Work Text:
Anne looked up from her papers as she heard laughter from the adjoining bedroom. She looked at the clock on her mantelpiece, the glass now shadowed as night drew in- it was late. Much too late for Louis to still be awake.
She pushed away her papers, making a mental note to go back to them once she had put her child to sleep. There was a deadline of noon in the morning for something Captain d’Artagnan wanted and she knew she couldn’t be late with signing the pertinent details off. Drawing her thin shawl around her (for it was hardly cold in her living quarters thanks to the roaring fire in both the main room and in her son’s bedroom) she slowly made her way across the room and pushed on the heavy door to the bedroom….only to stop in her tracks and look at the unfolding scene in astonishment and an overwhelming sense of love.
Aramis was sat on a small stool next to Louis’ bed, a book nestled on the covers between them both- Aramis was using the crackling light of the fire to create shadow-puppets with his hands. He was making them dance across the wall; rabbits and bears and dogs, they were easy to make out. Anne stepped back into the shadows to watch, careful to not make a sound.
She smiled at the way their son’s eyes lit up as Aramis continued to read the story animatedly, using difference voices and sounds to really make the words come alive. Her heart swelled as it all suddenly became too much for him for a second, causing him to lean forwards and wrap his little arms around one of Aramis’ forearms, clinging close to him before letting go with another giggle as Aramis turned the shadows into a dragon and pretended to fly it around the wall.
First minister. It was the highest honour she could give him. Father was a title he only could hold in his soul. Louis, only just shy of his fifth birthday, of course knew nothing. He would never know.
Sadness crept into her heart as she thought about what it really meant for the only man she had ever truly loved. Aramis deserved so much more, yet this was all she could provide. He worked closely with her, attending all meetings and gatherings so as to not arouse suspicion when he was seen inside her quarters by servants or others. He kept his distance sometimes, as a member of her staff would when the situation called for it, but she knew he would always be there when she needed him. She did not even usually have to ask- when she was having a trying day or a particularly stressful time he would be there. A constant. A genuine support.
‘Mama!’ Louis’ shrill voice caught her off guard and she startled away from the door, revealing herself. ‘Aramis was reading me a bedtime story,’ he beamed as she walked closer to the bed. Aramis smiled broadly at her, yet avoided her gaze as if ashamed at having enjoyed himself too much.
‘I can see that- it looks like fun!’ she smiled, reaching down and smoothing their son’s hair back. ‘But its much past your bedtime; how do you think your tutor will feel in the morning when you fall asleep during your lessons!’
‘Sorry,’ Aramis muttered in a low voice, looking up now. ‘Didn’t know when to stop.’ He heaved up the bedtime book in his hands and snorted. ‘I shouldn’t really have purchased him a book this size!’ They laughed together, the sound warming Anne’s heart. She desperately wanted to reach over and cup her lover’s cheek, to embrace him like a normal couple, but she knew she couldn’t in front of their son.
‘He treasures these evenings when you are free from your pressing matters of the day and come to spend time with him, don’t you?’ Louis grinned and nodded fervently, looking up adoringly at his First Minister. ‘Can I have one more story?’ He asked, looking from Aramis to Anne and then back again. ‘Then I’ll go straight to sleep, promise!’
The two of them looked at each other, trying not to smile. ‘I don’t see how one more story will hurt, do you?’ Aramis asked, opening the book as Louis snuggled in.
‘Only if I can do the voices of the lady characters,’ Anne countered, sitting herself down on the bed next to Aramis and giving him a smile. ‘Can’t let you boys have all the fun, can I?’ she laughed, before the two of them started to read, little Louis gradually falling into sleep as the fire crackled merrily, sending dancing shadows across all three of their faces.