Aramis brushes his thumb against Porthos' knuckles, gazing at him with a bloom of fondness too tender for speech, unable to rid himself of the knot his throat until he's lifted their joined hands to kiss Porthos'. He has been patient, and Athos terribly brave, and Aramis could not love either more.

Lifting up on his elbows, Aramis reaches for Athos, kissing away the hint of fear he sees in his eyes as best he can. "I can show you, if you like," he murmurs. "How to use your mouth on him. Otherwise, I can happily vouch that your hand is ecstasy. Or something else entirely."

He brushes his thumbs against Athos' cheekbones. "Whatever you want, Athos. We have our whole lives to be good to one another."