Chapter Text
Aramis sighed as he walked through the corridors of the Garrison, his trusty black case in one hand and forever present blue rucksack on his back. He was tired. He’d been working with Team Two on a case due to their third being injured on a previous bust. It had been a long one, and in the past 48 hours or so consisted of lots of surveillance with Aramis being the eye in the sky – well the eye in a high empty building, surviving for hours on nothing but cereal bars and snacks that he could store in his pack. He wasn’t complaining, hell he was a sniper it was his job – but god he was tired.
It wasn’t just the case, it wasn’t the same working without his three best friends – he didn’t trust anyone the way he did them, so spending a few days with Team Two, only seeing the 3 briefly put him on edge. Still the job was done and after writing his report he could finally be reunited with his team. Even he and Porthos had not seen each other for the last 4 days or so despite them living together.
“Smile it might never happen” a voice came from nowhere, startling him out of his thoughts. Despite his fatigue the Spaniard couldn’t help but smile. He’d recognise that voice anywhere. He caught Constance's eye, sitting dutifully at her reception desk and gave her a small wave. He was rewarded with a beaming smile back, the tension in her shoulders easing - maybe it wasn't just the 4 who didn't do well being separated.
“It already did” he grins as he turns around to meet Porthos’s voice. The bigger man chuckles, and Aramis feels the coil of unease he’s had in his stomach for the past week or so, loosen.
“Bust done?” He asks, placing a hand on his back, gently ushering him further down the corridor and into the conference room that was unofficially Team One’s. Of course the older man knows the answer, Treville had been updating them with the progress when the sniper couldn’t. The pair had barely seen each other despite living in the same apartment due to the clashing schedules. Aramis feels himself immediately relaxing under the familiar touch, god he’d missed him.
“Yeah, went without a hitch” he replies rubbing his face wearily. “Just a few loose ties to sort out and I’m officially Team One again.” He smiles and Porthos smiles rubbing his hand across his shoulders soothingly. He knew the sniper was exhausted, not just from the bust itself, but from the hyper vigilance he would have been exerting not being with his usual team.
“Can’t they just keep you?” Athos suggests dryly, as soon as the pair walk into the room, not even looking up from the case file in front of him.
“And leave you three to suffer in my absence?” Aramis grins settling himself on the chair opposite him.
“Suffer?” D’Artangan snorts with a smirk as Athos pushes a cup of coffee in front of the tired sniper, still not looking up from the file. It confirms Aramis’ suspicions that Treville had informed them he was on his way back. “Though we would have to break in a new sniper.”
“Not again, Can’t be bothered with that” Porthos adds, sitting next to Aramis so that their knees touch under the desk. Normally the pair wouldn’t be so close during work hours but the past week had been tough on both of them.
“We got a new case?” Aramis asks taking a sip and nodding to the folders on the desk.
“Yeah just got it, big drugs ring” D’Artangan supplies, leaning over to grab a file.
“Dealing?” Aramis asks, starting to read a report.
“What aren’t they dealing?” Athos sighs, he reaches over and takes the paper away. “Do your report, sleep and we’ll catch you up later” he orders.
“What if I’ve already done it?” Aramis bluffs, face straight.
Athos shoots him a withering glance, the glance he saves for when Aramis fires paperclips at him. Aramis is so used to it he doesn’t outwardly flinch.
“ Go on ‘Mis, we’ll catch you up at dinner alright? Let me know when you’re done and I’ll drop you home” Porthos persuades, knowing the sniper is exhausted both mentally and physically. Tonight is a Friday, which means dinner at Athos’s apartment, Constance joining also. Porthos himself has plans to meet his old foster sister Flea this after, but seeing how pale and worn out Aramis is he’s seriously considering postponing.
Aramis sighs and leans back into the seat, shutting his eyes. He knows he won’t sleep without Porthos or someone near him. He’s in the headspace where he can’t relax. It’s a common problem for the ex-ranger. He spends days wound up, waiting for a signal, always watching, always waiting and when the time comes to relax and the job is done he just can’t seem to switch it off. There's an ache beginning at his temple, and his stomach is queasy with that empty queasiness, after eating nothing but snacks for the past 48 hours or so.
Athos and Porthos share a look. They know he won’t rest at home alone – he’s never been great at sleeping but especially since the training accident of Savoy he is even more prone to bouts of insomnia and night terrors. They certainly aren’t as frequent, but it’s not odd to find them all staying over after tough cases. Truth be told they are all tired – none of them do well when separated. The sniper looks exhausted despite his smiles, he really needs the rest.
“Go both of you, there’s not much to read through” Athos decides firmly.
Aramis immediately opens his mouth to protest, despite the relief he feels at the instruction.
“No, he’s been like a lost puppy for a week....he’s been no use anyway so we can all start fresh tomorrow” Athos states firmly, ignoring D’Artangan’s squawk of laughter at Porthos’ expression.
“No Use?” He asks indignantly as Aramis huffs a laugh at “puppy.”
Athos looks him square in the eyes completely deadpan, “Useless.”
Aramis grins, a tired but true Aramis grin, “well that is you told....” he stands up, sending a wink and a very grateful smile to Athos. Athos gives the smallest of nods in return, his mouth twitching upwards slightly before the pair leave.