The Edifice

body, a:hover {cursor: url(http://cur.cursors-4u.net/cursors/cur-9/cur817.cur), progress !important;}

[the-edifice-fic]

The Edifice - Master Post

Prologue

Part One

Chapter 1: The Newcomers Chapter 2: Stranger Unknown Chapter 3: Determination Chapter 4: Unlikely Warmth Chapter 5: Rude Awakenings Chapter 6: Two Ways Chapter 7: Bed of Lies Chapter 8: Safety Chapter 9: Secrets Chapter 10: Sacrifice

Part Two

Chapter 1: Out of the Frying Pan Chapter 2: And Into the Fire

[the-edifice-fic]

The Edifice

Chapter Two: And Into The Fire

Ben’s Point of View

The moment they were plunged into darkness, Ben started to gently touch Marcus’s injury. The man hissed beneath the touch and tried to pull away from him. “Stop touching it,” Marcus protested, but Ben held his arm tightly. “Ben, it hurts. Just stop it. Please. It hurts. Just leave it alone.”

“And I thought the first time you’d take your shirt off for me, it’d be a little more intimate,” Marcus laughed softly, tracing his hands along Ben’s side. Ben gasped softly. Dammit, Marcus knew exactly how to excite Ben’s body and mind. Oh shit, Ben thought absently. Not good, I want him so bad. “Sorry Ben, sorry, I know, I know, no funny business.”

“You’re damn right no funny business,” Ted snapped from the other side of the cage. Ben had completely forgotten about the other two men. Oh, Ben thought, feeling a blush colour his cheeks. “Just get over here as soon as you’re done patching him up. We need to come up with a plan.”

“Right, I’m almost done,” Ben said softly, finishing up quickly. He leaned up and kissed Marcus gently. He needed that much. A kiss. Simple enough. “I love you,” Ben whispered against Marcus’s lips. “I know we haven’t known each other long, but I do. I love you.”

Ben felt Marcus’s lips curl into a smile. “You’re too cute,” the other man whispered. Marcus kissed him again.  Even in this darkness, Ben found a comforting lightness in Marcus’s touch. “But we should get over there before Ted drags us apart.” Ben nodded.

“Ted? Hold out your hand so we can get over there without running into the cage,” Ben said, reaching a hand out and feeling around for Ted’s. Ted grunted in response, and soon enough, Ben found Ted’s strong, callused hand and the blonde guided Ben close. “Alright, Marcus, find my hand.” Ben held out his hand again for Marcus to find.

When Marcus found his hand, Ben felt Ted’s hand almost caress his bareback. Ben felt a blush creep into his face until he realised Ted was just looking to get a spot to put his hand so he could lean against the metal bars of the cage. Ben pulled Marcus close. Despite their grim circumstances, Ben felt better being close to Marcus. It was nice to remember that no matter where they were, Marcus would still be a source of warmth and safety for him.

“Right, so, what are we going to do?” Ben asked, resting his shoulder against Marcus’s. “He said he wanted us to spill our secrets, well, we don’t do it then.” Ben shrugged. That made sense to him really. He didn’t want to give that strange man what he wanted. “So, we just don’t tell each other what are secrets are. Well, I mean, I don’t exactly have any secrets.”

“Me either,” Marcus agreed, kissing Ben’s temple gently. “That is, I don’t remember if I have any major secrets. If I did, I’m sure I would have told you already…” Ben nodded, kissing Marcus’s fingers gently. “Well, there is one secret that I have, but it’s probably not what he’s talking about by ‘spilling our biggest secrets’.” Marcus’s arms wrapped around Ben’s waist and pulled him close. “I’ll tell you my secret later,” Marcus whispered into Ben’s ear causing a shiver to dance along the smaller man’s spine.

“My secret is already out,” Winston mumbled and sniffled softly. Ben felt a pang of sympathy for the boy. Winston had a lot ripped away from him in such a short period of time. “You guys aren’t mad at me are you?”

“No,” Ted said slowly. “We aren’t mad at you. I think every one of us would have done the same thing in your place. Well, I would. I don’t know if Marcus would have the guts.” Ben turned and glared at Ted, even though he knew well enough that nobody could see him in the darkness. “Either way, I don’t have secrets. And if I did, I wouldn’t tell any of you.”

Ben narrowed his eyes. Ted could be an ass sometimes. He was lucky that Ben liked when he wasn’t an ass enough to balance that out. “Well, we can’t all have no secrets,” Marcus pointed out. “Otherwise, he wouldn’t have said that. So someone has to be lying.” It didn’t take light to know that Marcus’s comment was directed directly at Ted. Ben would need to diffuse the situation before it got worse.

“It hardly matters now,” Ben jumped in before Ted could retort. “Let’s just get some sleep. Letting ourselves get run down is exactly what they want. We’ll be more likely to share whatever it is they want from us.” He heard some mumbled agreements from Ted and Marcus. “So, we should probably stay close together. It’s going to get cold tonight…” Again, he heard the mumbled agreements.

There was some time before everyone was settled in. Ben was curled up near Marcus, his head resting on Marcus’s shoulder. He felt comfortable with Marcus, despite the circumstances. It was nice to have warmth near when he laid down rest. Ben had his back to Ted, who was turned towards Ben. Winston was curled in a ball and he was still sniffling and crying softly. “Good night guys,” Ben said softly. He smiled as he shifted a bit to make himself more comfortable.

Maybe an hour later, Ben was still awake. He traced little designs onto Marcus’s chest as the man snored softly. “Ben?” Ted’s deep voice sounded out in the dark. “Are you awake?” Ben sighed, he rolled over to face Ted. He felt like he had to look at Ted when he spoke.

“Yea, why?” Ben asked, stifling a yawn. Ted reached out and put his palm over Ben’s face. “Ted,” Ben mumbled around Ted’s hand. “Get your hand off my face.” Ted chuckled softly and pulled his hand back.

“Sorry Ben,” Ted said, reaching over to pat Ben’s cheek. “I was just trying to see how close you were.” Ben smiled. It was nice to have the normal Ted back. He certainly did miss the normal Ted. He’d been acting funny the last few weeks.

“Yea, well, we’re close, all of us,” Ben said with a quiet laugh, reaching over in the dark to ruffle Ted’s hair. “Ted? Do you really have no secrets?” The conversation halted right then. Ben felt a rush of unease wash over him as he could feel Ted’s intense grey-green gaze bore into his face. He resisted the urge to pull away from Ted. He didn’t want the blonde man to think Ben was afraid of him. Ted was still Ben’s best friend. “Do you?”

“Ben,” Ted said quietly, almost apologetically. It was like Ted didn’t want to say what he was about to say. “I, I don’t know if I should tell you… You might change your mind about me.” Ben shook his head, realising quickly that Ted wouldn’t be able to see him.

“I’d never change my mind about you,” Ben said gently, reaching out to take Ted’s hand. “You’re my best friend, and you always will be. You got me through so much Ted. You’re still the man that saved my life when I first got to the maze, you know. That will never change for me.”

Ted squeezed Ben’s hand gently. “I really don’t think I can,” Ted admitted. At that moment, Marcus mumbled and shifted in his sleep. Ted dropped Ben’s hand quickly. “Nothing. I can’t tell you anything. Just go to sleep Ben,” Ted said quickly. “I have nothing to say to you.” Ben sighed. Sometimes, Ted scared him, and other times, he confused him. Ben turned over again to face Marcus, nestling his head into the crook of Marcus’s elbow. He could deal with this all in the morning. Ben just needed to sleep and try to get his bearings back.

[the-edifice-fic]

Super cool! Good to see you writing again:)

I’d love to say that I’m writing again. The truth is, that I’m really not. I just realised that I had so much written that I hadn’t posted, so I thought I’d post it finally. I do plan on continuing Adepts though, I’m working on it, albeit very slowly.

[the-edifice-fic]

The Edifice

Part Two

Chapter One: Out of the Frying Pan

Ben’s Point of View

The disembodied voice just laughed as the men backed in closer together. Ted and Marcus both pushed Ben behind them. I’m not some fragile flower, Ben wanted to snap, but this was hardly the time. He just pushed himself forward again; making sure they all seemed competent. It seemed like the best method. There was nothing he could do about Winston though.

“Stop it!” Winston wailed, clinging to Ted’s arm tightly. “Make it stop Ted. Make it stop!” Ben wanted to help. But he didn’t know how.  Ben shook his head. He was terrified. He reached out and took Marcus’s hand in one hand and Ted’s hand in the other. He needed both of them right now.

“Would you look at that,” the disembodied voice called, echoing around the white room. “Even the Lover doesn’t know who he wants. Such a shame he won’t live long enough to decide which love he wants. Such choices. The sweet and brave Harrison or the iron-willed and passionate Ted? Choices, choices, choices.”

“Stop!” Ben shouted into the nothingness. “There’s no choice! Ted’s my friend! And Marcus is the one I want!” He was shaking. Whether it was from anger or fear, Ben was not sure. “He’s not Harrison. Not anymore. His name is Marcus.” Ben felt Marcus’s arms reach out and pulled him close. Ben lost grip on Ted’s hand. The smaller man looked over at the blonde and Ted was watching Marcus wrap his arms around Ben with a brief look of sadness and disgust.

“Ooh, that is too good,” the voice taunted. “My front-runner is jealous of the soft Harrison. I must say that I’m disappointed. How have you let such measly competition take what you want?” Ben didn’t understand. Ted didn’t want him. Ted didn’t want anyone. He held to Marcus tightly. He was terrified. “Why don’t you take what you want? You’re stronger than all of them. You’ve proved it before, so you can do it again. Take him if you want him.”

“Ben?” Ted asked, his face falling ever so slightly. “Please. Don’t go to him. Please.” He felt so broken up. Ted was his best friend, but he didn’t like him like that. “Please Ben. Pick anybody but him, anybody else in the whole world. Just not him.”

“What’s wrong with him?” Ben frowned. “Ted, stop it. You’re better than this. There’s nothing wrong wit him. Please respect that. I need you to respect this. I love him. I love him. But you’re my best friend. For the longest time, you were my only friend. Please. Don’t ask this of me. I can’t lose you both, but I need him like I need air. Ted, please.” The blonde just shook his head, a single tear spilled down onto his cheek. Ben was about to break down but Ted looked away.

“And here I thought you were the man to take what you wanted,” the voice echoed. “I never pictured you for a coward. My front-runner is the biggest coward of them all, or perhaps the second biggest coward of all. That little sobbing child might be the biggest coward. Tell me Winston, does everyone know that you lied? Do they know the truth? Shall I tell them?”

“No!” Winston shouted. “No! Don’t tell them!” Winston was sobbing again. Ben wanted to help. But he just couldn’t. There was nothing he could do… “Please! Don’t tell them! They can’t know!”

“Oh really?” the voice called out loudly. “They really can’t know? Perhaps you should save yourself the humiliation and tell them yourself. I’ll tell them if you don’t. I’ll share your biggest, darkest secret. Then, I’ll have you executed for your traitorous lie. Unless of course, you do as I say. Tell them. Tell them now.”

“No,” Winston whispered. “No, please. Don’t. Please. I can’t.” Winston was trembling quite violently. “No. You can’t. You just can’t…” The voice began to count down from ten. The closer to one it got, the more Winston began to plead for it to stop. “No, that’s not fair! Please! Stop please. You have to stop. This isn’t fair! Please!” The count down hit two and Winston was just a sobbing mess. “Alright! I’ll tell them! Just, stop counting!”

“The floor is yours you miserable child,” the voice chastised. “Cutting it a little close to execution don’t you think? Although, you’re still a coward; you cracked under that pressure. Foolish, foolish child. But alas, I ought to stop speaking. The floor is yours after all.”

“I, I’m not 21,” Winston whispered pitifully. “I’m only 19…. My brother, Carson, he was 21, but he died a week before leaving for the Edifice… I pretended to be him okay? I wanted to take care of my family…” All eyes fell on Winston. No wonder he looked so young. He was young. He didn’t belong in the maze. He didn’t deserve to be here. Ben pitied him, but at the same time, he admired his courage.

“Good for you boy,” the voice called. “If only big brother Carson were here to see what a disappointment his baby brother is. He didn’t want you to do anything. He tried to protect you, didn’t he? But you went against his wishes. You came anyway. Not just that. You promised you wouldn’t. He died in your arms and the last thing you said to him was that you wouldn’t do exactly what you did. Tsk tsk. What a disappointment.” Winston broke down into sobs again. This time, Ted tried to comfort him. He pulled the smaller man close and held him protectively. But it was helping. Winston was beyond being calmed.

“But shall we return to the Lover for a while? I think we should talk about precious Daddy,” the voice said, sending shivers into Ben’s body. Not his dad. What could this voice possibly know about him? “Did you realise how much better he could be? How much better he is? We made him better. We made him perfect. Shall I introduce you? Or maybe that can wait for later. Let’s just enjoy our time together shall we?”

Before the voice could continue the white walls slid open. “Oh, such a shame. Seems this is the end of our time for now. Enjoy the company of my favourite soldiers,” the voice concluded as a group of mutated humans marched in. The four men clustered together, but at this point, all of them were too shaken up to put up much of a fight. The mutated guard grabbed them all by the shoulders and hauled them off while the called out for each other and struggled feebly.

The guard carried them a ways into the damp hallway hidden behind the white wall. Soon enough, they were deposited into a small cage. The cage was locked. We’re prisoners, Ben thought as he crawled his way towards Marcus. He crawled into Marcus’s arms. “I’m scared Marcus,” Ben whispered, the ground was cold and damp. It wasn’t like they had their bags with them either. They’d been left behind in their hurried exit.

“I know Benji,” Marcus whispered back, kissing Ben’s head. “I’m scared too. But we’re together.” Ben leaned up and kissed Marcus gently. Maybe this wasn’t the time to be kissing, nor was it really the place, but Ben needed it. He needed Marcus’s touch. He calmed him and Ben needed that. “And I want you to know that I l-“

“Hello, hello,” the same voice from earlier called. Everyone looked up to see a slender man standing there. He had a head of straight blond hair, and he was relatively short. “I hope you enjoy you stay. This is our most accommodating cell. Now you two lovers, I won’t have any funny business. It doesn’t belong in a jail cell. Besides, I don’t think your comrades would appreciate it much.”

“My name isn’t Harrison,” Marcus responded, sitting up straighter. “Maybe it was, but it isn’t anymore. My name is Marcus. And I won’t be called anything else.” The blonde stranger laughed. He made a signal and one of the mutated guardsmen stabbed some sort of weapon into Marcus’s arm. The man called out in pain.

“Next time, don’t talk to me that way, Harrison,” the stranger sneered. “You know, it was your mouth that got you locked in that maze in the first place. That and who you are, well, who you were. You’d better watch what you say. I might just accidently order my guards here to kill you, and your Lover Boy. So, keep the cheek to a minimum. And enjoy your time here. I’d like to watch see who cracks and spills their greatest secret first. It’d be boring if I just gave it all away right now. Guards, leave them to their fate. We’ll be back in a few days.” With that, the men all left and the four men were plunged into darkness.

[the-edifice-fic]

The Edifice Part Two

I haven't actually written any of the Edifice in a very, very long time. However, I just came to the realisation that I have 5 chapters in Part 2 as well as 2 chapters of a Prequel type thing written. So, I will start posting these, spaced out of course.

[unfair-unfair-deactivated201303]

[the-edifice-fic]

Ok,now I don't know where this is going but I think i like where this is going. I'm curious to know about Marcus.You know where my interest lies:P Actually all off them, I keen to know what they are all about & what will happen 2 them now.Let them be

Glad I have your interest and that I’m not terribly predictable :) All I can tell you is, expect more drama and quite a bit more Ted than we’ve had in previous chapters. I’m going to start publishing when I’ve written a few more chapters of Part 2, so depending on how the writing flows can be anywhere from next week to next month.

[the-edifice-fic]

The Edifice

Well, it's the end of Part One. I hope you guys have liked the first part. I'm going to put you guys on pins and needles for a few weeks while I write more of Part Two, but also, a little waiting will build the suspense.

Anyway, I hope you guys can hold out for Part Two. Abbie (welshalbino) has started helping me edit, so Part Two is going to be leaps and bounds better than the first part. At any rate, I like asks about the story, and I'm also going to open up the submit box for any art or one-shots you guys want to write/draw that has to do with the Edifice 'Verse. 

Love to hear from you, Brittany

[the-edifice-fic]

The Edifice

Chapter Ten: Sacrifice

Ben’s Point of View

Ben hurried back to the ground. “Guys, did you hear that?” he asked, moving in close to Marcus. He was afraid and frankly, Ted had him confused. “I heard someone scream. “I think they might be in trouble. We should go see if we can help,” Ben said as Marcus’s hand brushed his back gently. Ben sighed as he saw the blank stares that fell on him. Was everyone like Ted now? “Come on guys, you’d want someone to come help you.”

“No,” Ben said, squirming slightly. “Don’t be like that Marcus, don’t play stupid please…. We have to help.” The scream sounded again. This time though, it was louder and sounded more like a screech. Everyone snapped their heads up, but Ben felt his body freeze.

“Okay, that wasn’t a scream Ben,” Ted said, looking back at Ben. But Ben couldn’t move. It was like his body locked up and now he was stuck. “Ben? Hey, what’s wrong with him?” Marcus’s attention snapped to Ben. He shook Ben gently, but still, Ben couldn’t respond.

“Ben!” Marcus called, waving his hand in front of Ben’s face. “He’s not blinking. What’s wrong with him? What did you do to him?” The accusatory tone in Marcus’s voice was so obvious that even in Ben’s distant state, he heard it. “Ben! Come on Ben! This isn’t funny! Don’t do this to me!”

Marcus brushed some of Ben’s stray hair out of his eyes. “What’s wrong with him? Ben, stand up. Please. Stand up. What’s wrong?” Marcus cried, burying his face into Ben’s hair. “Don’t leave me Ben,” the Court man whispered softly. “I need you. Don’t you dare leave me Benjamin.” Ben wanted to respond. He wanted to lean up and kiss Marcus, to let the man know he was all right, but he just couldn’t. Something was wrong with his head. Maybe it was the screech he’d heard earlier. But something was just not right.

“I don’t know Marcus,” Ted said, looking down at Ben tightly. “I really don’t know. I’d heard that the Court’s scientists were looking to develop a form of sonic mind control, but I guess I never believed them. Perhaps it’s true…” Sonic mind control, fuck, Ben thought. He thought he was fucked before, but if his mind wasn’t his own than he was truly fucked.

“How do we fix it?” Marcus asked, cradling Ben against his chest. The horrifying screech sounded again, and the sound sent Ben into a frenzy. He cried out, trembled, covering his ears. The sudden pain coursing through his body was unbearable. “Ted! Do something!” There was nothing Ted could do. Ben couldn’t stop himself. He just hurt so badly.

“I don’t know what to do!” Ted snapped back, the pressure of the situation was getting to everyone. Winston stood, cowering behind Aiden, the fiery redhead held out a protective arm to keep the smaller man safe. Ted was standing above Marcus and he looking down at them with an expression that reminded Ben of horror. And Marcus cradled Ben closely, rocking slowly as though the motion would soothe Ben’s pain.

Another screech sounded, and Ben felt relief flood his body. It felt like his body again. “We have to move,” Ben whispered, pressing his body closer to Marcus’s. “Whatever that is, it’s not safe.” Everyone nodded quickly. Nobody wanted to argue with him. The eerie screeching was getting to them.

“Which way Marcus?” Ted asked as Marcus stood. Ben tried to stand up, but his legs were weak from the searing pain and he simply buckled back to the ground and groaned softly. “I’ll get him, you lead the way.” As Ted reached down to scoop Ben into his arms, but Marcus pushed his hands away.

“No,” the Court man said roughly. “I’ll get him. You lead the way.” Ben shook his head. Ted didn’t know the way. But Ben could give him the map. He reached into his pocket and handed the map device to Ted.

“Why are you giving this to me?” Ted asked as Marcus hoisted Ben into his arms. Ben just reached over and turned the device on. “A map,” Ted said, his voice barely a whisper. “You have a map. You lied to me. You both lied to me.”

“Ted, we have to go,” Ben said, tucking his head into Marcus’s chest. “We can do this later. I don’t whatever was screeching to catch us.” Ted nodded. Ben had a point. And he knew he did. “Let’s go. We have to hurry. I don’t want to know what makes a sound like that.”

“I hate to be the negative one here,” Aiden said softly. “But I think we’re too late.” As the redhead spoke, a long, emaciated monster came around the corner. “How fast do you think it can run?”

“Well,” Winston said, looking at creature for a moment. “Four legs, and a set of arms… It’s definitely going to be faster than we are. Especially since Ben can’t walk.” It was clear on Winston’s face that he was terrified, despite trying to sound brave. “Of Course, we could leave him behind and maybe the monster will eat him instead of us.”

“No,” Marcus and Ted said at the same time. “We aren’t leaving him,” Marcus said, holding Ben close. “Not without leaving me.”

“And me,” Ted agreed. It was nice that they were agreeing for once, but the time they were arguing was time they weren’t running. And time they weren’t running allowed the monstrous entity to creep closer.

“Marcus,” Ben said, looking up at Marcus. “Hurry please. I said I’d protect you, and I can’t let you get hurt... I promised to get you out alive at all costs. Just hurry. I’m scared,” Ben admitted weakly. “We can’t stay here. None of us can. We have to get away.” All sets of eyes were on Ben as he spoke.

Aiden was the next to speak. “We won’t get away,” he pointed out. “Not standing here, and not even if we run. We’ll be too slow. Ben can’t walk. He’s a liability. If we don’t leave him, we’ll all die. We have to leave him.” Ben looked over at Aiden with a surprised expression. He never pictured the quiet red-head would suggest something like this…

“No!” Marcus practically shouted, tears welling in his eyes. He leaned down to kiss Ben gently. “I will not leave him. You will have to leave us both. But I won’t leave Ben here.

“Me either,” Ted agreed. “He keeps me sane. He’s kept all of us sane. He’s not being left. We all make it or none of us make it.” Aiden and Winston nodded. “Glad we’re on the same page. Now, let’s run.”

With that, the group took of sprinting in the opposite direction of the creature. From over Marcus’s shoulder, Ben could see the monster. It was human, well, was being the operative word. It wasn’t human anymore. Winston had been right about the two sets of legs. Two protruded from each side while the torso of the creature was upright with a pair of arms where the shoulders belonged. Its eyes seemed to be either solid black or just empty sockets. Ben couldn’t tell from here. As they ran away from the monster, it started running as well, keeping them in sight. “We’re never going to lose it,” Ben whispered. “We’re going to die…”

“No Ben, you once promised me that you wouldn’t let me die, and now I’m promising you the same thing,” Marcus replied, trying to run faster. But it was clear that Ben’s weight was slowing them down. All of them were slowed really, because they were all keeping pace with Marcus. “I will not lose you.”

“But you have to… We’ll all die if we don’t,” Winston said softly, trying to make his point clear. “We’re not going to make it.” It was clear that Winston was completely terrified. “It’s too fast, and we’re too slow… Please. Just leave him. If we don’t leave him, we’ll all die…”

“Stop Winston,” Aiden said suddenly. “They won’t let him go. Ted won’t and Marcus won’t. We’ll die if something doesn’t change, and neither of them will. So I’ll change. I’ll go. I’ll distract him.” Winston’s brown eyes snapped to Aiden’s. “I’m sorry Winnie… If I don’t do this, you’ll die, and you’ll never get to grow up. You once told me I was like an older brother, so let me do what an older brother does. I’ll protect you in the only way I can.”

“But you can’t Aiden,” Winston said sadly. “You can’t. I need you….” Aiden just shook his head. “Please! Ted, tell him he can’t! Tell him he can’t do this!” Aiden reached down and gave Winston’s hand a brotherly squeeze. “Stop it! You’re not going! You’re not! You can’t!”

“I have to,” Aiden said. Everyone stopped running for a moment and Aiden hugged Winston tightly. “I’m so sorry…” He kissed the smaller man’s head gently. “Look after him Ted. Don’t let him follow me.” Ted nodded, gripping one of Winston’s small arms in his hand. “Good luck. And remember this, no matter what happens, stay together. You all have each other.”

With that, Aiden started jogging the other way, towards the monster. Ben watched the redhead retreat towards the inhuman beast with a stride of false bravery. “Aiden! No!” Winston cried, trying to struggle out of Ted’s powerful grip.

“Let’s go,” Ted said as he started pulling Winston towards the exit. “We’re almost there. Come on Winston. Don’t let him sacrifice himself for nothing.” The three men started to run again, leaving Ben the only one to see what was behind them.

The emaciated monster reached out an arm and ensnared Aiden about the waist. The redhead fought valiantly, but he was no match for the monster’s strength. The creature opened its mouth, almost like a snake unhinging its jaw, and Ben buried his face into Marcus’s shoulder. He didn’t want to see it. It was bad enough that heard the echoing of Aiden’s strangled cries. Winston tried to turn about to call out to Aiden, but Ted kept the small man faced forward. They turned the corner and the bright light of the exit glowed. “Almost there,” Ted said, dragging Winston outside. As soon as all four men were outside of the exit, the door slid closed. Winston just collapsed, dragging Ted down with them. The tall blonde pulled Winston into his arms as the small man broke into pitiful tears.

Marcus collapsed not seconds later, clearly exhausted from carrying Ben and running all that way with Ben’s weight. He pulled Ben closer and kissed his head. “We made it,” Marcus whispered softly. “I can’t believe we made it.”

“Not everyone,” Ben pointed out sadly. “We couldn’t all make it… It should have been me.” Marcus shook his head and kissed him gently. “Thank you for saving me Marcus,” Ben said softly, brushing his fingers along Marcus’s cheek.

“Well, well, well,” a voice called, causing all the men to jump and looking around wildly. They didn’t see anyone. “If it isn’t the psycho, the child, the lover, and Harrison. Good to see you again boy. You weren’t supposed to get out of there.”

Everyone scrambled to their feet, and they backed into each other. “Who’s there?” Ted called out into the open space. Trees and grass surrounded them, but the sky was white. It had been several months since Ben had seen the sky, but wasn’t it supposed to be blue? “Where are we?”

“Welcome to the Court Labs boys,” the disembodied voice echoed again. “We’re been expecting you for a while now, well, half of you, well, one of you at least. We all took bets, but I suppose, nobody wins.” Bets? They took bets? What sort of sick people took bets on something like this? Ben trembled. He didn’t like this voice.

“Ah, Winston, the valiant child,” the voice boomed. “How would big brother Carson feel if he knew you were here?” What did that voice mean? What was wrong with Winston being here? Winston just let out a choked sob, and clung to Ted’s arm tightly.

“And you Benjamin, you would have been excellent for our experiments,” the voice continued. “I’ve never seen someone with such a welcoming charisma. You even got the heart of stone to melt for you. Quite the ability.” Ben looked confused. Heart of stone? Marcus’s heart wasn’t of stone. He was kind and gentle. Ben moved closer to Marcus. He didn’t like the way this voice echoed around. He didn’t like not having a face to put with the voice.

“Harrison, my boy,” the voice said, and Ben looked up at Marcus. No. He wasn’t a Harrison. Definitely not. He was a Marcus. “You were supposed to die down there. They were supposed to let you die. I have a feeling that the lover there had a lot to do with that. The psycho wasn’t supposed to let you leave. But he went soft on us. Such a shame. He had a bright future.”

“He just causes problems. That charisma is quite the potent thing. If only we could harness that for our monster. Imagine how dangerous that would be,” the voice echoed again. Suddenly, the grass and trees seemed to flicker. They faded into white, revealing that the four men were in a small white room. They weren’t outside at all. What is this place? Ben thought, feeling a tremble wrack his body. This got weirder and weirder. “Ah, now you see the lab’s testing grounds. And I think perhaps it’s the last thing you’ll ever see.”

[End Part One]

[the-edifice-fic]

Oh no, the ending. Better be nothing...right? Leave my Marcus alone. Bencus was so good until Ted caught them. Bound to happen I guess. This, this is going downhill. Kinda suck that Ben said all those thing to Ted *tsk* *tsk* I don't want Tedjamin to argue with each other.:( Nevertheless I love the update.

Thanks :) Glad you like it. I'm sad to say there's only one more chapter in this part, than I'm going to take a hiatus to write more of part 2 before publishing shall commence.

[the-edifice-fic]

The Edifice

Chapter Nine: Secrets

Ben’s Point of View

Several Days Later

“How long have we been here?” the voice of Winston asked as the small party gathered around the small fire for a breakfast of hash and dried meat that Ben had fried like bacon. No one answered; no one had an answer. It was several days since Winston, Aiden, and Marcus arrived. At least, Ben assumed as much. Every night was good to him. He fell asleep in Marcus’s arms, they’d cuddle and kiss, although, they never got terribly intimate. They were too afraid of waking Ted. Neither man knew what the harden blonde would do if he caught them.

In fact, according to that map, the unlikely group of friends were very close to the end of the maze, very close to the freedom they all craved. With the meal finished, Ben and Marcus volunteered to clean while Ted and the others scouted ahead. Ben felt Marcus’s eyes fall on him the second that Ted and the others were out of sight. “Not yet,” Ben said, starting to clean everything up. “We have to clean up. The last time we did that before cleaning they came back and wondered what we’d been doing. ‘Cause we clearly weren’t cleaning.”

“Fine,” Marcus murmured, brushing his fingers along Ben’s side. The skinny man gasped softly before shooting Marcus a look. He needed to focus, and when Marcus touched him like that, all rational thought fled from his mind. “Alright, alright, you win,” Marcus said, taking to helping Ben clean up the breakfast mess. The sooner they worked, the sooner they could get to what they both wanted to get to. Ben kept glancing side-glances at Marcus. He wanted him. He wasn’t sure exactly what he wanted, but he knew it had to do with Marcus and it was more than the kissing. Sometimes he wondered what guided them, was it their hearts or their heads? Maybe it was both. Ben’s entire body always seemed to cry out for Marcus’s touch and his embrace. He could only wonder if Marcus felt the same.

It didn’t take long for the two men to clean up the breakfast mess. Within seconds, they were pulling at each other, lips connected. Ben drank in the sensation, as he often did. He savoured the taste of Marcus’s lips. He tasted of Ben’s cooking, but also something sweet like honey or syrup. Ben was hopelessly lost in the kiss. He wrapped his fingers into Marcus’s hair as the other man pushed him back onto his pile of sheets. Marcus was addicting. Ben couldn’t get enough; he pulled him closer, running his tongue along Marcus’s lips. “Marcus,” Ben whispered as he broke the kiss for a moment to catch his breath.

Marcus simply hummed in response, returning his lips to Ben’s. Ben loved being close to Marcus like this. There was nothing he liked more than this, nothing from his current life or his past life. This was the only thing that Ben looked forward to. He loved Marcus’s lips. He loved them even as they became more chapped as the days passed. It didn’t matter to him. He still loved the way Marcus felt against him. Ben would do this all day and all night if he could.

“What the fuck is this?” Ted’s voice questioned. Ben’s eyes snapped open and Marcus sat up. The couple just stared at the others. Ben didn’t know what to say, or even what he could say. He’d been avoiding this since Marcus and he first kissed. “Ben,” Ted said, his voice even, but clearly he was burning with some form of anger. “A word please. Now.”

Ben just nodded and scrambled to his feet. “I can explain,” he muttered. It wasn’t like there was much to explain. He liked Marcus’s attention and his kisses. He liked being close to him. And he certainly wasn’t going to give it up. Ted didn’t answer verbally, he simply grabbed Ben’s wrist and dragged him around the bend that was ahead. “Let me go Ted. I can walk by myself.”

“You kept this from me,” Ted said coldly. “I trusted you. And you kept this from me. It’s a pretty big thing Ben. You should have told me you were snogging that piece of shit. Is that why you didn’t want to let him go? Tell me that it’s just a physical thing.” Ben just looked at his feet. There was nothing he could say. It started being just physical, but Ben felt something. He wanted to call it love, but he didn’t really know what love was. He just wanted to be with Marcus always.

Ted shook his head. “Dammit Ben,” he muttered with a quiet sigh. “Dammit. This isn’t how it’s supposed to happen. You weren’t supposed to fall for him.” Ben was confused. What did Ted mean? If he wasn’t supposed to fall for Marcus, who was he supposed to fall for?

“What do you mean?” Ben whispered. “I don’t understand. What do you mean?” Ted just laughed dryly, as if Ben was missing the most obvious thing in the world. “It’s not funny. I don’t understand. What do you mean?” Ted just shook his head. Ben was getting the feeling that Ted wasn’t going to tell him. “Ted, what’s going on?”

“Just shut up,” Ted said roughly as he shoved Ben against the wall. “Just stop talking.” Ben opened his mouth to say something, but he was stopped as Ted looked at him evenly. Ted’s grey-green eyes darkened dangerously and Ben figure it best not to speak. “Just, what is it huh? What does he have that nobody else does? Why him?”

Ben just stammered a response. He was actually pretty terrified. He’d never seen such a low-lying intensity from Ted before. “Why not him?” Ben finally said. “You just don’t understand. You’re a heartless man. You only care about yourself and anyone you think you can use to your advantage.” He didn’t know where this was coming from. Perhaps Ben had always felt this way, but had never felt the need to say it. He was afraid of Ted, but mostly, he was afraid of what Ted would do to Marcus.

“I’m not heartless,” Ted snapped. Ben just laughed dryly. Ted was the most heartless person he’d ever met. He knew that people were hardened being here in the maze, but none more so than Ted. Surviving all that he had, Ted had blocked off his emotions. But to say now that he wasn’t heartless? Ben didn’t believe him. “I’m not heartless Ben. Emotions are dangerous and could be the death of me. So I choose to ignore them, but I still have them.”

“Yea right,” Ben retorted, pushing Ted off him. “You don’t feel Ted. Not any of the good stuff at least. You feel annoyance, anger, and stuff like that. But you don’t feel happiness, love, or excitement. As far as I’m concerned, you’re heartless and unfeeling. So don’t try to tell me that I wasn’t to fall for him. You don’t know how I feel. I doubt you ever will.”

Ted grabbed Ben’s shirt in his fists and pressed him back against the wall. “Don’t tell me what I do and don’t feel,” Ted said, leaning in close. “You say I don’t know how you feel, so don’t assume to know how I feel. Just because I keep my emotions inside, doesn’t me I don’t have them. I feel. I feel happy. I feel sad. I feel excited. And I feel love. But I choose not to show it. So, don’t assume you know everything because you’ve found some over-weight Court boy to kiss whenever you damn well please.” Ben just stared at Ted. He was trying to read any emotions in those grey-green eyes, but he couldn’t. He never could. Ted’s eyes were just a cloud of nothing. His time in the Edifice had kept his emotions even tighter to the inside than Ben had ever assumed.

“Just get off me Ted,” Ben said, pushing Ted away again. “I don’t want to talk about this with you. I’m a man; the Court says so. I can make my own decisions. If I want to risk the heartache, you have to let me. Just, leave me alone.”

A brief flicker of sadness flickered over Ted’s face. “Fine,” the blonde said, returning to his normally steely demeanour. “Don’t come crying to me when he breaks your heart.” With that, Ted left Ben standing there alone. Ben sighed. He felt something bubble in his stomach.

What the hell? Ben thought, resting his hand against his stomach. I hope I’m not getting sick… Deep down, he knew that the feeling wasn’t an illness, but he just couldn’t place it. Fuck, whatever this is needs to stop. I can’t show any weakness… Ben was about to head back to the group when a quiet scream-like sound filled the cavern. Is that someone in trouble? Ben hurried towards everyone else. If it was someone, he’d need help to try and save them.

[the-edifice-fic]

I have to say I love your Edifice fic. Love where the story is going though I might have an idea of where its going but It keep me interested. Keep it going:)

Well, I do hope I'm not that predictable lol. There's a total of 3 parts to this story, so except more twists and turns and what have you. I hope you enjoy what's to come :)

[the-edifice-fic]

Hey! Love the fic and loved the last chapter :) Just a suggestion, if I may. Don't change your story into what readers want, it may seem a nice thing to do, but that's actually how stories get fucked up. Just stick to what you have in mind that is great and it's been great so far :)

Thanks for the love :) And I'm not intending on changing the entire plot line for the reader requests. Look at it like this, in the story course of 3 days, I have something major for the plot planned on day 1 and day 3, however I have no idea what I want for day 2. It's day 2 that I've allowed for reader requests. As long as the requests don't ruin the integrity of the main plot line, I can include them if I can. It's more like reader requested fluff as opposed to reader requested story.

[the-edifice-fic]

The Edifice

Chapter Eight: Safety

Ben’s Point of View

As much as he hated to admit it, Ben had never slept better then when he slept next to Marcus. The warmth Marcus emitted was comforting and it felt safe. Ben curled into him as he woke slowly. He didn’t want to leave Marcus’s side. He was warm and safe and Ben was hooked. This was something he could get used to. “You up Ben?” Ted’s voice called out in the darkness. Ben sighed. Ted seemed to have a sixth sense about when Ben was awake and when he wasn’t.

“Sure,” Ted said. Something was off. Ben knew something was not right. But he just couldn’t place it. It wasn’t often he had this strange feeling of unease around Ted. The confident blonde always gave Ben a sense of security. Alone in the dark with him had Ben suddenly questioning how safe he really felt with his friend. It’s like there’s something out of balance here, he thought as he began to start the fire.  “So, have you come to your senses yet?”

Ben sighed. He had come to his senses. Ted just didn’t like the fact that his “senses” had nothing to do with what Ted wanted. “Yes,” Ben said, seeing Ted’s face start to form a smug grin as the dim light of the growing fire lit the cavern. “I have come to my senses. Marcus stays. He stays with me, and I keep him alive. I won’t take no for an answer here. He’s my responsibility now, and I will keep him alive. Believe that Ted. As long as I’m around, he won’t die.”

Ted’s face fell into an eerie glare, the fire light casting shadows on his face that wouldn’t normally be there. “Bad choice of words Ben,” Ted said slowly. His voice was cold and even. Something in the way his grey-green eyes glinted in the firelight had Ben spooked. He slid back from the fire, closer to Marcus and the safe feeling that the man offered him.

“Ted? You’re scaring me,” Ben said softly, resisting the urge to take Marcus’s hand. The light was bright enough now. Ted would certainly see if Ben did take his hand. “Just, stop. Whatever it is you’re doing, stop it.”

Ted shook his head. “Sorry Ben, just, I just need to clear my head a bit,” the blonde said finally. He looked at Ben and that unsettling glint that was in his eyes was gone now. It was replaced with a soft understanding. It made Ben feel better. “I just wish you’d reconsider your decision. There isn’t much that he can offer that the rest of us can’t. And we’re more likely to stay alive and keep you alive. I don’t want to see you get hurt.”

Ben nodded. That made sense, he supposed. “I’ll be fine Ted,” Ben said, giving Ted a reassuring smile. “The Court says I’m a man and that means I can take care of myself. Trust me. I won’t get hurt.” Ben’s eyes wandered to Marcus’s sleeping form. No. From the way they kissed last night, this would hurt neither of them. And this would go on as long as they possibly could. At least, that’s how Ben wanted it. He was hopelessly drawn to Marcus, and he knew there was no going back.

[the-edifice-fic]

sorry that his may sound rude , but what exactly is an edifice cause im kinda confused are they in like an army camp or something ?:/

It's not rude :) The Edifice is a maze, kind of like the Labyrinth. They're stuck in a maze and are trying to find away out.

[the-edifice-fic]

The End of Part One is Near

Oh Don't look at me like that Marcus. We've still got three more chapters before the end of Part One. Then there are *hopefully* two more parts to accompany it. It's at this time that I'd like to know how many of you are actually out there reading this.

Yes, thank you for the dramatisation Ben. However, I'm not asking for much. I'd just like those of you who have read (and like) the story to like, reblog, or send me asks. I thrive on your feedback, and I'd love to hear from my readers. Sometimes, I don't know if I'm really on the right track with my story, and need you guys to keep me on track.

Thanks for the support Winston. It's nice to know that someone supports me. So, if you want to give feedback, but don't know what to say, I'm going to list a few questions that I'd very much love to hear the answers to.

1. Do you like the story?

2. What is your predictions for chapters to come?

3. If you had to describe your favourite character from the story in 5 words or less, how would you describe them?

4. Do you feel that the boys stand a chance of getting out alive?

Well, that's all I have for you. Thanks for bothering to read this (if you bothered that is), and I'll see you all on Tuesday with the Chapter 8 update. The chapter is called "Safety" for those of you that are interested.

[the-edifice-fic]

There is one thing I absolutely despise about The Edifice, and that is having to wait between chapters. #truth

Haha. Sorry mate :) If I was a faster writer, I’d post twice a week. But I’m so slow. I’m still putting off writing chapter 10, and I’m getting awfully close to needing it lol.