need it," explained Moreau as he moved to hold Athos still. "We need a hearty amount of it on the wound then we'll leave it uncovered for a little while as we look over the rest of him."
Knowing he would be scolded if he tried talking D'Artagnan merely nodded before setting to work, doing his best to ignore the heat he could feel coming from his mentor's skin.
"Right," sighed Moreau, a small frown pulling at his lips at the complete lack of reaction from the unconscious musketeer, "I'm going to make something for his fever, with luck we can stop it before it gets any higher. I know Aramis makes quite a potent balm for bruises; I don't suppose you have any on do you? It appears our patient could really do with some." He asked as he observed the nearly pitch black bruises on Athos's wrists and ankles.
A dark look of anger flashed across D'Artagnan face as he thought of the pain his friends had been forced to endure, once he noticed the worried look Moreau was sending him he however, he was quick to smother the look and offer the man a small smile with a nod as he pulled the small tin containing the balm from his pocket.
With a nod of his own to the boy Moreau set to work preparing the draught, both men worked in studious silence and because of this did not notice the attention they had gathered until a voice interrupted them.
"Doctor Moreau? Is everything okay with Athos?"
Moreau blinked in surprise at the new arrival, tearing his eyes away from his work he saw both Henri and Corbett standing before him with worried expressions on their faces.
"I thought you were with the Captain Monsieur Corbett," mused Moreau as he returned to work, the unconscious musketeer's fever was continuing to rise and as a result the doctor really didn't have time to waste.
Corbett shrugged, "managed to get him to have a nap. I know he wants to leave soon but we'll struggle to do that if he's too out of it when we try to leave."
"What about Athos?" snapped Henri; the musketeer annoyed by the fact the doctor had ignored his initial enquiry. Athos was their lieutenant and a deeply respected member of the regiment, to see him in such a condition was troubling.
"He has developed several complications," stated Moreau, his face showing his displeasure at Henri's rude tone, "Complications you are now delaying me from treating with your questions."
"If you need any assistance do not hesitate call," stated the musketeer, an apologetic look on his face as he looked at the unconscious swordsman. He hadn't meant to distract the doctor and D'Artagnan from what they were doing but he had been beyond worried when he had first spotted the pair of them working on Athos.
"Hey Henri," greeted Porthos, slightly surprised the man had approached him. When Aramis had exited the compound the larger musketeer had taken him to a secluded spot, knowing his friend needed some time to process everything. Their spot was positioned in a way that allowed the musketeers at the camp to see where they were but not what they were doing or hear what they were talking about, not that they really had to worry about that, every person in the camp had gotten the silent message to stay away until further notice, which is why Porthos was so surprised to see Henri standing before him.
"You might want to wake Aramis up," stated Henri as he gazed down at the sleeping medic who was nestled against Porthos's side
"Why?"
"Just trust me, he's going to want to hear this."
Porthos's eyes narrowed into a slight glare, "This is the first bit of real rest he's had in a while so if you think I'm going to wake him from that when you yourself have commented on his need for it, just because you say 'trust me'… You need to give me more than that Henri, what's going on?"
Henri sighed, "It's about Athos."
That's all it took, the name of one of his dearest friends and Porthos was completely on board with waking Aramis up.
"'Mis," he called, gently shaking the man in an effort to rouse him.
"…Go…'Way," mumbled Aramis sleepily as he tried to nestle back into Porthos's side.
His words and childish response drew a chuckle from Porthos but when he saw the complete serious look on Henri's face he knew things were bad.
"Not this time 'Mis," he said softly, once again offering the man a gentle shake, "Athos's needs us."
Just like with Porthos that one sentence was enough to push through the sleep-filled haze of the medic's brain and force him away.
"Athos?" he asked, his voice still thick with sleep.
"Has developed complications," stated Henri bluntly, internally wincing at the look of concern that immediately appeared on both men's faces, "D'Artagnan and the doc are with him but I figured you'd want to know."
"Thanks Henri," nodded Porthos as he helped Aramis to his feet before the pair raced across the camp to their unconscious brother.
"What the hell happened!?" demanded Aramis as he and Porthos came to a stop by Athos's side.
The scene they arrived to would have been full of teasing opportunities had the situation not been dire. Athos lay unconscious, his head propped up on D'Artagnan's knees as the young man slowly poured the contents of a vial down his throat. While this was happening doctor Moreau had finally moved to look at Athos's damaged ankle and was in the middle of unwrapping it so he could realign the bones.
Looking up from Athos's ankle with a raised eye brow Moreau filled the two men in on what had transpired so far with their friend as well as what steps they had taken to treat them.
With his anger at Vivienne still fresh in his mind the news of Athos's declining health was the last thing that Aramis needed. Spinning on his heels he glared at the clearly worried Gascon.
"Why didn't you come and get me?" he snapped, furious that D'Artagnan had left Athos's care in someone else's hands.
D'Artagnan flinched at the anger in Aramis's voice, he had been trying to help by letting his friend sleep but he knew if he tried to convey that now there was every chance that Aramis would punch him.
"You were too far away," stated Moreau with clear warning in his voice as he stared down the medic. "Surely you've noticed how weak the boy's body is after being poisoned, I'm honestly surprised he was able to stand, let alone reach me. Your boy knew he would never be able to make it all the way across the camp to where the pair of you had moved off to, so he came to me."
Moreau's words were like a slap to the face for Aramis and it instantly knocked the anger out of him. Guilt filled him when he observed the Gascon; even sitting up was undoubtedly causing him pain if the strained look in his eyes was anything to go by.
"D'Art," he breathed, the desire to apologize clear on his face.
Seeing this D'Artagnan offered his friend a small smile, "It's… fine Aramis," he rasped, his voice barely more than a whisper.
Porthos grimaced at the sound of D'Artagnan's voice, "When's the last time you had some more of that tea the Captain made for you?"
The sheepish look on D'Artagnan's face told Porthos everything he needed to know. Sighing the larger musketeer ruffled the boy's hair; "I'll be back with some in a minute, take care of the pair of them while I'm gone."