#Milestone in EV Market

[ciolookleaders]

ZEEKR’s Ambitious IPO Marks a Milestone in EV Market Competition

ZEEKR’s Rise in the EV Market

ZEEKR, a youthful player in the electric vehicle (EV) arena, is poised to make a significant mark with its upcoming initial public offering (IPO) on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) this week. Established just three years ago as a subsidiary of the Chinese automotive giant Geely Holding, ZEEKR swiftly emerged as a contender in the realm of premium zero-emissions mobility, positioning itself to rival established names like NIO and Tesla.

A Diverse Portfolio and Financial Backing

Despite its brief existence, the company has wasted no time in diversifying its product portfolio. Among its offerings are the flagship 001 shooting brake, the versatile 009 multi-purpose vehicle (MPV), the sleek 007 sedan, and the upcoming electric van, MIX. In February, ZEEKR garnered considerable attention by securing $750 million in Series A funding, setting its valuation at a lofty $13 billion upon completion of the investment.

IPO Details and Market Comparisons

Now, company is taking its next significant step by launching an IPO on the NYSE. The company aims to offer 175,000,000 ordinary shares (or 17,500,000 American Depository Shares) at a price range of $18 to $21 per ADS, potentially raising up to $367 million. This move reflects a strategic decision by ZEEKR to tap into the US market, where several of its competitors, such as NIO, XPeng Motors, and Li Auto, are already traded.

However, ZEEKR’s targeted valuation of $5.13 billion for the IPO is notably lower than earlier projections. Last fall, the company anticipated a valuation of around $18 billion for its US IPO, highlighting the evolving dynamics of the Chinese EV sector in the American market. Nevertheless, ZEEKR remains optimistic about its prospects, with plans to trade under the ticker symbol “ZK” and ring the opening bell in New York City on May 10, marking a significant milestone in its journey towards global recognition in the EV space.

Also Read: Mastering the Product Development Process: A Comprehensive Guide to Bringing Ideas to Market

[soobrat]

fuck up my life; hjs

milestone celebration masterlist

˗ˏˋ🎧´ˎ˗ pairing; han jisung x afab!reader (+ lee know)

˗ˏˋ🎧´ˎ˗ words; 12.3k

˗ˏˋ🎧´ˎ˗ genre; smut, angst!!!

˗ˏˋ🎧´ˎ˗ warnings; very toxic relationship, two deplorable dirty cheaters, public sex, mutual masturbation, choking, very rough sex, bondage, ball gag, unprotected sex, slut shaming, large cock, dubcon(? just to be safe), slapping, squirting, spanking, biting, casual sex, you're going to hate mc and Jisung they're horrible people and just when you think it can't get worse hooooo boy

↻ ◁ || ▷ : If you can't set aside your morals for a story centered around two cheaters, I don't blame you, but this fic ain't for you lol. This is the first part of the second story! I'm so late to 1.5k that we're close to 2k, so I can't wait to start writing that one. Right now I'll just focus on the other two parts of this :*)

act i ➻ yeah right

Your blue eyeshadow was too flashy. Your cut crease and eyeliner too sharp and intense. Your overlined nude lipstick was downright gaudy. Feeling pleased, you stand from your vanity and inspect your outfit in the full-body mirror to your left. 

The thin silk fabric cinched in slightly at your waist, accentuating your breasts and hips. You’re basically telling men to look at them. Oh, and that slit. You turn to get a better look at it, tsking when you catch a glimpse of the swell of your ass. With how high the slit runs up and how short the dress is to begin with, you might as well just go out in your underwear. You looked like a cheap, tacky whore.

It was perfect.

With one last look in the mirror, you adjust the collar of your dress. With there being no sleeves on your dress or anything covering your shoulders, the thick piece of fabric was the only thing keeping you from flashing the entire club. Long strips of silk cascade down your back after you tie it securely around your neck. 

You flounce past your drunken boyfriend on the couch, the loud click and clack of your D’orsay heels taunting him to take a look. He scrambles to sit up and doesn’t bother turning off the TV. He’s annoyed but not that bothered by you leaving the house in this state.

“What, are you going out to find someone to fuck?” He slurs. You spare him by not even glancing once. You’re sure he doesn’t want to be seen when he’s being a belligerent fool. “Huh? Is that what you’re doing? You look like a prostitute!” He yells more frantically when he realizes he’s not deterring you. You snicker before finally looking back at the poor man. His shirt is more stain than polyester and his blue-striped boxers sit crooked on his hips. His hair is a mess and he can barely keep his eyes open.

“‘Twas the goal, my love.” You smile with a wink before leaving him to drink himself to sleep.

0:00 ───|────── 0:00

You hadn’t been to The Eve in years, since before you were cleansed. You enter and become engulfed by the pulsing music and dancing bodies. Looking around you can’t help but smile. This is where you belong. Across the room is a man who doesn’t share this sentiment. He feels out of place. He glances around nervously at the shameless PDA and lousy dancing. He should be at home with his loving girlfriend. 

Jiwoo is breathtaking. Her expressive eyes and radiant smile keep his lungs in constant lockdown. It’s true that she and Jisung are extremely different. She’s an early bird while he’s a night owl. Her active lifestyle makes Jisung seem sedentary. Also, she doesn’t want to have sex much at all. And when they do have sex, it’s vanilla missionary. At the beginning of their relationship, Jisung was convinced her lifestyle just needed some getting used to. Three years later and he's only gotten less strong-willed. He’s suffocating.

He needs to breathe.

Jisung has been off the market for quite a while now. After moving in with Jiwoo, his priorities shifted. He’s not a kid anymore. It’s time for him to get serious and settle down. So, no, Jisung hasn’t been to a club in a minute. It was all stressing him out, but he was dressed up and he was already here. He should at least get a drink.

One drink becomes two and two become four. Jiwoo would be pissed. He already feels guilty about keeping how he’s feeling a secret, and now he’s drunk and alone. He can already hear her lecturing him. He laughs to himself, forehead thudding on the surface of the bar. 

Everyone around him looks so carefree as they dance and shove their tongues down each other’s throats. How do they do it? Maybe he should get up and try. The dancing part, of course. Maybe he was drunk. Pushing through the sea of bodies was a blur. He was just determined to get somewhere in the middle. The more he’s completely surrounded, the more immersed he feels in the atmosphere. He gets it now, he sways his body to the music.

The people surrounding him brush against him, sometimes even knocking into him. It only helps him levitate higher. With an extended exhale he floats until he’s hovering in the atmosphere. A body brushes against his front, pulling him back down to Earth. His eyes travel down to an ass against his crotch. Electricity crawls up his legs, prickling at his skin. He doesn’t realize his hands are resting on your waist until the fabric of your short dress rides up.

“At least tell me your name before you take my clothes off.” Your voice is sweet, seductive, it makes his head swim. He yanks his hands away and tries to back up only to bump into someone behind him. His body is propelled back into you, and your behind is back against his groin. He groans, hands gripping your upper arms to keep you at a distance. “What’s wrong babe?” His hands slip from your soft skin as you flip around to face him.

The face put to the seductive voice was a near perfect match. There was a look of intrigue behind your alluring gaze as you examined Jisung. He couldn’t help feeling a hint of danger as you looked him over. The way you hold yourself indicates explicitly how confident you are. As your eyes travel back to his face he nearly flinches from the sharpness of your eyes. Did you think he was pathetic? 

Jisung clears his throat and squares his shoulders. Your smirk and snort make him shrivel up again. You lean in with an earnest look on your face.

“You seem like a sweet guy.” You smile before sauntering elsewhere. Jisung looks down, alarmed by his hand reaching out for you. He physically pulls it back with his other hand. His encounter with you sobers him up immediately and he rushes out of the club. What he should be doing is being there for his girlfriend and being upfront with how he feels.

On the way home he chews on his lip, regarding the bulge in his pants nervously. He takes a shower before even thinking of crawling into bed with Jiwoo. He sighs deeply as he joins her under the covers. It’s warm and comforting, despite how his thoughts prod at him. He should wait until the morning instead of waking her. He extends his arm to hold Jiwoo but hesitates. His mouth falls open slightly as he stares at the back of her head.

0:00 ───|────── 0:00

“Jisung. Jisung!” His girlfriend’s annoyed voice jolts him awake. She throws a hand through her messy hair that just falls back around her face. He squints as the sun intrudes his eyesight, it was definitely way too early to be awake. He looks up and smiles groggily.

“Good morning.”

“Don’t good morning me, you made a mess!” She gestures agitatedly at the bed. Jisung pauses before ripping the covers away. The moist feeling against his hip and upper thigh becomes more apparent when he sees his soiled boxers and sheets. He looks up at Jiwoo as she makes a frustrated noise. She pulls the fabric of her nightgown, looking nauseated by the semen coating it. The throb Jisung feels in his groin is downright reprehensible. Whenever they have sex, Jiwoo makes him pull out and cum into his hand. The sight of his semen on her makes him aware that not only did he cum in his sleep, but he’s hard again. 

“Don’t just sit there, clean it up!” Jisung scrambles up from the bed, wrapping the comforter around him when he hears the increasing urgency in her voice. Jiwoo was repulsed by bodily fluids. Saliva, semen, sweat, all of it. She gagged once when he accidentally came in her mouth. The incident made both of them swear off blowjobs. Jisung was completely willing after the look on her face. He felt horrible. Yet here he is, getting turned on while she’s freaking out.

“I’m so, so sorry.” He laments as he rips the sheets off the bed. He watches with remorse as she rushes to the bathroom. His uncomfortable hard-on made him wonder what got him all worked up in the first place. He’s had many dreams where Jiwoo was a nymphomaniac and did unspeakable things to him. Even then, he only woke up with a boner, he never came in his sleep.

Dread fills his body as flashes of his dream enter his mind. That residual heat lingered the entire time he was awake, only now is he realizing where it came from. Images of you with your breasts exposed while bouncing on his cock fill his brain. 

“Such a sweet boy.” You moan lewdly.

Jisung shakes the dream away and clenches his eyes shut. It was because he was drunk. That was all. He loves Jiwoo.

0:00 ───|────── 0:00

You brace yourself as your hand wraps firmly around the doorknob. With a sharp inhale you push the door open and are immediately greeted with your boyfriend still on the couch. He had cleaned up, it was the afternoon after all, and he fixes you with a disappointed scowl. He takes the time to realize that you’re wearing another man’s shirt again.

“What the fuck-”

He rushes over to you and you raise your arms into the air expectantly. He grits his teeth before pulling the souvenir sweatshirt over your torso and head. This time he doesn’t toss it in the garbage, he angrily throws it to the ground. 

“I thought that would piss you off.” You grin, eyes tracking him as he fumes.

“Aren’t you tired?” He asks exasperatedly. A grimace flickers through your smile but you force it back. “Aren’t you?” You quip back, angling your face closer to his. Your heartbeat accelerates when he doesn’t move away.

“You want me to fuck you? Is that why you’re doing all of this?”

You bite your lip, not shying away from his aggression. “So why don’t you fucking ask like a normal person?” He shoves you backward and you hit the door. A moan is pulled from you involuntarily. He growls, unbuckling his belt before shoving his pants down. His hands are rough as he grips you, spinning you around and pushing you into the door. Anticipation rips through you until you’re close to trembling. He makes quick work of hiking your dress up and moving the shamefully thin fabric to the side. 

“This what you want?” He wraps his arm around your chest before shoving his cock inside you. You moan out, still not answering him. He squeezes your jaw hard with his other hand. “Fucking answer me!” His voice is piercing right next to your ear and you jump, pussy clenching around him. You whimper but your resolve stays intact. He grunts as he continues to fuck you in a position that curves your back uncomfortably. 

“You’re not answering because you know you’re a whore.” His voice wavers under the power of his thrusts. “Did you let him cum inside you?”

“You think I’m disgusting don’t you?” You moan. He doesn’t answer, giving you the same treatment you gave him. He instead wraps his hand around your throat and squeezes until your eyes roll back. He doesn’t speak anymore. The living room fills with grunts, heavy breathing, and the sound of his skin impacting yours. 

He shoots his load inside you with jerky thrusts, tightening his hand around your throat until your hearing and sight get cloudy. He lets you breathe before shoving you away. You gasp in air a little too quickly, losing balance from the shove and falling into a coughing fit. Your knees burn from scraping the floor after the impact. As dread starts to spread, you count in your head; 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6-

“Stand up.” His voice sounds uncaring but his hands are gentle as he lifts you off the ground. A genuine smile almost creeps through as you clear your throat. “Go to the bathroom and clean yourself up.” You can hear his bite start to wane. 

He took longer than last time but he still did it. He always comes around. 

Despite what he said, he ends up being the one kneeling between your legs while you sit on the toilet. You wince as he wipes between your folds. The cloth is damp and cold. He doesn’t speak the entire time. His jaw is tight and his thick, dark brows are drawn together. “I could do this myself.” You stare down at him before sighing.

“Minho.”

He doesn’t answer.

“Do you remember that shirt I wore in high school?” Minho’s hand hovers in the air as he hesitates. You puff air through your nose as you smirk. “Because I’ll never forget how you scolded me. You were so nerdy with your glasses.” You giggle.

Minho continues wiping away at your mound. “You came stomping up to me and said “those words are inappropriate for school!” and told me to put on the proper uniform.”

Still nothing. Is he doing it because he knows what his silence does to you or because he genuinely doesn’t want to speak to you? The former is better, you can grapple with spite. But you can see his face softening. He’s reflecting on your fond memories, but he still says nothing.

“You never stopped. You’re still that nerd in the glasses trying to get me to behave and probably always will be.”

Minho finally looks at you. He scowls at you and you brace for him to blow up. But he just drops the rag with a gross splat before leaving the bathroom. You shoot up from the toilet.

“Yeah, I knew you wouldn’t like the sound of that.” You chase after him. “You want to give up don’t you?-” He slams the bathroom door in your face and you listen as his heavy shoes thud away.

Your nostrils burn with each inhale. The air is dry, you said that to him when you bought this apartment together. He didn’t listen to you.

0:00 ───|────── 0:00

Jisung was dozing off at work. It was his fault for jizzing in his sheets. He guesses Jiwoo could’ve just cleaned herself up and waited for Jisung to wake up to wash the sheets and scrub the mattress. But she didn’t and there’s no point in thinking about what if’s.

Still, he was probably gonna be here for a while. Probably gonna have to work overtime. He already planned to put his right hand to good use in the bathroom, making sure to stay quiet. Jiwoo would surely ask why he didn’t ask to have sex. She doesn’t know he watches porn or the type he watches. She’d probably faint, thinking the man she’d been with for three years was some debauched pervert.

Turns out he didn’t have to work overtime. He takes the extra hours at his disposal to take a walk through the city. He told himself he was just walking around aimlessly, but his feet were walking a specific route. Taking him to a place he should be swearing off. He can see the neon sign in the corner of his eyes, bright green and screaming at him. Walk past, you should be home by now.

He hesitantly peeks at the sign. If he were to walk in right now, would you be there again? Jisung curses under his breath, shaking the thought from his head. He shouldn’t be thinking such a thing right now. 

She was strange anyway, he thought. Calling him a sweet guy from such a brief exchange. What did she know?

Jisung eventually gives up on his walk, ignoring his brain screaming at him to take a peek inside. When he walks through the door Jiwoo is sitting on the couch, frantically nipping at her nails. She shoots up when she sees him.

“There you are.” She breathes, as if she’d been holding it. She bounds toward him and wraps her arms around his waist, resting her head against his chest before he can even hang his coat up. “I was worried you’d be working overtime tonight.” She chuckles, failing to disguise how nervous she seems. With his features wound tight, he flicks his sleeve away to look at his watch. It’s 9 pm, she should be in her pajamas already and reading a book in bed.

“You waited for me?” He asks, puzzled. Though, he was more fretful than anything. 

“Yeah, I wanted to apologize.” She slowly pulls away, guilt weighing down her cute mousey features. “I shouldn’t have snapped at you like that.” Her eyes flit up at him before she shuts them with a sigh. “Or woken you up.”

Jisung blinks, realizing she probably saw his dark circles. His fretting got stronger the more she spoke and suddenly he found himself in total panic mode. "Y-you don’t have to worry about that! I’m the asshole. I knew very well you don’t like body fluids.”

“You were asleep, Jisung. How could you have known?” She implores. She was right, it’s not like he forced himself to cum. But that part was only a cover for what he was truly guilty about. If anyone should be apologizing, it should be him. Right as he takes a breath, Jiwoo is sighing and stepping away.

“I’m gonna go get ready for bed now. Oh, and–” Jiwoo spins back around and gives Jisung an emphatic look. “You’re not an asshole, Jisung. You’re sweet. The sweetest guy I’ve met.”

After Jiwoo is closed within the bathroom Jisung feels multiple emotions tugging at his stomach. He should tell her. About everything. How he still isn’t used to their different preferences. His browser history. Going to the club. The dream.

He rushes after Jiwoo, pushing the bathroom door open to see her naked body. She squeaks and covers herself up. “J-Jisung? What…”

When he feels himself start to get hard he immediately shuts the door. He could just relieve himself and try again later. But where? She was in the bathroom. She’d be pissed if he came anywhere else. 

He kneels on his bed with uncertainty before collapsing on his face. He definitely shouldn’t do it here, but he still starts jutting into the mattress. The comforter is wiped clean of her scent so his fantasizing was dulled. But he still humps with fervor, finding something inside him egging him on. He clenches the comforter and lets out a squeezed grunt once the shower comes on. 

Jisung has been a no-good boyfriend. Apparently her friends keep banking on her to be the first to get hitched in her friend group. If only they knew what he was thinking about right now. They’d beg her to break up with him, plead her to stop shopping for rings. Maybe one of them would even speak up about the sneaking suspicions they’ve been harboring this entire time.

“I knew he would do something like that. He looks like the type to have wandering eyes.”

He whimpers, hiking a knee higher to really press his groin against the mattress. “He definitely checks out other women, he probably does it shamelessly too.”

It would be Haseul, he can feel it in the way she looks at him. She knows, she can sense that he’s no good. Jisung unbuttons his jeans to let the tip of his cock peek out from under his underwear. It feels so hot and soft against his stomach that he’s able to ignore his concerns about making Jiwoo upset. He even spits into his hand, a thick glob like he fantasizes about, before smoothing it over his cock head. 

He moves to his knees, gripping his shaft with two hands and fucking into them. With puffs of airy moans, he lets his eyes flutter shut and fantasizes about spraying his cum all over the bed. Oh, Jiwoo would get so upset. She’d call him disgusting and probably kick him out. She’d break up with him because of how bad he is.

He’s so close he can feel the heat swirling in his groin but then the shower shuts off and he hurriedly stuffs himself back in his pants. As he zips and buttons himself back up he can feel that euphoria slipping away, leaving him cold and unsatisfied.

0:00 ───|────── 0:00

You linger outside your door a little longer today. You can hear the tv blaring behind it. Maybe if you come in later than usual you can conjure up some more of his passion. He’s been colder. You’re pushing it.

It was unlike you to be so antsy but the possibility of you getting to him made you open the door. Minho glances up at you, only to look back at the tv like it was nothing.

For the first time in years you felt wary about the shirt you borrowed from your escapades. You stand in the living room, waiting for anything. He could even break up with you and it’d be better than this. Feeling suffocated, you leave to your room. You barely got any sleep at your one night stand’s house. You couldn’t stop thinking about how you’ve entered a new phase. The one where they realize you’re not worth it. That you’re easy with no thrill.

You strip your clothes off and lift your covers, slipping beneath them. You angrily wipe away the tear that slips free as you lay your head on your pillow. This is what you wanted. You were asking for him to stop pretending to care about you. He’s finally done it.

When you wake up it’s dark out. Minho is nowhere to be found. Not in the bedroom, the bathroom, the kitchen, or the spot he’s carved out for himself on the couch. 

You wish you could track him down and force him to face you. What would you do then? You’ve tried pissing him off and pushing him until he has no choice but to blow up at you. What if he doesn’t do that anymore.

Your eyes scan the faces of each mid-height male dancing under the dim lights. They’re desperate to find those pouty lips. That annoyed stare that didn’t change the fact that he resembled a rabbit.

Him being here is past wishful thinking. Him being here means he’s decided to meet you at your level. It took a lot of letting him down to get him to even fuck you the way he does now. The day he becomes a degenerate to understand you is decades ahead, if you two make it that far.

You see a pair of glasses that feel familiar. Thinking of the Minho from when you started dating used to be sweet. But seeing those thick rimmed, square glasses make you sick right now. You clench your fists. Being in this atmosphere this long without a drink feels strange, but it doesn’t stop you from making your way over to the guy with the glasses. You shove at his shoulder, forcing his attention on you. 

Jisung stares at you like a deer in the headlights. He wonders if you somehow know about the naughty dreams he had about you, or that he’s happy to see you for the worst reasons. His thoughts won’t shut up. They indulge in the nasty fantasies while simultaneously telling him he’s a monster because of them. 

Jisung wipes his sweaty palms off on his t-shirt, only then do you recognize him. It’s hard to forget someone who wears a t-shirt to a club. The same person you saw nudging their way onto the dance floor seemingly in a trance. You’re still unclear why someone like him stumbled in here, or why he’s back.

“I-I’m sorry, you probably mistook me for someone else.” Jisung distances himself discreetly with a nervous smile.

“I didn’t.” You flash him the same smile you’re sure scared him off last time. You expected him to chase after you, but when you looked back, he was rushing out of the club. You should stay away from people like him. He’s practically trembling. Your eyes drag slowly up and down his frame. “You’re a sweet boy, you shouldn’t get involved with someone like me.” You say as if he told you he was interested. You’re being insanely presumptuous, but you have your reasons.

“I would never. I have… I have a girlfriend.” Jisung announces proudly. At that moment, the both of you come to an understanding. He got a boner when you guys danced together and now he’s unabashedly staring at your cleavage.

And Jisung? He’s aware of how obvious he’s being. The lust is as pleasing as it is painful. He’s drunk on it, eating up the black, strapless bustier hoisting up your tits and miniskirt tempting him to imagine your panties. His current behavior isn’t very sweet of him, you both think.

And it’s exciting all the same.

The lights bathe both of you in shifting hues as you swirl your hips against his groin. Your hand reaches to rest on the back of his neck, pulling him closer until his breath ghosts on your neck. Time is stuck in slow motion as you both relish in the teasing. It’s exhilarating, sending shockwaves through both your veins. 

Jisung’s breath labors more and more the further he gets into his fantasy. He’s already decided that your panties are red and lacy. The straps are thin and sit high on your hips. You have on a matching strapless bra and the cups cut so low that your nipples accidentally pop out when he yanks your top down. His burlish hands grope harshly at them while he bites your neck.

Your filthy moan makes his eyes snap open. His lips are actually on your neck and his hands have moved up from your hips to your breasts. Thankfully he didn’t expose you to the rest of the club, but that’s the least of his concerns. This is it. He can’t go back now. His erection is pressed firmly against you, riding up your skirt, and his hands are squeezing your tits. Jiwoo would be absolutely devastated. Fuck, fuck, fuck, desperation pleads and claws at him. Crippling shame and guilt wrack throughout his body.

This time a filthy noise leaves his mouth as his hips jerk against you. His cock is throbbing and his head is swirling with need. The fantasy has escalated. You’re gagged and bound, writhing underneath him. He grabs a handful of your pussy. He’s ripped from his fantasy once again once he feels lace on his fingers. Your face turns against his, your mouth grazing his cheek as you buck uncontrollably in his grip. Jisung grunts and presses you hard against him. Hot seed spurts up from his tip, soiling his underwear.

0:00 ───|────── 0:00

Jisung rushes home and slams the door behind him. He rests against it, steadying himself. His heart feels like it’ll give out. He can’t stop replaying what happened. It makes his knees weak and triggers a deep ache in his pants. It feels so fucking good to think about. It feels so incredibly bad to think about. Jisung collapses to his knees with an anguished sob. 

“I’m so sorry.” He sputters out.

0:00 ───|────── 0:00

Your routine was interrupted. You return later that same night to see Minho asleep on the couch. You wonder if he’d feel relieved if he saw you returning home early. 

He shouldn’t.

You’re still thinking about him. You don’t know his name and you’ve never seen anything but an imprint of his dick, but he’s running through your mind. You want fuck him bad. Bad enough that you’re touching yourself in bed. You let out a whine when the memory gets to the part where he runs away. He ran away from you again.

Now you know it’s because of guilt rather than being intimidated. There’s a chance you'll never see him again. It makes you more upset than you care to admit. You know what it feels like when you like someone. You avoid them like the plague and feel like throwing up at the thought of them. They make you imagine a bright future way too early. This is not that, but it’s not like your other one night stands either.

Thinking of him makes you think about the state of you and Minho. You sprawl out in your empty bed after climaxing. The cool parts of the sheets sizzle against your hot skin. You stare blankly out the window, hoping sleep will take pity on you and save you from your thoughts.

0:00 ───|────── 0:00

You sit at the edge of your bed for what feels like hours. Today you wish you could get to The Eve early. You’re disgusted with yourself. You want to plan your outfit and pick out something extra special. What the fuck is wrong with you. The door opening almost breaks you free from being locked in place. 

“Were you here all night?” 

You look up at Minho, who’s taken aback by the fear in your eyes.

“Are you okay? Did something happen?” His concern is strong enough to show on his face, but not to come further into the room. You bite your lip and focus back on nothing. 

“Why are you worried about me?” You ask in disappointment. It’s easy to understand why someone on the outside would think it was disappointment in him. It wasn't. 

He leaves after that. Either he asked himself that question and came to his senses, or–

You sigh, shakily standing from the bed. It doesn’t matter.

Later that night, Minho is gone again. Not there to see you dressed up with more intent than usual.

0:00 ───|────── 0:00

“What have you been up to lately?”

The question was like a metal pipe crashing into Jisung’s skull. He whips his head around to gape at her. The fear in his eyes catches Jiwoo off guard but she laughs it off.

“I’ve been washing more of your favorite t-shirts lately. I thought you only saved those for special occasions?” She wiggles her eyebrows at him. She’s being cheeky, but the bile climbing up Jisung’s throat doesn’t care about that. He should tell her now before it gets worse. She’s such a wonderful woman that she’d probably forgive him. She’s so perfect, she doesn’t deserve to be treated like this.

Jisung’s cock twitches.

“I’m just trying to do more things that make me happy.” The words fly out of him, not a stutter, wobble, or voice crack in sight.

“D’aw,” Jiwoo pouts, touched as she sets down the dish she was drying to come sit next to him. She wraps her arm around his shoulder and pulls him in before placing a chaste kiss on his lips.

“I’m really happy to hear that!” Her smile slowly fades as worry takes over. “You know, I was worried that you seemed really down lately. I was thinking of canceling on the girls next month…”

“No!” A strange authoritative tone crops up. Jisung gives Jiwoo a firm look. “You’ve been excited about this trip for so long! You should absolutely go. The only reason I may have been down lately is because I’ve been feeling a little suffocated. I decided to try new things around town and it’s been helping.” Jisung turns his body toward her, grabbing both her hands. “Don’t you worry about me, okay?” One could say ‘trying new things around town’ wasn’t a complete lie, but it still worries him that he’s lying to his future wife so easily.  

“Okay… but if you need me to cancel-” Jiwoo attempts to rush out, but Jisung hits her with an even firmer look. 

“Go.” He says simply. With that, Jiwoo is back to beaming. She throws her arms around him and gives him a tight squeeze. Over her shoulder, Jisung’s smile fades.

Later that night, Jisung plants his dirty lips on a sleeping Jiwoo’s cheek before leaving.

0:00 ───|────── 0:00

Jisung is anxious as he searches through the club. He doesn’t see you anywhere at the edges of the club. The last place to look is in the middle. Jisung pushes his way through, feeling his body buzz the further in he gets.

In the middle he spots a woman with a low waisted, flowy skirt and bandeau top. When you twirl around, the skirt’s front is revealed to be asymmetrical, almost tattered in appearance with its two high slits. You move closer to him, the hunger in your eyes matching his. You breathe hotly and grab his face. All the pent up passion built up overnight culminates in a sloppy kiss. A kiss that you can barely call a kiss with your tongues laving at each other’s mouths and chins.

Another boundary has been broken. Jisung grunts, grabbing you by the throat and yanking you away from him. The shock in your eyes would give him pause before the kiss. Right now, Jisung’s lust has taken over. You might slap him or tell him off now, and he’ll respect your wishes. But you don’t do anything, other than flashing pleading eyes at him. His nostrils flare as his breathing gets heavier. He leans in and draws your bottom lip back with his teeth. After he releases it he’s leaning by your ear. 

“Open your fucking mouth.” He growls. 

Your mouth lolls open, your eyes begging even more. Jisung spits into your mouth, some of the saliva landing on your chin. You close your mouth, putting on a show of cleaning up your mess with your tongue. Jisung balls the back of your skirt within his fist and pulls you closer. Your tongues are exploring each other’s mouths as Jisung reaches under the front of your skirt. He gasps against your lips when his fingers dip straight into your wet heat. You chuckle before licking a stripe up his cheek. The skirt you’re wearing isn’t short, but the slits in the front are high enough that one bold dance move could show the entire club your cunt. 

Jisung nearly whimpers, steeling himself before plunging two fingers in immediately. You moan loudly, the loud music drowning it out. Jisung keeps you pressed close enough that only someone paying close attention could see you getting your hole fingered. Your head lulls, resting against his chest as you shut your thighs around his hand. Jisung lets go of your skirt to tug at your hair. He yanks your head back. 

“Open them back up. Now.” He spits next to your ear.

You bitch and whine, but you still do it. An intense heat overwhelms his cock. He should fuck you right now. He should tear your skirt off and use the tattered fabric to bind your wrists together while he fucks you right in the middle of all these people. The club goers bump into both of you at all sides. One stumbles backward, propelling you forward and plunging Jisung deeper. Jisung licks his tongue into your open mouth. 

Your tongues tangle together while a droplet of your juices trails down Jisung’s forearm. 

“I’m gonna cum! Choke me!” You plead pathetically. Jisung doesn’t hesitate to oblige, squeezing until your eyes roll back. Jisung finds himself mimicking your pained expression as your cunt spasms around his fingers. He grinds pitifully into nothing, reverting back to his fantasy. Your bandeau is made into a makeshift gag as he fucks you so hard your tits spasm in different directions. Your entire body jiggles from the force. 

The feeling of your hand cupped around his bulge lights up his synapses. He groans, it’s guttural as sperm shoots into his underwear for the second night in a row.

0:00 ───|────── 0:00

Jisung watches Jiwoo carefully, who just thanked him for doing laundry more often. Things are better than before, the two of them are more affectionate. She even has sex with him a little more. He doesn’t cum, which she was initially concerned about. He reminded her that this was ideal in their situation, and she felt better instantly.

Jisung realized long ago that missionary did nothing for him. He started to fantasize about you during it, but decided that was somehow crossing the line. Not the countless times now you’ve made him cum in his pants. Not the fact that you and Jisung have your hands down each other’s pants every night now. Not the fact that he now knows a list of what turns you on and has it memorized.

Jiwoo leaves tomorrow.

That fact replays in his mind as he watches Jiwoo maneuver around the kitchen. She catches him staring and smiles. He smiles back. 

0:00 ───|────── 0:00

You chuck the bag over the high rim of the dumpster. You feel lighter, and it’s not just because you’re no longer lugging a heavy trash bag of large t-shirts, sweatshirts, and hoodies. 

When you walk back in the house Minho is familiarly pushing you back against the door. His eyes are wild, and you can’t recall a time he’s looked this crazed.

“What do you think you’re doing?” He grits before grinding his jaw. He’s fuming. That in itself scares you a bit, but it’s also that he’s been getting more and more antsy for the past month. 

“I-I don’t…”

“Bullshit.” He spits, making you flinch. He releases his tight grip on your shoulders, sharp eyes still trained on you. “You’re fucking disgusting.” His voice cracks a little. 

You’re not scared he’ll do something to you. Well, not anything abusive anyway. You’re scared because he knows you’re up to no good. You don’t know if he’s narrowed it down exactly, but you know he’s onto you. 

Seeing Jisung is the highlight of your day. Your body ignites in goosebumps as soon as you see him. Something about him, the horrible thing he’s doing, makes you feel even better about yourself than all the years Minho dedicated to fixing you. 

“Fuck you.” He spits before retreating into the bedroom. He’s been spending so much time in there that you took his place on the couch. You sleep there in your day clothes, crying yourself to sleep. 

When you see Jisung that night, you’re more exhausted than usual. He pulls your hair like he usually does, smashing his lips against yours. You don’t love it as much as you usually do. You just want to climb into bed with Minho and hold him. A part of you knows he even wants you to. But you can’t. You don’t deserve it. So you cry as you kiss someone else’s boyfriend.

He laps up the tears and you’re slowly soothed. You’re not sure to what extent, but you’ve come to understand that Jisung is a monster. He frequently brings up how wrong it is that he’s treating his girlfriend like this. His cock throbs when he talks about how he knows she’s planning to propose. He cums after imagining her face if she saw the two of you. 

“So, do you want to come over tomorrow?” He asks with a twinkle in his eye. You were both stood outside of the club. The same day he described in detail his fantasy of his girlfriend forgetting something and coming back only to see her boyfriend balls deep in you, he revealed that she actually is going away. And now he’s making another part of that fantasy a reality. You take a long drag of your cigarette, mascara smudged all around your eyes. You blow, realizing you’re not the least bit repulsed. You feel good.

“Yeah.”

0:00 ───|────── 0:00

You linger outside of the bedroom door, hand repeatedly reaching for the knob but deciding against it. Your eyes flutter shut, remembering how warm his embrace used to be. 

0:00 ───|────── 0:00

When Jisung opens the door, something feels off. Maybe it’s the lack of loud music and dancing bodies bumping into the both of you, but the hunger isn’t there yet. 

You shuffle inside, annoyed when he whistles and rocks on his feet. 

“D’you want something to drink?” He says, not meeting your eyes. 

“No. Is that the bedroom?”

“Yeah…” He hesitates before he answers and swallows hard after. “Yeah, let’s uh… let’s head inside.” Jisung offers to hang your purse up on the hook by the door, right next to a wooden bat. You do it yourself.

The bedroom is pleasantly designed, it’s clean and organized, and there’s a picture of Jisung and his girlfriend on the nightstand. A part of you was scared he was lying about it, this cements it. He hurries over to lay it down after seeing you stare at it. 

“So um, I have a few things in mind, but we could of course do whatever you want to do.”

So far this is a complete let down. You’ve confirmed that he’s an actual monster, but now you’re not so sure about his dominance. Was it just a fluke while you were at the club? You didn’t come here to be asked how you want be fucked. You sigh, considering going home and crying yourself to sleep again. While looking at the floor you see two feet plant themselves in front of you. 

When you look up at Jisung, you don’t intend for your eyes to be as glassy and pitiful as they are. It’s Jisung’s turn to sigh. 

“You’re just hopeless, aren’t you?” Jisung runs his knuckles down your cheek. The gesture confuses you, but then you notice his eyes. Before you can get excited, his hand is wrapped around your throat. Your eyes flutter shut. “Gonna make me do all the work? Hm? Can’t even fucking talk?”

You’re too busy relishing in the wave of relief crashing over you to realize you’re being disobedient. A slap across your face brings you back to reality. 

“Fucking. Speak.” He demands lowly. 

“N-no, I won’t make you do all the work–”

“Then get your ass on the bed. Hike it in the air.” 

You rush over, kneeling on the bed and pulling your dress off. Jisung comes over and yanks it the rest of the way, impatiently. He grabs your head and shoves it into the mattress before grabbing the rope from the nightstand. He told Jiwoo he wanted to learn sailor knots when she found it. He wasn’t completely lying, which is why he was able to demonstrate some for her.

Even a simple one was enough to convince her, that same knot is enough to restrain you and fulfill one of his biggest fantasies. Jisung unbuckles his belt not only to relieve some of the building pressure, but also to bend it in half. He raises the belt before swinging it down. The leather laps painfully against your ass. Your body jolts and you gasp. The sting doesn’t go away before the next lash. Another and another, Jisung is completely relentless. He stops only to haphazardly free his bottom half. 

You feel the bed dip again behind you, whimpering like a puppy. Then you feel his hard cock against your ass. You chant pleas under your breath, cunt clenching desperately to feel him inside.

“Don’t know how to shut up, huh? That’s okay,” Jisung leans over, grabbing the ball gag from on top of his nightstand. One of the many things he picked up this morning in preparation. He fastens it securely around your head, pulling the ball further into your mouth until you can’t coherently beg anymore. 

“If I were you I would stop that begging. It’ll only take longer for me to fuck you, okay?” Jisung’s voice was laced with sympathy undercut by a sinister undertone. You nod against the bed, trying to quiet your whimpering. 

You yelp as the belt lashes against you again. 

“What the fuck did I say?” He warns in a growl. You panic, silencing yourself immediately.

Swing after swing after swing after swing. Jisung punishes your ass until it’s red hot and tears have thoroughly soaked your cheeks. You gargle softly against the gag. 

“Good girl. Good fucking girl.”

You pant excitedly as he grabs your hips and pulls you closer. 

“If I do this for you, give you what you want, you have to keep it up. No noises while I fuck you open.”

You nod frantically, trembling from the sheer anticipation. His tip prods against your entrance. You knew he’d be the biggest you ever had from the times you jerked him off, but feeling him attempt to push into your hole made your eyes blow wide. You panic again, worried you’re not going to stay quiet. 

Then he shoves his way in. Luckily the force makes you choke on your scream. Your legs shake, fists balling tight. You’re pleased when you hear Jisung’s euphoric moan. He stays submerged inside you, but he’s moaning uncontrollably. 

“F-fuck, I can see your asshole fluttering, baby girl.” Jisung sounds like he might cry. He slaps your ass, this time with his own hand, testing your silence. With that, he starts moving. The pace is already brutal. His rhythmic, chesty moans show just how much this is getting to him. Does his girlfriend fuck him at all? Whatever. She doesn’t deserve this anyway. This is all for you. 

Your feet jerk up from the bed with each punishing thrust. It’s like he can’t help himself, he has to go balls deep every time. Each thrust with your cunt stroking him pulls a different string of moans. You’ve never heard him so vocal, and it’s never been so hard to shut up. He’s milking your pussy so good it’s making you cry. Silent sobs squeeze from your body as his body drapes over yours. He grabs your throat, making it even worse. Your sobs become audible, but he doesn’t even care. You’re both too far gone to care about how loud you’re both being.

His bottom lip drags from your shoulder up to the apex of your neck. He’s croaking out moans right next to your ear and you know he’s gone. You tug at your restraints, wishing you could touch and claw him right now. 

His seed is hot as it spurts into you. The sensation sends your body down, flat to the bed. His hips follow, continuing to buck into you as your orgasm rockets through you. You essence squelches around him until it forces him out, continuing to spray and soil the both of you.

The two of you lie there with loud, hoarse pants for what feels like hours. You expect to turn and see the sun rising. It doesn’t matter because it’s sunny inside your body. The minute Jisung unties you, you’re reaching to hold him close. Your hands travel down his back and over his shoulders like you’d been craving. Somehow the come down is still so euphoric. You both buzz long after you’ve cum.

0:00 ───|────── 0:00

It was two years ago that Minho put a code on his phone. He doesn’t use it for anything but checking emails and making calls, so he didn’t worry about most of the traditional phone activities. You never understood why putting a code on his phone was included in that, and you warned him multiple times that he would get his phone stolen. You knew that a code wouldn’t keep someone from getting in if they really wanted to, but you weren’t saying it to help him out. Besides, he’d just shrug anyway. 

So you went through his phone. 

You guys had a fight, back when they used to be coherent, and then he put a lock on his phone. All that to say, you couldn’t have prepared for Minho’s spotty appearances lately if you wanted to. You were serious about tracking him. The unknown was sure to kill you. Death was the only thing that could come from pain like this. You didn’t actually do it this time, did you?

Was he at someone’s house? Someone who’s been begging him to ditch you and enter a healthier relationship? Who could it be? He doesn’t go to church, his family either lives far away or are constantly going on trips, his friends have essentially rage quit their friendship… who else does that leave?

You wish that meant there was no other way he could’ve connected with someone, but it’s not true. He’s handsome and a great guy. There’s no way no one has approached him in all these years.

Your vision has long blurred, the show on the television becoming blobs of color. You haven’t showered since you’ve been with Jisung. You feel gross but have no desire to move. Whenever you hurt him, it’s intentional. Sometimes you even spend the night alone at a hotel and buy a shirt from the men’s section the next morning, pulling it onto your frame right before you get to the door. Right now, it’s completely subconscious. You’re going to Jisung’s in an hour and it’s the only thing that makes you feel like anything other than death. The warm feeling you get at the idea of being with Jisung doesn’t come from wanting a reaction out of Minho. That brings a dark, gnarling fear out of the depths of your soul.

You don’t like Jisung. You love Minho. That much is apparent when you see Jisung. He doesn’t give you butterflies. You just feel comfort in the way he can still fuck you with traces of his girlfriend everywhere.

Jisung freezes mid-greeting to look at your old clothes. You’re definitely different from your encounters at the club. He noticed you go from dominant and intimidating to submissive very gradually. It hit its peak when you had your arms crossed in his bedroom yesterday, refusing to initiate anything. He chuckles at you which earns him a scowl. He tugs you inside and kicks the door closed, leading you all the way to the shower. He’s back to taking complete control, pulling your dirty clothes off one by one. 

He steps behind you once his clothes are off, smoothing his hands over your now moistened skin. The hot water aids in raising the temperature between the two of you. Jisung finally feels you relax against him. He moves his hand down between your legs. He parts your thighs, letting the water trickle over your mound. His cock gets hard fast when he’s with you. You feel his shaft rest rigidly in between your cheeks as he lathers soap all over your body.

To your disappointment, he doesn’t fuck you in the shower. He simply rubs your body everywhere but where you need him. He steps out the minute all the suds have been rinsed off your skin. He tepidly dries himself off, tossing the towel over his shoulder. You watch him clean his glasses before putting them back on, only for them to fog right back up. He looks over at you questioningly. 

For a moment, with his eyes obscured, you can transplant the image of a younger Minho onto him. Your mind starts to wander to an alternate reality where Minho knew you were a lost cause right off the bat. How different would your dynamic be? Would there be one at all?

“You should’ve been on the bed by now. Hurry up and dry off.” Jisung’s voice and expression ooze with disappointment that makes your core hum. You dumbly turn off the water while keeping your eyes trained on his naked figure. This is your first time seeing him completely bare. You almost saw it yesterday, as he took a shower right after you chickened out of staying any longer.

When you climb onto the bed you hike your ass in the air again. His hand thundering down on your ass makes you jolt. “Not today.” He grunts as he lies down on his back. He rests his hands behind his head. 

“You were a fucking brat yesterday. Immediately putting me to work and then not staying quiet. Did you think I missed that at the end?” Jisung raises his eyebrows, scolding you both with his words and his eyes. You wish you could put the Jisung you first met and this one side by side. He is totally relaxed while easily maintaining control.

“Straddle me, and hold your arms together behind your back. You’re putting in work today.”

You bit your lip to stifle the whine threatening to get you punished. This is a pillow princess’ worst nightmare. Your eyes unwittingly move to his cock which is so hard gravity is failing to lay it flat on his stomach. Your fleeting thought to disobey just to get more effort and attention from him disappears. 

So you clasp both your wrists and slip onto his cock. You didn’t realize how wet you were until his head slid past your entrance. His cock feels so hot and so does his skin when your calves graze his thighs. It’s electrifying yet inviting. You get the urge to lean against his chest but he’d probably pull out, and that would annoy you enough to make you cry. 

And so you bounce, letting him see the front of you fully nude in all its glory. How your tits bounce and hips swing. He grabs your hips but not to guide you, to dig his fingers into flesh. 

This, you figure, is one of his favorite positions. You figure because it’s the first time he’s cum twice for you. That, and it’s the only position he repeated. For the next two weeks, he has bounced you on his cock while standing up with your legs tightly secured around him, had you flat on your back with your legs in the air on his dining room table, had you halfway off the couch while straddling him again, and so on. He always shows you a picture or a video once you get to the area of his choice. His calm dominance melts away just for a moment as he excitedly presents it to you. Him baring his deep passion to fuck you strangely doesn’t push you away. You find yourself squeezing your thighs, wide eyes matching his as he shows you the position.

The two of you have gone from barely speaking outside of sex to making out as soon as he opens the door. You both giggle like schoolkids in anticipation. You both joke through a blur of lips and teeth.

But that excitement and glee fades as soon as you’re back in your dreary apartment. The escalation of childlike joy when you’re at Jisung’s directly translates to escalated sorrow when you’re back at yours. 

You only catch glimpses of the back of Minho these days, either retreating to the bedroom or out of the apartment. You have the urge to sleep over Jisung’s for the rest of the time Jiwoo is gone. That somehow feels like crossing a line that’s comically insignificant at this point. You know Jisung would understand what you mean. That night you took a shower at his place, he washed your clothes for you.

“You could stay until they’re done.” Jisung suggests after some tense silence.

“No, I should go.” You shoot it down immediately. The option has always been unspoken but ever present. To stay a little longer, watch a movie, drink some water, maybe actually cuddle. Not like what you did the first night, where you ran out of there as soon as you realized you were caressing someone else.

“In what clothes?” Jisung chuckles. You glare at him again. You hate when he does that. Well, you did, until you realized you’re both horrible enough to have fun while being unfaithful. 

“Can’t I just borrow some of hers? I’ll wash those and-”

“No.”

Just then, the Jisung from the first time you met him was back. He wouldn’t meet your eyes, but you could see the raging conflict behind them. So you left with some of his clothes instead.

You told him you were in a relationship, but not much else about it. Since then there was a mutual understanding of each other. It made your tension trickle away wrapped in his arms. You were able to at least disassociate so the depth of the pain became less apparent.

Then Jiwoo would call.

Jisung was sickeningly sweet over the phone. You laughed to yourself while listening to his overexaggerated joy when speaking with her. The humor rotted away when catching glimpses of her voice. She's elated to speak with her boyfriend. She can't sleep without him. There's no way they're not getting married soon.

In the corner of his bedroom the space grows vast, Jisung suddenly on the other side of a treacherous fissure.

0:00 ───|────── 0:00

You enter the apartment as soon as Minho leaves his room. He stares at you, clearly shocked. He probably expected to be gone before you came home, so you wouldn’t see him dressed up with his hair styled and your favorite cologne on. It’s been a long two weeks, so the stinging in your eyes turns into tears fast. He pushes past you and leaves the apartment, leaving you to collapse to the ground. The pain is immediate because the denial has shriveled up. You’re being forced to accept that it’s happening. Anger swiftly takes hold as you’re reminded of one hard to swallow truth. 

You stand up and grab the lamp beside the entrance. You shove it to the ground, the delicate glass covering shattering before the bulb does the same. You send the potted plant into the tv, throw a stack of plates onto the floor. Once your energy is spent, the fact is still there.

You have no right to be upset.

You throw a tantrum and break things because you made your own bed, but you have no right to do that either.

You deserve this.

You deserve him bringing a new girl home and fucking her loudly in the bed you used to share. You deserve him coming home every day and telling you what a worthless piece of shit you are. You deserve him introducing you to the girlfriend he’s been hiding from you and shoving his tongue down her throat right in front of you.

You deserve him giving up on you and admitting you were never fixable to begin with.

Your stomach caves from the sheer force of your sobs. Your body contorts, tangling within your bed sheets and kicking the cover off. You force yourself to imagine all these things he deserves to do to you even though it feels like it’s setting you on fire. You cry and cry until your body feels hollow and you stare numbly at the wall.

The sun rises.

0:00 ───|────── 0:00

Your ears pick up each sound but it’s muffled. The sound of the door opening. The sound of his boots crunching against glass. The sound of him crying. The sound of him leaving. 

The sun sets. It’s time to see Jisung. 

Your body wobbles as you sit up. Your body feels like a ton of bricks. You rush to the bathroom, finally emptying your bladder. You’re going to his house with the same clothes from the day prior again.

He opens the door, chuckling just like the last time you did this. “No work today?”

You’re not in a laughing mood, though. You thought things would be like they had been. You’d be depressed while you were home and cheerful at Jisung’s place. But no, the tears break free and stream down your face. Jisung pulls you into the house, asks if you’re okay. He shouldn’t. People like you don’t deserve sympathy. You grit your teeth, grabbing his jaw and pulling him forward. He stiffly places his hands on your waist, hesitantly accepting the kiss.

You cup his cock, making him moan and grant your tongue entrance to his mouth. You push him toward the couch until he flops down onto it, looking at you in bewilderment. 

“Can you tell me what’s wrong?” He asks just before you devour him again. You guide his hands to your breasts, whimpering when he pinches your nipples. 

“Fuck me.” You plead, voice weak and eyes glassy. Your eyes don’t plead him like they usually do. You’re deeply hurt, your lip trembling and shattering his heart. 

“Babe c’mon, let’s stop–” Jisung reaches up to caress your face, laughing awkwardly.

“Don’t call me that.” Your tone is venomous as you swat his hands away. Jisung is taken aback. Not because of your tone, but because he hadn’t realized he called you that.

Exasperated, you huff and reach for his dick. Once it’s free, you’re awkwardly shimmying off Jisung’s basketball shorts. Jisung is finding it difficult to find the words he’s looking for. It’s too late anyway, you’re sinking down onto his cock. Sex with you is like a defibrillator. It jolts life back into him, no matter how much the guilt is getting to him. It lets him set aside his worries for now to just focus on how wet and tight you are around him. The constant access to you is dizzying. Just when he’s coming down from his high, you’re back with another dose.

Without Jisung’s strict rules or constant orders you’re able to think. It’s horrible.

“Fucking choke me– ngh! Yell at me!” You grit out.

With this Jisung is back to reality with you. He stammers, your eyes and your words conflict each other.  He considers it, playing along while his heart’s not in it. The sex is going to be subpar today clearly, so it doesn’t matter what he does next.

“Jiwoo called me earlier today.”

You’re chugging along, hoping this transitions to him hissing demands at you. 

“Well, she calls me every day. I used to think it was because she was worried about me. I thought that was the same reason she hugged me so long before she left,” Jisung’s voice is conversational despite the strain your cunt squeezing him is giving it. His eyes are fussing with a conflict again. You stop, in exasperated shock that he’s opening up about this right now.

“She even gave me this look before she went out the door. So I kept telling her every time she called that I was okay and that she should have fun. That she didn’t have to call me every day. But today…” Jisung feels his heart clench as he recalls her words.

“Things are going really great recently, aren’t they?” She laughed, it sounded so sweet. Jisung could hear the commotion of activities more fun than being on the phone in the background. “Anyway, I just wanted to tell you that I think about you so much that it's hard to have fun while I’m here. I miss you so, so much… and I realize now that I don’t like being without you.” She laughed again, but this time Jisung could tell she was crying. “I kinda wanna come home?” 

She was asking him.

“W-what did you say?” You swallow hard, trying to hide the horror in your eyes. Would he really tell her to come home? Is she about to walk through the door and fulfill his fantasy? Your stomach drops as you glance over your shoulder.

“I said no.” Jisung says quietly. You turn back to see his bitter smile. “I stayed on the phone with her for hours to soothe her and convince her to stay.” Jisung huffs, attempting to blink away his tears and failing. His head droops, hiding from you. He hiccups, “She was so happy with me after I did that. She-”

You cradle his face, slowly lifting it to face you. Jisung looks upset at this, shoulders bouncing as he begins to cry harder. You try to wipe away his tears with your thumbs, shaking your head when they quickly get replaced.

“It’s better this way.” You say weakly. 

“What?” The frustration leaks through Jisung’s anguish. He tries to shake away your hands but you grab him more securely and force him to look in your eyes.

“You don’t want her to know how awful you truly are.” 

Seeing the pain intensify in your eyes, Jisung stills. Knowing he understands now, your hands drop from his face. Suddenly, you feel more alone than you have in weeks. You start to get up but Jisung’s hands caress your face now. A tear hangs on your eyelash as you gaze wearily at him. You wish he’d just let you go. At least rotting in your bed, you’d be faced with one facet of pain. Staying here with him is like watching the last bit of color drain from the world.

He's not sure exactly what happens when you walk out that door. What he does know is you come back weaker than before. He sees the dread in your eyes at going back.

“Stay here.”

“No–”

“Stay.”

You stare at him, wondering if he’s just saying this because you’re the only one he can engage in this kink with. Then he kisses you. He inhales deeply as he threads his fingers through your hair. He captures your lips, detaches to breathe and captures them again. The lack of tongue or teeth feels foreign. You can’t remember the last time Minho kissed you like this. It’s only been drunk and sloppy, rough out of anger, or awkward in pursuit of keeping your trash-fire relationship a secret. 

The only thing close to Jisung’s trembling lips against yours was when Minho first found out you fucked someone else. He pleaded with you to tell him it didn’t mean anything, to tell him that you still loved him. His lips then were frantic, refusing to let you slip away with his hands caging you in. If only you did slip away back then. His life would be better now.

But Jisung is steady. The underlying shame and regret don’t dull the passion flowing from his lips. His hands feel like they're caging you. Begging you to just stay.

Another boundary has been crossed. The final one. There was no redemption to be desperately dug up to salvage your souls as you kiss each other like the world might tip off its axis if you stop. The two of you only break apart to moan as you ride him. Your hips grind against his lap, his dick as far in as it can go. You moan into each other’s mouth as Jisung’s climax brings you closer to yours.

And yours comes and goes. Your freshly showered bodies lay as close as you can get in his bed, arms wrapped tightly around each other.

0:00 ───|────── 0:00

You jolt awake multiple times during the night, jolting Jisung awake with you. He just soothes you back to sleep, not asking about your nightmares detailing each scenario you forced yourself to imagine two nights ago.

Jisung leaves early in the morning, whispering to you to lock the door if you leave.

“You can stay, though.”

To your horror, Jisung kisses your cheek. Him falling for you hadn’t crossed your mind. He had always been so sex focused that romance seemed like a distant afterthought. He could have rubbed circles into your back each time you awoke because he was being nice. Your rationalizing is cut short as an even more horrifying thought rears its ugly head.

You wished he had kissed you on the lips.

0:00 ───|────── 0:00

Judging by the mess you left behind, Minho must think you’re on a rage fueled bender right now. He never did check if you were in the room that morning, so maybe he thinks you trashed the apartment, left, and never came back. You know for a fact he’s worried. Very little could stop Minho from worrying about your safety. That’s why even someone like you never played that card to get his attention, and why you’re worried sick. You pace around Jisung’s apartment. Your phone is still at the apartment, shattered from your temper tantrum. He would probably report the incident to the police before he contacted you, but the sight of your phone broken on the floor with you nowhere to be found doesn’t encourage confidence.

The thing is, you can’t go back and face him. Walking in, completely unharmed and freshly showered, with some other man’s clothes on and guilt evident on your face would just cement it for him. All you would do at that point is apologize, and what’s left of his soul would shatter right in front of you. You clamp your hand over your mouth, unable to bear the image of Minho realizing there’s actually someone else. You’re horrible to him, but the only thing he could be sure of is that you only love him. You imagine it’s the only thing keeping him around.

Minho putting together that all these years of pain and suffering and praying you’ll change has culminated in someone else getting the appreciation he deserves could change him forever.

So you lower your hand from the door knob.

0:00 ───|────── 0:00

That night with Jisung was different. You were both so overwrought with guilt that you spent the evening taking turns soothing each other. When you finally had sex, it was more tender than it ever should be. He was hovering over you, looking straight into your eyes and he smoothed his hand over your hair. He peppered soft kisses all over your face. You loved every second of it. You showered together again and cuddled in bed. 

“Minho? Is that his name?” The sound of his name makes you flinch. You move away from Jisung who looks at you in confusion. 

“Don’t say his name!” You shout, stumbling out of bed. He blinks at you as you start to gather your clothes. He follows after you, stammering an apology. 

“Y-you said his name in your sleep yesterday. I’m sorry– I–”

“Just stop!” You’re more panicked than angry, which comes through in your voice. Your voice is loud, so it could be heard through the door. Pounding against the door makes you gasp, you stumble backwards. Jisung catches you, pulling you close.

“Who’s there!” Jisung shouts.

“Open the door!” Minho shrieks, his throat sounds like it’s tearing from the sheer force. Jisung grabs the bat, readying it before swinging the door open. Before he can even threaten him, Minho is pushing past him, eyes frantic as they search for you. When he finds you, you see it. You’re clean, unharmed, wearing nothing but Jisung’s shirt as you hug your body. 

He’s putting the pieces together.

Your mouth feels dry, your tongue feels like it’s swelling. The way Minho’s shoulders slouch makes your chest ache. He shakes his head at you in disbelief. 

“Your purse.” He gestures weakly at the bag sitting on the couch from when you entertained the idea of going home. “The tag is connected to my phone because I knew you’d do this.” Despite being so quiet, his words slash you open. 

“Minho…” Your trembling hands cover your mouth. This is it. This is it.

“Minho I didn’t mean to scare you I swear–”

“You can have the apartment.” The words fight their way from Minho’s mouth, but he’s not able to look at you. 

“Minho?” You try pitifully. Minho just drops his head, lingering for just one more moment before leaving. Jisung is quick to hold you, caress the back of your neck as if to cushion the incoming sobs. But they don’t come. 

0:00 ───|────── 0:00

“For some ungodly reason, he’s going to keep paying your lease.” You gape at the woman. She doesn’t introduce herself, but you know it’s her. The one he wore your favorite cologne for. 

“He told me not to but fuck it– don’t contact him.” She shoves a finger into your face. “Don’t go looking for him, don’t make this any worse than you already have for the past twelve years.” She pauses, waiting for your reaction, seemingly expecting you to explode on her. You nod, finally closing your mouth that had been hung open this entire time. 

“Okay.”

She looks confused before she shakes her head and walks off of Jisung’s porch. 

0:00 ───|────── 0:00

Jisung comes home with Chinese takeout. 

“I’m going to set it on the table.” He says breathlessly as he takes off his coat and hangs it on the coat hanger that his girlfriend undoubtedly picked out. She’ll be back in five days. He’ll erase any signs of you and go back to normal. 

“Are you hungry?” He asks.

“What the fuck are we doing?” You say before you can stop yourself. It’s quiet for a moment, and you refuse to turn around and see his face. 

“What?”

“Why would I sit at that table and eat with you?” You stand up, finally turning around once the emotions stirring inside you are potent enough. You interrupt him before he can answer.

“Your loving girlfriend is going to come home soon.”

“That doesn’t change anything. I mean, we can still meet at your place–”

“She’s going to propose to you, Jisung.” He freezes for a moment, but you can tell by his face that he still doesn’t get it. 

“Do you seriously think she’ll never be suspicious? That she won’t wake up one night and realize you’re not there? Then she’ll pretend she’s asleep and hear you walk out. Then she’ll be more aware of the clues. You smell like perfume that’s not hers, there was a small amount of lipstick smudged on your collar, you’re sexually satisfied all of a sudden,”

Jisung swallows, “Then we’ll be careful.”

“Are you seriously willing to risk your relationship?” You ask, a nasty hint of amusement in the way you raise one brow at him. He closes his mouth.

You laugh loudly, the laughter spiraling out of control before you finally catch your breath.

“I fucking knew it.” Your expression sours, settling into a bitter one as you yank your purse off the hook.

“Don’t leave…”

“I don’t give a fuck about you. Don’t waste your time on someone who wouldn’t care if you died. Focus on your fucking fiancée.” You look back slightly before slamming the door behind you. 

Jisung wasn’t sure why he felt a bit panicked. His heartbeat accelerated as he stabilized himself against the counter. The slam of the door echoed in his head over and over until Jiwoo was kneeling in front of him, surrounded by all their friends and family. Everyone swooned, there were tears in Jiwoo’s eyes and all her friends' eyes. 

“Han Jisung, will you marry me?”

Jisung looked around frantically, feeling like the world was spinning. Only then did he realize why he was immediately panicked by you leaving. It was solidified by the fact that he couldn’t get in contact with you. He never did get your address, and you either never got another phone or changed your number.

Jisung’s breaths felt like they couldn’t break free. 

He was suffocating.

“Yes.”

-> end of act i

skz masterlist

milestone celebration masterlist

[readychilledwine]

The First Noel

Summary - Rhysand knew he could never live up to the standards the Winter Court had for Solstice. But it's the thought that counts, right?

Warnings - Pure. Fluff.

You can take a peek at Broken here

Happy almost Christmas, my loves ❤️

The first problem with courting someone from the Winter Court, Rhysand slowly realized as he walked around the market currently being decorated and set up for Solstice, was he would never live up to the standards she must have had for their most sacred day. The second problem? If this was what the High Lord of Winter set up for his fae, higher or lesser, Rhysand could hardly begin to imagine what he did for his beloved children, Kallias and Aelia.

The latter of whom was holding his hand, taking him to her favorite hot chocolate and cider vendor. Azriel and Cassian were not far behind them, both already holding a bag of chocolates and treats they excitedly took in the sights before them. Rhys took a heavy breath as they finally reached the vendor, eyes pleading to his brothers for help. Aelia was to spend Solstice with them in Night, and all Rhysand could think about was how disappointed she was about to be.

Aelia packed her bags with a smile etched into her face. Leaving Winter for SOlstice was a huge milestone in the long courtship she and Rhysand had been going through. The two normally spent Holidays and events in their own courts and with their own families. Aside from Starfall, they had bridged this gap, and she was anxious to see how they decorated, what foods and treats were made, what traditions they held.

She smiled as Azriel appeared behind her, silently taking her bags. “Before we go back to the Night Court, could we possibly get more of that peppermint hot chocolate?” The two of them smiled at each other, eyes sparkling in mischief. Rhysand made a mistake allowing Azriel to be the one to pick her up.

Or was it a calculated choice?

“Is she coming to look at ornaments or be with us, Rhys?” Mor rolled her eyes for the fourth time as Rhysand adjusted every single ornament on their tree again. “If she’s coming to see decorations, maybe you need to step up your game.”

Cassian chuckled in the corner of the room, his eyes trained on perfectly wrapping the gift he had gotten for Azriel while the Shadowsinger was away. “Did you label any of her gifts as being from that bearded guy who breaks into houses?”

Mor immediately sat up, “What?”

Amren sighed as she set her glass down. “There’s several legends in the Winter Court regarding two twin brothers. Both ancient high fae. One was blessed by the Mother, his joy and happiness spread to faelings every solstice eve during the dead of night to leave them with gifts for good behavior. The other brother was cursed by the Dark Mother and Death Gods to punish naughty children. It is unknown what he does to them, but the belief is he rips them from their homes never to be seen again.”

Mor paled slightly, taking a long sip of her wine. “I see.”

“It’s no different,” Rhys paused, brushing a fleck of glitter from his cotton shirt, “Then the Court of Nightmares using your story to force young females into fear and submission.” He stepped away from the tree, bending down slightly to angle one present just right. “And no, Cassian, I did not want to bring up Aelia’s trauma and trust issues with her father by labeling her gifts as being from Santa.”

“Just figured you might with how often you call her a good girl,” Cassian shrugged, giving up on wrapping the gift perfectly and settling for the jumbled mess of ribbons and paper. “I’m paying someone to wrap my shit from now on.”

Mor nodded in agreement, handing Cassian the bottle of wine they had been drinking from. “When will her and Az get here?”

As if on cue, loud laughter could be heard from the balcony. Shadows moved more presents, all immaculately wrapped with bows and ribbons under the tree as Aelia and Azriel entered the room. Mor was instantly up, running to hug her and rushing to speak about the latest Kal and Viv gossip as Aelia took in the room.

Tinsel hung from garland and wreaths, faelights twinkled brightly in a variety of colors, and a tree sat in the corner near a bare fireplace, making her smile wider, knowing she had the stockings to decorate it hidden in one of her bags. “It’s so pretty,” she didn’t see as Rhysand’s shoulders fell in relief, relaxation setting in immediately. “Do you all always do this much?”

None of them answered, looking away immediately as she moved to study the hand blown glass ornaments. They were clearly new, still intact and colors setting in. “Rhys, you didn’t have to do this for me.”

The inner circle all laughed slightly. They had spent the past week cleaning and decorating this specific room and little spot in the House of Wind on Rhysand’s true high lord’s orders. “I wanted it all to be perfect for your first solstice here. Living up to Winter’s standards for this was.. challenging?”

Aelia shook her head, hugging Rhysand tightly and resting her head on his chest. “I love you.”

“I love you too.”

When the house had gone silent, Aelia snuck out of her bed, bag of stockings in tow and moved to the cheerful festive room again. She began to place them along the fireplace, smiling as she did.

Azriel's was full of candies and new leather gloves.

Cassian also had a variety of candy and weapon oil Kal had carefully wrapped and boxed the container of.

Amren, the hardest of the bunch, required a delicate hand. She had paid a decent sum of money to have blood chocolates made, explaining to the crafter who they were for. He had promised his best, and if the smell was anything to go off, he delivered. She had also wrapped a few raw gemstones native to Winter in the stocking, knowing the ancient female sat on a stash of exquisite and expensive gems and jewels like a fire drake.

For Mor, she had purchased a bottle of her favorite pear wine, placing it above the stocking. In the stocking itself laid skin care and a new shade of red lipstick she had told Viv she wanted to try.

And for Rhys, her lovely, kind, and handsome partner, she had purchased a stargazing and mapping kit as well as had someone who shares his love and interest of the galaxy draw out the night sky on the date of their first kiss. A few chocolates sat on top of the rolled parchment, hiding its contents.

Aelia stepped away, smiling before jumping as arms wrapped around her waist. “What are you doing, darling?” Rhysand's voice was heavy with sleep, his face burying into her shoulder. “Come lay with me.”

Aelia allowed him to sleepily Pull her away from the room, sighing as he gently kissed her neck and pulled his blankets over her body once they were in his bed. He had worked so hard making his visit perfect for her, knowing it would be hard to be away from Winter and her family. She snuggled into him, anxiously waiting for morning, and fell asleep within an instant.

Aelia woke up to shouting and laughter, feeling the empty side of the bed as a loud “Fuck you!” rang through the air. She moved to the balcony, taking a blanket with her and just watched in silence. Rhys, Cassian, and Azriel were hidden behind forts, snowballs being launched at the slightest sense of movement.

She felt her lips twitch as she leaned on the railing, then laughed as Rhys was hit in the face due to being distracted. “You should pay better attention, brother!” Azriel ducked back down as Cassian tried to hit him. “She's pretty, but is she worth accepting your 100th defeat for?!”

Rhys looked up again, smiling at the sight of Aelia. “Yes. She is.” He held up his hands, walking inside of the house as Cassian and Azriel shouted in victory then began hunting each other's movements.

Cold hands found her waist again, “Happy Solstice, darling.”

“Happy Solstice, Rhys.”

[savage-kult-of-gorthaur]

PREQUEL JUNKIES, REJOICE!! -- BOUGHT MY TICKET FASTER THAN THE PODRACE AT BOONTA EVE.

PIC INFO: Resolution at 1350x2000 -- Spotlight on"STAR WARS: Episode I -- The Phantom Menace" 25th Anniversary poster design by Matt Ferguson, returning to theaters on May 3, 2024 to commemorate the film's latest milestone.

OVERVIEW: "Every saga has a beginning, including that of poster artist Matt Ferguson and his relationship with "STAR WARS: The Phantom Menace." It started with the original theatrical release in 1999, which followed a huge buildup — it was the first "STAR WARS" film since 1983’s "Return of the Jedi" — and level of anticipation seen by few movies. For 15-year-old Ferguson, living in Sheffield in the UK, the hype was real.

PART 1: “I was actually doing work experience at the time in an office through school, and I remember just being so excited about the new "STAR WARS" movie,” he tells StarWars.com. “I went out and bought this Darth Maul action figure on a lunch break and everybody else was just so excited for it. And then we got to go see it. And I can remember I just loved it.”

PART 2: Fast forward 25 years later, and Ferguson — still based in Sheffield — has been tapped to create the official poster to mark the film’s quarter-centennial milestone. It follows his anniversary art made for "The Empire Strikes Back" and "Return of the Jedi," and will be seen in theaters around the world as "The Phantom Menace" returns to cinemas starting May 3.

PART 3: The poster is a beautiful image, featuring Qui-Gon Jinn, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and a regal Queen Padmé Amidala, with Darth Maul’s piercing eyes looming over everything. Earth tones drive the painting, from the twin suns to Jedi robes, in a significant change from his earlier "STAR WARS" work. For Ferguson, the idea of what the poster would be came surprisingly easily.

PART IV: “The key thing is to go on the memory of the film. These are anniversary posters, so it's kind of like, what's my personal memory of the film when it was coming out — almost like, before it came out.” And one specific element plays a big part in Ferguson’s memory.

PART V/END: “The color comes into it a lot for me,” he says. “So there's reds and golds, and I remember a lot of the marketing at the time and a lot of the stuff in toy shops, because I always liked action figures and things, was that kind of color. So that was the thing that I keyed on for this one. I wanted that rich, warm color.""

-- STARWARS.COM, "Matt Ferguson on His Stunning Star Wars: The Phantom Menace 25th Anniversary Poster," by Dan Brooks, published February 12, 2024

Source: www.starwars.com/news/matt-ferguson-the-phantom-menace-25th-anniversary.

[darter-blue]

okay I just saw someone reblog one of your "I wish someone would write this fic" and it was amazing!! I am utterly charmed by the idea of seb having kids and chris being famous and how they would just fit and the care chris shows the kid and seb's blushing and argh!

I don't know how long ago you posted it, so if I haven't missed the boat, may I make a request? I am dying for a stucky fic where steve and buckbuck go back in time accidentally and meet themselves from the past before the war. I desperately want to know the reactions on either side and the reveals and everything!

oh and a quick look at your blog (I'm nosey) and it seems you've hit s follower milestone, so congratulations!! my two cents after knowing you for two minutes is that you really deserve it <3 I hope you're having a good time when you read this!!

Hi hi! @buckybarnes-metal-arm so nice to have you on board and thanks so much for all your love 😌

So this is a very late reply ... but it's been on my mind - and it's new years eve! So here you go, a little head canon to get your 2023 started out sweet...

Here we go, bucky and steve go back in time:

Lets imagine this is bucky and steve as steve is chasing bucky down between winter soldier and civil war. So Buck is post brainwash but still recovering. Steve is desperate to find him, help bucky find himself, help get his friend back... his best friend... the only part of steves soul he thought made him real and whole. His bucky.

So bucky is in eastern Europe somewhere, hunting down plums and living his best half life and Steve catches his trail (let's be honest, Nat does and steve follows her lead) and there he is - his bucky. In the middle of a market place and with a bag of freshly bought produce and an 'Oh fuck' expression on his face as he catches Steve's eye and he runs.

Steve chases.

Steve has maybe an advantage in the speed department but bucky knows the territory and its killing Steve that he can see him but bucky won't fucking stop running away

Why!!!!

Bucky. Come on, man.

Bucky gives him that 'fuck off Stevie' face he pulls so perfectly - except its so classic bucky it only pushes Steve harder

He uses a device that coulson had slipped him in secret - when Steve wasn't supposed to know he was still alive and coulson wasn't supposed to know were Steve was but they have their ways

Steve thinks the alien tech will give him the last jump start he needs to nab bucky - and it absolutely does - just also has a bit more kick than Steve was expecting and damn, okay, he's grabbed bucky now, who is frozen in Steve's arms as the world goes blue and then white and then black and then suddenly they are stepping forward (falling really) onto a dark, badly lit street that definitely wasn't the one they were just in

In fact it seems really familiar...

And not at all like modern Hungary. It's more like... it's more like home. Home home.

New York home...

But... the new York Steve really remembers.

'What the fuck did you do?' Bucky is staring at him and his eyes are wide and unblinking, his breathing slightly elevated, his heart rate up- Steve can hear it.

Which makes perfect sense because what the fuck did Steve do? He has no idea.

'I have no idea'...

Bucky is not impressed, of the look on his face is anything to go by. And Steve might be once red about that but his greatest worry right now is that they get off the Street and out of sight of the people around them. Some of whom are staring as Steve and bucky have sort of stumbled out of the mouth of an alleyway, so Steve grabs bucky by his backpack (ridiculously buckled up around his chest? Why does that make Steve want to hug him?) And pulls him back into the alley.

'Steve!' Bucky stage whispers.

'I know,' he whispers back. They need a plan. He looks down at the device in his hand, 'But I don't think I can just press this thing again now...'

When bucky flips their positions and shoves steves chest to back him up against the wall. Well. It knocks the breath out of him. Probably more than it should. Steve probably needs to unpack that later.

'This is your number one fucking problem, pal. You don't think!' Bucky is whisper shouting so close to Steve's ear he can feel his breath. Buckys chest is practically pressed against Steve's. 'Yoy never think.' He says, less a shout this time and more just a whisper, as he shakes his head. His hair brushing against Steve’s cheek.

And God, but Steve wants to lean into him. To put his arms around him. To just melt into him. But bucky is right. Steve never thinks, not when bucky is involved, he just shoots from the fucking hop. And here they are, in what looks like 1930's Brooklyn. And jesus, some poor tiny version of Steve is probably pining just as hard over his bucky somewhere within spitting distance and doesn't that take the cake?

And then of course he hears it, someone approaching the alley, footsteps slowing. Two people at least, judging by the goals footfalls.

Bucky, for whatever reason, wraps a hand over Steve’s mouth and pushes him further into the brick wall. (Steve really hopes Bucky's hearing is not good enough to pick up the uptick in his heart rate at that little maneuver)

'Hey, you okay down there?'

'Stevie let me handle this.'

Oh, fuck. Steve knows those voices.

The sharp intake of Bucky's breath indicates he does too.

'You best step back, sir, let that man go.' Steve, regular old Steve Rogers, before the vitaray, before Erskine, before the war and all the insanity, is yelling down the alley at himself. Held back with one strong hand on his arm by none other than regular old bucky Barnes. The bucky that existed before getting shipped out. Before getting captured. Before dying and being ripped to pieces and remade again.

'Stevie, leave them be.' Bucky is saying under his breath. No clue that the two supersoldiers in the alley can hear every word he says. 'You don't know what they're up to.'

Even in the darkness Steve can see the blush in his buckys cheeks at what that implies.

He can only imagine his old self had a similar blush across his own face. It probably never would have occurred to him to put that together.

Steve reaches up to pull buckys hand away from his mouth, bucky looking him in the eye, expression unreadable, as he lets steve do it, and calls out, 'yep, we're all fine here.'

Which for some reason draws a snorted laugh from his bucky as he hides his face in Steve's shoulder.

But other bucky, old bucky, has moved closer into the alley, hasn't turned away as old Steve had started to. He's cocked his ear towards Steve and has a strange look on his face... 'steve?'

Steve and bucky both freeze.

'Stevie?'

'Buck, what?' Old Steve is pulling on buckys arm now, but bucky is making his way closer and closer. Eyes only for Steve. And bucky and steve are both frozen to the spot. Absolutely at a loss as to how to deal with this.

'Steve, that's you.'

'What'

'I'd know that voice anywhere that's you Steve.' Bucky says, close enough to see them clearly now. 'And that's... I think that's me...'

Fuuuuuuuuuuuuck....

Might have to write some more for you another time. Clock just struck midnight here. Happy 2023!

[investoropia]

FISKER DELIVERS FIRST 22 FISKER OCEAN SUVS, Establishing Presence in Competitive EV Market

Fisker Inc. achieves a major milestone by delivering the highly anticipated Fisker Ocean SUV to customers in the United States. Explore the groundbreaking features, sustainability, and investment potential of Fisker in the rapidly growing electric vehicle sector

Fisker Ocean SUV:

Innovation and Unmatched Features: The Fisker Ocean SUV represents a groundbreaking leap in automotive innovation. Designed to offer a sustainable and luxurious driving experience, it is equipped with cutting-edge features and impressive performance capabilities. Boasting a class-leading range of up to 360 miles, it surpasses other electric SUVs in its category. The SUV's all-wheel drive system and dual-motor setup deliver exceptional power and acceleration, providing a thrilling driving experience that surpasses traditional internal combustion

Read More

Other Topics Read:

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Mastering the 5 EMA: A Powerful Indicator for Analyzing Price Trends

#Fisker #ElectricVehicles #Sustainability #Innovation #CustomerSatisfaction #InvestmentOpportunity #FuturePlans #Expansion #EVMarket

[jamesmilleer2407]

Tesla Stock (NASDAQ:TSLA) – What’s Driving the Future of Electric Vehicle Investments?

Tesla stock (NASDAQ:TSLA) continues to capture investor attention with its innovative electric vehicles and cutting-edge technology. As the leader in the EV market, TSLA’s growth is shaped by its production milestones, global expansion, and market trends. Explore how Tesla’s strategic moves and its impact on the stock market are positioning the company for long-term success.

For more information visit at :

https://kalkine.com/company/nasdaq-tsla/

[forblogmostly]

Servotech Power Systems Secures Landmark 2 MW On-Grid Solar Power Plant Order from UPNEDA

On November 12, 2024, Servotech Power Systems Ltd., a prominent name in India’s solar energy sector, announced a significant milestone in its journey towards advancing renewable energy solutions. The company has been awarded a prestigious order by the Uttar Pradesh New and Renewable Energy Development Agency (UPNEDA) to establish a 2 MW on-grid solar photovoltaic power plant. This development further solidifies Servotech’s reputation as a pioneer in green energy solutions and a trusted partner in India's renewable energy landscape.

The scope of the project awarded by UPNEDA is both extensive and impactful. Servotech will oversee the end-to-end process, including the design, supply, installation, testing, and commissioning of the on-grid solar power plants. These installations will cover a range of capacities from 11 kW to 100 kW across 67 strategic locations in Uttar Pradesh. The initiative is aimed at supporting the state’s ambitious renewable energy goals while promoting sustainable practices in energy generation and consumption.

Furthermore, Servotech’s commitment does not end with the installation. The company will provide comprehensive warranty maintenance services for the next five years, ensuring the operational efficiency and durability of the solar systems. This long-term engagement reflects Servotech’s emphasis on quality, reliability, and customer satisfaction in the renewable energy sector.

Sarika Bhatia, Director of Servotech Power Systems Ltd., expressed her enthusiasm for the project, stating, "We are pleased to strengthen our efforts with UPNEDA in enhancing green energy access and sustainability for the residents of Uttar Pradesh. Our proven history of delivering exceptional solar solutions has positioned us as a reliable partner in India’s renewable energy market. Through our expertise and innovative approach, we aim to empower Uttar Pradesh with clean, reliable, and affordable solar energy."

Bhatia also highlighted how the project aligns with the company’s broader vision of contributing to a sustainable future. The initiative is expected to play a pivotal role in bolstering the state’s energy security while significantly reducing its carbon footprint. For Servotech, this order represents not just another achievement but a reaffirmation of its commitment to addressing India’s energy and environmental challenges through innovative solutions.

Servotech Power Systems Ltd. has long been at the forefront of India’s renewable energy and electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure development. As a publicly listed entity on the National Stock Exchange (NSE) under the trading symbol “SERVOTECH,” the company has garnered recognition for its state-of-the-art EV charging solutions. With over two decades of experience in electronics, Servotech has expanded its offerings to include an extensive range of AC and DC chargers compatible with diverse EV models. Its contributions are integral to establishing a robust EV ecosystem in India, reflecting its forward-thinking approach to sustainability.

This latest order from UPNEDA underscores Servotech’s unwavering commitment to advancing India’s renewable energy infrastructure. By executing a project of this scale, the company not only cements its leadership in the solar energy sector but also exemplifies how private enterprise can collaborate with government agencies to drive transformative change in the country’s energy landscape.

[thedottedi-official]

The Art of Gifting Wine: How to Choose a Perfect Wine Gift for Any Occasion

Gifting wine on any occasion is can be a thoughtful gesture which shows appreciation and solicitousness towards recipient. The gift of a wine to a friend, relative or in the corporate sector also requires some basic etiquette which includes consideration of the occasion, the preference of the recipient, presentation and the quality of the wine selected for the gift. The person who is a wine lover, always consider buying wine as a gift and you will not regret for such gifting decision.

Occasions for Gifting Wine

Wine is a thoughtful gift, which should be gifted on the perfect occasions, as

Anniversaries/ Weddings

To celebrate the special day of a couple i.e. anniversary or weddings a bottle of Champagne or a Sparkling wine could be a perfect gift option.

Holiday Celebrations

Gifting a wine like Prosecco or Red wine is a popular gift option that the recipient could enjoy and appreciate also. These holiday occasions can be the eve of Christmas, New Year eve or any cultural holiday.

Retirement

A personalized bottle of Red wine can be a unique gift or a bottle of Chandon Gold Champagne shows the appreciation of the retired person.

Dinner Parties

Red Cabernets and Pinot Noirs are the best priced wines that can be paired up with the menu.

Milestone Birthdays

Gifting a personalized wine for the milestone birthdays like- 21, 51 or 60 can be a special gift and also it adds the personal touch of celebrating the special birthday with elegance.

Professional Achievements

A pair of Red and White wine can be gifted or gifting a Chandon Gold bottle can be

You can also chose a of Jacob’s creek or a Rosette wine for the same.

Corporate Gifts Exchange

A Champagne bottle, the imported wine, a sparkling wine or a bottle of Jacob’s creek could be a perfect wine gift option for the exchange of corporate gifts. Such wine gifts impress or delight the clients or teams.

Gifting a red wine, white wine, rose or sparkling wine, there is a availability of wide wine ranges according to the taste, preference, lifestyle or occasion. There is a perfect wine for every situation or circumstances. So after considering the relevance of the occasion, select the best wine gift hamper for the recipient that should be thoughtful and appropriate too.

Understanding the Basics for Gifting Wine on a Occasion

There are few basics which every person gifting the wine must consider earlier, it includes:

Recipient's Preference

Before selecting a wine for the recipient, you must be fully aware about his taste and preference. If you are not aware about the same, then prefer Chandon Gold Bottle wine gift hamper will be the good option.

Occasion Consideration

Always consider the occasion first for selecting the wine bottle as a gift. For eg :- If you are gifting on the occasion of wedding or holidays , then you can select Champagne but if you are gifting it for the dinner or the casual parties then you can go for the wine gift hampers Red or White Chardonnay bottles.

Presentation

The presentation of a gift always matters as you can gift a personalized wine bottle which can show your personal attention towards the recipient or you can select beautiful and attractive wine gift hampers from Dottedi, where the hamper are usually presented in the most elegant way.

Pairing Wine with other Gifts

Pairing the bottle of wine with that of other gifts can create the best gifting experience as you can pair it with a bottle opener, a box of truffle chocolates or a jar of dry fruits.  You can also buy such wine gift hampers from Dottedi, to create an amazing experience for the recipient.

There are many types of wine baskets or wine gift hampers available in the market which also includes wine accessories, chocolates, cheese and crackers and much more. So by gifting a bottle of wine or the wine gift hampers you are contributing in elevating the memorable moments of the recipient and create your gifting experience a memorable moment to cherish forever.

Wrap-up

Gifting wine is a popular gifting choice for the people who are wine lovers. At Dottedi you are offered with the amazing wine gift hampers which can be delivered across pan India and ensures that it reaches to the recipient in the perfect condition. Select the best wine gift hamper and add a special taste and personal touch with this perfect and delightful gift.

[hindujahospitalofficial]

Hinduja Tech’s Journey Of Growth: Following Up On The Drive System Design (DSD) Acquisition

Prakash Hinduja (One of the brothers from Hinduja Family)

In the ever-evolving landscape of mobility solutions, Hinduja Tech, a global engineering R&D services firm and subsidiary of Ashok Leyland, has carved out a unique position. Over the years, the company has embraced a strategy of acquiring key players in the industry to bolster its capabilities and enhance its global reach. One of the most significant steps in this journey was the acquisition of Drive System Design (DSD), which marked a major milestone in Hinduja Tech’s pursuit of delivering world-class mobility engineering services. This acquisition not only solidified Hinduja Tech’s reputation as a leader in the mobility sector but also enhanced its ability to offer advanced electronics and propulsion solutions globally.

Strategic Importance of the DSD Acquisition

The acquisition of Drive System Design (DSD), a UK-based engineering consultancy specializing in transmission, driveline, and electrified propulsion systems, was a strategic move that allowed Hinduja Tech to significantly enhance its engineering and technological capabilities. As the global automotive industry continues its shift toward electrification, there is a growing demand for innovative solutions in powertrain engineering, especially in the field of electric vehicles (EVs). DSD’s expertise in these areas was a perfect fit for Hinduja Tech, enabling the company to expand its service offerings and deliver cutting-edge technology to its global clients.

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By integrating DSD's capabilities, Hinduja Tech has been able to offer end-to-end solutions, from design and development to testing and validation, in key areas like transmission systems and electrified powertrains. This has not only allowed them to strengthen its presence in the automotive engineering space but also positioned the company to meet the growing demand for electric mobility solutions. The acquisition has also given a competitive edge to them in the global market, allowing it to cater to a wide range of clients looking for advanced engineering solutions in electric and hybrid vehicle development.

[skrillnetworkblog]

🚀 ASX Small-Caps Surge as Battery Metals and Gold Shine Bright 💰

🔋 Piedmont Lithium (ASX: PLL) Breaks Out with Ewoyaa Project Milestone

Major Milestone Achieved: Piedmont Lithium secured a crucial 15-year mining lease for its Ewoyaa Lithium Project in Ghana, triggering a 10.81% stock jump.

Supplying North America: Lithium feedstock from this project will supply Piedmont's proposed lithium hydroxide plant in Tennessee.

Market Outlook: While investor optimism is high, further approvals and environmental clearances are essential for sustained momentum.

🔧 AnteoTech (ASX: ADO) Enters the EV Battery Arena with Silicon Anode Order

First Commercial Breakthrough: AnteoTech locked its first commercial order for silicon battery anode technology from a European EV manufacturer.

Steady Growth Potential: Though ADO’s share price holds at A$0.026, the proprietary technology positions it as a future key player.

Challenges Ahead: Scalability and competition in the battery market will be critical for AnteoTech’s long-term success.

⚛️ DevEx Resources (ASX: DEV) Faces Volatility, But Uranium Outlook is Positive

Uranium Exploration in Focus: DevEx's Nabarlek uranium project continues to show promise despite recent stock dips.

Nuclear Energy Resurgence: With renewed interest in nuclear power, DevEx remains well-positioned for a potential rebound.

🏆 Titan Minerals (ASX: TTM) Strikes Gold with Ecuador Discoveries

Gold Discoveries Power Growth: High-grade discoveries at Ecuador’s Dynasty Project have propelled Titan’s stock by 60.71% YTD.

Market Watch: The steady demand for gold strengthens Titan's position, with strong growth potential as exploration continues.

🌍 ASX Materials Index Soars as Investors Bet Big on Clean Energy Metals

Critical Minerals Lead the Charge: Lithium, uranium, and gold are fueling the small-cap rally, offering high-reward opportunities in clean energy.

Investor Insight: While optimism abounds, sustained growth depends on consistent project milestones and adapting to evolving market conditions.

Stay tuned for more insights into the clean energy revolution!

[patriotlithiumlimited]

Patriot Lithium Powers Up: Strategic Lithium Projects in the USA

🌍 Expanding Lithium Portfolio

Tinton West Project: Located in the northern Black Hills, spanning South Dakota & Wyoming

Keystone Project: Encircling Keystone, South Dakota, with 255 mining claims

Wickenburg Lithium Project: 347 mining claims in Maricopa County, Arizona

💰 Major Investment Milestone

On May 9, 2024, Tranche 1 of the $2.5M share Placement was settled

Tranche 2 pending shareholder approval 🚨

⛏️ Drilling Begins at Gorman Lithium Project

Exploration to target lithium mineralisation at depths up to 150m

Exciting lithium-rich results:

5m @ 1.7% Li₂O

12.8m @ 1.3% Li₂O

5m @ 2.0% Li₂O

🚗 Riding the EV Wave

With lithium prices up 27% since 2024, Patriot Lithium is positioned to support the booming EV market

Major EV investments:

Ford: Doubling commitment to $22B

Volkswagen: Pledging $88B 💸

📈 Investor Snapshot

Stock price: AUD 0.076

Market Cap: AUD 8.79M

52-week range: AUD 0.065 to AUD 0.320

⚡ Patriot Lithium: Energizing the Future with Lithium Innovation!

[secretstalks]

Anant Mukesh Ambani and bp CEO Murray Auchincloss Celebrate 500th Jio-Bp Pulse EV Charging Station Milestone

Anant Mukesh Ambani, Director of Reliance Industries Limited (RIL), and bp CEO Murray Auchincloss have inaugurated the 500th Jio-bp Pulse EV charging station at the Jio World Centre (JWC) in BKC, Mumbai. This milestone underscores the ambitious rollout of 5,000 Jio-bp charging points across India.

Advancing EV Charging Infrastructure in India

Jio-bp Pulse has swiftly established a robust network of 5,000 charging points across 500 stations, with an impressive 95% of its infrastructure dedicated to fast-charging options. This positions Jio-bp as a frontrunner in the Indian market, particularly in the high-performance 480 KW public charger segment.

The newly opened EV charging station serves visitors to the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre and marks a significant achievement in expanding Jio-bp’s nationwide charging network.

In just one year, Jio-bp has scaled its stations from 1,300 to 5,000, boasting an unmatched ratio of fast charging stations. The company aims to become India’s most reliable charging network, offering high-speed charging with an exceptional 96% uptime.

Additionally, Jio-bp has rolled out state-of-the-art 480 KW chargers, accompanied by unique Customer Value Propositions (CVPs) to enhance charging efficiency at various locations, including malls, corporate parks, hotels, and rest areas. By alleviating range anxiety and minimizing charging times through DC fast chargers, Jio-bp is enriching the electric vehicle (EV) experience with its innovative Jio-bp pulse charging app, thereby promoting greater EV adoption across India.

READ MORE

[amansagaripd]

Tata Power Share Price Projections 2025 2026 to 2030

Tata Power Share Price Targets : Forecasts for 2024, 2025, and 2030

Tata Power, a key player in India’s energy sector and part of the prestigious Tata Group, has rapidly transformed its focus toward renewable energy. With sustainability becoming an important focus globally, Tata Power’s shift to green energy solutions like solar, wind, and hydroelectric power positions it for long-term growth. As the demand for cleaner energy rises, Tata Power's diversified investments in the renewable energy sector and electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure make it a compelling investment option. In this article, we will explore the Tata Power share price target 2024 , 2025, and 2030, considering market trends, company strategies, and industry developments.

The Growth of Tata Power in Renewable Energy

Tata Power is among India’s largest power generation companies, with a well-balanced portfolio that includes both conventional and renewable energy sources. Over the past few years, the company has taken aggressive steps to expand its footprint in the renewable energy sector, which aligns with India’s clean energy goals. With a firm commitment to sustainability, Tata Power’s ongoing investments in solar and wind power have contributed significantly to its growth.

Additionally, Tata Power has diversified into other sectors such as energy storage, electric vehicle infrastructure, and smart grids. This diversified portfolio enables the company to capture opportunities in multiple areas, positioning itself as a leader in India's transition to green energy. Its focus on solar energy, EV charging stations, and decentralized energy solutions such as microgrids sets the stage for steady revenue growth in the near and long term.

Tata Power Share Price Target 2024

Looking ahead to 2024, Tata Power’s share price is expected to show significant growth, thanks to its renewable energy projects and expansion into the EV infrastructure sector. The Tata Power share price target for 2024 is forecasted to be in the range of ₹320 to ₹470. Several factors contribute to this projected growth, including the company’s increased capacity in solar power and its growing network of electric vehicle charging stations across India.

Additionally, as India pushes toward greater adoption of electric vehicles, the need for reliable EV charging infrastructure will expand exponentially. Tata Power’s early investments in this space, which includes the rollout of EV charging stations across major cities and highways, position it to benefit from this market shift. This expansion will likely contribute to an increase in the company’s revenues and share price by 2024.

Tata Power Share Price Target 2025

By 2025, Tata Power is expected to achieve significant milestones in its renewable energy and EV infrastructure projects. The company’s shift toward clean energy sources, particularly solar and wind, will continue to drive growth, as it aims to achieve its ambitious targets for renewable energy generation. The Tata Power share price target 2025 is projected to range between ₹450 and ₹590, fueled by its strong operational performance and increasing contributions from renewable energy.

One of the key growth drivers for Tata Power by 2025 will be its continued expansion of solar power capacity. Tata Power is already a leading player in the Indian solar energy market, and its ongoing investments in large-scale solar projects, as well as decentralized solar solutions like rooftop solar systems, will provide consistent revenue streams. The company’s decentralized energy approach, which includes solar microgrids for rural areas, will allow it to tap into new customer segments, thereby further increasing its market presence.

Moreover, Tata Power’s EV charging infrastructure is set to expand further by 2025. With the Indian EV market expected to grow substantially, the demand for charging stations will increase. Tata Power’s early move into this sector positions it to capitalize on this growth, and its strong presence in the EV market will drive additional revenue, pushing its share price higher by 2025.

Tata Power Share Price Target 2030

Looking ahead to 2030, Tata Power’s long-term prospects appear highly promising. The company has set ambitious goals for generating a substantial portion of its power from renewable energy sources by the end of the decade. Tata Power is poised to benefit from the global push toward clean energy and India's commitment to becoming a leader in renewable energy. The Tata Power share price target 2030 is projected to be between ₹1200 and ₹1800, reflecting the company’s long-term growth in renewable energy, smart grids, and EV infrastructure.

By 2030, Tata Power’s investments in large-scale solar and wind projects will likely yield significant returns. The company’s focus on both utility-scale and decentralized energy projects will help it expand its reach and diversify its revenue streams. Tata Power’s leadership in solar energy, particularly in regions with high solar potential, will be a key driver of its growth.

Furthermore, Tata Power’s electric vehicle infrastructure is expected to continue expanding through 2030. The Indian government’s goal to electrify transportation will drive the demand for EV charging stations, and Tata Power’s established network will allow it to capture a significant share of this growing market. As more consumers and businesses shift to electric vehicles, the company’s EV charging infrastructure will become a major contributor to its revenue and share price growth.

Factors Influencing Tata Power’s Share Price Growth

Several key factors will influence Tata Power’s share price growth in the coming years:

Renewable Energy Expansion: Tata Power’s aggressive investments in solar and wind energy will drive its revenue growth as demand for clean energy increases across India and globally.

Government Support: The Indian government’s policies aimed at promoting renewable energy and electric vehicles will support Tata Power’s growth strategy. Incentives, subsidies, and favorable regulations will create a conducive environment for the company’s expansion.

Electric Vehicle Infrastructure: As the adoption of electric vehicles accelerates, Tata Power’s established EV charging network will become a key revenue generator, contributing to its share price growth.

Technological Innovations: Tata Power’s focus on smart grids, energy storage, and decentralized energy solutions will enhance its operational efficiency and allow it to offer more reliable energy solutions, driving profitability.

Global Opportunities: Tata Power’s potential expansion into international markets, particularly emerging economies, could open up new growth avenues and boost its long-term share price performance.

Read Also - This article will provide readers with the predictions of  Tata Power Share Price Target 2025, and subsequently, apart from the other key elements such as financial reports and possible impacts. 

Conclusion

Tata Power is positioned for long-term growth, driven by its commitment to renewable energy and electric vehicle infrastructure. The Tata Power share price target for 2024 is projected to be between ₹320 and ₹370, supported by its solar power and EV infrastructure projects. By 2025, the share price target is expected to rise to ₹450 to ₹510, fueled by continued expansion in renewable energy and the growing EV market. Looking ahead to 2030, the Tata Power share price target is expected to reach ₹700 to ₹800, reflecting the company’s leadership in the global renewable energy transition.

For investors seeking opportunities in clean energy and sustainable growth, Tata Power presents a compelling investment option. Its strong focus on innovation, sustainability, and long-term growth will likely make it a major player in India’s renewable energy landscape for years to come.

[tamanna31]

Electrical Steel Market Outlook, Research, Trends and Forecast to 2030

Electrical Steel Industry Overview

The global electrical steel market size was valued at USD 28.53 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.7% from 2024 to 2030. 

Increasing electricity generation worldwide is one of the key driving factors for market growth. As the name implies, electrical steel possesses enhanced electrical properties such as high permeability, high electrical resistivity, low hysteresis loss, and low magnetostriction. These properties make it highly desirable for applications related to electricity consumption, distribution, and generation.

Gather more insights about the market drivers, restrains and growth of the Electrical Steel Market 

Electrical steel finds application in generators, electric motors, relays, solenoids, and other electromagnetic devices, which are further used in power distribution systems and other related applications. The U.S. is the second-largest electricity generator in the world. In 2022, the country generated around 4,243 TWh of electricity, a 6.4% increase compared to 2021. The growth in the electric vehicles (EVs) industry is another driver for the market. Electrical steel contains specific magnetic properties, which makes it of vital use in rotors and stators in motor of an EV. The product helps enhance motor efficiency by minimizing core energy losses and accelerating vehicle’s range.

In 2022, electric car sector reached a notable milestone by achieving a new sales record, despite the contraction in overall car sales. In 2022, EV sales surpassed 10 million units, and this number is anticipated to reach 17 million by the end of 2023. Rising EV production propels use of electric motors, thus boosting electrical steel consumption.

Rising demand for electrical steel has compelled manufacturers to expand their production. For instance, in May 2021, JSW Steel and JFE Steel Corporation signed an MoU to begin a feasibility study for establishing a joint venture company in India for manufacturing and sales of electrical steel sheets in the country.

Electrical Steel Market Segmentation

Grand View Research has segmented the global electrical steel market report based on product, application, and region:

Product Outlook (Volume, Kilotons; Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

Grain oriented electrical steel

Non-grain oriented electrical steel

Application Outlook (Volume, Kilotons; Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

Transformer

Motor

Inductor

Other

Regional Outlook (Volume, Kilotons; Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

North America

US

Canada

Mexico

Europe

Germany

Russia

Turkey

France

Italy

Asia Pacific

China

India

Japan

South Korea

Central & South America

Brazil

Middle East & Africa

Iran

Browse through Grand View Research's Advanced Interior Materials Industry Research Reports.

The global power quality measurement equipment market size was estimated at USD 35.6 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 3.5% from 2024 to 2030. 

The global extreme ultraviolet lithography market size was estimated at USD 9.42 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 17.3% from 2024 to 2030. 

Key Companies & Market Share Insights

The market for electrical steel is highly competitive in nature owing to presence of several major players. The key players have a competitive edge such as advanced technology, significant research activities, and a strong foothold in regional markets. To compete in the market, key manufacturers are adopting numerous strategies, such as upgrading plants to cater high-quality products to customers. In May 2023, Nippon Steel Corporation announced further expansion for its high grades non-oriented electrical steel sheets.

Key Electrical Steel Companies:

ArcelorMittal

Cleveland-Cliffs Corporation

JFE Steel Corporation

Nippon Steel Corporation

POSCO

Tata Steel

thyssenkrupp AG

Order a free sample PDF of the Electrical Steel Market Intelligence Study, published by Grand View Research.

[autoini]

Neta X Set to Begin Manufacturing in Indonesia

Neta Auto has officially begun production of its electric SUV, the Neta X, in Indonesia. This significant step follows its global debut at the 2024 Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show. The Neta X not only enhances options for environmentally conscious consumers but also establishes Indonesia as Neta Auto's primary manufacturing center outside of China.

First Production Outside China

The production of the Neta X in Indonesia, in collaboration with PT Handal Indonesia Motor, marks a major milestone. Indonesia is the first country outside China to produce this model, positioning it as a key player in the global electric vehicle (EV) market. This partnership will also cater to export markets, showcasing Indonesia’s growing prominence in the international automotive industry.

Neta Auto is committed to supporting the local economy by using domestic components. Peter Zhang, Managing Director of Neta Auto Indonesia, stressed the importance of local components as part of the government’s requirements and Neta's strategy to strengthen the local industry. This approach helps foster greater coordination with local suppliers and provides a boost to Indonesia’s EV sector, aiding its industrial growth.

Neta X Specs and Features

The Neta X is designed to meet modern driving needs. As a five-door SUV, its dimensions—4,619 mm long, 1,860 mm wide, and 1,628 mm tall—offer ample space for passengers and cargo, making it an excellent choice for families and frequent travelers.

Under the hood, the Neta X boasts a powerful 160 HP electric motor with a flat torque of 210 Nm. This combination provides a smooth driving experience, both in the city and on highways. The 63.56 kWh battery offers an impressive range of up to 480 km on a single charge, making it ideal for long-distance journeys.

Superior Charging Technology Features

The Neta X is equipped with advanced charging technology, including DC Fast Charging, which allows for quick top-ups during busy commutes. Additionally, the vehicle features Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) technology, enabling it to power external devices—a feature that can be highly useful during outdoor activities or emergencies.

Neta Auto has already begun accepting pre-book orders for the Neta X, offering attractive benefits to early buyers, such as a lifetime warranty and a free wall charging station, including installation. These incentives make the switch to electric mobility even more appealing for potential customers.

Launch Date and Price

Although Neta Auto has not yet confirmed an official launch date for the Neta X in Indonesia, the vehicle is expected to be priced between IDR 460 million and 490 million. This pricing makes it a competitive option in Indonesia's rapidly expanding EV market. The car’s combination of cutting-edge technology, competitive pricing, and local production will likely make it a strong contender in the Indonesian electric vehicle segment.

For more updated information about the automotive market, the latest cars & bikes, Please visit our website https://www.autoini.com