Upon the realization of loss

[averygoodshot]

There is little that will keep Aramis away from his son. Even trips to exotic beach locales only serve as temporary diversions from what he considers his family. He has not gone back to Paris to appease the Queen, he has been diligent and loyal and good (love, he tells himself, is a powerful force).

Then comes the day when he knocks on the right door and no one answers. When he's told that Anne, Queen of France, no longer resides in the Nexus at all. How, he wonders, his heart clattering in his chest, can he keep the Queen safe now? How can he protect his son?

After a thorough and emotional search, resulting in nothing, not even a door back to Paris, Aramis does the only thing he can think to do. He drinks (and yes, he does let the others know of his findings, or lack thereof) and he wallows. This is how he finds himself in the tavern, a wine bottle and goblet in front of him, and his head in his hands.

Comments

[at_your_side]

The curve of her smile cut deeper into one cheek at his answer, the words all the more important where she knew how difficult a thing it would be for him to hold back from chasing what was and could not be his family. "I have yet to tell d'Artagnan that I am leaving for Paris, but when I have could you," she paused a second as she searched for the right phrasing for what she needed to ask him.

Duty and loyalty pulled her away from the place that had offered the first taste of true freedom she had ever known. It would take her from d'Artagnan's arms and the sentiment openly meant in her fondness for each of the Musketeers in their own way. What needed to be done had to be done, but she knew too well that she could not be certain of when she would be allowed to return to the Nexus, if ever. "Could you try and keep him from earning himself more of your stitches, Aramis? I would prefer him in one piece next time I see him." Her voice carried a touch of lightness she did not wholly feel, but she could not indulge in her worry any more than she could in her habit of motherhenning each of the Musketeers in turn. She needed to trust that they could care for each other in her absence and not be entirely rules by what she deemed to be Musketeer Logic.

[averygoodshot]

"Please tell me that you won't leave without telling him." Aramis's brows draw together in consternation. "Constance."

He sees what she wants of him: to keep d'Artagnan from doing something stupid, just as Porthos as been tasked for him. "Your beloved is hard-headed," he reminds her. "I will do my best, but when he wishes to do something .... "

It is a reasoning that actually might serve both Aramis and d'Artagnan in this situation. Not that they would go against Constance directly ....

[at_your_side]

"I won't," she rushed to assure him, "I wouldn't." Where she could not be unaware of the contradiction in having agreed to tell Aramis of the Queen's departure and her having blundered for the duty so that she could make certain that he understood without putting the Queen into a position where she need order the man who had been her lover to stay back, Constance was equally aware that her relationship with d'Artagnan was of a different footing. "Besides, I think we've too often already been taken away from each other without a word."

She spoke in reference to being snatched from her daily life by someone or another to be used as leverage, but lost the sour memory to a snort at Aramis' all too accurate assessment of the man she loved so well. Even when she was not sure whether she wanted to strangle him or kiss him senseless for that very reason. "Nothin' and nobody can stop him. Believe me, I am quite aware." Hers was a fond exasperation as she added, "Fool that I am for loving such a man."

[averygoodshot]

"You two are well-matched," Aramis says, his hand atop hers giving her a squeeze. And he can only hope, he supposes, that he finds someone to love in such a way (and so freely).

"I will," he promises, since it isn't technically a lie, "keep my eye on him. You have my word, Constance."