17 - Two Musketeers

*We’ll always be here for you, no matter what. To quote Severus Snape, ‘Always.’ – Aramis*
A year ago today, Camille, Priss and Michelle got dressed up and went to prom with the musketeers. It had been a great day. They were pampered and treated like princesses. Then the boys took them to dinner and to the dance.
It had been a great night. Good food. Good friends. Decent music. Beautiful dresses. Handsome men. The whole night was perfect.
Until it wasn’t.
The thought of what happened a year ago caused her to have a panic attack. Four times that day, Tink pushed Camille to the edge of the room where she sat on the floor and hugged his neck waiting for the feeling to pass.
Her coffees and sodas were typically decaf. Today, her coffee had extra shots and her Sprite was replaced by Mountain Dew. Today, the sleep that she so often craved scared her.
When she closed her eyes, she would see Charles Parker and his two friends – Donovan Milligan and Zack Nichols. She could hear their voices. Feel them touching her. Smell their obnoxious colognes. Her fear became so strong that she could taste it.
Her morning swim was horrible. She couldn’t concentrate. Now, at afternoon dive practice, she was a danger to herself and the others in the pool.
“Johanson!” Coach called out as Camille reached the edge of the pool. “Out!”
She didn’t even object or protest. She simply nodded and pulled herself up. Walking towards the coach, she pulled her swim cap off, knowing her day in the pool was over.
“What’s going on with you today?”
Camille shook her head. What do you say? *A year ago, today, I was nearly gang banged against my will. I barely missed out on a group struggle snuggle.*
*And the three assholes that tried to rape me were killed. Supposedly in a car crash. Pretty sure that they were murdered by friends of mine.*
*So, that’s my day, what’s new with you?*
Instead of saying any of what was in her head, she simply shrugged her shoulders. “It’s been a rough day, and I can’t get out of my head.”
Coach nodded. “Hit the showers, we’ll start over on Monday. We’ll be diving in the morning again next week. You going to be okay?”
“Yes, coach.” Camille headed for the locker room and motioned for Tink to follow her. Stripping out of her wet swimsuits, she grabbed her shower kit and headed for an empty stall. With the rest of the team still at the pool, all the stalls were empty, and she had her choice.
After scrubbing down and washing her hair, she quickly dried off and got dressed in her jeans and a black T-shirt before she sat down on the bench to pull on her boots. The practice suits went into a waterproof bag and then added to her backpack.
“Come on, Tink.” She called as she grabbed her backpack and keys out of the locker.
Tink sat by the bike and waited patiently for his safety harness to be fastened so that he could get in his spot, and they could go. But Camille did not feel like dealing with it. After securing her backpack, she climbed on and called for Tink to get on the gas tank.
She pulled into the compound long before practice was over. No one was expecting her yet. She was not expecting to be here already. At the time, she was still in her head and did not notice the rental car parked near the clubhouse.
Opening the door, she heard a familiar laugh that had her pausing before she headed towards the kitchen. Walking inside the room, she found herself looking at two broad backs covered by the Saints’ patch. Dropping her backpack, she moved to Aramis and wrapped her arms around his waist.
His arms encircled her in a protective embrace, and he kissed the top of her head. Athos moved behind her and kissed the back of her head. He moved away and then she heard him messing with her backpack. Without her having to say anything, her friend moved to take care of her practice swimsuits. Just as when she was back home, she brought them home every Friday to wash out the chlorine and other chemicals.
A small tremor ran through her body as she gave into the tears and sobs that she had been holding back all day. Aramis slid his hands down and grasped the back of her thighs and lifted her up. Wrapping her legs around his waist, she moved her arms to his shoulders and buried her face in his neck.
“I’ve got you, sweetheart.” He whispered as he carried her into the day room and sat down on a couch.
When she was awake for long periods of time due to her insomnia, she could function without any issue. But when she forced herself to remain awake, as she had for the last twenty-four hours, her brain became addled, and she was easily confused and overstimulated.
Feeling safe and secure in the arms that had saved her a year ago, she cried herself into an exhausted sleep.
The next time she woke up, to the strong and spicy scent of gumbo, she was curled up in Athos’ lap. She stirred and he brushed a light kiss against her forehead. Familiar music drew her attention to the TV, and she turned towards it to see a young Harry Potter going through the adventures of his first year. The room was filled with tough bikers suddenly drawn into the Wizarding World.
“Shut up, Worm.” Aramis warned from where he sat.
“Eat slugs.” She grinned at him.
“Ya filthy mud blood,” he retorted as he kissed her head as he stood up. “Hungry?”
She nodded her head, watching her friend disappear into the kitchen. After pressing a kiss to Athos’ cheek, she stood up and headed for the hall bathroom. When she returned, it was to see Athos feeding Tink a beef jerky meat stick.
“No wonder he loves you.” Camile said.
“Where’s your room?” Aramis asked, coming around the corner with bowls of gumbo.
She led them down the hall and the two men sat on either side of the bed and she settled down between the two and Aramis handed her a bowl. Tink sat at the edge of the bed closest to Athos.
“Megan is going to have to learn how to cook this.”
Camille grinned as she scooped up some rue and rice. “I’ll be sure to teach her.”
“Cook the food, not the kitchen,” Athos smirked.
“Don’t dis my girl’s cooking.”
“Yeah, don’t dis Megan’s cooking.” Camille nudged him with her foot.
“Not Megan’s cooking, Worm.” Athos tossed a piece chicken at Tink who caught it midair.
“Nope, pretty sure she does other things with his worm.” Camille said and Aramis offered her a fist bump.
“I don’t need to hear anything about his worm, but…”
Both men grinned at each other over her head. She knew what was coming and rolled her eyes.
“Cash any of those cards yet?” Aramis asked as he nudged her with his shoulder.
“Ugh, really?” She sat her bowl on the bedside table and then got up to go down to the bar area. Grabbing three bottles of beer, she returned and handed one to each of her friends and then sat back in her spot. “Between you two and my mom, you’d think I’d have a chance.”
All three twisted off the lids and snapped them across the room. Athos’ lid went the furthest and he pumped a fist in the air.
“You two are doing dishes.” He declared as the other two took drinks. “Anyway, please continue, tell us what we need to tell Book.”
“What the hell?” She grabbed her bowl from the table. “I *knew* you fuckers were betting on my pussy.”
“And it’s probably the most action you’ve seen since that club bunny went down on you.” Aramis cocked an eyebrow at her.
She shrugged. “What the hell do you expect me to do? Everyone is terrified that my dad will shoot them from two miles away.”
“They don’t know your mom very well.” Athos chuckled.
“Not a bit.”
All three of them reached behind them and knocked the wall and each said a line that they had heard Sid scream during sex.
“Tell us about Darkness.” Aramis said.
“There’s no light.”
“Smart ass, bitch.” Athos laughed. “He made the gumbo and wouldn’t let anyone else have any. Said it was for you.”
She stirred the rue, chasing down a shrimp and refusing to look at either of them. After a moment, they each leaned in and kissed her temples. The words not being said meaning more than any they could say.
“We’re here until Sunday.” Aramis murmured.