Evening My Lovelies
Wow 50 chapters! This story is about 10-20 chapters more then I had originally planned... and we're not in Paris yet!
So... Yesterday I promised a guest reviewer who sent me quite a nice review that we would get some D'Art whumpage today so I'm hoping you'll like what my evil mind settled on :D
Notes On Reviews:
romirola: Thanks for the review - I don't think Athos will ever let go of that guilt unfortunately. Hmmm your words about the new season don't fill me with much hope. I really liked the first episode but it only aired in the UK at the weekend so... I thought it was a promising start (I still REALLY want to pat Porthos's hair and see if it feels as fluffy as it looks) but now I'm going to temper my expectations for the rest of the season... I'm not sure what to really make of this new minister of France baddie and my God was Louis annoying! I think I might seriously have to write some Louis whump if they keep him as annoying as he was in that episode... screw it I'll probably write it anyways lol :D Anyways enough rambling from me :) I'm glad you count my stories in that list and never midn about ranting, I love a good rant so feel free to rant away whenever you want :D Enjoy the new chapter! x
Deana: Thanks for the review - Yay glad you liked it :) Enjoy the new chapter! x
Helensg: Thanks for the review - Glad you thought so :) Enjoy the new chapter! x
Maryg (Guest): Thanks for the review - Haha yeah when things get sweet you know something bad is about to happen XD Today its a bit of D'Art whump :) Enjoy the new chapter! x
f1gymnast: Thanks for the review - I pretty much decided to make up for the lack of snugglyness with that last chapter lol :) Athos needed to hear that they don't consider him a burden. He's never going to lose the guilt over Thomas but finding and getting the acceptance from his brothers is definitely helping him heal :) Unfortunately for D'Art our pup is going to have some more important things to be worrying about today instead of being left out (I was feeling mean) :) Enjoy the new chapter! x
Debbie (Guest): Thanks for the review - Poor D'Art has no idea what's going on much to his annoyance when he eventually realizes he's been left out I suppose :) I was really worried about the Thomas talk, it was such a big part of the chapter and I really didnt want to mess it up. Thankfully it seems to have gone over well so I can breathe a sigh of relief now :D Enjoy the new chapter! x
criminally charmed: Thanks for the review - Glad you enjoyed the sweetness and I would be offended that you think I'm just going to go a head and destroy the peace if we both didn't already know what I'm like lol. I'm not sure if today's chapter counts for destroying the peace but there's some whumpage so hopefully you'll like it regardless. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Issai: Thanks for the review - Part of me feels like Athos might have been willing to mention it before but the duo respected Athos's privacy too much to bring up his past and he was to guilt ridden to bring it up himself. Aramis gets to protest today though :) Only briefly as Treville's not in the best of moods. Yep one day down... what's this new day going to bring :) Enjoy the new chapter! x
watlocked: Thanks for the review - Good to know :) We're going to see Aramis getting restrained by Favier today, hopefully it lives up to the image in your mind. I'm really glad you liked their chat, I was really nervous about it as it was a good half of the chapter and a pretty important chat that I had to get right. It seems to have gone over well with everyone that's reviewed so I'm gonna count that as a win :) With regards to the 3rd season I've only seen the first episode as it aired over here on Saturday night, personally I really liked it though we'll have to see if the rest of the season matches that. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Lilac Lavender: Thanks for the review - I know right :D So full of snuggles :D I think my brain was trying to make up for the lack of snuggly moments throughout the story by throwing as many as possible into that one chapter lol :) (not that I'm complaining they're cute to write) I kinda get the idea that Porthos would be use to sleeping like that with Flea and Charon during winters in the court so it ends up being almost second nature when they sleep together now. I'm not sure where the teddy bear idea came from but I couldn't resist adding it. I think there's something so vulnerable about the fetal position that it would be impossible for Athos not to get all the feels from seeing D'Art like that. D'Art's just a very snuggly sleeper it seems lol. As for how D'Art ended up in Aramis's lap I'm kinda thinking that they placed D'Art near Aramis and our lovable medic couldnt resist offering the boy some comfort... maybe he was whimpering quietly over his arm or ribs or something... I don't think D'Arts consciously comfortable enough to just start snuggling with them yet, i get the feeling he only does that when he's asleep :) Glad you liked the Thomas talk as I'm now dubbing it :) I really wanted it to be heavy with the emotion and I think, judging by the reviews I've received, that I've managed to do that :) Yay for season 3! I'm only one episode in but I'm really looking forward to seeing where it goes from here... I did get quite happy when I noticed they have a baddy called Lucien in it :) I think they stole the name from my story... he doesnt seem as crazy and creepy as my Lucien was though... I've heard some... not so good things about this final season so I'm trying to remain optimistic and hopeful while not raising my expectations too high for it... though if Porthos doesnt cut his hair I'm going to spend the entire season wanting to pet it lol XD Thanks for taking the time to review when you've clearly had a busy day :) Enjoy the new chapter! x
As always much love and many thanks for following/favouriting/reviewing/reading. You guys are awesome!
Enjoy!
xxx
Chapter Fifty: Day Two I
The trio was still in the middle of their group hug when a hoarse and slightly confused voice caught their attention.
"…Clearly I've missed something," mused D'Artagnan with a bemused expression on his face as he watched his three friends, each suspiciously teary eyed, tightly embracing each other, although Athos looked like slightly unwilling participant.
"Jeez whelp," grimaced Porthos at hearing the boy's voice, no matter how many times they heard it, the hoarseness of it made them wince in sympathy, "We need to get you some more of that tea."
D'Artagnan shrugged off his concern, his sleep-dulled mind still focused on what he had witnessed upon waking.
"Why are you all hugging?" he asked tiredly, his good hand coming up to wipe the sleep from his eyes as he spoke. Before his friend's could answer his question the Gascon's mind finally registered something else.
"Athos!" he exclaimed, his voice barely above a whisper but the joy in it was clear for them all to hear, "You're awake!"
"And doing better," chirped Aramis gleefully as Athos nodded at his protégé.
"Moreau says I have you to thank for the quick medical aid I received," stated Athos, his thanks clear in his voice and D'Artagnan, still beaming at seeing his mentor awake, blushes deep red at the praise.
"How are you doing?" Athos asks when it became clear the Gascon was either too embarrassed by the praise or in too much pain from his throat to respond.
The trio of musketeers took the latter to be true when D'Artagnan offered a weak attempt at a grin and waved his hand in a dismissive manner.
"Even when he can't talk he still finds ways to say he's fine when he's not," grumbled Aramis as he moved from Athos's side to do one last check over his young friend before the four of them settled for the night.
The following morning's departure was slower then the day before thanks to the quartet now being awake and being very vocal about being forced into the wagons.
Athos was surprising the most compliant, knowing that as he didn't really feel like he had the strength to stand that he would never be allowed on a horse. Despite knowing this, the swordsman scowled the whole time it took to get him into the wagon.
Aramis was next as D'Artagnan was being given on last examination by Moreau, the boy's cough having returned an hour or so before.
"I'm no more injured then I was when I rode here so why can't I ride back?" pouted Aramis as he glared at the offending wagon.
Treville sighed; this was the third time the man had brought up this same argument in the last hour. "You're injured Aramis," snapped the Captain, "just get in the damn wagon!"
"So are you and you're not riding in the wagon!" retorted Aramis, though he began moving towards the wagon when he caught the look in Treville's face that had him paling slightly as he moved.
"I'm not riding a horse either Aramis," stated Treville with barely held in annoyance, "We'll see about letting you ride up front after lunch if it'll get you to stop moaning."
Athos and Porthos shared a look of sympathetic amusement for the grumbling Captain's plight, though Porthos ended the exchange when Moreau stated he was finished with D'Artagnan and that the boy could be moved to the wagon now.
"I can… walk on… my own," hissed D'Artagnan when Porthos tried to pick him up.
"I dunno D'Art," mused Porthos, though he seemed to be actively considering it, which gave D'Artagnan hope. "Doc said you're still really weak from whatever that poison did to you."
"Please Porthos," begged the Gascon as he tried to disguise just how much energy and focus it was taking to remain upright without crying out in pain. "I wont complain about being in the wagon just let me walk there by myself."
The paleness of the boy's skin was worrying to the larger man but a ride without him moaning about being forced into the back of a wagon was too tempting to resist so with a resigned sigh the musketeer waved his hand towards the wagon.
D'Artagnan beamed at being given permission, he had spent far too much time lately being weak and he desperately wanted to do something… anything, just to prove to himself that he was in fact getting better.
Pushing away from the tree he was subtly using as a crutch D'Artagnan eyed the wagon. It's barely ten steps away, he mused internally, I can do this.
Unfortunately for the Gascon, as much as his mind was convinced he could, his body was a different matter entirely as when he was a few steps away from the wagon his shaking legs had finally given out, sending the young man tumbling to the floor.
The shock of the sudden fall had D'Artagnan's body acting on instinct and thrusting out both of his arms to break his fall. The force of his weight colliding with his broken arm drew an excruciating scream from the young man's lips, the boy quickly curling into himself, his arm tight to his chest.
"D'ARTAGNAN!" screamed the three inseparables, Porthos racing to the still screaming boy's side whilst Aramis and Athos attempted to climb out of the wagons.
"Enough the pair of you," snapped Treville, walking between the two wagons so he could smack both men upside the head at the same time. "It took an hour to get the two of you in there so don't you even think about it, Moreau can look at him, that's what he's here for after all."
"Captain!" exclaimed Athos, looking lost at the order to sit still whilst D'Artagnan was crying out in pain.
"That's an order Athos," growled Treville, "Don't think I wont get Henri to come an hold you down now let the doctor work."
Treville then turned to Aramis, expecting a similar outburst from him only for the Captain's eyebrows to shoot up in surprise and amusement at the sight of Aramis glaring at Favier, who had wrapped his arms around the medic to prevent him from moving out of the wagon, both of them knowing that Aramis wouldn't try anything out of fear of ripping Favier's stitches. Nodding his thanks to the man Treville moved quickly to D'Artagnan's side, kneeling down by the boy.
"What's the damage?" Treville asked, not bothering to ask if he was okay, the young man wouldn't have screamed like he had or be crying like he was if he was okay.
"Landed bad on his broken arm," stated Moreau with a slight tsk as he tried to pry the offending appendage away from where D'Artagnan was keeping it tight to his chest.
"Whelp," soothed Porthos as he ran a hand through the boy's hair, doing his best to ignore the fat tears spilling down his face, "You need to let the doc look at your arm."
Almost immediately D'Artagnan violently shook his head, pulling his arm tighter to his chest as a small whimper of pain escaped his lips.
"I know whelp," whispered Porthos, his eyes full of sympathy for his young friend's pain. "But a fall like that could 'ave done more damage to it so you need to let Moreau look at it."
It took a few minutes of persuasion and soft soothing words from Porthos as well as one snapped order from Athos but eventually D'Artagnan did consent to the examination, slowly relinquishing his grip of his arm. As soon as he saw this Porthos offered the boy a soft smile before taking his uninjured hand in his own, knowing what was coming next was going to be painful.
"I need to check," said Moreau gently, his eyes full of sympathy for the young man, "I'll be as quick as I can but it will hurt."
The second Moreau's fingers began their examination D'Artagnan was screaming in pain, his eyes screwed shut and his good hand tightly squeezing Porthos's, the musketeer kindly not saying anything about the death grip his friend currently had on his hand, choosing instead to whisper soothing words into the Gascon's ear while stroking his hair .
After what felt like a lifetime for D'Artagnan, Moreau pulled his hands back and let out a sad sigh.
"What?" Porthos asked worriedly, really not liking the sound of the sigh that escaped the doctor. He quickly sent a look Aramis's way only to find the man once again being restrained by Favier.
"It's as I feared," admitted Moreau sadly, "The fall caused the broken bones to shift out of position." At this D'Artagnan, who had already gone pale, paled further. "I need to move them back if they're to have any chance of healing right."
Luckily for the group the threat of his arm not healing right and him thereby losing any chance of ever becoming a musketeer pushed any thoughts of protest out of D'Artagnan's mind. "D…Do it," he hissed through gritted teeth, letting out another scream when Moreau worked to correct his bone.
Once the bone was back in place Moreau wasted no time in splinting and wrapping the arm before passing a vial to Porthos.
"Help him drink it," ordered the doctor, "it'll help with the pain."
Nodding in understanding the larger musketeer coaxed the barely conscious Gascon to drink the pain draught before gently picking him up into his arms.
"Let's get you settled whelp," he said affectionately, "'Thos'll keep an eye on you while we're on the road and 'Mis'll check the arm again when we stop for lunch."
Having seen the boy's current state Porthos wasn't really expecting much in the way of an answer so when he got a heavily slurred and mumbled refusal of the plan he couldn't help but chuckle at the boy's stubbornness.
"Not asking for permission whelp," he said with a smile as he lay the Gascon down gently next to Athos, whose eyes hadn't left the barely conscious boy's form since the two approached. "Sleep pup, the pain draught should be kicking in real soon."
With that Porthos left the two men to it and went to get mounted on his horse, knowing that any more delays would only serve to further irritate the Captain.
Once they were back on the road again and people's attentions were focused on scanning for potential ambushes Athos let his focus lock onto his protégé. True to Porthos's earlier words the pain draught had kicked in and had the Gascon out like a light beside him.
Without sparing it much thought Athos quickly, but gently, drew his young friend close against his side, letting his own body act as a buffer against the unavoidable rocking of the wagon.
Though it wasn't too long until his own tired healing body cried out for rest and he found himself drifting off beside his protégé, his head resting lightly on top of D'Artagnan's, his grip on the boy remaining tight despite the deep sleep that claimed him.