#Electric Bikes For All Riders
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Top Rated Electric Bikes in USA 2022
There are numerous electric motorcycles, motorbikes, and scooters in the market operated by electric motors with durable batteries. The top brands offer excellent speed and superior performance with zero emissions.
#Top 10 Electric Bikes for 2022#Best Electric Bikes 2023#Electric Bikes For All Riders#Best budget electric bikes in 2023#Best electric road bikes of 2023
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I got some dirty motocross boots on my doorstep today with a note from Coach: "Great job on the track, here's a pair of my lucky boots." I I don't know how to feel about a used pair of boots, but Coach is always looking out for me. He knows I go through my gear quickly and these boots are a huge upgrade from my current pair. As the star motocross rider for his racing team, I'm not surprised he wants to show me some love. Some on the team joke he gives me more attention because they think he's crushing on me. That's all jealous bullshit I pay no mind to. Coach knows I don't swing that way.
I walk out to my garage to try on the boots. They're definitely a few sizes too big. Coach is a bigger guy, and I don't see how I could wear these for my next race. I slide into the boots and there's quite a bit of space in them.
"How do you like the new boots?" I look up to see Coach standing in my garage with a smile on his face.
He's never showed up at my place before. I'm more concerned how he found his way here, but feel a little inferior standing in his much bigger boots.
"I just tried them on. Thanks so much man, but they feel a little big on me."
"I expected that, but I have some more stuff for you that might help. Figured I'd drop it off personally." He pulls out a pair of bike pants covered in a layer of dirt. "These may be a bit bigger on you, but try them on. They're my special pair and I've had some great rides in them."
Maybe he's on to something I'm not seeing and this is a learning moment. I slide out of the boots and my jeans to slip on his pants. Just like boots they're hanging off me. I try to slip the boots on the boots again. Maybe the pants will fill in the boots some.
"Uhm, I don't know man. They may get caught up in the bike."
Just after I said it, I start to feel a growing surge of energy coming up through the soles of my feet. It's like static electricity tingling all around them. My feet are beginning to pulse and stretch out to fill in the boots. It feels like someone's massaging them and they're really starting to mold to the boots. My feet must now be a size 13!
The static is moving up my legs and I'm overwhelmed with pleasure. I stifle a moan as they begin to inflate my calves and quads. The pants are closing in and the cloth is now hugging me.
"Of fuckkkk" I'm feeling my ass bubble and fill out the back of the pants. My crotch has lightning running through my dick and I feel it begin to bulge and swell. I'm so fucking horny and look up to see Coach. He's got a smirk on his face and there's something really intriguing about him. I steady myself by leaning on my bike as I'm taking in all of his features. I'm seeing him through a new light and he's actually pretty fucking hot.
What would it feel like if he brushed up against me? Why am I thinking this? Oh fuck there's a jolt of lightning going through my ass. My hole is throbbing with energy and I'm breathing heavy like I'm an animal in heat. I slide the pants down to my ankles and push out my ass. Maybe he'll help a guy out.
He walks up and slides his hands down my boxers to find my hole. I find myself leaning back into his chest and let out a guttural moan as he slides his finger into me. I have pre flowing out of my dick as he begins to rub my prostate from the inside. He's got me hooked, and I'm completely under his control. He leans in and whispers into my ear "Prepare for the best ride of your life."
#straight to gay#gay tf#mental change#gay jock#jock#male transformation#muscle tf#boots#riding boots#motocross#motorcycle#dirtbike
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"A Ghanaian-English entrepreneur has designed an electric bike from the ground up that’s transforming short-range transportation in her home country, proving that problem-solving in Africa can be done in Africa, by Africans.
[Valerie Labi's] company, Wahu!, assembles each bike by hand, and they can travel up to 80 miles [128 kilometers] on a single charge. This means that a delivery rider for Glovo or Bolt can comfortably cover a whole day’s work without refueling.
Anyone who’s visited Accra, Ghana, in the dry season will remember the incredibly poor air quality. Poor roads mean that cars are stuck in second and third gears, and old cars traveling in second and third gears mean plenty of extra car exhaust.
Poor roads also mean exposed dirt, and exposed dirt means fine-grained dust. Combined with a lack of rain, the smog, dust, and car exhaust make the air in parts of the capital unfit for human health.
Wahu! bikes help alleviate all three of these problems, and despite her English nativity [Note: Super weird and unclear way to phrase it?] and education, the bikes were designed and manufactured in Spintex, Accra.
“By introducing electric bikes into Ghana’s transportation ecosystem, we’re not only providing a greener alternative but also offering speed and convenience,” Labi told The Mirror. “Our bikes are a testament to how service delivery can be seamlessly merged with environmental conservation.”
Valerie Labi is a true inspiration, and besides her transportation company, she got her start in the Ghanaian economy in sanitation. She holds a chieftaincy title as Gundugu Sabtanaa, given to her by the previous Chief of the Dagbon traditional area in the Northern Region of Ghana. She has three children, holds a double major in Economics and Sustainability from two separate universities, and has visited 59 countries.
Getting her start in Northern Ghana, she founded the social enterprise Sama Sama, a mobile toilet and sanitation company that now boasts 300,000 clients.
During her travels around the small, densely populated country, she also recognized that transportation was not only a problem, but offered real potential for eco-friendly solutions.
“It took us two years to effectively design a bike that we thought was fit for the African road, then we connected with Jumia and other delivery companies to get started,” she told The Mirror. “Currently, I have over 100 bikes in circulation and we give the bikes on a ‘work and pay’ basis directly to delivery riders.”
According to Labi, each driver pays about 300 Ghana cedis, or about $24.00, per week to use the bike, which can travel 24 miles per hour, and hold over 300 pounds of weight. The fat tires are supported by double-crown front/double-spring rear suspension.
The bikes are also guaranteed by the company’s proprietary anti-theft system of trackers. Only a single bike has been stolen, and it was quickly located and returned to the owner."
-via Good News Network, January 24, 2024
#ghana#africa#black excellence#black entrepreneurship#black girl magic#transportation#ebikes#bikes#delivery drivers#sustainability#air pollution#environment#good news#hope#btw want to say for the record that it is generally considered journalism best practice#to not use a person's name in the headline of an article unless they're already a public figure#partly for privacy reasons and partly because that way the title gives readers more info that they can usefully interpret#so not including her name in the article title isn't inherently a huge snub#though the fact that GNN forgot to include her name until like the 6th paragraph kind of is!#I looked into using the original article this is based on because of that but imho it wasn't as good#it was in interview format and the intro at the beginning had way less info on accra and the bikes/her company/her work
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Fuck It I’m Not Done
Biker headcanons for the AC Women that torment my brain
@kassandras-one-braincell you’ve broken me with this tbh I'm in shambles (affectionate) OG post here also NSFW warning this is a no minors post (or at the very least stop at the warning gdi)
Soma is sophisticated and expensive. Not gonna say too much here since I went into more detail previously but~ Imagine vintage restored bikes that are shiny and perfect all lined up in a pristine garage space with polished tool boxes that are filled with all her necessities to work on them and keep them gleaming. Professionally photographed, framed posters of you posed with her bikes adorn the walls of the space. She even picked lingerie to match each bike!
She only really rides one or two of her collection regularly, the majority are mostly for show. I imagine she’d have a cruiser with a good passenger seat on the back so she can take you on long scenic rides to beautiful locations, and you can bet your ass she’d have it shipped overseas on your vacations so she can take you all over the world on it. Soma is all class and polish, so her riding gear would definitely reflect that. High quality leather and helmets with coms will keep the two of you safe, comfortable and connected on your rides. She would probably have matching riding suits custom made for the two of you. I could just see her doing that.
Kassandra as the cocky performance rider. She’d have pick up lines for days, all the innuendo about taking you for a ride and how she knows how to handle curves. She’d chat you up good, and land a date for that same weekend.
She’d show up with an extra helmet and jacket for you, and she’d make sure it was all properly adjusted. In the og post about this concept, it says that you kiss her right when the helmets come off. I agree, and I’d say that you want to kiss her the moment she slides the helmet onto you and starts doing up the chin straps. For anyone who’s never worn a motorcycle helmet, they don’t have a clip like one for a bicycle would, it’s a strap that gets looped through two d-rings, and it’s kinda tricky at first. So, imagine: gazing up at her while she’s looking all intently at you with those gorgeous dark eyes, her fingertips working the thin strap quickly and efficiently on muscle memory. When she’s done she puts her hands on either side of it to check that it’s snug on your head and looks into your eyes for a moment longer than necessary. It’s electric.
When you arrive and she takes hers off, you’re still kind of fumbling with the unfamiliar clasp. She notices and hooks a finger through the loop, giving it a quick tug to undo it and free you of the helmet, whole time she's got that sexy little smile on her face. She takes it off of you and sets it on the seat behind you, arms reaching around your body to do so. At that moment you’re looking up at her and she’s so close. You can’t stop yourself from leaning in and up on your toes to steal a kiss. She’s a little surprised but doesn’t falter about kissing you back. Her hands rest so naturally on your waist. It’s short and sweet and leaves you both giddy with butterflies.
Your first date with her would be something sweet and romantic like taking you to a fancy park or perhaps a botanical garden. You’d walk around holding hands for hours and she’d be all chuffed that you gave her a kiss upon arrival to the date location. It would make her feel so confident and bold, wrapping her arms around you and allowing the affection to flow naturally. I think she would feel nervous about it being too much too soon but you just lean into it and look at her with stars in your eyes and it shuts that doubt right up. Very much a uhaul lesbian relationship in this case you would just fall so completely for each other and be comfortable together immediately. First date lasting three days kind of love story.
Eivor does motocross competitively and is a big name in the game. She also does trail riding but it’s more for fun so not her focus. She’s definitely the most reckless rider of the bunch but takes protective precautions seriously, bc she knows that she loves to go fast, push limits and pull stunts. However, if anyone else is on the bike with her she’s much more cautious and safe with her driving. She'd def pop some wheelies with you on the back if you were ok with it.
In this au I think she’d have a modest but comfortable house pretty far out of town on a decent chunk of land. She’d have a practice track built in her backyard with a trail looping around the edge and through the woods of her property. She’d do laps every day to stay at the top of her game, and just to enjoy the ride.
Her garage would be well organized but not shiny and fancy like Soma’s. Hers is functional and well used, in a separate building from the main house. Very Dad's Garage vibes in there I think. She’d love working on her own bikes, but I think she’d leave her competition bike’s maintenance to her trusted pro mechanic Gunnar.
Now I mentioned in my last reblog how I imagine they’d all have pics of you on their motorcycles, and that they’d have very different vibes.
Soma and Kassandra would display them like a trophy. Not publicly, but up on the walls of their own spaces. Eivor? She’s possessive. She wouldn’t want to have a photographer ruining the intimacy of your photos no matter who it was.
(here's where it gets nsfw)
Eivor would ride the two of you out to a nice secluded part of her property. A wooded area where she has a picnic table set up. You’d be all wrapped up in her riding jacket and pants, underneath them would be a pretty little number she picked for you, something simple and sexy like a matching bra and panty set with some lace. (I think Eivor is a bit too simple minded to prefer elaborate lingerie. Just show her something hot that she knows how to remove without finding a thousand clasps please and thank you)
She’d prop the bike up on its stand and use a Polaroid camera to take the pictures. The first ones you’re in the matching set with her jacket and your boots still on, straddling the bike with your hands on the bars as if you’re driving. She gets multiple angles, from the side so she can appreciate your legs, from the front so she can admire your breasts peeking out from the opening of her jacket.
The whole time she’d praise you saying “that’s a good girl, posing so pretty for me, now lean back let me see you- ah just like that, gods you’re perfect” she’s such a sexy photographer. By the time she’s done you’re about ready to hump the seat til you cum and she’s so horny she’s breathing manually. She knew that would happen, of course, and wore a strap under her jeans for the occasion.
After your photo shoot, she takes the dildo out of her harness and slides it back inside you, then helps you put her clothes back on over your underwear. She has you ride back with her to the house while you’re stuffed full like that. Every bump and jolt makes you whimper and dig your fingers into her. It’s not a long ride but you’re ready to rip every shred of her clothes off by the time you’re back
The pictures are kept in a cabinet by her work bench, there’s a few on the inside of the door held up with magnets, mostly the first few from the session, where you’re still partially clothed and gazing at the camera with your pretty, sultry eyes. The rest are tucked away in a small black photo album for her eyes only, the last few depict you laid back on the seat, bra gone, one of her strong hands cupping your breast. You’re holding your panties to the side, wet cunt stuffed full of her strap, your kissed bruised lips are parted in a moan. She keeps that one very secret, and takes it with her whenever she has to travel without you.
anyway now that you know I'm a total whore for this concept
This is my first time posting a full on hc set like this lemme know what you think and read the og post if you haven't yet! It sent me spiraling into madness <3
#eivor x reader#kassandra of sparta x reader#soma x reader#ac headcannons#biker au#I don't write much be nice pls#this is meant to be written in a very casual tone and style#im trying really hard to not be a horrendous perfectionist
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I’m A Fine-Tuned Supersonic Speed Machine
Summary:
A fascination had grown within Sonic from seeing the Ultimate Lifeform's most prized possession ever since a joint mission was completed. But he never saw it in action — until he did...and experienced it first-hand, too.
Or, 5 times Sonic looked at his rival with his motorcycle from afar, and 1 time Shadow caught him staring.
Rated Teen
1.
At the outskirts of White Jungle, a group of Mobians headed for the same clearing that had been their rendezvous spot before they had ventured into the thick and foggy wilderness, where an Eggman base now rested in ruins along with a myriad of destroyed bots.
"Whaaat a day, am I right?"
Sonic the Hedgehog was dropped safely to the ground by his brother, the fox coming to stand next to him after. Knuckles and the three members of Team Dark, who happened to have joined the heroes with today's mission, made their way over to where the two brothers stood.
"Tired so soon, Blue," Rouge teased, perching herself on top of one of Omega's bulky shoulders. The hero chuckled, shaking his head. "C'mon, I live for this! You do know adventure is my middle name, right? Besides, I've gotten through missions with a lot more badniks and fewer hours of sleep!"
"Even though, I agree and have suffered because of it--" Tails began, reaching out a hand to the cobalt speedster. Without having to say anything, Sonic already knew what his buddy wanted, sticking his hand inside his quills to pull out a small electronic device while scolding him. "I'm not torturing you, bud. I just don't want you staying up so late..."
The hedgehog gave the device to his brother, sharing a look with the genius that spoke of his caring side for him; with a sigh, the two-tailed fox smiled, grabbing his Miles Electric. "I know, I know, but if you're asking me to improve my sleeping habits, it's only fair you do it, too."
If it meant better health for his li'l bro, then why not? Sonic nodded and added his typical gesture of ruffling the youngster's bangs for fun. "You got yourself a deal!"
"Oh, how sweet~" the bat cooed from her place, watching the exchange between the two brothers before she grimaced. "So much that I can't help but feel like throwing up. Shadow, let's leave before they infect us with their gushy feelings and we start spewing the same nonsense!"
The black hedgehog grunted, already moving away from the group and toward a heap of heavy flora that had leaves meticulously overlapping each other. "You don't have to tell me twice," Shadow said, pushing the green foliage and revealing what was hidden under all that.
The sleek and shiny design, the recent paint job, and the familiar striking trademark that belonged to the last living descendant of the Black Arms - the Dark Rider was everything that defined spectacular and it represented the very thing that made Sonic's blood pump faster, his feet itch with anticipation, his face light up with excitement. Its name? Adventure. The dark vehicle was an open invitation to adventure, and the hero would be more than happy to take it one day.
"Well, I guess this is goodbye, boys," Sonic heard Rouge say somewhere in the background, probably thinking of giving Knux a personal farewell. And surely, his ears picked up on the usual bickering that came from the white bat's decision to do so, but he could care less about that. Right now, his full attention was on the bike that stood a few feet away from him, watching his striped rival climb onto the seat.
Somehow, the way how Shadow did it so gracefully - his feet fitting into the foot pegs, his hands wrapping around the handles, and his bottom meeting the arch of the seat perfectly - made it hard to believe that he was naturally aggressive when on foot. Then again, the speedster never did really know why one of the fastest hedgehogs on Mobius needed a motorcycle to go around when running got him to places faster. Still, he had never said anything on that matter because the hero had been hoping to see it in action one of these days.
Surprising considering how much time he'd been recently spending with his rival outside mission-related things.
"Sonic?"
Without taking his eyes off Shadow and his bike, the blue hedgehog hummed, tilting his ears in his brother's direction to show he was listening.
However, it didn't matter as the fox was too engrossed with his device to notice where his brother's attention was. Instead, the kid continued tapping at the screen of the Miles Electric and relayed the information he discovered about another Eggman base nearby. "According to these readings, there seems to be another base a couple of miles north from here."
"Active or empty?" Sonic asked, seeing the rest of Team Dark come into his field of vision as they approached Shadow. While they were busy chatting among themselves, the speedster kept himself entertained by how his rival managed to twist his upper body around so easily while being seated.
"Uhhh, looks like it's empty. Do you still want to check it out today or..?"
Casting a glance up at the foggy sky, he frowned. "Will it rain?"
"Let me check," Tails murmured and so, the hero went back to his staring, directing his focus to the motorcycle and widening his eyes at seeing the roaring engine come to life. The sound sent a thrill up his spine, yet it was the swift motion of the hybrid lifting off the kickstand with one foot, seeming to be so well-practiced by the looks of it, that had emerald eyes lighting up brighter than stars.
"Oh, it appears it won't! Not for another hour, at least."
Finally, the Blue Blur, doing as his title claimed, turned around instantly to face the young genius with an excited grin, letting him think it was one arising from the good news. "That's more than enough time to bust down that old place! Let's go!"
Before leaving, Sonic whipped his head around to catch one last glimpse of the Ultimate Lifeform on his famed Dark Rider...Well, maybe a bit longer than a glimpse, but no one noticed as the striped hedgehog disappeared in a green flash.
Catching his eye, Rouge saw the hero looking over in her direction, waving at him before heading off with Omega back to HQ. Sonic turned around, seeing his brother already leading the way up ahead; no big problem as he could easily catch up. Though, it had seemed that someone did catch onto his subtle staring.
Next to the cobalt speedster, the Guardian of the Master Emerald was narrowing his eyes at him, the corners of his lips turned downward. Blinking once, the hedgehog raised an eye ridge, shrugging. "What? Just wanted to make sure they were off safely..."
Knuckles didn't believe that for one second but said nothing, only shaking his head and going after the fox. "Whatever you say, hedgehog."
Guess Sonic needed to work on the subtlety part a bit more.
---
2.
But like everything else, the hero of Mobius tossed the whole 'being discreet about his staring' aside, thinking that being caught by his reclusive red friend - that lacked enough social cues to not know when Rouge's bickering was blatant flirting - was a coincidence.
Besides, when an opportunity lay before you, it was only fair and smart of you to take it, right? Sonic had that opportunity and took it.
"Congratulations, guys!" Amy skipped over to the trio, the winners of the car race that had just finished a couple of minutes ago. The blue hedgehog glanced at her, seeing a newly acquired hammer in her possession, but it only lasted a second before his eyes were drifting to a certain something that stood several feet behind the pink heroine. With only a short 'thanks, Ames' in response to her words, Sonic let one of his all-known smiles set across his lips as he immersed himself in another moment to stare at Dark Rider.
And, in extension, Shadow.
Best of all, no one would notice a single thing! Because while it appeared that the Blue Blur was engaged in a conversation with his four closest friends, his focus was somewhere else, guarded behind the safety of his new favorite pair of black sunglasses that he bought off that small kiosk that weirdly popped up out of nowhere during the race.
So, there he was, nodding along to whatever was being said between Amy, Tails, and Knuckles, but mentally, he was somewhere else; his emerald eyes trailed the length of Shadow's motorcycle, the ride's polished surfaces seeming to shine brighter under today's blinding sun. Such luster, however, was a stark contrast to the aura that surrounded its owner, who leaned back against the motorcycle with his arms crossed over his chest, a stormy glare directed at Sonic.
'Ha!' The hero's idle smile lifted into a toothy grin, his rival's sour mood always bringing pure joy to him. Sonic the Hedgehog also lived to prove to the so-called Ultimate Lifeform that no superior title and all that garbage of being made to be above them all (and to think he had a big ego) was relevant when it came down to see who was the best of the two. After all, there could only be one to take the first place - today's race ended with evidence of that.
Sonic won, Shadow lost (because falling in second place was just as bad as losing in the hedgehogs' minds). As for the prize, well...the hero was taking it as of currently.
The distant voices of his friends continued in the background, still adding his nod or 'yes' into the conversation; meanwhile, his mind was deciding on how if Shadow just happened to have worn one of those leather jackets he had seen Rouge gift him, he would look the part of a gangster.
A gangster that would ride his bike around the city like a maniac, surely - skipping all those red lights, making sharp turns, speeding up to make a jaw-dropping glide over an unfinished lane or highway bridge to the other side! Just about anything that would leave Sonic exhilarated, feeling the ever-familiar sense of danger tingling under his skin; adrenaline had always been something that got his system overflowing with this buzzing excitement. And perhaps riding the motorcycle could give him that euphoric high he’d never reached with fighting Eggman and saving the day.
Solely imagining what it would feel like to ride behind the striped hedgehog made Sonic's blood rush from wonderment. Brushing his peach chest up against the back of Shadow's leathered-clad back, securing his arms around his rival's waist, inhaling his scent as he rested his chin over one of Shadow's shoulders, whooping loudly to let him know how much he loved the sensation of the wind on his fur and making his quills dance wildly in the air as the hedgehog duo traveled at unimaginable speeds--
"--date, Sonic?"
Hearing his name, the blue hedgehog's mouth opened and answered, acting on autopilot but his wishful fantasy transferred into his tone. Without knowing, Sonic let out a dreamy sigh, "Yeah, sounds amazin'..."
"Oh my god, really?!" Amy's high-pitched squeal brought the speedster's daydream to a screeching halt. Under his shades, the hedgehog's eyes quickly turned to look at his friend's extremely happy state, the hammer-wielding fighter reaching out to grab Sonic's hand.
"Huh?" Sonic didn't know what was going on.
"I knew you would eventually start enjoying our dates!"
Dates? Oh fuck. The cobalt speedster glanced at his two friends next to him, trying to gauge what the hell he signed up for this time without paying attention. Unfortunately, Tails and Knuckles were reveling at the sight of one beaming Amy Rose thinking that her beloved hero was beginning to see her as something more when in reality, Sonic had been distracted, unknowingly accepting her request.
Even so, the Blue Blur tried to calm the bouncing female, telling her that this was a mistake (and Shadow's goddamn fault). "Look, Ames...you got this all wrong--"
Instantly, the pink hedgehog's demeanor changed, her bright smile slowly dwindling and her feet losing that upbeat skip. "Wrong?"
The hero chuckled nervously, scratching the back of his head in an attempt to pull away from her grip. "You see, I was," emerald eyes flicked over to look at the black hedgehog who was mounting onto his prized possession, and all the mesmeric images of Sonic on that ride, too, came flooding back to the front of his mind.
"You were what?" Amy pushed, narrowing her eyes at him.
And not only that, but she happened to visibly shift the hammer in her hold that was now empty of her hero's gloved hand closer into his field of vision; a reminder of the repetitive story that happened between the two hedgehogs whenever things didn't end up going right.
So, not left with much of a choice, Sonic swallowed what was supposed to be his original idea and instead, smiled at his friend, fearing for his life if he didn't make it look like it was genuine - there were only so many horrible headaches and pointless games of cat and mouse he could take.
"...wondering where you'd wanna go?"
Amy's enthusiasm revived, taking Sonic by the hand again and leading him to the fancy, blur race car parked next to an almost departing Shadow the Hedgehog. Along the way, the female fighter rambled on about where they should head, but Sonic was too busy trying to see if he could catch his rival leaving on his motorcycle in a black blur like in his dream and yanked his sunglasses off.
However, it was not possible as the Resistance fighter blocked the hero's sight by startling him with a kiss on his cheek, winking at him afterward, and skipping over to hop onto the passenger's seat of his racecar; by the time he looked at the place where Shadow had been, there was nothing left but a billowing cloud of dust.
Maybe Sonic had won the race, but he didn't get his well-deserved prize in the end.
---
3.
At this point, if people knew of his interest when it came to the intimidating vehicle, they would have come up to the hero asking what exactly made him become fascinated with such a thing, especially when he wasn't one to prefer something over his feet. Was it the need to experience a ride? If that was the case, then Sonic could have simply gotten over it by testing any motorcycle at a local shop in Station Square's downtown area. Easy and quick.
Except it wasn't just about any motorcycle, the hero wanted to specifically take the Dark Rider around Mobius until he exhausted every last drop of fuel in its tank. For that to happen, Sonic knew he would most likely have to end up pestering his rival to use it, or perhaps, stealing it without permission would be better - the sparring challenge that would come after Shadow tracked him down only encouraged him to do it rather than stand here and think about it.
Well, he had been ready to act on it, the ongoing celebration of Tails' birthday party the ideal environment to pursue his one-step plan, but as he had walked past the crowd of close friends and spotted familiar black quills near one of the snack tables by the workshop's garage closed doors, he paused. The mischievous grin he had been sporting while trying to close in on his target faded away, a confused frown taking its place because right next to the Ultimate Lifeform and his precious bike stood the lavender feline princess.
Blaze.
Now what?
Honestly, her being there wasn't enough to refrain the blue hedgehog from doing something reckless around Shadow, considering that there was always someone present to see the shenanigans the hero got himself into by messing around with the one person that found him utterly annoying. So what exactly was stopping him?
He pondered the question while standing there, at a safe distance from the two most introverted people he knew at this party having a casual conversation. Luckily, someone was willing to offer an answer.
"Jealousy is not a nice look on you, Blue."
At hearing Rouge's voice, the speedster quickly shifted his attention away from his rival and the princess, exchanging his frown for a smirk. The bat had walked up to stand next to the hero, nonchalantly sipping at her red solo cup.
"Rouge, likin' the party so far?"
She snorted, shuffling closer to rest her elbow over one of his shoulders. "I am, but are you?"
Sonic gave her a weird look. "Why wouldn't I be?"
"Ohhh, so we're gonna play dumb," the agent drawled with a roll of her eyes, finishing her drink before clearing her throat. "Look, sugar, as Shadow's 'friend'," she added air quotes around the term, "I should be telling you to get your ass as far away as possible from him."
"Why?"
Rouge gestured over to where her partner-in-arms stood. "When was the last time you saw him interact with someone apart from Omega, you, and I?"
The silence that followed gave away the answer.
"Exactly, so let him have this. Besides," her tone became suggestive, "you never know, those two could hit it off..."
"The man has a soft spot for kitties - the princess has an advantage already over you--"
"Psssh! Nice one, Rouge." The hero couldn't help but laugh at what she was saying, bending over to exaggerate the ridiculousness of the situation she was describing. Yet, uprighting himself, he noticed how the bat was not mirroring his behavior, the first sign that showed she wasn't joking, and her crossed arms only made him stop in an instant.
"You're serious?"
The cobalt speedster scoffed, picking at his ear with his gloved pinkie. "Sorry, Rouge, but I ain't looking for the Faker to have a soft spot for me."
"Then explain the ugly scowl you were clearly directing at your fiery gal."
Sonic stared at the GUN agent, holding his gaze steady before her, but after knowing how she wouldn't let this be and bring it up again at an inopportune time, he surrendered...somewhat.
"Okay, you caught me!" Sonic threw his arms wide open as if to show that she was right. "I'm jealous--"
"Ha!" she cheered, smirking. But her victory didn't last long as the hero raised a finger to cut her off, mirroring her smirk. "Of the fact that Blaze's welcomed to get close to Dark Rider without so much of a complaint on Shadow's part."
The bat took a moment to process the words, varying expressions flashing across her face to the Blue Blur's amusement and mild fear. He hoped she didn't think more of the situation because the woman tended to read between the lines when there wasn't any in-between to be looking through in the first place!
"The bike, huh?" she asked, turning around to observe the black hedgehog and princess in the distance, studying the way her teammate pointed at certain parts of his GUN-assigned vehicle while explaining something to the Guardian of the Sol Emeralds. Shadow and Blaze were certainly not close, yet it would be possible for the two to get along the most outside their small group of acquaintances. So to see how the two Mobians were interacting, Rouge had only wished to poke fun at the hero about no longer receiving Shadow's full attention, regardless of it being rude and aggressive.
But after hearing Knuckles' comment the other day about what he saw at White Jungle, this curiosity Sonic had toward the motorcycle wasn't what it meant in a literal manner. The Dark Rider was a substitute for something--no, someone that the hero of Mobius had yet to accept to feel something for.
"Well, good thing you got me as your friend, too," Rouge remarked, a plan formulating in her head unbeknownst to the hero, who ended up even more confused by her comment. Instead of elaborating, the agent patted Sonic's shoulder and smiled. "Let's fix you up a date with that hot ride."
"Date?" Sonic repeated, becoming flustered. "I told you, Rouge, I'm not interested in Shadow--"
"I meant the motorcycle, Blue..."
"Oh."
Oh, indeed. Rouge chuckled, walking away from the embarrassed male, and wondered why all hedgehogs were so stubborn when it came to these things about feelings and attraction. Well, she guessed she could add one particular red echidna to the list, too.
---
4.
Sonic soon learned what Rouge had meant that evening at Tails' birthday party. The answer came in the form of the two elite agents standing at the doorstep of the fox's workshop one week later.
“So what happened again?” Tails glanced up from where he was busy taking in the damage done to the motorcycle’s engine.
Shadow relayed the details, himself occupied with looking over the rest of his bike. “We had a mission over at Mazuri—”
“You guys went to Mazuri and didn’t invite me!” Sonic butted in as he came walking through the workshop’s entrance with a takeout bag in one hand. Passing Rouge on his way to put the bag on an empty counter, the hero gave her a knowing look to which she winked in response. “Hey, Big Blue. Aaaand you know we would have—"
Shadow scoffed, glancing up at the bat when she said that. “Never in a million years.”
Rouge rolled her eyes, “Okay, I would have sent you a message if I could, but it was a classified kind of gig. No outsiders allowed."
"Ah, I see," Sonic wandered toward where his brother and his rival were huddled around the motorcycle. The two talked and pointed at several parts from where the engine had been removed to take a thorough scan of the bike's interior. Already, the hero was closer to the motorcycle than he'd ever been before; unfortunately, this time there were dents, serious scrapes, and once sleek black colors now showing signs of rust.
But what was a little adventure if not getting a few scratches here and there?
All that mattered to Sonic was being close to the bike, caring any less for how it looked now because appearances were only one thing. He stepped over to stand on the side where Shadow was crouching, staring at where ungloved hands were delicately propped on the bike. Sonic couldn't help himself from his indulging staring again, admiring the long and bold red stripe that slithered down Shadow's arm to his hand, splitting into two thinner lines that led to his middle finger and pinkie only. Even then, the middle finger's crimson stripe followed straight down to neatly trimmed black claws while the Pinkie's stripe curled around the smaller digit twice to reach an identical claw.
Sonic always knew his rival was different, being half hedgehog and half Black Arms, but whereas the reminder of his bloodline often disturbed other people, it simply made the agent more attractive to the hero. Everything he thought was pleasing to look at for Shadow seemed like a threat to others; the sharp, striped quills, his much pointier fangs, and strong, powerful muscles.
Though, Shadow's bright, red rubies were Sonic's favorite.
They reminded him of sunsets, of cherries on top of sundaes, of the molten lava surrounding the volcanic area in Red Mountain.
Red had always been a meaningful color to the speedster, and to see his rival have it as a trademark trait of his without acknowledging Sonic's original intent already - like, hello, red shoes! - made Sonic chuckle.
It caught Shadow's attention, who glanced up at the blue hero hovering over him with a frown.
"What's so funny, hedgehog?"
Sonic shrugged, wearing a goofy smile that only seemed to make the striped hedgehog's eyes narrow further.
"Nothin', just...noticed something, that's all."
"Noticed what?" Shadow asked, his tone suggesting the hero be careful about how he went about this.
Sonic gestured at the barely eligible insignia the Dark Rider usually had beautifully painted over on the side. "You went for red as your brand."
The agent looked at his scratched bike's insignia, staring at it with knitted brows. The little pout Shadow unknowingly made when thinking hard about something brought out another chuckle from the hero.
"So?" Shadow huffed, not knowing what had his rival laughing at him beginning to annoy him.
A cocky grin slipped across fawn lips and emerald eyes lit up.
"Well, not to brag or anything, buuuut red's been my kind of thing since the start. I mean have you seen how many pairs of red shoes I own?"
"He actually has a whole line of shoes and accessories made by him for that brand - Swift Speed," the fox genius piped in from the other side, where he was writing down notes about what parts to order to fix the motorcycle.
"Oh yeah! Forgot 'bout that, I really don't tell others, though..."
"Swift Speed?" Rouge grinned, catching Sonic's attention. "Oh my god..." Her teal eyes were glued to the dark hedgehog who was standing back up.
"Rouge, don't," came the simple warning, but the bat was too excited to share her discovery. "Shadow only ever uses that brand for when he wants to give his air shoes a break!"
"Oh really..." Sonic grinned, turning back to stare at his embarrassed rival.
"Rouge, stop."
"You have like what? Two or three pairs of running shoes for each color they have," she snickered, making her friend groan in annoyance. "Something about the maker having good taste in style and comfort."
Meanwhile, Sonic was reveling in this new information, pushing this whole thing a step further by shuffling closer to his striped rival and bumping his hip with Shadow's.
"I guess we all know what that means, right?" Sonic teased, slinging an arm freely over ebony shoulders. Regardless of what Rouge just put him through, Shadow was still brave enough to look the hero in the eye and mutter. "No...what?"
"That you should be the starring model for my shoe line! Think about it...you could pose even with this bad boy," Sonic released the agent to turn around and place both his hands on the Dark Rider. And once he couldn't believe he was actually touching the motorcycle, he took the biggest step so far he could with Shadow's property. He swiftly swung a leg over it and posed for his dark counterpart with a smirk.
"And if you need help, I'm always down to show you some poses," Sonic let his eyelids droop, becoming half-lidded and suggestive.
"Get off my bike."
"Oh, c'mon, Shads! I'll take good care of you both," the hero winked, his flirtations leaving the dark hedgehog with an angered look by the way his face was burning brighter than the pretty red on his stripes. To further prove it, the hero's eyes widened as Shadow came at him with a menacing snarl. Quickly, Sonic scrambled off the bike and fled the workshop, offering a quick word of gratitude toward Rouge for trying on his way out with a hot-tempered striped hedgehog on his tail.
Rouge just watched the boys leave, the sounds of the fox tinkering filling the background. She couldn't help but roll her eyes at Sonic's blatant stubbornness, having found the smile on his face as he left running with Shadow after him bigger than the one he wore when he finally touched the motorcycle he desperately wanted.
---
5.
It was always one step forward, and two steps back with Shadow.
Whatever chances he'd gained from last week through Rouge's help were nothing when the striped hedgehog simply ripped them away from Sonic's hands in the next moment. And because he couldn't figure it out yet, the hero blamed it all on his rival, and his outright rude intentions of ignoring him today of all days.
It was the World Grand Prix, and it was down to the last section for riders to use their boards to race through Mazuri's savannah and through exotic smaller towns around the citadel.
Sonic and his pals never missed a chance to show up and enjoy the fun with thousands of others that followed the races across the world; it also didn't stop the blue hedgehog from "accidentally" bumping into an old green-feathered friend and shaking things up with their nostalgic rivalry. And though Jet came off as the same self-centered jerk and remained to bruise Sonic's ego any way he could, deep down the hedgehog knew the hawk was more than happy to have a worthy challenge to look forward to racing with.
But, of course, no one could beat Sonic's best rival - Shadow the Hedgehog.
He was the only one that could test the hero in all the ways others dreamed of or tried and failed. No one could rise to the challenge like the Ultimate Lifeform, and that was something Sonic would rather take to his grave than reveal to anybody lest he want to endure the rest of his life with Shadow constantly reminding him.
Actually, right about now, Sonic wouldn't mind, still standing in the contestants' lane waiting for the announcer to call out the time to head over for the last part of the race. All the wins he had accumulated over the race meant nothing to Sonic right now as he continued to glare at where Jet and Shadow stood, sharing conversation.
Team Dark had arrived halfway through the Grand Prix, and they seemed to have no intention of participating this time around. It'd been a shame since it would've turned the competition a lot fiercer, action-packed...a lot more of Shadow to butt heads with. While Jet gave Sonic adrenaline to beat him at his own game, having Shadow around would have done wonders for the hero's excitement.
Heck, the blue hedgehog would have been delighted to have his striped rival witness first-hand how he beat the green hawk on the track.
Instead, Shadow didn't even acknowledge him! Not even a simple glance in his direction. The agent gave Sonic nothing, and only made the hero's mood worsen as the race progressed by voluntarily going up with Rouge to talk to the Rogues, both GUN agents engaging in civilized talk with the birds— well, Rouge more or so flirted with the purple swallow. But that was the last thing the hero cared about, his attention narrowed down to the green Extreme Gear racer and the Ultimate Lifeform.
"Oh no, here we go again," a familiar voice spoke up from Sonic's side.
He glanced over to find Knuckles coming to stand next to him with Tails at his other side.
"What do you mean?" The young genius asked, cocking his head to the side in curiosity.
The echidna pointed at the group standing across the lane, chatting comfortably with each other. "Sonic's jealous that Jet is striking up a conversation with Shadow because you see our friend here," Knuckles smugly swung an arm over Sonic's stiff shoulders. "He's got this little crush on the Ultimate Lifeform—"
"No," Sonic growled, shrugging off his friend's arm. "I'm not jealous because I don't have a crush on Shadow!"
"Say it any louder and he just might think so."
The hero huffed, ignoring the odd looks he was receiving from the other racers, and though he wish for his striped rival to not have heard him, a little part of him did just to get his attention.
"Look, let's just go get ready to win this race, okay?"
Because he'd rather stand under Mazuri's hot sun by the tracks than see another second of this preposterous scene before him, his friends also seemed to notice as they shared a look of amusement and followed the hero out from the sheltered lane.
Everything went downhill when Sonic saw Shadow approach Jet because he nor his team ended up winning the final race, earning second place on the scoreboard to the hedgehog's dismay. Still, he congratulated his friends and high-fived them as they walked back to the contestants' lane to get some water. Sure, the defeat wasn't what Sonic had planned, but he took the blame for that with his mind having been distracted on the race track, especially with Jet at his side taunting him and all.
It kind of got to his head, but he was ready to move on from today, suggesting to his brother and friend about celebrating with a good dinner. So, the trio headed into the citadel, walking the crowded streets and pointing out new things since they last visited Mazuri until they arrived at a local restaurant with the best meals served fresh.
They took their seats outside, chilling under the welcoming shade of the table's thatch canopy and sharing their thoughts on the Grand Prix. The crowds along the main road thrived with lively conversations, local sellers pulled in tourists to buy exotic tokens, and a small band was playing at one of the corners of the main road's intersection. It was all going well, perfectly well, but leave it up to Shadow to keep ruining the hero's day.
Sonic had been in the middle of telling his friends about the cool move he pulled off in the first leg of today's race when a roaring engine cut through the buzzing streets and lively music. Heads turned in the direction of where the sound was coming from; a handful of excited gasps and chirps of acknowledgment went around the other tables by Sonic's.
He figured out why pretty soon.
An eye-catching ride pulled up to the same street where Sonic and the others were sitting out to enjoy their dinner. The two riders on the motorcycle found themselves at the center of attention, the Dark Rider itself having attracted plenty enough, but with the two well-known Mobians climbing off the bike it doubled the spectators' awe.
"Seriously," the blue hedgehog scoffed, ticked off that of all the places in Mazuri this had to be the one they would come to. And that wasn't even the half of Sonic's problem, eyeing his green feathery rival with open envy as he stepped away from the motorcycle and its owner.
Unfortunately, his staring didn't go unnoticed by the hawk, azure eyes making contact with an unyielding emerald gaze.
"Well, well, well, look who do we have here," the cocky hawk sauntered over to the hedgehog's table, receiving two scowls apart from the hero's. "Celebrating your second-place win?"
"Until your ugly face ruined it, yeah pretty much," Sonic snapped rudely, crossing his arms over his chest.
Jet snorted. "Awful comeback, must be a side effect from losing."
"We didn't lose! It was just a choice of heart to let you win this time around."
"Whatever," the green hawk shrugged, still wearing his smug grin to the speedster's bother. "I think it was high time someone humbled you, and you should be thanking me really."
Sonic gawked, "Thank you? For what?"
"That it was me you lost to and not Shadow—hey!" Suddenly, the hawk leaned over and his azure gaze grew mischievous. "Did you know he bet on you winning? The poor guy came up to me before the race to settle a little deal only to be disappointed by your loss."
Sonic paled, the hawk snickering at his reaction. "I can't wait to tell him it was a choice of heart that made him lose our bet."
Jet was about to go off and do whatever he came here to do, but before he could, Sonic blurted out something. "What was the bet?"
Glancing over his shoulder at the hero, Jet smirked, motioning at where Shadow was busy talking to someone on his phone. "See that nice bike? Well, let's just say you aren't the first rival to get a cool ride on it...see you around, Sonic."
Off the Extreme Gear rider went, heading into the restaurant and disappearing among the crowd standing in line waiting for their orders. Meanwhile, the hero slumped back into his chair, stunned and annoyed by what Jet had revealed; Knuckles had been ready to poke fun at Sonic again, but a harsh nudge and silent glare from the fox stopped him from doing it. The two left their blue friend to figure out his thoughts alone and in silence, both already knowing why Jet's confession disturbed Sonic so much.
And it had nothing to do with the bike, but that was for the hero to figure out on his own.
They half expected him to head over and talk to Shadow first-hand, but they were simply witnesses to their friend's obvious staring. Sonic kept his gaze on the dark hedgehog by the street, who remained oblivious to what just happened and the eyes that were on him.
While Tails and Knuckles continued with their meal, checking on Sonic every other moment, the hero himself was dissecting his thoughts one by one, glancing between his rival and the Dark Rider. There were questions about why would Shadow bring his bike back to Mazuri when it had gotten damaged here in the first place, and why would Team Dark not want to participate in the Grand Prix this year. Alas, these questions were smaller in importance when compared to why would Shadow bet on Sonic winning and getting his most prized possession involved in the mix. Did the agent really think Sonic would win?
Sonic's eyes widened, is that why he was here...to see him win?
The thought of the hybrid solely coming to the races to watch Sonic made his cheeks warm, shifting in his seat at thinking about bright rubies following his every move from the moment he stepped out of the contestants' lane to the tracks. Sonic wasn't going to lie to himself; the mere idea of having Shadow's attention was satisfying, but knowing he believed Sonic to win, it was a lot more than satisfying.
It meant Shadow respected him, acknowledged his abilities, and perhaps, admired him. On some level. An equal level for sure if Jet's words were anything to go by, but it made the hero wonder if that were the case, then why treat him as if he were less?
"Why won't you let me ride with you?" Sonic asked, whispering under his breath.
"What was that?"
Startled by Tails' voice, the blue hedgehog looked over at his brother and smiled, shaking his head. "Nothing! Just thinking about what to order for dessert."
The fox slowly nodded, amused by his behavior. "Okaaay..."
Avoiding his brother's curious gaze, the hero went back to staring at Shadow and his motorcycle, finally noticing that it looked way better than it had been over a week ago. It got its shine back, a new paint job, and tires, too. Now seeing the bike sporting its usual attractiveness, Sonic couldn't help but think about the deal Shadow and Jet made a little more, recalling that the hawk only explained what he won because of the bet.
Though what would have happened if Sonic won the race leaving Shadow to take his side of the bet?
A what-if the hero would not know unless he asked Jet - definitely not - or Shadow - also not a chance. He let out a dejected sigh figuring he would never know the answer, and all because he got distracted by Shadow and Jet talking to each other as if they were best buds—oh, that asshole.
Of course, what an idiot he was!
Sonic was right; it was always one step forward, and two steps back with the Ultimate Lifeform.
At least now he knew that Shadow knew he was the winner before the race even began, smirking at seeing his feathery rival walk back out of the restaurant and flashing the hero another cocky grin. Sonic saw Jet reunite with Shadow at his motorcycle, saying something to each other before the dark hedgehog offered the hawk a helping hand.
Sure, it made Sonic's jaw tick, but the giddiness he was suddenly feeling surpassed the hotness he felt in his chest at seeing Shadow leave with someone that wasn't him on his precious bike. Because at the end of the day, all that mattered was that Shadow knew Sonic was his best rival, the only worthwhile to come to see and play an easy deal for to just end up fooling everyone else.
Well, he didn't fool Sonic.
---
6.
It was a month after the incident at the World Grand Prix when Sonic saw his rival again.
The spontaneous visit could have gone perfectly great if it weren't for the awful timing to end up with an injury after Eggman's attack. Luckily, with the additional help of Team Dark, the Doctor was easily defeated, cursing at the hero and his friends for ruining his plans once again. The one that didn't walk away from the battle so lucky was Sonic, sporting a sprained ankle.
So, now here he sat on the ground, bearing the same old argument Tails and Amy had each time the speedster was injured. It upset him for the most part because he felt embarrassed to be treated like a child. In front of his rival nonetheless! But he kept quiet, blocking out whatever his brother and Amy were discussing, and glanced over to where Shadow and Rouge were checking up on Omega. It appeared the destruction-loving robot took a pretty nasty hit during the fight and had some damage done to his core battery.
But by the looks of it, nothing serious was done as Rouge patted her teammate on his bulky arm while Shadow rolled his eyes rather playfully. Not long after, the dark hedgehog headed for an overgrown bush, parting tree branches and thick leaves to reveal where he had hidden his bike this time around.
Sonic perked up at the sight of it, curiously watching how attentive Shadow was being as he made sure his motorcycle didn't get scratched. It was kind of cute, the hero thought. He'd never seen his rival take care of something so much to the point where it looked like the Dark Rider meant everything to him.
Maybe it did, Sonic smirked, guiding his gaze over the bike's comfy seat and the insignia's outline. The symbol's red color reminded him of his owner with ruby eyes and striking striped quills, and he couldn't help himself to a soft laugh at remembering how he proved to Shadow that he'd been wearing Sonic's signature color all these years.
Something about red looked perfect against black.
The thought made the hero's chest swell up with warmth, risking a chance to look at his dark rival. He saw him looking over his bike, passing his gloved hands over the handles and shiny surfaces—those same hands ran along Sonic's sides, pressing gently into blue hips—holy fuck, Sonic's eyes widened, feeling his breath taken away at realizing where his thoughts were going. Where the hell did that even come from?
Feeling even more embarrassed, the speedster shifted, readjusting his sitting position on the ground and making sure that neither Amy nor Tails were looking at him. Damn it, the last thing he needed was for his brother to point out his blushing face that sure enough he felt crawling down his neck too. Amy would surely give him hell about it, demanding to know what evoked this sort of reaction from him.
He knew the only way to calm down was to avert his eyes from Shadow and the motorcycle, but...the temptation was irresistible; just a small peek, he reasoned with himself.
Emerald eyes steadily retraced their way back to the hybrid standing by the Dark Rider, starting from familiar air shoes, going up the length of striped feet, stopping to momentarily admire the athletic muscles, and continuing up to a strongly built chest until...crimson eyes were staring back at him.
"Fuck," Sonic whispered, mortified at being caught and quickly, ripping his gaze away from Shadow.
He didn't dare to look back and see if Shadow's eyes were still on him, instead struggling to breathe properly; however, this caught his brother's attention to the blue hedgehog's dismay.
"Sonic, are you feeling okay?" The young fox knelt, scanning Sonic's face and pressing a hand to his forehead.
Tails frowned, "You're burning up and shaking..."
These observations devastatingly attracted everyone else's attention, too, making the hero squirm even more under curious eyes. Least of all, now Shadow standing within arm's distance and staring down at Sonic with a knowing smirk. Another flush of redness swarmed the hero's face as he made eye contact with his rival, and to his even greater displeasure, had Amy fret over his health, too.
"Oh! I think he has a fever! We need to take him back to the workshop before it gets worse!" The pink hedgehog crowded the hero's space and glanced over to Tails with an irked expression. "C'mon, Tails! We can't waste any more time!"
"If I take him, the height will just make it worse. He could end up feeling nauseous."
Amy glared at the fox, crossing her arms over her chest. "Then what are we going to do? He can't walk with his sprained ankle—"
"I'll take him."
All eyes landed on Shadow.
"Uh, n-no, that's okay—I'm sure we can figure something else out," Sonic stuttered, staring at anything but the agent.
"Yeah, we don't want to impose on you," Amy added, her jade eyes narrowing at seeing how the dark hedgehog was looking at Sonic. "Besides, carrying him back to the workshop is equally as dangerous as Tails taking him over."
Shadow's smirk remained, casting the pink hedgehog a mirthful look. "We can take my bike."
Rouge nodded, "He's a natural on that thing, so there are no chances of anything bad happening."
"But what about—" Amy started, finding another excuse but was cut off by the hybrid.
"We'll get there before any of you do unless..." Shadow was now blatantly challenging the pink hedgehog. "You want to wait here and come up with another solution while Sonic's condition gets worse."
Offended, Amy rose to her feet. "No! Of course not! I just—I just want to make sure Sonic's in good hands."
Having remained a silent spectator of the discussion, Sonic would have thanked Amy for her care, but all that his mind was feeding him was thoughts of Shadow's hands again - caressing his fawn chest and fingers running through his blue quills. Oh god, Sonic was doomed.
So, so doomed as Omega caught onto how his face continued to redden, almost matching the color of his shoes.
"THE BLUE HEDGEHOG'S SYSTEM IS SHOWING SIGNS OF THE QUICKENING OF HIS HEART RATE AND HIS UNFAVORABLE TEMPERATURE CONTINUING TO RISE."
"You heard the guy. Let's get Big Blue moving," Rouge snapped her fingers and nodded for Shadow to take the injured hero away.
That was all the striped hedgehog needed to crouch low on the ground, reaching out and wrapping his arms around Sonic. With their faces only being only a few inches apart, the hero was afraid to say anything to him, avoiding his rival's gaze. Although, it was difficult doing so when the very same thoughts he was having about Shadow's hands were nearing the possibility of happening in real life as he felt gloved hands slide delicately across his back and hook an arm under his knees.
This would haunt his dreams in the middle of the night if the feeling of being pressed up against the hybrid's sturdy chest wasn't already awakening even more confusing reactions from the blue hedgehog.
Sonic bit back the whimper that fought to free itself from his lips, roughly swallowing the thickness lodged in his throat.
"Okay, we'll meet you back at the workshop," Rouge walked after the dark hedgehog carrying his blue rival to the Dark Rider. She observed in delight as Shadow settled the hero carefully on the seat, deliberately touching his shoulders and waist while explaining to Sonic he wanted to make sure he was secured.
Shadow was then climbing onto the bike, too, and glancing at Sonic over his shoulder. "Hold onto me or you'll fall off."
"Wait, what?"
Huffing, the bat turned to Rose who was in earshot of hearing Shadow's advice as she walked up to them. "He was joking. Sonic's not gonna fall off, buuuut..." Rouge sauntered over to stand before Sonic, a mischievous smile making the hero nervous. "It won't hurt to make the ride a little safer."
Sonic blushed, hesitantly circling his hands around Shadow's waist. "Um, can we go now?"
"Get him outta here, Shadow before he grows any more impatient!" The bat winked at the cobalt speedster, backing off to let the hybrid start the engine. "You're in good hands with the Ultimate Lifeform, Big Blue—oh!"
She gestured for Shadow to wait for a second, her eyes still on the flustered hedgehog behind him. "Before I forget, you owe me."
Sonic frowned, confused. "Owe you? For what?"
Rouge rolled her eyes. "Oh, don't act stupid, Blue. You know what I mean, but in case you don't, Shadow will tell once you get home."
With that being said, Shadow took Rouge's wave as his cue to leave, grinning as he sped across the field with now a gasping Sonic the Hedgehog behind him. The hero hadn't expected the motorcycle to reach these kinds of speeds, seeming to almost match Shadow's and his natural pace when running. But as the shock gradually resided, exhilaration took over and made Sonic forget about his previous awkward state.
He had waited too long for this and it was everything he had hoped for.
Sonic let out a laugh, enjoying the whipping wind hitting his face as Shadow made a turn to head for the city's limits. "Whoa! Hey, aren't we going to the workshop?"
The dark hedgehog shot the hero a quick glance, grinning. "We are, but if we're going to beat them there, we might as well take a little detour."
Finding this playful side of his usually grumpy rival amusing, Sonic chuckled, relaxing into his place against Shadow's back. "Since when are you the fun type?"
The hero saw the agent shrug, guiding them into the first street at the road signs' speed which was a little slower than what Sonic liked but loved the rumbling vibration coming from the engine.
"Maybe you're rubbing off on me."
Sonic smirked, "So I guess my work is finally paying off."
"What?!" Shadow yelled out as he increased the speed, skillfully driving between the lanes and using any openings to push through the rest of the cars and building traffic.
They were approaching the heart of the city, but Sonic let out another cheerful laugh as Shadow dodged the incoming traffic, shocking the hero when he ran a red light.
"Did you just do what I think you did?!"
"Can't hear you! Speak up, hedgehog!"
Grunting, the speedster scooted closer, pressing his chest right against Shadow's back, and leaned over to let his mouth hover closely at the hybrid's left side of his face.
"I said you ran a red light—"
Sonic's words died on his tongue as Shadow quickly turned his face to press a soft kiss to unsuspecting lips, breaking away with a smile at seeing the hero's shocked face. Shadow chuckled, his ruby eyes twinkling now under the evening sun. It took the blue hedgehog a full sixty seconds to realize what just happened, staring at the agent with wide eyes, flushed cheeks, and mouth agape. It was only after Shadow saw the hero blink that he laughed, nudging Sonic's muzzle with his own to regain his focus.
"See, told you you're rubbing off on me," Shadow purred, shifting his attention back to the road sadly, but he felt Sonic finally react.
"You...you kissed me?" Sonic didn't know what to do. This was all so unexpected, but...he liked it. After all, surprises were his favorite thing. Still, he needed to make sure this was what he thought and not some funny joke Shadow decided to pull on him—"It's not April Fools' today is it?!"
Shadow snorted, shaking his head. "No, you idiot!"
"Then why did you kiss me?!" Sonic shouted over the bustling noise of other cars and honking.
"Because I can!"
"I'm serious!" Sonic rolled his eyes, squeezing Shadow's waist for emphasis.
"Fine! I'll tell you...after this!"
In a practiced maneuver, the agent was pushing the pace higher, switching lanes to the farthest left before making a graceful turn. He was leading them to the highway entrance ramp, not slowing down as his swift speed scared away other drivers and let him onto the highway. Without having to worry about any highway patrol at this hour, Shadow took advantage and really made Sonic's first ride worth all the time in the world.
Sonic felt the air being punched out of his lungs in the best way possible as he held on tighter to Shadow, not holding back his loud whooping as they broke every highway speed rule by worming their way between cars and angry drivers. Shadow joined him in his bout of joy, feeling the vibrations of the agent's laughter against his chest and grinning even wider when Shadow's shoulders shook with every laugh as well.
"Get ready!"
That was all the hero got before his rival was tilting the bike toward the right, gliding across the three lanes to get to the edge where a sign Sonic caught a fleeting glance of signaled that a bridge was coming up in a few miles. He was about to ask Shadow about it until he saw another three massive signs alerting drivers that the bridge was under reconstruction, leaving a shiver to run down Sonic's spine.
That was it; the tingling sensation he'd been dreaming about these past few months.
This was what Sonic craved ever since he felt the desire to ride this very motorcycle with his rival and run it for as long as it let them.
"Oh, this going to be so fucking cool!" Sonic's eyes widen as the bridge's ramp leading to the higher ground came into view.
"Ready?!"
The unfinished bridge was approaching quickly at the speed they were going, a wide space empty of any structure to lead to the other side; the hero's blood pumped faster under his skin, his emerald eyes lighting up with the dangerous glint a daredevil always wore in the face of something life-risking. Sure, they could easily miss the other ledge and fall to their potential deaths, but unlike all those times when Sonic was fighting Eggman or another huge badnik or a wrathful god, this time everything felt safe somehow. No matter how dangerous this was Sonic knew he was going to be safe.
As long as he had Shadow at his side, nothing bad would ever happen to the hero.
So, Sonic surprised the dark hedgehog with a share of his own kiss to a tan muzzle, leaning into Shadow's body as much as he could, and confidently gave his answer.
"More than I will ever be."
The two hedgehogs were then feeling the rush of air against their quills, taking in the view under them as the bike reached its highest speed and the first tire left the ground. Shadow grinned, feeling Sonic's grip around his waist tightening but hearing the hero let out an excited scream; it echoed in the air as they glided over the space between the bridge's ledges, immediately marking it as a memorable moment in Shadow's life.
As predicted, the striped hedgehog and his bike made their landing perfectly, bouncing once as the tires made contact with the ground again.
"Holy shit! That was so awesome!" Sonic giggled, bracing his forehead on an ebony shoulderblade as he fully embraced the euphoric high he just experienced.
His rival let him enjoy it in silence as he drove them to the workshop for real this time, slowing down as they exited the highway at the next ramp and turned onto a street that let out of the city. During the ride, Sonic's forehead gesture turned into full-on nuzzling, practically hugging the striped hedgehog and purring at feeling Shadow's warmth.
When they arrived at the workshop, they found themselves alone, the agent kicking out the stand to stabilize the motorcycle. He tapped Sonic's hands to let him know they were here, making the hero's eyes flutter open and the smile he'd been wearing falter. Reluctantly, the blue hedgehog dropped his arms from Shadow's waist, suddenly nervous again now that they were face-to-face again.
"Got you here first as promised," the hybrid teased, noticing his rival's avoidance of eye contact. "Is something wrong? Did I hurt you—"
"No! M'okay!" Sonic blurted out, meeting Shadow's worried gaze instantly.
It knocked the breath out of him, again. He was starting to like this feeling a little too much.
"Just..." the hero rubbed the back of his neck, nervous. "You said you were gonna tell me why you...kissed me."
Relieved to know it had nothing to do with his sprained ankle, the agent relaxed and smiled. "Is that all?"
"Is that all?" Sonic repeated, incredulously. "Uh. Hello, how are you so calm after—that?"
"The ride or the kiss? I can't tell when you seemed to have loved both," Shadow smirked, entertained by how easy it was to fluster his blue rival.
It seemed the roles were switched today.
The hero glared at the other hedgehog, growling. "If you aren't gonna take me seriously, I'm leavin'."
Swinging his leg over the seat, Sonic winced as he placed both his feet on the ground, prepared to walk away when in his first step, he was assaulted with a sharp pain shooting up his injured leg. He whimpered, forgetting the whole point of this ride was to have him take off weight from his sprained ankle. Unfortunately, Shadow was there to remind him as well, surprising the blue hedgehog again by grabbing out to him.
"Hey! What are you doing—?" Sonic gasped as he was swept off his feet, feeling up Shadow's comforting warmth again against his side that was pressed to the hybrid's chest. Annoyed and embarrassed, Sonic huffed, crossing his arms over his chest. "I don't need to be carried, Shadow."
"Are you always this stubborn?" The agent remarked, not letting go of the hero and taking him to the house attached to the workshop.
"So funny," Sonic grumbled, looking away from his rival and to the front porch instead.
The dark hedgehog climbed the steps and gently sat the speedster on the top one, being extra cautious of the injured ankle. He settled himself next to the hero after, leaving only an inch of space between them. Sonic would have scooted away, he would have but...the temptation was going at it again, stronger in its magnetic pull. So, he remained where he was and waited for the others to arrive with Shadow.
And for a long quiet minute, Sonic thought this was all there was to this day, unanswered questions and foolish emotions storming his mind.
But Shadow broke the silence, admitting to Sonic something quite shocking.
"I kissed you because I've been wanting to for a while now."
"Oh."
To say the least, the hero was stunned to hear this. It was kind of hard to tell this was what Shadow's been wanting to do when all their interactions ended with petty competitions over a round of racing or sparring.
"Since when?"
Shadow glanced at the blue hedgehog, answering confidently. "After the race car competition a few months back."
Sonic's jaw dropped, remembering that race as it was the beginning of his phase where all he paid attention to was the Dark Rider. Now that he recalled the memory, thoroughly going through each thing Sonic had studied with great curiosity and realizing his gaze somehow had gone from the bike to the rider.
"But you always pushed me away..." Sonic also didn't forget about everything that happened after that day. "You spent all your time with Blaze at Tails' birthday party, you wanted to beat me up when you brought in your bike, and you ignored me all day during the Grand Prix!"
With every new thing Sonic listed, the more confused he became, comparing Shadow's behavior in the past weeks to the present. "Hell, you even paraded Jet around Mazuri on your motorcycle afterward."
This caught the Ultimate Lifeform's attention, leaning forward with hooded eyes. "What? Did that make you jealous?"
"No!" The cobalt speedster scowled, feeling his cheeks burn hot under Shadow's pretty—stop it, you! "I just don't know why you waste your time with others when it's clear that I'm the best you got—I mean as a rival!"
The striped hedgehog chuckled, "You're so cute when you get mad."
"Shadow!"
"What? It's true!" The agent reached for Sonic's face, cradling his cheek sweetly. "And you're right, red's definitely your signature color."
Sonic groaned, glaring at the other. "I swear I'm gonna—"
The hero's vocal threat never came as Shadow pressed another kiss to his peach lips, savoring his time with this one. He brought his other hand to gently grasp the back of Sonic's upper neck, angling his neck to deepen the kiss. Shadow felt his rival shakingly plant his hands on his white chest fur, tangling his fingers in the soft strands. The hero rubbed at the hybrid's chest, pulling soothing purrs from there, too, and felt the vibrations along where they touched.
For the second time that day, Sonic the Hedgehog felt himself riding a delirious wave, up and up and up until he no longer could think straight; his head became empty of any thought except for the feel of Shadow's lips on his, moaning softly as the hybrid's tongue teased him with a dip and caress against Sonic's teeth and tongue, too.
The Dark Rider may have given a taste of adrenaline and excitement like no other adventure, but kissing Shadow...topped even the best moments in Sonic's life, new and amazing. It was fulfilling. It made his blood rush like rapid currents and burn hotter than molten lava. It made him feel like he was airborne, gliding over that same bridge's gap without the need of the Dark Rider. All he needed was a kiss to feel like he could fly far, far above till he reached the stars in the sky.
"Kissing you feels like making that jump over the bridge and still feeling that exciting rush under my skin," Shadow whispered, breaking away to look at Sonic's blissful face.
"You've read my mind."
The dark hedgehog chuckled, finding Sonic's dreamy sigh adorable.
"You were right, too."
Humming, the hero pressed another kiss to Shadow's lips, sighing in pleasure before asking what the hybrid meant.
"Right about what?"
"You're the best I got, and I want you to know that."
"You mean..." Sonic gazed at Shadow, his heartbeat stuttering as the dark hedgehog caressed his muzzle.
"Will you let me be the best you got, too?"
Sonic smiled, "You've always been, Shads."
With confessions made, the two hedgehogs embraced each other into another kiss, slower and tender. Even so, it didn't take away that beautiful and wonderful feeling they felt as they coasted the city's streets to glide over the bridge. Well, not quite. This - being together - felt a lot better; the best feeling actually.
They broke apart once they heard the familiar voices of their friends in the distance, and as they waved over to the two hedgehogs, Shadow glanced down at Sonic's sprained ankle, quickly cradling it in both hands. To the hero's surprise, the agent was able to heal it, seeing the hybrid smirking back at him.
"You healed it...with your emerald." Sonic discovered his rival's secret, "You had one all along. Why didn't you just do that from the beginning?"
Shadow gestured at the incoming group with his head. "How else was I supposed to get you all to myself?"
"I dunno, ask like a normal person," Sonic teased, tugging for the agent to sit back down with him on the porch steps.
Seeing the hero wiggle his now-healed foot, Shadow leaned over to whisper something into his ear just in time as the pink hedgehog reached them. Sonic laughed at whatever was said, making Amy frown as she stared at how close the two rivals were sitting next to each other.
"What's so funny?"
Sonic smiled at her, sneakily squeezing Shadow's hand closest to him. "Nothing, Ames, just finding out how good of a jokester Shadow is."
"I'm full of surprises, hedgehog."
Yes, he was, Sonic thought, the tingling sensation still lingering on his lips.
#sonadow#sonic the hedgehog#shadow the hedgehog#it's so unpolished but made with a bunch of love for these two gay hedgehogs#kudos to you if you know where the title comes from :)#my writing
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Racing Hearts - E.Edwards
“One step forward, two steps to hell. I can't give up but I'm so unwell. It's me against the world, against myself. But this is not the end.”
- The end, Thomas Day
Y/F/N = your full name
Couldn’t think of a good way to end this so it is what it is but enjoy!
Ethan was well aware of what he signed up for when he started dating a professional motocross rider. When his season ends hers starts, the never ending road trips to races all over the world. Championships. He had never been one to see the enjoyment of riding dirt bikes but his girlfriend didn’t see the fun in hockey but they were each others biggest supporters in every game, every race, every chance either one of them had of a win. They were competitive. It ran in their blood.
When her season started and she asked if he wanted to tag along for the first three races he couldn’t say no. He loved seeing her have success. So he agreed and packed his bag, along with the team shirts and hats his girlfriend so graciously had gifted him. His usual getup of maize and blue being replaced by red and black. The number #12 written in big letters on the back along with her racing team. “You know I could get used to seeing you in that.” The voice of his girlfriend is muffled by her helmet, but he can still see her eyes behind the tinted visor.
He’s seen her in her gear hundred of times when they’re in her hometown on the track behind her house or on races but it still gives him butterflies. How he got so lucky to get someone as cool and fearless as her as his girlfriend he will never understand. But he’s damn lucky everyday that she chose him. “Don’t get your hopes up baby, it’s maize and blue for life.” Ethan’s lips curve into a smirk, reaching out to wrap one of his arms around her shoulders. A quick kiss to the top of her helmet, something they both do before every race or hockey game. “This isn’t hockey Eddy, maize and blue doesn’t matter here. Here it’s all about red and black.” Knocking her helmet against his chest she starts walking towards her dad - also known as her mechanic - and the rest of her team.
It’s always nerve racking before a race start, even if Ethan isn’t the one sitting on the bike he can feel it. The adrenaline is the same as when he steps on the ice. It’s all consuming and you get tunnel vision. All you see is the end goal. The win. So when the race gate falls he’s standing in his seat, shouting and hollering her name and encouragements in the air along her dad. Both of them waving their arms in the air. When she rides past the top two the cheers grow even louder, it’s electric. Chants of her name in the air around them and flags with her number waved around. It felt cool to see so many people admire her the same way Ethan does. That others also notice how amazing she is at what she does.
“Y/F/N takes the lead. It’s always a pleasure to see her on the track!” The speakers sparks in the background but Ethan can’t seem to rip his gaze away from the race.
He tries to ignore the pull in his stomach as he watches everyone getting closer to one of the bigger jumps. She’s done this over a thousand times Ethan tries to talk himself down from the anxiety. He knows things may happen in the sport, they happen in his too! It’s never a given that no one will ever get hurt. He just didn’t think it would be his girlfriend.
But that anxiety skyrockets when he sees her bike flying, her body being tossed in the air like a rag doll. Ethan thinks he hears her dad screaming no but he isn’t sure. It’s like his body stopped working when he saw her hit the ground. Body rolling down the sand hill. One arm wrapped around her head, the other across her stomach.
All Ethan wants is to run down to her but he knows he can’t, not until they’ve stopped the race and it’s safe for him to go down. Watching paramedics run over the track he just wishes that she would move. Why isn’t she moving? Her dad softly pushing Ethan forward brings him back to reality, both men sprinting full force down the stands. Jumping over the fence before running to where the group of people have gathered. Pushing his way to the front Ethan is met with his girlfriend sitting up, one of the medics checking for any obvious injuries. The sound of Y/N grumbling out that she’s fine brings a smile to his face. She may have had the wind knocked out of her but she’s still the same spitfire he knows.
Throwing her helmet off she runs a hand through her hair. She’s pissed off but she’s fine and that’s more than he had hoped seeing the crash. Y/N places her hand on Ethan’s cheek, forcing him to make eye contact with her. “Hey baby I’m fine, my ribs will be bruised but I’m fine.” Nodding he peppers kisses on her forehead, it tastes like dirt and sweat but he’s never been more grateful for it.
“I love you and you know that but I think I’ll just stick to watching you train at home from now on or I’ll die before I’m 21 of a heart attack.”
“Alright, deal.”
#hockey blurb#umich blurbs#umich hockey#ethan edwards imagine#ethan edwards blurb#ethan edwards x reader
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wolfiecindy: first LOBA short film 𝒟ℯ𝒶𝓇 ℳ𝒾𝓁𝒶 starring written and directed by yours truly.
been working on @LOBAbyck for the past few years and i wanted to make it come to life with a story about finding inspiration and yourself through expression, which is what fashion is to us all. and as an ode to the inspiring women around me who I look up to, and the many different versions of a woman that one is. and all the films that inspired who I am today 🤍
all outfits : @lobabyck available on @revolve
Director: @wolfiecindy
Director: @clydegoins
Executive Producers: @wolfiecindy @clydegoins @richiealmshouse @edgaresteves
Supervising Producer(s): @noursayeh @wyattwhitaker
Line Producer(s): @gabslarosa @johnlarosa
Director of Photography: @jeremiahpitman
1st AC: Joseph Canon
2nd AC: Angel Ochoa
1st AD: @thereallennyrose
2nd AD: @queentiffanyturner
Steadicam Op: @cron.dp
DIT: David Pouckowski
Gaffer: Ilya Chegodar
Best Boy Electric: Jaan Kristjan Utno
Key Grip: Paul Deorio
Best Boy Grip: Micah Goldfarb
Swing: @colin_schostak
Production Assistant(s): Bryan Jones, Christopher Yellen, Natalle Jastrow
Production Assistant - Drivers: Rayoni Matos Thomas Gormley
CK Hair Stylist: @hairbyruslan
CK MUA: @ryaramirez
Background MUA: Charde Thompson
Casting Director: @asgcasting
Teenager: @fotosofmelissa
Loba's Lover: @sammy.j.thayer
Bike Rider: Mark Anthony
Extras: Monica Mauro, December Cintron, Kahlo De Jesus Buffington, Marcus Brodie, Angela Ware, Carlos Marcio, Moreira Rashvir Singh, Marisa Jimenez, Marissa Cuevas, Leah Rose
Styists: @styledbydais milla_saric @ari.grcia
Styling Assistants: @gabee1014 Sophia Manning
Production Designer: @byhaleybowman
Art Director: @pappagrizzly
Lead: @artforspastics
Set Dressers: @lacey.sera @shay__almighty
Propmaster: Yoyo Li
Prop assistant: Rachel Ra
Art assistant: @beenthinkin
Prop master @liqinyuan
Prop assist: @rachehaiinra
Post Company: @digitalsword_
Post Production Supervisor(s): @estefapar @clydeegoins
Editor: @dir.xx
Colorist: @jennifergaidaart @Apachedigital
Sound Design: @nathanbatress
Cindy Kimberly via Instagram, 05/10/2023.
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Matter of Perspective - Part One
Horacio Carrillo x fem!reader (no use of y/n)
Rating: Mature. No smut, but definitely heading that way. Minors, please do not interact.
Word Count: 5,900
Warnings: enemies-to-lovers vibes, some language, mentions of gossip, canon-typical references to drugs and drug use, probably incorrect Spanish, disdain, antagonism, bad language, office gossip, a mini makeout session.
Next | Masterlist
---
You had always been a little… off.
Nothing disconcerting or sinister, but your thoughts and opinions were always slightly different than what would be considered typical. ‘Left of normal’ as your dad had jokingly put it since you were young.
It was part of what made you such a good analyst. You had worked your entire life to understand how most people thought, but your own unique perspective helped you see things as they could be.
A seemingly normal home on the outskirts of a finca? Anyone could see that. But you were the one to pick up on the fact that the lights were never on despite the power lines clearly running to it and the near-constant visitors arriving on bikes. A call to the power company confirmed it: the home was using electricity at all hours of the day, but none of it was visible in aerial or ground-based photos.
Painted-over windows.
A cocaine packaging and distribution center. The drugs were delivered by carriers on bicycles and packaged product was taken away using the same method.
And when it came time to plan how to shut the center down? You were the one who proposed stealthily taking it over and seizing all new arrivals, taking delivery riders into custody every time one arrived. Thanks to you, field agents had managed to trace the cocaine back to several labs and shut each one down.
All because your brain was slightly left of normal.
That was why you didn’t berate yourself too harshly when your lustful thoughts fixed themselves not on office heartthrob Javier Peña, but on the harsh and clipped Horacio Carrillo.
Peña was by far the better choice of crush, you reflected morosely, watching a secretary flirt with the aforementioned DEA agent. Since you worked as an extension of the DEA, Peña was always around and easily accessible for some flirtation. Something about his attitude made you doubt that his womanizing reputation was quite what office gossip tended to say, but you couldn’t deny that the man knew how to flirt.
Even now, Jackie was basking in the warmth of his brown eyes and quietly amused smile.
“You’re so funny, Javi!”
The giggle she gave was at a pitch that made you wince slightly, but you were happy for her. She got to speak with the object of her attraction on a fairly standard basis. You were limited to quick glances as Carrillo stalked through the office.
It was the most frustrated you had ever been, but that didn’t stop you from recalling the scowl on his handsome face when you worked off some of that frustration before going to bed at night.
Colonel Carrillo was famously married. His wife was well-known around the office… or at least, she had been. When Carrillo came back from Spain, his wife was not with him. A few short explanations had revealed what happened: she had been unable to stand the idea of returning to Colombia only to live under constant threat from friends, neighbors, and random passersby.
Hell, you could even understand that, but apparently, Carrillo couldn’t. He hadn’t given many details, but the general word around the office was that they were filing for divorce.
It wasn’t your business, it really wasn’t… but your brain wouldn’t stop telling you that there was one fewer obstacle between you and the handsome colonel now. There were two dozen others - chiefly, that he didn’t seem to know you from any other piece of office equipment - but that made no difference to your brain. He wasn’t married anymore, and that meant he was fair game.
You wanted to snort as you thought about how Carrillo would react to knowing that he was being hunted by you… but when you remembered that he and every other member of Colombia’s police force was being hunted by Pablo Escobar, you could no longer see the humor in it.
So you nursed your stupid little crush, tried to content yourself with the few chances you got to ogle Carrillo, and did your job.
Until one day, when Javier Peña approached the edge of your desk.
You glanced up at him, already frowning. If he was going to ask you to take a message for one of his office flirtation partners, you couldn’t. You were busy enough with your own work. If he was going to ask a favor in exchange for a few smoldering looks and a rare smile, he was out of luck. You really didn’t want to dwell on the reason why.
So you kept your gaze expectant and professional as you lifted your brows at him. “Something I can do for you, Agent Peña?”
“Can you come with me?” he asked. “I need your help with something in the records room.”
Your mouth twisted into an involuntary smirk. The records room was a pain in the ass to get to, since it was tucked into the very back of the building and down several winding hallways. Naturally, those qualities made it a known hotspot for activities that the DEA would probably frown upon during working hours.
You weren’t interested in fooling around with Peña - on the clock or not - but the rules of the DEA social scene demanded that you mess with him a little. You would have started already, but you were distracted by the dirty looks you were getting from some of the other women around the office. Clearly, Peña’s offer had been overheard.
With the hope of drinking spit-free coffee for the rest of your time in Colombia, you decided to cut things off quickly. “Listen, Peña-”
“I really need your help with something,” he interrupted. You were unmoved by the soft pleading in his deep brown eyes, but his fingers tapped deliberately on the map you had been studying when he came up.
Your eyes darted back to him and he gave a shallow nod. “Fine.”
The evil looks burning into your back made you cringe as you followed Peña to the records room. If this ended up being a heavily disguised request for a make-out session, you were going to be royally pissed…
When you stepped into the records room, your breath audibly caught. Colonel Carrillo was standing by a wall, scanning through an open folder in his hands. He glanced over as you entered the room behind Peña’s broad back. Carrillo already looked unimpressed, and your feigned cough didn’t do you any favors.
“Finally,” he told Peña, closing the folder and crossing his arms. His sleeves were rolled to the elbow, displaying the dancing muscles in his forearms, and you had to summon all of your willpower to look anywhere else.
Peña replied to the colonel, but you couldn’t begin to hear what he said over the rushing in your ears. In an attempt to look halfway capable, you crossed to the small table in the middle of the room. There was a map spread over its surface, but it didn’t display the familiar streets and fincas of Medellín.
Dimly, you registered two people approaching the table as well. With your best effort toward nonchalance, you glanced at Carrillo. “¿Cómo estás, Coronel?”
“You speak Spanish?” Peña asked.
Carrillo looked, if possible, less impressed than he ever had. “I’ll be better once we catch Escobar.”
The fact that he had answered you in English somehow made the dismissal even more cutting. You winced and looked down at the map once more. “What exactly do you need from me?”
“We’ve had a problem lately,” Peña told you. “Boats on the Magdalena River are seen stopping at known narco docks and taking on cargo, but when they’re investigated downriver, there is no sign of cocaine. We’ve gotten the CIA to do a flyover between Medellín and Barranquilla, but they didn’t see any signs of drugs, groups of people, or suspicious structures along the river.”
“So you need to figure out where the drugs are going,” you concluded.
“Exactly,” the agent confirmed. “And you have a reputation for seeing things that other people miss.”
Your pleased smile was cut off almost instantly at the soft snort from Carrillo, but when you glanced up, you only saw Peña giving him a warning look. You shifted your weight from one foot to the other. This was far from any fantasy meeting between the two of you. Now that you finally got some time with the colonel himself, you were spending it wishing this was over.
After a minute of silently studying the map, you said, “And your men checked the ships for the typical smuggling tricks?”
“Yes,” Peña said, but he was nearly drowned out by the sound of Carrillo sighing. Peña said something in rapid Spanish, far too quick and low for you to parse with your limited understanding of the language.
However, Carrillo had the decency - or the cruelty - to reply in English. “What do you expect from me, Peña? You tell me this woman will solve all of our problems, and the first thing she does is ask if my men performed the most basic of checks on Escobar’s boats? This is a waste of my time.”
“Ouch,” you muttered, and Peña tossed you an apologetic look.
“This is gonna work,” he insisted. “She needs the facts first, doesn’t she?”
“Fine,” Carrillo snapped. When you dared to look up, he was watching you with so much disdain in his expression that you fondly remembered when he had no idea who you were. “Yes, my men are qualified officers and did manage to look in the usual places where drugs tend to be hidden. And before you ask: yes, they also asked the captains very nicely to tell us whether or not they were hired to smuggle cocaine for Pablo Escobar.”
When he had finished, Carrillo looked to Peña, speaking directly to him in Spanish as if you were not worth his time. You caught a phrase: “Pérdida de tiempo,” and your shoulders shot toward your ears. You weren’t fluent - not even close - but you knew enough to recognize the phrase ‘waste of time’ when you heard it.
You ducked your head to avoid that harsh criticism, staring at the map instead. Your finger traced the Magdalena River as it snaked through Colombia, passing through Barranquilla before emptying into the Caribbean Sea. Something about that made your brain itch and you willingly followed the feeling, eager to distance yourself from the dressing-down you had just received.
Darkness and treasure and…
“Banditos,” you finished with a smile.
Peña caught the whispered word, cutting through the muttered Spanish complaints from Carrillo to ask, “What was that?”
“Bandits,” you repeated. “In the late 1800s, American bandits and outlaws were said to hide in cave systems. The Magdalena River passes through a few mountainous regions between Medellín and Barranquilla. I would bet there are caves in those areas. The boats could unload shipments of drugs there before they’re boarded. I’m guessing your men search the boats in Barranquilla, Colonel Carrillo?”
This time, you made no effort to give his title the Spanish inflection you had striven for previously. He seemed surprised at your question, but nodded slowly. “Yes, Barranquilla.”
You traced the river again with your fingertips, leaving one at Medellín while the other covered the distance to the Caribbean. “Plenty of time to offload the drugs, then. And the shelter of the caves would keep the drugs and workers from being seen by any flyovers.”
When neither of the men spoke, you shrugged and pushed away from the table. “That’s my best guess, at least. Unless you need something else, I’m going back to my desk now.”
No one stopped you, so you left the records room and started the trek back to your desk. Footsteps from behind you made your heart lurch, but it eased back into a normal rhythm when Peña spoke. “Good job. I never would have thought about caves.”
“Thanks,” you replied, glancing over to see him looking very proud of himself. “Like I said, it’s just a guess.”
“No, it’s better than that,” he countered. “It’s a possible lead. I’ll go speak to Messina about getting some boats to search the river between here and Barranquilla.”
“That’s - what? Four hundred miles?” you asked, thinking over the map you had been studying.
“Something like that,” Peña agreed, sounding unconcerned. “But they won’t be searching that entire distance. They’ll just be looking for areas that have the right geography for caves. Decently large ones, too, with how much product we think they’re moving through the area.”
“I don’t envy you the process of searching the caves they find,” you said, wondering how much further it could possibly be back to your desk.
Peña hummed. “I’m sorry about-”
“You have something stuck to the bottom of your shoe,” you interrupted, happy for a reason to avoid listening to him explain away Carrillo’s rudeness.
Peña glanced down when you had delivered your warning, swearing at the scrap of paper he found clinging to his sole. He ducked down to free the stubborn thing as you watched, debating on whether you should leave him there. If you knew for a certainty that he was going to keep offering apologies for the very-unapologetic colonel, you would have.
As it turned out, you should have left him anyway. One of your favorite secretaries - a woman named Stacy - came over to you. “Peña, huh? What would the good colonel think?”
“Carrillo?” Peña asked, standing up from behind the desk where he had been kneeling. “What about him?”
Your wide eyes met Stacy’s. It had been an honest accident, but you still could have cheerfully killed her. Despite her own shock, Stacy tried to stammer an excuse. “Oh, no, not him… It’s just an inside- Uh, I have to go.”
When Peña looked at you, his eyebrows were raised. You shook your head and gave a weak laugh. “Oh, Stacy. Such a kidder! Anyway, I really do need to get back to work. Let me know how it all works out- Or don’t. Secrets and all of that. Not that I can’t keep a secret, but- Anyway, see you later.”
You walked away, shaking your head at yourself. How could you be catty when you were just as bad as Stacy? Actually, your rambling may have been a little worse than hers. But how could you blame yourself? You had close contact with the man you had been admiring for as long as you had been in Colombia, been insulted by him, and subsequently discovered that your crush on him was totally unfounded. That would be a lot for anyone to take in.
When you flopped back into the chair behind your desk, you hoped your coworkers thought your groan was one of weariness rather than one of self-directed frustration.
---
You didn’t hear anything else about caves or Carrillo or cocaine - well, not the last one. As part of the search for Pablo Escobar, you definitely heard about cocaine. But not cocaine that was being transported via riverboat.
Honestly, you weren’t too upset about that. Your job was busier than ever. It seemed like the stack of aerial photographs on your desk was growing taller by the day, and photographic intelligence was only good for a limited window of time before it was considered useless. To top it all off, the different departments kept trying to sneak their photos into the middle of your stack so they would be analyzed first. It was destroying your carefully organized efforts and it was making you cranky.
In retrospect, that was probably the major reason you were so curt with Peña when he cornered you in the breakroom nearly a month after your previous conversation.
“Hey-” he started, but you sent him such an evil glare that he froze - still too close, but not as close as he had apparently planned on getting.
“No,” you refused instantly. “Whatever it is you’re planning on asking for, no. And tell Murphy if he keeps putting his pictures in the middle of my pile instead of at the bottom, I am going to lose my shit.”
Peña nodded, but it was hesitant enough that you doubted that he really understood. “I need you to-”
“No,” you repeated. “Take a step away from me.”
Peña held his hands in front of himself, palms out in the universal sign of no harm, but didn’t move back. “I need to tell you something in private, though. Unless you want to go to the records room again?”
You sighed, glancing around the room. It was empty, but that didn’t mean much. But a short conversation here would start fewer rumors than another trip to the records room would. “Fine. Just make it quick.”
“Messina approved the Magdalena River exploration and the teams have found some promising cave systems,” he confided, standing close enough that you could clearly hear his soft murmur. “We’re going to go check them out next week.”
“Oh.” You glanced at the spoon you were using to stir your coffee. The closure on your theory was nice, but you didn’t really feel like you needed to be involved in this. “Good luck, I guess?”
“Can you take a few days off?” Peña asked, gaze direct. “It would be better if you were there with us.”
“Us?” you repeated suspiciously.
“The Search Bloc,” Peña explained. “Steve will be here covering the tip line - and not rearranging the photographs on your desk - but pretty much everyone else is going.”
‘Everyone else’ in this case included Carrillo. Your stomach tightened, but you couldn’t tell whether it was with dread or anticipation.
“I’m not a field agent,” you reminded.
“I got permission from Messina,” he told you. “We both think you might see something the rest of us would miss. Conditional on you accepting, of course. But she’s willing to pull some strings to bring you along.”
You hesitated again, trying to think this over as quickly as you could. Going out into the field was inherently dangerous, especially as a DEA agent and especially when trying to track down mass amounts of cocaine so you could disrupt Pablo Escobar’s smuggling routes. Staying here would be the wiser choice by far.
And yet… You had never gotten the chance to be there when one of your theories was tested. The few times you had been wrong in the past, you had fixated on it, wondering if you would have caught a seemingly innocent detail if you had been there to see things with your own ‘left of normal’ perspective. Could you really pass up a chance like this because you were scared of a narco? Or, you corrected internally, because you were scared of being disdained by a handsome colonel?
Well, that’s already happened, you reminded yourself.
“I’ll do it,” you told Peña, and he smiled.
“Good. You’ll be with us for about three days, starting Monday morning.” When you groaned dramatically, his smile froze. “What is it?”
“It took me a week to stop getting the cold shoulder from everyone after meeting you in the records room,” you complained. “No one’s ever gonna talk to me again after three days with you.”
Peña shook his head at you, but you tossed your spoon into the sink with a clatter and left the breakroom. It was Friday afternoon. You had a lot of work to do if you were going to make a dent in the picture stack by the time you left on Monday.
---
Late Monday afternoon, you had boarded a boat and were traveling down the Magdalena River. It had been a long drive from Medellín to Puerto Triunfo, but Messina had apparently decided that you would attract less suspicion if you started sailing somewhere upstream from where the smugglers were known to take on their cargo.
You had spent several hours following the length of the river, but you had finally reached the first set of suspicious caverns. As it turned out, there were only a few that were large enough to hold the amount of product the DEA expected to see.
From some of the conversations you had overheard on the journey up to this point, Peña was not in charge, but he wasn’t not in charge, so he was in the middle of splitting everyone into groups. There were only so many people who could fit on the inconspicuous boat, so the groups were fairly small. In fact, the third group was just…
“Carrillo, our specialist, and me,” Peña concluded. The others - especially the Colombian Search Bloc members, with whom you’d had limited contact - gave you a curious look. They were clearly wondering about the vagueness of the term ‘specialist’. You were, too.
“Peña,” you started, leaning on the edge of the boat. “I don’t think-”
“You’re not chickening out, are you?” Peña asked, squinting up at you. He was already several rungs down the ladder attached to the boat’s hull. “I need you in there, remember?”
“This…” You absently scratched your neck, staring out at the craggy shoreline. “This is a long way from looking at aerial photographs.”
“Yep,” Peña agreed. “And that’s why you came along. Come on.”
You sighed, clambering gracelessly down the ladder behind him. A man you vaguely recognized steadied as you perched on a rickety seat in the skiff that was taking you to the shoreline. You thanked him, returning the smile he gave you.
Colonel Carrillo, not smiling at all, growled, “Trujillo.”
Your new friend turned his attention to the colonel, and the two soon fell into an intense conversation in Spanish spoken too rapidly for you to understand. In contrast to Trujillo, Carrillo hadn’t smiled once during the entire journey. He seemed less than enthused about all of it. Uncharitably, you wondered why he couldn’t have stayed behind with Murphy.
For the rest of your journey, you focused your attention on the surrounding area. Colombia was an impossibly beautiful country, but this was a step above what you were used to seeing. There were rocky peaks towering up on both sides of the river, cutting sharp silhouettes against the blue of the afternoon sky. The river reflected the sunlight, turning the water’s surface into an ever-shifting web of fire.
After Peña had dropped Trujillo and his men off at their cavern, he navigated the skiff toward a sandy beach a few hundred yards downstream. The final team had taken their own skiff to the opposite side of the river. The boat would drift down to meet you when Peña signaled. You were glad - the skiffs were little more than canoes with a sputtering motor attached. There was no way they could get you back upstream.
Peña led the way into the cave, his gun out and aimed with a flashlight pointed in the same direction. You had a gun of your own, but Peña had been clear that he and Carrillo would take care of anything - or anyone - you came across. You didn’t argue that. Despite being a fully qualified DEA agent, your specialty was intelligence interpretation. Your last experience on a gun range had been longer ago than was wise for an American DEA agent living in Colombia with a drug war going on.
Fortunately, Peña cleared the cave without any difficulty and holstered his gun. Carrillo took a few moments longer to be satisfied that the cave was unoccupied, but he eventually put his gun away as well.
Your own weapon had been back in the holster as soon as you had seen Peña replace his, but from the dark look Carrillo gave you, he hadn’t seen that. In fact, he likely believed you had never had yours out in the first place. You shook your head. If only the bulletproof vest you were wearing could protect you from Carrillo’s caustic attitude, you would be set.
“So, expert,” Peña started, glancing at you. “What should we be looking out for?”
Ah, an opportunity to do your job. You relished it, but before you could reply, a voice called Peña’s name through the yawning mouth of the cave. He straightened, immediately growing serious. He was already replying as he walked back out into the sunshine of the riverbank.
In the cool shadows inside the cave, Carrillo sighed irritably and called after him, “Lleva a tu novia contigo!”
“I’m not his girlfriend,” you told him automatically. He glanced at you in surprise and the mere sight of an expression that wasn’t antagonistic made your heart hesitate. With some effort, you forced yourself to look critically at the situation in light of your experiences with Carrillo. “I know you don’t like it when I speak in Spanish, but I understood that much of it. Peña and I aren’t dating.”
Carrillo frowned at you and you glanced around the cave to avoid his displeasure. “We’re looking for signs of disturbance here, especially along the ground. See the way the silt is built up in these little ripples from when the river overflowed its banks? We probably aren’t going to find anything in here, but we can still look around. It would be smart to get an idea of what these caves look like when they’re undisturbed, that way we can compare the others.”
You closed your mouth, forcibly cutting off your explanation before you could ramble any more. Thankfully, Carrillo didn’t say anything as he turned away from you and started studying the ground, along with the walls and roof of the cave.
Over the weekend, you had been bemoaning your ill-fated encounter with the colonel. It wasn’t that you minded him being rude to you, you had decided. It hadn’t been fun, but he was allowed to be dismissive of someone he thought was wasting his time. The part that bothered you the most was that it was such a terrible waste of a crush. Now that you knew he didn’t care for you, any interaction between you would be uncomfortable - at least, on your side of things.
And so, when Carrillo’s soft voice broke the silence, you started slightly. “You don’t have to lie, you know. I don’t care who’s dating who, as long as things are mutual.”
At that point, nothing could have convinced you to look directly at Carrillo. Instead, you stared around the cave, admiring the way the light reflected from the river’s surface danced along the rough stone walls. When you couldn’t stand the silence any longer, you gave half a chuckle.
“I’m not dating Peña,” you repeated. “I’m honestly not sure I like him half the time.”
That wasn’t necessarily true. Peña had grown on you since you started interacting with him, but since he had abandoned you with the colonel, you weren’t feeling particularly charitable toward him.
Carrillo seemed unconvinced. “You don’t have to like him to sleep with him.”
How was this happening to you? With a barely contained sigh, you added, “I’m not sleeping with him, either.”
Even with the river and at least one other team nearby, the cave was remarkably quiet, which was how you heard Carrillo mutter, “That’s not what I’ve heard.”
You bit the inside of your cheek. Seriously, how did DEA secretaries even function when they were so fixated on what Peña was doing and with whom?
Your head whipped around, facing Colonel Carrillo so abruptly that he looked startled. When you spoke, you strove for a conspiratorial tone, but there was a certain amount of glee you couldn’t contain. “Don’t tell me the great Coronel Carrillo gets his information from office gossip.”
For the first time, the man looked flustered. “I did not-”
“No, no,” you chided. “The secretaries are all upset because I went to the records room with Peña… and you, by the way. You know nothing happened between us, but they don’t. They’re the only ones who are convinced that Peña and I are sleeping together.”
“That is why?” he asked.
You smiled at the incredulous tone in his voice. “Yes. Apparently, that’s all it takes to get on their bad side. Certain people, anyway. But why did they tell you about it?”
Carrillo shrugged stiffly. “If you speak Spanish often enough, people forget you speak English as well. They say things around you that they may not have otherwise.”
“Smart,” you admitted.
“They are not fond of you,” he said with a frown. “Surely there must be more of a reason than a short meeting with another agent?”
“It was a meeting with Peña,” you emphasized. “He’s prime flirtation material.”
“Then you are interested in sleeping with him?”
Aaaand you were back to wishing you were anywhere else. “No, I… I’ve never been interested in Peña that way.” The silence hung heavy, one of Carrillo’s dark brows raised in silent encouragement. “Until recently, my attention has been focused in… another direction. Very recently.”
Carrillo frowned even harder at the muttered final sentence and you could kick yourself. What was that? A coy, leading half-explanation? You knew what was going to come next, and the colonel didn’t disappoint: “Where, then?”
When Peña called for you both, you could have kissed him - except that doing so would probably end in a horrible death for you back in the office. You called back, “On our way!”
Before you could exit the cave, Carrillo said your name. It was the first time you could remember him doing that, and you turned out of sheer shock. “You didn’t answer me.”
You offered him your brightest smile. “It doesn’t really matter. Come on, we have more caves to check out.”
Despite your best efforts to act casual on the way back to the boat, all of your instincts were telling you that something was off. The groups split up once more after the skiffs had been reattached to the boat, everyone on guard against narco activity on the banks. You were sitting alone in the front of the boat, watching the way the bow broke through the river’s current and trying to ignore the suspicious looks Carrillo was giving you.
Apparently, you weren’t the only one to notice. Peña approached the colonel and had a short conversation with him. They were too far away for you to listen in, but Carrillo walked away after that, so you could only hope Peña had found a way to soothe whatever you had done to irritate the colonel this time.
The next stop you made, several miles further down the Magdalena River, was a little different. “Four caves, four groups,” Peña called.
You stepped a little closer to Peña, hoping you could partner with him since you were less combat-ready than the DEA preferred for field agents. He nodded at you. “You’ll be with-”
“-me,” Carrillo interrupted, ordering you onto the skiff with a jerk of his chin. You glanced back, raising your eyebrows at Peña, but he merely shrugged. When you got on the skiff, it was with much internal cursing of Peña, Carrillo, and yourself.
These caves were spread out a little further than the last set had been. Your group’s skiff was going to the left side of the river while Peña and the other group were off to the right. The right caves were just beside one another, and you would bet the caves were part of a larger system. Perhaps they even connected further in.
The left caves were spread far enough apart that they were likely completely separate. Carrillo dropped the other group off at the nearer of the two, then navigated to the one that was further downstream. You obligingly jumped out of the skiff as soon as the water was shallow enough that you weren’t worried about completely soaking yourself, then waited for Carrillo to enter the cave first.
He did, gun drawn while you covered him. “Clear.”
You put your gun back in its holster, focusing on giving yourself a stern reminder to go to the practice range when you got back to Medellín. However, your attempts to set an internal to-do list were thwarted when Carrillo turned to face you. “Now…”
You squinted past his shoulder, trying to focus on anything other than the imposing colonel. “I really don’t want to argue right-”
The interruption of his lips on yours was unexpected, and the shock made you stiffen in his arms. Carrillo pulled away before you could ease into the kiss, giving himself just enough space to search your face with intent eyes. “Did I misunderstand?”
“No,” you gasped hurriedly, wrapping your arms around his neck so you could pull him back in. His lips were plush, much softer than the constant sternness of his expression would suggest. He was playful as well, darting his tongue to touch your lips at unexpected times, but never taking advantage of the fact that you had parted them for him.
His hands were stroking your arms, working upward until he could cradle one breast in his hand. His thumb ran unerringly over your nipple and - despite the touch being filtered through the cup of your bra - you broke away to give a delighted gasp.
Carrillo’s dark eyes were dancing and you smiled at him, feeling warm down to every finger and toe. Something in the part of your brain that wasn't focused on the handsome colonel itched, and you glanced past Carrillo’s head.
He pressed in for another kiss, but you turned and caught the kiss on your jaw. Carrillo paused. “Is everything okay?”
“Look,” you murmured, pointing to the ceiling of the cave behind him.
He turned, and you could only assume he gave the area a sweeping inspection before looking back at you. “I don’t see anything.”
“There’s a broken-off stalactite,” you insisted. You were slow to unwind yourself from him, your reluctance obvious in your movements, but you walked deeper into the cave and aimed your flashlight above your head. “See it?”
Carrillo gave an unimpressed hum. “Yes, but-”
“There’s another,” you observed, walking to follow the trail. And there was a trail. It was mostly the longer stalactites that showed signs of being damaged. When you glanced down, searching for the broken pieces, you found that the ground was noticeably bare of the silt that had patterned every other cave you had searched. “And the ground is clean.”
Now thoroughly unhappy, Carrillo brushed past you and peered around the edge of a corner, gun drawn and aimed at the ground. He stopped short and swore.
“What is it?” you demanded, unable to wait for his report. Carrillo simply waved you over to where he stood. When you peeked around the natural bend, the beam of your flashlight fell on a haphazard stack of shipping crates. Various items were scattered around it, along with traces of a familiar white powder. “I’m gonna get Peña.”
Warm fingers tugged at your elbow and you glanced at Carrillo, your eyebrows raised in a silent question. Firmly, he told you, “We’ll continue this later.”
You nodded and rushed off toward the mouth of the cave. As you went, you heard from behind you, “Fucking Escobar.”
---
Author's Note - As you could probably guess from my Google Translate Spanish, I don't actually speak the language. Not fluently, anyway. I also know very little about the Magdalena River and whether it actually does have caves along the banks, though experience with rivers leads me to believe it's possible. If anything is glaringly wrong, please feel free to let me know!
In the meantime, thank you for reading! I'll be back with a second (explicit) part tomorrow!
I don't offer a taglist for explicit fics, but you can read my other works on my masterlist!
#fanfic february#fanfic february 2023#fanficfebruary#narcos#narcos fanfiction#narcos netflix#colonel horacio carrillo#horacio carrillo#horacio carrillo x reader#horacio carrillo x you#reader insert#reader insert fic#mature#not suitable for minors#minors dni#ink's fics
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From the genius brain of @dangertoozmanykids101 - the stories behind the Holiday Rom-Com Title Generator.
I posted the Holiday Rom-Com Generator to celebrate the release of Taming the Beast - A Romantic Christmas Disaster and my fam, @dangertoozmanykids101 took it a step further. SO MANY steps further. This woman is genius. Her brain goes where no other brain dares to go. Have a look and if you're lucky, she'll write your story too!
From the comments on the post...
@dangertoozmanykids101 A Season of Joy
dangertoozmanykids101
Hey @spectre-posts Now I would bet that some Don Juan might argue that our dearest friend Joy is always in season. She may be flattered by such a grand compliment. Or she may find it a bit aggressive and presumptuous.
dangertoozmanykids101
OR @spectre-posts in an ABO universe our sweet Joy may be truly elated with anticipation as she is finally presented to the world. Long long past puberty and now fully matured into adulthood, her current state finds her in the beginning stages- the blossoming of her true nature. Whatever that might be, this is truly The Season of Joy.
dangertoozmanykids101
@iamthejeanette OHHHH!!! The Spirit of Mistletoe!!! Wouldn't this be an amazing paranormal xmas story??? Every time our heroine happens to step through a doorway or passage, archway, Mistletoe is hanging above, and yet curiously no one ever remembers hanging it there. It must be a prank of some sort, right? But an entire garland pf mistletoe has found a way to frame the entrance the Lee Way Tunnel in the Bicentennial Park downtown - a walking tunnel that connects...
dangertoozmanykids101
.... that connects the north end of the park with the South side so that walkers and joggers and bike riders, roller bladers, stroller runners can all avoid the throughway and its rush hour business traffic that dissects the park in two. Mistletoe appearing there seems to like a paranoid delusional coincidence to possibly consider that it has anything to do with our heroine, until the exact same man very politely with irresistible charms stops her mid step under the...
dangertoozmanykids101
... Under the presumptuously suggestive vine that seems to be growing more similar to a weed than a cherished holiday novelty decoration. But this same man appears out of the blue, repeatedly stops her directly under a simple mistletoe bouquet, politely requests her permission to kiss her, as is the holiday tradition. And traditions as enjoyable and harmless as a simple kiss must never be ignored. Quite right.
dangertoozmanykids101
Ohhh @tilltheendwilliwrite Yes! Yes! I bet you could work with that!! Oooo, imagine a Comedy of errors!! Everywhere they go, somehow the entire area loses power. Cursed to forever be a clutz or or just an electrical jinx. Ooo, like the witch finder general's great great great great great grandson in Good Omens! Remember how he destroyed every computer he touched? Lol Or an 8 day hike cross country skiing through the wilderness!!! Oooo! Doesn't that sound romantic???
dangertoozmanykids101
Oooo, or my favorite trope of all - stranded together during a blizzard WITH ONLY ONE BED!! With no light pollution, and only the starlight reflected off the bright white snow. How long will they possibly be stuck there? Eight nights possibly??? LOL
dangertoozmanykids101
Ohhhh @sultry-rachael snow globes send my brain into overdrive!!! Can you imagjne the 8 nights - kinda like an escape room, each Snow globe is a puzzle from one Holiday wonderland to the next. Ohhhh, imagine the comedy having to fend off elves and reindeer even shepherds in a surreal nativity scene themed snow globe. And they're all trying to prevent you from progressing to the next globe. A bottomless pit of snow - do you escape a sink hole of snow the same way ....
dangertoozmanykids101
.... the same way one escapes quicksand??? A maze of evergreen trees. Animatronic hugging snowmen? Jack Frost nipping at your nose (and anything else that pervert can get his mouth on. )
dangertoozmanykids101
And the eighth globe finally brings you to Santa's lap!! Horray!! Now have you been naughty or nice, he'll ask.
dangertoozmanykids101
@americasass81 wait... What was yours???
dangertoozmanykids101
SQUEAL!!! @notpedeka !!! A Fete of Banter!! Ohhhh, imagine the quintessential enemies to lovers!!! Guess who insists upon escorting you through the entire Winter Festival in Town Square this year. None other than your political rival on the city council. His endless chatter leaves you exhausted, enraged, and an acute case of TMJ inflammation, aka LOCKJAW!
dangertoozmanykids101
The past two months, every minor decision has become a huge micromanaged issue requiring heated debate. And the councilman inciting the ceaseless drivel is the same antagonist who you are now somehow obligated to spend the entire festival night with as though it were some sort of date. The entire night, you're clenching your jaw and grinding your teeth, yet completely failing to hold your tongue - WHICH , though you regret to admit, as aggravated your jaw....
dangertoozmanykids101
....aggravated your jaw to the point that you can barely open it large enough to slide a straw between your teeth. I'm picturing every carnival activity creating a whole new stupid spat between the two. Doesn't that sound like fun???
dangertoozmanykids101
Ohhhh @nildespirandum Only one night of snow globes??? Thank god!!! Because one night is all your heroine can handle! This is a big big deal - a huge honor - or so the big boss told you. Why you were singled out for this task, you have no clue. Honestly you would rather not dwell too much on that question. But tonight was the big night and you assure the big guy that you will NOT let him down. YOU had been chosen to watch his snow globe collection tonight.
dangertoozmanykids101
That's right. YOU - you are very talented and highly educated, some even say gifted, and of course your mother always knew you were special. And now YOU have the highly coveted position to babysit a room full of snow globes. Yep. A grid of pedestals each topped with a glass sphere filled with glitter or white confetti, and cozy little houses covered in snow or tiny itty bitty dolls doing all types of mundane tasks - a man surprising a woman at the door w/ a Xmas tree
dangertoozmanykids101
Kids building a snowman. An old man shoveling the driveway while a family's car is stuck in a snow bank down the Street. You see the kids running down the street straight to Grandpa's house. A couple cats sitting in a window watching the birds at the bird feeder, kicking seed all over the fresh white snow. Wait.... How many cats are in that window??? Your Job tonight is to watch over the globes. Like a security guard locked inside the vault with the money....
dangertoozmanykids101
Except you're also expected to clean each one - no dust, no finger prints. This is ridiculous! How the hell are you supposed to even maneuver through this room? Did I mention the pedestals were set up like a grid? Trying to navigate through a minefield would be easier than walking through this room to merely access the coffee pot in the back corner of the room. Mew. Mew And NOW you're fucking hearing things!!!
dangertoozmanykids101
How many cats were in that first snow globe? You could swear that a third cat had been in the window just a moment ago. And now that you look more closely, there are kitty footprints leading out from the front door with its little pet door flap. WTF? Those footprints weren't there last time you looked.
dangertoozmanykids101
Mew. There it was again. Your ears had to be tricking you. Mew. And up jumps a cat onto the folding table in the back of the room. Knocking over an empty mug and scattering sugar packets all over the table and gloor.
dangertoozmanykids101
Floor.
dangertoozmanykids101
On your way to collect the strange cat on the coffee table, another cat rubs up against your leg. Startled - you flinch and bump a snow globe to your left. Oh shit! You catch it and steady it back onto its pedestal. But just for a moment everything was still, until it all began to thrum
dangertoozmanykids101
And snow starts to fall INSIDE the room.
dangertoozmanykids101
Oh @ariannafraserwrites @caffiend-queen . Such a hardworking talented writer, burning the candle at both ends this holiday. You've even been falling asleep at your type writer most nights recently. But after a particularly late night wracking your brain to get past a writers block, you had almost fallen out of your chair even - finally deciding to drag your sorry ass off to bed in defeat. Lo' and behold, the next morning a Short Little Story had been typed up.
dangertoozmanykids101
And a brand new little pair of shoes. On the table next to it. LOL. Maybe the cobbler hadn't thanked his little elves sincerely enough.
americasass81
@dangertoozmanykids101 Mine is Eight Nights of Cocoa
dangertoozmanykids101
Oooo! @americasass81 I've got it!!! On this fancy dancy 10 day cruise ... with destination desserts, a ChocoCruise or travel the world of chocolates!
dangertoozmanykids101
dangertoozmanykids101
Of course a world famous Chocolatier will be serving many of his signature dishes that you had only heard of on the food channel and in foodie magazines. Would he truly be just as charming in person as he appears to be in the public eye? WELL OF COURSE HE WAS!! He easily charmed the pants right off of you. And then made a chocolate mold of YOUR ASS!!! Now was that before or after he gave it a good HARD bite??? As well as a firm spanking. You might even need to cancel...
dangertoozmanykids101
... cancel our slot in the shuffle board tournament. You won't be sitting for a few days, let alone moving anywhere more graceful than waddle. Toward the end of the cruise, heading back to the port you boarded on, your beloved Chocolatier unveils his newest masterpiece, siting a few specific artists who had inspired him, as well as several beautiful Passengers who agreed to participate and model for him. And wouldn't you know; there in the middle of this chocolate
dangertoozmanykids101
In the middle of this large chocolate sculpture, sat a perfect replicata of your butt. From the curve where your glutes meet your thighs all the way up to the dimples above your tailbone. The added tiara resting on one cheek seems a bit overkill, but you are still oddly honored and flattered.. until you register that there are other chocolate body parts obviously molded from a real woman. From a real body. Her LIVE body. But he's sooo charming-how could you blame anyone
dangertoozmanykids101
You found him irresistible. You let him pour hot molten chocolate over your bare ass while you lay in a marble table lined with wax paper. Looks like someone had Choco poured over their legs and feet. Several chocolate hands and feet gracefully peppered the statue of holding strawberries, oranges, slices of pineapple. Of course someone modeled their bare breasts - definitely much larger breasts than yours. Another modeled her neck and chin. You could just imagine...
dangertoozmanykids101
.... you could just imagine the purr of his voice as he guided her to Lean back, stretch her neck farther, farther, lift your chin a bit more. Very good. Just as smoothly as he convinced you to arch your back more, my dear. A little bit more. Spread your knees a bit wider. Yes, do you feel it now, hot and so smooth dripping down your most intimidate place. How does that feel, darling?
dangertoozmanykids101
Broken from your thoughts after tuning out all the flashes and shouting journalists and fans, the glamorous chocolatier announces, "Before we take anymore questions, please let us introduce the beautiful goddesses who gifted me with their presence and let me borrow their bodies to create this piece of work. Please please, ladies,
dangertoozmanykids101
Please please ladies, come on up here to me. You know who you are. If you don't come up, then we'll have to come to you.
#tumblr besties and beloveds#be the light#Taming the Beast - A Romantic Christmas Disaster#Holiday Rom-Com Title Generator
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What are your thoughts on motorcycles? I was just thinking about how motorcycles are kind of like... All the worst parts of a bicycle and a car combined. Like. Okay let's just leave you all exposed and free like a bike but with the speed and explodedbility of a car and stuff. My state doesn't even legally require motorcycle helmets. I see people in shorts and tanks tops with no helmets just riding motorcycles all the time.
I'm just thinking about how inherently hostile a car centric society already is and how a motorcycle kind of takes that in a stupidly unsafer direction. Like. What is the purpose? Ya know? Why do we need a vehicle like that? What's wrong with a vespa instead?
honestly, i've been down the motorcycle rabbit hole because my city has an issue with reckless motorcycle riders. the whole no helmets, tanks and shorts deal? that shit is wholly unsafe for everyone and how you get turned into a meat crayon.
addressing the environmental stuff, it's not as simple as it seems. motorcycles aren't exactly the eco-friendly option you'd think they are. yeah, they use less fuel overall than cars, but when it comes to other nasty pollutants, they're way worse. i'm talking 8,065% more Carbon Monoxide than cars. mythbusters' research from some years ago paints a pretty vivid picture. it's almost like motorcycles have missed out on decades of clean-up that cars have had to go through, so you're not getting the whole picture by looking purely at fuel consumption.
vespas, however? absolutely, they're an option. but what about going even further? electric scooters, bikes powered by renewable energy, and other things that we have the resources and access to put on the market today and is already available at a smaller but more expensive scale.
that being said, let's zoom out and look at the big picture, especially in places like st. louis where i live. our public transport is like a puzzle with missing pieces, especially in parts of the city that need it most - no surprise those most disadvantaged or lacking the resources of other, more affluent parts of the city.
it's way beyond time we fixed that at a national level, and i'm not just talking a band-aid solution. more buses, trams, and trains that really reach everywhere. it's about reshaping our cities, getting away from the car-centered culture, and building something more inclusive and environmentally friendly.
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2022 Trek Travel Cross-Country Bike Trip Epilogue
The stats
21 riders including 8 women, 42 riding days, 4 rest days, 14 states, My personal stats - 3,735 miles (avg 89 miles/day), 142K ft ascent, 232 hrs moving time, 16 mph avg speed, $0 prize money
For comparison, the stats of the 2022 Tour de France
176 male riders, 21 riding days, 3 rest days, 2,081 miles (avg 98 miles/day), 157K ft ascent, 80 hours moving time, 26 mph avg speed, $2.7M prize money
I'm guessing that the average age of the Trek group was approximately double the age of the average Tour rider - we were older and slower but went considerably farther.
In anticipation of your questions:
Most memorable part of the trip: The rides in the Western States brought stunning views and memorable climbs/descents. If I had to pick one segment, I would recommend the Columbia River Gorge.
Most difficult part of the trip:
Days of temps in the 90s/100's turned asphalt roads into broilers, cooking us from our cleats to our helmet. Also, cold rain is no fun but we only had a few days of this. I also had a stomach bug that caused me to DNF a day and suffer the next few days as I recovered, but fortunately it was relatively short lived. Due to the DNF I missed 54 miles/4k ft ascent of the trip.
Physical impact:
Yes, I lost weight, but not more than 10 lbs. My body composition changed though; I lost fat and gained muscle. I didn't grow giant quadriceps like a pro rider but my cycling V02 max improved by 15% to 60. I never got sore like I do when I run and my only injuries were saddle sores in weeks 2-3 and a mild case of cycling elbow (i.e. tennis elbow) the last few days of the ride.
Was it easier or more difficult than I expected:
I really had no idea what to expect. I got stronger and faster as the ride progressed and was less sore than I expected. The ride was challenging, but it wasn't torture and I'm proud of averaging 16 mph.
Would I do it again?
No. I wanted to see the country from the saddle of a bike and to physically challenge myself and I've accomplished those goals. As the guides attested at the closing dinner, we had an extraordinary group of riders (kind, fun, thoughtful, strong) and I can't imagine being able to repeat that good fortune. Lastly, 47 days is a long time to be away from Beth, family and friends.
Things I learned riding coast to coast across the northern US:
1. It is ridiculous to think that 21 people in their 50s and 60s (and one in his 70s!) can bike across the country in 46 days. But what if they were provided:
• A training plan 8 months in advance;
• The best road bikes available;
• A GPS attached to their bike with turn-by-turn directions of the carefully planned route;
• White glove service managing all the logistics (luggage, hotels, meals, etc.);
• Refueling stops with water, sugar, salt, and encouragement every 17 miles in addition to a fully catered lunch stop each day;
• The support of 5 of the best guides in the business?
If you do all of that, then a group of ordinary (albeit highly motivated) men and women can do the extraordinary.
2. We live in a truly beautiful country; the Columbia River Gorge and South Dakota badlands were breathtaking, but so too were the simple pastoral beauty of the Midwest and the charming towns and villages of New England.
3. The vastness of US agriculture production is astounding and difficult to comprehend. Given the amount of land devoted to producing corn, the rise of electric vehicles and decline of gasoline/ethanol consumption will be nearly as disruptive to the farming community as it is to petroleum producers.
4. If political signs, flags, and bumper stickers are to be believed, there is a deep and troubling political divide between rural and urban America. This divide is being stoked by selfish interests and must be reconciled.
5. Those thick black rubber bungee cords with metal hooks on the ends that people use to secure things to their car or truck? They don’t work. Beth and I have picked up tens of them in the two miles of I90 that we’ve adopted, and I dodged hundreds of them lying on road shoulders while riding across the country. They should be taken off the market.
6. This trip reminded me of a lesson I first learned when I began Ironman training. The average human body is capable of amazing things, much more than you imagine. I occasionally hear the advice, “Listen to your body.” I think it is important to clarify that advice. Remember that your body evolved to crave an afternoon on the couch with a bag of chips in one hand, a cookie in the other and a milkshake to wash them down. So, when you’re listening to your body, listen carefully. Distinguish between when your body doesn’t want to do something and when your body can’t do something. At mile 14 on day 19, sick with a stomach bug, my body said it couldn’t continue and I listened. On the other mornings when my body said it was tired, I ignored it.
7. Bicycling is much easier on your body than running. Over 47 days of riding I never felt sore (with the temporary exception of my butt); I never needed a massage or used my Theragun. As an older athlete I plan to incorporate biking more regularly into my training regime to give my body more time to recover from the impact of running.
8. It is a privilege to do this ride. It is a privilege to have the good health, time, resources, and support (thanks Beth and all of you) to pursue an odyssey like this for 47 days. It isn’t lost on me that there was no racial diversity on this ride; that’s likely a reflection of the privilege this ride requires and the work we have left to do as a society.
9. When riding a bike a long distance, nothing matters more than the wind. Depending on the wind, a 40-mile ride could either be a thrilling 2-hour sprint or a grinding 3-hour sufferfest and in this respect, this cross-country ride is a metaphor for life.
Riders are quick to complain about a headwind, but very few will acknowledge a strong tailwind; on those days riders are more likely to credit their pace to their fitness and fortitude. This is a natural human tendency, despite the profound and more importantly, invisible influence of the wind. Bikers likewise compare their segment times to the results of other riders on different days despite those comparisons having little meaning without an acknowledgment of the wind (which never happens). Some riders have lighter, faster bikes, but those differences are visible, more easily accounted for and generally have less impact the invisible wind.
Riding against the wind isn’t just a physical challenge, it is mentally and even emotionally draining. I have a power meter in my pedals, and it tells me how much power I am producing. 220 watts with a good tailwind can easily propel me at 20 mph. Conversely, when riding into a headwind those same 220 watts may not get me above 14 mph. Here’s the interesting thing; even though I’m working equally hard in each scenario, pedaling at 220 watts for an hour with a tailwind is easy and fun; I’m going fast and making great progress. By contrast, I can rarely keep up a 220 watt effort for more than 30 minutes when facing a headwind; the slow pace and drone of the wind whistling in my ears are simply too frustrating and discouraging. It’s the same amount of work, but one feels considerably more difficult than the other.
Of course, a headwind isn’t necessarily an inevitable, unavoidable obstacle. A rider may be able to alter his course to one which is protected from the wind but still reaches the same destination. Or a rider could pick an entirely new destination, one which turns the headwind into a tailwind but arrives at a different but equally suitable destination. These options are usually only available to riders who are familiar with the area, riders who have been there before or have seen other riders navigate the optional routes and destinations successfully. Rookie riders are unlikely to deviate their course or destination and will generally attempt to grind it out in the absence of knowledge of the alternatives.
Sometimes a headwind is simply unavoidable, however. On those days, riders can help each other by taking turns pulling at the front, shielding those behind from the wind and giving them a chance to rest and recover. On many occasions during my trip, stronger riders would pull weaker riders for hours to the destination simply because they could and they didn’t need the help of the weaker rider.
At the risk of being preachy here (probably too late) I had the tremendous good fortune to be born with a strong tailwind. I saw other riders (my parents and their friends) reach my intended destination and I followed their course. In addition to a tailwind, I had the benefit of being pulled by older, more experienced riders (work mentors and great bosses like Jack ONeill). And finally, Beth Koetting is a strong and capable teammate who is riding with me and sharing the work.
3,735 miles taught me to be appreciative of a tailwind and acknowledge it’s contribution. More importantly, it’s taught me to recognize when others are struggling with a headwind. Odds are good that these riders would be equally successful with the benefit of a tailwind. I am reminded to help them find a new route or destination, or better yet move to the front and give them a chance to rest and recover.
10. The love and support of family and friends can make even the most challenging journey more enjoyable and for that I thank all of you.
Thanks for following along.
Mike
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A bunch of watchog in a car getting pulled over, but when the officer asks for license and registration, ALL of them pull out their wallets except the watchog in the driver's seat
A bunch of scraggy doing bike repair with one falling over his pants and dropping tools everywhere
A conkulldurr and a human in construction wear arguing as they point at the same clipboard
An old man playing chess with a group of pachirisu who point at different areas of the chess board while one struggles to make a decision
A stadium of pokemon cheering as they watch a human WWE style cage match
An extremely tired diggersby with like 50 kids in a stroller
A group of timburr and a human worker trading various lunch foods while they eat off an i-beam
Lucario service animal with an older lady with a vest that says "please do not interact with me, I am working"
A mellotta singing in a bar, the crowd surrounding her laughing and having drinks. pokemon and human alike
A bearded biker man and a sylveon getting matching tats
An unaware NYC style stand owner not noticing as a squirtle takes a candybar
A simisear, simisage, and simpour howling in laughter at a library as they draw a rotated "3" next to the word for "butt" in an encyclopedia
A disgruntled community service officer with missing hair and a couple of honking geese pokemon in the back
Some soldiers getting a selfie with a cheeky serperior they convinced to slide lengthwise into a cannon barrel
A demonstration of electrical circuits, letting an emolga balance a lightbulb on her head while holding two wires. kids look on in wonder
A rider on an Unfezant delivering mail to someone on a building rooftop
A purrloin on a diner counter handing an older couple a menu, dressed in a bowtie. The rest of the restaurant has similar high counters for other cat pokemon to take orders
A leavanny and a zoroark helping a man get tailored, with a zoroark using illusions to provide an idea of what it might look like
A group of kids, pokemon and all, running around with sparklers, except a chickorita who somehow got a hold of a blinking traffic come and is running with it on their head
A view from the bottom up, showing a braviary dropping off heavy cargo while a guy directs him with hand signals
Furret conservationist pokemon with a clipboard and a pencil wearing a golf visors making sure displaced pokemon from urban expansion get proper housing
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hello i am fairly new to motogp (i watched a few races this year and plan on following the whole 24 season) i came across your page and saw that you only started watching in the past years. i was wondering if you have any important things/facts/informaiton for new fans to know?? :))
Hi there anon 👋👋👋👋
It's true that I only started to watch MotoGP on the 2020 season (so this is my 5th season), but I have know and watched races way before that. My aunt is a huge fan and when she came to our house, we watched them when they weren't behind a paywall.
Now about what I think people need to know...
For starters, when people shit on Red Bull, when shouldn't do it. Red Bull holds no power on the teams like they do on F1. Red Bull is just a gigantic logo on the caps and bikes. Red Bull sponsors so many riders (Pol, Dovi, Dani, Marc, Joe, Ayumu, Pedro just to say some), so they need to complain about KTM, Ajo and GasGas/Tech3.
Red Bull sponsors so many teams and riders that literally is not viable for them to keep tabs and work. It's really a fucking logo.
Because we are in topic of bad teams/management, no team is perfect. Trust me. I could write a lot, but I won't, so basically pick the lesser evil. And riders are no better. they are humans, some worst than others so don't fucking put them in pedestals because they will screw it some way or another.
MotoE deserves more love. MotoE is the all electric racing series and has a female (María Herrera) rider since the begging of the category. Also MotoE is a way to enter Moto2 without going through Moto3. It literally connects European Moto2 with Moto2. But also MotoE is where the Moto2 rejects could end if not to WSSP or European Moto2.
They have pretty short races (around 8 laps) full of chaos. They also don't have media training and their official accounts are... just chaos. they races are free on YouTube, so go and watch them. And the qualies are always streamed for free on YouTube, in fact, it's the only place you can watch tem.
And from now on then comes back the story of Miguel marrying his step-sister. To clarify, they started to date before they become family, so basically the ones that screw it it was their parents. Also yes, Miguel is a dentist.
Other than that, just enjoy the racing. Also be respectful.
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Long Range E Bike 2024: Travel With Ease
Long-range e-bikes have revolutionized the way we travel and commute. With advanced battery technology and efficient motor systems, these electric bikes can cover significantly more distance than their traditional counterparts. Whether it's for daily commuting or long recreational rides, long-range e-bikes offer a convenient and sustainable solution. The extended range provided by these bikes ensures that riders can confidently embark on longer journeys without worrying about running out of power.
An electric bike is an eco-friendly option to travel as it is powered by electricity and not any fossil fuels. Since no fossil fuels are used, the bike has no carbon emissions. In comparison with cars, they are much more energy-efficient. Choosing a long-range e-bike for daily commuting over a car may lessen your carbon footprint and protect the environment.
However, with so many options out there, it becomes difficult to select one that offers all the features that a rider is looking for. To learn more about long-range e-bikes, we have provided some of the best long-range e-bike options to try in 2024. Read further!
Source: long range e bike
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🌟Capsule Header: Ridstar DC-26: The Ultimate Electric Bike for All Terrains
📝Title: How to Ride Like a Star with the Ridstar DC-26 Electric Bike
👩💼Bio: Muhammad Faisal Hussaini is an artist and a passionate cyclist who loves to explore new places and share his experiences with his readers. He is the founder of Ridstar, a blog dedicated to electric bikes and their benefits.
🗒️Summary: The Ridstar DC-26 is a powerful and versatile electric bike that can handle any terrain, from beach to mountain to snow. It features a 1500W motor, a 48V 20AH battery, a 26-inch fat tire, and a 21-speed gear system. In this article, we will review the features, benefits, and drawbacks of this amazing e-bike, and show you how to ride like a star with it.
🏷️Label: Electric Bike, Review, Ridstar, DC-26
💭What’s on Mind: Have you ever dreamed of riding an electric bike that can take you anywhere you want, with speed, comfort, and style? If so, you might want to check out the Ridstar DC-26, a foldable electric bike that can conquer any terrain, from sand to snow. This e-bike is not only powerful and durable, but also sleek and elegant, making it a perfect choice for adventurous riders who want to stand out from the crowd.
📌Description:
If you are looking for a new way to enjoy cycling, you might want to consider getting an electric bike. Electric bikes, or e-bikes, are bicycles that have an electric motor that assists the rider’s pedaling. E-bikes can make cycling easier, faster, and more fun, especially for long distances or hilly terrains.
However, not all e-bikes are created equal. Some e-bikes are designed for specific purposes, such as commuting, touring, or mountain biking. Others are more versatile and can adapt to different environments and conditions. One of these e-bikes is the Ridstar DC-26, a foldable electric bike that can handle any terrain, from beach to mountain to snow.
#RidstarDC26 #ElectricBikeAdventure #UnleashYourExplorer #GoFurther #EbikeLife #MountainBiking #BeachCruising #SustainableTravel #AdventureAwaits #Ridstar #DC26 #ElectricBike #Review #Ebike #FatTire #AllTerrain #Cycling #Adventure #RideLikeAStar
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Have an escooter? Please consider wearing a downhill helmet to protect your face
As someone whose relatives have escooters, and someone who has seen a lot of close calls with strangers, I wanna share a little-known bit of advice for anyone who's looking into escooters, or who already has one:
If you're on an escooter, you get the most protection by wearing a downhill or full-face helmet!
DO NOT GO HELMET-LESS!
By 'downhill' or 'full face', I mean the helmets that bmx riders use, or motorcycle riders wear, respectively. It sounds like overkill but here's the thing:
Escooters have a very high center of gravity because you're upright on them, and they have small wheels that don't absorb impact very well. It's super easy to go over your handle bars if you even hit a tiny pothole! According to this study where 212 patients presented to an emergency room, 11.8% of the patients had dental injuries
A lot of these patients presented with facial lacerations and facial fractures. Overall, 44% of patients needed surgery (5.9% needed major surgery and 38.2% needed minor surgery), and 50% needed maxillofacial follow-up
All 212 patients in this study received a head or face injury. 82% of patients didn't wear a helmet
Some more articles explaining dental injuries from escooter use:
Dental injuries on the rise thanks to e-scooter use
New study from U of A professor warns of dangers of scooter usage
In this Korean study, most patients without a helmet suffered some kind of facial trauma
This isn't just a matter of speed, either. If you're not convinced how often people go over the handlebars at lower speeds too, check out the first 25 seconds of this video by Electric Scooter Guide. That's a lot of faceplants at lower speeds! Or if you want a full playlist of people going over their handlebars, I've got you covered. Again see how many of them are faceplants!
And at higher speeds? It's not good. MAJOR TRIGGER WARNING for gore and death: here you will find a graphic picture of someone who was in an escooter accident, they weren't wearing a helmet and they sadly lost their life
I'll link some reddit posts of close calls where the posters were really glad to be wearing downhill/full face helmets, these are either text-only posts, or simple pics of scratched-up helmets: 1 2 3
Most of these accidents don't even involve other people or vehicles! According to this infographic, 80.2% of escooter accidents are 'falls':
So, now what?
If you don't currently have a helmet and are considering getting one, yay! Your first impulse might be to go out and buy a regular bicycle helmet, but remember: a lot of these injuries happen around your jaw and the front of your face! A bicycle helmet doesn't protect that part! When you fall on an escooter, you're likely to fall in ways that are different from a fall on a bike. So consider a downhill helmet (or a full-face, if you wanna channel your inner motorhead)!
Yeah you'll look dorky, but you'll get home in one piece if you get unlucky on the way there 👍
#i was on my way home and saw a THING omg they were so close to hitting their face my heart skipped a beat#if even one person sees this post and remembers it i'll be happy#escooter#escooters#e-scooters#psa#safety#scooters#micromobility#commuting#ninebot#segway#electric scooter#electric scooters#injury ment cw#injury cw
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