First Lap.
Who? R, K, And V
When? AU Modern (Dubbing this as Racetrack!verse)
Warning/triggers? None in this installment.
Kevin ‘Silver Fox’ Stevens had been driving almost since the time he could walk. Although his father had wanted him on the NASCAR circuit, Kevin yearned for speed and quickly found himself drawn to the velocity of Formula 1 racing. The young man knew he had the skills to be successful, but lacked the upward momentum and networking to crack the elite level of racing. Fate had intervened in the form of a ravishing raven haired school mate - his friend and the daughter of a globally recognized CEO. Kevin still wasn’t sure what had transpired between Rachael and her father, but before he knew it, he had sponsorship and was in training at the top level. Given the support needed, Kevin quickly translated the chance taken on him to win on various courses, steadily moving up the ranks. As he neared his twenty-fifth birthday, he was one of the top Formula 1 racers in the world. Although Casablanca Corporation was still his main sponsor, he'd collected various patrons and benefactors. He was a spokesman for numerous luxury brands. Professionally, he had the makings of a legendary career, personally, he couldn't be bothered. Thus far, nothing excited him like the thrill of a race.
His unique nickname came from a near miss during the first race of his rookie season. The driver in front of him had spun out, causing shrapnel to fly -- barely missing his car and person. The next morning he awoke to see his formerly black hair had gone shock silver overnight. ‘Crafty like a fox’ had described the instinctual driving that had saved him from the critical situation. That had been years ago and his unique style of driving hadn’t changed. After his first season, he had taken off - winning back to back championships and consistently placing in the top five.
This season, a new young star had started gaining popularity with fans. Due to the similarity in their looks, Apollo Ace was hailed as the new Silver Fox. Fox ignored these comments and limited his interaction with the driver. He’d seen the boy’s actions and hadn’t been impressed. Ace had natural talent, yes, but he was also a showboat who didn’t seem to understand the concept of being a team driver.
“How’s things?” Rachael asked Kevin, as he entered the owner’s box the day before his time trials. Lower in the standings, Ace was on the track today. Although Fox had raced this track numerous times before, he preferred to spend as much time at the track as possible prior to the race. Every racer had their own traditions and superstitions - Fox liked knowing who the competition was and had a reputation known for chatting up nearly any local for rumors and tips from those familiar with the idiosyncrasies of the track.
"Can't complain," Kevin said as he greeted his friend with a kiss on the cheek. "What are you doing here? I thought you were in Paris."
She shrugged and said, "I got bored."
Kevin shook his head and smiled as he said, "I'm glad to see you."
"Prediction?" She asked, calling back to an old tradition of theirs.
“A Top 3 finish.” The current track was one of his favorites, he'd placed the past two years.
“Dad will be happy with your performance. You’ve turned into quite the payout.”
Honest to a fault, Fox was well aware that Rachael had initially put Fox forward as a way to get in with her father. Although she'd used him, Fox forgave her - he understood difficult family dynamics. Showing business aptitude and acumen at a young age, Rachael was still dealing with her conservative father, who seemed unwilling to move her into any position of power within his empire. Educated at one of the top business programs in the world, Rachael had been heavily recruited by global consulting firms, but had chosen to work for one of her father's subsidiaries - starting at the bottom.
“Glad to hear it. Water?” He went to the sleek SubZero refrigerator and pulled out a designer bottle. She shook her head and he said, “Where’s your favorite Mr. K? Shouldn't he be here plying with you gifts?”
‘Mr. K’ was the nickname for the Casablanca Corporation’s attaché on the racing circuit. In her younger years, Rachael had been flattered by the older man’s attention - halfway falling in love with him. She was quick to realize his flirtation was a play to get closer to her father and had been ice cold to the man ever since - going so far as to ignore him completely when he was in her presence.
“Ugh - lurking around here somewhere, no doubt.” Snapping her manicured fingers she said, “That’s right - he’s showing around the new PR girl.”
“What happened to the old one?”
“I don’t know. I only keep up with your world when it suits me, monk.”
The affectionate nickname was a holdover from the public persona the pair put on for the world. Her interaction with Mr. K had made Rachael deeply distrustful of potential suitors, and Fox didn't have time for romantic distractions. For various functions, galas and awards - they kept gossip sites guessing by never defining their relationship, but functioned as the other's standing date. A knock on the door caught their attention and Fox said, “Expecting anyone?”
A young woman walked in without hesitating, smartphone in hand and speaking on a wireless. Holding a finger up to Fox who walked up to introduce himself, she continued talking to whoever was on the other line, “So it’s settled. The October cover? Excellent, I’m standing with him right now.” Blue eyes scanned him head to toe and he felt utterly unnerved. She spoke to the phone, “I’ll get him to gain 5…10 pounds of muscle - don’t worry, your readers will be impressed. Excellent - send the contract through.”
Removing the earpiece, she tucked her phone away and, extending her manicured hand, said, “Mina Tipton.”
Stupefied, Fox put his hand forward. The woman in front of him was tiny. Even in her heels (proper enough even to satisfy Rachael’s discerning tastes) only put her near his shoulders.
Rachael managed not to hide her laugh and said, “Good to see you again, Mina.”
“You know each other?” Fox asked.
"I forgot to mention that?" Rachael answered.
AN: Inspired by a few trips past the Yas circuit.
When? AU Modern (Dubbing this as Racetrack!verse)
Warning/triggers? None in this installment.
Kevin ‘Silver Fox’ Stevens had been driving almost since the time he could walk. Although his father had wanted him on the NASCAR circuit, Kevin yearned for speed and quickly found himself drawn to the velocity of Formula 1 racing. The young man knew he had the skills to be successful, but lacked the upward momentum and networking to crack the elite level of racing. Fate had intervened in the form of a ravishing raven haired school mate - his friend and the daughter of a globally recognized CEO. Kevin still wasn’t sure what had transpired between Rachael and her father, but before he knew it, he had sponsorship and was in training at the top level. Given the support needed, Kevin quickly translated the chance taken on him to win on various courses, steadily moving up the ranks. As he neared his twenty-fifth birthday, he was one of the top Formula 1 racers in the world. Although Casablanca Corporation was still his main sponsor, he'd collected various patrons and benefactors. He was a spokesman for numerous luxury brands. Professionally, he had the makings of a legendary career, personally, he couldn't be bothered. Thus far, nothing excited him like the thrill of a race.
His unique nickname came from a near miss during the first race of his rookie season. The driver in front of him had spun out, causing shrapnel to fly -- barely missing his car and person. The next morning he awoke to see his formerly black hair had gone shock silver overnight. ‘Crafty like a fox’ had described the instinctual driving that had saved him from the critical situation. That had been years ago and his unique style of driving hadn’t changed. After his first season, he had taken off - winning back to back championships and consistently placing in the top five.
This season, a new young star had started gaining popularity with fans. Due to the similarity in their looks, Apollo Ace was hailed as the new Silver Fox. Fox ignored these comments and limited his interaction with the driver. He’d seen the boy’s actions and hadn’t been impressed. Ace had natural talent, yes, but he was also a showboat who didn’t seem to understand the concept of being a team driver.
“How’s things?” Rachael asked Kevin, as he entered the owner’s box the day before his time trials. Lower in the standings, Ace was on the track today. Although Fox had raced this track numerous times before, he preferred to spend as much time at the track as possible prior to the race. Every racer had their own traditions and superstitions - Fox liked knowing who the competition was and had a reputation known for chatting up nearly any local for rumors and tips from those familiar with the idiosyncrasies of the track.
"Can't complain," Kevin said as he greeted his friend with a kiss on the cheek. "What are you doing here? I thought you were in Paris."
She shrugged and said, "I got bored."
Kevin shook his head and smiled as he said, "I'm glad to see you."
"Prediction?" She asked, calling back to an old tradition of theirs.
“A Top 3 finish.” The current track was one of his favorites, he'd placed the past two years.
“Dad will be happy with your performance. You’ve turned into quite the payout.”
Honest to a fault, Fox was well aware that Rachael had initially put Fox forward as a way to get in with her father. Although she'd used him, Fox forgave her - he understood difficult family dynamics. Showing business aptitude and acumen at a young age, Rachael was still dealing with her conservative father, who seemed unwilling to move her into any position of power within his empire. Educated at one of the top business programs in the world, Rachael had been heavily recruited by global consulting firms, but had chosen to work for one of her father's subsidiaries - starting at the bottom.
“Glad to hear it. Water?” He went to the sleek SubZero refrigerator and pulled out a designer bottle. She shook her head and he said, “Where’s your favorite Mr. K? Shouldn't he be here plying with you gifts?”
‘Mr. K’ was the nickname for the Casablanca Corporation’s attaché on the racing circuit. In her younger years, Rachael had been flattered by the older man’s attention - halfway falling in love with him. She was quick to realize his flirtation was a play to get closer to her father and had been ice cold to the man ever since - going so far as to ignore him completely when he was in her presence.
“Ugh - lurking around here somewhere, no doubt.” Snapping her manicured fingers she said, “That’s right - he’s showing around the new PR girl.”
“What happened to the old one?”
“I don’t know. I only keep up with your world when it suits me, monk.”
The affectionate nickname was a holdover from the public persona the pair put on for the world. Her interaction with Mr. K had made Rachael deeply distrustful of potential suitors, and Fox didn't have time for romantic distractions. For various functions, galas and awards - they kept gossip sites guessing by never defining their relationship, but functioned as the other's standing date. A knock on the door caught their attention and Fox said, “Expecting anyone?”
A young woman walked in without hesitating, smartphone in hand and speaking on a wireless. Holding a finger up to Fox who walked up to introduce himself, she continued talking to whoever was on the other line, “So it’s settled. The October cover? Excellent, I’m standing with him right now.” Blue eyes scanned him head to toe and he felt utterly unnerved. She spoke to the phone, “I’ll get him to gain 5…10 pounds of muscle - don’t worry, your readers will be impressed. Excellent - send the contract through.”
Removing the earpiece, she tucked her phone away and, extending her manicured hand, said, “Mina Tipton.”
Stupefied, Fox put his hand forward. The woman in front of him was tiny. Even in her heels (proper enough even to satisfy Rachael’s discerning tastes) only put her near his shoulders.
Rachael managed not to hide her laugh and said, “Good to see you again, Mina.”
“You know each other?” Fox asked.
"I forgot to mention that?" Rachael answered.
AN: Inspired by a few trips past the Yas circuit.