#chap 7.2

[animegadaisukiidesu]

[heystarlight]

quick coloring of this chap from O.B because now THEY ARE CANONICALLY MARRIED your honor 

(Ch. 7.2, Occupation to Beloved)

[mirkwoodshewolf]

GOC; AU! Queen x oc female x reader Chap. 7.2

Taglist:

@plethora-of-things​

@waddles03​

@psychosupernatural​

@ixchel-9275​

@simonedk​

@jd-johndeacon-or-jackdaniels​

@queensdivas​

@queendeakyy​

@geek-and-proud​

@wormzteef​

@dancingcoolcat​

@queen-paladin​

@kinole009x​

________________________________________________________

The scene once again changed and now you stood out in an open field.  However unlike the other scenes before, it was the middle of winter because all that lay before you was nothing but pure white snow.  Never have you seen snow this white and pure before (at least to this degree).

You both hear footsteps coming up beside you and coming up standing just a few feet beside you was Serafina.  She looked older roughly around 15-16.  She wore black winter dress with a blood red overcoat around her.  Her hair was now almost down to her butt but it was tied up in a French braid.

Soon coming up beside her were two men roughly around their mid to late 40s.  They almost looked alike except one had short hair and the other had long hair.  Both their hairs were as black as night and they both sported short beards.

The one with the long black hair had piercing blue eyes and he held his presences like a king.  His watchful eye scoured the field with intensity.  The wind softly blew his hair around but he remained unfazed by it.

The second man was slightly younger than the other man and had a lighter shade of blue eyes, almost hazel like.  He had a more relaxed spirit about him but there was still a wise aura you felt around him (the same aura you get from Brian).

“Protecting the borders of our homeland is sacred Serafina. It has been our family right since we were chosen by Thomas Riddle Deacon himself. No creature gets pass these rolling hills, and one day it’ll rest on you to defend it.” The long haired man spoke.  Wow just when you though John’s father had a deep voice, this guy’s voice was like soft thunder.

“But father I just don’t understand why magical creatures need to be killed. Why not give them a warning or allow them to go free?” she asked him.

“They’ll seek to destroy us all if they could. Nagas, Dragons, Nokks, Faes.” You hear Freddie scoff.

“But it was Riddle who started this war! And we’ll gladly finissshhhh it!” Freddie hissed angrily.

“Easy Edmund no need to scare the poor girl.” The second man spoke.  His voice in a way reminded you of Brian’s.  Soft and warm and held a sense of comfort. “We understand your concern Serafina but…..there are some creatures who unfortunately cannot be reasoned with. Plus it’s just the way the Deacon family law states. And has been for thousands of years.” He said to Serafina as he placed a comforting hand to her shoulder.

“You always did try to sugarcoat everything Albus. But Serafina is my daughter and I know what is best for her to understand.” Soon a flash of light was shot up high in the sky. “It’s Regulus he’s found it. Come on!” he roared out the command and soon with a flash of speed, all three of them shifted into wolves and ran across the snow towards the flash of light.

“On her father’s side, as you now have heard, the Black family has been the protectors of England’s wizard tribe since the reign of……” he trailed off and when you turned to Freddie you swore you saw a flash of anger in his eyes.  He took a deep breath in before exhaling out and continued, “The Deacons saw that the Black family were not only skilled in Transfigurations, which came in handy for less threatening creatures, but also their knowledge on Mythical creatures themselves. In fact a rumor has been said that the Black family may be connected to Archimedes himself. Because only he had such power of knowledge especially when it came to Magical creatures. But it’s never been proven.”

“I thought you could prove that? After all you see the past and future right?” you tease.  Freddie glared down at you which made you back off.

“You are one step closer to finding out what the inside of a Naga’s stomach is like if I here another comment like that.”

“Sorry Freddie won’t happen again I promise!”

“Good. Now there is one last thing for you to see. And it’s what truly began John and Serafina’s journey.”

The snowy fields disappeared from your sight but for some reason the rest of the scene didn’t change.  It was sunny and the field before you was now filled with tall yellow meadow grass.

“John! John wait. I—I still don’t feel comfortable about this.” Serafina’s voice said.  Soon enough coming up from behind you were John and Serafina.

They were now the current age you’ve come to know them as however John looked slightly different.  He had long black hair that went well past his shoulders, his skin seemed paler than when he was a child, but he was still pretty handsome.

And of course Serafina was as beautiful as ever.  Her hair was now the same length as John’s. The two of them holding hands with each other as they finally stopped and Serafina said.

“John you know what my father has said about being out this far. Especially with what’s been lurking around the border lately.”

“I know but—he said he wanted us to meet here.”

“John I—I have to be honest with you. I’m scared.” John cupped Serafina’s face in his hands as she looked up at him with pleading eyes. “I’ve heard of the things your grandfather has done, and……what if—”

“Nothing will happen to you so long as I’m around. Besides he—he’s known about your skills and said that there’s no one better he/d rather have at my side.” He stroked her cheeks lovingly with his thumbs, “Plus he seems to be the only one in my family that actually approves of us.”

“I know you want respect from him but my father……he’s always feared your grandfather and if he finds out I met him……you won’t leave my side, will you?”

“Never. I’ll never leave your side.” She softly smiled and the two of them softly kissed one another when the sound of the grass rustling started them. “Grandfather?” John questioned after a moment of silence.

“It is time. You both musssst follow.” A familiar voice spoke. You quickly turn to Freddie in shock but he pointed out for you to keep watching.

“Get behind me John!” Serafina stood in front of John and took out her wand. “This man is under the protection of the Black family. Whatever you are, show yourself or face the consequences.” Soon slithering out of the tall grass was Freddie.  Both John and Serafina stood there in horror as you watch Freddie tell them.

“Be calm. I do not wish to harm either of you. It issss time. You both are finally ready. The world needssss you both now. Follow me.”

“We aren’t going anywhere with you Naga! Now leave us alone!” Serafina growled as the tip of her wand began to glow.

“That is not your decision Serafina Rhea Black!” Freddie warned as he slithered closer to them and stood almost two feet taller than them.

Both John and Serafina stood there terrified and frozen with fear.  They knew that magic wouldn’t work against a Naga so they were completely helpless at this point.  As Freddie continued to glare down at the two of them, he was unaware of something stalking behind him.

A thunderous roar soon came from behind as Freddie was now jumped by a very large dark maned lion.  The lion continuously scratched and bite at Freddie.  He tried to grab the lion with his coils but it soon leapt off of him, leaving Freddie bleeding from his back and sides.

Soon all of Serafina’s family both on her mother’s and father’s side surrounded the area.

“GET OFF OF OUR LANDS NAGA!!” Her father roared as he now stood where the lion once stood.  Her mother, cousins, aunt, and uncles all glared at Freddie with pure hatred as their wands were at the ready, glowing with the most powerful spell they could think of that would at least drive Freddie away.

Panting he lowered himself to the ground but not before staring once again at John and Serafina.  Then with a quick burst of speed, Freddie disappeared into the grass never to be seen again.  Serafina’s father now once again as the lion let out a fearsome roar as he panted aggressively.

Serafina turned to John and checked him over as did he, the two young lovers cupping each other’s faces to make sure the other was still there. For no one had ever survived a Naga encounter.

“Did it hurt you?” her father’s voice suddenly said as he took Serafina away from John.  He soon began checking her over as Serafina said.

“Dad stop it I’m fine.” He then cupped her face as he said.

“Don’t ever do that to us again. We were so worried.” He placed his forehead against hers in a comforting gesture.  Thankful that his daughter was still alive.

“Nothing happened dad, I’m fine. As is John.” That’s when her father briefly glared at John before turning to the two ginger haired twins.

“Fred, George. Take Serafina back to the Burrow along with the rest of the children.” The twins soon walked up towards Serafina and linked her arms with theirs.

“Fred, George put me down! Stop it you guys!”

“You’re lucky to be alive Serafina.” Said one of the twins.

“Yeah Serafina. Nagas eat wizards and witches. You would’ve been a perfect appetizer.” Then with a spiral of wind, the three of them disappeared from the field.  You remember John calling it apparating.

The next scene however would prove to what Freddie told you earlier about Serafina’s father.  And you would find yourself even being afraid of her father more than John’s.

When Serafina was gone, her father turned back to John who tried to make himself smaller.

“How. Dare you!” her father growled.

“I’m sorry sir.”

“YOU’RE SORRY!?” He roared. “First you take my daughter away from watching her younger cousins. Then you take her out straight to the border despite KNOWING! A NAGA WAS IN THE AREA!!!”

“I know a Naga was here. I don’t know what it wanted, I was only here because my grandfather—” that’s when John stopped talking and as Serafina’s father let out a low yet angry lion growl out of his throat, John’s face suddenly changed to an ‘oh shit’ face.

He knew he had screwed up by mentioning his grandfather before her father.

“YOU’RE GRANDFATHER WAS HERE!?!?” Edmund roared out.

“No. I—” John tried to save himself but Edmund pointed his wand right at John.  The tip glowing bright green as he sneered.

“Do not lie to me John Deacon!” he towered over John’s frightened form.  His eyes filled with fear as he looked up at Mr. Black.  You wished you had existed that way you could defend John from the oncoming wrath of Serafina’s father.

“My grandfather said he wanted to meet Serafina. And he insisted it be out here but I’d never let him hurt her I promise!” John suddenly spat out as fast as he could.  It almost sounded like he wasn’t even speaking English with how fast he was talking. Suddenly he was hit square in the chest with a blue blast of magic and knocked down to the ground.

The wind practically knocked out of him as he tried to sit himself back up.

“I don’t know what my daughter ever saw in you. But it ends now! YOU’VE ALWAYS BEEN A CURSE UPON MY FAMILY!!” John curled in on himself trying to hide like a turtle in its shell.  That’s when you saw Edmund Black raise his wand and began to say.

“Avada Ked—” but then a crash of lightning lit up the sky before it began to suddenly downpour rain.  

Serafina’s entire family was confused and one young girl around Serafina’s age (probably another cousin) spoke up.

“Why’s it raining? It’s dry season.” That’s when her mother said.

“It’s true. The Curse of Grindelwald!” that’s when her father backed away fearfully.

“You did this. You’re-you’re a demon! I’ve known it since you came into our lives!” he screamed down at John.

“What? No I’m not! I’m…….” John trailed off not knowing what else to say.

“If your grandfather won’t let me kill you. Then I’ll just erase my daughter’s memory of you. Every last ounce of it!”

“Edmund No! She didn’t do anything I’m sorry it was all me! Erase my memory just—”

“STAY AWAY FROM HER!! DEMON!!” then like Serafina and her cousins Fred and George did, Edmund Black apparated out of the fields.

John turned towards the rest of Serafina’s family and pleaded over the sound of the rain and thunder.

“Someone help me stop him! Serafina’s innocent in all of this! Rhea please!” he turned towards Serafina’s mother who refused to look at him with her chin up and her eyes closed.

“You’ve endangered my child for the last time John Richard Deacon. As her mother I know what’s best for her, you will be obliviated from her mind.”

“WHAT KIND OF MOTHER ARE YOU!?!?” He roared at her. “You would willingly allow your daughter to have her mind erased!? You’ve never liked me! Hell you never even loved her! If you were really her mother you wouldn’t allow this to happen to your only child!” John continued to unleash his wrath on Serafina’s mom.

“I do love her John! I love her so much it hurts! And never have I seen her more happy than when she’s with you!” her mother wept. “That’s the problem. Don’t you see?” this time her mother spoke with venom in her voice. “Merlin’s beard! You are a descendant of Balthazar! You are a Deacon for Merlin’s sake! And yet……”

She exhaled her anger shakily as she now continued in a softer tone.

“When I think back on the chaos your family has caused; All I think is the danger my daughter will be in. It makes me feel—” she trailed off as her face now showed pure heartbreak and you could swear from the rain, you saw a teardrop fall down her face as she choked out. “Afraid.” Her fearful expression then hardened as she spoke in a stronger tone now, “Fear. Is one thing that your family has forbidden in the cult!”

She then turned away from John once again as she spoke gravely.

“That’s why I never looked at you. Serafina should’ve done the same to protect herself. Love like that gets you killed. And if she has to be erased of that…….so be it.” She then turned to the rest of the family. “Let’s ensure that Naga is far from these borders everyone.”

Soon her whole family took off on their brooms to do a search party for Freddie but you watched as one wizard stayed on the ground. Serafina’s uncle Albus.

“Albus wait!” John pleaded. “You know this can’t be right. Please I really need your help. I can’t stop your brother alone please. Serafina wouldn’t want this.” Albus whom you had seen earlier to have a clam exterior finally broke as he turned to John and spat at him venomously.

“I may have been accepting of your romantic relationship with my niece John. But now I draw the line here!”

“I’m sorry. I was stupid to bring her out here with the Naga on the loose. I didn’t mean for it to happen.”

“It’s not the Naga I’m upset about. It was the mention of your grandfather that broke my trust in you. You know as well as I do that those you meet your grandfather never. Come. Back. Alive!”

“I said I’m sorry what else is there for me to say?!” John begged to her uncle.

“We don’t care what you say from here on out. We care what you’ve done. All of this is your own fault. As I once taught you back in school, you can solve this on your own.” He walked a few feet away from John.

“Albus come on!” her uncle Albus lowered his head before turning back to John with broken eyes and spoke softly.

“For the first time in 35 years I agree with my brother. After today I don’t want you anywhere near Serafina.” After he said that, John’s eyes filled with tears before he apparated away broken heartedly.  All the while Albus with his own heartbroken expression on his face before flying off.

The scene faded away before slightly altering itself. You turn to Freddie, tears pouring down your own face.

“Must they really blame him for his families actions? Why couldn’t they see that he’d never hurt Serafina? Hell, even now a thousand years later he never harmed her.”

“That’s the fear of the hierarchy. The Weasley’s and the Black’s feared the Deacon family more than anything. As did almost every other family all over England. That’s what power and bloodline can do for you. But this is what really set John over the edge.”

The scene still showed it was raining.  The ground was even more wet than it was in the last scene you saw.

“After they saw me, both John and Serafina’s memories were wiped away of seeing a Naga. But when her father tried to erase her mind of John like he promised, Serafina fled and no one saw her for three days. That’s when in secret her cousins Fred and George told John about Serafina’s disappearance. He was planning on fleeing England since he didn’t belong anywhere but when he heard about his beloved missing, he feared the worst. So he went searching for her, never stopping till he found her. Even as it rained for days on end. Till finally he came across something that changed the game for him.”

You soon saw John land down on the ground racing across the field crying out Serafina’s name.

“SERAFINA! SERAFINA MY LOVE! If you’re out there please! Please answer me!” you then saw him trip over something. “Morgana damnit what did I just trip—on?” a flash of lightning soon revealed the most horrifying sight that made both you and John scream.

There on the ground motionless, scarred up and eyes glazed over was the corpse of Serafina’s father.  Dried blood stained from his gaping mouth and his back littered with whip marks.

“The first of the hierarchy will perish. The family that he……no!” John first muttered to himself before gasping in horror.  He was just about to take off when a blue fire whip wrapped around his waist slamming John to the ground before dissolving n the rain. John slowly turned around and you could see a figure from the rain and mist that started to form around the man.

When the mist cleared there stood a man that just gave you such a feeling that you couldn’t help but hide behind Freddie just to shield yourself away from this man.  He had the same hair color as John’s father but instead of long it was spiked up and each side of his head looked shaved off.  Both his eyes were different colors, one was deep dark brown while the other was so white it almost made his eye blind.

A slight mustache could be seen from his upper lip and in his hand was a wand unlike any other wand you’ve seen.  It looked like it was made out of human bone and the joints of them stuck out like little bulbs along the length of the wand.

“Play nice now Johnny boy. No cheating.” God even this man’s voice sent fear up every inch of your body.  The way it groveled in that low baritoneish register.

“G-Grandfather Grindelwald. Th—this was the family you…….”

“A little overboard on your mother’s part. Now where are the rest of them?” his grandfather said as he got right into John’s face.

“I……..”

“As I said to you earlier John. No lying. Play fair for your grandfather unlike this poor soul.” He said as he gestured towards Serafina’s father.  John remained silent before his grandfather snapped. “Answer me! Now boy!”

“They’re searching for one of their own! And the younger children are at the family home at the Burrow!” John surrendered.  Oh god John what have you done?

“That’s a good boy. I’ll have to thank ole’ Albus for that little tip of his brother’s weak spot. It was very……informative. Now, my dear grandson. The time has finally come for you to take your stand amongst your family.”

“Wait! You can’t kill them!”

“You would still defend them even after they abandoned you?” his grandfather stroked John’s cheek with the back of his hand.  You could visibly see John shaking underneath his grandfather’s touch as he continued to pull the heartstrings on John. “John Richard Deacon, my grandson. The next in line for the title of Sorcerer Supreme. Surpassing my own sons and your older brother. Mistreated by your own blood, unloved. And feared by others. Oh……but not all. There is one—who loves you so dearly.”

The whispers of his grandfather were haunting to listen to. This man was a true manipulator.

“If her family really knew her, they would’ve found her already. What do you say lad?” John stayed silent before looking down.  His shoulders shaking and his grandfather wrapped his arms around John. “We can be her family now. You both can be together forever.”

“If you really want me to prove myself to you, let me be the one to do it.” John said. His grandfather released him from his hug and said.

“How do I know you’ll finish all of them?”

“I’ve been with them for over 16 years there’s no one they’ll trust more than me. I’ll kill every last one of them. Find Serafina and bring her to the manor. Even if I have to put her under a spell to do so! But call off the hunt and let me kill every last one of those filthy Half-blood traitors and cowards!”

His grandfather eyed him while John held firm.  His eyes showing darkness and anger behind them.

“Very well. Go.” John walked past his grandfather but he gave John one last piece of advice. “And Johnny boy. None of this is personal. It’s what one does in order to keep the peace. We can’t allow naysayers or doubters in our midst. Once your Sorcerer Supreme by the end of the Summer, you’ll understand.”  With that John flew off.

You and Freddie follow behind John to see him now landing at the Border’s entrance of the English wizard’s homeland.  John turned around with solemn eyes.

“I’m sorry.” He whispered.

“JOHN! JOHN!!” His head raised up at the sound of a female voice calling out to him.  Racing through the rain was none other than Serafina.

“SERAFINA!” he dropped his broom and raced towards her. The two of them embraced as he lifted her up and spun her around in his arms.  The two of them frantically kissing each other. “What are you…..doing…..here?! Are you…..okay!? Why did…..you do this? Why!?” John said between his kisses.

“My dad was trying to erase our memories and I couldn’t let him do that to me and then I heard that my dad hurt you! I’m so sorry I wasn’t there to help you. I should never have allowed Fred and George to take me away! If only I fought against that Naga then my family wouldn’t have been there……this is all my fault!” she wept brokenly.

“No, no, no. Shhh, hey, hey shhhh. Shhhh” John embraced her tightly.  He rocked her back and forth as she wept into his chest. “It’s okay, it’s okay. I’m sorry I put you in the middle of all of this.” He kept Serafina close to her, kissing the top of her forehead and the crown of her head.

After she calmed down, Serafina looked up at John and said to him.

“When my family finds us, I can explain everything to them. Including my dad. They’ll understand I promise.” Hearing the mention of her family’s ultimate fate and even seeing her father’s corpse with his own two eyes made John look down in shame. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.” John said solemnly.

“No. Something’s on your mind. What is it John?”

“It’s just……I—I’m running away from home.”

“What?” she gasped out. “But you know you have a home with me. My aunt Molly and Uncle Arthur accept you. As does uncle Albus. I don’t care what my parents say you can stay with us at the Burrow.”

“It’s not that it’s just……” he trailed off again.  His silence was beginning to worry Serafina down to her very core.

“John you’re scaring me. Tell me what’s going on?” suddenly a flash of lightning was heading straight down for Serafina but just before it could strike, John apparated the two of them out of harm’s way.

“Serafina I need you to trust me right now I promise I’ll explain everything but now is not the time! Please my love come with me!” John desperately pleaded with her as he extended his hand out to her. Serafina turned back towards their home before looking back at John.

“Are we—ever coming back?” her voice choked out.  John remained silent before saying.

“Unlikely.”

“I’ve never been further than this before. I’m frightened.” She whimpered.  That’s when John took her left hand with both of his and he said as he held her hand to his lips.

“Me too.” He gave her hand a soft kiss before continuing, “But as long as we’re together, we can face anything. Right?”

“Okay. As—long as we’re together.” John brought Serafina close to him and the two of them shared a soft kiss before getting on top of their brooms and flying off away from their homes, their old lives.

The scene fade to black as you felt that feeling of being pulled back upwards and you let out a gasp before coughing and finding yourself back in the attic.

It was now nightfall as you and Freddie stood there in the darkness of the attic together.  Stumbling back, you left the attic and collapsed half way out of the hallway at everything you had seen.  That familiar pain in your chest that you felt just shortly after your final test was now growing stronger.

You clenched your heart as you tried to take deep soothing breaths.  You feel a pair of hands touch your shoulders and soon you’re looking into the eyes of Brian.

“I know what it is you saw. For it has also been in our minds.”

“I—I can’t……..” Brian rubs your back comfortingly as you feel the tears trinkle down your face.  “Does…..Did she ever find out?” you say after a while of nothing but silence.

“She’s clever. After a few months of traveling together she pieced why John took her without a good reason. And she found out from John just who exactly killed her father.” Brian said.

“Earlier when John knelt down before Serafina and she looked like she wanted to attack him. Why did he not try to fight back?”

“Since it was his family that killed hers, every year on this date. John nulls his magic so that he’s powerless to even fight against Serafina. He then offers himself to her as penance for her to unleash her magical rage upon his body. To inflict every ounce of pain that not only has ran through her body, but her families. But every year she can’t bring herself to do it. Because she knows it wasn’t John’s doing.” Freddie explained.

“Poor Serafina. I can’t imagine the guilt that plaques her mind. Or what she’s going through. I mean I’ve lost family members naturally or back during the War but—I can’t imagine mass murder.” It was then Freddie left the hallway without another word.

“One other person can though.” Brian tells you. You turn to the Elven lord and he continues, “Remember when Freddie said that he and Serafina share something in common?” you nod. “Did he sneer at the name of Thomas Riddle Deacon?”

“Yeah in the flashbacks he mentioned that Thomas started the war and—wait. You mean……” Brian nodded solemnly.

“Never did I think it could be possible, but he did it. Thomas Riddle Deacon. John’s great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great grandfather was the first wizard of Balthazar’s line to destroy the kind wizard name of the Deacons. Thomas Riddle forged the most powerful wand known to all Wizards and Witches. The Eldar wand, made of the bone of a wizard and harnessed by the most powerful lifeforce. Legend says that that wand has enough power to extinguish an entire race. And with that wand, he used it to obliterate all the Nagas of the world. The Nagas fearing this power was too much for one wizard to handle, assembled an army to stop Riddle. In the end…..Freddie was the sole survivor of the massacre.”

Poor Freddie.  No wonder why he’s so cautious around others, so quick to strike first.  He had to watch his entire family be killed right in front of him.  

And now learning of how Nagas can live eternally and last eons, carrying that guilt with him for that long—no wonder why he is the way he is.

“Can—can I see Serafina?”

“You won’t have much luck. She’s never spoken until after a week of mourning her family. You can try but don’t get your hopes up. And be cautious of what you say around her. Last time I tried to help, I got shot back 30 feet and ended up stuck in the tree of a wasp colony for 2 days.” You stand up and walk back out towards the garden.

The crickets chirping away their nightly orchestra song, the stars twinkling in the sky and the half moon high at the center of the sky. You saw Serafina, Roger and John in the same position as this morning, none of them moved an inch.

Slowly you walk up towards them and finally speak up the names of your teachers.

“John? Serafina?”

“What do you want?” John’s voice graveled out as he kept his head down low.

“I—I know what happened. I know your stories.” You say. None of them move till John slowly turns his head towards you.  His eyes narrowed and cold.

“How much do you know?”

“Everything. Freddie showed me with Brian’s mirror and using both of your tears. The day you both first met each other, your families, even the day you both left. I know everything. I—”

“Don’t say you’re sorry! You don’t know the first thing about what we went through. Seeing it is one thing but actually going through it is another! Now leave us and let Serafina grieve in peace!” John snarled. His hand slowly starting to glow purple.

Fearing that he was going to attack you out of pure rage and send you flying across the sky, you slowly back away from John fearfully.

“Wait.” A voice spoke up.  Roger’s and John’s face turn to pure shock as Serafina now finally free of her broken shell spoke up.  She steps toward you and says in the same low tone, “After knowing everything, do you still trust John Deacon with your life (Y/n)?”

You turn to John who looks at you with a grim look on his face. Even after seeing what John went through in his childhood, you knew that wasn’t who he was today.  You’ve seen how he’s acted around you, the guys, but especially Serafina.  How loyal he is to her and how he’s protected her.

“Very much so.” You say determinedly.

“Then your final test was a success.” She said softly. “I had hoped mine would be the same after all these years, but—” she turned her head away from you, shutting her eyes tightly and biting her lower lip.  You could see tears at the corner of her eyes even through the half-moon’s light.

“It wasn’t your fault though Serafina.” You say softly before reaching out and placing your hand on her shoulder.  Her head snapped right back to yours and you saw for yourself her eyes glowing pure red with rage as she snapped at you.

“DON’T TOUCH ME!!” the red light faded from her eyes as she looked down and spat out, “I don’t want any more pity!” you back away from her. Even feel John’s hands on your shoulders as he pulled you away from her rage. “For this next week; Freddie, Brian and Roger will continue your training. I’m sure you also know why you’re learning all of this?”

“Yes ma’am. Freddie told me the morning of my final test.” You didn’t bother to even ask how she could’ve found out about that.  Being a witch (and a very, very skilled telepathic witch as John told you on your one on one sessions) she must’ve known from reading either yours or Freddie’s mind.

“Of course, he did.” She sighed solemnly as she got down to her knees. “After a week John and I will resume your magical training.” With that she became that broken shell once again.  Her face frozen yet her eyes looking like they were traveling far back in time.  

Searching eternally for answers on why but only coming up with pain and regret.

“There. You’ve spoken your mind to them. Now let Serafina rest and John to accept his punishment.” Roger tells you sternly.

With that you don’t say another word.  You turn your back on them and leave the three of them in the garden in the cool spring weather.

In your bedroom you just lay there staring up at the ceiling digesting everything that happened today.  Suddenly an even greater pain struck your chest.  You don’t know whether it was sympathy pains for John and Serafina but this time around after seeing their childhood, the pain in your chest was growing bigger and more painful than ever before.

“I’m sorry Serafina. I’m sorry John. I wish you both didn’t have to go through all that.” You shut your eyes, and fell into na restless sleep.

[novantinuum]

Crack the Paragon, Chapter 9

Fandom: Steven Universe

Rating: General Audiences

Words: 7.2K~

Summary: In another world, he doesn’t have his mother’s sword or shield to hide behind when Bismuth lands her strike. The bubble pops.

Steven falls apart.

Chapter summary: In which a diamond is a girl’s best friend.

You can find the first/previous chapter and AO3 links in the reblogs! (I have to omit them from the original post these days to ensure this will show up in the tags.) If you enjoyed this, I’d greatly appreciate your support through reblogs here, or kudos on AO3 as well.

Chapter warning: There is a fairly in-depth depiction of a dissociative flashback. Nothing I'd consider particularly extreme or deserving of a ratings bump, but I figured it'd be courteous to make a specific warning for it anyways.

_

Chapter 9: Symmetry 

On literally any other day, folding laundry would be relaxing.

There’s something comforting about falling back into predictable rhythms, hands running on automatic through assorted piles of clothes as her thoughts take a wandering vacation. Chores are boring, sure, but compared to the non-stop drive of the rest of her life Connie can at least appreciate how mindless they are. In a world filled with things like honors algebra and violin recitals and sword training, falling into the arms of subconscious repetition every once in a while feels nice, like a much needed mental break from the rest of reality.

The only problem is exactly that: it’s mindless. It doesn’t force her to use an ounce of brainpower. It doesn’t block her thoughts from waltzing down dark alleyways, or taking sharp swerves into territory unknown. It doesn’t distract her from obsessively checking her phone every other minute to see if she’s gotten any new calls or texts.

It doesn’t stop her from worrying about Steven.

Normally steady fingers twitch as she folds a sock inside its proper pair. Her pocket nearly feels like it’s burning. Groaning, she tosses the pair into her suitcase and pulls her phone out. The lock screen illuminates, showcasing a photo of a pretty sunset she took from the hill above the temple. Her mouth tightens. Once again, nothing. Giving in to the distraction, she unlocks her phone and taps to reach his latest message. Tired eyes gloss over his photo and those words for the thousandth time.

Accidentally got separated from gem—

I’ll call later, some kinda scary stuff happened—

Please don’t worry too much.

Well, too late for that. She’s not fooled by his blasé, chipper attitude in this text, or the forced grin of the concerningly pale-faced Steven (one of two! How can he claim he’s fine when he’s literally lost a part of himself??) at the forefront of the photo he sent. No, no. She won’t be convinced until she audibly hears it or can throw her arms around him in person, which is harder said than done when he hasn’t returned her calls and Mom won’t let her take the bus over to his place for the morning because she’s supposed to be “packing.” Ugh. As far as she’s concerned, visiting extended family in India can wait its turn. Something terribly wrong must have happened in Beach City last night, and the suspense of not knowing is nearly suffocating her.

But logically, she knows worrying about it nonstop won’t be of help to her or Steven. He’ll call when he calls. She just hopes it’s before she leaves the country. Her dad's a bit of a tightwad when it comes to the idea of upgrading to international call and text, to her chagrin. If she’s honest, it’s the one part of this trip she dreads— having zero contact with her best friend for a week.

Connie hastily breathes in and out, attempting to forcefully will the stress to dissipate. Let it go. Stop thinking about it. She gently tosses her phone on her bed where she can’t reach it, and pushes herself back into the dependable rhythm of laundry folding.

Licking her chapped lips as she works through the pile of newly clean clothes, she folds the turquoise colored silk choli bodice her mom arranged for a relative to hand weave for her on her last birthday and carefully places it with its matching saree. The decorative border running the length of the saree is embroidered with little flowers and swirls in gold thread. Connie smiles faintly, reverently running her hand across the smooth fabric. She’ll be wearing her typical shorts, overalls, and blouses for most of this trip, but she’s super excited to have the perfect excuse to bring this outfit out of her closet for once. It always makes her feel beautiful, with her hair pinned back and the saree draped around her, but she still can’t help but fear she’s ridiculously overdressed whenever she wears it anywhere outside of family events. A shame. Maybe she’ll build the courage to wear it one day when she goes to Steven’s house for sword practice. She’ll change into her usual training clothes during the practice itself, of course— she can’t risk tearing silk or restricting her movement— but it’d be cool to share a piece of her own family’s culture with him like that. Her cheeks heat up as she imagines his reaction. He’ll probably think it’s pretty. Pearl, too. Her teacher definitely has a flair for artistry, after all.

...but of course, that’s assuming Steven and the Gems are okay.

Her previously giddy thoughts wane like a withering petal. Sitting with her legs criss crossed on her bedroom floor, she hunches over with a heavy sigh, propping her chin into her hands. How long is this morning going to last?

Muffled amidst the cocoon of thick blankets adorning her bed, her phone’s ringer picks that very moment to blare into existence. Her nerves electrify in an instant, though whether that’s more a symptom of surprise or anticipation is anyone’s guess. Chest pounding, she shoots to her feet and scrambles across the room to pick it up. She sighs a breath of relief as her eyes skim over the caller ID. It’s him. And he wants to video chat! Without thinking twice she jabs her thumb against the screen to answer.

A handful of seconds pass as her phone attempts to connect over her family’s spotty wi-fi, heart twisting painfully in her throat as she steels herself for whatever potentially bad update about her friend’s life she’s about to receive, but then—

The video pushes through, and her friend appears on the screen. His hair is notably mussed, (more so than usual, that is), with wild curly locks sticking up from his head at weird angles.

“Mornin’, Connie,” he says, exhaustion evident on his face but besides that, appearing physically well. There’s actually color in his cheeks for one thing, unlike in the photo he sent before dawn.

“Steven!” she exclaims, subconsciously gripping the sides of her phone tighter in the absence of an actual hug. “You’re okay!”

“More or less,” he says in confirmation, the corner of his mouth turning up for a glimmer of a second. His expression quickly becomes tinted in shades of remorse, however, his voice on the brink of cracking. “I’m so sorry I couldn’t call back earlier! My phone died on me, and then I forgot to plug it in, and then I got distracted by a bunch of crazy family stuff, and that’s probably not a good excuse, but—“

She tries to feed him a reassuring smile, pushing down the blatant depth of her worry for his sake.

“Hey, don’t fuss about it. It happens. And anyways, you’re here now, right? So all that doesn’t even matter anymore.”

Her friend deals her a noncommittal shrug in response, and slouches against the rough hewn stone she’s only now noticing in the background. If she has to guess, he’s sitting on the beach, leaning against the sheer cliff walls where they first met almost two years earlier. Interesting, she muses, her brow furrowing. Usually when they do video calls Steven makes a point to stay in his house because he gets better reception there. On top of that, there’s an undeniable melancholy brewing within his eyes that would be amiss to ignore. He’s not even trying to mask it for once, which speaks volumes in and of itself about how heavy a burden it’s become, whatever it is that’s bothering him. Geeze, what on Earth happened over there last night?

“So, your gem,” she starts, edging towards the topic carefully. “Are you still—?”

He shakes his head, seemingly already catching on to what she’s gonna ask. “Nah, we’re together again! Turns out I can still fuse even without without him.”

“Hmm, I—“ Connie pauses, mind fixating for a second on the specific way he referred to his gem half, ascribing an undeniable sense of individuality to him— “well, I’m super glad you figured that out. But I still don’t understand, how can you get separated from your gem in the first place?”

“It’s, uh- a pretty complicated story, fair warning.”

“Pshhh, that’s no problem, I’ve got all morning,” she says, and props her phone against her bedpost so she can continue packing while listening. Freed once more, her hands seek out more unpaired socks to join.

“Only if you’re good with it, then.” The boy sighs deeply as he begins to prepare his words. The infamous drama zone kicking in, he lets his head lull backwards at gravity’s command against the cliffside’s face. She can’t help but cringe at the audible smack of his skull against smooth rock. “Ow!” he whines, immediately jerking forwards again. He rubs the back of his head in clear disbelief, softly laughing at his own folly. “Well, that was a pretty dumb idea.”

“Not gonna disagree,” she says with a giggle, glancing between her clothes and the screen in intervals as she folds. “Now, tell me everything. From the beginning. I still gotta pack, but I’m listening, I promise.”

A soft smile brightens his face, sunlight glinting off his dark brown irises. It’s enough to capture her stare, to make everything else in the world freeze to a stop. Just for one magic moment. Her heart almost flip flops at the gentle way he gazes at her, his eyes filled with a shy reverence that honestly, speaks volumes to his nature as a person. Because while he’s grown undeniably strong as a half-Gem, he’s far more than that. He's kind. He’s sensitive, and caring. So, so caring. More than anything else he tries his hardest to be extra empathetic about the needs of others around him, and she adores this about him, she truly does. Her only wish is that he could be this receptive about his own needs all the time, too. With her firsthand knowledge of the stressful stuff he and the other Gems deal with on a weekly basis, she can’t help but worry sometimes.

He breathes in, chest rising and falling as he prepares to tell his story. “Okay. So it all started yesterday morning when I was playing video games with the Gems…”

______

“—and then that’s when I figured out I could still fuse, right after I texted you. So we did, and- and well, that’s pretty much it,” Steven finishes with a bit of a waver in his voice, absentmindedly twirling his finger around a short curl at the nape of his neck as he adjusts his grip on the phone with his other hand.

With his story more or less complete, barring a few recent occurrences he’s hesitant to speak of right now, he pays careful attention to the minute fluctuations of Connie’s expression as everything he’s told her sinks in.

(He intentionally left out some of the more intimate bits, of course— like softly crying himself to sleep before Dad warped back, or having a near breakdown on the beach, or his conversation with half of himself. Some moments simply aren’t for others to know.)

Her voice wavers as she finally makes to respond. “Wow, that’s… a lot.”

“Yeah. And like, I wanna believe it’s over now, but everyone’s still acting so weird.”

“Mmm, and then there’s everything about your mom, and Pink Diamond…” She balls her hand against her mouth as she mulls over this information, her sobered glance shifting from him to some unspecified point in her bedroom.

And at seeing the subtle aversion of her gaze, he frets for a second. He squirms in the seat of the cold metal chair he’s made his temporary home in, toes curling inwards much like the creeping dread that’s trying to inch its way ever further into his heart, stifling any last hope of peace or calm. Replacing it with fear. Like, what if his real talk is too real? Too honest? What if he’s freaked her out, or overloaded her with the sheer weight of everything that’s happened to him, what if she’ll wanna keep her distance from him because of all this, what if—

“I’m so sorry you have to deal with all this,” she says softly, slashing the cord that’s restraining him within his frantic thoughts.

His shoulders relax, tension fading.

“I- is there anything I can do?” his friend continues. “To help, I mean?”

“Nah, don’t think so. Not right now, at least. Honestly, just having someone to talk to about all this means a lot.” He begins to slowly swing his legs back and forth, and leans against the coffee stained table top. “Normally I’d talk to one of the Gems, but. Well, y’know.”

His friend bobs her head in the affirmative. “Mmm.”

“It’s just…” he begins, pausing with a long sigh as he tries to organize all his jumbled emotions into something remotely explainable. His eyes drift away from his phone, focusing instead on the soft, tantalizing glow of the ice cream freezer across the shop. “I think I almost died, Connie. For real. I was shivering, a-and scared, and cracked, and- and yet they couldn’t stop fighting about whatever happened in the past. I don’t know anything about Pink Diamond, or what terrible things Rose apparently did, but now it’s like… even if they don’t mean to, that’s all they can think about when they look at me?”

Steven groans in exhaustion, slumping forward so the side of his face is pressed against the table. It’s comfy, never mind how dirty the surface probably is. He shifts his phone in his hands so Connie’s image is still parallel to him. “I dunno. I should’ve never popped that bubble in the first place. If I didn’t let Bismuth out, none of this would’ve happened.”

“Steven!” a loud voice calls from across the shop. “Are you gonna buy a donut or what?”

“Whu- huh??”

Startled, he shoots upright in the chair— knowing all too well from the faint thrum dancing under his skin that he’s on the brink of summoning his bubble on sheer impulse— before realizing that no, it’s only Lars, everything’s fine, I’m fine.

The surly teen is slumped against the counter next to Sadie, (who’s counting the money in the cash register on sheer compulsion, as if rifling through it one more time might cause the cash to magically multiply), both employees marinating in the boredom of yet another low traffic mid-September day at the Big Donut. He pauses to catch his breath, in retrospect feeling super silly for his near freak-out. His two favorite donut people have been here this whole time, of course. How he managed to become so sucked in by his call that he forgot is beyond him.

“Are you okay?” he hears Connie ask softly, obvious concern in her voice.

Lars on the other hand, apparently wasn’t finished calling him out.

“You can’t just- loiter here all morning and not buy anything!” he says. Brow threading together in perplexion, he whirls towards his coworker. “Right? Isn’t there a law for that? Sadie, help me out here-!”

She rolls her eyes so far they almost disappear back into her skull. “Oh, leave him alone, he’s fine...” “Yeah, I’m not loitering, I’m having a nice conversation with my friend!” he chimes, holding up his phone screen to them as proof.

“Hi Sadie, Lars,” Connie says.

The young lady behind the register smiles warmly despite the bags under her eyes, and pauses her task to wave to the camera.

Unimpressed, Lars leans his chin against his balled up fist, elbow propped on the counter. His tired eyes narrow into thin slits, exaggerated by the squish of his cheek against his bottom eyelid. “A ‘nice conversation?’ You’ve been sitting there for half an hour rambling about the misfortunes of near death,” he says, deadpan.

“I—“ His eyes grow wide as he combs back through the— now that he thinks about it— admittedly dour mood of everything he’s recently said. “Is that really what it sounded like...?”

Is he just being a killjoy to everyone? He thought it’d be okay to be real about it with his friend for once, since he usually keeps his deeper issues to himself, but perhaps...

“No, just ignore him,” Sadie says as she diligently sorts the coins, cutting in right before his mind can continue its downward spiral.

On the screen, Connie nods in wholehearted support. “It’s just venting, I don’t mind.”

And despite everything else he manages a smile at that, small and thin but filling him with a needed burst of energy all on its own.

“Huh,” Lars mutters, scrutinizing him closely. “Well, whatever it was, dark and brooding is a surprisingly good vibe for you. We’ll make a teenager of you yet.”

Steven blinks in confusion.

“But I already am a teenager,” he says, perhaps a bit more defensively than he ought have.

“Yeah!” chimes his friend over the phone.

“Wait, really? Aren’t you like, nine or somethin’?”

He squirms in his seat upon reference to his inability to physically age, feeling the flush touch his ears. “Uh, actually…”

“Dude, he’s been a teenager,” Sadie says. She stuffs the last of the quarters in their slot and securely shuts the cash register drawer. “He turned fourteen a few weeks ago, don’t you remember?”

“N- no… I just—“ Lars lets out a scoff, shooting her a moody sneer. “Whatever, okay? I don’t have the time or the patience to remember everyone’s birthdays in this dead-end town.”

“Only twenty-nine people even live here year round.”

“So? Your point is?”

“My point is that it’s kinda common courtesy to look up and pay attention to your surroundings every once in a while?”

He turns up his nose. “Ugh, well you know what—“

Steven purses his lips as he watches the two of them devolve into yet another round of petty squabbling. (Why all of these fights lately…? What’s wrong with everyone, what’s in the air?) Suddenly feeling very much like high tailing it out of here, he shifts in his seat. He and Connie share a knowing glance, one that quickly lets him knows they’re on the same page. Originally, he came here to use the store wi-fi since he didn’t want to be at home right now, but he can probably still use it just fine sitting at the table outside. Without any overt announcement of the fact, he stands and makes his way to the door. Lars and Sadie are too caught up in their spat to notice him leave.

Only when the cool breeze greets him outside can he relax. He kicks back in one of the chairs set out front of the store, adjusting his phone in his hand. Gulls call loudly from the boardwalk in their endless search for trashed food. A handful of people he doesn’t recognize— tourists!— splash in the water or play in the sand, a pair of young men holding hands as they cross the public beach. Sunlight is finally breaking through the cloud cover, brilliant blue overtaking dreary grey. He smiles faintly. Despite everything, it truly is a beautiful morning.

“Sorry about all that!” he says to his friend on the line, glancing back at the doors of the Big Donut. “They really are cool people when you got to know ‘em, but they kinda disagree about stuff a lot.”

Connie stifles a laugh, her expression unreadable for a moment. “I know you keep saying they’re probably dating, but I honestly don’t believe you.”

His skin grows clammy all of a sudden.

Don’t… believe...

He's frozen. It’s almost like he’s with Sapphire, trapped again in that old motel room shivering amidst her frost powers. And yet simultaneously he’s not, ‘cause… because he’s burning up, hand clutching at thin air. He’s terrified. He’s completely alone, he’s—

He’s back in the forge.

Bismuth’s there, looming like a reaper above him, arm shapeshifted into some sort of curved saw blade and held aloft. Thick, viscous lava boils angrily in the pool surrounding the platform he’s on, and more than anything it’s a warning, a constant warning, and he’s stupid, he’s so unobservant and stupid, he should have paid heed to it when he came down here in the first place, why didn’t he—

Heat blasts almost violently at him as he shuffles away on hands and feet, scooting backwards on the blistering stone. He heaves for breath amidst his panic. Meanwhile, the channels of hard light running parallel with his veins buzz alongside the rush of adrenaline keeping him alive. Sweat beads on his forehead, sticky and unnaturally cool.

No matter how hard he tries, he’s too weak against her. His shield isn’t strong enough.

He knows this for a fact now, knows that Bismuth can dissipate both it and his bubble with enough force, and that’s a super scary thought but it doesn’t stop the primal instinct pulsing insistently at the back of his mind, pushing him to stand back up, to summon his weapon anyways and try to defend himself. It’s nothing but a lost cause, though.

Now, his only true shield is his words.

“Wait, I’m not my mom!” he cries in desperation, shielding himself with his arms. “I don’t know what she did, but I’m sure she didn’t want to hurt you!”

The stark shadow obscuring the rainbow haired Gem’s eyes grows darker.

“It’s too late,” she spits, preparing to swing her arm down. “I don’t believe you anymore!”

And then with a shallow gasp he’s here again, here at this dingy plastic table sitting under the bright and blue hope of morning, his phone clutched in a vice-like grip. Breath passes through his lips shakily. What the heck was that?? Was his gem feeding him old memories like what happened in his sleep, or something? Whatever it was, he’s genuinely not sure how much time has passed during the vision, a realization which unnerves him. Seemingly not too long, as Connie hasn’t moved to speak yet. Yet still her too-familiar words echo in his mind, pulsing with the thrum of inflamed blood vessels at an open wound, and without the blessing of inhibition he blurts out the first thought that reveals itself.

���That’s fair,” he says, voice cracking. “I probably wouldn’t believe me about a lot of things right now.”

Her brow creases with obvious concern. “Hey... Hey, I didn’t mean that personally. I was just messing around with ya’. You know that, right?”

“I know,” he sighs. “I’m sorry. I guess I just feel... really on edge.” Jittery fingers card through thick curls as his chest softly rumbles in the absurdity of it all. “Geeze, I’m being a real sad sack today, huh?”

“Well, you’ve been through a lot.”

“Yeah, but to be fair ‘near death scenarios’ are pretty much just an occupational hazard at this point. And I’ve handled that fine before, so…”

“Still doesn’t erase the fact that it’s impacted you hard this time,” she says softly, leveling her gaze squarely on him, her intuitive brown eyes disassembling his insecurities and then putting them back together like a puzzle.

He flushes, shrinking where he sits. He pulls his legs up onto the seat, clutching them to his chest. Intuitively he knows she’s right, he knows that all this has messed with him more than the danger of Gem stuff normally does, but he still can’t help but feel… ashamed? That he’s feeling this way in the first place? It’s bizarre. It’s completely dumb, and the more he fixates on it the more dumb it becomes. Eventually he decides he’s not in the right mental state to try and weave a halfway rational response to her and elects to swerve the topic.

“So there’s also another not-great thing that happened,” he begins, hugging his knees. “Should probably mention.”

“Yeah…?”

“Garnet unfused over all this. Maybe for good this time.”

She gasps, and in an instant her face shoots closer on his screen.

“Wait what? She- you mean that Ruby and Sapphire aren’t—“

“Yup.”

Connie covers her mouth in shock, eyes glistening. “Oh, no! Steven, I’m so sorry! And you don’t think they’ll be able to work it out?”

“No, they made it seem pretty permanent.”

“That’s… really rough,” she sighs in solidarity. “‘Cause I mean, at least since it’s fusion she’s still there in spirit, but- you grew up knowing Garnet.”

“Exactly,” he nods. “I love Ruby and Sapphire a whole bunch, but it’s still different, y’know? Like, it’s like I lost someone important to me. Maybe forever. And... it feels so awful,” he says, pushing past the lump in his throat that he wishes more than anything would go away. “All of it. It’s like everyone in my family’s falling apart. The moment she unfused, Sapphire immediately shut herself in her room, and then Ruby was so upset she ran away, and Amethyst and Pearl started yelling at each other about everything, so… I left. And called you,” he explains, gesturing at her. “And now I’m here, chillin’ at the Big Donut. And that’s pretty much it.”

“Gosh...”

“Yeah.”

“Again, I’m sorry you had to deal with all this. I mean, outright getting cleaved from half of yourself? I can’t even imagine…” She bites at her knuckles for a moment, deep in thought. “Makes me wish I had more than sympathy to offer.”

“Nah, just you listening to everything means a whole bunch. I really appreciate that,” he says. “I—“ his voice wavers a bit as he feels the heat of the blush blossoming across his cheeks— “I really appreciate you. A lot. You- you know that, don't you?”

She giggles, the sound a beautiful reassurance to his ears. “Of course I do! And anyways, you always take time to listen to me when I’m down. That’s what jam buds are for, right?”

“Right,” he says, the word reverberating in harmony in the deepest reaches of his heart.

“Steven!” a voice calls from the distance.

Connie’s brow furrows. “Is that…?”

He whips his head around, squinting in the sunlight to catch a clearer glimpse of the figure running towards the edge of the Big Donut’s patio, his long hair rippling behind him. At the sight of family, his eyes light up. He waves his free arm in greeting.

“Dad!”

“Hey, kiddo!” his dad says, crossing the last few steps to the patio chair he’s curled up in. Gasping for breath, he plops himself in the chair adjacent. “I thought I’d find you here. You doin’ better now?”

He makes a half grimace, and shakes his flattened hand in a so-so gesture.

Dad’s hopeful smile fades, quickly replaced with a compassionate sense of understanding that could only come from years of hard earned age and experience. “Yeah. Yeah, I getcha. Seeing people you love fight like that’s never fun. Do you wanna talk about it?”

He presses his mouth into a line as he contemplates. To be honest, after venting about everything to Connie, fixating on negative emotions more is the last thing he wants to do, but he doesn’t wanna be rude to his dad. Thank goodness he has a valid excuse to avoid it altogether!

“Uh, I’m kinda on the phone, here,” he says, showing him his phone screen as proof.

“Oh, by golly, so you are! Hey, Connie. How are you hangin’ in there?”

She flashes a smile. “Hi, Mr. Universe! I’m okay, thanks.”

“Heh, Mr. Universe, huh?” he chuckles softly, scratching at his beard. “Such formalities! You’ve known me for what, how long? Please, you can call me Greg.”

“Thanks, but my mom says I’m not allowed to call grown ups by their first names.”

“Dr. Maheswaran has all sorts of weird mom rules,” Steven chimes in, nodding.

“Hoo boy, do I know about those,” his dad commiserates in a flat tone. He makes a big show out of mulling this over, humming as he taps at his chin. “Well then, don’t think of me as a grown up, but more of a big kid with, erm… slightly bigger responsibilities.”

“Uh, okay!” Connie says, hesitantly glancing between him and Steven. “If it’s alright with you, then, Mr. Greg!”

Dad‘s mouth turns up in a fond smirk, and then he glances back at him. “Anyways, I wanted to let you know that the Gems have cooled down. I had… a bit of a talk with them, let’s say,” he mutters, clear exhaustion betraying his otherwise content demeanor. “Should be fine to go back when you’re ready.”

“Did Ruby return??”

“Nah, she’s still MIA. But Pearl and Amethyst are on the case.”

He sighs, disappointment flooding his heart. He’s not sure why he ever dreamed otherwise. She’ll come back eventually, of course. She’s gotta. According to Garnet, Rubies are very social Gems, which means they prefer sharing in the company of others over being alone. And even when she’s not fused with Sapphire, she’s still a part of his family. He dearly hopes she knows that.

“I hope her and Sapphire will be okay,” he mutters.

“I’m sure they’ll be fine in the end,” he says with a shrug. “They’ve come apart before, after all.”

Connie hums in agreement. “Yeah, sometimes even my parents need some quiet time away from each other. That’s totally normal!”

Dropping his legs to dangle from the chair again, Steven watches an orange spotted butterfly flutter between the beach umbrellas set up on the patio tables, meeting with its other half before both journeying away in the wind. His cheeks lift at their attempts at reassurance, and boy, does it feel so much more natural than frowning pensively.

“D’ya really think so?”

Smiling softly, his dad affectionately musses his hair. “All we can do is wait and see, bud. Wait and see.” He stands to his feet then, grunting as he uses the table’s surface to help push him up. Gaze growing somewhat weary, he peers with purpose towards the far side of the hill. “Anyways, your old man will be over at the car wash, scrubbing soap scum off the floors. Eughh, right? But hey, if you need anything… a hug, an ear, some classic fatherly advice… come and find me, okay? Take it easy this morning.” Grinning, he turns back to wave goodbye to the girl mirrored on the screen. “Nice seeing ‘ya, Connie. Take care.”

“You too!” she waves in return.

And with that farewell his dad begins his casual jaunt down the sidewalk, leaving the two of them alone once more. Except, he supposes that’s not true at all, is it? Even without Connie, even without Dad, or the Gems. Because if he can take away one good thing from this whole messed up experience, just one hopeful message, it’s that he’s never been alone a day of his life. That’s simply the nature of fusion, you see. Even in the darkest, scariest moments...

I’ve never actually been alone, he marvels. I’ve just been me.

______

Once Steven’s dad leaves to scrub down the floors at his car wash, their conversation evolves considerably from its bleak beginnings. Enough about all this Gem stuff, Steven says, what’s new with you? Besides, uh- folding underwear, of course!

Connie laughs, rolling her eyes at the visible blush on his face as she pushes the aforementioned undergarments out of frame. She eagerly shares some of the finer details of her India trip, telling him all about when she’s leaving for the airport, (late this evening, on a red-eye flight across the Atlantic), what area of the country she’s visiting, (Punjab, where some of her extended family lives), and how long she’ll be gone (just a week!). From there, the topic shifts between a variety of themes, ranging anywhere from her anxiety and excitement at starting school again when she gets back, the pride of finally figuring out a challenging song she’s wanted to perfect for a while on her violin, to this super compelling Unfamiliar Familiar fanfic she found where Lisa discovers she’s secretly heir to the throne of the corrupt society she’s always been vying to escape from underneath the authoritative thumb of.

“Wow, this is the story I never knew I always needed so badly in my entire life,” Steven says, brown irises turning starry-eyed in the sunlight. He’s sitting atop the hill now, resting content on his belly in the grass in front of the lighthouse.

“I know, right?? I’ll send you the link,” she promises, dangling her feet in the air behind her as she lays on the carpet.

He pumps his fist in the air triumphantly. “Woo, free infinite books!”

“Well, keep in mind, it’s not finished yet. Apparently it’s supposed to update bi-weekly, but I think the author got a bit boggled down by life stuff recently.”

“Aw, that’s too bad. I hope they’re doin’ okay.”

“Same… But hey,” she says with a soft laugh, “at least it’s a long fic, right?”

“Y’know,” he interjects the current topic suddenly, rising to his knees. “I wonder if I can see your house from here! D’ya think that’s possible, ‘cause I wanna see if that’s possible!”

He switches his camera’s view from front to back, the image of his face replaced by the scenic vista of the cozy beach town below, ridged by the peaceful waters of the Atlantic and Rehoboth Bay. She can see everything, from the gigantic pastry shaped facade atop the Big Donut, to the water tower clear on the other side of the peninsula. Beyond, lush green grasslands— dotted with clusters of small residences, humanity’s touch on the Earth— stretch as far into the horizon as far as a young dreamer can imagine.

Connie picks up her phone from the bedpost she leaned it against and squints at the screen, trying to map out the precise scale of the countryside between them in her mind. “Hmm, probably not. I think my town’s pretty hidden by the surrounding hills.”

“No silly, not from right here, here! I meant, from up here!”

She yelps as the view of Beach City on her phone screen jolts in a burst of sudden, rapid movement, shrinking smaller and smaller as the seconds tick by.

“Steven!! What are you—“

But internally, she finds the answer to this question before she can even finish asking it. Clearly, he jumped into the sky, so… so he’s using his floating ability. Even though she’s never seen him utilize it to leap to this extreme, it’s the only possibility that makes any ounce of sense. Her mouth falls agape at the picturesque view below, the town beginning to looking more and more like a blurred watercolor painting. Distantly, she wonders what it would feel like to be up there with him, her hands clutched tight in his, the wind dancing through her long hair.

"Consarn it! Your house is too small to pick out. Hmm..."

Or even as Stevonnie, can they float too? she wonders. Maybe one day she can ask!

“Oh my gosh, this is just like I’m on the giant slingshot they used to have at Funland,” she says, averting her eyes as her best friend continues his ascent into the shimmering blue sky. She lets slip a slight grimace, finding the stark contrast between the movement on the screen and the still permanence of her bedroom dizzying the more she watches. “And I’m starting to think there’s a reason they shut that ride down…”

“Hey, my floating powers are way better than The Comet,” he chirps playfully, having finally reached the apex of his leap. “Hah, maybe that means I should start my own attraction at Funland!”

“Doing what?” she says, unable to keep from laughing at the absurdity of the very concept. “Bubbling people on the tracks of the rollercoaster like the day we first met? I’m pretty confident that’d be a major health and safety violation.”

“Aww, but those are the best kinds of attractions!”

She hears him grunt with minor exertion, and suddenly the aerial glimpse of the countryside she’s watching on her phone drops out of sight, replaced in an instant with a sweeping panorama of the boundless sky, the line of the horizon with the sea, the ground looming ominously hundreds of feet below. Rinse and repeat, over and over. Everything is spinning, she realizes in alarm, and there’s no end in sight.

“Whoa-oH, it’s the Stevencoaster!” he cries in childish glee as he somersaults.

His lighthearted joy is so contagious she can’t stop the grin stretching wide across her face.

“Careful, you doofus, you’re gonna make me motion sick and I’m not even there,” she giggles breathlessly.

“Nooo! And the Stevencoaster makes everyone toss their cookies! Words truly cannot describe the culinary carnage left in its wake.”

She rolls her eyes in fondness at his antics, and sits up on her carpet. “No, but seriously,” she reaffirms, “that’s making me pretty dizzy.”

“Oh, sorry!”

Soon enough she watches him level out from his spin, his camera focusing for a moment on the ground a hundred feet below his sandaled feet before flipping to show his face once more, framed by wild dark curls. His irises are shimmering an unnatural pink she’s never seen before. It's enough of an unexpected shock that her smile fades, ever so slightly.

“Better?” he says, beaming at her as he continues on his slow descent to Earth.

They’re still pink. And his pupils… She’s not just imagining it, right? She blinks heavily.

“Y- yes, much.”

“Connie? What’s wrong?” he asks, landing upon the grass. His brow furrows.

Even more notably, his eyes are just as normal and brown as they ever were. Connie balls her hand against her chin as she deliberates this. Hmm. Curiouser and curiouser.

She shakes her head, silently mulling over how best to explain this. “Nothing, it’s just… I could’ve sworn your eyes were… different, for a second.”

“Different?” Steven‘s grin stretches so wide he looks like he’s about to burst at any moment. “Eye don’t know what you’re talking about!”

“Well, if you become my pupil I could explain it to you,” she giggles.

“I’m listening,” he chimes eagerly.

“Okay, so honestly it could’ve just been a trick of the light, but… it’s almost like they flashed pink for a second. And your pupils were all funny, kind of, uh- slitted! Like a cat’s.”

“Pink?”

“Yeah.”

His face goes shockingly pale. “Connie, when was this?”

“Just a second ago,” she shrugs. “You were still floating.”

“Floating,” he repeats under his breath, seeming haunted by the very thought.

“Steven?” she calls, a sudden twist in her chest at the sight of his clear distress. “Steven, what’s wrong?”

“I, I—“ he stammers, unable to even meet her glance. “I’m really sorry, but I gotta go. I’ll text you later?”

“Uh- okay. Thanks for calling—“

He hangs up.

“...back,” she finishes softly, shoulders sinking.

She sighs heavily, dropping her phone into her lap and sitting back against her bed frame. What did she say? What could be so scary about the idea of glowing pink eyes to make him react like that? Sure, it’s a bit strange, but it’s no more unusual than any of his other unique abilities. She only hopes she didn’t ruin his good mood all over again by bringing his attention to it.

Her mother knocks on the doorframe outside, signaling her presence.

“Come in,” she mutters glumly.

The door creaks open. Mom steps through, and leans against the wall with her arms crossed, glancing knowingly between her and the phone still clutched like a lifeline in her hands.

“Are you still worried about that boy?” she asks.

Connie can almost hear the capitalization inherent in her tone. 'That Boy.’ Even though she and Steven are just friends, she knows full well who her mother thinks he is to her. (Not that she’d complain if that were the case, but that’s simply not a thing with them, and really that’s fine, she’s fine, their status quo is comfortable how it is—)

“Yeah… I just got off the phone with him," she says, letting her head sink into the folds of the covers trailing off the side of her bed. "It sounds like he’s been through a lot lately.”

“Well, when a child spends all day fighting monsters instead of going to school like he’s supposed to, I can’t say I’m surprised,” her mom says under her breath.

“Mom, come on, this is serious!”

“Yes, sorry, you’re right,” she says wearily, pressing her hand to her temple. “Just because I don’t understand it doesn’t mean that it’s fair of me to say.”

She turns away, and hugs her knees to her chest. Like a storm on a late summer day, her mind brims with so many things she wishes she could admit, so many things that need to be released if she wants to find any peace about this. But how to start? How can she make her mother understand?

“I’ve really been looking forward to this trip, y’know?" Connie says, feeling oh-so vulnerable sitting on the floor just like she always would as a young child, eyes glistening as she calls upon her mother for support. "Really. And I know we gotta leave tonight, but just knowing he’s hurting and I won’t be able to text him at all makes part of me wish… that I could stay here."

Unable to dam it up anymore, a few tears spill over to roll unbridled down her cheek. Her chest quivers uncontrollably as her face screws up and she begins to cry.

"Oh, honey," she breathes, moving to kneel on the floor next to her. She rests her hand on her upper back, gently kneading the stress out of her tense muscles.

"He's always been there for me when I needed someone to talk to, o-or somethin' to feel better," she sniffles, wiping the damp from her eyes and nose. "A- and then- the moment he needs me, I can't be there for him at all, an' it's not fair!"

Upon seeing the trail of snot beginning to drip towards her upper lip, her mother grimaces. She reaches across her for the small square box perched atop her nightstand. "Tissue," she says firmly, passing her the box.  

She accepts the gift, pulling one out, and blows her nose hard.

As she's dabbing away, cleaning up the evidence of her tears, Mom's fingers shift to comb through the length of her hair. She twirls through long dark strands and pulls them out of her face. "Even if I don't get all this magic stuff you're both dealing with," she begins, voice brimming with compassion, "believe me, I understand more than most what it feels like to be cut off from the people you love. So... I’ll change your phone plan to international, how’s that? That way, at the very least you’ll still be able to contact him.”

Her eyes light up. “Wow, really?? But that’s super expensive!”

“Says your father,” she scoffs with soft laughter. “We can afford it. And anyways, I’d hate to see you miserable the whole trip.”

“That’ll be perfect!” she says, throwing her arms tight around her mother. And although she can’t see her face, Connie knows from the reassuring solidness of their embrace that every bit of the love she has for her is returned in full. “Thanks, Mom,” she whispers, her anxious heart finally finding a glimmer of peace.

[rainofcolours]

I really want the biting pear badge from the dA’s April Fools’ event so I caved and doodled one...

And I swear my brain automatically links everything to Katsuya, so I’m using my matcha sis’ original HC of how he doesn’t eat his fruits and veg for his reaction!

[okbuyok001]

Lazy Lipstick

Lazy Lipstick

Even you forgot to bring your mirror, you can still apply the lipstick evenly without any hustle with Lazy Lipstick. It is designed to cover your whole lips. Just rub your lips on it and you'll get a perfect lip makeup. Lazy Lipstick gives a beautiful matt finish but still keeps your lips soft and moisturized. It's so long-lasting and waterproof that it will not smudge or leave any marks on the cup after drinking water. FEATURES: Unique Shape: Designed to cover the entire lips so you don't need a mirror to apply color evenly. Just put the lipstick between your lips to apply. Smudge-proof: No marks will be left on the cup . Matt finish: Gives a velvety matt finish. Moisturizing : Ensure your lips are soft. Prevent chapped lips, looking dull and dry. Waterproof: Perfect for a rainy day, pool party, and beach day Long-Lasting: It stays on your lips all day long. Specifications: Net content: 8g Color: #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6, #7, #8, #9, #10, #11, #12 Shelf life: 3 years Size: 7.2*5.4*1.5cm Skin type: all skin Package Included: 1 x Lazy lipstick Packing list 1 x Lazy lipstick

Read the full article

[utechworld]

Huawei Mate 20X 5G Unboxing - The 7.2-inch BEAST! | The Tech Chap https://ift.tt/2UijX6N

[stephenjaymorrisblog]

European Mutt

By Stephen Jay Morris

Christmas 2018

©Scientific Morality

All my life, I regarded myself as an Ashkenazi Jew with roots in Russian & Polish, with a little Romanian thrown in.  Well, as I came to learn, I was wrong, however, I was right about the European part.  Pamela presented me with a DNA analysis kit for Christmas, and boy was I astonished at the results!  I am Jewish, that assumption was correct.  Then, again, was it?  I suspect there might have been some inter-faith marriages in my family.  On my father’s side, my grandmother Rose didn’t look Semitic at all.  She had blue eyes and straight, light brown hair.  She used to bleach it blonde.  My grandfather, Lewis, had Asian features like slanted eyes, no facial hair above his jaw line, and small feet.  On my mother’s side, my Grandfather Izzy Liebow married my grandmother, Eva.  She didn’t look Jewish at all; she looked French, and she spoke French fluently.  I’d always suspected she came from a Catholic family.  She harbored a lot of secrets.  I’ll bet you if I ever found out any of those secrets, they would amount to a big zero.  A secret has a mystique that fascinates, but once it’s finally revealed, it disappoints.

My dad’s big controversy was, “Are the Jews a race or a religion?”  He would insist on religion. As for me, I never studied the subject. Whenever I came across any Sephardic Jews, I’d say to myself, “Hey!  These Jews don’t look white at all!”  They could have passed for Mexican or Sicilian, or even Arabic.  On the other hand, I would see Ashkenazi Jews and think they could pass for Aryans.  My dad adamantly insisted that Judaism was only a religion.  If you ever disagreed with him, he would get really emotional. Why?  I don’t know.  He was a mental case.

Racial identity is not a big issue with me.  It was one in the late 60’s and early 70’s, mainly because of the Black Power movement.  But, that’s not the case any more.  For some time, I wanted to know about my ancestors a bit more.  Then, I got my DNA test results.  They produced more questions than answers for me. Here is the breakdown of those results:

 A.  84.6% European

1.      22.8% Toscani Italian: People from Tuscany, Italy.  I never thought I had Italian blood in me, but according to this test, I do.  A lot of Italians migrated to Romania.  This was evident on my mother’s side of the family: my Grandpa was Romanian.

2.      16.4% British: Huh?  How in hell did this come into the equation?  I suspect this originated on my fraternal grandmother’s side of her family.  God save the Queen, old chap!

3.      16.2% Finish: This really blew me away.  Once again, it’s linked to my dad’s side of the family.  I never expected I had Aryan blood in me.  Even so, the Nazi’s would have thrown me into an oven.

4.      15.2% Iberian: The Iberians are denizens of the Iberia Peninsula, located between Portugal and Spain.  This is ancient history that dates back to the 6th Century B.C.  I don’t know how this relates to me.

5.      14% Northwestern European

 B.  7.2% South Asian

6.      3.2% Punjabi

7.      1.6% Bengali

8.      1.6% Guiarati Indian

9.      0.8% Sri Lankan Tamil

I don’t know anything about how I’m related to this category.

 C.  5.4% Ad Mixed American

10.  2.2% Colombian: Whoa, Hoss!  I have Latino blood?  That is hard to believe!

11.  1.6% Peruvian

12.  1% Puerto Rican: I once had an urge to steal hubcaps…No, really, who in my family was Puerto Rican?

13.  0.6% Mexican

I hope Trump doesn’t deport me.

 D.  3% East Asian

14.  1.8% Chinese Dai

15.  0.8% Japanese

16.  0.2% Southern Han Chinese

17.  0.2% Kinh Vietnamese

I’m not surprised about the Asian portion; I actually expected higher percentages.

 Well, that is the report.  It is more of a preliminary report.  I could get into more detailed information if I spend more money (naturally).  

 As Trump would say, “We’ll see what happens.”

[spring-emerald]

for more chances of winning (your heart) Ch. 7.2

Summary: The five times Daichi is Kuroo’s ‘unofficial’ significant other, the one time he isn’t, and the one time he ‘officially’ returns the favor.

(aka  a prompt dump and supremely self-indulgent KuroDai in a not-so-obvious-mutual pining-fake/pretend relationship thingy disguised as a mandatory 5+1 times fic)

Chapter 7.2: Nothing worth having comes without some misunderstanding

Pairing: KuroDai

AO3

Better read this first: Part 7.1

Kuroo’s eyes widened, and his limbs felt heavy at those words. It felt like the world stopped turning and his heart stopped beating as a cold feeling washed over him.  

“Wh-what?”

“I… I can’t do this anymore.” Daichi said with a little shake of his head.

Kuroo swallowed. “What are you saying?” His voice slightly broke at the last word.

Oh god, please. Let it not mean what I think it means, Kuroo thought, but was steadily putting on his mental and emotional armors in preparation.

Daichi finally met his eyes, and looked at Kuroo exasperatedly, the expression conveying that Kuroo was supposed to know what he’s talking about, but just being difficult.

Kuroo watched on detachedly, as Daichi searched his face for as sign of any humor. He was sure he had seen none, because he was feeling anything but.

Daichi only saw the utter confusion, and he sighed.

“This… this favorite person. This significant other,” he said the last two words with a tone of dislike. “I… I can’t do it anymore.”

“Sawamura, I–”

“I know that for you it’s just a joke. And it was fine then, because I can always brush it off. Because I know you were just doing it to annoy me, because your brand of humor is like that.” Sawamura looked away again. “But now, it’s… not anymore. I can’t brush it off easily like how I used to. I can’t– I don’t….”

Kuroo didn’t hesitate in closing the distance between them. He felt the tendrils of hope slither in his heart as it restarted when he heard Daichi’s words.

“Sawamura, what do you mean?” He asked, softly but seriously.

Daichi huffed harshly, the action rustled the shopping bags he’s holding. “You know what I mean!” He answered petulantly, glaring at the side.

Kuroo tried not to smile as he searched the other’s eyes, but Daichi kept on avoiding them.

“What do you mean by ‘not anymore’?” Kuroo’s too hopeful to stop now. His heart already started to soar, and it’s already late for it to be held back again now.

Daichi bit his lip and the action almost distracted Kuroo, but the need to know is stronger.

“Sawamura, wh–”

“I have fallen for you, alright!” Daichi exclaimed with a glare now directed at him. He swung the shopping bag he was holding to Kuroo’s direction, but didn’t manage to hit him.

“It’s stupid! But somehow… I started to take your jokes seriously and now, I like you! I like you more than a friend should! And it’s all because of your stupid significant other jokes. But I know it doesn’t mean anything to you, since I’m just a good friend, and maybe after this you don’t want to be like that anymore.”

Daichi ended his rambling with a loud exhale, and a blush visible on the high points of his cheeks.

The moment of tensed silence that followed was broken by Kuroo’s borderline hysterical giggling. Kuroo couldn’t control it. The inexplicable happiness he felt at learning that his feelings are returned fueled it even more and it turned to full on laughter.

He took a step towards Daichi. “It worked,” he said in amazement.

The words and his tone caught Daichi’s attention, and he hazarded a glance at Kuroo.

“What?”

“I can’t believe it worked. Fuck, I can’t believe I moped around. God, I was pathetic,” Kuroo grumbled at himself, rubbing his hands on his face at embarrassment.

“What are you talking about?” Daichi demanded, his glare returning. It’s been an emotional day for him, and he would appreciate it if Kuroo wouldn’t confuse him.

Kuroo sensed Daichi’s agitation, and knew that the other was close to bolting away from him right now, so he held unto the other’s arms.

Daichi squirmed, in an attempt to break free, but Kuroo, powered by happiness didn’t let him go easily.

“Dammit, Sawamura! Stop moving and listen to me.”

There was something in Kuroo’s tone that made Daichi abruptly stop struggling.  He slowly looked at Kuroo suspiciously, but he didn’t say anything. Kuroo took it as a sign to continue.

“I like you too,” he said, as seriously as he could, even his heart felt like it’s going to burst with so much joy. “I have liked you for a long time now.” He let go of Daichi’s arms in favor of cupping his cheeks instead. Finally, he can do this. And Daichi’s blush looked even more endearing up close, and he’s so giddy because he knows he’s the reason for it.

“At this point, I don’t think ‘like’ even does justice to what I feel about you. You have no idea how much I wanted you to be my significant other for real, for a long time now.”

Kuroo looked at Daichi imploringly, trying to make him understand and believe. Daichi swallowed the lump on his throat at the sheer force of Kuroo’s sincerity, and the clear affection he saw in the other’s eyes. A clear affection that is directed at him.

Daichi thought back to all the moments that he noticed how Kuroo would look determined and be at a sort of standstill of wanting to say something, but catching himself the last minute. To the moments where the other just seemed to know small, trivial things about him, and once it was in the forefront of Daichi’s thoughts, he couldn’t help but feel his heart swell as he realized how much Kuroo actually cared for him. And how he actually cares for Kuroo as much.

He looked at Kuroo again, and the other must have recognized something in Daichi’s face because his lips are lifting slowly to a smile.

“You’re not making fun of me?” Daichi asked, just to be sure.

“Sawamura Daichi, I just basically confessed my undying love for you and you’re asking if I’m making fun of you?” Kuroo shook his head unbelievingly. Okay, maybe he deserved some suspicion, but it still stung.

“I was planning on confessing, but then you had to go and tell your classmate that I’m just your friend,” Daichi muttered grumpily. “And he already even got the wrong idea of us being on a date, and you usually would have confirmed it, but you didn’t. So I thought…” he trailed off, looking down.

Kuroo sighed because he deserved that. He lifted his face to make Daichi look into his eyes again. “I was planning on confessing too, and I wanted to do it right. You had no idea how much I wanted to tell him that we are, just to get him off our case, but I didn’t want you to think I was joking,” he paused, then started to chuckle at their situation.

“What a pair we make,” he said tenderly, with a boyish smile that made Daichi’s heart flutter, but one he returned in kind.

“I can’t believe that’s your idea of wooing me,” he teased, which had the expected effect.

“I don’t know what to do okay? I’ve never wooed someone before.” Daichi was delighted to see Kuroo flush in embarrassment, but it was short lived. “And, well, I wanted more chances of winning your heart,” he said with a wink. “It worked in the end, didn’t it?”

Daichi hummed thoughtfully. “I don’t know,” he said slowly. “I’m still not convinced.”

Kuroo’s jaw dropped. “Wha-”

He was cut off when a nose bumped on his, and a pair of soft, cold lips landed on his. His brain short circuited and he was vaguely aware of the sensation leaving him.

Daichi moved his head away as soon as the peck landed, rubbing his nose with a pained expression on his face. He had miscalculated their positions and thought he was close enough to kiss the other, but their distance was apparently still a bit far apart, and he almost lost his balance. He gazed up at Kuroo, and saw the other looking at him with shock.

“Y-You… you kissed me,” he said in utter wonder, redness creeping on his cheeks.

“You were taking so long,” he complained in a small voice.

When Kuroo got over his shock he cradled Daichi’s face between his hands again and squished his cheeks, making the other’s lips pucker up.

“I was having a moment, alright. You are so eager to kiss me.” He gushed and beamed when Daichi wiggled his face to loosen the hold, but didn’t say anything to deny it.

“I got impatient. I mean, how slow are you going to be?” Daichi pointed out.

Kuroo closed some of the distance as he brought his face closer to Daichi’s. “I’ll be as slow as I want, because I want to savor this.” And he really does. He’d spent a lot of time pining over Daichi, and really, he’s excited about a lot of this, but the desire to take things slow, and bask in this lovely moment, is what’s anchoring Kuroo.

“You’re such a sap,” Daichi commented, despite his eyes flickering over Kuroo’s lips.

Kuroo didn’t miss the look and just brought his face down, head tilted to the side in an angle that would slot their lips just the right way. He closed his eyes in anticipation and it felt like a while before his lips met Daichi’s, and oh, it’s even softer, albeit a little chapped, now that it’s pressed firmer against his.

It’s definitely way better than what he had dreamed- imagined, because everything about this moment is just… more. Daichi is warmer, and more responsive. Kuroo now has a permission to give more, to do more, and he’ll also receive more in return.

It will everything, and so much more.

Daichi on the other hand, dropped the shopping bags full of souvenirs, in favor of pulling Kuroo’s coat and held him closer. He snakes a hand around the other’s waist while the other slithered across the other’s chest and stayed there, right on top of Kuroo’s thundering heart.

If he thought he was suffocated by Kuroo’s smell before, it’s nothing compared to how surrounded he felt, not just of Kuroo’s smell, but also of his warmth, and his affection. His heart swelled in his chest, and he sort of regrets that he fought and ignored his growing feelings for Kuroo for long, when they could’ve done this sooner.

But that doesn’t matter now.

What matters is the insistent feel of Kuroo’s lips, and he doesn’t want it to end soon.

They soon broke off the kiss to catch their breaths, and Kuroo was the first to recover.

“How slow was that for you?” He asked, as he pressed his forehead against Daichi’s.

Daichi exhaled a soft laugh, his breath fanning Kuroo’s still sensitive lips, and it curled up to a small smile of its own. Despite his misgivings, Kuroo was right.

This is more than perfect.

They are more than perfect.

         OMAKE

Daichi looked at the assembly of his former teammates, sharing hushed and loud excitement over the souvenirs he bought.

He coughed to call their attention, and was quite unprepared for all their looks to be directed on him again.

“Uh, I still have a surprise left,” he said, suddenly feeling nervous.

Hinata, Tanaka, and Nishinoya all made loud excited noises, while Suga leaned closer.

Daichi still has a story to share, but it’s between the two of them, so he’ll just have to wait until the two of them are alone later. Besides, Daichi looked so happy to be back with them, and he didn’t want to spoil that.

“What is it?” He asked.

As if on cue, the door of the restaurant opened, and a familiar face made way to their table.

Sugawara gasped and this caused Asahi to look at him, while Hinata sputtered out incoherent noises, while the others quietly, but curiously watched on.

Daichi stood up and placed himself on Kuroo’s side. “So guys, uhm, I’m sure you know Kuroo Tetsurou, former captain of Nekoma,” he paused and took a deep breath, “and my significant other.” He finished, making a show of taking Kuroo’s hand and lacing their fingers together.

The assorted reaction of his teammates, ranging from pure happiness to pure astonishment, made Daichi laugh. He tilted his head up to look at Kuroo and saw the same gleeful expression on his face.

And yeah, Daichi could get used to introducing Kuroo like this.

[mirkwoodshewolf]

BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY MASTERLIST

Okay now this is probably the largest masterlist I’ve got cause it’s my latest obsession right now. Everyone I present to you the master list of.....

Bohemian Rhapsody!!!

All Queen:

First snowfall

Baby queen’s first word and steps

Moments with little queen *sequel to baby queen’s first word and steps*

Time for us to take care of you

We will rock you assistant

Accidents happen

Lost one sibling, gained four more:  Part 1   Part 2

Hallow-queen mini-series intro

An All Hallow’s Queen’s night

Ultimate prom dream

Ready now

Legend of the Band *AU! Monster fic*  Part 2     Part 3

Wizard of Oz Queen x pre-teen reader: Part 1  Part 2  Part 3  Part 4  Part 5   Part 6   Part 7   Part 8  Part 9

Guardian of creatures AU!MONSTER FIC *DISCONTINUED* : Prologue   Chap. 1   Chap. 2   Chap. 3   Chap. 4   Chap. 5  Chap. 6    Chap. 7.1   Chap. 7.2  Chap. 8  Chap. 9  Chap. 10  Chap. 11  Chap. 12  Chap. 13   Chap. 14

ROCK ANGEL SERIES:

Meeting the band

True dedication *John Deacon*

Protective Taylor *Roger Taylor*

Confessing the truth to the rest

New Year with the band

Set it all free

My mentor, my idol *Freddie Mercury*

You belong *Brian May*

The Rock angel shines

Rock angel takes Japan

My boys are my family

Birthday celebration Queen style

Meeting Jack

The boys meet Jack

Holiday with the boys

Shallow *Roger Taylor*

Somebody to love pt.1

Christmas with the Klines

Somebody to love pt.2

A family torn apart

We’re a chain that will never break

Wedding preparations

Happy Father’s day *Roger Taylor*

The Wedding

The Honeymoon *Jack x reader*

Spread your wings and fly away

Live Aid reunion

Rekindling the bond, and forging new ones

One vision recording

The baby’s here

Moments with mini-angel:  Freddie and Deacy   Kline family   Brian May   Roger Taylor

It’s a kind of magic tour:   Wembley   Budapest    Knebworth

Freddie’s 40th birthday *Freddie Mercury*

Baby angel’s 1st birthday

A longtime affair revealed *Brian May*

Finding out the truth about Freddie

Kelly’s 6th birthday

Freddie Mercury; Lover of life, singer of songs

Biggest send-off in history

The Dark Period: The first sign    Steve’s final attack   The trial

Here’s to 10 years, and here’s to infinite more

You’ll always be my brother mine

Future with Queen:    Late night special   On set visits pt. 1   pt. 2   A dedicated performance

A new kind of competition  pt. 2

A heavenly reunion     pt. 2

Brian May:

Who wants to live Forever 

Soulmates through music series: Part 1.5  Part 2  Part 3   Part 4  *bonus ch. 1*  *Bonus ch.2*

Forest spirit love

Pool side shenanigans

The magician *Halloween fic*

Like father, like daughter, like granddaughter *current!Brian May*

Gift of Magi

Roger Taylor:

Lion kings and cheetah queens

You can do better than that

Summer horror

That would be enough *current Roger*

Burn (Sequel to that would be enough)

Not father by blood but still your father

The underwater act *Halloween fic*

John Deacon:

Retrieved you a future boyfriend, husband and family

Always family

Ridge farm memories

Today a perfect day

Classical love story

You’re still the smartest girl I know

DISNEY AU! ALADDIN: Introduction  Part 1  Part 2   Part 3  Part 4  Part 5    Part 6  Part 7  Part 8   Part 9   Part 10   Part 11   Part 12

The pipe player *Halloween fic*

Two bassists in rhythmic love *Secret Santa gift @thosequeenboys​*

Best gift of all, love

Return to me *John Deacon x Veronica Tetzlaff for Johnica week by @eileen-crys​*

You’re my best friend *1k challenge for @writing-of-a-british-bitch​*

Freddie Mercury:

Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise *black!child reader* 

Daughter of Freddie Mercury: Part 1   Part 2

The cat tamer *Halloween fic*

BORHAP BOYS + OTHER CHARACTERS:

All BORHAP boys/cast:

Graduation surprise

Joe Mazzello:

My brave soldier muse *Eugene Sledge. The Pacific*

Marine reunion

Looney toon love

Quarantine fun times and tickles

The city kid and the horse whisperer *Charles, Wooly boys*

My sweet buttercup *Eugene Sledge, The Pacific*

Never have regrets

Ben Hardy:

Lessons from Ben Cardy *ft. Cardboard Ben and Joe Mazzello*

Caring for Zero *Four/Billy. 6 Underground*

My #1 fan

The Tale of Robin and Gale Hood *Fantasy Legend AU!*:   Chap. 1   Chap. 2  Chap. 3  Chap. 4  Chap. 5  Chap. 6   Chap. 7   Chap. 8    Chap. 9    Chap. 10  Chap. 11   Chap. 12

Domestic life

It was an accident

Gwilym Lee:

K9 Protector *Charlie Nelson. Midsomer Murders*

Give love one more chance

Rami Malek:

Little Mercury Protege; daughter reader, AU! Alive Freddie Mercury

You gave me the greatest gift of all

History comes to life *Ahkmenrah. Night at the Museum*

Love of my life *sequel to History comes to life*

[reidluver]

Because of course after reading a line from the book of an incident where K-2SO carried Cassian's battered and bleeding body in his arms after a mission--I couldn't help myself. There will be fic. Below is an excerpt. 

K-2 took a few steps forward before bringing his right foot down with a calculated forcefulness. The room echoed with the squelching crunch of General Kabrion's skull.

Vindictive pleasure was beyond a droid's processing capabilities, but K-2SO was no ordinary droid. He spared 4.035 seconds to adjust Cassian's placement in his arms. The glazed look in the Captain's half-lidded eyes decreased by 12.083%. Unfortunately the gurgled breathing remained.

"The blunt force trauma applied to your epigastic region has resulted in hemoptysis. Failure to receive medical treatment in the next 7.2 hours carries a 97.64% probability of death." Cassian's chapped lips twitched upward.

"The knife wound on your forearm runs a 33.56% chance of infection . . ." K-2 continued the commentary as he walked through the silent halls of Compound Deltric Seven. The two of them would be long gone before the next shipment of Imperial goods (and subsequent troopers) arrived.

The trail of blood and flecks of brain tissue his footprint left behind served as K-2SO's warning--

Cassian Andor was under his protection.

[delightfulconnoisseurgentlemen]

Algal DHA and ARA Market Identify Major Stakeholders and Study the Competitive Landscape of Recent Developments | DSM, Roquette, ADM, Corbion, Lonza Group, CABIO

"

<a href=https://www.reporthive.com/request_sample/2786836 target=""""_blank"""" rel=""""noopener""""> Get Sample Report<a href=https://www.reporthive.com/checkout?currency=single-user-licence&reportid=2786836 target=""""_blank"""" rel=""""noopener""""> Buy Complete Report<a href=https://www.reporthive.com/request_customization/2786836 target=""""_blank"""" rel=""""noopener""""> Request for Customization

The research study on global Algal DHA and ARA market presents an extensive analysis of current Algal DHA and ARA trends, market size, drivers, Algal DHA and ARA opportunities, challenges, and problems as well as key Algal DHA and ARA market segments. Further, in the Algal DHA and ARA market report, various definitions and classification of the Algal DHA and ARA industry, applications and chain structure are discussed. In continuation with this data Algal DHA and ARA report also covers the marketing strategies followed by Algal DHA and ARA players, distributors analysis, Algal DHA and ARA marketing channels, potential buyers and Algal DHA and ARA development history. The intent of global Algal DHA and ARA research report is to depict the information to the user regarding Algal DHA and ARA market dynamics and forecast for the upcoming years. The Algal DHA and ARA study lists the essential elements which influence the growth of Algal DHA and ARA industry. Long-term evaluation of the worldwide Algal DHA and ARA market share from diverse countries and regions is roofed within the Algal DHA and ARA report. Additionally, Algal DHA and ARA type wise and application wise consumption figures are also included. After the basic information, the global Algal DHA and ARA Market study sheds light on the Algal DHA and ARA technological evolution, tie-ups, acquisition, innovative Algal DHA and ARA business approach, new launches and Algal DHA and ARA revenue. In addition, the Algal DHA and ARA industry growth in distinct regions and Algal DHA and ARA R&D status are enclosed within the report. The Algal DHA and ARA study also incorporates new investment feasibility analysis of Algal DHA and ARA. >>> High-level findings of the Algal DHA and ARA Outlook 2021 are available in this report. Go through our FREE pdf sample report Below @  https://www.reporthive.com/request_sample/2786836 INDUSTRY TREND The global Algal DHA and ARA industry continues to expand rapidly. However, regional performance varies, with some regional Algal DHA and ARA markets approaching near-mainstream status, while others remain stuck in neutral. Overall, global Algal DHA and ARA-sales volumes are becoming large enough to create substantial profit pools for well-positioned suppliers and other upstream players– but they are also having a negative impact on traditional Algal DHA and ARA profit margins. The entire Algal DHA and ARA value chain continues to recalibrate as industry giants follow different sourcing strategies and as many incumbents, plus new suppliers, enter the market. In the current highly competitive environment, the ultimate winners have yet to be determined. With the breakeven for Algal DHA and ARA still, a few years away, giants are feeling the heat. To accelerate and ensure sustainable, profitable growth, the Algal DHA and ARA industry still needs to overcome several challenges. Segments Covered in the report This report forecasts revenue growth at a global, regional & country level, and provides an analysis of the industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2020 to 2026. For the purpose of this report, stats and data have segmented the global Algal DHA and ARA Market on the basis of end-users, type, and region: Companies considered and profiled in this market study: DSM, Roquette, ADM, Corbion, Lonza Group, CABIO, AlgiSys, Fuxing, Runke, Cellana, JC Biotech, Yuexiang, FEMICO, Huison, Qingdao Keyuan, Yidie, Kingdomway, Shandong Yuexiang The companies have adopted various strategies, including mergers, acquisitions, and partnerships to hold ongoing trails and come up with new developments in the Algal DHA and ARA market. End Users Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion; 2021-2026) DHA Oil, DHA Powder, ARA Oil, ARA Powder Type Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion; 2021-2026) Infant Formula, Food and Beverage, Nutritional Supplement Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion; 2021-2026) North America (Panama, Mexico, Barbados, United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, Trinidad, and Tobago, etc). South and Central America (Brazil, Chile, Argentina, Belize, Costa Rica, Panama, Guatemala, El Salvador). Europe (Spain, Netherlands, Germany, Sweden, Switzerland, San Marino, Ireland, Norway, Luxembourg, etc). Asia-Pacific (United Arab Emirates, Qatar, China, India, Hong Kong, Korea, Israel, Australia, Singapore, Japan, Kuwait, Brunei, etc). The Middle East and Africa (Egypt, Algeria, Nigeria, South Africa, Angola, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman, Turkey, Lebanon, etc). KEY COVERAGE OF THE REPORT 1. Region and country-wise data of the global Algal DHA and ARA market from the period 2016-2026. While 2016 to 2018 has been utilized as historical data, 2019 is considered the base year. 2020-2026 has been derived as forecasts. 2. Various types of alternatives available have been analyzed. Statistical analysis has been conducted on obtaining the individual share of these segments. 3. The regulatory framework of each region. Regional up-coming research and application outlook. The regional prevalence of Algal DHA and ARA has been mapped. 4. Status of ongoing developments. Demand and Supply GAP Analysis 5. Regional Competitors Pricing Strategy. Market share analysis of the top industry players. Strategic recommendations for the new entrants 6. Market Trends (Drivers, Constraints, Opportunities, Threats, Challenges, Investment Opportunities, and recommendations) 7. Strategic recommendations in key business segments based on the market estimations. 8. Competitive landscaping mapping the key common trends. Company profiling with detailed strategies, financials, and recent developments.

>>> Direct purchase Our report (Edition 2021) Below @ https://www.reporthive.com/checkout?currency=single-user-licence&reportid=2786836

Table of Contents Chapter 1. Introduction: The Algal DHA and ARA research work report covers a concise introduction to the global market. This segment provides assessments of key participants, a review of Algal DHA and ARA industry, outlook across key areas, financial services, and various difficulties faced by Algal DHA and ARA Market. This section depends on the Scope of the Study and Report Guidance. Chapter 2. Outstanding Report Scope: This is the second most significant chapter, which covers market segmentation along with a definition of Algal DHA and ARA. It characterizes the whole scope of the Algal DHA and ARA report and the various features it is describing. Chapter 3. Market Dynamics and Key Indicators: This chapter incorporates key elements focusing on drivers [Includes Globally Growing Algal DHA and ARA frequency and Increasing Investments in Algal DHA and ARA], Key Market Restraints[High Cost of Algal DHA and ARA], opportunities [Arising Markets in Developing Countries] and introduced in detail the arising trends [Consistent Innovate of New Screening Products] development difficulties, and influence factors shared in this latest report. Chapter 4. Type Segments: This Algal DHA and ARA market report shows the market development for different kinds of products showcased by the most far-reaching organizations. Chapter 5. Application Segments: The analysts who composed the report have completely assessed the market capability of key applications and perceived future freedoms. Chapter 6. Geographic Analysis: Each provincial market is deliberately examined to understand its current and future development, improvement, and request situations for this market. Chapter 7. Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Global Algal DHA and ARA Market: 7.1 North America: Insight On COVID-19 Impact Study 2021-2026 7.2 Europe: Serves Complete Insight On COVID-19 Impact Study 2021-2026 7.3 Asia-Pacific: Potential Impact of COVID-19 (2021-2026) 7.4 Rest of the World: Impact Assessment of COVID-19 Pandemic Chapter 8. Manufacturing Profiles: The significant players in the Algal DHA and ARA market are definite in the report based on their market size, market served, products, applications, regional development, and other variables. Chapter 9. Estimating Analysis: This chapter gives price point analysis by region and different forecasts. Chapter 10. North America Algal DHA and ARA Market Analysis: This chapter includes an appraisal on Algal DHA and ARA product sales across major countries of the United States and Canada along with a detailed segmental viewpoint across these countries for the forecasted period 2021-2026. Chapter 11. Latin America Algal DHA and ARA Market Analysis: Significant countries of Brazil, Chile, Peru, Argentina, and Mexico are assessed apropos to the appropriation of Algal DHA and ARA. Chapter 12. Europe Algal DHA and ARA Market Analysis: Market Analysis of Algal DHA and ARA report remembers insights on supply-demand and sales revenue of Algal DHA and ARA across Germany, France, United Kingdom, Spain, BENELUX, Nordic, and Italy. Chapter 13. Asia Pacific Excluding Japan (APEJ) Algal DHA and ARA Market Analysis: Countries of Greater China, ASEAN, India, and Australia & New Zealand are assessed, and sales evaluation of Algal DHA and ARA in these countries is covered. Chapter 14. Middle East and Africa (MEA) Algal DHA and ARA Market Analysis: This chapter centers around Algal DHA and ARA market scenario across GCC countries, Israel, South Africa, and Turkey. Chapter 15. Research Methodology The research procedure chapter includes the accompanying primary realities, 15.1 Coverage 15.2 Secondary Research 15.3 Primary Research Chapter 16. Conclusion

>>> Make an enquiry before buying this report @ https://www.reporthive.com/2786836/enquiry_before_purchase

Why Report Hive Research: Report Hive Research delivers strategic market research reports, statistical surveys, industry analysis and forecast data on products and services, markets and companies. Our clientele ranges mix of global business leaders, government organizations, SME’s, individuals and Start-ups, top management consulting firms, universities, etc. Our library of 700,000 + reports targets high growth emerging markets in the USA, Europe Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific covering industries like IT, Telecom, Semiconductor, Chemical, Healthcare, Pharmaceutical, Energy and Power, Manufacturing, Automotive and Transportation, Food and Beverages, etc. Contact Us: Report Hive Research 500, North Michigan Avenue, Suite 6014, Chicago, IL – 60611, United States Website: https://www.reporthive.com Email: sales@reporthive.com Phone: +1 312-604-7084"

[adult-sexstories]

Summer Days - Chap 7.2

Summer Days – Chap 7.2

Summer Days Ch. 07 byBrazenHorse© Dana came out of the house with her drink and wearing one of Christina’s black and white bikinis. She looked stunning as she approached the jacuzzi holding a beverage in one hand. Justin noticed she had a nice pedicure as she tested the water with her toes. “This feels nice!” she said as she entered the jacuzzi in between Ashley and Christina. Justin got another…

[steve-daniel]

Triclosan Market by Product and End User: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2018 – 2025

This is a study of the  Triclosan market size (value and volume) by players, regions, product types and end industries, history data 2013-2018 and forecast data 2019-2025; The following report also examines the market drivers and trends, opportunities and challenges, risks and entry barriers, sales channels, distributors and Porter’s Five Forces Analysis and also the global market competition landscape.

Players include in this report are BASF, Kumar Organic, Vivimed Labs, Dev Impex, Spectrum Chemical, Pierre Fabre Dermo Cosmetique, Buntech, Salicylates and Chemical, Suraj Impex, Equalchem, Sino Lion, Jiangsu Huanxin, Hunan Lijie, Shandong Aoyou, Xian MEHECO, Xiangyun Group, Yichang Yongnuo, etc.

Get Free PDF Sample Copy of Triclosan Market at @ https://www.marketgrowthinsight.com/sample/37274

Apart from the above mentioned criteria, the document provides an in depth analysis of the performance of the industry on the basis of a geography, end customer, product service and end-use.

An all-encompassing analysis of the micro markets with regards to the growth trends in each category creates a balance between important facts while also making it an interesting read. While assessing the market, the researchers also dig deep into their future prospect and contribution to the Triclosan industry. There is a detailed identification and elucidation of the major factors influencing the development rate of the Triclosan industry including various opportunities and gaps.

While mentioning hard to find facts about the trends and innovation driving the current and future of Triclosan business, the report also provides insights into competitive development such as acquisition and mergers, joint ventures, product launches and technology advancements. There is a central focus on demand and supply, production capacity, supply chain management, distribution channel, product application and performance across different countries.

A quick look at the industry trends and opportunities:

The study goes through the trends that will strongly favor the industry during the forecast period, 2019 to 2025. The study brings out the fundamental facts associated with lucrative growth and opportunities that lie ahead for the Triclosan industry. The experts also find out exactly why sales of Triclosan are likely to escalate in the near future.

#If You Want Free Sample PDF Brochure This Report Now Click here @ https://www.marketgrowthinsight.com/sample/37274

Chap. 4, Comparison of Companies

4.1, Comprehensive Analysis of Triclosan Companies

4.1.1, Business Comparison of Companies

4.1.2, Triclosan Business Distribution by Companies

4.1.3, Triclosan Product Comparison by Companies

4.2, Triclosan Sales and Revenue by Companies

4.3, Data Details (Sales, Revenue, Price, Share, Growth Rate, Gross Margin) Analysis of Triclosan by Companies

Comp. 1: Data Details (Sales, Revenue, Price, Share, Growth Rate, Gross Margin) of BASF

Comp. 2: Data Details of Kumar Organic

Comp. 3: Data Details of Vivimed Labs

Comp. 4: Data Details of Dev Impex

Region wise performance of the Triclosan industry:

This report studies the global Triclosan market status and forecast, categorizes the global Triclosan market size (value & volume) by key players, type, application, and region. This report focuses on the top players in North America, Europe, China, Japan, Southeast Asia India and Other regions (Middle East & Africa, Central & South America).

Key points from TOC:

Chap. 5, Comparison of Types (Sales, Revenue, Share, Price, Growth)

5.1, Industrial Grade

5.2, Pharmaceutical Grade

  Chap. 6, Comparison of Applications (Sales, Share, Growth)

6.1, Personal Care Products

6.2, Cosmetics

6.3, Paints

6.4, Disinfection and medical

6.5, Others

  Chap. 7, Comparison of Regions (Sales, Price, Revenue, Share, Growth)

7.1, North America

7.1.1 Sub-regions of North America

7.1.2 U.S.A.

7.1.3 Canada

7.2, Europe

7.2.1 Sub-regions of Europe

7.2.2 Germany

7.2.3 U.K.

7.2.4 France

7.2.5 Italy

7.2.6 Spain

Continue…

Browse Full RD with TOC of This Report @ https://www.marketgrowthinsight.com/37274/triclosan-market

This Triclosan market report holds answers to some important questions like:

What is the size of occupied by the prominent leaders for the forecast period, 2019 to 2025? What will be the share and the growth rate of the Triclosan market during the forecast period?

  What are the future prospects for the Triclosan industry in the coming years?

  Which trends are likely to contribute to the development rate of the industry during the forecast period, 2019 to 2025?

  What are the future prospects of the Triclosan industry for the forecast period, 2019 to 2025?

  Which countries are expected to grow at the fastest rate?

  Which factors have attributed to an increased sale worldwide?

  What is the present status of competitive development?

About us:-

  Market Growth Insight is a one stop solution for market research reports in various business categories. We are serving 100+ clients with 10000+ diverse industry reports and our reports are developed to simplify strategic decision making, on the basis of comprehensive and in-depth significant information, established through wide ranging analysis and latest industry trends.

We are striving to provide the best customer friendly services and appropriate business information to accomplish your ideas.

Contact us:-

502, Sai Radhe, Kennedy Road, Behind Hotel Sheraton Grand, Near Pune Station, Pune 411 001, Maharashtra, India Contact No- + 91 8956 049 020 Sales@marketgrowthinsight.com Website- https://www.marketgrowthinsight.com Follow us: – LinkedIn | Twitter | Google+ | Facebook

from WordPress https://ift.tt/2NbIMBv via IFTTT

[bubbly-studies]

Module 2 – Background PROJECT PLANNING The Required Sources with an asterisk (*

Module 2 – Background PROJECT PLANNING The Required Sources with an asterisk (*

Module 2 – Background PROJECT PLANNING The Required Sources with an asterisk (*) are linked to the course, and can be accessed directly. You should read through, and be familiar with, both sources in their entirety. For this Module, however, you should study: Barron & Barron (2012), Chaps. 7.2, 8, 9, 10 and 13New York Guide (2002), Chaps. 3.1, 3.2, 3.3 The Required Sources and the Additional Sourc…

[braverph]

Module 2 – Background PROJECT PLANNING The Required Sources with an asterisk (*

Module 2 – Background PROJECT PLANNING The Required Sources with an asterisk (*

Module 2 – Background PROJECT PLANNING The Required Sources with an asterisk (*) are linked to the course, and can be accessed directly. You should read through, and be familiar with, both sources in their entirety. For this Module, however, you should study: Barron & Barron (2012), Chaps. 7.2, 8, 9, 10 and 13New York Guide (2002), Chaps. 3.1, 3.2, 3.3 The Required Sources and the Additional Sourc…