#hard chrome plating

[babyprincegladiator]

Cromado duro, previsión del tamaño del mercado mundial, clasificación y cuota de mercado de las 11 principales empresas

Según el nuevo informe de investigación de mercado “Informe del Mercado Global del Cromado duro 2024-2030”, publicado por QYResearch, se prevé que el tamaño del mercado mundial del Cromado duro alcance 2.46 mil millones de USD en 2030, con una tasa de crecimiento anual constante del 4.0% durante el período de previsión.

Figure 1. Tamaño del mercado de Cromado duro global (US$ Millión), 2019-2030

Según QYResearch, los principales fabricantes mundiales de Cromado duro incluyen Element Solutions, Atotech, Hausner Hard Chrome, CCA Hardchrome, Omori Chrome Industry Co., Ltd., Trinity Holdings, US Chrome, Electro-Coatings, Verbrugge, Pioneer Metal Finishing, etc. En 2022, las cinco principales entidades mundiales tenían una cuota de aproximadamente 11.0% en términos de ingresos.

Figure 2. Clasificación y cuota de mercado de las 11 principales entidades globales de Cromado duro (la clasificación se basa en los ingresos de 2022, actualizados continuamente)

The hard chrome plating industry, often associated with the manufacturing and surface finishing sectors, is influenced by several key drivers:

1. Industrial Growth and Manufacturing Sector: The demand for hard chrome plating is closely tied to the manufacturing industry. As industrial production and manufacturing activities expand, particularly in sectors such as automotive, aerospace, and machinery, the demand for hard chrome plating as a surface treatment for various components and parts increases.

2. Automotive and Transportation: The automotive and transportation industries are major consumers of hard chrome plating, using it for applications such as piston rings, cylinder bores, and various other critical components. As these industries grow, the demand for hard chrome plating rises.

3. Aerospace and Defense Applications: Hard chrome plating is widely used in aerospace and defense applications for its ability to provide corrosion resistance, wear resistance, and dimensional restoration. The expansion of aerospace and defense projects directly influences the demand for hard chrome plating.

4. Machinery and Equipment Manufacturing: Machinery and equipment industries utilize hard chrome plating for hydraulic components, cylinders, molds, and other critical parts. The growth and modernization of these sectors contribute to the demand for hard chrome plating.

5. Renewal and Maintenance: Ongoing maintenance, refurbishment, and renewal activities across various industries drive the demand for hard chrome plating, particularly for repairing and restoring worn-out or corroded parts, thus extending the operational life of components.

6. Corrosion Resistance Requirements: Various industries, including marine, chemical processing, and oil & gas, require components with high corrosion resistance. Hard chrome plating provides an effective solution, making it a critical choice for parts used in harsh environments.

7. Market Innovations in Plating Technologies: Evolving plating technologies, such as advancements in environmentally friendly processes and alternative materials, continually impact the hard chrome plating industry. Innovations that improve efficiency, reduce environmental impact, or offer superior performance can drive market growth.

8. Global Economic Trends: The overall economic health of regions and countries has a direct bearing on the demand for hard chrome plating. Growth in industrial output and manufacturing, coupled with expansion in trade and commerce, impacts the market for hard chrome plating.

These drivers collectively impact the hard chrome plating market, shaping its growth, development, and technological advancement within various industrial sectors.

Sobre QYResearch

QYResearch se fundó en California (EE.UU.) en 2007 y es una empresa líder mundial en consultoría e investigación de mercados. Con más de 17 años de experiencia y un equipo de investigación profesional en varias ciudades del mundo, QY Research se centra en la consultoría de gestión, los servicios de bases de datos y seminarios, la consultoría de OPI, la investigación de la cadena industrial y la investigación personalizada para ayudar a nuestros clientes a proporcionar un modelo de ingresos no lineal y hacer que tengan éxito. Gozamos de reconocimiento mundial por nuestra amplia cartera de servicios, nuestra buena ciudadanía corporativa y nuestro firme compromiso con la sostenibilidad. Hasta ahora, hemos colaborado con más de 60.000 clientes en los cinco continentes. Trabajemos estrechamente con usted y construyamos un futuro audaz y mejor.

QYResearch es una empresa de consultoría a gran escala de renombre mundial. La industria cubre varios segmentos de mercado de la cadena de la industria de alta tecnología, que abarca la cadena de la industria de semiconductores (equipos y piezas de semiconductores, materiales semiconductores, circuitos integrados, fundición, embalaje y pruebas, dispositivos discretos, sensores, dispositivos optoelectrónicos), cadena de la industria fotovoltaica (equipos, células, módulos, soportes de materiales auxiliares, inversores, terminales de centrales eléctricas), nueva cadena de la industria del automóvil de energía (baterías y materiales, piezas de automóviles, baterías, motores, control electrónico, semiconductores de automoción, etc.. ), cadena de la industria de la comunicación (equipos de sistemas de comunicación, equipos terminales, componentes electrónicos, front-end de RF, módulos ópticos, 4G/5G/6G, banda ancha, IoT, economía digital, IA), cadena de la industria de materiales avanzados (materiales metálicos, materiales poliméricos, materiales cerámicos, nanomateriales, etc.), cadena de la industria de fabricación de maquinaria (máquinas herramienta CNC, maquinaria de construcción, maquinaria eléctrica, automatización 3C, robots industriales, láser, control industrial, drones), alimentación, bebidas y productos farmacéuticos, equipos médicos, agricultura, etc.

[alasriah]

Premium Antique plating services at great price

We are the industry leader in delivering the metal, chrome, & copper antique painting services for our multiple clients in and around Sharjah. Our skilled craftsmen have years of experience to color match your heirlooms and bring them back to their original look. Our antique plating is ideal for items such as- candlesticks, indoor furniture, interior fittings, brass and copper panels, accessories, etc. We pride ourselves in delivering amazing results for decorative pieces of household and industrial products. Get in touch.

[kamalshaftpvtltd]

Hard Chrome Plated Round Rod Supplier - Kamal Shaft

Kamal Shaft Pvt Ltd is a leading Hard Chrome Plated Round Rod Manufacturer and Supplier in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India. Established in 2014, we specialise in producing high-quality hard chrome plated round rods that are widely used in various industries, including automotive, hydraulic, and manufacturing. Our hard chrome plated round rods are known for their durability, precision, and resistance to wear and corrosion, making them ideal for demanding applications. We use advanced technology and high-grade materials to ensure our products meet the highest standards. We are committed to delivering excellence and customer satisfaction. Our team of experts works diligently to provide customized solutions that meet the specific needs of our clients. Choose Kamal Shaft Pvt Ltd for reliable and efficient hard chrome plated round rods that enhance the performance and longevity of your machinery and equipment. Visit our site - https://www.kamalshaft.in/hard-chrome-plated-round-rod

[bhansalitechnocomponents]

To select the best hard chrome plated rods, consider factors such as material, diameter, surface finish, strength and more. Choose a hard chrome plated rod manufacturer with a reputation, quality certifications, and customer reviews. Ensure compatibility with your machinery and operating conditions for optimal performance and longevity.

[kamalshaftindia]

Induction Hardened Rod Manufacturers and Suppliers from Gujarat, India - Kamal Shaft

Kamal Shaft Pvt. Ltd is the Manufacturer and Supplier of Induction Hardened Shafts from Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India. Our products are made in accordance with industry standards and are available in a wide range of sizes, shapes and materials.More Info visit our site.https://www.kamalshaft.in/induction-harden-rod

[rpsonshaft]

Hard Chrome Plated Rod Manufacturer & Supplier from Ahmedabad | RP Son Shaft

[bits-and-babs]

could i be cheeky and ask for some more mandalorian 👀 preferably touch starved din

✦ 𝐊𝐄𝐄𝐍 ✦

– KINKTOBER DAY 2: TOUCH STARVED

din djarin x reader | smut, 18+ | 1.2k words

summary: the child has been getting in the way of you and mando spending time together. after weeks without your touch, he's finally reaching his limit.

cw: f!reader, needy din, slightly ooc din to fit the theme, begging, oral (m receiving), cumming early, reference to f oral.

⇽ KINKTOBER MLIST | DAY 3: PHONE SEX ⇾

Even a kriffing Miraluka, blind as they are, could see how badly Mando desperately wanted you to touch him. The sheer yearning that rolled from The Mandalorian in waves was enough to shift the midichlorians themselves, the fibres of the galaxy trembling whenever you were near him.

Weeks trapped inside the Crest with Mando, far too preoccupied with the tiny green gremlin to pay attention to his needs had taken its toll on the warrior's mentality. Grogu had been pulling at wires, leaving the ship static in dead space and even managed to find a button that sucked the oxygen from the hangar, resulting in a frantic struggle to restore O-Levels to baseline before your lungs shrivelled. A menace to the galaxy, you’d spent more time with your eyes glued to the tiny, green hazard than you had sleeping. 

In turn, Mando was practically trembling with need. He’d let out a shaky sigh every time you sat beside him in the passenger seat, voice-strain evident even with the crackle of the vocoder doing its best to conceal the distress that dripped from each singular-syllable response to your questions. 

In deep space with the child finally down in his cot for a much needed sleep, Mando’s leather gloves creak with the grip he tightens around the controls of the Crest. You hear the grains scream under the pressure as you approach, glancing over the map and the coordinates Greef Karga had offered in Mando’s search for the bounty. It’s cruel, barbaric almost, but you swear you can’t see the digits, numbers far too small for you to see from this close… So you place your palm on Mando’s shoulder, leaning over him in an attempt to get a better view. 

You'd never admit it, but the way you somehow managed to touch him between the Beskar plates of his armour was completely intentional. It was a guilty pleasure, seeing the stoic bounty hunter crumble simply from the pressure of your fingers. His chest heaves, each muscle in his body stiffening under the weight of your fingers. 

Regardless of how heavy the Mandalorian’s stare was, his eyes burning into your skin from behind the tinted visor, you refuse to advance without his request. You pretend not to notice, mouthing the digits of the coordinates to yourself, squinting as though you were unable to see.

It had been weeks of this Loth Cat and Womp Rat game, and poor Mando seems to be reaching the end of his tether.

You finally feel his respove snap when you settle your hand on the nape of his neck, leaning further over his shoulder to ‘check the fuel levels of the Crest was enough to make the journey’. Your fingertips brush the bare skin between the neck of his flight-suit and the edge of his chrome helmet, and Mando nearly doubles over like he's in pain. He chokes out, and you can tell he's already hard, his cock straining against his flight suit.

"Please, please fucking touch me,” Mando’s voice sounds utterly pathetic, a far cry from the vicious warrior that blasted through whole packs of assassin droids.”I can't take it anymore, I ca-ahaaa-" he can't swallow the moan that bleeds through the vocoder when you palm his cock though his suit. You can feel the hard curve of his cock twitch against your palm, even though the thick fabric. A rough squeeze sends Mando’s head rocking back against the seat with a quiet, metallic thunk. 

“It feels like you’ve missed me,” you murmur quietly, feeling his hips jerk against your touch when your voice reaches his ears. Prickling arousal bleeds across your skin at how reactive he is, the usually stoic figure shaking himself apart under your touch.

“M–Missed you so much,” he admits, and you’re almost certain you hear the strain of his teeth from grinding them together, “Hah– Need to feel you on me, nee-d to be in you.”

Offering a soft hum of acknowledgement to his suffering, you spin his seat around slowly. His head seems loose on his shoulders, unable to hold it upright when he sees you sink to your knees in front of him. You almost feel sorry for him, watching how he frantically scrambles to free his cock for you. 

The first drag of your tongue against the arch of his shaft has Mando panic-stricken, his hands grasping the arms of the seat when his dick throbs heavily against your taste buds. 

“Fuck–” He growls, practically choking on his own voice, “C–Can’t!”

“It’s okay,” you whisper against a pulsing vein beneath his velvety skin, “We can do it again…” 

Pre-cum slips from the ruddy head of his cock at your gentle encouragement, a tortured whine rattling in Mando’s lungs. It’s so loud that you wouldn’t be surprised if the sound was bouncing inside the Beskar walls of his helmet. 

Carefully, you trace the tip of your tongue against the salty head of his cock, letting out a sharp breath when Mando takes a tight fistful of your hair. His chest is heaving, barely able to keep from slurring his words when he begs you to take him into your mouth. 

Slackening your jaw, you hum softly as you take just a few inches. Mando, in what seems like a half hearted attempt to escape the overwhelming pleasure, pushes his whole body back against the chair while choking out obscene curses. You’re so slow, trying your best not to overwhelm the poor, devastated man– but the flat of your tongue pressed against the underside of his cock and the tip nudging the back of your throat is all it takes to obliterate his self control. 

Mando sounds almost winded by the force with which he cums. His balls pull up so tight, the fingers in your hair clenching to the point your follicles scream beneath the grip. Underneath the Beskar armour, every muscle in his body flexes before the cum hits the back of your throat. Spurts of thick, salty seed paint the inside of your mouth, violent jerks of his shaft causing Mando’s head to fall backwards again, whimpering as you swallow down– swallow around him. 

“Hoh-Fuck–! Stars,” he babbles, wheezing out your name while the last of his cum drips from his cockhead. Pulling from him when his thighs finally start to seize from the overstimulation, you lean your head against Mando’s trembling knees and giggle. He looks utterly exhausted, slumped in his seat and chest heaving as he sucks oxygen into his lungs. 

“Your mouth– hah–” he wheezes out a slight laugh, so unlike the reserved Mando you met in a bar on Corellia. You’d stopped the child from running off into the crowd, and somehow found yourself with the role of babysitting him while following the bounty hunter on his adventures. “It’s so good…”

“Mhmm,” you hum in agreement, smiling to yourself at the memory of meeting the apathetic, almost grumpy chrome-man as you brush your palm across his thigh and closing your eyes to sweeten the deal, “So is yours. Put it to use and taste me?” You hear the tnk of his helmet touching the ground soon after.

pedro pascal/kinktober taglist:

@xwing-baby , @mybugboy , @pansa-1-san , @pedrosprincess , @cosm1c-babe , @lil-stark , @heart-atttack @crybaby-blue-blog, @ssimelttilgniht @2pacacabra @pauldanosgf @leithatnight @kirsteng42 @dindjarinsmut @s0ftgabby @milly-louise @aynsleywalker @not-a-unique-snowflake-blog @uncassettodiricordi @howellatme @mortallyuniquepeach @maviee @eatingtheworldsoffanfiction @stvrlights-world @alloftheboysivelovedbefore @girlofchaos @s-u-t @pintsizedsunshine @djarin-dreams @solidly-indulgent @bii-aan-ckaa @casa-boiardi @maelstrom007 @nikisfwn @levi-llama @haunt3dh3art @lundenloves @rentaldarling @cyberpr1m3 @jedi-in-crocs @yunggoblin @spideyman-peter @iaur @cool-iguana @paleidiot

@bloodmoon-bites @wiltedwonderland @doggydale @limegreenbabx @namelesshumanperson @ninahhh-brahh

[ultrainfinitepit]

Millions Knives.

Here are the two brothers together. I was inspired by the fight in the Trigun Stampede finale.

For plating I'm leaning toward blue and purple chrome with soft enamel and epoxy. But I'm considering gold and black nickel plating with hard enamel as well.

These pins and other pins I've shared recently will be available as addons as part of my Angelology III campaign. I'll basically be using Kickstarter/Backerkit as a preorder system for them. You can follow the pre-launch page to be notified when the campaign goes live.

[joedirtymadre]

The Tea 🫖

Senku x reader (smut) 🤫

(A/N): First post but I think it came out alright. Taking requests so send em.

I just finished helping Francois with preparing dough for some pastries that the villagers requested before we left on our voyage. “Hey! (Y/N)!” Suika shouted. “There’s something I wanted to give you!” She yelled as she ran up to me. “Ok, one second Suika. Let me finish helping Francois first,” I replied. “It’s alright (Y/N), you’ve helped more than enough. Take a break. I’ll have a cup of tea as well,” Francois smiled. “Alright then!” I smiled and cleaned my hands on a cloth. “Awesome! Now come on (Y/N). I made something and I wanted to give it to you,” Suika said and rolled off towards the forest. I quickly ran off in pursuit.

We reached a clear opening with beautiful flowers surrounding. “Oh wow Suika! It’s so beautiful here,” I said in astonishment. “Wait, wait, close your eyes,” she said and I quickly covered my eyes. I heard rummaging and I think Suika tripping?

“Ok, all done!” She said as she tried catching her breath. I uncovered my eyes and saw a little picnic set up. “Oh wow! Suika, you made a picnic?” I asked as I ran over to the little set up. It was a white fluffy blanket with leaf plates, sandwiches, pastries, and a lot of tea. “I set everything up myself, and Francois helped me with the food!” Suika smiled. “This is so cute, were you planning on having a party?” I asked. “Yeah, but everyone else said they were too busy preparing for the voyage… You were the only one that could come,” She said softly. “Oh Suika,” I said and hugged her. “Well looks like they’re missing out! Come on, all your hard work shouldn’t go to waste,” I smiled. “You’re right!” Suika said and sat down. We ate and played charades for a while. “Wow (Y/N) you really like that tea,” Suika said as I poured another cup. “I know this is my 5th cup, but it’s really tasty. What did you put in it?” I asked. “Well I collected the usual stuff we make for teas, but I found this new herb. Francois said that a little bit helps give people energy, so I tossed a whole bunch in that I found.” Suika explained. “I wanted to make everyone super strong so they could keep up with all the hard work they’re doing,” she said. “Suika you’re too precious,” I cried joyfully. “Anyways, in 10 more minutes let’s clean up and get back to work ok? I feel bad for leaving the rest of the work to Francois.” I explained. “Ok!” Suika nodded.

After cleaning up I walked back to Francois. “Man, I can't believe I had 3 more cups of tea,” I sighed. But I feel kinda weird, am I getting sick? “Hey (Y/N)! What are you doing slacking off? I thought you were helping Francois prepare food for the villagers before we left?” I heard Senku call out. I looked around and saw him walking back from his science lab. “I was, but Suika wanted to show me something and Francois said we should take a break. So I went off with Suika,” I said and began feeling my face heat up. “Ahh, she was trying to tell me something earlier, but I was busy with Chrome mixing some chemicals together,” he explained as he walked up to me. “Yeah, it… was a picnic… we had tea,” I panted. “(Y/N)? Hey are you-“ Senku stopped as I tripped over myself and caught me. I fell forward and he wrapped his arms around my lower back, his touch burning my body. “S-Senku! Ah~” I let out. “(Y-Y/N)? What’s going on? Are you sick?” He asked. “I don’t know… I was f-fine earlier. I started feeling… hot after hanging with Suika…” I mumbled and pressed myself harder against Senku. His touch feels so hot and good. “H-Hey calm down! L-Let’s get you to bed,” Senku said and helped me to his hut as it was nearby.

He laid me down softly on his bed. “I gotta go find Suika and ask what she gave you,” he frowned. “No, don’t go~” I said and held onto him. “I’m burning, I want your touch,” I said desperately. “I-I’ll be right back. I don’t want to find out you got poisoned, give me a minute!” He said and ran out. I hugged myself trying to calm my body down, what’s wrong with me?? I want Senku to come back, no I need him to come back. I want his touch, I want him.

Senku’s POV

“What the hell did Suika give her?” I asked myself as I ran around the village trying to find Suika. I looked over to Francois and Suika talking as they prepared the food. “Suika! Hey!” I called out as I ran over. “Oh, hi Sen-“ I interrupted her. “Suika! What did you give (Y/N)?” I yelled as I gripped on her shoulders. “W-What?” She squeaked. “Senku? What’s going on?” Francois asked and took my hands off Suika. “I don’t know, I found (Y/N) and she just came back from your picnic. Then all of a sudden she fainted and her body was burning,” I explained with urgency. “W-What? But she was fine I swear!” Suika cried. “I know, I know. But I need you to tell me what you gave her, maybe she was allergic to an ingredient?” I asked calmly. “No, that shouldn’t be an issue. I helped her prepare all the food,” Francois explained. “What about the tea? I heard (Y/N) mention tea,” I said. “Tea? Oh Suika made tea and-“ Francois stopped. “What?” I asked. “Suika… do you remember the herb you showed me?” Francois asked softly. “Yeah, you told me it gives you a lot of energy so I put a bunch in it! To help everyone have energy to keep up with their work,” Suika explained. “Oh my, and how many cups with (Y/N) have?” Francois asked. “I don’t know, maybe 8 or 9?” Suika said, confused. “I see… well don’t worry you didn’t poison (Y/N), Suika. Now can you check on the pastries in the oven with Yuzuriha?” Francois asked. “Umm… ok,” Suika walked away hesitantly.

“Francois, what's going on?” I asked. “Suika found a small panax ginseng,” she stated. “Panax ginseng, that shouldn’t be a big dea- (Y/N) drank 8 cups of panax ginseng tea, with a huge dose of the herb…” I said, disheveled. “Seems so,” Francois coughed awkwardly.

(Robot Senku here! Panax ginseng is known to have great benefits, like giving a person more energy. However, there is some evidence of people using it as an aphrodisiac. To improve sexual dysfunction and/or improve a female’s libido.) 😌

“Well I’m sure the brilliant scientist can figure this one out. I will be continuing the pastries now,” Francois walked away leaving me alone. “So (Y/N)’s high on an aphrodisiac? Great…” I sighed as I dragged myself back to my hut. “What do I do? Is there anything I could give her?” I thought as I stood outside. “Think-“ “Mmm~” I was quickly brought out of my thoughts. “Senku~~ Are you back yet?” Her voice so cunning. “Senku~ come inside~” she said so beckoning. I feel like I’m back at the sulphuric lake… I’m sure if I explain the situation she’ll understa- my mind quickly interrupted as I walked in and witnessed the scene in front of me.

Your POV

My mind is so fuzzy I can’t even think straight, but I know one thing. I wanna fuck, fuck Senku. I removed my clothing and began playing with my clit, trying to calm some of the heat that dwells inside me. I suddenly hear “What do I do? Is there anything I could give her?” Coming from outside the door. He’s here~~ I thought, and called out to him, stopping his train of thought. “Senku~ come inside~” I purred, beggin for him to take the bait. I see the door open and feel my heart beating out of my chest. This is all so exhilarating. The face Senku is making as he sees the sight of me, rubbing my wet pussy. My skin tinted red from whatever is happening to me. “Senku~” I smiled. He quickly ran in and shut the door. “(Y/N) y-you should know t-that-“ I interrupted him. “I don’t care,” I panted. I quickly sat up, startling Senku. “I only want one thing…” I purred and reached for the belt of his robe. “(Y-Y/N) you s-should-“ he gasped. “You’re right I should,” I smiled and quickly pulled on his belt, letting his robe come undone to a hard cock. “H-Hold on,” he said, panicking. “Please Senku? I just want to stop this fever, and this might stop it,” I begged. “I just w-want to know a-are you sure you want me? There’s R-Ryusui, he might be more e-experienced,” he stuttered. I shook my head, “I-I never done this b-before either. But I do w-want you, only y-you,” I blushed a darker red. “But if you don’t want to then I’ll try to go through this alone,” I said as I hugged myself. I heard something fall to the floor, looking up to Senku who’s fully disrobed. “So what were you gonna do again?” He said as he placed his cock in front of my face.

“Senku~ Slow down~ Too much!” I gasped as he fucked me. “What happened to all that confidence? Waiting for me to walk in to see you. This is your punishment for teasing me,” he smirked as he sped up. I wrapped my legs around him, and threw my arms around his neck. “Kiss me,” I gasped. “Whatever you want princess,” he chuckled and pulled me in for a deep and sloppy kiss. I moaned in between the kisses. “Senku, my body feels so hot!” I cried out. “Well let’s cool it off,” he smirked and I felt a finger brush against my clit. “Ah!” I cried. “Wait! Not that sp-!” I bit my lip. “What do you want (Y/N)? Tell me,” Senku grunted as he continued the pace. “I wanna…!” I flipped my head back. “Want to cum! Let me cum!” I cried. “That’s my good girl,” Senku smiled, and thrust one final time and let out a groan, while ecstasy flew through me so intensely. “Senku!” I gasped and fell back on the bed. “Fuck…” Senku panted and fell beside me. “Feel better?” He asked me. “Mm-hmm I don’t feel weird anymore. Thanks Senku,” I smiled softly. “No problem, I feel bad that you were out in this situation,” Senku said. “I don’t think it was all that bad,” I smiled. “Huh?” He asked, confused. “Well I got to fulfill my fantasies of being with the guy I like,” I said nervously. “Ah, well good for y- Oh.” Senku said. “Haha, yeah,” I giggled. “Well same goes for me I guess,” he shrugged and pulled me in for a hug. “Hmm… maybe I’ll have to ask Suika for that tea again,” I said. “Maybe not for a while, that was a lot of stamina I wasted,” Senku said with a pale face. “Ok,” I smiled, and he pulled me in for one last kiss before falling asleep.

[helps-the-writing-brain-go]

More Imaginary Captain Marvel AU bits

Billy jumps off the Magic Train (the title in proper caps, because little Billy knew important things, wonderful things were always thought of as such), barely wobbling as he made it over the large gap between the gleaming chrome beast and the dirty, crumbling platform of the station.

The train hisses, sputtering steam that seemed to tousle Billy's hair, making the boy giggle. (In truth, the Train looked like a modern thing and hence should have no steam, but really, who was there to judge aside from a delighted little boy what a Magic Train desired to do?)

Billy turns on heel, the warm, bright light that had since made its home in his chest smoothening the movement, almost-there warm, phantom hands bracing at his shoulders before letting go. Billy grins even wider before waving the Train off to wherever it was that Magic Trains went when they weren't ferrying little boys to and fro from Wizards to the Mundane World.

"Bye! Bye-bye! Thank you for carrying me Mr. Train!" He shouts and the train whistles loudly in farewell (even despite it having no whistle), and races off, sparks of all colours of the rainbow shooting off the rails, leaving the scent of ozone and the ground right after rainfall.

Billy keeps waving until the train is out of sight, then leaves the platform himself, his tiny body shooting off like an arrow, years of familiarity guiding his steps.

The low light sifting through the holes in the roof after the Train had gone had let Billy know all he needed to. It was getting dark, and even little boys who'd been granted an Amazing Thing should know better than to be out in the open after dark.

He makes to turn a corner, (that street is always dark, the streetlights near it never having been fixed, but Billy knows it, so he's not that scared of it-), but hears his Papa's voice whisper:

'Not that way today, Champ.'

And Billy listens, hand fisting over his heart and the pulsing, warm glow that shone ever brighter.

His Papa nudges him a little more as he goes and he makes it home in good time, and even better yet, had the wonderful fortune of passing by a generous baker, who, having not sold a few baked odds and ends left at the end of the day and who had been surprisingly full himself, had taken one look at little Billy crossing the street and happily gifted them to him instead. (Somewhere in the back of his mind, the scent of bread intertwines itself with other comforting smelling things like Ms. Polly's gardenia perfume, the down of feather boas, inks and papers and burning sands-)

Billy, having arrived, carefully unlocks the door to his apartment, shoving hard to make sure it is in place and locked before he putters over to the corner of the tiny room that served as the kitchen.

His Mama is the one that comes out to help this time. He can't hear her, but he can feel her warm prescence at his back, her arms over his as she plates his bread all pretty and radiates such a feeling of pride at him for managing to keep everything so clean despite his circumstances that Billy's face is nearly all the way pink, flushed with a mixture of embarrassment and pride. (Other bits and pieces cheer him on too, someone laughing gaily and complementing his fine manners, another brief sensation of a person petting his head for a job well done and-)

Billy washes up, then sits at the table with the lone chair he'd salvaged and fixed from the building one over's trash, with mismatched legs and lets himself revel in the warm feeling, like hugs inside and out as he eats, his mind and body filling with something even more wonderful than food.

He knows, kind of, that these aren't really people, aren't really his parents, but at the same time they aren't not people and his parents. Or so Billy understood from what the agitated Wizard had tried to tell him.

Billy knows now that when the Wizard had tried to give him Powers, he'd meant for him to be a Hero, a Protector of Magic and its Balance and of the Rock of Eternity itself. He'd seen the comic peeking out of Billy's bag and been confident in how the Powers of Shazam would take shape in the little boy. Unfortunately, the comic had been more a gift and Billy's idea of heroes, nebulous as it was, came from his father's words about kindness and goodness and from the dozens of bits of kindness offered to him from people around him that had shaped him and let him live till today. Billy idolized heroes like Superman and Batman and Wonder Woman, but in his heart of hearts, heroes had meant something entirely different.

So when Billy had said Shazam's name...it hadn't been Billy, stylized as a Hero version of himself that had emerged, but a Hero born of all the other people, experiences and kindness he had ever been exposed to. Captain Marvel was someone wholly Billy and yet not. Built from his memories, from his experiences and Heart, based off his form yes, but also from the amalgamation of the other people who Billy had thought of as true heroes.

On the one hand, Tawky Tawny, who had spawned in at the Wizard's palpable confusion and almost-distress, had commented that Billy would be far safer with the Captain quite far removed from who Billy truly was, but was also shot down by the Wizard's own assertation that with Him not being entirely based on Billy's good heart as Shazam had picked, meant that he could be unpredictable, that he might turn as-

Well, Billy hadn't quite heard the last bit as the Wizard disappeared in a shower of sparks, leaving his funny robes and hat behind. Tawky had looked terrible sad for a single, deep moment, before covering it up and ushering Billy away back to the train.

"What's done is done." he had said and mentioned that in place of the Wizard, Tawny would help watch over Billy and the strange Captain that had been borne from him.

[drgrlfriend]

Chrome Plated Heart

It's here! My first-bidder auction winners in the Marvel Trumps Hate 2022 auction graciously allowed me to put their (35k and counting) fic on hold so I could write my second-bidder auction, and here it is -- a Marvel Pacific Rim AU featuring Winterhawk! I've posted the prologue and chapter 1 together, and will be updating one chapter per week until I post the last chapter and epilogue together. Enjoy!

Chrome Plated Heart by dr_girlfriend

Excerpt:

“Hey.”  Steve nudges Bucky’s shoulder and tilts his head toward the door of the canteen.  “New blood.”

Riley and Sam turn all the way around to look, not in the least bit subtle as the newcomers follow Coulson in and grab trays.

They are an odd match to be drift compatible — the man as tall and broad-shouldered as the woman is small and slender.  Similar in age, so probably siblings or romantic partners.  Or just new recruits from the Pan Pacific Defense Corps, maybe.  There’s not a jaeger in the assembly line anywhere near to done, but having a backup team on hand is never a bad idea with how high the casualty count has been lately.  Fewer minutes on the war clock after every event, and he heard Pietro Maximoff took a hard hit in Scarlet Sentry the other day — enough to put him out of commission for at least a few weeks.

“Interesting,” Steve says.  “They could almost pass for —” He stops, the forkful of macaroni arrested halfway to his mouth.  “Holy geez,” he says reverently.  “That’s —”

“Lucky Striker,” Bucky finishes.  “Sonuvabitch!”

Romanoff and Barton.  They’re legends, the very first team to establish a neural handshake once Stark nearly blew out his heart trying to pilot a jaeger alone and realized it only works with a shared neural and physical load.

They have more kills than any other team out there.  Hong Kong, Vladivostok, Lima — Lucky Striker has held the line at almost every ‘dome on the rim.  Steve and Bucky have pored over the footage of every single one of their kills, marveling at the way their jaeger moves.  Fluid, seamless, graceful.  And most of all, of course, deadly.

“Think they’re just visiting or they’re here to fight?” Steve asks.

“Either way, we’ll probably at least get to see them in the kwoon,” Riley drawls.  “Shee-it, won’t that be sweet?  Whaddaya think they’ll use?  Staffs?  Nunchaku?  Or just hand-to-hand?”

“Whatever it is, it’s gonna be fuckin’ beautiful,” Bucky says.  

He can’t take his eyes off of Barton.  In the recruitment posters and news clips he’s handsome, sure — tall and blond with an easy smile.  In person though, he’s not nearly as polished.  His hair is all mussed up like he just tumbled out of bed, his faded t-shirt has a hole near the collar, and he’s got about four days’ worth of stubble shadowing his jaw.  There are bright purple hearing aids looped behind each ear, a Wonder Woman bandaid across the bridge of his nose, and a scrape along his cheekbone.  Bucky thinks this scuffed up and scruffy version of Barton is about a million times more appealing than the airbrushed PanPac posterboy.

As Bucky watches, Barton reaches out to snag a piece of lemon meringue pie.  He puts his thumb right into it as he tries to fit it onto his already-full tray.

“Aw, pie, no,” Bucky hears him say mournfully over the background hum of conversation.  He balances the overfull tray on one forearm, bicep threatening to split the seams of that threadbare t-shirt, and sticks his thumb in his mouth, sucking off the smudge of lemon and meringue.

Bucky feels his heart stutter as he watches that thumb going into Barton’s lush mouth and coming back out, leaving both it and Barton’s lips pink and wet and shiny.  “Fuckin’ beautiful,” he breathes.

[timaeusterrored]

(The Pool Boy)

((Remember that one post I made waaaaay back in the early days when everything was cool? Yeah well I’m finally writing it))

Kerry Eurodyne remembers a time when he would have been embarrassed by Ariel seeing the state of the villa after a long night. But now he couldn’t find it in himself to care. Both were used too it, just as much as Kerry was used to being shaken to make sure he was still alive and Ariel starting conversations way too early.

“Kerry! Up! Breakfast!” Ariel was two seconds from pouring water over the rocker if he wasn’t up in the next five seconds. Kerry knew the annoyance in his voice, this song and dance happened every morning.

The rocker followed the smell of food and winced at the bright lights, attempting to dim them but immediately got scolded by his cook. Claiming he ‘needed them.’ Kerry just figured he was in a bitchy mood today. Or maybe he himself was in the bitchy mood.

Ariel was talking a mile a minute while Kerry stared at his back and tried so hard to focus on what he was saying, but failed miserably. What on earth was this man on today?

“Kerry!”

The older man winced, putting his hands over his ears for a moment. Was Ariel’s voice always so loud? Or was Kerry just extremely hungover? When was the last time he was this hungover?

“Did you hear anything I just said?” If anyone saw them right now, Ariel could have been confused for a disgruntled lover not getting paid attention too.

“No, I didn’t. What the fuck did you say?” God he sounded awful. Ariel just rolled his eyes and put on a pot of tea.

“I said that we have a new guy coming in. He’s on the younger side so be nice. He’s gonna be helping Miguel out, with the pool or something. I dunno.”

“I’m always nice-“

“Remember that time I came in and you launched a bottle at my head at full force.”

“Hey now, that was only because you came in at fuckin five am while I was in the zone, that was your fault.”

Ariel flipped him off then placed a heavenly plate of food in front of him. Kerry ate slowly, trying to keep himself from throwing up, and any mention of the pool boy gone from his mind- Ker don’t call him a pool boy this is not a porno.

The thought made him laugh and Ariel looked up from his own food in confusion. Kerry stated once that Ariel could eat whatever he wanted, he cooked the food he should be allowed to enjoy it! And if he came in early enough, Miguel was welcome to join them too… Kerry needed to stop hiring only men. He wasn’t even attracted to either of them, it just happened.

Ariel forced Kerry to drink the tea and honey he had made him, stating with as renowned as Kerry was for his voice, he took absolutely awful care of it. If Ariel knew Kerry when he was in his early years, he’d know Kerry was a princess about his voice. Now his chrome did most of the work and Kerry stopped caring as much. At this rate, Kerry was going to sing himself into the grave.

After breakfast was said and done and Kerry decided to be somewhat human today and take a shower, he wondered about the new hire. Honestly he wondered if he had been told at all, or had just not been listening when it came up. Either way, he trusted his gardener to not hire some complete clown.

What he wasn’t expecting was a complete piece of Night City beauty standing by his pool, talking to Miguel. He was tall, built like a fucking merc, and had gorgeous red hair Kerry wanted to grab. Oh and he also didn’t look a day past at least 26. And Kerry wasn’t sure if he had reached that level of his celebrity meltdown yet of dating a guy that young.

“Absolutely not, Kerry Eurodyne.” The voice behind him made him jump out of his skin. He needed a fucking bell on Ariel at this point, who was packed and ready to go to the store to restock Kerry’s fridge. “That kid is like 28 and way not prepared to deal with you.”

“Deal with me?” Kerry asked, offended now.

“You know exactly what I mean, Ker. Don’t fuck your pool boy, that’s just pathetic.” Ariel wasn’t wrong… but fuck.

Over the next few weeks, Kerry had for the most part, stayed out of the kid’s way. He learned his name was V, when Kerry asked Miguel if that was it, he was told that’s all the pool boy told anyone. He was from Heywood, his dad was apparently a ripperdoc in the city, and he liked boxing. Pretty basic if you asked Kerry.

But the weird part was that no one had seen him actually get into the pool. He somehow managed to avoid doing it every single time he was there, doing his work from the sidelines. He did a damn good job of it too, they were just impressed he could do it.

He was normally in and out, doing his job quickly and quietly to a point that Kerry honestly kinda forgot about him… until one morning.

Kerry had been on another work binge, up all night writing and composing, when he just happened to still be up when V’s car rolled up. It was a hunk of junk and Kerry noted he needed to look at his pay. Pretty boy like that deserved better than a junk car.

It was way too early for any normal human being to be up and at em, but Kerry supposed he was awake too. Maybe it was high time for and introduction. Kerry forgot he actually had to introduce himself to people.

He walked out of the villa once he had put some more presentable clothes on, a cup of coffee warming his hands as the door slid shut behind him. The pool boy was hard at work, doing… whatever it was he did with the pool. Kerry actually had never taken care of this thing on his own… had his fame really made him this lazy.

“Bit early for a swim, ain’t it?” That was his opener? Dear god he was rusty. Alright, Ker, put on the charm.

The man turned his head over his shoulder in confusion, then his eyes widened. Kerry heard him swear before he stood up, drying his hands on a pair of cargo pants. Seriously what was this dude’s deal? How do you work on a pool and not get in?

“Shit I’m sorry, hope I didn’t wake you up- uh, Mr. Eurodyne?” He said it like a question, like he was testing what Kerry preferred to be called.

“Kerrys fine, kid. And I wasn’t sleeping, so you’re fine on that front… never answered my question though. The hell are you doing here at 5:30 in the morning?”

Fuck what was this dude’s name? Z? Van? V! That was it. V looked perplexed, hands in his pockets as he examined Kerry for a moment.

“I’m always here early. I don’t wanna be in anyone’s way so I come and get my job done and then leave.”

It was kinda impossible to bother anyone with a face like that but okay. And also normally Kerry for the most part alone, unless Ariel was worried about him or Miguel needed extra hours, in which he just sat down with Ker and Ariel and had lunch or something. But this kid? Bothering them? Unlikely.

“And do what the rest of the day?”

V shrugged. “Help my mom out at her bar, or my dad in his clinic. Or Y’know, hide bodies.” Oh he thought he was funny did he?

“Oh are you good at that? I actually have some in the bathroom I needed help moving.” Kerry shot back, earning a small laugh from the pool boy.

“I Uh… I should probably get out of your hair soon, don’t wanna-“

“You want a cup of coffee?” Kerry cut him off. Clearly this kid had some deep rooted issues and Kerry was too tired to ask why he felt like he was bothering him. So here they were.

“Uh… sure.” V’s voice was quiet, but Kerry didn’t miss his small smile as he was lead inside. He wouldn’t fuck his pool boy…

Not yet.

[kamalshaftpvtltd]

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[bhansalitechnocomponents]

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[tinyascanbe]

Introducing my g/t story

Beetle Shells

its based on actual entomology work ive done as a scientist, very self indulgent! TW: Cursing, light nudity, light blood, bugs (non aggro bugs)

Chapter 1: Introduction

I took quick and long strides down the sterile white hallway. At the end of the hallway were double doors tinted a dark black with yellow and red warning plates on the side. Reaching the end of the hallway and approaching a set of lockers, I instinctively reach for one marked with pink duct tape. Sighing, I shed my coat and donned a fresh laboratory coat along with medical boot covers. I tied my hair back into a messy bun of curls and finished up by secured the boot covers and buttoning up the coat. Beep beep beep beep! I stepped through the first door after punching in a personalized unique code. It was completely dark except for the UV light and stepped onto a sticky white pad. I heard the familiar hissing and allowed the cold air shower to blow onto my face and body before the stream dissipated. Lights automatically turned on and she then entered the quarantine lab. The quarantine lab was divided into four sections with one of the chemist labs right at the entrance.

“Heya Kyle. Any lucky today?” I approached the other scientist, peering around his shoulders at the beetle he was dissecting.

“Eh yknow, still having a hard time replicating the pheromones of this particular species. Still no preference or response to any of my solutions. The boss is pressuring me to get one ready in preparation for a public meeting with the state. Theres some big money involved with this research and the public havent been responsive. These invasive lil guys sure are causing me to lose sleep.” His face is creased with stress as he talks about it and he drops his tools in frustration.

“Yeah…they sure are cute lil guys. Imagine when you finally formulate it though! Theyll want to be all over you. Then your army of beetle lovers can eat the public opinion!” I laugh and pick up an analytical jar filled with peat and watch as the horned beetle emerges to munch on some sugarcane.

“Also hey how many do we have in inventory?” I inquire.

“Uhhh probably around 400 individuals over 5 generations. Sixth generation is scheduled to emerge in a few days now.” He answers, still not looking up at me. I admire his brown sleek hair, shining under the fluorescent lighting. I usually made excuses to talk to him throughout the day.

“Wow I wonder how much room we have left in here, we’re packed full. Well I have to work for about 3 hours with the longhorns so Ill come check in later to see if I can assist you.” Striding off, I walk through a hallway and enter a large metal door with a large latch.

I come into an enclosed refrigerated room and curse my luck on being stuck here. Its all plated metal with a chrome shelving unit on wheels and a long black table that stood about waist height. Plopping down on the black top swivel stool, i reach up for my clipboard, a binder, and mechanical pencil. Flipping open the binder, I scan the list of insects to be tested and pull out a form from another tabbed section. I flip open my airpod case and connect to my phones spotify playlist and walk out of the refrigerated hell to go grab my lil buddies that I get to hang out with for awhile. The insect species are separated by room so I dance over to the longhorn beetle room down the hall. The walls are lined with cups full of insect food and individual insects in each container. Buckets of different types of plants for feeding and a few carts along with another black table in the center of the room, fairly messy with forceps and papers were scattered about. The containers were marked with a gender sticker and had assigned genealogy tracking numbers. Sometimes Id mark a little heart on their containers if I was particularly fond of one of the individuals.

Dancing over and grabbing the cart, I stack male beetles and referencing my clipboard every so often. I scooted them all carefully back into my refrigerated testing room while grooving a bit to the music. I grabbed my favorite stick from the shelving unit and popped the top of the container to LB-08924 and was greeted by shaking and hissing.

“Oh nope. How bout you calm down there young man. Ill give you a few more minutes.” And grab another container for a second try.

On the table is a glass Y tube. Theres one small air hose connected to one side with the vaporized pheromone that the lab created and one small air hose connected to the other side with regular air. I get the next individual onto the stick and gently transfer them to the entrance to the tube and start a timer. The little antennas move a bit and stays in place. Waiting for the male to make a decision, I scribble in quick notes and information out on my form. Finally after 3 long minutes the male decides to walk down the tube towards our lab solution. I detach the air hose and gently pinch the lil guy to pull him out with a gloved hand. With a rather ungraceful plop, the male is dropped back into the container and the lid snapped shut.

Three hours go by and Ive listened to a whole Phish album and a podcast. I push a fallen curl behind my ear and straighten my posture, flipping through my reports to make sure I didnt miss any information.

Id been looking forward to taking a break and talking to Kyle again and the thought made me smile a bit to myself. I replace all my test subjects back to their respectful places, pop out my earbuds, and walk down the long hallway back to the main chemist lab.

“Kyle! Still hard at work I see. Im finished up with my beetles, need me to try and take a crack at yours?” I call out, seeing him in the same exact position as before. But this time, he actually turns to meet my green eyes with his darker gaze.

“Actually…yeah. The boss just fuckin yelled at me again to hurry this up. He doesnt understand that I cant rush this and once it is formulated, we have a long QC process ahead of us… Test this for me will you?”

“Yeah, anything for you. Give me a couple minutes to warm up first. Sample size?”

“Lets do 50 individuals. Using a spoon is your best bet to dig em out of the peat. Thanks, Clementine.” He holds out a vial to me and i take it, flashing him a smile and receiving one back.

I take the vial and slip it into my lab pocket readying a new cart of the new much larger rhinoceros male beetles. I struggle to balance their glass containers on the cart and right as I attempt to move the cart into the doorway of the testing room, the cart wobbles and causes the glass jars with the beetles to fall. Lunging to save the falling beetles, I trip in the process, breaking the vial and causing the glass to puncture through my jacket and shirt into my side. I land on other glass and thankfully none of the beetles.

“FUCK. ME.” I hiss and to my dismay I hear footsteps running over to me.

“Dude this didnt happen, lets not file an OSHA report and shit you know how much paperwork that is. Its my fault I shouldnt have tried to bring in that many bugs. I’ll take care of it all seriously Im fine. Im so sorry for breaking your vial I know that took you a long time..” I couldnt stop talking. Nevermind as fast as I was. I felt so embarrassed by the whole thing and wished I was alone. Kyle was staring at me with saucer eyes as if I ended the world by smashing his creation and I felt so badly about not being more careful.

“Uh Clementine… are you…. are you ok..? What the fuck…?”

I look down and see blood… but the blood stains look huge…but so does the lab coat itself…fuck I dont feel good. Woah all the beetles are surrounding me. The ones on the walls all surfaced from their peat. What the fuck….

Everything was in slow motion. I couldnt think straight and I felt like I was floating on hard drugs.

I realize Im craning my head up at Kyle with panic in my eyes.

“What was in the vial?” I slowly struggle to ask?

“Nothing that would cause this?? Its impossible. Maybe a dream??” He looks down at her with matching panic, hands shaking and staring down in fear as he appeared larger and larger to my now slumped body.

Ten or so beetles had finally began to crawl on me as I reached the height of the waist high table. Fear gripped me in the uncertainty but I realized I could barely stand from the overwhelming dizziness and weakness that overtook me. I was no taller than the waist high table and I collapsed to the ground causing two beetles to jump off.

“Help, please” desperation soaked my voice as their barbed legs gripped into my skin and my height still diminishing.

Kyles eyes darted and he finally began snatching the beetles off me and placing them in the labs emergency bug net. His huge hands approaching me caused my heart to race faster with fear. Holding the net of angry buzzing beetles, he turned and ran to secure them, leaving me. I had no idea how tall I was at this point, just that I was probably under 1’ by the look of things. I began to drag myself towards the bottom of the cart to try and hide underneath. There was no where else to hide and I couldnt trust a scientist, no matter how cute. The loud sound of footsteps coming back pumped fear through me and I realized I wouldnt be able to hide in time.

“Oh fuck youre so much smaller now…are you still shrinking?! Wait hey stop its ok theres no more beetles. All the insects are all locked up.” Kyle pushed the cart to expose the top half of me that had dragged myself under and squatted down in front of me.

“Uh sorry it took me a minute to process everything before helping you. I have no fucking idea whats happening but I feel responsible for giving you that vial. Im going to….pick you up now. Theres a lot of glass on the floor. Youre like 4 inches right now and I think you stopped shrinking.”

I watch, laid out on my side, bleeding in various places as he reaches both hands out in front of him, tilting his head as he considered how to exactly pick me up. I swallow as the hands approach. He uses his pointer finger to roll me onto the palm of his other hand. I puke in my mouth as he slowly raises me up to his gaze. His eyes are massive now, huge glossy orbs of color right in front of me. Exposing me. I had never felt so naked before and I shyly move my hands to cover myself despite my naked body already touching his warm palm. Averting my eyes, I hold back tears and feel absolutely out of control of reality.

“Ive got you, dont worry. I’ve got you.” He whispered quietly.

“We’ve gotta go though. We need to address your wounds first and foremost. Youre coming back with me.” Taking control of the situation, Kyles voice filled with more confidence.

“We gotta put you down first though so I can clean this up to prevent any suspicion. Im gonna lay you on the table now. Ill grab your shirt so you dont get cold. Youre shaking…i think.”

I couldnt speak. I didnt know what to say. I nodded weakly at the massive being and the nausea hit again as he lowered his hands and moved to the table. Using two fingers, he gently pushed me off his palm and I rolled onto the cold metal. In that moment I felt like a rag-doll specimen. He quickly plucked my bra from my shirt and brought the shirt up and wrapped me in it. My shivered chattering began to quiet and I soon found myself asleep to the sounds of him cleaning up broken glass.

[kaylinalexanderbooks]

Find the word

Thanks @space-writes for the tag here!

Rules: find the given words in your WIP(s) then tag some people with new words!

My words: return, allow, free, away

Your words: positive, breathe, hair, accent

Tagging softly @writernopal @the-stray-storyteller @mk-writes-stuff @blind-the-winds @little-peril-stories @loopyhoopywrites @buffythevampirelover @cowboybrunch @elizaellwrites @bread-roses-and-chrome @sleepywriter00 @mysticstarlightduck @revenantlore + OPEN

TSP intro

TSP tag list (ask to be +/-): @thepeculiarbird @illarian-rambling @televisionjester @finchwrites - you know the drill; y'all can join in if you want

Keep reading for:

Sweet moment between Maddie, Kelsey, and Wilfredo the amigurumi tiger

A day in the life for Úrsula

Debate about phone brightness

Time for a group training session! Gabriel plans.

Return - from The Secret Portal Part Two (Maddie POV)

“Maddie, I do want to have lunch with Hye-Jin!” she snapped. Her tone surprised me. Kelsey sighed. “Sorry. It’s not Hye-Jin, it’s Dr. Asghar. She’ll do whatever it takes to get results out of me, regardless of my comfort.” “Dr. Moon seems okay, though, maybe he’ll talk sense into her.” “Dr. Moon is not okay just because he’s nice,” Kelsey insisted. “But he did tell her we’ll find another way next time. But he also didn’t stop her this time.” “Hm,” I said, thinking. “Well, think positive, then: this won’t happen again.” “It still happened this time.” “But never again,” I repeated. Kelsey rocked on her feet before sighing. “I guess you’re right.” My eyes went to Wilfredo in my hands. I thought for a moment about what Kelsey may need. “Do you need, like, a hug or something?” I lifted my gaze to Kelsey. Her eyes slowly shut tight as her face bunched together, and she nodded. Wilfredo still in hand, I stepped forward and pulled her into my arms. Her face buried into my shoulder, despite being a few inches taller, though her arms took a moment to return the gesture. I tried to think of something comforting to say. “Hye-Jin thinks it’s cool you crochet.” Kelsey let out a laugh-like exhale. “You showed her Wilfredo?” “Well, I didn’t show her; I just held him, and she saw him.” Kelsey pulled away first. “Glad you love him so much. Thank you. C’mon, let’s go to lunch.”

Allow - from School of the Legends Year One

As she ate, Úrsula paid close attention to the harmonies of the baroque music emanating from her speaker. Every part perfectly balanced. Complimenting each other. Contrasting when needed. Úrsula had Bach’s Brandenburg Concertos memorized. Why wouldn’t she? They composed an hour and a half of pure perfection. She swayed along to the up-tempo beat, humming along in between bites. She had been attempting a new hobby of composing her own music just six months ago. She usually worked on her piece around the late morning--after breakfast and she practiced the cello she’d requested...about two years ago now. She liked to think that she’d gotten pretty good for someone who was taught by only herself, the books, and a few instructors she’d found in online videos. Her self-composed piece, however, she was not as confident in. Music Theory was relatively hard to grasp--each time she accidentally found parallel fifths in her four-part harmony she wanted to bash her head against the wall. Besides, she was no Bach, Beethoven, or Mozart. She wasn't a prodigy of her time--she was just a girl with a lot of time. After she finished clearing off her plate, she pressed the pause button on her music. Usually, Úrsula would allow whatever was playing to finish as she awaited Mamãe to bring her whatever dessert she had made, but she had left her book on a cliffhanger. It pained her to leave the music, but at the moment, this was her priority. She leapt on her bed and picked up her book right where she had left off, not bothering to get into her usual comfortable position, as she was too excited. Immediately, she felt her surroundings disappear. She left the confines of the room she’d lived in for the past five years, and entered the world that only existed in the ink forever tattooed on the face of the binded yellowed pages. After a while, when Úrsula turned the page, she found not more story, but the acknowledgements from the author. She sighed, smiling as she closed the book. She wiped her eyes--watering from the ending. She set the book temporarily on the bedside table beside her, glancing at the time. It’d been almost an hour--surely her mother should be in with the dessert soon.

Free - from The Secret Portal Part One (Akash POV)

“I think you have an excellent point,” said Liam. “Keeping your phone brightness low and in dark mode saves a lot of battery.” “But when you go outside, you can’t see your screen without raising the brightness,” said Gwen. “That’s an excellent point,” said Liam. “That’s why you have it on automatic brightness,” Kelsey said. Liam pointed to Kelsey. “Also a good point. You have anything to say, Rose?” “I don’t care,” said Rose. “I keep it up halfway.” “I think it’s fine having your phone brightness all the way up,” I said, inserting myself into the conversation. “I mean, the wide variety is actually helpful for those with different needs. If you can’t see well, you need your brightness up. If you have sensory issues, it’s helpful to have the option to turn it down. And both light and dark mode can be beneficial for those who struggle with their sight.” “Since when were you a debater?” Liam asked, crossing his arms, but looking impressed. “Just making small talk,” I admitted. “Boo!” said Liam. “Hey, George! If you’re free, I’d like to work on that scene for my movie.” “Isn’t it cheating using technology from another dimension?” George asked as he stood. “No,” Liam countered as Sam stepped aside so George could follow Liam into the kitchen. “I’m taking advantage of resources at my disposal. If I were a multibillion-dollar company, I’d be able to get the effect I want. But I’m not. I’m just a dude who wants to impress VFS.” As they disappeared toward the elevators, Gwen perched herself on the back of the couch and Lexi stole George’s spot. “Oh, no, he warmed that seat up, that’s weird.” She moved to the other side of the couch. “Okay, that’s better.”

Away - from The Secret Portal Part One (Akash POV)

My team huddled together. “Okay,” said Gills, “we obviously need to have an offense and two groups of defense: one for Custos, one for the Shoeless team. That’s three groups. There are nine of us, so we should have three on each team. J, you’re on Custos defense.” “Why?” Jazlyn asked. She snorted when Gills looked at her like she was stupid. “I’m kidding, G. You’re adorable when you’re flabbergasted by other’s dumbassery.” She ruffled his hair, causing Parker, Tyler, and me to cackle. “Only Cassidy and Niri also have powers useful against Custos,” Gills continued as he smacked Jazlyn’s hand away. “Oh, thanks, Gabe,” said Liam as Parker laughed and clapped Niri’s shoulder and high-fived Jazlyn with his other hand. Jazlyn gave Liam a half-mocking pat on the head. “Don’t take that as a compliment, Cassidy, I’m facing the facts,” Gills said flatly. “And Beaumont, unless you find out how to shift some wings onto your back, you’re on Shoeless defense. You, too, George.” “Got it,” said George. “But what if—” “You’re not gonna run up the wall to fight Custos. They have a teleporter and your sister on their team. You’re the only one who stands a chance against them.” “Fine.” “I think I could be on offense,” I offered. “I can swoop in and grab the sphere.” “Were you not listening?” Gills asked. “Your powers wouldn’t work near Custos.” “I can build up the momentum and catch myself on the way down,” I reasoned. “No, you’re on Shoeless defense,” Gills stated firmly.