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Everything had happened in a blink of an eye. One simple instant, something both of them hadn’t even seen coming though should have known it all along.
A single slip and suddenly, they both were marching through the field, about to face death for have they had sinned.
It wasn’t supposed to happen this way.
Park Humin was a known and respected General by soldiers, very envied by most seeking his charge, called a war genius for his brilliant tactics at such a young age.
He had fought and bled to climb up the hierarchy that was militia ranking, dreaming of becoming the leader of battalions and the protector of his dear nation since he was a child.
The opportunity of independence had presented itself as a silver plate for Humin, who didn’t hesitate to take advantage of the dire need of leadership in the militia.
Now, after a few years of fighting and leading troops battlefield over battlefield, remaining victorious in most of the fights he indulged in, his reputation and value were undeniable, Congress even entertaining the idea of ascending him to commander-in-chief of the whole army.
It helped that Park Humin was not only incredibly clever and sly at the moment of developing war tactics, not to mention his ability with guns and physical combat, but that he was mostly loved and respected for his charming and compassionate personality.
He was natural at leading a group of people, motivating even the sickest soldier to try and live another other day. General Park always made sure to listen and consider his fellow officers' ideas and opinions, taking them to mind and proposing ideal plans to satisfy not only the situation, but his team as well.
The fact that he was outgoing and friendly just made it impossible not to melt everyone’s heart by just one mere interaction with him.
Park Humin always made sure to check on his soldiers, to provide the necessary supplies even if Congress was negligent about it, and to cheer them up or support them when the mood was sorrowful.
But even though he was close to multiple, always chatting and speaking to the nearest ones, everyone in the army knew he was specially closest to Lieutenant General Go Hyuntak.
Lieutenant General Go Hyuntak was known for being fierceless and, honestly, a little bit reckless. He threw himself into conflict more often than not, but his amazing battlefield skills and quick reflexes compensated for his impulsiveness. Even though he seemed hotheaded most of the time, at the moment of leading and planning an attack or defense, his plans would come to work wonderfully for his insight and intelligence at analyzing the situation.
If Humin was outgoing but firm, Hyuntak complimented him with a stronger attitude but more flexible approaches.
They had met at the beginning of the war, when both of them held the title of soldiers. During training, they were known for having the most dynamic and powerful practices, neither of them giving up when the exercises became too difficult or exhausting, even though the lack of decent conditions.
In the front lines of the trench, a place where most were known to die, both of them made it out alive by helping each other and fighting side by side.
They complimented each other, both fighting styles and way of thinking being similar, adding up to form the deadliest duo. Each day, it felt as if they competed to see who could go even further with the training and skills, but after the sessions were over, you could see them by the riverbank for hours, sometimes chatting, most times enjoying the other’s presence.
Even in the coldest days you would see them outside so they could get more private time, always with smiles plastered in their faces, a low but constant redness to their cheeks— time later, the camp would get to know that that little detail was not, in fact, due to the cold weather as they had thought.
Park Humin and Go Hyuntak shared the same room since the beginning, going from a tiny excuse of a tent to an actual quarter to live more comfortably as they both ascended ranks.
At first it had been a coincidence, but later on, even after Generals and Officials offered to give them their own tents for privacy matters, they both profoundly refused. One time, after moving camps, General Park Humin had to separate from the camp to go up north, and the soldiers who spent time with both of them during that period of time declared that both, Humin and Hyuntak, hadn’t been able to sleep at all. Some even said it was the time where Park Humin had been the most irritated and exhausted.
As they climbed the rankings, their bond became stronger, not something someone could break easily. Actually, everyone that had ever met them was sure they were bound to be together for life as sidekicks.
No one really questioned, there was no reason to do so. Well, thinking back, there may have been signs, but it had been too natural over such a long period of time that no one paid mind.
Perhaps the fact that both, Humin and Hyuntak, were so secretive with their correspondence was a sign, or how physically present they were to each other— Humin always with an arm across Hyuntak’s shoulders, or Hyuntak making sure to make any little physical gesture linger for a second longer than it should’ve.
They liked to spend time at the other’s room as well, always with the excuse of “discussing tactical matters”, but their meetings lasted longer than any type of official meeting would’ve.
If you were resting and decided to wander around the camp, chances were that you would find them together walking across the field in a mindless way, bodies drawn together like magnets, voices too soft and too hushed that made it impossible to earsdrop even if you wanted to.
At drinking nights, times where soldiers felt the right to relax and let go for a while before having to combat, every time someone asked either Humin or Hyuntak about their love experiences, no one really paid attention to how unusual it was that both good looking and skilled man answered that they had never courted anyone, or the undetectable glances they send the other’s way after answering.
It just had been this way for the majority of the war that no one, not higher-ups or new recruits, really questioned the nature of their relationship.
But people didn’t actually see how much Humin seemed to enter a trance every time Hyuntak entered the room, or how Hyuntak always seemed to know exactly what Humin needed before the General himself even knew.
They didn’t see the shy holding hands, or the embraces that lasted too long to be considered comradery, or the stares that spoke much more than words could ever express.
Every time they walked along the riverbank, or quietly sat down next to each other, observing and enjoying the tranquility of nature, Humin’s pinky finger would discreetly attach to Hyuntak’s, a small gesture that meant the world for both.
Every time the lieutenants and officials thought they were working together in an office, inside the cramped room Humin and Hyuntak shared stolen kisses and hearted promises, only meant for them and the moon to witness.
They knew each other's body more than their own, adored the other just like novels would describe true love.
They both knew it was wrong— after all, it was an act of sodomy what they were committing, an unforgivable crime that could be even penalized with death. But at the sight of each other, they knew it was worth risking their entire lives if it meant staying together, hoping they could make it last until their elderly years.
They had gotten over the guilt and shame a long time ago, accepting that loving the other was the only thing they both knew could never be wrong, because how could it be when their lover was perfect?
Love between them came in the easiest and simplest way, and accepted that, if God decided they were sinners for loving the most beautiful man ever to exist, then God himself created a world where beauty was punished and cruelty was rewarded.
But the others didn’t share their point of view, didn’t see how loving each other was the best thing they could do.
It had been a rather calm Thursday when everything crumbled. A servant, cleaning and tidying the quarters rooms, had found hidden under a plank of wood Humin’s love letters to Hyuntak.
There were several, to not say hundreds, and, after reading a few of them, the servant had ended so horrified that she quickly ran and warned the court-martial.
They didn’t even stand up for a case considering the amount of evidence they had against them, the judge and commander-in-chief immediately acquitting their charges.
But it hadn’t been enough. No.
They wanted them dead. Congress could not tolerate the idea of two of their most powerful leaders committing an act of sodomy. Both criminals stained the army’s reputation, and their crimes felt more like a betrayal than a simple sin.
Humin had pleaded and begged to Congress to let Hyuntak go, free him of the death penalty and let him live in the outskirts of the city, but it had been of no use considering he was no longer a respected figure but rather a disgusting disgrace.
And now they were both marching through camp, a grand parade being held for their drumming out of regiment and their most expected hanging.
Humin and Hyuntak held their gazes up, posture straight and rhythmical pace as they were directed to the podium, letting the world shame them for who they truly were.
And as they stood over wooden platforms and let their necks be surrounded by ropes, they looked at each other and smiled.
“I love you more than anything in this cruel life, Gogo.”
Even after not showering, dirty clothes on and the knowledge of death being around the corner, Humin thought Hyuntak couldn’t look more angelic.
“Let's meet again on the other side, Baku.”
And even after sinning, after risking everything they had in life— their ranks, their reputation, their friendships— neither of them regretted ever loving the other one, and there was no greater honor than dying together just like they lived by the other’s side.