Love and War Chapter 5
#5 of Love and War
Chapter 5
The next few days were hell for Josh. His first ever military training. Mark though, flew through it, acing every course, especially the Stealth and C.Q.C. courses. Every morning they jogged together but Josh could never keep up."Come on slow poke!" "I..can't..too..unfit.." wheezed Josh as he lay down on the ground. "I'm not leaving you behind. Not ever." Mark picked up Josh and threw his arm over his shoulder. "Thanks..." said Josh, with a hint off a blush. When they got back to their cabin they sat on their own beds, which were positioned next to each other. "Mark..." There was a slight hint of nerve in his voice "Yeah?" "Is..is it alright if I'm scared..about running into war...about killing someone if I have too.." Mark got up and sat on the edge off Josh's bed and rubbed his paw to sooth him. "Yeah it's alright. Trust me...when those bombs hit a few days ago, and we ran into that nano soldier, I was terrified...but I had to protect you, from getting hurt. I shot him to save you." Josh was so calm all off a sudden. Marks soothing voice, his paw holding Josh's, Mark saying he killed someone to protect him, it was all helpful to hear and feel. Josh was blushing, as always "Thanks Mark.."Josh lent up and kissed Mark on the cheek. Mark smiled. A day ago they decided that they would "experiment" until all this war crap was over. They agreed on just light kisses and cuddles. Nothing major like making out or sex. The time wasn't right. Mark though, found himself more and more attracted to Josh which each day. He had always been curious, but it seems Josh was the right choice to try it with. Josh broke the silence, even though he didn't want to."Shooting range?" Mark nodded and helped him up. Just before they left Mark returned a kiss on Josh's cheek. Then they walked to the shooting range, both happy with each others presence. Josh was good at something and that something was the sniper. He went hunting as a child, so he knew what he was doing. He picked up a M-200 Intervention, applied a 12x scope and assumed the prone position. He loaded a clip which contained full of 7 bullets (.408 CheyTac bullets). Down the firing range were distant targets. He could only see them through his scope."Bullet drop will be applied here..." He taught. He licks his paw and raised it in the air. "No wind either...perfect." He looked through the scope and saw his first target. He lined the middle of the scope with the dummies chest. Then he raised his gun slightly up, now looking about a foot above the dummies head. He took a deep breath in and squeezed the trigger. The recoil hit his shoulder, but not hard enough to hurt it. There was an echo from the shot, followed by the whistle of it through the air. Josh watched as the bullet appeared and hit the dummy in the right lung, knocking it back."Nice shot." It wasn't Mark's voice, but it sounded familiar. Josh took his eye away from the scope and looked up. He squinted as the sun shun in his eyes, trying to focus on the shadowy outline before him. Josh stood up and picked up the rifle, and then froze. Standing in front of him was Joey, his old ex-boyfriend."I knew it was you Josh. I saw the red mark on your neck." Joey was a tall black wolf, with blue eyes and black, short hair. He was a small bit muscled since they last met. But still good looking. They broke up for two reasons. 1)Joey was too controlling. 2)Joey cheated. Josh had plans to break up before the cheating happened. He was glad he did, made it easier to leave him. "Joey...it's been a while..how you been?" Josh was uneasy around Joey. He wished Mark was here to protect him, make him feel safe. "I've been bouncing off relationships, jobs and houses. But I'm doing alright. You?" "I'm just as I've always been." "Seeing anyone?" Josh was unsure on what to say. Mark and him weren't a 'thing', but they were planning on being one. "No. You?" "Nope." A silence broke. "So what you doing here?" Joey asked. "Uh...I can't say. Sorry..." Josh just wanted to leave. It was too awkward. "Well I joined for the action. My life's so dull...especially when you left." Even awkward taught Josh. "Um..thanks I guess. I gotta get back to my cabin" This was a lie off course, he had only shot one bullet but he just wanted to leave."Cabin? How'd you end up with a cabin? Normal recruits get tents. What did you say you're doing here again?" "I didn't. I can't. It's...secret." Joey looked really puzzled."Can I see? I don't believe you." Josh couldn't say no. He was more afraid of what would happen if he said no than yes. Mark would be inside anyway if he needed him. Mark felt a little sick on the way to the firing range so that's why he wasn't there. He went home to the cabin to rest. "Yeah ok. Follow me." The walk there had been nothing but defining silence. "You weren't lying. Nice cabin." Just before Josh answered it started to rain."Aw crappie gotta go." Just as Josh turned Joey grabbed his arm. I sense off fear hit Josh. "Josh..o still love you..very much..please, gimme a chance. I want to be yours again." Josh was terrified. "Joey..I can't.." "Why?!" Josh gulped."Your too controlling..and abusive..I don't like it.." "I can change! I have changed! Fate brought us here!" Josh had enough. The rain just added to the misery that he remembered when he was with Joey. "No Joey! I said no! Now leave me alone!" Joey tightened his grip. His face was full of anger."Joey..please think about what your do-" Joey threw him to the ground. Josh yelped as he hit the mud. He felt a small rock hit his head. "If I can't have you, no one will." Joey took out a k-bar knife. Josh watched it, as rain dripped off it's tip, just like his blood would. Josh closed his eyes. Then he heard a thud. Mark had tackled Joey to the floor. Josh looked to the floor. Blood. He rubbed his head. His paw was covered in blood. He looked at the wolves. Fighting in the rain. Mark was on top of Joey, trying to punch his face, then Joey kicked him off. Mark fell with a thud but sprung back up as Joey charged at him. Meanwhile Josh was slowly regaining consciousness. His vision was slightly blurry but he saw what he was looking for, the k-bar. He stumbles forward, slipping a few times, shaking too. From the ordeal and the cold rain. As he looked up he noticed Joey had Mark pinned to a wall, jabbing his sides. Josh immediately reacted and lunged to the mud, grabbing the knife. It was like seeing Mark I'm trouble gave him an urge to fight. Josh then ran to the both of them and held a knife to Joey's throat. "You have two choices, leave me alone and get the fuck away, or let me end your messed up life now..." Joey let go of Mark immediately, who fell to the floor. "You will resign tomorrow or I will report you" Josh pointed to a camera above the cabin. "And if I see you anywhere near me or Mark..I will kill you." He let go of Joey who stood there for a while."I said go!" Joey instantly sprinted into the distance. Mark got up."Josh..." Then Josh collapsed."Josh!" Josh woke up in his cabin. The rain had stopped and his head hurt. He felt where the pain was a noticed a bandage."Your awake" He turned his head and saw Mark wrapped with a towel around his waist. Josh slouched up but flinched in pain."Ow..." "Take it easy Josh.." Mark disappeared for a second and came back dressed. He walked over to Josh's bed and sat down next to him, holding his paw. "How you doing..?" "I..I'm a little shook..you saved me." "Yeah..I couldn't lose you..we've got each other's backs. And who was he? Crazy ex?" "Yeah..total douche-bag. Are you ok?" "Yeah yeah I'm fine..but.." "But what mark?" "That moment he tried to kill you...I could have lost you..it..made me realize I really care for you Josh.." Josh blushed hard. "I don't want to wait, If this week will be our last, I want to make the most of it." Josh's face was glowing. "I'm not saying we won't survive! I'm just saying.." "I get what you're saying." "So...my new boyfriend..what shall we do?" Josh smiled and gave Mark a long slow kiss, which turned into a make out session, which in turn led to them making love for the first time.