1 Chapter 1: Lovely Hater

Lieutenant Caballero!

Sir!

Fix your face! 

Sir, yes sir!

The sun was blazing. A roar turned the lieutenant's hot face red.

"Have I known that gentle-faced are forbidden here I would never step in this place..."

The Lieutenant stiffened his meek face. It was awkward, but in front of their soft-men hater Captain, he needed to, otherwise, that roar will pierce his ears all day.

"Is he too bored or his mind is just too narrow?"

In his mind, he has beaten this homophobe Captain a thousand times, but not a single word of resentment came out from his mouth. His courage is as soft as his face while his Captain is too imposing.

Captain Vincent "Vince" Garcia is a general's son and a top cadet at the Philippine Military Academy (PMA). At the age of thirty, he is already the team leader of the newly founded elite forces, the Central Visayas Special Forces (Pintados) assigned to repel the rebel New People's Army (NPA) in region Xll. 

This proud Captain Garcia is no doubt, a capable man. He doesn't rely on his general father's military influence. He worked hard in PMA and graduated with the highest honor. Lookswise, he also stands out. With his perfect figure, he can be a model or an actor.

Lieutenant Jester Caballero is a medical graduate. He joined the military after his soldier younger brother was fallen into a clash between the Arm Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Muslim rebels in Mindanao. Continuing his brother's passion for serving the country, he joined the Philippine Army enduring rigid military training for several months. He was emotionally satisfied after becoming an official soldier, keeping his patriot brother's passion.

Jester's life in the military was fine until he was assigned to this special forces and met Captain Garcia. Without knowing the exact reason, his innocent face was hated by this Captain.

You're too weak...

You're too lame...

Fix your face...

Words like these echoed in Jester's ears every day. These were also the beginning point of his comrades branding their Captain a homophobe and his soft facial features made him the helpless bullying target.

On the very first day that his innocent face was bombarded by Vince's destructive criticism, Jester spent a few minutes checking his face on the mirror practicing fierce expressions, but it was really awkward. In his three decades of existence, everyone praises his kind and gentle face, especially his patients. He thought it was his best asset until Captain Garcia's first tiger look. This captain's gay hate is already at the extreme level that even gentle-faced are banned to his eyesight!

Since that day, Jester tried to look solemn, but his gentle eyes refused to cooperate with him. He also tried to get tan but his natural fair complexion just turned him red. He was troubled. Though he didn't hate his captain, the everyday criticism made him feel tired and wanted to file a transfer of assignment.

"Today I received an order to scout the base camp of the slimy NPA here in Negros Island. Intel report stated the suspicious movements of their suspected allies in the city, they're maybe preparing for bigger assaults. The NPA's are good at making traps and mines, their base camp is hard to deal with, so prepare yourselves. Our team will depart tonight at six hundred. Am I understood?!" The captain yelled.

"Sir, yes sir!" 

"Dismissed!" 

The soldiers dispersed, the tough mission retracted Jester's thought of filing a transfer. Their captain is a reliable officer. He always assures their team's safety in every mission. He is also a good tactician that brought them victory in every mission. If not for his captain's unreasonable hate for him, he would never think of transferring.

Jester shook his head. With all those bullying, he is still admiring Vince. He is insane!

"Lieutenant Caballero?"

"Sir!"

Jester was lost in his thoughts again and was still in his position staring at his captain while his comrades were already gone?!

"What's wrong with me~!" How he wished the earth on his feet would crack up and swallow him whole!

"What are you dazing at, go prepare for tonight's mission." 

"...Yes sir!"

Jester trotted to the barracks, fighting the urge to hit his head on the wall. Lucky him, this captain speaks softly when they are alone. Otherwise, he would really hit his head. It confuses him as to why this captain is so tough on him in front of their comrades while being nice in a few instances where he is alone with him. 

Jester shook this thought off and entered the barracks.

Inside, his comrades were busy equipping, though they have less to prepare since their stuff are always ready.

"Jes..."

Jester twitched. His shoulder was gripped.

"Lieutenant Sanchez." He shook his shoulder to get rid of the clawing hand. This comrade is weird. Physical contacts are normal, but Sanchez is too flirty. It made his skin bumps.

"Jes, keep close to me later I will protect you." Proud and intimate, Sanchez whispered.

Though he was embarrassed, Jester smiled. "Thank you, but I can protect myself. Just watch out for your safety and our mission."

Jester isn't a weakling, otherwise, he wouldn't endure the rigid training. But he knew Sanchez's concern comes with a malicious intention. It was embarrassing. This comrade is too bold, hitting on him whenever he has a chance even if it's in front of their comrades!

"Sanchez, I told you to knock it off, your chance is low." Lieutenant Ruiz teased.

"Hahaha...."

Teasing laughs echoed in the barracks. 

Sanchez laughed with them, without even a slight hint of awkwardness on his face. "You'll never know. Persistence can move mountains."

"It's love buddy! Love can move mountains."

"Hahaha..."

"My love was given a long time ago but no mountain was moved. I think the ancestors were wrong about this saying, so I changed it to persistence. Who knows it will work, right?" 

"Hahaha..."

"Well, who knows. Just don't let Captain caught you. You know how he hates Caballero's gentleness. Your flirty move might be worth a hundred push-ups!" Lieutenant Salvacion said.

Sanchez's face turned sour. "My intention is real, don't make it sound like I'm just playing around."

"Hahaha... very well then. I wish you the best of luck buddy!"

Their comrades giggled, shaking their heads.

Jester sat on his bunk with a cringe. As usual, Sanchez's bold flirting caught their comrades' attention. If he could, he would strangle this shameless comrade. He is open-minded and doesn't hate gays, but Sanchez hitting on him is too embarrassing.

Sanchez is a good-looking man, especially when he's wearing his military uniform. He looks strong and reliable, but he cannot take it every time Sanchez shows his affection to him. He felt nothing. He is a straight man after all.

"I think I have to pay more attention to my personal affairs after this mission." Jester thought, perhaps he should get a girlfriend to get rid of Sanchez. At 30, he didn't have a serious relationship. He had a mutual understanding with his childhood friend, but in college, their communication weakened until it stopped. A few years later, she married someone else. He was dedicated to his medical career, so he had no time to be upset. Well, he didn't feel heartbreak at all. Maybe he was unconsciously prepared for that time to happen since they were not intimate before. 

"To think that a doctor like me at 30, is still ignorant in this matter is a big irony. I should focus on my love life these coming days. Maybe this is the reason why the captain mistook my sexual identity. Thinking of me as a gay while seeing Sanchez as a straight man, this captain's judgment is off!" Jester chuckled.

"Jes... you're smiling, did I finally manage to heat your cold heart?" Sanchez pinched Jester's cheek. 

Jester was choked and was about to smack him when Sanchez stepped back a few meters away. Their comrades looked at the entrance and then stared at him.

Jester who was facing off the door shivered. "I... don't have a good feeling about this!"