[spoilers for Muskteers 2x06]

[temperamentalsteel]

Twice now, he had acted only with the King's safety in mind. Twice he had tried to be the man of honor that Musketeers were supposed to be. Twice all he had earned was censure from his Majesty.

How could the King have believed that d'Artagnan would ever have done him harm? In taking the pistol, in playing Marmion's game, they should have known it was a blatant play for time, yet the King had only raged and admonished him. It was just as before, when they had obeyed their King's whims to go to the tavern because no loyal Musketeer would have gone out of turn to criticize his wishes, even in the name of safety. Then, again, because he had spoken out on behalf of his honor and on keeping his word.

Now, d'Artagnan had not been allowed to even defend himself, to say that he had panicked for fear of Constance's life and desperation to stall Marmion.

Instead, the King had let Rochefort take the glory in the same fickle breath that he had condemned d'Artagnan and turned his back on Milady. Though there was no love lost between them, he knew she'd had the nerve to risk her life and get help.

As they walked up to the doorway, the sliver of bright light almost blinded him. When his vision cleared, he saw a smooth, modern doorway and perhaps it made him a coward, but he was relieved to walk into the lobby of the Nexus. In its quiet, clean tranquility, d'Artagnan was ever more aware of the blood and dirt on his face.

Comments

[temperamentalsteel]

"You are a great friend," d'Artagnan said, grateful beneath his bluster.

[averygoodshot]

He is. But then so is d'Artagnan, so they are well-matched in that way.

"I shall return shortly," Aramis tells him and goes to the door and out, heading to the "bistro" to get some food, a wide variety for his friend.

[temperamentalsteel]

Aramis, for all his bravado and bluster, was the kind of man who took care of his compatriots with precision and skill, whether by a tray of food or by neatly laid stitches on an injury.

"Thank you," he said to Aramis' retreating back.

[averygoodshot]

There is no reason to be thanked, but Aramis returns soon with what bounty the "buffett" allows, carrying it in to set at d'Artagnan's side. He does, though, take a banana for himself. Bananas, he has found, are very, very good.

[temperamentalsteel]

D'Artagnan had started to doze in his seat, but when Aramis returned, he sat back up. "A better end to the day than I could have expected, for sure."

[averygoodshot]

"It is a rough day you come from," Aramis agrees, grasping d'Artagnan's shoulder. "Will you be all right? Shall I go?"

[temperamentalsteel]

"You are the one practiced in medicine, not me," d'Artagnan said, managing a little smile. "I'll trust your advice. Just this once."

[averygoodshot]

"Very good," Aramis teases, squeezing d'Artagnan's shoulder. "You'll be fine after some food and a bit of rest. I'll leave you to it."

[temperamentalsteel]

He clapped a hand on Aramis' shoulder, squeezing in reply. "To an exciting afternoon of falling asleep? I'll take it."

[averygoodshot]

"Enjoy it while it lasts," Aramis teases. Perhaps some kind of adventure would await them, even here.

He tips his hat a bit to d'Artagnan and ducks outside.