#my qualifications include moaning sounds

[smallerinfinities]

Quarantine Day 26

a/n: in which Shawn gets a haircut

yeah...I couldn’t help myself. I watched so many youtube videos for this 😂

warnings: 2.6k of fluff and like a whisper, A HINT of smut

“That sounds nice…”

Shawn’s fingers paused against the vibrating strings. He leaned back against the couch toward your disembodied voice rounding the corner. You walked into the living room with a glass of red wine, your cheeks already fully flushed from the alcohol, wearing one of his Givenchy sweatshirts and a pair of little hot pink sleep shorts.

“Just working on something to record later,” he smiled, continuing his strumming and plucking, little head nods on heavy beats to mark the time. “I’ll send it to Teddy later...she misses the studio.”

He’d been shacked up with you for twenty-six days in your tiny apartment. When the stay-at-home order came down from the city, he’d rushed over, just an overnight bag full of clothes and his guitar case, not wanting to be alone and not wanting to be in chaos at his parents’ house. Aaliyah was doing remote school and whining about college applications everyday, he’d said, not a place he wanted to spend an indefinite amount of time. Sometimes you thought it was a lie, seeing how easily he fit into your life. He belonged here with you. Especially when he’d come up behind you while you waited for your morning coffee to suck on that place behind your ear. It always ended up with the two of you back in bed for an hour longer than you should have been. It had happened again this morning. Thank God it was a holiday.

Now, he was stretched out on your L-shaped couch, the only luxury you’d allowed yourself when you moved out of your parents house. It was the dominant feature in the room, heavy and royal blue, one of those couches that you sank into when you sat down. His legs were propped up on the ottoman in front of him with his acoustic in his lap.

You sat down next to him, pulling your knees up to your chest and using one as a makeshift coaster for your stemless wine glass. He stopped playing again and shifted closer to you, patting his lap for your legs. You smiled at him, stretching your legs out across his thighs, and let him rest his guitar on top. When he started plucking the strings again, you could feel the vibration of the sound against your skin.

He hummed random words and noises to the melody with his eyes closed, lost to creating but content to be here touching your skin. Your legs rubbed comfortingly against his own bare ones. He’d taken to just wearing t-shirts and boxers around the apartment, no need to get dressed if he wasn’t running to the grocery store or to the door to get the food delivery. You reached out and ran your fingers through his floppy curls, one of them getting caught in a tangle.

“Baby,” you said, causing him to strum slower, “you need a haircut.”

“Yeah,” he sighed, changing to a minor chord to amplify his woe, “it’s been bugging me for awhile but I don’t have anything to cut it with. Not even at home.” You rolled your eyes, knowing he hadn’t had anyone but Anna touch his hair in five years.

“I can cut it.”

He stilled immediately, his eyes bugging a little as he loudly swallowed.

“I….I don’t know.”

“Oh, come on,” you swung your legs out from under the guitar excitedly. The instrument protested with discordant vibrations. “I have some clippers left from my last dumbass boyfriend who was obsessive about his stupid sideburns. I can watch a YouTube video. This could be fun!”

The reticence in his eyes was screaming at you, but you were on a mission now. You sprung up from the couch, half sprinting over to the closet in the hall to dig out the gray plastic box that held the clippers and all the attachments.

“See?!” You showed him the case, already turning on your heels toward the bathroom.

Shawn sighed again, knowing it was a lost cause now. At least my hair grows fast. He would probably be able to hide out for as long as it might take to grow back. He leaned his guitar against the couch cushions and pushed himself to stand, following you to the bathroom. When he got there, he had to swallow a chuckle.

“I’m trying to find some hair cutting scissors!” You yelled, digging underneath the sink, even though you were only a couple of feet away from him. He bit down on his fist, his shoulders shaking. You were bent over, hot pink shorts stretched over your gorgeous ass just tight enough to see the black lace hugging your curves, but the hood from his sweatshirt had come up over your head so you looked like a sexy burglar.

“Take your time,” he snorted.

“Shawn!” You whipped around, missing scissors gleaming in between your fingers, “so help me God, I will cut off your favorite curl if you laugh at me.”

“Okay, okay,” he straightened, gulping, “where do you want me?”

You grinned, “well, I always want you between my thighs, but for now can you grab a chair from the breakfast table?”

He nodded and disappeared back down the hall, his curls shaggy and swaying with his walk. You plugged in the clippers and set the scissors on top of the set of towels you’d pulled from the linen closet. Satisfied that everything you’d need was accounted for, including the overgrown mop you’d be cutting as Shawn returned with his chair, you pulled out your phone and opened up YouTube.

“Sit,” you said, pointing to the chair but not taking your eyes off your phone. You pulled up a quick video about cutting tools and how to use them, running through clipper sizing and how to blend. Simple enough.

“Okay, okay, this seems pretty easy,” you nodded, staring at Shawn’s reflection in the mirror. He looked….petrified. He was breathing shallow. His shoulders looked like they were glued to his ears. Your eyes widened and you leaned over him, “honey, are you okay?”

“I don’t know why I’m freaking out, it’s just hair,” he looked up at you like a lost puppy.

“I know you don’t want me to fuck it up, and I promise I’ll stop if you don’t like what I’m doing, okay?”

“Okay,” he exhaled in a rush, his shoulders relaxing down to their normal position. “Have you done this before? Like used clippers ever?”

“Once or twice,” you said, not inviting more questions on your qualifications. You didn’t want to tell him that you’d done this exactly once on your best friend in high school who wanted an “alternative” haircut when she came out to her parents. It looked basically like the picture afterward, think Hayley Williams but a lot shorter...and half buzzed. The 2000s were weird.

“Now take off your shirt,” you instructed, pointing the scissors at him.

“Yes, ma’am,” he couldn’t help but smirk as he stripped his vintage Sting tee off. His skin was still just barely freckled from his Mexico holiday vacation. You traced them with the tips of your fingers until he shivered, moving your hands down, through the unkempt hair there and back up to squeeze his shoulders. He melted in your hands, dropping his chin to his chest and moaning.

“Good,” you said, “now turn and lean back.” Turning on the sink, you reached for a comb, “we’re doing this salon style.”

He did as you asked, dipping his head almost all the way under the faucet. You combed through it, making sure the whole mop was wet. He looked a little like a water spaniel wading through a lake. You grabbed his expensive shampoo that smelled like bergamot and patchouli and lathered it into his hair.

With everything going on in the world, outside, in their city, the act of washing his hair was soothing. Simple, task-oriented, clean. You understood why people did this for a living. Shawn let out a moan when your fingers dug deep into his scalp and your knees buckled a little. You washed out the suds and applied conditioner, turning off the sink to let it sink in.

“This is nice,” he whispered with his eyes closed like it was a secret. You wiggled your fingers above his face, letting little droplets fall, giggling when one fell on his nose. He scrunched his face up and let it fall down the side of his face.

“Did you know,” you said as you flipped the water back on to give him a final rinse, “that I’m very happy you decided to come quarantine with me? I would have gone insane.”

He opened his eyes and smiled one of those big Mendes toothy smiles, “I didn’t even really think about it. I just packed my bag.”

You grinned back at him, turning off the water and grabbing at a towel to dry his curls, but before you could get back to him he shook his head, sending a shower of man-smell infused water everywhere.

“SHAWN, WHAT THE HELL?!”

He doubled over laughing, catching the towel you launched at his head. He scrubbed vigorously at his hair while you toweled off, slipping off his sweatshirt and revealing the bralette you had on underneath. It barely concealed your nipples. If he was gonna distract you, he was gonna get distracted. When he out from under the towel his curls were frizzed out, sticking out from his head at all angles. His breath stopped on a quick inhale and his face immediately flushed.

“Honey, I,” he stuttered, “I can’t focus with you like that.”

“Oh, good thing I’m the one with the scissors around here,” you quipped, pushing him back in the chair and draping the damp towel over his shoulders.

You grabbed a random hair tie from the counter and parted out the top section of his hair, the part that would stay longer after you trimmed the back and sides. His eyes were closed again, probably to block out the anxiety of watching you in the mirror. You took a minute to say a little prayer. Please, God. Don’t let me fuck this up. The fucking fangirls will murder.

You flipped on the clippers.

His hair fell to the floor in little tufts, coloring the floor with dark clouds. You used the second longest setting, making sure he wasn’t losing the wave in his hair at any point. The reference picture in your head was from around the Seoul show last year. It was a good length. Curly all around but not too unkempt. It was your favorite hair.

You stopped about three-quarters of the way to the top section, switching to the longest setting to blend up to the top of his head. There was something to be said about hair just long enough to grab onto. You’d test it out later.

The top was going to need scissors. You flipped off the clippers, returning them to the case, and picked up the sharp shears. Shawn gulped again, his Adam’s apple bobbing heavily.

“I saw that,” you chided through the comb in your teeth. If you were being honest, it looked pretty good so far. No weird lawn mower tracks or weird chunks missing. The waves were still there. A whisper of labradoodle but not full on sheepdog. That was the goal. Nothing crazy.

You took his hair in inch wide sections from right to left, trimming about an inch off everywhere, a little more in the wilder areas. He reached up to run his fingers through it before you were finished.

“Hey!” You swatted his hand away, “let me finish before you check my work!”

He snorted, crossing his arms over his chest and bobbing his knee up and down. Impatient bastard, you thought, snipping a few more curls. The only ones you didn’t really touch, maybe a quarter inch here and there, were the curls toward the front. The ones that dropped down into his face and across his forehead. You liked those, loved to push them back in the morning when he looked down at you, naked and pressed against his chest. You ruffled his damp hair to see how it might curl and retract.

“Shawn,” you leaned down to whisper in his ear, “you can look now.”

He slowly peeked with one eye, then with the other, his eyes growing wide when he saw it fully. He got up out of the chair to lean up to the mirror, inspecting and combing his fingers through it about fifty times. You grabbed some oil off the side of the sink and ran it through the top, letting it soak in and tame the frizz drying into the curls.

“So,” you needled, “do you like it or what?”

“I…” he rifled around in his toiletry bag, pulling out a little black box of hair paste, “I think I love it.” He smoothed some of the cream between his hands and fingered it through the ringlets. They snapped and bounced back on top of his head.

“Holy shit, thank God,” you exhaled in a rush, sitting on the lid of the toilet while your heart rate slowed.

He stopped and looked over, his big green-brown eyes asking questions.

“I mean, I wasn’t worried,” you backtracked, stopping when he lifted an eyebrow. You huffed. “Okay, I was a little worried...the fans...they’re vicious! And it’s your hair! You could probably trademark it for fuck’s sake!”

He tipped his head back and laughed loud and long, some stray cut hair falling from his neck to the floor.

“You know, I thought about halfway through that it’s good I look so sexy in backward baseball caps.” He waggled his eyebrows at you, obviously suppressing a laugh at his own bad joke. You got up and shoved him in the shoulder, crossing the hall to your bedroom. He followed closely behind.

“I don’t give a fuck what the fans think about my hair, you know that,” he leaned on the door frame and watched you dig for a dry shirt. You pulled out an oversized Maple Leafs tee and bent to throw it on.

“Oh, no you don’t,” he stopped you, catching at the shirt and letting it fall to the floor. “You gave me a haircut, so now it’s my turn to give you something.” He threaded his fingers with yours and led you to the edge of your bed, setting you down and stepping back.

“Now, do you like my hair?” he asked, kneeling in front of you, busying himself with untying your shorts. He mouthed at the inside of your thighs, pausing only to grip your shorts and panties in one hand and drag them down your legs. His lips returned to your skin, closer and closer to where you wanted him.

“Yes,” you moaned, widening your legs and combing your fingers through his still damp hair.

“Yes, what?” he smirked against your pubic bone. His hand slid up your belly and pushed up the barely-there bralette, pushing you back to lay against the rumpled sheets. He traced your lips with the tip of his tongue, not dipping inside until he got his answer.

“Yes! Oh, God,” you fisted the waves at the nape of his neck. Perfect. “Yes, I love your hair!”

“Good,” he reached up to kiss you just once before returning to his throne between your legs, licking a long stripe from your entrance to your swollen, aching clit, “that’s all that matters.”

Words were lost to moans and shaking limbs and muffled curses. It turned out his hair was, in fact, just long enough to grab onto.

taglist: @justanotherfangurl272​  @siennarossi​ @trustfundshawn​ @alone-in-madness​ @harryandmolly​ @thatindiannerdygirl​  @mendesromano​ @fromthicctosticc​ @esoltis280​ @softmendesss​ @sinplisticshawn​ @nedthegay​ @september-lace​ @itrocksmysocks​ @disaster-rose​ @mendesoft​ @luvluvxx​ @i-play-video-games​ @ihearthemcallingforyou​ @gentleshawn​ @kitykatnumber​ @enchantingbrowneyedgirl​ @ijustreallylikeshawnokay​ @shhhawnmendes​ @shawnsblue​ @imaginashawnns​ @mendesficsxbombay​ @shawn-youth​

[kriscme]

One Life to Live

Here’s the latest chapter.  Thanks to Ronja for permission to write fanfic of her Hunger Games fanfic “The Chance You Didn’t Take.”  It can be found on A03 as this can too (under Kris22).  Thanks for reading. Chapter 35 I wake to bright sunshine and the citrusy perfume of evening primrose wafting in from the open window.  Such a lovely dream I had last night.  I was following Prim through the woods and the further she took me, the happier I became, even though we never arrived at any place. But then I remember my current predicament and my spirits plummet again.  I turn to face Peeta, expecting to see him, but he’s not here.  The only sign that he was in my bed last night is the impression his head made on the pillow close to my own.  Somehow, we both seemed to have gravitated to the middle of the bed during the night. From downstairs I hear movement and two voices in conversation.  That could only be Peeta and Haymitch.  No one else would be in the Village and in my house at this hour.  The clock by the bed tells me I have an hour before it’s time to leave for work.  I use most of it to shower and dress.  I don’t want to face either of them just yet. They’ll only talk strategy.  Haymitch seems to have relished getting back into his old mentor role which is odd, because he hated it when he actually was one.  As for Peeta, I haven’t seen him like this since the Quarter Quell when he had us all training like careers.  There’s the same energy and focus.  It’s as if he’s determined to get me home a third time.  Only this time his reasons are . . . well, I don’t know what his reasons are but it is good to see him back to his old self.  I should make an effort to stop being so sulky and disagreeable around him.  It’s not his fault he doesn’t love me anymore and he is doing me a huge favor at risk to himself.   As soon as I see the food laid out on the table, I wish I had come down earlier.   Peeta has cooked my favorite breakfast of sausages, eggs, potatoes, bread, juice and hot chocolate.   I tuck in, ignoring Haymitch’s scowl.  It’s my house.  I’ll come down when I want to. “We keep to the schedule as planned,” says Haymitch.  “And it goes without saying – “ “Stay in love,” Peeta and I say in unison.  “And don’t be afraid to lay it on thick,” Haymitch adds.  “That’s what the public is used to seeing from you.  This isn’t an old settled relationship.  Or a continuation of one.  It’s brand new.  You want to avoid any talk that this has been going on behind Lace’s back and it’s why the wedding was called off.  After the cameras are gone, you still have to live amongst these people.  No one likes a cheater.” “It won’t be a problem,” says Peeta, as he starts to clear away the dishes.  I grab the plate with the potatoes before he takes it.  “It actually works out well.  Lace was worried that people might think the same of her and Arthur if their relationship became public too soon.  But if she and I both have partners, they’re far less likely to think that one of us had cheated on the other.  I’ll let her know sometime today that Katniss and I are together.” I bet that will shock her.  After all his talk of me being an illusion, he’d better have a convincing excuse for why he’s changed his mind.  But at least I know that he’s aware that Lace is with Arthur now. What’s most surprising though, is that he doesn’t seem upset about it.  And they’re still talking to each other. On Haymitch’s advice, we take the most public route into work so as to be seen by the maximum number of people.   That takes us through the main street past Lace’s shop.   I catch a glimpse of her through the window sorting through fabrics.  She has her back to us.  The shop next door is vacant but there’s carpentry in progress, probably for new fittings for Arthur when he moves in.  We turn down a side street and pass by Arthur’s shop.  He’s opened early as usual.  I don’t see him but I know he’ll be hard at work, saving for that factory he plans to own one day.   The salon is closed at this hour but I spy Flavius at the front desk, head down, consulting the appointment book.  He raises his head as we walk by.  I move closer to Peeta and rise on tiptoe to kiss his cheek before giving Flavius a wave. The news will be all over town by the end of the day.   We meet for lunch at the small park adjacent to the school.   It’s a hot day but the old oak tree provides plentiful shade.  We eschew the bench seat and sit on the grass because it looks more romantic that way.   I kick off my shoes to cool my feet and smooth out the folds of my dress.  It’s the sunset dress that Peeta likes.  It just happened to be the first thing on hand when I reached into my closet this morning. Peeta has brought us food from the bakery.   He holds out in each hand a white paper bag with the Carter logo on it.   “Beef or chicken?” “Um . . . beef,” I say.  Peeta hands me one of the bags and keeps the other.  It’s not a pie but a sandwich with layers of thinly sliced roast beef, cheese, lettuce, tomato and some kind of sauce. I take my first bite and moan appreciatively.  This might just overtake cheese buns for me. “Since when did the bakery sell sandwiches?” I ask. “Since last week.  And coffee and other beverages too.  It’s an experiment, to see how well it does.  In the Capitol, the bakery also functioned as a café, with indoor seating.  It will mean moving to larger premises but it might be needed anyway.  Did I tell you we’re getting cake orders from as far away as the Capitol now?  The one I did for Cressida’s wedding seems to have started it.” “That’s great, Peeta,” I say, genuinely happy for him.  But then a terrible thought occurs to me.  Cass told me that Peeta could get work anywhere.   What if he leaves 12 for the Capitol for bigger opportunities? I’m suddenly consumed with fear. I don’t want him to go. “I’ve also been offered a fourth share partnership in the business too, along with Julius, Cass and Cornelia,” he adds, his face alight with enthusiasm.   “They want to keep you,” I say. “Probably,” he concedes.  “But there’s more to it than that.  We’re more than just coworkers.  I feel disloyal saying this and no one could ever replace them, but in a way, it’s like having my brothers back.  And Cornelia is the woman one of them might have married.  Does that sound bad?” “Not at all,” I say, thinking of Johanna and how she’s like a sister to me.  Loved ones can’t be replaced but it doesn’t mean your circle can’t expand to include others.  “I suppose you won’t be opening a bakery of your own any time soon then?  Wasn’t that one of the plans you made with Lace?” Peeta gives a short, self-depreciating laugh. “That was never going to happen.  Responsible for running a bakery? Ugh!  I like what I’m doing now, decorating cakes and leaving the management side of it to others.   I think we just chose what we thought the other expected of us, not what we actually wanted for ourselves.    Lace would never have been happy giving up her shop to work from home.  She’s worked too hard for it.  And five kids?  At this stage of my life, I’m not even sure about one.” “Really?” I ask.  That was the only part of it that made any sense to me – that Peeta would want a large family.  “I thought you’d like to have children.”   From the school grounds nearby, I can hear the shrieks and laughter of children at play.  It wasn’t long ago that the mere thought of having to teach Peeta and Lace’s children had filled me with dread.  I was sure that if it was Peeta’s choice, they’d have had them straight off. “One day, perhaps,” he says.  “But I want to be in a better place than I am right now. You know, with the attacks and everything.  And we’re only twenty.  There’s plenty of time.” Twenty-one.   Lace is twenty-one.   “You?” he asks. “Oh, um, the same as you, I guess,” I say, surprised to have the question turned back on me.    “I’ll think about it when the time comes.  But for the moment, no.  I want to see how things turn out.  With the new government, I mean.  Whether the peace lasts.”  I want to be certain the Games will never return before I’m be ready to bring children into the world.   “I meant more general that that,” he says. “How do you see your future?  What do you want to do?” I take a moment to think about it.  My future isn’t something I’ve given much thought to other than in terms of what I can’t do because of my confinement.   But it dawns on me that even if had the choice to live wherever I wanted, I’d still choose Twelve.  It’s my home and the people and places I love are here. “Keep on teaching, I suppose, and finish getting my qualifications.   Mr Matson suggested I could teach archery to the older students.   So maybe I’ll do that.  I doubt there’ll be much hunting once the woods officially become national park so it seems a good compromise.  I can continue to use my skills and pass them on at the same time.” “Sounds perfect,” says Peeta, smiling at me. We go back to eating our lunch.  I see a few people walking past on the opposite side of the road but foot traffic around here is thin and sporadic.  It’s an out-of-the-way place to be seen but Haymitch’s rationale is that we can’t just frequent the popular places because that would cause suspicion in itself.  We have to appear as a normal courting couple doing what a normal courting couple would do. Picnicking in a sequestered park is apparently one of them.  But there’s at least one onlooker.  A squirrel, perched on one of the lower branches watches expectantly.  He seems used to people as he doesn’t show any fear. And probably used to being fed by them too.  I break off a piece of crust and throw it a short distance away.  He doesn’t hesitate.   He scampers down the tree, grabs his prize, and scurries back up.   I catch Peeta observing me, a look of amusement on his face. “What?” I demand.  He had better not be laughing at me. “It’s just seeing a new side of you, that’s all.  You know, relaxed.   One time, that squirrel would have ended up with one of your arrows through its eye. But now you share your lunch with it. I like it.  It means you’re in a better place now.  Not so concerned with survival.” Humph! The last time I heard anyone talk about me and survival was in the basement of a dingy little shop in the Capitol that sold fur underwear.  “Katniss will pick whoever she thinks she can’t survive without.”  Gale said it, and Peeta didn’t refute it.  The same resentment I felt then wells up in me.  There it is again, the implication that any finer feelings are subservient to my need to survive. Not love, or desire, or compatibility, or even just throwing a crust of bread to a squirrel.  I didn’t get to defend myself then, but I will now. “That’s a horrible thing to say.”   Peeta’s eyebrows shoot up in a surprise.  “I hate that people think that of me – that I’ll put my own wellbeing ahead of anything else.  If I’ve tried so hard to survive, it’s because I had people depending on me.  What would have happened to Prim, or my mother, if I hadn’t been around to make sure there was food on the table?  Prim would have ended up in the Community Home and that meant as good as dead.  I’ll do anything for the people I love.  Die for them if need be.  I would die for you.  I –“ I stop short, remembering all of a sudden that I’m supposed to keep those feelings hidden.  Heat rises in my face.  “I mean – “And then it’s Peeta who cuts me short.  He takes my face in his hands and kisses me.  Really kisses me, not the closed mouth playacting kind, but softly, insistently, plying my mouth open with his own.  For a few seconds I’m stunned into inaction.  But then I feel that thing.  That thing that happened in the cave and on the beach.   And I put my arms around his neck and kiss him back hungrily, greedy for more.  He pulls me closer and we sort of meld together, the points of his body picking out the counter-points of my own and I moan somewhere deep in my throat. I forget we’re in a public space and only a short distance from a school.  Nothing exists but Peeta and me and when I feel his hand slip between my thighs under the cover of my dress, lightly as if seeking permission, my legs fall apart in open invitation and I will it to go higher, to that place that wants him so badly.

His fingertips barely make contact when from some faraway place the pulsating ring of a school bell sounds.  With great reluctance, I am dragged back into the present and reality returns with a thud.  I pull away, confused.  What just happened?  Why did he do that?  My head whips around looking for the audience he’s playing to, but there’s no one about.

“Don’t.  Don’t let’s pretend when there’s no one around,” I say, getting quickly to my feet.  It’s not . . . we shouldn’t do it.  It’s how lines get blurred.”  And people get hurt. People being me.  I shove my feet into my shoes.  “I have to go.  Class is about to start.  Thanks for lunch.”

I don’t wait for a response from Peeta. I race off, leaving him to dispose of the remains of our lunch, a look of bewildered concern on his face. The kiss leaves me shaken and it takes a concerted effort to concentrate on my work.  That was so close.  Too close. How am I going to get through this without breaking down?  There’s at least three weeks to go.  This week before the television crew arrives, the following when they set up, and after that a week of filming.  I don’t know how Peeta did it.  All that kissing and hugging on the Victory Tour.  And the nights on the train.  And then when we shared a bed in the Capitol just before the Quell.  It must have been torture.  As it will be for me tonight, and every other night until this is over.

Luckily, Peeta and I don’t finish work at the same time so I’m spared walking home with him.  As I’m home first, I set the table and prepare the food for dinner, allowing extra in case Haymitch turns up, which he probably will.  And then I go into the living room and take a book from the shelf.  I hope reading will be a distraction because I just can’t get that kiss out of my mind. It’s a book on conservation that Marcus left behind, and it’s as dry as you’d imagine but it does nothing to lessen the wetness between my legs.  I am so aroused; I’m fit to burst.  There’s only one solution.  I slip my hand under my dress to take care of it myself, and I’m just on the verge when I hear the front door open.  It’s Peeta.

I quickly open the book and pretend to be immersed in it.  

“Good book?” Peeta asks, as he comes into the room.  He takes the seat opposite and reads the title from the cover.  “’Wetland Techniques.”  I suppose we could all benefit by brushing up on our wetland technique.  Maybe I should read it after you.” “

Maybe,” I say noncommittedly, and lower my eyes back to the page.  I hope he’ll take the hint that I’m not in a sociable mood and go away.  

There’s a long pause.  “Katniss, I think we should talk about what happened at the park.”

I don’t think that’s a good idea at all.  If Peeta has a flaw it’s that he likes to talk about things that shouldn’t be talked about. It would be better for both of us if we pretended it didn’t happen.  

“Things got a little carried away, that’s all,” I say.  “It was bound to happen with us forced into this situation again.  We just have to be more careful next time.”  

“Is that what you want?” he asks, frowning. “I think it’s best, don’t you?  If we’re to get through this, we need to set boundaries. After all, we have to go back to living normally after this.  We have to stay friends.” I try to sound convincing but there’s a faint tremor in my voice.  I stare down at my book to avoid looking at him.

“All right, Katniss,” he says tiredly.   He rises from the chair.  “I’ll get dinner started then.  Haymitch should be here soon.”

After he leaves the room, I let out my breath. I don’t think he believed me but maybe that’s not important.  We only have to preserve the veneer.  But he makes it so hard.  Always wanting to open wounds instead of just leaving them alone.  I’ll just have to stay on my guard and make sure to keep him at a safe distance.  Obviously, Peeta isn’t averse to having sex with me if what happened at the park is any indication.  But then, I was practically begging him.  I know you don’t have to be in love to have sex.   And if sex is all I wanted from Peeta, I’d do it in a heartbeat. But I know, I just know, that if we went down that path, the floodgates would open and I’d be as helpless as ever and in an even worse place than I am now.  Nothing will have changed.  I’d still be in love with someone who isn’t in love with me.

While Peeta makes dinner, I take a shower.  A cold one. And change out of the sunset dress into something that makes me feel less vulnerable – tight-fitting trousers and a t-shirt.  I’d wear a chastity belt if I had one because I don’t really trust myself.  I wait until Haymitch arrives before I go downstairs. The less alone time I have with Peeta, the better.

Unfortunately, Haymitch doesn’t stay for very long after we’ve eaten.  I was hoping that he and Peeta would get the chess board out again so I could avoid interacting with him.  

“It’s Monday,” I tell Peeta, when he comments on Haymitch’s early departure.  “He wants to be home to watch “One Life to Live.” He’s something of an addict.”  I dry the last of the dishes and put it away while Peeta makes tea.  

“That’s the show Plutarch talked about, isn’t it?” he asks. “Yeah, that’s the one.  It’s the most rubbishy, most stupid thing ever. I was insulted when he compared us to Celia and Blake.  Idiots, both of them.”

“I can’t really comment.  I’ve never watched it,” he says, as he pours tea into two mugs.

I sniff derisively.   “Well, you haven’t missed anything.  I can’t think why Haymitch likes it.”

“Let’s find out.” “What?  You actually want to watch it?”

“Yeah.  I do.  You can explain the plot so far.”

He picks up one of the mugs and I take the other. “That will take about two seconds.” Nonetheless, I follow him into the living room and sit down beside him on the sofa. I guess there are worse things to do than watching television together, even if it is “One Life to Live.”  At least it’s a distraction and we won’t have to talk much.  My gaze flickers over to Peeta.  I’m acutely aware of him.  His well-muscled thigh only inches from my own. The fine blond hair on his strong capable hands.  Hands that can lift heavy sacks of flour yet wield a paintbrush with the most delicate precision.   Hands that were on me only hours earlier.  A throbbing starts between my legs at the thought of it.   I cross one leg over the other to alleviate the sensation but then quickly uncross them. The movement makes the crotch seam of my trousers rub against me in a most stimulating way.  I should have worn a dress.  

With a click of the remote control, the opening credits of “One Life to Live” appear on the screen.   I swallow hard and force myself to focus. “Well, Celia and Blake are from neighboring districts . . . “

[munstarr]

The Guardian

Hello everyone!! I just edited this again and decided to re upload because I wasn't happy with it originally and I wanted to write something id love, now I can say I am super happy with the outcome!! This will be a slow burn, eventually nsfw! Currently working on the next part! Id love and appreciate some feedback! Please feel free to DM me! Thank you so much for reading!!!  ❥ ❥ ❥ ❥ ❥ ❥ ❥ ❥ ❥ ❥ ❥ ❥ ❥ ❥ ❥ ❥ ❥ ❥ ❥ ❥ ❥ ❥ ❥ ❥ ❥ ❥ ❥ ❥ ❥ ❥ ❥ ❥ ❥ ❥ ❥ 

A little over eighty years ago Earth scientists sent out a signal into space in an attempt to make contact with other beings. In a surprising turn of events an alien alliance ship happened to be passing by, how had they missed earth before? Well the milky way was merely a skid mark compared to the rest of space. After months of back and forth between the alliance and Earth. Many planets had decided to make contact with earth with wonderful intentions and were more than willing to share their technological developments. In exchange most species requested to study human life and their history. After many trials and errors the Earth officially joined the planetary alliance. Together they worked out many systems and programs to mix species and learn from each other, Thus our current story begins!

Planet Yalnak was an unearthly forest filled planet with cool days and a deep purple sky. The program they had implemented was different from others in the Alliance. Humans could only sign up to live on Yalnak to be of service to the home species, the Nuks or to study a trade. Yalnak was one of the more stubborn planets who were hesitant, after learning of Earth’s hatred they were the last from the alliance to make contact. It wasn't until learning and witnessing of Human’s surprising endurance and loyalty that they joined and formed an earth acceptance program.

On Earth, Azura flipped through all the different planetary Alliance program brochures.She had been working as a hospitality and business specialist. Working towards her degree and getting to her dream job in less than three years time. After chasing her career goals she thought she would be happier. Another busy day of working had her coming home drained for what felt like the millionth time. She sure could use a change she thought. Sighing deeply she placed the brochures on the coffee table in front of her. ‘’Pfft’’ She blew a piece of coily raven hair out of her face, Maybe a hot bubble bath would ease her stress instead. Azura drew herself a relaxing milk bath, filling it with different oils; after setting out lots of candles she slipped into the hot soapy water. She sank into the tub closing her eyes, these were the only times she felt that she could truly relax. Her big bundle of raven curls spilled out of her clawfoot tub. Rubbing her rich mahogany body with her creamy bath butter, she whimpered. Her lathered up pink loofah traveled all over her , leaving a trail of bubbles all over her curvy body. It had been a long time since she’d had any sort of real pleasure. Not that she felt she wasn’t attractive, at twenty - four she was a small chocolate woman with a lean body and a bosomy frame ,or so she had thought. It had been a long while since she had been with anyone, let alone on an actual date. She sunk deeper into the warm bubbles as she roamed her body with the loofah, slowly caressing with the soft fabric. With closed fluttering eyes she imagined the type of person she fantasized to be with her. He was strong and tender as he gripped her throat tightly squeezing as he circled her clit with his strong roughened fingers. He caressed her hot button as her head fell back against his solid chest, nibbling her bottom lip as she let out a muffled moan. Azura imagined such a thing could happen to her. She’d gone through college as a studious maverick, putting her grades above all else. She was paying for it now she felt, getting nicely along in her career but feeling very lonely at times. She had been getting a degree in helping others have fun essentially, without ever really having any herself. Without even having any close family or even friends she was starting to feel more alone  than ever. “UGH” she grumbled aloud, splashing her hand against the water and huffing in frustration. Now she couldn’t even relax with herself! Of course, only she could make herself sad in the middle of a fantasy. She pouted and decided to drain the bath and cut her losses. After drying off and oiling herself up for bed, she slipped on a satin red slip with a lace peekaboo. Another night of eating dinner alone to the sound of terrible reality tv, after two episodes of bad reality she clicked it off deciding it was time for bed. On her way out of the living room she decided to toss her brochures into the recycling, none of the programs were right for her anyway she thought. Huffing she tossed them into the bin. One dark colored brochure had fallen out, she hadn’t noticed it before. It said very plainly in black letters on the outside the word “YALNAK” . Azura had heard of this planet, it had accepted the least amount of humans into their program, only posting new ads when they had specific positions open. She picked it up reading the first and only page which had ads for tradesmen to study and helper companions. Azura thought being a helper could be interesting but didn’t want to waste her time being a glorified errand girl. Every ad was submitted by individuals of the planet it seemed. There was an entry that caught her eye and was offering triple the pay! The only downside was that she had to submit qualifications and pass an assessment, she’d never been great at taking tests she thought.  The description was vague but seemed to offer interesting benefits and career opportunities. Her interest was piqued of course, so she decided to give in and opened her telepad to do the application, what's she got to lose?  After uploading her resume and completing the exam online she uploaded both to her telepad. This could be a long shot but she was ready for a new adventure, besides being a helper companion couldn’t be so bad. She decided to send an introduction to the ad placer to tell them about herself and to say how she could be right for the job and how she was ready for a change, whatever it was. Maybe it sounded desperate? No, she shook off that silly anxious thought and hit submit. After sending she smiled to herself and decided to go to bed, excited about new possibilities. A few days later Azura decided to check the ad to see the status of the position , since she hadn’t heard anything back yet. Checking her telepad she frowned, it said in bold red letters “FULFILLED”. She was disappointed but she knew it was a gamble to begin with and probably not even worth her time. Shaking off her unexpected disappointment she went on a run to clear her mind and think about her future. Her big coily space buns bounced on top of her head as she ran, her rich skin shining in the sunlight. After a few times around the block she was tired and decided to walk the rest of the way home to enjoy the cool breeze. Approaching her apartment door she noticed her mail had been delivered. She had received a large metal box and a thick black envelope place on top. Taking the huge box into her house she carefully sat it on her coffee table. “What the hell..” she whispered to herself. She sliced open the letter and it read  “ Congratulations Azura Elaine Emem from Earth, You have been chosen to be a helper companion for the honorable guardian Mirin”. She reread the letter in confusion, she was great at what she did but she wasn’t sure how she could be of any assistance to some honorable guardian! The letter continued “Please read the inclosed packets for further briefing on your new assignment”. Azura opened the box to find it contained brief information about the planet, it’s customs, and a request form for Earth foods she’d want while there, and last but not least a black square and a note. Azura picked up and inspected the intricate wax seal before carefully peeling it off and carefully unfolding the letter. In beautiful writing it stated simply ‘Dear Ms.Emem, I wanted to personally contact you because I am looking forward to working with you and want to set you up for success. Inside the black holding bonds I have included your uniform for the beginning days of training along with my crest, please wear this on your right side of your garment.’ With a short goodbye it concluded. Azura was stunned, she wanted a new life but wasn't expecting it to actually happen. She felt a new fire ignite inside of her, she was nervous for a new life but excited nonetheless. With a slurp of her melting iced coffee Azura smiled, wondering what sort of life she had signed herself up for.

[babblingblondegenius]

Future Ficlet: All You Need is Love...and Coffee

Wow, tonight’s episode was brutal.  Between the painful Olicity separation in present time and the lack of Olicity in the dark future of the flash-forwards, we aren’t seeing any of the happy right now.  There seems to be no hope. Our heroes’ sacrifices were all in vain.  Basically, everything sucks.

As kismet would have it, a couple of weeks ago, I shared a fun little head canon with @allimariexf and @hope-for-olicity and they both encouraged me to ‘write the thing.’  I’ve had a terrible case of writer’s block for quite some time (meaning I have a gazillion story ideas and a ton of WIPs that are unfinished).  I expected this one to end up dormant in my drafts as well.  But after tonight’s episode, I felt the need to finish it because we (and Olicity, of course) deserve a little hope and happy.  Set two years in the future, the premise of this little fluffy ficlet is that Felicity needs an assistant but she has particular criteria ;)  

This should have been the easy part.  

After months of enticing investors, obtaining the proper licenses and permits, all the legal mumbo jumbo, and locating the perfect office space, hiring an executive assistant is going to be the breaking point where she finally loses her sanity.  

Which completely defeats the purpose of trying to find someone to help her in the first place.

She has been doing fine on her own, thriving actually, since she decided it was time to recommence building a tech company from the ground up, sans Curtis this time.   This venture, for better or worse, will be all hers.  Her vision.  Her name. Her legacy.

Despite her initial apprehension at that thought, she has a clarity and confidence in her mission and goals that has propelled her forward at a pace she couldn’t have imagined.  So far, choosing which of her many prototypes she wanted to launch first has been her biggest challenge.

Until now.  

She had narrowed down the stack of over 100 applications to the eight most qualified for the position, and began the interview process at 7:00 this morning.  

The first one had been punctual, neat, and lacking any sort of personality whatsoever.  

The second one arrived twenty minutes late and then interrupted Felicity mid-interview to take a non-emergency personal call on her cell phone.

The third one tapped her super long artificial nails on the edge of Felicity’s desk the entire time and included ‘loud typer’ when asked how her current co-workers would describe her.

The fourth one was a chaotic whirlwind who overshared details of his personal life on every single question.

Maybe he just had too much caffeine in his system. Or maybe she doesn’t have enough.

Coffee.  She needs coffee.  Her next interviewee isn’t scheduled to come in for another hour, so she takes the reprieve to just lay her head down on her desk for a moment in order to gather up the energy she needs to make the trek down the block for her caffeine fix.

“One vanilla soy latte, extra sugar, extra cinnamon, extra whip cream.”  

Oh yes.  That’s exactly what she wants.  Why she is thinking it in Oliver’s voice, she doesn’t know.  Her coffee daydream is so vivid, she can even smell the soothing notes of vanilla with hints of sweet cinnamon spice wafting through the air. Mmmmmmmm.

“Felicity….honey, are you okay?”  Oliver’s voice again.  She slowly lifts her head and sees her husband standing on the other side of her desk, holding a large cup emblazoned with the logo of her favorite java joint and her name scrawled across it in black marker.

“I am now,” she practically purrs as he hands over her treasured treat.  After taking a deep inhale and a long swallow, she blissfully smiles at him.  “It’s perfect.  You’re perfect.”  Suddenly jumping up out of her chair, she shares the revelation brought on by the jolt of caffeine in her system. “Oh!  I have a great idea!  You should apply to be my EA.”  

Oliver chuffs out a laugh.  “Because I brought you coffee?  Your standards must be pretty low.”  

“Worried you couldn’t cut it, Mr. Queen?” she asks, arching an eyebrow in challenge.

“I think my time served as Mayor proves otherwise,” he retorts with an air of gravitas but mimics her gesture, silently letting her know that he enjoys her teasing him and is willing to play along.  

She shakes her head.  “Nope, not helpful.  You couldn’t even get me a break on my taxes when you were the mayor.  What are your current qualifications?”

He ponders the inquiry for a moment before responding proudly, “I’m the head chef at Chez Queen.”

She rolls her eyes at Oliver’s corny moniker for their kitchen but gives him an encouraging smile.  “Oh yeah, I’ve eaten there a few times.  The food is magnificent.  But do you have any business experience?”

His expression goes from proud to smug.  “As a matter of fact, I do.  I was formerly the CEO of Queen Consolidated.”

She takes another swig of coffee and checks an incoming text on her cell phone before reminding him, “I happen to have first-hand knowledge you wouldn’t have made it a week without your super smart and highly efficient EA.”   

“That’s true,” he concedes with a grin, “though on the downside, she only brought me coffee one time.  One”, he repeats, taking her coffee and phone and setting them off to the side. Placing his palms flat on the edge of her desk, he leans in closer, a visible twinkle in his vivid blue eyes.   “I think she actually broke our coffeemaker.  Violently,” he teases in a conspiratorial whisper.

Mirroring her husband, she leans in over the desk until their noses are almost touching.  “A little violence doesn’t scare you, does it, Mr. Queen?”  She allows her gaze to run down the length of his torso, visibly appreciating the definition of his biceps that his jacket cannot conceal. “You look like you could handle yourself just fine.”

“I like to stay in shape.”  He feigns modesty but she knows her husband and can recognize that look in his eyes. “Some cardio, free weights, martial arts, salmon ladder…”

“That’s so hot” she blurts out, temporarily slipping out of character as her brain produces an amazing visual of sweaty and shirtless Oliver making his way up the salmon ladder.  Will there ever be a day when that doesn’t turn her on?  Probably not, and judging from the self-satisfied smirk on his face, he mentioned it on purpose just to get that very reaction out of her.   Determined to get back on track, she rephrases, “I mean, that sounds interesting.”  She decides a change of topic would be helpful to give her an advantage in their little game.  “Computer skills?”

She immediately regrets that question when Oliver gives her a feral smile that makes her weak in the knees.  Lowering his voice to the same octave he uses when he is dressed in green leather, he divulges, “I’ve hacked a federal prison network.”

Guh, game over.  In all her years with Oliver, that is the sexiest thing he has ever said. She quickly makes her way around the desk and invades his personal space. “Seems like you’re a man of many talents,” she coos appreciatively, latching onto his arm and nuzzling her face into the sleeve of his jacket to breathe in the scent that is uniquely Oliver.

“My wife taught me a thing or two,” he boasts, turning so they are face-to-face and he can wrap his arms around her.  

Her hands instinctively move from his arm to his chest, resting over his heart.  “She must be an amazing woman.”

Oliver nods in agreement, his nose nuzzling hers. “She is.  She’s the best.”

“I know you’re just saying that to get husband points and its working,” she acknowledges affectionately, her hand caressing the stubble on his jaw.   He tilts his head into her palm like a contented cat and she takes the opportunity to kiss him like she wanted to since she saw him in front of her desk, whether it was five minutes ago with coffee or nine years ago with a bullet-ridden laptop.  

Oliver moans and deepens the kiss, the fervent strokes of his tongue making her long for more.  “Okay, you’re hired,” she pants, breaking the kiss when her need for air temporarily overcomes her need for Oliver.  “Smoak Tech is a start-up so your health care package consists of me patching you up if you are injured and I’m sure we can work out some type of compensation for your time and skills,” provocatively shifting her body against his and feeling his obvious interest through his jeans and her skirt.  Two soft kisses and one firm rotation of his hips later, she is internally debating the sturdiness of her desk and whether they have time for her to show him exactly what she means by ‘compensation’ before her next appointment shows up.

“That’s a very tempting offer, Ms. Smoak” he murmurs into her hair as his hand travels down her back and immediately finds its usual place on the curve of her shapely ass, pulling her impossibly closer, “but I’m afraid my current employer really needs me right now and I just can’t bear to leave her,” his free hand gesturing to the stroller where their daughter slumbers peacefully.

Felicity sighs, pure happiness filling her heart and clearing her mind as she rests her head on her husband’s chest to gaze lovingly at the chubby-cheeked, perfect amalgamation of her and Oliver they brought into the world just four short months ago.   “Sounds like she has you wrapped around her little finger.”  

Oliver rests his chin on the top of her head and she can hear the love and contentment in his voice when he whispers in her hair, “From the very first moment I met her.  She takes after her mother that way.”

A/N:  Thank you for reading!  I hope this helped to soothe the sting of all the angst.  Queen family feels FTW.  William was not in this fic because at that time of day, he should be in school and also I didn’t want to traumatize him any further with Olicity’s blatant flirty flirt.  The poor kid has seen enough already lol.  

Huge thanks and virtual hugs to @allimariexf and @hope-for-olicity for all the fun conversations and being all around wonderful :)

Oliver’s ‘current employer’ ;)

[davidfieldfutureworks-blog]

Contemporary Contextual Studies: Session 17 (02/02/2018)

Had a presentation today for the “imaginary game jam” thing. As TK is one of the resident technical designers my prospective role was essentially already filled, so I just said I’d handle the audio design. Strangely enough, I actually put some brief thought into it.

As the concept was essentially Twisted Metal/Crazy Taxi meets Fallout, and felt that a dark ambience-heavy metal mashup was on the cards for the soundtrack. Being based in Manchester, the use of Manc bands was essential (anything else would be punishable by being sent to live in Liverpool). The core idea would be to take the melody of one song (eg The Boy With the Thorn in His Side by The Smiths), time stretch it and play it in reverse, then lay on some guitar samples by assigning segments of guitar riffs from other songs (eg The Girl in the Dirty Shirt by Oasis) on a sampler, and just basically experimenting til it sounds good. That’s my approach to music at least...

Regarding my actual assignment work, I decided that if I’m going to do this thing properly and look into how I’m going to break into the industry and eventually land my desired role, I’d have to look at everything from a practical perspective. Therefore, I decided to do some budgeting.

Working through all my current and projected expenditure, I came to a target monthly income. I then looked into various roles available at studios in a realistic location, ranging from areas in Greater Manchester, Cheshire, Yorkshire, and Lincoln (I have family and a few mates there so adjusting to a smaller city for the sake of two or three years wouldn’t be as big of an issue if I was starting from scratch). The roles themselves however were quite frustrating.

First off, I clearly have no specialised role to begin with. I’m decent with low poly models, but not good enough for entry level art. I can do technical design, but can’t code, so that’s out (most roles require strong knowledge in C++). My level design skills are limited to real life maps and floorplans that I can draw over and make slight modifications to, leading me to conclude that looking into this particular job would be pointless. Then there’s audio. As much as I love working in a recording studio, I’m too out of practice to consider myself genuinely good, and on top of that most job listings again ask for strong knowledge in C++. It became clear that the role to look into would be the dreaded QA tester.

Going for the position of a QA tester is problematic for a few reasons, ranging from the difficulty to get noticed enough to progress through a company, to the redundancy of being a “qualified game designer” (whatever that means). Ever since I first considered the possibility of working in the industry fifteen or so years ago, it’s always been said that the way to get a job with no experience or qualifications is to go for quality assurance.

Now, obviously it does at least require a background in something related (modding, for example), however besides the knowledge and experience gained from this course (or the second year, if I’m being totally honest) it brings up questions such as “should I really have plunged myself into £45k+ debt for a job like this?” At the end of the day, I could’ve easily earned a comfortable £16-18k/annum for three years building up my portfolio on the side. Then again, would I have actually spent my time doing that, or would I just have wasted it all on going out? Resilience is a key factor in a job such as QA testing though, so it’s a point I’m going to have to moan about til I get bored in order to get it out of my system.

Another issue I’ve been having is the complete lack of information about salaries in job listings in the industry. I’ve honestly never known anything like it, and it’s quite insulting, as it seems to suggest that people should be so lucky to even be considered for a position. That has got to be the most infuriating thing I’ve learned so far about the industry. I perfectly understand a company being secretive over their finances, but to actually withhold information from potential employees is ridiculous when you consider the fact that everyone has responsibilities. How is anyone supposed to know if they’re wasting their time or not in applying for a role that may or may not be financially sustainable for them?

Anyway, putting that rant to the side, I did a little digging, and from what I can gather £15k/year seems to be a sensible figure to work with as far as QA testers are concerned. Long story short, the finances just don’t work out. The alternative is to spend the first few years of my thirties living with my mam, a prospect I refuse to consider.

From here I effectively (a word branded onto my brain thanks to Ewan) ruled out looking for a job at AAA studio straight out of uni, at least until I have some savings or pay off enough debt for it not to be considered part of my monthly budget.

Speaking to John, who I’m assuming could hear my frustration through my choice of words (which consisted of “f” words such as “[it’s] frustrating...) he simply suggested I get in contact with producers at studios around Manchester and the North West area and simply ask the questions I needed to ask. Out of my pool of ten studios that range from low level indie to not quite AAA, only two got back to me on my request for advice (which is more than I expected).

One basically suggested that the best way to find out would be to ask people in the industry (!!!) and the other went into a highly appreciated amount of depth, including personal experience. In hindsight I probably should’ve mentioned my age, as he also gave as he went onto say I’d need to get another degree for getting a “normal job” (on the off chance that anyone who hasn’t had one before is reading... no you don’t. Having a level 2 in both Maths and English, along with six level 2s in total is all you require in terms of qualifications to get such any type of “regular job”).

Nevertheless, his advice was actually quite brilliant. A basic breakdown for anyone who’s interested: - Being a game producer is a catch 22 position. You need experience to get a position, but can’t get experience without filling such a role.

- Make games no matter how bad they are just to get something done.

- Use game jams to get the experience you otherwise can’t get.

- Loving the work you do is worthy of sacrificing money. [Side note: it’s sacrificing what the money pays for that concerns me]

- Wanting to be a game producer is great, but the worst thing to want to be before entering the industry.

- Design documents are the way to go for landing the role of a “junior designer” at a larger studio.

- Quality Assurance is indeed the recommended role for a budding producer to start off with.

- Being a QA at Sony’s Liverpool branch will likely meet my budgetary needs, and is a realistic commute, though staff turnover is very high.

- It’s worth getting a PRINCE2 qualification, as it will prove true understanding of project management.

- Speculative applications and LinkedIn are a must for getting work.

So, to bring this lengthy entry full circle, it seems that my best approach is to banish myself to the city of scousers.

[blooddrinkerteaparti-blog]

Afternoons sky I. (Parrots)

This was my fluff from last summer and one of my best friends started to translate it in English. Check the originial in Asianfafics (https://www.asianfanfics.com/story/view/1260625/afternoon-sky-romance-taemin-originalcharacter-exo-kai)

I. Parrots

It was a beautiful morning, Wednesday perhaps, when I was running late to the school. I didn't really have time to admire the spring blue of the sky that only had a few white meringue on it, without any promise of bad weather. Some cherry trees were still blooming. Anyone would've been captured by the romantic atmosphere. But I had no time for this.

A few minutes later, after the ring of the bell, I'd crashed into the changing room and fell on one of the benches and while enjoying the warmth of the sun that'd been coming through the frosted window, I began to dress. White stocking, black leotard, then the black ballet shoes got onto their rightful place. I fought with my messy hair, I remember this exactly because I fight with it every single day since then. I twisted the shiny black locks into a tight bun.

I bowed deeply, almost in 90 degrees in front of the ballet master and I let him into the room before me, even if I signed my own delay with it and I stood at the end of the line to the small girls. Hyomin fiercely waved at me, trying to be as invisible as she can from the other side of the line. I responded it with a strained smile as I tried to even my breathing.

"Second position!"

Everyone moved at the same time, even the sound of the slipping of the ballet shoes was synchronised. In every ballet lesson, we moved as one body, we get tired and suffer as one. Every student fought for the excellent results, there was no one who wouldn't care about the best qualification. A lot of people, including me, go to the ballet extra lessons to reach the same goal. Even with this, I thought it's worth it. It's worth the pain, the act of physical asceticism, the always hurting limbs and the stiff muscles.

Even then, Hyomin didn't believe this. For her, the school was another activity. Her place was granted in her father's company as a future CEO. Nonetheless, she followed me everywhere I'd gone since we were only kids. Like that, she landed here, in an art school, struggling not to fail in ballet. She was beautiful, smart, pretty and she had an excellent taste in fashion. But she was never a good dancer.

In this Wednesday happened that after the double lessons in the morning, I stood in the line to the vending machine, trying to decide to maybe drinking water, as I do every day or regret everything and buy something sugary crap, when I'd noticed that a tall figure halted next to me with a smile on his face. And he was smiling at me. He had beautiful eyes and blinding smile which would make anyone melt immediately, even me, but I was too exhausted from the double ballet lessons and the fluid loss, so totally forgetting about the smile, I'd bought my water in a moment and pulling the bobby pins out of my hair, I began walking to English class. I still remember the puzzled Taemin calling after me and the boy beside him, who, I believe, smiled at me.

***

"So this is how you met Jongin for the first time?" Hyomin giggled and threw her head back, her voice echoed from the walls of the living room. Tightening her grip on her boyfriend's arm, she tried to balance herself. She cut her hair for the latest trend but she still owned that movement where she throws her soft, hazel curls back. "For how long? It's been five years," she laid her head on his boyfriend's shoulder and smiled at me. "It's so you, Bini. But we love you like this."

With a smile, I sipped from my drink and I tried to get comfier by pulling a pillow onto my lap.

After a few seconds of silence, Hyomin clapped her hands and got onto her feet, and I know it's the sign that I have to follow her to the kitchen even though I was too comfortable in the lonely armchair.

"We'll get some snack. You choose the movie!" she pecked her boyfriend. She got a blinding smile and a shining gaze as a response but Hyomin was too busy pulling me towards the kitchen, one floor below. I didn't like staying at her house, I thought no one likes to be in a huge house like this but I've never told this to her.

"He won't choose a horror movie, right?" I asked my humming friend, who was waiting for the popcorn.

"Don't be a scaredy-cat!" she laughed at me, halting her false song. "He's not my brother. He's easy to scare too, just like you."

With a small smile, I noted this. I didn't like to find anything similar between me and Jongin. We never really got along. Of course, I tried hard to hide it from Hyomin. Usually, it ended with silently looking away from each other. I only looked at him occasionally when he was smiling at Hyomin. In those rare moments, he was almost bearable. Because he liked my friend, this was the only reason that I could stay with him in a bigger company than two people without feeling awkward.

"I'm not a scaredy-cat!" I stated with hurting pride.

"Oh, really! My dear friend, my brother is coming home tomorrow," as she said that, my stomach fell. The second most important men in Hyomin's life and I couldn't make myself stay in one room with him. "He said, it's not fair if you're avoiding him again. Weirdly, you're the only person he likes besides family. You really shouldn't avoid him. You'll regret it."

"Taemin doesn't have emotions," I growled softly, walking back to the living room. Hyomin started laughing.

"You may be right. But he still likes you."

"What an unfair destiny. I might be the only woman who wishes that Lee Taemin wouldn't like her."

"I'm sure you are," comes Jongin's answer for which I winced and I almost dropped the popcorn. Today, he hadn't even said a single word. Not like he had time for that with Hyomin's endless tales. I pulled my nose up while he sneaked an arm around Hyomin's small of the back and I got back to my place to the armchair with my pillow.

The movie was fine, in that point of view that no one died, no one was eaten by zombies and this week, Taemin hadn't jumped out from behind the armchair, giving out a terrifying sound and I didn't act out my usual escaping play, which was well received by everyone except me. The movie night next week won't be like this, I could feel it. I could give Jongin credits for his taste and choice of movie. It couldn't tell about Hyomin who fell asleep around the half of the movie on his boyfriend's shoulder.

So, after the movie had finished, I took the glasses and plates, then taking my handbag and putting on my sandals, I silently turned the key in the lock. Like always, it was left in the door. As I opened the door, the warmth pushed into my face, even if it was almost night time. My stomach flipped unpleasantly.

"I'll give you a ride. It's still too hot outside," I winced again at Jongin's voice as the boy peeked out of the door beside me.

"It's not necessary, I always walk. I don't even like riding a car," I finished every possible way to him to take me home.

"Your loss," he shrugged and after I stepped out, he closed the door after me. I heard the click of the lock.

"Good night, you too," I shook my head and I stared at the sky. The bottom was dark but the upper side was still a hundred kind of orange. It was breathtaking. I quickly took a photo, then put away my phone, I began walking on the hot streets, on the long way home.

***

The next day, the warmth made me wake up even though, the air conditioner was going half of the night. With an uncomfortable moan, I kicked down the blanket and after a long search for a hair tie, I pulled my hair into a messy bun on the top of my head, freeing my nape and I already could feel the coolness of the air. My first route took me to the kitchen and taking out water from the fridge, I took big, intense gulps.

Unfortunately, as usual for a Saturday morning, I didn't have the time to get comfortable. I dressed quickly, pulled my straightened, black locks into a ponytail and getting on my sandal, I threw on my handbag. The theatre won't wait for one dancer.

The bus was crowded and the smell of sweat lingered in the air, but I still liked this style of living, compared to Hyomin's. I had a license and I could've bought a car if I wanted one. But I didn't want to.

Getting off the bus, I took off my headphones and I stopped the music on my phone's playlist and I quickened my steps on the theatre's marble stairs. The huge, darkened glass doors were a difficult obstacle for my small frame but after some fight, I could get in. I bowed to every co-worker with a smile and most of them mirrored my actions with a tilt of the head.

The changing room was noisy. I greeted them, for which I got the same in a choir while I was packing my stuff. I sneaked into my stockings, then the black leotard and after a rushed searching, I found my ballet shoes in the pit of my bag. I had my small feet in the well-worn shoes and I hurried to the stage to stand in with the other dancers for the dress rehearsal.

"Eubin? Where is that tiny girl?" the voice of the director was giving a bad vibe, so I was trying to make myself, even more, smaller while I stood in front of him and with a smile I bowed to him. "How do people notice you if you're so small?" he grumbled but I've suspected he was sort of having a not so bad day. He'd given every bit of information I had to know then he sent me off and he's started working with the actors.

Every Saturday morning was rather slow. The actors and actresses started playing out a scene again and again whilst others adjusted the lights and the scenery; the director was always on his phone; the band oppressed every other sound so we, the dancers were just silently and patiently waiting for orders. But as for myself, I liked to watch the not so coordinated chaos what became from the company in every premier.

Sometimes at noon, the makeup artists and the stylists hunted the dancers down. This was my least favourite part. The huge makeup disturbed me along with a lot of blue feathers- especially while dancing. But what could I do, when I acted as a parrot? I had to sneeze from the feathers and they tickled or pricked in very unfortunate parts of my body. But I had to endure, not even one complaint left my lips. At least, they paid me well.

Funnily, it was starting to become dark when the dancers finished while I totally knew the actors finished hours before. We moved behind the curtain in silence and without a noise, we stood in a simple line. It took us significantly less time to get onto the stage than in the morning.

Even though the noises from the crowd made me excited, it was a priceless feeling being the only blue one in the sea of reds, greens and yellows- as I was the main support- and step onto the stage, into the ring of reflectors.

Although, because of the lights, I couldn't see even the first row, I imagined the audience was watching me. I followed the choreography to the otherwise irritatingly loud music. These were my moments of success.

After the play, as a dancer, I had no other thing to do than to remove my makeup, take off my costume and dressed up in casual clothes, go home. But this took way too much time, anyway, because the makeup stubbornly stuck to my face and I was too tired to deal with it.

***

The arrival of Taemin has meant family dinner every single time for what I was never invited, luckily for me or not. I would've wanted to greet my best friend between the firsts. But what bothered me the most was that Hyomin's father would probably welcome Eubin on the dinner. 'Extraordinary girl' was how he referred to her, even though he's known her as long as me or even less. I took the same road as Eunbi, we went to the same school and funnily, we got into the same company, too. But Mr Lee has never acknowledged me. And the only reason was- I was dating with her daughter for two years.

After the horrendous early wake-up, Hyomin took me to the theatre while she was going to the airport for Taemin. I timed it excellently to see Eubin's fight with the door. I had no intention helping her. I didn't like her even a bit.

I spent the whole time of waiting with playing on my phone. My best friend started annoying me the moment he put his rich butt down on the front seat.

"I heard you're dancing today, ballerina."

      "I would be anywhere but here."

"Why? There's Bini."

      "Unlike you, I don't like her."

"But they say it's easier to get along with lesbians."

  "Then she's the most annoying lesbian in the world. I swear she's in love with your sister."

About three years ago, it turned out that Eubin likes girls. With a grimace, I turned to the girl who was waiting for us to go onto the stage with serene tranquillity. Who can be so happy every single day's every single minute? That made me disgusted. Like she hasn't had emotions.

I knew that the whole Lee family would be there to watch the play. I didn't like it if they watched me being dressed as a bird or other unpleasant thing. I knew that a few years back I wasn't like this but I felt like if I want to stand by Hyomin's side as her husband, then I needed not only elegance but poise. Jumping around the stage with red feathers in my ass wasn't exactly elegant.

If I had blue feathers like Eubin!

This was another thing I didn't like in her. Whatever she started, she was the best immediately. Anyhow I tried ever since I got into the company, she got in a year after me but the distance between us grew and grew. I knew well that I want to rival with her for Hyomin's attention and love. I would've to admit that it was for nothing when I could still do something for it.

After the play, with mainly removed makeup, hiding in my hood I stepped out of the stage door, then I walked along the building. Mr. Lee was praising the little Eubin with the biggest smile and despite my distaste, I pitied her. She must have been dead tired. Unwillingly, I gave her a sympathetic look. Hyomin was beaming beside her friend who couldn't reach even her shoulders. Taemin was probably with her mother.

"I was searching for you everywhere, my own parrot wrapped in a leotard! I should've known you're being an sociopathic here," my friend jumped into my neck, for what I felt a smile bloom on my lips. Tossing him aside, I gave him a hug. We were best friends way too long to give him a cold-shouldered welcome. "But what were you looking? I called out to you three times!"

He turned to where I'd been staring just a moment before.

"Ah, my pretty sister. Don't you miss her long hair?"

"I do," I sighed sadly, thinking of her lost hair. Taemin happily sneaked an arm around my neck.

"Let's drink something, you lovesick fool."

"Lovesick? I'm living in a happy relationship of two years. You're the one who is lovesick."

"Me?" Taemin pointed at himself, surprised.

"Of course! Falling in love with a girl who likes women."

"Ah, how--" he blinked at Eubin's way, for what my smirk froze on my face. I wasn't used to him being sorrowful. Usually he wouldn't let people see his true face. I was blinking at him, I was totally stunned.

He might really like Eubin?

[yoi-secret-valentines2017]

Victuuri's duvet

For @nowaki-star!

Nobody had thought that an inanimate thing could take such an important place in human beings’ lives. A common object that would become the witness of intimate moments and many first times in the quotidian routine of two persons and one dog.

First encounter

When Yuuri Katsuki first saw Viktor Nikiforov on the threshold of his family hotel, the man was not only bringing his dog Makkachin and a luggage with him, but also carrying a gigantic blue blood duvet. If Yuuri had not fully realized at the time that the multiple figure skating world champion planned on sejourning for more than a couple of days at his home, the queen sized bedding piece was enough for him to understand. Later that night, When Viktor came to knock at Yuuri’s bed door, giddy remembering the gala the previous year where the latter had made him  promise to become his coach - which he now wanted to honour - he was holding that blanket, with Makkachin following him behind. When Yuuri adamantly refused to sleep with him - to Viktor’s surprise - the self proclaimed coach came back to his room, muffled in his duvet, brooding over Yuuri’s sudden burst of shyness. Then, hugged and warmed by that soft comforter and his four leg companion, he fell into the arms of Morpheus, a smile on his lips, as he was expecting the days to come to be interesting and amusing.

First jealousy

This was stupid and he knew it. Or rather than stupid, it was childish. And although he repeatedly told himself that he should not be, Yuuri was terribly jealous of that duvet spending nights with Viktor, being by his side when he fell asleep and when he woke up. It was irrational to wish to be in that place, since Viktor was only his coach and Yuuri should not expect more than that. But a part of him, the one fearing to be left behind if he could not fulfill Viktor’s expectations, the one reminding him of last year Grand Prix Final complete disaster, desperately longed to be that bedspread, because it was by Viktor’s side unconditionally.

The hardest thing for Yuuri was to describe his relationship with Viktor. Officially, it was a coach-disciple relationship. But once the flashes and cameras could not reach them, the borders between a coach and a friend, or more, were blurry. With the Nationals around the corner, he felt that he did not only want to prove something to himself, but also to Viktor, and he never felt that way with his previous coach. He wanted to make the person who put his career on hold to train him and who gave him a newfound confidence to praise him. And brushing momentarily the non confident part of himself, he promised that he would not let Viktor’s trust in him be wasted.

First time sharing

Yuuri Katsuki was not used to being under the spotlight. He often under performed under pressure, and this time being the contestant to surpass in the China Grand Prix was a bit overwhelming. Adding that to all the expectations the audience and the media had of him, as Viktor Nikiforov’s disciple, and Yuuri’s shoulders could not carry all that weight, hence he did not manage to sleep at all on the night before his free program. There was no point in trying to hide the gigantic dark circles under his eyes, and Viktor obviously noticed them.

Even if Yuuri did not actually expect to be scolded, he did not foresee Viktor forcing him to take a nap, along with him. Wrapped up in the omnipresent duvet, protected by Viktor’s arms circling his torso, Yuuri could finally relax a little. And eventually, that bedspread he used to envy was now a good protection to prevent his heart from beating too fast from Viktor’s proximity, creating an ephemeral peaceful world away from the turmoil of the real world.

He could now picture why Viktor seemed so attached to that comforter. Engulfed in it like a snail in his shell, nobody seemed to be able to harm him, and the soft fabric was so addictive and warmed every inch of his bare skin. He silently apologized to that duvet, thinking that of all the non living things that existed but who made his existence better, this duvet was second, a narrow step behind pork katsudon.

First time cuddling

Viktor had witnessed cute moments, a lot of them including Yuuri Katuski being the cute one, or sometimes it was Makkachin, but as he took several pictures of the scene before his eyes, he thought that none of them actually equaled his boyfriend with half opened eyes, tousled hair, hugging a duvet too big for him, leaving some traces of drool over it as he was trying to fall back asleep. Although Yuuri was not exactly a morning person, he made his best to be on time for morning practices, but judging by his reluctance to actually get up on that day, Viktor doubted his resolution would be strong enough to push him out of bed. And he would not blame him. After all, Yuuri was this sleepy because the boy’s coach, friend, or boyfriend - all names would fit, although Viktor liked to be referred as the latter - had taken them to a restaurant the night before and they both ate and drank until late. Being both the coach and the boyfriend was not an easy job, since you would want to enjoy dates as long as possible, without it impeding practices. But if those dates meant that he got to sleep with Yuuri after that, he would not mind one or two practice sessions starting later.

Or even being cancelled, he thought as he lifted one side of the duvet to slide inside and join his lover in the warmth. Yuuri stirred up a little at the sudden intrusion, until Viktor’s hand rested on his waist. The former rested his head in the crook of the latter’s neck, moaning a little as his head was aching, probably due to too much alcohol absorbed yesterday. Viktor chuckled and leaned his chin on Yuuri’s disheveled hair.

“You should have seen yourself earlier, I could have almost believed you liked my duvet more than me. You never drooled that way on me”.

Yuuri was too groggy to formulate an appropriate answer at first, although he silently thought that Viktor had introduced himself naked to him so there was nothing left to drool over after that. Well, although he still drooled over him a little, but who would not? After a few moments, he retorted “I could say the same… You are always showing this duvet around.”

Viktor rubbed his back slowly, humming as he smiled at his boyfriend’s sleepy voice. “Probably, but I still like you more.”

“Same there”, Yuuri said, after he kissed Viktor’s collarbones and went back to sleep.

First time stargazing

Yuuri shivered as the night fresh wind lapped against his face. Viktor had told him to go to the garden with Makkachin and his inseparable bedspread, to celebrate Yuuri’s qualification for the Final Grand Prix, Makkachin’s safe recovery, and their reunion. Viktor’s dog settled against his lap, and Yuuri was now waiting for his boyfriend to finally complete the perfect picture. Looking at the dark sky full of stars, he sighed and smiled, content with the life he had since Viktor came into his life. And even the life he had before, although at the time he was too focused on himself to actually appreciate all the love he received.

“What are you smiling at ?” a joyful Viktor asked, holding one bowl of pork katsudon in each hand, and bottles of beer in the crook of his armpits. Yuuri helped him settle the food and drinks in front of them, and then waited for him to join under the duvet, next to Makkachin. Although the question seemed random, Viktor still stared at Yuuri expectantly, and the latter felt overwhelmed by a flow of emotions he could not exactly name: thankfulness, admiration, friendship, affection, and was it love?

“I was thinking how the colour of the night sky is so similar to the colour of our bedspread. and how the colour of your eyes also reflects the sky, but during daytime.” Yuuri smiled at him, waiting a moment before continuing to articulate his thoughts. “And how if I ever lose my way, or cannot see which one I should take, I can always look at you and you will light the way. Or I could also get lost in your eyes, but that I wouldn’t mind.”

Although his words were bold, his body was not, and he soon diverted his gaze from Viktor to focus again on the endless stars shining in front of them. He felt Viktor move slightly under the blanket, and his left hand was grabbed by Viktor’s, who interlaced their fingers together, making both hands rest on Makkachin’s back. Despite Yuuri’s confession, very similar to a love confession without uttering the L word, Viktor did not react or answer back before a few minutes. Yuuri stole glances at him from time to time, and he noticed that he was always staring at him, a warm glint in his eyes.

“Yuuri, you said our bedspread. You know what this means?” Yuuri felt his cheeks heat up and could picture himself blushing hard. Grumbling, he answered “Beware, one day I might say mine.”

Viktor laughed, and that was a sound his boyfriend would have loved to tape just so that he could hear it on repeat. After he regained his breath, Viktor lifted Yuuri’s hand and kissed the back of it. “I would love to, because wherever this duvet is, I am.”

First separation

Once Viktor was in the hall of the airport with his dog’s leash in one hand and his luggage in the other, he realized that he should have thought more about it. Indeed, he wanted to enter the competition again, and he now felt physically and mentally prepared to choreograph new programs. Indeed, he was happy to see his coach and work again with him, and he knew Yuuri was also delighted to train with his old one, and meet his former training partner Phichit. But what he had not thought over was how unprepared he was to leave Yuuri so that they could both find each other again on an ice rink. Now with his boyfriend facing him, a warm smile on his face, with his family in the background, Viktor thought that he was not ready to leave them, and mostly to leave him.

He would miss Yuuri’s shyness when they both are naked, he would miss his witty remarks he makes when Viktor is too full of himself, he will miss Yuuri’s touch, kisses, eyes, insatiable appetite, to sum up, he would miss his presence, and this was the first time he felt that for someone. Viktor knew that this feeling was related to loving someone, and they both had confessed that feeling to each other, but it would be the first time that he would experience that feeling of longing for someone over a long period of time, that necessity to trust the other person, to trust them that they will wait for them, and that they will accept them even if they changed a little, that if they come home, they will still be there.

And for the first time in his life, Viktor feared that Yuuri would not wait for him. Or that he would not find the way back. Those last few months were emotionally demanding, and both Yuuri and him grew up and got more mature, but everything finally seemed so perfect (except for Yuuri’s silver medal) that he was afraid that this fragile equilibrium would break if they physically separated. Obviously, if someone asked him if he did not trust Yuuri, he would answer that he trusts him with his life and Makkachin’s, but everyone can be irrational sometimes, and this was what he was experiencing.

Yuuri perceived Viktor was conflicted with troubled thoughts, and he got closer to be able to hug him. Finally embraced in his lover’s arms, Viktor relaxed and his negative thoughts were pushed back. “I will miss you too Viktor, a lot.” He smiled at his words, and hugged him back.

“If you are really going to miss me, then I must give you something for you to feel less lonely.” Slowly releasing himself from Yuuri’s embrace, he then took off the blue duvet from the top of his luggage and handed it to Yuuri, brushing his hands in the process. Then gently cupping his lover’s face in his hands, he placed a kiss on his lips and murmured “Remember what I told you, this bedspread and I are inseparable. This way you will always have a piece of me with you, and I will definitely come back to you, whether you want it or not.”

Not being able to stand there any longer or otherwise he would have wanted to stay there forever, he grabbed his luggage and finally crossed the check in after waving goodbye at Yuuri and his family. However, he was soon stopped in his tracks when his boyfriend called his name.

“Viktor! In case you don’t know, I will only kiss gold. Unless I get it and you’re second. Otherwise, don’t even think about getting our bedspread back.”

Viktor made a V sign at him and chuckled. Oh boy how he would miss his witty remarks.

[fayeburnsus]

Revealed: The best law firms for work/life balance – 2019 edition

The outfits bucking the ‘all work no play’ trend

There’s a lot of noise around achieving a healthy work/life balance and no end of advice for employers and staff alike: HR policies, ‘wellbeing’ weeks, awareness days, inspirational talks, and so on. Given all the helpful material out there, one wonders why we are not all in some work/life nirvana.

The fact is that awareness is one thing, changing the culture and mindset is quite another. But as our most recent Legal Cheek survey of over 2,000 trainees and junior associates at the leading law firms in London and the UK, shows, there are firms out there who are trying hard. Sometimes this might come at the expense of a fat pay packet but not always.

A good work/life balance is not only about avoiding long hours (though of course, 60% of the firms that have done well in our survey for work/life balance are also in the top ten for the best average arrive and leave times): it’s also about having an open mind, exploring flexible working, avoiding ‘presenteeism’ and not emailing staff until the late hours and expecting a response. Out of a possible top score of ten; one equates to: “I’ve sub-let my flat as I haven’t been there for months,” and ten is: “I’ve never had to cancel a dinner reservation”.

We can finally reveal the ten best law firms for work/life balance as scored in our survey. In alphabetical order, they are…

Ashfords

This South West stalwart with over 500 staff in six sites (including London), scored a shiny A* for work/life balance. On the brink of a merger with Reading firm, Boyes Turner, Ashfords has ambition but not at the cost of your life. One insider enthused: “I love the work/life balance at Ashfords. The latest I have ever stayed is 7pm. If there is no urgent work to do, the partners encourage you to leave on time.” And it sounds like that supportive stance isn’t just empty words. Junior lawyers describe a “better than average” balance towards “life”.

Striking that balance does depend on the department, our spies tell us: “In property, it was pretty good with average working hours. In corporate/commercial your personal life can take a serious hit at times.” Everything is relative, of course, comments one rookie: “For law (!) I think the firm offers a pretty decent balance. Stay till 7pm when you are busy, leave at 6 when you are not. Occasionally there are longer days but these are few and far between and usually involve travelling.”

Read Ashfords’ Legal Cheek profile in full, featuring its 2019 scorecard grades and firm review.

BLM

Apparently, trainees at BLM can expect to leave the office at an astonishing 5.45pm. That is almost like an average school day of yore or reminiscent of being a student after a day with a few lectures. Only in Denmark, the mecca for work/life balance advocates where offices are notorious for being completely empty by 5.30pm, would you see such times (giving you plenty of opportunity to watch all those Nordic-noir thrillers on Netflix, one presumes).

No wonder then that this insurance and dispute resolution firm, created when Berryman Lace Mawer merged with Scottish outfit HBM Sayers way back in 2014, has made the A* grade in work/life balance. With major centres in London and Manchester, and outposts in Ireland and Scotland, BLM’s core practice of insurance may not be as eye-catching as other practice areas but with eons of hours freed up in the evening, who needs glamour?

Read BLM’s Legal Cheek profile in full, featuring its 2019 scorecard grades and firm review.

Blake Morgan

Blake Morgan, a firm spanning South England from London and Southampton across to Oxford and onto Cardiff, not only scored A* for work/life balance but also hit jackpot by making it into the top ten best arrive-and-leave times.

One of the interesting points about striking the perfect equilibrium between your life and your work is that no one minds work interfering on occasion. They also don’t mind as long as periods of really hard graft are recognised by the partners. As one rookie puts it: “Although there are times when working late is inevitable, this is acknowledged and is not the norm.” Neatly summarised by another with the observation: “It varies but I am not moaning!”

The firm has a mish-mash of areas of expertise and client base and that includes a professional regulatory team representing the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) and the Bar Standards Board (BSB). So that must keep its lawyers on their toes…

There does appear to be some imbalance between departments which has fuelled some resentment, as one insider grumbles: “Different teams work different hours. Construction has its pinch points (adjudications) where long hours are necessary.” And here’s the rub: “… a bit galling when you walk out into an empty car park at 10pm and realize that 95% of the firm has gone home, had its dinner and is probably in bed by now.” Another junior lawyer added, however, that this would only apply to “a couple of areas”.

Read Blake Morgan’s Legal Cheek profile in full, featuring its 2019 scorecard grades and firm review.

Browne Jacobson

Congratulations to Browne Jacobson, a full-service firm with good-quality work across a good range of practice areas (they do a lot of work defending the public sector: representing over 50 hospital trusts, as well as councils) for making it to our top ten.

This national firm based in the Midlands is a friendly, level-headed sort of place and at least one insider is ebullient: “For the quality of work, the size of firm and the pay, I would imagine you would be hard pressed to find a top 60 law firm with a better work/life balance”. The only qualification to this was that there was some variety between departments: “Commercial tends to be the longest [hours]”. But a deal’s a deal, after all. And dealmakers wait for no man (or woman).

Browne Jacobson’s Manchester office in Spinningfields was opened a couple of years ago with much ado and a goal of offering a more flexible working environment: “[it will] give our employees greater flexibility in the way they choose to work” said one senior member at the time.

Read Browne Jacobson’s Legal Cheek profile in full, featuring its 2019 scorecard grades and firm review.

DWF

DWF scooped a place not only in Legal Cheek’s top ten firms for work/life balance but also came up trumps on its average arrive-and-leave times for 2019. So we can be pretty confident that a healthy attitude to work is something DWF can deliver on. As one insider put it, the firm’s work/life balance is: “Pretty bloody great to be honest — would not trade it right now.”

Though there might be some variety between seats, one trainee said that despite being in a banking seat they were: “almost always out by 6.30-7pm”.

DWF is an ambitious and growing firm, originally a Northern/regional player, latterly expanding into London and internationally. It looks as if this City-style firm with City-style ambitions paying decent salaries but only really demanding regional hours.

Read DWF’s Legal Cheek profile in full, featuring its 2019 scorecard grades and firm review.

Fieldfisher

This is Fieldfisher’s third year in the top ten law firms for work/life balance, which is impressive given our less-than-secure times. The firm has continued its growth with a series of European openings in Italy and Holland. Given its sumptuous London office on the north bank of the River Thames, it’s the perfect springboard for your evening out or jog along the Thames Path — and it appears Fieldfisher makes such activities feasible.

As with many things in life, it’s also relative. Fieldfisher, as a City player, easily in the top 30 firms in the country so its work/life balance is, according to our spies, “great compared to other City firms”. You do have to pack a lot in because you’ll be expected to clock up 1,500 billable hours. But the rewards could be dreamy: Fieldfisher’s top-grossing partner (under the lockstep system) last year earned a cool £3 million putting them almost on a par with magic circle partners: Allen & Overy’s top partner taking home £3.5 million.

Read Fieldfisher’s Legal Cheek profile in full, featuring its 2019 scorecard grades and firm review.

Forsters

A repeat top ten law firm for work/life balance, Forsters is an elegant practice based in Mayfair doing private client and real estate work. It’s done very well in the era of the high-net-worth individual and pays its staff well to boot. One insider described the work/life balance as “great” and added: “I am actively encouraged to pursue my extra-curricular weekday activities.” Yes, you read that correctly: weekday activities are thumbs-up.

Targets are 1,300 billable hours per year which is certainly better than some other firms who have similar average arrive-and-leave figures but are expecting more (perhaps up to 1,500-1,600 billable hours) from your time. This isn’t an anonymous City-style workhouse, it’s an intimate one-office outfit that may suit your busy life down to the ground.

Read Forsters’ Legal Cheek profile in full, featuring its 2019 scorecard grades and firm review.

Irwin Mitchell

Irwin Mitchell has consistently received accolades for delivering on work/life balance for its lawyers, making it into our top ten for the third year running (and always also doing exceptionally well on its arrive-and-leave times). “Everyone down tools at 5pm” at this national firm of 14 offices, says one insider. It has made some small-firm acquisitions, and moved its Manchester crew to a shiny new space.

No wonder then that one rookie describes the firm’s work/life balance as “exceptionally good”. There are references to a whole “one-hour lunch break” and “added coffee breaks to boot.” Another says: “A standard day in my current seat is 9am – 5pm; whilst this isn’t the norm, the work/life balance here is a real perk.” One junior lawyer is equally positive: “A trainee telling you that they stayed until 8pm would be met with gasps of shock.” Nor is this just about decent hours. It looks as if there is also a healthy aversion to ‘presenteeism’: “The firm encourages flexible and agile working so it is easy to work from home or another office when necessary.”

Read Irwin Mitchell’s Legal Cheek profile in full, featuring its 2019 scorecard grades and firm review.

Mills & Reeve

This East-Anglian-headquartered law firm has some great work in areas such as tech and life sciences, and posted excellent turnover and bonuses at the end of 2018 (there was £2 million of love to spread around the firm). Plus it’s doing well on work/life balance for the second year running, and posted an excellent leave time of, wait for it, 5.45pm! That’s, like, really early, particularly if you don’t have an annual hours target. But it is also true that the staff have an arrival time of 8.41am. So it looks as if Mills & Reeve staff are early birds who work hard — and then leave. Taking around twenty trainees a year in the regions, staff can buy extra holiday and, it appears, actually manage to take it as well.

The ability to achieve that perfect work/life balance may vary depending on the location of the office and the seat: real estate, corporate and banking seats being victim to 7pm exits, apparently, but others are “more relaxed”.

Read Mills & Reeve’s Legal Cheek profile in full, featuring its 2019 scorecard grades and firm review.

Royds Withy King

This well-established, Bath-based firm slam-dunked in Legal Cheek’s arrive-and-leave time scores by being the firm officially with the shortest working day. No wonder then that it also finds its place on the work/life balance leaderboard, and that one insider comments: “I rarely work later than 6, and have never been required to come in on a weekend.” It may come as a bit of a surprise, then, that one rookie observed that there were differences between the seats and that the balance is: “very dependent on department.”

Royds Withy King has been ranked in the Top 100 Best Mid-sized Companies to Work For in the past five years, so they are clearly doing something very right indeed. It has a broad commercial offering and a healthy private wealth practice plus some interesting areas of expertise such as bloodstock and racing. A recent alliance with a firm advising Michelin star restaurants and chefs sounds pretty juicy too.

Read Royds Withy King’s Legal Cheek profile in full, featuring its 2019 scorecard grades and firm review.

The firm with the best work/life balance will be announced at the Legal Cheek Awards 2019 on 21 March at the Cheesegrater in London.

Peruse all of the firms’ new 2018-19 survey scorecards — including training, quality of work, perks and much more — via the Legal Cheek Firms Most List 2018-19.

The post Revealed: The best law firms for work/life balance – 2019 edition appeared first on Legal Cheek.

from Legal News And Updates https://www.legalcheek.com/2019/02/revealed-the-best-law-firms-for-work-life-balance-2019-edition/

[davidchanus]

Revealed: The best law firms for work/life balance – 2019 edition

The outfits bucking the ‘all work no play’ trend

There’s a lot of noise around achieving a healthy work/life balance and no end of advice for employers and staff alike: HR policies, ‘wellbeing’ weeks, awareness days, inspirational talks, and so on. Given all the helpful material out there, one wonders why we are not all in some work/life nirvana.

The fact is that awareness is one thing, changing the culture and mindset is quite another. But as our most recent Legal Cheek survey of over 2,000 trainees and junior associates at the leading law firms in London and the UK, shows, there are firms out there who are trying hard. Sometimes this might come at the expense of a fat pay packet but not always.

A good work/life balance is not only about avoiding long hours (though of course, 60% of the firms that have done well in our survey for work/life balance are also in the top ten for the best average arrive and leave times): it’s also about having an open mind, exploring flexible working, avoiding ‘presenteeism’ and not emailing staff until the late hours and expecting a response. Out of a possible top score of ten; one equates to: “I’ve sub-let my flat as I haven’t been there for months,” and ten is: “I’ve never had to cancel a dinner reservation”.

We can finally reveal the ten best law firms for work/life balance as scored in our survey. In alphabetical order, they are…

Ashfords

This South West stalwart with over 500 staff in six sites (including London), scored a shiny A* for work/life balance. On the brink of a merger with Reading firm, Boyes Turner, Ashfords has ambition but not at the cost of your life. One insider enthused: “I love the work/life balance at Ashfords. The latest I have ever stayed is 7pm. If there is no urgent work to do, the partners encourage you to leave on time.” And it sounds like that supportive stance isn’t just empty words. Junior lawyers describe a “better than average” balance towards “life”.

Striking that balance does depend on the department, our spies tell us: “In property, it was pretty good with average working hours. In corporate/commercial your personal life can take a serious hit at times.” Everything is relative, of course, comments one rookie: “For law (!) I think the firm offers a pretty decent balance. Stay till 7pm when you are busy, leave at 6 when you are not. Occasionally there are longer days but these are few and far between and usually involve travelling.”

Read Ashfords’ Legal Cheek profile in full, featuring its 2019 scorecard grades and firm review.

BLM

Apparently, trainees at BLM can expect to leave the office at an astonishing 5.45pm. That is almost like an average school day of yore or reminiscent of being a student after a day with a few lectures. Only in Denmark, the mecca for work/life balance advocates where offices are notorious for being completely empty by 5.30pm, would you see such times (giving you plenty of opportunity to watch all those Nordic-noir thrillers on Netflix, one presumes).

No wonder then that this insurance and dispute resolution firm, created when Berryman Lace Mawer merged with Scottish outfit HBM Sayers way back in 2014, has made the A* grade in work/life balance. With major centres in London and Manchester, and outposts in Ireland and Scotland, BLM’s core practice of insurance may not be as eye-catching as other practice areas but with eons of hours freed up in the evening, who needs glamour?

Read BLM’s Legal Cheek profile in full, featuring its 2019 scorecard grades and firm review.

Blake Morgan

Blake Morgan, a firm spanning South England from London and Southampton across to Oxford and onto Cardiff, not only scored A* for work/life balance but also hit jackpot by making it into the top ten best arrive-and-leave times.

One of the interesting points about striking the perfect equilibrium between your life and your work is that no one minds work interfering on occasion. They also don’t mind as long as periods of really hard graft are recognised by the partners. As one rookie puts it: “Although there are times when working late is inevitable, this is acknowledged and is not the norm.” Neatly summarised by another with the observation: “It varies but I am not moaning!”

The firm has a mish-mash of areas of expertise and client base and that includes a professional regulatory team representing the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) and the Bar Standards Board (BSB). So that must keep its lawyers on their toes…

There does appear to be some imbalance between departments which has fuelled some resentment, as one insider grumbles: “Different teams work different hours. Construction has its pinch points (adjudications) where long hours are necessary.” And here’s the rub: “… a bit galling when you walk out into an empty car park at 10pm and realize that 95% of the firm has gone home, had its dinner and is probably in bed by now.” Another junior lawyer added, however, that this would only apply to “a couple of areas”.

Read Blake Morgan’s Legal Cheek profile in full, featuring its 2019 scorecard grades and firm review.

Browne Jacobson

Congratulations to Browne Jacobson, a full-service firm with good-quality work across a good range of practice areas (they do a lot of work defending the public sector: representing over 50 hospital trusts, as well as councils) for making it to our top ten.

This national firm based in the Midlands is a friendly, level-headed sort of place and at least one insider is ebullient: “For the quality of work, the size of firm and the pay, I would imagine you would be hard pressed to find a top 60 law firm with a better work/life balance”. The only qualification to this was that there was some variety between departments: “Commercial tends to be the longest [hours]”. But a deal’s a deal, after all. And dealmakers wait for no man (or woman).

Browne Jacobson’s Manchester office in Spinningfields was opened a couple of years ago with much ado and a goal of offering a more flexible working environment: “[it will] give our employees greater flexibility in the way they choose to work” said one senior member at the time.

Read Browne Jacobson’s Legal Cheek profile in full, featuring its 2019 scorecard grades and firm review.

DWF

DWF scooped a place not only in Legal Cheek’s top ten firms for work/life balance but also came up trumps on its average arrive-and-leave times for 2019. So we can be pretty confident that a healthy attitude to work is something DWF can deliver on. As one insider put it, the firm’s work/life balance is: “Pretty bloody great to be honest — would not trade it right now.”

Though there might be some variety between seats, one trainee said that despite being in a banking seat they were: “almost always out by 6.30-7pm”.

DWF is an ambitious and growing firm, originally a Northern/regional player, latterly expanding into London and internationally. It looks as if this City-style firm with City-style ambitions paying decent salaries but only really demanding regional hours.

Read DWF’s Legal Cheek profile in full, featuring its 2019 scorecard grades and firm review.

Fieldfisher

This is Fieldfisher’s third year in the top ten law firms for work/life balance, which is impressive given our less-than-secure times. The firm has continued its growth with a series of European openings in Italy and Holland. Given its sumptuous London office on the north bank of the River Thames, it’s the perfect springboard for your evening out or jog along the Thames Path — and it appears Fieldfisher makes such activities feasible.

As with many things in life, it’s also relative. Fieldfisher, as a City player, easily in the top 30 firms in the country so its work/life balance is, according to our spies, “great compared to other City firms”. You do have to pack a lot in because you’ll be expected to clock up 1,500 billable hours. But the rewards could be dreamy: Fieldfisher’s top-grossing partner (under the lockstep system) last year earned a cool £3 million putting them almost on a par with magic circle partners: Allen & Overy’s top partner taking home £3.5 million.

Read Fieldfisher’s Legal Cheek profile in full, featuring its 2019 scorecard grades and firm review.

Forsters

A repeat top ten law firm for work/life balance, Forsters is an elegant practice based in Mayfair doing private client and real estate work. It’s done very well in the era of the high-net-worth individual and pays its staff well to boot. One insider described the work/life balance as “great” and added: “I am actively encouraged to pursue my extra-curricular weekday activities.” Yes, you read that correctly: weekday activities are thumbs-up.

Targets are 1,300 billable hours per year which is certainly better than some other firms who have similar average arrive-and-leave figures but are expecting more (perhaps up to 1,500-1,600 billable hours) from your time. This isn’t an anonymous City-style workhouse, it’s an intimate one-office outfit that may suit your busy life down to the ground.

Read Forsters’ Legal Cheek profile in full, featuring its 2019 scorecard grades and firm review.

Irwin Mitchell

Irwin Mitchell has consistently received accolades for delivering on work/life balance for its lawyers, making it into our top ten for the third year running (and always also doing exceptionally well on its arrive-and-leave times). “Everyone down tools at 5pm” at this national firm of 14 offices, says one insider. It has made some small-firm acquisitions, and moved its Manchester crew to a shiny new space.

No wonder then that one rookie describes the firm’s work/life balance as “exceptionally good”. There are references to a whole “one-hour lunch break” and “added coffee breaks to boot.” Another says: “A standard day in my current seat is 9am – 5pm; whilst this isn’t the norm, the work/life balance here is a real perk.” One junior lawyer is equally positive: “A trainee telling you that they stayed until 8pm would be met with gasps of shock.” Nor is this just about decent hours. It looks as if there is also a healthy aversion to ‘presenteeism’: “The firm encourages flexible and agile working so it is easy to work from home or another office when necessary.”

Read Irwin Mitchell’s Legal Cheek profile in full, featuring its 2019 scorecard grades and firm review.

Mills & Reeve

This East-Anglian-headquartered law firm has some great work in areas such as tech and life sciences, and posted excellent turnover and bonuses at the end of 2018 (there was £2 million of love to spread around the firm). Plus it’s doing well on work/life balance for the second year running, and posted an excellent leave time of, wait for it, 5.45pm! That’s, like, really early, particularly if you don’t have an annual hours target. But it is also true that the staff have an arrival time of 8.41am. So it looks as if Mills & Reeve staff are early birds who work hard — and then leave. Taking around twenty trainees a year in the regions, staff can buy extra holiday and, it appears, actually manage to take it as well.

The ability to achieve that perfect work/life balance may vary depending on the location of the office and the seat: real estate, corporate and banking seats being victim to 7pm exits, apparently, but others are “more relaxed”.

Read Mills & Reeve’s Legal Cheek profile in full, featuring its 2019 scorecard grades and firm review.

Royds Withy King

This well-established, Bath-based firm slam-dunked in Legal Cheek’s arrive-and-leave time scores by being the firm officially with the shortest working day. No wonder then that it also finds its place on the work/life balance leaderboard, and that one insider comments: “I rarely work later than 6, and have never been required to come in on a weekend.” It may come as a bit of a surprise, then, that one rookie observed that there were differences between the seats and that the balance is: “very dependent on department.”

Royds Withy King has been ranked in the Top 100 Best Mid-sized Companies to Work For in the past five years, so they are clearly doing something very right indeed. It has a broad commercial offering and a healthy private wealth practice plus some interesting areas of expertise such as bloodstock and racing. A recent alliance with a firm advising Michelin star restaurants and chefs sounds pretty juicy too.

Read Royds Withy King’s Legal Cheek profile in full, featuring its 2019 scorecard grades and firm review.

The firm with the best work/life balance will be announced at the Legal Cheek Awards 2019 on 21 March at the Cheesegrater in London.

Peruse all of the firms’ new 2018-19 survey scorecards — including training, quality of work, perks and much more — via the Legal Cheek Firms Most List 2018-19.

The post Revealed: The best law firms for work/life balance – 2019 edition appeared first on Legal Cheek.

from Legal News https://www.legalcheek.com/2019/02/revealed-the-best-law-firms-for-work-life-balance-2019-edition/

[alanafsmith]

Revealed: The best law firms for work/life balance – 2019 edition

The outfits bucking the ‘all work no play’ trend

There’s a lot of noise around achieving a healthy work/life balance and no end of advice for employers and staff alike: HR policies, ‘wellbeing’ weeks, awareness days, inspirational talks, and so on. Given all the helpful material out there, one wonders why we are not all in some work/life nirvana.

The fact is that awareness is one thing, changing the culture and mindset is quite another. But as our most recent Legal Cheek survey of over 2,000 trainees and junior associates at the leading law firms in London and the UK, shows, there are firms out there who are trying hard. Sometimes this might come at the expense of a fat pay packet but not always.

A good work/life balance is not only about avoiding long hours (though of course, 60% of the firms that have done well in our survey for work/life balance are also in the top ten for the best average arrive and leave times): it’s also about having an open mind, exploring flexible working, avoiding ‘presenteeism’ and not emailing staff until the late hours and expecting a response. Out of a possible top score of ten; one equates to: “I’ve sub-let my flat as I haven’t been there for months,” and ten is: “I’ve never had to cancel a dinner reservation”.

We can finally reveal the ten best law firms for work/life balance as scored in our survey. In alphabetical order, they are…

Ashfords

This South West stalwart with over 500 staff in six sites (including London), scored a shiny A* for work/life balance. On the brink of a merger with Reading firm, Boyes Turner, Ashfords has ambition but not at the cost of your life. One insider enthused: “I love the work/life balance at Ashfords. The latest I have ever stayed is 7pm. If there is no urgent work to do, the partners encourage you to leave on time.” And it sounds like that supportive stance isn’t just empty words. Junior lawyers describe a “better than average” balance towards “life”.

Striking that balance does depend on the department, our spies tell us: “In property, it was pretty good with average working hours. In corporate/commercial your personal life can take a serious hit at times.” Everything is relative, of course, comments one rookie: “For law (!) I think the firm offers a pretty decent balance. Stay till 7pm when you are busy, leave at 6 when you are not. Occasionally there are longer days but these are few and far between and usually involve travelling.”

Read Ashfords’ Legal Cheek profile in full, featuring its 2019 scorecard grades and firm review.

BLM

Apparently, trainees at BLM can expect to leave the office at an astonishing 5.45pm. That is almost like an average school day of yore or reminiscent of being a student after a day with a few lectures. Only in Denmark, the mecca for work/life balance advocates where offices are notorious for being completely empty by 5.30pm, would you see such times (giving you plenty of opportunity to watch all those Nordic-noir thrillers on Netflix, one presumes).

No wonder then that this insurance and dispute resolution firm, created when Berryman Lace Mawer merged with Scottish outfit HBM Sayers way back in 2014, has made the A* grade in work/life balance. With major centres in London and Manchester, and outposts in Ireland and Scotland, BLM’s core practice of insurance may not be as eye-catching as other practice areas but with eons of hours freed up in the evening, who needs glamour?

Read BLM’s Legal Cheek profile in full, featuring its 2019 scorecard grades and firm review.

Blake Morgan

Blake Morgan, a firm spanning South England from London and Southampton across to Oxford and onto Cardiff, not only scored A* for work/life balance but also hit jackpot by making it into the top ten best arrive-and-leave times.

One of the interesting points about striking the perfect equilibrium between your life and your work is that no one minds work interfering on occasion. They also don’t mind as long as periods of really hard graft are recognised by the partners. As one rookie puts it: “Although there are times when working late is inevitable, this is acknowledged and is not the norm.” Neatly summarised by another with the observation: “It varies but I am not moaning!”

The firm has a mish-mash of areas of expertise and client base and that includes a professional regulatory team representing the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) and the Bar Standards Board (BSB). So that must keep its lawyers on their toes…

There does appear to be some imbalance between departments which has fuelled some resentment, as one insider grumbles: “Different teams work different hours. Construction has its pinch points (adjudications) where long hours are necessary.” And here’s the rub: “… a bit galling when you walk out into an empty car park at 10pm and realize that 95% of the firm has gone home, had its dinner and is probably in bed by now.” Another junior lawyer added, however, that this would only apply to “a couple of areas”.

Read Blake Morgan’s Legal Cheek profile in full, featuring its 2019 scorecard grades and firm review.

Browne Jacobson

Congratulations to Browne Jacobson, a full-service firm with good-quality work across a good range of practice areas (they do a lot of work defending the public sector: representing over 50 hospital trusts, as well as councils) for making it to our top ten.

This national firm based in the Midlands is a friendly, level-headed sort of place and at least one insider is ebullient: “For the quality of work, the size of firm and the pay, I would imagine you would be hard pressed to find a top 60 law firm with a better work/life balance”. The only qualification to this was that there was some variety between departments: “Commercial tends to be the longest [hours]”. But a deal’s a deal, after all. And dealmakers wait for no man (or woman).

Browne Jacobson’s Manchester office in Spinningfields was opened a couple of years ago with much ado and a goal of offering a more flexible working environment: “[it will] give our employees greater flexibility in the way they choose to work” said one senior member at the time.

Read Browne Jacobson’s Legal Cheek profile in full, featuring its 2019 scorecard grades and firm review.

DWF

DWF scooped a place not only in Legal Cheek’s top ten firms for work/life balance but also came up trumps on its average arrive-and-leave times for 2019. So we can be pretty confident that a healthy attitude to work is something DWF can deliver on. As one insider put it, the firm’s work/life balance is: “Pretty bloody great to be honest — would not trade it right now.”

Though there might be some variety between seats, one trainee said that despite being in a banking seat they were: “almost always out by 6.30-7pm”.

DWF is an ambitious and growing firm, originally a Northern/regional player, latterly expanding into London and internationally. It looks as if this City-style firm with City-style ambitions paying decent salaries but only really demanding regional hours.

Read DWF’s Legal Cheek profile in full, featuring its 2019 scorecard grades and firm review.

Fieldfisher

This is Fieldfisher’s third year in the top ten law firms for work/life balance, which is impressive given our less-than-secure times. The firm has continued its growth with a series of European openings in Italy and Holland. Given its sumptuous London office on the north bank of the River Thames, it’s the perfect springboard for your evening out or jog along the Thames Path — and it appears Fieldfisher makes such activities feasible.

As with many things in life, it’s also relative. Fieldfisher, as a City player, easily in the top 30 firms in the country so its work/life balance is, according to our spies, “great compared to other City firms”. You do have to pack a lot in because you’ll be expected to clock up 1,500 billable hours. But the rewards could be dreamy: Fieldfisher’s top-grossing partner (under the lockstep system) last year earned a cool £3 million putting them almost on a par with magic circle partners: Allen & Overy’s top partner taking home £3.5 million.

Read Fieldfisher’s Legal Cheek profile in full, featuring its 2019 scorecard grades and firm review.

Forsters

A repeat top ten law firm for work/life balance, Forsters is an elegant practice based in Mayfair doing private client and real estate work. It’s done very well in the era of the high-net-worth individual and pays its staff well to boot. One insider described the work/life balance as “great” and added: “I am actively encouraged to pursue my extra-curricular weekday activities.” Yes, you read that correctly: weekday activities are thumbs-up.

Targets are 1,300 billable hours per year which is certainly better than some other firms who have similar average arrive-and-leave figures but are expecting more (perhaps up to 1,500-1,600 billable hours) from your time. This isn’t an anonymous City-style workhouse, it’s an intimate one-office outfit that may suit your busy life down to the ground.

Read Forsters’ Legal Cheek profile in full, featuring its 2019 scorecard grades and firm review.

Irwin Mitchell

Irwin Mitchell has consistently received accolades for delivering on work/life balance for its lawyers, making it into our top ten for the third year running (and always also doing exceptionally well on its arrive-and-leave times). “Everyone down tools at 5pm” at this national firm of 14 offices, says one insider. It has made some small-firm acquisitions, and moved its Manchester crew to a shiny new space.

No wonder then that one rookie describes the firm’s work/life balance as “exceptionally good”. There are references to a whole “one-hour lunch break” and “added coffee breaks to boot.” Another says: “A standard day in my current seat is 9am – 5pm; whilst this isn’t the norm, the work/life balance here is a real perk.” One junior lawyer is equally positive: “A trainee telling you that they stayed until 8pm would be met with gasps of shock.” Nor is this just about decent hours. It looks as if there is also a healthy aversion to ‘presenteeism’: “The firm encourages flexible and agile working so it is easy to work from home or another office when necessary.”

Read Irwin Mitchell’s Legal Cheek profile in full, featuring its 2019 scorecard grades and firm review.

Mills & Reeve

This East-Anglian-headquartered law firm has some great work in areas such as tech and life sciences, and posted excellent turnover and bonuses at the end of 2018 (there was £2 million of love to spread around the firm). Plus it’s doing well on work/life balance for the second year running, and posted an excellent leave time of, wait for it, 5.45pm! That’s, like, really early, particularly if you don’t have an annual hours target. But it is also true that the staff have an arrival time of 8.41am. So it looks as if Mills & Reeve staff are early birds who work hard — and then leave. Taking around twenty trainees a year in the regions, staff can buy extra holiday and, it appears, actually manage to take it as well.

The ability to achieve that perfect work/life balance may vary depending on the location of the office and the seat: real estate, corporate and banking seats being victim to 7pm exits, apparently, but others are “more relaxed”.

Read Mills & Reeve’s Legal Cheek profile in full, featuring its 2019 scorecard grades and firm review.

Royds Withy King

This well-established, Bath-based firm slam-dunked in Legal Cheek’s arrive-and-leave time scores by being the firm officially with the shortest working day. No wonder then that it also finds its place on the work/life balance leaderboard, and that one insider comments: “I rarely work later than 6, and have never been required to come in on a weekend.” It may come as a bit of a surprise, then, that one rookie observed that there were differences between the seats and that the balance is: “very dependent on department.”

Royds Withy King has been ranked in the Top 100 Best Mid-sized Companies to Work For in the past five years, so they are clearly doing something very right indeed. It has a broad commercial offering and a healthy private wealth practice plus some interesting areas of expertise such as bloodstock and racing. A recent alliance with a firm advising Michelin star restaurants and chefs sounds pretty juicy too.

Read Royds Withy King’s Legal Cheek profile in full, featuring its 2019 scorecard grades and firm review.

The firm with the best work/life balance will be announced at the Legal Cheek Awards 2019 on 21 March at the Cheesegrater in London.

Peruse all of the firms’ new 2018-19 survey scorecards — including training, quality of work, perks and much more — via the Legal Cheek Firms Most List 2018-19.

The post Revealed: The best law firms for work/life balance – 2019 edition appeared first on Legal Cheek.

from All About Law https://www.legalcheek.com/2019/02/revealed-the-best-law-firms-for-work-life-balance-2019-edition/