Jae led Benjamin into a small, sterile exam room.
Wren's face softened into a sad smile the moment his eyes met Benjamin's. "I believe a checkup is due for your pregnancy."
Benjamin walked towards the examination table in the corner of the room, and Wren helped him climb up and lie down on his back.
Wren met Benjamin's gaze, his eyes expressing genuine concern. "How… how are you feeling, Benjamin?" Wren asked as he snapped on a pair of thin gloves.
"I'm… I'm just processing everything," Benjamin replied.
"I'm going to lift up your shirt," Wren stated and waited for Benjamin's consent.
Only when Benjamin nodded, Wren pulled up Benjamin's shirt. His eyes lingered for a moment longer than they should have, before he quickly snapped out of it. He moved his fingers in slow, practiced circles, feeling for the position of the fetus and the firmness of the growth.
"The size is consistent with the timeline," Wren noted.
He reached for a stethoscope and placed it against Benjamin's skin, listening intently for the faint, rapid drumming of a heartbeat. After a long minute, Wren pulled away. He looked at Benjamin, his expression warm but professional.
"The heartbeat is strong," Wren said. "The rhythm is steady. There are no signs of distress."
He pulled Benjamin's shirt back down, his hand lingering for just a fraction of a second too long. He continued to look down at Benjamin, a trace of that quiet admiration still in his eyes. Wren then gently helped Benjamin sit up.
"Forgive me for my outburst earlier. I shouldn't have snapped at you," Wren said softly. "I haven't talked about Atlas to anyone in years. Now, it's returning to me in waves... And having it all come back like this, it's hard to manage. I just lost my patience and let my temper get the best of me."
Benjamin reached out and took the hand Wren had resting nearest to him, and squeezed it firmly. He had a sympathetic smile. He couldn't deny that Wren was struggling with his own demons.
"I understand Wren. It is the same for me," Benjamin replied as their gazes locked.
"Go back and rest," Wren said. "I'll have Jae bring you something to eat. You need it, both of you." Wren sighed. "I'll speak with Charles before sending him up." He looked away before flashing a small grin.
On exiting the exam room, Jae escorted Benjamin back to his room. Wren took a deep breath before walking back out to speak to Charles.
"You will be leaving tomorrow," Wren said firmly. "Whatever needs to be said, make sure it's said tonight. As you are betrothed to Her Imperial Highness, I will prepare a separate bedroom for you to sleep in tonight."
Charles scoffed. "Doing this will not make Benjamin turn to you."
Wren flatly replied, "A betrothed man shouldn't speak of such a thing. I'm sure Your Highness knows more of these manners than I, a mere commoner, ever could." He gave a polite smile.
"Do you truly care for Benjamin, Wren, or is this all for your own selfish desires? If you truly cared for him, you wouldn't push your ideals on him," Charles said indignantly. "You wouldn't make him go against everything he believes in. You wouldn't try to control him like you are now. That isn't love, Wren. That is just an unhealthy obsession."
"The nature of my relationship with Benjamin is not a subject for debate, least of all with you," Wren replied dismissively. "You would do well to head up to Benjamin before your allotted time expires. My men will escort you from his room before nightfall." With that, Wren walked out.
When Charles was escorted into the room, he found Benjamin sitting on the floor, his back pressed against the side of the bed. Benjamin looked up as the door closed, his gaze weary.
"How have you been Ben?" Charles asked as he sat down next to him.
"What can I say?" Benjamin replied. "And you?"
Charles gazed at Benjamin's face, his eyes full of concern. "I've been worried, I could hardly eat or sleep or concentrate on anything else. We've been searching for you for weeks. I've missed you so much."
"I missed you too, Charles," Benjamin replied, without meeting Charles's gaze.
Benjamin knew that whatever affection lay between them had to be cut off, clean and sharp. Charles was not here as his lover. He was here because Benjamin had summoned him for the mission.
Benjamin leaned in, his voice dropping into a low, cautious whisper as he glanced toward the door. "I've asked you here because I need your help."
Charles nodded, his own voice hushed in return. "I'll do whatever it is."
"Do you promise to do everything I ask?" Benjamin's eyes locked onto Charles's, searching for any signs of hesitation.
"Benjamin," Charles began. "You cannot ask me to promise something when I don't even know if it is within my power to do it."
"This is not the same," Benjamin replied firmly. "If you cannot promise to do everything I ask, then your presence here serves no purpose. You would be of no help to me."
With a stern expression, Charles spoke with fierce conviction. "I am taking you away from here, no matter what it takes."
"That is not what I asked, Charles."
"I am aware, but I am letting you know exactly what I plan to do."
Benjamin sighed. "That is not how this works. You don't understand. There is too much at stake. If the files fall into the wrong hands, it endangers the Empire and the lives of every citizen..."
Charles looked away with a pained expression. "Will you be in danger?"
"I cannot say."
Charles's eyes were frantic and clouded with worry. "Benjamin, please. Tell me the plan. We can work it out together."
"I'm afraid that won't work."
"Please, don't be like this, Ben," Charles pleaded, reaching out for Benjamin's hands. But Benjamin pulled back.
Charles turned his face away. The silence stretched uncomfortably before he finally spoke with a strained voice. "Do you... do you have feelings for Wren?"
"Charles, this isn't why we're here," Benjamin dismissed.
"I love you, Benjamin. I told you before—"
"Charles, this isn't the time!" Benjamin cut him off, his voice full of desperation and grief. "You are the plan. This is the final stage of the mission, and it must succeed. I will not allow the sacrifices already made to become meaningless. And the Empire needs this. Please."
Charles gave a slow, reluctant nod. "If it endangers you, I will not do it. Everything else, I will."
Benjamin felt the frustration inside him building, while his heart was aching with a deep, hollow sadness. "If you won't help me, then why did you come at all?"
"You're making it impossible for me, Ben. I came to help, but now you're asking me to be an accomplice to something that looks like your own death. Why won't you promise me you'll be safe?"
"Because that is what I signed up for," Benjamin said firmly. "It is my duty, whether it costs me my life or not. Every other member of the Task Force is dead. They fulfilled their roles. It is time I completed mine."
Tears welled in Charles's eyes, spilling over as he looked at the man he loved. "Ben... after everything I've heard today, I can't imagine the pain you've carried all these years. I understand the guilt, the shame, but so much of this was never in your control. You've done well. You kept the research hidden. You've survived. You are doing your part, just as the others did. But your duty is to complete the mission, not to throw your life away. Why must you speak of death as if it wouldn't hurt anyone?"
Benjamin looked away, his own vision blurring with tears. "I'm tired, Charles. I'm just so tired of it all. Tired of running and tired of hiding. And now, I've ended up here, chained and kept against my will and the files at stake, because... because for a moment, I forgot my duties."
Charles reached out and embraced him, pulling him close. "It's not your fault, Benjamin. None of this is your fault. I will help you. I will get you out of this."
Benjamin pulled back, his eyes pleading, desperate for Charles to understand. "The only way you can do that is if you promise to do exactly as I tell you. Please, Charles."
Charles looked away again, the silence stretching as he searched for a way out, a way to save Benjamin from himself. But Benjamin's refusal to yield, his absolute lack of compromise, left no room for argument. Against his every instinct, Charles finally nodded.
"Will you?" Benjamin whispered.
"I promise," Charles replied reluctantly.
"Every word?"
Charles repeated the promise forced through gritted teeth as his face darkened with a deep, brooding displeasure. "Every word."
"Thank you Charles. This means the world to me," Benjamins said softly. He knew this was a lot to ask, but it was the only way. "Let me tell you the plan."
While the two men were talking, a sharp knock on the door interrupted them. The heavy door swung open, and Wren stepped inside. Upon seeing Benjamin and Charles seated on the floor, he joined them. Behind him, two soldiers took their stations at the door.