#Strategic Planning Models

[saipushpalearner]

The Concept of Business Strategy Planning

Setting overarching goals for your company and creating a strategy to reach them are the two main objectives of business strategy planning. The aim of strategic planning is to establish your company’s overarching goals and create a plan to attain them. Here, we discuss the importance of strategic planning for a business.  

Importance of Business Strategy Planning for Business

If you want to create a plan for business growth, you must obtain a better understanding of how your company operates and where it stands in respect to other businesses in your markets. Start by posing the following three queries to yourself: 

Where is your company right now? To do this, you must know as much as you can about your business, including how it operates internally, what drives its profitability, and how it compares to competitors. Be realistic, critical, and objective

What direction do you wish to go in? List your overarching objectives here. Organize your vision, mission, goals, values, strategies, and objectives in a plan. What do you see your business looking like in five or ten years? What do you want to make the focal point of your business and the foundation of your competitive edge?  

What steps must you take to get there? What adjustments will you need to make in order to achieve your strategic goals? How can those modifications be implemented in the most effective way? What adjustments to your company’s organization and funding are necessary, and what objectives and due dates do you need to create for yourself and other stakeholders?  

Although the second question is fundamental to the process of business strategy planning, it can only be used effectively considering the other two. 

Organizational goals and direction are essential for businesses. This direction is provided by strategic planning. Business strategy planning is essentially a road map for achieving corporate objectives. Without such direction, it is impossible to determine if a company is on track to meet its objectives.  

Models of Business Strategy Planning

Some models of business strategy planning are:  

The Balanced Scorecard 

One of the most well-known strategic planning models is the balanced scorecard, which was created to give managers a thorough perspective of the operations of their firms within constrained timeframes. In order to provide useful information about how a firm has done in the past, is performing now, and is likely to perform in the future, it considers both financial and operational data. 

The four concerns that are addressed by the approach are time, quality, performance and service, and cost. These elements add up to four distinct benchmarks for setting goals and evaluating performance: 

Consumer perceptions of your company 

How to enhance your internal processes, under “Internal Process” 

Organizational Capacity: How to Expand, Modify, and Advance 

Financial: The likelihood of your success 

These four areas can help you develop more deliberate, targeted goals and the best measures to monitor them. Yet in the end, it’s up to you the factors you decide to focus on and gauge. There is no comprehensive list; they will vary from organization to organization.  

Objectives and Key Results

This strategy is focused on converting overarching organizational goals into objectives and monitoring their primary outcomes, as its name suggests. The framework is based on establishing three to five realistic goals and the three to five outcomes that should arise from each. After those are established, you design initiatives around their outcomes. 

You choose the best measures for gauging their accomplishment after you’ve identified those reference points. After completing the projects inspired by those desired outcomes, you evaluate their success by assigning a score on a range of 0% to 100% or 0 to 1.  

Theory of Change (TOC)

According to the Theory of Change (TOC) model, companies should set long-term objectives and essentially “work backward” to achieve them. While using the technique, you begin by establishing a more comprehensive, long-term aim. 

The next step is to determine the strategies and modifications you need to do in the intermediate term in order to accomplish your target result. Ultimately, you descend a level and develop plans for the numerous immediate adjustments you must make in order to implement the longer-term ones. You must precisely make the following moves: 

Identify your long-term goals

Backward map the preconditions necessary to achieve your goal and explain why they’re necessary

Identify your basic assumptions about the situation

Choose the interventions your initiative will implement to help you reach your objectives

Create some metrics to measure how well your initiative is performing

Describe the reasoning behind your endeavor in writing

Organizations interested in undertaking tasks like team building, initiative planning, or action plan development benefit the most from using this planning methodology.  

Hoshin Planning

The Hoshin Planning approach is a procedure that encourages active and transparent communication within a company in an effort to lessen conflict and inefficiency. This idea holds that every employee, regardless of department or degree of seniority, is informed of the company’s goals. 

Hoshin Planning is based on the idea that effective communication fosters cohesiveness, but that cohesion requires more than just leadership input. Results from the shop floor up must be communicated to management according to this paradigm. 

In a limited sense, this paradigm’s ideal results are also produced by the committee. Hoshin Planning entails managers listening to and taking into account comments from subordinates to develop goals that are acceptable, realistic, and shared by both parties.  

Tools of Business Strategy Planning

To support whichever form of strategic planning you choose to implement, there are extra resources available. These are a few of them:   

SWOT Analysis 

SWOT analysis, which stands for strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, is a tool for strategic planning. It’s used to categorize each of these components considering your company. 

You can identify fresh prospects and the areas of your firm that require improvement using our strategic planning tool. Furthermore, you’ll recognize any elements or dangers that could harm your enterprise or achievement.  

Porter’s Five Forces 

To determine the economic factors affecting your sector and the competitive position of your organization, use Porter’s Five Forces as a business strategy planning tool. Among the five forces are:  

Competition in the industry 

Potential of new entrants into the industry 

Power of suppliers 

Power of customers 

Threat of substitute products 

PESTLE Analysis 

The PESTLE analysis is another effective business strategy planning tool. It stands for: 

P: Political 

E: Economic 

S: Social 

T: Technological 

L: Legal 

E: Environmental 

Each of these elements allows an organization to take stock of the business environment they’re operating in, which helps them develop a strategy for success. 

Visioning 

Strategic planning employs the goal-setting technique of visioning. It aids in the creation of your organization’s long-term goals and vision for the future. 

You and your team may decide the measures you need to take to get where you want to go once you’ve thought about the goals, you’d like to achieve over the next five years or longer. You can then develop your strategy plan from there. 

VRIO Framework 

The VRIO framework is another business strategy planning tool that’s used to identify the competitive advantages of your product or service. It’s composed of four different elements: 

Value: Does it provide value to customers? 

Rarity: Do you have control over a rare resource or piece of technology? 

Imitability: Can it easily be copied by competitors? 

Organization: Does your business have the operations and systems in place to capitalize on its resources? 

You may develop a strategic plan that enables you to serve the demands of your customers by examining each of these areas of your company. 

You’ll be able to develop a complete and successful strategic plan with these planning tools.  

Process of Business Strategy Planning

A strategic plan enables you to specify and communicate the course that your business will take over the next three to five years. Effective strategic planning outlines the objectives, aims, and steps you’ll take to accomplish each objective for your organization. In addition to assisting, you in determining where you need to go, the strategic planning process also allows you to communicate the plan clearly to employees and stakeholders.  

Below we discuss the five stages of effective business strategy planning: 

Step 1: Determine where you are 

You must first establish where you are to begin developing a strategy and define your destination. The leadership team should gather a variety of data from various stakeholders, including employees and clients, to do this. Plan to assemble: 

Relevant market and industry information can help identify prospective market opportunities as well as impending dangers

To learn what your consumers want from your business, such as product upgrades or new services, use customer insights

Use a SWOT analysis to evaluate the company’s potential, both now and in the future  

Step 2: Identify your goals and objectives 

The magic takes place here. Consider your existing position, which is where you are right now, while you construct your approach. Then, get ideas from your original business documents because that is where you want to end up. Take inspiration from the mission and vision statements during this process of business strategy planning to make sure your strategic plan is leading your business in the proper way.  

Step 3: Develop your plan 

It’s time to start writing now that you are aware of where you are and where you want to go. Your organization-wide plan for the following three to five years will be defined by your plan, which will take into account your position and approach. Despite the fact that you are developing a long-term plan, keep in mind that various components of your strategic plan should be developed as the months and years pass. Based on your SWOT analysis and strategy, you should outline your company’s priorities for the following three to five years as you create your strategic plan.  

Step 4: Execute your plan 

It’s time to execute your plan after all that preparation. Executing a proper process of business strategy planning requires open communication throughout your whole business to ensure that everyone is aware of their roles and how to assess the plan’s performance. Map your processes with key performance indicators to determine how well your plan is working.   

Step 5: Revise and restructure as needed 

Regularly update your strategy (quarterly and annually). Make sure your shorter-term goals are based on your strategic plan. Likewise, your strategy plan is not fixed in stone. If your business decides to take a different course or make additional investments, you’ll probably need to revise the strategy. You’ll probably want to adjust your strategic plan as new market possibilities and risks materialize to make sure you’re constructing your firm in the most advantageous way for the next several years. 

By allowing you to describe how your business will achieve its mission and vision statements over the following three to five years, the process of business strategy planning can aid in effective goal setting and achievement.  

Benefits of Business Strategy Planning

Your company becomes proactive rather than reactive as a result. 

Organizations can foresee the events that are most likely to occur and make the necessary preparations using a strategic plan. Business strategy planning allows businesses to foresee some bad situations before they occur and take the required actions to prevent them. And if something unlucky—whether a minor accident or a major crisis—does occur, you already have plans in place to make sure you can get back on track. 

It fosters a sense of shared accountability. 

A strategic plan helps define the direction that an organization must go in and promotes the creation of realistic objectives and goals that are compatible with those goals and the business’s vision and mission. But it also promotes a sense of cooperation and shared responsibility. 

The secret to effective business strategy planning is to involve everyone in the plan as early in the planning process as possible, and to include measures and implementation processes that let you keep an eye on the results on a regular basis. When you do this, your goals become steppingstones towards even bigger ones, and everyone understands your broader vision’s aspirations and pain points as well as their role in achieving it. 

It improves leadership operational effectiveness. 

We must take leadership into account while discussing the value of business strategy planning in a company. When there isn’t a clear enough understanding of what change is required where and how difficult that level of change has to be, an organizational vision can struggle to be implemented. We can clearly see the advantages of strategic planning in that situation. A plan gives leaders a road map for coordinating the organization’s functional activities to meet predetermined goals in terms of strategic management. 

It regulates expectations and bolsters trust. 

A strategic plan improves transparency, which fosters trust and removes ambiguity among important stakeholders as well as within the business. Effective business strategy planning increases team cooperation chances, which is advantageous. Building trust in the organization’s general direction through collaboration rather than having fragmented groups is better. Strategic planning frequently involves identifying organizational goals, which aids in establishing expectations across your organization’s various departments and enhances the overall efficiency of the business.  

Almost always, when the word “strategy” is used, it is followed by some variation of the word “plan,” as in the “strategic planning” process or the finished “strategic plan.” Planning is a completely achievable and at ease exercise, thus there is a gentle shift from strategy to planning.  

The idea of business strategy planning initially gained popularity in the 1950s and 1960s and remained popular in business until the 1980s, when it started to wane. Nonetheless, interest in strategic business planning was rekindled in the 1990s, and it still has value in contemporary companies. 

Many businesses use reactive rather than proactive methods as a result of the unstable business climate. Reactive strategies may need a significant time and resource commitment to implement, yet they frequently only work in the short term. Business strategy planning enables organizations to approach proactive planning and issue solutions from a longer-term perspective. They enable a company to act in control rather than merely respond to events. 

[medical-billing-service-0]

The Key to Sustainable Business Growth: How Consulting Services Can Boost Your Revenue

In today’s fast-paced and competitive marketplace, businesses are under constant pressure to innovate, grow, and streamline operations. However, the journey toward sustainable revenue growth is often complex and requires specialized expertise. Consulting services have become a valuable resource for organizations aiming to navigate these challenges and achieve their business goals. In this blog, we’ll explore how specialized consulting services can fuel business growth and provide strategic support in critical areas.

Driving Revenue Growth through Consulting

One of the most critical aspects of business success is finding ways to continually increase revenue while optimizing operations. Revenue growth consulting is a specialized service that helps businesses identify new opportunities and implement effective strategies to maximize earnings. By analyzing current revenue streams and assessing market trends, consultants provide tailored advice on how to expand sales channels, improve pricing models, and enhance product offerings. Businesses that invest in revenue growth consulting can achieve long-term stability and avoid stagnation in an ever-evolving economic environment.

Business Expansion Strategies for Success

Expanding a business involves much more than merely increasing operations; it requires strategic planning, market understanding, and resource management. Professional consultants offer in-depth business expansion strategies, helping companies identify new markets, assess the competitive landscape, and define clear growth goals. Whether a company is looking to expand domestically or internationally, consulting services ensure that businesses take calculated steps, avoid common pitfalls, and achieve scalable growth. An expert consultant can develop a roadmap that takes into account everything from market entry to supply chain management, providing a holistic approach to expansion.

The Importance of Market Research Services

Successful business decisions are built on a foundation of accurate and comprehensive information. Market research services are an integral part of the consulting process, providing businesses with critical insights into customer behavior, industry trends, and competitive dynamics. By leveraging market research, companies can develop products and services that align with customer needs and market demand. Consultants use various data collection methods, such as surveys, focus groups, and data analysis, to provide actionable insights. This empowers businesses to make informed decisions that lead to enhanced market positioning and better ROI.

Streamlining Operations with Production Management Consulting

In addition to identifying growth opportunities, businesses need to ensure that their operations run smoothly and efficiently. Production management consulting helps businesses optimize their production processes to reduce costs, improve quality, and increase efficiency. From supply chain optimization to workflow automation, consultants help companies refine their operational models to produce better results with fewer resources. This type of consulting is particularly valuable for manufacturing firms and businesses with complex operational processes, as it allows them to stay competitive while maintaining high standards of quality.

Strengthening Financial Health with Balance Sheet Maintenance Services

Financial health is the backbone of any successful business, and maintaining a solid balance sheet is essential for long-term stability. Balance sheet maintenance services, offered by financial consultants, ensure that a company’s assets, liabilities, and equity are well managed. These services involve evaluating financial statements, optimizing capital structure, and identifying potential risks. By working with consultants, businesses can ensure they have accurate financial reporting, enabling them to make sound financial decisions and avoid unnecessary liabilities. This strengthens a company’s financial foundation and prepares it for future growth and investment opportunities.

[saicpaservices]

Enhance Financial Accuracy with SAI CPA Services' Payroll Solutions

Welcome back to the SAI CPA Services blog! Today, we’re highlighting how our payroll services can improve financial accuracy and streamline operations for your business.

The Importance of Professional Payroll Services

Managing payroll is one of the most critical yet complex tasks for any business. Here’s how our professional payroll services can benefit your business:

Accurate Payroll Processing: Timely and precise payroll processing is essential to maintain employee satisfaction and avoid legal issues. We ensure that your employees are paid accurately and on time, every time.

Compliance with Regulations: Payroll involves navigating a web of federal, state, and local regulations. Our experts stay up-to-date with the latest laws to ensure that your payroll processes comply with all relevant regulations, reducing the risk of penalties.

Time and Cost Efficiency: Outsourcing your payroll management to professionals allows you to save time and reduce overhead costs. We handle all aspects of payroll, freeing up your resources to focus on growing your business.

How SAI CPA Services Can Help

At SAI CPA Services, we provide comprehensive payroll solutions tailored to your business needs. Our services ensure accuracy, compliance, and efficiency, allowing you to manage your payroll with confidence and ease.

Connect Us:  https://www.saicpaservices.com https://www.facebook.com/AjayKCPA https://www.instagram.com/sai_cpa_services/ https://twitter.com/SaiCPA https://www.linkedin.com/in/saicpaservices/ https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va9qWRI60eBg1dRfEa1I

908-380-6876

1 Auer Ct, 2nd Floor

East Brunswick, NJ 08816

[monsterkong]

The Role of Gender in Strategic Thinking and Planning

Exploring How Men and Women Approach Long-Term Planning Differently

Hello, insightful readers! 🌼 Today, we're tackling an intriguing aspect of strategic thinking—how it differs between genders and what we can learn from these differences to foster better planning in all areas of life.

It's fascinating to note that men and women often approach planning and strategic thinking with distinct styles. Research and anecdotal evidence suggest that women might be naturally inclined to think more long-term and are possibly better at detailed, strategic planning compared to their male counterparts. This isn't to say one gender is better than the other, but rather that each brings a unique perspective to the table that can be incredibly beneficial in various contexts, from corporate strategies to family planning.

The conversation highlighted that these differences might stem from evolutionary traits or societal expectations. Women are often seen managing not just careers but also familial responsibilities, which may require them to juggle multiple long-term considerations simultaneously.

Furthermore, the discussion shed light on how these gendered approaches to thinking can be cultivated from a young age. Parents and educators play a crucial role in this by encouraging strategic thinking through games like chess, which requires foresight and planning, or through discussions about future goals and how to achieve them.

In conclusion, understanding and embracing the different strategic strengths that men and women bring to the table can lead to more comprehensive and successful planning in both professional and personal realms.

Let’s continue to learn from each other and leverage our unique strengths! How do you see these dynamics playing out in your own life or work? Join the discussion below! 💬💪

[franchise-guru]

Franchise Guru™: Your Trusted Partner in Franchise Success

In the dynamic world of franchising, navigating the path to success requires expertise, strategic insights, and unwavering support. Franchise Guru™ emerges as a beacon of guidance, offering comprehensive Franchise and Business Consulting Services to both emerging franchisors and franchisees. This article delves into the multifaceted approach of Franchise Guru™, exploring how it has become the go-to partner for realizing franchise aspirations.

Section 1: The Franchise Landscape and Its Challenges

Franchising presents unique opportunities and challenges, demanding a nuanced understanding of market trends, consumer behavior, and operational intricacies. Franchise Guru™ begins by acknowledging the complexities inherent in the industry, recognizing that success hinges on a delicate balance of strategy, innovation, and adaptability.

Section 2: Franchise Guru™: A Holistic Approach to Franchise Development

Franchise Guru™ sets itself apart through a holistic approach to franchise development. By offering services ranging from strategic planning and market analysis to operational efficiency consulting, the team at Franchise Guru™ ensures that every aspect of the franchising journey is meticulously addressed. This comprehensive approach is designed to empower both franchisors and franchisees with the tools they need to thrive.

Section 3: Tailored Solutions for Emerging Franchisors

For those looking to expand their business through franchising, Franchise Guru™ provides tailored solutions. From developing effective franchise development strategies to optimizing franchise systems and assisting with legal considerations, Franchise Guru™ is committed to paving the way for emerging franchisors to build successful and sustainable franchise networks.

Section 4: Empowering Franchisees for Success

Franchise Guru™ recognizes the pivotal role played by franchisees in the success of any franchise system. Through targeted business advisory solutions, market entry consulting, and ongoing support, Franchise Guru™ empowers franchisees to navigate the challenges of entrepreneurship while maximizing the potential for profitability.

Section 5: International Reach and Expertise

With a global presence spanning key locations like Al Huda Building (Dubai), Mumbai (India), and Beirut (Lebanon), Franchise Guru™ brings international expertise to the table. This global perspective is invaluable for businesses aiming to expand their franchises across borders, offering insights into diverse markets and cultural nuances.

Section 6: Success Stories and Testimonials

The true measure of a franchise consulting service's effectiveness lies in the success stories of its clients. Franchise Guru™ takes pride in the achievements of the franchisors and franchisees it has supported. Through testimonials and case studies, this section highlights real-world examples of businesses that have thrived under the guidance of Franchise Guru™.

Conclusion:

In the ever-evolving landscape of franchising, having a trusted partner like Franchise Guru™ can make all the difference. From strategic planning to operational execution, Franchise Guru™ stands as a beacon of support for those aspiring to achieve franchise success. With a commitment to excellence and a proven track record, Franchise Guru™ invites both emerging franchisors and franchisees to embark on a journey of growth, innovation, and lasting success.

For more information or to explore how Franchise Guru™ can support your franchise goals, contact us today. Your success is our mission.

[spiritsofts]

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[well-educatedmillennial]

Game Theory in Business Strategy: Predicting Competitor Moves

Excited to share my new blog on Game Theory in Business Strategy! 🎯 Discover how mathematical models can transform your strategic planning and decision-making. Your feedback is always welcome! #GameTheory #BusinessStrategy 🚀

Today, we’re diving into a fascinating realm where mathematics, psychology, and business strategy converge. Yes, we’re talking about game theory. Game theory, a concept that has its roots in mathematics, has found its way into the boardrooms of the world’s most successful companies. It’s a tool that can help businesses predict competitors’ moves, make strategic decisions, and ultimately gain a…

[redflagshipwriter]

Fast Car Three (of four)

masterpost

“Why would I ever need help from Victor?” Danny scrunched up his brow and puzzled aloud after his passenger got out. He didn't mean to be rude but he was genuinely confused. Vic seemed nice enough, but he was kinda delicate, wasn't he? He was scared of Batman. What for? He was just some guy who was so risk-averse that he wore a motorcycle helmet out in public. He probably held the world's record for diagnosed anxiety disorders or something. 

‘I’m lucky he's so reactive,’ Danny chided himself not to be ungrateful. ‘If he wasn't, like, hyper-vigilant I might have had to talk to Batman. Horrific.’

He shuddered at the thought. He had planned to work a little more, but Danny decided to go back home and rest for a bit. His nerves were a little shot after the excitement of the morning. 

Oh, right. He hadn't checked what his tip was yet. Danny unfolded the bills and his eyes bugged out. “This is fifty dollars,” he said incredulously. “He paid me fifty dollars to take him like 10 blocks, with a 50 block detour.” 

Was Victor, like, okay? Danny cast a dubious look back in his rearview mirror and caught the barest glance of Victor's ridiculously jacked form disappearing into one of the murder warehouses. What a guy. Why'd he do-

“He was hitting on me?” Danny's voice reached a whistle pitch. Ah! Ah!!! Holy shit. What the hell? His face burnt red and he floored it back to his apartment complex, trying to get his heart rate under control. 

It was so obvious in retrospect! The weird awkward pauses in conversation! The huge tips! Asking for his number! 

Danny pulled to a stop at a yellow light rather than run it explicitly so that he could bang his head against the steering wheel. 

“I don't even know if he's hot,” Danny wailed. Instantly he knew it was a lie. He didn't know what Victor’s face looked like. He didn't remember what the photo had looked like anymore and the information was long gone. But he knew that Victor was tall, fit as fuck, and had really nice hands. 

Danny bit his lip and howled sadly. It helped, a little. He stole a glance at the receipt with Victor's phone number on it. He couldn't help but memorize the number. 

“I'm not going to call,” Danny told himself. Even if it was flattering. Victor might be a sketchy guy! Only sketchy people were out at the hours Danny worked. Danny couldn't afford association with anyone like that because he needed the authorities to never ever look at him. 

Also, and probably more importantly: you can't go to medical school if you have any kind of criminal record. If Danny was going to be Doctor Fenton the fourth and be able to provide his and Ellie's medical care, he needed to be a model citizen. He couldn’t trust that Vic would keep him out of whatever weird shit he was involved in.

Well. It wasn't like he was complicit in anything. Danny parked his beloved shitty car in the garage and took the stairs up to his apartment. He opened the door, saw Batman in his kitchen, and closed the door.

“Fuck.” 

Danny turned intangible and dropped like a rock through the floors. He was back in the driver's seat in less than 5 seconds. He turned it on and called Victor with one hand, because he'd just gotten the guy's number and he didn't exactly know a lot of Gothamites. “Hey, what do I do if Batman is in my apartment?” He said as soon as it connected. He turned the car on and peeled out onto the street.

“Wha- move, I guess. Is he there for fucking real?” Victor's electronic voice somehow managed to come across incredulous. “You probably shouldn't go back there. You're in your car?” A horn honked in the background. “You're faster,” Victor said. His confidence gave Danny a little. “I'll send you my gps point. Come to me and we can strategize how to get him off your tail.”

Danny swallowed hard. “Okay,” he said, and violently repressed the part of him asking why this nervous ass Gothamite would know any better than he did. At least Victor was a local. His phone pinged and he opened up the address. “Got it.”

“See you soon.” Victor hung up. 

Danny burnt rubber out of there, heart all the way up in his throat. Why was Batman after him? What did he know? He gasped for air, feeling like he was choking. He needed to be normal. He needed to- to get his degree and get his career and never ever have a whole fucking militaristic brancho of the government after him. He was one guy. When he was 14 he'd thought it was a funny game and the GIW were a bunch of chumps. But they were a bunch of chumps with money, weapons, and numbers. He couldn't afford to fuck with them. The fact that his parents gritted their teeth through associating with the GIW was the only thing that kept suspicion off of Danny.

He cycled through a panic attack and then into anger. What the hell, dude? Danny got that Batman had a bee up his ass about metahumans “in his city” (like he fucking owned it??) but Danny wasn't causing crime or fighting it. He was going to classes and trying to survive. Batman had no right to get involved in his business. 

He was steaming mad by the time he pulled up to where Victor was waiting for him. Victor hauled open an old style garage door and ushered him in quickly. Danny parked inside and sighed over the steering wheel. It took a few moments to center himself and then he got out. “Hey.” He lifted a hand in greeting and then shoved it in his pocket, feeling unimaginably weary. It wasn't even 5 am, jeeze. What was his life? “Thanks for answering.” He cleared his throat and bumped his butt against the hood of his car. “Helluva morning,” he complained dryly.

“It's no problem.” Victor seemed a little stiff and uncomfortable, standing in the middle of the other parking space. Either that or he was posing. “It's not your fault.”

Danny let out a snort. “It's not, but what does that matter?” He shrugged. And then he realized- “Wait, do you know what I am- scratch that.” He made a hand gesture to wave that away. Victor had known what Amity Park was offhand and he'd had a chance to see Danny phase the car through solid matter. “I guess what matters more is why Batman is on my ass. D’you think he knows?” 

Victor looked at him for a long time. “No…” 

“No, what?” Danny narrowed his eyes up at the taller man. 

“I don't think Batman knows that you're…” Victor made a gesture at Danny that explained nothing. “Whatever you are. I think he wants to ask you what you know about me.”

Danny stared blankly at him. “About you,” he echoed. He gave Victor a dubious look. “Why would he care about you?” 

Victor lifted a gloved finger and pointed at his helmet as if that was supposed to mean something. Danny tilted his head to the side like a bird and raised one eyebrow. “Because I'm the Red Hood?” Victor said dubiously. “You know that, right?” 

“You're Victor,” Danny said. He furrowed his brows. “Is - is The Red Hood like, your drag persona or something? Cool for you but it's not really relevant -” 

Victor tore off the helmet to reveal a face that was a lot younger than Danny had anticipated. “It's not a drag persona,” he snapped. “It's- I'm the Red goddamn Hood! You have to have seen me on the news!” 

Danny mutely shook his head. He thought about saying that he didn’t watch the news, but he sort of felt bad for the guy. It was probably safer not to comment.

“It's been non-stop,” Victor said, and Danny could really tell how incredulous he felt without that goofy voice filter effect removing the pout from his voice. “I dropped 13 human heads off at the police station yesterday. Come on!” 

He blinked. 

Wait.

One.

Second.

“You had me take you to the police with contraband?” Danny roared, incandescent with fury. 

“Uh.” Victor looked a little shifty now, even with that dweeb ass mask covering from his eyebrows to his cheekbones. “Yeah, I guess-”

“I'm going to go to medical school!” Danny roared, and suplexed the bastard. Victor went down with a howl and a valiant attempt to dig out Danny's eye with his bent index and middle fingers. Danny went selectively intangible and rolled them both over to start slapping Victor on his stupid face. “I-” slap “can't” slap “have” slap “a criminal record!” He leaned so far forward that his lips were nearly touching Victor's. “Capiche?” Danny jabbed a finger into Victor's stupidly ripped chest. 

“Um.” 

“Capiche? Understand? Do you get my meaning?” Danny howled. “I am an illegal entity! My paperwork is suspect!” He dug his knees a little harder into Victor's sides, struggling to control his strength. 

“Hey man, me too,” said Victor. He seemed mildly surprised by this commonality. “That's why I can't get a driver's license.” He put his hands up by his head. The movement made his incredible biceps sort of…pulse. Bulge? 

Danny blinked, attention caught by something about what Victor had said. “How'd you get your Uber account verified without- oh my god!” He threw his hands up in disgust. “You're not even Victor, are you? Your first word to me was a lie?” 

Not-Victor laughed. Danny was surprised enough that he loosened his grip. But the other guy didn't try to get out. “You're fun,” he said. He had a nice smile, crooked and kissable. Oh, fuck.

Danny felt his whole face burn red. Shit. Abort. He scrambled up, suddenly mortified that he was sitting on the other guy. “What's your name?” he demanded, trying to sound unaffected and mean. 

“Jay.” 

“You're sure this time?” Danny managed to work up a little more indignation. 

“Hands to god, on my grave,” Jay promised. Danny sort of hated that he believed it. 

Danny relented. “Fine.” It wasn’t like he had any moral high ground to stand on about maintaining secret identities, if he was honest. He huffed and crossed his arms. “How do I get Batman off my ass? I'm guessing you don't want me to talk to him about you.”

[lanf1an]

DREAMS lando norris pt.2 When your childhood bestfriend Flo had convinced you to get the fashion design job at her brother's company Quadrant, it finally paid off when Louis Vuitton was announced as the new sponsor for F1.

pt.1 pt.3 wordcount: 1248

The Louis Vuitton event was everything it was supposed to be—elegant, high-profile, filled with models, designers, and A-list athletes. You had been to fashion events before, but this was different. The merging of fashion and motorsport brought a unique energy, an almost surreal overlap of two worlds you hadn’t expected to be a part of at the same time.

You kept yourself busy, moving between conversations with your colleagues at Louis Vuitton, small talk, strategic networking, and answering questions about the collection. Lando had been doing his own thing—flashing smiles for the cameras, entertaining sponsors, talking to reporters, and a rotation of beautiful women.

You didn’t interact much throughout the night. Still, you were aware of him, it was impossible not to be in the suit you styled him in. You knew you had done a good job.

Until you heard your name.

The interviewer was smiling, microphone angled toward Lando as cameras recorded. 

"Yeah, the partnership with Louis Vuitton is great. But not only that, this outfit is styled by my sister’s best friend, which makes it extra special," Lando said smoothly, the perfect PR-trained answer. "Means a lot to me to be working together—first at Quadrant and now here at Louis Vuitton."

You stilled.

It wasn’t just what he said—it was how he said it. Like it was some full-circle, sentimental thing. Like he had ever said something like that to you before. As if you had actually personally worked together at Quadrant. It annoyed you, making your professional work sound like something personal and intimate, reserved for him, as if you hadn’t styled some of the other drivers with the same attention.

You turned away, ignoring the weird mix of irritation and something heavier sitting in your chest. You weren’t going to let it get to you.

And you hadn’t planned on saying anything.

But when the event was wrapping up and you were back at the hotel, by some cruel twist of fate, you ended up in the elevator together. Just the two of you, the hum of the lift filling the silence as the doors slid shut.

Lando leaned back against the mirrored wall, hands in his pockets, looking unbothered as ever. You had to say something. 

"What was that all about?" you asked, breaking the silence.

He glanced at you, feigning innocence. "What are you talking about?"

You gave him a look. "That perfect little PR answer."

He smirked slightly. "Thought you’d appreciate the shoutout."

You folded your arms, unimpressed. "You’ve never said anything like that to me before."

"Didn’t know you wanted me to, the media has given you enough attention." he shot back, tilting his head.

You huffed a laugh, shaking your head. "Right, cause that’s all I care about."

Lando turned, arms folding over his chest. "What’s the problem? It was a nice answer."

"That’s not the point."

"Then what is?"

You didn’t have an immediate response, which only made his smirk widen.

The elevator doors slid open, and before you could walk out, his voice stopped you.

"Anyway," he drawled, walking towards the door. "Thanks for the nice outfit, it was great, should’ve asked you to style me sooner.’’ he stretched his arms above his head, yawning.  ‘’Can’t wait to take it off though. Looking good is exhausting, sweet dreams stylist" 

You rolled your eyes without a response, walking to your room annoyed that it had gotten to you.

-

The second night of the Louis Vuitton x F1 launch was in full swing, luxury and motorsport merging under glittering lights. You kept to your side of the event, mingling with the LV team and ensuring the drivers looked sharp.

You barely interacted with Lando after yesterday, just the occasional glance across the room to admire the suit you had picked out for him tonight.

Then, as if sensing your thoughts, your phone buzzed.

Lando: Where are you?

You frowned, typing back.

You: At the event, obviously.

Lando: Need you. Now.

Your heartbeat kicked up. You glanced around, trying to spot him, but he wasn’t in sight.

You: What? Why?

No response.

Then another buzz.

Lando: Toilets. Back hallway. Please.

Your stomach twisted. Without thinking too much, you slipped away from the crowd, making your way toward the hallway. You pushed open the door to the private restroom area, and there he was—leaning against the sink, looking both frustrated and amused.

“What’s wrong?” you asked, shutting the door behind you.

Lando exhaled sharply, tugging at the waistband of his pants. “Zipper broke.”

You stared at him. “Are you serious?”

“No, I’m making it up for fun,” he deadpanned. “Yes, I’m serious.”

Your eyes narrowed, stepping closer. “A Louis Vuitton zipper doesn’t just break.”

Lando hesitated. Just for a second.

It was quick, but you caught it. And suddenly, the situation felt… off.

You crossed your arms. “What exactly were you doing before this broke?”

Lando’s expression didn’t change, but you knew him well enough to catch the shift—the slight smirk, the too-casual way he leaned back.

“Are you implying something?” he asked, voice teasing.

You raised a brow. “I don’t know. Am I?”

His grin widened, but he didn’t answer.

Your stomach twisted, an irrational frustration bubbling up. Why did you care? It wasn’t your business what—or who—he was doing before this event. But the thought of him slipping away with someone, being careless enough to mess up his suit right before stepping out onto the carpet, annoyed you more than it should have.

“Forget it,” you muttered, stepping closer. “Just—hold still.”

Lando’s smirk lingered, but he obeyed, shifting just enough to give you better access.

You knelt down, fingers adjusting the fabric quickly. The problem itself wasn’t as bad as he made it sound—it was a minor snag, nothing you couldn’t handle. But the proximity was dangerous. Your fingers moved with careful precision, but it was impossible not to graze the warm skin beneath the waistband. You could feel the way Lando barely shifted, his breath steady but controlled, like he was making an effort not to react.

“Not bad at this, are you?” Lando murmured, voice lower than before.

You didn’t respond. You just focused, ignoring the way his muscles tensed when your fingers brushed against him.

Finally, with one last tug, you straightened. “There. Fixed.” 

Lando glanced down, then back up at you. Neither of you moved.

The air shifted.

And then, before you could think too hard about it, he leaned in.

His lips met yours, firm and insistent. It was messy, rushed, like neither of you had planned for this but couldn’t stop it either. You barely had time to react before you were kissing him back. His hand slid to the small of your back, pressing you into him like he was afraid you’d slip away if he didn’t hold on.

Then, as suddenly as it started, you pulled back.

Breathless.

Lando exhaled, eyes flickering over your face, searching. “Well,” he murmured. “That’s one way to handle a wardrobe malfunction.”

You stared at him, your own breath unsteady.

What the hell just happened?

WN: Hope you guys like it! Let me know!

tl: @freyathehuntress

[just-a-ghost00]

FS series : their profession & hobbies

Group 1 - Moonchild Ace of cups, 9 of pentacles, Ace of swords, 6 of wands, Page of swords

As for possible careers, I am picking up on the following elements. This person's career relies on two key factors : communication and sociability. With the two aces, it gives me the feeling of something either being very recent or very novel. So either this person has been doing this job since a short period of time or the job they are doing is something that has emerged within the recent times. So it's not something like being a doctor or a lawyer, as these professions have been existing for a while. With the page of swords, this person's work likely involves the use of technology, especially social media. The 9 of pentacles could show that they are working on their own. Either they are their own boss or their profession requires them to work alone most of the time. The 6 of wands denotes a sense of fame and support from people around them. So it is likely that your person is either well known in their community and appreciated for their work, or they have a huge following and interact with a lot of people. Based on all these information, I am deducting that your FS could work in either one of those positions :

community manager, freelance designer / artist

social media influencer, public speaker, spokesperson for a specific company

therapies that involve unconventional ways of healing (crystal healing, sound baths, ASMR, Reiki...)

being a celebrity of some kind, no matter their field of action (modeling, singing, acting, cooking...)

When it comes to hobbies, this person is definitely into creative activities. They could be into singing, writing, painting among other artistic centers of interest. This person may also enjoy spending time alone journaling, being in nature, exploring new places. They may be into horse riding. They could also enjoy learning and reading. This person may like to be the center of attention. In friend groups, they tend to be the one that makes everyone laugh. They could also enjoy competitive activities and combat sports. They are into self care. As communication seems to be very important to this person, they could also use social media as a way to creatively express themselves outside of their usual train of work. For instance, I'm picking up on someone doing Tiktok trends as a a hobby.

Group 2 - Angel The Sun, 4 of cups, knight of wands, 7 of swords, Hierophant

When it comes to your person's occupation, I get the feeling like their position is an important one within society. It is something that is viewed by society as essential to the community. It could be a profession that is very traditional or that was passed down to them from previous generations. With the Sun and the knight of wands, it feels like your person holds a position of authority or at least a strategical position within an institution that gives them a lot of power in terms of decision making and initiative. They could also have to move around a lot, whether on short or long distances. This is a profession that requires them to be flexible and confident but also to be comfortable with working on their own and thinking for themselves because I feel like this person doesn't get much help in their situation. There may be a lot of weight and responsibilities on their shoulders. With the 7 of swords, this gives me a feeling of secrecy surrounding this person's job. There are a lot of things that they cannot share about their work. Also, the 7 of swords talks about strategic planning. Their job requires a lot of thinking and anticipation. The Hierophant can represent big institutions such as religious groups, political groups, government, the army, the educational system, big companies and so on. Based on all the information provided by the cards, your FS could be working in either one of those fields :

medical field : any type of doctor, psychiatrists, forensics, working in a research lab

political/religious field : public figure working for the government, leader of a political group of any kind, spiritual guru, a person of authority within a religious group

teaching, working in the military, being an undercover agent, working for big companies that play an important role in a country's economy, baking and so on

As for hobbies, this person may enjoy traveling, running, horse riding, solving puzzles and riddles. Playing video games. Learning about other cultures and ethnicities. Learning about religious beliefs. Doing community work, praying. Spending time alone in nature away from civilisation. Camping. Trecking. Mountain climbing. Challenging activities. Being in sunny places overall. Going to exotic and remote places. Learning about History. Visiting museums and ruins. Stalking.

Group 3 - Maidens 6 of wands, Empress, 10 of wands, knight of cups, The World

Your person's occupation feels very busy and hectic. Their job is one that is very active and requires them to travel the world for some, or at least to move around within their country. For this group, it is clear that this person's job revolves around physical appearances, sensuality and promoting a positive image of life, of society, of health. This group has the most potential of having a FS that is famous to some extent. I see that your person has to work with a lot of people and is constantly on the go. They participate to various events, they take on many responsibilities and yet manage to be very successful despite the hectic and sometimes unpredictable conditions of their work. Beauty is a major theme here, as well as reputation. Thus, your FS could be working as an influencer, a model, an artist, a beauty aesthetician, a fashion designer, an event promoter, a journalist. Anything that would require them to be in the public eye and promote a certain life style or certain products. They could also be an entertainer, an athlete that is very present on social media, a personal trainer, a reporter. I'm also picking up on flight attendants, employees from big stores in airports or big hotels. Of course we can't omit everything revolving around the performing arts. Actors, comedians, dancers. We also have possibly strippers, dancers, show hosts and so on. Fitness instructors, yoga teachers. For some, your person could have a personal blog or website like a Patreon or an Only Fans account. They could also be a creator of some kind. Maybe they design their own clothes or jewelry for example. They may own a business revolving around cosmetics or a massage institute. The possibilities are endless. For some of you, I feel like your person could be having several occupations within the same field. For example, think of a model that could also be a fashion designer. Or an actor that could also be directing their own movies.

As for hobbies, again, beauty and physicality seem to be the key themes here. There's also traveling. This person is definitely a foody. They may also enjoy buying clothes, collecting objects. They may like to learn new languages or to cook specialities from various cultures. They could also enjoy doing DIYs. Knitting their own clothes, doing their home decor and so on. This person feels very venusian and earthy in their energy. So anything revolving around pleasure, the body, the earth. Gardening. Taking care of their body by doing gua sha, meditation, yoga. And so on.

[paradiseismine]

Hi!!

Today was my birthday and I don’t know if you have requests open, but if you do, could you please write a Mike Wheeler x Munson!Reader? In which Y/N is Eddie Munson’s younger sister and secretly dating Mike and, well, getting into spicy things in his basement?

I would thank you a lot ✨

Hands off - Mike Wheeler x reader

Pairing: Mike Wheeler (Stranger Things) x Munson!f!reader

Warnings: smut, secret affair, blowjob, face sitting, slightly inexperienced Mike

Love note from Nina: first of all, happy belated birthday, darling! 🎂 I hope you had a great day. Second of all: HELL YES, and here you go.

“Hands off, Wheeler boy” Eddie had warned (partly jokingly, but not entirely) when he caught Mike staring at you once. “That’s my little sister, don’t forget that”

But it’s not like he could forget that, really. You’d hang out with Eddie and tag along for D&D campaigns pretty frequently - the gang’s new Druid. You didn’t attend Hawkins High, though, but went to some fancier school in the neighboring town instead. You had gotten the book smarts whilst Eddie had gotten the street smarts, as he’d always say.

Tonight, you had joined the gang for another D&D campaign, on Mike’s basement, as usual. Y’all had been playing for a good five hours or so (with an strategic stop to order a pizza), and besides the fact that the campaign pretty much always took place on a Saturday, it was getting late.

You had caught Mike staring at you a couple times - he was also sitting right next to you, knees “accidentally” touching yours from time to time as the game progressed. There was something about him that made you feel so pretty, so desired, you could barely resist the temptation to touch his thigh under the table. Ugh, you had to come up with a plan, what could you possibly do t-

“Should we wrap and get going, guys?” Dustin suddenly asked, interrupting your thoughts while checking his watch. He didn’t say it, but he clearly wanted to call Suzie before going to bed. Lucas and Will agreed, and so did you and Eddie.

After another round or two, the gang decided to stop the game on a cliffhanger, just to keep things exciting and pick up from where you left off in the following week. Bidding each other goodbye, the rest of the party walked up to the front door and left on their bikes.

“Fuck, you go ahead, I think I forgot something in the basement” you scratched the back of your head, trying to seem nonchalant. “See you at home?”

“Sure, munchkin” Eddie agreed, not seeming suspicious at all. “Just take care on the way home later”.

Going back to the basement meant getting Mike alone - everyone else had gone home and he had to clean up the mess. You walked down the stairs normally, making sure he’d hear your footsteps, just so he wouldn’t be caught off guard.

“Nance?” he asked, sounding puzzled, before seeing you at the base of the staircase, his beautiful hands closing the box in which he’d put all the D&D stuff. “Oh, it’s you” he smiled. “Are you okay? Did you forget anything?”

“Well, actually, i didn’t really forget it, it’s something I’ve been thinking about all day…” you said, mischievous.

Mike looked at you quizzically, wanting your tone to be as naughty as he believed he’d heard.

“Can I-can I help you with that?” He stuttered, head lowered to look into your eyes as you approached him, your chest now nearly glued to his.

Michael Wheeler had fantasized about you pretty much since the first time he saw you - waiting for Eddie next to your scooter in the Hawkins High parking lot, looking like a model in your leather jacket, long hair and red lipstick. He’d get lost in his words when you two spoke, his palms sweating and his heart pounding.

“I’m pretty sure you know you can” you looked up at him maliciously. “Or did you think you were being discreet back there” you pointed towards the D&D table with your head, “Touching your knee to mine every five minutes?”

Mike audibly swallowed. He had been caught red handed.

“Y/n, I-“ he started, nervously. “It’s just… You’re so pretty, and I know you’re Eddie’s sister, so I could never…” he bit his lip, embarrassed. “You know, no matter how much I wanted to… And believe me, I really do…”

You pushed him lightly towards the basement’s couch, and he fell back seating on it. His eyes went wide as you sat on his lap, one leg to each side of his waist.

“Eddie told you to keep your hands off of me, didn’t he?” Mike gulped, nodding with eyes still wide open as you slowly unzipped and took off your leather jacket, setting it aside. The white top you were wearing underneath was tight fitting and had a very low cut - besides, you were visibly not wearing a bra. “Well, he didn’t say anything about me touching you, so…”

You put your arms around Mike’s neck, gently running your fingers through the hair on his nape, your naughty eyes staring at his plump reddish lips. He could barely breathe, but his throbbing erection involuntarily pressing up against your core spoke for him.

“Tell me to stop” you whispered before your lips lightly touched his - and needless to say, Mike never told you to stop. You kissed him chastely at first, but as he seemed to gain confidence, you soon asked for entrance in his mouth with your tongue, and that innocent kissing soon turned into a full make out.

Mike’s hands went straight to your breasts, fondling them hungrily as he moaned into the kiss. You felt an instant rush in between your thighs, your arousal nearly painful; but you still wanted to play the game on the hard level.

“No, no, no” you broke the kiss to whisper to him, as you gently held his wrists and put his hands back on his lap. “Hands off, lover boy, only I get to touch you.”

Mike sighed, feeling dizzy with lust. He had never gotten drunk, but that’s what he imagined being drunk would feel like.

You kissed him once again, softly biting his lower lip, your hands pulling him closer by the collar of his Hellfire t-shirt. Mike timidly moaned as you touched him, his body quivering, aching for more. Soon, your lips found their way to his neck, kissing it, biting it, driving him crazy.

“Could I give you a little love mark, baby?”

“S-sure, I’m yours, whatever you want” he moaned, enchanted by you.

You bit and sucked lightly on his neck, leaving a small purple bruise behind, gently kissing it to relieve the pain afterwards. Mike’s hands grabbed your ass harshly, squeezing it. You couldn’t help but moan at the touch, right on his ear, nibbling on his earlobe.

“Again with the hands, mister? That’s not very Prince Charming of you, I’m afraid. Do I have to tie up those hands to make you behave?” you had grabbed his neck lightly, eyes studying his expression.

“Do you… do you want to tie me up?” he asked, trying to conceal the excitement in his voice.

“I’d love to, can I?” as he nodded, you took off your belt and tied up his hands with it, making a firm knot to secure it.

“Will you… will you still let me please you, y/n?” he nearly begged, his body squirming for relief in those tight jeans. “I always dreamed of making you cum”, he confessed.

You chuckled. He was so adorable, ugh.

“Have you ever had a girl sit on your face before?” you asked softly.

“No, I-“ he said, feeling a bit shy. Mike wasn’t very experienced at all, but it’s not like he was going to admit that to you. “I don’t think so”

“Can I?” you gave him your naughtiest look.

“Sure, beautiful” he agreed, eyes hypnotized by the sight of your perky nipples nearly ripping through the thin fabric of your shirt.

You stood up and stripped for him, garment after garment falling on the floor as he watched, tied up hands trying to palm his own erection for relief. You were so beautiful, and somehow, even more beautiful naked. He sighed, lustful, his face flushed as you approached him again.

You positioned him on the couch and slowly lowered your hips to Mike’s face, carefully adjusting your clit to where his lips were. You held yourself on the couch, not putting your weight entirely on him.

He licked your entrance delightedly, your smell and your taste making his head spin. He flicked his tongue to your clit and earned himself a moan, only to repeat the movement and keep hearing your moans. Your pussy was soaking wet for him, and you couldn’t bring yourself to reprimand Mike when his hands, even tied as they were, reached up to finger you as his tongue kept working on your clit.

“I’m so wet for you, Mikey” you moaned, your hips swaying onto his face. “You drive me wild, I want to cum for you so bad”

Mike whimpered as he kept eating you out like you’d be his last meal, and if Eddie found out about what happened tonight, it would be.

As his fingers curled inside you and his tongue relentlessly massaged your sensitive clit, getting you to moan more and more, legs shaking uncontrollably, you came on his mouth. Mike licked you through your high, still in disbelief that such a pretty girl was wet for him, moaning at his touch, desiring him.

You got off of him and lowered your body once again, kissing him and tasting yourself on his drenched lips.

“You taste so good, princess” he praised, still out of breath.

“I bet you do too, love” you pulled him up so he’d be seating on the couch again. Your legs were still shaky from such an intense orgasm, your head feeling light and dizzy, but you couldn’t wait another moment to have him.

You bent at your waist, hands on his knees, giving Mike your most devilish kiss. He lowered his head, and you immediately knew what he wanted. Putting your naked breasts to his face, he took one of your nipples in between his lips and suckled on it hungrily. His dark eyes were low and seemed in ecstasy.

“Can I give you a-a love mark as well? I mean, here?” he bit the side of your breast gently.

“Sure you can, love” you replied, nearly moaning.

Mikey sucked and sucked onto your skin, leaving a purple bruise behind, before repeating the same step at a slightly different angle. When you looked down, he had left a heart shaped bruise on your chest.

“I swear you don’t even exist, baby boy, I made you up” you chuckled and nuzzled your face onto his neck before pulling up his T-shirt to remove it.

You could hear Mike pulling air in between his teeth as you kissed his chest and his belly, working your way towards the hem of his pants. You looked at him in an inquiring way, hands on the button and zipper of his dark jeans.

He nodded rapidly, and you lowered his pants and underwear to his ankles, eager to take him in your mouth.

“Hold my hair back, will you?” You asked, and even with his hands tied, Mike managed to do it.

Soon enough, you had taken most of his length in your mouth, bobbing your head up and down, your hands on his balls and perineum, gently massaging him. Mike’s eyes would squeeze shut and roll back in pleasure, his lips red from so much biting and kissing, faint moans escaping them.

“Princess” he said, his voice barely audible. “You’re so good… Can I cum in your mouth?”

You simply opened your mouth and kept jerking him off as a response. Mike’s knees were shaking (and would’ve buckled if he wasn’t sitting down) as he let out a louder, satisfied moan and released his warm seed into your mouth. You swallowed it immediately, in slight disbelief that even his cum tasted good.

“Did… did you swallow it?” He asked, amazed.

“Of course, silly” you stood back up and kissed his nose playfully. “You taste so good, how could I not?”

“Thank you” He smiled, embarrassed.

“How long have you felt like that?” You sat beside him on the couch, grabbing your clothes back from the floor. “You know, being attracted to me and stuff?”

“I, uhm…” his cheeks had turned pink. “Ever since I saw you that day on the parking lot, waiting for Eddie” he confessed. “Yelling at him for not doing the laundry” you both laughed.

“You caught my eye that day too” you admitted, head tilted to the side. “I just thought I wasn’t your type, you know? I’m quite different from the girls at Hawkins High.”

“You’re way prettier than all of them” he shrugged honestly. “And a lot funnier, more interesting, more intelligent…”

“Do you want to… Keep seeing each other like this?” You suggested, hand lightly caressing his after you untied him.

“Kinda like… dating in secret?” He inferred.

“Eddie would kill you if he found out, wouldn’t he?” You laughed, understanding his point.

“Absolutely”

[cheriladycl01]

I'm not scared! Colby Brock x MotoGPDriver! Reader Part 2

Plot: You made a tweet about Sam and Colby and were in a podcast and they brought up Sam and Colby where you talked about the paranormal and how it doesn't really scare you because you drive motorcycles at over 200mph.

"Sam?" you ask seeing the blonde man behind you.

"Hey!" he exclaims coming forward and pulling you into a hug. You stood there in shock that you were actually meeting these boys and that they were coming to watch you race.

"Hey!" Another voice says from behind Sam, he was taller with dark hair and you knew it was Colby.

"Hey, Colby?" you ask looking over him and he nods.

"Can we post some pictures off us all together?" Sam asks seeing as you guys were all at the airport.

"Yeah sure! I'll drive you guys to the hotel then yeah?" you ask looking over them. You all take a selfie, you stood in the middle of the two of them with a big smile on your face. After taking some more photos you take a rucksack from what was at Sam's feet and he tried to protest but upon seeing how easily you picked up the heavy equipment filled back he let you help out.

"Are you guys doing any filming while you are here, or is this strictly vacationing?" you ask looking over at them while you all clamber into the lift.

"We haven't planned on doing any big filming, just TikTok's at the race and stuff! We want to come back here though as there's so many more places..." Colbly answers glancing over at you.

"Okay, well let's get you guys set up in the hotel and then my treat and I'll take you both out for food" you grin and they both nod eagerly.

You take them to the carpark and they look around trying to find out which car is yours.

As you start to walk all the way towards the back Colby starts to complain as to why you'd park so far away when there's so many available spaces towards the front.

When they walk up to your New Model Ferrari, your question is answered.

"Holy shit, that's a nice car!" Sam exclaims looking over it, not evening daring to touch it. You whip the key out your pocket opening the boot where you strategically place their bags. One of them would have to have a bag or two in the second back seat because of the sport aspect to the car.

"I really should have brought the Audi" you sigh, looking at the bags in the back before you slowly close the boot. Sam and Colby sharing a look with each other.

"I call Shot Gun!" Sam cries going to the front driver's side door.

"You aren't driving my car, Sam!" you giggle knowing he hasn't realized where he's stood.

"Right, yeah I forgot we're in the UK" Sam laughs but see's Colby getting in the passenger side door.

"Snooze you loose buddy!" he exclaims making you laugh.

The drive to the hotel wasn't too long, you guys spoke about anything that came up in conversation. It was all so natural as if you'd known them for years and you felt so comfortable in their presence.

You helped them into their hotel room, while Colby made a little video to put on his Instagram story.

"Hey guys, it's Colby. I'm of course here with Sam and we're here in England again" he shows the camera the outside of the hotel that was in the Hilton on the edge of the Silverstone Race Track. "But we have a very special guest that we are being shown round by today. Y/N Y/L/N!" he says panning the camera to you and showing them you.

"Hey!" you grin before Colby switches the camera back on him and Sam.

"We're going to go live here later, so go comment under my latest twitter post all the questions you guys want to ask and we'll answer any questions you guys have an discuss what is up and coming for the three of us!" he grins before ending it with a little peace out sign.

"That gives us time to discuss over dinner yeah?" Sam asks and you nod.

You guys all head on a train into London to get some food from the city rather than staying around Silverstone.

"So, have you guys thought of any locations you want to investigate?" you ask, knowing there was definitely some in the UK that they hadn't done here in the UK, but you travelled round so much that you were pretty much willing to go anywhere.

"We were thinking of going back to Australia, we did it at the start of the year and we got some really interesting footage while we were there" Sam offers.

"I don't think we've done enough in the UK either, there's some great places in Wales, and Scotland we haven't done too!" Colby suggests, he loved when they visit here, it always had some of the best energy whenever they came here.

"Yeah I feel like you guys don't want to rinse America of its haunted spots, so either of those would be cool! There's so many like haunted places worldwide, I guess it's just an issue of asking permission of whether or not you can get to view it like solo and be able to have the place to yourself!" you admit, understanding why they probably hadn't done the Paris Catacombs or Bangarth Fort in India or Proveglia Island in Italy.

"Well, it's up to you maybe we can ask what the fans think tonight. We have time, I cant imagine Y/N will be free for filming for a while anyway right?" Colby asks, again. He was fully aware of your driving schedule but he knew it was a lot of exhausting travel.

After lots of talking and getting to know them you all went back to the hotel, you set up Colby's phone in their room and started and insta live while you and Sam had the Tweet up that Colby posted earlier in the replies.

"Hey guys!" Colby smiles as he watches fans flood into the chat already starting to ask questions in the chat.

"Okay guys, we'll only be answering questions from the tweet we sent out on the shared account earlier okay?" Sam laughs seeing people asking who you were and what you were doing there.

You were laughing when you saw fans asking if you were Colby's new girlfriend. They were the ones that were obviously Sam and Colby fans and didn't venture into motorsport.

There was others in the live defending you, trying to explain who you were.

"Y/N you wanna introduce yourself?" Sam asks seeing the majority of comments be asking who you were and what you were doing with the boys.

"Okay, so for the Sam and Colby fans I'm a MotoGP driver, so I drive motorbikes around race tracks all over the world, really really quickly! I made a silly drunk tweet saying I wouldn't be scared to collab with these two and here we are!" you grin, as people start flooding the comments.

"Yes, guys she is very fast! We'll be cheering for her at Silverstone!" Sam says looking at the more comments flooding in.

"Okay guys, we are moving onto your twitter questions now. No more answering from here!"

"Okay the first one I found is, is Y/N good at what she does?" Sam says before raising and eyebrow.

"Well, Sam and Colby haven't watched me yet. But you can see all of my races of YouTube!" you smile politely.

"She's a better driver than the both of us, I'll give her that!" Colby exclaims looking at him phone seeing the emoji spam.

"Where are you thinking of investigating next and will it be with Y/N?" you read out, scrolling through the twitter thread trying to find good ones.

"Next one coming out wont be Y/N because we haven't even filmed with her yet, and I think we might be filming with one other person before her depending on schedules. so maybe Y/N can be a hell week guest if the timings right? But... again not sure if we'll want to do something with her before then, incase that's too much for her to ...yano handle!" Colby explains while smirking as you turn to hit him in shock.

"I would be fine on hell week! I'll smash anything, any challenge let me rephrase that you give me and I will do it!" you grin.

"Mmmmm, we'll see!" Sam teases.

"I mean, while we are here in the UK, would you have time to do something. We've got some contacts we could whip something up?" Colby asks reading the instagram chat seeing that everyone's wondering why you aren't doing anything soon as you don't have to be in Austria until August the 16th.

"I mean, I'm down..." you grin, wondering where they could possibly take you.

"Okay, guys you heard Y/N if we can get something sorted we may be filming in the next few days after the race!" Sam exclaims happier.

Once you'd sifted through most of the questions about who you were and why you were with the boys you got onto the more random questions that were just sort of get to know you.

"When do you prefer to work out, morning or evening?" Sam asks, looking from Colby to you.

"I'm definitely an evening guy, I tend to be more proactive around that time and I've never been one to wake up early with a lot of motivation for the day" Colby explains before Sam nods and agrees that he prefers the evening.

"As and athlete I have a set plan and that means I work out in both the morning and the evenings but I honestly prefer the morning because it feels to me like I've got it out the way!" you giggle and Colby looks over at you shocked.

"You work out twice a day?" he asks with a raised brow.

"Yeah, I have to have really good core strength for on the bike" you nod.

"What's your go-to comfort food?" you ask looking between them while they have a thoughtful expression.

"Mmmm probably like my mum's cooking something like her mashed potato or her lasagna" Colby offers when thinking about it for a little bit.

"Oh! I didn't even think of my parents cooking, I went for more of a guilty pleasure and went for Taco Bell Burrito!" Sam nods and then they turn to you.

"Well, comfort food for me has to be healthy so I actually learnt from good friend of mine and F1 driver Lando Norris about this chicken and pineapple wrap that he has and once i tried it ... just stuck in my head 24/7 on a loop" you laugh, before finding a picture of you and Lando eating them.

"Chicken and Pineapple?" Sam asks with a frown on his face and you just chuckle.

"Don't knock it until you try it!" you exclaim.

"Suppose you enjoy pineapple on pizza too!" Colby jokes.

"On cheat day i do yes!" you grin.

You guys answer a few more questions before you agree that you need to go to bed as it's media day tomorrow and you'll have to be up early.

Taglist:

@richardsamboramylove55

[bjhlvr]

french lessons

synopsis! jaehyun just transferred to another school and he already fell in love with the prettiest girl he has ever seen

SIMP! jaehyun x CRUSH! reader GENRE! fluff, crack, high school!au, non idol!au, strangers to friends to lovers TW! she/her used, kisses, reader is trying to make jaehyun jealous, reader calls jaehyun dumb/silly & stupid LMFAO, timeskips, poor language, non proofread NOW IS PLAYING! . . . boyfriend, girlfriend by carwash

“oh my god..” jaehyun cut off this sungho guy in the middle of the sentence when he spotted her. the prettiest girl he has ever seen, the most elegant lady on earth.. the way she was walking and chatting with her friend so casually, wind blowing her hair and the way she fixed her skirt.. she was actually perfect, no way jaehyun would've missed someone like her. “what group is she in?”

“who??” sungho asked confused and looked around to see who was this new jawhyun guy talking about. he followed his gaze and spotted you. of course the new guy just had to fell for the queen bee. “the ‘don't even think about it’ group. that's y/n y/ln, she's a sophomore.”

“y/n…” all jaehyun could hear is your name. the way it slipped so nicely from his tongue, the way it suited you so perfectly.. he was thinking only about you and how beautiful you were talking about your favorite backpack, how your voice sounded just like honey..

“jaehyun, listen. no one dated her. she's like an innocent flower.. well maybe not that innocent, but whatever,” sungho started talking and placed his hand on jaehyun's shoulder so the guy would pay at least a bit of attention to him “her dad is super strict, the y/ln sisters aren't allowed to date”

“no way!” jaehyun looked at sungho with wide opened eyes, he gasped in surprise and scanned sungho's face to find a pinch of joking in his face or voice. “you can't be serious.. right?” he looked so upset now.

“sorry man,” that’s the last thing sungho said before he could continue his school tour to this new student.

“who's that guy?” jaehyun asked. they were on a lunch break and he was still looking at y/n. she was drinking her tea peacefully and he just cannot take his eyes off her. he saw this guy in fancy clothes talking with his friends and laughing, looking at you. well, he was shamelessly checking you out, but jaehyun didn't want to think about that exact fact.

“that's kim donghyun. he's a model” sungho explained carelessly.

“a model?” jaehyun couldn't hold back a nervous chuckle. well that guy definitely looked like a model, jaehyun would be a fucking liar if he said donghyun wasn't handsome.

“yeah” sungho shrugged and chuckled himself, but just not to make this situation more awkward “mostly regional stuff..”

“man, look at her..” jaehyun cut sungho off once again. he looked at you, admiring your features, how you were laughing and covering your mouth with a hand. so cute. “is she always so..”

“vapid?”

“how can you say that?” jaehyun turned his head to look at sungho. he gasped in surprise, what was he talking about? she was a literal angel.. “she's totally..”

“conceited.”

“what are you talking about?!” jaehyun groaned. he didn't know you or about you enough, but he was sure you are the kindest person he could ever know. “there's more to her than you think.. look at the way she smiled or at her eyes, man” jaehyun started loosing it once again. “she's totally pure!”

“no shit jaehyun! she's a snotty little princess wearing this strategically planned sundress to make guys like us,” sungho pointed at himself and at jaehyun with his finger. “realise that we can never touch or even speak to her. you just don't get it” sungho rolled his eyes at jaehyun because he was still looking at you with those puppy obsessed eyes.

“okay, you wanna take a shot? she's actually looking for a french tutor” sungho said. he probably gonna regret that decision and the fact that he was helping jaehyun.. why would he even do this? who knows.

“are you serious? that's perfect!”

“you speak french?”

“no, but i will!” jaehyun answered excitingly. he couldn't wait to finally approach you and ask you out.. on a tutor session.

school was finally over for today and jaehyun was so excited. he planned to go to the library near his home, took some french books from there and study so he could tutor you. he was walking past the parking lot when he heard someone yelling angrily.

“remove your head from sphincter, then drive!” jaehyun saw this girl looking out of her car's window yelling at some guy that just drove past her. he looked how she drove away and glanced at sungho.

“damn” jaehyun breathed out. he wasn’t expecting such experience on his first day, she was the first unkind person for today.

“that's your girlfriend's sister by the way” sungho said.

“that's y/n's sister?!” jaehyun's eyes widened. he couldn't believe that such cute and pure lady as you could have such sister. what a coincidence.

“good luck” sungho laughed, but jaehyun definitely wasn't feeling well after knowing that his loml's sister was an aggressive senior with an anger issues.

“are you trying to ask me out?” you asked leaning forward and let your chin rest on your hands. it was your third study session with jaehyun, this cute guy who transferred to your school like a month ago? he was interesting to say at least, the way he came up to you speaking french ( so horribly btw ) asking if you needed a tutor. you couldn’t resist.. how could you? new cute loser guy is obviously trying to hit on you? perfect.

now you both were in the library, studying, but jaehyun started a conversation suddenly. he was asking if practical way to learn is better for you and maybe he could take you out on a dinner? french restaurant, of course.

“w-what?? um.. well kind of..?” jaehyun cleaned his throat and you couldn’t help but giggle quietly at him.

“even if i wanted to, i can’t. my father made this new rool like if my sister wont date then i wont date too.” you rolled your eyes annoyingly and sighed. to be honest, you wasn’t even thinking about going out with jaehyun. yes he was cute, kind and maybe a bit charming, but you had a fat crush on kim donghyun.. at least everyone thought so. since last semester, when you first met him at the aquarium and your sister told you to never speak with this ‘selfish little piece of shit that does not deserve anyone’s attention’. obviously you wouldn’t listen to her, your sister was always angry at everyone, why would you? you didn’t even knew why she hates him so much. maybe you wanted to piss her off?

“we can come up with something, right? i can help you find her a date!” jaehyun clapped his hands excitingly and almost immediately looked aro the library feeling a bit embarrassed before he looked at you again. he held his gaze on you for a but more than necessary, but could you blame him? he studied your face expression to predict what would you say to his offer, but he was too focused on the way your lipstick was suiting you so well.. shit.

“hmmm..” you bring a finger to your mouth making expression like you were thinking. you glanced at jaehyun and saw him looking at your lips, completely lost in his thoughts. you couldn’t hold a chuckle. “don’t be silly, myungjae! nobody would date my sister”

“but what if someone would? she’s not that bad after all..”

“are you blind? or deaf?” you crossed your arms on your chest and leaned back on your seat. “she’s tetchy, vulgar and just annoying! who the hell would wanna date her?”

today is the day. jaehyun was about to tell that taesan dude that the plan he made was just to go on a date with you. obviously he didn’t knew how would he convince him to date your sister at first, but sungho, the smartest man alive, suggested to ask donghyun to pay him to date your sister since he wanted to go out with you. yeah, jaehyun wasn’t happy about that plan at all at first, but what else could he do? he doesn’t have money to pay taesan and he would never agree to do such thing for free. it was all planned perfectly..

“listen, man. all this stuff was made to make y/n go out with me” jaehyun explained. him and taesan were sitting on the bench outside the school so they could talk and jaehyun felt so nervous. what if he would tell donghyun everything? what if he’ll punch him? or tell you? or even worse tell your sister about all that???

“i get it, everyone knows you has a crush on that girl.. i don’t know why tho, why is everyone obsessed with her?” taesan lightened his cigarette and looked at jaehyun. he raised an eyebrow and snapped his fingers infront of his face. “you alright?”

“yeah, yeah, of course. by the way, she doesn’t like smokers” jaehyun smile awkwardly when he mentioned the fact that your sister was against smoking.

“you gotta be fucking kidding!” taesan groaned annoyed and threw the cigarette on the ground before he could step on it with his foot angrily.

oh jaehyun was fucked. he thought it was all under control: he found this taesan guy to date your sister, he convinced donghyun to pay him for that, lying about the fact that he wanted to date you himself and would help him to take you out.. well it’s all turned out wrong for jaehyun. now you were more interested in that doghyun guy than him. ridiculous! he wasn’t prepared for that!

“i fucked up so bad” jaehyun whines and slammed his head on the table. he was so annoyed with that situation, why would he try so hard when you’re not even interested, why is he so stupid?

“i told you it was a shitty idea!” sungho rolled his eyes and looked at you, dancing in the crowd at this party with donghyun.

the thing is that you weren’t actually in love with donghyun like jaehyun thought. you were just waiting for jaehyun to make a fucking move but this boy was too blind to see that you was talking, dancing and playing around with other guys just to make him kinda jealous. you fixed your hair when this whole thing started to annoy you.. jaehyun was looking at you with those sad puppy eyes and now you cannot just ignore that, you needed to talk to him. you smiled slightly at your friend and walked trough the crowd at the other side of the room where jaehyun was.

“can we talk?” you asked when you came closer to him and.. what was his name? whatever. you crossed your arms and looked down at jaehyun, waiting for his response.

“w-what?” jaehyun looked up with wide open eyes. he wasn’t expecting you to talk to him, not today. especially not today, you seem very happy dancing there with donghyun.. “i thought you were busy.. why do you wanna talk to me?”

“let’s talk somewhere more private, jaehyun” you said already annoyed because of this situation. yeah you played with his feelings, kind of? but if he has feelings that’s his problem that he can’t confess! right..?

“oh, okay.. yeah..” jaehyun muttered under his breath and stood up from his place. he walked behind you, following you like a lost puppy. you two walked out of the house and sat at the little sofa at the backyard. jaehyun stared at you with confusion, obviously waiting for what your going to say.

“tell me, myungjae.. are you dumb?” you asked out of sudden after almost three minutes sitting there in silence with only some rihanna song playing at the background.

“what?” he asked. oh now he was so confused. why would you call him dumb? you hated him? what if he did something wrong or forgot about your birthday? when’s your birthday anyway?

“im asking because i know you have a crush on me.. no, i know you like me” you turned your head to look at jaehyun. his cheeks went red in a few seconds, you tried to hard to hold back a chuckle. he looked cute. “and you’re not doing anything about it.” you sighed annoyingly and looked up at the sky just to calm yourself down a bit and wait for jaehyun’s answer. or excuse. something.

“well.. um.. i don’t really know what to do actually” jaehyun cleaned his throat. he knew it was kinda obvious that he liked you since the day one, that he had an eye on you.. but he wasn’t sure if you were comfortable with that. he was also scared, what if you didn’t like him back? he would ruin your friendship! he didn’t want that at allc he loved talking to you, spending time with you, looking at your smile and your shiny eyes.. loved listening to you speaking french even if it wasn’t in a romantic way, he didn’t care. “i wasn’t sure if you would.. you know? accept my feelings?”

your eyes widened as you looked at him once again. “what?” the shock was clearly heard in your voice. “oh my god! you’re so stupid!” you laughed because he really was kinda stupid. how could he miss the fact that you liked him back. you found him cute from the moment he came to you to ask if you needed a french tutor, with those rosy cheeks and awkward smile. you tried to make him jealous, tried to show him that you liked him.. maybe you weren’t clear enough for him to understand? “listen to me jaehyun. i like you, i would love to go on a date with you, not just a study session”

“what about the prom?”

“what?”

“will you go to prom with me?” jaehyun asked. oh now he was getting bolder and you somehow liked that about him.

“yeah, silly. i would love to.” you smiled and rolled your eyes teasingly. you leaned a bit closer to him, looking him right in the eyes and quickly smooched his lips. “and maybe i’ll give you a proper kiss next time time. who knows?” you chuckled at his reaction, now he was red as a tomato with this cute shocked expression. oh this school year will be fun for you, definitely.

[saicpaservices]

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[ghostofthejungle]

Brace yourself, Zukka headcanon incoming in 3…2…1…

Everybody makes fun of Sokka’s drawings when they’re all together, but in private Zuko actually encourages him to keep practising: therefore, Sokka never quits and gets really good at it.

Finally, when he feels confident enough, he asks Zuko to pose for him; the Firelord feels embarrassed and reluctant at first, but decides to give it a try anyway and he sucks at being a model ‘cause he keeps moving (mostly because he wants to glance at what Sokka is doing, but also for the sake of pissing the artist off.)

Anyway, he would soon get lost in the sight of Sokka’s concentrated face: it was the same focused expression he had while planning an attack or strategizing, but there was something different Zuko couldn’t quite understand: maybe it was the way his gaze indulged on the Firelord’s shoulders, wrapped in a see-through red and golden scarf? or the brush he placed behind the ear? Or the messy hair strands escaping his usually perfect ponytail?

(Somewhen, Zuko finally realises it was the caring way Sokka looked at even the tiniest and ugliest bits of him, wanting the canvas to carry all the loving things Zuko couldn’t see and appreciate about himself)

The final results is astonishing. The Firelord is taken aback by the warmth and the glow the portrait emanates, as if Sokka somehow managed to capture his firebending powers in it.

He can’t take his eyes out of it, not really out of vanity, but simply because seeing himself through Sokka’s eyes is way different than looking in a mirror: it was like looking at the best version of himself, the one he always hoped and tried to become, and…

And he is so glad Sokka, of all people, sees him that way. 🩵

[usafphantom2]

Celebrating 60 Years of the XB-70 Valkyrie Mach 3 Super Bomber

September 16, 2024 Military Aviation

XB-70 60th anniversary

The lone XB-70 Valkyrie is photographed as it is moved to a new building at the Museum of the United States Air Force located at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, on Oct. 27, 2015. Beginning in the late 1950s and continuing through the mid-1960s, tests were conducted at Arnold Air Force Base, Tenn., headquarters of Arnold Engineering Development Complex, in support of the XB-70 program. The now-retired aircraft made its first flight on Sept. 21, 1964. (U.S. Air Force photo by Will Haas)

The experimental legacy of the iconic XB-70 Valkyrie, which made its first flight on Sept. 21, 1964.

An article published on the U.S. Air Force website commemorates the 60th anniversary of the first flight of the legendary XB-70 Valkyrie, a supersonic bomber that captured the imagination of aviation enthusiasts and engineers alike. Known for its sleek and futuristic design, the XB-70 remains a symbol of the experimental and ambitious spirit of Cold War-era aircraft development. Despite only two prototypes ever being built, the aircraft has left an indelible mark on military aviation history.

The XB-70 Valkyrie was originally conceived in the 1950s as a high-speed, high-altitude bomber for the U.S. Air Force Strategic Air Command. At a time when technological advancements were rapidly accelerating, the U.S. Air Force sought a bomber capable of flying faster and higher than the B-52 Stratofortress, its workhorse of the era (as well as the backbone of the strategic bomber fleet today and for some more decades in the future…).

With a planned cruise speed of Mach 3 and an operating altitude of 70,000 feet, the XB-70 promised to outpace and outmaneuver Soviet defenses, which were a growing concern during the Cold War.

One of the most remarkable features of the XB-70 was its ability to “ride” its own shockwave, a design innovation that allowed it to maintain stability and performance at supersonic speeds. The Valkyrie’s iconic delta wing, combined with six powerful jet engines, gave it an exotic and striking appearance, making it one of the most visually distinctive aircraft ever built. Its outer wing panels were hinged, allowing them to be lowered during flight to optimize the aerodynamic performance at high speeds.

The XB-70 looks like an alien spacecraft from this angle. (Image credit: USAF)

The article highlights the crucial role played by Arnold Engineering Development Complex (AEDC) in the development of the XB-70.

The testing of the Valkyrie’s engines, aerodynamics, and other key components began at Arnold Air Force Base in the late 1950s, well before the first prototype took shape. The AEDC’s facilities were instrumental in pushing the boundaries of what was possible in aviation at the time. One of the earliest tests involved the air-breathing engine nozzles proposed for the XB-70 in March 1958. This was followed by extensive wind tunnel testing of scale models of the Valkyrie, where the aerodynamic characteristics of bombs dropped from the aircraft were also studied.

A technician makes adjustments to a scale model of the XB-70 Valkyrie before aerodynamic characteristics related to the aircraft are evaluated in Tunnel A of the von Kármán Gas Dynamics Facility at Arnold Air Force Base, Tenn., headquarters of Arnold Engineering Development Complex, in 1959. Beginning in the late 1950s and continuing through the mid-1960s, tests were conducted at Arnold Air Force Base, Tenn., headquarters of Arnold Engineering Development Complex, in support of the XB-70 program. Only two Valkyries were built, with only one of the pair remaining. The now-retired aircraft made its first flight on Sept. 21, 1964. (U.S. Air Force photo)

Development continued into the early 1960s, with the YJ93 turbojet engines, designed specifically for the XB-70, undergoing rigorous testing at AEDC. These engines were critical to the Valkyrie’s ability to reach and maintain supersonic speeds. However, in 1961, before the first prototype was even completed, the bomber program was canceled due to budget constraints and concerns over the bomber’s vulnerability to Soviet surface-to-air missiles, which had rapidly advanced in capability.

Although the XB-70 bomber program was terminated, the Valkyrie found new life as a research aircraft.

Three drag chutes were needed to slow down the landing roll of the XB-70. (Image credit: Reddit edit The Aviationist)

The U.S. Air Force recognized the potential of the aircraft to serve in aerodynamics and propulsion research, particularly in the study of large supersonic aircraft. Consequently, two XB-70 prototypes were completed, and testing continued, including at AEDC, where a scale version of the XB-70 inlet, paired with a full-scale YJ93 engine, was tested in August 1962.

XB-70A number 1 (62-001) made its first flight from Palmdale to Edwards Air Force Base, CA, on Sept. 21, 1964. The second XB-70A (62-207) made its first flight on Jul. 17, 1965. The latter differed from the first prototype for being built with an added 5 degrees of dihedral on the wings as suggested by the NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA, wind-tunnel studies.

North American XB-70A Valkyrie on the taxiway with a cherry picker. Photo taken Sept. 21, 1964, the day of the first flight. Note: the left main landing gear brakes locked during the landing causing two tires to blow. (U.S. Air Force photo)

While the 62-001 made only one flight above Mach 3, because of poor directional stability experienced past Mach 2.5, the second XB-70, achieved Mach 3 for the first time on Jan. 3, 1966 and successfully completed a total of nine Mach 3 flights by June on the same year.

However, the Valkyrie program suffered a devastating setback in June 1966 when the second prototype was destroyed in a midair collision with an F-104N Starfighter during a photoshoot. This tragic accident resulted in the loss of key personnel and diminished the future prospects of the Valkyrie.

North American XB-70A Valkyrie just after collision. Note the F-104 is at the forward edge of the fireball and most of both XB-70A vertical stabilizers are gone. (U.S. Air Force photo)

Despite this setback, the remaining XB-70 continued to serve as a valuable research platform. In 1967, the U.S. Air Force transferred the aircraft to NASA, where it was used in support of the National Supersonic Transport (SST) program. NASA employed the XB-70 to investigate supersonic flight operations, but the SST program was eventually canceled in 1971, marking the end of America’s efforts to develop a commercial supersonic airliner.

The XB-70 Valkyrie’s final flight took place on Feb. 4, 1969, when it was flown to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio. There, the aircraft was placed on display at what is now the National Museum of the United States Air Force, where it remains a testament to the audacious engineering and design of its era.

A view of the six massive afterburners on the XB-70 Valkyrie as the aircraft is towed out of its display hangar temporarily for museum maintenance. (Photo: National Museum of the U.S. Air Force via YouTube)

Though only two XB-70s were ever built, their legacy endures: the aircraft’s pioneering advancements in aerodynamics, engine performance, and high-speed flight helped shape the future of supersonic aviation.

Pilots who were to perform the first test flights for the XB-70 Valkyrie operate the YJ93 engine, the powerplant of the XB-70, while the engine is tested under simulated flight conditions in May 1964 in the Rocket Test Facility at Arnold Air Force Base, Tenn., headquarters of Arnold Engineering Development Complex. This was done to help the pilots familiarize themselves with the performance characteristics of the engine prior to the first XB-70 flight, which occurred on Sept. 21, 1964. Beginning in the late 1950s and continuing through the mid-1960s, tests were conducted at Arnold AFB in support of the XB-70 program. Only two Valkyries were built, with only one of the pair remaining. (U.S. Air Force photo)

The first prototype made a total of 83 flights, amassing 160 hours and 16 minutes of flight time, while the second prototype completed 46 flights, totaling 92 hours and 22 minutes.

The XB-70 Valkyrie, with its daring design and groundbreaking capabilities, continues to captivate aviation enthusiasts and engineers. Its story, though short-lived in terms of operational use, highlights the relentless pursuit of innovation that defines the U.S. Air Force and its engineering partners. Sixty years after its first flight, the Valkyrie remains an iconic symbol of the bold ambitions of Cold War-era aviation.

XB-70 Night Take-off. (Photo via Air Force Materiel Command History Office)

About David Cenciotti

David Cenciotti is a journalist based in Rome, Italy. He is the Founder and Editor of “The Aviationist”, one of the world’s most famous and read military aviation blogs. Since 1996, he has written for major worldwide magazines, including Air Forces Monthly, Combat Aircraft, and many others, covering aviation, defense, war, industry, intelligence, crime and cyberwar. He has reported from the U.S., Europe, Australia and Syria, and flown several combat planes with different air forces. He is a former 2nd Lt. of the Italian Air Force, a private pilot and a graduate in Computer Engineering. He has written five books and contributed to many more ones.

@TheAviationist.com