Anciently Forbidden

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 innocent 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.