#ceramic crowns and bridges

[bhutanidentalclinic]

The Role of Ceramic Crowns and Bridges in Restorative Dentistry

Enhance your smile with precision and durability through ceramic crowns and bridges, available at the best dental clinic in Delhi. Crafted with meticulous care, these restorative solutions seamlessly integrate into your natural teeth, restoring both aesthetics and functionality. Dental bridges, supported by ceramic crowns, fill gaps left by missing teeth, providing stability and comfort. At our esteemed dental clinic, we prioritize patient satisfaction, offering advanced techniques and personalized care to achieve optimal results. Say farewell to dental imperfections and hello to a confident, radiant smile with ceramic crowns and bridges from our trusted clinic in Delhi.

[fitdentallab]

Fit Dental Lab’s Custom Abutments to Elevate Dental Solutions

In the constantly changing field of dental technology, Fit Dental Lab stands out as a leader in creativity and accuracy. Fit Dental Lab, which specialises in bespoke abutments, goes above and beyond industry norms to provide dental solutions catered to specific need. A well-known brand in the dentistry field, Fit dentistry Lab distinguishes out for its dedication to quality. The lab specialises in creating unique abutments, which are an essential part of contemporary dentistry.

Custom Abutments

Connectors made to order that attach dental implants to crowns, bridges, or dentures are called custom abutments. Custom abutments, in contrast to ordinary abutments, are made specifically for each patient, guaranteeing an exact fit.

Why Choose Custom Abutments ?

Numerous advantages come with custom abutments, including as better looks, more functioning, and a more comfortable fit. Custom solutions are becoming more and more valued by both patients and dentists.

Cutting Edge Technology

Fit Dental Lab keeps up with dental developments by making investments in cutting-edge technology. This dedication guarantees the careful and accurate construction of every bespoke abutment.

Custom Abutments' Significance in Dental Implants

Durability and Steadiness

A vital component in guaranteeing dental implants' stability and durability are custom abutments. By reducing the possibility of issues, the precise fit enhances the general success of implant operations.

Suitability for a Range of Implant Systems

Fit Dental Lab is aware of the variations in dental implant configurations. Custom abutments from the lab may be used with a variety of implant systems, giving dentists and patients options.

Taking Care of Concerns

Economy of Cost

Contrary to popular belief, bespoke abutments frequently provide longer-term advantages than disadvantages. Fit Dental Lab works to deliver affordable solutions with an emphasis on patient pleasure and long-term viability.

Efficiency of Time

The procedure of creating personalised abutments has become easier because to developments in digital dentistry. Fit Dental Lab dispels the illusion of protracted wait times by ensuring prompt delivery without sacrificing quality.

Fit Dental Lab's dedication to quality control

Strict Quality Inspections

Strict quality inspections are performed on each bespoke abutment to ensure accuracy and longevity. In order to satisfy the highest industry requirements, Fit Dental Lab places a great priority on quality assurance.

Material Choice

Fit Dental Lab ensures biocompatibility and lifespan in the bespoke abutment process by selecting materials of the highest quality. The general efficacy and security of dental restorations are influenced by the material selection.

Customer Relations

Fit Dental Lab places a high value on providing outstanding client service, from consultation to delivery. In the cutthroat dentistry industry, the lab stands out for its responsiveness and clear communication.

Fit Dental Lab is a reputable brand in the custom abutment industry because of its commitment to accuracy, creativity, and client happiness. Fit Dental Lab is setting the standard for excellence in the rapidly developing field of dental technology by taking dental solutions to new heights.

Contact Us

For inquiries and consultations, feel free to reach out to Fit Dental Lab's dedicated team. Contact us at: Address: R10 2F Sheung Ling Pei Tung Chung Lantau Island Hongkong. WhatsApp: +86(755) 2976 0054 Email: info@fitdentallab.com Website: www.fitdentallab.com

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[dr-bhutani-dental-clinic-gurgaon]

At Dr. Bhutani Dental Clinic, we understand the importance of a healthy, beautiful smile. Dental crowns are a versatile solution that plays a crucial role in restoring both the function and aesthetics of your teeth. In this blog post, we will dive into the world of dental crowns, explaining what they are, when they are needed, and the benefits they offer. Also, if you are in search of the best dentist near me, Dr Bhutani dental clinic is your one stop solution for all your dental needs.

[myfamilydentists]

Discovering The Best Dentist In Haridwar

You and your family's oral health depend on finding and working with a trustworthy dentist. Finding the best dentist in Haridwar becomes a priority, where spirituality and wellness go hand in hand. We'll discuss the value of My Family Dentist in this blog post and introduce you to thebest dentist in Haridwar who can take care of all your dental requirements.

Why My Family Dentist?

My family dentist plays a vital role in ensuring the oral health of every member of your family, from children to adults. They offer complete dental care, which includes preventive care, routine checkups, and resolving certain oral problems. There are several benefits to having a family dentist, including:

1. Convenience: 

You can save time and effort by scheduling appointments on the same day with My Family Dentist.

2. Continuity of Care: 

My family dentist establishes a long-lasting rapport with you, learning about your particular dental history and customizing treatments as a result.

3. Comprehensive Services:

A family dentist offers a wide range of services to fulfill the different needs of your family, from regular cleanings to more specialized operations.

Introducing the Best Dentist in Haridwar:

When it comes to finding the best dentist in Haridwar, one name stands out: Dr. SHIKHA TRIPATHI, DR Tripathi is a highly skilled and experienced dentist known for his commitment to providing top-notch dental care to patients of all ages. Her clinic, located in the heart of Haridwar, has earned a reputation for excellence and patient satisfaction.

Why Choose Dr.SHIKHA TRIPATHI as Your Family Dentist?

Here are some compelling reasons why Dr. Tripathi is widely regarded as the best dentist in Haridwar:

1. Extensive Experience: 

With over years of experience in dentistry, Dr. Tripathi possesses a wealth of knowledge and expertise in various dental procedures, ensuring that you receive the best possible care.

2. Advanced Technology:

Dr. Tripathi clinic is equipped with state-of-the-art dental technology, enabling him to deliver precise diagnoses and effective treatments. From digital X-rays to painless dental procedures, you can expect the highest standard of care.

3. Wide Range of Services: 

Dr. Tripathi offers a comprehensive range of dental services, including general dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, orthodontics, root canal treatments, dental implants, and more. Whatever your dental needs may be, Dr. Tripathi can address them with precision and skill.

4. Patient-Centered Approach:

Dr. Tripathi and his team prioritize patient comfort and satisfaction. They take the time to listen to your concerns, explain treatment options in detail, and provide personalized care that meets your individual needs.

Having a dependable family dentist is critical to reaching this objective since maintaining good oral health is crucial for general wellbeing. Dr. Shikha Tripathi is recognised as the best dentist in Haridwar because he provides comprehensive dental care, cutting-edge technology, and a patient-centered approach. You can be confident that you and your loved ones will receive the best dental care in Haridwar if you choose Dr. Tripathi as your family dentist. Make an appointment with Dr.Tripathi right away to start along the path to a beautiful and healthy smile.

[kissitbttr]

nobody understands how you did it.

how you managed to swept him off his feet, breaking the walls he had built pieces by pieces, how the fuck did you get him to be comfortable with you? to be open with you? and only with you.

‘never seen him this happy or loose in a long time, lass. what’s your trick, eh?’ the captain pulls a joke, making the rest of the team laugh. ‘i think I speak for everyone when i say, he never brings a girl out. let alone introducing her to us.’

that one is true. years of being friends with ghost, the captain nor his closest friend ‘soap’ has ever seen him out on a date. they encouraged him though, since there have been so many women tried their ways to get close with the big guy, yet none of them succeed.

the masked men would often just shrug them off and give one hard cold answer. they would back away immediately

“guess i just have my ways” is what you always say. even soap couldn’t register how it happened. he couldn’t figure it out himself, he knows the lad way longer than you do.

they don’t believe you. because there is no way in hell that all you did was to bat your lashes, show him your adorable giggle and he was in. there’s gotta be more to it.

so what is it about you that draws him close? what is it about you that makes ghost’s eyes light up each time you step into the room? what is it about you that makes ghost’s heart skip a beat every time he talks to you?

certainly not because how you’re so patient in getting to know with him, right? not because how you trace his scars ever so lightly and call them pretty every single time he’s doubtful about himself. not because how you console him with ‘I’ve got you, baby’ each night a nightmare comes back to haunt him while rubbing his back soothingly. not because how you shower him with soft, gentle kisses to remind him that your love for him is bigger than anyone could have offered. not because how you understand why he can’t say the three letter words to you, just yet. still, you stick around.

definitely not, right? there’s no way. he’s simon ghost riley. no one or nothing could ever be good enough to make this man come out of his shell. it’s impossible, right? you’ll need a miracle for that.

“love?” you hear a voice calls, along with the sound of keys being tossed into a ceramic bowl. heavy boots thumping against the marble floor,

you step out of the kitchen. long hair tied up into a messy updo, clear frame glasses perched on the bridge of your nose. dressed in one of his favorite sleeping gown as your eyes locked with his brown ones. the balaclava still attached to mask his handsome face.

scarred lips stretch into a smile the moment his beautiful fiancé emerges from the kitchen.

he drops his bag onto the floor, pulling the mask off of him slowly. revealing his disheveled blond hair as he takes slow steps towards you.

“hi, baby” your voice brings him home. no soul could ever take away from him. he longs for that angelic tone each time he gets deployed. three or six months without listening to you speak to him is just insanity.

he’d rather lose his hearing entirely than not having to hear you at all.

he’s quick to embrace you in his arms. your face hiding in the crook of his neck, inhaling that signature scent of his that you had missed, dearly.

“what are you making?” he mumbles into the crown of your hair, giving it a peck before pulling away slightly to take a good look at you. “it smells good”

“your favorite” you kiss his chin, causing his cheeks to redden at the affection. “i even bought those lumpias down the 112th street. i know how much you love them. pretzels bites from the deli for snacks aaand, black pepper beef with rice for your dinner. sounds good?”

simon leans against the doorway as he watches you plate everything. rambling about everything. his smile widens even more at your domestic antics. the way you talk with your hands as you mention another annoying co-worker that keeps bugging you and the way you roll your eyes when a splash of gravy spill from the plate.

truly is a sight.

“why are you looking at me like that?” your lips raise into a curious smile, finger moving a dark lock that sticks into your forehead,

he gives you a small shrug. gaze not leaving you neither does his smile.

“you’re just so beautiful”

something so simple yet it makes your stomach fills with butterflies.

you chew on your lower lip to prevent you from smiling too much, but a hint of blush is dusting your cheeks betrays you.

“come, papi… don’t want the food to get cold now, do we?” you change the subject while you nod your head towards the empty seat across. “eat with me”

the two of you sit there while making a small talk. stealing glances every second. feeding each other’s food. soft laughs fall upon both of your mouths when one make a terrible joke.

something you’d see when two people are in love. c

so yes, the answer to that question. it is possible. because you made it possible. you made it possible for him to love again. even if he had to start all over. you made it possible for him to be vulnerable. you gave him a purpose the moment he thought things were looking bad for him.

he found a solace within your existence.

only you made it possible to bring the simon in him.

vbecause you. are his home

[baldhillsdental]

Dental Crown Or Bridge? Solution for Missing Teeth | Bald Hills Dental

Dental Crowns & Bridges are a fantastic solution if you have missing teeth. The team at Bald Hills Dental will assess your mouth and suggest a solution.

Crowns And Bridges

Our ceramic crowns and bridges are designed to both restore and enhance your smile. Whether you have a broken tooth or one that needs to be replaced, each of these custom restorations are designed to provide long-term durability and aesthetics.

WHAT IS A DENTAL CROWN?

A crown is a full-coverage restoration that slips over a damaged or compromised tooth, protecting it from external factors. The “cap” allows you to continue biting, chewing, and smiling as normal. Crowns are frequently used in areas of large decay, following root

WHAT ARE DENTAL BRIDGES?

When you have a missing tooth, dental bridges fill in the open space by “bridging” the gap left behind. Either end of the bridge has a functional crown that’s attached onto a healthy tooth or dental implant.

About The Procedure

Crown and bridge treatments are typically a two-visit process. During your first appointment, we’ll numb the affected teeth, take an impression, then cover them with a temporary restoration. About two weeks later, your permanent crown or bridge will be ready to cement in place. It’s a relatively straightforward process.

At Bald Hills Dental, our family-friendly team is committed to providing you with exceptional care. Contact us today for an appointment

[ferdowsmedicalcenterdubai]

Ferdows Medical Center, one of the Best Dental clinics in Dubai offers crown and bridge treatment for one or multiple teeth and even for a full-mouth Hollywood smile. Crowns and bridges are made with materials that mimic your natural teeth’ shade and shape. Our dentists are experts and offer each patient the best care possible for each of their dental needs.

[edensdahlia]

Hey, really appreciate your work! can do something about Ghost waking up on a very cold night and seeing reader shrunken, then he realizes that he is using alone the blanket they share, indicating that while he slept, he pulling the sheet to himself, leaving the reader without the blanket. (sorry for my english, it's not my first language and I used translator, so some parts may be confused 😭💀)

༊*·˚ Inside This Place Is Warm

CHARACTERS: Simon ‘Ghost’ Riley x Gn! Reader

RATING: SFW

CONTENTS: Exactly what the prompt says, + a little extra, doing skin care for him, super soft Simon, I headcannon he has dyed hair in this, may be ooc, some wintery themes (even though it’s mid-summer where I am lol), established relationship, just lots of fluff, title is a Sweater Weather lyric, nicknames used: love

A/N: Absolutely no worries about your English lovely! I was literally giggling and kicking my feet as I wrote this, I just love him so much :( I live for domestic moments so I honestly may have gotten a little carried away but I really hope you enjoy!

ೃ⁀➷ WORD COUNT: 1K

In the warm glow of the bathroom light, Simon became the picture of pure divinity. Surely, if Nirvana existed it was there between the sun-kissed pink of his cheeks and the way his hair hung, mussed and slightly damp, across his forehead. It was there written into his irises as he peered down at you. Adoring and sickeningly reverent as if you could ask him to split the very Earth for you- to tear apart each layer with his bare hands- and he would do it without hesitation. He would. If you asked.

You slid your fingers through his curls, pushing them away from his face with a gentle sweeping motion. His roots were beginning to grow out, their umber colour striking against the rest of his pale locks. He was due for a touchup soon, and a haircut. A small huff of a laugh escaped you, teeth sinking into your bottom lip, attempting to trap your smile behind enamel as you gazed up at him.

“Your hair…” You explained at his imploring look, voice feather-light and so incredibly tender as if you feared anything more would disturb the domestic bubble that had descended upon the room. Simon stepped closer legs slotting into the space between your open thighs, hands pressed to the cool ceramic counter on either side of you.

“’S bad?” He whispered, breath warm against your skin and smelling faintly of mint. His head dipped in your direction crowding closer to you as his eyes searched yours, dangerously easy to get lost in. Hickory and honey melting into an amalgam of a colour so distinctly Simon. Your hand trailed from the crown of his head down to his cheek lingering there fondly before you pulled away, reaching for the jar of facial cream at your side.

“Not at all. Just needs retouched- unless you’re going to grow it out again?” You undid the lid of the container gathering its contents onto the tips of your fingers. It was meant to repair scar tissue and soothe the skin. A luxury he hadn’t thought of affording himself before you.

“Maybe I will. I kinda miss the brown.” Simon’s eyes fluttered closed a content hum echoing from the recess of his chest as the pad of your thumb slid over his cheekbones and down the side of his face, tracing over long-faded scars with a gentleness he’d come to accept. He was spoiled when it came to you. So incredibly spoiled. And the thought didn’t terrify him as it may have in the past. Instead, he relished in it. Took comfort in the way your thumb slid down the bridge of his nose and then across his temples, rubbing soothing circles into his skin with each movement. Every touch sent small jolts of electricity through him as if you were holding a live wire to his skin, molding every nerve of his to the shape of your name.

Your nose nudged his and his mouth parted automatically, lips meeting yours in a brief sleepy kiss. “Bedtime.” You murmured. Simon’s eyes peeled open at the sound of your saccharine voice a rare content smile teasing the corner of his lips and tugging them upward. Your heart thudded painfully against your ribcage, imprinting the marrow of your bones with his blissful expression. How could one person be so beautiful?

Simon wondered the same thing as he gazed down at you.

♡ 。

As it crept into January the weather in Manchester went from mildly annoying to an all-present nuisance. Outside your house the wind began to howl something fierce, the sound drawing Simon into barely there consciousness. True to his callsign it seemed he was always cold. A spectre of frost and ice, built from winter itself. But there buried beneath four blankets he was warm, finally, mercifully warm; and yet something was still missing. He blinked into the darkness waiting for his eyes to adjust to the dim lighting as if he’d find what it was in the emerging shapes. The outline of a dresser, a laundry basket with clothes spilling over the top-

Slowly he shifted, limbs like molasses as he rolled over finding the answer to the little voice that nagged in his mind. “Oh love…” Simon’s voice was a breathy sigh the edge of his words turned soft by guilt. Illuminated by the moonlight streaming in through the parted curtains was your sleeping form. You were folded together like an origami piece, legs tucked in close to your chest, hands pressed palm to palm in an attempt to regulate your body temperature. Even in the semi-dark, he could see the goosebumps that broke out across your skin.

Simon lifted the blankets reaching out a hand to brush against your arm. You stirred at the contact hands unfolding, reaching out in search of his warmth. His hand slid into yours bringing your knuckles to his lips so he could lay a gentle kiss on each before gathering you in close, pulling you into the safety of the cocoon he’d managed to build for himself.

Your lips parted, a content hum loosening the sudden tightness Simon felt in his chest. The guilt easing into something softer, endearment settling into the empty spaces of his ribcage with a quiet, relieved sigh. His hand flattened along your back dragging down the length of your spine and then back up again in a soothing motion. You snuggled closer to him head tucked into the space between his neck and shoulder.

He waited there with his head resting lightly on yours, waiting for the goosebumps to disappear and your skin to warm beneath his touch. Through the window he watched as snow begin to spiral from the sky, white flakes dancing past on a stray gust of wind, twinkling like stardust in the worn yellow light of a street lamp. There with you tucked into him, warm and alive beneath his fingers, and the snow just beginning to fall Simon Riley found the definition of peace.

[fili-urzudel]

Hello!! Could you do 14, 15 and 31 with Fili? Romantic or platonic, up to you. Thank you 💜

13. Sitting together

14. Handholding

15. Sharing a blanket (potentially violent)

31. Stargazing

This combination is classic and oh-so-fluffy, and with my favorite Dwarf to boot! I went ahead and added another prompt as well.

Everyone lives AU, because there is no other ending in my mind.

BTW I'm sick :( but I'm going to try to get at least one other prompt request out this week

Warnings: None

Word Count: 1.8k

Moonrise - Fíli Durin x Reader

The Durin's Day festival was always fun, but it was all the more spectacular in the newly reclaimed Erebor.

"The first autumn equinox since the mountain was reclaimed, can you believe it?" Fíli said with a bright smile, looking with pride at the crisscrossing bridges and vaulted ceilings of the entrance to the mountain. There was still plenty of work to be done, to be sure, but its improvement was impressive regardless.

"And in a couple days, the anniversary of when it was reclaimed," you nodded in agreement. "A few months after that, the anniversary of the first time you walked around by yourself."

"Hush, I'm trying to enjoy this," Fíli gave you a fake scowl, unconsciously probing the scar hidden beneath his tunic.

You changed directions. "Of course, my Prince," you teased. "You look very nice today."

You meant it. His hair was freshly washed, the slightly damp strands frizzing out in the cool morning air. Each bead was carefully placed, a few decorative gold ones added in place of a crown. His tunic was a smooth yet understated silk underneath his leather vest and wool coat. Every detail was precisely placed, the burnt oranges and browns blending seamlessly. He had clearly been seen to with the utmost care. He looked like royalty, even without the royal garb. Most importantly, he was healthy.

His smile softened, his cheeks turning a bit pink under his mustache. "Thank you," he glanced to the ground before looking back up at you. "And you're beautiful as ever."

You blushed deeper than him, unused to compliments. You plucked at the placket of your own wool coat, dyed a deep woad blue. It was your favorite. "Thank you," you said, choosing for once to believe him. "What duties do you have today?"

"None, surprisingly," Fíli breathed. "Thorin's let me have a break, so I can enjoy the first festival in our new home right alongside you." Something about that little word, our, set your heart ablaze. "You want to stick with me?"

"If you'll have me," he smiled again. That smile was impossible to resist.

"Of course I will."

Erebor had been steadily growing over the past year, but that day, it seemed more alive than ever. The market squares were full, overflowing into the wide side streets. Jewelry, blades, shields, ceramics, sculptures--anything made out of earth or in forges were certainly found somewhere in the expansive space. The Ereborian dwarves' tentative friendship with the Men of Dale caused new, less traditional stands to pop up as well: flower stalls, street food vendors featuring fish dishes, and clothing and homeware shops full of bolts of linen. The mountain had only dwarves—and Bilbo—in its halls, a presently rare occurrence, and so you were all free to speak Khuzdul, the sharp sounds ringing pleasantly in your ears.

The two of you strolled as quickly as possible through all the markets had to offer, determined not to miss the afternoon's performances. You exercised exemplary self-restraint, only stopping at one of every five stalls that caught your eye.

"No," became a very popular word as well, what with resisting Fíli's unceasing offers to purchase anything you liked.

"Well, if you will not spend any of your share of the treasure, I must spend some of mine and relieve what must be the terrible, stifling boredom of your living quarters, my friend," he teased, mustache beads swinging from side to side.

"I will have no prince wasting his money on me."

"Oh, it's never a waste if it's you," Fíli told you surely.

There he went again, saying things that made your palms sweat and your cheeks flush. "You're too kind."

Fíli smirked at the way you diverted your gaze. "Well, if I cannot buy you a rug, at least allow me to buy you lunch," he gestured to a permanent restaurant on the corner that was swarmed with dwarrow.

You couldn't help a smile at that. "Hot stew?" You asked, referring to the almost overpoweringly spicy meat-and-potato stew that was a dwarven classic. Benron's was your favorite.

"As hot as you like, of course," He agreed, guiding you forward with a gentle hand on your back.

The stew made your eyes stream in the best way, and you pulled Fíli out of the restaurant scarcely once he was finished eating. "We have to find good seats!" You reasoned as he raised an eyebrow, still wiping his mouth.

"You do realize that Thorin has the best seats, and by extension, we do as well?"

"Right," you said. You had forgotten. Somehow, none of the Durins were royalty in your mind. They were still your traveling companions, dirt poor and looked at as crazy.

"Still, it is sort of nice to take a seat before everyone starts filtering in and it gets too loud," Fíli reassured you. "After you."

The grand presentation began with a song to the mountain. In the ancient tradition, singing was a way to ask the mountain to reveal its secrets, a careful gathering of tones that would uncover its nature.

This song, however, was made more to please the ears of the listener. It was a song of thanks, of hardly believing that this mountain was once again the shelter for her people. You tried your best to control the tears that rose to your eyes.

Fíli leaned over, bumping your shoulder with his. You gave a small smile that he returned, and you could see in his eyes that he was thinking of all that it took to get there.

"We did it," you whispered.

"Yeah, we did."

The opening songs were followed by traditional dances, a speed-forging competition, and a few spars. You cheered on the brothers as they fought each other, with a healthy dose of brotherly teasing. Fíli let his little brother win, or so he told you. The look on Kíli's face was more than worth it. You congratulated him and let them both clean up as you headed to the gates.

The gates were still open, cool air pouring into the mountain as the sun dropped in the sky.

Dale was dimmer than usual—the city was empty. The men were lining the edge of the water with candles. This equinox now also marked the anniversary of the fall of Laketown and many of their loved ones. The dwarves tried their best to be respectful of their vigil.

You leaned against the wall and watched. You hoped they found peace and remembered to enjoy their new lives. Bard, standing at the back of the group, turned around. He caught your eye and nodded.

"Come with me, I think we should see something," Fíli's low whisper startled you from your reverie, and his hand wrapping around yours even more so.

"Where are we going?" You asked, not that it mattered. With his hand in yours, you'd probably follow him anywhere.

He led you on a trek around the front of the mountain, the setting sun turning everything orange and making his hair appear as flames as you went.

Caught in the daze of bliss, it took you a while to notice what was draped over his other arm. "Wait, is that—I told you not to buy that!"

It was the woven blanket you had noticed earlier, the tapestry depicting sunrays falling through a thick forest of firs. "And what if I bought this for myself? I have uses for it."

"Then it's alright, I suppose."

"You can keep it once I'm done with it, though."

"Sly fox."

"Coin pincher."

"Seriously, though, where are we going?" You asked.

Fíli smiled at you. "A certain very large staircase."

You gasped. "Leading to a secret doorway?"

"The very same. I figured, since we were both trying to help Kili, erm, not die, we missed the excitement, and now we can see it for ourselves."

"That's extraordinarily thoughtful of you."

"Eh, I'd say averagely thoughtful at best," Fíli shrugged.

"Perfectly suitable for me," you told him.

"Good."

The achingly long trip up the staircase was rewarded with a very nice sight: another, less decorative blanket spread across the stone, a couple flat pillows, and three lanterns, already lit and ready to face the darkness.

"When did you find time to do this?" You asked Fíli, grinning from ear to ear.

"I have my ways," he said mysteriously. "And help."

"That's where Bofur, Bilbo, and Dori disappeared to," you observed. "I see. Well, it's very sweet of all of you."

"I'm glad you think so," Fíli said, still holding your hand as he guided you to sit on the blanket with him.

The stairs had taken longer than anticipated, so the sun was already almost gone. You quieted as you realized how close the time was. The two of you watched in quiet admiration as the moon rose, bright and perfect, into the sky, before you turned, hoping to catch a glimpse of the door.

You gasped. "There it is!" The moonrise revealed the shape of a perfectly hidden keyhole. "That is very neat, indeed."

"Mmhm," Fíli agreed. "Beautiful." The keyhole was not what he thought was beautiful. He wasn't actually looking at the door at all, but rather you, and the way the moonlight reflected off every spectacular detail of your face.

He had never known quite when he started to feel this way, only that he didn't in the Blue Mountains, when he barely knew you, and he did now.

You turned your gaze from the keyhole once the wonder had made a comfortable space in your heart, and looked to the stars, all too aware of how close Fíli was.

You read out the constellations to yourself in the comfortable silence, assuming the prince was doing the same. You then heard him shift.

"Lay with me," Fíli offered, and you turned around in record time, cheeks blazing and eyes wide.

"What?"

He was already lying down with his head on one of the pillows. "To watch the stars more comfortably."

"Alright," you said, voice quiet. You scooted down until you could lay your head on the other pillow, before changing your mind. You decided to take a risk and settle your head on his chest instead.

"Is this alright?" You asked immediately. The last thing you wanted was for him to be uncomfortable in this situation.

"Of course it is," he said softly, his arm raising to hold your waist. "I enjoy being close to you."

It wasn't quite a grand confession, but it was good enough for your heart to begin hammering in your chest. "I enjoy being close to you, too."

[mosswolf]

By two o’clock in the morning, Orth Godlove of the Consolidated Counterweight Technocracy had chosen four names. Cassander Timaeus Berenice: an Apostolosian medic with a cool head and a noble background. They’d be able to use their connections, Orth thought. Speak with the Ithikos in a register others wouldn’t. Then there was Mako Trig, some bright-eyed punk kid who claimed to be able to hack anything and everything. He’d dance through their security with a smile. The robot was a risk. Automated Dynamics’ presence would raise questions, but if it came to it, Orth trusted that they would be nothing compact steel and ceramic couldn’t answer. The last name on the list was a wildcard. He’d had to pull some strings, get some questions answered, make sure that this was the real deal. Aria Joie herself, the jewel in EarthHome’s crown, now apparently turned freelancer on the desert planet. Whatever her motives, her legendary charisma and boundless optimism more than qualified her. There was a certain matter that needed to be cleared up - a corpse on a casino floor, a CCT manager in a cell. There were people down the hall who Orth knew would love nothing more than to roll in with the big guns, but things were… delicate. That’d be a disaster. No, it’d be these four. He’d already furnished them with a ship. He pinched the bridge of his nose. They’ll be in and out. He made the call.

the first bell, episode description by jack de quidt

[voca1ion]

City Hall Station was the jewel in the crown of the original Interborough Rapid Transit subway built in 1904. Designed on a loop at the southern terminal of the line, it was decorated with guastavino tiles and stained glass vaults in the ceilings with a green and white color scheme on the ceramic tiles on the walls and arches, with roman brick making up the base. The station was closed due to low ridership because of the proximity to the newly extended brooklyn bridge station and the increased gap between the train and the platform due to the sharp curve and increasing car length. Today trains still pass through at the end of the line but no longer stop.

[shenu249]

Metal Ceramic Crowns: The Perfect Blend of Durability and Aesthetics

The material can be used to make crowns as well as metal ceramic bridge. The material can also be used for implant supported restorations.

[bellabeautysecrets]

Blog 11

HOW TO ENHANCE YOUR SMILE FOR YOUR WEDDING DAY WITH COSMETIC DENTISTRY

Author: Dr. Sajjy Upinder

Your smile is one of the most important features of your appearance, especially on your wedding day. You want to look radiant, confident, and happy as you celebrate your love with your partner and guests. But what if you’re not satisfied with your smile? What if you have stained, crooked, or missing teeth that make you feel self-conscious? Don’t worry, there’s a solution. Cosmetic dentistry can help you improve your smile in various ways, from whitening to implants.

8 GREAT WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR SMILE WITH COSMETIC DENTISTRY

1. TEETH WHITENING

One of the simplest and most effective ways to brighten your smile is teeth whitening. Teeth whitening can help you lighten the existing colour of your teeth by several shades, making them look more attractive and healthy. The best option for teeth whitening is in-office whitening, where your dentist will apply a professional-grade bleaching agent to your teeth and activate it with a special light or laser. This can give you instant and lasting results in just one session. Before starting any whitening treatment, you should speak with your dentist. Your dentist will tell you what, if any, whitening procedures will work best for you, depending on the cause and extent of your discoloration.

2. TOOTH JEWELLERY

If you want to add some sparkle and glamour to your smile, tooth jewellery might be the option for you. Tooth jewellery is basically a gem, a rhinestone, or a crystal that’s attached to a tooth of your choice using an adhesive without damaging the enamel. Tooth jewellery can come in different shapes, colours, and sizes, allowing you to customize your look according to your preference and personality. Tooth jewellery is also removable and reversible, so you can change it anytime you want.

3. CROWNS

Sometimes, teeth whitening or tooth jewellery are not enough to cover teeth that are discolored or badly shaped. In such cases, crowns can be a good solution. A crown is a cap that covers the entire visible part of a tooth, restoring its shape, size, strength, and appearance. Crowns can be made of porcelain, ceramic, metal, or composite resin, and they are matched to the colour of your natural teeth. Crowns can also be used to attach bridges, protect a weak tooth from breaking or restore one that’s already broken.

4. VENEERS

Another way to improve the appearance of your teeth is veneers. Veneers are thin shells crafted of tooth-colored materials designed to cover the front side of teeth. They are custom-made based on a model of your mouth and bonded to your teeth with special cement. Veneers can correct various cosmetic issues such as chips, cracks, gaps, stains, or misalignments. They are also meant to look like your natural teeth, enhancing your smile without changing its shape or function.

5. BRACES

If you have crooked or crowded teeth that affect your bite and smile, braces can help you straighten them and improve your oral health. Braces are devices that apply gentle pressure to your teeth over time, gradually moving them into their proper positions. While orthodontic work that begins while a child is growing helps produce optimal results, that doesn’t mean that adults can’t have braces. Thanks to advances in orthodontic treatments, metal brackets are not your only option. Removable aligners (also known as invisible braces), clear plastic brackets (also known as ceramic braces), or lingual braces (which are attached behind the teeth) can all be used to straighten crooked or crowded teeth without compromising your appearance.

6. IMPLANTS

If you have missing teeth that leave gaps in your smile and affect your chewing and speaking abilities, implants can be a great way to replace them and restore your smile. Dental implants are artificial tooth roots that are surgically placed in the upper or lower jawbone. They function as a sturdy anchor for replacement teeth such as crowns or bridges that blend in with your other teeth. Implants are made of titanium and other materials that are compatible with the human body and do not cause any adverse reactions or infections. Implants are also a long-term option for restoring your smile as they can last for many years with proper care.

7. BRUSHING AND FLOSSING

It may seem obvious, but brushing and flossing are the most important tools for keeping a healthy mouth and a beautiful smile. Brushing twice and flossing at least once a day can help you remove plaque and bacteria from your teeth and gums, preventing cavities, gum disease, bad breath, and other oral problems. Brushing and flossing can also help you maintain the results of your cosmetic dentistry procedures and keep your smile looking fresh and clean.

8. Regular Dental Visits

Regular Dental Visits Something as simple as going to your dentist twice a year is one of the easiest things you can do to improve your smile. Aside from checking for cavities and oral diseases, and doing routine cleaning, your dentist can also provide other options for making your smile even brighter. Your dentist can monitor the condition of your teeth and gums, recommend the best cosmetic dentistry treatments for you, and ensure that your smile is always in good shape.

BRIDES, GROOMS, BRIDESMAID & GROOMSMAID to be.

When you are busy choosing your dresses and makeup artists, take time out to visit your dentist to help you improve your smile to make you look and feel your best as everyone around will be focusing on you and the photographers will be busy capturing the moment.

WHY CHOOSE BELLA LUXURY SALON FOR YOUR COSMETIC DENTISTRY NEEDS

If you’re looking for a reliable, affordable, and professional cosmetic dentistry service in Patiala, look no further than Bella Luxury Salon. We offer pre-bridal beauty care packages that include cosmetic dentistry as well as other beauty treatments at pocket-friendly prices so that one does not have to waste time looking for a good prosthodontist for cosmetic dentistry. Consider booking your appointment with the dentist before you run short of time for D-Day.

Smile beautifully for the camera on your big day; as it’s a memory everlasting.

Dr. Sajjy Upinder is Reader in the Department of Prosthodontics and Crown & Bridge, Guru Nanak Dev Dental College and Research Institute, Sunam.

Email: sajjy.upinder@gmail.com

Contact: 6280225493

[myfamilydentists]

Best dentist for inlays and onlay in Haridwar

Look no further than My Family Dentist if you're seeking for the top inlays and onlays dentist in Haridwar. Our dental practice is committed to offering comprehensive dental care of the highest caliber to assist you in achieving a whiter, more attractive smile. For the best outcomes with your inlays and onlays procedures, our qualified dentists use cutting-edge methods and modern tools. We put a high priority on your comfort during the whole course of treatment since we recognize how important it is to have a pain-free and relaxing experience. Make your appointment with us today and put your trust in our knowledge. Visit us now at  http://www.myfamilydentists.org.in/Inlays.html

[nuagederose]

As the Seasons Grey | Chapter Three: Florida Man Blues

ao3 link

“I’m so glad you could come along.”

It was one o’clock sharp, and Christine had showed up at the cafeteria with bit of clay speckled onto her jeans courtesy of the ceramics class, but Alex didn’t seem to mind at all. She tied her long dark waves into a taut ponytail behind her head, and she fastened up the bottom three buttons on her long green coat even though the breeze around them was only cool and crisp. Fall was in the air, and Alex held the glass door of the cafeteria open for her.

He nudged a lock of dark hair back onto the crown of his head.

“It smells divine in here,” he told her as she stepped inside and adjusted the strap on her bag as if it was about to fall right off her shoulder. Indeed, once the door was closed behind her, she was greeted by the warm smell of something on the grill and another thing in the fryer clear back behind the silver counter up ahead of them.

“It really does,” she decreed as they walked together towards the counter. “I’m going to have a grilled cheese with French fries now.”

“I’ll have a gyro,” he added, and then he patted his little belly. “Trying to watch my weight.”

“Oh, come on—live a little!” she encouraged him.

“A gyro and a piece of pie,” he corrected himself.

“There you go.”

They strode on up to the counter and told the woman there for what they wanted, to which Alex turned to Christine with his eyebrows knitted together. “What kind of pie do you think I should have? Cherry or lemon?”

“Lemon,” she replied. “I see it staying with you better, especially with a gyro and a cup of coffee involved.”

“Yeah, I’ll have a slice of lemon pie, please,” he told the fuzzy-haired woman at the counter, and she scribbled it down on the pad of paper.

“Should be ready for the two of ya’s in about—ten or so minutes,” she told them in a big Brooklyn accent. Alex thanked her, and the two of them made their way over to the little table by the bathrooms on the right side of the room, big enough for just the two of them. As he took his spot there to her right, he ran his fingers through his smooth jet-black hair: the gray streak in the right side of his head popped out to her like the head of a little rabbit from its hole. A few stray strands of hair fell back down over the side of his face, and he fetched up a sigh.

“What’s the matter?” Christine asked him.

“Sometimes I feel like cutting my hair really short,” he confessed to her.

“Mmm…” She cocked her head to the side for a better look at his round face and his deep eyes. “I can see it looking really cute on you but I also can’t imagine you without long hair like this.”

“It’s the glasses, isn’t it.” He nudged them up the prominent bridge of his nose: but even with the lenses obscuring his eyes a bit, she could still make out the little twinkle there.

“It’s the glasses and it’s the fact that you have the right kind of face for long hair, too. Short hair would only clash with the full, round shape of your face.”

“Full and round, you said?”

“Full, round, and very handsome.”

“Handsome?” he echoed her, taken aback.

She peered over her shoulder to the counter behind them, right as the same woman as before brought two cups of coffee to the front there. Christine made her way over to the counter’s edge for the paper cups right as they stood alone there.

She returned and set the one in her right hand down before him.

“Was that too much?” she asked him.

“Oh, no, that was just—I had never been called that before.” She was about to sit down when the woman at the counter returned again.

“Miss?” Christine returned to her and the pair of narrow stirring sticks and packets of sugar in her hands.

“Thank you, thank you,” Christine told her with a little smile, and then she doubled back to the table yet again. She sat down next to him and gaped at him.

“Are you serious?” she asked him in a low voice, as if he disclosed to her the key to life itself.

“Serious about what?”

“You’ve never been called handsome before?”

He shook his head. “Nope. Not even when I was a young kid—I was quite the looker back then, too.”

“Oh, come on. You’re adorable!” She handed him a stirring stick and some sugar, and he was eager to mix it all in for himself. A soft pink color crossed his face all the while, and Christine wondered if there was more to his story than she initially expected.

“So, I notice you don’t have much of an accent,” she started as she, too, stirred in some sugar into her light coffee.

“I’m originally from the Bay Area,” Alex replied with a snap of the lid back onto the mouth of the cup. “Born and raised in the Berkeley neighborhood.”

“My aunt teaches theater there,” she told him.

“Wow, really?”

“Been teaching about ten years now. I always joke about going out there and taking a few lessons, especially since I’ve never really been to the Bay Area.”

“Really? You’d love it out there, I’d feel.” He sipped on his coffee, and closed his eyes. “Ooh, that’s good.”

“Let me try—” Christine blew through the little slot in the lid, and then she sipped on it for herself. The coffee was rich and full, and there was just the right amount of cream in there as well: the single packet of sugar made the whole thing make sense to her.

“Oh, yeah, that is good.” She took another sip and shook her head about. “Anyway, how does someone from the Bay Area end up in New York?”

“My parents are both from here. Before my brother was born, they were relocated out to California—they’re teachers, too. My dad’s an Ivy League professor and my mom is an author of a textbook.”

“What’d they teach?”

“Sociology, like the social sciences in particular. My brother is an expat who teaches English in Vietnam and China.”

“So, it all runs in the family,” Christine said with a chuckle.

“Pretty much, yeah,” he replied, also with a chuckle. “I’m also kind of the only one in the family who actually went out of his way to the creative side of life. My brother does play bass guitar, and I actually tried it out for myself when I was learning as a kid because of him, but it’s mostly me with the music side of life.”

“Christine and Alex?”

The two of them stopped right in their tracks, and they glanced about the room. No one at the counter, either.

“Who called our names?” he asked aloud.

“I don’t know,” she answered as she looked back to the counter as well.

“I didn’t see anyone walk out of there, either,” he told her.

“A phantom called us,” she joked.

“A phantom who’s got a bigger appetite than me,” he added.

“It’s like he scarfs up every drop of food when no one’s looking.”

“Or people are looking but they’re absolutely horrified—” Alex turned his head right as a boy with an apron around his waist brought a tray full of food back to the counter’s edge.

“Oh, back here!” He bowed back to the counter to fetch the tray, to which he thanked the boy, and he slid back into the chair next to Christine. Carefully, he handed her the basket of fries with her grilled cheese sandwich on top, cooked to the point of having a crisp golden layer atop the bread. The fries meanwhile, were a perfect golden, straight out of the fryer.

“That smells absolutely incredible,” he told her.

“You should have gotten a basket,” she quipped as she picked up a fry and blew on it before she took a bite: light and fluffy and hot on the inside.

“Maybe next time,” he suggested with a nod. He unraveled the foil around his gyro, complete with the creamy white tzatziki sauce and feta cheese sprinkled on top. She could tell the veggies were fresh and the chicken was grilled to perfection.

“Wow,” she breathed out. “And maybe next time, I’ll try a gyro.”

“I love these damned things,” he said as he picked it out the foil: the pita bread had a golden char to it as well. “As they say in Greece, opah!” He raised it up a bit.

“Opah!” she followed up with a raise of the first half of her sandwich, and they took a bite in unison. Christine closed her eyes as she relished the melted cheese and the kiss of butter on the crispy side.

“Sometimes, all you need is something like a grilled cheese sandwich,” she remarked.

“Grilled cheese sandwich, spaghetti and meatballs, mac and cheese—hell, a big burger,” he added once he swallowed a bite of chicken, lettuce, and tzatziki sauce. “This is just applicable to me but—matzo soup.”

“You’re Jewish?” she asked him with a little flutter to her heart.

“Oh, yeah, very much so. I mean, with a name like ‘Skolnick’, yeah, that’s—that’s pretty Jewish. My family’s non-traditional, though. You know, we do Hanukkah and Rosh Hashanah, but I haven’t worn a yarmulke since I was a kid. I have no idea where my Star of David is, either.”

Christine shook her head at that. “Messy boy,” she teased him. “Such a messy, messy boy.”

“Hey, you’re messy yourself,” he scoffed, and he gestured to her legs. She looked down at the specks of dried clay on her knees as they poked out from beneath her coat.

“That’s ceramics for you!” she retorted as she took another bite of sandwich.

“Do we have any napkins?” he spoke suddenly; Christine watched him set the gyro down so he could show the tzatziki sauce and bits of onion on his spindly fingers and down onto his palm.

“Oh, jeez—” She glanced back to the counter to the napkin dispenser off to the side, and she ducked on over there for a handful. She handed him three, and he dabbed his hand with it all.

“Not the first time that’s happened to me while eating one of these,” he promised her as he picked out a single piece of dark green lettuce and popped it in his mouth like a potato chip.

“I’ll keep that in mind,” she vowed.

“Where do you live, by the way?” he asked her.

“I live in a cozy little apartment in the heart of Queens. I’ll have to show you if you’re curious about it at all.”

“I definitely am curious,” he assured her. “I live not too far away from you in Brooklyn.”

“And we’re both due north of Coney Island where my dad lives.”

“Oh, awesome! All else fails, go down to Coney Island.” He took another bite, and then sipped on his coffee again.

“I like you, Christine,” he told her with a pensive look on his face. “You’re a lot smarter than most students I’ve taught. Smarter and braver, too.”

“Being a late bloomer, figure I’m going to be advanced in some areas,” she replied with a shrug. “I don’t even have a cell phone. It’s weird because I’m never like this in Mr. Hansen’s class.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. I’m usually quiet—I mean, the fact Eric and I only just acquainted with each other should tell you something about it. I’m usually the kid at the front of the class who sits up front because the back makes me uncomfortable.”

“Same here,” he said with a nod. “Always taking copious notes of everything, too?”

“I have to. Especially with how soft-spoken Mr. Hansen is, too. Eric always has lots of notes with him as well, like every so often, I’ll look over and see several pages worth of material right there before him. We both really want to pass and we’ll do whatever it takes, too.”

“Same thing happened to me when I was in school,” Alex assured her. “I took a class on Irish literature once—fascinating.” His face lit up at that. “Just absolutely fascinating class. I took it as an elective, but I was also curious about it. But my professor—I’m not even kidding—spoke like this.” He bowed his head and barely moved his lips, and all the while, very little sound came out. Christine gaped at him. “I dared not tell him to speak up,” he continued with a shake of his head. “Because then, no one would learn anything. I still have this thick stack of notes at the bottom of my desk drawer back home just to prove it.”

He paused for a second, and then he returned to her.

“Did we pay for our food?” he asked her, slightly concerned.

“I don’t think we did,” she replied. “She never asked us.”

Alex reached into his jeans pocket for his wallet, but Christine stopped him there.

“Hang on, hang on, I got it,” she assured him as she picked up her bag.

“I’m the older one, though,” he pointed out.

“Yeah, but mine was the most expensive of the two of us, though,” she insisted. “Don’t worry about it—I got this, Alex.”

He swallowed and pursed his lips, but he stayed in his spot there at the table while she made her way over to the counter again.

“Forgot to pay,” she told the woman with a slight smile.

“That’s okay! This place is like a diner anyway: get the bill at the end of it all. That’ll be thirteen-fifty.”

Christine handed her the money plus a few extra for a tip, and then she returned once again to Alex and the distraught look on his face.

“What’s wrong?”

He lowered his gaze to the table’s surface and swallowed.

“Alex?” Christine stood next to him with her hand on his upper back.

“I just—feel like I should be the one who pays for it.” She leaned forward for a better glimpse into his face and the glassy look in his eyes, as if he was about to burst into tears right then and there before her.

“Don’t worry about the money,” she assured him with her hand on his left shoulder and her face up close to his own. “Really, don’t sweat it, Alex.”

“Why should I not worry about it?” he asked her, slightly hurt. “I feel like this is something that I should have undertaken, not you.”

“Hey—” She looked on at the side of his face, to which he glanced at her: the rim of his glasses missed her eyebrow by a hair’s breadth.

“Be happy that we had a nice lunch together,” she declared in a low voice. “Really, who cares about money? It’s all meaningless at the end of the day.”

He turned his head away, and then he took off his glasses and rubbed his eyes. Christine gently rubbed his shoulder and leaned in closer to the side of his head.

“You’re a sweet man, Alex—you deserve a break once in a while.”

“I should probably tell you that I’m also an adjunct professor—just like my dad,” he told her in a quiet voice. “I’m not only a substitute, but I’m considering getting a full-time position. I have no idea when that’s going to happen, either.”

Christine stroked his shoulder again. “You’ll get the job,” she vowed to him. “You will—I promise.”

He sighed through his nose and shuddered a bit as if he was cold, even though he had just eaten and finished a nice hot and crispy gyro. Reluctantly, he stood up and picked up a couple more of those napkins from the table, and handed them to her.

“You can never have too many napkins,” he assured her. “Especially with something like ceramics.”

Alex nudged his glasses up his nose once again, and he and Christine took their trash over to the trash bin on the other side of the room by the front doors. He was silent as they stepped back outside to the crisp, slightly chilly afternoon with the clear blue sky overhead.

“Let’s do lunch together again,” she suggested.

“Yeah, let’s,” he replied with a thoughtful look on his face. Christine fixed the strap of her bag over yet again and she stepped towards the edge of the top stair. She stood still for a moment before he approached her once more, that time with a hand upon her shoulder.

“Thank you,” he told her in a low tone. She peered back at him right as he flashed her another wink. He passed her there on the stairs to the very bottom and the walkway there.

“Alex,” she called after him. He turned and gazed up at her.

“Where do you want to go next time? Same as before?”

“Yeah, we can do the cafeteria again. Unless there’s a place in town you want to recommend.”

She shook her head. “Nah, I’m good for here,” she promised him.

“Run along, dear Christine,” he told her, and he raised his eyebrows upon saying that. She showed him a smile, and he padded along the sidewalk, away from the stairs and towards the walkway to the other side of the campus. She watched him walk along the narrow stretch of dark pavement there, and his long, shoulder-length black hair billowed back behind his head like the untamed mane of a lion. He stuffed his hands into his pockets once he reached the other sidewalk.

Even from a distance, Christine could tell that there was something going on with him. The way he bowed his head and hunched his shoulders as he walked.

She glanced down at the napkins folded up in her hand, and she wondered as to what to do next.

The doors behind her opened, and she stepped off to the side when she felt a tap on her shoulder. She turned around and there was Eric.

“Oh, hey, you!” she greeted hun.

“Hey! I saw Professor Skolnick over there shedding a few tears right next to you. Is everything alright?”

“Yeah, he’s just—you know. The substitute teacher. Subs don’t make much, especially when they’re on an adjunct list as well.”

“Oh, man.” Eric tilted his head back and raised his eyebrows at that.

“Yeah, he felt bad that I was the one having to pay for our food,” she explained, “and I told him not to sweat it because at the end of the day, we had a nice lunch together.”

“That’s all that matters!” he decreed.

“Exactly, yeah!”

They descended the stairs together to the walkway, and they both stood in anticipation for a second before the pavement cleared up for them to cross. Eric ran his fingers through his black hair, such that Christine could see the side of his neck and his collar bones.

“What class do you have next?” he asked her as they reached the other sidewalk and the low canopy of trees there: the leaves were still green, but as they approached them, Christine noticed the yellowish tinge around the stems. They were about to turn colors for the true advent of autumn.

“History,” she replied. “Mr. Crow.”

“I have physics,” he said.

“I’m so sorry,” she chided, and he chuckled at that.

“It’s not that bad, actually,” he assured her. “It’s just math-intensive is all.”

“Imagine writing a song using nothing but math equations you learn in physics,” she suggested.

“Some people have!” he declared as they crossed the grass to the row of oak trees closest to the school building. “There’s this genre of music called ‘math rock’ and they quite literally use things like an abacus or math equations to write their songs.”

“Wow. This is the first I’ve heard about it.”

“Guy in a music store showed it to me,” Eric continued. “I reacted to it the same way you pretty much did.”

He adjusted the straps of his backpack before they climbed up the stairs to the front door of the building: he held the door for her, and they walked together across the linoleum hallway to the far end. Christine stood before the door on the right side of the corridor, and she hesitated for a second.

“Eric, where do you live?” she asked him.

“Uh, I live over in Queens,” he told her. “Why?”

“You wanna ride the bus home with me?”

“Uh, sure—well, I do ride it home, anyway. But you might have to wait for me because Mr. Henderson is one of those teachers who dismisses us, not the time limit of the class.”

“Oh, jeez. I’ve had teachers like that. Yeah, I can wait a bit. I didn’t wait for Alex, but I can wait for you, though.”

He showed her a little smile before he padded into the classroom across the hall there. Christine made her way into the one there at the right side for one final hour of class time and Mr. Crow telling jokes in between lines of his lecture before the end of the day. 

She hesitated there in the doorway for a glimpse at across the hall to Mr. Henderson’s class: the door remained slightly ajar, such that she couldn’t even see Eric in there. But she knew that they had to be released at some point between then and the moment the bus lumbered up to the curb.

Christine strode down the hallway to the doors, and all the while, she thought about her lunch with Alex. She had faith that he could land a permanent teaching position, especially there at the school: he had nothing to lose and everything to gain from their approval of him. There was something else there with him, however: something that she couldn’t exactly put a finger on, either. But she had to shelve it once she pushed open the doors and faced the mid-afternoon sunlight as it filtered past the buildings across the street. The bus stop stood right up the block from there.

She made her way down the steps again when the sound of footsteps running behind her caught her attention. She turned her head right as Eric skidded up to the doors and sprinted down the stairs to catch up with her.

“The bus won’t be here for ten minutes,” she told him with a hearty laugh, and he slowed down to a steady walk next to her.

“I just saw you walking out the door, and I wanted to play catch up,” he explained, out of breath.

They walked along the sidewalk together to the bus stop near the corner up ahead of them.

Alex had all but disappeared from the school grounds from that point onward.

They reached the bus stop, a long low metallic bench surrounded by clear glass and a cold metal ceiling to protect them against the incoming waves of rain and snow for the heart of autumn in the coming days. Eric shivered and tucked his hands into his jean pockets, even though it was a rather mild afternoon that day.

“Are you cold?” Christine asked him as they stood together under the metal ceiling.

“Nah, I just got one of those deep chills,” he explained. “You know the ones that settle into your spine and they don’t even go away even if you dress warm?”

“Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah. Yeah, those are fun. Those are lots of fun, especially when you’re under a bunch of blankets, too.”

He took out his wallet as well as his student ID for the bus driver, and Christine did the same. Unlike most days after school, there weren’t a lot of students waiting there at the stop with them, and thus, they boarded alone. There were only a few other people onboard, and thus, a good variety of seats stood before them.

Christine sat down in the seat against the wall, right behind the driver, while Eric took the one perpendicular to her, right next to the window.

“I feel like we could tell each other a scandal,” he said as he scooted over to the seat next to her.

“I’m not your girlfriend, you know,” she teased him.

“I just wanna save some space, though,” he pointed out with a shrug. The bus lumbered forward along the street, and Christine leaned to the right a bit in reaction to it. Eric snorted at that.

“Nice little demonstration of Newton’s third law, I see,” he remarked.

“What goes up, must come down—ah, but see, what comes down needs to have something to back it up,” she added onto it.

“Ha!” He nudged a lock of hair back from his shoulder and showed her the side of his neck as well as his chin.

“We should demonstrate that to Alex next time we see him,” she suggested.

“He’s a music teacher, he won’t know what it is,” he quipped.

“Sure he will,” Christine assured him. “He’s way smarter than you think, Eric.”

“You reckon he’ll know about Newton’s laws and theories?”

“Yes! Wait, ‘I reckon’? We’re not in the South, you know.”

“I do reckon that I dee-clay-ah,” Eric joked in a fake southern accent.

“You declare?” she teased him.

“I do dee-clay-ah that it’s necessary,” he continued.

“That almost sounds real,” she said, to which he shrugged.

“Not bad for a little Mexican boy, huh?”

“Not bad at all.”

The bus crossed the bridge down onto the outskirts of Brooklyn. Beyond that was Queens and that familiar, cozy little neighborhood that she loved and grew up by.

“Never liked how close we are to the East River,” he confessed, and she nodded at that.

“I mean, they’ve cleaned it up a great deal,” she said, “but it’s still the East River, though. It’s still—what it is.”

She reached behind her and rang the bell for the next stop.

“That was smooth,” Eric said with a quick flash of his eyebrows.

“Smooth as old water,” she quipped, and the bus pulled over to the side of the street for the row of apartment complexes along the right side of the street. Christine climbed off first with a “thank you” to the driver while Eric lingered right behind her all the way to the pavement out there.

“I’m starting to consider your suggestion for a little road trip, too,” she told him as they strode up the sidewalk together towards her building. She took out her keys from her bag and clutched onto them as if they were about to slip away from her.

“Bro, we should totally do that,” he declared.

“We totally should, and don’t call me ‘bro’, either,” she teased him, to which Eric burst out laughing at that. 

“Where do we want to go, though?” he asked her as the bus roared past them to the corner up ahead.

“Some place where we can both have fun, without a doubt.”

“How ‘bout Vegas?”

“Las Vegas?”

“Yeah.”

“That’s an awful long way.”

He shrugged. “A suggestion.”

“Mmm, I’ll think about it,” she promised. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“You, too—”

She watched him walk onward to the corner up ahead, complete with his long inky black hair billowed behind his head like the tentacles of an octopus. She watched him all the way to the very end, and then when he reached the door to his building. When he took out his keys, he turned to her with one final wave.

She returned the favor and then he headed inside.

Christine unlocked the door before her.

Back to her place at the center of the block.

Though she was a late bloomer and older than most of the students at her school, she still lived within range of her parents: her mother lived across the hallway from her, where her father lived down by Coney Island and within range of Alex’s apartment complex. When she reached the doorway there at the end of the corridor at the second floor, she could hear the vacuum cleaner running in the apartment to the right of her. Her mother was doing wonderfully there in Queens, even after such an acrimonious divorce from her father. Everything seemed hunky-dory from that point forward, even when she sat down at her desk with her homework for Mr. Hansen’s class and she thought about Alex and his predicament.

If only there was a way to help that poor man. If only there was a way to talk to him and ease the heavy feeling on his mind. She knew that what they had was something unlike any other relationship between a student and a teacher, even though he only ever spoke to her as such.

She went to bed that night thinking about him and how he was doing over there in Brooklyn. He wasn’t too far away: she could very readily walk on over to his place and console him. But he never completely told her where he lived, nor did he tell her if he would be home at all.

She nodded off into a deep dreamless sleep, and when she awoke, it was raining.

She had to find a way into him as she took the next bus to school for the day.

Mr. Hansen was back for that class, and as a result, Christine remained quiet, not only because she had nothing to add to the discussion, but because she could not stop thinking about him. About the substitute. About Alex.

During ceramics class, for her first project, she modeled a little coffee mug out of the rich brick red earthen clay, and she thought about giving it to him once she had it glazed and then fired in the kiln. She held it up before her face in her fingertips, complete with the handle on one side.

“Try putting a little foot on that,” Miss Estes advised her from behind her. “Keep it steady.”

“Will do—” Christine nodded and rolled out a small sliver of clay for the base of the mug. It was tricky to put on while the rest of the mug was already done up and ready to sit out to dry, but she did it nevertheless. Carefully, she placed it on the rack with the few others ready to be glazed and fired come the week of the kiln.

She then packed up her things into her drawer and washed her hands, and she left the class early.

She headed to the cafeteria for lunch when she heard someone calling her name. She glanced about the sidewalk when there was no one there. She continued on when she heard it again.

“Christine!”

She turned her head again, right as he skidded to a stop before her with a flushed look on his face as if he had ran a mile.

“Oh, hey, Alex! I wasn’t expecting to see you here.”

“It happens sometimes,” he assured her with a slight shrug of the shoulders; she moved her dark green umbrella over his head to protect him from the rain. “They called me in to sub, and I waited for a bit—here we are at lunchtime and I’ve got bupkiss.” He held something in his hand down by his side.

“What you got there?” she asked him.

“Brand-new phone,” he replied, and he showed her the little bright cherry red flip phone with a narrow screen on the front. “I kind of needed it.”

“Excellent!” she said, and she found it odd that he had bought a new phone but he felt guilty for not being able to buy them lunch. It was as if he had read her mind because his face turned serious behind those glasses.

“I just got paid yesterday,” he explained.

“Ohhh.”

“Yeah. And I had been saving to get a new phone for a while, anyway—I just needed that little extra push.”

“You know, I totally understand that,” she assured him. “I grew up in the Bronx and in Queens: I know how tough it can be.”

“Long way out of the Bronx,” he told her. “I can say that as a guy from the San Francisco Bay Area, too.” He chuckled at that, and then he gestured for her to follow him up to the cafeteria for another round of a warm lunch and twin cups of coffee. That time around, they sat at the big wooden bar on the other side of the room: once she shook her closed umbrella a second time, he offered to help her onto the spindly chair at the end closest to the counter, but she could see him struggle with it as a big man with a little weight problem. He set the new phone down on bar in between them so it was out of the way.

“More of that good coffee,” he said with a sip.

The phone then vibrated, and they both looked on at the screen, now lit up with life.

A woman’s name, and an unfamiliar one at that as well. Christine frowned at the sight of it, as well as the word “important” next to it.

“Who’s she?” she wondered aloud. Alex nibbled on his bottom lip at the sight of it.

“I’ll tell you later,” he vowed to her, and then he fetched up a sigh. “I have to take this, though…” He wrinkled his nose, and padded away from the bar and all the way to the door: once he reached the door, he opened the phone. Christine raised an eyebrow at that. It made sense that he would excuse himself and go somewhere quiet, but he needn’t go that far away from there, however, and more so with it raining outside as well. 

Indeed, when she walked over to the counter for their baskets, the woman there took notice of it as well.

“Is everything okay between you two?”

“I hope so,” Christine replied.

“I ask ‘cause he didn’t look too happy about taking that phone call.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, he looked kind of—annoyed, I’d say. As if something unbelievable had just happened.”

She frowned at that, and she glanced over at the doorway again, right as he headed back away from there. His face, once again, appeared flushed. Christine thanked the woman for the food and the napkins, and she returned to the bar with either one in hand as if she was a waitress. Alex climbed back onto the chair, and she followed up right behind him.

“You alright?” she asked him at a quick clip.

“Yeah. I guess…” He ran his fingers through his dark hair, and that time, he lifted it off the side of his neck, as if he was hot. Christine leaned in closer to him,

“Do you want to tell me?” she asked him in a low voice. “I can keep it a secret. I won’t tell a soul about it. It’ll be between you and me.”

He gazed on at her with big eyes behind those shiny lenses for a long time. He then shifted his weight in the seat: she could see he was scrounging up the courage to tell her.

“She’s… this woman…”

She held still, and he did as well.

“…I’ve been—dating for the last several years.”

Christine stopped right then and there with her eyes wide open and her hand rested on the bar between them. Her mind fell completely blank, and she had no clue as to what to say to him right then. He looked on at her, bewildered.

“You’re not mad at me?” he asked her in a small voice.

“Mad? Why would I be mad? I mean, just looking at your face when the phone lit up and also after the fact, I can tell that there’s something wrong there. I’m actually more confused than anything.”

She lowered her gaze to his left hand: no ring there on his third finger. Add to this, he carried himself in a way that she swore he was free.

“You didn’t say anything about a wife or a girlfriend,” she recalled in a near whisper. She returned her attention to his face, and right as that downtrodden look returned.

“There’s something wrong here,” she stated. “Something is happening between you and her, and it’s not good.”

“That is an even longer story,” he assured her with a shake of his head. “And, uh—one that I don’t really feel comfortable talking about, either. I don’t know how I’m going to talk about it, to be honest.”

Christine rested a hand on his shoulder and he bowed his head as if he had just done something bad.

“You take your time with it,” she encouraged him. “If it’s really that bad, don’t worry about telling me right away.”

He sighed through his nose again, and his face fell. It really was that serious. Christine swallowed and lingered back away from him to give him space to breathe.

“This is not a date, by any means,” he told her.

“Not at all,” she said. “This is a nice afternoon together. A student with a teacher.”

He sighed through his nose yet again, and he leaned back in the chair, and he rested his hands on the hard top surface of the bar as if he had just witnessed something shocking. He never moved a muscle, but Christine knew there was something that tormented him, that tormented his body and his heart. From behind his glasses, she could see him looking off to the left side, away from her. There was a whole world that awaited her behind those eyes.

She sighed as well, and then she inched closer to him, such that she could smell the cologne on the side of his neck. There had to be a way to ease the tension right then, and she recalled what Eric had told her the few days before after the first round of lunch.

“You know that boy Eric, who sits next to me in Mr. Hansen’s class?” she began. He was silent for a second, and she watched his eyes move behind the lenses as if he was looking for the best answer.

“The kid with the long black hair and is kinda baby-faced?” he recalled, and then he nodded. “Oh yeah.”

“He wants to take me on a road trip,” Christine continued.

“Where to?” He turned his head towards her.

“Vegas.”

He raised his dark eyebrows at that. “That’s awful far,” he pointed out. “Maybe fly there instead? I figure that would be cheaper, too.”

“That’s what I told him,” she said with a drumming of her fingers on the bar’s surface between them. “I also told him that I would rather go to Reno or Portland instead: Reno, I love, and Portland, I’ve never been to.”

“You’d love Portland,” Alex assured her. “I went there—a couple of months ago, actually, before school started. It’s excellent for people like us.” He paused for a second. “Wait, you’re talking about Portland, Maine, right?”

“Oregon,” Christine corrected, and she chuckled at that. Alex then nudged his glasses up the aquiline bridge of his nose and rolled his eyes.

“Says the guy with a college degree,” he muttered, and he flashed her a playful little grin.

“Would you like to join us out there?” she offered him. “You know, I think about what you just told me about—her—and I also think about the stuff you’re dealing with as a sub and as an adjunct professor. You know. Maybe get away and hang out with us for a bit.”

“That’s too kind of you, Christine. But… I don’t know. That sounds like a fun trip for strictly two people and I feel like I’d be imposing on the two of you. You know. Total third wheel.” He shrugged and showed her the solemn look on his face as he said that.

“You wouldn’t be a third wheel,” she assured him. “We’d make it totally worthwhile for you.”

“I’ll have to think about it,” he told her. “It’s a lot to undertake, you know?”

“Of course. Besides, Eric and I aren’t leaving until the summer. You’ve got plenty of time, Alex.”

It was right then when he fell into complete silence, to which he would stay there for the rest of their lunch.