#military garrison

[if-you-fan-a-fire]

"POUR LE PREMIER MAI - On aurait dit que la guerre était déclarée, le premier mai dernier, à Paris, alors que les troupes patrouillèrent les rues avec des chars d'assaut, des mitrailleuses. etc. Malgré in crainte générale, la journée fut plutôt calme, - from La Patrie (Montreal). May 16, 1934. Page 20.

[clove-pinks]

Some pictures of the "Garrison Ghost Walk" tour from Fort Meigs' Facebook page. I'm going to the last tour of the season tonight (with a later adults only group), and I doubt my phone camera will take good pictures after dark.

This will be my first ghost tour at Fort Meigs, and I'm curious about what kind of stories they'll share—some legend or myth from 1813, or paranormal experiences of the historical site workers and volunteers?

I think a lot about how the present-day reconstruction of Fort Meigs does not look much like the armed camp in its heyday (when it was a sea of mud and filth and not a grassy park). But the human remains of countless individuals are present throughout the site. I wouldn't say that it feels haunted, but there is definitely a heaviness in the atmosphere.

[the-kittens-of-vol-tron]

Ok so hear me out:

(in this au, Shiro took Keith in at a much younger age)

Adam trying to win Keith over while trying to woo Shiro?

Yes Yes Yes

So if you have seen Lilo and Stich, I’m going for the sibling relationship Lilo and Nani. Shiro is Keith’s legal guardian but big brother <3

-----

“Who is that?” Adam whispered to his classmate, his eyes glued to the boy who entered the room. 

“Huh? Oh, that’s Takashi Shirogane.” 

He sent his friend the side eye, “and how do you already know his name?” 

They rolled their eyes, “he literally got the top score in our entrance exam? And look at him! Total hottie.” 

Adam allowed his eyes to look back at the other guy, who took a seat a couple of desks away from him. He looked his height, maybe slightly shorter. His undercut was fresh and he had to have something in his hair to make the top of his hair fall like that. He was muscular, defiantly someone who took care of himself. 

A sharp pinch appeared on his side and he smacked his friend's hand. 

“Stop staring, it’s rude.” 

“I wasn’t staring!” Adam whispered back harshly. 

“He might not even like men.” 

Adam felt his heart drop, a painful reminder that his dating pool is limited. He stared at his desk, tracing the different colors of the wood with his eyes. “Yeah...you’re right.” 

A comforting hand was pressed on his upper shoulder blade. “Chin up buddy. It’s the first day of the semester, you’re going to meet plenty of people.” 

He gave a weak nod, looking forward as the teacher walked in. 

---

“Adam right?” 

Adam nearly fell out of his chair, being snapped out of his daydream of actually flying instead of learning about how to fly. “Uhh yeah?” He looked at the voice, Takashi staring down at him with an easy smile. Why is he talking to me? And how does he know my name? Take a breath Adam, just in and out. Just like we’ve done since birth. He prayed his inner turmoil wasn’t readable on his face. 

The other guy laugh, the sound rumbling in his chest. Adam wishes he could save it to memory. “We’re partners...for the project?” He nodded his head at the bored. 

“Partners For Developing Your Own Flight Plan To Kerberos!” Was written in black marker. 

“Oh yeah...the project,” Adam took his glasses off, pretending to clean smudges that weren’t there. 

“You were zoned out weren’t you,” Shiro stated. A humorous smile on his face. 

“Wh-what? Me? Zoned out?” He cleared his throat, ignoring how his face felt. “I was just...seeing if you were paying attention...?” 

Takashi laughed again, throwing his head back at the action. “Understandable,” he extended his right hand. “I’m Takashi.” 

Adam took his hand, trying not to focus on the string grip on Takashi's hand. “Nice to meet you.”

---

“So I was thinking after dinner we could start the project? My roommate will be at their partner's dorms so it’ll just be me in mine. But whatever you’re comfortable with.” He held onto his backpack straps as they walked down the hallway. Attempting to keep his persona cool. He was only inviting the hottest man he had ever seen in his life to his dorm. 

She rubbed the backside of his undercut, his eyes on the ground. “I actually will be gone before dinner. I leave the grounds around threeish. Right after our last class.” 

Adam sent him a confused look. “Do you not live on campus?” Freshmen weren’t allowed to live anyways but in the dorms. Juniors and Seniors could get other housing but it would still be Garrison housing. 

“I don’t...it’s complicated.” He smiled. “I can give you my number and we could call later to work on it.” 

Adam nodded, pulling out his phone. He quickly unlocked it and got to the contact screen. “Here.” 

Takashi quickly typed in his info before handing it back. “I can call any time after 19:00!” He started to move down the hall. Leaving Adam still confused.

---

He ran his hand through his hair again. Groaning with the short strands didn’t stay where he needed them to. “Come on! Just stay where you need to be.” He mumbled to himself, hesitantly checking the clock. They were going to call at 19:15 and it was currently 19:13. He didn’t have time for this. 

He grabbed his glasses and sat down at his desk, propping his phone up on his laptop. Opening his notes right as his phone began to ring. He took another deep breath and accepted the video chat. His voice died in his throat as Takashi appeared on the tiny screen. 

He wasn’t in his Garrison Uniform, though he did make that orange work. Instead, he wore a white baggy hoodie. With a logo Adam didn’t recognize and the top of his hair was pulled back into a very, very small bun. “Hey, how was dinner?” 

Adam cleared his throat, did he talk to everyone this casually? “Good...y’know cafeteria food.” He paused, “unless you don’t. But you aren’t missing much.” 

Takashi sent him a toothy grin. “I’ve heard horror stories.” He leaned out of frame for a moment, repapering with his notebook. “Want to get started?” 

They worked for over an hour, making good progress until Takashi looked at something off-screen. “Yeah, buddy?” 

Adam stopped talking, holding his breath unknowingly. 

“No, it’s okay. I’ll be right there okay?” Takashi looked back at the camera. “Sorry, can we call it a night? Something came up.” 

Adam nodded, “yeah no problem. See you tomorrow?” 

“Yeah, see you!” He ended the call, leaving Adam in a still silence. Who was he talking to? 

---

Adam rubbed his eyes, flopping down in his seat. He stayed up too late watching movies. 

“Wakey-wakey Adam,” his friend snapped his fingers in front of his face. 

“I’m awake,” he crossed his eyes, sinking back in his chair. “Did you start your project?” 

His friend scoffed, “no, it’s not due for like two more weeks.” They gave Adam a quick glance. “Did you?” 

Adam hummed, “started it last night.” 

“Ohh you actually worked with Takashi? Didn’t try and kiss him?” His friend nudged his arm. 

Adam rolled his eyes, sending Takashi a small wave as he entered the room. “Yeah...we got some work done.” 

---

“I have to say,” Iverson took his reading glasses off his face. “This is the best plan anyone has come up with for a project like this.” 

Takashi nudged Adam’s arm, smiles forming on both of their faces. 

Iverson sent them a professional smile. “You two clearly work well together. Would you two be interested in a side project? It’ll look good in your academic folder. Might open more doors in the future.” 

They both nodded, not feeling the need to discuss it with each other. They did work well together. 

They exited the room, smiles plastered on their faces. Each holding a folder of the next project. “So are you heading home? Since Mrs. Dominic's class was canceled?” Adam asked as they headed down the hallway, their shoulders brushing against each other. 

Takashi shrugged his shoulders. “I was thinking about it. But that would put me home almost three hours early. I won’t know what to do with myself.” He chuckled. 

“Well,” Adam stopped walking, tightening his hands around the folder. “We could always get a head start on the project? The libraries are nice to work in, but you have to reserve a study room twenty-four hours in advance...and then I have my...dorm...?” 

Takashi turned to face Adam, having taken a couple of steps after he stopped moving. “Why did you say that like a question?” 

Adam shrugged, praying the other boy couldn’t see the heat on his face. “I just-” he cleared his throat. He needed to get over this unrequited crush. 

Takashi laughed, “we can do it to your dorm. I just need to leave after 15:00.” 

“Copy that,” Adam began to walk. Leading the way. They chatted back and forth as they walked, Adam scanning his badge to unlock his dorm. “Welcome to my lovely abode.” 

Takashi whistled as he walked in, “living in luxury I see.” 

“You know it,” He slipped his bag off, hanging it on the hook at the end of his bed. “Make yourself at home.” 

Takashi took off his own bag, pulling out the chair to Adam’s desk. His leg bobbed up and down. 

Adam slid off his orange jacket and climbed into his bed. Sitting with his back against the concert wall. The folder in his hands. “Did we want to start?” 

Takashi nodded, placing his folder on the desk, his eyes falling on the picture frame. “Awe is this you?” He gently grabbed the frame, lifting it up to his face. 

Adam ignored the embarrassment that bloomed in his gut. “Yeah...I was like five or six. First time I ever saw a plane up close.” 

Shiro stared at the picture, a nostalgic look in his eye. “I guess we all have a moment like there. Where we fall in love with flying.” He put the frame back down. “Is that your mom and...” He trailed off. 

“Mom and Mama,” Adam stared at the folder. He wasn’t ashamed of his familial structure, it was a good way to introduce new people to the topic. 

“They look nice. Loving.” Shiro opened his folder, pulling out the papers inside. 

“They are...what about your family? Your parents?” 

Takashi’s jaw tightened for a brief second. Before he met Adam’s eyes, “a story for another time. Let’s start shall we?” 

Adam nodded, his stomach tightening with guilt. “Yeah.” 

---

It had been a couple of weeks since that day. They worked together almost daily, excluding the weekend. They were always around each other. Joined at the hip. Adam and Takashi slowly became Adam and Takashi. An inseparable pair.

Adam’s leg bounced up and down. Trying to contain his excitement.  Takashi was going to come over again today. Unrequited crush or not, he just liked spending time with him. They clicked really well. And sometimes, just sometimes Adam felt as if Takashi felt the same. 

Iverson entered the room, silencing the students with his presence. Adam’s eyes drifted to where Takashi sat. His seat empty. 

He didn’t show up the next day. 

Or the day after that. 

He let his bag drop to the floor, feeling defeated. He flopped on his bed face first, not even bothering to check his phone. Takashi hadn’t responded at all. Hadn’t even read his messages. He tried not to take it personally. But he was still hurt. He thought they were closer. They had an unspeakable, indescribable connection. Something drew them together and yet. He wasn’t allowed to be there for him.  

He awoke to his roommate entering the room. “Yo, you missed dinner. Are you feeling okay?” 

He pushed himself up, rubbing his eyes. “What time is it?” 

“Like seven?” They sat on their own bed, shrugging off their uniform. 

Adam shimmied off his bed, rolling his shoulders. “I’ll head down before the kitchen closes.” 

His roommate hummed, opening up their laptop as Adam exited the room. Glancing at his phone as he walked. A missed call from Takashi. 

He frowned and quickly dialed it back, pushing the anxiety down into his core. The call picked up, “Hey Takashi. Is everything okay?” 

A small voice responded. Hesitant. “Hi, are you Shiro’s friend?” 

Adam frowned, stepping off to the side to let others pass. “Uhh, I...who are you?”

“Shiro’s sick. Can you help?” 

“Wait what?” He ran his free hand through his hair.  “Is he okay?” 

“Ummm, hot but shivering. Sweaty and he won’t eat.” The small voice listed off the different symptoms. “What?!” He called to someone on his side of the call. “Adam!” 

Adam could feel his heart in his throat. Pounding in confusion and concern. He could hear a voice muffle on the other side but he couldn’t make out the words or the owner of it. 

The unnamed voice returned, “Can you help? I live at...” He recited the address quickly and Adam pulled a pen out of his pocket. Scribbling it down on his arm. 

“Sure...I’ll do what I can.” The call ended and he started at the location. It was outside the Garrison, but not too far of a drive. But a walk? That would take him hours. He chewed on his inner cheek. Turning to walk to the one teacher that might help. 

---

“I can’t allow you off campus Adam. You know the rules.” 

“Iverson, please! I don’t know who that was but they sounded like a kid. If Takashi is sick he might need some help.” Adam forced himself to keep his posture straight. His eyes ahead, trying to plead his case. “I don’t know his living situation that well, but given he’s allowed to live off campus I can only assume he’s the sole provided to someone.” It was a shot in the dark but it made sense. 

Iverson's face revealed no information. “Again. I can’t allow you to leave campus.” 

Adam’s face dropped, his shoulders sagging. 

Iverson stood, “I’m sorry. I know you two are close.” He moved to stand in front of the younger boy. “And I’m known for not always locking my office door.” He placed his hand on Adam’s shoulder. “The key to my truck is hanging by the door. I park in spot 34.” 

Adam sent his teacher a confused look. “What?” 

“Takashi Shirogane is a special case. One we teachers are not allowed to discuss. And he trusts you, so if you’re being requested. You should go.” 

Adam nodded, swallowing around the lump in his throat. “Thank you.” 

Iverson stepped back, moving back toward his desk. “You do know how to drive right?” 

Adam moved, grabbing the key that hung by the door. “Sure. It can’t be harder than flying right?” 

Driving was harder than flying. 

He managed to make it to the address in one piece. Trying to ignore the number of traffic laws he broke. He knocked on the door. It was a smaller house, with a couple of lights on. His palms sweated as he waited. Unsure who was going to open the door. 

The door cracked open, stopping on a chain, A younger boy stared up at him through thick raven bangs. “Um....hi?” 

The kid didn’t respond, just stared.  

Adam shifted under his gaze, “I’m Adam?” 

The kid nodded, closing the door briefly. Reopening it fully. “Follow me.” He lead Adam upstairs to a cracked door. He pushed the door open, leaving Adam in the hallway. 

He returned a couple of seconds later, waving Adam in. 

Adam followed, his eyes immediately falling on a very sick-looking Takashi. “Keith...I told you not to call him.” The other man wheezed out, trying to focus on the smaller boy. 

The boy, now known as Keith, crossed his arms. “I’m no doctor.” 

“Neither is Adam.” Takashi let his head fall on the pillow, his eyes squeezed shut. 

Keith looked at Adam, “he wears glasses. He has to be smart.”  

Takashi groaned, “it doesn’t work like that.” 

Keith rolled his eyes, “can you help him or not?” 

Adam nodded, “yeah.” He moved ahead, sitting on the edge of the bed. Leaning forward to rest his cheek on Takashi’s forehead. 

“Adam?! What are you doing-” The other man began to protest, his eyes blown wide. 

“Shhhhh. I’m trying to check how hot you are.”

Keith snickered, which resulted in his brother saying his name. 

Adam leaned back up, “have you eaten anything?” 

Takashi shook his head, “hard to eat.” 

“Drank anything?” 

He shook his head again. 

“Okay,” Adam stood, looking at Keith. “You have any soup?” 

“No.” 

“Okay,” he looked at his classmate, “mind if I steal your kitchen?” 

Takashi didn’t respond, slipping into a shivery slumber. 

“I’ll take that as a yes.” He looked at the younger boy. “Can you show me the kitchen?” That’s how Adam found himself. Chopping up slightly old vegetables, adding them to a simmering pot. 

Keith sat on the island behind him. Munching on a grilled cheese. “So how old are you Keith?” He slid the carrots into the pot. 

“Seven.” 

“Oh, that’s a good age.” He moved on to the celery. “Where do you go to school?” 

“Down the road. Shiro drops me off on his way to the Garrison.” 

“Ah, I see.” More chopping. “What’s your favorite class?” 

“Hmm,” Keith put the plate down beside him. “Science.”

“Mine too.” He finished the vegetables, giving the soup a stir. “Where are your parents? Away at work?” 

“They’re dead.” 

The room fell into silence. The soup bubbling. “Oh...I see.” 

“Shiro takes care of me. He’s been taking care of me since he turned eighteen. But they passed when I was four.” 

Adam squeezed the spoon he was holding tighter. Everything fell into place in his mind. Why he never stayed past three in the afternoon. Why he never came to campus on the weekend. Why he didn’t live on campus. His reaction when Adam asked about his parents. 

“Shiro likes you.” 

He turned, “what?” 

Keith hopped off the counter, placing his dish in the sink. A small pile of dirty dishes formed. “He talks about you a lot.” 

“Oh...we are good friends.” He turned to focus on the soup. Trying to calm his racing heart. 

“Adam.” 

“Hmm?” 

“What’s a boyfriend?” 

“Oh...it’s a guy you date. Someone you like and may fall in love with.” 

“Oh...well Shiro said he wants to be your boyfriend.” 

He dropped the spoon he was holding. “What?!” 

Keith looked at him like it was everyday knowledge. “Only if I like you.” 

Adam stared at the kid, unsure of what to say. 

Keith began to leave the kitchen. “I don’t have any thoughts on you. But I thought he liked shorter guys.” He left the room, the TV turning on in the living room. 

Adam placed the spoon in the sink. Finishing up the soup while emptying the dishwasher and starting it up with the new dishes. Cleaning up the messes that Keith had created since Takashi was out of commission. 

He dished up a bowl, moving to head up the stairs. Keith curled up on the couch, asleep. 

He headed upstairs, knocking on his classmate's door. “Takashi? You awake?” He made a small grunt sound and Adam, entered the room. “I made you some soup.” 

“Adam, I am so sorry about this. I was just pushing myself too hard and...sometimes.” He paused, catching his breath. 

“Your body will make you take a break.” He set the soup on the bed-side desk. “Come on.” He helped Takashi lean forward, propping the pillows behind him. He grabbed the bowl, lifting the spoon up to the other boy's mouth. 

“You are not feeding me.” 

“You are not feeding me,” Adam mocked back, “just shush and eat.” 

Takashi fought him for a couple of moments before giving in. Letting Adam feed him. “Keith’s asleep downstairs.” 

“Yeah...he does that when I don’t make him go to bed.” 

Another spoonful. “He told me what happened...about your parents. Shiro, I’m so sorry.” 

His face scrunched up, “you called me Shiro.” 

Adam ignored the fire under his skin. “Sorry, hearing your brother say it. It just slipped out-” 

“You can call me it. I only let people I’m close to call me it.” 

“Oh,” another spoonful. “Are we close then?” 

Shiro sent him a weak smile, grabbing his wrist weakly. “I like to think we are.” 

Adam returned to his dorm around two in the morning. Falling on his bed as soon as he kicked his boots off. He didn’t leave until Shiro had eaten, he put the other dishes away and he carried Keith to bed properly.  

Sleep didn’t come easy to him. Every time he tried, all he could think of was what it would feel like to kiss him. 

---

The next Monday rolled around Shiro was finally back in class. Looking more alive than he did when Adam saw him last. He came in right in front of Iverson so they didn’t have time to talk. But Shiro sent him a bright smile when he walked into the room. 

The class dragged on but as soon as it was dismissed Shiro was in front of Adam’s desk. “I am so sorry again for last week.” 

Adam waved his hand in a ‘whatever’ motion, standing while grabbing his bag. “Again, it’s fine. I’m happy you’re feeling better.” He met Shiro’s grey eyes. A hint of pink on his cheeks. Was he flustered? 

Shiro bobbed his head a couple of times. Unsure of what to say but he seemed to be reluctant to move. “I should go...I have a lot of work to catch up on.” 

Adam nodded, both of them refusing to step away from each other. An invisible energy pulling them together. “Did you want some help?” Adam offered. 

“Yeah,” Shiro nodded, a smile forming on his face, “I’d like that.” 

They ended up sitting on Adam’s bed, leaning against each other as Adam helped him with the various assignments. 

Shiro groaned, resting the back of his head on the concert wall. “This is a lot.” 

“Missing of a week of school seems stressful.” 

Shiro closed his eyes, his body relaxed. “It was. I couldn’t do anything. I was so worried Keith was going to set the kitchen on fire. But, at least our neighbors could take him to and from school for me.” 

They sat in more silence. Adam finally broke it. “Why didn’t you tell me about him?” 

Shiro sighed, his eyes still closed. “It’s hard to talk about I guess.” 

Adam mimicked his position, closing his eyes as Shiro talked. His voice rumbled from his chest. 

“Losing mom and dad...it was hard. I was fifteen. I went to school, Keith went to daycare, and then one distracted driver left us spending a night at an emergency placement home.” 

Adam intertwined his fingers with Shiro, giving it a comforting squeeze. 

Shiro didn’t pull his hand back, and his grip tightened ever so slightly. “We were moved a lot. I made sure we stayed together no matter what. And as soon as I turned eighteen I got us out of there. I’m just happy the Garrison worked with me. Let us stay in our family home. I didn’t want to bring Keith on campus.” 

“He’s important to you,” Adam whispered. 

“He is. I would do anything to keep him safe. To make sure he isn’t hurt or left alone.” He released a shaky breath. Leaning to rest his head on Adam’s shoulder. 

Adam rested his cheek on Shiro’s head, “like date someone he approves of?” 

Shiro nodded. 

Adam knew what he had to do. Get Keith to like him. 

---

“What are you doing for Winter break Adam?” His friend asked as they sat down for Iverson’s last class of the semester. 

“I don’t know. I only live like forty minutes away so it’s not like I have to travel.” 

His friend nodded, going on a slight tangent of the layovers they would have to sit through to get home. 

He sent Shiro a small wave as he entered the classroom. Shiro smiled at him and sat down. Adam’s phone lighting up a couple of moments afterward. 

Good to see you. I wanna talk to you after class. 

He reread the message, quickly typing a response as Iverson walked in the door. Spending the entire class wondering what Shiro could want to ask him. 

“So what’s up?” Adam made it to Shiro’s desk first this time. 

“Adam!” Shiro’s face lit up and he stood, a slight bounce to his action. “How far do you live from here?” 

“Like a forty-minute drive...why what’s up?” 

“So Keith loves roller-coaster but um...I don’t.” 

Adam couldn’t stop a laugh from escaping his chest. “You’re in a fight pilot major and you don’t like roller-coaster?!” 

Shiro rolled his eyes, “mock me later. Do you like them?” 

“Yeah.” 

“Great, I was given some free tickets to ‘Roller-Park’ and I was wondering if you wanted to go with me...and Keith of course. He’ll need someone to ride with him.” 

Adam grinned, his heart fluttering in his chest. The perfect opportunity to befriend Keith just fell in his lap. “Yeah. Just let me know when.” 

---

“I want to ride that one!” Keith pointed to the 400ft rollercoaster that could be seen from the entrance. He dropped his hand back down on Shiro’s head. Holding on to the tuff of hair with his fingers. 

Shiro whistled, “that’s a really tall coaster,” he sent Adam a panicked look. 

Adam chuckled, looking up at Keith who was sitting on Shiro’s shoulders. “Let’s start on the smaller ones first okay?” 

They spent the entire day riding rides. Shiro waiting by the exit for them. Kneeling down each time to hug Keith as he ran at him. Adam was having fun. Keith was a good kid. 

“I want dipping dots,” Keith said, pulling Shiro toward the ice cream stand. 

Shiro let the smaller boy drag him along. “What flavor do you like?” He looked at Adam. 

“I don’t need anything.” 

“Come on, the least I can do is buy you some ice cream.” 

“I’m fine Shiro.” 

“Shiro?” Keith tugged on his arm. 

“Yeah, buddy?” 

“Can I have Adam share then?” 

Both men broke out in laughter. 

---

“Ready to try the big one?” Adam ran a napkin across Keith’s face. 

Keith nodded. “It’s going to go fast!” 

“90 miles per hour.” Adam stood, extending his hand to the raven hair kid. “Come on, let’s go check your height.” 

Keith was surprisingly tall enough for the ride and after a twenty-minute wait they were buckled into the coaster. “You ready?” 

Keith nodded, swallowing a bit. “I’m scared.” 

Adam frowned, wrapping his arm around the smaller boy. “It’s okay to be scared. Does it help to know that I’m scared too?” 

Keith looked at him, “you’re scared?” 

Adam laughed, “a bit. But’s going to be fine.” He removed his arm as the coaster began to move. It launched off and after a minute the coaster was stopping. They shared a look before laughing at how messed up their hair was. 

They kept laughing until they met up with Shiro. Keith immediately told Shiro about the ride and how brave he was. He whispered something in Shiro’s ear, causing him to look at his brother with a wide expression. 

Adam wasn’t sure what he said but he figured it wasn’t his place. They rode a couple more rides, Keith grabbed Adam’s hand a couple of times as they walked. 

“I’m going to go get us some food. Come on Keith.” Shiro grabbed his brother's hand.

“I’ll eat whatever you get.” Adam looked around, his eyes falling on something. “I’m going to check something out.” He waited until the two had walked away and made his way over to a game stand. “What do I have to do to get that?” He pointed at the giant blue and black wolf plushy that was hung up. 

The employee smiled at him and quickly explained what he needed. It took Adam a couple of tries but he walked away with the stuffed wolf. 

Shiro and Keith were sitting down. Chomping on chicken tenders and French fries. Shiro’s eyes widened at the giant stuffed animal. Keith had yet to notice. 

“I got you something Keith,” Adam sat the wolf down next to the boy who stared at it with wide eyes. 

He looked up at Adam, “for me?” 

“Yup.” 

Keith grinned at the plushy, hugging it tightly. 

“What do we say, Keith?” Shiro said, looking at Adam with an unreadable expression. 

Keith pulled back some, “thanks, Adam!” He let go of the plushy and jumped up to hug Adam. 

Adam hugged him back, glancing at Shiro who smiled at him. 

---

“He is knocked out,” Shiro plopped on the couch next to Adam, resting his arms on the back of the couch. 

“I’m happy he had fun.” 

“Yeah...me too. He named the wolf Kosmo.” 

“That’s a fitting name. Did he ever let go of it?” 

Shiro laughed, sliding his arm down so it was wrapped around Adam’s shoulders. “No. He fell asleep holding it. I had to pretend to brush its teeth while he brushed his.” 

Adam chuckled, sinking into Shiro more. Trying to keep his heart rate steady. Just two dudes...platonically cuddling. Nothing more, nothing less. “What did Keith whisper to you at the park.” He wasn’t sure why he asked, but something forced the words out. 

“He said that he liked you.” 

“Oh.” He tapped his fingers against his upper thighs. Trying to keep himself composed. “I like him. He’s a good kid.” 

“Yeah,” Shiro adjusted, so he was twisted on the couch facing Adam. “And I like you.” 

Adam turned his head so he was facing the other man. Their faces were closer than he expected. “...like a friend?” 

“...more than that.” His hand moved up, slowly cupping Adam’s cheek. His thumb slowly rubbed over his cheekbone. “Do you like me?” He leaned closer, their breaths mingling. “More than a friend?” 

Adam took a shaky breath. This was it. No matter which way this went, this would change everything. “Yeah.” He whispered. 

“...can I?” 

Adam licked his own lips nervously, “yeah.” 

Shiro tilted his head slightly, pressing their lips together. Pulling back too soon. He leaned back, dropping his hand. “Was that okay?” 

“You better kiss me again Takashi or I will never forgive you.” 

Shiro laughed and leaned forward again. 

-----

This...this got away from me 

But I hope you liked it!! This was so much fun <3

Thank you for reading <33333

[castametric]

the highest honor I can bestow upon a work of fiction is “metaphor for the immune system”

[xtruss]

World: Archaeologists in Turkey have Identified Massive Structures Below a Roman-Era Castle

— September 1, 2023 | By Peter Kenyon, Gokce Saracoglu | NPR.Org

Ruins of housing believed to have been used by soldiers stationed at the garrison. Alice Martins for NPR

Diyarbakir Province, Turkey 🇹🇷 — As part of what was once ancient Mesopotamia, Turkey has long been fertile ground for archaeologists. It's home to significant sites that even predate Mesopotamia — UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as Gobekli Tepe, a Neolithic settlement believed to be more than 10,000 years old with what may be the world's oldest place of worship, and Catalhoyuk, a proto-city dating back some 9,000 years.

Now, more recent sites in the country's southeast are yielding finds that archaeologists say may change modern understanding of this part of the world's past, moving the footprint of pre-Roman activity in the area farther east than was previously believed.

Zerzevan Castle, the site of a Roman Empire military garrison, is providing what UNESCO calls "important information about the Roman soldiers, civilians' daily lives and the battles."

And then there's the Mithras Temple. The Mithras religion — also known as the "Mithras cult" — is believed to have originated in ancient Persia, and the temple, discovered in 2017, is possibly the best-preserved such temple in the world, says UNESCO.

Yet to be excavated are huge, multistory structures that archaeologists have identified thanks to ground-penetrating radar scans. These remain below ground and are revealing layer upon layer of artifacts, some dating back well into pre-Roman history.

A local family visiting Zerzevan Castle archaeological site. Alice Martins for NPR

Archaeologist Aytac Coskun, seen at ruins of an ancient church, says excavations in the area may continue for another three decades. Alice Martins for NPR

Sitting near an ancient church built on a hill high above the temple, Archaeologist Aytac Coskun says the first time he saw the place, he knew he had to excavate.

"I first came to Diyarbakir in 2005," says Coskun, "and when I saw this hill, I saw some pieces of artifacts, and I knew no excavation had been done before. So as soon as I saw it, I knew it had to be a dig because there must be something significant underneath."

Underground Residential Areas May Have Sheltered 10,000 People in Wartime

A tour of the site reveals some what he and his team have excavated in recent years — a sprawling rock altar, an underground church, a water canal stretching for at least several miles.

A member of the Zerzevan Castle excavation and restoration team looks into a microscope while studying a coin found at the archaeological site. Alice Martins for NPR

A Bronze Baptismal Bucket found at the Zerzevan Castle site, currently on display at the Archaeology Museum of Diyarbakir. Alice Martins for NPR

Coskun and his team have unearthed objects including a beautifully preserved and ornately decorated Roman-era bronze baptismal bucket and an Assyrian-era stamp, a kind of official seal carved into rock, that could date back some 3,000 years.

"The digging we're doing inside the castle walls is 57,000 square meters [68,171 square yards]," he says. "It's a huge area. And outside of it...is (something) like 10 million square meters [3.86 square miles]."

Coskun believes some 1,500 people, both military and civilian, lived here during times of peace. In wartime, he says, it's likely that some 10,000 people from the surrounding area came here to seek shelter.

An Inscription seen at the entrance of the Mithras Temple which remains undeciphered. Alice Martins for NPR

Ruins of the Church seen from the south tower. Alice Martins for NPR

That, he says, may help explain the expansive underground living areas. So far, he says they've excavated six residential complexes inside the castle walls, and there are 99 more still below the surface.

That's just one reason Coskun says this site has the potential to change modern understanding of this part of the world and its archaeological and architectural history.

"It's totally open to new discoveries, that's for sure," he says. "We don't know what else we'll find. We've only dug around 10% of the area on the surface within the castle walls. And beyond the castle walls," he adds, "you see more living areas, the canal, a necropolis where the leading families buried their dead, and ceremonial areas. So, there will be more to come."

Excavations, he says, could continue for another 30 years.

The entrance to the Mithras temple seen from inside. Alice Martins for NPR

[babysgarage]

aziraphale is a bookshop owner who eats at fancy restaurants and cas is an ex combat vet who had a hippy phase and then became a dad but they're both gay and and they both love humanity and they're both prone to treason and they both got manipulated by metatron to think they're saving heaven when they were actually just being set up to get their hearts broken and love lives ruined so i do think they could have at least one long car ride conversation without hating each other's guts

actually no wait, cas and aziraphale would have the exact same relationship that misha collins and michael sheen have, they would join forces to do some good deed together, talk to each other for an hour or two and then never interact again and probably forget the other one exists

[news-buzz]

The tiny but beautiful UK village so quaint locals have their own accent | UK | News News Buzz

Accents help create a strong identity for any locale. But in one gorgeous UK village in the heart of North Yorkshire, the local lilt is a bit of an anomaly – as it gets its influence from all around the world. Catterick Garrison is the largest garrison in Europe and home to the British Army’s biggest training establishment. It spans more than 20,000 acres and has a population of 13,000. Its…

[wafflelovingbatgirl]

I hated the Unbroken by C L Clark for this exact reason, simply because the premise of the book wouldn’t work if the military & spoiled princess had any common sense.

“Where should we deploy our angry colonial subjects we recruited against their will, who keep trying to defect? Hmm, how about their home country. Surely this will not result in them inciting rebellion, and one now lead by trained soldiers who know how we operate” says the colonial powers and spoiled princess.

the problem with knowing things about battle tactics is that an ever-increasing subset of popular media becomes impossible to enjoy properly because you have to sit there like 'wow Captain Protagonist good to know all those dead people on your own side are a direct result of your total lack of anything resembling brains'

[ectogeranium]

my little monsters hyperfix came back, and I am once again combing the internet for pieces to make my cosplay of Maurice more accurate fjdkdkd

[if-you-fan-a-fire]

“Soldiers From Winnipeg Sent to Western Penitentiaries,” Winnipeg Tribune. November 9, 1932. Page 3. ---- PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE ONLY, AUTHORITIES SAY --- Detachments Leave For Stony Mountain and Prince Albert -- OTTAWA ORDERS SECRET MOVEMENT OF TROOPS --- No Trouble Exists at Either Institution, Prison Officials Declare. --- Two detachments of infantry from the permanent forces stationed at Tuxedo barracks left Winnipeg on Tuesday night for Stony Mountain and Prince Albert penitentiaries. Authorities will give no details of the movement beyond stating it is a ‘precautionary measure.’

Orders for the move came from the department of national defence at Ottawa and were kept secret except from the officers and men concerned. No information about the matter could be obtained from headquarters of Military District 10, which includes all troops here. It is known that the men drafted for duty at the penitentiary were armed both rifles and machine guns.

Prison officials are equally silent about the matter beyond insisting that no trouble has yet occurred at either institution, But it is believed the soldiers will be kept on guard duty until such time as there seems no likelihood of further rioting, such as has occurred recently in the penitentiaries at Portsmouth, Ont., and St. Vincent de Paul, Que.

Authorities have discovered that prisoners in the western institutions somehow heard about the riots in the east and this was one of the reasons extra precautions to be taken.

There have been no rumors of disorder brewing at Stony Mountain, but a prisoner recently released from Prince Albert penitentiary told a newspaperman that the place was a ‘hotbed of discontent.’ Prison officials admit the penitentiary is overcrowded but deny there is any cause for alarm about riots.

Troops Arrive At Prince Albert (BY Canadian Press) OTTAWA, Nov. 9. – The troops from the Winnipeg garrison who were last night to Prince Albert as a precautionary measure against any possible outbreak in the penitentiary arrived at their destination, according to officials of the department of national defence.

Reports that other troops had been sent to Stony Mountain penitentiary in Manitoba were not confirmed, beyond the force sent to the Saskatchewan institution, no soldiers had been despatched elsewhere, officials said.

[clove-pinks]

H.M. Sloop of War ''Sir Isaac Brock'', on the Stocks at York (Toronto), April 1813, drawing by Owen Staples c. 1913 (Toronto Public Library).

Fearing that Kingston had too strong a British garrison, [American General Henry] Dearborn sought a surer victory by attacking a secondary target: York. Poorly fortified and lightly defended (by seven hundred men), York also promised a symbolic payoff as the capital of Upper Canada. And there was the allure of a warship, the Sir Isaac Brock, under construction at York. By capturing and completing that ship, the Americans could increase and prolong their command of Lake Ontario. [...]

Making the best of a bad situation, the British commander, General Roger H. Sheaffe, ordered a retreat by his regulars toward Kingston to the east. He had fires set to destroy the Sir Isaac Brock and to blow up a stock of gunpowder in a stone storehouse. The massive explosion sent skyward a deafening fireball and tons of stone, which fell in a deadly rain on the advancing American troops, killing 38 and wounding 222.

— Alan Taylor, The Civil War Of 1812: American Citizens, British Subjects, Irish Rebels, and Indian Allies

Although destroying military assets before they fall into enemy hands is standard practice, General Dearborn was apparently so annoyed by the destruction of Sir Isaac Brock that he delayed in ratifying an agreement of surrender after capturing York. This would have far-reaching consequences. American soldiers and sailors looted and burned York, and this was an impetus for British forces eventually burning the White House in revenge.

US Brigadier-General Zebulon Pike fatally wounded in the explosion of the Fort York gunpowder magazine, 1813 (The Friends of Fort York).

[taivus]

It's in hindsight perhaps unfortunate that Voltron of all shows was the one to activate my sleeper special interest brain back when it aired, but what's kind of funny is that it's literally only because of the timing of that dang Black Paladins episode. If that absolutely stellar episode had not been out at the time I had caught up or even if the show had already ended and I had heard nobody liked the ending, the zeroing in and latching on bit would not have happened.

Specifically the sequence of 3 episode at the end of season 6 is the best part of the show, and literally nothing else is even close.

[roadtripnewengland]

Old Garrison House, erected in 1675- Dover, New Hampshire

[blueiscoool]

How Hadrian’s Wall is Revealing a Hidden Side of Roman History

A party invitation. A broken flipflop. A wig. Letters of complaint about road conditions, and an urgent request for more beer.

It sounds like the aftermath of a successful spring break, but these items are nearly 2,000 years old.

They’re just some of the finds from Hadrian’s Wall – the 73-mile stone wall built as the northwestern boundary of the Roman Empire, sealing off Britannia (modern-day England and Wales) from Caledonia (essentially today’s Scotland).

While most of us think of Pompeii and Herculaneum if we’re thinking of everyday objects preserved from ancient Rome, this outpost in the wild north of the empire is home to some of the most extraordinary finds.

“It’s a very dramatic stamp on the countryside – there’s nothing more redolent of saying you’re entering the Roman empire than seeing that structure,” says Richard Abdy, lead curator of the British Museum’s current exhibition, Legion, which spotlights the everyday life of Roman soldiers, showcasing many finds from Hadrian’s Wall in the process. A tenth of the Roman army was based in Britain, and that makes the wall a great source of military material, he says.

But it’s not all about the soldiers, as excavations are showing.

A multicultural melting pot

Hadrian, who ordered the wall to be built in 122CE after a visit to Britannia, had a different vision of empire than his predecessors, says Frances McIntosh, curator for English Heritage’s 34 sites along Hadrian’s Wall.

“All the emperors before him were about expanding the empire, but Hadrian was known as the consolidator,” she says. He relinquished some of the territory acquired by his predecessor Trajan, and “decided to set the borders” – literally, in some cases, with wooden poles at sites in Germany, or with stone in Britannia. Where those poles rotted thousands of years ago, the wall is still standing: “A great visual reminder” of the Roman empire, says McIntosh.

It’s not just a wall. There’s a castle every mile along, and turrets at every third-of-a-mile point, with ditches and banks both north and south. “You can imagine the kind of impact that would have had, not just on the landscape but on the people living in the area,” says McIntosh.

And thanks to the finds from the wall, we know a surprising amount about those people.

Although historians have long thought of army outposts as remote, male-dominant places, the excavations along the wall show that’s not the case. Not only were soldiers accompanied by their families, but civilians would settle around the settlements to do business. “ You can almost see Housesteads as a garrison town,” says McIntosh. “There were places you could go for a drink and so on.”

The Roman rule of thumb was not to post soldiers in the place they came from, because of the risk of rebellion. That meant Hadrian’s Wall was a cultural melting point, with cohorts from modern-day Netherlands, Spain, Romania, Algeria, Iraq, Syria – and more. “It was possibly more multicultural because it was a focus point,” says McIntosh, who says that the surrounding community might have included traders from across the empire.

Soldiers were split into two groups. Legionaries were Roman citizens from Italy, who had more rights than other soldiers and imported olive oil, wine and garum (a sauce made from decomposing fish).

They worked alongside auxiliaries – soldiers from conquered provinces, who had fewer rights, but could usually acquire citizenship after 25 years of service.

Soldiers carved their names and regiments on stones to show which part of the wall they built – around 50 of them are on display at Chesters fort.

But the wall shows that women and children were equally present.

McIntosh says that pottery brought to the camps – from the Low Countries and North Africa – shows that the soldiers “brought their families, who cooked in traditional style.” Archaeologists have found what seems to be an ancient tagine for North African-style cooking.

A tombstone from Arbeia fort for a woman named Regina shows she was a freed slave from southern Britain who was bought by – and married to – a Syrian soldier.

Another woman buried at Birdoswald fort was laid to rest with chainmail that appears to be from modern-day Poland. “Perhaps she married someone in the army,” says McIntosh, who calls the wall a “melting pot of people from all over the world under the banner of the army.”

“They brought their own religions, as well as worshipping Roman gods and adopting local deities,” she adds. At Carrawburgh, a temple to Mithras – an originally Persian deity – sat near a spring with a shrine to a local water spirit.

‘Wretched little Brits’

Some of the most extraordinary finds from the Roman empire are coming from one site on Hadrian’s Wall: Vindolanda. Here, archaeologists have found a wealth of organic remains because of what curator Barbara Birley calls the “unusual conditions onsite.”

At Vindolanda there are the remains of at least nine forts over 14 levels. “When the Romans would leave, they would knock down timber forts, and cover the area with turf and clay, sealing the layers underneath,” she says.

“Because it happened so many times, the bottom five or six layers are sealed in anaerobic conditions, so things don’t decay. When we get down there, we get wooden objects, textiles, anything organic.”

Vindolanda has the largest collection of Roman textiles from a single site in western Europe, as well as the largest leather collection of any site in the Roman empire – including 5,000 shoes, and even a broken leather flip-flop. “We probably had a population of 3,000 to 6,000 depending on the period, so 5,000 is a lot,” says Birley. For Abdy, the shoes evoke the conditions of the wet borderlands. “Women’s and children’s shoes are hobnailed – you needed it in the mucky frontier dirt tracks. They’re very evocative.”

There’s even a wig made from a local plant, hair moss, which is said to repel midges – the scourge of Scotland during the summer. A centurion’s helmet is also crested with hairmoss – the ancient equivalent of spraying yourself with insect repellent.

The first woman to write in Latin

One of the most famous finds is the trove of wooden writing tablets – the largest found anywhere.

“They give a snapshot of what life was actually like,” says Birley. “We understand so much more from written correspondence than from ‘stuff,’ and, archaeologically, it’s the stuff that usually survives – things like metals and ceramics.

“These were written in ink, not on a wax stylus tablet, and we believe they were used for what we’d put in emails: ‘The roads are awful,’ ‘The soldiers need more beer.’ Everyday business.”

The tablets – or “personal letters” as Birley describes them – were found on the site of a bonfire when the ninth cohort of Batavians (in the modern-day Netherlands) were told to move on.

“They had a huge bonfire and lots of letters were chucked in the fire. Some have been singed – we think it may have rained,” she says. One of them calls the locals “Britunculi” – “wretched little Brits.” Another talks about an outbreak of pinkeye. One claims that the roads are too bad to send wagons; another laments that the soldiers have run out of beer.

Among the 1,700 letters are 20 that mention a woman called Sulpicia Lepidina. She was the wife of the commander of the garrison, and seems to have played a crucial role. There’s a letter to her from another woman, Paterna, agreeing to send her two medicines, one a fever cure.

Birley says it’s similar to today. “If you’re a group of moms, still today we say, ‘Do you have the Calpol?’ It’s very human.” For Abdy, it’s a sign that women were traders. “She’s clearly flogging her medicines,” he says. “It’s really great stuff.”

Another tablet is an invite from Claudia Severa, the wife of another commander at a nearby camp. It’s an invitation to a birthday party. Under the formal invitation, presumably written by a scribe, is a scrawl in another hand: “I shall expect you, sister. Farewell, sister, my dearest soul.”

Presumably written by Claudia herself, it is thought to be the earliest example of a woman’s handwriting in Latin.

Without the organic finds – the shoes and the letters that indisputably belonged to women, unlike jewellery or weaving equipment – it’s difficult to prove conclusively that women lived in significant numbers. Vindolanda “illustrate the missing gaps,” says Abdy. For Birley, they prove that women were as crucial a part of army communities as men. “Before the Lepidina tablets were found we didn’t really understand the interactions between the soldiers and their wives,” she says. Another tablet is written by what is thought to be a Spanish standard-bearer’s common-law wife, ordering military equipment for her partner.

“The Vindolanda collection is showing that there weren’t just camp followers and prostitutes; women were part of everyday life, and contributing to the military community in many ways,” says Birley.

Abdy says that Hadrian’s Wall is interesting because the resident women span “all classes of society,” from Regina – the dead freedwoman, who would have been “bottom of the heap” – to the trader Paterna and the noblewoman Lepidina.

And of course, there’s the wall itself.

“In the Netherlands and Germany the finds are often stunning and better preserved – you go to museums and are bowled over. But in terms of structural remains, Hadrian’s Wall must be among the best,” says McIntosh, modestly, of her site.

Abdy agrees: “I can’t think of many symbols so redolent of imperial will than that wall.”

By Julia Buckley.

[awesome-casuallyfamouscollector]

P.S. The Type 74 main battle tank made by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd...

皆さんおはようございます

今津駐屯地創立70周年記念

74式戦車 カッコイイですね…🫡

今日も一日頑張りましょう！！

#おはようございます #今津駐屯地創立記念行事 #戦車 #74式 #74式戦車 #滋賀 #自衛隊 #滋賀県 #高島 #高島市 #今津駐屯地 #sony #α77ⅱ #一眼レフ #adobe #psexpress #今日も一日頑張ろう #相互 #相互フォロー #相互フォローok (今津駐屯地) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cl4jxLpSBiZ/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[komsomolka]

Fritz Schmenkel was the only German national who became a Hero of the Soviet Union for his actions during WWII.

Fritz Schmenkel was born in Stettin (today Szczecin, Poland) in 1916. His father, Paul Krause, a brickyard worker and communist, was murdered by Stormtroopers in 1932. This caused Fritz to join the Young Communist League of Germany to fight his father's Nazi murderers.

In December 1938, he was drafted into the Wehrmacht but refused to serve citing illness and other excuses. He was imprisoned for evading conscription. In July 1941, after the beginning of Nazi Germany's invasion of the Soviet Union, Schmenkel volunteered to fight on the Eastern Front so he was released. His true intention was always deserting which he did in November 1941. But he couldn't hide in Belarusian forests forever so there was a dilemma. How not to get killed on spot by comrades because of his German uniform and communicate without knowing Russian language? The shivering and hungry Shmenkel knocked on the doors of local village residents, using a simple set of words: "Lenin, Stalin, Thälmann" - and the doors opened. In exchange for help in a simple peasant household, Fritz received food, a place to sleep, and moved on.

One day Shmenkel came across a patrol of German military police and was arrested. Fortunately for the deserter, fighters from the partisan detachment "Death to Fascism" descended on Germans some time later. After a short but stubborn battle, the garrison was routed, and the partisans learned from local residents about the strange German. Not having time for serious investigation, the fighters simply took him with them. That's how Shmenkel ended up in the partisan detachment.

Of course, at first Soviets were very wary of Fritz, they feared that he was a Nazi spy. But they still decided not to act rashly and give him a chance. And soon such an opportunity presented itself. In one of the villages, the partisans came across German detachment. A fight ensued. Shmenkel did not take part in it - he had no weapon. Since there were too many Germans, the fate of the partisans seemed to be predetermined. Fritz asked for a rifle. Realizing that they have nothing to lose and an extra fighter was now worth its weight in gold, the unit commander took a risk. And he was right. Shmenkel started successfully shooting at Germans. The partisans won that battle. Fritz was then accepted as a member of the partisans. He quickly gained the respect and affection of his unit, his comrades started nicknaming him Ivan Ivanovich jokingly adding "Why call a good person Fritz?".

Schmenkel led German military units into ambushes arranged by the partisans. This helped the partisans capture entire units of Wehrmacht soldiers, as well as ammunition and food. Schmenkel quickly rose through the ranks of the partisans. In March 1943, he traveled to Moscow at the behest of the Red Army, was awarded the Order of the Red Banner, and received further military training. He was appointed deputy commander of a special operations (sabotage and intelligence) unit that operated in a German-occupied area north of the city of Orsha.

Germans put a reward on Schmenkel's head - 8 hectares of land, a house, a cow, and two thousand German marks. Later, the reward was raised to an astronomical sum for those times - 25 thousand marks.

At the end of 1943, contact with Fritz Schmenkel was lost. Only after the war did it become known that he had been captured and tortured by the Gestapo, but Fritz had not changed his views. He was sentenced to death and executed in occupied Minsk in February 1944.

His last wish was to send a letter to his wife Erna Schäfer. He wrote: "Forgive me for the troubles I have caused you by going my way to the end. I did not renounce my views even in the last hours of my life. I am boldly going to my execution because I am dying for my convictions." He left behind three children in Germany.

By the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of 6 October 1964, Fritz Schmenkel was posthumously awarded the title Hero of the Soviet Union "for active participation in the partisan movement, exemplary fulfillment of command assignments during the Great Patriotic War and the heroism and courage displayed in doing so."

The memory of Fritz Schmenkel is immortalized in the names of streets in the cities of Nelidovo and Bely in the Tver region. And in Minsk, a memorial plaque is dedicated to him. One of the streets in East Berlin also bore the name of Shmenkel. However, it was renamed in 1992.