A Real Soldier (1/1)

"You're going to make it," Minho grunted as he took another step forward under Taemin's weight. Their artillery jackets were weighing both of them down, and the ground around them was scorched with burning gun oil."Yeah..." Taemin mumbled, his consciousness slipping as he felt his body slack. The wound in his side was spewing blood in spurts, as if someone was squeezing a bag inside him. With each pump of his heart, he got closer and closer to death."We'll get to camp," Minho assured, panting as he trekked across the sandy, dusty, bloody ground. All around him lay his friends, their eyes wide open and glassy and their bodies soaked in blood. He couldn't look at them now. He could only move forward."Minho, you need to rest," Taemin whispered as he felt Minho shaking. Before he could say another word, Minho's knees buckled and he collapsed. Taemin tumbled to the side, not even feeling the fall. Minho shook as he tried to get back up, every joint on fire and the bullet in his arm burning onto his flesh. They were both covered in grime, their bodies loosing energy as they spent those eternal seconds trying not to die."I have to get you back," Minho growled as he gritted his teeth and got up. Taemin smiled softy as he shook his head. Minho stared at Taemin in disbelief, watching as the boy sat up, the blood trickling down his side."You're a soldier, you know. Your life is still worth something. You have to go back to camp, rebuild the army," Taemin mumbled as he looked at Minho through glossy eyes. Minho shook his head furiously."No! No, damn it, I can't leave you! You'll make it, Taemin. You're strong. You always have been. I can't... Taemin, I l—" Minho was cut off by Taemin flopping onto the ground, arms spread wide and eye on the sky."Don't say that word, Minho. There's no place for that word in a place like this. You're a fucking soldier, so man up and do what needs to be done," Taemin snarled even as his world got darker. Minho knew, deep down that Taemin was right. He was fucking right and that was what hurt the most."I'll see you on the other end, then," Minho said softly, swallowing all other emotions. A soldier. A real fucking soldier. There were no excuses, no reasons, no fucking fantasies anymore. War was war, a soldier was a soldier, and a soldier knew a dead man when he saw one."Now be a pal and shoot me," Taemin whispered, and there was a soldier's smile on his face. Minho forced himself to watch as the bullet entered Taemin's body, as Taemin's eyes closed with a peaceful smile. Minho didn't cry as he turned away.A real soldier didn't cry. A real soldier didn't have a reason to cry.A/N - Blame this one on history class...Comments are tissues for the crying author...