du_vallon: (pain)
2018-11-12 08:19 pm

(no subject)

Aramis has been living with the monks for two whole months before Porthos decides to do something about it.

The war has been going on and occupying his attention, but while Athos' friendship is good and d'Artagnan keeps him hellishly busy, he can't ignore the missing piece and no matter how much he tries to stay angry with Aramis, he finds himself faltering and unable to do anything but miss him. It's why he accepts the job running a message back to Paris just so that when he's done, he can head out to where Aramis is at prayers.

At first, he tells himself that he's only going to watch and check in on him to make sure he's fine. Then he sees Aramis and the way his heart plummets to his stomach makes him realize how very much he's not over Aramis and that persistent voice in his head that tells him to do something more.

He always has been a dumb and impulsive brute at times, and he can even be sneaky at the best of times. It's why he's able to get inside the monastery and follow Aramis until he sees which room appears to be his (and it's not shared, maybe a sign from God). Lingering in the dark of the hallway, Porthos slips into the room when Aramis is out for dinner, roaming and snooping before making a home for himself, sprawled on the bed with his chin against his palm, waiting for Aramis to return.

He should be angrier. He should be cross at being abandoned, and yet, how can he be? All he'd needed to do was come here and force Aramis not to abandon him by forcing himself back into the man's life.

How could a plan like that go wrong?
du_vallon: (plush lips)
2018-07-07 06:10 pm
Entry tags:

(no subject)

Porthos knows that the house should have been done sooner. The actual construction hadn't taken the bulk of the time, but outfitting the interior with furniture and then kitchenwares had been an ordeal and then the outside had needed landscaping, which couldn't be done in the winter. It's why it's years later that he's standing on the edge of the property with Aramis and Lucie (but not Athos), staring at a house that he honestly thought would never happen.

He's crying, but only a little, and only because of how overwhelmed he is at the incredulity that this is actually happening. Setting Lucie down to her feet, he lets her start to wander off (and more than a bit grateful they didn't bring the Captain), wrapping his now-free arms around Aramis from behind, resting his chin on his shoulder.

"So, are you ready to move to the country and become boring old fathers?" he teases, as if that could ever truly happen. With Aramis' job in the city and Porthos' volunteer work, they'll never really leave, but it won't be the same as their flat. So many incredible things had happened there, but he's ready for a new start, too.
du_vallon: (pain)
2017-11-15 04:40 pm

(no subject)

It's been only a few days since the funeral and Porthos hasn't left bed for anything more than the bare essentials. He's gone to the washroom, fed himself, and then trundled back to bed with the comforter slung over his shoulders like it can protect him. Loss isn't new to him, but it has become fairly infrequent. It's something strange for it to happen here, where he'd thought themselves so safe, but here they are.

It's like a punch to the gut, something that he hadn't been anticipating, but now that Tommy's gone, he has to deal with the reminder that just because they're in a more tolerant future, it's not perfect. Death can happen, just like anything else, and no one is exempt. On day three, he feels like he should get up and do something more than poke around in bed with Lucie when she's placed there, but he still feels too heavy, too sad, too worn to do anything but lie there and think about Tommy and the last time he'd seen him.

All that he wished was that he could've made him happier, that he could have been there to celebrate an engagement instead of try and make him feel better about what happened. Now, he's gone. He's not going to find his next person, because he's dead. It'd been for a good cause, but that doesn't undo it. Shifting with the covers to tug them over his head, he wishes he could feel better, but he's just too tired.
du_vallon: (dimples)
2017-10-04 04:40 pm
Entry tags:

anniversary

Porthos knows that it's not exactly to the day, but after his chat with Tommy, he's come away ridiculously emotional about the fact that despite all the things that could've stood in their way, he and Aramis managed to get past them all and to a place where Aramis had felt open enough to offer his hand to Porthos. Aware that he's emotional at the best of times, he knows that sitting in front of romantic movies on the screen sniffling isn't enough to show that he's so grateful for this, but he knows what is.

He gets a friend to watch over Lucie while he bans Aramis from the apartment, telling Athos his plans, before he gets to cooking. It's an elaborate meal, but he feels like he hasn't splurged on spending in a long while, so he doesn't mind. The dinner is beautiful, with the duck roasted, the pasta in fine noodles with a ricotta and mushroom sauce atop, and a familiar cake sitting in the warming oven for later.

While he knows he should change into something nice, he's already exhausted from cooking and figures Aramis won't mind if they have this dinner with Porthos in his sweats and a comfortable sweater, so that's the best he manages as he lights some candles, juggling the phone to text Aramis that it's safe to return home and that he hopes he's hungry.
du_vallon: (oh you will will you?)
2017-04-13 08:46 pm

(no subject)

Porthos is swiftly coming to enjoy Aramis' birthday as one of his favourite days of the year, mainly because it always yields an entertainment factor and it always strains his creativity to figure something out. This year, it's actually when he's taking Lucie to a sitter's when he gets the idea and after he drops her off, he leaves Aramis a note with a location to find him at, dressing in a sweatervest atop a rolled-up henley, a pair of comfortable jeans, and Aramis' dear pair of reading glasses.

Why not play at single father and the kindergarten teacher responsible for that dear angel's upbringing? If nothing else, it'll give him a chance to pretend that Aramis is a single father that Porthos has to find and seduce, which is only different from the usual in that he's not a single anything, not these days.

Still, for Aramis' birthday, it's tame compared to past years, but Porthos relishes the chance at playing a little more pretend.
du_vallon: (boyish)
2017-04-13 08:11 pm

(no subject)

Porthos knows that one day, they're going to leave their little apartments behind and go live in the country. He knows he'll have a beautiful space for cooking and doing yoga and that he'll love it. Right now, though, in the morning light as he sprawls onto his stomach for another stretch, he knows that he's going to miss the homey little environment here more than anything. He can smell the coffee he'd put on and is starting to wonder where Athos is, seeing as he usually joins in about now.

Aramis and Lucie are off, a doctor's appointment, and even though he'd wanted to go, he also doesn't think his heart could manage to see her cry at anything, so he's doing his stretches here instead. Alone, it seems, because after another few minutes, Athos still hasn't turned up.

Worry starts to hit him, but he tries to tamp it down. "Athos?" he calls out, trying to get a beat on the man seeing as it's not like he's actually looked yet. Maybe he's still upstairs? Maybe he had a bit much to drink last night and he's just sleeping it off. "Are you joining me?"
du_vallon: (positive)
2017-01-19 10:44 pm

(no subject)

Porthos is starting to think that sleep is a thing of the past. He hasn't slept in so long that he's seeing things, but there's no way that he's seeing what's on the couch now. Aramis has Lucie in his arms and they're both so peaceful and calm and he actually makes a keening noise before he remembers he needs to shut up. Grabbing his phone, he opens the camera to take some pictures, but the memory is completely full. How can that be? It's not like he's taken...

Except, maybe he has, he's taken so many pictures that he's completely out of space. He's just going to have to get someone to show him how to move these off, or he'll buy a new phone. For now, he goes back and deletes some pictures of clothes so he can take a new shot of Aramis and the baby before he curls in with them, trying to make room without jostling or sending them over, tugging the blanket over the chaise as he gets comfortable.

"Hey, chou," he rumbles, eyes already closed as he curls in. "Remember when this used to be my couch?"
du_vallon: (soft eyes)
2016-12-26 03:22 pm

(no subject)

It feels like it's been the longest week in Porthos' life, but at least this time is because of joyful, incredible, happy things. There's a Christmas dinner that hasn't been cooked because he's been busy running around paperwork in order to get the legal all signed off on the minute that their surrogate had gone into labour. He wanted to make sure that everything was ready to go and beyond that, he'd made sure that everything they had bought had a home and a secure one, at that.

Now, it's to the hospital where Aramis has been and he's in a mad dash to get there while coming to terms with the fact that his life has changed and he's going to be a father. It's something that still seems so strange and out of reach, but here they are.

Porthos finds Aramis on the floor and presses a kiss to his cheek from behind and wrapping his arms tightly around him, refusing to let go as if his nerves will be calmed and soothed by the proximity. "Any news yet?" he asks, trying not to think about all the things that could go wrong (and how he's going mad with it, because in the Court, most babies just didn't make it through the birth).
du_vallon: (bask in sunlight)
2016-11-07 07:54 pm

(no subject)

Porthos hasn't really been paying much attention to the dates on the calendar, other than the fact that it's November and at some point, he's going to get a little older. Now that the baby is going to be here soon, he sort of thinks of it more like he's an adult and he's responsible and every year he's going to get a little bit older at some point in November. It happens.

It's why he's at the shelter the day of, barely remembering that he's got a birthday (and even forgetting that it is his actual birthday). He's just working, keeping his mind occupied, and thinking that when the day comes, maybe he'll experiment with a good red velvet cake or something else like that.

It'll be good. He'll be older, but he's alive and he's married with another partner. There's a baby on the way. No matter what happens, it'll be great.
du_vallon: (sleeping)
2016-10-07 01:42 pm

(no subject)

Something's been off since he went to the gym the other day. He'd done a ridiculous number of weights, but only because he'd felt like he could. Once he'd left, it'd only gotten worse, and now it's twinging and pinching him to the point that he's making faces. It's right around that awful wound from the axe, that deep buried thing that still aches in the rain.

A few days later, he accepts that he needs to ask for some help. He still sulks about it for a while and after dinner, he rubs sheepishly at the muscle in question before taking the salve he'd bought from Hild in order to find Aramis.

"I need your help," he says, gnawing on his lower lip.
du_vallon: (dimples)
2016-08-22 10:23 pm

(no subject)

Porthos had seen a glimmer of a familiar face in the crowds when he'd slipped through into the other city. It's not like he's truly familiar, but he knows that he'd seen him around Paris, which means that he knows that this man is someone he ought to know. More than that, he also knows he's one of the prettiest things he's ever seen and when he overhears him speaking French, he knows that he has to have him.

Waiting until he's distracted, Porthos yanks a blindfold over his eyes after he empties his pockets, hauling him over his shoulder and ignoring the kicking and protests.

Only when he's back through the seam and into the alleyways where he holds Court does he let him go, telling the few guards he trusts to leave them be in his maze of comfortable rooms, tying the man (the priest, isn't it, that's where he must have seen him) to a chair before he yanks off the blindfold, pouring wine in the corner of the room.

"What's a priest like you doing in a place like this?" he drawls, like he hasn't just kidnapped him here.
du_vallon: (private smile)
2016-08-18 02:24 pm
Entry tags:

(no subject)

It's been a profitable day for him. Porthos has been quick with his hands and has managed to get himself a good helping of trinkets, money, and other possessions. After making his drop offs at the shelters and to the kids on the street he watches out for, he grabs the bottle of wine he'd "freed" from one of the wealthy penthouse owners and heads up to visit Mssr de la Fère. He's been robbing him a little lightly this week, only taking a cufflink pair from him in the streets along with some of his bills.

He hasn't even robbed his actual flat this week. It's practically a reason to visit (and not just because he misses the man and he enjoys the frustrated and pretty look on his face every time he actually gets close enough to rob him). Porthos isn't going to think too long about why he enjoys riling Athos so much, though he knows in his heart why.

With a good bottle of red, he adjusts his shirt (almost as tight as his jeans, even if that's an impossibility) and knocks on his door, ducking to check that his new diamond stud earrings glimmers as best as it can in the light.

"Delivery!" he announces, filled with gruff amusement.
du_vallon: (planning something)
2016-08-06 02:56 pm

(no subject)

Porthos isn't sure that he'd ever thought he'd see something like a set of a television show, not really.

It's not even like the backstage of the plays they might have seen in Paris. This is all lights and equipment and half-constructed homes that they navigate through. It's all quiet, seeing as they're not shooting today and Lito had given them passes and instructions that they only had a few hours before people would be coming in to shoot scenes.

Still, Porthos thinks that anything is worth it just to see the look of wonder on Aramis' face as they wind down corridors that he recognizes from the show. "Maybe he'll let us come back when they're shooting sometime," he says, tugging on Aramis' hand to pull him towards one of the room sets. "And you and Athos can eye that cute little nurse you both like to watch a little more than the others."
du_vallon: (all hail)
2016-07-13 08:34 pm

(no subject)

"...and I hope to offer many skills that will prosper for all of us. Prosper us? Prosper the community," he says, after a bit of stammering here and there, staring down at the notes in his hands. They're in French, which means he's having to translate back to English in his head on the fly. All this, all because he's got a meeting with some of the councilors and he wants to be prepared in case some of them ask him some questions.

Staring up at where Aramis is listening to him, he lets the misery show on his face, knowing how piss poor a job he's done.

He tosses the cards aside and slumps into the sofa, running his hands over his hair. "It's no use," he grumbles. "I haven't got your charm or Athos' command. I'll never be more than just someone who can bark an order and have people fall in line because they're frightened."
du_vallon: (private smile)
2016-06-02 08:17 pm

(no subject)

Porthos thinks Aramis might buzz away with anxiety.

Honestly, he thinks he might do it himself if given the chance. Sitting in a room with a doctor shuffling through papers as they wait to hear what their child is going to be...well, Porthos hasn't got the steadiness for it and he'd have thought he could do this. Apparently, that's not the case. He reaches over and squeezes Aramis' hand, giving him an encouraging smile.

"Healthy," he reminds him softly. "That's all. Healthy, we don't care about anything else, right?"

He leans back and stares at the doctor, giving him an encouraging look.

"Well, gentlemen," the doctor begins. "I won't keep you waiting for long at all. I'm happy to tell you that everything looks healthy and by the end of the year, you're going to have a baby girl to welcome into the family, Mr. and Mr. d'Herblay du Vallon." With that, he slides a small picture forward, a black and white thing that Porthos thinks he can make out a thumb on.
du_vallon: (Default)
2016-05-23 06:29 pm

(no subject)

Kingsman has been doing well lately. It's well enough that Porthos has stopped constantly worrying about finances and started to think about doing some minor renovations to the office. He doesn't go very far. He buys a new desk, proper chairs, but it's the gold plated sign on the outside facade that he's most proud of. On it, engraved, are their names.

All of them, but most notably is the way he's ordered them.

Kingsman Consulting, propriety owners
ARAMIS, PORTHOS, and ATHOS
d'Herblay du Vallon
de la Fère


True, it's in order, but there's a sneaky part of him that enjoys greatly that every day, he'll get to come and see this sign and take solace in it. No matter what, he gets this sign. Setting down the last of the tools he's used to put it up, he whistles on his way inside, heading to the back to wash the cement from his hands and get on with reviewing the case files of the day.
du_vallon: (plush lips)
2016-04-20 01:32 am

(no subject)

It's difficult to think of something to beat his gift to Aramis last year, what with the pirate ship being a stroke of genius. It's also hard given that his brain is awash with a bitterness that he's having trouble shaking, blaming an Aramis who isn't here for abandoning him and choosing other brothers over him. Still, he knows that it's just an echo of a life that he hasn't actually lived and he ought to be grateful for what that Porthos doesn't have.

An old conversation is what springs to mind his idea for this year. He's made enough friends doing photoshoots that it isn't hard to find one willing to do a favour. Several hours later, a few costume changes, and many provocative positions, Porthos has a folder of materials and a calendar (two, actually, in case Athos wants one) and he's in the process of getting a cake prepared.

It's a version of one of the first he's made. Chocolate, caramel, with hints of sea salt. While the first had been good, he's honed his craft now enough that it's moister, richer in flavour, and has tricks he hadn't learned before. While the cake bakes in the oven, he sets the gift at Aramis' spot on the table, hoping he can somehow measure up to last year.
du_vallon: (introspective)
2016-03-09 10:09 pm

(no subject)

He hasn't been able to eat a single thing since he returned to his usual self. He thinks it probably has something to do with the fact that he'd stuffed his face constantly as a teenager and now that he's grown again, everything is rebelling on him because he doesn't know what to do with all the food he'd inhaled, thinking he wouldn't get a chance to before it's gone. Rubbing his aching belly, he plods through the empty apartment, tidying up some of the disaster he'd made, going to find the money he'd stashed away along with some of the nicer jewels.

It's like he's a magpie, it's what it was. He's not even surprised, honestly. He also digs out all the photos on the phone he'd taken of Athos and Aramis, things while they slept to use as blackmail, if necessary. Later, he's going to have to go out and repay all the businesses he'd borrowed from.

For now, though, he just wants to lie down. Groaning, he tugs on the blanket and curls up on the chaise, everything hurting from a sudden growth spurt and a ridiculous amount of food in his belly.
du_vallon: (happy puppy)
2016-03-08 09:42 am

(no subject)

After Aramis (and himself, if he's honest) had calmed down from the news, the next most important step lies before them. While they're incredibly happy, Porthos still has his own set of nerves to deal with and he can only imagine that it pales in comparison as to what Athos is likely to be feeling when he hears the news. In order to help sort of calm the mood (or really just soothe Athos), Porthos has popped out to buy a few bottles of wine and one very special bottle of champagne.

When he returns, he can see Athos' coat hanging and knows he's here, which is good because he doubts either of them could prolong the news much longer. Porthos nudges up against Aramis in the kitchen, pressing the side of the champagne bottle to his skin once he raises his shirt. "Steady on," he murmurs. "Let's talk to him."

It could go well, he thinks.

Or they could be ending the night drinking a great deal to soothe the wounds. "Athos," Porthos summons. "C'mere, Aramis has got some news."
du_vallon: (positive)
2016-03-07 10:11 pm

(no subject)

With the good news at hand, Porthos has been wanting to celebrate quietly. It's not that he doesn't want to shout it from the rooftops because he does, but he's also read plenty of books that talk about how dangerous things can be for the first while. It's why he wants to take this a touch slow, make sure that he's not rushing to scream it. Still, he wants to tell someone and of all his mates, he knows Nikita will guard a secret like no tomorrow.

It's why he's invited her for a drink at the Tintern, setting beers on the table with pleasure as he takes a seat to wait for her. Maybe he can't tell everyone, but this is a good start. Besides, soon he'll have to start thinking about things like parties and baby proofing and his life is going to change as he knows it.

He doubts he'll get nearly enough time for drinking, then.