Evening My Lovelies
So I'm quite surprised how well this chapter has come together consider I only had like an hour or so to write it.
Athos's is back (kinda) today, he might come across a bit out of character but please remember he's currently fighting quite the fever that's messing with his head a bit.
Notes On Reviews:
romirola: Thanks for the review - Glad you're liking the story so far :) Enjoy the new chapter! x
Tidia: Thanks for the review - I think Moreau sees D'Art as a bit of a kicked puppy at the moment hence he's protective of him :) D'Art will definitely be doing better once Athos starts to recover. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Katie (Guest): Thanks for the review - Fortunately for D'Art Aramis has realized that he's been unfair and horrid to his friend with all the yelling so is making amends today :) Should stave off the breakdown lol. Enjoy the new chapter! x
criminally charmed: Thanks for the review - Haha true :) Thankfully Aramis is realizing that he's been quite the lousy friend to our pup and is seeking to make amends today so maybe we can forgive him :) Enjoy the new chapter! x
Debbie (Guest): Thanks for the review - Athos's recovery is going to be a long one but we do get to see him awake (briefly) today but can't promise everything's going to be smooth sailing for them. Aramis is making amends today so hopefully he can get back into your good books now :) Enjoy the new chapter! x
Deana: Thanks for the review - They're not having an easy time that's for sure. Enjoy the new chapter! x
watlocked: Thanks for the review - Glad you're doing better :) I'm glad you're enjoying everything story-wise so far. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Helensg: Thanks for the review - Aramis will be making some more amends to our lovely pup today (the idea wouldn't leave my mind all day at work so I had to write it). Glad you liked Porthos & Aramis's reactions to hearing Athos needed them and hope you enjoyed your smoothie lol Enjoy the new chapter! x
Maryg (Guest): Thanks for the review - Things are becoming a little less stressed in this chapter, mainly as there's only so much they can do before it's up to Athos and his body to do the rest. We're going to see a bonding moment between Aramis and D'Art as I figured they need a nice moment after all the yelling. Enjoy the new chapter! x
f1gymnast: Thanks for the review - Athos is waking up (briefly) today though I can't promise that it'll be a good thing. Thankfully Moreau's words yesterday have spurred Aramis to realize how mean he's been treating D'Artagnan so they're going to have a bonding moment today in an effort to make amends. I do agree that poor Moreau's going to both need and deserve a holiday after all this. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Issai: Thanks for the review - Treville's popping up briefly today to get an update, i think he's concern is overruling his anger at the moment. D'Art's too much like a kicked puppy at the moment so it's too hard not to try to protect him. I think I'm definitely going to write the Savoy thing more, though it'll be a one-shot when this is all done. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Lilac Lavender: Thanks for the review - I'm glad you liked the little backstory moment, I wasn't sure if it would come across as me simply trying to pack out the chapter a bit but I really wanted to show how he was accepted as a way of explaining his desire to help his mentor. D'Arts too much of a kicked puppy at the moment for Moreau not to take pity on him by giving him something to do. I loved writing Porthos's protective moment as well as the caring older brother that came out when he heard D'Art talk. Aramis has, thankfully, realized he's been a bit of a lousy friend to our pup so is making amends today... mainly because the idea for it wouldnt leave my head the entire day at work so I had to write it :) ... Wow 3 words, that it? I'm doing better then I thought at keeping the pup quiet... He's speaking a bit more today, which is unfortunately going to cause him some pain. Enjoy the new chapter! x
As always much love and many thanks for following/favouriting/reviewing/reading
Enjoy!
xxx
Chapter Forty-Seven: Amends and Fevered Rambling.
The tension amongst the group returned once Porthos left, Moreau could tell the two men beside him needed time to talk alone so with an overly loud cough to clear his throat he slowly stood.
"I'm going to get some more water," he stated when both men looked at him questioningly, "There's not much more I can do at the moment, we just have to keep him cool and hydrated."
Aramis nodded as he watched the doctor leave, guilt churning inside him as he subtly gazed over to D'Artagnan. The last thing he wanted to do was fight with his friend, he felt that if he let the anger he felt because of Vivienne push his friends away then it was granting her a victory over him, something he refused to allow.
The sharpshooter was pulled from his musing by a painful sounding cough that was quickly followed by a small whimper.
"Here," he said softly, passing D'Artagnan the water skin attached to his belt, "It's not a soothing as the tea but maybe it'll help."
D'Artagnan looked at the water skin in surprise and for a moment Aramis thought he would decline, so a small but bright smile lit his face when D'Artagnan took the canteen with a small smile of thanks.
While D'Artagnan focused on taking a drink of the cool, soothing water Aramis took a moment to observe Athos. He knew his friend would be angry to know how he had gone off on the Gascon, who true to his nature, had only been trying to help.
Sighing Aramis could feel the guilt bubbling up again, he knew D'Artagnan would never do anything to intentionally put any of them at risk and would most likely have come to him first had he been able to so why had he thought otherwise…
D'Artagnan, oblivious to his friend's inner turmoil, had just screwed the cap back onto Aramis's water skin when a warm, yet familiar, body collided with him, pulling him into a firm but gentle embrace.
"I'm really sorry D'Art," whispered Aramis as he tightened his embrace of the boy, who was too stunned by the man's actions to really respond. After a few moments though Aramis could feel him relax as his hands came to wrap around him tentatively.
"I've let the events of the last few days change me from my usual charming self and have taken my frustration out on you," he apologized softly, tears springing to his eyes as he thought of what they had all been through the last few days.
Pulling back slightly so he could look his stunned friend in the eye and with a cough to clear his throat and a quick shake of his head to dispel any tears he continued, "Which is the last thing you need right now after being poisoned and I'm really a terrible friend. I mean, you're in pain right now and still helping Athos and then I come along and yell at you for not coming to get me."
Listening to his friend rant out an apology was something of a surprise to the Gascon; he knew his friend had been though the ringer the last few days with everything happening with Vivienne and his poisoning. He didn't blame Aramis for finally reaching his limit and while it hurt that he had taken his frustrations out on him D'Artagnan would rather that then seeing a repeat of the hurt he had seen in Porthos's eyes after their argument earlier that day.
Pulling himself out of his musing D'Artagnan was equally surprised to still hear Aramis apologizing, so to silence his friend he tightened his grip on the medic as much as his weakened arms would allow, pulling him close to his chest and drawing a small squeak of surprise from the marksman.
"…It's okay," he whispered, doing his best not to let it show on his face just how much it hurt to talk.
Aramis shook his head, apparently determined to feel guilty for all this, "It's not okay I –"
"Am forgiven," interrupted D'Artagnan determinedly with a smile
"I - … What?"
A booming laugh from behind them startled the pair. "Well done whelp, aint seem 'Mis so speechless in a long time."
D'Artagnan returned the smile Porthos sent his way, though his eyes immediately locked onto the steaming mug in his hand.
Noticing this Porthos handed the Gascon the mug with a slight chuckle. "Might not be as good as the Captain's but he's sleeping right now so…"
Taking a sip of the soothing drink D'Artagnan sent his friend a grateful look that had Porthos once again reaching out and ruffling the younger man's dark hair.
For the next few hours the trio settled into their own little bubble as they worked on keeping Athos's fever from getting any worse. They created their own little system of getting some rest as they worked after a very stern Doctor Moreau threatened to drug all three of them if he didn't see them getting some rest. While two of them worked to keep Athos cool and occasionally giving him something for his pain or fever, the other member would be napping, then an hour or so later they would swap out so there was always someone getting some rest.
Ideally they probably needed more than just an hours rest at a time but none of them were overly comfortable with the idea of being asleep when Athos needed them.
Well into their fourth hour of this is when Treville, who had woken just over an hour earlier and had been looked over by the doctor, approached them for an update.
"Depends," grumbled Porthos, "You want the good news or the bad?"
"Well that just makes it sound ominous," teased Aramis lightly from his spot by Athos's head. While he understood Porthos's frustrations he didn't want to worry their Captain until things truly became dire.
Ignoring the medic's attempt at easing the tension Treville allowed his focus to remain on Porthos, "Good," he stated.
"He's beginning to respond more to stimulants like water," explained Aramis, proving the point when he replaced the now lukewarm cloth on his forehead with a cooler one and Athos groaned quietly before settling down once again.
"And he's fever aint getting worse," added Porthos
Treville nodded, not really liking that this was what they were considering to be 'good' news. "And the bad?"
"The fever's still really high," explained Aramis with a sigh, "While it's not getting worse it's not getting better either and he's at risk of a seizure with it as hot as it is and that's the last thing his broken bones need right now."
"And he's still unconscious," added Porthos, though that point was obvious, something Aramis felt like pointing out with a cheeky grin.
Sighing Porthos simply cuffed his friend round the back of his head in retaliation before reminding him that the Captain wanted an update.
"Gentlemen…" scolded Treville, though inwardly he was pleased to see a lightness return to Aramis's eyes.
"Sorry Captain," they said as one, causing the Captain to huff out a laugh before turning serious.
"Anything changes or you need assistance you call, understood?"
Both Aramis and Porthos nodded before returning to the conversation they had been having before Treville's arrival once the Captain had left.
It was a little while later, just after Porthos had woken D'Artagnan and was about to settle down himself when Athos once again stirred. Only this time he seemed much closer to waking then any of his previous attempts.
"Athos?" called Aramis gently as the three of them crowded around their fallen friend. "Come on mon ami let us see those lovely eyes of yours."
It took a few minutes more and a lot of calling from Aramis and Porthos, the pair having silenced D'Artagnan from doing so after the boy's first attempt, but eventually they were rewarded with Athos's eyes fluttering open, a soft groan escaping the musketeer.
"It is a relief to see you awake my friend," grinned Aramis when his friend's glazed eyes locked on him, confusion was evident in his face but that was to be expected.
"…Wha'?" slurred Athos in confusion, his glazed over eyes flicking between the three men before settling on a worried D'Artagnan.
"You really sick 'Thos," explained Porthos gently, "Have a fever to rival the one the whelp was sporting when we found him." At this D'Artagnan pulled his gaze from his mentor to send Porthos an annoyed look that was clearly meant to say something along the lines of I found you not the other way around.
"I'm really sorry Athos," apologized Aramis, guilt heavy in his voice, "With everything that's happened I forgot to check your wound and it got infected… This is all my fault."
Seemingly un-phased by his friend's apologies Athos's fever-filled eyes once again landed on D'Artagnan.
"…T'omas…" he sighed tiredly, making the Gascon's eyes widen in surprise while Porthos and Aramis's crinkled in confusion.
D'Artagnan shook his head, worry filling his eyes, "…D'Artagnan," he rasped pointing at himself, though it didn't seem to register in his friend's mind.
"…'msorry T'omas…" slurred the musketeer, the sadness and guilt in his eyes breaking the hearts of his friends. "…Failed…"
D'Artagnan knew that Athos's fever was causing him to think he was his little brother, most likely as he was the only one of the group who knew of Thomas's existence thanks and because he was the youngest, therefore closest in age to what Thomas had been when he had been murdered.
But even knowing it was the fever doing it D'Artagnan couldn't help but feel slightly touched that he reminded the man enough of his little brother that his subconscious confused the two.
The guilt and pain he heard in his mentor's voice was enough to push that pleased feeling to one side and spur the stubborn Gascon to grip Athos tightly by the shoulder, forcing the exhausted musketeer to look at him.
"…Not your fault," rasped D'Artagnan, fighting to keep the tears of pain from falling as he forced his voice to be loud enough for the sick man to hear. "You… Didn't fail."
During this entire exchange Porthos and Aramis watched with pained confusion. They might not have understood what it was all about but they were brother… when one was hurting they all hurt and the pain in Athos's slurred voice was more than enough to make that statement a reality.