Athos makes a sound of agreement, letting himself lean into Porthos’ shoulder just a little as they walk. Like the other two men, he is tired, but triumphantly so, and entirely whole. Even the ache in his head is beginning to fade to the background. In short, he needs no help standing, but he craves the warmth of Porthos’ arm around his shoulders, after being denied it for weeks. Beneath the remnants of giddy adrenaline, he is still relieved that Porthos is here, that he is smiling, that he does not seem to detest Athos as Athos was sure he now did.

When they are far enough away from the nest to have left it behind for good, when the sirens have faded and the road back to Darrow is in sight, Athos stops and tugs gently on Porthos’ collar, pulling him close for a kiss. Then he offers a tiny curve of a smile. “Since I promised earlier."