"Nerves," admits Aramis with a rueful grin. Even now, after using all his strength to bring Porthos to two orgasms, he still jangles with them, hardly able to keep his hands still. But he reaches at once for Athos' hand when it is near enough, holding it tightly to ground the both of them.

"I love you," he says, words he says often, but Aramis feels they are needed more than ever today. He looks up at Porthos. "The both of you, so much."