My Only One | Part 32. Don't Ask Don't Tell

Pardon for my absence 🙇 I was on marathon to finish this before September - and I did it!!! 💪 came back from my daily life needs and I'm so happy to present a new part that's 14 pictures long!! 🔥❤️

I will add all my comments on meaning below when I'll put my notes and texts in order, I will notify you when I'm done and you just refresh the page ^^👌 as for now, enjoy the update! You can leave your comments on this part without my judgement lol 💞

+in addition I specially uploaded the small size with watermark if you want to share the AU with friends. So, I require not to repost any of my HQ art elsewhere! Keep them privately only for personal purposes 💜 Thank you!

~

Okay, so here are comments for this part, I added them on Wattpad, and here I will extend them because some people had questions.

The part is named by the former official U.S. policy that banned openly gay people to serve in the military. Fortunately this discriminatory ban ended in 2011, but unfortunately now in SK military there's similar "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy and even a law that forbids gay people to serve and while they serve they cannot engage in same-sex relationship even outside the military facilities, and if they do - it will be considered a crime by law. Well, that's the reality we live in.

By "our Boss" Bogum means Tae's father who is the owner and president of the pharmaceutical company. So he is Tae's co-worker, might be manager or assistant, doesn't matter really because he is an episodic character. 

Tae looks at two roses here... and thinks about JK. You may remember the "summer date" mention on the phone, in the latest pics of the previous parts, so that was just a meeting, not a date.

Jimin's advice is basically what every best friend tries to do to help their friend, specially a depressed friend who is to fixed on the pain of break up. In his place I'd do the same if I know my that a partner of my best friend would leave them, I'd say "move on, you deserve to live a new life, a better life". But of course, it's what friends  or family members would recommend when they wish the best for us, but we better decide for ourselves and listen to our hearts.

If you noticed the picture on Tae's phone is the one Jk burnt in barrel in Part 30 in flashbacks before leaving to Army. There's also "Kookie" as a name in contact and if you look closer there's letters "unavailable". Tae couldn't reach him because in my initial plot JK changed his phone when he left to military.

Also 3 months. If you remember Part 8 - then this happened a month before Jk finally responded to him.

Flashback END in the right corner. The text looks too transparent that's why people didn't notice that and wonder what's the timeline and feel like the parts are missing - nothing is missing that's the right order 🌚

Tae is accidentally eavesdropping on the sounds from Jk's room. He didn't mean to spy on but it just happens lol he heard JK's voice playing a villain and Yugyeom singing Britney Spears songs lmao why Britney because in old days there was a joke that gay men listen to Britney Spears, nowadays it's Lady Gaga lol

So they were half undressed because they were changing clothes before departure from mountain resort, nothing what some of you thought it could be!

He gave him an Ice pack as a cold compress from headache (because of hungover - keep the track of previous chapter cause Tae had a little too many drinks!)

The truth is too difficult to explain. If you look at the AU in general you can understand that it's just the fact that they cannot be together: Tae has parents, Jk has service, they both live in a world where their relationships are not accepted. To be together they will have to sacrifice too much.

Next day on the Special Forces base they have guests: delegation from USA.

Who is he? Justin Segal - Justin Seagull (plus Kelly sounds like Kilo) and he is a pilot from Hawaii Air Force Base - while Seagull is a sea Bird (also in military Bird is a slang for helicopter or plane) It's too much matching to be true! Tae can't believe it! So yeah, don't rush to conclusions yet! I didn't confirm anything <<

*It was "sea waves" but I fixed it to ocean weaves cause it sounds more poetic hehe

*Tango Mike - from NATO phonetic alphabet: Thanks Much.

*Lima Charlie - Loud and Clear - used in military radio communications that whatever said is heard and understood, "roger" is also a response meaning 'received'/I agree.

*Tae wanted to say "rainbow bracelet" but Captain Segal got him!

Basically this is the reason for this part and even if it's an AU, the facts are real.

There's a penal code banning same-sex relationships, under Article 92 of the SK Military Criminal Code, same-sex relationships among soldiers are punishable for up to one year in prison and forced retirement. 

I cite sources: human rights watch article  | human rights watch article 2 |  jurist - legal news commentary 

This law in is sure against human rights just as the former Don't Ask Don't Tell in U.S. because everyone has right to be in relationship with people of any sex/gender they want - it is their freedom, but sadly such laws aren't only SK but still in many countries as well. I don't want to get political here because I'm a peaceful person and I respect all countries despite whatever policies their government has, it's just the old laws that are an obstacle to many people to live normally, I just sincerely pray that one day this law will be ended. 

However law does not guarantee safety, Jk said "if not by law then by people's hatred" - that is homophobia and it can exist even in societies where law tolerates them but where people still discriminate them. It is society that should change, not only the law.

I needed to include this episode because it is not only reality for the characters but also reality for many LGBT people, and not only military but other areas of life since living in this world seems like a fight, a struggle for living and surviving. As for me, I will keep supporting the freedom.

*Ukulele - a Hawaiian guitar. So there's hints for next parts about Hawaii, I chose this because it's a very LGBT accepting state & also it's beautiful! Even though tomorrow is the first day of autumn, I'm still not over the summer mood~ 🌿

*Tae is sniffing hibiscus flower, also known as Korean rose, a national flower of South Korea.

Captain Jeon is just being protective and careful. He never trusts easily anymore. I know I love to depict him as jealous and it's something I am lol

I read about psychology a lot recently and there's concept of healthy jealousy and toxic one so I know and make sure that JK is just protective, he never acted jealous in a way to hurt Tae. It's not even a selfish love because he doesn't demand Tae for himself even though he wishes Tae was his. Of course it may hurt to see that there are plenty of good men to date, but if he truly loves him and if there is a really worthy man who can take care of him - he will try to let go, no matter how much it hurts he just wants happiness for him. That's the real pain behind it rather than just jealousy. This is love.

Jungkook is a man of action, not word.

He refers to Captain Segal, not Yugyeom. He means that if man's actions do not prove the truth of his words, then these words are nothing.

I was inspired by a motivational quote "Don't talk, act. Don't say, show. Don't promise, prove."

If you remember it is the shirt of Jungkook from Taehyung's flashbacks in part 17, the shirt he wore on their first night. Tae kept it for years and didn't wash the blood stains of his nosebleed, these stains were the sign of his man's care and affection. 

After Jk left him, Tae kept this shirt to remember his love whenever he missed him, when he couldn't hold him, he held this shirt in his embrace or put it on himself. Lovers often keep the things from exes if they can't let them go for their heart. It's like a little talisman, a reminder that their love happened. 

Now talking about Justin Segal - he is is my new original character I created him specially for this AU because I wanted to involve someone equal in rank, position and interests who could challenge JK and motivate him. So by 'fight' is meant not a physical one (its not really a spoiler for next part!) but rather a confrontation of two different characters and their personalities.

Important note that Tae father's company was bankrupted, means his family is not as rich as they've been before. It's an important change that will affect both characters life in the future parts.

So we know that Tae filed for divorce, left his parent's home to serve in military as an instructor, he was disappointed in everything in his life. Lastly the only thing he had was his love for Jungkook. The most precious thing he knows he will never lose till his last breath.

What's for next part? Last two slides can be little spoilers. In fact the next part episodes were the part of one whole part, but it happened that it's too long due to long conversations so I had to break it in two and then create a new part.

More spoilers? Hmm, Tae will find out and understand something more about Jk, that's it, I'll also try to put hot moments in between, but don't expect anything very changing, as some people asked me, when will everything will be alright between them? I understand that wish, my heart aches for same but considering all the angst and pain they went through and are still experiencing, it will be hard for both to get each other quick and easy. I know it's a heavy spoiler but as I said it's about 4-5 part more? Maybe a little more, but not much more, if I'll find anything dramatic to add, but yeah, something will change but don't worry, it's not in a bad way lol now you better relax and enjoy the remaining summer vibes 🌴🌊

I haven't started the next part yet, but I have an organized text and sexy references, I'm on a little rest after a marathon, traditionally I will draw a few soft and NSFW art to change the mood and then come back to the next part ❤️

I thank everyone for reading, giving likes, feedback, support, love, everything. I am happy to be a part of this journey together with you 💜🙏 Love HL~