The next morning…

"Alright, alright," d'Artagnan answered, throwing on a shirt for decency. He yanked open the door to his room and glared, but quickly retracted it seeing as it had been Athos who had been pounding on his door before the sun was up. Regarding the man's serious countenance, d'Artagnan held fast any sass he so desperately wanted to give. "What is it?"

Athos sighed after taking in his state of dress. "You have an audience with the king this morning."

d'Artagnan felt the color drain from his face. "Wh… Why?-"

"If we knew, you would as well. Get dressed," Athos ordered before turning to leave. "We'll leave shortly."

"Athos," he called. The man stopped but didn't turn around. "Is this about-"

"Your foolish decision to abandon the regiment," Athos finished for him. Then he turned around, but didn't meet d'Artagnan's worried gaze. "I don't know. It is very possible, but with Treville being so tight-lipped about it, it gives me cause to hope that it is not that severe. He would tell us if it were."

d'Artagnan leaned against the side of his doorway and crossed his arms against the morning chill. "That's not all that comforting…"

Athos looked up and down both ends of the hallway, then quickly crossed to d'Artagnan and shared a chaste kiss, his hand cradling the side of his face and lingering. d'Artagnan grabbed that hand before it retreated and placed a warm kiss to his palm. It smelled faintly of cedar, mostly of horse, and something else that instantly put him at ease. He hoped he wasn't taking any liberties with Athos, but given how his eyes softened and he lingered longer than was truly necessary after telling him to "Hurry up," d'Artagnan was happy to have guessed correctly.

The memory of the previous night's activities in the hallway made heat travel to regions that would make dressing difficult. As he shrugged into his uniform and strapped on his weapons he couldn't help but wonder how he was going to ride next to Athos, much less stand next to him in the king's presence and remain unaffected. As he descended the stairs and made for the stables he had briefly forgotten that he and Athos wouldn't be the only ones going before the king. Treville regarded him with narrow eyes from atop his mount and d'Artagnan tried not to swallow his nervousness too obviously.

In record time, d'Artagnan, Athos, and Treville were standing in the audience chamber awaiting the king. d'Artagnan did his best not to fidget but more than once found Athos glaring at him to get a hold of himself. After being quietly shunned by his village, nearly killed by an old friend, and outed to his brothers, an audience with the king just seemed like icing on top of the proverbial cake. He'd barely had a day to come to terms with it all and he desperately needed time to simply think things through.

At five past eight the doors at the back of the chamber opened with a thud. The king entered with a loud yawn while the Cardinal trailed behind him in all his religious doom and gloom pomposity. Notably absent was the Queen, which made d'Artagnan's stomach sink. If there were to be any battle of wits this morning it would be solely between Treville and Richelieu, which depending on the time of day and the king's temperament, was always a crapshoot.

Treville sighed at catching sight of the Cardinal. "I could have had you shot for desertion, you know," he muttered to d'Artagnan.

d'Artagnan felt some gooseflesh erupt on the back of his neck. "You still could."

Treville gave him a half smile. "And ruin the entertainment? I think not."

As they bowed, d'Artagnan gave into the urge to give Treville some side-eye. Athos would smack him upside the head for it later, but d'Artagnan was never one to let something said at his expense go without a response. His father raised him that way, after all.

Louis gave a dismissive wave and verbal acknowledgement as he yawned again and stepped up to flop his body down on his regal cushioned seat. "Treville."

"Majesty," Treville greeted with a smile as he rose.

As Athos and d'Artagnan rose the Cardinal scoffed and sneered, "Shouldn't you be on your knees, boy?"

"If his Majesty commands it," d'Artagnan replied.

Louis made a noncommittal noise and gave another dismissive wave, which gave them a little hope for the proceedings. "There's no need. I trust d'Artagnan understands the gravity with which he was called here."

d'Artagnan swallowed, but answered firm and clear. "I do, Majesty."

"Good," Louis replied, waving a servant over with a tea tray. "Get on with it then, Armand."

Richelieu gave d'Artagnan a smug glare before producing some long worded and official court documents from a portfolio. "Charles d'Artagnan, you were recently granted a commission amongst the king's musketeers. You attempted to resign your commission and before such approval was granted you deserted your regiment which by law is punishable by-"

"Yes, yes, yes," Louis interrupted with a bored and tired tone as he sipped his tea. "We all know the facts, Armand. What I want to know is why. Why did my champion choose to rescind his commission?"

Being under the strong eyes of his monarch, d'Artagnan was suddenly struck dumb. He could feel the atmosphere in the air changing, undulating, as if indecisive as to which way to steer his fate this time. He had only felt the air around him this uncertain few times before in his life. That he was cognizant of it now meant something irrevocable was about to happen, and the fact that he couldn't string together two coherent words did not bode well.

"Circumstance, sire," Treville jumped in. "Unfortunate circumstance. d'Artagnan's farm was among those burned in Gascony by Monsieur LaBarge."

"Had he said such I would have seen him properly compensated for his losses," Louis replied, undeterred. "But given his character, I doubt he would abandon his King for such petty reasons…"

d'Artagnan cleared his throat quietly and prayed to God that he wouldn't sound like the immature boy he'd been trying to prove to the entire garrison he wasn't since his first day when he challenged Athos. "Your Majesty had already granted me what I had been dreaming about since I was a boy," he said, defending Treville's point. "Asking for more seemed a grievous offense after such a gift."

Louis made another non-committal noise. "More grievous than abandoning me?"

In truth it wasn't. He couldn't even say it had been half the reason. His farm had been the excuse to hide the truth. He couldn't very well admit the truth to the king and damn himself to execution, but neither could he outright lie. It went against everything his father had taught him. He didn't dare look to Treville or Athos for guidance. It was his conscience and his honor that was being questioned. "No, Majesty," he admitted. "It was not. I… I feared… I feared my… inexperience would endanger the regiment, and you."

This time, Louis made a noise of mild surprise. "I believe that's the first time I've heard someone refer to their inclination as inexperience. What of you, Armand?"

"I cannot adequately say considering I have never encountered a Theta before, sire."

d'Artagnan froze. The urge to run was blinding. His lips parted in shock to take in desperately needed air, but he suddenly forgot how. But then Atho's hands were on either of his shoulders, grounding him, and forcing him to breathe properly. He could feel Athos' scent brush up behind him, subtle enough to be overlooked by the king and cardinal, but by the look Treville shared with Athos, his reputation for a hawk was not unfounded. "Don't give in," Athos said in his ear. "I know what it feels like, but don't run. You'll make this worse if you do."

Treville glared at the Cardinal an only gave his two men one glance before approaching Richelieu. "I believe you are losing your skill of tact, Cardinal," he hissed. "That was hardly necessary!"

Richelieu rolled his eyes, the smirk still irritatingly on his lips. "Please, Captain. If he cannot withstand his own nature at the prospect of being outted, then this whole charade is moot. He'll experience far worse in the company of an enemy who knows how to spot a Theta."

"Breathe," Athos said in d'Artagnan's ear. "Control it. I know you can…"

He reigned in his terror and scent as best he could. Gradually, his vision cleared and the occupants of the room came into sharper clarity. He felt the tension seep out of his muscles, but Athos kept a firm hold on him to prevent him from swaying. He lowered his eyes in shame and turned slightly to Athos. "I'm sorry," he whispered. "I still can't... control the instinct."

"In time you will," Athos whispered back. "For now, face what's left knowing we're by your side. I can't believe this audience was meant to condemn you."

"Indeed it was not," the king's voice reverberated off the walls. Louis stood from his seat, and descended from the dais. Coming before his two musketeers he huffed some laughter at the wide-eyed look of surprise in his champion. "You forget the gifts I have been bestowed of my own nature," he said tapping his ears. "I do very much enjoy playing the fool to my courtiers, but not to my men."

"Yes, Majesty," d'Artagnan replied, managing to stand up straighter on his own.

"Your arrival," Louis continued. "And appointment among my ranks of musketeers is timely, d'Artagnan. I would be a fool indeed if I did not make use of you where you can best serve me. War with Spain has been looming for years, and should it come to fruition I would have you at my side as my most trusted advisor. I would be a fool otherwise to assume no inclination was adept at duplicity. The unfortunate reality of my nature is I am too trusting. As a king, I must be. My unmatchable first minister advises me in worldly politics. My most trusted Captain of the Musketeers advises me in military means. What I need is someone to advise me when it comes to the baser natures of men, and how best to predict or influence what may come."

"I do not know much of war, sire," d'Artagnan weakly protested. "I've barely broken in my pauldron."

"True, but in a few months I think you will look to this moment and say you were wrong to doubt your king's faith in you."

"Majesty I-"

"Don't apologize," Louis reprimanded. "But don't abandon me again. I need someone like you for all the qualities you possess, d'Artagnan. Especially the qualities you cannot show outside these halls. You will not abandon me again, will you?"

"If I may add,Majesty?" Treville asked. When Louis inclined his head, Treville leveled his gaze with his youngest recruit. "You were always meant for a military life, d'Artagnan. Your father even confessed as much to me before his untimely passing. But to distinguish yourself so early, and in front of his majesty, no less, is a feat not many of your kind have accomplished with such clarity and focus. Thetas typically need a decade of training to have a fraction of the restraint you showed that day against LaBarge."

"And much as I am loathe to admit it," Richelieu added. "We are most in need of someone to suss out such enemies my nature will not allow me to otherwise."

Athos stiffened by d'Artagnan's side. "You speak of traitors at court, Your Eminence?"

"An entire network of them is our fear. Some of which may even have penetrated your ranks… and mine," Richelieu said through his teeth. "It is most grating, and therefore a matter of the utmost seriousness to which I admit my resources sadly lacking at this time."

"There's always a first time for everything," Treville quipped.

The Cardinal gave Treville a look that would have melted steel.

Louis cleared his throat, quietly. "You did not answer my question, d'Artagnan…"

d'Artagnan took a moment to still his thoughts. Traitors amongst court would have been inevitable with war looming, and from a tactitian's standpoint, it would only make sense for a network of them to be most effective. But the idea that they had already infiltrated the musketeers and the Red Guard was worrisome. d'Artagnan was no fool. For the Cardinal to admit the breach in his own ranks was grave news enough. Though d'Artagnan bore the Cardinal no warmth of heart, the fact that he would need to aid the Cardinal to aid the security of the king made what he now had to do all the easier.

"If your Majesty can somehow forgive my transgression against you," d'Artagnan said, kneeling in front of his king. "And the musketeer regiment… I will gladly never leave your side until you bid me do so. I will serve you as faithfully and steadfast as I am able to in what life is granted to me."

"Excellent," Louis smiled, turning and heading toward the door. "This matter is settled to my liking. Armand if you will settle the details, I will have my letters and paperwork sent to me in the gardens. It is too crisp and beautiful a day not to enjoy."

They all bowed as the king exited the room, with servants dashing after him and toward the office to comply with his sudden change of venue plans for his morning's work.

The Cardinal offered a tight smile to Treville as he handed the captain a missive with the seal of the king. "I trust I need not repeat any of these details to you, Captain?"

"I am a man of exceptional hearing and intelligence, such as yourself," Treville replied, taking the offered missive and stowing it in his breast pocket.

"Don't flatter yourself," Richelieu said with a strange glint in his eyes before he turned and exited the room. "And don't think for a moment this changes anything between us."

As they exited the main audience chamber and made their way back to the front gates, d'Artagnan finally let the gravity of all that occurred fall on his shoulders. The weight and enormity of it all made him stumble and nearly fall into an undignified heap on the expensive marble floors of the hallway. Luckily, Athos anticipated his reaction and grabbed him by the arm to keep him upright. Treville grabbed his other arm and between the both of them coaching him to put one foot in front of the other, they made it back to their horses without further embarrassment. Before d'Artagnan mounted his horse he glanced back up at the palace and saw the cardinal looking down at him from a window. Though he had the protection and official sanction of the king surrounding him, he knew better than to think he was now without enemies.

A hand clapping on his shoulder was what finally broke him from the cardinal's pull. Athos was there, sending a brief glare of his own up at Richelieu. Then he leaned close and whispered in d'Artagnan's ear, "He'll chain you over my dead body."

"He would try…"

"He won't even get close. Mount up. Don't give him the satisfaction."

As they rode their horses out of the gate d'Artagnan couldn't get past the heavy pit in his stomach. He'd teased Athos time and again about his political prowess. Now, d'Artagnan had been thrown into the fray without preamble or without an article of clothing to give him the smallest of comforts. How was a farm boy from Gascony expected to understand much less advise the king of France?

To say Aramis and Porthos were shocked after everything was recounted would have been an understatement.

"Does this afford him noble standing," Aramis asked.

"Of a sort," Treville answered. "He'll receive a monthly monetary fund from the king. He'll be expected to attend court functions on a more permanent basis. The only things d'Artagnan won't be afforded are lands and an official title."

"Because of the secrecy and low-life expectancy," d'Artagnan elaborated.

Treville sighed. "Unfortunately, yes. But you'll be reporting to no one other than the king himself. I and the Cardinal will know nothing about the sensitive information or any possible tidings you may deliver on the king's behalf. Not just anyone is granted this honor, d'Artagnan."

"That's a lot of trust to place in one inclination," d'Artagnan stated.

"Thetas have frequently worked alone in the past, but having a team of support is not unheard of, and not something I think the king would deny."

d'Artagnan frowned. "Team?"

"You don't think we'd let you go off to Spain or England alone to have all the fun now do you," Porthos asked.

"But-"

"We did ride all the way to Gascony and back," Athos drawled with a pointed look. "I would very much appreciate not having to do it again."

"But, no," d'Artagnan protested. "I don't want things to be different than they were before…"

"You will make a fine leader," Athos began to argue.

"But not now! Not when all this is so new and… I feel I have much more to learn, and I don't feel ready for such a heavy responsibility. Not yet."

Treville sighed. "I thought you might not. You will have to report to the king alone, but if it would ease your spirit, Athos can take the lead as he's done before?"

"If that is what you wish," Athos said. "I will, however, assert the same authority. You must be willing to follow my orders when I give them, even if you don't like them or disagree with them. I will listen to your counsel, but should you disobey a direct order this arrangement will be voided. Is that clear?"

d'Artagnan nodded. "Yes. If it means things stay as they were before, then yes."

"This is no stake on our friendship," Aramis said with a hand on d'Artagnan's shoulder. "We're still brothers. No matter what stupidity you find yourself in."

And Porthos gave d'Artagnan a funny look. "You being a Theta… that how you cheated me at cards last week?"

d'Artagnan deadpanned. "No."

Porthos snorted and shook his head. It may have seemed inconsequential to everyone else, but it was that reaction that convinced d'Artagnan that things may not have spiraled completely out of his grasp yet.

Treville picked up the missive with the royal seal on it. "I know all four of you just returned but I have something very important that needs to be delivered today. Its secrecy is paramount and its delivery vital. It cannot be compromised, but if it somehow is I want it destroyed. This cannot end up in the wrong hands, be it a roadside raider or God forbid the Cardinal."

Athos took the missive and placed it in the inside pocket of his doublet.

"Take it to Cherbourg," Treville instructed. "Deliver it to an English priest at St. Andre's. His name is Daniel Gaines. See that he makes it aboard the Aberdeen and that it casts off without incident. Inspect every member of that crew before they leave port. The king doesn't like the idea of extending an olive branch, to England of all countries, but the last thing he wants is to suffer a public embarrassment. Gaines knows how to handle himself, but the more aide we can give him on our own soil the better."

Aramis frowned. "Wouldn't the Cardinal want peace if it's in France's interests?"

"The Cardinal wants war, but in his soul he doesn't want it with Spain. To concede to a country that's been France's bitterest enemy for the last five hundred years to him is the same as admitting defeat. England is the head he is truly after, and he will look to this as an opportunity to prove that to the king."

Porthos turned up his nose and shrugged. "Ain't nothin' new."

"You would think he would change tactics after so many attempts to throw us under the carriage," Aramis sighed. "It's growing quite predictable."

"He very well may have different plans," Treville warned. "Be alert. And stay away from Inns along the way if you can manage it. Trust no one but yourselves."

"Consider it done," Athos said tipping his hat before starting out the door. d'Artagnan followed after him with Aramis and Porthos behind. The trio descended the stairs, but for one moment d'Artagnan allowed himself the chance to take in the morning air. He didn't have to hide anymore. He could, within reason, finally be fully himself without repercussion among his brothers. It had been all he'd ever wanted since he was a young boy first dealing with his developing inclination. He felt like a fool for doubting his brothers after everything had been said and done. He'd been forgiven. He was still wanted, despite what he was.

That thought alone lifted his heart higher than it had been since he had first set off for Paris with his father all those months ago.

It made him smile.

He descended the stairs with light feet.

Until he landed at the bottom with a glaring Constance right in front of him.

"Constance," d'Artagnan started.

Without saying a word, Constance slapped him hard across the face. Aramis and Porthos winced but kept their distance. Athos simply rolled his eyes, completely unsympathetic. Constance didn't bat an eyelash as d'Artagnan brought a hand up to massage the side of his stinging face. Then she pulled a familiar change purse out of her pocket and threw it at d'Artagnan who barely had time enough to gather his wits and catch the object.

"You can keep your stupid money," she spat. "And seeing as how these idiots brought you to your senses, you'll be needing it, because you certainly will not be paying me back-rent that I specifically forgave. Seeing as how you don't trust me to be a woman of my word or a woman who can fend for herself, you can find yourself better lodgings, musketeer."

Constance turned on her heel and stormed out of the garrison, with d'Artagnan shouting an apology after her. The boy made to follow her, but Athos held him back.

"Leave her be," he said. "Her tempers usually burn out in a couple of days."

"I'm not so sure about this one," the boy muttered.

"Don't worry about it whelp," Porthos said slapping him on the shoulder as he passed. "Come on. Road's gonna be a long one."

"What did you say to incite her so," Aramis asked as he made to pass d'Artagnan on his way to the stables.

"Bonacieux is borrowing more than they can afford. And they need a new roof. I may have given her the last of my earnings to put towards it."

Aramis winced. "And we all know how Constance is with accepting someone else's money…"

"At the time I thought it wouldn't matter. I didn't plan on returning to Paris anytime soon, if ever."

"Then it is good we corrected you of such foolishness," Athos said with a raised brow.

After the incident at the garrison, it was easy to keep his attention on the road.

For the first five miles.

After that, d'Artagnan had a hard time keeping his eyes off Athos. He was trying to keep things subtle for Aramis and Porthos's sakes, but suspected they already knew of what had transpired. Keeping scents separate after something as simple as a kiss…or several was not easy for any inclination to hide. He just hoped for Athos' sake they would keep their teasing to a minimum. He knew how Athos bristled and retreated into himself at a light personal jest.

When they stopped for the night to make camp he was startled by a thought as he tended to the fire.

He wasn't completely taken by surprise at being told he had the power to manipulate others. He'd known he had that power since he was young. In fact, on several occasions he'd had to make use of it with village bullies. Once he'd even tried to influence his mother into giving him dessert he had been forbidden as punishment for bad behavior. Of course, once his father caught wind of it he'd gotten a very stern lecture and a few swats for the lesson to stick. He'd been young then, but to this day he remembered the underlying fear that made his father's voice tremble. At the time he thought his father was simply enraged at what d'Artagnan had done, but looking back on it now he understood that it was both anger and fear.

And for good reasons.

d'Artagnan had been afraid of it, and most conscious of it whenever among those he cared for most. To think he might have bent someone to his will without their consent was sickening.

And as he stared across the fire at Athos laying out his pallet for the night he thought back to what they shared with a sinking feeling. Could he have influenced Athos' feelings on the matter without knowing it? The very thought made him want to wretch. He had felt the pull of the alpha in their early days. But if he was truly honest with himself, he couldn't remember if he'd ever felt the scent of attraction from Athos before all of this happened. He wanted Athos, badly. He'd never dared to voice it, and had spent plenty of nights before this with himself in hand and thoughts of unmentionable acts and positions in his mind. If the extent of his repression had actually caused this to erupt between them, d'Artagnan would never forgive himself.

To ask Athos about it would do no good. If he was already under d'Artagnan's base influence, he couldn't trust anything Athos could say or do. Only the coming days would prove to him if d'Artagnan had ruined things or not.

A/N: Had to entirely rewrite this chapter multiple times. And like it says on my profile, had to shake off the cobwebs after leaving a shitty job I've had the past year and a half. Apologies for the wait. The way things are progressing, I'm thinking this will be a 10 chapters or less kind of story. I've also already got a sequel planned ;)