Aramis sucks in a breath. This is not the conversation he expected them to have, yet as soon as Porthos says it Aramis wants it with renewed urgency, his heart aching for the reminder of the freedom they might enjoy, yet still do not. For all the shackles that Athos has thrown off, he still wears too many for Aramis' happiness, and now he and Porthos too feel their weight.

He clears his throat around the lump, nodding at Athos with bright eyes. "It is not easy," he says, "Hiding what we feel."