#just a little smaller than Maserati

[emry-stars-art]

Massarati was a courting gift to andrew from abram after he realized they were courting one another

My face reading this omggggggg

(Gonna put this up top instead of at the end; find the royal au writing masterpost here 💕)

So this is the 4800 words of fluff; @jtl-fics was bouncing a LOT of ideas with me about it and everything was so sweet 😭🥰 you can read it here! :D or continue on this post for the sparknotes version from Abram's pov (minus the picnic date tho 👀), and let’s showcase my inexperience with horses ✨

THIS IS GREAT I done got myself a little by making Maserati a rescue case… like Abram’s probably right about what happened to her though I didn’t fully decide on it (I’m also making up everything about horse breeds in this universe thank youuu). He’s out one day for whatever reason and comes across this horse in no pasture that’s tall, clearly made for working, but it’s far too skinny. A little skiddish, but not enough that Abram can’t approach after a while of trying. It’s a familiar breed under the dirt and malnutrition.

He doesn’t even bother seeing where it might have come from. He fashions a makeshift lasso/bridle thing from rope and takes a few hours calming the horse enough to bring it back with him to the castle, leaving it in one of the smaller/less used stables with plenty of food and water before going to find Day or someone else that might be able to help. She doesn’t look impressive at first, obviously. But with lots of help and lots of time from Abram taken in secret to the stables, she slowly starts to get better. She gains weight, she gets readjusted to people, she lets him take care of her coat and hair.

At some point, Andrew insists once again on keeping Abram nearby when Abram is having a worse night than usual. Panicking easily, generally unwell. (Andrew is also wondering why Abram is suddenly spending so much time away, why he won’t tell Andrew where he’s been or what he’s doing. It’s completely in his right to do it, so Andrew never forces the issue, but it’s such an obvious switch from his normal behavior. Right when Andrew thought he could start leaning into the courting, it feels like Abram is pulling away and it hurts a little. He gets worried.) Abram can’t sleep, and Andrew won’t sleep until Abram does, so they lay on his bed with Andrew resting against Abram’s lap, relaxing or reading or tracing scars with his fingertips. It’s a long while before Abram asks, unprompted, “Did you ever have an ideal horse?”

Andrew gives him a look.

“I mean… a dream horse. Maybe when you were little, something you always wanted.”

Andrew makes a small noise. “I think most kids do.”

“Right. So did you?”

It takes more convincing than that, lots of Abram assuring Andrew that it’s not stupid, he’s just curious. He’ll tell Andrew his next. And finally Andrew tells Abram of when he was young, living with the Spears, and would fantasize about being anywhere else. He’d take a horse as black as night so no one would see him when he ran away, a horse that was strong and fast enough to take him wherever he wanted to go. He used to imagine it would carry two, so he could take his governess with him, but that was before she left. It was all child’s play, anyway. It didn’t matter now. (Abram’s horse wasn’t so detailed, but he said if he had to pick a coat color, he was very happy with the blue roan he was given.)

So the next time Abram goes to the stable he looks at her, sees how well she’s bulking up, sees again how much larger she is than the Friesians he’s used to from Evermore. She looks even stronger than those already capable horses. When she’s healthy she can certainly carry two riders and more besides, and her endurance is like the horse equivalent of his own. Her coat is getting shiny again, sleek like black oil.

When she’s healthy and ready, Abram trains her. He again has help, of course - there are people who’s jobs it is to take care of and train the castle’s horses and it isn’t him - but she has an undeniable soft spot for Abram. They get her used to being fully decked out in nice tack and equipment and whatever else. Abram holds her steady to get shoed. The veterinarians/au equivalent make sure she stays healthy and the stable master grows more impressed with her every day. She’s not your average horse, he tells Abram. She’s smart. There’s real intelligence in those eyes.

Abram could not be happier.

By the time the twins’ birthday comes around she is ready to go. Abram spends the morning before his work begins making sure she is as sparkling as he can get her, all ready for her favorite stable hand to take her to the main stables later while Abram attends the prince at the festivities. The stable hand is going to put her in her new tack, too, the beautiful white set Abram spent a good chunk of coin to have commissioned. The horse is perfectly well mannered around people now, though only Abram and a handful others can ride her. Abram only plans his evening because he knows she lets anyone ride alongside him - if Abram deems them worthy, the horse won’t protest. It isn’t trust he ever takes lightly. He’s pretty certain she’ll end up allowing Andrew every privilege she allows Abram. He is so excited and so, so nervous for that night. She’s as perfect as she could possibly be, but Andrew has gotten Abram so many wonderful gifts. This is the first time Abram has returned the favor with such intention. Hopefully it’s good enough. (She is.)

Oh also in case you’re wondering. Andrew only needs a new horse because his beloved GS was finally retired, GS is old and now gets to spend the rest of his days in nice pastures where Andrew feeds him lots of treats 💕 every like is one sugar cube gods bless

[redwineconversation]

Montpellier - OL Postgame Thoughts

Part of me wants to be jokey about this - I'm actually really funny! - but part of me wants to be serious as well. Maybe it's just because of my pseudo emo indie playlist playing on Spotify right now.

There were parts of the game I found frustrating. My feelings on Bompastor constantly starting Malard are well-documented by now and not worth rehashing. We still haven't sold the Carpenter Dilemma, and apparently won't until Carpenter returns, which according to an interview Bompastor gave won't happen until January. Defense-wise, we have had our worse beginning since ... 2001-2002.

There's plenty to bitch about.

And yet.

And yet, as I keep saying, to understand Lyon, you have to get to know them. You have to watch them, even when the games are boring, because sometimes, you get games like tonight. Games in the pouring rain, when something happens, something that vexes them, and you see something change in their eyes. It's hard to explain, really, but if you watch them enough, I promise you'll see it too. You'll know when they switch into a higher gear even before the (uninformed) commentator does because you will recognize their eyes are different. A little darker, maybe. A little less human.

I don't know how to describe it, really, except when you know, you know. And that's why I really, really encourage people to watch Lyon, even if it's on a shitty illegal stream. Even if the game is against an opponent you know that Lyon could sleepwalk their way into a win.

In many ways, yeah, I'll concede it: Lyon is a boring team. They're just not going to be a team that offers you a lot of content. They're quiet, but, like, in a good way. Me personally, I like them like that. I think it's easier to see them, to read them, when they are quiet like this. You know what you are getting when there isn't a distracting background noise, is what I am trying to say.

If you want to know who your team actually is, away from social media content, you need to watch them play in the pouring rain. I don't mean a casual drizzle, I mean complete downpour, question whether you need a raft sort of rain. Something that takes "soaked to the bone" to a literal level.

And it's even better when it's in a smaller stadium. Now don't get me wrong, I do love a proper huge arena, but games like tonight - I don't know, I think in some ways you see Lyon in their purest form when it's raining. It's hard to describe, but it feels more intimate, as if you can see them more clearly.

I don't know. Maybe monsters recognize monsters, or something.

That was sort of a long rambling introduction for me to say: I recognized my team tonight. It happened after the penalty conceded by van de Donk. Lyon's eyes darkened. Vexed, vengeful, they became the team I knew so well. As soon as the penalty was conceded I knew that Lyon would win.

I wouldn't have necessarily put my money on van de Donk scoring the next goal, but. I am also not too proud to admit I have been wrong about her. Although I could understand how Lyon came to the conclusion that she would fit the profile they like so much as a No. 10, I had my concerns and reservations. Lyon is an expensive team. Just because the Board of Directors gave her the keys to the Maserati didn't necessarily mean it wouldn't end in a spectacular car crash.

But, as I said, I am not too proud to admit that I wasn't wrong. I think she has grown more comfortable being a playmaker for a team like Lyon. I think she understands the concept of consequences. I don't necessarily mean it in a bad way, just, like. If you make a mistake, Lyon will forgive you as long as you make up for it. I know they were pissed about the penalty. I know it got under their skin.

It made them angry, and it made van de Donk angry, and she has caught on, maybe faster than people necessarily give her credit for, that that is what it takes for Lyon to play better. She described it as "needing a bit of passion" in April 2022, but it's almost simpler than that. They just need something to get pissed off about. They play better when their feelings are hurt. I've been saying this for almost a decade.

I think we saw Henry being, well, Henry again. I am not going to sit here and pretend that Henry and I have completely resolved our differences. But sometimes a lover's quarrel is a good thing. Lyon and Henry might have a complicated relationship at times, but they are still tethered to each other; in games like tonight in the rain, we saw why.

I really, really like Sombath, and I am so glad Lyon saw her potential and promptly stole her from PSG. We are only three league games into the season so this is subject to change, but right now it feels as though we are following a script we have read before, that of Selma Bacha's. I really, really hope the endings are the same.

I don't know how the season will end. I don't think anyone does, not really. I've said privately that I don't actually think we'll know what Lyon truly looks like until October. People will throw around the 2001-2002 stat, but I am actually reminded of another one: in September 2019, Lyon's defense had a truly atrocious month, including conceding three (3!!!) goals in an 8-3 win against Reims. They would go on to concede five (5) goals the rest of the season.

The defense needs a ton of work. I will be screaming louder than anyone if Lyon does not fix that defense. But I acknowledge their handicap, and I acknowledge the precedent.

Lyon and I have a long precedent of working things out. I think we're beginning to see that. I'm not surprised though.

Lyon always did reveal their true colors when it was raining, after all.

[marvelatthetwilight]

Red - 3rd April

Ex-Bucky x female reader

Part of my Birthday Challenge - Masterlist

Losing him is blue, like I'd never known. Missing him was dark grey, all alone. Forgetting him was like trying to know somebody you never met. But loving him was red.

“To Kelly, may married life be everything that you ever dreamed of!” You call out, trying to speak up over the loud music of the bar, raising your champagne flute towards the middle of the table.

“To Kelly!” Your friends all call out and cheer, Kelly flushing over the attention, her little tiara that you bought her for her bachelorette sparkling in her hair.

After a few more cheers and mini toasts, the group breaks into smaller conversations, and Kelly pulls you to the side.

"I feel it's my duty as your best friend, with you being my Maid of Honour and everything, that I need to warn you..." She whispers, her eyes darting towards the bar. You frown at her, following her eyeline till you see him. You don’t need to search for long, your focus had always been pulled towards him, and the months without him in your life had been agony. “You ok?” Kelly asks, pulling you out of your thoughts.

“Yeah all good. I’m ok. Perfectly fine, 100%, a-ok.” Kelly lets a laugh slip through her lips and you huff in response. “OK, maybe I’m not 100%, but somewhere in the high 80s for sure, I can cope.” At that moment, Bucky laughs at something a friend says and your stomach clenches at the familiarity it brings to you. His eyes crinkle at the edges and his hair falls into his face, your fingers itch to reach out to him and fix his hair. You shake the thought out of your mind, turning your attention back to Kelly. “Maybe 75?”

Kelly grabs at your hand and pulls you towards the dance floor. “OK, miss 75%, let’s go dance our butts off and get you somewhere into the 90s, maybe even find you a guyyyy.” She wiggles her eyebrows at you suggestively. You roll your eyes, but let her drag you to the dance floor anyway, your eyes darting to the bar one last time before focusing on the crowd ahead, just as Bucky looks your way, a sad smile pulling at his lips as he watches you walk away.

Loving him is like driving a new Maserati down a dead-end street. Faster than the wind, passionate as sin, ending so suddenly. Loving him is like trying to change your mind once you're already flying through the free fall. Like the colors in autumn, so bright just before they lose it all.

“I’m all danced out.” You puff, dropping into the space beside Kelly in the booth. Fiddling with the strap of your shoe you free your foot briefly, stretching out and wiggling your toes.

Kelly just rolls her eyes at you, and after a quick shot that was left on the table she’s desperate to get back out there. “C’mon Y/N, again again. I love this song!”

“You’ve said that about the last five songs.” You laugh out, reaching down to knead at your foot before strapping your shoe back on. “I’m not dancing again, I need a break, and a drink.”

“Then we drink!” She replies, pulling you back up to stand with her. “To the bar!” She announces, strutting towards the bar with you hot on her heels.

“Kelly, wait! I thought we were avoiding the bar because of…” you’d been so busy looking around you that you come to a sudden stop, a solid figure standing in front of you, blocking your way. Starting at his feet you see a familiar pair of shoes, eyes travelling up the familiar looking legs, to the torso you knew like the back of your hand, finally your eyes land on the face of someone you had always described as the ‘one who got away’. The one that you let get away. “Bucky...”

He doesn’t seem startled by your presence, as if he already knew you were there. His eyes stay locked on yours and he reaches out a hand to steady you as you sway slightly in front of him. He maintains eye contact with you until you both hear Kelly calling your name.

“Oh, hi, Bucky. Fancy seeing you here. Small world eh?” Kelly rambles, gesturing for you to step out of Bucky’d orbit and follow her back to the bar. Clearing your throat, you go to speak, but nothing comes out. He smiles a knowing smile, giving your arm a squeeze.

“It was real good to see you doll, you look…” he smiles sadly, the nickname he saved for you making your stomach flip, he pulls his hand away from you and rubs at his face. “You look, really good Y/N.” Before you get a chance to form an intelligible reply, he disappears back into the crowd and you are left with Kelly looking at you with disapproval.

“What?” You make to carry on heading to the bar, but she tries to stop you.

“Don’t what me Y/N, what was that about?”

“Just, saying hi to an old friend.”

Kelly laughs out loud sarcastically, and she steps aside before following you to the bar. “Old friend. If that’s suddenly code for the one you let slip away then yeah, an old friend.”

“Don’t start this again please Kel, it’s your night, let’s get back to drinking. Shots! Let’s do shots!” You grab at her arm and pull her back to the bar.

Remembering him comes in flashbacks and echoes. Tell myself it's time now, gotta let go. But moving on from him is impossible, when I still see it all in my head. In burning red.

Heading back to the table with your tray of shots you can immediately sense the atmosphere has changed. No one else is giddy with excitement, no one else is eyeing up guys on the dance floor, and most importantly, where there once was a pitcher of margaritas, is a large jug of water.

“Hey, what gives?” You motion to the jug, turning to Kelly, who made it back to the table before you.

“We’re worried about you.” Kelly starts, and the girls around the table nod in agreement. “You’ve not been yourself since things ended with he who we will not name, and seeing him tonight has proved our suspicions.”

“You’re not over him.” Wanda says gently from beside you, and you watch as she lays a soft hand over yours. When you look up, she offers you a sad smile, sending the tears prickling at the back of your eyes to spill down your cheeks. She gives you a moment to calm before she continues. “It’s ok to say you’re not ok y’know?”

You nod in acknowledgement, unsure if you have the voice to respond properly, your nodding only stopping as you spot Bucky again in the distance.

"What even happened?" Maria asks bluntly, both Kelly and Wanda flashing her warning looks from across the table whilst the group follows your eyeline and watches him from afar.

"C'mon, we were all thinking it. We were sure you two would be the next down the aisle. I mean, he was perfect for you, and it seemed like you two were end game.” Maria’s word vomit finally finishes, and the group is silent. When you look away from Bucky you find them all watching you, waiting hesitantly for you to speak.

“You’re right. He is perfect for me. We could have been end game. I just got... scared.”

“Scared?” Wanda tilts her head to the side, her eyebrows furrowed in confusion. You’d never admitted your reasons for ending things to anyone. When Sam and Steve came to your house to tell you how heartbroken Bucky was, all but begging you to take him back, you couldn’t admit to anyone how terrified you were. You both fell so hard and fast, you felt petrified that you would lose him, couldn't comprehend how you had found him, and ended up pushing him away to stop the worrying, to try and stop the fear.

“Loving him was…intense. I fell for him quickly, I had no choice but to love him, like I was made to love him, and once the freefall started, I couldn't stop, I couldn't change my mind."

"I'm yet to hear anything negative." Sharon breaks your chain of thought to interrupt. "All I hear is that you broke Bucky's heart for no reason."

"Sharon, stop." Wanda shakes her head as Nat challenges Sharon. "We all know who's side you were on, but some of us love both of them, we want to understand, so let her finish."

"Thanks Nat." You take a moment, gathering your thoughts before you continue.

"You're right. I'm not over him. I'm not sure I ever will be. Losing him was the bluest period of my life, I miss him every day; any brightness in my life has turned to grey. I can't forget him, he's part of my life, ingrained in every part of my day. Trying to forget him would be like trying to get to know someone you've never even met. Impossible."

When you pause to look up, everyone is watching you closely, except for Kelly, who is looking across the club to where Bucky has been joined by Steve and her fiancé Sam. She pulls out her phone, quickly typing out a text, moments later, Sam pulls his phone out of his pocket, looking back to Kelly with a raised eyebrow. She nods quickly, then stops and tucks her phone back in her back as she realises the story has stopped and you are watching her.

"Just saying hi to Sam. Carry on Y/N, we're listening."

"I dream about him every night. That sounds so pathetic to admit. Like our life together echoes in my mind, with constant flashbacks, almost like my mind is telling me how much of an idiot I am. I know I should be over him, I tell myself that it's time to let go. But moving on from Bucky is impossible. I can't do it."

"What does that mean then?" Wanda asks, reaching out to you again. "Do you want him back?"

"Doesn't really matter what I want does it, I broke his heart. The look on his face when I ended things spins round and round in my head on repeat. He won't want me back." You finish sadly, reaching out for the tray of shots in front of you, downing three before Wanda can stop you.

"I need to dance again. This is far too depressing for a bachelorette party Kelly, I'm so sorry I've brought everyone d....down." You look to where Kelly was sat, but she's gone. Wanda shrugs her shoulders when you question her, and if you weren't so tipsy again you would have noticed how Nat and Maria refused to make eye contact with you.

"Let's get some water down you first." Wanda pulls the jug of water closer, grabbing one of the plastic cups stacked up beside it to pour you a drink. The table empties as the girls wander off to dance, Nat announcing that Steve was her target for the night as she heads back to the bar.

"Are you disappointed in me?" You whisper. Wanda scoffs as she lifts the cup to your lips and forces you to drink.

"For what? Feeling scared? Of course not. I'm disappointed in myself for not seeing it, for not helping you."

"If I'd just told you, or Kelly..."

"Stop Y/N. What do you gain from talking about what ifs, what does that achieve?"

You smile sadly at her, and she reaches out to pull you into a hug. "Let's go join the girls." She whispers, standing up from her seat and pulling you towards the group standing at the edge of the dancefloor.

The group is bigger than when they left, with Steve dancing with Nat's arms wrapped around his neck. When you recognise Sam's outline standing beside Kelly in the distance you immediately panic, looking around to see if you can find Bucky. When Kelly spots you, she beams at you, motioning for you to dance with her.

"You ok?" She whisper shouts into your ear to be heard above the music.

Nodding you reply, "I'm ok. I'm always going to love him, I've just got to accept that. I was an idiot. Made the wrong decision and that's it."

She smiles at you as you continue dancing.

"I know that smile, doesn't mean it's all suddenly going to be perfect and roses at the wedding. I'm not sure I can manage walking down the aisle next to him."

"That hurts my heart to hear doll. I was looking forward to having you on my arm."

You freeze on the spot, your arms held unnaturally at your sides as if standing still will make you invisible. As your heart steadies to turn to the voice you remember so well.

"I just...well it would just be awkward wouldn't it?" You reply, trying desperately to fake your confidence. "We can't be showing up the bridge and groom now can we?"

Bucky smiles, his eyes crinkling as a chuckle escapes his throat. The two of you just watch each other, oblivious to the whispers from the group around you.

"I don't think I've seen him smile like that for months." Sam whispers to Kelly as they watch the two of you.

"Clearly we should have just got them drunk months ago..." Nat whispers to Steve, who scoffs in response.

"Bucky has been drunk plenty of times, trust me, it hasn't been pretty. We needed them drunk together."

"Do you want to dance?" Bucky asks, breaking the silence between the two of you, holding his hand out for you to take, leading you through the throng of people on the dancefloor.

Touching him was like realizing all you ever wanted was right there in front of you. Memorizing him was as easy as knowing all the words to your old favorite song. Fighting with him was like trying to solve a crossword and realizing there's no right answer. Regretting him was like wishing you never found out that love could be that strong.

As you make it to a empty spot in the middle, the up-tempo song suddenly changing for a slow romantic song.

"How you been?" Bucky asks as you reach your arms up, hooking your hands together at the back of his neck.

"Is that how we're doing this?"

"Doing what?"

"Pretending like there isn't this...pressure between us."

"You think there's pressure?"

You tilt your head, trying to read his expression. His eyes dart around your face, taking in your features after so long without your face in his life.

"I think there's a lot of unresolved stuff."

"There's only one of us to blame for that." His serious expression changes, quickly smiling when he sees the shock on yours. "I'm joking, I'm joking."

The silence between you returns, and you focus on a spot in the distance, trying to avoid his eyes which are still watching you.

"I'm sorry." He whispers, breaking the silence after a minute.

You can't stop the frown on your face as you meet his eyes again. "You're sorry? Why are you sorry?"

"For whatever it was I did."

You shake your head fiercely, pulling your arms back from around his neck, turning away from him slightly to keep him out of your eyeline. "You did nothing. It was all me Buck, I'm an idiot."

He doesn't reply, waiting for you to continue.

"I got scared Buck. It sounds so stupid, but I loved, love you so deeply, so hard, I fell so fast..."

A smile pulls at Bucky's lips as he hears your correction, but he doesn't interrupt you.

"I was an idiot, I'm so sorry for hurting you. It's something I will regret for the rest of my life."

Bucky stays silent for a moment, waiting for you to turn back round to face him. When you finally turn to look at him, the expression on his face is unexpected. He's smiling, his eyes are soft as they watch you and you feel your cheeks flush at the intensity of his gaze.

"What?" You have to ask when he doesn't speak.

"You love me?" He asks, the smile still not leaving his face. "You still love me?" You don't know how to respond, confused that this is his response, only nodding.

"So, you still love me...and I still love you..." Your eyes widen at his admission, but he continues speaking before you can reply. "I don't care what happened, I want to know now, do you still want to be with me?"

His eyes lock on yours, reaching down to hold your hands. "Y/N, you love me yeah? Do you still want to be with me?"

"Yes." You whisper, and whilst Bucky doesn't hear your voice he understands what you've said, his eyeline dipping to your lips. He leans down towards you, hesitating to let you make the final move. When your lips finally touch, you hear the cheers erupt from the other side of the dancefloor. You break away from the kiss, catching sight of your friends celebrating and jumping around like idiots as they watch you.

"Idiots." Bucky mutters, pulling you towards him and pressing a kiss to the top of your head. "Wanna get out of here?" You nod and he pulls you towards your friends, offering quick goodbyes in your desperation to leave.

"How you feeling now?" Kelly whispers excitedly as she and Sam follow you outside, Bucky holds out his arm to hail a cab as you turn to face her.

"100%, no wait, 200%, I can't put a number to it. I didn't think this was possible Kel." Bucky squeezing your hand pulls your attention back to him just as a cab pulls up in front of you.

"Ready doll?"

"I'm ready." He opens the cab door for you, holding your hand tightly as you duck into the car. You shout your goodbyes to Sam and Kelly, Bucky ducking to follow you into the car

"I love you." He whispers in your ear and pressing a kiss to your neck.

"I love you too." You reply, beaming at him, he dips to kiss you again, you feel the flush rising up again from your chest up your neck.

Lovin' him is red.

Marvel Taglist:

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[sebstanseabass]

Afterglow (A Bucky Barnes AU fan fiction) - Chapter 11

Afterglow chapters

Pairing: Bucky Barnes x reader

A/N: I am not from the US and I've only been in New York once when I was a kid (I don't remember much lol I was six, I think), so I apologize if some of the places are inaccurate but I tried my very best to do my own research. Anyway, this is one of my favorite chapters I've written and I hope you guys enjoy it as well!

CHAPTER ELEVEN

The first whisper of the Monday air, brushed among the streets of the Upper West Side as you and Bucky decided to grab your running shoes and spend this day outside in the open air, hoping to burn all the calories you consumed last night. With a bottle of water in both your hands, you reached Central Park, catching your breaths. With sweat dripping down your forehead to your eyes, you saw a vacant bench and took the liberty to sit on it with Bucky behind you.

"Do you," Bucky sat beside you, panting and squinting his eyes and shaking off the sweat on his face, "do you run everyday?"

"Not everyday." You chuckled, taking a sip of water. "Four times a week."

"Why do you even like running? I feel like I'm in hell." He sighed, resting his neck on the brace. His breathing was restless and uneven but soon calmed down after a few moments.

"It takes my mind off things. I got a lot going on up here, y'know." You replied with much honesty. "Other people do it to keep in shape but I do it because I need it."

"I've never considered running. I just go to the gym and lift weights. Well, I have my own gym but if I'm being honest with you, I've been slacking off since the day I got here in New York."

You smiled and lifted your eyes to look at him. His face was glistening under the bright morning sun.

"Maybe it's a good thing we ran today." You nudged his shoulder with yours, his sweat-drenched skin rubbing up against your own. "You should run more. The more you do, the less you'll hate it. Trust me."

"You know what, as long as I'm with you, I will." He chuckled. "Ain't running with anybody else but you, doll."

There was a warm sensation moving up towards your cheeks. You didn't know if it was the heat of the sun or the warm blood rushing in but either way, you just knew that a pink flourish was becoming visible on your cheeks.

During that moment all you could muster was: "S-sure."

You hid your face by facing the opposite of Bucky and looked at the crowd that Central Park held. There, across the field lay a dozen picnic blankets on the bright green grass where a bunch of families and couples were reading, eating and talking audibly. Some were sitting underneath the tree for some shade. Some were walking their dogs on a leash and a poop bag ready on hand. Some were tourists with heavy backpacks just walking around. The chirping birds soaring in the air grabbed my attention, making you look up at the sky in which the bright sun hurt your eyes. You closed your eyes after that, trying to regain most of your vision. Once you did, you opened your phone and checked if Peter had left any messages. Unfortunately, there weren't any.

Peter was very vague about where his corporate retreat was, sticking to his notion that in order for him to take his mind off things, he also needed to be away from his real world, whatever that meant.

You sighed, texting Peter anyway, telling him everything was fine and that Bucky had been with you ever since he went away. You asked him how he was and hoped that everything was fine and well, and that he was enjoying his corporate retreat.

"Hey, let me take you somewhere nice today." Bucky said while tapping your sweaty shoulder, making you look up from your phone.

"Why? Where are we going?"

Bucky stood up, typing on his phone and looking around the park. "Wherever my car takes us. I figured since the bar doesn't open on Monday, you and I could do something fun that'll help you relax. Come on, you can go shower in my penthouse. I already have clothes sorted out for you in the guest room."

Your mind was still processing the part where he said that you could go shower in his penthouse.

Confused, you asked. "Wait, now?"

"Yes. Now, get up on your feet. My car's waiting on the road."

He didn't give you much time to comprehend his words, and respond, as he grabbed your hand, pulled you up from the bench. And as you ran, hand in hand, amidst the crowd, there it was again, that after feeling of spontaneity, fleeting; that same feeling you couldn't seem to explain really well — that same feeling you were wishing to avoid.

You and Bucky jogged towards the streets where a black and white Maserati with fully tinted windows was waiting on the side of the street. You thanked Bucky as he opened the door for you. He gave you a cheeky smile in response then hopped in beside you, introducing you to the driver named Howard. Howard nodded his head and smiled at you through the rearview mirror.

Once the car revved forward, you shifted uncomfortably in your seat, weary that your sweat was getting all over the expensive leathered seats of Bucky's car. You moved a bit forward in an oh-so-subtle movement, pushing your body against the strap of the seatbelt across your chest and did your best as you could to avoid sweating all over the seats. With one strong swift move, Bucky pulled your arm back, throwing your back against the seat and told you to relax.

You greeted Leonard with a smile and a wave once you arrived in White Wolf. You and Bucky exchanged some small conversation in the elevator which led right into the penthouse, something about the last time you were here. You both laughed at the memory as you teased him about it.

The penthouse didn't change as much the last time you were here; the only difference was there was no woman with little to no clothing waiting for Bucky to arrive. You looked towards the huge glass windows, your lips curved downward as you were hoping to get a good view of New York that was hiding behind the draped curtains. Bucky led the way towards the guest room in a well-lit hallway on the second floor. You walked under little chandeliers hanging from above. On the walls were duplicate Van Gogh paintings, and framed photographs of nature that blended well with the color scheme of the paintings, as well as the penthouse.

"I picked out some clothes for you that I thought you might like and had my assistant bring them over here." Bucky said, opening the door.

Feeling a bit guilty, you said: "Bucky, you didn't have to."

"I insist. Besides, I'm in charge of you for the whole week." He smiled, leaning against the door frame with his arms crossed.

You playfully rolled your eyes. "I told you, I can take care of myself."

"I'm older than you so you do what I tell you." He just dismissed your remark, and added: "Now go shower. I'll meet you downstairs for some brunch."

With that, Bucky closed the door behind him, leaving you in a state of awe as you looked around the guest room which was twice as big as your room. It was like a duplicate of the living room but smaller, and with a king-sized bed in the middle on the far back with clothes and some towels draped along the edge. A telescope stands near the glass walls. Beside it sits two dainty cushioned chairs, and a miniature coffee table. There was a flat screen 32-inch television facing the bed.

You walked near the curtains, slithered your finger between the noticeable gap and took a small peek outside.

You stepped into the insides of the bathroom which was near the size of your room. Everything felt so unfamiliar to you but you bathed everything in and relaxed as soon as the small prickle of the cold shower water hit the soft spots of your body.

You got out of the guest room, feeling fresh from the cold shower. You wore some cropped halter top, heathered trousers and slipped on some fuzzy slippers that were quite big for your size, even though your feet were already big. You quickly assumed it was Bucky's.

"Did you, by any chance, get me some shoes too?" You joked as you approached the kitchen, eyeing the bagels on a big plate on the rectangular island in the center. You hopped on one of the high stools, grabbed one and smeared cream cheese on it. "Just kidding, I love these fuzzy slippers."

Bucky's back was facing you, busy flipping some pancakes on the stove. "You're not wearing that outside. And yes, I do have some but they're mostly Peter's. Don't worry he hasn't used them yet."

"That's alright. We're the same size."

Bucky turned around, a big pan on his right hand. He approached you and flipped a pancake on top of a tower of pancakes on a plate.

"You like the clothes I picked out for you?" He asked and sat down on the high stool.

"Yes, thank you. But seriously, you didn't have to."

"Okay, so let me get this straight... You let me pay for food and alcohol but not clothes?"

You laughed. "It's a different thing! Those were cheap, these," you touched the fabric of your shirt and trousers, "are obviously expensive. They don't have that thrift smell my clothes have. And besides, I need food but not clothes so you paying for my food was a big win for me."

Now, it was his turn to laugh, shoving a piece of pancake into his mouth. "Okay from now on, all I should hear from you when I give you stuff is thank you."

"But... why?"

"Because social convention dictates us to."

"I know, but, why are you giving me stuff?"

"How else am I going to keep you around?" He winked as he continued to chew.

"Bucky." You warned.

"Okay, okay." He chuckled. "The thing to know about me is I love spoiling people — people that I trust and I'm obviously comfortable around you."

Not knowing any other way to answer, you just said: "Oh, well... Thank you."

"And of course, the thing I said before too." He laughed and you threw a bagel at him in response.

You and Bucky enjoyed your little brunch while planning the day ahead of you: go around Fifth Street, and perhaps Broadway, maybe go to the Chelsea market and as Bucky said: "Just go wherever our feet take us!"

Once both of you were done, you headed down White Wolf, with Bucky's Maserati waiting in front. You greeted Howard as you climbed in.

"You know what would be nice?" You started once the car moved forward. "Capturing people's moments in a crowded street." You said, picturing Fifth Street in your head.

"Oh, that's right." Bucky replied. "Here." With his large hand, he handed you a camera. But it wasn't just any camera. It was yours.

"Wait, is this my camera?" You asked, taking it from him. He nodded in response. "Bucky, what the hell, you went through my stuff?"

"Not me. Howard."

"Howard?!"

"Don't worry, miss," Howard spoke, glancing through the rearview mirror where you saw your own reflection, "I didn't take anything else and put everything back in place. I just did what Mr. Barnes told me to do."

"James." You scolded.

"What are you James-ing me for?" He said, leaning against the seat, clearly stifling a laugh. "He's the one who went through your stuff!"

"You are such a child." You rolled your eyes. "You're the one who told him to."

"You heard him, he didn't take anything else."

"Next time you pull something like this, you ought to let me know okay?"

He lifted his eyes to look at you, teeth biting his inner cheek, a smile wanting to reveal itself. "Okay."

You sighed but you also couldn't help but smile at your camera. It had been a long time since you've operated it as you have been so busy in the bar and hadn't had clients for a while now. You closed it immediately, seeing as the battery was just at fifty percent.

You and Bucky got out of the vehicle as soon as Howard reached Fifth street and entered the Lacoste building with no rush. You held your camera close to your chest, the strap feeling a bit heavier on the back of your neck as the hours passed but the weight of pleasure of taking photos of the street from the inside of the glass windows overwhelmed that.

All the stores looked so unfamiliar to you. The stores you usually go to had dimly-lit rooms with low ceilings, and instead of tiled floors and walls, they had chipped to almost rotten wood walls. The smell of new clothes in these designer stores filled your lungs, the bright incandescent lights nearly caused blindness to your eyes, the amount of men and women dressed in suits, stockings, and skirts were nothing you had ever seen before, designer clothes were hanging on racks color-codedly, or by season, or by new and old collection, the eyes of the security guards in each entrance lurked from miles away until you get inside the store, and today, you have seen Bucky's sleek, black credit card get swiped into the little machines a hundred times. He bought some clothes for himself, and Peter, whom he actually promised to.

Bucky even handed you some clothes, told you to put them on and when they did fit you, he immediately went towards the counter.

Feeling as if everything was too much, you refused but all he said was:

"From now on, when I buy you things all you have to say is thank you."

Overpowered, you just nodded and said exactly what he wanted you to say: "Thank you." And as hours passed more shopping bags were in my bags (yes, you insisted to carry what he had bought you, and when he refused, you gave him back his words, a little taste of his own medicine: "From now on, when you buy me things all you have to do is let me carry them.")

"Ah, throwing my words back to me. I see."

As you walked around a whole lot more, side by side, exposed elbows and lonely fingers constantly brushing against each other, you talked about things you both loved. Nothing about Bucky's hotel business, nothing about the bar, just the things in life which made you both happy — photographs, paintings, and everything about art. He saw the world through yours. You were just beginning to see his but the details weren't enough for you. You craved more of what was in his mind and in his life — no, not the business, parties, booze and all that.

But the things that separate him from that world, and the things he grew up with before that.

A lot of questions swarmed in your head, trying to think of ways to ask them but Bucky merely insisted on knowing you. All of you. But just like him, you too had your guards up, especially around your family issues.

Then you reached Chelsea market. You didn't know how but you did. You spotted Bucky's car parked on one street and told you to leave all the things he had bought inside. After saying your goodbye to Howard who, afterwards, drove towards the bumper-to-bumper traffic in Manhattan, you and Bucky headed to wherever your feet you. You were feeling a ton lighter without the shopping bags dragging your hands and you could now freely touch and open your camera.

Bucky, with a Grande Starbucks cup in one hand, looked around with a big smile planted on his face. You walked around, seeing the art district of New York through your lenses. You grabbed Bucky's attention by calling his name and when he turned around, you snapped a shot of him. Eyes wide. Brows furrowed together. Lips in a state of bafflement.

"Hey, delete that!" He protested.

You laughed, turning your body in the opposite direction. "No way! It's a good picture!"

"No, it's not!"

You kept on laughing, mumbling a bunch of "sorry"s and "excuse me"s along the way, the camera still shoved in your face.

Your lens caught a familiar name from afar, printed in neon red: Wanda. You stood there in the middle of the crowd, leaving Bucky to wonder what had happened.

"Let's go there." You said, making your way across the street where it was.

"Where?"

"Just follow me."

Bucky held no questions no more as your feet treaded towards the building of Wanda's studio. Once you reached it, you merely stood meters away from it, looking at the sign.

"Wandavision." You mumbled under your breath then bit your inner cheek afterwards, contemplating if you should go in and say hi but that didn't matter anymore because standing behind the tall glass windows was Wanda herself.

Again, she gave you that oh-so-sweet smile of hers, long red locks cascading down her shoulder as she walked towards the door. You gestured to Bucky to come with you, no questions asked.

"Y/n!" Wanda exclaimed, wrapping her arms around you as you and Bucky entered the building. "Oh, it's so good to see you."

"You too, Wanda."

"And who's this dapper man of yours?"

Beside you, Bucky's body vibrated, a chuckle coming out of his mouth as he offered his hand. "I'm Bucky Barnes. Nice to meet you."

Wanda shook his hand. "Nice to meet you, too." She gave you a knowing smile, taunting you, but you dismissed her assumptions by shaking your head no, and then she pouted.

Wanda led you further down her large, wide studio, giving us a tour.

"I'm quite surprised you came by, Y/n."

"We were just walking around the market and saw your studio." You replied. "Wanda, what you have here is... so beautiful."

"Thank you. I really appreciate that. I've wanted this since I was a little girl. It's always been the dream."

The inside was bright, with fair white walls, floor and ceiling, and smelled of fresh lavender. On one corner, it smelled of fabrics, make-up, and hairspray. Framed photos of Wanda hung on the walls. There was a dressing area on a corner, and a comfortable couch, perhaps, for visitors as well as the models. A mini kitchen stood in the far back. On top of the cute marbled island was a coffee maker, and a mini fridge. There was one room solely for the post-production process, her main office. A giant paper backdrop had taken a huge space on the floor. Around it were different kinds of large lights, tripods, chairs and other expensive equipment for photography.

She had it all. Everything you've pictured yourself having.

Wanda had it all.

"You've come at the right time. There's not much going on today but I have tons of clients coming for the next few days but really, feel free to come by anytime you want."

"I will, thank you."

Howard picked you right up outside Wandavision. The whole ride was filled with uncomfortable silence.

"Your friend's really nice." Bucky said, trying to clear the atmosphere. "She's a bit too chatty for me but she's nice."

"Yeah." You answered, your head pressed against the window. "Really nice."

"Are you okay, doll?"

You hummed. "I am. Just a bit tired s'all."

"Listen, I just have to head to the White Wolf but Howard will drop you by the apartment, okay? The shopping bags are already there but you don't have to worry about them, I'll take care of them as soon as I get back. Just take a rest, okay? Maybe a short nap. I'll grab you dinner on the way. How does that sound?"

Tired to even tell him you didn't need to babied, you just said: "Okay. Thank you, Bucky."

You did as Bucky told you to. You ignored the bags sitting on the couch, placed your camera on your nightstand and took a damn nap. When you woke up, instead of feeling better, you felt sick to your stomach. Your phone lit up, a message from Bucky displayed on the screen:

"Sorry for the delay. I'm currently stuck in traffic. I'll see you in 20."

You sighed and with an empty stomach, and an occupied mind, you put on your jacket, anticipating a cold rush, grabbed your keys to the bar and headed down. You went straight behind the counter, jumped over it and found an unopened vodka.

You drank the vodka, drank all your troubles away and as you sat there on the floor, weeping, the place you worked at felt too much familiar to you. So much so that you began to hate it and to hate the kind of life you had been living. Who were you fucking kidding? No, you didn't like juggling two jobs. It sucked. Even though it had been giving you the ability to pay half of the rent, it still sucked.

This wasn't what you wanted.

A few moments have passed. You were already on your second bottle. There was a sound coming from the back which began to startle you. A certain Steve emerged from his office, a look of concern evident on his face.

"Stevieeee!" You stood up, well, tried to anyway. "You're here!"

"Y/n, what the hell." He took you in his big muscular arms, his one hand carefully yanking the bottle of vodka on your hand and placing it on the counter. "You're drunk. You should go home. Where's Peter?"

"He's away. He left. Wait, why are you here?"

"I just had to take care of some things."

"Is Nat back there with you? It's okay, shh, shh, I know about you too."

"Oh, God. Did she tell you?"

"Puh-lease! You imprinted your scent on her like a werewolf."

He just sighed. "Let's get you to your apartment."

"Don't worry, Stevie, I won't tell. Hey, call Bucky. Grab my phone. It's on my ass." You giggled and then hiccuped. He carefully grabbed your phone from your back pocket, let you enter my password which took forever, and then called Bucky.

"He'll be here in a minute or two." Steve said, sliding your phone back in your pocket. "Let's get you seated, alright?"

He sat you in one of the booths. "I'll get you some water, okay?"

You didn't respond. Your eyes were fixated on the photos on the wall. With your breath rapidly increasing, you stood by your knees, and grabbed as many photos as you could. Steve slid in the booth with you, handing you a glass of water. You took a small sip, avoiding his eyes.

"What happened, y/n?"

You didn't give him an answer to his question and just downed the water. But you did ask him something. "Why'd you buy my photos, Steve? Is it because you pitied me that day?"

"What? No, I truly believe you have amazing photos."

"But what?"

"What?"

"There's always a but. What is it, Steve?"

"But nothing, y/n."

"Liar." You muttered. "You're a liar."

"Look, I can't help you if you don't tell me what's going on."

"I don't need help. I'm not a child!"

"You clearly are, especially when you're behaving like one. You come in here, drink an expensive bottle of whiskey, cry on the floor and ask me a bunch of ridiculous things. It's okay to ask for help sometimes."

"I'll pay for the bottle if that's what you're asking."

"No, I don't care about that. I care about what's going on with you right now because this isn't you, y/n."

"Oh please, you don't. You just pity me! That's why you bought those two photos, that's why you let me put my photos up here in the bar. I'm no good, Steve! I'm no good."

"Y/n — "

Then, a door slammed, a running Bucky coming inside. "Hey, doll. I'm here. Hey, hey, what happened?"

"Let's just go, Bucky." You stood up beside Bucky who held your waist for balance.

"Thank you for calling me." Bucky told Steve.

"Just take her home safely."

"I live right upstairs." You groaned.

"And make sure she doesn't drink anymore or do anything stupid." Steve scolded, his eyes locked on yours.

Bucky held you all the way towards the outside of the bar, and guided you towards the steps that led to the sidewalk. A black limo was on the street. With the windows rolled down, Howard asked, "Is everything alright, Mr. Barnes?"

"Everything's okay, Howie. You can go back now."

"Wait!" You exclaimed, slipping away from Bucky's arms and headed towards the limo. "Howard, take us somewhere."

"Y/n, what are you doing?"

You didn't give him time to wait for an answer as you opened the door and climbed inside the spacious limo. Bucky climbed in, confused.

"Y/n, are you going to tell me what's going on?"

You gave no answer, instead, you gave Howard the address. "450 West 15th Street."

The ride was more silent and shorter. He tried offering you food he had bought but you kindly refused, dreading to get out of the limo. You held on to your photos so tight that marks, scratches and folds were visible even in the dark.

When you reached your destination, you quickly hopped out, with Bucky following you.

"What are we doing back here?"

You were standing in front of Wanda's studio, the red neon lights illuminating on the concrete street, giving a bit of life on this side of New York.

You sat down on the floor, against a big pot of plant, your eyes never leaving the sign. Bucky, still confused, followed suit anyway.

"You know, my parents told me I'd never make it here. The day I left my home to live here, they told me, 'you'll never amount to anything. You'll never have a good life in New York. You'll never make it as a photographer. That's not a real job.' And I told them I will make it that I'll work my ass off, blood, sweat, tears, I'll do anything to prove them wrong. But don't you just hate it when they're right? I left my family, lost my communication to my siblings for this ridiculous dream I've been chasing for years. Everything I've done here feels like nothing."

At this point, you didn't want to hear anything or anyone besides yourself. So you were more than glad to hear nothing from Bucky, and to feel his fingers interlaced with yours.

"Wanda and I met in college; a year younger than me. We shared a love for photography and arts. Then we kind of just lost touch after I graduated. And then I saw her a week ago. She looked so happy and so content and I could feel her pity on me, her eyes, her touch. It was the first time I felt so small and I didn't think I could feel smaller but then we went here. Everything I wanted for myself, the things I pictured myself having and doing... She's living it. She's out there and I'm not. And I really hoped that by now, I've proved my parents wrong but turns out they're right. They were right all along. I don't amount to anything. I'm nothing."

"Wandavision." You laughed bitterly. "Wanda's vision. That right there. That's fucking clever."

"Let's get you home, doll. Please?"

"I want to stay, Bucky."

"We'll talk when we get back. Please, y/n."

You didn't agree to anything but he lifted you up anyway, guiding you towards the limo which was still on the street.

The partition was up. Even though Howard was inside the limo as well, at that moment it was just you and Bucky.

So, you cried, like how the skies cried, in Bucky's arms. You wept for all the unpaid rent and debts, for the menial job that you ended up in, for your failed career as a photographer, for your selfish parents, for your isolation from your college friends, for your insecurities, for your dog that died when you left for college, for your former lover that abused you, for the books you left unread, for all the wrong choices, for all the money you wasted during your college days, for all the toxic people you've ever met, for all the alcohol stains you had to wipe for years, for all the food intake during your peak of stress in school, for the only cherries you tasted, for the drunk sex you've always regretted, for the drunk kiss with Peter you've always regretted, and for the incoming mistake you were about to do.

"Kiss me." You whispered, lifting your head from his chest. "Kiss me, Bucky."

He shook his head no. Your noses touched. "Why not?" Your breaths moved together.

"Because right now, you're a mess." He whispered. "You're very vulnerable and drunk. I can't."

"I'm giving you all the consent I need. Kiss me."

"Not like this, doll."

Instead of going for your dry lips, he placed his lips on your forehead, his mouth and breath lingering. "Not like this."

[chillyminmin]

han jisung – don’t forget

» han jisung x reader

» words: 4.6k

» You had a little project, but things got messy. Jisung wasn’t who he seemed, but things went a little better than he first planned.

Hot coffee, loud street, busy passersby, your typical morning.

You sighed as you set your coffee down, watching the street behind your sunglasses, hoping that the boy you were assigned to was someone decent for once. The boys assigned under your care were either too weak, too arrogant, too scared, or too laid back.

If Father gives me another boy who came from an orphaned family, I’m giving him back, you thought. Those never make the cut.

You were the daughter of a man of many influences, legally and illegally. He owned many buildings in Seoul, as well as various properties in the different areas of South Korea. He also dealt with gun dealerships, smuggling and drugs; your father was a businessman and the boss of a very powerful mafia group. You were going to inherit his position in two years, but you’ve been doing jobs like this since you turned fifteen. You were turning nineteen in two weeks, so you’ve been on this job for almost four years.

Finally, a black Hyundai Santa Fe SUV pulled up by the coffee shop, and two men wearing suits got off. In the middle was another guy, you guessed he wasn’t that far off from your age, and from how he was dressed, you guessed your wishes were answered. The SUV drove off and the three men approached your table. The two in suits told the guy to sit with you while they sat at the table close to yours, not ordering anything.

As he sat down, you noticed that he was playing with the hem of his shirt then he seemed to pull his bomber jacket closer to him. He’s nervous, you thought. At least he has manners.

“Want anything?” You asked casually. “Coffee, frappe, tea?”

“N-no.” He stammered and he seemed to curse at himself before clearing his throat. “That’s okay. Thank you.”

You smiled a bit before nodding. “Let’s get straight to the point then. What did my Father tell you?”

“Mr. L/N said that I was supposed to be your little… project?” He answered.

This amused you, he seemed confused as to why he’d be called a ‘project’.

“Did he say anything else?” You pressed.

“Yes. He said that what I learn from you and how I deal with you and everyone else will determine whether I make the cut or not.”

You nodded again and took a sip of your coffee, which was now almost finished.

“Where are my manners,” you shook your head, “I’m sure you know my name.” He nodded. “What’s yours?”

His eyes widened before he abruptly stood up, alerting the two guards. “I’m sorry, I should’ve introduced myself. I’m Jisung, Han Jisung.” He bowed and the two guards settled.

You suppressed a laugh. It was obvious he had heard about you, your behavior, your attitude. It was radiating off him as it did when they all first meet you: fear.

“Jisung.” You repeated. “Please, sit down.” He did so. “Now, do you know what it means to make the cut or not?”

Jisung shook his head. “I wasn’t allowed to ask your Father questions.”

Of course, no one is.

“Well, Jisung.” You raised your sunglasses and rest them on the top of your head. He seemed stunned to see your eyes. “It basically means; at the end of the two weeks you spend with me, whatever you learn will either help you live or kill you.”

Two days in, you had learned that Jisung may be older than you, but he was still a child.

He had broken five glasses, tripped himself over the stairs thrice, was chased around by your dog, locked himself out in the balcony, and he had no expertise on anything whatsoever.

He was fumbling with his thumbs as you stared at him. You were at your apartment, where all the accidents had happened, in the living room, the both of you sitting down on chairs. Your dog, a Border Collie, laid down by your feet, his eyes trained on Jisung.

“Jisung,” you deadpanned, “are you telling me that you don’t know how to do anything? Anything at all?” He nodded. “How could you not know how to do anything, yet capture the attention of my Father? Every guy he’s sent to me was able to do something. One could hack, another had contacts for drugs, another was an expert in gun dealership- the list goes on, but I’m sure you understand what I’m saying. Or do I have to explain that for you as well?”

Jisung kept his head down, but he shook it, saying no, he understood completely what you were trying to say.

“I’m sorry, Miss y/n.”

“Sorry isn’t going to save your life. I’m telling you. I’ve been there.”

You thought back to the time where your mom had threatened to take you away from your Father, and he didn’t like it. She threatened to turn him in, to expose the family’s dirty business, even if it meant bringing me and her down with him. She’d do anything to remove me from my Father’s influence. When she realized her mistake, she was framed by a former colleague, begging my Father for help, apologizing for what she had said and done. My Father ignored her, and when she tried to run, she was shot down by the police.

That night, my Father told me, “That’s the price for turning your back on your family. Remember that.”

“I can learn.” For the first time today, Jisung looked at you. “I’m a fast learner. I may not be an expert on things, but I learn quickly.”

“Two weeks, Jisung. Weeks. What could you possibly learn in two weeks?”

“What position is open? Who do you need me to be?”

You tilted your head in amusement. This was new. “Who do I need you to be? What do you mean by that?”

“I- I know that there are times where you need to corner someone. But I overheard that whoever you had he was compromised. You’re trying to get him back, but you’re not sure if you can.” Your eyes narrowed. “I didn’t mean to eavesdrop, I didn’t!”

“Well, that’s one thing you’re good at,” you grumbled. “You can eavesdrop quite well.”

“I can take his place. Try to, anyway.” You raised your eyebrows and laughed a bit. Jisung looked at you anxiously, like he’d pulled a trap. “Miss y/n?”

“Do you even know what his job was? Do you know how he cornered people?” He shook his head. “Jisung. You have the age for the job, but I’m not sure if you have the guts. If Father’s target has a daughter, that’s how he corners them.” He still seemed confused.

“What do you mean…?”

“Jisung, if you take on that job, you’d have to learn how to fuck someone and not fall in love.”

Something was wrong. Something was very, very wrong.

You and Jisung were at the mall, a week into his training. Not only did he have to ‘learn how to fuck someone and not fall in love’, but he also had to learn his way with guns and knives. He had to learn how to be a little sneaky, fuckboy assassin.

You were shopping for his suits and clothes you wanted, some accessories too.

“Miss-“ Jisung caught himself, “y/n. Why do we need this much? Aren’t the suits enough?”

“The suits are for when you meet Father. Casual clothing for pretty much everything else that’s not so formal.” You answered, still looking at the watches.

You shook your head and spun to tell Jisung that you’d now go to Pandora, but you stopped yourself as you noticed that he was looking at a watch. You followed your gaze and saw what he was looking at.

It was a gold watch, the inside was black with three smaller clocks, one on each side and the third at the bottom. You hummed to yourself before looking at Jisung again then pretending like you didn’t notice.

“Follow me, let’s go.”

When you finished shopping, you went to the parking lot and placed everything in the trunk, making sure not to crumple anything, both your bags and his. Every time Jisung was about to go in your car, you noticed that he treated it as the most vulnerable thing you owned. Maybe it wasn’t the most vulnerable thing you owned, but it was your most cherished.

It was a black Maserati Quattroporte GTS. Your Father gave it to you for your eighteenth birthday, and he rarely gave anyone gifts, business partners and family members alike. He gave you this specifically because he was sure that he wasn’t the only one with the mindset of using daughters to get to his target clients or enemies. The car was beautiful, sleek and fast. It could go on 530 horsepower and 310 kilometers per hour. You loved it.

As you were pulling out of the parking lot, you noticed Jisung was nervous. Now you knew he was nervous whenever you were the one driving, but he seemed more nervous.

“Jisung, what is it?” He shook his head vigorously. “Jisung.”

“I might be paranoid or- I don’t know, I might be wrong, Miss.” He said quickly, not looking at me, but focusing on the side mirror.

“What, Jisung? Just tell me.”

“They’re after me.” He said, looking at me. I briefly glanced at him and saw that his eyes were full of fear. “They’ve found me.”

“Who’s found you?”

“The Nakamuras. They’ve finally pinpointed me.”

“Naka-“ you pulled over to the side and parked your car, signaling the hazard lights. “Jisung, the Nakamuras?”

You looked at him and he looked at you with fear. “I’m sorry. I tried my best to avoid them, I tried to lead them away, but they—”

“Lead them away? Away from what?” You noticed that a white car had parked behind your car, its hazard lights blinking as well.

“Not what, Miss. Away from you.” He looked down. “They want you.”

“Jisung.” You were becoming angry, your voice was trembling as it rose. “Did you betray us before we’ve even decided if you made the cut or not?”

He didn’t answer.

“Jisung!”

“I’m sorry!” He looked at you again, and suddenly he seemed different. His eyes were darker, his jawline seemed sharper, he wasn’t fumbling with his hands, and his posture was straighter. Like someone had injected him with confidence. “I’ll explain later, but if you want to save yourself, drive.”

You shook your head. “You asshole.” But you drove and called security, telling them you were heading to your apartment. That’s when you noticed that the white car was following you. You told security to hurry up or else they wouldn’t see the light of day.

“Jisung, what the fuck were you- who are you?”

“I was surprised you didn’t realize immediately.” He answered with a chuckle. “Han Jisung, y/n. How could you have been so blind?”

“Han.” You muttered it to yourself like a chant. It sounded familiar, but you weren’t sure.

“Both you and your Father must have forgotten. But then again, it was easy to kill my parents, wasn’t it? Not even knowing they had a son. Your Father probably thought I was a different Han, not the child of the ones he killed to be where he stands now.”

Suddenly, you remembered. “You. It was you.”

You remembered being with your Father that night, three nights before he finally claimed what he called his rightful place. You were having dinner with the Hans, and you couldn’t be left behind because at that time, your mom was still alive, and your Father knew she’d do anything to get you. It was a good dinner, but when it came down to talking about handing positions, it got heated.

Mr. Han didn’t want to give over his position as the CEO, saying that your Father was corrupted and that it wouldn’t do good to anybody. Mr. Han threatened your family, saying that he knew about our ‘side business’ and that soon, the most wanted mafia boss would be caught by the police. If there was anything that threw your Father off, it was threatening the business. Not his family, his business.

Your Father didn’t hesitate to stand, draw his gun, and pull his trigger twice. The nozzle had a muffler on it, so no one outside the house would’ve heard the gunshots, but you covered your ears and dropped down to the floor. Even at that age, the age of ten, you knew where that dinner was going, how that conversation was going to end.

Before you left, your Father to told you to look at the scene so that you knew what to do if anyone ever turned their backs on you, and if anyone ever threatened the business. You stood there, numb and confused, was killing the answer to everything? You probably wouldn’t have moved if it wasn’t for a boy’s voice.

“Mom! Dad!” A figure brushed against you and went straight to the two dead bodies by the dinner table. He shook them hopelessly, crying and screaming their names.

He looked at you. “You did this? You killed my parents?” You were dazed, even as he approached you, you didn’t move back. “How could you? There’s no way you could be older than nine!” He gripped your shoulders. “Who did this? Tell me!”

You shook your head.

“Tell me!” He demanded. You refused. He pushed you away. “Don’t forget this day. Don’t think I don’t know who you are. I know my parents were going to have dinner with Mr. L/N tonight, that’s why they didn’t want me at home.” He glared at you. “I’ll get back at you one day, y/n. Don’t forget.”

“What are you waiting for?” You slurred. “Why don’t you just kill me now?”

“y/n.”

“No, Jisung. Tell me,” you laughed, “why won’t you get back at me already?”

“You’re not in the right mind, y/n. You’re drunk and high.”

“Your point?” You looked at him and squinted, trying to focus on him, but you decided not to anymore and laughed before averting your gaze to another joint.

As you reached for it, Jisung took it away from you. You pouted as you looked at him taking a hit.

“That’s mine.”

“y/n-“

“Stop taking what’s mine!”

He sighed as he put the joint aside and knelt in front of you. For a moment, you realized how handsome he really was. You remembered how he smiled, how he laughed a bit, how he helped you in your apartment, how nervous he seemed around guns and knives, but he had one on him now, he always had one, it was a rule.

Your eyes widened. He has a knife. You tried to scramble away from him but he held your waist.

“N-no, let me go!” You squirmed. “You have a knife, let me go!”

“y/n,” he said sadly, “I’m not going to hurt you.”

“Why not, huh? My Father killed your parents! Why not kill me for revenge? Why not just sell me out to the Nakamuras? Why tell me? Why save me? Why, why, why?” You were screaming at his face now, frightened but angry, disappointed but not surprised.

You knew it wasn’t going to take long until one of your dad’s enemies used your little ‘project’ thing as a way to slip a spy in. Everyone who applied to you knew how your business worked, inside and out, that’s why if they didn’t make the cut, they died.

“Because your Father killed them, not you.” Jisung replied calmly. “It took me some time to accept that. I knew the fastest way to take revenge on him was to kill his only child, that’s why I feigned stupidity. To get closer to you. But as I got to know you, I realized, you had nothing to do with their deaths.” Jisung’s eyes were tearing up. “You were just there when he killed them, he made you stay there. He made you look at their deaths.” He started crying.

You lowered your hands, his hands still on your waist. “Jisung…”

“I wanted to kill you, I did. But I can’t bring myself to.” He sniffled and rested his head on your legs, you could feel his tears wetting your thighs. “You have no fault. And I can see this isn’t the life you want.”

You stiffened. Maybe it was because his warm breath was hitting your skin and you were drunk and high, or maybe because he was right: this isn’t the life you wanted.

You used your hands to lift up his head and wiped his cheeks. “I’m so sorry, Jisung. I know how it feels like to lose one parent, I can’t imagine how it feels like to lose both in one night.”

He smiled sadly and held one of your hands.

“You know, you’re not as bad as they say. You have a heart.” He said softly and you felt yourself tearing up. “They don’t see you like I do, why is that?”

“Maybe because,” you hesitated. Were you really ready to admit these to both yourself and him? Were you ready to admit how something about him made you feel close to him, how you felt safe to seem somehow vulnerable to him?

“y/n, tell me.” He said softly as he wiped your cheek. You didn’t even notice that you had started crying.

“Maybe because I let you in my heart without even knowing it.” You admitted. “You saw me smile, you made me laugh, I wanted you to be close to me wherever I was. I never took anyone else shopping with me, you know.” He chuckled. “There’s something about you, Jisung. Something I’m afraid of, and it’s not the knife.”

“Don’t be,” he said as he moved his face closer to you, “let me in, y/n. Don’t be afraid of me, don’t be afraid of my heart.”

“Jisung…”

“I won’t turn you over to the Nakamutas. I won’t kill you. I’ll come up with a way to get revenge on your Father, that is if you don’t rat out on me and get me killed.”

You laughed softly. You knew you couldn’t turn him in. Without knowing, you had fallen in love with him.

“I won’t.” You promised. “I won’t turn you in.”

“So, you’ll let me in?”

“I’ll let you in.” You said softly and that was all he needed to hear before kissing you.

The two weeks were over, you and Jisung may have fucked every now and then, and you kept your promise as he kept his. The revenge he decided to take was taking the risk of falling in love with you and seeing if he made the cut. If he did, then he’ll work his way up from there.

You knew his plan. He knew you were inheriting your Father’s place, both as Boss and CEO, in two years. But that was something you’d worry about some other time, now it was time to see Jisung’s abilities. And your Father couldn’t have been crueler.

He made Jisung’s deliberation day your birthday.

And if there’s another thing you knew about your Father, he never missed a thing that was happening.

You were seated at the far end of the table with all the other important people of the mafia. Your dad was in the center and at each side, there was the head of Security, Kim, then there was the head of weapon dealerships, Khon, followed by the head of drug dealings, Im, and lastly, the head of smuggling, Lee.

At first, the deliberation was going smoothly, and it seemed as if Jisung was safe. His performance in the past week was incredible. He was an expert in shooting, he could throw knives from a couple of feet away and hit the target right in the chest, he knew how to smuggle items from Father’s corporation to another, and he knew who to target to deal drugs.

But your Father had to pull one last question.

“Jisung,” he started, “it has also come to my attention that aside from all the training you receive and lessons my daughter has given you, it seems that you’ve given her your heart as well.”

Your eyes widened, but you tried to stay calm. There was one rule between you and your clients: no strings attached.

“Is this true?”

“No, sir.” Jisung answered, not missing a single beat. He looked at you. “I don’t love your daughter. I only used her body.”

“And why is that?”

“She was vulnerable, sir. Let her guard down.” He was stabbing you in the heart. “She means nothing to me.”

Your Father stood up and went towards you. You didn’t look at him, you were too busy trying to read what Jisung was trying to do, see if he meant anything he said, you hoped he didn’t.

“Then, you won’t mind if I do this.”

Before you knew it, your Father, your own Father, had a gun pointed at your head.

“F-Father!” You spun your head and met his gaze. No fear, no warmth, no regret- your Father didn’t seem human at all. “What are you-“

“What did I say about vulnerability? It gets you killed.” He cocked the gun and looked behind you, at Jisung. “You haven’t said anything. This is your final test. Do you mind if I killed my own daughter?”

Your heart broke as Jisung answered, “No, sir.”

“Then you have failed.” Your Father aimed at Jisung, and without thinking, you reached for your knife and stabbed your Father in the chest. His eyes widened. “y/n-“

“It was something I should’ve done long ago, Father. You killed mom, you killed his parents, you kill anyone and everyone. You care for no one.”

“I care about you!”

“You only care for me because I’m your only child. If I had a brother, you would’ve had him inherit this company and this group. Do you not know what people say behind your backs? How they plan to kill you? The very men you made as your heads-“

“Miss y/n!”

“Sir, she’s lying!”

“I’m only doing them a favor.” You finished. “I’m doing myself a favor.”

You were at the ground now, your Father slowly dying. “I can still pull the trigger.” He threatened.

“Jisung’s smarter than to stay where he was.”

That night, your Father’s death was mourned by the country, as if a King had died. You rolled your eyes as you shut the television off.

“They don’t even know him. If they did, they would’ve celebrated his death, not mourned it.”

Jisung sat beside you and hugged you. “You say that, but I know it hurts.”

It was true. “Stop reading me.”

Jisung chuckled and pulled away to kiss your forehead. “You were brave. I didn’t think the meeting was going to go that way.”

“Neither did I.”

“But you’re okay now. Tomorrow, you’ll face the press claiming your spot as CEO.” You nodded. “But tonight, you’re mine.”

Jisung kissed you and you let out a surprised sound before kissing him back. You both smiled in the kiss before it got heated. His hand went from your cheek to the back of your neck, deepening the kiss. You parted your lips and he slipped his tongue in. You straddled him and wrapped your hands around his neck, pulling him closer. His other hand went under your shirt and drew small circles at your waist as his lips went down to your neck.

You sighed softly as he nipped and licked your neck, sure to leave marks. He then slowly took you off his lap as he made his way down, taking your shirt off in the process. He kissed your chest as he worked on your bra buckle and took them off. He licked your nipples and you tugged at his hair as he laid you down on the bed and made his way down to your stomach, peppering it with soft kisses.

He made it to your shorts, and he took them off before going back to your lips and kissing you harder, deeper, more passionate than he ever did. One hand supported him as he hovered over you, while the other made its way down to your panties. He stroked your clit from the outside, making you wet little by little. You squirmed under his touch and he chuckled, going back to your neck and focusing on the areas he hadn’t marked yet.

“Jisung,” you breathed out.

He hummed against your skin as he made his way down once more, this time reaching your panties. He slid them off and kissed your thighs.

“You’re wet, baby.” He said proudly. “Who made you wet?”

“You did, Ji, you did.”

He licked your clit and you gasped at the sudden sensation. He then started to eat you out, hands holding onto your thighs. He moaned and pulled away briefly to say, “You taste good, baby. So good.” He then continued to eat you out. You moaned and gripped the sheets as his tongue darted in and out of you at a pace you didn’t think was possible. Just when you thought you were going to cum, he pulled away and you whined.

Jisung chuckled. “I want you to cum from my cock, baby, not my tongue.” He took his clothes off and you watched him the whole time, your heart hammering against your chest.

Sure, you two have fucked, but this time, it felt different.

“I love you.” You blurted out. Jisung stared at you and you blushed. “F-forget I said that-“

“I love you, too.” Jisung cut you off as he went back down and kissed your forehead. “I love you.”

He looked into your eyes for permission, and you nodded. Not long after, he entered you and groaned as you moaned.

“How are you still so tight? I fuck you every day.”

“Maybe- ah- maybe you just get bigger every time you fuck me.”

That seemed to turn him on. “Fuck, y/n.”

He started slowly, looking at you as you squirmed and moaned under him. He loved it, he loved the way you looked. He loved how he was the only boy who could see you like this. How he was the only one who could make you moan and scream his name.

“Faster, Ji. I want more.” You breathed out.

“Okay, baby.” He followed, quickening his thrusts, hitting the spot every time. “Fuck, you feel so good.”

You couldn’t make words out as his cock filled you up, going in and out of you at a fast pace. You moaned as he made it even faster, praising you and telling you how good you were, how good you felt. He was as close as he could possibly be, skin on skin, your moans filling up the room, heat rising.

The heat at the bottom of your stomach pooled up and you scratched Jisung’s back, sure to leave marks on him the way your neck had marks from his kisses.

“Jisung, I-I’m close.” You managed to breathe out between moans.

“Me too, baby.” He pulled away from your body as to not hurt you as he went as fast he could, chasing both yours and his climax.

His groans grew louder as your moans did. He moaned your name as he came, his cock twitching inside you as you came as well, almost screaming his name.

You were both a panting mess as he pulled out and laid down beside you. After some time, he peppered your face with soft kisses, and you giggled a bit. He smiled and brushed his thumb against your cheek.

“I love you,” he said, “don’t forget.”

---

chan woojin minho changbin hyunjin felix seungmin

[jj-lynn21]

HOLLYWOOD MOBSTERS Starring Bill Skarsgard and his family ch 3

ch 1  ch 2  ch4 ch 5 ch 6 ch 7

Bunny’s Gentlemen’s club music

Thank you for reading  @fake-me-out  @crazyjam-pot @super-pink-a-palouza​ @polireader​ @sunandshinee​ @kata180 

Warnings: Violence, smut, angst, cursing, 

Photos from esquire Singapore September 2019, Calvin Klein, IMDB and Ejalo’s Instagram 

Valter sits in a room with no windows. A mirror in front of him he knows is two way. He makes faces and flips off whom ever is watching with both hands.

Detective Donald Wings walks in with a smug look on his face, “You’re a little prick, aren’t you?”

“Ask your daughter,” Valter smirked.  He knew it was dangerous to be dating a detective’s daughter but when Angel first flirted with him and he found out her Father’s profession he figured he could use her as leverage to get out of situations like this. But that was two years ago. Now he would never do that. But that didn’t mean he wouldn’t remind her Father he was fucking his daughter on the regular.

The detective pretends to trip and slaps him hard across the face.

Valter’s head jerks to the left as he is slapped. He glares at the Detective and spits blood at him. “I think you owe me a phone call. And I’m not saying another fucking word until my lawyer is here.” He leans back with a smirk on his face, cuffed hands behind his head.

The detective is obviously pissed, “You smug little…”

A woman walks in, “That’s enough detective Wings. We will be taking over here.” When she turns her jacket says F.B.I in large yellow letters.

“You are going to let this punk go, aren’t you?”  The detective gets in the smaller looking woman’s face as if it would change what she was going to do.

She stares down Valter ignoring the detective trying to intimidate her, “That depends on him. We definitely found enough drugs on him, in his room and around his frat house to put him away for life.”

Valter smirks arrogantly. The detective shook his head and left. He watched with others through the two-way mirror.

“I think you need to wipe that look off your face and listen to everything I have to offer before your lawyer gets here,” She sat on the edge of the metal table with her arms crossed. “We are unsure about your family’s activities, but we know people your family deals with have illegal interests. I am sure your family would not be very happy you were picked up with the amounts of products we found on you. All we are asking is for you to wear a wire until we get what we need. Then today’s transgression will disappear. When your lawyer gets here the deal expires.”

Alex relaxes on one of the couches at Bunny’s Gentlemen's Club while Amanda dances over his lap undulating her hips, when he gets an anonymous call about what is going on with Valter. He says nothing to the person on the other end eyes on the girl he knows wants more than to give him a lap dance. He just hangs up. Alex thinks on it and decides to deal with it when his brother comes to him. He prays his brother makes good decisions in such a difficult situation.

Alex grabs the girl by the hips and puts his lips to the triangle shaped lace of her panties. Her breath hitched. He pulls her under him on the couch. He sniffs from her wet pussy pussy up her body to her ear biting the lobe before speaking, “Are you sure you want to fuck your boss before your first night begins Amanda?”

His hips press against hers so she can feel his excitement build., “Yes,” her lips quivered as she spoke the word.”

“Now that I have your consent on video, you will get more than you bargained for sweet girl.”

He moves down again ripping the lace panties off with his teeth.  Pulling her legs over his shoulders he teases her opening with his tongue. She is already writhing as he sucks on her clit. As he works her up, he gets the lubricated condom from his back dress pants pocket. He manages to get his pants off and the condom on before moving up into her hard and fast. She moaned as his hips met hers with every deep thrust he made. When he had her coming her eyes couldn’t focus. Her nails dug into the back of his shirt making holes until they impaled his skin. As she road out the pleasure he came with a loud growl of satisfaction.

He got up. Went behind the bar and deposited the condom in the trash. Fixed himself up. Made a strong drink. Amanda lay on the couch breathless. One leg and arm hanging over the side.

“You better get that hot ass moving,” Alex swirls his drink with a smirk on his face. “You have a show in an hour, and I believe you need to find a new outfit.” He turns on the music for the evening. 

Amanda gets up and heads to the back dressing rooms walking a little awkwardly. What is left of her panties are in her hand. A few other girls, Bunny and Taylor, come out to practice their routines on two of the three poles in the center of the room. “Good evening Daddy.” They both say in Unison.

He lifts his refilled drink to them, “evening ladies. Are you ready for me to open the door to the heathens?”

They both giggled hanging upside down. Alex nodded to a Bouncer that had walked in the door as the girls started dancing. The bouncer started checking I.D.s as he let people in the club.

At nine forty-five Bill and Gustaf pull near the meeting site. They get out of Gustaf black Maserati. They open the truck arming themselves with guns, and knives attach or tucking the weapons to various parts of their bodies. The process is smooth and quick. They both have flack jackets under there Brioni suits. Gustaf leaves a large duffle in a secret compartment in the trunk with the product to drop at Club Rose Bud across town if the deal is made and cash is correct.

They stroll along the mostly dark waterfront behind Bunny’s and other businesses. There are only a few lights scattered.  The noises from the evening parties at the club, bars and restaurants could easily drown out anything happening behind them. Four guys walk towards Bill and Gustaf in black and blue off the rack suits. They stop a few feet away from each other. There is some tension in the air as there always is in these dealing with the Malforal cousins, Montachello, Richard, Robert and Derick.

“I heard your girl had an accident,” Montachello fanes remorse before adding, “It would be a shame if there were any other accidents in the family.”

Bill takes a few steps toward the guy, “You so of Bitch.”

Gustaf Puts his hand in front of his chest to stop him.

“Did you fucking kill her? I’ll fucking kill all four of you and your whole fucking family you hear me?” Bill screamed angerly his hand on the gun on his back. “I’ll fucking kill you.”

Montachello smirks, “I didn’t say we had any knowledge of that, but I didn’t say we didn’t.” He looks at Bill like he is daring him to touch him.

“Fuck you, your dead,” Bill goes to pull his gun and charge the four.

Gustaff pushes him back a few feet. Bill glares at his Brother.

“Let’s see if they have the cash,” Gustaf said calmly. “When we get the cash. They get the death they are fucking begging for with that taunting bullshit. Even if just one of their family did the hit, they will get the message not the mess with the Skarsgards again.”

Bill and Gustaff walk back to the fours Malforal cousins.

“Do you have the agreed-on price?” Gustaf asked.

“We do,” Montachello motioned back to car. “In the back seat. Do you have the coke cola?” He chuckles at the code name the Skarsgards use for their drugs.

“As in all our dealings as soon as we count the cash, we will drop what you are in need of off at Club Rose Bud.”  Gustaf reminded them.

Montachello snaps his fingers. Derick goes to grab the bag. “Maybe You should be with your girl Billy.”  He pulls his gun.

Bill and Gustaf pull two apiece.

“You fucker!” Bill shoots him and Richard right between the eyes. He empties one of his clip into Montachello’s face. “This is for Genna you sick fucking bastard cock sucking fucker!” He stands there a moment in shock at his own brutal deed.

Gustaf shot Robert between the eyes at the same time he shot the case of money out of Derick’s hand. Derick shot at Gustaf. Bill saw Gustaf go down. Bill walked straight towards Derick  hitting the hand with the gun so Derick dropped it before Bill shot him emptying his clip into his chest. Bill was screaming,“None of you fuckers deserve to live!” 

Derick had hit Gustaf before Bill took him out. Bill grabs the money bag. Then he runs over to Gustaf laying Gustaf’s head on the bag. “Hey, come on Gustaf, get up. I don’t know what to do with them. I was never involved in this shit. Fuck!”

Gustaf comes to, “Bill you alright?”

“Yeah, no…those fuckers are all dead.” Bill was panicked but high from what happened. He thought those fuckers that killed his girl got what was coming to them.  “Fuck, were you shot man? Where were you hit?”

“I’m alright Bill, I’m alright,” Gustaf felt where the bullet hit his chest. “That’s exactly why I told you we had to wear the bullet proof vests. Dumb fucks thought they were working with armatures. Good job little Brother. Help me to the car. My chest hurts. I’m going to have one hell of a bruise.”

Bill helps him up, “Should I call Sam?” He opens the car door and helps Gustaf inside. He tosses the money in he back seat. “What do we do with them. This is a fucking mess. Maybe I shouldn’t have…”

“You fucking did the right thing,” Gustaf interrupted. “I’ll call the cleaners. You have one more big job before we go meet up with Alex at Bunny’s.”

“What’s that?” Bill has not moved from open passenger door. “Fuck I fucking killed three fucking guys, fuck…”

“It is going to fine Bill,” Gustaf said. “You need to drive us to Club Rose Bud. Drive right up to the back door. Knock once. When someone answers hand whoever it is the product and say, ‘this is from the Skarsgards’. The person will probable just nod and take the bag. Then I will talk to Alex.”

Bill starts driving. He smacks the steering wheel, “Fuck, fuck fuck, Alex is going to be fucking pissed at me.”

“He’s not,” Gustaf grabbed his cellphone. All he said when someone answered was “waterfront” and he hung up. “I’ll explain everything. Shit goes sideways with the Malforals all the time. Not this sideways but they pulled their guns first. I also think they admitted to killing your girl. They taunted you. Fuck, you held it together the best you could. This is not on you. You did what you had to do.”

Bill drives to the Malforals’ club, grabs what his family promised them for the money and goes to the back door. It goes as smoothly as Gustaf said. Bill knocks once. The guy at the door takes the bag and the message that its contents are from his family and it is done. They head to Bunny’s Gentlemens club. Gustaf calls Alex to meet them at the back door to their club. When they get there, Bill helps Gustaf out of the car.

“Grab the money Bill,” Gustaf’s breathing was labored. “We can’t leave it in the car.”

Bill nodded, flung the bag strap over his left shoulder and let his brother lean on his right as they went to the back door. Bill kicked the door a few times.  Alex opened the door. One of the club security guys is behind Alex.  Gustaf protests when the three of them carry him to a sitting room.

“I can fuck walk,” He complains. “My chest just hurts like hell.”

Bill’s face and suit are covered in blood splatter from how close he got to the guys he shot. His eyes were big as he started to beg Alex’s forgiveness, “I’m so fucking sorry Alex. They said they killed her. They fucking killed Genna. I know I fucked up your normal business. Fuck I should have never been there. Been here, fuck I’m so fucking fucked right now.” He starts to pace the room.  

Alex looks bewildered, “Its fine Bill. I’m not angry at you or Gustaf. Sometimes shit just goes down wrong. Sit down.”

Bill keeps pacing, “This isn’t my fuck life. I don’t fucking kill people…”

Alex helps Gustaff off with his shirt. There are five bullets embedded in the flack jack.

“Sit the Fuck down Bill!” Alex orders. “No Bullets made it all the way though.” He takes off the jacket to see Gustaf’s black and blue chest. “Your chest did take a beating Gustaf.”

“But I’m still ticking,” Gustaf laughed and cringed when it hurt his chest.

Bill sat in the corner with his knees to his chest mumbling, “I don’t fucking kill people like that…”

Alex looks to the security guard, “Bring Bunny in here.” He grabs his phone and takes pictures of Gustaf’s chest. “I’m going to send these to Sam. I am pretty sure you have a least one cracked or broken rib. We will probably have to take you to his clinic for an x-ray.”

Bunny comes in followed by the security guard, “Your chest looks quite beautiful,” She jokes to Gustaf.

He chuckles and winces, “I’ll be fine doll.”

“Can you help out Bill,” Alex nods to his brother in the corner. “He’s a little traumatized by tonight’s transactions. Take him to the bedroom with the shower. Strip him down. We will burn his and Gustaf’s suits. There should be a tracksuit that fits him in the closet. Just talk to him. Do what you can to help him feel better.”

“No problem Daddy,” She slowly approaches Bill speaking calmly. “Hey, baby boy let’s go clean you up.” She touches his hand. He flinches away. “Its ok. Please, let me help you.”

Bill looks at her. His eyes glossy. Bunny takes his hand again. He lets her.

“That’s a good boy,” She smiles sweetly. “Now will you get up and follow me so I can clean you up?”

Bill nods slowly. He pushes himself up against the wall. Bunny’s hand stays in his. Her eyes focused on his. He turns seeing His brothers. Eyes widen in horrific terror from his deeds again. Bunny snaps her fingers.

“Eyes on me baby boy,” She gets in his line of site.

She leads him out of the room to go get him cleaned up. 

[knox-knocks]

hello! congrats on 1k!! can i request a one shot with neil trying out stilettos, fishnets and make up + andrew's reaction? thanks! xx

hello!!! i was super excited for this request, thank you for sending it! it’s in bullet points if that’s alright though! 

It’s Neil’s second year at Palmetto and Halloween is coming up 

Neil has already decided that he does NOT want to dress up in a costume, no matter how much Nicky pleads with him

“You can’t show up to Eden’s without a costume!” Nicky exclaims for the fifth time. 

“There’s no rules that say I have to wear a costume,” Neil says, also for the fifth time.

Neil is debating staying at Palmetto while everyone else goes to Columbia anyway. He only decides to go with because the whole team is going (with the exception of a couple Freshmen, who have their own plans) and Neil wants every chance he can to have all of his Foxes together before Dan, Allison, and Renee graduate.

But still, he’s not going to dress in any of the stupid costumes Nicky keeps shoving in his arms. (An astronaut? Really? Neil looks like he’s wearing a fishbowl on his head).

“I just don’t get the point of dressing up in weird costumes when I can just wear what I usually wear. One night of the year shouldn’t be any different,” Neil says while he’s hanging out with Dan and Allison in their room. He’s slouched against their couch, taking up two cushions, his feet thrown over one of the arms. 

“You don’t have to wear a costume, Neil.” Dan points out. 

“That’s what I’m saying!” Neil throws his hands in the air, nearly knocking over the opened bottle of nail polish Allison is balancing on her knee. “I don’t have to dress up.”

“That’s not what she’s saying.” Allison peers down at Neil with an immaculate eyebrow raised. When he stares at her blankly, she rolls her eyes with a faux-exasperated sigh. “Halloween is the time to try new things, too. You don’t have to dress as a zombie but you can dress up, if you want. If you decide you don’t like it afterwards, you don’t have to wear it ever again.”

Neil scrunches up his face. “What would I wear? My Eden’s clothes are fine.”

“That’s up for you to decide. Just think about it. And if you need any help, you know where to find me.”

Neil thinks about it, but he’s still unsure. 

So he decides to enlist for Allison’s help. 

When he arrives at the girls’ dorm, Allison and Nicky are waiting for him.

“Neil why didn’t you say you didn’t want to wear a costume!” Nicky says. If it weren’t for the joking glint in his eye Neil might have throttled him. He’s still thinking about it.

The three of them spend the better part of the night planning. Allison and  Nicky propose different styles of clothes, compare fabrics, and debate colors while Neil chooses which ones he likes best. After a couple hours, Allison and Nicky have a pretty good idea what Neil might like to try. They order him a couple clothes and send him on his way.

Neil doesn’t quite know how to feel about it. The clothes they ended up picking were a lot different than he’s used to. He’s not quite ready for crop-tops, no matter how Allison pleaded and begged, but Neil thinks he’ll be a bit more comfortable in the clothes he picked out. It’s not jeans and a comfortable hoodie, but it might work. And if Neil is being honest with himself, there is a spark of interest, of curiosity in his chest. It is only one night, and Neil doesn’t have to commit, but it is something different, something new. 

Halloween rolls around and Neil finds himself being pulled into the girls’ dorm once again. 

Dan and Matt were already dressed. They sat together on the couch; Frankenstein and his bride. Matt’s hair is still heavily gelled so that it sticks straight up. He holds strands of Dan’s hair for her while she vigorously teases it up with a comb. When they catch sight of Neil, Matt gives a happy wave and Dan calls out a muffled greeting. 

Allison has set out an array of makeup on the coffee table and is working on applying it to her face, a tall witch’s hat perched on her head. She is about halfway through with the purple glitter on her eyelids when she turns around and motions for Neil to grab the bag of clothes next to her. 

Inside, Neil finds the clothes Allison ordered for him online. 

The shirt is made out of an expensive material; black mesh with a dark red undershirt that feels like silk. It’s soft in Neil’s hands, and Neil sets it down carefully on the bathroom sink. The next thing he grabs is the pair of black shorts. Neil was a little wary about them. They were shorter than his running shorts, and what little fabric would cover Neil’s legs was ripped “artfully” as Nicky put it. Still, Neil didn’t want to just wear the fishnets. 

The fishnets. 

The last thing Allison bought. The thing Neil is most wary about. 

Neil reaches into the bag and drew out the red fishnet stockings. They seem smaller than they are supposed to be, but the fabric is stretchy and doesn’t seem too hard to get on. 

Neil gets dressed quickly and twists around, studying the clothes on his body and deciding how he feels about them. 

They fit nicely. The shorts are tight and high-waisted, hugging his hips and thighs, but not uncomfortably so. The shirt is a bit looser, and while the material is pretty sheer, Neil can’t see any of his scars peaking through. He smooths his hands down his sides. The fabric is comfortable and easy to move around in. 

Allison is right. The fishnets do make his legs look good. He thought perhaps he likes them. 

When Neil left the bathroom, Matt lets out a low whistle. Dan looks him up and down and grins while Allison considers him, a manicured finger tapping her lip. Renee had appeared in the time it took for Neil to get dressed, and she gave him a smile and a small thumbs up.

“Am I done?” Neil asks. 

“Tuck in your shirt and come here,” Allison commands and turns back to her display of makeup. 

Neil does as he’s told and plops down next to Allison. Allison peruses her collection of glitters and shadows before plucking a long tube from a pile of other long tubes.

“How do you feel about mascara?”

Neil squints suspiciously at the sleek purple tube. “I’d prefer not to have my eyes poked out.”

Dan snorts from the other side of the couch and Allison gives him an unimpressed look. 

“Fine. Your eyelashes are already pretty dark, you ungrateful bastard.” Allison sets down the purple tube and grabs something else. “But I want you try some eyeliner. It’ll make your eyes pop.”

“How is that any better?”

“Don’t be a baby and give me your face.”

Allison places a hand on the side of Neil’s face and draws him closer. A couple careful strokes of the pencil later, and she leans back to consider her work. She tilts her head from side to side and adds a couple more strokes below his eyes as well. 

When she releases him, Neil blinks, resisting the urge to rub at his eyes. Allison already has another thing of makeup in her hand when Neil is sure his eyes aren’t going to water and ruin everything. 

“What does that do?” Neil asks. 

“It’s highlighter. This one’s more glittery so it’ll look great under the lights at Eden’s.”

“You’re gonna glow,” Matt chirps, startling Neil. He’s almost forgotten Dan and Matt were here as well. 

“Okay,” Neil says. He trusts her. When Neil got back from Evermore his Freshman year, it was Allison who painted over Neil’s mottled bruises and made him look good as new. A smile curves Allison lips and she flicks open the lid and applies the powder along Neil’s cheeks with a soft brush.

“Lastly,” Allison says “is lip gloss.”

She unscrews the lid and takes out the wand. Neil licks his lips, debating whether he should let Allison apply it on him. He nods his head.

“It’s only a tint,” Allison says quietly, focusing on covering Neil’s lips with a glossy layer, “but it’ll make your lips look nice and pink and,” Allison wipes a bit of lip gloss away from where it got on Neil’s skin, “kissable.”

Neil huffs a laugh. “Kissable?”

“It’s also strawberry flavored.” Allison smirks. “But don’t you dare lick your lips.”

“I wasn’t going to.” Neil scowls. He was absolutely going to.

Dan gives Neil one of her chokers to wear and helps him hook it round his neck. It’s not as tight as Neil thought it would be, it’s actually pretty comfortable. He laces up his boots and straightens up to find the Upperclassmen watching him.

“Okay, you’re done,” Allison says, nodding approvingly. “Now let’s go party.”

Andrew is waiting in the parking lot for Neil and the others to come down. Neil has the pleasure of seeing him before he spots Neil. He’s leaning against the Maserati with a cigarette propped lazily between his fingers and his lips. His hair is slicked back with gel, and the vampire costume is predictably, black. The only thing he’s wearing that isn’t black is the white button down shirt that looks like it belongs in the original Dracula movie and the inside of the cape, which is a blood red. Neil wonders if he even has fake fangs. 

Andrew takes a drag from his cigarette and glances up as Neil approaches. His eyes lock on Neil’s face and the hand holding his cigarette drops an inch from his lips and freezes. Neil tries not to look too pleased when Andrew’s eyes drag down his body and linger on each new article of clothing. 

“What are you supposed to be,” Andrew grunts. He drops the cigarette and grinds it out with the heel of his shoe. 

“Dracula’s boyfriend,” Neil says and earns a supremely unimpressed look from Andrew. 

“Alright let’s go!” Nicky shouts, running to the Maserati in his golden gladiator costume. “Preferably before it gets dark and Eden’s runs out of tequila!” 

Andrew’s gaze is heavy on Neil’s. When Neil grins, a smug smile curving his lips, Andrew’s eyes drop to his mouth. His throat bobs. 

“It’s strawberry flavored,” Neil says. Andrew’s eyes snap back up to his.

The lip gloss doesn’t last throughout the night. Neil thinks he likes these new clothes.

[kates-sweet-escape]

[WH] YOURS - THE SERIES: CHAPTER FOUR

pairing: Wonho X Reader (female)

genre: Angst / Suspense

word count: 4.1k

summary: It’s time for you to escape. Not only from the police but also from the memories of your past

a/n: You are living with a fake identity. Whenever you read Y/F/N people call you by your fake first name.

cover: Made by me.

Picture credit: Official Monsta X

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

chapter index: Prologue | 01 | 02 | 03 | 04

You watched as Hoseok got up on his feet, all resilience fading from his face in the exact second his feet touched the ground. He was a lot more hurt then he’d led you to believe. That stupid idiot. His pride would get him killed one day. Maybe even today which would turn you into collateral damage of his stupid male antics. Why the hell was it so damn hard for him when he wasn’t feeling alright? When he was struggling and in pain? It was really beyond you. But then again, the two of you really didn’t have the kind of relationship anymore where you would admit any weaknesses.

Hoseok’s skin turned into an even more alarming shade of grey while he was swaying on his feet. His hand was shaking as he reached out for the bedside table, gripping it tight to keep himself upright. He really must be in a lot of pain, judging by how he gritted his teeth as he tried to stand up straight, his skin now covered in cold sweat. He wouldn’t be able to move by himself. Let alone run. You would need to help him if you both wanted to make it out of here. 

“Let me help you.” You took a step closer to him and as soon as you were within reach Hoseok slung his arm around your shoulder. 

His sudden weight made you waver. God, he was heavy.

“Stand still for f*ck sake,” he hissed, “I’m already feeling like I’m on a friggin’ rollercoaster.”

Easier said than done. Your body was struggling to steady the both of you If you wanted to keep him upright, you needed to have a strong hold on him since Hoseok was a lot bigger than you. Good thing you’d been keeping in shape, working out three times a week.. 

You slung your arm around Hoseok’s waist and when your skin touched his, you could feel the heat rising up to your cheeks. His skin was cold. But your memories of touching it unfortunately weren’t. 

No. God… Please, not now.  

“Are you blushing?” You didn’t have the courage to face Hoseok after his accurate observation. Instead, you started moving towards the window. 

“I told you to shut up.” You had no time to think about that racing heart of yours. The footsteps were drawing closer very quickly. You still had to climb out of the window and walk over a large meadow to get back to the parking lot in front of the ER where you’d left Changkyun’s car. And since the both of you weren’t exactly quick, you’d need every second of lead that you could get.

“Are you ready?”

“As ready as I’ll ever be.” 

Your entire body shook when Hoseok leaned almost his entire weight on you as he was climbing over the sill. Sweat was dripping form his forehead and he had to take a few deep breaths in order not to throw up from the immense pain. Your heart ached as you watched him. A tiny part of you desperately wishing for another way out but you knew this was the only option. So you had to push through. Both of you. You could hear Hoseok groaned when he jumped out the window and you hurriedly followed him. He wouldn’t make it to the car. Not without your help. 

You landed on the grass right next to him. Hoseok was bent over, his back leaning against the wall and was dry heaving, his skin now a mixture of grey and green. His hands rested on his knees and he was taking one shaky breath after the other. It was hard on you to see him suffer like this. A lot harder than you’d like to admit. But you needed to keep moving.

“Come on,” you mumbled softly as you ran your hand over his back just like you’d done all those times when he’d been very sick. “Endure it,” you said as your hand moved from the small of his back all the way up to his neck. “We gotta go. Only a few more feet and we’ll be outta here.”

Hoseok was eying you doubtfully, a few black strands of his hair sticking to his forehead. There was nothing but silence between you and it felt like an eternity until he finally nodded. 

You took his arm and placed it on your shoulders again. “Come on. You can do this.”

When you took the first step, he was swaying so much, that you were sure you’d fall over. But with a grunt he stood up as straight as he could while steadying himself. 

Good. Now you just needed to move a little faster. 

You took a few slow steps to get Hoseok used to your movements. When you matched in step you dared to speed up. Halfway over the meadow you were almost jogging. If you’d be able to keep up the pace, you’d maybe get out of here without running into th-

“POLICE!” You turned your head a little to look back over your shoulder. An officer was leaning out the window, his head bright red as he was screaming at you in anger. “STAY RIGHT WHERE YOU ARE!”

Sorry. No can do. 

You looked straight ahead and tightened your hold on Hoseok's waist. You couldn’t be easy on him any longer. You needed to hurry the hell up. 

“Wait.” Hoseok gagged. “Slow down. I can’t…”

“Well, you have to.” You pulled him even closer. “I am sorry but if we want to get out of here, you’ll have to.”

Hoseok fell silent, but he kept up with you. With every step you came closer to the parking lot, the more your body was giving out. By now you were out of breath, your dress sticking to your skin due to the sweat that seemed to be covering every inch of your body. When you finally saw the white paint of Changkyun’s car you almost sighed in relief. You led Hoseok to the passenger seat and let go of him. 

“Hurry up and get in,” you said as you were running to the driver's seat. You unlocked the car and opened your door, but Hoseok wasn’t moving. He stared at the car in suspicion. 

“Let me-”

You didn’t have time for this bullsh*t.

“HOSEOK! GET IN THE F*CKING CAR! RIGHT NOW!”

He flinched but then opened the door and fell onto the passenger's seat, a tormented howl leaving his lips by the sudden change in position.

You started the car and rushed out of your parking spot when four policemen came running out the front door of the ER. You could see that they were shouting at each other while pointing at your car. 

Time to get out of here. 

You put the pedal to the metal and the Maserati’s engine growled in anger upon the harsh treatment. With a sudden jolt you were out the parking lot and on the road. 

“Careful!” Hoseok said, gripping the sides of the seat tightly when you made a sudden right turn that would lead you straight towards Gwangan Bridge. You needed to get out of this part of town and into an area where a car like this wouldn’t be that much out of the ordinary. There weren’t many districts in Busan, where that was the case. You were left with Haeundae or Gwangalli. Just your luck! Both of them were on the other side of that goddamn bridge. 

You took a quick look in the rearview mirror. The police was following you. You shifted gears and overtook a car before pulling on the hand brake to force the car around a sharp corner. You missed a pedestrian by a mere inch and the rear swerved.

Their cars wouldn’t be able to keep up with the Maserati. You were sure of that. Thankfully they were forced to play nice while you could use all the dirty tricks that Chae Hyungwon had taught you, whenever your father or Hoseok hadn’t been around to scold him for teaching you how to properly drive at the age of 15.

“God, woman.” Hoseok was holding onto the handgrip as if his life depended on it. “Are you trying to kill us?”  

You stepped on the brake to avoid crashing into another car before overtaking it with a sharp snap on the steering wheel. “Do you want to get caught by the police?”

He shook his head. “No.”

“Then stop being a smartass and let me get us out of here.”

You took a quick look at the clock on the display.. It was 4 P.M. Gwangan Bridge would be pretty busy by now with all sorts of delivery trucks and regular cars heading towards the busy streets of Haeundae and Gwangalli which really came alive during the evening and night. 

Gwangan Bridge was like the beating heart of this city, connecting it all and keeping the system running that otherwise would have seized to exist. 

You’d be able to get rid of them there.

But first of all, you’d have to pass through the gates. 

You could already see the traffic jam that was forming at the tollbooth. As per usual the lanes with the sign Telepass were running smoothly. You chose the one on the far left which was empty and pushed down the accelerator even further. The automatic system that scans the telepass in your boss’ car wouldn’t be fast enough. You would have to slow down considerably. And that wasn’t happening. So there was only one option left. 

“Hold on tight.” 

“Oh f*ck.” Hoseok looked at you, his eyes wide in disbelief as your car rammed the gate which burst into a million little pieces on the window of your car. “Woman are you crazy?”

“Maybe.” 

The police was still behind you, but your car was faster, streamlined and nimbler. You used the traffic to get rid of them, overtaking cars at a rapid pace while switching from one lane to the other effortlessly. All the hours spent with Hyungwon in one of your father’s Mercedes were apparently finally paying off because the police cars in your rearview mirror were getting smaller and smaller. When you took the exit to Haeundae in a risky last minute maneuver there were gone for good.

You slowed down the car and lined up into the regular traffic as if nothing ever happened. At a red light you stopped and waited, just like everybody else. Luckily between the Bently to your right and the Mercedes to your left, your car was a lot less noticeable than before. 

“Nice.” Hoseok finally let go of the handle above his head. He stretched his fingers and you chuckled as you saw that his knuckles had turned white. Such a crybaby. “So Hyungwon didn’t give you lessons back then, huh?”

 “When you asked he didn’t anymore.” You shrugged and drove off as the lights turned green again, staying low-key and following the natural flow of the traffic. You could still feel the adrenaline rushing through your veins. It made your heart beat faster while you started to feel a sense of euphoria about outsmarting the police. 

You could have killed the both of you with this heist but apparently your weird sense of pride didn’t pay any mind to that simple fact. You were on a high that you haven’t felt in… well… in two years. Even since you’d stopped being part of the Clan this sort of excitement had left your life completely. You’d only lived in constant fear. And in constant pain. But now… now you felt alive. Ecstatic even. You noticed that your giggling didn’t stop but that your hands started to shake so you gripped the steering wheel tighter and cleared your throat.

Stop acting like a crazy b*tch. Just calm down.  

“So,” Hoseok said after a little while of silence. “Who are you sleeping with to get a car that is worth over 100 billion won?”

The giggle died in your throat. And so did your excitement. The only thing you were left with was this bitter numbness that was taking a hold of you. 

“You are such an a**hole” you spat out. You weren’t a gold digger. You’d never been that kind of woman. Otherwise you’d never fought your own family in order to be with a guy who didn’t even knew who his parents were. 

“Why?” He shrugged. “Just because I go for the obvious explanation?”

You were still trembling but this time with anger. You had risked it all to save him and this is how he chose to repay your kindness? By throwing accusations your way that were so hurtful because they showcased how little the man you’d loved so dearly before apparently knew you. “You ungrateful son of a-”

You stopped when suddenly the speaker phone in Changkyun’s car lit up the car’s display, letting you know that you had an incoming call. Sh*t. You’d totally forgotten that, as his secretary, your phone was as much connected to this Maserati as Changkyun’s own. 

You looked at the name on the display. This wasn’t exactly a call that you could just ignore. 

Hoseok frowned. “Who is that?”

“That’s my boss. So shut up.” You reached out your hand towards the display in the center console and pressed accept. 

“Y/F/N?!” Changkyun’s voice suddenly filled the car. He sounded very worried and you could feel guilt washing over you. “Are you alright?”

“Hey Changkyun.” You took a left at the intersection and entered one of the lesser expensive parts of Haeundae that was further away from the beach and plastered with apartment buildings. “Yeah, I’m alright. Sorry to have worried you.”

“Thank God. You really scared me, you know?” Changkyun let out a relieved sigh and you smiled a little. You could picture him walking up and down in his office, his phone pressed to his ear while he tried to look all calm and composed while he really wasn’t. “Were you able to take care of what you needed to do?”

“Kind of. But it’ll take some time to wrap it up completely.”  You eyed the injured Hoseok from the corner of your eye who was staring at the display in disapproval. You’d need to take a look at his wounds and possibly mend them again judging by the red stains that were forming on his bandages. Also you’d need to buy some clothes and food for him. “I’m afraid I won’t be able to get back to work for the rest of the day.”

“Don’t worry about it. It’s fine.” You’ve been with Changkyun long enough to know that his tone meant that it wasn’t really fine, but that he would settle with it for now. “But are you really alright? You sound… agitated.”

Yeah. And who’s fault is that? “Sorry. I am just really stressed out. That’s all.” 

“Alright. Is there anything I can do for you?” 

You paused for a while. Could you really trust Changkyun enough to ask for his help? He’s been your boss for the past two years. And over the past few months he’d even become your friend. Also he was the only person with enough money and resources to pull this off unnoticed. So you really had no choice but to have faith in him. 

“Actually, there is.” You paused for a little bit. God, this was a lot harder than you thought it’d be. “But I need you to not ask any questions and to just do as I say.”

“Anything for you.” Changkyun said, without hesitating for even a second.

You spared Hoseok another look, assessing what you’d need to help him. “I need you to send me some morphine, disinfectant, bandages, needles and stitch.”

Silence fell across the car. The only sounds that were audible were the subtle purring of the engine and the clicking of the indicator as you set it up to the right to drive into the underground parking garage that was attached to your apartment complex. You really hoped that he would agree. After years of working for him and sometimes even doing his dirty work like kicking out his last night hook-ups or making documents disappear to get the upper hand in negotiations you really hoped that he would return the favour.  

Changkyun let out a drawn-out sigh. “Y/F/N - What have you gotten yourself into?”

You parked the car at the very end of the garage. “Can or can you not do this for me?”

Changkyun stayed silent for what seemed like an eternity. Then he finally responded. “Of course. I’ll send somebody trustworthy over to your place.”

“Thank you, Changkyun. I really owe you one.” Thank God that he was willing to help you. Otherwise you’d be in a lot of trouble. Well… in a lot more that you already were in. “Oh and… your car needs a new licence plate.”

“You definitely do.” You could hear Changkyun curse under his breath. “I’ll ask Wooki to pick up the car and change the license plate. Keep the car hidden until then.” There was a short pause, before Changkyun chuckled a little. “But you know, I’ll consider that dinner we talked about earlier as sufficient payb-”

Suddenly his voice was gone. The engine was still running, so what the hell was going on. You looked at the display in confusion just to see Hoseok’s hand falling back down into his lap. 

He’d just cut off your boss. In the middle of the conversation. “What do you think you’re doing?”

Hoseok snarled. “I couldn’t keep listening to that idiot.”

“He isn’t an idiot. And he’s actually saving your life with all this. So show some gratitude.”

Hoseok turned his head towards you, your eyes staring straight into yours. “Why should I when he’s sleeping with my woman?”

“I am not sleeping with him,” you answered without a second thought but then you realized that you didn’t have any obligation to answer him. Even if you were sleeping with Changkyun, it was none of his goddamn business. “And I am not your woman either. I left you. Did you already forget that?”

“Not for a single second.” His intense stare made you shift in your seat in discomfort. You turned off the engine of the car and reached for the door handle to get out. You froze in place when suddenly Hoseok’s thumb was brushing over the side of your neck. You felt like your world was going up in flames just by this simple touch and you pushed his hand away as quickly as you possibly could.

“You got your tattoo erased,” he mumbled. Was your mind playing tricks on you or did he really sound devastated? His voice was too soft for you to actually tell. 

You didn’t answer him. Instead you got out of the car. Nobody was in the parking garage. Good. You walked around the hood and opened the door to the passenger seat. You reached out your hand to help Hoseok up. He looked at it for a little while before finally taking it. This time when he slung his arm around your shoulder you didn’t sway on your feet. This time you were ready for the impact. 

You kept silent as you walked him to the elevator. You had to wait for it to arrive for a little while but thankfully when the doors opened the elevator was empty. You stepped inside and pressed the button for the 61st floor. The doors closed and the elevator started moving. 

There was still silence between you. Only the soft music of the elevator was playing in the background when you stood right next to his side, keeping him on his feet while desperately trying to ignore that aching heart in your chest that craved for more than this bitter coldness that you had felt ever since you’d left him. 

The doors of the elevator opened and you stepped out into the hallway with him. The apartment complex was fairly new so the corridor was nice and clean but oddly plain with it’s white walls and the black, shiney floor. You hurriedly walked over to your apartment door and put in the code that you had never changed. 

0103.

You stepped into the small one-room apartment that you called your home. Usually you would have taken off your shoes but they were still in the leg room of Changkyun’s car. You walked in with Hoseok and led him past the kitchen unit and the small table for two. You passed the doors of your built-in closet and the door to your small bathroom. You could feel the heat rising to your cheeks again as you realized that you didn’t have a sofa and there was only one queen-sized bed for the two of you to share. It would only be for one night. Then you’d kick him out. You definitely would.

You helped Hoseok to lie down on the bed and quickly went to the kitchen unit just to get away from him. 

Was your AC not working? Suddenly your otherwise cosy apartment felt stuffy and way too hot. 

You filled a glass with water and walked over to Hoseok. He sat up a little and took the glass out off your hand before drinking. The first sip he took was careful, as if he was afraid that he wouldn’t be able to keep it down but then he suddenly drank it in big gulps as if he’d been dehydrated. Once he had emptied his glass you got up and filled it one more time then you sat down on the side of the bed. Enough with avoiding the elephant in the room.  

“Wonho,” you said carefully. Hoseok stopped drinking and looked at you. “Why does my brother want you dead?”

Hoseok huffed. “That’s none of your business.”

“It obviously is, considering the fact that you are lying in my bed, all sliced up like friggin’ sashimi.” You made a gesture that was pointing at all of the wounds that had been inflicted upon him by Jooheon, your brother’s most loyal attack dog. “So what the hell did you do?”

“I didn’t do shit.” Hoseok put the glass on your white bedside table with a loud thud. The water inside splashed out. “And it’s not your brother who wants me dead.”

“Yeah sure.” You clicked your tongue. “You need to have done something bad for my brother to send Jooheon after you. So you better-”

Hoseok growled, making you stop your verbal assault. “Hyunwoo didn’t send Jooheon after me.” He seemed angered by your assumption that it had been your brother that had sent Jooheon after Hoseok to have him tortured and left to die like an animal.

“What? That doesn’t make any sense.” You shook your head in confusion. No, Hoseok was playing mind games with you. Nobody but your brother had power over Jooheon. He listened to nobody, only loyal to his original owner. “But then why…?”

Hoseok’s expression suddenly softened. “Y/N-” The tone of his voice had changed rapidly. From aggressive and harsh to understanding and almost comforting. There was that careful undertone that you’d only heard from him once in your life and that had been the day your monster of a father had finally passed away.  

“No.” You shook your head and you got up from the bed, taking Hoseok’s water glass to refill it even though it wasn’t empty, as you just kept on rambling. Your brain was already putting together the dark puzzle pieces that Hoseok was throwing your way. But you were in denial as you turned on the water purifier to refill his glass. “You must have wronged Hyunwoo. You must have done something to piss him off and now-”

“He’s dead.”

You looked at Hoseok, your eyes widened with shock. “What?”

Hoseok looked you straight in the eye. “Hyunwoo. Your brother. He’s dead.” 

You didn’t even notice that the glass that you’ve been holding slipped out of your hands and fell on the ground, bursting into a million little pieces. 

“And Jooheon is the new head of The Clan.”

[carshkn500]

Why 2021 Is Shaping Up To Be A Pivotal Year For Electric Vehicles

Electric cars and trucks are the future, and yearly we have actually seen automakers include more EVs to their schedule. Every person is dealing with electric lorries, from reputable existing makers to brand-new names such as Byton, Lordstown, as well as Rivian.

BMW's very first "i" automobiles, the i3 and also i8, depended upon wild, futuristic styles to make a declaration. The following model in the electrical sub-brand has even more standard styling, as it's planned to be similar to the 4-series Gran Sports Car four-door hatchback. BMW has currently announced that the i4 will have 530 hp as well as an 80 kWh battery pack.

The Canoo pickup assures 600 horse power and 200 miles of array. It's smaller than what's normally located in the mid-size pickup section, being 2 feet shorter than the Ford Ranger. Canoo states its pickup will be provided with a six-to-eight-foot pickup bed as well as that it will certainly be available for pre-order mid-2021, with production beginning in 2023.

Canoo is checking a registration service that would enable customers to use as well as pay for the EV just when it's required, like Netflix. Canoo claims this little bus will have a series of 250 miles and also 300 horse power. Information on registration cost or preliminary cost haven't been revealed yet, yet expect more information as we get closer to 2022.

The Future Of Transportation Is Autonomous & Electric

Building off its storied best-selling history and recent collaboration with Rivian, Ford is seeking to make an all-electric version of the F-150 pickup, and it'll be called Lightning. The company wishes it will certainly be robust sufficient to stay clear of estranging its central consumer base while likewise attracting new buyers thinking about possessing a pickup without the carbon footprint of a gasoline engine.

Aston Martin has relaunched the Lagonda name as an all-electric luxury brand for the upper crust. Its wagon hull trips on the same platform as the Aston Martin DBX, which makes us wonder exactly how close an electric DBX is from production. Aston employer Andy Palmer informed us that he expects electric designs to have efficiency comparable to the brand's gas matchings which he expects greater than 300 miles in between check outs to the plug.

Although Lexus is a little late to the party, the luxury brand has announced it will eventually offer an EV drivetrain called Direct 4. It showcased an SUV model with the technology in 2020, with front and also rear electric motors that create 201 horse power and 221 pound-feet of torque each. Total result is unknown. Although the model cars evaluating Direct 4 are likely extremely pre-production test-mules, we anticipate the actual point to be a compact crossover that's close to the Lexus NX in size.

Lotus is planning on making another track-ready carbon-fiber car, but in a twist, which it makes 1254 lb-ft of, it'll be all-wheel drive, make an absurd 1972 horsepower, and (gasp) will be an EV. Lotus is intending to call this monster the Evija, and only 130 will be made, at a rate of $2.1 million each. There's no word on what array can be anticipated, however Lotus claims that it can bill up to 80 percent in 12 minutes many thanks to ultrafast charging rates.

The Future Of Transportation Is Autonomous & Electric

Mercedes-Benz's new EV lineup will be referred to as the EQ family. The Mercedes-Benz EQA, the company's smallest electric portable SUV, was exposed previously this year in Europe-spec kind. The Euro variation of the EQA has 187 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque and also starting at around $57,000. Mercedes-Benz recommended an EQA in the U.S. could have four-wheel drive with around 280 horsepower.

The Mercedes-Benz EQC400 4Matic, Mercedes's first electric automobile, is a compact crossover with an estimated range of 200 miles. Mercedes-Benz revealed in February 2021 that they had decided to not supply the EQC in the United States, in the meantime.

The Pininfarina Battista is an 1873-horsepower EV coupe that uses Rimac's carbon chassis and EV powertrain. It's an EV hypercar, and last year completed its initial high-speed test at the Nardo examination track in Italy with one of nine of its models. Anticipate a price over $2 million, but do not anticipate to ever before see one at your neighborhood. Shipments are claimed to start later in 2021.

Porsche recently announced that the next generation of its Macan crossover will go full electric. The Porsche Macan EV will certainly be based upon the Premium Platform Electric (PPE) platform that is being co-developed with Audi. It will certainly have the same 800-volt technology as the next Taycan and also will possibly share its electrical motors and also battery packs, also. Porsche intends to begin production of the Macan EV in 2022.

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Electric Cars: What To Expect Between 2020 And 2030

Volvo already sells a 402-hp XC40 Recharge with 208 miles of range. The C40 shares the exact same powertrain as the XC40 Recharge, with 2 electrical motors as well as 75.0-kWh battery pack. It's likewise the same powertrain the Polestar 2 usages. Volvo estimates the C40 to have an EPA-rated driving variety of 210 miles. We anticipate pricing to begin around $55,000, with even more details about the C40 Recharge to come when production starts later in 2021.

Electric Vehicles

Pick-up trucks and also SUVs packing battery packs rather of gas engine will soon be rolling off assembly line en masse, reprising the American automotive landscape with daily they're on sale. So to keep tabs on all the cool new EVs coming down the pike, we have actually placed together this summary of the ones we recognize concerning that have us most excited.

The Chevy Bolt hatchback is receiving for a refresh in 2021, but its crossover twin, the Bolt EUV, is the far more exciting proposition. Well, calling it a crossover is maybe a stretch; it's FWD-only, and also uses little in the way of extra ground clearance or added elevation. Still, it's somewhat easier to obtain in as well as out of than the Screw, looks a lot better, goes 250 miles on a charge, supplies semi-autonomous Super Cruise ship as well as starts at $35K with location.

Electric Vehicles And The Future Of Transportation

Lordstown Stamina (2021). The Stamina is implied as a work truck for commercial customers, however that does not indicate we can not obtain thrilled regarding it. Besides, it has four hub-mounted electrical motors making greater than 600 combined horses, can reportedly take a trip 250 miles on a charge, and will begin at $45,000 after the tax obligation credit.

Nissan's Ariya (note the punctuation, it's not like the Video game of Thrones personality) can be the electric SUV the mainstream has been awaiting. FWD or AWD as well as as much as 389 hp join a lot of the EV techniques and also deals with Nissan developed for the Fallen leave, like the e-Pedal feature that makes one-pedal driving a breeze.

Electric Vehicles

Cadillac's future is electric; if it doesn't succeed, the brand might not have a future. The choice to give its EVs names finishing with "-iq" might have appeared better on paper, where it reminds people of "intelligence quotient," than it performs in practice, where it seems like "ick" however there's no saying that the crossover-cum-station wagon Lyriq could be a smash struck as soon as you get past the name.

The Future Of Transportation Is Autonomous & Electric

Chevrolet Corvette EV (2022). We've understood for a while that the eighth-generation Corvette would likely go hybrid; that frunk, as it turns out, is ideal for an electrical motor to drive the front wheels. But it likewise appears that Chevy is dealing with an all-electric Corvette. None besides Joe Biden discussed as much, declaring that it can do 200 miles per hr.

Ford F-150 Lightning (2022). Two-thirds of the Big 3 will be relocating right into the electrical truck realm in the future, as well as the Ford F-150 will likely be the first one there. The carmaker has made no secret of it, going so much as to disclose when it'll go on sale (mid-2022), what will certainly power it (two electrical motors), and also what kind of power it will certainly make (greater than any various other F-150 currently for sale).

Electric Vehicles Are The U.s. Auto Industry's Future

Maserati MC20 EV (2022). Maserati's brand-new supercar is a dynamo of internal-combustion splendor, but it'll also be available in an all-electric version come 2022.

Tesla Roadster (2022). Tesla hasn't offered a Roadster in more than a decade, ever before since the Lotus-based lorry that released the business faded away to include its very own in-house-developed designs. Currently, the Roadster is established to return as well as if also half of Elon Musk's usually broad promises become a reality, it'll be an auto to wow the globe.

The Future Of Cars Is Electric – But How Soon Is This Future?

Volkswagen ID.Buzz (2022). Ask a lot of Americans to name some legendary VWs, as well as probabilities are good Bus would certainly be the 2nd word out of the typical individual's lips. The iconic VW Type 2, as it was formally known, is set to get a spiritual rebirth come 2022 as an all-electric minivan.

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The Future Of Cars Is Electric – But How Soon Is This Future?

However what electrical cars and trucks are coming? Allow's take a more detailed consider what you can expect to see striking the roads in the next couple of years. The Renault Megane E-Tech Electric relocates into a bigger sector to give you a little bit more area inside compared to the Zoe, while packaging in a 160k, W electric motor and 60kWh battery pack.

Electric Cars: What To Expect Between 2020 And 2030

Ford is revealing the electric variation of the F-150 on 19 Might, offering it the name Lightning. Ford had formerly claimed it would certainly be the most effective F-150 it's ever before generated, with the capability to utilize the battery as a mobile power supply. Expected to sit on VW's PPE platform, it has actually long been known that Porsche was going to make the Macan an EV - as well as a prototype has actually been out in testing.

Bentley has verified that an electrical SUV in the works as well as is most likely to be a beneficary of the Audi Artemis system that's in advancement. Little else is known, but it will be one more high luxury model for the most discerning customers. Genesis Electric motor - the high-end arm of Hyundai - has introduced its European launch, as well as encouraging 3 electric models over the next year.

Electric Vehicles

The VW ID.5 is anticipated to supply the same spec as the VW ID.4, yet with a sportback, a going down rear roofline for those who want something a lot more coupe as well as much less SUV in design. Launched at Car Shanghai, the Mercedes EQB is a key version for China, supplying seating for 7.

The Toyota concept presents a new system - shown Subaru - with the guarantee of solar charging to cover up the battery. Nothing has really been exposed, yet Toyota is rather late to the electrical car party, having actually been a leading pressure in hybrids.

The Future Of Transportation Is Autonomous & Electric

The Kia EV6 complies with the Hyundai Ioniq 5, sharing the exact same platform, but with Kia having its own spin. There's two battery choices, 58 or 77. The majority of the talk will likely have to do with the EV6 GT, nevertheless, which sets the bigger battery with four-wheel drive, for blistering efficiency, with a 0-62mph time of 3.5 secs. It will be available in late 2021.

Electric Vehicles Are The U.s. Auto Industry's Future

Land Rover is making sweeping adjustments to its business over the following few years - as well as that's resulted in the reveal of a new future platfrom - EMA. This platform has been confirmed to underpin the Exploration Sport and the Evoque and it's developed for electric cars, tip that those will both launch as electrical cars.

Arguably, the C40 is Volvo's first bespoke electrical vehicle - omitting the adapted XC40 Recharge - which's an interesting prospect. It has a 78kWh battery, guarantees 260 miles of variety as well as it comes with limitless information. That's right, Volvo wants the Android-based system in this car to be always connected, so it's removed the stress over where that link comes from.

Battery Electric Vehicle

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 is the very first in a new series of electrical automobiles from the company, sliding right into the prominent crossover area. There will be selections of 58 or 72.6 kWh batteries, with back or all-wheel drive. It gets a fresh brand-new layout, with a level floor as well as sliding centre console - we believe this is mosting likely to be a large seller.

Smooth layout enhances this sporting activities coupe, while the back entrances include a sense of functionality, like the Taycan which shares the exact same platform. A 93kWh battery rests in both the routine and also the RS version of this vehicle, promising blistering efficiency. It will cost from 79,000 as well as be offered throughout 2021.

[larkwinters-a]

Winters was a name that everyone know - whether they realised it or not. 

There was a chance that, at some point or another, that they had been in one of the many restaurants that the family owned or they had walked past one - and it didn’t really matter which part of the world people where in because there was a chance there was one there too. 

See, it started as a little family restaurant in southern Italy, that became more than just a small building in the crook of two bigger ones and slowly developed into a restaurant that tourists came to. After making the daring leap of Immigrating to the USA to expand their business and the hard work paying off, there was places opened in Europe, the USA, Australia. Hence why the Winters were a household name. Not one of the 1% yet there was mansions that bore their name on the deed.

(Naturally, mansions became baby proofed when Derek and Lacey Winters had their first kid. And then their second and then their third. And then a fourth. They were busy.)

Hence, why Lark had gotten into NYU to study Veterinary medicine with the thought that he’d be debt free when he graduated. Hence why he drove to college in a Maserati from his frat house. Hence why he’d never been the kind of person who didn’t think twice about waving his cash around and splashing out. Hence why he’d grown that over confident personality. Hence why he’d always had someone hanging around him. Hence why people loved him.

(Hence why he never had any real friends. Hence why he’d been alone for his entire social life.)

So, it made sense that when his frat threw parties that he provided the alcohol. Beer keg after beer keg, wine case after wine case, - protection too because he might have been a backwards cap wearing frat boy but he liked to think that his house members and their dates were being safe, even when they were drunk. And maybe he bought the alcohol not because he had the money to but so that blame could fall on somebody if something happened and he was willing to be that somebody. Maybe he liked to think people looked after themselves and their friends.

And maybe he learned that that wasn’t the case. But it was too late now for regrets.

Because, you see, it was at these frat parties were they introduced weed and then, a few months later, he was introduced to her and she introduced him to the wider world, told him he couldn’t get buzzed off of just weed and beer. And he was willing to believe her, for some forgotten reason now - maybe he thought she was pretty under the right lighting, maybe he thought she’d love him back, maybe he’d mistaken the rush of a high for love -, so that was how he ended neck deep in a world he hadn’t expected to be in. 

A world that was meeting people behind campus at 3am for a deal and flushing down bags of stuff when there was a surprise inspection and he’d rush in, eyes red from using and their hearts hammering at the same time until the coast was clear and then they’d run to their nearest dealer. 

His grades slipped to the point where he received notice after notice and had fight after fight with his parents. He would ditch councillor meetings and skip biology classes to get high with them in his car in the parking lot of a fast food place. Without realising it, he’d become the stereotype Leo had always told him he was, with that nasty drawl that made Lark use some more. The stereotype Frankie said she loved as she raked her nails down his back and then used those same hands to pocket whatever cash he had left laying around. 

But sooner or later, just like his highs, a crash had to happen. And it did. 

It was one stupid party, that was it, and not to fall into the cliche, but it was nothing but a blur; from showing up and consuming, to the occasional waking up in the ambulance to actually waking up in the hospital. From there, it was all vague words and terms (not from him) and crying (also not from him) and the silent ride home (not his choice) and the awkward confrontation when they got home (not his idea). 

After one dismissal, the two of them (his mom said nothing, she hadn’t spoken to him since he’d woken up in the hospital) spent the next two hours arguing. The room was a mess of yelling (him) and crying (both of him and his dad) and that was how they to to where they were now, a week after it all had gone down, with him becoming a semi hermit, locked in his childhood bedroom that he’d trashed, found cleaned and then trashed again more times than he could count. 

The first time was out of anger, the third because the withdrawal effects had started, and the fifth because NYU sent him the letter. The We’re sorry you almost died but we don’t want you at our school anymore, it’s bad for our reputation letter. 

(He also knew there was another reputation he was tarnishing but his I don’t care facade would be ruined if he admitted he cared about whether or not his parents were disappointed in him.)

The letter had been torn up and burnt, the narrative effectively erased, and he’d gotten yelled at for that but he was too angry to have cared at the time. It was after that that he decide he’d have a better time completely isolated in his room, away from everyone else - hello unhealthy coping mechanism - and he’d heard the knocks at the door, smelled the dinner his mom had prepared for him but he never opened the door. 

That didn’t stop her, because the previous day, an email was forward to his inbox with the subject line Sober Companion and Lark proceeded to throw the laptop out into the hall. He thought that was the end of it, the bow on the package, the full stop, the end of the story. But it wasn’t because now, the date of which was in the email and he would have known that if he’d bothered to check it, the knocks were more urgent than what he dubbed the dinner knocks and he had tried to bury them out by throwing the blanket over his head but it didn’t work, because he could still here them.

So, he called out from under that blanket, his voice hoarse from not being used; “Go away!”

“You need to come out.” It was’t his mom or dad. It was Ashlynne. “Mom is freaking out and dad’s late for work and this is important.”

“I never agreed to this.” Lark argued.

“Yeah, well,” There was a thump as she leaned against the door. “They didn’t ask for this either, so we’re all going to have to suck it up and deal with it.”

Instead of answering, he reached out from the blanket and picked up the first thing to his hand - his phone - and tossed it at the door. It worked, because he heard the light slam as she hit the door.

“Fuck you too, then.” she announced before, most likely, walking away.

That could have been the end of it except it wasn’t, because a few moments later, he heard the sound of his room door being forced open - the chain effectively broken, along with his privacy - and there was the sounds of footsteps and then, the quiet huff as they leaned over. Lark threw off his covers and saw his dad, looking tired and older than usual - his hair seemed to have gotten greyer. He was holding the cracked phone in his hand.

“You’re sober companion is arriving today.” he said. He spoke softly, like he was approaching a frightened animal who had been backed into a corner. “You have to come down and greet her, whether you’re happy about this or not.”

“This is bullshit.” Lark said.

“Language.” Derek said, but his heart wasn’t in it. It sounded like his heart had packed it’s bags and said You’re on your own with this one, Winters, Ciao. “We’ve worked hard to get this sorted, we interviewed people to find the best and -”

“I don’t care.” Lark snapped.

Derek set the phone down on the desk, his eyes on the leg that now had to be propped up by a couple of the textbooks Lark would never use again. There was an air of disappointment to his actions, to the look in his eyes.

(Except, there wasn’t. Lark was misinterpreting his sadness for disappointment.)

“Come downstairs.” Derek said. “I won’t ask you again.”

He left then, leaving the door open, and Lark groaned, but he got up, pulling himself out of the bed. He might just have been vain (he was) but he thought he was really pulling off the haven’t showered in four days look, but he decided he’d, at least, change his t-shirt. Maybe that’d make it seem like he was actually putting effort into this - which he really, clearly, wasn’t, not with the messy hair and the wrinkled sweatpants and the dark and ugly marks still present on his arms. 

And then he walked down the hallway, pausing at the top of the stairs, across from the door to his parents bedroom. The burst of emotion in his chest was abrupt and startling and he quashed it down with reminders that these people didn’t have his best intentions in mind (they did) and that they only cared about how this looked to their lawyer and doctors friends (they didn’t).

When he got to the bottom of the stairs, he could hear voices. One belonged to his dad, he was making polite conversation, a second, more tired one, belonged to his mom, and the third, he didn’t know. She must have been the person who they thought could fix him - which, to him, was bullshit, because he didn’t need fixing. 

Still, the manners he’d been taught kicked in when he walked into the room, his arms crossed over his chest in an almost defensive manner. He regarded the other person in the room with a lowered eyebrows, straight mouth expression. 

The first thing he noticed about her was that she was tiny. She was much shorter than him and then, smaller still in every other way. From the looks of it, he could engulf her entire hand in one of his -

But why was he thinking about holding her hand?

“Ah,” Derek said, feigning a smile. “Finally. Lark, I’d like you to meet -”

“I don’t want to be a part of this.” Lark announced and then he looked directly at her. “This was their idea, not mine.”

A chair scraped across the floor, loudly and and Lark looked over to his mom. Lacey had stood up, her eyes shining with tears. She held her hand up, as though she wanted to say something, before she shook her head and walked out of the room. Derek apologised softly to the girl in front of them and went after her. Lark almost let himself be sad about it before he looked back at her. 

“I’m Lark Winters.” he said, a little more resigned but not by much. “But you probably already know that.”

[liesfromalover]

Virginity For Sale

Tired of being a virgin you look to your friend to help you out, he, however has other plans.

Genre: Smut

Word count: 5k

You stared up at the cloudy night, pulling your coat closer against the slight breeze flowing up your skirt. The sky was a hazy purple as the last bit of sunlight slid below the horizon. You squeezed your knees tighter together and pouted. It was your birthday and you were finally able to go out to drink with the rest of your friends. Your best friend was Kim Hansol and he promised you a party you would never forget. Knowing that he wouldn’t disappoint, you bought a new dress that hugged your every curve. It was a beautiful red satin mini-dress with sweetheart neckline with a black lace overlay, intricately covering the dress and your arms.You completed the outfit with black and red pumps, red lipstick and Hansol did your eyeliner so you knew the wing tips were perfect.

The only downside of this night seemed to be waiting for him to actually bring you to the party. You frowned and pulled on your best friend’s arm, whining loudly. “Hansol oppa, why are we still here? I want to go to the party you promised me.”

He looked at you and rubbed your head gently. “Relax, you’ll be going soon.” He checked his watch then took out a phone and sent a quick message before you could see who he was texting. “Ok, how about we wait in that cafe over there? That way I can tell you about your present and warm up.” He smiled brightly and pulled you along, crossing the street and entering a little cafe with sparkling lights decorating the outside. It had a cute patio for those wanting to enjoy their drinks and snacks outdoor but for tonight it was empty, the chilly winds proving too much for customers.

You took in the homey decor and smiled at the warmth that washed over you. Hansol pulled you over to a table by the window and smiled more. “What’s the one thing you’ve been asking me for for a really long time now?” His eyes were bright and filled with mischief. You frowned in thought then a slow heat rose to your face and it wasn’t because of the temperature in the room.

“Oppa, are you going to take it tonight? I mean that’s great but I wish you would have told me back at my house, we could have just done it there.” Your voice was small and embarrassed. Losing your virginity was never a big deal between you two but knowing that he was actually going to take it made you feel nervous. His frown, however, told you otherwise.

“I’m not taking it. That would change too many things between us and I care about our friendship way too much to make you fall in love with me.” He reached over and held your hand gently and you sighed in disappointment. As much as you were actually relieved, you also didn’t know how else you were going to lose it.

“I wouldn’t fall in love with a dork like you.” You pouted and stared at him

“Sure you wouldn’t. Anyway, I put your virginity up for sale a week ago an-.”

“You did what?!”  You hissed through your teeth and glared at him, making him frown and pout.

“Oh, relax. It's not how it sounds.” He looked down and squinted. “Actually, it's exactly how it sounds. I’m going to pay someone to take your virginity buuuuut~” He actually looked happy despite the growing fear on your face. “I just happen to know the guy personally so I can guarantee that he’s not some creep.”

You just stared at him for a moment before getting up and heading towards the door. Hansol called out for you but you ignored him. You were going to go home and just enjoy being a virgin for the rest of your life. You made it 22 years, what’s 70 more?

As soon as you were outside a black Maserati pulled up, a boy with bright orange hair stepping out and smiling at you. You blinked and looked around to see if anyone else was around.

“Yes, I’m looking at you beautiful. Are you Kim Hansol’s friend?” His voice was so sweet and airy, almost the way you imagined what an angel would sound like. You nodded and looked down subconsciously. He was absolutely gorgeous, his hair was long enough to hang in his eyes which were currently shaped like crescent moons, and his plump lips were in a dazzling smile. He walked over slowly and took your hand gently, bringing it to his lips and kissing your knuckles gently. “My name is Jimin. I’m here to make sure you have a good time tonight.” You looked in his eyes shyly, face bright red and a small smile on your full lips.

Hansol came out and laughed happily. “Good, you met. Now ____, please enjoy yourself and Jimin, I’m putting my best friend in your hands. Don’t hurt her and make sure she comes to me in a great mood tomorrow.” He handed Jimin an envelope and gave you a big hug. “You know how much I love you right?”

You hugged him back and watched Jimin go to the passenger side of the car, opening the door for you. You whispered softly. “How much is this costing you?” He groaned and you could feel his eyes rolling.

“Thirty.”

You frowned and looked at him. “Just thirty dollars?”

He furrowed his eyebrows then laughed softly and rubbed your hair slowly. “Oh, how I wish you would always be this innocent. Thirty thousand dollars. But, you’re worth it.”

Your jaw dropped. That explained how someone that looked as young as Jimin could afford a car of that class but it seemed like it was too much. Hansol must have seen the resignation in your eyes because he cupped your face and kissed your forehead. “It’ll be fine, the price wasn’t a problem. I would have paid three times that to make sure you get what you want.” He smiled then turned you towards the car and slapped your ass hard, making you yelp. “Now go make sure to get my money’s worth.”

You frowned at your friend then walked to the car, smiling shyly at Jimin before getting in. The leather was chilly but still held the warmth of the car. It smelled sweet like cinnamon and vanilla, making you relax although your stomach was a doing backflips. At least it was going to be fine, he’s basically a professional at taking virginities.

Jimin entered the car after saying goodbye to Hansol and smiled at you warmly. “Are you ready to have some fun?” You nodded and smiled back, finding it almost impossible to not want to while he was looking at you like that. He drove off and you watched as Hansol stood there waving, getting smaller and smaller until disappearing around a corner.

You sat in silence for a while but your curiosity was eating at you. Turning to face Jimin you spoke softly, “So, how do you know Hansol oppa?”

He glanced at you then smiled nervously. “We used to work together. Not doing this but at another job. It was a fun time and we just kind of stuck together.”

You nodded slowly and thought back to Hansol’s job before his current one but the only one you could remember was the one at the club. “Were you a stripper with him?”

Jimin’s wonderful almond eyes grew wide and he looked at you a moment before looking back at the road. “He told you about that? Wow, you guys must really be close. Yes, I was but I wanted more as you could probably tell. So did he, so we left around the same time.”

Smiling you ran a hand through your hair. “I was his friend back then. I was actually the one that told him he deserved better but he won’t tell me about his current job. As long as he’s happy and healthy I don’t really mind it though. I had a pretty interesting work history so I never judged him.”

Jimin licked his lips and you grew excited thinking the places his tongue could go. “How did you meet him? You don’t seem like the type to just go to strip clubs.”

You laughed softly and looked down shyly. “That’s because I’m not. It was about 5 years ago at my cousin’s bachelorette party, he was the stripper for the party. Somehow we met at this cafe and he was completely different. I approached him and he was a bit nervous since we met during his work but once I told im I just wanted to get to know him then it was a match made in heaven.”

“Hmm, sounds like you love him.” His voice was teasing and it made you blush.

“No, we’re just friends. He comforted me through many heartbreaks. We tried dating but it was just weird so we went back to being friends before anything could happen.”

Jimin nodded then pulled over and reached in the glove compartment. His arm was resting on your thigh and you felt electric jolts travel up to your core then bit your lip nervously, eyeing the black silk he pulled out. Smiling reassuringly he rubbed your thigh slowly, trying to sooth you. “It's standard precaution, we don’t want the girls to be able to find the place again.” You nodded slowly and closed your eyes.

He immediately tied the cloth over your eyes and adjusted it as needed. “Is it too tight?” His voice was so soft and comforting, you could imagine yourself falling asleep to it. You shook your head slowly and smiled a little. “Good. Let’s go, not much further now.”

You felt the car start to move and sighed, mentally preparing yourself. You began imagining Jimin’s hands on your body, caressing your breasts and his plump lips taking your nipples in your mouth. You felt a throbbing ache start between your legs, smirking as you pictured his lips travelling down to lick your juices. It was almost here. You were finally going to have sex.

You were much more excited than you were nervous by the time the car stopped. Feeling his hands unbuckle your seatbelt, your body shivered at the warmth that spread from his touch. You smiled and listened as he exited the car, jogged over to you side and opened your door, grabbing your hand gently. “Come on beautiful.” Somehow his voice was even more attractive to you as you let him help you out the car.

His hand was on the small of your back and he held your hand gently. “Ok, there are some steps. Yah, are you sure you can’t see? You took them perfectly.” He laughed and the sound filled your ears. Giggling you shook your head slowly.

“I can’t see but Hansol and I played a lot of games where we had to be blindfolded. I was always better than he was.” You smiled proudly and stopped walking when you felt the wall or door. You weren’t sure which it was.

“Wow, you even found the door. You are good.” You heard the jingle of keys and he opened the door, leading you inside. Once the door was closed he took the blindfold off. You looked around the house and gasped softly. The decor was chic and modern, all black and white with splashes of blue in all different hues. The walls were lined with artistic nude stills and paintings that you’ve never seen before. Jimin saw you staring at one of the painted landscapes and smiled. “My hyung painted that. He seems grumpy but he’s really a sweet guy. Come on, I’ll introduce you to the guy that will be taking care of you tonight.”

You blinked and looked at him confused. “I thought you were going to do it.”

“Oh no. I don’t do this anymore. Virgins tend to get attached and it hurts me to always have to turn them down afterwards. No, you’ll be dealing with someone that’s a little less emotional than me but I promise he’s a good kid.” He held his hand out and smiled at you sweetly. You were starting to panic, wondering what this new guy would look like and if he’s less emotional if that means he’d be less gentle with you. Biting your lip nervously, you pulled your coat tighter against you.

“I’m not sure if I can go through with it…” Your voice was small and you looked down nervously. Jimin walked closer to you and lifted your face to his gently, smiling warmly.

“I promise you it will be fine, but if you really don’t want to go through with it I’ll call Hansol and we’ll bring you back.” You smiled sadly and nodded.

“Thank you.”

“And yet you still don’t know why girls always get so attached to you. Hyung, you’re pathetic.” A deep warm voice spoke from the hall behind Jimin. He rolled his eyes and rubbed your cheek with his thumb.

“____, this is Jungkook. The person you were supposed to go to.” You looked at the boy that was standing in the archway. He was cute, muscular and had a smug smirk on his face. His black hair was hanging in his face and he wore a black hoodie with light wash jeans that seemed to hug his thighs.

“You can still come to me if you want. I’m not as nice as Jiminie hyung, but I can make you feel just as good, if not better.” He walked over and you blinked at the height difference between the boys. Jimin was taller than you but Jungkook was nearly a head taller than him. Jimin released you and tilted his head.

“It's up to you, ____. We won’t force you to do anything.”

You looked down and tapped your foot. If you left now you may never get this opportunity again. He was really handsome and his large brown eyes seemed eager to see you. Taking a deep breath you looked at the younger boy and held out your hand. “Let’s go.” He smiled and you could have sworn your heart skipped a beat at how beautiful it was. Grabbing your hand he started down the hall. You heard a door close and looked at the boy confused. “Did Jimin leave?”

“Yeah, it's a rule of ours. Only one guy in the house if there’s a client. It helps keep the girls comfortable.”

When you reached his room, he stopped and pushed you against the wall, pressing his lips to yours gently. Your eyes were wide in shock before you allowed yourself to melt into the kiss. His lips were soft and tasted of something fruity. He slid his hands down your body and under your coat and dress, gripping your ass gently. Your hands went up to his hair and you tangled your fingers in the locks, licking his lip slowly. You felt him smile against your lips as he opened his mouth and you slowly slid your tongue in, exploring his mouth and savoring every part before you found his tongue, massaging it slowly. He groaned softly and picked you up. Your legs wrapped around his waist and you tugged his hair gently.

One of his hands released you to open the door before it was quickly replaced as he carried you into his room, closing the door with his foot. He placed you on the bed and pulled away slowly, looking at you with a mixture of lust and amusement. His voice was deep and sultry as he took off his hoodie, exposing his bare chest and beautifully sculpted abs. “I thought you were a virgin.”

Your hands ran over them slowly and you smiled up at him. “I am.”

He stood you up and slowly took off your coat, taking in a deep breath when he saw your dress and bit his lip. Blushing you smiled and twirled for him slowly. “Do you like what you see?”

He nodded and smirked. “Red is my favorite color and it looks damn good on you.” His hands ran down your body to the hem of your dress, lifting it up slowly. You smiled as he took in your red and black underwear, smirking at it then pulling you tightly against him. “Did you know that you were getting laid tonight or do you always wear sexy lingerie?”

Feeling bold you leaned up and bit his lip gently. “I didn’t know, but I hoped that I would.”

He groaned and kissed you again, rougher this time. His growing bulge twitching against you as he flicked his tongue into your mouth, hands travelling over your body. You slid your hands down to his waist and unbuttoned his jeans before his hand found yours and pulled it away, a low growl sounding in his throat. Smiling against his lips you brought his hands back to your body and let your own explore his back. Slowly, you dragged your nails down his back and he moaned softly in your mouth then squeezed your breasts gently. You bit his lip gently to try and hold back your moan but it didn’t work in your favor. He smiled and unhooked your bra, letting it fall to the floor and broke away from the kiss to leave a trail of soft kisses down your neck to your chest.

You ran your hand through his hair and bit your lip shyly, his lips felt so much better than anything you could ever imagine. He took your hardened nipple in his mouth and sucked gently, running his tongue over it teasingly while gently pulling on the other. You moaned softly and licked your lips, feeling yourself getting more and more wet with every motion of his tongue. Once he was satisfied with one side he went to the other, his free hand moving down between your legs and rubbed over your slit slowly.

You gasped at the warmth of his hand against you, blushing deeply and moaned louder. You felt yourself coming undone and he seemed like he was just beginning. His tongue flicked over your nipple once more before pulling away and sliding your panties to the side, rubbing your opening teasingly and looking in your eyes lustfully. He leaned in and kissed up your neck, sucking on it hard, leaving plum bruises in his wake. When he reached your ear his breath was hot and sent chills to your core. “Why do you taste so good?”

Your voice was breathy as you tried to hold back your moans. “You haven’t even tasted me yet.”

He looked in your eyes and something ran through his before he smirked and brushed his lips against yours. He kissed you slowly and pulled his hand away from you, slowly laying you down on the bed. He pulled away then licked his lips slowly. “Take off your panties and sit at the head of the bed.” You smirked and did as you were told, taking your time as you slid off your panties slowly then got on all fours and crawled up the bed slowly. When you reached the head of the bed you turned over slowly, sitting facing him and spread you legs slowly and licked your lips slowly.

He watched you with seductive eyes, licking his lips slowly as he unzipped his jeans and pulled both them and his boxers off, revealing his hard member. You bit your lip at it's size and your nerves returned. He crawled over to you until he was close enough to kiss you, rubbing your thigh slowly. “Don’t be nervous, you’re doing so good baby.”

his words relaxed you and you nodded, kissing him gently. He smiled and kissed you back then slowly made his way down your body. You felt your clit throb in anticipation, wanting to feel his mouth against it more than the sex itself. He looked up in your eyes and smirked before flicking his tongue across your slit slowly. The warmth of his tongue made you shiver with a rush of pleasure, smirking down at him. He raised an eyebrow then rubbed it slowly with his finger, spreading your folds slowly then licked your clit in slow fast flicks. You moaned softly and bit your lip, gripping the sheets gently. He chuckled against you and enclosed his mouth around you, sucking harder and flicking his tongue relentlessly. Your moans filled the room and you arched your back, squeezing the sheets tightly until your knuckles were white from the strain. Alternating between quick short strokes and long slow ones made you feel your high coming faster than ever before.

He rubbed your opening slowly with a finger then eased it in, making you moan and whimper softly. His eyes darted up to you and he found your hand with his free one, entwining your fingers together. Getting used to the feeling of his finger in you, you were able to focus on the feeling of his tongue on your clit bringing you closer but not fast enough. You released the sheet and grabbed his hair, pushing his face deeper into your core. At that he added another finger and started pumping them in you quickly. Instead of focusing on the slight pinch of pain your body was overrun with waves of pleasure as you felt your orgasm coming closer and closer. The tight coil at you center winding tighter and tighter. Your moans echoed in the room with the lewd sounds coming from the wetness between your legs. “Jungkook-ah. Fuck! I’m gonna cum!” You moaned loudly and his fingers sped up in you, pounding into you while his tongue slowed. The extreme change pushed you over the edge as your orgasm washed over you, causing little tremors through your body.

Jungkook slid his fingers out slowly and smiled, sucking them slowly and rubbed your knuckles with his thumb. You watched him and laughed softly, licking your lips slowly. “Your turn.” Your voice was breathy as you tried to come down from your high. He looked at you confused then shook his head.

“No, this isn’t about my pleasure. Tonight is all about you.” He smiled and kissed you gently then started pumping himself slowly. You rolled your eyes and got up on your knees then bent over, putting your ass in the air and licked the tip of his shaft slowly. He moaned softly and his eyes fluttered shut. “You really don’t have to do this. Most girls don’t even let me eat them so it's- ahh fuck.” You slid the tip of him in your mouth and hollowed out your cheeks, making it as tight as possible. Taking him as far back as you could then sliding out slowly, you eventually found your rhythm. You bobbed your head up and down quickly, using your hand to stroke whatever you couldn’t fit in your mouth. His moans filled your ears while his hands found their way to your hair, gripping it gently.

He thrusted in your mouth gently, enjoying the feeling as you massaged his shaft with your tongue. You pulled him out and sucked up the side teasingly, looking up at him. He was watching you with hooded eyes, biting his lip gently. His hand went to your chin and he lifted your face up enough to kiss you gently. His voice was soft as he whispered against your lips. “What are you and where have you been all my life.”

You laughed softly and sat up, kissing his neck gently. “Mmm, I’m just a girl and I’ve been stuck being a virgin. Wanna fix that?”

He smirked and laid you down, spreading your legs slowly and rubbed your core slowly, “That’s what I’m here for.”

“Mmm, is that all you’re good for?” You looked in his eyes and saw them darken before he pushed it down and kissed you gently. He rubbed his tip against your opening teasingly slow, making you shiver with pleasure.

“Let’s save that for later, I don’t want you to get attached.” You rolled your eyes and he started to ease in. Your breath came in a hiss as he stretched you out slowly, a sharp pain blossoming at your core. He looked at you then looked down nervously. “Are you ok?” You nodded slowly and ran your hand down to his . He smiled softly and nodded, entwining your fingers and pushing the rest of him in you, groaning softly at your tightness. You whimpered softly and bit your lip. That was it, you were officially no longer a virgin, Hansol would be so proud of you for not crying. Jungkook kissed you gently and twitched in you, anxious to move. “Ready?” You nodded and he eased back slowly then back in. It was a strange pleasurably sensation. Licking your lips slowly and looking in his eyes.

He stared in your eyes, picking up the pace until he was thrusting fast and deep in you. Your moans were loud as you squeezed his hand gently. He bit your lip and thrusted harder, groaning softly. Your free hand was on his back, dragging your nails down slowly and you licked at his lips slowly. The sound of your moans mixing with the sound of skin slapping against skin bounced off the walls. You arched your back and clenched around him, making him moan and bite your neck gently. “Don’t.. Ah- fuck. Don’t do that.” He moaned in your ear and it made you shiver with pleasure.

“Mmm, you mean this?” You clenched around him again and he moaned, biting your lip and looking at you darkly.

“If you keep that up I won’t be gentle.” His threat stirred something in you that you didn’t know was there. As he thrusted in you again, you let him think he won. Moaning his name softly you clenched around him again, holding it for as long as you could and his moan was so sweet to your ears. He growled low and let go of your hand, grabbing your hips roughly and pounded in you. You gasped and moaned loudly, biting your lip hard.

He repeated the motion, somehow getting harder with each thrust. Your moans turned to screams but it felt so good, you closed your eyes feeling your climax start to build. His hand went to your throat and you opened your eyes, looking at him nervously as he leaned down and rested his forehead against yours, growling low and pounding into you erratically. “Keep your eyes on me, ____”

You obeyed, loving the way he was sounding as his thrusts became more desperate. His hand went down to your clit and started rubbing it roughly. You moaned loudly and closed your eyes, feeling your body getting hotter and hotter as it became more wound up. He squeezed your neck gently, his voice needy. “Look at me.” You opened your eyes and looked in his. They were flooded with pleasure, black with his pupils with a little ring of brown. They were incredibly sexy.

You tried to speak but it just came out in moans as he pounded you. Each one bringing you closer to the edge but something was making you hold back. You bit his lip hard and he moaned softly, giving you that last bit of pleasure. You felt the heat from your orgasm hit you harder than it had earlier, your already tight walls clenched around him as he rode you through your orgasm. your moans filled the room as you started shaking gently. He continued thrusting a few more times before cumming deep in you, filling you up before pulling out slowly and laying next to you.

You were saddened by the emptiness you felt but ignored it as you tried to catch your breath, chuckling softly to yourself.

Jungkook lay there watching you with a strange expression on his face. You looked at him and smiled, rolling on your side and poked him. “What’s with the face?”

He frowned then shrugged. “Nothing. I was just thinking about something.”

“Hmm. What was it?” You reached over and brushed his hair out of his face, he really was a cute kid.

He looked at you for a moment then sighed and rolled onto his back, looking at the ceiling. “It was nothing I can talk about with a client.”

You frowned and looked at him hurt then sighed and closed your eyes. “You’re right, sorry if I was crossing a line.” It hurt but this is exactly what they tried to avoid, getting attached. You weren’t friends, just strangers hooking up for a one time thing. He felt him shift on the bed then gasped softly when he pulled you against him. You opened your eyes and looked up him confused. “Umm, should we be doing this?”

He looked at you then kissed your forehead gently. “No, but I want to.”

You blinked slowly then pulled away slowly. He looked at you longingly but didn’t move towards you. “Why?”

“Because.” He paused and looked at you, conflicting emotions on his face. “I just do. You’re different. I want to know you outside of here.”

You looked at him then a slow knowing smile spread on your face. You rolled onto your back and grinned at the ceiling. He propped himself up on his elbow and looked at you frustrated. “What?”

You shook your head and giggled. “Tell me.”

“Well, Jungkook, it sounds like you got attached.”

He stared at you for a long time, you looked at him and watched the emotions go to war in his eyes. It was quite amusing to watch and you rolled back on your side to get a better look. When he finally spoke he reached for your hand. “If I say that I am, will you let me hold you?”

You blinked slowly then nodded, cuddling close to him. He smiled and held you tightly against him.

“Am I the first girl you got attached to?” He nodded slowly and kissed your head gently.

He lifted your chin gently, making you face him. “Tomorrow morning I’m telling Jiminie hyung that I quit.”

You frowned and furrowed your eyebrows. “Why would you do that?”

“Because if you’ll let me, I want to get to know you better.” He smiled sweetly but you were still confused.

“I don’t see what that has to do with you quitting here.”

“Really noona? I’m asking you to be my girlfriend.” He blushed and rolled his eyes. “No wonder you were a virgin for so long.”

“Oh.” Your cheeks turned a bright red and you looked down. “I don’t know, Jungkook.”

“Don’t tell me no. We didn’t just have sex tonight, it was much more intimate than that.”

You bit your lip and looked at the boy shyly. There was a strong attraction there that could possibly lead to something great. What could go wrong. “Ok, I’ll be your girlfriend.”

His smile was so bright that it warmed your heart. He leaned down and kissed you deeply. You kissed him back then pulled away, nuzzling his chest slowly. “Let’s go to sleep.”

“What? Oh, no noona. We have to celebrate.”

You looked at him confused. “What are we celebrating?”

“Your birthday silly. I took your virginity as a professional, now I’m going to fuck you because you’re mine.”

His lips were on yours before you could protest, his hands rubbing slow circles between your legs and you felt the warm tremor of pleasure rush through your body.

Well, at least you know it’ll be worth it.

[privateplates4u]

Audi A8 review - the world's leading limo?

For  Hugely intelligent tech, excellent comfort, nimble for its size Against  Doesn't feel quite as special as an S-class High-tech and slick inside and out, the A8 is an impressive luxury car - if not quite as compelling as an S-class It’s not known for its great drivers’ cars, but the luxury saloon class is the automotive world’s best window into the technology we’ll all be using in the future. As such, you can view the latest Audi A8 as an indication as to what you can expect from the next couple of generations of more exciting cars like the RS4, from haptic touchscreens to semi-autonomy and road-monitoring active suspension. The A8 is also an improvement in its own right over the car it replaces. Technology doesn’t raise as much suspicion in the luxury class as it does with sports cars or hot hatchbacks, and most of the new A8’s features ensure it gets closer to the luxury ideal than its predecessor, from an improved ride quality to a quieter cabin and an even more effortless drive. [gallery:5] It can’t quite entertain us like something smaller and lighter, but the latest A8 also handles better than before, with a nimbler feel thanks to four-wheel steering, while steady improvements in engine technology mean the initial offering of a pair of V6s (petrol and diesel) feel as punchy as they are refined and frugal. Despite all this, the A8 doesn’t quite eclipse the Mercedes-Benz S-class for us. While the Mercedes’ baroque styling isn’t to all tastes and its cabin quality isn’t quite up to the Audi’s level, it’s both more involving and more comfortable than the Audi and feels more special from behind the wheel. Audi A8 in detail Performance and 0-60 time - Healthy power and torque figures overcome a hefty kerbweight (despite the aluminium construction) to deliver strong performance - 0-62mph in 5.6sec for the 55 TFSI. Engine and gearbox - Two engines currently available, both 3-litre V6s, one petrol and the other diesel - the latter sure to be more popular in the UK. Eight-speed Tiptronic automatic is standard. Ride and handling - Four-wheel steering gives the A8 surprising agility and the ride improves on the previous model. It’s as relaxed as ever, too. MPG and running costs - Diesel’s 50.4mpg and petrol’s 37.7mpg are both reasonable, but S-class and 7-series are more frugal still. Interior and tech - Debuted Audi’s new trend for dual central touchscreens with haptic feedback. Usual Audi quality and sense of imperviousness are present and correct. Design - Less cohesive overall than previous A8s but still relatively subdued next to rivals despite the comically large grille. Prices, specs and rivals Just shy of £70,000 will get you behind the wheel of an A8, with the 50 TDI standard wheelbase coming in at £69,100. The 55 TFSI lifts that to £71,000, while the long-wheelbase versions of each add £3995 to those totals. From that point you can quickly ramp up the price with options. Moving from 18-inch alloy wheels to 19s is £1900 and to 20s is £2850. Matrix LED headlights with laser technology are £4900, individual electric rear seats are £3200, ventilated massage seats £1600. S Line trim is available for £4495 which adds 19in wheels by default and sports seats in place of the usual “comfort” ones. > BMW 7-series review Standard kit is comprehensive though: the large but by no means exhaustive list includes LED headlights, leather trim, Virtual Cockpit instruments, navigation, 36 months of Audi’s connected services, adaptive cruise and a head-up display. [gallery:7] The A8’s most obvious rivals are the BMW 7-series and Mercedes-Benz S-class, with left-field alternatives coming in the shape of cars like the Lexus LS, Maserati Quattroporte, Jaguar XJ and - for a select band of customers - the Tesla Model S. Competition among the German trio comes mostly down to personal brand preference, though evo’s own choice would be the S-class, which remains a dominant force in this sector of the market with a mix of luxury, driving characteristics and technology that gives it the edge over the Audi and BMW. The others are more heart-over-head purchases, particularly the ageing but entertaining Jaguar and Maserati. The Tesla lacks the quality and pedigree of the others but probably leads the market in performance and technology.  Performance and 0-60 time Until Audi produces an S8 or reverses its decision not to drop the W12 engine into the car, the 55 TFSI will remain the quickest A8 in a straight line sprint. With little fuss and only slightly less noise the petrol V6 will carry the A8 to 62mph in 5.6 seconds from rest, with the long wheelbase version of the same just a tenth slower. Top speed is limited to 155mph. The diesel isn’t far behind - 0-62mph takes 5.9 seconds here and in contrast to the petrol, there’s no on-paper performance deficit for long wheelbase models. Top speed is, once again, limited to 155mph. > Lexus LS True to the luxury car brief, neither engine feels particularly stressed in its near two-tonne cage. Both the petrol and diesel remain relatively hushed however hard they’re worked - audible certainly, but not concerningly so - and the petrol in particular almost sounds like it’s doing its job in a neighbouring car. Performance is strong too, and you’ll only be left wanting more if you’re exploring the very top of the rev range in each; there’s a hint of breathlessness that admittedly might disappear once the engines are run in. [gallery:6] The petrol’s silken responses make it the more appealing of the duo and there’s a linearity to the performance that makes it easy to access without ever promising actual excitement. The diesel is hardly rowdy but Mercedes’ recent introduction of inline-six diesels (and BMW’s continued use of them) show that a V6 like Audi’s will never quite compete on refinement. With both units delivering their maximum torque figures from little over 1000rpm, there’s effectively no penalty in lolling around at low revs and driving on the torque, but switch to Dynamic mode and both engines seem to work even harder in their mid-ranges with a welcome improvement in throttle response. Few owners will regularly use the gearchange paddles on the back of the steering wheel, but they do make it even easier to access the deepest reserves of urge, and react quickly enough to your gearchange demands. Engine and gearbox Slightly indecisive? Good news, because you currently have a choice of only two powertrains in the A8. Both displace three litres and both are V6s, with one being powered by diesel and the other using petrol. Nice and straightforward. Well, not as straightforward as it might have been given Audi now calls them the 50 TDI and 55 TFSI, but that’s why we’re here. The 50 TDI produces 282bhp at 3750rpm and sends 443lb ft of torque (at 1250rpm) to all four wheels via an eight-speed tiptronic automatic, while the 55 TFSI develops 335bhp at 5000rpm and 369lb ft from a low 1370rpm, also sending its power through an eight-speed auto to Audi’s quattro all-wheel drive setup. [gallery:4] Both use mild hybrid technology. Audi’s take on the tech involves a 48-volt electrical system and a belt-driven starter-alternator, with the ability not just to start and stop the engine, but also cut it on the move for engine-off coasting, and energy recuperation under deceleration. The benefits look bigger in practice than the fairly meagre 0.7-litre cut in consumption (0.15 gallons) every 62 miles suggests. It works out at around 80 miles of the A8 50 TDI’s theoretical 900-mile range on an 82 litre/18 gallon fill. Not bad for the fuel light bingo enthusiasts among us... Ride and handling Ride and comfort are more important in a car like this than handling precision and fun, and this brief has turned out a car that behaves much as you’d expect. The ride quality feels like an improvement on the old model, which itself wasn’t uncomfortable but was always a little more firm than you’d probably wish for from a luxury saloon. Equally, it isn’t quite up to S-class standards when it comes to flowing over rough surfaces, so the A8 always feels a little more like a high-end private hire vehicle than a proper luxury limousine. The tradeoff here is that there’s surprisingly good body control despite the near-5.2-metre length and near two-tonne kerbweight. Body roll is kept to a minimum and the A8 tracks quickly and smoothly through most corners, the weight only starting to take its toll when you ask for quicker direction changes, where it takes a little longer to compose itself. > Best sport saloons 2018 Audi’s fitment of four-wheel steering helps here too. While the smaller A7 is slightly disappointing with the four-wheel steering setup, it makes a bigger difference to the A8, particularly around tighter corners when the rear wheels turn up to five degrees in the opposite direction to those at the front. It shrinks the car usefully, making it feel almost like the much smaller A4 in certain corners - though like others in this class, the A8’s girth forces you to wind back the pace on tighter and narrower roads. [gallery:1] Grip levels are strong and while you don’t get much indication of what the front wheels are doing through the muted steering, there’s enough accuracy and response that the lack of feel isn’t too concerning. And the rest of the time, the steering feels ideal for a car of this type - syrupy smooth and weighted well enough to give an impression of stability at speed. The A8 is of course in its element on the motorway, where only a small rustle of wind noise from the mirrors and a hum from the wide tyres disturbs an otherwise peaceful cabin. MPG and running costs With only two engines currently available you won’t need to burn many calories on deciding which model will best suit your idea of low running costs. On fuel consumption, CO2 and related taxation alone, the diesel looks to be the better pick: both standard-wheelbase and LWB 50 TDIs are capable of 50.4mpg on the combined fuel economy cycle, with CO2 of 154g/km. That will result in a £515 first-year VED bill and £450 a year thereafter, owing to a list price of over £40,000. BIK for 2018-2019 is 34 per cent. In contrast, the petrol 55 TFSI (again irrespective of wheelbase) achieves 36.7mpg combined and 175g/km of CO2. Its own tax figures are £830 in first-year VED and £450 thereafter, and 35 per cent in BIK for 2018-2019. In other words, the petrol will cost you more both to fill and to tax. There are no solid indications on the horizon as yet how taxation and systems like the London congestion charge may change relative to petrol and diesel models, so for the time being the diesel - which also costs less to buy than the petrol - looks like the more affordable car to run. Interior and tech The A8 was the first recent Audi to incorporate a dual touchscreen layout for minor controls. Similar to that used in the Range Rover Velar it’s better to use in practice, with convincing haptic feedback to let you know when you’re using the virtual buttons - from a surprisingly realistic button press vibration to small scrolling clicks. The trick is remembering to use it like actual buttons - as a light touch is no longer enough to activate certain controls. Smartphone-style pinches and swipes can also be used, for example when operating the navigation system. As such systems go, it’s well resolved and a relatively intuitive way of operating the various functions - including but not limited to audio, ventilation and the aforementioned navigation. But we’re still not convinced it’s better than systems operated by physical, tactile controls, such as BMW’s rotary iDrive controller. > Tesla Model S review The Virtual Cockpit instrument cluster remains an excellent setup though, and the rest of the A8’s cabin is excellent. It’s not as sumptuous as that of an S-class and lacks the wow-factor too, but many will prefer the A8’s ruthlessly logical horizontal architecture, beautiful standards of build and excellent materials. [gallery:2] You’ll not struggle to find a suitable driving position given the range of adjustment on offer, and the seats are well shaped - enough to secure you in cornering but wide and flat enough for long-distance comfort. There's plenty of space in the back too, which will surely be this car’s true purpose. The A8 is packed with other technology too. Active suspension is available, and while the most useful daily feature of this setup is the ability to monitor the road ahead and prepare the suspension accordingly (a system we’ve not yet tested), the cleverest feature is an ability to lift either side of the car by 80mm if it detects an imminent side impact - ensuring the colliding car hits the stronger sills of the A8 rather than focusing energy into the doors. A8s also get SAE Level 3 autonomous features - a level where where monitoring of the driving environment, and steering and acceleration/deceleration duties are conditionally autonomous, but the car still needs a driver to intervene in certain conditions. The A8’s take is “traffic jam pilot”, where systems can control the car autonomously at up to 37mph on dual-carriageways and other multi-lane roads in heavy traffic, and offer remote and garage parking functions. Design You won’t need to be an ardent car-spotter to recognise this new car as an A8, even if you might need a little more skill to discern it from the model it replaces. In other words, it looks like a big Audi saloon, neither original nor particularly offensive, even if the new car’s front grille has grown to comically large proportions. Current Audi design trends mean the company hasn’t been able to resist fiddling and tweaking individual panels and the result is a slightly busier shape than before, but by the standards of its closest rivals - the BMW 7-series, Mercedes-Benz S-class and Lexus LS, the Audi is fairly understated. [gallery:11] The exception is that new rear light setup and the Blackpool Illuminations impression it does when you unlock the car, but given it was Audi that started the trend for LED daytime running lights in the last few decades, you can bet that others will adopt the Christmas tree effect too, so you’d better get used to it. The A8 remains a primarily aluminium car, but Audi has also increased use of high-strength steels, magnesium and carbonfibre too. Body strength and torsional rigidity have increased as a result and the body itself is physically lighter than it was before, but the influx of new kit means the A8 as a whole is nearly 100kg heavier than the car it replaces. 3 May 2018

http://www.evo.co.uk/audi/a8

[numberplates4u-blog]

Audi A8 review - the world's leading limo?

For  Hugely intelligent tech, excellent comfort, nimble for its size Against  Doesn't feel quite as special as an S-class High-tech and slick inside and out, the A8 is an impressive luxury car - if not quite as compelling as an S-class It’s not known for its great drivers’ cars, but the luxury saloon class is the automotive world’s best window into the technology we’ll all be using in the future. As such, you can view the latest Audi A8 as an indication as to what you can expect from the next couple of generations of more exciting cars like the RS4, from haptic touchscreens to semi-autonomy and road-monitoring active suspension. The A8 is also an improvement in its own right over the car it replaces. Technology doesn’t raise as much suspicion in the luxury class as it does with sports cars or hot hatchbacks, and most of the new A8’s features ensure it gets closer to the luxury ideal than its predecessor, from an improved ride quality to a quieter cabin and an even more effortless drive. [gallery:5] It can’t quite entertain us like something smaller and lighter, but the latest A8 also handles better than before, with a nimbler feel thanks to four-wheel steering, while steady improvements in engine technology mean the initial offering of a pair of V6s (petrol and diesel) feel as punchy as they are refined and frugal. Despite all this, the A8 doesn’t quite eclipse the Mercedes-Benz S-class for us. While the Mercedes’ baroque styling isn’t to all tastes and its cabin quality isn’t quite up to the Audi’s level, it’s both more involving and more comfortable than the Audi and feels more special from behind the wheel. Audi A8 in detail Performance and 0-60 time - Healthy power and torque figures overcome a hefty kerbweight (despite the aluminium construction) to deliver strong performance - 0-62mph in 5.6sec for the 55 TFSI. Engine and gearbox - Two engines currently available, both 3-litre V6s, one petrol and the other diesel - the latter sure to be more popular in the UK. Eight-speed Tiptronic automatic is standard. Ride and handling - Four-wheel steering gives the A8 surprising agility and the ride improves on the previous model. It’s as relaxed as ever, too. MPG and running costs - Diesel’s 50.4mpg and petrol’s 37.7mpg are both reasonable, but S-class and 7-series are more frugal still. Interior and tech - Debuted Audi’s new trend for dual central touchscreens with haptic feedback. Usual Audi quality and sense of imperviousness are present and correct. Design - Less cohesive overall than previous A8s but still relatively subdued next to rivals despite the comically large grille. Prices, specs and rivals Just shy of £70,000 will get you behind the wheel of an A8, with the 50 TDI standard wheelbase coming in at £69,100. The 55 TFSI lifts that to £71,000, while the long-wheelbase versions of each add £3995 to those totals. From that point you can quickly ramp up the price with options. Moving from 18-inch alloy wheels to 19s is £1900 and to 20s is £2850. Matrix LED headlights with laser technology are £4900, individual electric rear seats are £3200, ventilated massage seats £1600. S Line trim is available for £4495 which adds 19in wheels by default and sports seats in place of the usual “comfort” ones. > BMW 7-series review Standard kit is comprehensive though: the large but by no means exhaustive list includes LED headlights, leather trim, Virtual Cockpit instruments, navigation, 36 months of Audi’s connected services, adaptive cruise and a head-up display. [gallery:7] The A8’s most obvious rivals are the BMW 7-series and Mercedes-Benz S-class, with left-field alternatives coming in the shape of cars like the Lexus LS, Maserati Quattroporte, Jaguar XJ and - for a select band of customers - the Tesla Model S. Competition among the German trio comes mostly down to personal brand preference, though evo’s own choice would be the S-class, which remains a dominant force in this sector of the market with a mix of luxury, driving characteristics and technology that gives it the edge over the Audi and BMW. The others are more heart-over-head purchases, particularly the ageing but entertaining Jaguar and Maserati. The Tesla lacks the quality and pedigree of the others but probably leads the market in performance and technology.  Performance and 0-60 time Until Audi produces an S8 or reverses its decision not to drop the W12 engine into the car, the 55 TFSI will remain the quickest A8 in a straight line sprint. With little fuss and only slightly less noise the petrol V6 will carry the A8 to 62mph in 5.6 seconds from rest, with the long wheelbase version of the same just a tenth slower. Top speed is limited to 155mph. The diesel isn’t far behind - 0-62mph takes 5.9 seconds here and in contrast to the petrol, there’s no on-paper performance deficit for long wheelbase models. Top speed is, once again, limited to 155mph. > Lexus LS True to the luxury car brief, neither engine feels particularly stressed in its near two-tonne cage. Both the petrol and diesel remain relatively hushed however hard they’re worked - audible certainly, but not concerningly so - and the petrol in particular almost sounds like it’s doing its job in a neighbouring car. Performance is strong too, and you’ll only be left wanting more if you’re exploring the very top of the rev range in each; there’s a hint of breathlessness that admittedly might disappear once the engines are run in. [gallery:6] The petrol’s silken responses make it the more appealing of the duo and there’s a linearity to the performance that makes it easy to access without ever promising actual excitement. The diesel is hardly rowdy but Mercedes’ recent introduction of inline-six diesels (and BMW’s continued use of them) show that a V6 like Audi’s will never quite compete on refinement. With both units delivering their maximum torque figures from little over 1000rpm, there’s effectively no penalty in lolling around at low revs and driving on the torque, but switch to Dynamic mode and both engines seem to work even harder in their mid-ranges with a welcome improvement in throttle response. Few owners will regularly use the gearchange paddles on the back of the steering wheel, but they do make it even easier to access the deepest reserves of urge, and react quickly enough to your gearchange demands. Engine and gearbox Slightly indecisive? Good news, because you currently have a choice of only two powertrains in the A8. Both displace three litres and both are V6s, with one being powered by diesel and the other using petrol. Nice and straightforward. Well, not as straightforward as it might have been given Audi now calls them the 50 TDI and 55 TFSI, but that’s why we’re here. The 50 TDI produces 282bhp at 3750rpm and sends 443lb ft of torque (at 1250rpm) to all four wheels via an eight-speed tiptronic automatic, while the 55 TFSI develops 335bhp at 5000rpm and 369lb ft from a low 1370rpm, also sending its power through an eight-speed auto to Audi’s quattro all-wheel drive setup. [gallery:4] Both use mild hybrid technology. Audi’s take on the tech involves a 48-volt electrical system and a belt-driven starter-alternator, with the ability not just to start and stop the engine, but also cut it on the move for engine-off coasting, and energy recuperation under deceleration. The benefits look bigger in practice than the fairly meagre 0.7-litre cut in consumption (0.15 gallons) every 62 miles suggests. It works out at around 80 miles of the A8 50 TDI’s theoretical 900-mile range on an 82 litre/18 gallon fill. Not bad for the fuel light bingo enthusiasts among us... Ride and handling Ride and comfort are more important in a car like this than handling precision and fun, and this brief has turned out a car that behaves much as you’d expect. The ride quality feels like an improvement on the old model, which itself wasn’t uncomfortable but was always a little more firm than you’d probably wish for from a luxury saloon. Equally, it isn’t quite up to S-class standards when it comes to flowing over rough surfaces, so the A8 always feels a little more like a high-end private hire vehicle than a proper luxury limousine. The tradeoff here is that there’s surprisingly good body control despite the near-5.2-metre length and near two-tonne kerbweight. Body roll is kept to a minimum and the A8 tracks quickly and smoothly through most corners, the weight only starting to take its toll when you ask for quicker direction changes, where it takes a little longer to compose itself. > Best sport saloons 2018 Audi’s fitment of four-wheel steering helps here too. While the smaller A7 is slightly disappointing with the four-wheel steering setup, it makes a bigger difference to the A8, particularly around tighter corners when the rear wheels turn up to five degrees in the opposite direction to those at the front. It shrinks the car usefully, making it feel almost like the much smaller A4 in certain corners - though like others in this class, the A8’s girth forces you to wind back the pace on tighter and narrower roads. [gallery:1] Grip levels are strong and while you don’t get much indication of what the front wheels are doing through the muted steering, there’s enough accuracy and response that the lack of feel isn’t too concerning. And the rest of the time, the steering feels ideal for a car of this type - syrupy smooth and weighted well enough to give an impression of stability at speed. The A8 is of course in its element on the motorway, where only a small rustle of wind noise from the mirrors and a hum from the wide tyres disturbs an otherwise peaceful cabin. MPG and running costs With only two engines currently available you won’t need to burn many calories on deciding which model will best suit your idea of low running costs. On fuel consumption, CO2 and related taxation alone, the diesel looks to be the better pick: both standard-wheelbase and LWB 50 TDIs are capable of 50.4mpg on the combined fuel economy cycle, with CO2 of 154g/km. That will result in a £515 first-year VED bill and £450 a year thereafter, owing to a list price of over £40,000. BIK for 2018-2019 is 34 per cent. In contrast, the petrol 55 TFSI (again irrespective of wheelbase) achieves 36.7mpg combined and 175g/km of CO2. Its own tax figures are £830 in first-year VED and £450 thereafter, and 35 per cent in BIK for 2018-2019. In other words, the petrol will cost you more both to fill and to tax. There are no solid indications on the horizon as yet how taxation and systems like the London congestion charge may change relative to petrol and diesel models, so for the time being the diesel - which also costs less to buy than the petrol - looks like the more affordable car to run. Interior and tech The A8 was the first recent Audi to incorporate a dual touchscreen layout for minor controls. Similar to that used in the Range Rover Velar it’s better to use in practice, with convincing haptic feedback to let you know when you’re using the virtual buttons - from a surprisingly realistic button press vibration to small scrolling clicks. The trick is remembering to use it like actual buttons - as a light touch is no longer enough to activate certain controls. Smartphone-style pinches and swipes can also be used, for example when operating the navigation system. As such systems go, it’s well resolved and a relatively intuitive way of operating the various functions - including but not limited to audio, ventilation and the aforementioned navigation. But we’re still not convinced it’s better than systems operated by physical, tactile controls, such as BMW’s rotary iDrive controller. > Tesla Model S review The Virtual Cockpit instrument cluster remains an excellent setup though, and the rest of the A8’s cabin is excellent. It’s not as sumptuous as that of an S-class and lacks the wow-factor too, but many will prefer the A8’s ruthlessly logical horizontal architecture, beautiful standards of build and excellent materials. [gallery:2] You’ll not struggle to find a suitable driving position given the range of adjustment on offer, and the seats are well shaped - enough to secure you in cornering but wide and flat enough for long-distance comfort. There's plenty of space in the back too, which will surely be this car’s true purpose. The A8 is packed with other technology too. Active suspension is available, and while the most useful daily feature of this setup is the ability to monitor the road ahead and prepare the suspension accordingly (a system we’ve not yet tested), the cleverest feature is an ability to lift either side of the car by 80mm if it detects an imminent side impact - ensuring the colliding car hits the stronger sills of the A8 rather than focusing energy into the doors. A8s also get SAE Level 3 autonomous features - a level where where monitoring of the driving environment, and steering and acceleration/deceleration duties are conditionally autonomous, but the car still needs a driver to intervene in certain conditions. The A8’s take is “traffic jam pilot”, where systems can control the car autonomously at up to 37mph on dual-carriageways and other multi-lane roads in heavy traffic, and offer remote and garage parking functions. Design You won’t need to be an ardent car-spotter to recognise this new car as an A8, even if you might need a little more skill to discern it from the model it replaces. In other words, it looks like a big Audi saloon, neither original nor particularly offensive, even if the new car’s front grille has grown to comically large proportions. Current Audi design trends mean the company hasn’t been able to resist fiddling and tweaking individual panels and the result is a slightly busier shape than before, but by the standards of its closest rivals - the BMW 7-series, Mercedes-Benz S-class and Lexus LS, the Audi is fairly understated. [gallery:11] The exception is that new rear light setup and the Blackpool Illuminations impression it does when you unlock the car, but given it was Audi that started the trend for LED daytime running lights in the last few decades, you can bet that others will adopt the Christmas tree effect too, so you’d better get used to it. The A8 remains a primarily aluminium car, but Audi has also increased use of high-strength steels, magnesium and carbonfibre too. Body strength and torsional rigidity have increased as a result and the body itself is physically lighter than it was before, but the influx of new kit means the A8 as a whole is nearly 100kg heavier than the car it replaces. 3 May 2018

http://www.evo.co.uk/audi/a8

[adriansmithcarslove]

Maserati Alfieri, Alfa Romeo 8C Lead Revival of FCA’s Premium Brands

Maserati and Alfa Romeo must do better. The premium Italian brands join Jeep and Ram as the global brands that FCA is relying on for profitability in its new five-year business plan that will take the automaker through 2022. Other brands, including Chrysler, Dodge, Fiat, and SRT, have a lesser and more regional role, accounting for only 20 percent of sales.

Whereas Jeep and Ram deliver big sales and profits, Maserati and Alfa have failed to meet past targets. Ensuring they meet their new expectations is the job of new brand boss Tim Kuniskis, who has held the global chief job for just four months. His last job was managing the smaller passenger car brands (Chrysler, Dodge, Fiat, and SRT).

In our first sit-down with the global chief since FCA released its five-year plan in Italy last month, Kuniskis tells Motor Trend what he needs to do to generate 500,000 annual global sales of the two brands by 2022, 400,000 from Alfa and 100,000 from Maserati.

Tim Kuniskis

Step one: increase awareness. “Average customers don’t understand what the brands are before they buy them,” Kuniskis said.

So what are they? Alfa is the pure sports car brand. Maserati is a premium, bespoke, custom, exclusive, grand touring brand, perfect for driving long distances fast and in comfort.

Maserati is affordable

Let’s start with Maserati. Look for little things from the start, like taking down the fence that surrounds the Maserati exhibit at auto shows, Kuniskis says. It sends the wrong message.

“People have a positive perception of Maserati but also think it costs $120,000,” Kuniskis says. “They don’t know that we have an SUV. They don’t know that that SUV starts at $75,000,” which he notes is cheaper than a $100,000 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk. “They think the Jeep’s affordable, the Maserati isn’t.”

Step two: product expansion. Maserati plans a fresh lineup that takes direct aim at Porsche and a swipe at Tesla.

“Porsche is the natural enemy of Maserati,” Kuniskis says. So Maserati is setting itself up against the full Porsche lineup, minus the 718, which it has no intention of matching.

The entire Maserati lineup will be replaced by 2022, and all models will be electrified with eight plug-in hybrids and four pure battery electric vehicles planned. The GranTurismo coupe and GranCabrio convertible will be replaced by the new Alfieri coupe and convertible, and the lineup will add a D-segment crossover to slot below the Levante.

Maserati has a powerful weapon: a licensed agreement with Ferrari to provide powertrains including combustion, mild hybrids, plug-in hybrids, and Maserati Blue full battery electric powerplants from Maranello. “Ferrari is my source of powertrains. Being able to officially say that will then translate all the way down to the showroom floor,” says Kuniskis.

Levante family grows

The Levante now accounts for more than half of Maserati’s sales, but it is not meeting the expectations of the boss, FCA chairman and CEO Sergio Marchionne. A priority is to re-launch the Levante lineup with more variants to go head to head with Porsche’s Cayenne family.

For the 2019 model year there will be a walkup from the base $77,500 Levante to the $88,500 Levante S, the new $121,500 GTS, and the exclusive top-end $171,500 Trofeo.

The Trofeo will be low volume. The original plan was to sell about 150 examples, but they’re already sold out for the year, so Maserati may make more. Many of the sales were made at an event for owners in the spring, on the eve of the 2018 New York auto show, before the SUV was unveiled the next day. The Trofeo’s twin-turbocharged 3.8-liter V-8 is hand-assembled by Ferrari in Maranello and packs 590 hp and 538 lb-ft of torque.

The new GTS has the same engine but only generates 550 hp and is priced to compete with the Porsche Cayenne Turbo, Kuniskis said.

By the end of 2022 there will be a battery-electric Levante as well as a plug-in hybrid that could use the system developed for the Chrysler Pacifica. The electric Levante will take on the Tesla Model X. “I like to pick natural enemies,” said Kuniskis.

Macan-fighter key to brand growth

The biggest impact on the brand will be the addition of a smaller crossover to compete with the Porsche Macan. “Maserati needs a DUV; that’s where the volume is in the U.S. and China,” Kuniskis said. The midsize crossover will arrive long before the 2022 model year, but Kuniskis would not provide exact timing, nor would he confirm it will share Alfa’s Giorgio platform (Giulia, Stelvio). It will have driving dynamics, all-wheel drive, and a Ferrari powertrain. He expects it to account for half of Maserati’s volume, in much the same way the Macan was key to Porsche doubling its sales over five or six years. It is the only Maserati in the lineup that will be offered as a plug-in hybrid but not a battery electric vehicle.

“All the cars we have today are getting a refresh and a brand-new version,” Kuniskis says. That includes the Quattroporte to better compete against the Porsche Panamera, and the electric Quattroporte goes up against the Tesla Model S.

Alfieri is new halo car

Then there’s the Alfieri, the electrified car that will serve as the halo for the brand. There will be a hardtop and a convertible, with an aluminum space frame and all-wheel drive. It will be offered as a plug-in hybrid and a full battery electric under the Maserati Blue umbrella. The space frame is not being shared with any other vehicles. Alfieri takes on the Porsche 911 as well as Tesla’s roadster.

“There’s certain places that we won’t go,” Kuniskis said. “Maserati’s not going to go down and do a C [compact car].” And although the lineup will be aligned with Porsche, “We’re not going to do a 718. There’s no room for a 718-fighter in Maserati. So there’s certain things that we won’t do.”

8C tops Alfa Romeo lineup

Alfa aims to offer the pure sports car of each segment, including SUVs. The brand halo is the 8C with a mid-mounted twin-turbo V-6 and electric motor, carbon fiber monocoque body, and aluminum subframe.

“To make the purest sports car brand, you need the 8C. You absolutely need that. You’re not going to sell a lot of them, and it’s going to be a tough business case, there’s no question. But there’s a lot of value in that car,” said Kuniskis. “So you built that car, and that becomes your inspirational car from which to draw styling and technology. Over 700 horsepower. It’s the aspirational halo. Low volume.”

Slotting under it is the new GTV, a four-passenger coupe with all-wheel drive. Sharing a chassis and powertrains with the Giulia, this is a 600-hp sports car that more people can drive.

By 2022 Alfa will have dropped the 4C as well as the tiny MiTo that was never sold in the U.S. It will keep the rest of its existing lineup but expand the crossover offerings to include a compact CUV smaller than the midsize Stelvio and an E-segment crossover larger than Stelvio.

Stelvio and Giulia get refreshes and long-wheelbase versions for China. Giulietta gets a refresh, as well. It has not been sold in the U.S. in the past, and there are no indications that will change.

Most of the models in the lineup will get plug-in hybrid variants. There are no pure electric vehicles planned for Alfa.

Kuniskis is blunt about what the brand must do. “We need to fulfill what we promised.” The last five-year plan in 2014 forecast global sales of 700,000 and eight new vehicles by 2018. “We didn’t do any of those things,” he says. “We sold 150,000 with two [models].”

Alfa suffered from bad timing, says the new brand chief. It will still meet its goal of 400,000 global sales, but not until 2022. Kuniskis is confident volume will go up as more products are added. And he says Alfa did deliver on its promise of a world-class product on a world-class platform. The Alfa Romeo Giulia was the 2018 Motor Trend Car of the Year.

Kuniskis said Alfa needs the 8C, GTV, and two new crossovers to expand the range, meet its commitments, and for dealers who “invested millions of dollars in these brands and quite honestly, for 18 to 24 months, they’re selling 4Cs.”

Maserati and Alfa getting cozier

Look for the two brands to get closer in the future, especially at the dealership level. It varies by region. In the U.S., for a period of time, Alfa and Fiat shared dealerships, and in 2011 the plan was to have stand-alone Fiat dealerships. But the company came to realize it made more sense to put Maserati and Alfa together and lump Fiat in with Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram. There will still be cases where Ferrari is paired with Alfa or Maserati. The goal is to pair Alfa and Maserati in China, as well. In Europe, Alfa is with Jeep, which is positioned as a premium brand.

With the additional nameplates planned, the brands will cover about 71 percent of the premium industry, Kuniskis said.

The post Maserati Alfieri, Alfa Romeo 8C Lead Revival of FCA’s Premium Brands appeared first on Motor Trend.

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[ravenvsfox]

Hi!! If you are still doing prompts: 18 with aaron getting badly hurt (beat up?) and andrew freaking the fuck out and a "soft" moment between them? I love your writing!!! i feel like you are the only person who actually understands andrew completly

awww bud that’s so unbelievably nice :’)) I was a little looser w the ‘beating up’ thing for optimal emotional turmoil, but I think the core of it is still what you asked for!!

18: “Do you even care?”

In the end, Aaron calls Katelyn, Katelyn calls Neil, and Neil calls Andrew. It’s the most the four of them have interacted since bargains were broken like bones that had set wrong.

It’s 6 in the morning when Andrew wakes up in an empty bed, his phone crying tinnily about runaways from the bedside table. He gropes for it and flips it open just to get it to stop making noise, tossing it to the centre of the bed.

Aaron, Nicky, and Kevin had gone to Columbia without them for the first time, and the dorm is dead silent, none of the chatter or the obnoxious sounds of games (video or exy) from the TV.

“Andrew,” he hears faintly. “Hello?”

He stares at the blue of the screen, an island in the complete darkness of the room.

“Andrew,” he hears again, Neil’s voice flinty and impatient. “Aaron’s in the hospital.”

He picks up the phone before hospital can find its way out of Neil’s mouth. The sheets slither to the floor and he clutches the phone so hard that it creaks.

“Why?” he manages, forcing his feet into pant-legs then shoes and rolling his arm bands on with the phone pinned at his neck. Neil’s breathing is loud in his ear.

“Someone… put something in his drink, I don’t know. Katelyn said he’s okay enough to call her but he sounded groggy. He overdosed pretty badly.”

Andrew drops his shirt and ferociously puts his attention into Neil’s voice. “Did someone touch him?”

“No,” Neil breathes, instantly. “Nicky was with him. No one got close.”

“Where is he?” 

“Columbia, still. Katelyn’s driving up right now, and Nicky and Kevin are with him. It’s fine, Andrew.”

“It is not,” he snarls. He tries to maneuver his shirt on whilst still holding his phone and he misses twice.

“It’s not,” Neil agrees. “It will be. Alive is a good start.”

“I should have been there.” He can feel the colour in his voice and he hates it, the threadiness of it. He tries not to regret things where people can see.

“I’m almost home, go get in the car,” Neil says. “We can be in Columbia before daylight.”

Andrew hangs up and strangles his phone with his fist. He looks down at the clothes he took off of Neil the night before and he thinks about the pointless choices he made that took him away from his brother when he needed him. He thinks about Aaron in a bar with someone’s eyes on him, someone who wanted him helpless and tried to make him that way. 

He snaps his phone in half, and wishes he could snap it into smaller pieces like folding paper.

It’s his fault. He pretends that deals absolve him of responsibility when he discards them. but it doesn’t work that way with blood. Aaron is the part of him that found better, sooner. Different timing, an inch to the left, and Aaron would’ve learned the worst parts of Andrew’s past demonstrated by some animal at Eden’s Twilight last night. 

Andrew took his eyes from his brother, his reflection, and the mirror fell and shattered.

He finds his way half-sick to the maserati, not bothering to lock any doors behind him. He gets to the car just as Neil jogs up with his cheeks red and his windbreaker open over his sweaty shirt.

“Andrew,” he gasps, and Andrew puts his hand out to stop him from speaking. It’s not enough to ignore him, not today. He gets up into the car and waits long enough for Neil to climb into the passenger’s seat before he takes off, the windows dewy in the early morning, the leather seats cool.

Columbia is muscle memory, he’s 20 above speeding with only his left hand on the wheel, the navy sky blurring in the glare of the headlights.

“He’s not going anywhere,” Neil says quietly, and Andrew’s fist clenches on the wheel, his other hand joins it so he won’t go for Neil’s throat.

“I know that the idea of a relative dodging death is means for celebration for you,” Andrew says. “But not everyone is as disgustingly blasé about living as you are.”

“You think I don’t get how it feels to be afraid of losing somebody? I buried my mother.”

“So did I.”

“You killed her,” Neil says, voice curiously far back in his throat like he’s going to cry.

“And you didn’t? Without your dead weight Mary Hatford might be in Hawaii right now.”

“Let me out,” Neil says, hand on the door handle, whole face turned away from Andrew.

“No.”

The car rockets over smooth highway and for a second Andrew thinks Neil might try to get out anyway.

“You’re right,” Neil says finally. “She made a lot of sacrifices for me.”

“She beat you.”

“She died for me. Don’t tell me you wouldn’t die for Aaron. For Nicky.”

“Don’t compare me to her,” Andrew spits. His head is starting to swim, tiredness on top of bone-deep terror on top of a rage that occupies an entire lobe of his brain.

Neil doesn’t reply, for once. The first fingers of daylight grip the car and try to pry the roof off of it. The exit for Columbia peels off the main road twenty minutes later, and Andrew follows its groove. His fear is a hand around the base of his spine.

They’re still not talking when they pull haphazardly into hospital visitor’s parking, and Andrew thinks maybe Neil’s realized he should put this battle back on the shelf.

Katelyn’s coming out of the room when Andrew and Neil find it, and Nicky and Kevin are posted like sentries on either side of the door.

Katelyn looks momentarily horrified at the sight of them, and then she squares her shoulders and jaw, and Andrew could almost muster something other than derision for her. “He’s awake.”

He ignores her and walks directly through the door without stopping. He barely registers Nicky exploding into a story, pinning Neil just outside the door.

He looks up into Aaron’s gaunt face and feels his whole body twist with equal parts relief and anger, his stomach curling up from either side like a poster that won’t lie flat. He crosses to him and holds his chin up, ignoring Aaron’s hand when it tries to bat him away. From the look in Aaron’s eyes he knows what this must have done to Andrew.

“Nothing happened,” he says hoarsely. “I blacked out.”

“So something might have happened,” Andrew presses, and Aaron shakes his head, reaching up to grip Andrew’s wrist, apparently already done with the uncaring act.

“Roland was keeping an eye on me—”

“Not close enough.”

“And Nicky and Kevin were next to me the whole night. I was never alone.”

There’s a smudge of charcoal in the corner of Aaron’s mouth. He looks miserable, his hair dark with grease and his eyes hollowed out. He’s an addict, Andrew thinks absently. He was targeted because of how he looks. He almost died.

“There are going to be consequences for this.”

“For me? Or for the— the guy.”

Andrew doesn’t gag, but his body tries to. “You know who did this?”

Aaron looks away. Andrew has the wildest feeling that he can’t do enough, even here with him, even with all the energy he’s trying to give. If he can’t be sharing cells with Aaron like he did when they were first split into two, it’s not enough.

“I know his face.”

“He’s dead,” Andrew promises.

“Andrew,” Aaron says, and he smiles so so slightly. “Do you even care?”

“Look at me,” Andrew says viciously. “You’re my responsibility.”

Aaron laughs humourlessly, sniffing. “You gave me up, remember.”

“I gave up our deal because you would not stop whining.” That’s not why, and Andrew hates that his chest throbs at the thought of Neil, even now. “I didn’t give you up. I won’t.”

Aaron looks back at him, eyes burning. He grabs Andrew’s collar like he can’t help it. “Nothing happened,” he says again, this time transparently for Andrew’s benefit.

“And it won’t,” Andrew says. “You’re done drinking.”

Aaron groans, head rolling back and grip loosening. “That’s not going to happen.”

Andrew wanders to the chair by the window and ignores the shake in his legs, adrenaline rolling off of him like fog off of still water. “Don’t go to Columbia alone again.”

“I wasn’t alone,” Aaron says, picking at his blanket. Andrew looks steadily at him until he meets his eye again. Aaron nods once. “I won’t.”

The door cracks open abruptly, and Neil’s mussed face appears. He glances at Aaron awkwardly before his eyes settle on Andrew heavily — like settling down to bed after a hard practice. “Is everything okay in here?”

Katelyn’s face appears at Neil’s shoulder, her mouth a tight moue, her hair sagging in its ponytail.

“Fine,” Aaron replies unexpectedly. He twitches a weak smile at Katelyn and then glances back at his brother. “We’re fine.”