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bbcmusketeerskinkWelcome to the BBC The Musketeers kink meme
The lowdown: You post your prompt, anon or not. Someone else will hopefully fill it (also anon or not). Not for profit, just for fun. And in this case, for king and country.
Anon is on, IP logging is off.
Rules:
No wank
No kink-shaming
Be respectful to everyone
The mod is not your babysitter
Use the warnings
No prompts with characters under the age of 16 in sexual situations, please.
Please keep the discussions in the prompt post to a minimum. We have a discussion post
Mandatory trigger warnings/warnings for both prompts and fills:
non-con/dub-con
abuse (physical and mental)
issues such as racism, sexism, homo-/trans-/-bi-/ace-phobia etc
character death
suicide
self-harm
eating disorders
extreme physical or mental illness
substance abuse (alcohol, drugs, medication)
bullying
gore and horror
If this list misses anything, do let me know, though please understand that if absolutely everything is added this list will never end.
You are encouraged and advised to add additional warnings at your own discretion.
Please make use of the subject line.
If your prompt alludes to the book or any of the other adaptations, please let us know which one.
Lastly, prompt freezes (which I have to say I’m really not fond of) etc will be at the mod’s discretion. I will decide on a prompt cut-off point for prompt posts once I know how fast the meme moves.
Archive:
https://delicious.com/bbcmusketeers
Discussion post:
http://bbcmusketeerskink.dreamwidth.org/557.html
Official fill post (I strongly suggest you use it for better visibility of your fills):
http://bbcmusketeerskink.dreamwidth.org/418.html
Mod contact post
http://bbcmusketeerskink.dreamwidth.org/1356.html
New updates:
- Extras fill post for the free for all rounds (as much as I hate dividing the meme even more.)
http://bbcmusketeerskink.dreamwidth.org/1823.html
- To answer a question going around in the discussion post, here's a small guideline: If you're unsure about something, either decide by yourself how you want to fill it and see if OP likes it or not or communicate with OP via aksing questions.
The lowdown: You post your prompt, anon or not. Someone else will hopefully fill it (also anon or not). Not for profit, just for fun. And in this case, for king and country.
Anon is on, IP logging is off.
Rules:
No wank
No kink-shaming
Be respectful to everyone
The mod is not your babysitter
Use the warnings
No prompts with characters under the age of 16 in sexual situations, please.
Please keep the discussions in the prompt post to a minimum. We have a discussion post
Mandatory trigger warnings/warnings for both prompts and fills:
non-con/dub-con
abuse (physical and mental)
issues such as racism, sexism, homo-/trans-/-bi-/ace-phobia etc
character death
suicide
self-harm
eating disorders
extreme physical or mental illness
substance abuse (alcohol, drugs, medication)
bullying
gore and horror
If this list misses anything, do let me know, though please understand that if absolutely everything is added this list will never end.
You are encouraged and advised to add additional warnings at your own discretion.
Please make use of the subject line.
If your prompt alludes to the book or any of the other adaptations, please let us know which one.
Lastly, prompt freezes (which I have to say I’m really not fond of) etc will be at the mod’s discretion. I will decide on a prompt cut-off point for prompt posts once I know how fast the meme moves.
Archive:
https://delicious.com/bbcmusketeers
Discussion post:
http://bbcmusketeerskink.dreamwidth.org/557.html
Official fill post (I strongly suggest you use it for better visibility of your fills):
http://bbcmusketeerskink.dreamwidth.org/418.html
Mod contact post
http://bbcmusketeerskink.dreamwidth.org/1356.html
New updates:
- Extras fill post for the free for all rounds (as much as I hate dividing the meme even more.)
http://bbcmusketeerskink.dreamwidth.org/1823.html
- To answer a question going around in the discussion post, here's a small guideline: If you're unsure about something, either decide by yourself how you want to fill it and see if OP likes it or not or communicate with OP via aksing questions.
Fill: Sanctuary 6a/?
Date: 2015-01-11 12:34 am (UTC)Everything changed in June 1473. Athos was on duty early one evening, when a commotion in the next street had he and Phillipe running to find out what was going on. They found six of their comrades, pointing drawn swords at three men who were kneeling on the ground.
“What is going on here?” Phillipe shouted as they strode forward.
“We caught these three thieves red-handed.” One of the soldiers informed them.
Athos looked down at the thieves, to find Porthos looking right back at him. Athos’ heart stopped. Then stuttered. This had been a day he had feared since he became a soldier; Porthos kneeling at his feet, arrested and clapped in iron, with his life resting on Athos’ ability to talk him out of it.
Athos gritted his teeth, checking that neither of Porthos’ companions was Aramis, before staring back at Porthos. He’d clearly fought against his arrest and had been outnumbered because his temple was bleeding and a black-eye was forming. Porthos gave him a minute shrug, apology written all over his face. Of all the years of avoiding capture, Porthos now chose to be reckless, and whilst stealing?!
“What were they stealing?” Phillipe was asking.
“We caught them robbing the house behind you.”
Athos looked up at the house and then back at Porthos. Porthos just stared back. The situation was at a checkmate. Porthos had been caught stealing - a crime worthy of genuine punishment - there was no way that Athos was getting Porthos out of this without truly revealing leniency and loyalty toward the gypsies. Athos could see from Porthos’ pained expression that he had come to the same conclusion.
“Well,” Phillipe said, “That is enough reason for arrest if ever I heard one.” He then looked thoughtful and Athos felt his stomach drop as Phillipe dragged the point of his sword across Porthos’ throat. Phillipe knew of Porthos by sight after years of nearly catching him, and Athos knew that he would not be letting Porthos go now that he finally had him. “Though as we have a legitimate reason…we could just dispose of them here.”
The blatant threat on their lives gave Athos the clear indication of what Porthos’ fate would be. He suddenly saw flashes of could-be scenarios blaring in his mind; Porthos swinging from a rope, Porthos beheaded after being shamed in front of a crowd, Porthos being murdered right there in the cold street with no-one there to fight for him. There was no way out of this for Porthos.
Porthos was struggling now and it took four of the men to hold their three captives down.
“You cannot do this.” Porthos growled out, eyes fixed on Phillipe.
“I think you will find that we can, and Richelieu will title us heroes.” Phillipe corrected.
Athos wrapped a hand around his sword hilt and tried desperately to think of a way to intervene without getting Porthos and his companions killed. Suddenly, a commotion at the side of the house Porthos had been robbing revealed three more people appearing before racing down the street, taking opportunity of the soldiers’ distraction to make an escape.
“We will handle this.” Phillipe ordered, “You four, follow them!”
Four of the soldiers obeyed Phillipe’s command and went in pursuit of the three fleeing figures.
That left Athos, Phillipe and two more soldiers holding Porthos and his friends. Now was Athos’ moment to act, when they were less outnumbered.
“Right, well we may as well start with you.” Phillipe told Porthos with a smirk. “I have waited a long time for this.” He began to raise his sword.
Athos seized his chance and knocked the blade away from Porthos with his own. “I think not, Phillipe.”
“Athos.” Phillipe growled, clashing his sword against Athos’ before trying to strike at Porthos again. “What are you doing?”
“This.” Athos responded, suddenly slashing out and cutting Phillipe’s leg. Phillipe fell to the floor with a shout. Athos wasted no time in turning to fight off the two soldiers behind him, managing to injure them both before hauling up the one that had the keys. “Give me the keys.” He hissed.
He heard a snarl, and glanced back at Porthos to find Phillipe had managed to right himself whilst Athos had been fighting and was now standing behind Porthos, his knife at Porthos’ throat.
“I knew you loved these gypsies.” Phillipe spat. “Defending them all the time and finding excuses to let them go. But now we have the proof; that the ‘noble’ Athos has no loyalty to Paris, only the scum that infests it.” The blade ran across Porthos neck with a little pressure and Athos could see blood blossoming around the sharp edge even in the darkening street. “This one you have helped once before. Don’t think I don’t remember.”
Athos met Porthos’ soft brown eyes and between them passed a thousand memories and unsaid feelings. Phillipe must have caught the wordless interaction because he carried on, “Is he a favourite of yours, hmm? Well count yourself a traitor and friendless, now Athos, because this one isn’t going to survive the night…”
Phillipe’s tirade was abruptly cut off by Porthos dropping his head down before flinging it back. There was a crunch as Porthos’ skull met Phillipe’s face, and although Athos had had the terrifying millisecond where he thought the knife had been jerked back into Porthos’ flesh on the impact, when Phillipe dropped to the floor with a cry of agony, Athos saw that the knife had been wrestled away from Phillipe by the captured man on Porthos’ right, despite his hands being bound.
Athos was unsure how much time Porthos had bought them and how long it would take Phillipe or the other two soldiers to get back to their feet, so he stopped asking nicely and, finding the keys in the soldier’s pocket, wrenched them away and rushed to the three gypsies who had staggered to their feet. Athos rushed to each in turn, not daring to take the time to look at or speak to Porthos until the chains had fallen away to the pavement.
“Go.” He whispered urgently at them.
“Do it.” Porthos ordered, and the two men either side of him ran in opposite directions and disappeared into the night.
“You will hang for this Athos!” Phillipe screeched through the blood that was pouring from his broken nose. “Get up you idiots!” He yelled at the two soldiers who were struggling to stand, “Kill them before they escape!”
Athos finally found himself looking up at Porthos, suddenly at a complete loss for what to do. He had just thrown his entire life away in a matter of minutes. He had broken the law. He was now a wanted man. What was he going to do now?
Porthos seemed to understand the lost look in Athos’ eyes as he urgently told him “You can’t stay here.” Before taking Athos’ wrist and pulling him away from the three injured soldiers who were shouting after them.
“Where’s Aramis?” Athos asked as they ran, Porthos leading the way through twisting and turning alleys Athos had never used. It was rare to see Porthos without Aramis those days, and Athos was worrying that one of the three gypsies that had avoided capture and run had been their friend.
“I left him back at the Court.” Porthos replied, his voice jolting as they ran. “I knew the robbery was risky but Jean was confident he had it all figured out.” He snorted. “On hindsight I probably should have paid attention to my own worries.”
“I can’t believe you went along with it.” Athos bit out. “With all the patrols and…” He was unable to finish his sentence as Porthos yanked him back into the shadows of an alley, pressing him up against a wall with a hand over his mouth.
Athos looked silently at Porthos with surprise, and Porthos looked back with the eye that wasn’t swollen shut, a warning in his expression, a moment before there were shouts and several figures ran past the end of the alley, missing the two men hiding in the shadows.
“Soldiers.” Porthos breathed, his hand hot on Athos’ face and his breath a warm caress on his face, standing with his body pressed up against Athos’.
Athos glanced down at the hand covering his mouth with a raised eyebrow. Porthos understood the gesture, slowly taking his hand away.
“Where are we going?” Athos whispered, finally wondering where Porthos was leading him.
“Where do you think?” Porthos asked, his voice equally quiet and urgent. “You can’t go back now.” His face crumpled slightly with regret and guilt, “I am so sorry about that, Athos.”
“It was bound to happen one day.” Athos shrugged, defeated, “I was at my wit’s end, so do not apologise. But I also cannot come to the Court with you now.”
“What?!” Porthos looked more wounded than Athos had ever seen him, “You must! There is a manhunt happening right now! Richelieu will be baying for your arrest. You will be welcomed at the Court.”
“I mean that we cannot go there together, right now,” Athos amended. “We have to split up. With me in this garb, we will only draw attention.”
“You cannot go back to your house.” Porthos watched him like he was mad. “They will be waiting for you.”
“I won’t.” Athos promised, though he was lying. “I will travel a separate way to the Court. I will meet you there.”
“Promise me you won’t go back to your house.” Porthos’ hands landed on his shoulders and squeezed them tightly.
More shouting forced them to quiet and push back against the wall again. Once the danger had passed Porthos said “The number of men is only going to increase. If you insist on splitting up then promise me you will see me at the Court before the night is ended.”
“I promise. Now go.” Athos gave Porthos a shove, but the taller man did not budge.
“My recklessness has caused this. Athos I am so so sorry.” Pothos ducked his head. “You have lost everything because of me.”
Athos felt that familiar warmth for the other man blossom in his chest; the knowledge that Porthos cared for him as much as he did for Porthos, “Not at all.” Athos corrected, putting his fingers under his chin and lifting Porthos’ head until their eyes met again. “In fact, the only thing I had left to lose was you, and I wasn’t going to let you leave me in this hellhole.” He quirked a smile.
Porthos regarded him, his open eye tracking Athos’ smile, before flicking up to his eyes and back down to his mouth. And that was when, to Athos’ upmost surprise and delight, Porthos’ hands cupped his face and he kissed him, the taller man pressing Athos back against the wall. Porthos kissed with his whole body, and it left Athos feeling like the weight of fear lifting from him for a moment.
That moment was broken when their shadowed spot was disturbed by something that had lit in the next street. Athos could almost see the group of soldiers holding torches, starting to search the side alleys.
“Come with me now.” Porthos tried again, and Athos could feel Porthos’ heart hammering, though it may well have been his as well, and he wasn’t sure whether it was due to the kiss, or the adrenaline of being on the run.
Athos. The criminal. It seemed completely absurd.
“It’s best that we split up and you know that.” Athos said, fisting his hands in the lapels of Porthos’ jacket and kissing him quickly, unsure as to how exactly the action felt so natural and easy, like he and Porthos’ had been (or should have been, Athos decided) doing it for years. Voices were growing louder and Athos knew it was only a matter of time before their alley was checked. Porthos knew it too. And they had more chance of both making it out alive if they were alone, and less likely to be spotted. “I will see you and Aramis at the Court. Trust me, ok?”
“I trust you.” Porthos said immediately, touching Athos’ face with light fingertips before taking off into the night.
Fill: Sanctuary 6b/?
Date: 2015-01-11 12:34 am (UTC)The back of his house seemed quiet. It was odd, as Athos had imagined the whole building being surrounded. He picked his way across to the back window that he always left unhatched in case Porthos or Aramis came calling. He looked in through the glass, and his house looked dark inside. Curling his fingers under the window, he began to slowly edge it open. He had said to Porthos that he wouldn’t come back, but he had to. There were things here that he needed. If his life in the city was over and he had to leave his house, fine, but he did have a couple of possessions that he still cared for.
When the window was open enough, he crawled through, stealthy as a cat and then, easy as anything, he was in his house. He had to be fast though. If anyone had been watching the house and saw him enter, they could well spring a trap and have him surrounded in no time. He quickly crossed his kitchen. To walk smack bang into someone.
“What the?!” The person he had walked into growled, and suddenly Athos was met with Captain Treville, his face disbelieving and sincere in the dim light of the house. “Are you insane?!” The Captain hissed. “I did not think you would be mad enough to come back to the house. The whole city is looking out for you, to arrest you for treason!”
Athos stood motionless, poised to flee, unsure as to whether the Captain was going to turn him in or not. He and the Captain had grown close over Athos’ time as a soldier, and Athos hoped the Captain would be lenient on him now. If not Athos would be hanging by a rope at dawn.
“Phillipe and I had a disagreement.”
“Oh I am well aware of that. The front of your house is being watched, just in case you returned. I am supposed to arrest you if you cross the threshold.”
“I came in the back way, so does that not count?”
Treville sighed, but there was a twinkle in his eye. “No-one suspected there was a way through the back. Though I suppose that is how those gypsy friends of yours managed to pay you visits?”
Athos stared, speechless.
Treville snorted quietly. “You think I did not know? I myself am better connected than I led you to believe, just as you hid what you had to from me. The fact that both of us have the same loyalties however will not keep you safe if they catch you. I cannot talk you out of anymore.” Treville pushed a pack into Athos’ hands. “So for whatever god forsaken reason you thought you had to come back here for, get it done immediately, and then escape the way you came in. Get to the Court. It’s the only safe place for you now.”
“I will never be able to repay you for this, Captain.”
“Survive the night and count me repayed. Now go.”
Athos nodded, shedding his armour as he rushed up the stairs. He changed his clothes, stuffing more in the pack. He lifted the floorboard under his bed and grabbed the handfuls of money he had been keeping safe, and finally took his miniature portraits of his brother and parents before descending the stairs.
“I hope you make a better gypsy than you do a soldier.” Treville’s voice commented from the darkness as Athos made to make his escape back through the window.
He smiled, despite the hopeless situation.
He could see torches shining through the front windows of the house from people gathered outside. He didn’t have much time left. “I will see you again, Treville.”
“Just not arrested, I hope.”
“I hope so too.”
*
Athos was unfollowed to the entrance of the Court of Miracles. He had the map-pendant clasped in his hand more for comfort than direction. The sun was just breaching the sky when Athos reached the tombstone that marked the secret passageway. He had spent the whole night running and hiding, not wanting to make a break for the Court too early, just in case. He had promised Porthos that he would get to the Court before the night ended and he had kept his word, waiting until the last possible moment in order to truly make sure that he was not being followed; the task much easier in the early morning light.
The moment he entered the passageway under the tombstone he was expecting the ambush of men with blades that had met him the last time. Instead, he was met with a different ambush altogether.
A body barreled into him and he found himself in a tight embrace. “God, Athos,” Porthos’ relieved voice filled his ear. “I was beginning to think…”
“I told him to have more faith.” Aramis commented on Athos’ other side, and Athos found himself being released by Porthos only to have Aramis wrap his arms around him. “We were both so worried.” The breathy confession was spoken quietly, but they all heard it nonetheless.
“I did not want to risk being followed, I decided to wait it out until I was sure.” Athos explained, finding Aramis’ hand and giving it a squeeze. “I am sorry that you were worrying.”
“We are just glad to see you safe.” Aramis brought a hand to Athos’ neck, this thumb running over his pulse, before smiling coyly and drawing back slightly.
Athos took a look around and found that the three of them were the only people in the passage. “No welcome party this time?” He asked Porthos.
“No. We have guarded the entrance all night.” Aramis admitted. “We were waiting for you.”
Athos smiled fondly at Aramis, before his eyes found Porthos. Although their kisses earlier that night were still at the forefront of his mind, he was now not at all sure how the other man would react now that the adrenaline rush was over. Had it just been a spur of the moment action?
“Aramis was furious with me when I returned and told him what had happened.” Porthos told him, looking guilty. Athos suddenly noted that Porthos’ temple was no longer bloody and was bandaged up – Aramis’ handiwork, undoubtedly – though Porthos’ black eye was beyond saving at that point, and would just be a waiting game to recover.
“Well I could have lost both of you tonight!” Aramis said, voice sharp all of a sudden.
Athos saw Porthos flinch under Aramis’ glare, never one to take well to being at the end of Aramis’ anger. “Well now you have both of us.” Athos saved.
Aramis sent him a dazzling smile, mood changing instantly. “I am so glad you are here. You were too kind to be one of Richelieu's soldiers.”
“Far too kind.” Porthos agreed. Porthos stepped forward again, until he was in front of Athos, “I did not get the chance to thank you for saving my life. It seems I owe you once again.”
“You do not owe me anythi…” Athos started, and then stopped short in surprise when Porthos captured his lips in a kiss.
“I can pay you back in those.” Porthos suggested, sounding hopeful.
Athos startled, leaning forward slightly into Porthos, whilst also seeking out Aramis, worried what the other man’s reaction would be.
He was surprised to find the other man smiling wickedly. “As you both gave me such a fright last night, you are welcome to repay me in a similar manner.” He declared, sending them a wink. He then moved in to place a peck on Athos’ cheek. “Thank you for saving Porthos, we would be lost without him.” The gratitude in Aramis’ eyes, plus what he had implied, made Athos’ wonder whether he could Aramis too. To have both Porthos and Aramis as his. It was something he had never dared dream.
Unaware of all the thoughts and feelings warring in Athos’ head and chest, Aramis took Athos’ hand, “Welcome to the Court, officially.” He said, before dragging Athos down the passageway, asking him about his ‘daring escape’ across the city.
Athos looked back at Porthos with a raised eyebrow. Porthos was watching them both fondly and he shrugged, making Athos wonder, not for the first time, how close Porthos and Aramis had truly grown whilst down in the Court. The thought made his stomach flutter with aroused interest, as it always did. However, the thoughts faltered when Porthos’ eyes dropped to the bag slung over Athos’ shoulder.
“Athos.” Porthos growled warningly. “You went back to your house didn’t you?”
“Erm…yes…well, about that…”
Fill: Sanctuary 7a/?
Date: 2015-01-11 12:57 am (UTC)The boat slipped silently over the River Seine. The occupiers of the boat; four men, a woman and a boy of fifteen, were travelling under the cover of darkness. The only sound they made was the quiet slosh of the oars steering the boat towards the bank. The water was black and flat, the banks under a covering of snow and no-one in the boat dared speak.
The boy huddled further into his cloak, pressed up along his father’s side. He was afraid. All the people in the boat were. He could sense it. His father pretended not to be, but he was. The boy knew. They were attempting to enter Paris, in order to find shelter at the Court of Miracles. They had to do it discreetly. Gypsies were no longer welcome in Paris. They would have to be smuggled further into the city, before attempting to find the Court.
The boy shivered against the chill of the air and in anxious anticipation as the boat bumped the bank and the man rowing the boat motioned for them all to get out.
A figure emerged from the shadows, cloaked as they were, he nodded at them and beckoned them forward, holding out his hand for their money. “For safe passage into Paris.” He said gruffly.
As the men of the group fumbled with cold fingers in their pockets, the boy noticed movement under the bridge a little further down the bank. He reached out and grasped his father’s sleeve with a gasp of fear.
His father glanced up before starting back, dragging the boy along with him, as armed men rushed out from under the bridge, followed by a man upon a horse.
“Judge Richelieu…” The man who was supposed to be taking them safely into Paris muttered in terror, and it was clear that he had been unaware of the trap that had been laid for them.
The boy looked at the man on the horse. Looked at the face that would haunt his life for years to come. Richelieu had a stern face, with unforgiving eyes, his greying hair shining slightly in the moonlight. Richelieu wore black, and his horse was the same in colour, a monstrous thick beast that the boy was also afraid of, despite being well acquainted with horses from a farming life so long ago back in Gascony.
Grey eyes regarded them coolly. “Take these gypsy vermin to the Palace of Justice.” Richelieu ordered of his men.
Before his men could even advance, the boy felt his arm being grabbed, and his father telling him “Charles, run!” And then he and his father were running for their lives.
Charles knew that they were being pursued by Richelieu when he heard the thunder of hooves behind them. His father held onto his arm, leading them through twisting streets, over fences and through small cracks hoping that the Judge would not be able to follow them on horseback.
Charles’ father did not know Paris, so Charles was uncertain of where his father hoped to hide, until his eyes fell upon the top of the Notre Dame Cathedral. Charles knew then, that they were going to claim sanctuary.
The ground was slippery from the ice and snow and still Charles and his father ran. Charles’ breath was freezing in his throat, tearing from him in harsh pants and his chest burned with exertion. His legs ached and his father was clearly not coping as well either, being older in years now, but still they ran. They did not dare stop. The streets still echoed the sound of hooves, making it impossible to tell whether they had lost Richelieu or not, and he did not know how far behind them the Judge was. He did not dare look back for fear of stumbling.
Of all the men their group had prepared to run into as they entered Paris they had never suspected the Judge himself. He was the man of nightmares among the Travelling community, and to Charles he was the epitome of the evil in the world. Charles felt his heart clench as he let himself fleetingly wonder whether their travelling companions had also managed to escape. He and his father had not known them until a few days previously, but they had all had a common hope, and a common enemy. He hoped they had gotten away.
His father pulled him up the steps of the Notre Dame and finally, with great relief, Charles and his father were at the door. His father tried to open it but it was locked. Charles saw his father flash a panicked glance at him, before his father began hammering on the door “Sanctuary! Please give us sanctuary!”
There was an ominous ‘neigh’ of a horse, far too close by, and Charles whipped around and to his horror, saw the Judge’s horse galloping towards them through the snow. Charles felt his arm being grabbed again as his father gave up on the Cathedral and pulled him in the opposite direction to the Judge, back down the steps and away.
But suddenly the Judge was upon them. Charles found himself being knocked aside by his father and Charles could do nothing but watch helplessly as in a matter of a second, the Judge kicked out with his boot. Charles watched his father fall back down the stone steps. Charles watched his father not get back up again.
“Father?” Charles’ heart was in his throat and the wind was roaring in his ears. Charles ran and skidded to his father’s side. “Father!” He cried out, when he saw the snow was red under his father’s head and his father was not breathing. “No!” He screamed, tears spilling from his eyes. “Please, no, father! Get up! Please! Get up!”
In his shock and grief he paid no heed to the horse towering over him, until its rider dismounted and he was being hauled up and away from his father by the scruff of his cloak.
“No!” Charles screeched, struggling and attempting to reach his father again. “Please! No!”
He was turned in an unforgiving hold and suddenly found himself eye to eye with the devil. “You killed him!” Charles gasped through his tears.
The Judge did not even flinch. His cold stare regarded Charles, assessing, cold and calculating. “Another gypsy child to roam the streets.” He seemed to think about it for a moment. “We cannot have that.” He looked around, not relinquishing his vice-like grip on Charles.
“Please let me go.” Charles begged.
“I will boy. I will.” The Judge said as though he had reached some kind of decision, suddenly dragging Charles forward.
Charles winced in pain at being manhandled so, his feet scuffing against the floor in his fight to stop being pulled along. He glanced up through his hair to see where the Judge was taking him, and his eyes landed upon a stone well not far from the bottom of Notre Dame's steps.
“No.” Charles whispered. With a sickening dread he knew that the only way the Judge was letting him go was down. Down down down in a deep dark well to drown. To be rid of another homeless child. To cover up his murder. “No!”
They reached the well and the Judge did not say a word, forcefully pushing Charles half over the lip of the stone ring. Charles looked down into the darkness and cried, but he did not cry for mercy. He knew he would get none from this man. Judge Richelieu lifted Charles up, trying to get him over, and Charles shot his arms out, bracing himself on the lip of the well, trying to keep his feet on the floor.
“Richelieu!” A voice cracked the silence like lightening, and suddenly, Charles was released. His feet met the floor once more and he collapsed to the snow in relief.
He looked up to find a soldier in elaborate armour standing on the steps of the Notre Dame, near to his father’s body. The man was watching the Judge and Charles in bewilderment.
“Not now, Treville.” The Judge barked out.
“What have you done, Richelieu?!” Treville demanded. “You have spilt innocent blood on the steps of Notre Dame! And about to drown a child?!”
“I am guiltless.” The Judge said. “They ran. I pursued.”
“And now you would add this boy’s blood to your guilt?”
The Judge looked down at Charles with those dead eyes. Charles ducked from the Judges’ reach and rushed across the stones again until he could collapse by his father once again, at the feet of this soldier who might just be his saviour.
“My conscience is clear.” The Judge said to the soldier.
“You can tell yourself that, and tell that to your men,” Treville argued, “But the eyes of Notre Dame have seen what you have done here tonight, and as a religious man, Judge, I can imagine that you would not wish for them to see your crimes.”
Charles glanced up to watch the monster look up at the statues and the gargoyles that lined the exterior of the Notre Dame. And he finally thought he saw some kind of emotion flicker across the Judge’s face. It looked slightly like fear.
“Keep your immortal soul intact.” Treville suggested. “Let the boy go. You have already taken his father. Show him mercy.”
Charles ran his hands through his father’s hair, damp with snow and blood, and felt that his father’s skin had grown cold. Tears dripped down Charles' cheeks still. He was unaware of the silent battle that was taking place over his head.
Finally the Judge snapped, “Fine. I will let the boy go, for now. But I will find him again. Mark my words Captain. And he will be dealt with properly.” He mounted his horse. “I will be sending soldiers back here as soon as I come across any, so I want you to dispose of these gypsies by the time they arrive. Understand, Captain?”
“Yes Sir.” The Captain forced out through clenched teeth.
Charles flinched as the horse reared and thundered out of sight, taking the monster that would haunt Charles’ dreams with him.
Charles started backwards in fright when the soldier knelt down at his side.
“It’s ok.” The man soothed, raising empty hands in a placating gesture. “It’s ok, boy. What’s your name?”
“d’Artagnan.” Charles whispered. “Charles d’Artagnan.”
“d’Artagnan.” The Captain repeated. “It is not safe for you here. You must run. Now.”
“My father…” Charles’ fingers clenched into his father’s cloak. “You can’t!”
“I must take his body to be buried.” Treville rushed urgently, “And soldiers will be here soon. Do not trust any soldier in this city who is not me. They will arrest you. Do you understand me?”
Charles nodded, his eyes clouded with tears and he flung himself forwards onto his father’s body. “What will I do?” He choked. “Where will I go?”
“Find one of your own people, they perform in the streets daily. The first one you see, tell them that you need to see Athos. Do you understand?”
“Athos?” Charles repeated.
“Yes. Remember that name. They will take you to Athos, and he will help you. You will be safe. They will take you to the Court.”
Charles looked up at the soldier with fear. “But I don’t…”
“You must go now! Leave your father with me, he is in good hands, you have my word.”
“I…” Charles’ voice wavered and broke. He reached down and slid his father’s ring from his cold finger, clutching it in his hand.
“Now!” The Captain insisted, finally giving up on patience and hauling Charles to his feet. “Run, boy.” He ordered. “d’Artagnan, run!”
And just like that, Charles became d’Artagnan, and d’Artagnan was once again running for his life. Fleeing from the Notre Dame and his father’s death, but still following the same orders that both his father and Captain Treville had given him – Run.
He found an entertainer just as the sun came up on the streets of Paris. The streets were mostly empty, but he saw a woman at the corner of a building, setting an array of items out on a blanket. “Please.” d’Artagnan gasped as he reached her. He had been running all night. He was cold, his chest ached, his feet and legs burned, and above all, his heart was broken. “Please, I need to find Athos. Will you take me to Athos?!”
The woman looked at him in surprise. “Athos?” She narrowed her eyes at him suspiciously, “What do you want with Athos?”
*
Athos woke up with Porthos’ arm over his waist, and Aramis’ legs tangled with his own. He stretched languidly, careful not to disturb the other men. They had slept in late, but they were not needed out on the streets that day, they had duties in the Court to attend to.
It had been surprising really, how well Athos had fitted into the Court in just over six months. He had found himself well suited to the life, and he found it more comfortable than the Noble and Solider lives that he had tried to live before.
Everyone had welcomed him into the Court after all he had done for the gypsy community, and he was now just as respected as Aramis in the Court. Porthos, of course, was second in command only to Charon and the King of the Court, and Athos had found that if he had Porthos’ trust, he was guaranteed most other people’s trust too. Athos had proven himself a talented musician also, now performing on the streets of Paris, avoiding capture and living in a completely opposite world to the one he had occupied only half a year before.
Aramis had also decided that Athos looked very good in the gypsy attire and had taken great joy in experimenting in lining Athos’ eyes with kohl, similar to Aramis’ own, and dressing him in the loosest shirts and tightest trousers he could find. Porthos, on the other hand, liked to see both Athos and Aramis in lots of gold. Aramis wore bangles and rings and earrings, and Athos himself now sported a small hoop in his earlobe. It had not taken long for Athos, Porthos and Aramis to easily fall into their three-way relationship. It just seemed natural. Not that it would be deemed natural by many others, and there was an unspoken acknowledgment in the Court that yes, the three men were close, but any further relationship between the three was never mentioned (no-one commented, for example, about the three sharing a tent, far away from the other sleeping arrangements). The three, already titled the ‘Inseparables’ due to how close they were, kept their intimate relationship for privacy. And it was these mornings that Athos loved more than anything, a lazy morning with the most precious people to him in the world.
Aramis stirred beside him, his eyes squinting open. “Morning.” He said, sending Athos the most dazzling smile.
“Morning.” Athos responded, propping himself up on his elbow slightly to languidly kiss Aramis to full wakefulness. Aramis hummed happily, shifting so that Athos could drop to his back and Aramis could slide on top of him. Athos traced light fingers down Aramis’ sides, feeling the younger man shiver on top of him. When Athos’ hands found the scarred flesh on Aramis’ side, Aramis gasped and pushed his face into Athos’ neck.
“Still sensitive there?” Athos whispered.
He felt Aramis nod against him.
Athos kissed Aramis’ dark curls, feeling lips move to his collarbone in response.
“Well, this is a pleasant sight to wake to.” Porthos smiling voice had Athos and Aramis both turning their heads towards him.
“Morning, love.” Aramis offered, leaning down to kiss Porthos.
Porthos then moved to kiss Athos likewise, before collapsing back down to the blankets and pillows. “What time is it?”
“Not time to get up yet.” Aramis informed him, turning back to run his tongue over Athos’ skin.
Athos groaned. “I agree.”
Porthos laughed, his eyes crinkling, “You know we have duties this morning.”
Aramis sighed dramatically, dropping his head with a thud onto Athos’ chest. “If you insist, darling.”
Fill: Sanctuary 7b/?
Date: 2015-01-11 12:57 am (UTC)Athos was busy discussing the food stores with Flea, when he heard the shout of “Athos!” from across the court.
Athos looked around to find Elaine rushing towards him, pulling somebody along behind her. Her shout and hurried movements caused quite the stir, as people’s attentions were caught and they began to follow.
“What’s going on?” Aramis asked as he came up behind Athos.
Athos shrugged and walked toward Elaine to meet her halfway. The middle-aged motherly woman stopped, panting heavily, when she reached them. “Athos.” She repeated, “This young one found me this morning.” She then ushered a boy out from behind her to stand in front of Athos.
The boy looked about fifteen or sixteen, quite tall already, with black hair, tanned skin and dark brown eyes that looked around him in a nervous mixture of trepidation, wonder and sadness. His eyes then locked onto Athos.
“You are Athos?” He asked.
“I am.” Athos said in confusion.
As though given permission to let go, the boy dropped to his knees and gave a grief-stricken moan, clutching his face in his hands. Athos startled and looked back to find Aramis and Porthos watching him in stunned silence, along with most of the Court.
Not knowing what else to do, or how this mysterious boy knew his name, Athos knelt down before the boy. “Who are you?”
“My name is d’Artagnan.” The boy said, tear-filled eyes looking straight into Athos’ and Athos could see a whirlwind of emotion in those dark eyes. Eyes that looked too old and haunted for the boy’s years. “I’m from Gascony.”
“He was travelling with a small group of our kind,” Elaine informed Athos when d’Artagnan said no more. “Entered Paris last night by the water and walked straight into a trap. Athos, Judge Richelieu was among the men waiting.”
Athos head shot up in surprise. “What?!” Richelieu did not often go out on patrol. He did not like to do the dirty work himself. Athos found himself looking at the boy in wonderment, “Then how are you here?”
“He chased us to Notre Dame.” d’Artagnan’s voice was wobbling, “He killed my father.” He gasped as the first tears began to fall from already reddened eyes, “On the steps.”
Athos heard Aramis gasp aloud behind him, and Athos spared a glance to make sure that he was alright, memories of finding Aramis dying on those same steps flooding his mind. Porthos had taken hold of Aramis’ arm, keeping him grounded.
“And then he tried to drown me.” d’Artagnan’s next words had Athos’ attention flying back.
“What?!” Aramis cried aloud this time, rushing forwards to kneel by the boy also, taking his hand, “You poor thing, I am so sorry.”
“How are you not dead?” Porthos asked in stunned surprise, regarding the boy with interest and joining Athos and Aramis on the floor with the boy.
“I was saved. Captain Treville…” d’Artagnan paused, clearly waiting for the reaction of recognition from Athos, and once finding what he was looking for carried on “He stopped him. He said he’d take care of my father’s body.” He took a deep breath and his hands were shaking slightly in Aramis’ hold. “And then he told me to find you, Athos.”
Athos nodded, absolutely stunned by the terrible losses that had befallen the boy at Richelieu’s hands. “Treville did right. You are safe here, d’Artagnan.” He placed his hand over Aramis and d’Artagnan’s. Athos looked to Porthos for support, Porthos always knew what to say.
For once, it appeared Athos had said the right thing, as all Porthos did was join his hand to the pile and repeat, “You are safe here with us, d’Artagnan.”
Re: Fill: Sanctuary 7b/?
Date: 2015-02-16 02:41 pm (UTC)Re: Fill: Sanctuary 7b/?
Date: 2015-02-16 03:11 pm (UTC)Thank you, anon. I am glad you are enjoying it!
Re: Fill: Sanctuary 7b/?
Date: 2015-02-17 10:45 am (UTC)Re: Fill: Sanctuary 7b/?
Date: 2015-02-18 07:23 pm (UTC)Re: Fill: Sanctuary 7b/?
Date: 2015-02-18 06:13 am (UTC)I love how you tied the two stories together with Savoy and D'Artagnan's father. And obviously I can't wait for the Feast of Fools!
Re: Fill: Sanctuary 7b/?
Date: 2015-02-18 07:24 pm (UTC)Fill: Sanctuary 8/?
Date: 2015-03-05 10:38 pm (UTC)(Just so you are aware, for this chapter on ao3, there are parts 7a&7b at the beginning, with new fill afterward). Hope you enjoy!
Re: Fill: Sanctuary 9/?
Date: 2015-03-17 06:45 pm (UTC)