Evening My Lovelies
I'm really sorry there was no chapter update last night. I had the chapter all written but when I gave it a quick read through before publishing I realized just how terribly bad it actually was. I really wasn't happy with it but it was too late to re-write it and get it up so I decided to hold off another day and I am SOOO glad I did as this is 100x better then what I wrote yesterday. It's also like 600-700 words longer as well so hopefully the improved length and quality will make up for it not being there yesterday :D
!IMPORTANT PLEASE READ!
Okay so this story is almost over and I'm planning to upload some oneshots while I'm work on the next story and wanted to know if you have anything in particular you'd like to see a one shot of. I have a few ideas but here are the one's I'm definitely doing
- Aftermath of the whole Vadim incident (lots of whumped D'Art and angsty/worried muskys)
- Preshow look at our trio's beginning, Savoy and its immediate aftermath
- The mission I mentioned a couple of chapters ago where Aramis and Porthos are captured on their way to meet Athos and Aramis is beaten for information while Porthos is forced to watch.
Notes On Reviews:
Deana: Thanks for the review - Yay I'm glad you liked it :) Enjoy the new chapter! x
criminally charmed: Thanks for the review - He's doing better, still has a very long way to go but he's getting there and he's opening up a little more which is a good thing. Haha I'm glad you like the ending, I figured at that point he's still head-over-heels for her so her kissing him would up anything else :D Enjoy the new chapter! x
Tidia: Thanks for the review - In her defense she didn't know how badly hurt he was and she was very worried. I'm loving our boy's caring side too and we're seeing more of it, including Aramis's mother-hen nature today :D Enjoy the new chapter! x
Debbie (Guest): Thanks for the review - Haha Yeah Aramis really should know better I figured it was such a random request, given what he could have said or freaked out about, that it completely stumped him lol. Constance definitely caused a lot more pain then she realized but for D'Art it was worth it to get the kiss :D I'm glad you agreed with the hesitance over the sleeping draught, I figured that getting addicted to sleeping tablets is both possible and highly dangerous that a sleeping draught would have the same sort of effect. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Katie (Guest): Thanks for the review - I had a feeling you might like it :) Enjoy the new chapter! x
pallysdeeks: Thanks for the review - Oh I was SOOOOO tempted to have her smack Aramis but I think her worry over D'Art kinda pushed aside all thoughts of anything else. I do have a plan for her to slap him in either tomorrows or the day afters chapter :D Enjoy the new chapter! x
FierGascon: Thanks for the review - I thought you might like it :) Enjoy the new chapter! x
watlocked: Thanks for the review - Hahaha Considering what happened when Constance hugged him it's probably best you lay off but I suppose if your gentle with our pup you could hug him :D I love how you made the How To Tame Your Dragon connection as the scene was totally inspired by it (it's one of my favourite films LOVE IT!) I wanted to have Constance kiss him but I also wanted her to slap him for worrying her and then I remembered this and it seemed so perfect :D I kinda struggled with the whole nightmare thing but I found a method that didn't seem like it would be too farfetched an idea given the time period so I hope it makes sense. D'Art's nightmares are still plaguing him but they're getting better ... kinda. Enjoy the new chapter! x
Helensg: Thanks for the review - Yeah I'm a bit worried they're a bit too advance but I'm hoping everyone's willing to just ignore that fact as I have no other idea as to how to handle them. Enjoy the new chapter! x
f1gymnast: Thanks for the review - Corbett's getting there as you'll see today but there's something he needs to do before he can properly heal. Poor D'Art's a goofy lovesick fool :D but he's our lovesick fool :D Enjoy the new chapter! x
MicheeO: Thanks for the reviews - (chapter97) Glad you thought so, I always get worried/concerned when I have Athos talking a lot. (chapter98) Damn there goes my plan to turn it into a trashy romance novel lol :D We're WAY to close to the end for that to happen worry not :D Enjoy the new chapter! x
Lilac Lavender: Thanks for the review - I figured D'Art would want to spare the woman all the extra worry she'd undoubtedly have at seeing him completely covered in bandages like he is. Our poor pup definitely needed a visit from his lovely lady, even if it came with a lot of pain and a whole load of teasing from his brothers. Aramis's guilt is definitely playing a part in his overwhelming need to help D'Art but yeah like you said another part of it is his medic nature. Aramis is also the only one who really understands what D'Art's going through right now. Although Athos has nightmares over Thomas and Milady they're different to the sort that Aramis and D'Art are having (if that makes sense) Aramis's latest idea seems to be working... kinda, right now so hopefully our tired pup can start getting some rest. Enjoy the new chapter! x
As always much love and many thanks for following/favouriting/reviewing/reading
Love you all!
Enjoy!
xxx
Chapter Ninety-Nine: Troubled Sleep, Troubled Conscience
"Are you sure about this?" asked Aramis worriedly for what had to be the fifth time in almost as many minutes.
D'Artagnan sighed, looking thoroughly annoyed, yet somehow still amused with his friend's worry. "Yes Aramis," stressed the young Gascon. "Porthos is going and I know you want to check on Corbett as well."
"I can do that later though," retorted Aramis as he fussed over the young man, not denying the desire he had to check on Corbett's health himself. He may not be as close to the injured musketeer as he was Porthos and Athos but the man was a friend and it was not in the sharpshooter's nature to leave a friend unchecked when injured.
"He'll be sleeping later," retorted D'Artagnan smugly, knowing he was going to win this argument. "You heard Moreau, Corbett's still weak and needs rest so chances are he'll be asleep if you leave it to later."
"But you'll be alone!" stressed Aramis, finally getting to the real point and issue with the situation.
D'Artagnan did his best to hide the small bit of fear that bubbled up inside him at the thought of being alone. He knew it was stupid really; he was safe in the garrison after all, but there was still part of him that remembered what happened to him the last time he was alone. While Porthos and Corbett had been in the room with him they were both unconscious so, in his mind at least, he had been alone. When he spotted no signs on his friend's faces that they had spotted his fear he allowed himself a chance to relax.
"I'm a grown man Aramis," chuckled the Gascon with a slightly forced smile that he prayed none of his friends noticed. "Besides, I'm just going to sleep," his strained smile turned even more strained then and he could see the concern enter all three men's eyes as they watched him. "This… This morning took more out of me then I expected." He admitted quietly, which was as close as he would ever get to admitting that he hadn't truly been ready for the force of nature that was Constance Bonacieux.
Aramis's eyes immediately filled with concern as his hands flew to the bandages covering his younger friend.
"You've checked 'im over already 'Mis," teased Porthos as he lightly smacked the medic's hands away, subtly winking at the Gascon as Aramis pouted, the larger man grinning when D'Artagnan sent him a grateful smile, thankful to have been saved from Aramis's mothering.
"I can stay," stated Athos, speaking up on the issue for the first time since the decision to visit Corbett was made.
"But I'm just going to sleep," huffed D'Artagnan tiredly as he interrupting what was most likely going to be a pleased comment from the medic. "You should go. Corbett will probably want to see you too."
"And if you have a nightmare?" asked Athos with a raised eyebrow. A pang of guilt shot through his heart as he saw the briefest flash of fear enter his protégé's eyes at the mention of his nightmares but he pushed it to the side when D'Artagnan made a very clear effort to hide it.
"I can't stay here forever," shrugged the Gascon, pain shooting across his features as the small action ignited a wave of pain from his wounds. "I have to get a handle on them soon, might as well get started on it now." When his friends continued to look unconvinced he added, "besides you wont be far, if I need you I'm sure word of it will reach you."
All three musketeers looked slightly pained to leave their friend alone to deal with the possibility of nightmares, something that had become more of a guaranteed thing, but at the look D'Artagnan was sending them, a mix of pleading a determination, they found themselves agreeing to leave him to it while they checked in with Corbett.
"No getting out of bed okay," instructed Aramis as he helped the younger man get settled while Porthos was giving Athos a hand getting sorted with his crutch.
"I just want to sleep," huffed D'Artagnan, though there was a hint of longing in his voice that spoke to how much he did truly desire to just sleep.
"You remember what do to?" asked Aramis with a fond smile as he helped the Gascon drink a small pain draught, the smile growing as the draught helped to slightly ease the pain lines on his friend's face.
D'Artagnan nodded tiredly, "I'm good, just get going."
Aramis chuckled at the look the Gascon was sending him but did comply with the soft order, herding the other two men out with him as they left the boy to sleep.
Once alone in the room D'Artagnan took a couple of moments to calm down the huge swell of fear that appeared the second the door was closed behind his friends, leaving him all alone for the first time since he was tortured.
Knowing all too well by now that his current thought process was only going to encourage his nightmares to not only be present but also to be more violent the Gascon pushed down the fear and instead turned his focus onto the method Aramis had instructed him on the other night, the only thing besides a strong sleeping draught that seemed to help.
FLASH BACK
"That's the idea?" asked Porthos skeptically once Aramis had finished explaining what D'Artagnan would have to do.
Aramis scowled, "Loving the confidence you have in me there my friend," his words instantly gaining him a sheepish look of apology from his friend.
"Ahh 'Mis you know I trust ya," grinned the larger man, his smile only growing as he noticed his brother trying not to smile back at him.
"Gentlemen," sighed Athos, his hand coming up to pinch the bridge of his nose as he shared an exasperated look with a clearly tired and nervous D'Artagnan, who did his best to hide his nerves from his mentor by offering up a weak grin at the other two men's actions.
When both musketeers had calmed enough to turn and face their friend, Athos gestured, with the hand that wasn't still pinching his nose, to D'Artagnan, silently ordering Aramis to get on with it.
"So…" said D'Artagnan hesitantly, quite aware that all three sets of eyes were now on him. "You really think this will help?"
He had done his best to keep the hope out of his voice but judging by the fond, yet sad smile Aramis sent him as he settled down on the bed next to him, he hadn't quite managed that.
"I do," nodded the medic, his voice soft and kind as he absently ran a hand through the Gascon's hair. "I think… Well we both think, that if we can get your mind to accept the change in the dream while you're awake, then it should hopefully stick in your mind while you're sleeping as well, essentially changing the outcome of the dream."
"So what do I do?"
"Marcel's thugs," growled Porthos, unable to hide or cover the anger he felt towards the deceased men for what they had done to his friend. "It starts when they enter the room right?"
D'Artagnan nodded shakily, a small wave of fear hitting him just thinking about the men who tortured him. A moment later he blinked, feeling a light pressure on his hand, a quick look told him that Athos had subtly taken his hand, most likely having seen his fear.
"What if we changed it so it wasn't them who entered?" suggested Porthos, seemingly oblivious to the small exchange between mentor and student.
D'Artagnan nodded, though he did look slightly confused, "Who would come then or am I being left alone?"
"We do," Stated Athos with a firm nod, "Instead of Marcel's goons coming through the door, we do like we did when we found you."
"I wasn't conscious for that though."
"Doesn't matter," said Aramis, "you just have to imagine it, can you do that?"
"…I guess."
"Try," said Aramis softly, "Get the image set in your head, I've still got Athos to check over yet so you've got some time."
END FLASH BACK
With his fear of being alone pushed down as much as he thought he'd ever be able to do D'Artagnan shifted, trying to find a position that was slightly more comfortable on his injuries, never truly having the heart to admit to any of his friends, particularly Aramis, just how much pain he was in.
After a few minutes D'Artagnan accepted that he wouldn't be able to find a position that didn't cause him pain and settled on breathing through the agonizing pain his shifting had caused him while also trying to picture the change to his nightmare in his mind, having remembered that Aramis was very insistent that he picture the scene in his mind before attempting to sleep.
"Do you think the whelp's alright?" asked Porthos worriedly as he and his brothers entered the infirmary. While none of them had reacted to it, they had all seen the look of fear in the boy's eyes at being alone and it was killing him as he realized the reason behind it. They had left him alone, he and Corbett, to deal with the sadistic torture Marcel's thugs had inflicted upon him. They had been unconscious, unable to comfort or protect and now, as a result, the Gascon was terrified of being left alone and was so typically stubborn that he refused to mention it.
"We wont be too long," muttered Aramis, keeping his voice down so as to not disturb any of the infirmary's other patients but also notably not answering his brother's question.
As they approached Corbett's room the three men went silent, all thoughts of D'Artagnan vanished and were replaced with growing concern for the man being examined in the room in front of them.
Moreau noticed the new arrivals first and whilst he did raise an eyebrow at the presence of Athos, who despite the crutch was still walking around on a healing ankle, his face broke out into a smile as he turned back to his patient.
"Seems like you have some visitors Monsieur Corbett."
The men watched with bated breath as Corbett's battered face scrunched up in confusion as he turned to face the doorway, the confusion instantly fading into as bright of a smile as he could manage when he saw who was standing there.
"We'll leave the four of you to it," stated Moreau as he ushered Reynard, who had been keeping Corbett company, out after him. "I have to check on Jacques but I'll be back soon, this visit is going to have to be a short one I'm afraid."
"We understand," nodded Athos as the three musketeer moved out of the doorway so the doctor and Reynard could exit.
"It's good to see you awake my friend," grinned Porthos as he pushed the seat Reynard had been occupying over to Athos, who begrudgingly took it and sat down.
"Good to be awake," rasped the bedridden musketeer weakly as he attempted to return Porthos's grin.
"Your recovery's going well," remarked Aramis brightly as he read over the notes Moreau had left regarding Corbett's condition.
"So the doc tells me," nodded Corbett, offering a small smile of thanks to Porthos as he helped him drink a small goblet of water.
For a few minutes the group fell into a lighthearted conversation, speaking of nothing of serious importance but simply letting the conversation serve as a comforting reminder that they were all alive and recovering.
Corbett was, surprisingly, the one to break that when he turned to Porthos, nerves clearly displayed on his face. "You're doing okay right? Nobody would tell me anything other then that you were alive."
Porthos smiled softly, warmed by the man's concern over him. "Yeah I'm good." Aramis snorted. "I'm getting there," amended the larger man, shaking his head fondly at his brother when the medic smiled at him. "'Mis's takin' care of me like the mother-hen 'e is… I'll be back on duty before too long."
Corbett chuckled lightly at the vehement string of denials that flew from Aramis's mouth at that comment but his good mood faded when he asked the next question.
"And… D'Artagnan? I still don't know what happened to him but Moreau gets this dark look in his eyes every time I ask so I know it has to be bad… Please tell me I didn't get him killed Porthos."
"He's alive," reassured Porthos, the larger man quickly taking Corbett's hand into his own as the three inseparables took turns in explaining what had been done to their young friend.
"…It's all my fault," breathed Corbett once the explanation was over, the musketeer's skin pale and his eyes wide as his mind tried to process what he had been told.
"You were in no position to aid him," stated Athos firmly, "That he got hurt is no fault of yours."
"But it is!" exclaimed Corbett, though it was broken off by a sharp hiss of pain as his eyes screwed shut and he pushed himself into the bed, waiting for the wave of pain to dissipate.
When he opened his eyes the three inseparables were looking at his with varying looks of sympathy and understanding, something the man felt he didn't deserve.
"He got hurt…" breathed Corbett, his hand unknowingly tightening the grip he had on Porthos's hand as he spoke. "Because he was trying to save me. I was the one they jumped first and used as bait for the others. I'd say that makes it all pretty much my fault," grumbled the musketeer, his voice bitter and unyielding.
The inseparables shared a look, never having seen Corbett so despondent before. The man was almost annoyingly cheerful most of the time, so much so that it was rare to even see him upset let alone as broken as he seemed now.
Before any of them could deny the musketeer's words however Moreau returned and begun instructing them that they needed to leave and let the man rest some more.
"When you can walk," said Athos softly as he stopped by the doorframe, looking over at his shoulder at the musketeer in the bed who was giving him his full attention. "Come see D'Artagnan." Athos noticed Corbett's visible flinch at that but ignore it as he continued. "He's been worried about you and you can hear it straight from him as to whether or not he blames you for what happened. Porthos doesn't and neither do myself and Aramis but I have a feeling you need to hear it from D'Artagnan before you'll believe it."
With that Athos continued to follow his brothers out of the room, fully intending to return to his rooms and check on his protégé.
"Athos!" called a voice and the musketeer was surprised to see Moreau following him out. From the corner of his eyes he could see that both Aramis and Porthos were surprised and intrigued as well so he waited for the doctor to speak.
"I meant to ask if you could pass on a message to that boy of yours," explained Moreau with a grin on his face.
"Of course," nodded Athos, intrigued as to what the message could be.
"I figured he'd like to know that Jacques is beginning to wake up."