Disclaimer: I do not own Albert the Fifth Musketeer , the original Three Musketeers works or any canon characters. They are the property of their respective owners. I do own Michel, Catharine, Beatrix and Aimee.

Notes: It has been a while, hasn't it? Well, I finally have a story to share. The idea for this one started as a dream I had, then it kept nagging at me some more while I had a bath. This is in four parts and while it is mostly sad, it does have a happy ending.

Albert references the events of Race for Life and Recovering from All Wounds.

There are no pairings in this one, all relationships are platonic. There is mentioned cursing and minor OOC.

I hope you enjoy this!

(Linebreaks still hate me, so I will use APADA .)

APADA

D'Artagnan entered Albert's room slowly. He could see his friend hadn't fared well at all. "Albert, wake up," he murmured gently.

He shot upright, eyes flying open at the sound of the familiar voice. At the sight of his best friend, whom he'd presumed to have perished, Albert didn't know whether to laugh, cry or shout. What if this was all just his mind playing cruel tricks on him again?

D'Artagnan sat on the bed and offered his hand. "Take my hand for proof it's really me; not some spirit nor figment of your imagination."

His heart full of hope, Albert reached out and grasped the hand. Tears brimmed in his eyes as he realised his friend really was in his room. "D'Artagnan...you're..."

He smiled softly, sidled closer to him and carefully pulled him into a warm embrace. "Mm. We're both alive."

As he felt his friend's hand atop his head, he settled for crying - his throat was too tight for shouting and laughter would come later. At that moment, all he could do was bury his face in D'Artagnan's chest and weep out of relief.

"I gave you quite the fright, hm? I apologise. I would've let you know sooner, but I didn't have the means. I'm truly sorry for leaving you to think me dead."

Albert could only shake his head, unable to speak through his sobs. He wasn't upset that D'Artagnan had left him to think he'd died, he was thrilled that his best friend truly was alive. It wasn't a dream or hallucination; D'Artagnan was alive, he was holding him as he released his emotions. He hadn't lost his best friend.

APADA

Once Albert calmed down, D'Artagnan explained what had happened since their forced separation. He still held Albert, knowing he was still shaken.

"Words can't begin to express the depths of my joy and relief that you survived."

"I'm thankful you'd advised us all to keep our excavators with us."

Albert looked up at him, smiling tiredly. He'd worn himself out with his previous weeping.

"Especially once some pains kept hitting me." He saw concern fill Albert's eyes. "No, not related to injury. I only have some mild brusing on my back and some slight burns, but I'm fine. Really." The concern faded. "Those pains...I've felt them before, mainly when you were in grave distress. I can't explain it, but...I knew I had to hurry to your side."

"Our bond has been strong for a long time, this only proves its depths. Ever since the events of last night, I kept longing to see you again as I had so much I needed to tell you."

"You still have that chance, so whenever you're ready, feel free to do so."

"I won't risk losing that chance again. D'Artagnan, you more than likely already know the sentiments I am about to express, but I must voice them."

"Then, please do."

"You've always served as a pillar of strength for me whenever my confidence waned, from our very first mission together. You remind me of my worth and have helped me become the Musketeer I am today. Even these days, you've listened to my concerns and helped me dispel my fears and doubts. You've been a true and loyal friend for so long that I can't help but feel truly blessed to have met you. Before long, I realised I not only saw you as a friend, I came to love you as a brother. I hold great respect towards you, as a friend and brother, as a man and as a Musketeer. Every time I've almost lost you, including this occasion, I felt like I was losing a part of myself. D'Artagnan, I love you, my brother. I would be lost without you. My greatest fear is losing you; I've come so close to having to face it on three occasions now and know that on the day you do depart...I truly wouldn't be able to handle it."

D'Artagnan's eyes burned as he felt overcome by his petit friend's heartfelt words. He tightened his grip on him as he felt him trembling from emotion once again, despite how strong his voice had sounded. It was true he knew of those sentiments, but hearing Albert confirm them gave them more power. "Thank you, Albert. I'm not able to put my sentiments into as many words as you, so I'll keep it brief. Albert, my brother, I love you too."

"That says it all, my dear friend."

The pair stayed in that embrace for the remainder of the afternoon, only allowing it to break when it was time to join the others for dinner.

APADA

After notes: I'd like to thank you for reading this fic of mine, I do hope you'd enjoyed it.

Thanks for reading! You don't have to leave a review, much as they are appreciated, but if you choose to say something, please don't flame. Constructive criticism is welcomed as always.