#how many miles do brakes last

[autoandfleetmechanic]

Wondering how do you know when your brakes need replacing? Ask the professionals at Auto & Fleet Mechanic if it’s time for a brake repair.

[garysautorepair]

How often should you get your brakes replaced? Call the brake replacement specialists at Gary's Quality Automotive for professional advice.

[expresscareautomn]

Wonder how often should you get your brakes serviced? A timely inspection of your brakes will help prevent an unexpected brake repair service.

[revelboo]

Everything is alright- expanded cut

Starscream x reader

One more mile to get it together. Except, you’ve been telling yourself that for how many miles now? It’s been halfheartedly misting rain for the last several minutes, but you don’t bother to roll the windows up on your old sedan. Not when you desperately need the chilly feel of the wind sinking icy fingers into your hair and tearing at your ponytail to help numb the anger and stress just there under the surface.

But even with the speedometer pushing 65 on the wooded country road, there’s no outrunning yourself. Or stopping your mind from sifting through the fallout from your latest boyfriend. Letting the intrusive thoughts in. Like maybe he’d been right, and you hadn’t really made enough time for him. Even if you both worked crappy, full-time jobs that consumed more than their fair share of your time and energy.

If anything, it was as much his fault as yours, right? Hands going white knuckled on the wheel, you crank the rock and roll even higher to let the thump of the bass roll through your bones and send your thoughts flying. You’re out past the county line now, the road just an inky ribbon of asphalt snaking through the woods. Occasionally, the setting sun dazzles you through the gaps in the trees in piercing, painful flares of red and gold.

From the depths of your mind comes the thought that you could just keep driving. See where the road went until it ended somewhere on the coast. It was a lovely dream, but just that. You weren’t brave enough to just go. That’s why you still lived in the nowhere town you’d grown up in. Your foot settles a little more firmly on the gas pedal, slaloming around lazy curves as you try to shake off the mellow ache, because now you’re angry with him and yourself.

You could do it. Flip the proverbial bird to everything you know, especially your awful boss, and just nope off into the sunset without a plan. Probably end up living in the car if it didn’t break down before you even managed to cross the state line. It was funny in a decidedly unfunny way, because your own worst enemy? You. It’s always you.

Snorting at yourself, it takes a minute to register the new sound over the wail of an electric guitar pouring tinnily through your speakers. What is that? The fine hair at your nape prickles as it rolls over you, a thunderous scream that locks the breath in your lungs. Eyes darting up to your mirror there’s a moment of blank disbelief, because no. That’s not a jet right behind you, flying lower than a jet has any reason to as its huge wingspan sheers off branches in its wake.

There’s no time to argue with the impossible vision because the belly of the jet slams and scrapes along the roof of your car with an awful shriek, and panic lights you up. You haul at the wheel, foot slamming down on the brake and then you’re sliding on the wet road. Things get a bit funny after that. Trees right there and the noise of the impact. Your forehead bouncing off the wheel and then slamming back as the airbag deploys with enough force you’re stunned again.

Your world blurs into a confusing smear of impossibility when you lift your head and feel your heartbeat throbbing at your temple. For a moment, you can’t figure out the seatbelt, everything hurts, and your mouth tastes like old pennies.

In the distance, a rumble of thunder rolls as the buckle finally unclips. The door is partially dented in by the impact, so you crawl out the window, head pounding to match the thunder. But thunder doesn’t sound like that. This is a staccato thumping that makes no sense. Guns? Probably that jet exploding. Your awkward slide out of the car via the window isn’t dignified or graceful. Twisting to land on your hip instead of your face, you lift your head. Everything’s muddled and you definitely have a concussion. That’s the only way to explain whatever the hell it is you’re looking at. There are giant robots in the road and one of them has wings painted like the stupid, low flying jet that had tried to kill you. And they have guns. You don’t even know what to make of this particular hallucination playing out in front of you. Staggering up out of the ditch and onto the road, it feels like you’re on a ship, the ground pitching and rolling under your feet as your stare up at the nonsense. You definitely brained yourself good. Most likely, you’re still in the car bleeding out and this was your mind’s idea of a consolation prize. Except you’d never actually liked sci-fi or robots.

Turning unsteadily as your whole body screams in pain, you stare from the jet and its fiery red eyes to the other two imaginary head trauma robots. One’s yellow and the other is white with red and blue accents. And they’re not shooting the jet anymore. They’re just staring down at you in the same kind of dumb stupor that's weighing you down. Your legs get a bit cute on you and your knee thumps onto the road. Feeling the grit and loose gravel digging into you cuts through the hazy fog of pain and disbelief.

Because it’s real. And then the panic rears its head, screaming at you to run even as you freeze. You’d always kind of assumed you’d do well under pressure. That you’d at least do something. Kneeling there as the misty rain slowly chills your skin, you don’t move. You can’t. Not even when you see the jet lunge right at you.

****

It's almost serendipity when the human staggers up into the road between him and the two Autobots. Gaping up at them with no sense of self-preservation or fear. Staring at him in the optics like he was no threat to it. Brave, but so stupid.

Because his options are limited even though he’s not exactly outgunned. No doubt the Autobots have called in for backup. Even bleeding energon and one wing hanging on by sheer spite and a prayer, he could handle two of them. Several, though?

And calling in his own backup? Having to beg for help even from his own trine? Weak. He’d never live it down. Or survive it. Weakness didn’t last long among the Decepticon ranks.

Feeling the wound in his side pulling as he lunges, he’s only barely aware of Jazz’s cry. The human is softer than he expects, that soft flesh giving horribly against his servos as he catches it and lifts it out in front of him like the most ineffective shield ever. Aside from a wheezing sound halfway between a gasp and a moan, the human just hangs there in his grip, unresisting. Maybe broken.

All that matters is that Jazz and Bumblebee have frozen. Maybe it isn’t so ineffective. Because the Autobots are forbidden from harming organics. Especially humans. Baring his denta in a feral smile, he backs away from the two.

“Let the human go, Starscream,” Bumblebee says, voice as steady as the weapon still raised toward him in threat.

An empty threat. A laugh escapes him, his smile turning nasty. “No, I don’t think so.”

Whatever is inside humans is hot, sticky, and leaking unpleasantly against his servos. The sensation is almost enough to make him chuck the thing at the two idiots to buy himself some time. Small hands push at his servos as the thing in his grip shudders. It’s silent, though as it looks up at him with big, terrified eyes.

Spark thrumming, he keeps moving back. They were really going to let him go just because he’d nabbed a human with no survival instincts whatsoever. Who still was eerily quiet as they sluggishly leaked red fluid from a gash on their head. Turning on his heel, he pulls it into his chassis as he transforms, pain rippling through him. There’s a terrifying moment of very real fear that his wing won’t hold. That he and his hostage will crash back down, but his turbines roar and he’s gone.

It's no longer silent, he can hear its rasping gasps. Maybe transforming around it had finally broke through its shock. Something definitely had. He could feel its little hands scrabbling at his interior in a panic, the sensation causing his metal flesh to crawl all over. It was inside him. Touching everything. Leaking that sticky red stuff inside him. The only consolation at all was that it wasn’t screaming.

Yet.

“Keep your filthy little hands to yourself,” he snarls as it paws at the seam of his cockpit as if it wants to be jettisoned. Was nearly begging for it. As tempting as that thought was, the docile, little thing had potential. Namely as a way to keep the Autobots from firing at him.

Snatching its hands back, its wide eyes dart around his interior. So, it isn’t quite as addled as he’d thought. Surprising. “It’s talking. The giant, metal death robot is talking,” it mutters, voice soft and raspy with pain as it tucks its hands against its chest.

“Starscream.” The annoyance is immediate and the human flinches at his tone, hunching its shoulders. It doesn’t respond, though. Just makes that weird, gasping sound as it looks around for an escape.

Aside from a low, moaning when he transforms around them a second time, it’s silent as he keeps it trapped inside his canopy. One of its soft hands slaps against the glass to make him shudder, its breathing becoming louder and more frantic. There’s the fear he’d expected. By some miracle, he makes it inside the base and to his quarters without getting stopped. Though, Skywarp gave him a look as he limped past. A low growl and a flash of denta had been enough to discourage his trine brother from needling him for the moment.

Closing the door behind himself, the pain of his ruined wing crests and threatens to wash over him. Servos gingerly touching his side and wincing when they come away wet with energon, he picks up an empty energon cube and pops his canopy. With a startled cry, the human falls out into his palm, and he drops them into the cube. The walls are high enough that he doubts they can manage to get free. Placing it on a shelf, his optics narrow as it scrambles to the far side of its prison, eyes wide.

Huffing out a low vent, he turns and leaves the human to go find the medic.

****

You slide slowly down the smooth glass wall to land on your butt as your legs just give up. The apparently not hallucinatory, brain trauma induced, giant robot stuck you in a big, square aquarium and even though the top is open, you can’t get enough air. Or stop shaking as panic sank its teeth into your throat.

Reaching up, you gingerly touch your temple. There’s blood there, but sticky and not actively bleeding you think. And even if you’re not imagining all this, you probably, definitely, do have a concussion. You can’t motivate your shaking, noodle legs to stand, so you crane your neck to study your prison. The walls are much higher than you are tall and featureless. No way to get a good grip to climb out, even as you very briefly entertain and dismiss the idea of parkouring up the corner of the box to freedom, because that isn’t happening, and you know it.

Which leaves you all alone to wander the shores of melancholy regret in the silence of the empty room. There’ll be no seeing where any other roads go now. No second chances. You tunnel your fingers through your hair, pulling on it as you try to gather yourself. To think it out. Feeling miserable, you look around the big room. It's giant robot sized and surprisingly spartan. There’s a flat metal berth along one wall, a desk and chair, what might be storage drawers, but blessedly little else. No mementos of a life lived. No trinkets. Something about that bothers you, but you don’t dwell on it.

You’re not sure how long your big, evil robot, Starscream, is gone. Hours? You’re almost drowsing in your corner even as you shiver uncontrollably in the icy room. Apparently cold didn’t bother giant robots, but then, it’d been very warm when you’d been trapped inside its interior. Any other time you’d have been ecstatic about riding in a jet. Fear for your life had soured the experience.

You bang your head on the glass wall of your cage when the door opens, and your kidnapper returns. Those glowing red eyes slide your way before dismissing you. Shifting to drag your legs against yourself, you watch it move to an oversized chair and slump. Teeth chattering, a new concern surfaces. This thing knew you needed food and water, right?

“Almost brought down by two weak Autobots,” it mutters, dragging a hand down its face in a disturbingly human gesture. For an alien robot murder machine, its face is uncannily human. It reaches back to prod at one of its wings. It looked better than it had, you realize. “Nearly ripped my wing off.”

Was it talking to you? Unsure, you dart your tongue out to wet your lips. Somehow you hadn’t yet won yourself a Darwin Award even though you’d blundered into the middle of a fire fight between huge, angry robots while gawping like a hick tourist. Did you dare push your luck? “How dare they,” you say, voice a barely-there, raspy whisper.

It hears you, though. That big head turns to stare at you, and you wilt as its wings flit up a little higher and the silence stretches.

“Right?” Starscream demands suddenly, growling voice full of irritation. It sounds like a he, you decide. Though since it was whatever the hell it was, who knew. “I could have destroyed them then and there with one servo.”

It’s almost funny as the alien death machine actually puffs out his chest a bit when you nod in agreement, teeth chattering. And then you run with it, playing devil’s advocate, because staying on his good side? Definitely a good idea. “They wouldn’t stand a chance.”

“Of course not,” he sneers, rising to tip his head at you with almost predatory interest. Drifting away to a wall, he retrieves a huge blanket and drops it unceremoniously on you. The material is soft as silk, but some chemical smell clings faintly to it. You still cocoon yourself in it, face poking out to watch your evil robot return to his chair and his sprawl. And falls silent, staring at you in return.

The shivers slowly ease, but don’t go away altogether. That doesn’t stop you from drifting off, though. Your sleep is thankfully a dreamless void that sinks its claws in and drags you under. It’s almost pleasant up until something bounces off your head and the pain you’d left behind in sleep screams through you. Along with the realization that you’re being buried alive. Clawing your way free, you fall on your face, swearing.

And look up to find Starscream staring down at you, his lips twitching in cruel amusement at your expense. Your heart runs wild, rabbit-fast in fear. His red eyes shift behind you then back. Wary, you turn to look and find he’d buried you in a mountain of beef jerky, chips, soda, and- its food. He’s brought you food. That has to be a good sign, right? Why bother to feed you if he’s just going to squish you.

Sure, he could have not dropped it all on your head, but you aren’t about to tell him that. Just like you aren’t going to think too deeply about where the food came from either. It’s not like he can just waltz into a store and buy stuff. You’re snapped out of thoughts of sirens and explosions when you realize those fearsome eyes are scrutinizing you. Waiting for your reaction?

“Thank you?” Your voice is soft and uncertain, but the big, scary robot freezes all the same. Those wings on his back flip up then back down. Like he’s surprised that you’d thanked him. Just like the complete 360 he’d pulled when you’d agreed with him before. Like your captor isn’t too used to being listened to or appreciated. And he not only loves the attention, he might just crave it. Fawning over him is a small price to pay for your life. And that smug, preening smirk paired with those little wing flutters? For a kidnapping, killer robot, he’s kind of adorable. Not that you’re ever going to admit that out loud. You like living too much for that.

You freeze when he reaches into your cage before scooting back from that massive hand. Unwilling to give up your warm blanket, you drag it with you and suck in a sharp breath when he cages you in his hand and lifts you out. His grip isn’t as rib crushing as the last time he’d snatched you up and you cling to his fingers, heart racing as he places you on the desk.

****

Scrolling through reports, Starscream keeps an optic on his new- what, pet? Yes. A pet. Letting out a long-drawn vent, he works and tracks the human as it stands up still wrapped in the cleaning cloth he’d given it and dragging it along as they cautiously move around his desk. It only takes a low growl under his breath to discourage the human from getting near the edge. Those big eyes dart up to him in surprise before moving away from the drop.

Satisfied that it’s not going to launch itself to a stupid death, he resumes perusing reports. “Can you believe those idiots?” He grumbles to himself out of habit. “I told them that mine was unstable.”

He hears the human’s quiet steps as it moves closer to him, little face tipped up toward him. “They should have listened to you,” it says, the words surprising him.

Because they were true. Were humans usually this astute or had he just picked a particularly smart one? His wings adjust slightly as he turns his attention to the tiny creature. “They never listen to me.” Reaching out he ghosts the tip of a servo over their head, surprised by how soft their hair is. It goes still under his touch, head lowering as he slides that finger down its back.

He'd had a petro rabbit once, the tiny, fragile thing so trusting. It would eat from his hand and come willingly to him. Petro rabbits weren’t exactly clever, though. Couldn’t distinguish him from Skywarp. And even though Skywarp had claimed it had been an accident, Starscream had never really let it go. Or believed him. Suddenly unsettled, he gently strokes over the human’s head again. Soothing himself and his new pet.

Because this time would be different. He freezes as it leans into his palm, slowly relaxing. Its skin is colder than he remembered, and he frowns as he carefully curls his servos around it. And it leans eagerly into his warmth with a little noise of pleasure. His optics flit to the empty energon cube as it relaxes further against him, its own big eyes peering up at him trustingly. He'd never actually been this close to a human, he realizes. Certainly never touched one.

Venting softly, he uses his free hand to pull his datapad closer so he can finish going through the reports. Stiffening when the human lays its head on his servo, little hands clinging as it soaks up his warmth.

[tuulikannel]

I was bored and played around with the incorrect quote generator. The names I put in: Nagisa, Karma, Gakushuu. Some of these fit really well, some are pure crack. All pairings at least hinted at, I think XD

Nagisa: What do you think Karma will do for a distraction? Gakushuu: They’ll probably, like, make a noise or throw a rock. That’s what I would do. Building explodes and several car alarms go off Gakushuu: … or they could do that.

Nagisa: Hey, Karma? Can I get some dating advice? Karma: Just because I’m with Gakushuu doesn’t mean I know how I did it.

Nagisa: If Karma and I were drowning, who would you save? Gakushuu: You two can’t swim? Karma: It’s a hypothetical question, Gakushuu! who would you save? Gakushuu: My time and effort.

Nagisa, holding a python: Guys I impulsively bought a snake, what do I name him Karma: You did WHAT– Gakushuu: William Snakepeare

Nagisa: What if I press the brake and gas at the same time? Karma: The car takes a screenshot. Gakushuu: For the last time, get the fuck out.

Nagisa: Karma and I were crossing the street, and this dude drove by and honked at us Gakushuu: Sighing What did Karma do? Nagisa: They chased him to the next red light, then reached into his window and… Karma: Who wants a steering wheel?

Nagisa: Gakushuu and I are having a baby. Karma: That's gre- Nagisa, slamming adoption papers on the table: It's you, sign here.

Nagisa: Karma, what do IDK, LY, and TTYL mean? Karma: I don’t know, love you, talk to you later Nagisa: Ok, I love you too, I’ll just ask Gakushuu.

Nagisa: What did you do with Gakushuu's body? Karma: What didn’t I do with the body? Nagisa: Karma: Okay, that sounded more sexual than I intended. I disposed of the corpse respectfully.

Nagisa: Are you sure this is the right direction? Karma: Certainly, I'm as sure as I am honest! Gakushuu: In that case, we're definitely lost.

Nagisa: Tell Karma about the birds and the bees. Gakushuu: They're disappearing at an alarming rate.

Nagisa: Fitness tip: never stop pushing yourself. Some say 8 hours of sleep is enough. Why not keep going? Why not 9? Why not 10? Strive for greatness. Karma: Next time you’re working out do 15 push ups instead of 10. Run 3 miles instead of 2. Eat a whole cake instead of just a slice. Burn your ex’s house down. You can do it. I believe in you. Gakushuu: There were so many mixed messages in that I can’t-

Nagisa, at a restaurant: You guys should get the orange soda, it's amazing. Karma: Okay Waiter: Can I get you guys anything to drink? Nagisa: Orange soda, please! Karma: I'll have the strawberry soda. Gakushuu: Me too, strawberry soda. Nagisa:

Nagisa: HELP! I TOLD GAKUSHUU I’D COOK DINNER TONIGHT BUT I CAN’T COOK! Karma, pouring milk directly into the cereal bag: And you thought I could help?

Nagisa: If you had to choose between Karma and all the money I have in my wallet, which would you choose? Gakushuu: That depends, how much money are we taking about? Karma: Gakushuu! Nagisa: 63 cents. Gakushuu: I'll take the money. Karma: GAKUSHUU!!!

Nagisa: Sometimes I drink milk straight out of the container. Karma: The cow??? Nagisa: What? Gakushuu: Karma, W H Y?

Nagisa: I know you snuck out last night, Karma. Gakushuu: Play dumb! Karma: Who's Karma? Gakushuu: NOT THAT DUMB!!!

Nagisa: Dandelions symbolize everything I want to be in life Karma: Fluffy and dead with a gust of wind? Nagisa: Unapologetic. Hard to kill. Feral, filled with sunlight, bright, beautiful in a way that the conventional and controlling hate but cannot ever fully destroy. Stubborn. Happy. Bastardous. Friends with bees. Highly disapproving of lawns. Full of wishes that will be carried far after I die. Gakushuu: edible

Nagisa: I’m kind of crushing on someone, but I’m worried about telling you who it is, because you’re not going to like it Karma: Just rip the bandage off. Nagisa: It’s Gakushuu. Karma: Put the bandage back on.

[trivialbob]

I was tagged by @mstacobelle and @littlerunnergurl: Name 5 things that really irritate you, and what you do to keep that irritation from turning you into a serial killer, or just slapping people on a street corner in your town.

Let's see.

When the grocery store has a sign that says 4 for $10 or $2.99 each. I am accustomed to that horrible pricing at convenience stores but hate that my grocery store has started to adopt the "or" practice. So I simply refuse to buy one OR four of that item at the grocery store, no matter how much I want it. I have many little personal boycotts. They bring me much satisfaction, even if store managers don't notice it.

When the grocery store has a sign that says 4 for $10. Period. Bob! What's the problem? The problem is when my wife wants to buy all four items even if we only need one. No, no, no. 4 for $10 with no footnote means we can buy one item for $2.50. Yet she still wants to buy four. This is why I never complain if she hands me a grocery list, and I shop by myself. The savings are in my control!

Drivers who disrupt the smooth flow of traffic. Those who drive way too fast or a bit slower or even the speed limit if the rest of the vehicles are going faster. Awful. Or the people who brake on the highway, start to exit, and only then use a turn signal. Isn't there some sort of social contract or state law that says be predictable and don't disrupt your fellow travelers' lives, even if you are hyper-miling in your hybrid or pleasing Gaia by making that turn signal bulb last longer by using it less? I cope by thinking these drivers are someone's lovable grandparents. I wouldn't have lost my shit at my grandparents. When I'm following a slow driver and being tailgated by an aggressive one, I love to simply move over and watch the two jerks annoy each other.

Centipedes. Damn, even if every insect is one of God's creatures, centipedes creep me out beyond belief. Any living thing with more legs than a tarantula is heinous, except those puffy green caterpillars. A centipede in my house makes me shriek. Satisfaction is derived from spinning the monster to death in the vacuum cleaner or feeling a satisfying smush from stepping on it. They're only targets inside the house. Outside they are fine.

"Special" episodes of TV shows. A black and white episode, to be artistic? Ick. A musical version? Yawn. Seinfeld S09E08, with the Indian wedding where the timeline was in reverse? Not for me. Even worse are "Very Special" episodes, often with music-less endings and nowadays a toll-free number appearing on screen. The Bicycle Man episode of Diff'rent Strokes was one of the first. It was a "sit-com" episode about child molestation. Just because a comedy show is (or used to be) entertaining and popular doesn't mean it has to "start a conversation." The remote control, or the round knob on the TV when I was 12-years-old, provided relief.

[delopsia]

how much of the truck do you think Rhett has replaced over the years? (maybe the better question is what hasnt been replaced at this point) like do you think hes completely rebuilt the transmission and engine? is there a point that he will give up on it? or do you think hes the person that will say that as long as the seat is the same one its the same truck? cuz it isnt going to last forever because that truck is how old and its also been a farm truck all its life. regardless of what state we are all living in now its safe to say that the Wyoming winters have taken a toll on the truck in the form of rust and wear and tear. if he rusts through the frame (a death sentence for vehicles) will he buy the same make in model that has had an easier life and just take his transmission and engine (he just put those in less than 80,000 miles ago god danmit!!) out and put it into the one with the good frame. i think if he ever does throw the towel in on the truck hes going to keep the seat and put it in his room in the house because theres too many memories on that seat for the thruple

I am so happy that someone is asking me about the trucks because I have put so much unnecessary thought and work into them. But Rhett's truck... Jesus Christ, it is the bane of my existence. I cannot figure out what year it is, and it's been driving me up the wall, but I'll admit I've been using this sale listing as a reference.

I'm in trouble if this truck ever sells.

That old truck has close to 225,000 miles on it at this point; it's practically gone everywhere, and for some damn reason, it's still alive and kicking. Had about 100,000 miles when Rhett bought it, and he's driven it to all hell ever since.

He's replaced the front and rear wheel hubs three times now. Had to put in new ball joints, and rust essentially forced him to replace the transmission, fuel, and brake lines after a couple of years. Shortly after that, the transmission failed and forced Rhett to gather a few buddies to help him rebuild it. But it's been a lot of small fixes here and there, the forgettable things that take an afternoon, and that's it.

The old truck was built to last, and even though nobody is 100% sure where it spent its early years, it's been well taken care of. If there's an odd noise or it starts to act out of character, the problem is located and found within the week. It's always best to fix the issue when its small, rather than wait until it gets worse.

Trucks last on the Abbott ranch. Royal's vehicle is older than Rhett's, and it's still alive and kicking! I haven't done a ton of research into what Royal drives, but I think it's an '80s GMC C/K Sierra Classic.

Honorary comparisons.

Nifty how Rhett and his Dad both seem to have Sierra's, lmao.

Regardless, it's an old truck. If Royal's truck can make it, so can Rhett's

Unless it becomes a money pit that can't stand to run for more than a few hours at a time, then Rhett's going to be hanging onto it. He could replace the whole vehicle over the course of time and still believe it's the exact same truck. But if it does fail, he'd likely go with another older-model truck with a bench seat. Maybe not the same make and model, but he'd be happy to bring home another in a different color.

As of the "current time" in the story, the Sierra is living herself a nice little life in the garage. Her Pavement Princess era, if you want me to start sounding cripplingly Gen-Z. Rhett's new work requires a lot of trailer pulling and things that the Sierra just couldn't keep up with, which means a new truck!

In Whispers In The Dark, I vaguely hinted that Rhett left the Sierra in Wyoming for a period of time because he'd bought a new truck after moving out.

This was the truck!

A 2019 Ford F-350 that I picked out back in February and simply never mentioned to anyone 😭 it never made sense to mention the exact make and model, so it got reduced to "Rhett's other truck."

After the Sierra comes home, she gets to become the official date night vehicle, alongside Bob's. It's her only job now!

I haven't mentioned a ton about Bob's truck, but since we're already on the topic, he's got a 2021 Toyota Tundra in the color Midnight Black Metallic. I exclusively picked this truck for him because some models come with a front-row bench seat.

Who would have thought that I'd have so much truck lore 🧍‍♂️

[things-about-cars-in-posts]

What would you consider the best, most reliable, low maintenance car? Bonus points for affordability. After having to take my 2011 Corsa to the garage for the fourth time this year due to a faulty temp sensor (this car just runs on a constant fever I swear. I'm in the UK for goodness sakes it shouldn't get that hot!!!), I'm curious as to whether there are any cars that don't have expiry dates outside of carefully maintained classics.

Well someone's not read my shooting brake post that thoroughly eh! :P

Jokes aside, I've touched on reliability a couple of times so those could be interesting reads for you, but I can tell you that, you'll hear it a lot, Toyota Land Cruisers are usually what you see when a dozen people need to cross a desert and camels aren't an option. And I cannot talk about the durability of old Toyotas without bringing up a piece of television that has been burned into my mind from when I was six or seven to this day and has never faded or faltered in clarity for a single of the seconds between them. Like, genuinely, you go pay me a visit eight years since I last saw it to hit me with a trick question about shot composition details and as you open the door shouting it you walk in on me losing my virginity and I shoo you away yelling "Piss off with your trick questions, I'm getting laid here".

But in terms of advice that is more actionable for you, I would as noted in other posts advise Toyotas and Hondas, and by extension Toyota's luxury brand Lexus (but please don't consider this advice against anything else, especially because these brands, Toyota and Lexus especially, have in some contexts developed a bit of a premium due to their reputation). And I know what you're thinking: "Mate I've a Corsa ya think I could get me a Lexus?" And the answer is yes. And other positively splendid pieces of kit.

I mean, you can find yourself plenty of first generation Lexus LSs in various states of rattiness, and one of those most famously did literally a million miles so I'm pretty sure you're going to be good on that front.

...but if you're not in the extremely lucky position of ULEZ compliance not being a dealbreaker, while looking for those, I also found some second generations...

...and I saw an ad for a third generation, and you know when you see an item and a price and you go through the description just to find out what the deal is and as you comb through you slowly realize that the part where they explain how this is not actually a functioning, usable product isn't there you start whispering "what the fuck? what the fuck?" and you put your hands in your hair and- yeah this is that level. Like genuinely I do not CARE if you were not asking purchasing advice and are not interested in changing your car you go phone your insurance for a quote and if it is anything below "This insurance price will actually ruin my life" you go click on that "Buy it now" button before someone else does.

But of course you may want a smaller car, what with coming from a Corsa and all that. Well, if that's the case, there's a little beauty that you're going to love love, and needs no TLC you and my help can't tackle. Remember my kei sportscars post? Well guess what it just so happens to turn out:

(if you are actually interested in getting a new car but have requirements these don't fulfill don't hesitate to drop me a line, there is little I love more than window shopping car ads and I have plenty other great ideas. If you want a new car you are going to end up with something cool whether you like it or not.)

Links in blue are posts of mine explaining the words in question - if you liked this post, you might like those!

[toomuchsky]

got a new car. having a lot of feelings abt it that i’m journaling abt on tumblr instead of processing internally. (lots of very privileged Big Money Feelings fair warning) but also look at him. momo. 🥹🥹🥹

basically after the insane amt of car troubles the last car gave me and the extra 4k it was asking from me in repairs, my dad finally was like “can you let me help you” and offered to help me buy out the loan on appa. one contingency was that i had to buy a new car, not anything used. so my car payment basically more than doubled, but i do have a car now that can take me from point a to point b and will hopefully ! not break down on me anytime soon. (with my luck tho who knows). i also still have the credit card debt from the engine but he was like “do your best to pay it off but if there is a difference at the end of the 0% apr period well see what i can help with”

i’m having! weird feelings abt it! lots of shame around having to accept money from my parents, lots of guilt around having parents that can afford to do this, also a lot of like. relief right?? i have a car that works! and he’s cute!

but also new cars freak me out dude. cars should all be dumber in my opinion. why is there an ipad on a vehicle that i can also drive at 90mph??? why is it yelling at me to brake leave me alone let me brake on my own terms!!! and every single thing is electronics. and they break so often and are so expensive to fix!! and everything these days is built to break!!! it makes me so mad and angry!!!!

but also on the other hand! i feel like i understand every single rich person neuroses now. every single speck of dust on this car is tantamount to a dent on another car. if i even scratch this car i’ll be so sad bc it’s NEW! she has 10 MILES ON HER. and there’s too many features!!! how am i supposed to learn them all!! feeling very old man yells at cloud abt it all!!! like normally i am also very generous with my car! i’ll let people drive it i don’t care etc but with this one i’m feeling extremely like don’t even breathe on him actually please don’t even look in his direction. like i’m feeling insane. u know that monopoly study they do where people become more stingy the richer they get. that’s how i’m feeling.

also having some feelings about what a new car like this looks like to people idk. like what will people perceive me as???? like this wasn’t my choice!!! tbf the car market is still insane and even a slightly used car would be abt the same price tbh but. feeling like i need to process these feelings with everyone so that no one judges me for having a new car or feels weird abt my parents having the ability and willingness to help me out here. like i understand this is mostly projection bc IM feeling weird about it and wealth (lol at the thought of wealth. i’m like 40k in debt not including student loans at 29 which feels insane.) and all that but.

he’s smaller than a lot of the suv’s i’ve had before but honestly probably enough size!!!! also the car payment is so much and idk how i’m gonna afford it for 6 years. i love him so much i can’t wait to go on a million road trips now that i can trust my car won’t break down on me in the middle of the road AGAIN. i also wanna throw up whenever i look at him. i love feeling safe and cozy and playing with all the new features. if it gives me a lane warning again i’ll blow it up myself.

dualities man. here we are.

[petit-papillion]

But that's what I'm saying, It's about the car not the driver. After a race where charles engines had issues and Lando car was great, how come are they concluding that Lando is surpassing charles in skills? Based on what exactly?

And in a season while McLaren car is being overall superior, charles is still ahead of him. Sure it will probably change if ferrari doesn't fix their issues, but the fact mclaren had a faster car in multiple races and charles is still ahead of lando should be enough to people not to be claiming he's overrated and Lando is surpassing him in skills.

Yeah, I don't know where anon sees Lando surpassing Charles in racing skills. Winning or finishing higher does not always equate being a more skilled driver. Just like stats don't tell the whole story. There are so many things that come into play in racing. Staying calm under pressure, thinking on your feet, reaction speed (hello Nico Hulkenberg not hitting Yuki last race), planning ahead, moving on/learning from your mistakes, etc., etc. And I still see Lando making more mistakes than Charles, but that could definitely be my personal bias kicking in.

When your car is superior, you can spend your time and energy perfecting your laps (like we've seen Max do). Because when you are miles out in front of everyone else, you don't have to worry about other cars hitting you, overtaking you, having to plan different strategies to keep your lead, etc. So a superior car can increase your race craft, in a different way than an inferior car can.

And in that way, I suppose Lando could surpass Charles, but Charles would just have a different skillset than Lando. I feel the same is true with Max. When things are not great on his car, he seems to get flustered a lot more easily than Charles does. Charles is unfortunately too used to having to deal with car issues (imbalance, tyre deg, sensitive to wind, throttle issues, brake issues, no grip, etc., etc.), which then also have made it hard for him to perfect some other skills. He often wants a lot more from his car than it can give him, plus you definitely cannot work on improving your driving skills when 1) you are fighting your car, or 2) you are standing in the garage after another DNF...

[bylightofdawn]

After gods know how many words I have FINALLY gotten to the actual kissing. And now I'm torn between having Reeve stop because this is so not the time for a dozen of reasons. (This is prolly the more IC reaction)

Or going with the horny side and having them (aka Reeve) deal with the repercussions of being horny and this being the worst possible time for them to fall into bed for the aforementioned dozens of reasons.

My original plan was for Reeve to put the brakes on it.

But the angst goblin that lives inside of me kinda loves the idea of Rufus, who is convinced he's going to die in the near future anyway, wants to go the whole mile and satisfy more than a decade worth of wanting. They get into disagreement where Reeve assumes this is just one last pity fuck at the end of the world for Rufus and he's conveniently there.

(Aka Reeve's crippling self-esteem issues pick the worst fucking time to rear their ugly head)

Meanwhile Rufus just wants one good thing before he shakes off this mortal coil and he's been lowkey pining for this dumb, oblivious nerd for more than a decade GDI. He's not happy about his terrible tastes either but could they please go back to kissing and hopefully fucking and hang the repercussions.

And then there's a whole bunch of other reasons why this is a terrible time for them to hook up. But both are lonely, touch-starved and the bed is literally right there. Ahem.

Either way is going to end in some form of conflict that will be resolved in the next (hopefully final) chapter.

I'm gonna force myself to take a break and work on editing Seeds instead. I thought about maybe doing a poll but I don't think anyone would actually care enough to participate in it. LOL

Shhhh Reeve isn't the only one with crippling self-esteem issues.

[autoandfleetmechanic]

Wondering about what are the signs of bad brake? Ask the brake replacement specialists at Auto & Fleet Mechanic to inspect your braking system.

[lahotelbellamuerte]

𝐎𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐘𝐨𝐮 - iii. please [お願いします]

— ❀ series masterlist ❀ — I love you [愛してます] — ❀

pairing: han x amara!oc warnings: language, fluff, angst, eventual smut, unprotected sex, piv, f!oral, errr not proofread word count: 9k notes: idk, again follows the movie, tried to add something new.

IT WAS ONE TO KNOW HOW TO DRIVE, AND ANOTHER TO RACE. It all was all about the feeling you got when doing either. For everyday drivers, they got into a car because they needed to get somewhere. Places that they knew every day. For racers, they felt the car. They knew every sound the machine should make. Feel the rumble as the engine sparks to life. The screeching of tires when they turned. The smell the car would give off after moments of it being on. The mindless thinking of shifting from gear to gear. For a racer being in a car was an extension of oneself.

Driving for racers felt empty, calm, a brake from the constant adrenaline to precise attention to a moving machine on four wheels.

Amara had grown up in Japan and knew nothing more than the small country. The bright-lit cities, along with the dungy streets with constant bikers everywhere. The overcrowded trains to get places. The hundred of people in the streets that cross at once. Then she got to know the racing world.

Her father had always insinuated there was more to Japan than what the eye could see. Never would she have thought that it meant modified cars that drove at speeds she couldn't imagine.

It all really started when she became friends with Neela Ezar. The girl who would accidentally get her into the world beyond racing. The side where people could be owned, the world that was run by a single man and his posse.

The two were always singled out due to how different they looked compared to everyone else around. Amara with her shiny gold hair that could be spotted miles away in the sea of black and brown hair. Her innocent look on her face with her always rosy cheeks.

But the blonde was far from innocent, she talked back when people gave her or Neela shit. Not caring if she was sent to detention, suspended, or in trouble. The girl always found it growing up. It took a while for everyone to realize that. Until one day it stopped, they became afraid of her rather than seeing her as a target.

In a way, it was Takashi that did her that favor. The boy had spotted her alone once and thought himself brave enough to talk to her. But the darling blonde wasn't having any of it. She wasn't going to let some boy rule her life because he thought himself king.

The people that were there for the race between the two had been lucky. Neither of the two was experienced, they drove shitty cars for a few blocks. It was lucky that she had passed him when she did. Because that day she had bought herself freedom.

Rather than be salty about the loss, the two became friends. Or as much as they could be either way. They had reluctantly become closer due to their connecting factor of Takashi and his family. A relationship that was more toxic than Amara and the color green.

And one holy day came where a stranger sat in her unassigned seat at her favorite ramen place.

"You're sitting in my seat," the voice of Amara spoke to the stranger.

The man with long hair looked up to see a blonde teenager, "Oh, am I?" he asked curiously, he looked her over. She wore a white collar crop top with some low-waisted pants with little cherries on the pockets.

Her face was innocent, cheeks rosy, glossy lips, everything sweet like the Powerpuff girls. He watched her plop into the seat next to him, digging into her bowl of noodles.

He rose an eyebrow and looked around the restaurant, barely anyone else was around and she decided to sit next to him. All he wanted was peace of mind after the rollercoaster of events that ran his life. Wanting to forget at least for a while, the pain he’d endured.

He wondered if she spoke English so he tried his luck, "You know there are many seats that are untaken," he told her as she ate her noodles.

Slurping up the last one of her chopsticks she turned to him, "Yeah, well that was my seat since it's my favorite," she started, “And since you’re in it, I’ll settle for the second best.”

Han couldn't help but smile at the girl who was very brave to sit next to a stranger, nonetheless a man, "I'm Han he introduced," sticking his hand out for a greeting.

The blonde turns to him and smiles brightly, "Amara," she returned and placed her hand in his shaking it, "I could tell we're going to be good friends."

And right she was. Han took a risk and gave her his number in hopes that a native of Japan would show him around. And who else to show him around, then a beauty like Amara. He didn't know the girl would be so informed. It's like she knew about everything. The history behind a certain building, the current events, the best restaurants and so much more.

When she let him know about the underground he couldn't believe his ears that she was the one letting him know. He would've struggled if it weren't for Amara's kindness. The girl was far from shy, and boy was he thankful for it.

He found it funny the day she broke into his home asking him for help. Thinking she was in danger, he was ready to go and find whoever was troubling her. But when she told him she wanted to know how to race he laughed. He genuinely laughed. The tiny little teenage girl wanted to race.

Without hesitation, he taught her all he knew. There was something about her that called to him. May it be her crudeness to everything or her sweet angel face. But he helped her as much as she helped him. Amara had become a friend, partner, student, and teacher in some sense. She kept him young and he loved that. Helped lessen his old smoking habits by always handing him something to snack on. Something she noticed along the way.

When he got reports on a teenage girl winning races. He could only smile and nod. The girl was slowly receiving the reputation of a racer. Alongside her old friend Takashi, who had also been practicing. It wasn't long before the two became the reigning king and queen in drifting.

Han noticed as the years went by how much Amara grew. He felt sick the first time he saw her as attractive. He had been older than her by many years. He didn't want to be seen as some creep. But it seemed that it wasn't only him that felt this way. His darling blonde returned the feeling.

He never thought the day would come that he would move on from Giselle. The woman who had captured his heart. The woman with who he had made plans with to come to Tokyo. Yet here he was falling for a girl years younger than he was in the same city. The day finally came when he added a picture in his car removing the last piece of his old life.

Giselle may have been gone, but he would never forget where he came from. Just as Amara helped him become the person he is now. He was ready to move on, and he just hoped wherever Giselle was, she approved of Amara.

Amara was in an oversized shirt with denim shorts underneath, a pair of black Chuck Taylor’s on her feet. She was putting new seat covers on her car. Bending over to try and get the new cover as snug on the seat as she could.

"Amara," Han called out, standing near the door of the car.

The blonde got up from her position, backing up and bumping into the man, "Oh, sorry," she apologized, her cheeks becoming pinker from the accident.

The man smiled at her reaction, "It's fine, but can I ask you something?" he began, getting a little nervous for rejection. Especially from a girl so young.

She tucked her hands in her back pockets and nodded, rocking back and forth on her feet.

"I don’t know if you want to but I'd like to take you out sometime," He offered her, his eyes settled on her, sweat beginning to stick the longer the silence.

Amara's eyes widened at his question, "Han, I-I would love to," she replied sheepishly, blushing more at the situation.

Han sighed, "Don't start getting shy on me now," he told her moving his hand to lift her chin to look at her brown eyes.

The date with Han was everything and more. He had taken her out for a drive on a sunny day to the more rural sides of Japan. She loved the wind in her hair as they passed the towering mountains. Her voice telling him off all the times she, Neela and Takashi would skip school just to come and race through the curving roads.

He smiled to himself as listened to her carefree laughs and stories. She waved her chipped manicure hands out the window. Turning to look at Han driving.

"What are you doing?" He asked her not taking his eyes off the curving road.

Not taking her eyes off his side profile, "Enjoying the view," she simply replied, reaching forward to tuck his hair behind her ear.

Han chuckled, "Didn't peg you as the flirty type," he told her.

"Only for you," Amara replied with a smile, leaning forward to kiss him on the cheek. Earning a wide grin from Han who continued looking forward.

Their destination had been a secluded beach that Han knew no one else would be at. Grabbing the large basket in the trunk, he pulled the blonde's hand as he walked on the soft sand.

"The beach?" she asked as they made it far enough to where he saw a pit of fire already made.

He nodded, "I hope that's okay."

"Okay? Please you'd be the first boyfriend that ever did anything remotely like this," she replied with a snort, helping him put out the blankets on the sand. Removing their shoes the two shared a nice sushi dinner. Amara's second favorite food, ramen being first. But soup and beaches don't really go together so something small was perfect.

After their dinner, Han laid down with an arm under his head while his other wrapped around Amara. Her hands ran over his chest soothingly. It was calm as it should be. He then turned his body to face her head.

The two had a hushed conversation for hours, watching the sky change color. The sun was setting soon and it was shown in the way the sky was orange. The sparse clouds moved slowly across the sky. It couldn't have been a more perfect day.

The two looked into each other eyes, months of longing in both of them. Feelings that were never spoken. Finally coming out in the open.

Han looked into her eyes, then moved down to her lips, "Can I kiss you?" he asked suddenly, feeling the urge to kiss her pretty pink glossy lips.

"Please," she whispered and looked at his lips, and leaned in.

Closing the gap, Han moved his hand to her face, softly gripping it as he kissed her softly. Her lips were as soft and sweet as he imagined. They were perfect, loving, passionate, trusting, and delicious. Amara tasted like heaven and he never wanted to let go.

Amara moved her body, her knees around his hips as she sat on him. Deepening the kiss, their lips moved roughly against each other. His hands wandered from her head of soft blonde hair to her waist, to her hips, and subtly to the round of her ass. With a sense of bravery, he softly squeezed on the soft flesh. Resulting in Amara moaning in his mouth as they made out.

The blonde pulled away her eyes pleading. She wanted more, the area between her legs began to ache. Wanting relief as she sat on him.

"Han, please," she whispered on his lips, her hips beginning to softly rock against his. Beginning to make this harder on the man. Just as his pants began to feel slightly tighter.

Han flipped them over his arms beside her face. Looking down at her, hair framing his face, he could see her flushed cheeks along with her slightly swollen lips. She looked exquisite. Blonde hair draped around her like a halo, her pupils dilated as she looked at him.

On a first date, Han would never make love to his partner. It should take more than a few dates. To build up the tension, passion, and want for it. Yet here he was wanting nothing more than to give Amara what she wanted. He wanted to give it to her, but he was afraid to hurt her. What if it didn't work out, and the whole situation is awkward. They'd never speak again and Han didn't want that. Amara was a brilliant mind that he needed her on his side. Despite her youth, she showed her age when it came to business. He guessed he had her father to thank. The man had taught her more than he should've.

"Han, please," she said again, her hands gripping his face.

He gave her a worried look, "Don't you think it's too soon? This could hurt our relationship," he tried to reason with her, but his resolve was becoming thin.

Amara looked into his eyes, "Tell me you don't want this as much as I do. And I'll respect your wishes," she told him, moving her hands to his chest.

Han closed his eyes and signed. He wanted nothing more, "I don't want to hurt you," he said sincerely.

She pulled his face down to hers, for a soft kiss, "You won't, I trust you, Han," she assured him.

So Han trusted her words and his. Leaning back down to capture her lips in a kiss. This time it was more intense than the last. There was fire, need, passion. Everything the two could've wanted.

Amara ran her hands from his hair to his neck the arms. All the soft movement left goosebumps on his tanned skin. As she moved to his chest, she slipped her hand underneath the hem of his simple t-shirt. Her hands wanting to touch every piece of his skin. Leaving nothing unventured.

The feeling of her hands caused him to buck his hips into hers. Resulting in the girl moaning into his mouth. Pausing his moments he moved his hands to the hem of her shirt lifting it. Breaking the kiss apart the shirt was thrown to the side. Just to leave Amara in a baby pink bra.

Han smiles at the sight of it, after removing his shirt, he moved his mouth to leave wet kisses on her neck, slightly sucking on the soft pale skin. Moving lower he gently kissed the plump skin of her breasts. Pausing as his hand reached behind her back.

"May I?" he asked looking into her eyes. The girl nodded but he shook his head, "No princess, I need to hear it from you."

Amara bit her lip and nodded, "Yes, please," she breathed out shakily. She was nervous, her past boyfriends didn't go as softly as Han was. They cared more about it happening than taking the moment in.

"Good girl," he mumbled and unclasped her bra from behind. Letting the straps fall down her arms, removing it completely, and setting it aside.

She blushed as he looked at her, looking away from his eyes. As he looked up and noticed, he moved her face to look at him. Kissing her softly he shook his head, "No need to feel shy, you're beautiful," he told her as he leaned in to kiss her once more.

The sensation of her skin against his made it all the more arousing. Especially with the noises she made against his mouth. All from the slight stimulation of her nipples rubbing against his chest. Wrapping her legs around his hips in hopes to relieve the pressure between her legs.

"In time darling," he whispered against her throat, moving his mouth lower. Until his lips met the erect nipple at the center of her left breast. Delicately he suckled over it, listening to the sweet noises his partner made. The gentle tug of his hair from her hands drove him wild. Removing himself from her breast he blew cold air on it, bringing a new sensation to her.

He move moved his head to look at her slightly. Just to see her staring at him as he worshiped her body. Smiling he dipped his head back her her other nipple, giving it the same attention as the other. His hands brushed against her soft skin. Rubbing over the hard studs, as she let out shaky breaths as he repeatedly did it.

Moving lower to kiss her stomach, he reached the hem of her jeans. He looked up at her eyes asking for permission. As she nodded he smiled and placed a sweet kiss on her hip. His fingers moved to unbutton her jeans, moving the zipper down. Hooking his fingers at the belt loop on her hips, pulling he exposed the baby pink underwear underneath.

He couldn't help but groan, something about her wearing such a girlish color, made his insides revolt. The girl looked at the man near the place she needed him most. This was it, there was no going back. Not that she ever wanted to, she trusted Han.

The way his large hands held her hips made her head spin. When he slowly moved the soft cloth down her legs, not without maintaining eye contact. Watching her reactions to every movement he made on her scorching skin. Throwing the pink garment off to the side, he clicked his tongue when she tried closing her legs.

“Uh uh, princess keep ‘em opened,” he mumbled, prying her thighs apart as held them from the underside. He eyes trained to her pretty brown eyes, looking down at his actions.

Amara couldn’t help but release a moan, as he gave a painfully slow lick through her folds. Hips bucking up to get any more friction, but his hold on her thigh, ad hip strong. Making her squirm and squeal with slow licks and suckles.

A louder moan ripped from her throat when she felt his tongue enter her very much pulsing hole. The nasty sound of smacking reaching her ears, hands moving to pull and grip his hear, “Hahh…n..” She cried as his he continued pushing his tongue in and out of her cunt.

He pulled off for a second just to smile at the distraught girl on his hands. He licked his lips braking a thing string that connected his tongue back to her wet lips. Leaning back down to close his lips softly around her clit. Switching from licking at the bud, to hallowing his cheeks to suck, but continuing to push his tongue down into her hold. Moaning to find how much wetter it has gotten since he’s been playing with her clit.

He continued to lap around slowly, driving her more insane, as she called his name over and over. Feeling her clench around his tongue, keeping it warm and that was all he could taste.

“I’m gonna cum,” she squeaked after minutes of torture from his end. But the high she was chasing never came.

Amara gasped as he pulled away, “Mnnm…wha-why?” She whined.

He climbed back up to capture her mouth into another kiss. Letting her taste herself in the hot messy kiss. The rough texture of his jeans grinding against her clit, made her whimper.

"What is it princess?" he mumbled nipping at her jaw softly.

Amara gripped his hair to make him face her, “Fuck me, please,” she told him moving her smaller hand to tug at his jeans.

Han smirked and nodded, "Okay," he told her, as he felt her unbutton his pants.

Soon enough he removed his pants and briefs, leaving the two bare. Before they continue Han paused to look at Amara with worry.

"What?" she asked desperately wanting to get rid of flittering pressure in her stomach.

"I didn't expect this night to go like this, so I don't have a condom," he told her.

Amara rolled her eyes and kissed him, "Han I've been on birth control since I was thirteen," she told him.

He rose an eyebrow at the words, "Just fuck me," she said breaking him out of his thoughts.

The man chuckled and nodded, "Your wish is my command," he joked, moving his hand between her thighs. The girl jumped at the feeling of his fingers. Once more he spent a couple a seconds plunging in and out, watching her face contort deeper into pleasure.

But he had put enough of his own pleasure aside, “Fuck, Am, if I knew you felt like this…” he didn’t finish his sentence as he pushed himself slowly into her.

Amara bit her lip moaning and hid her face onto his neck, leaving open wet mouth kisses on it. It had been ages since she had an intimate moment with anyone. But they were never this loving and soft…for the most part. They were always her age too, Han being much older had to mean more experienced.

His hips moved slowly, as he his hands moved hers away from his neck. Taking one of his to pin hers above her head, hips beginning to snap faster and harder by the second.

“So…perfect…” he groans between each snap of hips, eyes mesmorized from the bouncing of her tits from his thrusts, “Just for me, right princess?” He mumbled leaning down to nip at her collar bone.

The blonde couldn’t say much, “Hmmm…” she sighed, legs wrapping around his torso in hopes of pushing him deeper in her walls.

In his pattern he couldn’t help but stare at Amara’s fucked out face. Mouth slightly open releasing small moans. Who would’ve thought, that he lucked out, but then his thoughts spiraled. He couldn’t help it really, sitting up he unwrapped her ankles from his back. Moving them to her shoulders, this new position allowing him to somehow reach deeper and harder. His tip snug against her tight walls repeatedly hitting her cervix.

The sensation causing Amara to curl her toes, the tight coil in her lower abdomen becoming hotter as he continued to pound against her hips. His lips leaving kisses on her calves, “So good for me, princess…so good,” he grumbled out. He looks down to the base of his cock, a slight cream ring around it, each time he plunged deep into her cunt. Beads of sweat slicking both of their skin.

Han leaned down hands on either side of her head, basically folding her im half as his cock continued to slam against her soft skin. Eyes locked on Amara’s teary ones who gripped the blanket she lay on.

It wasn’t until her hot walls pulsed around him that he knew she was cumming. Cries and moans got louder, along with her suffocating his cock, “Fuuck~” she moaned squeezing her eyes shut.

But Han didn’t stop he couldn’t, it felt so good against him. He couldn’t remember the last time he fucked like he just now. His thrust became more erratic as Amara’s orgasm got carried out.

She cried as she felt his hand move to run his hand over her clit. The overstimulation causing her to squirm in his hold. Moving his thumb in small tight circles, he felt his cock be squeezed by her wet, warm, walls. Over and over, leading him closer to his much needed release.

"Han," she moaned her eyes shut tightly, as she gripped his wrist. But he didn’t stop, loving the feeling of the inconsistency of her clenching around him.

Amara’s legs began to shake around his shoulders, feeling that same tight feeling again coming closer.

"Look at me," he said to her as hovered over his head.

He dangled above her, pulling his face to her as he began moving in and out of her. Wanting nothing but to please her. The sounds coming from her mouth and the feeling of her hands scratching back confirmed it. Feeling more confident, the man thrust into her faster, his eyes always on hers.

Tucking his head in her neck, Amara dug her fingernails onto his back as he moved against her. Their skin glistened from sweat as the grunts from Han and whines from Amara floated in the air.

Han thanked the gods he decided to pick an isolated beach to spend the night with Amara. Obviously, he didn't plan on this happening on the first date. Never would he do that on any first date. Yet here he was sharing a night of intimacy with the very girl he had met a couple of years ago. The girl he taught to race.

Coming closer to his climax, he felt the sensation of Amara gripping him tighter, "I'm close," she told him.

He nodded into her neck, "Me too, me too," he mumbled nipping at her salty skin, then planting a wet kiss on her mouth. His thrust became sloppy until he stopped and felt the familiar pit in his stomach. Pulling back on the kiss he groaned as he released his hot load inside her. Just a moment later she too reached her climax for the second time.

Pulling out he lay beside her on the blanket. Reaching into the basket he grabbed another blanket he brought for the colder night. He did know they would spend the night, just not screwing that night.

"You okay?" he asked a little breathless after the events that occurred.

The blonde turned to her side to look at him, "I'm perfect, thank you, Han," she replied leaning to kiss his cheek softly.

The two silently lay on their back watching the sky become darker. That was until Han chuckled out of nowhere.

Amara turned her head to look at him rubbing his eyes with his hands, "Why're you laughing?" she asked amused at his random break of laughter.

"I didn't plan on this happening tonight," he started facing his head to her, "I really did just want us to have a nice night by the beach."

The blonde blushed looking away, knowing it was her doing that caused the night of romance to happen, "Sorry," she mumbled.

Hand shook his hand and brought her into a hug, kissing the top of her head, "No don't be, it takes two, to tango," he joked.

The couple eventually put on their undergarments and ran around the sand like love-struck teenagers. Even having a dip at the cold ocean water that was nearby. To end the night being near the fire pit he had made before arriving. The large fire kept the two warm as they danced to no music in the night. Even talking about cars, which he loved he could do with her. Something, not every woman liked to do.

That was a beginning of a secret, not-so-secret relationship between them. Han was always seen around beautiful women at races, but never once did he kiss any of them. Never giving them the time of his life. People saw the way he looked at Amara at races.

The schoolgirl with racing skills for days, one that was never seen dating another boy. The rumor was she was either a lesbian or she was seeing someone in secret. Some said maybe it was Han, but no one ever had enough proof to see it happen.

The man never touched her affectionately to mean more than just friends. It was always simple hugs that never lasted. People always saw them speaking about cars and races. Never did they see her push herself onto him.

It was shocking when they saw the 97 Mazda be driven by Han, rather than the princess who had won it. Everyone knew that he had given the princess the blue Skyline she drove everywhere. But it wasn't anything new, anytime the princess wanted something she got it. Be it from Han or Takashi and others. She was good at sweet-talking her way for things.

There were small rumors that some saw Han and Amara hold hands before, and that not might be much. But for something that has been flying through the underground for some time it was something.

The lights continued to blur, as Sean drove down the high ways of Tokyo. But suddenly his eyebrows furrowed in confusion. If racing Takashi wasn’t all that important, why was he letting him do it?

"Then why are you letting me race?" Sean asked his older friend, briefly looking over to the couple.

Han chuckled, "'Cause you're DK's kryptonite,” he paused to look ahead, then back at Sean, “And you owe me a car."

That made Amara giggle at his last words, making her boyfriend smile. Suddenly behind her, a car zoomed past them, making Amara smirk, "Go get them, cowboy."

Wrapping around Han's neck as he tightened his hold on her waist, as Sean activated the NOS. The three were pulled back by the speed. Easily he passed the car from earlier. A smile on Sean's face as he did so, already loving the feeling of speed.

Then his eyes caught on something and cursed, "Oh shit."

Guessing by his reputation back home it was the police, "Police cars here are only factory-tuned. You can do better than 180k," he informed Sean when he saw they didn't go after him.

"They can't catch you, so why to try?" she added with a smile.

Sean laughed, "You know what? I'm beginning to like this country already."

Amara smiled at Han as she looked back at Sean, "Good to know you'll be staying to know my name."

The rest of the ride was short and soon enough, they pulled up to Han's club. Opening the door, he helped Amara out of the car as he stepped out after her.

He watched as the blonde strut her way easily waving at Danny by the door, "Bye Danny," she said winking at him.

The girl easily moved through the sea of people who greeted her and Han who wasn't too far behind. As she entered the room full of ladies. They all cheered as they saw her.

"Ami!" some screamed hugging the girl they knew all too well.

The blonde waved at them, "Hi ladies," then spotted Twinkie.

"Twinkie!" she yelled over the crowd and danced her way to her friend.

The dark-skinned boy smiled at his friend, "Amara!" he greeted dancing with bumping their hips together, he then spotted Sean, "Hey I'm going to head to our boy."

Amara nodded and headed to the bar, "Give something fruity today," she said leaning over the bar.

The man smiled, "Good to see you around here Miss Amara," he told her as he made her a passion fruit martini.

She tapped the bar, "Han's tab!" she yelled and took her drink to the other room. Sipping her drink as she opened the door and saw Han and Sean already there.

Han saw her coming through the door, "There you are," he said wrapping his arm around her shoulders.

The girl turned and kissed him quickly, letting him taste the drink on her lips, "I was getting a drink," she said sipping her drink while going upstairs.

His eyes traveled to her ass, where her jeans had the glittery cherry on them. He was a man after all, he couldn’t help but stare at something he could call his. Joining her at the top of the stairs he pulled her closer by her hips.

"The red Evo's yours," Han said from above looking down at Sean, who was in astonishment at all his surroundings.

Sean turned to give him a look, especially with him giving him something that he destroyed before, "What do you mean?"

Amara leaned on the railing taking another sip of her drink, "You're repping now Sean, you can't be seen driving a Hyundai."

Turning to Han she smiled at him, "Office?"

The man pulled her by the waist and kissed her, making it official that the two were together, “You're insatiable,” he mumbled on her lips, tasting the passion fruit.

Amara smiled and winked at him, pulling back to take another sip of her drink, “You have no idea,” she replied completely pulling away from him and heading to his office.

With Han having a stupid smile, trailing behind.

While Han had the luxury of no longer being a student, he didn’t have to deal with Sean’s constant nagging about learning to drift. It was all the blonde could hear any time she was in the line sight of the American teen.

She couldn’t even eat in peace without the boy, talking her ear off about anything related to cars. Twinkie would just have an amused grin the entire time, knowing that she was close to punch him in the jaw. But being the nice girl she was, Amara listened to his questions. And even answered a few without thinking.

The days when she wanted to do with cars, she and Neela would sit away from the boys and talk about their personal lives. All the gossip around the school, and even just sitting in silence finishing their school work.

But nothing stopped Sean from being the annoying boy, because Amara was able to talk her way through Han. Convincing him to teach the teen, just like he had once done for her. Soon enough, the group was settling at the docks to begin Sean’s lessons. To say the least…he wasn’t getting a grip on it all the easy.

Each time he crashed or slid, he grew more frustrated. Not understanding how Takashi and the others were able to do this without thinking.

While the screeching and constant yelling, Amara sat perched on Han’s lap. Sunglasses on the bridge of her nose, as she typed away on her laptop. Not paying attention for most of Sean’s commotion.

Not realizing how she mumbled to herself as she typed, forgetting she was close to Han in the first place. His hand rubbing circles on her hips as he watched Sean’s attempt.

"My mother who's blind in one eye and she can drift better than that," Earl called as he saw Sean crash for the hundredth time, the teen hitting the steering wheel out of irritation.

The blonde who wasn't paying attention lifted her head, "What?" she asked Han, hoping to get what Earl had said.

The man shook his head, "Nothing, princess go back to work," he said patting her thigh.

The girl nodded and continued to type away in her computer. Now and then taking a break to look up at Sean’s progress. Each time to be disappointed when he crashed onto more crates around the area.

She then paused her typing to close her lap top, “As much as I would love to stay here and watch Sean be a failure,” she started looking back at the Evo continue to screech, “I have to get going,” she said getting up and leaning down to give him kiss which he eagerly reciprocated.

The girl walked out and quickly got into her car and left the crew to watch Sean continue failing. Arriving home, she parked the car and headed into her room. Now as she was left in complete silence, she finished all her work quickly. Eventually to take the longest shower she could. Scrubbing every part of her body as she sang along with the music she played.

Finishing up her shower, she made her way to her room, and began getting dressing in warm baggy clothes. Drying her hair with her towel, her phone rang caught her attention. Picking it up she clicked the answer button, "Hello?"

"It's Han, just checking if you're alright," his voice spoke over the phone, a little worried for the his girlfriend.

The girl hummed and smiled at the sentiment, "I'm alright, I just had a bunch of work to finish," she replied putting him on speaker as she continued to dry her hair, “Anyways, where are you?”

“We just finished up with Sean, so I’m driving back to the club," he told her as he was indeed driving, his eyes drifting to the surrounds traffic.

Amara hummed, "Can you come to my house?" she asked him, hoping that he would.

He was silent for a moment before he sighed, "Yeah, I'll be there soon," he said then hung up the phone.

It wasn't even ten minutes when she heard the doorbell ring. Running from her room she headed towards the front door. Opening it was her boyfriend with his hands tucked in his pants.

The girl threw herself onto him and kissed him deeply. The man does not hesitate to return the kiss. Pulling away eventually he looked down at her, "Are you okay? Why do you want me here?”

She cupped his face in her hands and smiled softly, “I always want you here," she replied holding his face in her hands.

He chuckled, "In front of your house?” he asked her, raising a brow.

The girl shook her head, "No, not that. I'm just worried about the business you're involved in and I don’t a day where you won’t be able to be here,” she paused to look into his eyes, “With me.”

Han frowned at her words, "Hey, I'm not going anywhere," he told her kissing her softly, then pulling her into a tight hug. Placing his head on top of hers, he closed his eyes remembering the moment. Never in his life did he think he would matter this much to anyone. But now that he had her in his arms, he didn’t want to let go. He knew that no business could come between them, ever since they met, he knew that Amara loved with all her heart.

"Can you stay the night?" she mumbled into his chest as she hugged his torso.

"Only for you," he told her, as he followed her into her home. Closing the front door.

As they got to her room he removed his shoes and laid on her bed. Amara joined soon after, her head on his chest as her leg hugged his body.

The two soft in conversations, about nothing and everything. Han smiled at the sight of their hands intertwined, “How’s school,” he then asked in a moment of silence.

He smiled when the girl groaned and shoved her face deeper into his chest, “Its fine, but I would’ve been done if it hadn’t been for my stupidity,” she mumbled eyes now focusing on playing with her boyfriend’s fingers.

He rubbed small circles on her hand, “Hey you’re not stupid, you just had a little too much fun at the underground, but look at you know,” he paused to poke her stomach, the result making her giggle, “You’re back on track now, smartest girl I know,” he said leaning down to kiss her forehead.

Amara smiled up at him, “You are too good to me Han Seoul-Oh,” she said kissing his chest.

Han hugged her tight and kissed her head again, “And it’s only for you, my love,” he mumbled releasing her form his tight hold.

After a moment of silence when he didn’t hear anything, he looked down to see the blonde fast asleep. Hand resting on his chest as she snuggled closer to him. He smiled at the sight and brought his hand over hers, and joined her in dream land.

It wasn’t much later when Ryder had returned from work and noticed the orange Mazda parked beside his daughters. He could only assumed it belonged to Han. Twinkie drove his hideous Hulk car, and Takashi and Neela always had some sort of silver going on. And the new boy in town wouldn’t be driving such an expensive piece without it looking wrecked.

Parking his motorbike, he shook his head. He trusted Amara to not make him a grandfather anytime soon, but she was still young. But he also knew that Han was the one, when he was willing to take the blame when they were much younger.

The two men never spoke as their jobs were so different, but he knew Han liked his daughter enough to put himself in danger for her. And for that, he would be forever grateful. Being a better partner than he was in his youth.

Walking into his home, he made his way towards Amara's room. Lightly knocking on the door in case they were doing something he didn't want to see. Pushing the door open, he saw Han and Amara soundly asleep.

Smiling to himself, he closed the door softly, not wanting to disturb their peace.

The following morning all she could do was slam her hand on her alarm. She wanted nothing but stay in bed all day with the man she loved. As she sighed and made her way out of the bed. Han shuffled around, until she threw a blanket over him.

Walking over to her closet, she pulled a new set of uniform on her desk chair. Taking off her larger clothes, and settling into her cold uniform. Zipping her skirt, and fixing her collar over the vest.

She then reached for a brush from her desk, and brushed out any knots that were created over night. Walking to drawers in her closet, she grabbed a set of socks, slipping them on, her shoes following after.

As much as Han wanted to ignore the soft noises coming from Amara, he couldn’t. He missed the warmth she provided from being beside him. Pulling the blanket a little closer to himself, his eyes peeled open. His sight on the blonde girl who was putting on mascara.

He knew the girl hated wearing make-up to school, she said it was a waste of time. The only times she did was race days, or going out with her friends or himself. He appreciated she wanted to look pretty for him, but he could careless. He’s seen her with nothing and everything.

Han smiled at the sight, “You look good in that uniform," he rasped, his sleepy voice broke the silence in the room.

Amara turned around and saw him watching her with eyes barely open, "Go to sleep," she told him, walking over and pecking his lips, before she went he pulled her closer for a much longer kiss.

Eventually she pulled away and leaned back to peck him, “Alright Casanova, I have to go,” she whispered and pecked his lips one more time, “I’ll see you later,” she mumbled and got up, grabbed her bag and closed the door.

Out of habit after being far enough from her room, she yelled out, "Bye pops!" and then spotted and cringed as she now realized he knew Han spent the night. The bright orange car parked out couldn’t lie. Not wanting to talk about it that moment, she rushed out the door and ran towards the trains. She didn’t want to have that talk with Ryder O’Conner just yet.

After a short ride on the train, she arrived at school, and spotted her friend, “Neela!” She called after the shorter girl.

The girl smiled her dimples showing at the sight of the blonde, “Amara, word has flown that you and Han have gone public,” she teased shoving her elbow into her ribs.

Amara rolled her eyes, but blushed nonetheless, “That is not what I want to talk about,” she paused to look over at friend seriously, “Are you okay after yesterday? Sean looked like he pissed you off. I could punch him if you want.”

Neela sighed but shook her head, “I’m alright more or less, Sean’s just a bit of an asshole sometimes,” she replied biting her lip at the memory of her and the American teen.

"You're telling me," Amara scoffed, knowing how much trouble young boys could be. She was just lucky to have one who was already passed that era of his life.

The girls laughed and headed to their first class together, along with the others. Now the two going over the work they had been assigned. But before the two could reach the classroom. It was suddenly a girl grabbed Amara, "Amara, Twinke top floor," she told the blonde.

At the sound of her friend’s name, she loosed her arm from Neela, “Thanks,” she replied and ran up the steps to reach the roof. Hoping that it wasn’t anything severe.

As she jumped to the last step she shoved her way through the crowd, spotting Morimoto fighting Twinkie. The dark skinned teen, not having a single fighting bone in his body. Amara didn’t think twice and dropped her bag, rushing to her friend’s aide. Stepping infront of the shorter boy she glared, “The hell are you thinking Morimoto?” She hissed as she watched him removed his blazer.

The redhead laughed, "Ask your boy that, he gave me a broken iPod," he said spitting his direction, a sinister smile graced on his face.

The blonde placed her hands on his chest pushing him back slightly, "Knowing you, you broke it dumbass," she told him.

His face contorted into annoyance, "Get out of my way, Amara before you join this mess," he threatened and he cocked his head to the side, “And you know what Takashi will say when he hears,” he continued.

Amara laughed this time, "Threatening me? Alright," she said and curled her fist just like her father had taught her, and swung it directly into his nose, hearing a crack, “We both know who Takashi would side with,” she taunted leaning down as he gripped his nose.

Morimoto looked up at her and glared as he grope his nose and realizing it was bleeding, “You bitch!" he screamed.

Before any more damage could be made, Sean came to aide, and pulled the Amara behind him to help Twinkie. With a new distraction, the blonde looked down at her friend, “Are you alright?” she asked him.

The boy nodded, "No blood," he assured her causing her to nod.

"Here try not to break this one," Sean said hate handing him a new iPod, which he knew was his, but he needed to keep the hostile-ness to a low.

The redhead glared at the three and took the new iPod. Spitting on the ground and leaving with the reset of his group.

Twinkie ran a hand over his head, knowing this was bad for him, "Say, man! What the hell is wrong with you, huh? Now everybody's gonna want exchanges around here," Twinkie said not happy with what Sean did.

Amara scoffed, “Hey Twinkie, we saved you ass from being beaten up," she told her friend also pushing him, grabbing her bag, she passed Neela who motioned her to go ahead. Nodding she went downstairs.

The day went on normally for Amara, beside the fight from earlier. She participated in school, got high marks, and the same feeling of accomplishment as when she was young surged. She didn’t know why but she loved the stares of jealousy pointed at her. How does she even have time to do all her work? Isn’t she always clubbing and shit? All the whispered all wondering how in fact she was succeeding school, when all they ever heard was her rendezvous around Tokyo.

But the day came to an end, but before she could go home and do nothing. Twinkie stopped her, “Amara hey,” he called grabbing onto her forearm as she headed to the trains.

The blonde turned to look at him, crossing her arms, “Yes Twinkie? Come to yell at me more?” She asked raising a brow.

He sighed looking around as the other students headed out form the school, “Look, I’m sorry about my reaction okay? Just Morimoto made me mad, and Sean giving him his iPod didn’t make it all that better,” he paused to put a hand on her shoulder, “I shouldn’t have taken it out on you.”

Amara cocked her head and said nothing for a while. Really looking into his eyes if he was sincere about his apology. When she saw no inconsistency, she nodded, “I forgive you,” she said and watched his smile grow, “But,” she paused and watched it fall, “Do anything like that again, and you’ll be the one receiving an ass kicking from me.”

Twinkie just nodded but continued with his smile, “You got it, I also wanted to ask if you wanted to join us for a game of soccer?”

The blonde just smiled and nodded, “Sure thing little man,” she replied putting her hand over his shoulder and walking back towards the trains.

“You have to stop doing that just because I’m shorter,” The dark skinned boy grumbled.

Amara couldn’t help but laugh at his whining, but he never pulled away from her embrace.

Clad in a sports bra and Adidas track pants, she and the boys played on the roof of one of Han’s buildings. A soccer field placed conveniently on top. Dribbling the ball, she was able to maneuver her way around them, until Earl came along and she accidentally tripped him before she scored.

The teenage boy got up, "Foul! You tripped me on purpose," he yelled at her from the floor.

She lifted her hands, "No, no, I scored, you tripped on your own!" she yelled back running around in circles, copying all the professional soccer players, she’s seen on television.

As he got up the two continued to bicker and began fake wrestling in order to win. Then as she grabbed him a head lock, he pat her back, “Han sort your chick out!" he yelled above on the terrace.

"Oh because you can't take it?" Amara teased dropping him to the floor under her grip.

Han looked back at the game and rolled his eyes, "What do I look like a zebra?" he yelled back ignoring their game, but he made a motion for Amara to come up.

The blonde stuck out her tongue to Earl who was still mumbling about a foul. Running up the stairs she walked over to the boy. Noticing his water bottle in hand, she took it and drank from it.

Han gave her a look but didn't stop what he was saying to Sean, "I have money. It's trust and character I need around me. You know, who you choose to be around you lets you know who you are." He told him, "Take Amara here, before you came around these parts, it was her I was teaching."

Amara rolled her eyes but looked over at Sea, "Wasn't only you that crushed cars around here," she told Sean who smiled in disbelief, "Mona? That was my doing before you came and killed her again."

Her boyfriend nodded, "But her mistakes and her endless apologies showed me who she was. And I had the money to fix the car again, I let her try again and again until she got it."

Sean nodded, "Look at all those people down there. They follow the rules, for what? They're letting fear lead them," Han told him facing down to the hundreds of people crossing the street.

Sean looked back at Han, "What happens if they don't?" he asked.

"Life's simple. You make choices and you don't look back," Han said recalling all the choices that have gotten him this far.

"So if you don't drift to win, what do you drift for?" Sean asked now, seeing as winning wasn't everything for Han.

The man looked over to Amara and smirked, "You really want to know?" He asked as she nodded understanding.

"Yeah," he replied as if there was no answer he would rather hear.

"Okay let's go," Han finished and wrapped an arm around Amara as they headed to their cars.

As they were heading out, “You know the street right?” He asked her.

The girl rolled her eyes, “Han, love, obviously,” she replied and walked off to get into her car. Driving away towards the location they had just spoken about.

She paused in the middle and waited. Like the gentleman that her boyfriend was, he didn’t leave her waiting.

The sudden rumble of the car was the first thing she heard. The squealing of the tires and then the bright orange reached her line of sight. She watched as his Mazda circled her Skyline endlessly. Her eyes meeting his with every loop. When he stopped their eyes continued in silent conversation. Leaving Sean to watch the two in awe. He knew Han could drive, but not this well.

Smoke surrounded her car as she smiled at him. She stuck out a hand and motioned him forward. Moving he had his car right by hers. Getting up from her seat, she stuck her body out the window leaning into his, to plant a kiss right on his mouth.

And the admiration quickly died when Sean was forced to witness the kiss between the two. He watched her pull away and look at him in the eye and wink. Getting back in her seat she waved and drove off.

Sean said nothing for a while, “She’s the one you picked?” He scoffed his eyes still wide, “You’re twice her age.”

The older man only smiled, “I didn’t pick her kid, she picked me,” he paused and looked at him and he moved the car to drive, “And she gets anything she wants.”

Sean shook his head with a smile, “You’re whooped.”

Shifting gears to go faster, “Maybe,” was his only reply.

The American laughed at the thought of Han being a lovestruck boy for Amara amused him. There wasn’t that many men that he knew, that were that in love with their partner

[noah-luck-easterly]

Egotistically, I'm going to assume this is about my country.

So in 2016, the media found Trump's campaign so ridiculous that they essentially gave him free air time, which arguably helped win him the election. This year, they seem to have decided to treat the election as an apocalyptian fight between him and Biden, leading to lots of messaging from liberal outlets about needing to support Biden to protect democracy, which is where I'm guessing this is coming from. I think they're wrong. Biden can't protect democracy. Voting, as an idea, is one of my favorite things about the U.S. In theory, it's a non-violent revolution! To make a change we don't need to convince people to risk their lives, we just need to convince them that a certain idea is right and get them to vote for it. But this is of course not how it's actually worked. There's land-based representation in the Senate and Electoral College, gerrymandering and other shenanigans at the state level, and centuries of voter suppression tactics and outright denying the vote to various groups. Even so, the dream of democracy has helped protect this country. Enfranchised people, even if they didn't get their choice in a particular election, were promised that they'd have another chance to get their way if the system itself survived, if they maintained it. Every single one of the tactics that undermines democracy undermines that dream and the order it provides. And to those who've been disenfranchised, marginalized and suppressed, this is a good thing! The system has failed them, and the more people who are aware of that, perhaps the closer they are to fixing the system itself. My working definition of "Liberal", as the left uses the term, is people who are still under the dream's sway. People who, when they learn of the problems with voting, choose to bury their head in the sand. Who choose order over justice. I don't think voting can fix our system, not alone.

But I think it's my duty to use every tool in my toolkit to make things better, voting included. I don't believe in the brinksmanship of "let things get bad enough that we'll have to change." I believe in fighting for every foot of ground. Because, flawed as they are, elections still matter. Local officials wield enormous power at the local level and serve to reinforce and empower officials at higher levels. It's a mistake to frame Biden as the savior of democracy. This system won't be saved in the next election, but we can make things better for so many with the right people in school boards, city councils, as mayors, judges, state senators and house reps. And in concert they can do even more. Not enough, not fix, but fight for that next mile of progress. And to do that, I need to be pragmatic enough to choose the lesser of two evils when I'm given the chance.

If there's a runaway trolley full of people bearing down and another group tied to the tracks, I'm all for trying to save everyone. Let's put brakes on the tracks, let's get those people untied, whatever we can do. Let's send some people to the trolley factory, see why they keep sending out these defective trolleys. Let's get that guy who keeps tying people up.

But at the zero hour, if you put put me in that voting booth, I'm absolutely going to pull that lever to divert it to the track with one person tied down. It's not just, it's not good, and it's not going to be any comfort to the person run over or their loved ones.

I voted for Biden last time, and so what evils he does are in part on my hands. But I'm not willing to let everything fall down while I wait for perfection to come along.

libs are so damn annoying, if you have to choose one guy to “protect democracy”, your democracy is fucking dead. “If there is an election where you are forced to pick between two evils, then it’s your duty to pick the lesser evil” if there’s an election where you are forced to pick between two evils, then it’s your duty to rid of the system that’s producing them in the first place

[superkilometerfilter]

When to Replace Tires Mileage and How Long Do Tires Last?

As a car owner, you understand how important maintenance is for your vehicle’s safety, performance, and lifetime. Mileage is an important factor in deciding how long your tires will last, but it is not the only thing to consider. If you’re wondering when you should replace your old tires, the answer isn’t just a number on your odometer. Many factors can impact the durability of your tires, including road conditions and driving habits. Then, how do you know when you should replace them? More factors than you realize might affect your road safety. This article will analyze several crucial signals and factors that go beyond the distance you’ve driven and help you determine the perfect time for tire replacement.

How Long Do Tires Last?

Most passenger vehicle tires typically last between 50,000 and 80,000 miles, but this can vary widely. The lifespan of your tires depends on factors like the type of tire, the manufacturer, and how well you maintain them. For instance, high-performance tires might only last around 20,000 miles, while well-maintained all-season tires can exceed 100,000 miles. For example, if you regularly drive on traffic-free roads in moderate weather, your tires might last longer than those of someone who constantly deals with city streets or harsh weather conditions. Also, tire technology keeps evolving, and some manufacturers now offer tires that can last up to 80,000 miles or more under proper care. Keep in mind that even if your tires have not reached their mileage limitations, other variables, such as age, might require a replacement. Many experts recommend changing tires that are between 6 and 10 years old, regardless of tread depth, because the rubber naturally degrades with time. This aging process might occur even if the tires have seen little use or have been meticulously kept.

What Factors Affect Tire Lifespan?

A number of factors can affect how long your tires last:

Aggressive driving practices: such as quick acceleration, harsh braking, and high-speed turning, can cause tires to wear down more quickly.

Road conditions: Poor roads, potholes, and debris can all lead to early degradation of tires.

Climate: Extreme temperatures and weather can have an impact on tire efficiency and lifetime.

Vehicle type: Your automobile’s overall weight and shape influence how rapidly its tires wear down.

Tire rotation and balancing: Performing regular maintenance on your tires might help extend their life.

Tire quality: Higher-quality tires tend to last longer than cheaper alternatives.

When to Replace Tires Mileage in 2024?

You should replace tires after 50,000 – 80,000 miles, as passenger vehicle tires generally last up to 50-80k miles. The replacement period may vary according to various factors, and it is generally accepted to replace tires after 50,000 miles. Also, if your tires are over 6-10 years old, you need to replace them despite the accumulated mileage. However, replacement timing might vary significantly based on various factors:

Tire Types: tires typically last 50,000-80,000 miles, racing tires between 20,000-50,000 miles, and long-life tires for a maximum of 100,000 miles.

Driving habits: Driving recklessly shortens tire lifetime.

Road conditions: Rough roads cause faster depreciation.

How to determine if it’s time for replacement?

Check tread depth: Replace if less than 2/32 inch (penny test).

Check for irregular wear and tear.

Replace tires over 6-10 years old, even if they still have good tread.

Do not rely exclusively on mileage. You need to inspect tires regularly. Some tires may require replacement before achieving a certain mileage, while others may exceed it. Remember that changing tires on time improves your vehicle’s safety and overall performance.

What Are Signs for New Tires?

While mileage is a useful indicator, you should also look for additional signs that the tires need to be replaced:

Use the penny test to see if your tire tread is lower than 2/32 inches.

Check for uneven wear, such as bald areas or unusual patterns.

Check for obvious damages to the walls, such as cuts, cracks, or bulges in it.

Age: Tires over 6-10 years old may need replacement owing to rubber deterioration, even if they appear to have adequate tread.

Excessive vibration while driving may indicate tire issues.

The Importance of Timely Tire Replacement

Replacing tires in a timely manner is essential for your car’s safety. Worn tires minimize grip, extend stopping distance, and increase the likelihood of accidents. This is even more dangerous in wet or icy conditions. In an emergency, a weakened grasp might be the difference between avoiding an accident and becoming involved in one. Another element that will be affected by the tire is your vehicle’s performance. New tires improve handling, turning, and control. Improved performance guarantees that your car will operate without an issue in any scenario. This may surprise you, but replacing tires can be cost-effective in the long term. Do you wonder how? Changing tires before they become totally worn out will help avoid damage to other elements of your car. Hence, you will save money on future expensive repairs. By investing in fresh wheels at the right time, you improve safety and comfort and save money as well.

The Risks of Driving with Worn Tires

Continuing driving with worn-out tires might have disastrous results.

High risks of blowouts: When tires wear out, the chances of cuts and blowouts increase significantly.

Hydroplaning: Worn tires disperse water less effectively, increasing the danger of hydroplaning in rainy weather.

Reduced traction: Worn tires diminish grip, especially on slick ground.

Longer stopping distances: Aged tires take longer to stop completely, which might be harmful in an emergency.

Accident risk: When all of these elements are considered together, the probability of getting involved in an accident increases.

How to Increase the Tire Life: Tips and Recommendations

Maintain correct tire pressure: Check your tire pressure every month. If you notice a mismatch, readjust as necessary. Proper inflation lowers wear and increases fuel economy.

To maximize maintenance, replace tires regularly: Most manufacturers recommend doing so every 5,000 to 8,000 miles.

Get Frequent Alignments: Misaligned wheels can lead to unequal tire degradation. Evaluate your tire alignment at least once a year or if you detect any tugging or vibration.

Avoid Overloading: Excess weight adds pressure on your vehicle, causing tires to degrade faster.

Select the correct tires for your vehicle: This will help you have an optimal driving experience. To choose the appropriate tires for your needs, check your owner’s handbook or a tire technician.

How Are Car Tires and Mileage Connected?

Vehicle mileage and tire wear are tightly connected. The more miles you drive, the more your tires wear down. Hence, this directly affects the lifespan of your tires. This happens because of the constant friction between your tires and the road. Gradually, the process reduces the tread depth and impacts car safety. Manufacturers usually provide guidelines that indicate tires’ lifespans under normal conditions. However, this information is never precise, as various factors can change the actual lifespan. For instance, your driving habits, following maintenance guidelines, and the terrain can all significantly modify the tire’s longevity. Let’s discuss some examples. Consider a family vehicle with all-season tires rated to 60,000 miles. The owner usually drives on well-kept highways and complies with a regular maintenance plan. In this case, the tires might get close to or even surpass their allowed mileage, reaching 70,000 miles or more before needing to be replaced. Now, Imagine a sports car with high-performance summer tires. They are rated for 30,000 miles. If the car owner frequently drives on winding roads and participates in track days, the tires will wear out much faster. Such aggressive tire pressure and hard driving conditions may lead to required replacement just after 20,000 miles.

What Is Mileage Blocker?

The mileage blocker completely turns off the mileage tracking mechanism for all control devices. It is made in Germany using high-quality components. The gadget is exceptional in the market because of its features:

Altered data is completely untraceable.

The gadget doesn’t lead to any CAN Bus system defects.

The mileage blocker has multiple options to choose from.

The device has a mobile application. You can control the device from your mobile.

It has easy installation instructions.

In most nations, installing the device is lawful, and it was designed with ethics in mind. Thus, you should only utilize it in a controlled setting and always disclose its use to the future owner of your car. Moreover, the mileage blocker is suitable for almost all car models. The mileage blocker is immediately available for purchase on the SKF website. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with support or customer service if you require any details.

Takeaway

Understanding when to replace tires mileage is essential for maintaining your vehicle and improving safety. The general guidelines recommend changing tires after 50,000 miles. However, several factors can affect the final decision. Keep an eye on the condition of your tires and follow routine maintenance for maximum safety.

[fenrislorsrai]

Although many cities, including Vienna, Philadelphia, and São Paulo, use regenerative braking to some degree, Barcelona is among the few to use it so extensively and the first to tap it for electric vehicle charging infrastructure. Utilizing energy that is otherwise lost as heat when a train slows can significantly reduce a transit system’s energy consumption. (Other efforts, such as optimizing the settings for Barcelona’s semi-autonomous trains and using AI to optimize the ventilation in each car, have further reduced energy needs by double-digit margins.) With the adoption of MetroCHARGE, 33 percent of the energy used by the trains comes from regenerative braking, or enough to power 25 subway stations, said Jordi Picas, who leads the project and is director of metro systems at TMB. In subway systems that don’t deploy regenerative braking, “there’s so much energy that’s not being used, and not only is it lost, it also generates heat that spreads inside the tunnels and increases the temperature,” he said. Since implementing regenerative braking, the temperature in Barcelona’s subway system has decreased by 1.8 degrees Fahrenheit.

additional

Given that a single train costs about $6.6 million and has an average lifespan of 35 to 45 years, it’s essential that transit operators include them in medium- and long-term planning, he said. - - -

Cities like New York — which has the world’s fifth-largest metro system, with 472 stations and 665 miles of track — could see significant energy savings from regenerative braking due to the sheer scale of its subway network, said Ahmed Mohamed, director of graduate studies at the Department of Electrical Engineering at the City College of New York. In a 2018 study, Mohamed and his team found that the Metropolitan Transit Authority, or MTA, which runs New York’s subways, could cut its energy consumption by 35 percent if it adopted regenerative braking system-wide and used the electricity it generates to power trains and station amenities. As of 2022, just half of the city’s trains use the technology, according to the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, although any new trains are required to have it. However, “there’s not necessarily a strategic plan for how they can be used for energy saving,” Mohamed said, adding that the MTA, which would not make anyone available to comment, favors regenerative braking because it requires less maintenance than conventional friction brakes.

Meanwhile in New York

Also New York:

NYC murders down, traffic deaths up and NYPD OT tops $1 Billion: Mayor’s report

The report pointed to an increased NYPD presence across several fronts. Enforcement of minor summonses like fare evasion and open container law violations have increased by 34% since last fiscal year, totaling 180,000, and by 210% since three years prior, before Adams took office. Summonses for drinking in parks and on stoops in particular rose by 13,000 since last year and by a whopping nearly 57,000 since fiscal year 2021.  Major felony crimes are slightly down since last year, largely driven by a 15% decrease in murders and an 18% decrease in shootings, but still up overall from pre-Covid — and grand larceny auto, robbery and felony crime in housing developments all increased from the year before. The stepped-up police presence across the city has come at a cost, with the NYPD paying out record overtime. This year, the number broke $1 billion for the first time.

I'm not great at math here, but this seems like you could probably take some of the money you were spending on cop overtime enforcing fare evasion and SPEND IT ON TRAINS and get a return on that investment for the next 35-40 years.

SEEMS LIKE A GOOD IDEA.

My point of putting them all together here is partially just so New Yorkers can yell at their mayor and representatives in a constructive way. "Stop spending money on cops cracking down on fare evasion!" "well, how are we supposed to recoup the money from fare evasion?" "Finish installing regenerative breaking on the subway system!"

hyperspecific things like that can sometimes throw people for a loop on the standard arguments. No, it doesn't solve the fare evasion issue (and honestly its a public service, FUND IT LIKE ONE, making it free and funding it that way would be more effective!!!) but it DOES reduce operating cost for the next 35-40 years which just attacks the budgetary issue from a different angle.