#lacquer thinner

[kimberlaylk]

Lacquer paint holds a distinct allure in the world of interior design, especially when adorning cabinets and furniture. This comprehensive guide unveils the elegance and versatility of lacquer paint, from enhancing cabinets to revitalizing furniture, along with essential insights into lacquer thinners and their constituent ingredients.

Lacquer paint stands as a versatile choice, not just for enhancing the aesthetics but also for protecting surfaces. This comprehensive guide dives into the world of lacquer paint, exploring its use in cabinets, furniture, and beyond. From lacquer cabinets to furniture, understanding its composition and broader application possibilities provides insight into its growing popularity in modern home design.

[johnben01]

What Is Lacquer Paint and How Can It Make Your Kitchen Shine Newly?

Depending on whom you ask or what kind of lacquer you're referring to, the precise definition of lacquer may vary. Read about it to learn about the different types, how it's created, and how it's different from other finishes like polyurethane and varnish.

What Is Lacquer Paint?

It is a liquid consisting of shellac soaked in alcohol that, when applied to materials like wood and metal, dries to form an extremely hard, smooth, protective covering. It can be constructed of synthetic materials in addition to the sap of a certain tree, from which it was originally made. PEDINI Miami employs quality lacquer in their collections for modern houses since it is well-liked for furniture and is incredibly resilient to damage.

According to doityourself.com, nitrocellulose, plasticizers, and pigments are all dissolved in volatile solvents to create lacquer, which is a solvent-based product. Additionally, a synthetic coating and high-gloss surface are produced using an alcohol and shellac solution.

So what exactly is shellac if it's used to make lacquer? One of the most intriguing materials to read about in the field of furniture finishing is shellac. A material made from bugs is the source of shellac! Yes, shellac is created from the cocoon-like excretions of the "lac" (Laccifer lacca), a little parasitic bug that feeds on specific Asian trees. But what purpose does this stuff serve?

For lacquer furniture and automobiles, a lacquer-based paint was popular from the 1920s until the 1960s. This kind of paint is delicate and doesn't have a lot of chemicals in it. It was not strong or long-lasting and could require up to six coats to finish an auto body. Today, the only place that this type of lacquer paint is used is in furniture manufacturing shops.

What Advantages Do Cabinets With Lacquer Paint Have?

Lacquer has recently become a favorite for homeowners who want to remodel their kitchens and have a glossy finish on cabinets. Lacquer looks like new for a long time and is extremely durable as it’s chip-resistant and waterproof. If it does show wear over time, it can be polished to resume a high sheen, or it can be applied in more matte options and a wide variety of colors. For an idea of some lacquer finishes in kitchens, visit the PEDINI Miami Kitchen collections to learn more about the use of lacquer in our full turnkey projects. Currently, PEDINI Miami offers lacquer paint for cabinets finishes with their most popular collections, including:

Artika

K016

Arke

Arts & Crafts

Moka

Eko

Materika

Dune

How Lacquer Paint Is Applied

Spray lacquers like those from Rust-Oleum in clear, gloss white, and gloss black give metal and wood surfaces an extremely durable, factory-finish appearance. However, it should be done professionally for the greatest outcomes.

What Are Some Different Types of Lacquer?

Nitrocellulose Lacquer

The most popular kind of lacquer is this one. It is frequently applied on timber goods. As it ages, this kind of lacquer tends to turn yellow. It does not perform well in outdoor settings since it can crack with aging or temperature changes. This sort of lacquer is dangerous since it is combustible and extremely poisonous.

Acrylic Lacquer

For usage on automobiles, acrylic-based lacquer was created in the 1950s. For lighter-colored wood, it is frequently chosen because of its non-yellowing formula and extremely quick drying time.

Water-Based Lacquer

Kitchen cabinet refinishing is now a common practice using water-based lacquers. Compared to many lacquers, it is more environmentally friendly while still being tough and scratch-resistant. 

Metal Lacquer 

Wider temperature swings are not expected to cause metal lacquer to fracture. It can therefore be used for both indoor and outdoor applications. It can be used on unglazed ceramic, metal, wood, and masonry. It is the kind utilized in contemporary autos and is quite durable. 

Takeaway

For wood, metal, and home furniture, the options for finishes are essentially endless. If you live in a luxurious house, it's a good idea to let an interior designer lead you through the minefield of choosing the best surfaces for your turnkey interior design project.

[hazeltailofficial]

OPI Nail Lacquer Thinner

hazeltail on youtube / hazeltailofficial on tiktok / hazeltailofficial on ig / @hazeltailofficial

[fulane-de-tal]

i love love love my lube guy he gave me a half hour extra to pick up my machine lube. 5 gal cubeta so true

[scaleriders]

Splash Paints Honda Champion White SP-260 Scaleriders.com #Scaleriders #splashpaints #splashpaint #lacquerpaint #lacquer #auto #modelcar #models #mecha #readytospray #thinner (at Los Angeles, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/CqD9mjlvJ7G/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[thicc-astronaut]

In a better world I would be making mysterious formulas in a big bubbling cauldron. Like this

I would hand you a cup of a frothy liquid and you wouldn't be sure if it was a paint thinner or an insecticide or a wood lacquer or what. And then you glance back at me and I make a "lifting-cup-to-my-lips" motion with my hands and the horror dawns on you that I expect you to drink it

[tiger-shrike]

New fic is up! This time, horny.

Preview and link under the break.

************

Octavia looks over Gale's shoulder, studying her reflection.

"It's a little on the nose, don't you think?"

"Hm?" He glances up from where he kneels between her legs, letting the leather strap he's holding go slack. "What do you mean?"

"Just... the whole drow thing, and all of... this." She gestures down between them.

The 'this' in question was a contraption of supple black leather, now mostly fastened around her hips. A thick, silver-buckled belt encircles her waist, connected with a web of slender straps to a thinner pair of belts that wrapped around the top of her thighs and beneath the crease of her buttocks. Untangling it and determining where her legs would go had been a two-person endeavor, hence Gale's current position.

She'd never been much for leather, for armor or... recreationally, and the garment would have been a novel enough experience without its centerpiece: a stylized facsimile of a cock, secured with a steel ring to the center of the harness. The device is made of something that looked very much like lacquered wood but for its deceptive weight, golden runes spiraling down its length to where it disappears into the harness. The other end is nestled inside her, a short, bulbous shaft thick enough to feel if she clenches but not enough to stretch. Frankly she thinks it excessive, but Gale is a man who appreciates luxury, and as he is to be on the receiving end of said device she finds it difficult to argue the point.

"Would you like to do something else?" He's running a soothing hand up and down her thigh, and Octavia stops contemplating her appearance to look down at him. He returns her gaze with the same openness and adoration he always does, and it makes her heart clench.

She wants this, truly. The thought of Gale spread out beneath her, flushed and writhing as she takes him the way that he does her sends a bolt of heat between her legs. It is a desire she would be more than content to keep filed away in the archive of her fantasies, but Gale is both an open book when it comes to his pleasure and a voracious student when it comes to hers, and she tries to match his enthusiasm. After so many years spent in the service of others, asking does not come easily for her. But she tries.

Continued at the link below!

[mimeo-tan]

there is a constant twitch in my left eye. the region around the lower eyelid has been in constant pain for the past couple years or so. sometimes it completely loses focus or goes black or becomes fuzzy all over or i just sort of stop seeing out of it. but when i go outside, and i look at the world, i can see the halo on every streetlight and the moon and even puddles and mirrors when the light shines on them just right.

You say "I'm going to kill myself" (suicidal ideation), I say "I think god should kill me" (self-externalized homicidal ideation), it's a pretty big difference and in this seven part series i'll explain how thoughts like these allowed me to become a billionaire

[redson-lmk]

Whyvis everyone getting hurt in some way?? Lacquer thinner??? Cleaning supplies???

Are y'all okay? You doing okay hearing all this Red Son? —🌙

It's worrying. I'm okay, just concerned for their safety.

[wanderlustmagician]

Thinking about Cataclysmic again… it’s such a fun one to ponder rn since all I’ve got for it is a whole lotta whump and angst :D

A favorite section of one is;

Except, the light dweller’s goddesses do not seem inclined to allow her that kindness.

Because, impossibly, he is here. Alone.

And oh, isn’t he the most beautifully heartbreaking wisp of a boy she’s ever seen. Ruined from that blessed Calling, ruined from the shadow magic she (forced him to use, in the beginning, and then) taught him to use later. After he’d lost a part of the light in his eyes to the horrors they had seen, that he’d been cornered by his own patron into committing. She ignores the fact that he seems mostly unchanged from the last time she saw him, from centuries and a lifetime before. Instead she focuses on what has changed. From fingertips to mid-forearm, he’s stained black from the shadow magic and she notices his nails have been lacquered a shiny gold. She wonders who convinced him to sit still long enough for it. Drops the thought, for now, in favor of taking more of him in. His hylian face now bears the markings of his wolfen form, the Twili mark on his forehead and angular slashes framing his eyes. She avoids his eyes, noticing the how freckles on his cheeks are darker and how his hair also seems darker than before. He seems taller, broader… but also thinner, smaller in a way.

He stands before the mirror, the most beaten down she’s ever seen him, and she feels those regrets again. They press in harder on her- pressure on lungs that no longer need air, a squeezing of her heart that no longer needs to beat. His posture is slumped, hands limp at his sides, and tears spill down his cheeks. Defeat in every line of him. She finally looks at his eyes. Her regrets threaten to bury her.

Sad wolf boy cries in front of dead girl, doesn’t know she’s there. More at 10.

[lavareview]

x - x

MODEL: THE CARLISLE

Brand: Lava Lite

Introduced: 1974

Discontinued: 1984

Base and cap colors: brass

Wax colors: red, orange, green

Fluid colors: clear, yellow, blue

Size: height 14”, diameter 6”

The Carlisle was a 1970s lava lamp model manufactured by Lava Lite. Like many early Lava Lite models, it distinguishes itself not through colors, patterns, or novelty gimmicks, but through its unique silhouette: using a similar conical globe to previous models such as the Enchantress, the Carlisle follows the shape of its globe with a wide, conical base rather than the more classic hourglass-shaped base. It is topped with a flat cap, and, like the popular Century model, features pinhole cutouts around its base for a “starlight” effect.

The silhouette of the Carlisle would have two descendents in the Lava Lite line: the 1998 Wizard, which shared its silhouette but switched its flat cap for a pointed one, and the 2000 Blip, a low-cost lamp closely resembling the Carlisle which did not carry the Lava Lite name.

In 1974, the Carlisle retailed for $19.99. Today, Carlisle models can be found on second hand sites, where they usually sell for $120 to $190.

MY REVIEW:

I’ll be honest – the Carlisle is not one of my favorites. It’s certainly not offensive to the eye, and there are plenty of lava lamps designs far more gaudy or off-putting. Yet, I find some of those designs of more questionable taste to at least be more daring than the Carlisle, and it doesn’t make up for this with very attractive features. To be entirely fair, though, the Carlisle suffers in my view from comparison with its descendant, the Wizard, which I find to be a much superior model in multiple ways. I also seem to be in the minority on this – many lava lamp enthusiasts online compliment the Carlisle’s stylishness and its “sophisticated simplicity”, as one Lava Lite catalog puts it.

SILHOUETTE: 6/10

You could certainly do worse than the Carlisle as far as lava lamp silhouettes go – but you could also do much better. Its conical shape suffers from how much the globe protrudes over the base, giving it a sort of “muffin top” effect which breaks what I feel could have been much smoother lines in its design. I also find the width of the base to be awkward and lacking in finesse. I think a more tapered, thinner conical lamp would have made for a much more elegant silhouette.

DETAILS: 8/10

There isn’t much to criticize here, as the Carlisle does without much in terms of adornments, which I think was a good choice. The pinhole cutouts in its base are a classic carry-over from the Century model and add some visual interest to the lamp. However, the flat cap doesn’t compliment the silhouette, breaking it abruptly at the top, where a pointed or rounded cap would have been more attractive.

COLORWAYS: 5/10

At the risk of piling more and more criticism upon the Carlisle, I’m afraid I must say its color variety is severely lacking. The Carlisle only offered a brass base/cap color; as for its globe, only three colorways were available: yellow-fluid/orange-wax, blue-fluid/green-wax, and clear-fluid/red-wax. Now, none of these are bad choices, but they’re few choices, and none of them are particularly unique, nor do I feel they compliment the design well. I think the Carlisle would have much benefitted from a greater variety of colors, especially elegant choices such as a black base/cap, or purple wax and fluid options, which would have given it a certain edgy flair and sleekness. It’s notable that such color options were available with the later Wizard model.

Zachary on OozingGoo.com created this custom Carlisle by stripping the brass lacquer from its base/cap and replacing the globe with a pink-wax/purple-fluid combination. I feel this Carlisle's custom colorway looks significantly better than the ones officially offered.

POWER: 8/10

I may not love the Carlisle, but it’s hard to deny that its silhouette does stand out and look rather more imposing than more classic, thinner models. It definitely makes an impression, and I can see why one would be drawn to it – it’s just not my personal cup of tea. Still, it’s definitely a rather powerful lava lamp.

MY FINAL LAVA SCORE: 6.75/10

Is my information wrong? Did I miss a detail? Do you have a better picture of this model? Is there another model you’d like me to look into? Please send me an ask or submit relevant pictures!

[kimberlaylk]

Exploring the Versatility of Lacquer Paint in Home Design

Exploring the Brilliance of Lacquer Paint in Cabinetry and Furniture Design

Lacquer paint holds a distinct allure in the world of interior design, especially when adorning cabinets and furniture. This comprehensive guide unveils the elegance and versatility of lacquer paint, from enhancing cabinets to revitalizing furniture, along with essential insights into lacquer thinners and their constituent ingredients.

Lacquer paint stands as a versatile choice, not just for enhancing the aesthetics but also for protecting surfaces. This comprehensive guide dives into the world of lacquer paint, exploring its use in cabinets, furniture, and beyond. From lacquer cabinets to furniture, understanding its composition and broader application possibilities provides insight into its growing popularity in modern home design.

Unveiling Lacquer Paint :

Defining the Appeal of Lacquer Paint

A detailed overview of lacquer paint, its composition, and why it stands out in the realm of finishes for cabinets and furniture.

Unlocking the Charm: Lacquer Paint in Cabinetry

How lacquer paint elevates the aesthetics and durability of cabinets, creating a sophisticated appeal.

Transforming Furniture with Lacquer Paint

Exploring the versatility of lacquer paint in refurbishing and adding elegance to various furniture pieces.

Lacquer Paint for Cabinets :

Enhancing Cabinets with Lacquer Paint

The process and benefits of using lacquer paint on cabinets, impart a glossy and durable finish.

Selecting the Right Lacquer Paint for Cabinets

Insights on choosing the appropriate lacquer paint types and finishes for different cabinet materials.

Understanding Lacquer Thinner :

The Role of Lacquer Thinner

A comprehensive look at lacquer thinner, its significance in the application of lacquer paint, and its impact on finishes.

Using Lacquer Thinner Safely and Efficiently

Guidelines and precautions for the safe and effective use of lacquer thinner in paint applications.

Essential Lacquer Ingredients :

Deconstructing Lacquer: Key Ingredients

Understanding the components that form lacquer paint and their individual roles in achieving desired finishes.

Exploring Lacquer's Formulation

Insights into the chemical composition of lacquer paint and its relevance in obtaining desired finishes.

Lacquer Paint for Furniture :

Revitalizing Furniture with Lacquer Paint

The transformative effects of lacquer paint on various types of furniture offer a sleek and modern appearance.

Choosing the Right Lacquer Paint for Furniture

Tips for selecting appropriate lacquer paints suitable for different furniture materials and styles.

Conclusion :

Embrace Elegance with Lacquer Paint

Lacquer paint, with its versatility and protective qualities, has emerged as a preferred choice in modern home design. From cabinets to furniture, its transformative properties redefine spaces, offering a blend of elegance and durability. This guide has offered an in-depth exploration of lacquer paint, its applications, best practices for application, and insights into related elements, empowering homeowners and designers to leverage its benefits and embrace its brilliance in elevating home aesthetics.

The allure of lacquer paint extends beyond aesthetics, redefining cabinetry, and furniture by imparting a glossy, durable, and sophisticated finish. From cabinets to furniture, lacquer paint elevates the elegance of interiors. Understanding lacquer thinners, their constituent ingredients, and the tailored application for different surfaces ensures a seamless and refined finish. Incorporating lacquer paint into design endeavors brings a touch of sophistication, transforming ordinary surfaces into exquisite statements of style and durability.

Source:- https://techmoduler.com/lacquer-paint/

[johnben01]

Satin Paint vs. Semi-Gloss Paint: Understanding the Finishes

When it comes to interior and exterior painting projects, choosing the right type of paint finish is essential for achieving the desired aesthetics and functionality. Satin and semi-gloss paints are two popular options known for their distinctive qualities and applications. In this article, we will delve into the world of paint finishes, exploring what satin paint is, comparing satin and semi-gloss paints, and understanding where each type shines.

What is Satin Paint?

Satin paint, often referred to as eggshell paint, strikes a balance between matte and glossy finishes. It offers a smooth, subtle sheen that adds a touch of elegance to surfaces while still maintaining some level of durability. This finish is characterized by its ability to reflect light softly, creating a delicate glow that hides minor imperfections in the painted surface. Due to its forgiving nature, satin paint is a popular choice for walls and ceilings in various rooms of the house, especially in living rooms, bedrooms, and dining areas.

Satin paint is also known for its ease of maintenance. It resists mildew and moisture to some extent, making it suitable for areas with moderate humidity. Cleaning satin-painted surfaces is relatively straightforward, as they can be wiped down without the risk of damaging the finish. This makes satin paint an excellent option for high-traffic areas where occasional cleaning is required.

Satin Paint vs. Semi-Gloss Paint

While both satin and semi-gloss paints offer a level of sheen, they have distinct differences that cater to different preferences and purposes. Let's delve into the key contrasts between the two finishes:

1. Sheen Level:

Satin Paint: Satin paint exhibits a subtle sheen that falls between matte and semi-gloss finishes. It provides a soft, velvety appearance that adds a touch of sophistication to interiors.

Semi-Gloss Paint: Semi-gloss paint has a higher sheen level, reflecting more light and delivering a more pronounced shine. This finish is ideal for surfaces that require a polished appearance, such as trim, doors, and cabinets.

2. Durability and Cleaning:

Satin Paint: While satin paint offers some level of durability, it may not be as resistant to wear and tear as semi-gloss paint. However, its forgiving nature makes it suitable for areas that don't experience heavy traffic.

Semi-Gloss Paint: Semi-gloss paint is highly durable and stands up well to regular cleaning and scrubbing. Its glossy surface repels moisture and is less likely to suffer damage from frequent wiping.

3. Application:

Satin Paint: Due to its ability to hide imperfections, satin paint is commonly used on walls and ceilings in living spaces, bedrooms, and dining rooms.

Semi-Gloss Paint: Semi-gloss paint finds its place on surfaces that require extra protection and a polished appearance, such as trim, doors, window frames, and cabinets.

4. Aesthetics:

Satin Paint: The gentle sheen of satin paint lends a touch of elegance to interiors without being overly flashy. It's a great choice for achieving a cozy and inviting atmosphere.

Semi-Gloss Paint: Semi-gloss paint imparts a bold and sophisticated look. It can create striking contrasts when used alongside matte or satin finishes.

Conclusion

Choosing between satin and semi-gloss paint depends on the specific requirements of your painting project. Satin paint offers a soft, subtle sheen that works well in living spaces and areas with moderate traffic. It's forgiving, easy to maintain, and can help mask minor imperfections. On the other hand, semi-gloss paint boasts a higher sheen level, exceptional durability, and is best suited for surfaces that demand frequent cleaning and a polished appearance.

In the world of interior and exterior design, paint finishes play a crucial role in setting the tone for a space. Whether you opt for the understated charm of satin paint or the bold sophistication of semi-gloss paint, understanding the unique characteristics of each finish empowers you to make an informed decision that aligns with your aesthetic and practical needs. 

Source - https://bit.ly/3qg32Xj

[partly-cloudyskies]

demi trainer take 2

i worked hard on color matching this time and i'm happy with the result. honestly i think i did better with the colors than the stock plastic did. and there's decals!

i botched the panel lining but i know what i did wrong. i used the wrong type of varnish and it couldn't stand against the lacquer thinner i used to wipe off excess panel liner. it's cool tho. i'm definitely not the kind of person to dwell on flaws, and i'm definitely the kind of person willing to move on from those flaws 🙃

it's def better than my previous d trainer. undershading each part does so much to give it depth

little guy standin around

[coldandfoggy]

Midnight Eucharist

——†——

The warm wood glistened with dim autumn light filtered through the small windows of the cabin. The dark lacquer gave the wood paneling a lively air as the honey-toned splashes of light stretched across the floor like golden shadows. Father Theodore, standing in his quarters, unclasped the silver crucifix necklace from around his neck. He placed the jewelry gently in his cupboard, somewhere he’ll recognize. The sacred cross gave one last glint before the drawer was sensibly shut.

            He laid his rosary delicately before the painting of The Last Supper that hung above his study. His eyes glanced to Judas, bending down to adorn Jesus with that damning kiss. He looked away. No point.

            It was bound to be dusk soon. He should be there. Making his way to the door, he paused as his hand reached the doorknob, reminded by the glint of silver. He hesitated, then carefully slid his wedding ring off his finger, placing it on a shelf by the door. He looked back for a moment, just a moment, before he shut the door behind him.

            Dusk was approaching quickly, yet some few tendrils of light peeked out from the horizon, not yet drowned by the night sky. He made his way to the church, like he had one million times before.

            Wet grass and gravel crackled beneath his feet. His black leather boots went well with his cassock, but were not well suited for any manner of hiking. They were past the church now, wading through the courtyard to the patch behind the cemetery. He weaved through epitaphs etched in stone, bathed in the golden-red light of the ever-dwindling sun.

            Beyond the town, beyond the Church’s consecrated grounds, lay a dark stretch of land. An informal continuation of the cemetery, only bereft of its holy blessing. Bodies lay there all the same; some before the church’s time, but simply not graced by consecrated earth; others buried when the church denied the dead a holy funeral on godly grounds, be they undesirable to them in some way. A cruel damning, indeed.

At the far end of the graveyard, broken up by brush and stones and unkempt paths forgotten for years, the great shining bones of what once was a grand manor lay, stripped bare and sun-bleached and picked clean by the toll of neglect among nature. But however decrepit and rotted it may be, it was not dead, for something in it was very much alive.

Before him, now, that great skeleton lay. The fossilized remains of a home once raucous with laughter and life. He finds the spot in the front yard with the sapling cypress tree. It’s grown since he last saw it, twisting itself in contortions to look for light that wasn’t there. It had grown thinner, but it was alive. He remembered planting it, still. After all this time.

He sat himself alongside the twisted cypress. The night was full and alive, the new moon only a dark spot in the endless black sky. The mist had rolled in, and the dark was growing colder. His lamplight flickered, threatening to leave him in the pitch black. He wouldn’t mind. He kept waiting.

“Teddy.”

A voice, soft and sweet, but desperate in recognition. Theodore whipped around to what he thought was the source of the noise, the name only so sweet on that tongue, the name only music in that voice.

“Sergei?” Theodore asked with trembling voice. In the distance, if his eyes do not deceive him, a figure stood tall and dark against the fog. A figure in a shape he knew so well.

The mist was thick now, the grass becoming heavy with dewdrops, bowing their heads in the frigid night air. The anticipation, the longing. It had been too long – it always was too long.

The figure, now taking form more tangible, approached Theodore. Despite the cold air, a warmth came over the both of them.

“Sergei,” Theodore said as he took Sergei in his arms, pressing him to his chest, cold skin against skin. “I missed you. I missed you so much.”

“I missed you, too.” Sergei spoke through bitter tears. “How did you…?”

Theodore pulled back, enough to face him. “A new moon.” Theodore said. They looked overhead to see the vast, empty sky. “It moves the fabric of this realm as if it were a tide.”

“You knew it would be a new moon tonight?” Sergei asked. Theo nodded.

“Of course. The veil is thin, as thin as it will get in the next few decades, and the mists grow thicker this time of year. I thought, it may be easier for you to step through on a colder, foggy night, when the veil is thinnest.”

“Someone’s been a studious fellow!” Sergei joked, tussling Theodore’s hair, sending him to fits of childish giggles. “Leave it to you to memorize lunar charts for a date. Ever the considerate one. How long have you been planning this?”

“I…” Theo hesitated, almost a little embarrassed. “I started planning for our next meeting the second I arrived home from our last. That was… three months ago.”

Sergei looked down at the grass dappled with crystal dewdrops. “It’s been that long already…?”

Theodore deflated a bit. “They seem to only be getting longer. I don’t know what it is, but…”

“Funny, time feels so different here.” Sergei looked up at the stars with a weak smile. “I can’t tell if the last time I saw you was yesterday or last year. It’s all foggy nights and in-betweens. I don’t even know how long I’ve been here for.”

“Two years, now.”

Sergei looked at Theodore with a surprised expression. “Two years?”

Theodore paused, momentarily too ashamed to look him in the eye. “…As of today. It’s… been two years since…” He swallowed, not able to finish the rest of his sentence.

A moment of silence filled the frigid air.

“It’s okay.” Sergei squeezed Theodore’s hand slightly. “You know that, right? You did all you could for me. And that’s all I could ever ask.”

“I could’ve… could’ve talked to them more… s-said the right things, they’d have given you a proper Christian burial…”

“Then I wouldn’t have you.” Sergei cut through Theodore’s inklings of a spiral. “And that’s all I really want. They didn’t want me in their holy earth, and frankly, I didn’t want to be there either. If their ideal world is one without us, then let us find our own world, free of them.”

Theodore looked away. They both knew where this conversation was inevitably headed. The unspoken message in the words.

Finally, Sergei said it. “I just don’t know why you’re still with them – “

“I can’t, Sergei. You know, you know I can’t.” Theodore squeezed his eyes closed.

“But why? They’re hurting you. They always have been, from the moment your father put you up on that pulpit and made you read words you didn’t understand from that lectern – “

“It’s my life, Sergei!” Theodore cried. “Without the Church, without God, what would I be? Who would I have?”

“You would have me.”

The words stunned Theodore into silence. Slowly, his shoulders fell.

���We could go anywhere, Teddy. Anywhere away from here. Together. I could bring you with me. Don’t you want that?”

… I do, Theodore thought. I do so, so badly.

“I don’t need a Christian burial. I don’t need to be laid to rest as just another one of God’s creatures, whittling myself down until I fit into the parameters of His conditional love. I never needed that.” Sergei looked Theodore straight in the eyes. “I don’t exist to placate those who want something from me. And I don’t think you do, either.”

“I do not whittle myself.” Theodore flicked a bitter glance at Sergei. “I cannot simply abandon my duties for a personal affair. I serve a purpose higher than myself--”

“All you do is whittle! All you do is serve!” Sergei burst. “I saw you grow thinner every day! You’d whittled yourself down until you could snap like a twig, and yet you worship the knife that carves you still! Hell, sometimes it feels as if your church can do no wrong in your eyes, even when they’re denying a holy burial to a man because he doesn’t love the same – “

Silence came over the woods once more. Fireflies blinked like yellow embers in the blue dust of moonlight, and crickets sang distantly their discordant tune.

“… Teddy…” Sergei said, his voice soft and warm. Delicate. Apologetic.

Theodore broke away from him, wandering a few steps forward. He needed to collect himself.

“Teddy, I didn’t mean – I… I’m sorry.”

Theodore put his hand on the twisted cypress to steady himself. He slowly sat down beside it, tracing his fingers along the warped bark.

“I remember planting this.” He said. “The thought of forgetting where you were made me sick. I couldn’t bear to… to lose you again.” Theodore took a bough in his fingers, pouring over the needle-like leaves. “I planted it over your heart. Two years ago.” Theodore sighed, lost in reverie. “I came every day to this spot after mass. In the night, while the town slept, I would lie here, half hoping the cold would take me – take me to you – but knowing my immortal soul would be damned to wander restless on unblessed ground. Laying there, in the dirt, knowing you were below me, an eternity wandering with you seemed more merciful than another day in my empty home.”

Sergei knelt beside Theodore. Theodore continued, not acknowledging or simply not noticing the gesture.

“But then… then, on that night the moon was black as pitch and the veil was so thin you could feel it when you breathed, you rose from that grave, like the son of God himself. And I was terrified, but you were beautiful. So pale and beautiful, like the moon, but so cold and so still and…”

Theodore trailed off. Sergei put a hand on his shoulder.

“Why are you telling me this, love?”

Theodore looked down. “I’m afraid, Sergei. I can’t be a new man, like you. I have… so many people in town need me to – “

“Theodore,” Sergei said in his downy soft, ever-comforting voice. “Look at me. Every single person in that church, in that town, who told you they would keep you safe as long as you behaved were already hurting you. Strip away their words – all the obligations, the expectations, the rituals, the routines, the normalcy. With all of those gone from your mind, what do you want?”

Theodore paused. Truly banishing such things from his mind felt like banishing his skin from his body: an agonizing, impossible task. What was he but obligation? If no one was around towant, toneed him, to ask of him a favor, or forgiveness, or penance, would he exist at all? Or was he only what others make of him, an apparition that would fall into shadow and dust once he becomes obsolete?

“I want to go with you.” Theodore said, his voice little more than a whisper. “More than anything. I want to be with you and only you, I want to be together without fear, I want to…” He was choking back tears now, determined not to cry in front of Sergei tonight. Sergei squeezed Theodore’s hands.

“And I do, as well! Is that not enough?” Sergei seemed to light up at his words, a light in his eye not unlike the glow of the fireflies around them. “Is it not enough that we love each other and wish to be away? What more could love be, other than the letting go of old hurt and embracing of new light? You have let yourself be bled by these leeches, and now you are sullen and pale. We can heal, together.”

“But…” Theodore hesitated. “Just… disappear? What would they make of it? What about poor Mina, my wife?”

Sergei looked Theodore in the eyes earnestly. “If she loves you truly, she will want what is best for you. And this place…” He gestured to the direction of the church. “This place is not good for anyone.”

Theodore looked down at their intertwined hands, feeling the difference in temperature. He ran his thumb along the ridges of Sergei’s knuckles. Slowly, he nodded, his eyes squeezed shut as a tear fell to the ground. “I want to come with you. Take me with you.”

With that, Sergei pulled Theodore in for a kiss, which warmed them both more than any sun ever could. Sergei looked him in the eye, dusting his cheeks with butterfly kisses. “Let us go, then. Beyond the veil.”

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