4.3 [2/3]
Author:
catchmyambitionRating: PG13 for language
Genre: Angst/Romance
Pairing: Kangin/Hyukjae
Dedicated to
freedomthisway Fall 1950
Wooooooshhhh. I heard the sound of a grenade as it whizzes centimeters above my head. I wanted to scream, but that would give away my position, and I can’t do that, not when I’m so close to escaping. To Hyukjae.
This was nothing like what I imagined. I thought we were fighting for freedom, for our families, for our lives. We’re not fighting for freedom; we’re not fighting for anything. We’re killing. Anyone, everyone.
I shot someone. A boy. He couldn’t have been more than thirteen. A gun had been shoved in my hands not five minutes before and he was hiding behind a tree and I saw movement and I just shot - I didn’t know. But all the didn’t knows won’t bring him back. Won’t change the fact that I’m the reason he’d dead and he’ll never hug his mother or go fishing with his father. Won’t excuse my hiding underneath his body in a ditch while I waited to run home with my tail tucked between my legs.
As I snuck through the shadows to my home, I'm filled with apprehension, guilt, fear, and happiness all at once. I couldn't wait to see Hyukjae yet I was completely terrified. What if Hyukjae hates me for leaving? What if he wants nothing to do with me? What if he -
“YAH! Stay still, you, or I'll blast your brains out,” a voice from behind harshly. The cool metal at the base of my skull left no doubt he had the power to carry out his threat. “Turn around slowly with your hands up.”
I obediently turned around, careful not to make any sudden movements. The last thing I needed was to have my brains smeared in the dirt by some twerp when I'm this close to Hyukjae.
“Y-Youngwoon? Is that you?”
I look up into the man's eyes for the first time. How did he know my name?
“Wow, Youngwoon, seriously? You don't remember me? It's Sungmin!” he did a small jig in place and I cursed my luck for being caught by some raving lunatic. Wait, Sungmin?
“Lee Sungmin? It's really you?” I questioned, not believing the odds.
“Yes, you idiot, get over here right now!” He exclaims as he draws me into a hug.
“Minnie, what in the world are you doing here of all places? I thought you moved to Seoul when we were kids.”
“We did, we did. Did you hear, appa's a general now? And I've been here, before I'm to be sent back to continue the fight for our country.” He quickly inhales, as if he's just remembered something critical. He bent down and began searching furiously through his bag. “Ohmygosh, Youngwoon, you have to hide! They'll kill you if they find you here after curfew! Here, put these on,” he whispered as he shoved a uniform into my hands.
“You can come with me! They're too busy to keep up with everyone, they'll just think you're a new recruit. But hurry, hurry, no time to lose.”
“Minnie, I can't, I have to get home -”
“Well you won't ever get home if you don't put it on, so hurry!”
I hastily put the uniform on to placate him. No sooner had I placed the cap on my head was a blinding bright flashlight shone shone in our faces.
“What's going on here?” a harsh voice called out.
Sungmin bowed deeply, almost to the ground. I hurried to do the same.
“L-Lietenant Kim!” He said in what was meant to be a polite greeting, but came out as a terrified whisper. Even in the relative darkness, I could see his hands shaking. I squinted up at the man he seemed so frightened of. He was quite beautiful for a man. His strong jaw was complimented by his high cheekbones that were connected by a small, straight nose. I didn't understand why Sungmin seem so fearful of this man.
“Yah, who's that with you?” he asked, nodding at me.
“Private Kim Youngwoon, sir,” I replied.
He stepped closer to me.
“I don't remember you.”
His eyes roamed from the top of my head to my bare feet.
“What happened to your boots, Private?”
“What? O-oh. They, uh, got stuck in mud on my rounds. I lost my flashlight, so I couldn't find them.”
He stared straight into my eyes for a few moments, as if it were written on my face that I lied.
“Hm. What are you both doing out so late? Report to headquarters at once! You both have jobs to do tomorrow.”
Without waiting for a reply, he turned on his heel and walked away. Still, Sungmin bowed low, whispering, “Yes sir!”.
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I woke up to Sungmin furiously shaking me. “Youngwoon! Youngwoooooonnnnnnn! We've got a big day today, wake up, wake up!”
“Wha-what? What are we doing?”
“I don't know, but all the officers are really excited! Kim Heechul's actually smiling!”
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Part One Part Three