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[anystalker707]

Catch me when I fall

Pairing: Hayden Christensen x [gender-neutral] Reader Summary: Being stuck in a small city with barely any service during the business rush of the holidays feels like hell when you're an agent of a great company. Tags: very generic, cliche, cheesy christmas plot / very very very sweet / comfort / decorating christmas cookies / watching christmas lights / ice skating / christmas activities

requested by ms rain the queen herself @bimbo-baggins17

MASTER LIST

          Christmas wasn’t important. Well, actually, it was, when it came to numbers. Profits went high, people and sales everywhere, and you’d usually always be the one going on business trips for the company, going around to sign contracts or take pictures shaking hands with people to seal business deals and keep the appearances.

Business kept your mind busy during the holidays, set on what needed to get done, away from distractions. The November-January period was busy, much like June-August, so the main difference was simply the weather and decorations.

This year’s destination seemed nice—a little, cozy city that made its profits mainly during the holiday season because of tourism, and encouraging small businesses was the company’s great aim this time. The pictures of you with the mayor and other local authorities were everywhere by now for the new campaign.

Everything was going great. Maybe a little too great to be true.

“The road’s blocked?” You blinked a couple of times, taking a deep breath.

“Well, you see…” The driver cleared his throat and coughed, looking away, looking at the cars that eventually passed down the frozen streets, though there weren’t many. Not in such a small city.  “The weather was too intense, so the bridge’s under maintenance. It will take a while to fix since we gotta make sure it’s safe ‘n all, y’know. Gotta have a good weather t’work.”

Something felt like it was about to snap inside you. There was going to be another important meeting in two days. “What about the other exit? Plane? Boat? Helicopter?”

The driver flinched a little more with each word. “Look, Mx., I really believe the best’s t’wait. M’bad, but safety comes first, y’know? ‘N the city’s small. No other exit.” He shrugged as he leaned back against the car, but quickly fished his phone out of his pocket with a sigh. “Look, Mx., I really gotta go. Y’got my number ‘lready. Y’gonna know when the bridge’s fixed, then y’can call me. Uh—” He paused before he answered his phone. “There’s a lil’ inn there, good prices.”

He didn’t spare another word, pressing the phone to his ear and getting in the car before he slammed the door shut, and the car sped away with a rhythmic sound of something loose, leaving you standing alone in the cold streets with your suitcase. Fuck. You had planned to stay in a hotel in the state’s capital, not… there.

You finally found the sign hanging from a large building, black letters on light brown wood saying ‘Donna’s inn’ in cursive. The wooden building seemed cozy, surrounded by dark green pine trees and deep red decorations that matched the ornaments along the light posts that decorated the street, with the touch of accumulated snow. It hadn’t snowed so much since you arrived in the city by the morning, but it was noticeable the weather had been harsh lately. Now that you think of it, the drive into the city took longer than expected, and the line of cars seemed explainable now, given the bridge’s situation.

A sigh escaped your lips. It is what it is.

          The nice smell of gingerbread cookies and cherry pie greeted you the moment you stepped past the door, welcoming you with a warmth that gave your nerves a break from all the trembling—a little piece of heaven in the middle of nowhere. Small cities felt claustrophobic when you were used to big centers.

You inhaled to call for someone when an old lady showed up behind the counter in a red dress and a dark green apron with a nice print of white polka dots around the edges, which matched her mitten. “Oh, hello, dear, good afternoon! What can I do for you?” She adjusted her glasses with her free hand.

“Oh, hi,” you said with a nod, observing the flour fingerprints on her lenses for a moment. “I’d like a room. Uh, until the bridge’s fixed. However long that takes…” You sighed.

A crease showed up between her brows, and the lady sighed. “Everyone knew that was going to happen. I—” A clanking sound came from the kitchen, along with a patterned beeping. “Give me a moment, dear, I’ll fetch your keys. Make yourself comfortable, huh?” She smiled warmly before walking through the door, which you presumed to lead to the kitchen, leaving you alone in the reception.

The room was cozy and warm, with a fire, an armchair, and a couch. Christmas decorations hung everywhere, a nice jar with some flowers sat on the side table, and the carpet seemed to be picked out for the holiday season as well. Red, white, and green were practically everywhere, aside from when they gave place to the golden wallpaper. Whoever took care of the place did it well.

You left your suitcase near the counter to step closer to the window, observing the darkening sky, the snow accumulating on top of trees and houses—

“Fuck!” Your heart almost jumped out of your chest when a figure emerged outside, making you take a step back, but damn, it was just a man. He had a few layers of sweaters and a hood on as his gloved fingers tried to untangle a line of Christmas lights. The dumbass— Fuck, he didn’t even notice you standing there, almost having a heart attack as you held your chest and gripped the window sill with your free hand, trying to catch your breath.

Blue eyes glanced at you once, then twice, before they widened in realization. “Did I scare you?” He mouthed, letting out an awkward chuckle when you nodded. “Sorry.”

The man leaned forward to look at the counter through the window before he let the Christmas lights down, and the next thing you knew was that he was walking through the front door, exhaling as he brushed the snow off his shoulders and took the hood off, tucking it somewhere behind the counter along with his gloves.

Now that you took a better look at him… Fuck, if he had a sharp suit on, you’d easily mistake him for one of the great businessmen you didn’t even dare to look at directly. Tall, handsome, and intimidating even in his gentleness.

“So…” He cleared his throat, grabbing a book from behind the counter. “A room?”

You blinked a couple of times and looked past him, but the door to the kitchen was still closed. “You work here?”

“Maintenance guy. A little bit of everything, really. I fill in when Mrs. Lee is busy in the kitchen,” he said with a shrug as he grabbed a pen. “So?”

Reality dawned once more, making you sigh for the thousandth time of the day, rubbing your temple. “A room. Until the bridge’s fixed.”

He raised his eyebrows and tilted his head, eyes raking over you swiftly. “Oh, shucks, big city kid.” Something in it sounded like mockery, but you left it at that, only watching him grab a key that hung on the wall and check the number on the tag before writing something in the notebook. “Uuh, sign your name here, also write down your number,” he said as he turned the notebook towards you, handing you the pen. “Room number twenty-five. Very Christmas-y.”

You furrowed your eyebrows, shaking your head to yourself. As if it had to do with anything. Irrelevant. After checking your information a last time, you handed the pen back. “Is there any fee?”

“Nope,” he said. “As long as you don’t run away during the night.” A chuckle escaped his lips, but you didn’t share the humor, and he didn’t mind it, simply taking the notebook back and nodding to himself. “Come on, I’ll show you to your room.” He walked around the counter in long strides and reached for your suitcase, not caring that you were already holding the handle. “Leave it with me, sweetheart. You seem tired.”

His gaze held yours for a longer moment, blue eyes warm. His hand covered yours to squeeze it gently. The touch was so warm and caring, and fuck, did he call you sweetheart? That— Damn, you were supposed to—

“Sweetheart?” He called from the hall, and you cursed yourself while rushing after him. He stopped in front of a door, the frame lined with red and white decorations that made you think of candy cane and holiday profits off decorations. Your suitcase was by his feet as he unlocked the door. He was so annoying, suddenly. Something about the way he stood, spoke, talked to you…

“Do you have a name, or are you just the maintenance guy?”

Maybe the bitterness was easy to notice. He raised his eyebrows lightly as he looked at you and handed the keys over. “It’s Hayden.” He smiled softly. “Uh, dinner’s from seven-thirty until nine. Self-service, with pretty much all kinds of options. No extra fees charged. Breakfast is from seven to nine, and lunch is from eleven to one,” he said before he paused, rubbing his chin lightly. “Just a tip, but since you’re staying until the bridge’s new again, then maybe you should check the city lights at some point. If you need me, ‘m just down the hall, sweetheart.” Hayden winked before walking down the hall, probably going back to fixing the Christmas lights or anything.

Damn. He looked so… Ugh, you weren’t supposed to pay attention to those things. Reality barged in again within seconds, preventing you from just stupidly standing there while looking at where Hayden had disappeared.

          The mess hall was quite cozy, making it feel like a big family was eating together despite the different tables. A sweet smell of something being prepared for later came from the kitchen when you walked past the door, catching a glimpse of the old lady—Mrs. Lee—with another younger woman with aprons and bowls. And yeah, they did a great job. Hayden wasn’t lying when he said there were a lot of options.

Quite a few other guests had lunch at the inn, enough to fill the mess hall with quiet chatter and the clinking of ceramic against ceramic, but still, not enough people to fill out all the tables, leaving a four-seat one free for you.

Your phone rested beside your plate, ever loading, unresponsive with the bad signal that’d been pestering you ever since you woke up. Those dark clouds in the sky didn’t seem promising at all, though.

“Oh, look at who’s here!” The sudden voice made you look up to see Hayden approaching with a plate of food to take a seat across from you. “Didn’t see you during breakfast.” He raised an eyebrow, picking up the cutlery.

You raised your eyebrows, tilting your head. “I had gone to check if the bridge was fixed, or if I could find another way to leave,” you exhaled, pushing your food around the plate a little before finally taking another bite.

Hayden hummed as he nodded slowly. “Not successful, I presume.” He only smiled at the glare—that damn smile. “Why the rush? Going back home to see family for Christmas?”

“No!” You scoffed. As if you’d go back home right at that time of the year when business is so agitated. “I have an important meeting in two days. It’s important for the company, and I can barely get enough signal to let anyone know that I’m stuck here, though, hopefully, the bridge’s news will reach them.”

A crease showed up between Hayden’s eyebrows as he looked at you, swallowing before he could speak up. “What could be that important that you couldn’t enjoy Christmas with your family?” He paused and cleared his throat. “Sorry, that sounded too intrusive. I mean—” he paused. “What could be so important that you would rather work than enjoy Christmas?”

After a moment of staring at Hayden—at that stupidly handsome face—, you took a deep breath. “How else is the market supposed to keep running if people like me weren’t active during the Holidays? I mean, things can’t just stop completely.”

Hayden raised his eyebrows as he hummed slowly, that attitude from the first day coming back already. How entertaining could it be to mock you? Honestly… “Not so lucky, it seems.” And you sighed, about to say something when he looked at you. “However, you’re actually lucky to be here to see the city’s Christmas festivities.”

You shot him the same mocking look. “How productive.”

A hint of exasperation crossed his face before Hayden shrugged. “Better than just sitting there, since you can’t work or anything anyway.” And a small, fake apologetic smile crossed his face because he knew exactly how much of a low blow his words were, then proceeded to go back to eating as if nothing had happened. He even had the audacity to look at you with an inquiring gaze, blinking a couple of times as he still smiled, munching on his food, and you had to hold yourself back from wiping that look off his face. Whatever it took…

          Most of the guests left after lunch to explore the city or anything else related to Christmas, but there was barely anything you could do when the signal was so bad and the bridge wasn’t fixed yet. After being trapped in your room for long enough, you decided to lounge a little in the reception, given the warmth of the fireplace and the snacks in the glass jars, but you found yourself standing by the window and watching sparse snow fall. Being trapped in that city made you think of all the reports you could be writing, all the e-mails that must be flooding your inbox, the missed calls, unanswered messages…

“Oh, you’re still around, sweetheart,” the voice cut through your thoughts. Was Hayden everywhere? Though you didn’t mind seeing him, even if he wore that ugly sweater, sleeves rolled up to his elbows, and an apron much like the one Mrs. Lee and her helper were using. Where did all that charm come from? “Got nothing to do?”

“No.” It sounded heavier than intended, but the frustration was real.

“Maybe you could help me with decorating some cookies?” Hayden raised his eyebrows a little. “Mrs. Lee left last minute and said I could decorate this batch, and since you’re around so melancholic like that… ‘Could be a good way to pass the time.”

Cooking was far from the reality of paperwork, meetings, and screens that filled your life, and that reality only hit you now that you imagined yourself in a kitchen, decorating cookies. Christmas cookies.

“It’ll be fun, I swear,” Hayden said before you could overthink, and maybe it worked, because he soon had an arm wrapped around your shoulders while guiding you behind the counter and into the kitchen, also decorated in a Christmas theme, wide, with enough apparel to attend the demand of three daily meals for the inn’s guests. The surface of the island’s stainless steel counter was covered in cookies. “We have gingerbread men, trees, snowflakes, and icing in different colors,” he said as he grabbed one of the aprons that hung on the wall. Dark green, polka dots details. “There we go.”

Hayden slipped the top part around your head and stood behind you to gently tie the straps around your waist, fingers brushing against you gently. “Well, aren’t you just cute?”

Cute? Out of your element and dressing something like that? But he said it in such a smooth voice and genuine appreciation. How even were you supposed to feel about that? The embarrassment and confusion must’ve been evident, given the chuckle you earned from him.

“Uh, thanks,” you muttered with uncertainty, trying to move past the situation as you washed your hands in the sink.

“Let’s start with the gingerbread men, how’s that sound?” Hayden clapped before he grabbed one of the bags with icing and pulled the closest cookie closer, glancing at you with those pretty blue eyes.

Focus. You took a deep breath before adjusting the icing in your hands, trying to find any position that made it feel more natural, or at least… less difficult to decorate those cookies and make something that didn’t look ugly. Unfortunately, measuring the pressure and coordinating things was a little too hard, making you curse under your breath when the white icing started falling off the side of the cookie.

Hayden looked at you once, twice, then hummed before rushing over. “Oh, fuck, it’s okay, sweetheart. Happens to the best of us,” he said before he moved to next to you—a little too close, but not unpleasantly. He took the cookie from the counter, wiping the extra icing off the counter with his free hand before he licked his fingers clean, his lips wrapping around his middle and ring finger…

Blue eyes met yours, and Hayden raised his eyebrows lightly. “Tastes good,” he whispered as if it were a secret before licking the white remnants off his lips and wiping his fingers on the apron. “Well, the thing is, you have to hold it like this and do not apply pressure on the bottom, okay? Not a lot, at least.” He set the ruined cookie aside before wrapping his arms around you, hands over yours ever so gently, his face next to yours, so close you could catch a faint hint of cigarettes in his breath. “Careful, sweetheart. We want pretty cookies, hm? I’m sure you can make some as pretty as you.”

And you didn’t know whether it was Hayden or you actually doing the thing because your brain could barely process anything but every point where your bodies touched, and his words still swam across your mind. Nonetheless, you still had to put some minimum effort into it so that you didn’t look like a complete fool.

“There we go. This one looks cuter, don't you think?” Hayden tilted his head before his eyes met yours. So close. “I knew I was making a good choice by asking you to help me. Well, let’s go back to work. Try not to waste anything, okay?”

Even out of your element, even if you’d laugh if someone told you yesterday that you’d be doing that today, decorating the cookies with him, it gave you some sense of home, even if you never grasped the concept properly before. It felt like a glimpse of a life you’d have if things had gone differently in the past. Living in a small city, being married, doing the simple things, it all felt so distant.

“You okay there, sweetheart?” Hayden’s voice cut through your thoughts before you nodded, finishing organizing the cookies so that the icing could dry before they were put in jars. There was a clear distinction between the ones you decorated and the ones Hayden decorated.

You nodded. “Yeah, just lost in thought,” you said softly, giving him a small smile, a forced one, for the sake of the moment. He smiled back with an understanding nod, and none of you really seemed to be truthful.

“Well,” Hayden took a deep breath as he nudged a cookie into place before placing his hand on top of yours. “I know you’re very frustrated. Being stuck in a city like this, nothing like what you’re used to, away from a lot of things, it might feel at least,” he paused, seeming to think for a word, “claustrophobic, but it doesn’t have to be totally bad.” He glanced down at your joined hands before nodding with a hum. “Anyway,” he cleared his throat, “I’m very thankful for your help. We were a great duo today.” And you couldn’t even continue your overthinking, not when he sent you that smile.

Everything was organized again, back into place or put away, aside from the cookies that waited for the icing to dry. Having the moment slipping through your fingers gave you a weird sensation in your chest, almost an ache.

“Let me help you,” Hayden said softly, and his hands grazed your back again as he untied the apron, always so caring and attentive, with some sort of tenderness that only seemed unreal until now. How real could it be, though? “Do you want to go with me to the rink someday?” He always interrupted your thoughts in the best-worst moments, as if he had a sixth sense or something. “Ice skating can be boring when you’re alone, y’know.”

“Ice skating?” You furrowed your eyebrows. Far from your usual activities. “What if something needs maintenance by then? Will you just be away, ice skating?”

“Normal humans don’t work the whole time, I’m not sure if you know that.”

You blinked slowly, glaring. How could someone be so annoying and nice all at the same time? Far from your usual conversations. “And what if there’s service before we can go? Maybe the bridge’s already fixed by then.”

Hayden scoffed. “Yeah, no. This is no New York—”

“New York isn’t—”

“—so the best you can do is really just wait patiently. You may not see how you can make it better, but making it worse won’t help either,” he said slowly, holding eye contact. Part of you wondered where all that patience came from. Surprisingly, he didn’t sound patronizing, but caring instead.

Despite how annoying it was to admit it, Hayden was right. Just staring at the ever-loading circle on your phone or laptop screen while stressing every second that went by didn’t seem so helpful, and even if the bridge did happen to get fixed and service suddenly came back, you wouldn’t be able to solve everything in a snap of fingers either. Damn it. Rationality felt like defeat, even if there wasn’t anything to lose.

A hand rested on your shoulder, thumb rubbing circles into your skin. Intentionally or not, Hayden did a good job at comforting you.

You had to use every ounce of strength to avert your eyes away from his, trying to find something interesting in observing all those colorful cookies, anything that didn’t show his reaction. “When’s the rink open?” You asked, voice strained through all those feelings.

Hayden’s approval simmered in the air before his voice replaced it. “Uh, this weekend, if I’m not wrong.”

“What?” You widened your eyes at him. “It’s Monday!”

Despite your panic, he laughed. “You overestimate some things ‘round here.”

          You rubbed your forehead, observing the fire flicker in the fireplace, trying to think about anything other than checking your phone. Your brain melted like the marshmallows in the cup. “Now, what’s this again?”

Hayden sat on the armchair beside yours, ankle on his knee, hanging out with you in the inn’s lounge while Mrs. Lee cooked in the kitchen to the sound of cheerful Christmas songs on the radio. The inn wasn’t so agitated during the afternoons, the space between lunch and dinner always filled with a nice calmness, even if everything still gave you a small sense of unease. Some of your emails had been delivered through the night, but service was still too slow to let you check all the updates properly. At least someone knew you weren’t dead or something.

“Chilling.”

You feigned a smile. “Uh huh, wow.”

“Do you like the hot chocolate though?”

“Well,” you tutted, “it's not bad.” Giving in was hard, but you didn't want to be unpleasant either. After all, Hayden was just being nice so far, despite the attitude… “What's this? A streak of Christmas activities? Christmas to-do list?” You grabbed the mug from the small side table, taking a look at the exaggerated Santa Claus design. “Is everything over here Christmas-themed?”

Hayden looked around, from the ceiling to the floor, before looking down at himself, then at you. “Uh, I suppose you aren't Christmas-themed.”

“You’re so funny.” You sighed and sipped on the hot drink.

“Thank you.” Hayden tilted his head, his eyes scanning your face for a moment. His tongue darted out to lick his lips before he spoke up. “Any success contacting your company or something?”

“Actually, yes!” You replied a bit too fast, but he smiled. “It seems like my email was sent! I received a few, but they won’t load, unfortunately. At least they have time to rescue me or send someone else in my place.”

Hayden nodded slowly. “That eases part of your stress, right? Now that they know, you don’t need to keep observing your phone your whole time.” His hand found yours before you could grab the phone, warm fingers enveloping yours and giving your hand a reassuring squeeze. “Come on, staying here isn’t all that bad, you’re just…” He paused, shrugging. “…not used to slowing down like this,” he said each word carefully and nodded after noticing you didn’t complain, but how could you think about anything other than how nice his hand felt around yours? His thumb gently tracing your knuckles in such a nice, loving way.

“Hayden?” Mrs. Lee showed up from the door to the kitchen. “Think you can buy me some more sprinkles, deary? I need those.” She adjusted her glasses, squeezing her eyes while bringing up an empty wrapper. “The red and green ones. Silver or golden will do just fine if it’s sold out already.” She waved it a little, compelling Hayden to stand up with a soft sigh and retrieve the plastic bag, letting the cold air replace the warmth of his hand around yours. “You know they opened the Christmas expo near the glass house, hm? You should take your partner with you.”

Hayden glanced back at you, your eyes meeting for what were just seconds but felt like an eternity. His partner…? You couldn’t afford to have a partner, no matter how appealing the idea sounded. Despite the shared look, he just nodded at Mrs. Lee before he pocketed the wrapper and made a motion for you to follow as he walked to the door, seeming pleased when you stood up. Well, it was no use arguing with Mrs. Lee over something so insignificant, right?

Gentle hands helped you into your coat, delicately adjusting the lapel. “Let’s go.” Hayden waited for you to make sure you were ready before he held the door open. “She’s probably preparing donuts. You gotta try them on, even if you’re not into donuts.”

You hummed with a nod, watching your breath turn into steam in the cold air, before avoiding slipping on the frozen part of the sidewalk became your new focus. 

“Easy there,” Hayden said as his hand immediately grabbed your upper arm until you were steady enough for his hand to drop to your waist. “Good, sweetheart?” His hand pressed firmly against your waist, and you couldn’t help but gravitate to his side. After all, Hayden was so warm, and his presence gave that sense of protection. Comfort. Naming it was hard.

“Yeah,” you said softly, glancing at him. He didn’t let go of you, and you didn’t push him away either.

The walk was silent, and you didn’t do much besides following Hayden around the little convenience store and accepting the warm cup of coffee he bought for you, and another for himself. A shiver ran down your spine as you two left the store, leaving behind the muffled talk with a background sound of distorted voices among the TV’s white noise and warmth, replaced by the silence brought by the snow accumulated on the streets and steam rising from the coffee cups, their warmth pleasantly penetrating your glove. Mrs. Lee’s sprinkles were safe inside the pocket of Hayden’s jacket, leaving his hands free for you and the coffee.

“Let’s take a different way back.” Hayden’s hand went from your waist to your hand to guide you into the street you would’ve otherwise walked past, and you followed with a light groan when your coffee almost spilled over. “They always decorate the square nicely. Last year, the decoration was a little… weird. The angels— They were supposed to look like angels, but were more like ghosts,” he said with a chuckle, grin widening once he noticed your smile.

“Oh? That’s…”

“I don’t think the decorator thought it through,” he said, clicking his tongue, that charming smile still across his face. Fuck, he made you feel such things. “But it’s beautiful this year.” He sipped on the coffee, finishing it before he tossed the empty cup into a trash can, and you did the same. Appreciating the decoration would be better without the coffee to worry about.

Golden and silver lights lined the trees and light posts, fading out a little until they became bright again, giving a cozy vibe to the square. Just like Mrs. Lee had said, there was, indeed, a building with big, glass windows, lined with lights as well. The Christmas tree was made out of golden LED lights with a pretty star on top, and there was a tunnel of silver lights and stars hanging in it… Everything was far from the extravagant decorations you were used to, but something about it gave you a comfort you’d never felt. It was scary, overwhelming, like it would burst out of your chest, explode, and…

“It’s beautiful,” Hayden said as he walked through the tunnel with you, his hand down your arm until his hands found yours then gently intertwined your fingers, grip firm and caring. “I’m glad it’s beautiful this year, so you don’t have a bad impression about our town,” he whispered.

Your gaze averted to him briefly, and you nodded faintly, unable to look away from the stars that hung in the tunnel of slowly twinkling lights for too long, accompanying Hayden in unhurried steps. Everything is so different, and it didn’t feel like you’d expected it to be—like you’d feared. You stopped by the end of the tunnel, afraid that magic would disappear if you stepped out of it, so you just stood there, by the end, a step away from all that daily stress, anxiety, and bullshit.

“You know, it is so��” The words escaped your grasp when your eyes averted to Hayden, and he was already looking at you. Something about his gaze made your heart skip a beat. He offered a smile, but it only helped your brain malfunction more, and the only thing you could give in return was to squeeze his hand back after his fingers tightened a little around yours. You exhaled, trying to look at anything other than Hayden, maybe at the… mistletoe.

Hayden’s eyebrows raised as he followed your gaze, eventually noticing the mistletoe, which seemed like the most important thing in the world until your eyes met again, hesitant, expectant, something like that. How could you ignore the pull? The sweet gaze that seemed to look right through you…

How it happened didn’t matter, not when Hayden’s lips pressed to yours, and only now did you notice how much you’d wanted it to happen, now that his arms wrapped around your waist and your body molded against his so perfectly, and no kiss had ever felt that good, never made your heart beat like that.

His lips were as gentle as they appeared, making you feel better than any good millionaire deal made on Christmas ever could, and it felt pathetic now to think that your Christmases had been filled with that until now. Felt stupid. Was that how everyone else saw you? As someone stupid? Because it didn’t feel very wise to have spent all that time drowning yourself in work, just work, not even enjoying all those places you’d traveled to, and fuck. No, no, that was your life. You couldn’t throw away all those years because it wasn’t stupid. A few kisses wouldn’t keep money running, people employed, and money in their accounts.

It hurt when Hayden’s lips sought after yours after you pulled away, but it was needed. You hadn’t gotten so far—dedicated so many years—just for that, but you couldn’t help letting your hands linger on his chest before finally stepping back and looking away. Falling in love was too far off the question, too much for someone like you. 

Not much was left to be said.

          “Oh, honey, good morning,” Mrs. Lee said as soon as she saw you by the main table to grab some breakfast, adjusting the thick glasses that made her green eyes seem a lot bigger, but in an endearing way. “Has Hayden told you?”

Just hearing his name made your heart skip a beat, making you thankful you weren’t holding your mug with hot coffee. It wasn’t like you did anything wrong. Get a fucking grip. “Uh, told me about what?”

“The bridge, honey!” She clapped her hands together. “It’s fixed!”

“Fixed?!”

“You can go home!” Mrs. Lee seemed happier than you, patting your shoulder before she rushed into the kitchen as soon as a beeping sound cut through the chatter and clinking of porcelain. Not that it was too hard to be happier than you—or anything at all more than you—given the mess of sentiments swirling inside you like… Ugh, not everything is like something else. Maybe all those feelings were starting to take up food’s space, making your appetite vanish, but you still grabbed a cookie, since Mrs. Lee could be watching. That cookie looked awfully familiar.

Focus. The bridge. You had to find that driver’s card somewhere in your things.

“Gonna pack up, sweetheart?” Hayden almost gave you a heart attack, standing there when you turned into the hallway, and you wanted to smash his face when he chuckled at your reaction.

“I mean, the bridge’s fixed.” It took you a long moment to gather your thoughts, take them away from how loving and gentle he is, and the kiss was so perfect— Get a grip. “Can’t waste time.”

Hayden took in a breath to say something, but he ended up replacing it with a sigh when you walked past him, shaking his head to himself. “Well, let me drive you to the city, then?” He followed. “I can take you there in a second, no charges.” And it was easy for him to take long strides to stand between you and the room’s door.

Seriousness swam in blue irises, like you’d never seen before, sending a shiver down your spine, and the silence it created was heavy and oppressing. Hayden made you feel weak, but not like the powerful, grumpy bosses would—no, that was like hell, but this? You actually wanted more of it, more of him. If only it didn’t mean putting so many things at stake. Damn him, for seeing right through you with those beautiful eyes and charming smile.

“What?” You asked as if your tongue was made out of lead.

Hayden gave you a look, and you didn’t know whether you wanted to throw yourself in your arms or run to the capital without even getting your bag back from the room, and that same indecision kept you rooted on the ground.

“I don’t want to force you into anything,” Hayden said softly. “But I really don’t want to lose this. You know what I’m talking about,” he continued, despite how you looked at the ceiling, thankful there wasn’t another mistletoe around, but his sigh made your heart ache. Giving up seemed easy until things started slipping through your fingers. “At least keep your promise? The rink opened today.”

Low blow. How were you supposed to resist that voice tone? Not even risky deals had your stomach doing flips like that. Damn. Work.

“I don’t…”

“Will some hours really make a difference?” Hayden moved into your sight. His gaze always carried that softness and intensity at the same time, perfectly balanced. “I mean, it’s okay if it does make a difference, but I want to make sure.” A heavy pause. “You showed up out of nowhere and made Christmas feel different for once in a lifetime. I just…” Maybe you weren’t the only one who had a lot going on. “I can’t just let this go without even trying first. I— You know what I’m saying. Or at least trying to.”

It felt like forever ago, uselessly arguing with that driver while he pointed at the inn, and you had been doing everything and going everywhere with Hayden ever since, sometimes just sitting there and watching him do something as mundane as fix the heaters. It had been such an experience. Worrying about anything other than deadlines, calls, e-mails, signatures. Nonetheless, Hayden had never looked that vulnerable during all this time; he was always strong and caring, as if he was smoothly encouraging you through what seemed to be the most difficult terrain ever—standing on thin ice as if he belonged there while you walked over pointy rocks, preferring the comfort of the wounds you already knew.

“I don’t know how to skate,” you muttered quietly. You’d dealt with so much shame for not having done such trivial tasks during these past days, so admitting it didn’t feel like punching through a wall anymore.

“I will catch you.” The promise meant more than just for skating.

          Taking Hayden’s hand felt like stepping into the darkness, but his words from earlier still rang through your mind, and he was right. You didn’t want this to end in regrets, either.

The rink was crowded, with people gathered in small groups while kids ran around and Christmas songs played in the background, ones you’d grown familiar with lately. Warm Christmas lights reflected on the snow, illuminating the place, despite the moon already being high in the sky. Hayden made sure to keep an arm around you, protectively guiding you through the people. He was so caring and gentle while helping you put the skates on, chuckling warmly at the messy waddling toward the rink, but you had to pause when you finally reached the ice.

Hayden stood there so confidently, holding your hands in his. He didn’t say anything, but he didn’t need to for you to know he would be patient and take care of you. Catch you if you fell.

You squeezed Hayden’s hands, finding the exact safety you looked for when you looked into his eyes, and you tried not to think much before you finally stepped on the ice.

“It’s okay,” Hayden reassured as he adjusted his hands around yours, slowly moving back as you moved forward. “Try to keep balance,” he said as he moved to your side, still holding one of your hands despite how one of his arms wrapped around your waist for leverage. “Don’t look down so much or else you’ll lose your balance, okay? Keep firm, sweetheart.”

With a certain notion and Hayden’s tips, you tried to glide instead of taking steps. And fuck, it wasn’t so easy, far from being as easy as people made it seem. You could end up falling on your face, breaking your nose, your teeth, being away from business for so long— Your heart skipped a beat when you lost grip on the ice, but firm hands did hold you firmly, just as promised, slowly helping you regain your balance while everything still spun around you, your chest heaving up and down.

Hayden’s face came into sight, in front of blurry lights, with concern in his eyes. “Are you alright, sweetheart?”

You nodded slowly, trying to catch your breath. You didn’t fall, nothing happened. Everything was alright. You held his hand tightly before wrapping your arms around his neck, craving his warmth, trying your best not to lose balance. “Never let me go, please,” you whispered, and he knew you meant it beyond just letting you fall on the ice.

“Of course not, sweetheart,” Hayden whispered, kissing your temple, your cheekbone, gently coaxing you to turn your face until his lips met yours again. It felt like coming home—finding home.

︶⊹︶︶·𖥸·︶︶⊹︶

[itsnexhun]

Rush iii.

^*^taglist: @queenmimis

TW: mentions of blood, murder implications, torture implications, description of nudity, NSFW implications

Hours pass and the monotonous scenery of the highway is slowly biting away at your sanity. Keeping a close eye on the right side of the road, you spot the small motel conjoined with a gas station that you were looking for. Slowing down, you turn and enter the driveway. You lazily park your car not even bothering to reverse park to ease it for yourself in the morning. Turning to the passenger seat, you already see him looking at you, not even half tired as you are. Hand firmly holding his umbrella as a sign of his ongoing threat to you.

Sighing, you exit your car. You were too tired to care about your own life and safety, your body felt light and head heavy. He gets out along with you while not making a single sound. You try to keep a mental note of that, he might one day suddenly appear behind your back, ready to strike and you won’t even know it. Though from your current impressions, you don’t think he would kill you quickly. There’s something in the back of your head telling you that he would enjoy the process rather than the outcome. Hence his long game with you right now, he could’ve killed you and took your car already back at that station. Despite that, he still chose to play with you.

You open your trunk, quickly move some clothes and toiletries from your suitcase to your backpack. Turning back, you jump a little bit. He’s already behind your back examining the contents of your suitcase. Going red in the face, you immediately slap the trunk down knowing that your underwear was clearly visible – including your silly prints and several spicy pieces. You cannot even dare yourself to look back at him from your embarrassment.

“Was checking for weapons,” he explains with a hint of amusement in his voice. Is it really just your own mind right now that is being so dirty?

Nervously humming back in response, you turn around and head to the motel entrance. Even though you don’t hear him walk, you know he’s right behind you following you like your own shadow. You’ve never been a loud walker yourself; you know that for someone to walk and move like him, there must’ve been special circumstances, that require such habits. The more you think about him, trying to analyze him, the more wary you become of him. 

You enter the motel, smell of old furniture filling your nose. Beneath your feet an old-style wine-red carpet floor, its color tries miserably to hide the stains. The walls are covered by dark magnolia wood, few road-themed picture hanging sporadically. Lights barely light up the dim hall. At its end stands a shiny black circular reception desk littered with fingerprints here and there. An old man sits behind the desk, wrinkles weighing his face down and judgmental eyes staring you two down. Getting closer, you can see his half-filled crossword puzzle. His simple head movement beckons you to speak.

“Hello, do you have any rooms available for one night, please?” 

Your voice sounds desperate, looking like you are the brink of complete exhaustion, you hope to ignite some sort of sympathy towards you. However, you do not think of alerting him of the possible danger behind you. Whatever you would do, he would notice it even before you thought of it. You already know that you two would not stand a chance against him, might as well spare another poor soul.

The receptionist clicks his tongue and puts away his magazine pulling out a thick old notebook covered in bright red leather casing instead. After listing for a while, he looks back at you, looks back down and pulls out a rusty room key.

“Room 44, payment up front in cash. Be gone by 10 in the morning. Breakfast after 7, not included in the final price.”

Pulling out your wallet, you slowly realize that you left all your cash back at the gas station. You resist the urge to curse. Awkwardly looking back and front, the receptionist’s stern face does not change.

“Is there an ATM here somewhere?”

“Out in the back.”

Looking back at Feitan, you quickly tell him to wait just in case anyone comes in and takes potentially the last empty room. Although, you are not completely sure if leaving the receptionist with Feitan is a good idea. You use the last of your energy to run out, the light guides you to a bright shining ATM. Hoping there’s enough money left, you slide in your card. 

“No need.”

You turn around, seeing Feitan appear behind your back with his cold and nonchalant look as usual. His hands in his pockets, you watch the cloak outline his body with streetlight highlighting every crinkle, every curve. Your heart skips a beat, cold air brushes against your sweating skin. His hair frames the sides of his face, slightly less wild and spiky unlike before – you notice. 

“What..? What do you mean ‘no need’?” 

Your voice comes out as weak and confused. Feeling like a sheep before a slaughter, you take a step back. His eyes narrow, brows furrow. Lowering his head, he analyzes you intently. 

“Reception guy – an old friend,” he coldly states without any emotion in his voice, his eyes having seemingly darker shade than you remember. He does not talk with any sort of emotion someone would normally use when talking about an old friend of theirs, he sounds slightly annoyed instead. 

He pulls out the room 44 key out of his pocket as well as with something that looks like a check to convince you he did not steal the key. He comes in closer, you have nowhere to move – standing sandwiched between the ATM and Feitan. Your hands hover before your body as if that would help you against him. With his face centimeters away from yours, you feel something land in your hands. Handing you the keys, he steps away and his eyes smile at you, at least you think that is what he is doing. Smiling. You cannot guess his expression correctly through his bandana covering half of his face. 

“Okay… I’ll still withdraw some money just in case,” you say as you reluctantly turn around to finish the transaction. You are pleasantly surprised to find out you still have quite the sum of money on your card. Choosing the withdraw half of it in case of an emergency, you turn around to face him. He was patiently waiting behind you the whole time. And now, in turn, you are the one following him back inside. 

You see the back of the receptionist’s head peeking from behind the counter, he seems to be lost in his crossword puzzle again. Perhaps they really were old friends? Surely, he wouldn’t just be calmly sitting there if he was threatened. 

“Ah… He-p...!” the receptionist groans in pain trying to move his head in a ragged motion.

Feitan steps closer to him, pats him on the back while laughing.

“Yes, nine-word inflammatory disease on H – hepatitis.”

“Ah-aaa-h.”

Feitan returns back to you, his eyes telling you ‘told you so’. Yet you cannot shake away this bad feeling you have, which says that something isn’t adding up. The both of them didn’t seem to recognize each other when you stepped in the first time. But now he is simply acting like he is helping his good old friend with a crossword puzzle. Maybe you are simply just overreacting, the exhaustion is taking a toll on your senses. 

He leads you to the old elevator. You think of running but your plans are immediately ruined when he insists that you get in the elevator first. Despite the situation you feel less and less inclined to run from him the more time you spend together. Without any more thoughts you stand in the corner the furthest from him while he presses the number on the keypad. It’s the top floor. 

Turning around, you notice your own face in the mirror. Looking like you’ve seen better day, no wonder you don’t feel like running. If somebody saw you two, they would think that you are the dangerous one. Smudged makeup almost blends in with the large violet eyebags adorning your eyes. Your hair is a frizzy mess. Seeing yourself just now, you feel like you just want to hide away from the eyes of others. You try to smooth down your hair a little.

The sound of the elevator stopping tears you away from your thoughts. You have bigger things to worry about other than your looks right now. You get out with Feitan, following him to your room. It’s on the end of the hall. You’ll finally get a chance to sleep, to get yourself together and figure out the next course of action. 

Room 44. You use the keys he gave you and try to open the door. It’s old and seemingly stuck. The rust on the handle scratches the palm of your hand as you try to force it open. He lets you fiddle with it for a while before his patience runs out, then pushing you out of the way, he simply opens it as if it was never stuck to begin with.

As you walk in, the first thing you see is a double bed with a single big blanket crammed in the small room. In front of it is a small old loveseat with a faded out rose pattern. To the right side of the bed leads a door to the bathroom with a shower situated right as you walk in. On the left side of the bed, there are two windows, both with a lock on them. Strangely enough, you were given only one key from Feitan. 

“So, uhm, who gets the bed?”

“Got work to do,” he answers instead in return and before you know it, he’s already gone together with the singular key you held onto few seconds before. Well, first comes, first served, you say to yourself. You throw your backpack on the bed and search for your pajamas along with the hygiene products. Heading into the bathroom for a quick shower, you notice that the bathroom door doesn’t close fully. It’s your only luck that he went out so quickly, otherwise you wouldn’t get to shower. Hell, you would’ve been even more reluctant to just change into your pajama or simply do your business on the toilet. 

You shower as quickly as humanely possible, you’d like to not remain naked and vulnerable for a long amount of time, when you do not know, when he comes back. After washing your face and brushing your teeth, you feel much more comfortable in your own skin. Collapsing into the old creaking bed, you wrap yourself into the blanket. Slowly drifting into sleep, you forget all about your worries. 

Muffled moaning from the neighboring room wakes you up. Still half asleep, you stretch your legs feeling your ankle bones crack. You turn to the other side facing the bathroom door as more of your consciousness comes to you. The slapping of skin, high pitched moans and whines coming from the other room now seem louder to you. 

But there is another sound. The sound of the shower running.

The bathroom door is fully opened, hanging from its hinges. Your gaze focuses. You see Feitan standing under the harsh flow of water. His back turned to you, he leans on hand, nails scratching the tiles. Droplets of water and something else, something dark – brownish red, trace his tensed-up muscles. Head hanging loosely, covered by his long raven hair. 

You are not sure if you are still dreaming.

His breaths are deep and long like he’s trying to calm down. You notice that his bandages are down. Is it blood running down his clenched fists, muscular arms, shaped torso and strong legs? Is it his own? Or perhaps someone else’s? You should be horrified. Yet, here you are, in a stage between dream and reality and your only thought is that the man before you is hauntingly beautiful. 

Deep down you know the truth, but you don’t want to put the puzzle pieces together. You don’t want to realize; your subconsciousness doesn’t want you to realize in a struggle to protect your own mind and sanity as a last resort to prevent you from breaking down.

His head twitches and your eyes meet. You immediately come back to reality. Your heartrate speeding up as soon as you realize the danger. Closing your eyes shut, you pretend to be asleep.  The water stops running, moans from the other room intensify and fill the silence. He does not bother to be quiet, he walks in a way so that you could hear him on purpose.

You feel the weight shift on the mattress. Sheets rustle. A small drop of water from his hair falls on your cheek.

“I know you awake.”

[small-sinclair]

Headcons of Slasher Band!au (House of Wax)No One Asked For

By: @arkunder

Lester has a bag of Hot Cheetos by his drums. During the show when Bo is talking, he munches on them.

Jonesy comes out on stage sometimes. She is the official #1 Fan of the fan club. Out of them all, she has the most fanart along with the raccoon (see below out that).

If the stage has a cat-walk, Bo uses it to his advantage to flirt and drive girls crazy. He’ll kneel in front of a group, his hand touching someone else’s, and he’ll take her hand, kiss it, wink, and keep singing. He loves it.

They once bought Girl Scout cookies in the middle of the show.

Lester ordered food in the middle of the show and asked what the other two wanted. During break, they are cheese fries and burgers in front of fans.

Vincent likes looking at fanart. He’ll sign the signs and art if he has the chance. Sometimes, if the art is really good, he’ll buy it if the fan or get information from them (like kofi or something) and commission something.

When Bo is drunk, he starts singing “I Wanna Dance With Somebody”. They have an unofficial cover of that song.

Lester has little raccoon charm for luck. He also has the raccoon squashmellow sitting in front of the drums. The fans worship the squishmellow raccoon. There’s merch, fanart, tattoos— this raccoon has a grip on the fandom.

Vincent has a base that is clear and made from glass (which he made), and he has one that looks like wax melting.

Bo once stopped the show and had the lights turn on because there was a guy trying to force himself on a girl. It ended with Bo himself dragging that guy out and threw him in front of a moving car.

At the end of certain shows, the brothers go off stage and meet up where there’s no cameras or fans, no eyes or anything, and do a group hug. Lester in the center of the hug, Bo on the right, Vincent on the left, they do one big hug to celebrate their hard work.

Whenever Bo lets Lester sing, Bo lets him sing a sad/slow song. The crowd absolutely loves to hear him sing and will actually go silent to hear his hypnotic voice.

It’s not a kid-friendly show, however, if their is a kid in the front and one of the boys sees them, they’ll give a pick or drum sticks.

Before the show, they play a video/psa going over crowd safety. There’s this part:

Bo: Make sure you look for your nearest exit if there’s an emergency, you dumb fucks.

Lester: And, please, don’t fight people. It’s not nice and is a crime in every state. :D

Bo: Unless you fight me. Then it’s not a crime.

Vincent, signing: It’s still a crime.

✨Bonus✨

All the slasher bands have a week where they play at a venue. It’s called Seven Bloody Nights. During this, the bands raise money for children hospitals, homeless shelters, animal shelters, crisis relief programs, mental health services and community, cancer research— it’s a great event with horror and gore and music!

Going off that, the last night, all the bands play together and make a masterpiece BANGER of a song. They put aside their hatred for each other and drama to play something that Vincent, RZ!Michael, and Brahms wrote. Jonesy even puts help into with her paw print, the Approval Mark. Even the legendary Michael Myers (Grandpa Myers), the one who started this event in memory of his sister dying to cancer, plays with the bands!

[lestappenforever]

For the print: 41. “Is that my shirt?” “Is… is that okay?”

Lestappen sharing clothes is one of my favourite things 😍

I was hoping for this one! Thank you. 🥰

Also, throwing in a bonus 50. "Kiss me like you mean it." "With pleasure." for you.

---

41. “Is that my shirt?” “Is… is that okay?” and 50. "Kiss me like you mean it." "With pleasure."

Look, it wasn't as if Max had planned this, okay? Any of it. It just happened.

He'd been on one of his typical late night grocery shopping runs, because he could not for the life of him plan to do it at a more reasonable time of day, or when the store wasn't 10 minutes from closing.

He'd also decided to walk to the store because he'd had a couple of beers and he wasn't about to risk his livelihood for a five minute drive.

The cashier — a woman in her fifties named Stella, who has checked Max out numerous times in the past and has long since stopped caring about him being a Formula 1 World Champion and his attempts at being charming — rolls her eyes dramatically at him as he apologizes for once again being there last minute.

"Every time you say this, and every time you come in at this time, Max," she tells him, not at all amused.

(If he's being perfectly honest, Max doesn't think she's been amused once in her life.)

The disappointment in her eyes could rival that of his mother whenever Max had done something she didn't like growing up, which is unsettling. It makes Max feel like a little kid waiting for a scolding.

Completing his purchase, Max apologizes profusely once more to Stella on his way out.

As he exits the store, somebody practically barrels into him from the side.

"Shit," Max mutters, regaining his footing and turning to face the stranger who apparently has no disregard for anyone's safety or well-being, anger already building in his chest.

But the stranger turns out to be none other than Charles Leclerc, apparently out on a late-night run if his sweaty forehead and running attire is anything to go by.

And, well, Max's anger drains from him as quickly as it had appeared, because there is no way in hell he can stay angry at Charles.

Especially not a sweaty Charles, which is a sight that's doing all sorts of things to Max's mind and body.

"Merde, désolé," Charles tells him, taking a step back and finally looking up at Max's face. "Max?"

Max doesn't really think that question warrants an answer, given how Charles is clearly not blind.

"I'm sorry," he repeats in English, and his cheeks redden even further, which Max assumes isn't from the physical exertion of running.

"It's fine," Max says, waving the hand that isn't holding the grocery bag dismissively.

Charles glances at the bag in his hand, at the watch on his wrist, then at the large sign on the store front behind Max announcing their opening hours, raising an eyebrow.

"The employees must love you," he says teasingly, a small smirk on his face.

Max rolls his eyes at him.

"Yeah, they all light up with glee when I come in," Max replies, voice dripping with sarcasm.

It draws a laugh from Charles, which is a beautiful sound. Max kind of wishes he could bottle it.

Suddenly, there's a flash in the sky followed by a loud crack of thunder, making Charles jump and Max look up to see ominously dark clouds having gathered in the sky.

And then the clouds unleash hell — or ridiculously heavy rain — on Monaco.

"Fuck!" Charles hisses, and Max doesn't need to ask why because he knows Charles lives on the other side of town and that he was nowhere near being done with his run.

Before he can think better of it, Max grabs Charles' hand.

"Come on," he says, not giving Charles the chance to argue or question as he tugs the Monégasque right along with him as he sets off running in the direction of his own home.

Charles goes willingly.

---

By the time they make it into Max's apartment, they're both soaked to the core, and Charles' grey t-shirt is clinging to his body like a second layer of skin.

It's making Max want to do all sorts of unseemly things to him, so he promptly looks away.

"You can use the shower in the master bathroom. There's a pretty efficient drying rack in there," Max tells him, gesturing vaguely in the direction of his bedroom.

Charles has been to his place before and even if he doesn't remember the entire layout of the apartment, Max has a feeling he'll figure it out.

"Thanks," Charles tells him, apparently not needing to be told twice as he disappears down the hall.

Max, for his part, goes to the guest bathroom where he strips out of his wet clothes and takes a quick shower, just to keep his core temperature from dropping too low. Once he's clean and dry, he grabs a clean pair of soft sweats and a Red Bull t-shirt from the dryer in the bathroom, and tosses his soaked clothes into the washing machine. He was going to put on a load tomorrow morning anyway, so might as well do it now.

He's in the kitchen, finishing up on unloading the groceries, when Charles comes padding into the kitchen behind him.

"Do you want tea?" Max asks without turning to look at him.

"Yes please," Charles answers without hesitation.

Max puts the water on, and when he finally does turn to face the other man, he sees that Charles has hoisted himself up to sit on the kitchen island instead of sitting in an actual chair, like a normal person.

His hair is still damp and Charles is wearing his running shorts that now appear to be fully dry, thanks to the heated drying rack and the quick-drying fabric of the shorts. He's also wearing an awfully familiar-looking black hoodie that doesn't fit him properly over the shoulders.

Max has to blink a couple of times to make sure he's not seeing things.

"Is that my shirt?"

Charles glances down at himself. When he looks back up to meet Max's gaze, his cheeks are flushed.

"Is... Is that okay?" He asks, voice soft and uncertain and small.

He sounds and looks so fucking cute that Max might actually implode on the spot.

"My t-shirt doesn't dry as quickly as my shorts and I was cold, and I had a feeling you didn't need me walking around shirtles and —,"

Max doesn't let him finish, because before he even realizes he's moving, he's crossed the kitchen and situated himself right between Charles' legs, hands curled in the fabric of the hoodie, lips pressed against the Monégasque's.

Charles flails a little and makes a surprised noise in the back of his throat, but when he recovers, he returns the kiss. It's a closed-mouthed kiss — nothing but a firm press of lips, really — but it's still the best kiss either man has ever had.

When he pulls back a small eternity later, Charles' lips are a little puffy and red and his eyes are unfocused.

Max finds himself thinking that he's never seen anyone or anything as beautiful.

"Yes, Charles. That's okay," the Red Bull driver says with a smile, finally answering Charles' question.

Charles smiles back, all dimples and bright eyes and sunshine.

It makes Max's heart leap.

"Good," Charles tells him, hands coming up to tangle in Max's hair, tugging ever so slightly. "Now kiss me like you mean it."

It's not a question, it's a command.

"With pleasure," Max says, and that's exactly what he does.

[catdotjpeg]

On a sunny but cold Sunday afternoon, hundreds of pro-Palestine activists unfurled a massive quilt on the steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, calling for an end to Israel’s hostilities in Gaza. The action, which began around 12:40pm today, March 24, attracted over 350 participants.  Titled “From Occupation to Liberation,” the quilt was comprised of 65 artworks by various anonymous artists, some featuring traditional Palestinian taṭrīz embroidery. Other squares referenced poet Refaat Alareer, who was killed by Israeli bombardments in Gaza, and Thomas Kilpper’s “Jenin Horse” (2003) — a 16-foot sculpture that previously stood in the West Bank city of Jenin before it was removed by Israeli forces in late October. As the quilt was spread out across the museum’s main entrance, activists encircled the display, carrying signs that read “We See Genocide,” “Let Gaza Live,” and “None Of Us Are Free Until Palestine Is Free.” Simultaneously, protesters chanted phrases such as “Free Palestine” and “Art for Liberation, Not for Colonization” while various groups put on performances in reference to Palestinian dabkeh folk dance.

Organizers of the protest told Hyperallergic that the artwork was modeled after the historic NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt. Prints of the quilt are also available for purchase online. All proceeds will go to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), the humanitarian relief organization that aids Palestinian refugees in Gaza and elsewhere, recently targeted by Israel and the US. The action came barely a week after the release of a group open letter signed by 158 Met workers urging the institution’s Director and Chief Executive Officer Max Hollein to issue a statement in support of a ceasefire and address Israel’s destruction of Palestine. No arrests were made, despite heavy police presence ahead of the protest. Patrons were still able to enter and exit the museum, some approached by protesters who handed out mock Met brochures. 

Urging people to “Dump the Fine Art of Imperialism,” the brochures called out the museum’s role in upholding colonialist power structures. They cited The Met’s physical location on Indigenous Lenape land, as well as its ties to Israeli violence via trustees and donors including Michael Steinhardt, Ronald S. Lauder, and Ted Pick. There were a few confrontations between the demonstrators and passersby, some escalating to shouting matches. Other bystanders welcomed the protest, some even joining in. Flor Sarna, a tourist from New Mexico, told Hyperallergic she was “pleasantly surprised“ by the action. Jacki Steiger, a museum visitor on a business trip from Los Angeles, said they were “overwhelmed,” but “glad to see so many people out” in support of Palestinians. 

“Everyone has a responsibility to speak up and to do what they can to spread information about the genocide in Gaza,” said actor Rowan Blanchard, who participated in the action, pointing out the significant platform that the museum holds, especially as the annual Met Gala approaches. The Met declined to comment on the protest. The protesters’ original plan to march toward the Neue Galerie and Guggenheim Museum up Fifth Avenue was scrapped in the interest of safety. The group dispersed peacefully around 2:30pm. 

-- "Activists Unfurl Massive Quilt for Gaza on Met Museum Steps" by Maya Pontone and Rhea Nayyar for Hyperallergic, 24 Mar 2024

[kelpan]

I got art commissioned! Here's my OC Chrysanthemum! 💖

Credit to the artist for the headshot goes to wwispie on Etsy! Their shop seems to be closed at the moment, but you can check out their other works on instagram by the same name!

I'll be using this piece and other art I commisioned from them to help solidify the POV for each chapter. 'Cause if you're like me, visuals always help!

I also took a lot of liberties when it comes to the layout of the Daycare and the Pizzaplex itself, to better suit the ideas running around my mind. Thats a big element of the cannon-divergent tag here.

I'll make this mind-palace work for me, dammit!

Anyhoo, enjoy!

Ao3 link: Petals on a Stream of Stars

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tuesday

6:45 AM

Chrysanthemum

Clang-Clang, Clang-Clang, Clang-Clang…

The echo of their combined feet stepping across the sheet metal floor triggered her nerves, the hairs on the back of Chrys’s neck standing on end. When Officer Vanessa took the lead, the last place Chrys had expected to end up was deep in the bowels of the back passageways, trying to walk through near-pitch black darkness save for a couple of red safety lights that illuminated hardly anything at all.

Glancing to her side, Vanessa remained silent, escorting her with a sureness that struck her as odd. Did she really know this place so well she could navigate it without sight? 

“Um, is it normally this dark down here? Should I have brought a flashlight?” Her nerves tinted her attempt at humor, revealing her discomfort. 

“Not recommended.” Vanessa replied, cool and calm. “It’s mostly the staff bots and animatronics who use these corridors. They tend to glitch if we shine a light on them while their night vision is activated.”

“Oh. Right.” She cleared her throat. “But uh, then why are we here? Aren’t there other ways we could have taken? Like where all the guests are?”

“No. We need to make a stop before we get to where we’re going.”

“A pit-stop? For what?”

“You’ll see.”

Keeping close, they continued on, taking the occasional sharp turn that Chrys never would have seen without the guidance, before stopping at a nondescript steel service door.

“Here we are.” Vanessa punched in a code into the nearby keypad, turning the light above the door green. It opened upward with a “whoosh”.

Inside, the darkness was even more pervasive, banished only once Vanessa flipped a switch on the wall. Fluorescent bulbs dangling from the ceiling lit up with a couple of clicks, humming as they warmed. Vanessa moved on ahead, counting the rows until she found the one she wanted, and pulled a single box down from the middle shelf, placing it on the ground. 

“Here. Go ahead and pick out a couple of shirts. They’ll serve as your uniform for now. Don’t worry, they’ve all been washed.”

Reaching in, Chrys rummaged through the tightly packed box, tugging a few out with an XL on the tag, and unfolded one to inspect its design. A simple, mass-produced t-shirt, yellow-bodied with two differently patterned sleeves, with the words “STAFF” printed along the back shoulders in bold font. 

“Cute,” Chrys murmured. Not bad, as far as uniforms went, she supposed.

Shirts in hand, Chrys hurried to rejoin Vanessa at the door, and the two reentered the tunnel, continuing on with no further distractions. The sight of another steel service door signaled the end of the hall, the glowing red “EXIT” sign a beacon in the dark. 

“Watch your eyes,” Vanessa warned, hand on the bar. “It’ll be bright.”

Waiting to confirm she understood, Vanessa pushed the door open and flooded the area with light, washing every lingering ounce of the darkness away and revealing a sight which made her jaw drop.

This had to be a story-book.

Dead ahead, in the center of a cavernous room, a makeshift castle stood, stretching upward towards the distant ceiling; Commanding yet fantastical. Twin spires, fake stone walls, and an arched, double-wide wooden doorway all added to the medieval aesthetic. With windows for viewing, and a netting that encircled the upper air space for safety, the design was clearly intended for younger audiences.

“Impressive, isn’t it?” Vanessa said beside her. “This is one of our newer attractions. Put in just a few years ago. Can’t say I predicted the addition of a daycare to the Pizzaplex’s future, but I must admit it is well-designed, and has been popular. Well, mostly.”

Chrys’s eyes went wide. “Hold on, this is a daycare? Seriously?”

“Indeed. Shall we?” 

“Please!”

Vanessa chuckled, and once again led the way, pulling an ID card out of her pants pocket to swipe through the card reader mounted beside the gated entrance doors. Thousands of gears all turning and rotating in tandem resounded from within the wood, and of its own volition, split down the center and swung outward, welcoming the two inside. 

Warm, soft lighting cascaded down from above, giving the space an ethereal glow. The majority of the area held two of the largest play-structures Chrys had ever seen, their colorful tunnels weaving in and out over-top the other, creating the perfect labyrinth for rambunctious little ones to explore. The floor, covered in a durable, cushioned material, protested being walked over in shoes. The air held the scent of disinfectant and citrus, clean and sweet, pairing well with the lilting and cheerful melody that played through the speakers to create an enticing yet relaxing air. 

“Whoa. This is… wow.” Chrys said.

“You approve?” Vanessa said, from off to the side. Chrys turned to see her looking solely at her.

“Approve? This is incredible! Any kid would have a field day to get to play here. This is really where I’ll be working?”

Their eyes met, and Vanessa smiled, with a warmth that reached all the way to her eyes. “Possibly. Care to give being the Daycare Assistant a shot?”

“Absolutely!” Chrys exclaimed. When she’d first started applying to places, odds were she’d be stuck doing something mundane and simplistic, like stocking shelves or taking orders. That would have been fine, she’d been prepared for that outcome. It didn’t really matter what she did, as long as it produced a paycheck. To be given the opportunity to still make money while getting to be around kids all day sounded like a walk in the park. She repeated the title in her head, testing it with her internal voice.

“Hey, wait,” Chrys said, the gears of her mind turning. “You said “assistant”. Does that mean I’ll be working with someone else?”

Vanessa’s smile widened. “Aren’t you astute? Let’s get the two of you introduced.”

She raised her arm, wrist first, and tapped on the screen of her watch a few times before speaking into it with command. 

“Connect to DA-1.”

Silence. She tried again. 

“Connect. To. DA-1.”

Again. Nothing.

“Force connect to DA-1. Open communication channel.”

The frustration leaked out in her voice, and a vein in her neck pulsed once. Static blared until a sharp buzzing cut it off, replaced by a voice of someone grumbling to themselves.

“Couldn’t be bothered to clean up his own mess, nooo. Had to leave it for good ol’ Sunny to clean up. Taking me FOREVER to—”

“SUNDROP.”

“Eh, h-hi! Yes! Ah, good morning, Officer Vanessa! H-Hello!”

She pinched at the bridge of her nose. 

“Next time when I call for you, you are to answer immediately. Is that clear?”

“I… yes, Officer Vanessa.”

“Good. Report to the entrance of the daycare.”

With that, Vanessa lowered her arm, cutting off the connection, and waited, looking with expectation towards the back of the room. 

Chrys followed her eyes, leading to a rather pretty princess tower mounted high along the wall, the centerpiece of an unfinished, hand-brushed mural depicting a cloudy, but sunny sky. A ledge large enough for someone to stand on jutted out from the wall, topped by an arched opening hidden from sight by a red curtain. 

Underneath, she saw an identical arched opening to the one above, painted this time to resemble more of an overgrown flower garden than the sky above. The dark purple curtain dangling from the arch jostled with an invisible breeze, abruptly parting way to allow a large, golden figure to come tumbling through, their long, lanky limbs flailing and tinkling about as whoever it was attempted to free its entangled foot from within the curtain’s folds. 

“Don’t worry, I’m coming! I’m—ack, let go you stupid—uh, just, just a minute!”

It was the same voice as the one she heard moments prior over the watch’s radio; a youthful, boyish tenor with a digital overlay. He freed himself after a few beats of hurried struggling, and jogged his way to the front where they stood, able to cross the entire width in only a couple of strides. 

“I’m here! I’m here, Officer Vanessa! What, uh, what did you need me to—Oh! I’m so sorry new friend, I didn’t see you there.”

His animated, oversized oval eyes swiveled down to her, LED lit pupils alight in a shade of bright blue. He spoke through an unseen speaker, his mouth shifting in shape only to adapt to his varying expressions, and always returning to a big, gap-toothed smile once he finished. Chrys craned her neck to face him full-on, overwhelmed by their sheer stature, even as they leaned their circular, disk-shaped head closer.

“Sundrop, this is Chrysanthemum. Chrysanthemum, this is the Daycare Animatronic. He acts as the Daycare Attendant.” Vanessa said.

Chrys looked him up and down, as if that would somehow help the reality solidify in her mind. A robot. Or rather, an animatronic… and acting as a lead in a childcare facility. Would wonders ever cease?

Never had she seen one in person before, either. He seemed to handle himself with a fluidity that befitted a gymnast, someone with more strength and flexibility than the average person could ever aspire to; The exact opposite of what she’d imagine something made of bolts and steel to be.

“Ah!” Chrys said with a start. “Sorry, I know it’s rude to stare. It’s uh, nice to meet you.” She reached with her unoccupied arm out for a handshake, pleased when he reached to reciprocate, only for Vanessa to step in and interject before their hands could meet.

“No need for formalities, not with it. While they are tasked with the primary functioning and upkeep of the Daycare, and will act as your direct supervisor, you are the human element here. No need to treat it as you would others.”

Chrys glanced at Sundrop, and watched his face fall, the ring of triangular sun-rays encircling his faceplate drooping to the ground, the spitting image of a kicked puppy. Something in her chest tightened. This didn’t feel right. She gave a half-hearted nod to Vanessa’s expectant gaze, and kept her expression on lock-down. 

“Good. Alternatively, should you need anything, don’t hesitate to ask it. It’ll do all it can to assist you, within reason. Isn’t that right, Sundrop?”

Vanessa’s tone turned sharp. She tilted her face to the side, and shot Sundrop a piercing glare. Chrys winced in response to his flinch. 

“A-Ah, yes, of course! Always happy to help!”

“Good. Let’s keep it that way.” Vanessa glanced back at her watch. “Well, that about wraps up all the time I have to spare this morning. Sundrop can access the schedule, registry, and itinerary for the day through the server, so you should be fine getting through today on your own. But, do be cautious not to wander about the building unaccompanied. Without a staff pass, you’ll be stopped by the security bots. I’ll have a temporary one made and brought to you by the end of the day.”

Alarm bells rang out in her head as she processed her words. “Wait, hold on. I wasn't planning to—”

Vanessa cocked an eyebrow. “You are working today, are you not?”

Her stomach dropped. This… wasn’t a part of the plan. Was it normal to start work the same day you interviewed? Should she have realized that? Her heart-rate picked up, and beads of sweat began to prickle her brow. 

Vanessa stepped in close, close enough to snap her attention back squarely onto her. “Don’t tell me that on the very first day of your probationary period, you plan to skip out on work? Tsk. Can’t say that will look good at all. And here I was with such high hopes for you. Perhaps I was wrong…” 

“No, no!” Chrys shook her head with gusto, pure reflex. “T-That’s not—I can work! I can work today just fine!”

Vanessa smiled, a quiet cruelness to the up-tick of the corners of her mouth. “Wonderful. Exactly what we like to hear.” 

Chrys’s gaze drifted to the floor, the pounding of her pulse throbbing against her temples. Vanessa moved in close, leaning in to whisper into her ear.

“Don’t let me down, Chrysanthemum.”

Then she left.

[mango-forest]

The first time Bruce saw the ghost, he was so terrified that he ran straight to Alfred, who was in the kitchen; he was so terrified, in fact, that even years later he never noticed how odd it was that he didn’t pass a single servant on the way—he didn’t even remember that detail. His parents were away at work, and so he tried to tug Alfred out by his clothes, running purely on fear, saying, “Alfred! There’s someone in the—the attic! They were—I saw them! We have to go!”

The attic was maybe the one place the servants never went to on a daily or weekly basis, and instead only went every few months. Alfred stopped him, knelt down with his hands finding their way onto Bruce’s shoulders, and asked in the most serious voice Bruce had ever heard from him, “Master Bruce, are you saying there is a stranger in the manor’s attic?”

“Yes! I’m not lying, I swear!”

Alfred nodded to himself. “Alright. Master Bruce,” he said, beckoning a maid over, “go with Alice; she will take you to your parents.”

“Wait, what about you?” Bruce cried as Alfred told the situation to the young lady. She immediately started trying to gently hurry him along towards the entrance hall as Alfred grabbed one of the other servants and started talking in an undertone. Bruce couldn’t understand why the older man was ignoring him. Couldn’t he see that everyone had to leave? It wasn’t safe!

The servant Alfred was talking to nodded and started swiftly making his way to another servant, taking out from under his suit jacket what looked like a—

“Is that a gun?” Bruce gasped as Alice finally just picked him up, moving urgently down the halls. He struggled in her arms, but as they exited the house and started towards one of the cars, Bruce was starting to lose energy. He was mainly just tired and confused now.

“Are we going to see my mom and dad now?” he asked Alice as she started the car.

“Yes, Master Bruce,” she politely replied, backing out of the driveway.

Bruce fidgeted with the seat buckle. “Alice, why did that servant have a gun?”

Alice hummed, keeping her eyes on the road and its surroundings. “Well, Master Bruce, certain staff in your family’s manor are… equipped with certain things to ensure both you and your parents’ safety. Some of us have legal permits to carry guns, and so—with your mother and father’s permission—we have them while we work for your family.”

Bruce stayed quiet, unsure how to feel about being unaware of this for his whole life.

The silence lasted until they had gotten to the Wayne Enterprise building, with his dad already being at the steps with his mom. The car barely stopped before they were hurriedly stepping into the car, next to Bruce.

“Are you okay, Bruce?” his mom asked first, checking him over. The car started moving again.

“Yeah, I’m alright Mom,” Bruce said. “But we need to go back and get Alfred!”

“We're not going back to the manor. We’re going to the police station,” his dad said. “Alfred will meet us there.”

Soon enough, they were in one of the offices in the police station. Bruce sat in one of the only chairs while his parents stood, joined by a cop with pepper hair and a shiny badge on.

“Now, we couldn’t find anyone up there, or when we did a sweep of the house. However,” the cop held up a hand when he saw Bruce open his mouth to protest, “there were signs of things being moved recently due to dust prints, along with a makeshift bed in one of the corners.”

“What do we do?” his father asked.

“Well, here’s the tricky part: while things were moved pretty recently, there were no food wrappers, or crumbs, or matches. Not even a flashlight or a lantern, all being common things seen where squatters are. There’s a chance that they manage to clean up before Mr. Pennyworth got there with his gun, but it’s highly unlikely. Our best guess is that the squatter left recently, maybe like last week, to find a new place. You said there was gonna be a party soon? Probably scared ‘em off with all the extra traffic.”

Bruce frowned. But he did see someone! Of course, he didn’t stay for long, and the only reason he was up there was because he thought there might’ve been more detective books in storage and maybe he was already a bit scared of how dark it was but—

“But I did see someone, Dad,” he told them later in the car; Alice had gone somewhere and he hadn’t seen her since. No one told him where she went, either. “I promise. They were taller than me, and had glowing eyes, and sharp teeth, and claws—“

His dad’s grip on the steering wheel jerked and his mom let out a grunt as their car dangerously swerved on the road before his dad pulled over. “Glowing eyes and claws?” he asked, twisted in his seat in order to stare at Bruce, who was starting to feel very small all of the sudden.

“I—yeah,” he muttered, a bit frightened at the intensity in his father’s expression.

His father’s jaw clenched before he seemed to realize he was almost glaring at his eight-year-old son. He turned back around and started the car again. “Bruce, don’t—don’t talk about this again, okay? Just trust us, we’ll handle it from here.”

“Mom?” Bruce asked, uncertainly. His mom was uncharacteristically quiet, staring at the car’s dash with a furrowed brow and a tense mouth. “Is the gala still happening?”

His mom sighed. “I don’t know, baby. I just don’t know.”

The rest of the car ride home was spent in silence.

Eight-year-old Bruce: Who is the boy in the attic?

Thomas: We don't talk about him

Ten-year-old Bruce: Who is the boy in the attic

Alfred: I've never seen anyone up there, Master Bruce. But if I did, I would recommend acting as though you never saw him

Twenty-four-year-old Bruce: Don't go to the attic

Nine-year-old Dick: Why not?

Bruce: The Waynes just don't go up there or acknowledge what may or may not be there. You just never let those things know you can see them

Danny, haunting Wayne Manor for over a decade: SQUATTER RIGHTS

Dick: What was-

Bruce: Shhhhh, go to sleep. You heard nothing. You saw nothing. You say nothing.

[machee-in-the-dark]

short story thing, for now i'm calling it "Fires"

“I only wish for one thing,”, I say to the star by my window, “that nothing will change”

The smoke filled the air, suffocating anyone it touches. The black mist surrounded me as I leaped from my bed. I frantically look around to find the cause of my choking. Gargling and gasping as I collapsed, strands of dark brown with faded red tips falling with me to the ground, as my cough got worse and tears stream from my eyes I recognized the fark blue mass laying on my carpet floor. A shirt. My arm instinctively reaches for it, remembering the basic fire safety training we had in home-ed. I lung forward to reach it, grazing the fabric with my fingertips. I crawl forward fully gripping the shirt now. As quickly as I’m able I put the shirt up to my face. It smells of smoke and sweat, with the design of a melted smile sticking to my skin.

Crawling to my door I prayed it was open, that I forgot to close it again. My vision blurs and my skin starts blaring from the heat. I reached my door, trying to find any sign of opening.

After feeling around, limbs getting weaker by the second, light streams into view. My door finally cracking open gave me a newfound strength as I opened it fully. A blinding white light fills my vision, overtaking the smoke. I go forward through the door, the feeling in my limbs regained. I use my strength to stand, deciding to print out any exit I can. I see the backyard from the kitchen window. Knowing the exit to the yard is next to the window I charge for it. Putting my hand on the knob to turn. Knowing it’ll hurt but not as bad as the roaring flames consuming my house. I turn the knob, leaning my full weight on the door. I fall through to the other side. Outside!

I breathe the fresh air, as I stumble back to my feet walking into the cool night air. A wave of panic washes over me, my parents! I rush around the side of my house, trying not to inhale any more smoke as I left my shirt by the backdoor. I get to the front of the house, red, blue, and white lights flashing. I see my mom with her face cupped by her hands, and my dad’s arm around her as he looks into the ambulance stationed in front of them. I run to them shouting “I’m here!” wheezing as I do so. As I get closer to my parents I start hearing mom wailing like she’d put a dog down. As I look to my dad waiting for either to say something, I follow my dad’s eyes to see what he’s fixated on. The ambulance. I look inside and scream. Louder than any child and more terror than an animal of prey,

as I look at my charred corpse.

[spiindusteries]

Jinoyal’s Glow-in-the-Dark Pigments: Illuminate Your Creations

Jinoyal Industries Pvt. Ltd, is a wholesaler and supplier of premium glow in the dark pigments in India. These pigments are specifically manufactured to absorb light and reflect a bright glow effect in dimly light or dark areas. Our glow-in-the-dark pigment powders provide a stunning pearlescent impact that guarantees visibility, whether used by artistic creations, industrial uses, or safety signage.

Jinoyal Industries' glow-in-the-dark pigments are safe and guarantee long-lasting effects on the applications, since they are manufactured from premium and non-toxic components. We sell various shades, such as green, blue, red, and more. After little exposure to light sources like sunlight, UV Rays, or fluorescent light, these pigments endure for hours and give off a glowing appearance.

Jinoyal's glow-in-the-dark pigments are ideal for a variety of applications due to their adaptability. They are frequently employed in the arts and crafts sector to create distinctive and striking designs for DIY projects, painting, and resin art. They are used by soap manufacturers and candle producers to give their products a unique appeal by adding an enchanted glow.

Our pigments improve safety in low-light or dark settings by making emergency exits, road signs, and hazard markings more visible. Additionally, they are perfect for textile printing and plastic coatings, where strength and beauty go hand in hand.

Do check our Website For more Information visit www.jinoyal.com 

or contact us at | +91 9289666435

[spintly-co]

Top Visitor Management System in India | Best Solutions for Your Business

Visitor management has evolved significantly in recent years, moving away from traditional paper logs to more advanced, digital solutions. With an increased emphasis on security, efficiency, and user experience, companies are now seeking the best visitor management systems that fit their unique needs. India’s business landscape is no exception, as enterprises across various industries aim to enhance security and streamline operations. Below, we’ll explore the top visitor management systems available in India, their benefits, and how they can transform your business operations.

What is a Visitor Management System?

A visitor management system is a software solution designed to monitor, track, and manage guests entering a business or facility. These systems can provide a seamless check-in experience, enhance security, and give businesses more control over their premises. Key features often include digital sign-in, badge printing, visitor notifications, pre-registration, access control integration, and detailed reporting.

Why Modern Businesses Need Visitor Management Systems

In today’s fast-paced environment, having a reliable visitor management system is essential for several reasons:

Enhanced Security: A good system provides businesses with better control over who enters and exits their premises. This not only ensures the safety of employees but also safeguards sensitive areas within the building.

Efficiency and Convenience: Digital check-ins save time compared to manual logbooks, allowing visitors to register quickly without any hassle. This improves the guest experience and boosts operational efficiency.

Compliance: Visitor management systems help companies comply with industry-specific regulations, such as maintaining visitor logs for audits and adhering to safety standards.

Data-Driven Decisions: Advanced systems provide insights and analytics on visitor behavior, peak times, and other trends, allowing businesses to make informed decisions.

Top Visitor Management Systems in India

Here’s a rundown of some of the leading visitor management solutions available in India that cater to a variety of industries, from corporate offices to manufacturing plants and educational institutions:

1. Spintly Visitor Management System

Known for its user-friendly interface and seamless integration, the Spintly Visitor Management System offers a smart solution for businesses aiming to enhance visitor management and security. This system can integrate easily with existing access control setups and provides features like pre-registration, visitor badge printing, and real-time notifications to hosts. The cloud-based solution ensures that visitor data is securely stored and easily accessible for audits.

Key Features:

Easy integration with access control systems.

Digital check-in and pre-registration.

Detailed analytics and reporting.

Scalable to fit businesses of any size.

For those looking to modernize their visitor experience, seeking innovative and cutting-edge solutions similar to those offered by industry-leading platforms like Spintly can be a great start.

2. Veris Visitor Management

Veris is a popular choice in India for its comprehensive visitor management solutions. It focuses on creating a great first impression while ensuring a secure check-in experience. Features include contactless check-ins, visitor tracking, host notifications, and detailed visitor analytics. Veris is particularly known for its clean and intuitive user interface.

Key Features:

Contactless visitor registration.

Visitor history and data management.

Host notifications and real-time alerts.

Customizable visitor badges.

3. Axonator Visitor Management System

Axonator provides a mobile-friendly visitor management system designed to make visitor tracking simple and effective. It’s particularly popular for companies seeking a lightweight and customizable solution that can fit specific needs. The system offers digital forms, visitor photo capturing, visitor categorization, and custom workflows for various industries.

Key Features:

Mobile-friendly and easy to deploy.

Customizable forms and workflows.

Integrated visitor tracking and analytics.

Cost-effective for small to medium-sized enterprises.

4. Sine Visitor Management

Sine is a global visitor management solution that has a strong presence in India. Known for its cloud-based platform, Sine provides a highly secure and streamlined experience for businesses. It offers advanced features such as geofencing, which notifies hosts when visitors are approaching the facility, and contactless QR code check-ins.

Key Features:

Contactless QR check-in options.

Geofencing for pre-arrival notifications.

Real-time visitor tracking and reporting.

Seamless integration with existing security systems.

5. iLobby Visitor Management

iLobby is known for its security-first approach, making it ideal for industries with stringent compliance requirements, such as manufacturing and logistics. The system can accommodate visitor pre-registration, facial recognition, visitor badge printing, and automated alerts to ensure secure access.

Key Features:

Compliance and security-focused.

Facial recognition for added security.

Real-time visitor data and analytics.

User-friendly interface.

Key Considerations When Choosing a Visitor Management System

When selecting the right visitor management system for your business, it’s essential to evaluate your needs and consider several factors:

Integration Capabilities: Ensure that the system can easily integrate with your existing infrastructure, such as access control systems, security cameras, and HR software.

Scalability: Choose a solution that can grow with your business, accommodating increased visitor numbers or additional locations.

User Experience: A good visitor management system should be easy to use for both visitors and employees, ensuring a seamless check-in process.

Security Features: Look for systems with advanced security features like facial recognition, ID scanning, and real-time alerts.

Analytics and Reporting: Data-driven insights are crucial for understanding visitor behavior, compliance tracking, and optimizing operations.

How Visitor Management Systems Benefit Your Business

Investing in a modern visitor management system can bring a host of benefits to your business:

Improved Security: Track every visitor’s movement and manage access effectively, ensuring that sensitive areas remain secure.

Efficiency Boost: Reduce wait times and provide a seamless check-in experience, reflecting positively on your brand image.

Data Insights: Use visitor data for audits, trend analysis, and better resource allocation.

Professional Appearance: Modern digital solutions create a great first impression, showcasing your company as tech-savvy and security-conscious.

Conclusion: Embrace the Future of Visitor Management

The demand for robust visitor management systems in India continues to grow as businesses strive for improved security, operational efficiency, and compliance. Whether you’re a small startup, a corporate office, or a manufacturing giant, the right system can transform how you handle visitor entry. Look for solutions that offer advanced features like integration with access control, data analytics, and a user-friendly interface.

For those seeking a seamless transition to advanced visitor management, exploring options that offer both flexibility and innovation is crucial. Businesses today are moving towards tech-driven solutions like Spintly that not only manage visitor flow but also enhance overall workplace security and efficiency.

Investing in a top-tier visitor management system is no longer optional — it’s a necessity for businesses aiming to stay competitive in today’s fast-paced environment.

[segallawyers]

The Critical Role of Commercial Leasing Lawyers in Retail Leases

When it comes to retail leases, the excitement of securing a prime location for your business can often overshadow the complex legalities that go with it. After all, signing a lease for a retail space isn’t just about agreeing on rent. The fine print can make or break your business's success, which is where commercial leasing lawyers come in. Think of them as your legal bodyguards, ensuring that the contract you sign sets you up for long-term success rather than hidden pitfalls. Let's explore why they’re so vital for retail leasing.

Understanding Retail Leasing

Signing a retail lease involves complex clauses such as rent adjustments, maintenance responsibilities, and lease renewals, requiring careful consideration of tenant rights and obligations.

This is where Commercial Leasing Lawyers come into play. They specialise in interpreting and negotiating the fine print of these contracts, ensuring that you’re not entering into an agreement that could put your business at a disadvantage. Whether identifying hidden fees or providing fair terms, these experts protect your long-term interests.

Negotiating Favorable Lease Terms

Negotiating favourable lease terms is crucial in retail leasing, as landlords often prioritise their interests. Legal assistance is essential to avoid overlooking clauses that may increase costs or limit operational flexibility.

Commercial leasing lawyers have the expertise to ensure lease terms align with your business goals. They can negotiate provisions like rent-free periods, options to renew, and the right to sublease, giving you more control over your lease in the future.

Navigating Complex Legal Clauses

Lease agreements often contain legal jargon, such as "permitted use" and "exclusive use" clauses, which can significantly impact business operations, such as limiting product or service sales or granting competitors exclusive rights.

Mitigating Risk and Ensuring Compliance

In retail leases, risk mitigation is critical. A poorly drafted lease can expose you to unexpected costs, regulatory issues, and potential legal disputes. Commercial leasing lawyers are experts in identifying risks and structuring agreements that protect you. A qualified lawyer ensures property compliance with zoning, safety, and legal requirements, such as accessibility and environmental sustainability guidelines, minimising financial and legal risks in lease agreements.

Addressing Disputes and Lease Termination

No matter how well the lease is negotiated, disputes between landlords and tenants can still arise. Issues such as maintenance obligations, rent disputes, or property damage are all too common in retail leasing. In these cases, involving commercial leasing lawyers can make all the difference in resolving disputes quickly and amicably.

Moreover, terminating the lease could become necessary if your business outgrows its current space or you need financial help. Lawyers can help you navigate early termination clauses, negotiate exits, or even mediate discussions with the landlord to reach a mutually beneficial resolution.

Future-Proofing Your Business

Finally, one of the most significant benefits of hiring commercial leasing lawyers is that they help future-proof your business. Retail leases often span multiple years, and the commercial landscape can change dramatically. Whether it's the economic climate, market competition, or your business growth, having a solid lease agreement ensures you’re equipped to adapt.

From initial lease negotiations to lease renewals or potential expansions, commercial leasing lawyers are trusted advisors, guiding you through every stage of your retail journey.

Conclusion

The correct location is crucial in retail, but so is the right lease. By partnering with skilled commercial leasing lawyers, you safeguard your business from unnecessary risks, negotiate better terms, and set yourself up for long-term success. Whether you’re signing your first lease or renewing an existing one, their expertise can help you confidently navigate the complexities of retail leasing.

In the end, securing legal expertise is not just a cost—it’s an investment in the future of your business.

Source: The Critical Role of Commercial Leasing Lawyers in Retail Leases

[signved]

Why Night Glow Exit Signage Are Commonly Used At Various Streets.

The night glow exit signage is designed for emergencies they produce light at night and absorb light during the day. They increase visibility and shine. They are created on both ACP and sunboard. The exit signs also come with LED exit signs. These signages are made by Star Lite. You can get them in bulk. Our products are quality-driven and at the best price. The night glows are made in bulk. They are printed and then pasted on the sheet. The exit signs are very important for safe exits in case of dangerous hazards. Exit signage is very popular because they are used everywhere where there is a need to ensure safety for people.

The Importance of Using These Night Glow Exit Signage.

The night glow exit is lightweight.

They are durable and weather-resistant.

They are used for emergency purposes. 

The night glow exits are used for safe exits.

The night glow exits increase visibility at night.

They can easily absorb light during the day.

The nightglow signage is pasted on walls.

They are suitable for any surface.

These night glow signage come in both ACP and sunboard.

The night glow exits are for visibility from a very far distance.

The night glow exit signage is mostly sold by our company Star Lite. They are the manufacturers of night glow signage. We are the wholesaler and manufacturer of many signages including led exit signage. You can buy various signage products. The night glow exit signage is designed on software, printed on a quality machine, and then pasted on an ACP sheet and sun board, respectively. They are all sold all across India.

Benefits of Night Glow Exit Signage.

They are night glow exit signage and glow at night.

They provide visibility in the dark.

These are easily be seen from a very far distance.

The night glows are used to highlight important information.

They protect you from dangerous hazards.

The night glow exit signage is reasonable and affordable.

The night glow signage is printable.

They can be pasted very easily with double tape

These night glow signage are sold in bulk.

The night glow signage is exported all over India.

Where Can You Buy Night Glow Exit Signage In India?

The night glow exit signage is manufactured by a very well-known company Star Lite. They are wholesalers and suppliers of signage. Our company is also known as signved. As our website is signved you can get various products on our website related to signages. We provide you with products all over India. The night glow exit signage is made by our skilled workers. We provide you with premium quality products. The price of our signage is very reasonable and affordable.

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 Fluorescent Pigments: Illuminating the Future with Aron Universal

Fluorescent pigments have revolutionized various industries with their vivid, bright colors and unique properties. At Aron Universal, we are at the forefront of this vibrant revolution, pushing the boundaries of what these pigments can achieve. This article delves into the fascinating world of fluorescent pigments, their applications, and how Aron Universal is leading the charge in innovation and quality.

 What are Fluorescent Pigments?

Fluorescent pigments are specialized compounds that emit visible light when exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light. Unlike traditional pigments that reflect light, fluorescent pigments absorb light at one wavelength and re-emit it at another, usually longer, wavelength. This re-emission of light results in the bright, eye-catching colors that make fluorescent pigments so popular.

The basic science behind fluorescence involves the absorption of photons by the pigment molecules, which then get excited to a higher energy state. As these molecules return to their ground state, they release energy in the form of visible light. This process is incredibly efficient, allowing fluorescent pigments to produce very bright colors even under low-intensity UV light.

 Applications of Fluorescent Pigments

The unique properties of fluorescent pigments make them ideal for a wide range of applications. Here are some of the key industries where these pigments are making a significant impact:

 1. Textile and Fashion Industry

Fluorescent pigments are widely used in the textile and fashion industry to create bold, eye-catching designs. From neon sportswear to high-fashion runway pieces, these pigments add a dynamic element that makes garments stand out. The ability to glow under UV light also makes them popular for party wear and rave outfits, where lighting conditions enhance their vividness.

 2. Advertising and Signage

In advertising and signage, visibility is key. Fluorescent pigments ensure that signs and advertisements are noticeable from a distance, even in low-light conditions. Billboards, posters, and point-of-sale displays often use these pigments to attract attention and convey messages effectively. The high visibility offered by fluorescent colors is particularly useful for safety signs and emergency exits.

 3. Paints and Coatings

Fluorescent pigments are extensively used in paints and coatings for various purposes, including automotive, industrial, and decorative applications. In the automotive industry, they are used for custom car paints and detailing, giving vehicles a unique and striking appearance. In industrial settings, fluorescent paints are used for safety markings and highlighting hazardous areas.

 4. Printing and Packaging

In the printing and packaging industry, fluorescent pigments are employed to create attractive and distinctive designs. They are used in packaging to grab consumer attention on store shelves, making products stand out among competitors. Additionally, these pigments are used in security printing to prevent counterfeiting and ensure product authenticity.

 5. Plastics and Polymers

Fluorescent pigments are also added to plastics and polymers to produce brightly colored items. From children's toys to household items, these pigments provide an extra layer of aesthetic appeal. Their use in safety equipment, such as high-visibility vests and helmets, enhances visibility and safety.

 Aron Universal: Pioneering Fluorescent Pigment Technology

At Aron Universal, we pride ourselves on being industry leaders in the development and production of high-quality fluorescent pigments. Our commitment to innovation and quality ensures that we provide our clients with pigments that meet the highest standards of performance and safety.

 Research and Development

Our dedicated R&D team is constantly exploring new formulations and techniques to enhance the properties of fluorescent pigments. This includes improving colorfastness, brightness, and environmental sustainability. By staying at the cutting edge of pigment technology, we ensure that our products meet the evolving needs of our clients.

 Quality Assurance

Quality is at the core of everything we do at Aron Universal. Our fluorescent pigments undergo rigorous testing to ensure they meet stringent quality standards. This includes testing for color consistency, durability, and safety. Our state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities are equipped with the latest technology to produce pigments that are both high-quality and cost-effective.

 Environmental Responsibility

We are committed to sustainable practices in the production of our fluorescent pigments. This includes minimizing waste, reducing energy consumption, and using eco-friendly raw materials wherever possible. Our goal is to produce pigments that not only meet the highest standards of performance but also contribute to a sustainable future.

 Future Directions in Fluorescent Pigments

The future of fluorescent pigments is bright, with ongoing research and development opening up new possibilities. Some of the exciting areas of exploration include:

 1. Advanced Security Features

Fluorescent pigments are being developed with advanced security features for use in anti-counterfeiting measures. These include pigments that change color under different lighting conditions or those that can be detected using specialized equipment. Such innovations are crucial for protecting valuable products and ensuring authenticity.

 2. Smart Textiles

The integration of fluorescent pigments into smart textiles is an emerging field. These textiles can change color or glow in response to environmental stimuli, such as temperature or light. This has potential applications in fashion, sportswear, and wearable technology.

 3. Biomedical Applications

In the biomedical field, fluorescent pigments are being explored for use in imaging and diagnostic tools. Their ability to emit light makes them useful for highlighting specific areas in medical imaging, improving the accuracy of diagnoses.

Conclusion

Fluorescent pigments are transforming industries with their vibrant colors and unique properties. At Aron Universal, we are dedicated to advancing this technology through innovation, quality, and sustainability. Whether it's creating striking fashion pieces, enhancing safety, or developing new security features, our fluorescent pigments are illuminating the future in exciting ways. As we continue to explore new applications and improve our products, the possibilities for fluorescent pigments are limitless.

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Enhancing Workplace Safety: The Importance of Custom Safety Signs

At Elabelling Solutions, we understand the paramount importance of Safety Signages in any workplace. Our mission is to provide businesses with top-notch Custom Safety Signs tailored to their unique needs, ensuring a safer environment for employees and visitors alike. With a commitment to quality, innovation, and customer satisfaction, Elabelling Solutions is your trusted partner in safety signage solutions.

Our extensive range of Custom Safety Signs encompasses a diverse array of options, from hazard warnings to mandatory instructions, designed to effectively communicate critical safety information. Whether you operate in manufacturing, construction, healthcare, or any other industry, our customizable signs are crafted to meet your specific requirements, seamlessly integrating with your existing safety protocols.

What sets Elabelling Solutions apart is our dedication to precision and customization. We recognize that every workplace has its own set of hazards and safety regulations. That's why we offer bespoke solutions that address your unique needs, ensuring maximum effectiveness in risk mitigation. Whether you need personalized signage for high-risk areas, instructional signs for equipment operation, or directional signs for emergency exits, we have you covered.

At the heart of our approach is a focus on clarity and visibility. We employ high-quality materials and cutting-edge printing technology to produce Custom Safety Signs that are not only durable but also highly visible, even in challenging environments. With bold graphics, vivid colors, and clear text, our signs grab attention and convey important safety messages at a glance, minimizing the risk of accidents and injuries.

Elabelling Solutions takes pride in our commitment to compliance and safety standards. Our team of experts stays abreast of industry regulations and best practices to ensure that our Custom Safety Signs meet or exceed all relevant standards, including OSHA requirements. You can trust that when you choose Elabelling Solutions, you're investing in signage solutions that prioritize safety and legal compliance.

In addition to our standard offerings, we also provide custom design services to cater to your unique branding and messaging needs. Whether you want to incorporate your company logo, specific colors, or custom text, our talented design team will work closely with you to bring your vision to life. With Elabelling Solutions, you're not just getting off-the-shelf signage – you're getting bespoke solutions that reflect your brand identity and safety culture.

Partnering with Elabelling Solutions for your safety signage needs means more than just purchasing products; it means gaining a trusted ally in your quest for workplace safety. Our dedicated customer support team is always ready to assist you, whether you have questions about product selection, customization options, or installation guidance. We're here to ensure that your experience with us is smooth, seamless, and ultimately, contributes to a safer work environment.

In conclusion, when it comes to Safety Signages and Custom Safety Signs, Elabelling Solutions stands out as a leader in quality, customization, and customer satisfaction. With our comprehensive range of customizable solutions, commitment to compliance, and dedication to excellence, we're here to help you create a safer workplace for everyone. Choose Elabelling Solutions for all your safety signage needs, and experience the difference that personalized safety solutions can make.

For more information visit our website: https://elabellingsolutions.com/

Contact Info:

Engineered Labelling Solutions

Tel: +63 9190 880828

[tekrashed]

Kiosk Visitor Management System in Saudi Arabia

Visitor Management System Riyadh-Today, an effective visitor’s management program is vital to ensure the safety and efficacy of a variety of organizations. From the corporate structures located in Riyadh and hospitals to Jeddah as well as visitor check-in systems in Makkah and across the Saudi Arabia.

The adoption of kiosks for managing visitors has revolutionized the way institutions manage their visitors. This article examines the advantages of features, functions, and application of the systems used within Saudi Arabia, with a particular attention to how they improve security, improve efficiency, as well as improve general experience for visitors.

**What is a Kiosk Visitor Management System?**

A kiosk-based visitor management system is a technology which automatizes recording, tracking, and tracking visitors within an establishment. The system replaces the traditional method with an effective, safe and user-friendly method. Its key elements include self-service kiosks and digital badges that are real-time tracked and integration with other security devices.

**Benefits of a Kiosk Visitor Management System**

Enhanced Security

The implementation of an effective visitor management system for visitors greatly improves security as it provides a comprehensive record of every visitor's entrances and exits. This is crucial for high-security locations such as the government building and research facilities.

**Improved Visitor Experience**

A kiosk system for managing visitors simplifies the process of checking-in which reduces wait times while increasing the user experience. Self-service kiosks let visitors sign in swiftly and quickly giving a better impression of the company.

**Operational Efficiency**

Automatizing the process of managing visitors lets staff focus on other tasks that are more important and improve productivity. It results in a more efficient resource allocation as well as a more efficient running operation.

**Compliance and Reporting**

Numerous industries have strict regulations for compliance. A visitor’s management software aids organizations to keep precise records, and produce specific reports that meet the regulations.

**Key Features of a Kiosk Visitor Management System**

Self-Service Kiosks

Self-service kiosks form a key aspect of any kiosk's visitor management system. Visitors can use them to self register, thus reducing the burden of receptionists as well as speeding up the procedure.

Digital Badges

At check-in, guests receive digital badges that are printed and delivered to their mobile devices. The badges usually include the name of the person who is visiting, his photo and the purpose of their visit improving security and identity.

Real-Time Tracking

Real-time tracking capabilities allow companies to track visitor movement within their buildings. This is particularly useful for big facilities like hospitals in Jeddah as well as corporate facilities located in Riyadh.

Integration into Security Systems

The most modern visitor management technology easily integrate with other security measures like security and access control systems. This integration gives you a broad solution to managing security.

Customizable Workflows

The organization can customize the visitor management system to suit their particular requirements, such as customizing the registration process, badges for visitors as well as notification configurations.

Visitor Management System for Hospitals in Jeddah

Hospitals need robust visitor management programs because of the huge number of patients as well as the requirement for rigorous security and privacy policies. A reliable visitor’s check-in process will ensure smooth operations as well as respect for rules of health.

Outcomes and Benefits

After implementation, the hospital has reported several benefits. These included a more pleasant customer experience, enhanced efficiency of operations, as well as improved security. It also provided thorough reporting to ensure compliance with regulations as well as internal audits.

**Visitor Management System for Corporate Buildings in Riyadh**

Enhancing Security and Efficiency

Corporate offices situated in Riyadh are progressively adopting visitor management software for security enhancement and improve the management of visitors. They help to maintain the security of the building while ensuring the most professional and effective checking-in.

Visitor Check-In System in Makkah

**Streamlining Visitor Management in a High-Traffic Area**

Makkah is a city that has significant traffic from religion-based tourism, gains greatly of a reliable visitors check-in process. Installing these systems in the hotels, at religious sites and other places that see a lot of traffic guarantees smooth operation as well as increased security.

**Conclusion**

The introduction of kiosk-based visitor management systems within Saudi Arabia is transforming the ways that organizations control and protect their facilities. From the hospitals of Jeddah to corporate structures in Riyadh as well as visitor check-in systems in Makkah the systems are providing many benefits including improved security, enhanced visitor experience and efficiency in operation. With the advancement of technology, it is expected that the next generation of visitor management technology for Saudi Arabia looks bright, as more people adopt them and there is constant advancements in technology on the horizon.

**FAQs**

What is a kiosk's visitor control system?

A kiosk-based visitor management system is a solution that is designed to streamline and control the registration as well as tracking and monitoring the number of visitors to a place by using kiosks that self-service and other tools that are digital.

How can a visitor-management system increase security?

Visitor’s management systems are visitor management system for managing visitors improves security by monitoring all entry and exits and keeping a complete record of every visitor, as well as integrating with other security measures like security and access control.

3. What are the advantages to using a visitor management program for hospitals?

The use of the visitor’s management program within hospitals offers benefits like reduced waiting durations, better security, a better understanding of the health laws, as well as a better experience for visitors.

How can self-service kiosks function within a visitor management system?

Self-service kiosks let visitors self-check in, through their personal details and receiving a badge and then continuing with their trip, thus easing the workload on receptionists as well as speeding up the process of checking-in.

5. What's the future for visitor management systems for Saudi Arabia?

Future of visitor management system within Saudi Arabia includes technological advancements including facial recognition as well as AI-powered analytics. They will also see a rise in adoption across different sectors, as well as an emphasis on the privacy of visitors and security of their data.

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