#aluminum kitchen cabinets

[vmsplus]

Aluminium Shutter for Kitchen | VMS Trade Link

VMS Trade Link offers high-quality aluminium shutters for kitchens in Ahmedabad. These shutters are a great alternative to glass shutters as they are more durable and resistant to scratches and breakage. They come in a variety of colors to match your kitchen design and are easy to clean and maintain. Our team of experts can help you choose the perfect shutter for your kitchen and install it with precision. Visit our office in Ahmedabad or our website to learn more about our products and services.

[vmsplusblog]

Aluminum Shutter for Kitchens | VMS Plus

Whether you’re thinking of renovating your kitchen or you want to build a new one from scratch, the sure thing is that you want to have a space where you will be happy and comfortable. Let’s start with the window treatment for your kitchen. You would be looking for a stylish, modern, low-maintenance, versatile, and durable material. Oh, yes!

We are talking about an aluminium shutter for the kitchens.

Aluminium profile shutters for the kitchen are your great option; we can assure you that, whatever the shape of your window — unusual like arched, rounded, extra-large, or ordinary shape, these shutters can be greatly useful. Offering various levels of privacy and giving you full control of natural light and ventilation, you cannot think of a more suitable window treatment than aluminium shutters.

Profile shutter kitchen is your highly versatile choice in window treatments. You can have it installed indoors and outdoors, as you prefer. Most are available in powder coat finishes and will be tailored to your desired colour and size. You can also have it opened fully and closed fully to protect against the elements and your most needed privacy.

Not only that, but you can also use aluminium roller shutters for kitchen cabinets. It will keep your kitchenware orderly and your entire kitchen organised. Especially if you install a profile shutter with glass, you can view what’s inside the cabinet. What a convenience!

As if those are not enough, here are several other reasons why an aluminium profile shutter in the kitchen is your perfect choice of window treatment.

1. Aluminum is non-corrosive. It is corrosion resistant, as an oxide layer protects it from getting damaged by rust so that aluminium can serve you for years, even in a corrosive environment.

2. Aluminum is nearly as strong but much lighter than steel, making it easier to handle.

3. It looks modern and high-grade, yet the aluminium window covering is affordable. Comparing prices in the market reveals that aluminium is among the cheaper options.

4. It is very durable and can last many years with little maintenance. Requires only very light dusting.

5. Provides your home with an appearance that is modern and stylish.

6. Can come in various colours, sizes, frame styles, and finish options. Just select what suits you, from satin black to glossy white and everything in between.

7. Because aluminium is lightweight and durable, it is easy to install.

8. Aluminum shutters for kitchen cabinets can improve the aesthetic appeal of your kitchen.

9. Offers complete control of light and temperature.

10. Aluminum shutters are energy-efficient window dressings. They can reduce heat gain during the summer months and reduce heat loss during the winter.

Shutters are great insulators — trapping the cold air between the shutter and the window.

Choosing your window covering and the shutter material for your kitchen cabinets is very important. The kitchen, as you may already know, is the heart of the home. It is the room that gets the most traffic, where the family gathers, where meals are prepared and enjoyed together, where the entertainment of friends takes place, and everything else. Also, that part of the house gets dirty very easily. So, never attempt to economise by choosing a modular kitchen profile shutter that is cheaper but has poor-quality material for your kitchen window cover.

If you wish to receive all the advantages a profile shutter kitchen offers, do not look at other shutters except aluminium.

VMS Plus is a leading supplier of kitchen shutters, aluminium profiles, wardrobe profiles, slim partitions, hinges, and other products. We always aim to provide you and your family with high-quality aluminium shutters for your homes. If you require design and installation, we provide them too. So why not get in touch with us today? Or visit us at our Ahmedabad store and speak with our experienced designers and design consultants about your kitchen project and our products.

We will be delighted to share our knowledge with you.

[dubaiblogs]

Aluminum Kitchen Cabinet - Advantages and Disadvantages

The following article will dive deeper into the pros and cons of aluminum kitchen cabinets which will help you make an informed decision. Read on to know more.

[cgtaxpe]

Kitchen Enclosed Inspiration for a mid-sized modern galley porcelain tile enclosed kitchen remodel with a farmhouse sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, solid surface countertops, metallic backsplash, stainless steel appliances and no island

[zerudaswonderland]

Modern Kitchen

[passionoverfashion]

Kitchen - Contemporary Kitchen

[hometoursandotherstuff]

I like when people make the most of a small house and these owners did their best to make this little 1946 Cape in Cleveland, OH, colorful and interesting. 3bds, 2ba, 1,131 sq ft, $285,089. (One of my favorite series of children's books to read in story time is the classic "The Stupids," by Harry Allard. The Stupid family lives in Cleveland and the funniest book is "The Stupids Die." Somehow, the Stupid family thinks they died and marvel at how Heaven looks just like Cleveland. Their dog is smart, he always comes to their rescue.)

Enter directly into the living room. The floor is perfect and look at how neatly they did the designs on the walls and ceiling. I would remove the curtains, though

Cute 3pc. bath in the hall.

Not sure which bedroom is the primary. This one is smallish and has mirrored walls to give the illusion of more space.

This bedroom looks larger. There they go again, people removing the closet doors. Don't care too much for the wallpaper.

Pink & green kitchen. Nice white Shaker cabinets, but who laid the floor? Is it supposed to be in square sheets like that? I don't know why they didn't cover the whole backsplash with tile, either. Sliders open to a nice deck, though.

The large finished attic is the 3rd bd. I don't know if someone painted the clouds or if it's wallpaper, but they're beautifully done.

Finished basement. There's a bedroom area down here in the corner.

And, this is where the 2nd bath is located.

The laundry room has a nice new aluminum sink.

Very large covered deck on the back of the house.

Plus a patio with a little garden.

Interesting yard with a trampoline that looks like it conveys.

This yard could be lovely.

Path to a very large driveway and 3 car garage, plus a nice shed. I bet a pool would fit in the back yard. I think that this house is a good value for the price. 9,374 sq ft lot

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/15722-Lydian-Ave-Cleveland-OH-44111/33374920_zpid/

[bahrtofane]

jude helping you in the kitchen because you’re hosting his family for dinner and youre running around at 100 miles an hour trying to find that damn stick of butter, it was just in your hand come onn

all while jude is having the time of his life taking his time gingerly cutting potatoes into neat little squares (roasted potatoes are a must)

"am i doing good?" he pipes up, already done with 3 Potatoes, youre so proud of him

you scramble over to him with a pound of meat in your hand, "yes love youre doing great."

he beams, wiggling his shoulders happily, "what do i do with them?"

you set down the meat on the counter while grabbing what you can from the spice cabinet, "the potatoes? just put them into a big bowl and ill worry about them."

he hums, going to get said big bowl while you run back to the fridge. you need asparagus how could you forget!

he manages to get the squares off the cutting board and into the bowl without much hassle, and you’ve started getting your pans out for the meat and asparagus. the squash is in the oven all ready, you need to make room for your lamb when its time though, desert also needs to get started, oh your mini quiches you completely forgot.

you slide back over to the fridge, the dough you made this morning, grabbing it and some flour. the lamb can wait while you get the crusts in the oven.

by the time jude looks back over at you, your covered in flour.

he snorts, "looks like you lost a fight to a baker."

"very funny jude, get the asparagus in the pan please and keep an eye on the squash for me while i finish getting the dough ready."

he puts the cutting board to the side, wiping his hands on a paper towel "yes ma'am."

you feel like gordan ramsey, barking our orders and running around with enough stress to last a life time. and you tell people you love cooking. pfft. sure. poor jude only follows you, doing what you ask. hes even worm a silly apron with big red words "kiss the chef" plastered on them. he thought it was the funniest thing ever. it was pretty funny you admit.

you spend too much time balling up little wads of aluminum foil for the crusts but jude keeps everything else in order, and before you know it in they go, out the squash comes, and you get started on the meat.

you love lamb, you hate the amount of pans and pots it takes though. first you sear, then you transfer to the oven while you sear off vegetables in the same pot, in they go with the lamb, pull them out, blend them with left of lamb juice at the bottom of the pan, boom you have a little gravy.

jude gasps and for a moment you think he'd burned himself, but he turns around with a stick of butter in his hand.

you light up, pressing a kiss to his cheek, "i love you," taking the butter and adding it to the asparagus.

somehow, someway, all your courses get done just on time, the deserts in the fridge, jude cleaning up the last of the kitchen while you get changed.

you come back down to greet the family, plating their food and basking in the praises they sing after every bite.

you love cooking !

[billluver0124]

Heyyy could you do a 2010 bill where him and reader r chilling after a long few weeks and it's just pure fluff like watching a movie lazy make-out bit of self care yk if thays OK if not don't stress it!!!!

Hope you have a good day 😁😁😁

YES OFC HUN💋

“I really needed this.”

this is my first request! I’m sorry if this isn’t exactly what you wanted>.<

Warning: making out! (no actual smut in this story)

A long few weeks passed, full of chaos. Tokio Hotel’s weeks have been full of concerts, interviews, photoshoots and more! Giving Bill less time to see his beloved girlfriend, y/n. For y/n it’s just been weeks of staying home all day for Bill to come home so late or not come home at all. She really needed his love but he wasn’t there, taking a bit of a toll on her. Luckily today was the last day of chaos and now Bill can come home! Except y/n didn’t know that.

Bill decided to leave the studio early, stopping at a shop to get some matching pjs for both him and his girlfriend. y/n was obliviously waiting at home, in the living room watching tv. A what seemed to be permanent sad look on her face. Until, she hears a knock on the door. She sighs, getting up from the couch to the door. Once she opened the door, that frown turned upside down immediately.

“Suprise!” Bill says, “hass du mich vermisst, meine schatz?“ A child-like smile formed on her face. She wrapped her arms around him immediately, “you have no idea how much I missed you.” She says, muffled because her face was in his shoulder. “Aww baby I missed you too.” Bill responds, kissing the top of her head. “I brought us matching pjs so we could watch a movie! How does that sound meine liebe?” She nods, “that’s sounds amazing!” She grabs the pjs Bill bought and changed into them, Bill does the same thing.

Y/n goes to the kitchen cabinet, grabbing a bag of popcorn and putting it in the microwave. Until she gets an idea, she goes to the bathroom and opens the cabinet under the sink. She grabs two packets and shows Bill, who’s on the couch looking for a movie to watch. “Facemasks?” She asks, with a giddy smile on her face. “Yea! Of course!” Bill says excitedly. She goes to sit down next to him, opening the packet, pulling out the slimy, cold cloth from its aluminum packaging. She opens it and places it on bills face.

After a few minutes of the mask sitting in their faces, it was time for them to take it off. They go to the bathroom and take off the masks, rubbing the excess serum into their skin. Once they finished, they went back to the living room to continue the movie. As they cuddled up on each other bill decided to get a little touchy, leaving small kisses on y/n’s shoulders. “that tickles!” she says while giggling. bill turns her face around towards him, giving her a loving kiss. she returns the favor, turning her body towards him.

Their lips softly touched one another’s, bills hands sneaking up under her shirt, resting on her waist. y/n’s held bills face as she caressed his lips with kisses. Bill opens his mouth slightly, allowing y/n’s tongue to enter, both tongues dancing with one another. Bill makes his way to her neck and shoulders, sucking and nibbling on the area. Tiny and soft moans leaving y/n’s mouth, tilting her head to give more access. Soon after she returns the favor, leaving small love bites on bill’s neck, “I missed this..” y/n says, a smile forming on her lips. “I missed this too schatz, I missed you.” he replies, hugging y/n and holding her close.

Bill and y/n then get comfortable on the couch, bill laying on y/n’s chest, her arms around him as she scratched his scalp. “thank you meine liebe, i really needed this.” Bill says, “you’re so welcome my love.” Y/n kisses the top of his head as both him and her slowly began to fall asleep.

THANK YOU FOR THE REQUEST, IM SO SORRY THAT THIS IS LATE. IM GONNA TRY TO POST MORE OFTEN!!!!

[clarepreed]

Fade

Part Three: Heart Light

Story Content and Summary - 8,014 words. The connection between Deirdre and Archer builds until a freak accident threatens to expose Deirdre and tear them apart forever. Explicit sex, drowning, blood and vomit, magical first aid, artificial respiration. ♂️

Part One Part Two

--

“Let me do the dishes.” Deirdre stood in the kitchen beside him, refusing to relinquish her grip on her plate. Archer peered down at her, grinning as he released his own grip on the plate and touched her arm instead. Dressed in royal blue leggings and a long gray sweater that felt buttery soft under his fingers, Deirdre looked both cozy and desirable. Archer leaned in and kissed her; a firm, lingering kiss he regretted ending.

“No,” he refused, holding out his hand for the plate. “I am doing for you, including cooking, cleanup, and chauffeuring you to Asa’s new house. I want to. Please. I know you aren’t taking payment for your consultation with Asa today.”

“I rarely charge for consultations, though I’m not usually on site for them, either.” Deirdre slowly released the plate to him. Her gaze dropped to the floor, where Fae was poking at Deirdre’s bare feet. “Thank you for letting me bring Fae to your place.”

Archer put Deirdre’s plate in the sink and picked up a small piece of aluminum foil from the counter. He wadded it into a ball and tossed it on the floor, smiling as the kitten immediately pounced on it. “I wanted to see her. And I thought it was probably too soon for you to leave her alone overnight. Speaking of which… I’m glad you agreed to stay over.”

Deirdre looked up at him, her eyes warm. Then she stepped close, one hand gently gripping his arm and the other skimming up his side. Her proximity and her touch alone were enough to send a blush of heat roaring over his body. Archer put his hand on her hip and pulled her closer, stroking the soft weave of her sweater.

“You showed me to the guest bedroom when I arrived,” she murmured.

His thumb traced an unseen pattern on her abdomen as his own clenched. “I did. I don’t want you to feel pressured.” His other hand smoothed her hair, then cupped her cheek.

“I would prefer to sleep with you,” she said bluntly. “If you’re open to—”

Archer dipped his head and kissed her. There was that inhalation again; the sharp sound of a match dropped in a pool of accelerant. Her mouth opened to his, and he drank her in, a low moan sounding in the back of his throat. She’d come up onto her toes, her arms around his neck, pulling him down to her. Archer eased her back against the cabinets, then scooped her up, depositing her gently on the countertop. Her legs parted, and he stepped in between them, his hands stroking her thighs through the fabric of her leggings. They came up for air and Archer ran his hands up beneath her sweater, fingertips searching for the hem of the tank top underneath. Deirdre kissed the corner of his mouth, then along his jaw. Her lips were soft, and he felt the ghost of her tongue on his skin. 

Archer slipped his hands underneath her top and curled his fingers around her waist, stroking the soft skin he found there. Deirdre sought his mouth again, her hands in his hair as her legs wrapped around his middle. His hands searched higher, and he discovered she wasn’t wearing a bra, his thumbs skimming along the smooth underside of her breasts. He’d grown hard, and his hips moved slowly against her, his body caught in a rhythm he had no memory of starting. 

His mouth broke from hers and he kissed down the side of her neck, then back up to the hollow beneath her ear. 

“You can touch me,” Deirdre gasped, sounding almost drugged. She used her legs to grind herself against him, and he heard her gasps edge into a moan. “Archer, you can—”

He ran his thumbs up and found her nipples already erect. Archer drew lazy circles around them both, even as he murmured: “We’ll be late… I don’t want to rush this…” Despite his words, he peeled her sweater off, then her tank top, tucking them both on top of the cookbooks behind her. Then he leaned back, panting as he took in the sight of her breasts sitting high on her chest, dark nipples already erect.

The watch on his wrist buzzed, and she was the one who looked down, grasping his arm and blurting out: “Asa had a patient emergency. Wait for his call…” Then she was raising the hem of his shirt and he reached back to claw it over his head.

Archer tossed his shirt to the side and gathered Deirdre close, wanting to feel her naked breasts pressed to his chest. So soft against him, so— “Is this okay? Is it okay that it’s like this?” he groaned.

“I want you…” Her hands ran down his back, and she rolled her hips, grinding her pelvis against him. 

“God… Deirdre. Not in here. Not our first time. Hold on to me!” Her arms and legs tightened around him and he slid his hands under her ass, pulling her against him and lifting her off the counter. His bedroom was just down the hall and he walked as quickly as he dared, careful not to step on Fae or to bump Deirdre against the walls or doorframes. When his legs bumped against the bed, he slid one arm up to her back, cradling her body as he climbed onto the mattress and laid her down.

***

Deirdre welcomed his weight as he laid on top of her, one arm holding himself up while the other roved across her chest, kneading her breasts. She opened her mouth to his deep kiss and ground herself up against the ridge of his erection. Self-satisfaction rose hot and wanton inside her when he groaned in response. His hand lifted from her breast and plunged into her hair. Archer rose above her and she reached between them, grappling with his belt and then cupping him through his jeans. He grunted into her mouth and thrust against her hand.

Then he straightened, releasing her long enough to unfasten his jeans. She raised her arms, sliding them under her head as she watched him back off the bed and strip off them off. He was long and lean, his legs hairy. He climbed back on to the bed, still in his boxer briefs, but Dierdre held up a hand. “Take off your underwear. I want to look at you.” She sat up, noting the slight flush to his cheeks as he pushed his briefs past his hips and over his erection.

Her eyes lingered there, on the hardness she’d inspired, then shot to his face. He looked serious for a few seconds before his mouth pulled into a lazy, almost bashful smile. Deirdre reached for the waistband of her leggings and he joined her, helping her peel them off her legs and then running his hands up and down her skin.

“Lay back,” Archer whispered, his voice hoarse and his hands gently pressing her down to the mattress. He just looked at her for a moment, his eyes raking over her before he raised them and met her gaze. “You’re so beautiful.”

He climbed back onto the bed, his thigh slipping between her legs and his erection rubbing against her stomach. He curled over and kissed the hollow between her collarbones. 

“Archer,” she whispered, reaching down to touch him, her hand curling around his length. “Archer, Archer…”

He groaned, his head lifting and his eyes squeezing shut. She ran her hand up to the head, her thumb catching the moisture at the tip before she stroked her hand back down the length of his shaft. He was warm and firm and smooth against her palm, his hips pumping slowly into her fist. She felt one of his hands grip her leg, then move between her thighs. His long fingers swept through her wetness, massaged gently on either side of her slit. 

His eyes opened again, seeking hers out as he slid a finger inside of her. She heard herself make a mewling cry, her knees drawing up and her toes curling.

They writhed together, muscles gripping and pulsing, drinking each other’s moans, until Archer withdrew his finger and gently pulled her hand free from his cock. He leaned far to the side, and she heard him open a drawer in the nightstand, rustling around for a few seconds until he was back with her. His head dipped, and she felt his lips on her breast, kissing downward until he encountered her nipple and drew it into his mouth. He reached between her thighs again, this time slipping two of his long fingers into her wetness. His palm curved over her and ground at her apex. Deirdre’s back arched and her hands curled into the bedspread. 

Wet kisses trailed up from her breast to her ear, where he whispered: “Are you okay? Is this safe for you?”

“I’m safe,” she managed, her body moving restlessly beneath him. She ran her hands up his back and into his hair, tugging at his roots. He smelled of cypress, sage, and sweat. “Don’t stop, Archer…”

His lips pressed briefly to the pulse in her throat. Then he crawled down her body, kissed her navel, and nuzzled the neatly trimmed curls between her thighs. His tongue there made her cry out and curl up toward him, her hands threading into his hair. She gasped and fell back, heard and felt him chuckle. The tip of his tongue ran the length of her slit before flicking over her clitoris. Her legs moved restlessly, first pressing her thighs against either side of his head, then falling wide, toes curled. He kept his mouth on her, his tongue sweeping flat at the top of her sex before he pursed his lips there, suckling. She heard the tear of a foul packet, and a moment later his hands were back on her.

Archer stroked her thighs, then slid one hand up her body to cover her breast, a nipple caught between two of his fingers. He rose over her, two fingers of his other hand easing inside of her. She presented her mouth to him, her chin lifted and her eyes meeting his. His mouth met hers, tongue thrusting deep as his fingers moved within her. Deirdre reached for him, hard and thick as she guided him between her thighs. His fingers left her, replaced by a plunging thrust. 

“Archer!” Her body bowed, breasts grazing his chest, arms coming around him. Her legs bent close to either side of him, her pelvis rocking up to meet his thrusts. 

Archer kissed beneath her jaw, his breath coming hard and fast. He groaned into her ear. “Deirdre… You’re perfect, this is perfect, God…”

Her skin was on fire, but instead of immolating, she came to life. Archer slowed, grasping her hands and pulling them above her head. He stroked slow and deep, and Dierdre arched against him, a moan tearing free from her lips.

“Good,” he panted. “I want to hear you—”

“Archer!” The heat coiled low, tension building. Deirdre drew one of her legs around him, using it as leverage. He kissed along her hairline, then released one of her hands, twining his fingers with the one he kept. His free hand slipped between her ass and the bedspread, cupping her and shifting the angle of their joining. She heard herself keen, then heard his answering groan. She reached up, pressed her hand to the side of his face, traced his bottom lip with her thumb. His body slid against every sensitive part of her. Her limbs tingled, and she felt her heart lurch, but she didn’t care. “Ohhh… Right there, right—”

She came with an unintelligible cry, her body bowing, pulsating around him. His eyes squeezed shut as he thrust deep within her, carrying her through her orgasm. Panting and lightheaded, Deirdre gazed up at him, caressing his face and murmuring endearments she knew he didn’t understand, couldn’t understand. Archer turned his face into her hand, kissed her palm, and then she felt him thrust deep and hold, his body above her going stiff. She watched him as his pleasure rolled over his face and he pumped into her irregularly. Her heart lurched, and she realized with sluggish surprise that she was releasing ánh, the blue glow of her heart magic. The light hovered between them, nearly an orb, casting a cool glow on Archer’s skin.

Archer’s eyes were still closed, so he didn’t see the light as it pulsated once and sank into him, fading into nothing. Deirdre drew in a shuddering breath and clung to his shoulders. He gasped out a low moan and sagged, bracing himself on his forearm and letting his forehead rest against hers.

They stayed like that for a long moment, Archer’s heaving breath slowing and Deirdre’s pulse evening out. He opened his eyes and reached down, withdrawing carefully before he rolled off of her and pulled her with him to lie against his side. He looked sated, if astounded, the corner of his mouth curling up. 

“What is it?” she murmured, breathless.

“I saw stars, I think.” He chuckled, but a second later, his face was serious. He trailed his fingertips down the side of her face. “Are you okay?”

“I’m okay,” she reassured him. His eyes were achingly warm, their closeness a promise. “More than okay.”

He searched her face, then slipped his fingertips under her jaw, gently tipping her face up. He kissed her, soft and loving. “I suspected there would be fireworks…”

Deirdre curled into him, barely stopping herself from speaking the fae words that would come too soon for human ears.

***

A buzz at his wrist pulled Archer out of a restful sleep. He lifted his arm from Deirdre, murmuring endearments into her hair when she stirred. Deirdre lay facing away from him, naked beneath the covers, soft and warm against his chest. Squinting at his watch, he read: I can meet you at three. Please apologize to Deirdre for me.

The text timed out and his watch read several minutes past one. 

Mew! Fae’s tiny cry drew his attention, and he heard scrabbling from the other side of the bed. Her head popped up, her little body struggling to climb over the side of the mattress using her weak kitten claws. She pulled herself over the side, shook herself, and then scampered over, mewling up at Archer. He reached across Deirdre to pet the kitten, smiling when he heard her faint purr. She bumped his fingers, then tucked herself up against Deirdre’s chest.

Archer rolled onto his back, glancing to the side at the window, where a faded, dry donkey’s tail and a half-shriveled moon cactus sat. He was constantly forgetting to water them, which would normally be good for succulents and cacti, except one was definitely supposed to water them more than once every three months. He’d intended to put them away, embarrassed that Deirdre might see them. But he forgot both about these two plants and the weedy basil in the kitchen. 

To his surprise, however, both of them looked fat and green, with the moon cactus’ orange head tipped toward the sun. Archer sat up slowly, not wishing to wake Deirdre. He swung his legs off the side of the bed, his brain flicking through memories of looking at those plants recently, shriveled and sad, as he tried to remember the last time he watered them.

“Archer?” Movement on the bed behind him, then Deirdre’s hand on his shoulder. “Are you okay?”

Archer covered her hand with his. “Yeah… Just looking at my plants. They’re looking surprisingly healthy.”

She pressed a kiss to the back of his neck. He turned toward her. Hair adorably mussed, and unabashedly naked, Deirdre kneeled with Fae in one hand, tucked up close to her chin. He took a deep breath and made his eyes lift from her breasts to her face. She smiled at him, and he leaned close to kiss her.

When he pulled back, her cheeks flush pink. “You’re an excellent lover, Archer,” she murmured.

He cupped her cheek, tenderly tracing the bone, then dropped his hand to scratch behind one of Fae’s ears. “We haven’t known each other very long, but I feel…” He searched for the words. Love came to mind, but it couldn’t be that, not so soon.

“We don’t have to define it yet,” she said, her voice soft. Her expression was gentle, and she reached out and touched his cheek. “But I look forward to being with you long enough to define it.”

He cupped the back of her head and drew her closer so he could press a kiss to her forehead. “I want that, too.”

His watch buzzed, drawing their attention away from each other.

“Asa?”

“Yeah.” He grinned at her sheepishly. “I think he’s been trying to get hold of me. Wants us to meet at three?”

“That’s perfect. I’d like to freshen up a bit, but there’s plenty of time.”

Archer offered her his hand to help her out of bed. “I’m just gonna put my clothes back on and go wash the dishes. Actually… let me get your bag out of the other room. And your shirts out of the kitchen.” Then, unable to stop himself, he bent for another kiss, his hand at her waist.

“I can get my bag,” she protested once her mouth was free. “And my clothes.”

“I’ve got it!” he exclaimed, already headed out of the bedroom.

“I am enjoying the view,” he heard her say from behind him. Archer laughed as he made his way back to the kitchen.

A forty minutes later, Archer placed the last pot in the dish drainer and wiped down the counter. Fae played at his feet, batting the ball of aluminum foil from one side of the kitchen to the other. He grinned down at her, knowing that shortly she’d tuck herself away somewhere, sleeping off playtime. 

Archer dried his hands and walked back down the hall toward his bedroom, where he’d left Deirdre to freshen up. It was getting close to the time they needed to head for the car, and—

Archer stepped into his bedroom and his joints seized up, nearly sending him to the floor. Deirdre lay on the floor, sprawled on her back, eyes closed. Still.

With a groan, Archer lurched forward. He heard himself call out in a ragged voice. “Oh, my God! Deirdre! Deirdre…”

Before he reached her, she opened her eyes and pushed herself up onto her elbows. Her eyes were large with startlement, but she met his gaze easily and her cheeks and lips were pink. Archer dropped to his knees beside her, confusion and relief slowly replacing his panic. “Are you okay? What—”

“I’m so sorry!” Her eyes went huge, darting across his face as she sat upright and reached for him. “I did some yoga, and then I was only meditating, Archer! I didn’t mean to frighten you.”

“Damn…” Archer let out air he didn’t realize he was holding and drew her into his arms. He rested his chin on the top of her head. “Damn. Thank God. No, love. I’m sorry. I saw you on the floor and assumed you’d collapsed. I thought maybe…” His voice trailed off and his body trembled. 

Shocked by the strength of his reaction, he held her tight. Deirdre stroked his back, murmuring something he didn’t catch under her breath. Archer closed his eyes, grounding himself. He felt the hard wood under his knees; the sweat pricking his scalp; and the small, soft, warm body in his arms. 

“I don’t know what’s wrong with me,” he said finally, exasperation leaking into his voice. “I don’t normally lose it like this. If you had been having an actual medical emergency, panicking wouldn’t help.”

“You have done nothing wrong, Archer.” His shirt muffled Deirdre’s voice. He could smell her toothpaste alongside her usual herbal scents. “I frightened you. Now, your body is reacting to all of that excess adrenaline.”

A part of him knew she was right, but when he took too long to respond, she wriggled in his arms. He relaxed his hold, opened his eyes. Deirdre leaned back, peering at his face. She brought her hand up and traced her fingers along his cheek. “You sweet, sweet man.”

Archer dipped his head and kissed her. Their embrace now was gentle, his heart rate evening out, and he savored her for a moment before he pulled back and let himself smile. “Do you feel properly meditative now? After I shouted at you?”

“I am relaxed, Archer. Don’t worry.” Deirdre gestured at his watch. “Do we need to leave to meet your brother now?”

“Yeah.” Archer gave her a squeeze and then released her. “Do you mind if I drive?”

“You’re the one who knows where we’re going,” Deirdre said, beating him to her feet and offering him her hand.

Archer laughed and grasped her small hand in his.

***

“Your brother must be very successful,” Deirdre murmured, eyeing the hulk of Asa’s new house as Archer turned into the drive. She could see the lake behind it; this was obviously prime real estate.

“I don’t think the house was especially expensive, considering the location,” Archer said, slightly distracted as he steered. “It’s the renovations that will eat up the budget.”

“It’s been sitting vacant a while,” Deirdre stated. Everything about the house, aside from the recently trimmed lawn, looked abandoned, from the patchy roof to the broken front gate.

“I’m not sure why it wasn’t condemned. Or why he doesn’t just knock it down and start over.” Archer pulled in behind Asa’s Tesla and stopped the car. He opened his door, then turned back to look at her. “Okay, I actually do know. He thinks this house is beautiful.”

Deirdre paused mid-reach for her seatbelt. Leaning back in her seat, she pondered the house. Her eyes followed the bones of the structure, omitting a few more recent additions and adding in some landscaping.

“It could be,” she said. “I’ll help him make it beautiful.”

Archer reached across and squeezed her hand. “I’ll take your word for it, love.”

Deirdre’s face warmed pleasantly at the endearment. She had one for him as well, though she’d yet to speak it out loud. Rhen. Mate. Looking up at his smiling face, she tipped hers up in an invitation. “One more kiss before we get down to business?” He bent to her, and she reached up to curl her fingers around his nape.

Every kiss with him now shot straight to her groin. She made an involuntary noise in the back of her throat and felt the hum of his repressed groan. Her thumb stroked the soft spot beneath his ear.

“Please don’t make out in my driveway.” Asa’s voice cut through both the haze of her desire, his tone dry and amused. Her eyes flew open. It took Archer a few more seconds to release her. She could see Asa through the windshield, grimacing, his face flushed. She opened her mouth to apologize, and was relieved when he winked.

“How’s your patient?” Archer asked, climbing out of the SUV. 

Deirdre listened to them speak as she retrieved her backpack from the backseat. Archer walked around to meet her, closing the doors for her.

“Stable,” Asa said. “Much improved. My apologies for the delay.”

“Not a problem at all,” Archer said, with such gusto that Deirdre blushed.

When she came around the front of the SUV, Asa met her, his arms opening. “A hug for my brother’s savior.” She let him hug her, patting his back as her cheeks flushed yet again.

“I didn’t do much,” she protested. “And then I fainted. Not very heroic of me.”

Asa gave her a squeeze and then released her, a grin that reminded her of Archer stretched across his face. “And now you are going to save my house.”

“If by save you mean I’m going to set you in the right direction, then yes.” Diana peered up at the home behind Asa. It had been beautiful once, before neglect and poor decision-making brought it to its current state. “It does appear to be in rough condition, currently.”

“I bought it at a state auction,” Asa explained.

“I don’t even know what that means,” Archer cut in, his eyebrows high as he took in the home.

“It means he got it for a steal,” Deirdre supplied, shaking her head. “And it means Asa knows good bones when he sees them.”

Archer turned to look at her. “Asa is a cardiologist, not an orthopedist.” He couldn’t stop himself from laughing at his own joke, drawing a laugh from both Deirdre and Asa as the latter escorted them into the house.

Deirdre left her backpack just inside the front door after retrieving her pencil, tape measure, and notebook. The tape measure she clipped to the top of her leggings. Her attention was drawn to a wall cutting close to the doorway and slicing through the living space.

“I’m getting rid of that,” Asa said, following her eyes. “It’s not load bearing.”

She walked to one of two gaps in the wall, the first revealing a kitchen. “Why on earth did they build this? That’s a rhetorical question. I fully support removing this wall. Asa…”

Asa pointed out a feature of the vaulted ceiling to Archer, then turned to her. “Yes?”

“Tell me about your vision for your home. General ideas, or if you have specifics, those.” She leaned back against the superfluous wall, pencil at the ready.

“Open. Not entirely minimalist, but I don’t want it to be cluttered. Lots of storage. An office, rooms for guests. I want to have parties here. I want the colors to reflect our surroundings. The lake, specifically.” He wandered over to the sliding glass doors, peering out onto the first level of the back deck, which Deirdre was looking forward to examining. It was three stories high, cantilevered out in different directions to allow for sunlight to reach a portion of each level. “And I’d like to replace some of the foliage outside. There aren’t many trees; I would like to plant some. Inside, I like wood, and cool tones.”

Deirdre smiled at the mention of planting trees. “Do I need to measure everything, or do you have plans with the measurements?”

“I have the plans, including the renovations.” He led them through the second gap in the wall, down a hallway. “Would you like to see the upstairs?”

Archer took her hand when they climbed the steps. Asa actually led them all the way to the third story, stating they could see the second on the way back down.

“The view from up here is something else,” Asa called down, having already sprinted up to the top in his excitement. 

“I like watching you work,” Archer murmured. He squeezed her hand. “You enjoy designing spaces for people, I can tell.”

“First room at the top!” Asa called.

When they reached the landing, Archer released her hand, gesturing for her to go ahead of him. She heard him head for the French doors, but she took a moment to stick her head in the bathroom.

“Did they paint it black?” Deirdre gasped, staring at the inky walls in the musty space.

Asa joined her. “I’ve looked at it enough times that I’ve decided it’s a very, very dark blue.”

“Obviously, that’s—”

“You’re not kidding about the view!” Archer’s voice carried inside from the deck, along with a heavy wooden groaning sound. Deirdre turned to see him standing by the rail, the French doors open wide. “Deck’s a little spongy, though.”

“Was that the deck that made that noise?” Asa asked, pushing away from the doorframe.

“Archer.” Deirdre started forward. “Maybe—”

A rending shriek, and Archer dropped a foot and staggered back against the rail. A railing which opened up against his weight, pitching a wide-eyed Archer into the sky.

***

“ARCHER!” Asa watched in shock as his brother disappeared from view. He couldn’t seem to make himself move, even as the first level of decking continued to sag and shudder, even without Archer’s weight. 

Deirdre moved instead, running forward, her pale hand outstretched as though she could pull Archer back. Headed for the open French doors, she reached for the hem of her sweater. Her voice sounded ragged as she called back to him. “Call for help! Call 9-1-1!”

“What are you doing?!” Asa made himself move, staggering after her. She peeled her sweater off and tossed it to the side. “Deirdre—”

“STAY BACK!” The petite woman’s usual mellifluous tones cracked and wrapped around him, as though the room were equipped with surround sound speakers. She stood in the exterior doorway, the muscles of her back flexing powerfully. Asa reached her, grabbing for her shoulder. Deirdre turned and planted her palms on his chest, shoving him hard enough to throw him off-balance and send him down to one knee. Then she was gone.

Asa stared at the quiet space where Deirdre had been standing. Then he scrambled to his feet, reaching for his back pocket as he hit the stairs running.

He’d reached the second floor when something made him turn into the room that connected to the second level of decking. It was possible one or both of them had landed on the second level. He tried to remember if he’d heard a thud. He ran to the doors there, wrestling with the lock before yanking one open. He had his cell phone in hand, ready to dial emergency services.

Instead, the man whose career depended on him staying calm and not freezing up found himself locked into place for the second time in less than five minutes.

She… floated.

Deirdre. No, she was sinking. Slowly, an ethereal glow extending from her right hand. He couldn’t see her face; she had her back to him. Those muscles he’d noticed moments before flexed rhythmically, moving the translucent set of wings that sprouted from her back. They shimmered like the wings of an insect, though the texture recalled a bird’s feathers. He could see light through them, though they weren’t entirely clear. Colors shimmered along the lengths, reminding him of an oil slick.

Asa staggered back, his breath coming hard and fast. He felt lightheaded as his heart rate escalated.

Slow your breath.

I am awake.

I am lucid.

This is happening.

Deirdre’s eyes snapped, and she flitted to the side before diving.

Asa dialed 9-1-1, put the phone on speaker, and ran for the stairs.

***

Whereas some would have dived into the water and tried from there to locate Archer, Deirdre sent orbs of light into the lake until she found the still silhouette, caught up in the section of decking that broke off with him. 

Only then did she dive, inhaling deeply, her wings flattening to her back and her arms coming over her head. She entered the water with barely a splash, sinking fast and then curving back up toward Archer. Face down in the water and weighted by rotten wood, he floated silently, his long limbs still. Deirdre swam hard, crashing into him underwater, one arm going around his torso and the other reaching up to shove at the wood.

To her relief, he wasn’t caught so much as simply beneath it, and she kicked them free, her lungs burning as she swam them to the surface. Their heads broke the lake and Deirdre took a gasping breath, aware as she did so that Archer did not. She called his name anyway. “Archer!”

She thought first to get him out, but her wings were sodden, and she couldn’t heave her back out of the water long enough to dry them off. Time ticked inexorably past her; he was running out of it.

Floating Archer onto his back, Deirdre supported his neck and kicked madly beneath the surface. She saw the wound then, a bloody and swollen gash along his hairline. She worked fast, knowing she didn’t have the strength or stamina to keep them both afloat for long. She wrapped her hand around so that her fingers sank into his wet hair, searching out his scalp.

“Naneun a ánh njikọ mit rhen!” Deirdre cried out her intentions to the ether. She sought a heart light bond with her mate, one that would enable her to sense his vitals. There were those of her species who could do this with any living creature with a simple touch; natural healers, of which Deirdre was not. Light swelled from her chest and ran down her arm, flowing from her fingers into his head before running down his length.

Even as her mind filled with his frantic, irregular heartbeats, she wrenched her swimming arm free from the lake and pressed it to his abdomen, another pulse of light escaping her as she ran her palm hard from his navel toward his throat. His wet shirt bunched up beneath his chin. Archer convulsed in the water, his throat bulging just before water spilled from his nose and mouth. Dierdre dipped inadvertently beneath the cold surface. Bubbles escaped her, filling the water with the sound of danger. She kicked herself back into the air, her own gasps competing in her head with the sound of Archer’s oxygen-starved heart.

Deirdre shivered and splashed desperately with her free arm, trying to stay afloat as she hunched over his face. Flailing, she switched arms, swimming with her left while the right came around so she could clamp his mouth closed with her hand. She pulled him to her and sealed her lips over his aquiline nose, exhaling into his nostrils. The bond told her when the air hit his lungs. She broke the seal, gasped in a second breath, and gave it to him. Her own heart palpitated as she kicked desperately to stay above the surface.

She let him exhale, dragged in a third breath, and breathed into him. This time, the breath caught, his body struggling and splashing. She turned him in the water, pulling him back against her so that his head tipped back onto her shoulder as he coughed and gagged.

“Archer!” Deirdre sputtered, her eyes beginning to dart around to look for the nearest shoreline. He didn’t seem to be entirely conscious yet, but he was in danger of drowning her as his back arched and sent her beneath the surface. Deirdre released her grip on him, shoving up against his shoulder to keep him above the surface. Bubbles frothed from her nose, and her wings threatened to wrap around her in a fatal embrace. 

She broke the surface again, coughing and fighting to keep hold of him. 

“I’ve got him!” Asa shouted. Water splashed the side of her face as he grasped the back of Archer’s shirt. “Can you get yourself out?”

“Yes!” Deirdre gasped, treading water, though she wasn’t sure if she’d told the truth. Asa nodded and swam for the shore, towing Archer behind him. The bond she’d erected told her Archer would wake soon, knowledge that helped ease some of her panic. Still, Deirdre felt cold and exhausted and was having trouble catching her breath. The cool breeze skating over the lake made her scalp tingle as her skin shrank back. She rolled forward in the water, her nose skimming the surface as she heaved her upper back above it. Her wings hung heavy and sluggish to respond, but after a moment of awkward flexing, she got them to unfurl in the air, water sluicing off as she fluttered them.

She didn’t need them to be dry; it would have been a mistake of nature to create winged beings that couldn’t fly in the rain. She just needed some of the weight off. As soon as that happened, she lifted herself out of the lake and flitted toward the shoreline. 

Or tried to. The distance wasn’t far at all, but her vision sent up sparks and dimmed down to near darkness. The palpitations in her chest edged into painful. Deirdre released her bond with Archer, trying to conserve her strength as she listed to the side.

So close.

She felt herself falling, and then everything went black.

***

“Hold still, Arch! I’m getting you out!” Breathing hard, Asa dragged his brother from the lake and laid him out on the shore. Archer coughed and muttered but didn’t open his eyes, stirring the relief and worry and shock Asa felt into chaos. Blood seeped down the younger man’s face, and Asa reached for the jacket he’d stripped off prior to jumping in to relieve Deirdre of Archer.

Deirdre. She was another matter altogether. Asa pressed the jacket to Archer’s head, glancing about for the phone he’d dropped when he realized Deirdre had found Archer, but was struggling to keep him.

Movement over the lake caught Asa’s attention, and he wrenched his head in that direction. The woman, flying again. He felt dizzy, watching her do something that should have been impossible. She appeared fearsome. Awesome. Pearlescent wings pumped the air, glimmering in the sunlight. Her hair hung in wet ropes. Even at this distance, he could see the determined glare of her light eyes and the desperate extension of her hands. Asa had never been particularly religious, but he needed something to lean on, something to make sense of what his eyes were showing him. An angel? Archer’s latest project came to mind. It was about fairies—

The creature—his brother’s girlfriend, he reminded himself sternly—wavered, caught by the wind as she drifted off course. He watched her dip, rally, then crash into the water several yards short of the shore.

“Fuck!” Asa rarely swore, but this seemed like a good time for it. He looked down at Archer, who was breathing, shivering and showing the occasional sign of coming to. Unaware, apparently, of anything happening around him. Asa nodded, his decision made. Quickly, he manipulated Archer’s limbs and rolled him onto his left side. Then he draped his bloody jacket over Archer’s shoulder. “I’ll be right back!”

Asa hopped up and sprinted into the lake, splashing through the shallows as he rushed for the woman floating on the surface of the water.

Deirdre drifted face down, her wings extending out from her body and her hair floating around her. Asa hesitated only a second before he grabbed her by the shoulders, turning her over. Her hair covered her face like a curtain, and he quickly swept it away, eyeing her pale visage. Then he scooped her up, gathering her close to his body and wincing as her body crushed her wings against his arm. “Deirdre!” Asa pitched his voice loud, leaning down to her ear. Then he concentrated on wading back to the shore, though his stomach was sinking as she remained senseless.

His brother’s girlfriend felt tiny in his arms, as Asa pushed back thoughts of what he would tell Archer if she didn’t make it.

Asa laid her down beside his brother, hoping that it was okay to lay her on top of her wings. He kneeled awkwardly beside her, trying to avoid kneeling on the soaking gossamer. Deirdre’s head lolled, and he briefly took in the lavender hue of her eyelids and her white lips before he tipped open her airway and crouched over her, his ear close to her mouth. His eyes fell on Archer, still unconscious but visibly breathing.

Which is something Deirdre wasn’t doing, and whatever else was different about her, he knew she needed oxygen. Asa drew a deep breath, pinched her nose closed, and sealed his mouth over hers. He’d never actually performed bare mouth-to-mouth on a person. The times he’d performed CPR, there were always barriers available, usually bag-valve masks connected to oxygen. It was never as intimate as this, with his skin pressed to another person’s, forcing air down drowned lungs. Her lips were cold.

Asa cast his gaze down her body and watched her chest rise. When he broke the seal, their skin made an airy pop, followed by the deflation of her chest. He gave her another breath, and then he pressed his fingertips into both her carotid and radial arteries, his eyes closing as he waited.

Thank God, he allowed himself, feeling her pulse beat rapidly beneath his fingers. He realized he’d expected otherwise. Still, even without looking at a timepiece, he was concerned by the rate. Asa bent over her again, giving her a third breath. He needed to keep her alive until the ambulance got there, and then he’d get her on a mon—

What would EMS make of wings that were most decidedly part of her body?

“Breathe, dammit,” he again allowed himself to mutter between breaths. Then he heard movement and coughing, and his eyes lifted to Archer even as he filled Deirdre’s lungs with air.

“Deirdre?!” Archer’s eyes were finally open, clouded with panic and confusion. His voice cracked, and he coughed and spat. 

“Don’t move! I’ve got—” Another breath, and another check of her pulse. “I’ve got her!”

Archer ignored him, shoving himself up onto his elbow. Immediately, he hunched over clutching at his head. “Wh-what… What happened?” Then he heaved himself up onto his hands and knees, coming dangerously close to grinding his right knee into one of her wings.

“Careful! Those are attached!” Asa provided Deirdre another respiration, waving Archer off with his free hand.

“Att-ttached?” Archer stammered, his voice hoarse. He reached out for Deirdre’s hand, and a bright light exploded, blinding the both of them. 

***

Archer came to with regret.

His lungs burned, and his head felt as though it were actively splitting open. He hated to use clichés, but the sensation called to mind an overripe melon laying in the sun.

Except, he wasn’t actually all that warm. Shaking with cold and in a blinding amount of pain, Archer considered drifting back to the murky nothingness from which he’d just come.

“Breathe, dammit!” Asa, though the words were harsh and spoken under his breath.

Archer opened his eyes, intending to tell Asa that he was breathing. His vision blurred, and he blinked and wiped at them until he saw his brother, bent over Deirdre’s prone form. They were both drenched. Asa leaned down and covered her mouth with his, blowing a breath into her that rounded out her cheeks. Her eyes were closed, the sockets lavender.

Archer sucked in a shocked breath, which started a coughing fit. Asa’s eyes lifted to meet his, and then he was giving Deirdre another rescue breath. The pain in his head faded and reemerged somewhere in the area of his heart.

“Deirdre?!” Archer croaked, forcing himself up onto his elbow. His head shattered, forcing him to curl over toward the ground, a groan tearing from his lips. Asa said something to him, but he didn’t catch it. He dragged himself onto his hands and knees, eyes screwed tightly shut, as his lunch threatened to come back up. “Wh-what… What happened?”

“Careful! Those are attached!”

That gave him pause. “Att-ttached?” Archer reached for her hand, pale and slightly curled on the dead grass. The second he touched her, a bright light exploded in his vision. Archer cried out, his other hand coming up to shield his eyes. His hand tingled, and he felt a strange pulling sensation up his arm and into his chest. The feeling left him drained and he swayed, nearly falling out of his crouch.

As his vision cleared, he saw Asa stare down at Deirdre for several long seconds before his brother reached down and pressed his fingers into the pulse point in her throat. 

As he touched her, her mouth opened, and Archer heard her take a shallow breath. That little gasp was followed by a deeper one and a round of coughing that brought up water. Only then, as Archer was about to move closer, did he realize what Asa was trying to tell him.

Deirdre laid on a pile of something translucent blue and purple. The gossamer material moved when she did, as Asa heaved her up into a seated position, supporting her as she coughed and retched. Archer still had her hand, her cold fingers gripped tightly in his, as she gasped and spat and shook. Her shoulders shrugged, and the iridescent wings sprouting from her back trembled, then fluttered.

“Wings,” Archer said, his mind blank. But he held firm to her hand, gripping her a little too tight, his other hand coming down to stroke her forearm.

“You didn’t know, I gather,” Asa said in a strange voice.

“Didn’t… tell…” Deirdre gasped. “Would… have… s-s—”

Asa and Archer spoke at once.

“Don’t try to speak—”

“Shh, love…”

Deirdre ignored both of them, though she leaned heavily against Asa as she looked up at Archer’s head wound. “You’re… okay?”

“I’ll do,” he muttered, unable to stop himself from shaking with cold and shock. “I still don’t… What h-happened? Are you okay? You… you weren’t b—”

“Deirdre,” Asa cut in. His face looked tense, but in that underneath-the-sirface way most people couldn’t detect. “Normally I would not ask a patient to exert themselves so soon after… drowning… But there will be an ambulance here any minute, and—”

“Wings,” she finished for him, coughing hard as soon as she finished speaking.

“I just don’t know how to explain those to an ambulance crew.” His tone was wry. “Can you put them away, or should I help you inside?”

“I c-can—”

Sirens cut through the air. Archer clung to Deirdre’s hand, his eyes locked on the appendages his girlfriend had sprouted while he was unconscious. Appendages. A terrible word for something so beautiful. Deep down, past the pain and worry, he felt a swell of something like memory and joy.

Deirdre’s back flexed, and her wings extended, fluttering and flinging off water droplets. She hunched over and they folded against her back, then folded again and a third time before they seemed to blend in with her back and disappear.

“Where do they go?” Archer exclaimed. Almost immediately, his face flushed hot, realizing he’d just asked her the kind of question a child might ask. “That sounds like a rude question. Forgive me, love. I’m not feeling well.”

“You should lay down,” Asa and Deirdre said at once.

“As should you,” Asa said, eyeing Deirdre. “I would like to take your pulse again.”

“You understand I cannot go to the hospital as a patient.” Deirdre’s hoarse words were for Asa, though her eyes locked on Archer. She seemed uneasy. 

“I…” Asa’s brow furrowed. “Damn. Yes. But I don’t like it.”

“Archer is going to the hospital.” The ambulance pulled down Asa’s driveway, drawing her attention. She stifled a cough.“We’re going to visit him. You can keep an eye on me.”

Asa nodded. “I will, but are you sure—”

“I will be fine.” Deirdre turned back to Archer, her face drawn. She cupped his cheek, her pale blue eyes trying to read his face. “We will talk when you’re out of the hospital. But for now, I just want to be grateful that you’re alive. Try not to be shocked. It isn’t good for you after what just happened. Can you do that?”

Archer reached up, covering her hand with his, trying to warm her cold fingers somehow with his own freezing hand. “I’m not shocked, love. I’m… astonished. And my head hurts. But Deirdre. Deirdre. Whatever you are, you’re you, and you’re wonderful. You’re m-magic.” 

A bit of color flooded back into her cheeks, and her eyes gathered the sheen of tears. He could hear the rasp of her breathing, not much different from his own. He worried about her, about being the only one who would receive proper medical care. He was about to say something to that effect when her lips parted, and she whispered: “I knew I would be safe with you.”

--

Part Four coming soon!

[rndbuilders]

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[dubaiblogs]

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[muskmelon-enjoyer-199x]

my freshman year of college, there was a narrow cabinet in the kitchen that wasnt super accessible. I think it was meant for abnormally long things like rolls of parchment paper or aluminum foil

Anyways I put tape on the back of a photo of danny devito and crammed it in with a stick and I wonder if it's still there

[twofrontteethstillcrooked]

Moment of true happiness: 6 Nov. Destiel Month

s9 au, human Cas, deancas ust

The apples piled in the big metal bowl made a fetching still life, their green and mottled red skins a mirror to the leaves on the maple trees Cas knew were lining the streets of Lebanon. He hated to peel away the vibrant, cheerful colors. The recipe didn't say anything about the skins being poisonous, or even annoying. He ignored the peeling edict. 

He also discovered, quickly, that he didn't enjoy cubing anything. Who wanted to eat a mouthful of little cubes? Surely the apples would be soft by the time they were being consumed, but cubes still didn't seem appealing. He cut the apples through their cores and then made thin, or thinner, wedges of them. He liked the look of that.

He did remember to turn on the oven around the time he was slicing a lemon in half. The bunker oven tick-tick-ticked at him, like a scolding teacher. The lemon squirted juice onto his face, rudely, as he tried to douse the apple slices to keep them from turning a sad, bruised hue. He wiped off his cheek and tossed the slices with his hands, which is how he realized he had a papercut on one knuckle. 

Cas hissed and went to rinse his stinging finger in the sink.

Next, sugar. The recipe called for white sugar. In the sugar canister, only a half a cup remained. He'd make up the rest with brown sugar. Or would he… The brown sugar he took from the large shelving unit near the door seemed to be a solid brick in a plastic bag. When he dropped it on the counter, it thumped strongly and a skillet hanging above the counter dove off the rack as if fleeing a bombing. Cas broke a large chunk of the brown sugar into the apple bowl and poked it repeatedly with a fork; the chunk somewhat came apart, looking a lot like a toppled sand castle.

The recipe said ginger, nutmeg, and allspice were essential ingredients. Cas found cinnamon and guessed a sprinkling or three would be acceptable. The recipe said to add a fourth of a teaspoon of salt. Cas threw in two pinches, which were probably close enough. He flopped in a little flour and then a little more for good measure; the bag said the flour had expired almost a year ago but he didn't smell anything strange or see any bugs. He stirred everything in the bowl with a large wooden spoon and ignored the trickle of sweat inching between his shoulder blades.

Taking one of the pre-made pie crusts out of its box and unfolding it into a glass pie plate was one of the most nerve wracking moments of Cas's long life. The softened crust drooped disconcertingly like the hide of an animal. He patted it down and shuddered. He scraped the apples into the crust, shook them into a single layer, and unfolded the second pie crust on top.

He would have to keep touching the unsettling dough if he wanted to, as the recipe recommended, "flute the edges prettily." He used a fork to smush the edges together and found the little lines the tines made pleasing.

Cas made three cuts in the top crust, right in the center like a star or – and he thought this was charming – a cross-section of an apple. He put the plate in the oven and set a timer for fifteen minutes, which was when a necklace of aluminum foil would need to be placed around the edge of the crust, ergo he had fifteen minutes to find the aluminum foil.

He let out a long, shaky breath of relief.

Ten minutes later, he was halfway to genuine grief: if there was aluminum foil in this cursed kitchen, he had yet to see it with his own eyes, and he'd rummaged through every bin, drawer, and shelf five times already. He was kneeling on the floor, scrabbling through a cabinet full of dubiously dinged-up Men of Letters era pots and pans and lab equipment, when Dean yelled, "Holy shit are you baking a pie?" and surprised Cas so badly Cas banged his head on the cabinet door.

"Fuck, sorry, man," Dean said at a normal volume as he dove down to join Cas on the floor. His palm was as cold as an ice cube as he placed it on Cas's forehead. His other hand gripped Cas at the shoulder and he was looking into Cas's face like he expected to find a gaping wound. 

"I think I'm all right," Cas said, sitting back on his heels. 

"Yeah, you're good; no bleeding." Dean gave him a sheepish grin and lowered his hands with what seemed like reluctance. "What're you looking for?"

Cas sighed. "Aluminum foil."

"Kevin or Sam might have the roll. They've been up to something they think can help us track Gadreel." Dean glanced up at the stove. "You're making pie though?" His eyes were amazingly green.

Cas ignored the clench of his heart and started to climb to his feet. Dean helped him up and stood very near, as though worried Cas's skull was more damaged than initially assumed. 

"I saw a recipe and thought it sounded simple enough." Cas hoped his face didn't look as warm as it felt. "I wanted to contribute to the household."

Dean's smile was like a kid's, genuine and full of light. "You already have been, but don't let me stop you from expanding your roster." He seemed happy to keep looking at Cas. "Next time, I want in on the action."

"Help me find the aluminum foil and you can help this time." Cas took a chance at not breaking eye contact, even though he wasn't quite sure why saying something innocuous felt…coy.

"Sure," Dean said easily and took Cas's hand, like leaving the kitchen's safety required a buddy system.

Maybe lots of things did. Cas let himself be pulled along; by the time they located the roll of foil on a library table beside two rabbit skulls and a vial of crushed banshee teeth, he was gratified to note that Dean's hand was much warmer than it had been earlier.

The pie turned out to be edible. Kevin, Sam, and Cas each ate one piece, and Dean ate three. Cas wondered if Dean would taste of spice and apple and hoped nothing of the wondering showed on his expression.

(Later, he conceded it must have. But being softly kissed by Dean was well worth the failure.)

[mysun-eyedgirl]

I have been working on this story for quite a while now. Faith Scott is a character I have been building and changing over the years. I hope you enjoy this. Special thanks to @rookieloveskashi for giving me the courage to finally post something.

Summary:

Faith Scott, a talented network engineer grappling with personal loss, discovers a mystical portal in her new home that transports her to the world of Naruto. There, with her White German Shepherd companion Panzer, she meets and saves Kakashi Hatake, forming a powerful bond as she trains to become a shinobi. Faith faces formidable adversaries. Her journey is marked by intense battles, personal growth, and unwavering determination to protect both her newfound home and her loved ones, all while navigating complex relationships and the overarching threats posed by powerful enemies.

Click to read on Ao3

Chapter 1

I just finished picking up the keys for my new house as the closing date finally arrived. I had signed and it was bittersweet. What should have been a joyous occasion will be etched into my brain as a somber one as I came directly from my father’s funeral, right before that was my eldest and only sister’s funeral and her one-year-old son, my nephew. My father’s car was struck by a drunk driver driving down the wrong way on the highway and they were passengers, and they were killed on impact. I have been told life goes on, which it does, I guess.

As I pulled into my new driveway in my red sedan, the movers behind me. I climbed up the three steps on the faded wood steps to the four-bedroom two-story single-family home with white aluminum siding paint needs redone of course. I opened the screen door and it fell off the top hinges and I look at it lay off-kilter, ‘Can anything just go right?’ I think to myself. I unlock the heavy wooden green door with paint chipping in various places and open it so the movers can bring my things in.

“Ma’am!” One of the movers calls out to me.

“Yes?” I sigh.

“We wanted to let you know in transport, that some of your things have been lost.” He winces no doubt used to being yelled at. “He continues, it looks like it is some clothing items, kitchen boxes, living room boxes. We were unable to locate so we have written you a check.” He hands me the check. I took it from him and walked away.

I guess the answer is no, nothing will go right. The universe wants me to suffer for some misdeed in my past life or something.

“Just put everything in the house please.” I say and go on about the walkthrough. The house is in the middle of nowhere Ohio, middle of nowhere was my preference, Ohio, not so much, I moved closer to my sister to help her with my nephew. She worked on a military base, and we were going to be living together, her husband left her for someone a little, younger and bigger chested. She wasn’t bothered by that. She loved her son so much nothing else mattered. I work from home as a Network Engineer, it doesn’t matter where I am as long as the internet connection is viable.

The wood floors are original oak, just need refinished and sealed. The paneling must go. The kitchen needs redone, the cabinets aren’t even salvageable, they are the original 1950s style. I want to go more modern. As I continued to walk from room to room with my thoughts, I found myself in the basement. I heard the movers yell they were finished, and they left. I looked around, I had a modern washer and dryer left in the dusty basement. There are no cracks in the foundation, it doesn’t smell moist or musty one of the reasons I bought the place it is in great shape, one owner just needs updated. I go back upstairs to go into my car and bring my tools out of my car, my dad always told me when moving keep the important things in your car, so they don’t get lost wonderful advice Dad.

I moved everything from the car into the house, my tools, desktop, monitors, laptop, video game consoles, books and huge first aid kit. I felt a vibration from my pocket and pulled out my phone to answer.

“Hello?” I answered.

“Panzer is all done from his groom. He was a very good boy. Did you want to come get him or would you be needing him dropped off there is an extra fee for that?” The groomer asked.

“Oh! I would love if you could bring him to me.” I replied.

“That is out of our normal service range we will have to charge mileage if that’s ok?” The groomer clarified.

“I will pay whatever.” I stated exhausted with today’s events.

“Ok great. We’ll be there in thirty to forty-five minutes.” I ended the call.

What a lifesaver. ‘I feel like such a horrible mom. Where are his bowls?’ I thought to myself.

I headed to the car to look. “They must have fallen under seat.” I mumbled. Reaching under the seat I found what I was looking for.

“AH HA!” I exclaimed excitedly that something is finally going a bit right.

I brought it in and set up his dishes. The food is in one of the kitchen boxes. If it is not there, I will just order takeout and we will eat together, no big deal.

I decided to take my tools and first aid kit to the basement and get started. I want to keep my mind busy, and off everything. It takes me two trips to get everything down the flight of stairs and set up. The horrible fluorescent lights turned on and my large toolbox opened and organized everything I need out. I get my wireless speaker paired to my phone with my loudest emo music playing and I head back upstairs as I know Panzer is about to be dropped off.

I met the groomer at the front door with the tip and I thank him and said our goodbyes. I close the door and take off the harness and toss it haphazardly to the side. Panzer is so excited but weary as this is a new place.

“Hi baby boy. Did you miss Mama?” I lean down to give him kisses on his big white nose. I have had German Shepherds my whole life, but he has been the biggest and it always seems as if he knows what I need before I even do. I’d be lost without him. “Let’s go downstairs Big Man, this is our new home we need to fix it up. We are going to be here a while.” He followed you without question as you went to work downstairs.

The music continued as I picked up the crowbar and went where I left off on the far wall to start prying off the hideously dated paneling. It was easy to do, the glue they used to attach it was barely holding and only two nails per piece. It didn’t take long. I felt like I had a rhythm going and was on the last piece of this wall. Excited to have started something and getting close to completing a segment had me reeling.

The piece I finished prying hit the ground and Panzer started flipping out. I immediately turned to look at him and he wasn’t looking at me. His nose was in the air, and he was sniffing, his hackles were in the air, and he was growling.

“Panzer, what’s wrong?!” I asked worried. I have never seen this behavior in him. His eyes shot at me and he suddenly moved between me and the wall. This confused me more.

‘I have never seen him like this.’ I thought perplexed. It was just a concrete wall.

I continued to stare at the wall and that’s when the air shifted. As if someone opened a door. Wind blowing through the basement. I looked around confused, the windows are glass blocks, this house was built in the 1950s, the windows don’t open yet there is wind in the basement. I felt my heart beating faster as clearly something is amiss and Panzer sensed it well before you.

The concrete wall swirled and looked blurry and translucent at the same time almost like an old TV set when the signal is not clear, but I can sort of make out a picture but not quite. Just as soon as the wind started it suddenly stopped and the walls picture cleared up. It’s a forest, and there is a small clearing with six trees, three on the left and three on the right. In the center of the trees is a man, he is very close to where I am, and I can make him out. I am not sure if he can see me.

Once, I see the man I realize I have finally fucking snapped. I see him bleeding, he is pale, he has his trademark silver spiked hair like in the show and books. He’s in his jōnin blues and his green vest is almost tattered. His leg is injured, and he’s got a huge gash in his torso. This is all I can make out as Panzer starts to growl. I look up and there is incoming. Six ANBU and they are not of the Hidden Leaf Village. I felt my legs running towards him and that’s when he could see me. He threw what looked to be his last kunai at me and I dodged it. Holy shit he must be dying.

“Kakashi, we have to go, or you will die here.” He looked startled, he doesn’t know who I am, and I don’t blame him. “Six ANBU closing in.” He looks and I can see him calculating. “Shit we don’t have time for this. Panzer!” Panzer jumped through the gate and growled at Kakashi and herded him towards the gate. He stumbled and fell, and I grabbed him by his vest and pulled him through as soon as we were all through the gate closed.

I looked right where my head was, and a kunai stopped right in the concrete at head level. I looked down at Kakashi and he passed out. Shit. Even if this is a hallucination, there still is a chance that this could be real so I will do what I would do in that instance. I need to help him.

I grabbed my first aid kit, gloved up and got to work. There is so much blood fresh, dried and dirt. I can’t salvage the vest. I ripped it off the shirt must go as well. I had to cut through it to get to the wound. I grabbed a roll of paper towels that were within reach and applied pressure to get the wound to stop bleeding. I leaned on it with my knee and while that was working to stop the bleeding, I started cleaning the wound on his leg. My bet is some kind of poison. I don’t know what it is.

“Panzer, stand here. Stay.” Panzer took my place applying pressure. I ran upstairs to my kitchen boxes, I unpacked and frantically looked for the vinegar. I found it in the third box, I remember seeing it. Glad this one didn’t get lost.

I ran back downstair and took over. I poured the vinegar on the open leg wound. No movement. It wasn’t as deep as it could have been but deep enough. I placed some butterfly bandages on it and patched it up. I removed the paper towels and there wasn’t too much blood, the gash is about an inch deep, nothing in there and my guess again some kind of poison got the best of him. I did the same thing, cleaned the wound with vinegar, hoping it would neutralize the poison. I can’t take him to a hospital, shit he’s survived worse. Plus, I know he lives…. unless… Ok none of that. I grabbed the surgical staple gun, removed it from the sterile package and placed four staples in him. Thank God he didn’t move or wake up. That would have been terrifying. Now the I.V. for fluids, I placed an I.V. quickly in his right arm and hung the saline turned the manual drip all the way up. My sister used to always joke that I was prepared for anything. Too bad I was never prepared to lose her.

I turned the music off now that the adrenaline had worn off. I went upstairs and got a pillow and a blanket to try and make him comfortable and to stare at him. I can’t believe this is happening. I needed to keep myself grounded and understand this was real and not a hallucination plus I didn’t want him to take off in this world and panic.

I placed a cool wet cloth on his forehead to help with his slight fever, it wasn’t much my guess it had to do with his body fighting off the poison. Several hours had passed and not much change. He got some color back in his face. Panzer refused to leave my side, so I fed him down here and I have seen him hold his bowels for 48 hours he is fine with this.

I gloved up and started to redress his abdomen wound. It looks clean, not bleeding through, and he seems to be healing at a decent pace; I wonder if that has to do with chakra, I thought. I noticed Panzer stand up abruptly and come next to me quickly. He made a little growl, Kakashi must be coming to. I hurried and dressed the wound to put some distance between us.

Faith Scott 22 and Panzer 3

Created using AI.

[bitegore]

i have an important task for you. i need you to go into your cabinet and find two C-size batteries. Do you have them? Good. I need you to take them into your kitchen. Listen to me carefully, this is important. What you're gonna do is you're gonna go into the kitchen cabinet and find some aluminum foil. Any kind is good. You're gonna wrap both those batteries up separately in little tinfoil containers. Then - and this is the most important part - you're gonna put them in the microwave, set the microwave to ten minutes, and go get a nice refreshing breath of air outside while your extremely important task reaches fruition