iv.

[athosing]

muses

ALSO DOUBLING AS A TFLN OVERFLOW

Comments

[desequilibre]

I don't care.

[cajoled]

Tell me you love me, Athos.

[desequilibre]

Will it make you any happier?

[cajoled]

Yes. Say it.

[desequilibre]

I love you.

I have always loved you.

I wish I did not, but I cannot help myself.

[cajoled]

I'll not let you now. Not again.
Our fates and hearts are intertwined, my love.

[desequilibre]

What do you imagine we would have done had I not been delayed?

[cajoled]

We would be living new lives together in England.

[desequilibre]

What kind?

I am no longer the man I was. We'd both be starting at the same point.

[cajoled]

I don't know. We've both changed, haven't we?

[desequilibre]

Would you be satisfied? Just us two, making our own way?

[cajoled]

You're all I've ever truly wanted.

[desequilibre]

Promise me. If you only tell me the truth once in our entire lives then promise me that you mean this.

[cajoled]

I swear it.

[desequilibre]

I have money.

Put aside from my time here. It's enough to get us settled.

[cajoled]

And what shall we do if your Musketeers disapprove?

[desequilibre]

I have stood by their choices. It's time they stand by mine.

( Aramis especially. )

[cajoled]

And what of my choices? I only know a few ways to earn a living, my love.

[ most of them are pretty illegal... ]

[desequilibre]

I do not wish to live dishonestly. And I do not want to lose you once more.

[cajoled]

Then am I to stay home and be your doting wife again?

[desequilibre]

No.

I would not ask that of you. All I want is that we live honestly, together.

[cajoled]

Do you think you could be happy with me?

[desequilibre]

I have been unhappy without you.

[cajoled]

I want to make you happy, Athos. I want you to be content and to want no one more than me.

[desequilibre]

When you get to Paris, send word. I will come to you.

( There are things to tie up. They will need lodgings. He doubts she would be comfortable with his lonely existence in the Garrison. And there will be fractured emotions among his friends. But he did not stand up for her before. He will now. )