Who: D'Artagnan and Aramis. When: Last week in August sometime. Where: Work. What: A chat. Rating/Warnings: Low / None. Status: Complete.
The few days he was out seemed like a year. So much had happened. He’d lost the house, been in a fight and gotten arrested. However it seemed like things were starting to smooth out, and so come Monday morning D’Artagnan was back at the Agency. Fury was on the mend, and he was no longer in emotional distress from house loss. He’d adjusted fairly well to the hotel.
The one thing he hadn’t adjust to was the large bruise on his cheek. Every time he moved to touch it or otherwise scratch said face he forgot it was there and it quickly reminded him with pain. This morning was no different as he approached his desk with a split lip and bruised jaw. He passed by Aramis and decided that morning he was the one to bring an extra frappachino to work. He knew Aramis had been covering thing lately while they were busy with various things, so he thanked him in coffee.
It was a crazy time at the Agency. With Fury down for the count, and security being ramped up, and agents apparently being put out of commission for every reason, Aramis had been working more than usual. Which he was fine with, but he could tell that there was a lot going on that wasn’t being relayed back to them. He had never been overly fond of secrets, which was, he knew, a bad trait for someone who was a secret agent of sorts.
He’d opted for a few overnight shifts this time around. It was quieter, less hectic, and not an option many wanted. Hopefully it meant he’d get some good vacation time out of it. But it was also boring, and he was slumped at his desk when he caught sight of D’Artagnan.
“Oh, good, I’ve been the only one here for hours.”
It seemed that second frappichino couldn’t have come at a better time. “Still?” Sure Fury was still out but he’d expected Porthos to show. Or maybe even Athos by now. Athos insisted he was fine and all even though D’Artagnan still worried. “I thought at least some of them might be back by now..” He sipped idly at his own drink and leaned on the edge of Aramis’ desk.
“Athos may be in later. I insisted he sleep in though after last night.” Aramis would probably take that the wrong way. But there hadn’t even been anything kinky this time.
“Not a lot of takers for overnight,” Aramis explained. “I’m actually going to be heading home in an hour or so. Might catch Porthos before he comes in.”
He took the extra frappuccino with a grateful look and sipped it. “Glad to hear he’s all right. I told you he’d be fine. It’ll take more than a bump to the head to keep Athos down.”
“I guess I should stay, make up for the off time.” He shrugged at that. Nobody had minded really. It wasn’t as though it was a fun vacation off time. The loss of the house had thrown him for a loop more than it had Athos.
“I know..just..with everything going on I guess I just got a little paranoid.” The sugary coffee rush was exactly what he needed right now. The cold drink helped his bruised cheek. It was a win all around. “Didn’t miss anything exciting then did I?’
“I hate to be the one to say it, but you’ll need to work on not letting your emotions go to extremes if you want to be in this business. This isn’t another police department. Very alarming things will happen, and letting yourself jump at every little bang will spell disaster for you.”
Though Aramis at least gave d’Artagnan a smile. He wasn’t saying those things to be a jerk. Genuinely he was very concerned for the boy and Athos, and still would be until they got back on their feet, but it was an important lesson to be learned. Aramis knew Athos would agree, but he also knew that Athos would coddle D’Artagnan and probably not realize it, and he knew Porthos was too nice to outright say things, so Aramis would take the burden on himself. Together, the three of them should be able to put D’Artagnan in top shape.
“Anything exciting? Well, I almost got a paper cut last night. The vending machine in the break room broke and I ate more chocolate than probably necessary. I’ve still got some skittles in my desk if you’d like some.” He shrugged. “It’s been eerily calm here. For me, at least. I can’t say I’m fond of it.”
D’Artagnan frowned some ad he listened. He knew there would be a learning curve to the agency but he just wasn't aware of how different it would be. He'd been told serval tunes he needed to control his emotions by various people, but coming from Aramis it actually meant something. He looked up to him. "I know. I just don't quite know how yet. " He admitted with a sigh. It was going to take a while before he was completely comfortable at the Agency. It didn't bode well for his lack of patience. But this is what he wanted so he was going to give it one hundred percent of his effort.
He and Athos hadn't quite gown back out on their feet yet but D’Artagnan had adjusted to the hotel rather well. He was able to sleep again these days, and his twist schedule was back on track. Things were improving.
"Nah. I've actually been holding back a bit on the sugar lately. Think I've starved they cravings finally. " He shrugged and sipped at the ice coffee in hand instead. " Quiet hm? Wish I could say the same. I.. May have gotten arrested the other night. .."
“Says the man who’s currently drinking sugar disguised as coffee,” Aramis pointed out, sipping his own frappuccino with an amused smile. “I have every confidence in you, you know. You just lack it in yourself. You’ll do fine.”
He began to gather up his things, feeling really like he’d spent enough time at work pushing papers around. “Oh? Good for you!” he said, giving D’Artagnan a large smile. “It happens to the best of us, you know. I mean, not me, of course, but nearly once. It builds character.”
"I did say a bit didn't I? Hey I'm trying. Baby steps and all that. " He mused. "I'll try my best anyway. " He hoped his response didn't seem too juvenile but it was true. This was something he was going to have to work on and it likely wasn't going to be easy.
D’Artagnan couldn't help but grin at the man in return. "I can't say most of it wasn't fun either. " He admitted with a slight laugh. "Athos says we need to review my idea of a good time. I knew I should have called you. " He couldn't help but feel a little pleased with the outcome of telling the man. "The assault part not so fun but the rest? .. I'd be lying if it wasn't. "
“Well. If later, your baby steps are failing and you want Skittles, they’re in this drawer here.” Aramis tapped a drawer on the right side of the desk. “Help yourself.”
Then he snorted, putting his things into his bag and searching for his keys. “No, better you called Athos. I’ve been informed that I’m a terrible enabler and an awful role model. He’d have blamed me in an instant. Though, maybe for the best that you try to avoid it again in the future. I’m sure Fury will have a laugh about his new recruit getting booked, but we are a government agency. Maybe next time you should call Porthos. He’d probably sort things out all right for you.”
D’Artagnan was pleased none the less with Aramis's reaction. Truth was he looked up to him. In spite of his crazy romances and strange lifestyle D’Artagnan often found himself wanting Aramis and Porthos's approval. He still respected both of them, and when it came to choosing friends the were no better ones. The initial thing he got arrested for wad not all that thrilling, in fact it was downright scary. But he would be lying if the fight wasn't slightly satisfying. He nodded to the drawer. "Thanks. But you are an enabler." He teased with a laugh and watched him get his things together.
"Ugh Fury. I totally forgot that he's going to see it if he hasn't already. " He placed his palm on his forehead and rolled his eyes. "Porthos hm. I'll keep it in mind. But I'm not sure anything like this will happen again. I doubt Athos will allow it. " He shrugged and got comfortable. It was going to be a long night.
“Well, just remember that you’re still young,” Aramis pointed out. He grabbed his coat and shrugged it on. “I think it’s very good you have Athos to help keep you grounded, but don’t let him dictate your life, yes? You’re allowed to go out and have friends and make mistakes. He won’t hold it against you.” He gave D’Artagnan a pat on the shoulder as he walked by. “I’ll see you later.”
And along those lines was exactly what Remy had said in the past. D’Artagnan began to wonder if he was a bit of a push over when it came to appeasing Athos. He wanted the man to be happy, but at what cost? He gave Aramis a half smile and nodded. “I’ll keep it in mind..” Athos was his boyfriend, he was happy with that. But he also needed friends. He knew that now. “Yeah..all right. Later then. “It was going to be a long night in the large building now left to his thoughts.