active duty.

no man is a man until he has been a soldier. myles reed.

[prestonbros]

did you see [ myles reed ]? i think he looks just like [ joe keery ]. i heard he is [ twenty six ] years old and is known as [ the thinker ] around preston. rumor has it that his mentor is [ any ]. he is coming to preston because [ he wanted to attend medical school for free in the army ]. 

Meet Myles, the resident dork who is here solely because he wants to leverage the GI bill to go to medical school tuition free. I'm still ironing out his details but here is a little about him: Myles has just one much older brother who was in the Army and that's how he got the idea to come to Presto. He is an avid reader and hates working out.

[hotfamousshirtlessmen]

[nothingbutpoison]

[prestxmntr-deactivated20250413]

A book? At Preston? He watched from a distance, thinking that the boy was setting himself up as an easy target. He'd never lower his guard that much, especially in the first few weeks. Like the final set of a game, he was hyper-attentive to his surroundings, trying to catch risks before they became catastrophies. Sadly, not every cadet was like that. "Gum in hair... That's childish." But it's not clear if he's talking about the mentor or about Myles himself. "At least you have something to look up for the buzzing ceremony now..." And his tone is split between encouraging optmism and unfiltered bully teasing.

[prestonbros]

Myles was clearly upset by what had just happened. His hands were feeling around to feel the extent of which the gum was stuck in his locks. "It is childish" Myles agreed as he looked at the stranger. A sigh escaped his lips as the other mentioned the buzzing ceremony. "Ugh, don't remind me" he groaned, "How bad is it?" Myles asked shyly as he turned his head for the other to see the gum stuck all in it. He felt embarrassed for letting his guard down enough for this to happen.

[prestcnsx]

Nate smirked as he unfolded the knife. “Gum Guy it is, then. Nice to meet you, Myles Reed,” he said, his voice laced with teasing. He gave Myles’ shoulder a light squeeze before stepping closer.

“First time for everything,” Nate added when Myles mentioned never cutting his hair short. “But who knows? You might actually rock it. Maybe I’m secretly giving you a glow-up.” His grin softened into something more genuine. “Look, I get that it’s not ideal. But trust me, it’s just hair—and it’ll grow back before you know it.”

Nate worked carefully, his hands steady as he freed the gum from Myles’ hair. When he finished, he set the knife aside, dusting his hands off with satisfaction. “See? That wasn’t so bad, was it?” he said, leaning down to press a quick, playful kiss to the top of Myles’ head. Straightening up, he flashed Myles a small grin. “Told you I’ve got your back.”

[prestonbros]

Myles relaxed a bit as Nate squeezed his shoulder. There was something reassuring about knowing that he now knew someone here who at least for the moment seemed like he wasn't going to make his life a living nightmare.

He appreciated the encouragement as he sat up straight, "Looks like I won't have much of a choice either way" he shrugged before nodding his head to the other's comment about it just growing back. "True. Plus, we'll see if I can pull off short hair as well as you do" he flirted shamelessly.

While Nate worked to cut the gum out of his hair, Myles bit down on his lip and waited patiently. Once Nate was done, Myles's cheeks turned red at the kiss to the top of his head. He looked at the gum-containing locks of hair that had been chopped off and sighed before bringing his hand to his hair to feel the patch that was missing, "Thanks, Nate" he said sweetly before attempting to flip his hair over the missing patch, "Good as new" he joked.

[cdtandmntr-deactivated20250209]

« - » Isaac watched Myles, seeing his panic almost written across his face. He wanted to reach out, rub his back, tell him it was going to be alright, that hair grows back. He could run through all the normal things but they rarely ever helped. Isaac wanted to show Myles that he could trust Isaac. So he nodded at the cadet. "I do. I do want you to do this." Isaac gestured at his hair, sitting in the chair casually, still watching Myles with an even gaze. He let out a comfortable sigh, shaking his arms as he settled in. Glancing up at Myles he urged the younger man on with a little smile. "I trust ya, Myles. Chop away."

[prestonbros]

Myles took in a deep breath as Isaac sat in the chair and looked up at him with a smile. The cadet knew that most mentors would probably take a more hard line approach, especially considering the gum incident so Myles was able to be somewhat grateful. "Um, okay" he stammered a bit, one hand resting on his mentor's shoulder as he brought the clippers to Isaac's head, buzzing a strip of hair down the middle. His eyes grew wide when he saw just how short the clippers were cutting, "Wow, this is short" he remarked. His nerves about cutting his own hair were overshadowed by being nervous he would somehow mess up his mentor's hair.

[micahfox-deactivated20250218]

── .✦ he can't say he's expecting much, especially from the much younger mentors --- some of them actually go a step beyond cruelty. while gum in the hair is certainly not the worst he's seen, nor the first time it's ever happened. though usually, the gum ended up on the under side of shoes. supposes it's worse to have it in your hair. seemingly with how so many cadets around here were so pressed about the way their hair looks. though micah knows it's more about autonomy than anything else. just hidden behind that bravado, or any defense mechanism. he feels like he's just about seen it all. “think that's gross try waking up covered in maple syrup.” he knows cause it happened to him, took him ten washes of his sheets just to get it out. another ten to get rid of the smell.

though he does show mercy on him, comes forward to cast a gaze to the damage. no, he will not touch that with his bare hands. “some olive oil should do the trick. thinking you should come with me cadet.”

[prestonbros]

Myles groaned as his hand carded through his hair and felt the gum that had now dried into his soft locks. "I'd take maple syrup over this" he admitted, though it was hard to not smile at the image that the other male had put in his head of some poor cadet waking up covered in syrup.

His expression changed from despair to hopeful when the stranger suggested that olive oil might work, "Oh, I didn't know olive oil could do that" he said, a smile forming on his lips, "Yes, sir" he tacked on to the end, wanting to be sure he didn't irritate a mentor who was actually willing to help him out.

[cdtandmntr-deactivated20250209]

Isaac was nothing if not understanding. His line of work required a degree of empathy. He'd seen men missing their arms and legs, bleeding out in the sand. Cadets like Myles had no idea what true fear was, but he wouldn't hold it against him. At Myles' question he nodded and set the clippers down. "If I'm lyin', I'm dyin'." In the next moment he reached down, grabbing the hem of his shirt and pulling it over his head, draping it on the arm of the chair. At the comment about the hate, Isaac smirked. "Trust me, you don't want one. If will be falling off with every drill and course you take. It will be more annoying than helpful." Isaac nodded, trying to reassure the cadet. "C'mere," Issac gestured Myles closer and sat down in the chair with a little grunt. "Here." Issac grabbed the clippers again and handed them to Myles. "Trust exercise. You do me, I do you."

[prestonbros]

Myles was still a bit shellshocked by being at a military academy. It all was so contrary to his nature. His eyes widened as his mentor pulled his own shirt over his head and draped it over the chair. He wanted to protest or argue that a hat would beat having to shave his locks, but Myles bit his lip instead. "I guess so" he murmured in defeat. When Isaac motioned for him to come closer, he obeyed and watched as the older man plopped down into the chair and soon he was handed the clippers. "What?" he asked, a bit confused at first. "You really want me to do this?" he asked as he turned on the clippers, letting them buzz in his hands. Myles hesitantly took a few steps to stand right in front of his mentor, not sure if this was a trick or something.

[prestcnsx]

Nate unfolded the knife with practiced ease, glancing at Myles as he settled into the chair. “Fair enough,” he said, his tone more understanding now. “But hey, we’ve all got to start somewhere. Trust me, no one walks in here fully ‘used to it.’” He paused, then gave a small smirk. “Before I start playing barber, though, you gonna tell me your name, or should I keep calling you ‘Gum Guy?’”

Once Myles answered, Nate nodded. “Alright, officially ready for this? No turning back once I start.” He gave a quick chuckle, holding up the knife. “For what it’s worth, this probably doesn’t seem like a big deal to me because I buzz my head all the time. But I get that it’s different for you.” Nate rested a hand briefly on Myles’ shoulder, his grip firm but not overbearing. “Don’t worry—I’ve got your back. Whatever this place throws at you, we’ll get through it. Starting with this.”

[prestonbros]

"Gum guy has a good ring to it" Myles joked with a smug smile before finally introducing himself, "I'm Myles. Myles Reed" he offered his last name though it probably didn't matter.

Myles gulped when Nate asked if he was officially ready for this. The cadet could acknowledge that this was a necessary. He couldn't just walk around with gum stuck in his locks. "I guess I'm as ready as I'll ever be" Myles shrugged his shoulders when he saw the other cadet hold up his pocket knife. "Good. I'm jealous that it isn't a big deal for you" Myles said genuinely, "I've never really cut my hair short before so it's going to suck" he complained, opening up to the other as he felt a hand on his shoulder, "Thanks, Nate" he smiled.

[userstonathan]

the lights are on but no one's home...

[prestonbros]

Going to bed! But it's been a blast writing tonight. I'll be back tomorrow

[cdtandmntr-deactivated20250209]

« - » Isaac saw the signs. Fear. Nervousness. He had seen it so many times before. Isaac let out a breath, not of exasperation or annoyance, but of patience. Isaac was firm but he also wasn't the type of mentor to bully his cadets. The military was hell, Isaac didn't have to be the devil. He clicked the clippers off and looked at Myles. "Delaying it doesn't make that feeling go away, Reed." Isaac looked at him with an empathetic look. "Look. We do this, we hit the showers, and I take you around, show you the room." Isaac licked his lips. "Want me to shave my hair with you? Been needing it. You and I can be jarheads together." Isaac beamed.

[prestonbros]

Myles looked around and could barely hear himself think over the sounds of mentors and cadets whooping it up over the hum of the electric clippers. When Isaac clicked the switch on the clippers, some of the tension in his body was released. He nodded his head as his mentor correctly clocked that he was clearly nervous and procrastinating the feeling. "I know, sir" he lied. The last thing he wanted to do was start off by pissing off his mentor so he kept his mouth shut. The other's suggestion that he'd shave his hair in solidarity made a smile tug at the corners of his lips, "Really? You'd actually do that?" he asked, "It's just so hard to imagine myself as a jarhead. Just wish there was a 'wear a hat' option" Myles nearly cringed. He knew he didn't have a choice, but was grateful his mentor seemed understanding.

[cdtandmntr-deactivated20250209]

@prestonbros « - » "Alright." Isaac turned, gesturing for Myles to take the chair. They were surrounded by other cadets and mentors, the air filled with the sound of buzzing, laughter, banter. Distant shouts of the older cadets being run through drills. He held the clippers in his hand, palming them a little, turning the weight over and over. It had been a whole since he'd had to do this. "I know you've got a beautiful head of hair, but...hair grows back, Reed." Isaac knew it wasn't the cadet's favorite ritual, but it had to be done. Such was tradition. "Sit down and we'll start. Take your shirt off, you don't want to get hair all over it." With that, Isaac flipped the clippers on, the buzzing and vibration a familiar feeling.

[prestonbros]

Myles looked like a deer in headlights as his eyes ping pong-ed between his mentor and the chair he had set out for him. He wasn't an idiot so he knew that he was going to eventually face the buzzcut. But it still didn't make it any less daunting. "Oh, um. Now?" Myles asked as his mentor complimented his hair. His cheeks singed a red hue as he pulled his shirt over his head. The sound of the clippers buzzing in his mentor's hand made his stomach churn. His hand raked through his locks as he shot a concerned glance towards Isaac, "Sir, is there any way to do this tomorrow?" he asked, a desperate attempt to delay the inevitable as his muscles locked up, preventing him from taking a seat.

[prestcnsx]

As they stepped into Myles’ room, Nate leaned casually against the doorframe, glancing around. “Not bad,” he remarked before pulling the Swiss knife back out. “By the way, name’s Nate. Figured you should know who’s about to save your hair—or at least what’s left of it.” He gave a small, lopsided grin.

Walking over, he motioned for Myles to sit. “Look, here’s the deal,” Nate said, flipping the knife open. “If you act like this whole thing doesn’t bother you, they’ll get bored. People like that thrive on reactions.” His tone was easy but firm, as if he was passing on advice he’d learned the hard way. “Trust me, act like the gum is no big deal, and they’ll move on to the next poor soul.”

[prestonbros]

Myles nodded his head when the stranger introduced himself, "Well, thanks for at least trying, Nate" the medic couldn't help but smile. He was a bit nervous when Nate pulled out the Swiss army knife, though he knew that the other was here on a rescue mission.

Without hesitation, Myles sat down on his desk chair and looked up at his new acquaintance, taking in the advice he was given. It was hard for him not to wear his heart on his sleeve. "I get it. It's just hard because it does bother me" Myles admitted, though the admission was hardly a shock. And it wasn't just about the gum in his hair. It was about all the yelling and condescension and everything else that came with this place. "I'm not used to all this yet is all" Myles straightened out his spine. He didn't want to come across as weak, though he felt it.

[prestcnsx]

Nate chuckled softly, slipping his hands into his pockets. “Nah, gum’s more of a spring look,” he quipped, flashing Myles a faint grin. But as the other cadet’s insecurities spilled out, his smirk softened into something closer to understanding.

“Look, if it’s gonna bother you, I’ll keep it clean. No one’s gonna notice once they buzz it all down anyway,” Nate said, his tone unusually gentle. At Myles’ request, he gave a quick nod. “Yeah, your room works. Less drama that way.” He gestured for Myles to lead the way. “Don’t worry, I’m not about to make you look like a science experiment gone wrong.”

[prestonbros]

A genuine smile creeping across his lips, Myles nodded, "Good to know. I'll have to ask that mentor to come back in a few months with some Juicy Fruit" he joked. This was the first time the tension in his shoulders lessened.

"Thanks" Myles looked at Nate with an appreciative nod of his head. "Let's go" he wasted no time getting up and leading the other back to his room, "I appreciate that. Probably can't make it look worse" Myles unlocked the door to his room, letting them both in. He cringed at the mention of his hair likely getting all buzzed down by his mentor, "Don't remind me" he groaned.

[prestcnsx]

Nate tilted his head, inspecting the mess with a faint grimace. “Well, Myles, let’s just say you’re not winning any style points today,” he said, holding the knife closed is his hand. “It’s right at the root—real classy move on their part.”

He crossed his arms, a smirk tugging at his lips. “Could’ve been worse, though. At least they didn’t go for glue.” With a quick glance around, Nate added, “You want me to deal with it now, or are we making this your new look for the day?” There was a teasing edge to his tone, but his expression remained calm, his intent to help clear.

[prestonbros]

Myles groaned as Nate mentioned that he wouldn't be winning an style points. "You mean, gum in your hair isn't on trend this year?" he asked, smiling for the first time in a little bit.

He cringed when Nate said it was right at the root. "Am I going to look like an idiot with it cut like that?" he asked, his insecurity on full display. A lot of Myles' identity was rooted in his hair and he knew it would all be cut off soon anyway, but he worried how he would look with a huge chunk of hair missing from the front. But he knew that he couldn't let the gum just sit there. "I guess it's all getting cut off anyways" the cadet let out a sigh. "Can we do this in my room?" he asked. If his hair was going to be butchered the last thing he wanted was an audience.

[prestcnsx]

Nate leaned against the wall, watching the scene with a raised brow. “That’s gotta be a new low,” he said, flipping open the small Swiss knife he always carried. “I can cut that out for you if you want—unless you’re planning to make a statement with it.”

He smirked faintly, stepping closer. “Relax, I’m not gonna butcher your hair. Just say the word, and I’ll fix it before it gets worse.” Nate’s tone was casual, but there was a glint of sincerity in his eyes.

[prestonbros]

Myles was still shocked by the events that had transpired when the other cadet approached him with the swiss army knife at the ready, "Yeah, uh, I guess" he stammered a bit, hands still carding through his hair to figure out the extent of the damage. "Probably not the best idea to walk around here with this in my hair, hm?" he sighed.

He was grateful that the stranger seemed sincere in helping him. "I'm Myles by the way" he said as he looked at the stranger. "How bad is it?" he asked, leaning his head down to reveal the gum that was stuck right down at the root of his hair on top.