Don't Ask Don't Tell

Will (Elliot Finn), a military reserve soldier, enters the barracks late one night carrying a duffel bag. He walks toward an empty cot and comes upon Dean (Justin Matthews), a fellow soldier, who has already arrived and claimed a bunk, his duffel bag open and his uniform neatly folded on the edge. They both politely but gruffly greet each other, acknowledging that they are both here for the drill, an intensive two-day weekend refresher for military reserve soldiers to sharpen their skills when they're not onactive duty. They both had to drive hours to get to the base and have opted to use the barracks as lodging instead of hotels or friends' places since it's more convenient.Dean removes his clothing down to his boxers, turns off the light, and crawls into his cot, turning away from Will. Will seems a bit confused about what exactly just happened but shrugs it off, removes his own clothing, and gets into bed.The next morning, Dean is walking along a trail where they'll be doing some exercises. As he approaches, he sees Will chatting with a couple of other soldiers while warming up with some pre-jog stretches. We get the sense that Will and the other soldiers are being boastful with each other. Dean slows his pace to let his eyes linger on Will. He watches the way Will smiles when he laughs and inadvertently puts his hands on another soldier in jest. He studies the way the guys interact together so effortlessly, when he has been so fearful to make similar connections in his own life. A wave of anxiety washes over him. The reserve becomes startled when Will happens to glance his way and make eye contact. Afraid of having been caught staring, Dean overcompensates by straightening up and acting hyper-masculine as he approaches the group. Will is surprised again by Dean's sudden aggression, but laughs it off as all four of them jostle and taunt each other for a while longer. Clearly the men are most at ease with putting on a sarcastic front to bond with each other. The other two ask if Will and Dean are coming, but Dean says he hasn't warmed up yet and Will piggy backs by adding that he needs to finish up as well. Will says he'll catch up and Dean retorts with an emasculating joke. The other two jog off, leaving Will and Dean alone. There is another awkward silence, as both men resume stretching. Once again, Dean can't help but look over at his bunk mate as he stretches. Dean looks around briefly, as if he's trying to see if there's anyone else around that he could potentially be talking to or that he's afraid of someone seeing them together. Will senses this nervousness. Deanstands up and starts running, leaving Will to catch up. As Dean runs, we can see the anxiety on his face. He wipes past as Will stands up to start running.Will and Dean jog together. At first, it's competitive as they both strive to have the best form or even outpace the other. But gradually, they fall more in line with each other. The men's taut muscles, tight clothing, and sweaty body are inches away. Dean's so caught up in running that he fails to realize that Will is checking him out, but much more subtly.When they're done jogging, they both kneel down to catch their breath. Panting, Dean snorts out a backhanded compliment.Will laughs and there seems to be a moment ofadmiration between them, with each one of them catching the other's eye and not flinching this time. Will puts his hand on Dean's knee. His fingerslinger for a second longer than seems appropriate and Dean stiffens. He seems to want to say something derisive but bites his tongue, though it clearly takes some effort. Dean stands up and abruptly jogs off. Will stands up as he leaves and watches curiously after him, with a hint of a forming crush in his eyes once he's sure Dean -- or anyone else -- can't see.That evening, Dean and Will both enter the barracks together after a long day of doing mostly boring drills, which they are both complaining about. They begin to undo their boots and Will casually asks why Dean enlisted. Will opens up first, and Dean seems surprised but also uncomfortable about Will being so honest with him. By reflex, he puts on his macho front. Dean bristles in reaction to Will calling him 'tough guy', almost as if he's upset at the words but also a bit flattered by Will giving him a nickname. He gets out of bed and starts putting something away. Dean tenses, a brief flash of anger on his face and through his body posture. He looks like he's about to shout back but when he looks back at Will, he sees his bunkmate grinning on his bed.. Dean realizes Will was pushing his buttons and softens ... walking back over to sit on the bed. He explains his strained relationship with his family. Will seems intrigued by how riled Dean becomes as he speaks. He nods and awkwardly compliments Dean. It's meant to be a genuine compliment but toxic masculinity further gets in the way. Dean stiffens, still riled and on the defensive. Will is frustrated.Dean stares after him, rattled, before turning to punch the wall beside him.The next day, Dean walks into a warehouse and approaches the two soldiers from the trail. They are holding clipboards.They greet each other and we learn that Dean is going to be helping with inventory. Dean isn't thrilled about this but has to do it as part of the drill, anyway. Will then approaches and Dean tenses a little. There's an awkward moment as their eyes meet but they don't have time to react before the two other soldiers put them to work.A short montage of Dean and Will moving boxes and other objects around while the other two soldiers make notes onclipboards. However, the other soldiers fade into the background as we focus on Dean and Will, who seem to be in their own little world. Neither of them talks much, since they're supposed to be working, but they send each other glances. They both seem to be secretly lusting after each other, although Dean is more obvious about it than Will. Just like on the trail, Dean is fixated by Will's muscles and strength.Although they start off working separately, eventually they work together, handing objects off to each other. At first there are instances of them still being at odds with each other - stiff movements, 'hey, watch it!' moments of clumsiness, etc. However, they begin to get more in sync with each other, developing a natural rhythm and even flashing a couple of sincere smiles at each other as they work.At one point, as they pass a box to each other, their hands brush. Their eyes meet and Dean is hit with attraction and fear at once. He visibly jolts as he shoves the box into Will in his effort to quickly offload it. He then abruptly pulls away and starts moving things elsewhere, putting obvious distance between them. Will is startled but watches after Dean with increased intrigue and desire. He's starting to realize that Dean is hiding something.That night, Will is reading in his cot when Dean silently returns to the barracks. The atmosphere is awkward as Dean starts to pack his duffel to be ready to leave first thing in the morning. Will presses his book against his chest and waits for Dean to say something. He mentions that they're done for another month and Will asks if they should discuss what's been going on between them.Dean stiffens, instantly looking like he's in fight or flight mode. But he tries to play dumb. Will persists getting up to approach Dean, reaching his hand out to rest on Dean's shoulder in a sympathetic way. Dean aggressively knocks Will's hand away and jumps back in recoil. Will looks angry but resists pushing Dean back. Dean's volume starts to rise and Will screams over Dean that he's gay and that he knows Dean is too. Dean yells at Will and Will tries to get him to quiet down, worried someone will hear them. Will gets a bit more upset from seeing Dean denying the truth.Dean is shocked, stumbling over his words as he tries to defend himself. He'sflustered but also very confused and angry. A comment Will makes triggers Dean and Dean panics. He pushes Will again, this time hard against the wall. He holds him there, pinning him. After an exchange of angry words, Will throws Dean onto the bed frame and Dean winces in pain as he stands up.They both stand in silence, the tension building between them. Even though they are both clearly riled up and mad at each other, panting heavily, Will starts to back down at seeing he hurt Dean. Will is startled when Dean suddenly grabs him and hauls him in for a kiss. Will is stunned as their lips touch, his eyes go wide but then close as he melts into the kiss, returning it. They desperately makeout and grab at each other, and it's clear that there's no goingback.