The U.S. Army Orchestra accompanied tubist SSG Alec Rich for a performance of Higher Ground by Viet Cuong at The U.S. Army Band 2026 Tuba-Euphonium Workshop; COL Bruce Pulver, conducting. #HigherGround #ArmyOrchestra #Orchestra #ArmyMusic #MilitaryMusic #Tuba #TEW2026 #TEW #Music
Hi, can you please write about scott barringer? Like how he would act as a boyfriend. Thank uu
scott barringer x gn!reader
wc: 1.5k
tw: Scott is a jerk in the beginning, enemies to friends to lovers (kind of) mentions of Scott's past (sa), mentions of kissing
comment: Hey! thanks for the request. Not sure about the layout of this one and I kinda fell like I went off on a tangent so bear with me. <3
𝜗𝜚⋆ At first Scott was so mean to you. He would call you names and pull your hair when you were looking off into the forest instead of listening to the Horizon teachers. He was a jerk to everyone but more so you. You seemed to be the laughing stock of all his jokes and constantly laughed about by him every chance he got. The other students didn't really catch on that he was always picking on you, even when you complained to them about him. They would always respond with ‘he is like this to everyone’ or ‘just ignore him, he doesn't mean it.’
𝜗𝜚⋆ As time progressed and the comments towards you continued, you slowly became more angered by Scotts behavior. Eventually you snap at him, going off about the way he treats you. He is stunned by your outburst, unaware that his remarks truly bugged you. After you snapped at him, he laid off the jokes and teasing. You two don't really speak much, only when you are forced to by the leaders.
𝜗𝜚⋆ Eventually you two are peered up for a camping trip and are forced to be together by yourselves for a few days. It pours with rain the whole time and you are forced to spend most of the time trapped inside a tent with Scott. After an hour of silence you both can't take it anymore and go to speak at the same time. Before stopping and trying to hide your laughter from each other. You both end up talking and you are shocked to find that Scott can actually be a decent guy.
𝜗𝜚⋆ After the camping trip you two become friends, well after Scott profusely apologizes for how he treated you in the past. You find that he tends to hide his true feelings behind jokes and mean comments, part of the reason he was so cruel to you.
𝜗𝜚⋆ Your crush on Scott is unexpected and frankly unwanted at the start. Sure you like Scott, but now you liked him. It was slowly eating you up from the inside. You couldn't help the butterflies that would churn in your stomach when you were with him.
𝜗𝜚⋆ You and Scott do grow closer over the months you are at Horizon, much to the surprise of the camp leaders and your peers. They didn't really see Scott as capable of actually getting along with someone. He did still tease you, but in a joking manner rather than to hurt your feelings. The two of you began sneaking out to the docks at nightfall and eating your meals together. Your feelings towards him blossomed, and you could hardly stand the thoughts you would have about him.
𝜗𝜚⋆ It was much to your surprise when one night when you were sitting shoulder to shoulder, legs dangling off the wooden lake dock, he admitted that he thought of you as more than a friend. Before you could answer him, and tell him you felt the same, he shot up from next to you and walked away quickly. You tried to catch up with him, but when you went to grab his arm, he pulled away angrily. Scott yelled at you to leave him alone and stormed off back to camp. You were confused by his sudden change in demeanor. One minute he was opening up to you, the next he was shutting down and running away.
𝜗𝜚⋆ The next week was torture. Scott avoided you like the plague. Everytime you would try to talk to him, he would shake his head and escape, grumbling off to his bunk room. Eventually you caught him alone, over a week after his confession. It was late afternoon and you were both tasked with getting more firewood from outside to keep the cabins warm. Scott walked off in front of you, hands in the pockets of his jacket. The firewood was located outside the shed which held all the outdoors equipment, pushed off to the side of the main camp. The sun was falling behind the trees as you reached the pile of wood, Scott inspected the stack for the driest pieces. You couldn't stop your mouth from opening now that you two were alone; “I feel the same way.” The words tumbled out of you and you watched as Scott stiffened at your statement. “What?” He turned around to face you, wood in his arms. “I like you too Scott, more than a friend” you cringed mentally at your words, it felt like something out of a cheesy film but you didn't know how else to say it. “No you don't” was his reply, “you are just saying that to make me feel like a jerk.” Scott was clearly defensive about the subject but you repeated your confession. “I'm not lying Scott, I like you and, well, I thought you liked me too, at least before the docks last week.” Scott's tone was skeptical, “actually?” He questioned. “Actually” you confirm. The tension seemed to drop from his shoulders at your confirmation, “okay.”
𝜗𝜚⋆ Your and Scott's new relationship was tricky at first. You were both nervous, something that surprised you as it was common knowledge around camp that he had a thing with both Juliette and Shelby in the past. That didn't deter you though, and slowly you both began to open up more to each other. Scott was clearly affected by his stepmother's actions - something he had told you about one evening. You had cried for him, and by the end of the conversation you your both puffy-eyed.
𝜗𝜚⋆ The rumors about Scott and your closeness began to circulate after a few weeks, and you were questioned multiple times by multiple different people. You didn't deny or confirm the nature of your relationship with the blonde, instead you would shrug them off. Eventually you and Scott were caught kissing behind the boat shed by Auggie and the secret was out. You didn't mind that the other students knew, you were more worried about Peter and the other teachers finding out that relationships were strictly not allowed.
𝜗𝜚⋆ Scott always went to you when he was feeling out if it, you were his person and always willing to listen. He appreciated your input even if he didn't tell you he did. His trust in you grew with each passing day and he felt lucky that you were by his side. When you were sitting though lessons or on one of Peter's outdoor adventures, he would wrap his pinky around yours or bump his shoulder against yours. He always wanted to be touching you in some way, he liked knowing that you were there with him. You obviously didn't complain about his wandering hands and eyes burning into the back of your neck at all times.
𝜗𝜚⋆ Scott was a good boyfriend. He would check in on you at the end of each day and make sure you were doing okay. He wanted you to get better, just as much as he wanted himself too. That wasn't to say that he didn't have bad days. Sometimes he would be moody and down, and wanted a bit of alone time. But other times he wanted nothing more than for you to be beside him and to hear you laugh at a joke he told.
𝜗𝜚⋆ There were always flowers and shiny rocks finding themselves onto the little bedside table in your bunk. If you asked Scott about it, he would absolutely deny that it was time. However you had caught him picking up pebbles by the river that made their way to you in the coming days. They were small tokens of his gratitude and caring for you. He just wanted you to have all the prettiest things he could find, well at least at a rehabilitation school.
𝜗𝜚⋆ When the weather was nice outside, you would throw one of the footballs for him. You liked seeing him happy and if chucking a ball over and over again made him smile, you were not going to say no. Scott loved to tell you about all the games he played before horizon. He would recount all the times he won a game or how he scored. He would light up when he talked about football so you didn't stop him. Scott told you about all his favorite players and would draw out on a piece of paper how the games went. It felt like he knew every game ever played like the back of his own hand.
𝜗𝜚⋆ When the nights were warm, you two you sneak back down to the docks and sit in a comfortable silence. Your head would rest against his shoulder. You didn't want to think about what would happen when one of you left this place, but in your mind you always wander. Every time you voiced your worry, Scott would shut you down and tell you that he wouldn't stop seeing you. He promised that he would send a letter every week and phone you every day after school. There was no stopping him, he was determined to have you forever.
𝜗𝜚⋆ Scott was 100% the best thing to have happened to you in a long time. You weren't sure what you would do without him tucked into the crook of your neck or fall asleep as you ran your fingers through his hair. All you knew was that you liked him a lot, and there was no way either of you were getting rid of the other any time soon.
Hi! I’m not sure if requests are still open but I’m currently watching Higher Ground right now and I’m in love with Scott (is anyone surprised)! I was wondering if you could write a short fic about him comforting the reader when he finds out that she’s self harming? Totally get it if not.
scott barringer x gn!reader
wc: 0.8k
cw: DEAD DOVE DO NOT EAT, angst, mentions of self harm, reader has a history of sh, heavy topics, if you are not doing okay please read with caution
comment: hey anon, thanks for the request <3 This one deals with some heavier topics so reader discretion is advised
You were lying down in your cabin when you heard the loud movement of Scott's feet on the hardwood floors. His steps came closer and closer until you felt the bed dip as he sat down.
You roll over to face him and are greeted by the blonde’s messy hair and piercing blue eyes.
Scott had been at New Horizons far longer than you had and he knew his way around. When you had been put into the program by your concerned parents, Scott was given the task of showing you around. Although he wasn't too happy about being your ‘babysitter’ for the first few weeks, you grew on him.
You shared the same sense of humor and had similar taste in a range of things. Eventually you two had become close friends, always sneaking out to the docks together and making fun of the outdoor activities you were subjected to.
You thought you had been getting better, even the counselors believed so. There was even talk of sending you home in a few weeks to test the waters. You were looking forward to sleeping in your own bed for the first time in months. Until you realised that going back home meant leaving your new friends, including Scott, behind. You didn't want to give them up.
It had started small. Taking too hot showers that left your skin red and raw. Picking at the skin around your nails and chewing the inside of your mouth until it bled. But it wasn't enough for you. You knew relapsing was bad and that you shouldn't be doing this to yourself. But you couldn't help it. You didn't know how to deal with your only emotions any differently.
Scott speaks before you do. “Are you alright? You've been acting off and I don't fucking like it.” He looks at you, studying your face for any signs of anything wrong. You immediately turn defensive at his questioning. Shooting him down with a “I'm fine Scott, just tired.”
He speaks your name. “You're been tired for a week and a half. I haven't seen you at all basically. You haven't even been at dinner for Christ's sake.”
You turn over, facing the wall instead of Scott's gaze. “Don't shut me out” he responds to your actions, placing a hand on your shoulder to roll you back over harshly. “What is wrong with you?” you practically yell at him, you use your anger to push his hand off of you, “Get out.”
His eyes widen at your outburst, letting you shove his hand off your shoulder and getting to his feet. He is momentarily stunned before his eyes soften. “How long?” Is all he says.
You roll back over to inspect the wall again, ignoring the question. “Y/n How long?” He repeats clearly. Your legs come up to your chest in a fetal position, and you bury your head in them. You feel his weight sit on the end of your bed. “You can't keep doing this to yourself” he says softly.
You stay silent, hoping that he will get the memo and leaving you alone. You didn't want to have this discussion. Scott places his head in his hands, thinking, before he looks at your curled up figure. “Come on, speak to me please, so I can help you.” He practically begs.
You can help the tears that build up in your eyes, and slide down your face. You didn't want to be like this. Scott hears your racked sobs and his heart shatters. All he knows is that he needs to comfort you and make sure you are alright.
You feel the bed dip again and then a warm body pressing against your back. Scott's arm wraps around your waist pulling you closer to his chest. You let the tears fall as he whispers in your ear that it's going to be alright and that he is going to help.
His hand rubs soothing circles over your shirt where your hip rests, making you feel more grounded than you had a few minutes ago. His hushed tone and gentle words make you feel safe in his arms, letting you know that he cares more than he lets on.
He slowly turns you in his arms, so that your head is tucked under his. You sobs shake your frame, and he lets you cry into his cotton t-shirt. Slowly your tears come to a stop and he speaks to you softly, “it's going to be alright, okay? We're going to get you some help and you will be better again.” He places his lips against your forehead after you nod slightly but enough for him to feel.
You spend the rest of the day flush against Scott as he assures you that it will work out. A glimmer of hope erupts in your chest.
Please please please reach out if you are struggling. You are on this earth and you are loved. Below are some helplines if you are having a tough time. My messages are ALWAYS open if you need someone to talk to. 💙💙💙
synopsis: You and Scott decide to escape New Horizons, a camp for at risk teens.
wc: 1.3k
tw: none
comment: there is a lack of Scott content on tumblr so I decided I wanted to write something. Also I fell in love with higher ground, i didn't think it was going to be that good, but i binged it in under a week.
You kick at the ground with your beat-up old sneakers, watching as moisture falls from the blades of grass. Grumbling could be heard from in front of you as the ground of teens treked behind their leader. Ever since you had arrived at New Horizons, it was basically walk after walker. You swear once you are out of this place you would never hike again. But alas you had now been here for almost 2 months, and Peter sure wasn't letting you out anytime soon.
Picking up your feet, you begin to follow your group as they walk uphill through the forest that surrounds the school. You make up the back of the pack, mostly just because you prefer to walk at a more leisurely pace.
“Hey” you glance to your side to be met with blue eyes. Scott. He had been here for around the same time you had meaning that you were both ‘fresh meat’. If you could even call yourself that anymore. You reply back with a “hi” focusing on not tripping on any tree roots. Scott was at New Horizons for a drug related problem, something a lot of the students had issues with. He was normally standoffish and refused to participate but you two got along just fine. Which led to the little problem of your not so little crush on the tall boy.
“I hate walking” he states plainly and you agree, nodding your head. “I mean, how is this supposed to help, walking up hills isn't going to fix a bunch of messed up kids” Scott continues. “It sucks, I just want to get out of here” you reply. “Hey, what if we-” Scott seems to want to say something but changes his mind, shaking his head. “Nevermind.” You glance at him confused. “C'mon, you have got to say it now” you laugh. “It was stupid anyways” he grumbles at the ground.
“Oh boo-hoo, just tell me” you practically beg. Scott sees this and ultimately starts to speak, “we could get out of here you know? It's only the forest holding us back I mean. And we have pretty much walked all of it twice over.” You turn your head to look at him, “you mean run away?” you ask. He has caught your full attention now. “See, told you it was dumb” Scott answers.
“Let's do it.”
“Sorry?” He states, “you can't be serious.” He raises an eyebrow. “Oh I'm serious. I have had enough of this place. Worst case scenario we get caught, that's like a few days of confinement to the cabins.” You reply smoothly. It was definitely a horrible idea but it's not like life was too exciting for you at the moment.”I mean, I'm down if you are” Scott shrugs. You think for a moment before replying. “Okay two days from now there is the school bonfire thing. We pack bags beforehand, I'll sneak into the kitchens and get us some food and stuff, and we can meet up by the docks. They won't notice we have gone for a few hours at least.”
Scott looks at you “a few hours head start is probably as good as we are going to get.” He makes up his mind, “okay I'm in.”
The next two days passed rather slowly, with not much really happening apart from lectures about personal wellness. What a waste of your time. You were counting down the minutes until your and Scott's escape out of here.
The final hours of your time at New Horizons were spent packing a bag, light enough to not slow you down, but enough to keep you going until you could get more supplies. Your next job was the kitchen.
The sun had almost disappeared by the time you reached the space, quietly opening and shutting the door behind you. You grabbed two large plastic bottles of water, placing them in your bag, as well as a few cans of food and lots of snacks. This was definitely enough to last you a few days. Getting through the forest should only take a few hours, the tricky part was not being seen around town.
Zipping up your bag you sneak out of the kitchen, making your way to the docks. You could see Scott's shadow cast on the wooden planks, giving his location away. You walk almost silently up to him and he jumps a little at you appearing. “Don't sneak up on me like that” he says playfully.
You nod your head in the direction of the path leading to the forest “time to go?” The light from the bonfire flickers over the landscape, making it feel like something out of a 80’s horror film. “Yeah, let's do it”
You both make your way out of the school and into the dense forest. There is nearly no light apart from the occasional bit of moon peeking through the canopy. Scott pulls two flashlights out of his bag, passing one to you “borrowed Auggie’s, hope he doesn't mind” he shrugs and you laugh. Poor Auggie had been robbed of his only torch.
After about an hour of walking Scott starts telling you clearly made up stories about people getting lost in the woods never to be seen again. Typical teenager boy behavior. You roll your eyes in response - not that he could see. “That's so not real” you speak, only to be met with a yelp as he trips over a tree root. You cannot contain your laughter at the action. “Not funny” he grumbles.
The next few hours pass in a blur. The clear night makes your walk nicer than you thought it was going to be. Scott being there helped a lot. You both exchange tales of your lives before New Horizons, Scott tells you about his football games and school. Up ahead of you, you can see where the ground drops about 6 feet or so, meaning you will have to climb down. Scott goes first, passing you his bag so you can throw it down to him once he is on solid ground. Once he reaches the earth again you throw down his bag followed by yours. He catches them and puts them down on the ground. Now it's your turn to make the descent.
You make it most of the way down without fail, but the place where you put your left foot collapses and you are forced to jump back and onto the dirt covered ground. Luckily you don’t hurt yourself but in the process you manage to basically slam into your companion. He lets out a sound at the impact, “woah there.” “Sorry Scott.”
After another hour you finally reach the edge of civilization and you exchange grins with the blonde boy. You had made it with close to little hiccups. Making it onto town, you and Scott begin to brainstorm what to do now. “We need to get further away before first light, then people might see the two of us. And when Peter comes asking they will know we were here” You think out loud. “We could hitchhike?” Scott suggests “It's risky but if we walk further out of town we have a better chance of someone who is passing through and not a local?”
You agree to the plan and after a quick break from walking you both set out again. Now that you are out of the dense forest you can see the night sky. It's clear tonight and you can see all the stars, you will miss it in a way. But you made your decision. As you walk, your hand brushes against Scott’s prompting you to snap your arm close to your side, embarrassed. You can sense his head turning to look at you briefly before he looks straight ahead again. Then, if on second thought, he grabs your hand in his, interlocking your pinkies. You look down at your and Scott's hand and smile. Maybe, just maybe it would all work out fine.
I'm not sure about the ending of this one as I kinda didn't know how to finish it but oh well. Im also finishing writing a whole heap of requests, so expect those soon!
