[ He's not especially surprised this is happening. He's known d'Artagnan for long enough that he's very much aware of his propensity in throwing himself in the line of danger. It always worsens when there might be someone else who could suffer instead of him. So therefore he knows a moment like this was coming, but that doesn't mean he has to like it.
Eventually he makes his way to d'Artagnan's rooms, the doors blessedly open. Athos pauses in the entranceway and watches his friend strap weapon after weapon to his body. He's readying himself for a war and it makes something in Athos go hot with panic. He shouldn't be allowing this, and yet.
D'Artagnan hasn't seen him yet so he takes a small measure of enjoyment in speaking in a loud, even tone. ] It seems you have found your calling in life. [ Dryly. ] Glorified target.
[ He doesn’t know what they’ll be facing, that’s the problem. That’s everyone’s problem. It makes sense to take as many varied weapons as he can – plasma sword, rapier, main gauche, plasma rifle, plasma knife, assault rifle. And the Juggernaut, obviously, but that’s around his waist as an extra belt. He’s busy fixing spare ammunition to his hip when the voice appears behind him, and he almost drops the magazine as he jumps.
He turns, finding Athos, and he rolls his eyes with a sigh. ]
Don’t do that. What’s the matter with you?
[ Then he takes in what Athos actually said, and sets his jaw. ]
They need help. I’m doing my job, I’m not going to just leave it to everyone else.
[ He almost retorts with what's the matter with you but that would be childish and he's got too much of a headache to get into that kind of bickering. His expression is very much unapologetic though. ]
No, you're not. [ He wishes he didn't know d'Artagnan so well. ] Were you planning on telling me?
No, he hadn't planned on saying anything. Probably because he knew it would end in a conversation like this. Athos never likes it when he does something risky. ]
I'm going to help them, and catch the thing that killed those people. I have to.
I can do this, Athos. Please don't be another person telling me I can't.
Of course you can. [ He heaves out a sigh, his arms crossed over his chest, his eyes focused entirely on d'Artagnan. ] You can do it because you've set your mind to it. I'm not here to tell you that you can't.
[ Instead he's just here to see him. To prove to himself that the worst hasn't already happened. D'Artagnan throws himself into every kind of danger and each time it feels like Athos' heart is in a vice. ]
I just wish there were another way. And that you'd told me.
[ He had thought he'd freed himself from hell's clutches but it seems he's simply moved from one to the other. For watching d'Artagnan constantly throwing himself into the line of danger must be a hell all of it's own. And yet his expression remains passive, his sigh a tight sound that forces its way from him. ]
Life would be much easier if you actually needed my permission. [ Not for the first time he misses Aramis with an agony that's aching, wishes Porthos were here to do something. Because he doesn't always know how to make d'Artagnan see where he's coming from. The other two have a way with words. And between them they'd be able to follow him everywhere. ]
I simply ask that you tell me when you're about to get yourself killed. [ Dryly. ] How else will I know to attend the funeral?
[ He turns, hands still on his hips, expression tight. He's not wearing his Musketeer uniform - hasn't, since the end of Ajna. The look of tight frustration on his face should be familiar enough, though. ]
You talk as if I'm about to die every time I step out of my room.
[ Ignoring the fact that there's already been murders. D'Artagnan knows he's not invincible, but he's not afraid. Members of this crew have been lost already and it's his job to keep them safe.
He comes close, stopping right in front of Athos. Any closer and they'd be touching, but d'Artagnan thinks nothing of that. ]
I can do this. I trust Jack and his plan. Trust me. I will come back, Athos.
[ He's irritated, that much is obvious when his gaze flicks restlessly over d'Artagnan's face. He thinks nothing of the limited space between them, however. That hasn't existed since the moment d'Artagnan joined his friends in pulling him from the firing line. In fact, it's comforting in its familiarity.
Part of him wants to say that he doesn't trust Jack and therefore it's a ridiculous plan and d'Artagnan should know better. But if his friend trusts someone it is usually through good judgement. ]
All I ask is a little forewarning, next time. [ He raises his eyes heavenward and lets his shoulders drop. ] I wouldn't be a Musketeer if I didn't join you in your hair brained schemes, after all.
[ D'Artagnan lets out a breath, his tense expression relaxing a little. His hand comes up, resting against Athos' shoulder with his fingers touching his neck.
He knows his friend is only worried about him. ]
I'm sorry. The next time I offer myself as bait for an unknown monster, I'll tell you first.
That wasn't so hard, was it? [ He's not really in the mood for joking but somehow it feels natural to sooth over the tensions with wit.
For a moment he just looks at him, the thoughtfulness still present on his face. Then he touches d'Artagnan's arm as though to steer him back towards his myriad of weapons. ] I would leave you to it, but unfortunately I recall the simulation. Do you have everything you need?
[ Athos breathes an audible sigh at that, hands resting on his hips. ] And what of your nanites? What of your medical kit? It's all well and good bringing enough weapons from an army but you can hardly use them if you're bleeding to death.
[ Even though he has actually used them by now. And even though he knows they're probably all through his body, thanks to his cuff. He still doesn't like the idea. ]
I'll take a bandage or two, all right? I have my Juggernaut, Athos, I'm sure I'll be fine.
[ He's fighting a losing battle, he knows that. D'Artagnan is definitely never going to listen to him about this. Still, he makes sure to pick up a roll of bandages out of his friend's belongings and hold it out expectantly. ]
[ You are a little shit and he's going to get you one of these days.
Still, he knows he cannot stall for very much longer. D'Artagnan has a duty to the people here, the same as Athos, and he's trying to help them. Athos would do better if he would let him. ]
You are. Now go, throw yourself into the path of every danger you come across. [ He claps a hand on his shoulder. ] Try to stay alive. It'll be very wearisome if you don't.
[ He nods and steps back, watches d'Artagnan as he leaves. His friend will always be one of the first into the fire, the first to risk everything just to help. That's part of what makes him such a good Musketeer and yet --.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
DAY 71 | AKA DAY 1234543 OF D'ARTAGNAN BEING A LITTLE SHIT
Eventually he makes his way to d'Artagnan's rooms, the doors blessedly open. Athos pauses in the entranceway and watches his friend strap weapon after weapon to his body. He's readying himself for a war and it makes something in Athos go hot with panic. He shouldn't be allowing this, and yet.
D'Artagnan hasn't seen him yet so he takes a small measure of enjoyment in speaking in a loud, even tone. ] It seems you have found your calling in life. [ Dryly. ] Glorified target.
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He turns, finding Athos, and he rolls his eyes with a sigh. ]
Don’t do that. What’s the matter with you?
[ Then he takes in what Athos actually said, and sets his jaw. ]
They need help. I’m doing my job, I’m not going to just leave it to everyone else.
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No, you're not. [ He wishes he didn't know d'Artagnan so well. ] Were you planning on telling me?
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No, he hadn't planned on saying anything. Probably because he knew it would end in a conversation like this. Athos never likes it when he does something risky. ]
I'm going to help them, and catch the thing that killed those people. I have to.
I can do this, Athos. Please don't be another person telling me I can't.
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[ Instead he's just here to see him. To prove to himself that the worst hasn't already happened. D'Artagnan throws himself into every kind of danger and each time it feels like Athos' heart is in a vice. ]
I just wish there were another way. And that you'd told me.
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I'm sorry, Athos. I didn't think. They asked for volunteers and I gave them my name.
[ Glancing around at him. ]
I can't always ask for permission.
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Life would be much easier if you actually needed my permission. [ Not for the first time he misses Aramis with an agony that's aching, wishes Porthos were here to do something. Because he doesn't always know how to make d'Artagnan see where he's coming from. The other two have a way with words. And between them they'd be able to follow him everywhere. ]
I simply ask that you tell me when you're about to get yourself killed. [ Dryly. ] How else will I know to attend the funeral?
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You talk as if I'm about to die every time I step out of my room.
[ Ignoring the fact that there's already been murders. D'Artagnan knows he's not invincible, but he's not afraid. Members of this crew have been lost already and it's his job to keep them safe.
He comes close, stopping right in front of Athos. Any closer and they'd be touching, but d'Artagnan thinks nothing of that. ]
I can do this. I trust Jack and his plan. Trust me. I will come back, Athos.
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Part of him wants to say that he doesn't trust Jack and therefore it's a ridiculous plan and d'Artagnan should know better. But if his friend trusts someone it is usually through good judgement. ]
All I ask is a little forewarning, next time. [ He raises his eyes heavenward and lets his shoulders drop. ] I wouldn't be a Musketeer if I didn't join you in your hair brained schemes, after all.
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He knows his friend is only worried about him. ]
I'm sorry. The next time I offer myself as bait for an unknown monster, I'll tell you first.
I promise.
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For a moment he just looks at him, the thoughtfulness still present on his face. Then he touches d'Artagnan's arm as though to steer him back towards his myriad of weapons. ] I would leave you to it, but unfortunately I recall the simulation. Do you have everything you need?
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Of course I do.
I have a spare sword and extra bullets in my bag. But I shouldn't need them because I'm bringing the plasma rifle anyway.
Satisfied?
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[ Honestly, d'Artagnan. ]
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[ Even though he has actually used them by now. And even though he knows they're probably all through his body, thanks to his cuff. He still doesn't like the idea. ]
I'll take a bandage or two, all right? I have my Juggernaut, Athos, I'm sure I'll be fine.
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Unfortunately one day you'll thank me for it.
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Thank you, Athos. I'm lucky I have you to remind me.
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Still, he knows he cannot stall for very much longer. D'Artagnan has a duty to the people here, the same as Athos, and he's trying to help them. Athos would do better if he would let him. ]
You are. Now go, throw yourself into the path of every danger you come across. [ He claps a hand on his shoulder. ] Try to stay alive. It'll be very wearisome if you don't.
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Thank you for the vote of confidence. I'll see you later.
Athos, keep an eye on the others for me, will you? Garrus would do all the work himself if he could.
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I will. You don't have to worry about that.
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Have a little faith. ]
Thanks. I'd best get a move on.
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He worries.
It will never get easier. ]