Aramis grins for the silent rebuke, well assured of his ability to condition Athos to loving the name very much indeed, but his mirth is soon arrested by the kiss. Aramis groans and wraps his arms around Athos, holding onto him with a fervor he's banked for weeks, and kisses him deep and thorough, as if his body is afraid it might lose him all over again.

Still, it is no hardship to turn them when they've entered the bedroom at last, pushing Athos back into Porthos' arms so Aramis can undress him. "Lapin grincheux and you complain," he murmurs around kiss swollen lips. "You could be his cabbage."