Lee Hyukjae was one of the youngest 'Lieutenant Colonel' that the Korean Air Force possessed. With only 18 had demonstrated his mastery to control a plane, its accuracy by eliminating a possible target. He had shown an early age, 16 years old, being a prodigy for aviation, so much so that some believed it might be even better than his now deceased father, Colonel Lee.

Hyukjae was returning to Korea after providing support to U.S. troops is hostile areas. He had a reconnaissance mission, but if the situation merited, he should step in. He had spent two weeks away from home, sharing with other pilots in the desert and he really missed the Samgyetang (chicken soup with ginseng) from its mother.

He had thought a lot in his trip back to Korea, he wanted to finish his school sickle like any other Korean teenager. At the moment he communicated to his superiors, they were fearful and many questions flashed through their minds 'What if their performance falls?' 'What if it becomes a problem for the institution?' 'What if after tasting freedom no longer wants to continue as a pilot?' so they flatly refused.

Frustrated Hyukjae went to his room inside the base, not greeting anyone, he wasn't in the mood for that. When he decided to insist he swear he would give the best of himself in future missions, accept the missions assigned to him without any ‘but’, even if he had to spend two months to a year out of Korea. He would do anything to be able to study like a normal person. When they agreed Hyukjae respectfully said he wanted his mother to be his guardian, not them.

Once he get to the ‘Gyeonggi’s Male Military Boarding’ he happily went to his classroom, the hallways were empty and the only sound was the sound of his identification plates witch collide with each other. When his homeroom teacher arrived he introduced Hyukjae to the class. He sat next to the boy who stood alone at the end of the classroom, Donghae was his name.
 

They introduce each other and to Donghae became very familiar with his name and he let him know immediately

"Is it not you Lieutenant Lee Hyukjae of the Air Force?" The grimace on his face Hyukjae captive but the question that this made ​​him feel trapped. He at that place did not want to be the prodigy who was in the air force.

"No, it's not me, should be naming scope" he lied despite being lousy at it, “There are approximately five Lee Hyukjae in the Air Force” and he felt worse than trash to see Donghae’s disappointed face.

After that they just talk about everything, at the end of the school day they asked if they can be roommates. At night under the darkness, they could freely say who they are or who your parents were. They are no longer under the pressure of the student body.

"My father is a Marine commander" Donghae let go with a sigh "my mother was a sergeant in the ground unit, she died in action."
"My father was a colonel in the Air Force and died in battle at the hands of North Koreans, while my mother was a colonel in the navy, but when I was born she was dedicated to raising me."

[...]

They shared every moment in the three months that he was inactive in service, but when he had to go to a mission, he disappeared for two weeks. Donghae was distressed by the absence of 'his Hyukkie'. During that distance between the both, they realized how insanely needed another.

When Hyukjae came back, Donghae hit him gently as he wept, he shouted that he need him so much, that he missed him and that it was a bad friend because he keep Donghae worried those two weeks. Feeling guilty Hyukjae brotherly hug him while he couldn’t help but smile on his lips knowing that he was not the only one feeling that way, that he wasn’t the one feeling fear of not knowing how it would be every day away from everything he knew, to feel the need to embrace Donghae at least five times daily, to see his smile and appreciate the face full of ingenuity when he told him a story, missing watch him sleep hugging that stuffed monkey that Donghae had nicknamed Hyukjae. He missed Donghae.

What he didn’t know is that Donghae had seen his smile, misunderstanding it.  Beginning a persecution by Donghae against his bad friend who mocked, he said, of his concern.

There in the privacy of their room Hyukjae told him that his mother was ill and he was taking care of her, obviously it was a lie and he couldn’t help but feeling bad and as a way to make it up for every lie, he hold Donghae against his chest tightly as they fall in the comfortable bed so they could sleep together that night. Sharing one thought in common ‘He’s my special person… I love him’

[…]

When five months had passed, they were in sport playing a friendly football match when Hyukjae looks at one of his cadets enter the court bringing his suit and combat helmet. At that time the only thing that crossed his mind was that something did not smell good, no good.

“Lieutenant Hyukjae” he greets laud and clear leaving all his companions surprised and a angry Donghae at that liar monkey “sir, the country is under imminent attack alert. Admiral Jungsoo, Sergeant Kyuhyun, and Lieutenant Youngwoon have gone to meet the enemy.”

“Why are you here cadet Choi?” he asked with a firm voice, letting everyone know that he is the gifted teenager in the Air force, he really didn’t like it.

“The Colonel Cho sent me in your search sir” he explained as he handed the uniform and Hyukjae began to dress “the cadets Heechul, Kibum, Sungmin, JongWoon and I are ready to take off.”

“Ok” he informed with a sigh as he took his helmet “get ready the F16” he felt jaded but now the most important thing was to protect his beloved country.

“Don’t go” Donghae implore “don’t go, they could kill you”

“I have to go, I swear to protect my country with my life” he looks in the youngest eyes trying to be strong

“Protect JongWoon please” implore one of his companions on the verge of tears, the shy Ryeowook.

“I would never let one of my cadets get hurt” smiled giving a little peace “ prepare the takeoff cadet, I'll be the last to leave"

He saw his cadet run to the departure runway which was a few meters from the school because this was located on the coast near the naval base. He could see every one of his men take off and then he hug a tearful Donghae and kiss him on the corner of his mouth.

“If something happens, don’t cry for me” he asked with a sad smile “I would like to know that you will smile even if I'm not here. I love you” he hug him then begin his jogging to the track.

“I love you!” Donghae scream at the top of his lungs thus achieving Hyukjae trot stop “Don’t go! I love you so much! Please don’t go! I don’t want to loose you too!” The voice was choked with tears. Hyukjae smiled and dismissed him with a wave of his hand. Just as Hyukjae turned his back his tears fell, he didn’t want to go. But he must do it.

Within minutes Donghae watched as the last of the aircraft was lost in the sky taking with him his love without knowing if he would return later.

Once in the air to Hyukjae did not take long to join his gang.
 

“Have you stopped playing being a child?” Heechul asked mockingly.

“I've never played hyung” he commented laughing.

“Sorry I told you all in front of them, sir” the ever solemn apologized Siwon “it has upset you.”

“Don’t worry man, this was an emergency”

“We are two kilometers from the hostile point” Sungmin inform us with his tender voice

“Copying” they chorused “JongWoon, today Ryeowook asked me to take care of you” Hyukjae told him in a mocking voice.
“Really?” he Wonder anxious “He was so worried?”
“He was very close to mourn” he answered truthfully “he loves you” he says with a smile.

“As much as you love Donghae” Kibum quickly commented.

“He confessed to me today” he began “he scream that he love me and he begged for me not come today” his voice was cracking, but he has to be strong.

"You should compensate him when we came back" Heechul encourage him.

"Reporting Unit 1 to Combat" Hyukjae inform when they joined the other units.

“Sungminnie” the mellow voice of Kyuhyun was heard through the radio frequency “after this I will kidnap you and take you to Pusan so we can relax and of course to have some quality time together”

“Kyu” Sungmin softly whines

“Focus Kyuhyun” Hyukjae ask him between serious and mocking.

“Where is the hyung you rascal?” Kyuhyun demanded amused.

“You're older by one year, don’t bother.”

“Its one year and eight months, is almost two.”

“OK, Ahjussi” everyone could hear the growl of Kyuhyun causing general laughter “How is the confrontation?” he asked

“They are in naval and land battle, the air is suspended for the moment” Youngwoon answered.

“So how are things?” this time Heechul wondered

“All positive at the moment, but we had to attack a ship that was near the shores of Jeju.”

“Copy that” and at that moment the enemy planes appeared on the horizon attacking them.

They Fly over South Korea with the attack in order lead them to the splendor of the Pacific Ocean and to keep them far from the population.

At the boarding school were all earrings the radio that was on the same frequency as the air base to know that was really happening.

“They do not have great weapons” one of the pilots communicates “but it seems that they outnumber us."

“They may be many, but not the best” Kyuhyun declare.

Then all that was heard was the sound of airplanes and whenever they performed these shots.

“Some are North Koreans” even though there was resentment in the voice of Hyukjae, Donghae was happy to hear his voice.
“Those bastards will never know when to give up” one of the cadets of Kyuhyun said with hate.
“We will teach you how to surrender” Hyukjae communicate with rancor.
“Make it carefully Hyukjae” speak the colonel.
“Understood Colonel Cho, proceed to remove the target” he talk seriously and all that Donghae could hear were the shots “target eliminated.”
“Congratulations Lieutenant” the pride in the voice of Colonel was always present when he speaks about Hyukjae “U.S. troops are about an hour away.”
“Copy that.”

Donghae and Ryeowook were anxious as they had stopped talking and all he could hear were gunshots and the 'target eliminated'. But from time to time everything was stress.

“Hyukjae, you got one on your tail!” JongWoon scream and could hear the sound of the plane doing the maneuver.
“Heechul!” Hyukjae Scream “kills this bastard who’s chasing me!”
“Copied monkey” then there was an explosion that everyone assumed was the enemy plane “target eliminated.”

“Thanks” Hyukjae says “that’s why I love you Chulla”

“Call me Chulla one more time and I will shoot you flea-bitten monkey.”

“Ok” it could hear the laughter of Hyukjae “you just can’t live without me.”
“Sure” Heechul just said “ you're the only one.”
“Be more careful Hyukjae” Colonel scolded worried.
“It won’t happen again.”
“Remember to walk back to talk to Donghae” comment JongWoon leaving Hae surprised.
“And you to be with Ryeo.”

Then all was quiet and that U.S. troops had arrived, but not everything is good.

“I have been shot, I have been shot!”  Hyukjae scream causing Donghae’s blood to froze.
“Colonel Cho!” Kyuhyun desperate Scream “Father they are going to liquidate him!”
“Cover it son! JongWoon, Siwon, Youngwoon go to help Hyukjae!”
“Copied” they chorused, after a moment of silence one of them talks “he’s free from danger, but loses altitude.”
“I'll go to Japan” communicates Hyukjae
“Copied, I shall speak with Hiroshi”
“Copy that.”

All were silent to see if all went well with Hyukjae.

“The plane crashed” communicated the American pilot who escorted Hyukjae “I repeat, the plane crashed while trying to land” everyone was shock and Donghae was the verge of breaking down “all units in Kagoshima, go see the pilot. Go see the pilot” scream the pilot. All was silent as the pilot flew at high altitude the track. 10 minutes had passed and everything was chaos “the plane exploded, again, the plane exploded” Donghae felt like dying, he wanted to believe that none of this was happening. He wanted to go require them to tell him it was a joke “so sorry”

“No!” A piercing scream was heard through the radio “Hyukjae answers dammit!”
“Please calm down Sungmin” Kyuhyun asked “concentrate on the mission.”
“Shut up, damn it, he was my best friend” he communicate with rage “I'll see what happened.”
“Sungmin!” the Colonel Yell “concentrate on the mission.”
“Copied” he whisper and a new sob was heard.
“Answer you monkey bastard” Heechul demanded crying “answer goddamn it, You promised to take me for lunch with your mother” crying whispered thus ensuring that everyone in the school broke into tears “Where's the plane? Where is the bastard who shot him?” he ask with hatred.
“Flying over Japan” Col. inform you “be careful.”

“I will make him wish he was never born”

“Tear him appart” the member of the unit 1 whispered in unison. Then the comucation was over.

“No, no, no!” Donghae whispered and he could feel how his classmates hold him preventing his fall “no, hyukjae no” he whisper a little harder “hyukjae!” he scream at the top of his lungs and collapsed crying. He wanted him back, he wanted to turn back time and don’t let him go, to hold unto him to keep him safe. He wanted him alive with him.

[…]

Two weeks had passed, they had gotten the victory, but Donghae didn’t care. He felt that everything was meaningless; he just wanted his Hyukjae back.

They had gathered in the gym to commemorate the fallen and the survivors recognize. Donghae did not want to be there, he did not want to hear the name of Hyukjae among those killed in battle, he does not wanted it.

All looked up to the survivors as they delivered an acknowledgment until the unthinkable happened.

“And finally the Lieutenant Hyukjae” Donghae looked up quickly and saw him there. With a pair of crutches and a cast on his right leg. He stood with eyes full of tears. He watched how Hyukjae was helped to come down the stage by his two friends. He slowly walked towards Donghae and when they were face to face again Hyukjae hug donghae tightly don’t wanting to let go any time soon.

“I thought I lost you” Donghae whispered with a broken voice as he watched him eagerly.
“I thought I could never tell you how much I love you.”

They went to their room to kiss so smoothly and completely and said everything they felt freely.

“How come you're alive?” Donghae asked once they were lying in Hyukjaes’ bed “that American pilot said the plane... “Hyukjae interrupted.
“It crashed” he completes the sentence “and it was. But it was only a part of it.”
“But also that pilot said the plane had exploded.”
“And so it was, but thanks to my friend Akashi, who was with a group of rescuers managed to get me out of the plane before it exploded. I remained hospitalized for two weeks to heal my wounds.”
“Does the leg?” Asked Donghae tender.
“Along with the ribs I broke.”

They remained cuddling a while longer until Donghae leaned on his left elbow and gently kissed Hyukjae's lips.

“I love you Donghae” sweetly whisper.
“I love you Hyukjae” responded with a smile and Hyukjae take the time to kiss him “don’t go anymore.”
“I will not do it” he said “but the aviation...”
“It's your life, I know” he replied with a smile “and I also like to learn to fly in order to be always at your side.”

“Really?” Donghae nodded quickly with a radiant smile “I will teach you and be part of my crew” just when they went to kiss something prevented them from doing so.
“Ya! Stupid monkey, get out” Heechul yelled at them on the other side of the door “You promised to take to lunch with your mother.”
“Ya! Heechul!” Hyukjae yell frustrated as Donghae laughed “interrupting as always.”
“I don’t care, I want to eat” he declare with no regrets.
“And who was the one who told me to reward Donghae when he returned?"
“You erted Monkey do that at night not now” both blushed “Now! Hurry!”

“Heechul!”
“Donghae you too get up, Mrs. Lee wants to meet you too. We talk about you during these two weeks.”
“Hyung, right?” he ask doubtful “is a hyung right?"

“I am little one. Now come out that I’m starving.”
“Heechul, we're coming.”

When they left the room the three were laughing at the house of Mrs. Lee to eat those delicious recipes that she always prepares.