#when once again the firm v explicitly says if you take this job

[patrice-bergerons]

All this discourse around "quiet quitting" and I agree that most of the time it's corporations trying to guilt their employees into doing more than what their contracts require.

That being said, I feel like I can't be the only one who has seen colleagues actually quiet quit? As in, just do the bare minimum of work that won't get them fired and let their teammates deal with the consequences.

For context, I work in a field where periods with long hours are expected - and, crucially, baked into the compensation; we make decent money but it's specifically because the job is hard and hours can be very long.

And when I have teammates who do juuust the bare minimum then I have to pick up their slack in order to ensure deadlines and deliverables are met which means *i* have to work even longer hours and no lies I do hate those people with a passion.

So I think yeah, 70% of the time people are complaining about this phenomenon it is just employees setting healthy work life boundaries but there are absolutely times when it's a real issue.

[cursed-ice-spirits]

Unique First Impressions Part 2

When one turns 17, a young pureblood of a noble house will be eased into society through a party held by the Head. Rebecca Lord is no exception.... but perhaps, she has something up her sleeve.

MC Featured: Aleksia Aries @aleksia-aries-hogwartsmystery, Aisling Baskerville @elefseija, Garrett Avery @thecursedvaultchild

Previous.

Next

The first of the guests trickled in and already Rebecca buzzed with unrestrained energy. 

Standing still for so long without something to fidget with has always been an issue. All she’s been able to do is curtsey to any purebloods who came through, shake their hands, maybe let the young men and Heads kiss her hand, and wave at them as they come in. It’s been the most physical contact she had with strangers in one night and it’s far more than what she’s comfortable with. 

Her hands twitched as she nodded another guest in, but one look at her uncle’s glare had her gritting her teeth and curling her hands into fists to try to still them. This is revenge for that warning, she told herself, taking deep breaths so she won’t lash out at him. He's a petty bastard and I’m not apologizing.

But by god, that is hard.

“Rebecca!”

A sharp tap prodded the back of her head. She sent a quick scowl at her uncle, before realizing it wasn’t her uncle who called out her name, and looked to see who it is, because if someone’s calling out her first name explicitly, then it must be a friend.

Two friends actually. Aleksia Aries and Aisling Baskerville strolled eagerly up, warm smiles on their faces as they waved, their parents trailing behind them. 

Aleksia was dressed in blue, a deep royal blue that suited her perfectly. It’s made out of floral lace from the texture, creating an interesting layer. It has a V-neck with spaghetti straps. The back of the skirt skims her ankles, while the front merely covers her knees, and is cut in an A-line style. She had smokey eye makeup, with gold and silver mixed in, and her hair was loose, with several smaller parts sectioned off to twist into braids. 

Aisling’s dress is one of red and reaches down to her ankles, and the top is of floral lace as well, with butterfly sleeves and a sweetheart neckline. The lower half had black lace layered over it, matching her heels, with vines and flowers covering the dress. At a closer look, the flowers were glittering roses, with little leaves sticking out. It was laced up at the sides with a wide black waistband. Her hair was braided into a side mermaid braid and tossed over her shoulder, two smaller braids tugged into the main tail, and red highlighted her eyes and lips.  

 Rebecca barely caught glimpses of their parents’ elegant attire before rushing to greet them — it was one thing to hear that they’re coming, it’s another to actually see them — but a soft cough stopped her in her tracks, and reminded her exactly who she was standing next to. 

She quickly smothered her grin with a stiff smile, dipping down into a curtsey as they approached. “Hello to you both as well.”

Aleksia gave a wary glance at her Uncle, no doubt seeing the tension between her and her uncle and connecting it to her own father, before settling on Rebecca and she smiled brightly. "It's so good to see you, my friend. It's been too long!" she grasped her hands and gave a gentle but reassuring squeeze. Her eyes shone with an unnoticed promise of support, something that reassured her greatly.

Rebecca couldn’t help it. Her smile softens and she squeezes back. “It has only been a month since we've seen each other, Aleksia.”

“Oh, but a month nonetheless!”

Nicknames are fragile here. Her uncle must not know how close she is to Aleksia and Aisling. It is enough he knows she cares deeply for Summer and Garrett. Aleksia knows enough about this to understand why.

She turns her attention to her other friend. Aisling scans Giddeon with the same amount of caution, something she’s not too surprised about, but once her eyes land on Rebecca, she smiles too. Then she does something odd. 

She flicks her eyes to her parents then to Giddeon. They glance at her, then at each other, then smile. 

Her father murmurs something into Aleksia’s mother’s, Leanna, ear, while Aisling’s own steps forward. Immediately Rebecca sees the resemblance. Both seem soft, but just like Aisling, Brighid Baskerville can be fierce.

 “A good evening, Giddeon.”

Giddeon raises an eyebrow. “I’m surprised you came. When my niece persuaded me to send an invite, I didn’t think you’d exactly come.”

The corner of Brighid’s lip twitches into a smile. “We Irish are full of surprises.”

She pulls him into a deep conversation, the other two adults joining in. With Giddeon’s eyes away from her, Rebecca blinks, and realizes just what Aisling was planning.

That sneaky girl.

She lets out a laugh, then pulls the other into a hug. “You know you didn’t have to do that.”

Aisling smiles and hugs back, Aleksia quickly joining the hug. “Oh, but I wanted to.” She says as they pull away. “You were so tense until now.”

“Well, that’s what happens when you’ve spent the last hour greeting arrogant purebloods.”

They laugh, quietly so they won’t catch her uncle’s attention, and she smiles too, her shoulders easing up.

“I didn’t think you both would come. I know I convinced my uncle to invite your family, but I thought Irish purebloods don’t trust purebloods from Great Britain.” She glances at Aleksia. “And you don’t go to these parties either.”

Aisling shrugged. “We saw it was about you, so of course we’ll come. Why wouldn’t we?”

“And well,” Aleksia folds her arms and takes a look inside the ballroom, “my father and cousin aren’t here, right?”

Rebecca laughed. “No, we’re a lesser family. Maybe some families come to see who they’ll be working with but with the kind of people your father and cousin are, there’s no way they’re going to a party belonging to us.”

Aleksia beamed. “Then I’m safe here and we’re coming to support a friend. It’s a win win.”

Gods, she really does have wonderful friends, huh. Her smile widens. “Thank you both.”

 She takes a few moments to converse with them for a while, before complimenting their attire.

“You both look wonderful by the way.”

“You too!” Aleksia beamed. “Is that Andre’s work?’

Rebecca nodded. “It is. I wanted to pay him but he refused. Said it was an honor to do my dress.”

“Well, he did a wonderful job.” AIsling smiled. “I’ll give kudos once we’re back in school.” She glanced toward the adults. “We better get going. Our parents can’t distract him forever.” She squeezes her hand. “See you inside?”

“Of course.”

They gave her one last hug, then grabbed their parents and disappeared into the ballroom. She watched them go, then sighed and let herself get a breather for a moment. Her hands itched to do something…

“Heads up,” Giddeon said simply, not looking at her. Her smile falls. She’s not so lucky now. She was only allowed one chance to relax and she won’t get it again. She shot him a glare and straightened, eyes flickering to the persons approaching and forcing a smile on her face despite how much she wanted to throw hands with her uncle and scream at him to get her out of here, but she knew how that would go. 

So instead, she watched as two ladies, one older and one her age, approached the archway, both dressed in black. She went to blend down to greet them… until she saw the orange patch in one of the ladies’ hair.

You have got to be shitting me.

Merula stood in front of her, lavender eyes glowering. Her hair hung over her face, uncombed and wild as always although this time it seemed like someone took the liberty of styling it so it looked more natural. Her lips were painted a ruby red and they were pressed into a firm line, likely in disdain at the sight of her. She wore a black dress with specks of green that admittedly looked very beautiful, and she sported black heels at her feet. As the light flickered on her, the black fabric shimmered with delicate embroidery. 

If Ethren was here, Rebecca is sure he’ll be struck by her beauty, but to Rebecca, Merula is decidedly not a welcomed sight. 

Rebecca folded her arms, a deep frown replacing her fake fake fake smile. “Snyde,” she said, a layer of ice coating her voice. 

“Lord,” Merula said through gritted teeth. 

“Girls,” Giddeon said sharply as he greeted the woman with Merula (who Rebecca suspected was her very absent aunt). “Behave.”

The last sentence was directed at her, which annoyed her, considering she’s not the only one involved. 

“Yes Merula,” Merula’s aunt said airily. “Behave. This is the young Caldwell’s introduction party after all. We came here for a reason.”

As Rebecca turned to look at her, she finally took her in. Dark hair fell in curls and framed her face, which held elegant features and dark eyes. Pearls decorated her dark attire and looped around her neck, and crystals decorated her ears and hair. Several rings were set on her fingers.

She was the very description of beauty and Rebecca would have mistaken her for someone close to Merula due to her rich background if it weren’t for the emotional distance between the two.

Merula shot her a glare, but pulled herself together and dipped into a curtsey. Not too deep, but not too short either. A show of respect, something that surprised her coming from the Slytherin. Rebecca followed suit, jerking her chin up proudly as she straightened. Her eyes flickered to the adults, who went back to conversing, before flickering back to her enemy. 

“I’m surprised you bothered to come. We are known for our… mutual dislike,” Rebecca said lowly, eyes narrowed in suspicion, wary of any sabotage. Maybe she wasn’t as bad as their first few years but she’ll still keep an eye out. 

Just in case.

Merula let out a soft ‘hmph’ and folded her arms over her chest. “Of course I came. Your uncle invited us. It’d be a great offence if I didn’t come.”

“In other words, your aunt forced you to come.”

Merula glared at her. “Watch your mouth, Lord,” she warned her. “The only reason I’m not bad mouthing you right now is because my aunt told me to behave.”

“As if you don’t find an excuse to insult me anyway.” Rebecca gave her a sweet but sharp smile, just for appearances. “Be thankful Ethren likes you.”

“Be thankful Caplan likes you.”

“Come along Merula,” Merula’s aunt said suddenly before Rebecca can say something she will surely regret (in the face of her uncle). “I must see who came to this party.”

In other words, flirt with them. Giddeon tilted his head, giving the woman a firm smile. 

“It was a pleasure to meet you both.”

Merula eyed him, an odd look flashing over her face, as if she didn’t know what to think of him, but she turned her face away and followed her aunt inside the ballroom.

Giddeon folded his arms behind his back. “You weren’t joking when you say you and Miss Snyde don’t get along.”

Rebecca let the smile fall off her face and rolled her eyes. “Like cats and dogs, sir. And what use would I have to lie about that?”

“Point taken. Ah, Lord Avery. A pleasure to see you here. I am surprised you came.”

If it was possible, her heart lifted and shrunk at the same time. Quickly snapping a polite smile in place, she straightened her shoulders and glanced at the direction of the men approaching. 

The first of them was of medium stature but carried himself as if he was the tallest in the room. His hazel eyes were dark and intimidating, neatly framed by gelled dark hair. The rings on his fingers indicated he was one of high standing and large wealth. Black robes flowed around him, making his sons behind him seem smaller.

Immediately behind him was a man slightly taller than the first. His dark hair was long and pulled back in a neat ponytail. His identical hazel gaze swept critically over Rebecca and Giddeon, a faint sneer as he observed the party.

And trailing behind was Garrett, taller than his father and brother by a few inches, and nicely dressed in dark blue. His dark hair was swept to the side, handsome as ever. His green eyes were tired but quickly brightened as he met Rebecca’s gaze. Her own smile widened as well.

And noticeably absent was Lady Avery, having been dead for some years now.

"Thank you, Caldwell. Yes, well, you can thank Garrett for that. He said he'd come without me but that simply wouldn't do. After all, this is certainly a party to evaluate Miss Lord's entrance to society." He took her hand and kissed it, barely grazing it, just enough to be polite. She fought the urge to pull away. This is the man who hired us to kill his own son after his graduation. And you can’t do anything about it.

Garrett's roll of the eyes did not go unnoticed. His brother, Gerald, elbowed him. She fought back a smile, then, as she gazed at her friend, she got an idea.

Perfect.

"It is much appreciated to have you all to witness her entrance," Giddeon said, a half smile on his face as he took a half bow. Making sure he wasn’t looking, she flicked her eyes to the ballroom, then to Garrett, the corner of her mouth twitching, and hoping he'll get the message.

He did.

Once Lord Avery pulled away, she took the corner of her dress and dipped into a curtsey.

"Thank you for coming nonetheless."

Lord Avery nodded and swept away, Gerald following close behind. Garrett lingered longer, more subtly winking then slowly walked after his family.

Rebecca glanced at her uncle, who was keeping an eye on who's coming next and was thankfully distracted, then murmured through the corner of her mouth, low enough that only Garrett can hear. 

"Mind dancing with me for the first dance?" Her words were normal, but her eyes shone with excitement. 

Translation: Sum and I got a surprise. Mind helping me out?

His eyes gleamed and his mouth curled mischievously. "I'd be honored to."

She kept her reaction neutral, but her lip twitched into the faintest of smirks as she turned her face away. "I'll see you then."

He looked as though he was suppressing a growing smirk, but he nodded. "Catch you around." He swept into the ballroom, looking around, most likely for Summer.

With nobody as a witness, she allowed herself a smile, the smile she usually wears when she’s planning something. 

Step one complete.

[ryukoishida]

PARS 2017 | Day 3: Baby Animals | In which Isfan adopts two puppies and Gieve is feeling left out.

Title: I’m Yours (and so are they) Day/Prompt: Day 3 – Baby Animals Author: ryukoishida Summary: Isfan adopts two Kugsha puppies from an animal shelter, and Gieve may or may not be jealous of the two canines all because he’s not getting enough attention from his boyfriend. [Idol/Musician AU] Pairing(s)/Character(s): Isfan/Gieve (established relationship) Rating: T Warning: N/A A/N: I need to write me some silly fluff.

Sing When You’re in Love Series:

i. We Sing We Dance We Steal Hearts | AO3 ii. We Sing We Dance We Fall in Love | AO3 iii. Untitled | AO3 iv. I’m Yours (and so are they) | AO3 v. This Storm, It’s Coming | AO3

-

He taps on the screen to exit the IM window and stuffs his mobile phone into his back pocket with a soft sigh.

Gieve chews his lower lip, a little frustrated but mostly deep in thought as he considers his next course of action.

He doesn’t like going over to his boyfriend’s apartment unannounced without a phone call or even a text ahead, mostly due to the nature of their work. They are both very busy men with densely-packed schedules: Isfan is currently switching between attending meetings for his upcoming solo concert and spending his evenings at the studio recording for a new single, while Gieve is hectic with dance rehearsals and fan meetings. Often times, they won’t even be back in their respective homes until ungodly hours in the early morning.

“Gieve, you’re on in two minutes,” a backstage staff murmurs to him as she rushes by.

He nods and flashes a quick grin at her to show that he’s heard, but his head is still focused on the texts he’s just received, so he hardly notices when the flustered young woman trips over the tangle of wires on the ground.

With a pang of guilt, Gieve wonders if Isfan is meeting someone else — someone he’s unwilling to disclose. But he shakes his head fiercely the moment the troubling thought enters his mind, a low, aggravated growl starting from his throat, and he forces that dark, irrational swirl of suspicion away with the more positive reminder that he’ll at least get to see Isfan on the television tonight.

A few weeks ago, Isfan filmed an interview with one of the most highly-rated talk shows to promote his upcoming concert, and Gieve will not miss it for anything — except maybe for a slim chance of seeing the man in the flesh, but Gieve knows that he’s just setting himself up for disappointment. If Isfan is explicitly declining his invitation, Gieve doesn’t expect the singer-songwriter to change his mind; that’s one thing he’s come to learn after dating the man for over half a year.

He’s tempted to try his luck, maybe sending his lover a risqué photo of a choice part of his body once he’s done with his current job just to taunt him and remind him what he’s been missing out. He deliberates on the pros and cons of the idea for perhaps five seconds before he decides that he really doesn’t want to risk angering his boyfriend and delaying the possibility of a date in the near future.

Isfan is many, many things — and Gieve adores every single facet of him — but he doesn’t take crude jokes well at all, and Gieve’s learned that the hard way.

Anyway, he’ll have to figure this out later because he has fans to meet and songs to perform in front of an avid and enthusiastic audience.

-

“Isfan, darling, you know I adore you and I’d do anything for you, but you’re killing me here,” he moans into his phone using his best sultry and petulant drawl that — despite the overdramatic flair of it — has teenaged fanboys and fangirls dazed and charmed. “We haven’t met up in almost three weeks, and the only time I was able to see you is on the goddamn TV. What can possibly be more important than spending some quality time together by coming over to Netflix and chill?”

On the other end of the receiver, Isfan releases an exasperated sigh; he may be used to the idol’s antics, but it doesn’t mean that he’s particularly good at dealing with him when he’s… like this.

“I already told you, Gieve,” Isfan feels terrible, he really does, because as much as he won’t admit this out loud, he misses spending time with his boisterous and at times over-the-top boyfriend, misses relaxing on the couch mindlessly watching a silly Korean romantic drama that neither are really paying much attention to, with Gieve laying his head in Isfan’s lap and the brunet carding his fingers through his dark hair soothingly, but he has responsibilities to tend to, “I’ve got—”

“—things to do, yes, but,” Gieve pauses, eyes sliding close as he releases a slow breath, “I miss you…”

“I miss you, too,” Isfan replies, his tone softening into a gentler murmur, the fondness he only shows when it’s just the two of them present surfacing in his voice.

“I don’t like it when you keep secrets from me,” Gieve admits, his lower lip jutting out into a small pout even though there’s no way Isfan can tell. He’s not accusing Isfan in any way. He may have difficulties and troubles he’s not comfortable with sharing if he’s not ready to divulge, and Gieve understands that, but he’s been patient — more patient than Isfan gives him credit for — and he’s always been direct about what he wants, if nothing else.

That’s something about Gieve that Isfan loves, too.  

“I know… I’m sorry. I’ve been meaning to tell you, but it’s just been overwhelming for the past few weeks and I couldn’t find a good time,” he sounds sheepish, almost, which Gieve takes as a sign that it’s safe for him to take the next step forward.

“Well, now’s as good a time as any,” Gieve tells him, his lips curving up into a hopeful smile.

-

“You’ve gotten yourself a dog.”

Gieve stares down at the shivering mess of fluff with the shade of a toasted marshmallow nuzzling curiously at his feet before it looks back up at him with clear, crystal-blue eyes. One of his perfectly-shaped eyebrows arches up.

“Well, actually…” Isfan pokes his head out of his bedroom and leans against the doorframe, a hand sliding to the back of his neck awkwardly.

The way he’s absolutely refusing to meet Gieve’s eyes is an obvious warning all by itself, as another puppy with similar coating as the one still nosing busily at Gieve’s ankle and toes appears by Isfan’s side, his gaze half-wary and half-frightened.

“You have two,” Gieve blinks owlishly and corrects himself, his expression gradually turning from mildly concerned to downright unimpressed.  

“They’re brothers,” Isfan says, looking a little helpless with a timid smile, as if that’s a good enough explanation for why he’s suddenly the proud owner of two Kugsha dogs.

“Of course they are,” Gieve nods once, and because he simply can’t resist touching anything that’s both soft and cute, he carefully stoops down and runs calming fingers along the puppy’s back, to which the small puff of cloud with four stubby paws and a keen tail that won’t stop wagging excitedly responds with a happy yelp and a firm nudge that seems to be telling him to keep going down the narrow hallway of the small apartment unit.

He takes the few steps to reach where Isfan is still standing, his body bowed slightly and angled away from the slighter musician, his eyes downcast. Gieve winds one arm around the taller man’s shoulder, the movement graceful yet quiet, and pulls him down slightly so that their gazes meet.

The puppy that has been standing stiffly by Isfan’s feet quickly trots away to join his brother in the living-room, leaving the two humans alone in their moment of content and intimacy.

Gieve’s lips quirk up into a small smile as he drapes his other arm over Isfan’s broad shoulder, his head tilted to one side and sea-green eyes glimmering playfully.

“So, this is what you’ve been up to, huh?”

Isfan laughs, a low, distant thunder that rumbles pleasantly in Gieve’s ears as he, too, encircles the dark-haired man’s waist with his arms, pulling him flush against his chest.

“Pretty much, yeah,” he murmurs against the tufts of hair by Gieve’s temple.

“You could’ve told me earlier,” Gieve mumbles grumpily against Isfan’s shirt, his fingers idly playing with the strands of cinnamon-brown locks that Isfan has put into a loose ponytail.

“Have you been overthinking again?” Isfan traces his thumb over the line of Gieve’s jaw as he leans back a little to see his face, his topaz irises knowing.

“No,” Gieve snaps at him a bit too quickly, sounding almost defensive, but upon realizing immediately that Isfan can see right through him, he bites his lower lip, his rigid frame slackening a degree, and he softens his tone, “a little… maybe…”

“Apologies again for not telling you sooner,” Isfan kisses him softly on his forehead, and Gieve leans into the touch, reveling in the sweetness of that gesture.  

“You going to introduce me to your canine children or what?” Gieve asks finally when he wills himself to tear away from the brunet’s embrace and glances up at him with a cheeky smirk.

Isfan rolls his eyes at the childish jab, but lacing his fingers with Gieve’s, he pulls him along and sits them both down on the couch.

The puppy that had greeted Gieve at the door wastes no time and pounces for him again, his muzzle nudging his knees and his pointy, triangular ears twitching this way and that as he continues sniffing inquisitively around his master’s guest.

“You’re very friendly, aren’t you?” Gieve chuckles as he pets the dog’s neck with his hands along the sides, which earns him a series of pleasant growls and playful licks. “What’s your name?”

“That’s Bahram,” Isfan says with an affectionate smile, then, glancing down at the perceivably much calmer sibling sitting by his side, he continues while scratching the back of the puppy’s ear, “and this here is Kayvan.”

“I don’t think Kayvan likes me very much,” Gieve watches the other puppy with a slight frown, the look of suspicion in Kayvan’s ice-blue eyes doesn’t dissipate as he remains close by his master’s side, and even ear scratches from Isfan are not enough to assuage him.

“He’ll come around, probably,” Isfan laughs lightly at his lover’s brooding expression.

They share a moment of companionable silence while playing with the two Kugsha puppies, the pauses only interspersed with the occasional questions and hushed cooing.

“Wait,” Gieve suddenly sits up straighter, the motion so unexpected that it surprises Bahram a little, “I thought this place doesn’t allow pets. Or have you finally learned to take advantage of your pop star status and good looks to persuade the superintendent to let you keep the dogs?”

Isfan pointedly ignores the last question and replies, “About that… I’m considering moving to a bigger place. I mean, with these two, they’ll need the extra space to run around in anyway, and—” He stops, eyes averted and lips pressed tight as if to prevent himself from saying something unnecessary.

“And?” Gieve prompts, leaning just a degree closer towards the brunet.

“Ah, you know how sometimes you’ll end up staying the night when we, um…” Isfan turns his head to the side, a hint of blush starting on his cheeks that Gieve always finds irresistibly adorable.

“Yeah?” The glint in his sea-green eyes is anything but innocent.

“And you know how my single bed is too cramped for the both of us?” Isfan continues in a rushed murmur.

“I enjoy sleeping on top of you though,” Gieve grins mischievously, and he only gives a noncommittal shrug when Isfan sends him a dark but flustered look, “but anyway, go on.”

“So, I was thinking that when I move, I’m going to look for a unit with a bigger master bedroom as well, just so that I can fit a queen-sized bed in there…” he lets the unfinished statement hangs in the air between them.

The implication is subtle, but that’s all Gieve needs; he gives Bahram one last pat on its back and clamors over to his boyfriend’s lap, effectively straddling him.

“Say no more! After you’ve settled on a place, let’s go shopping at IKEA!”

Bahram lets out an excited bark, as if wholeheartedly agreeing to Gieve’s plan.

-

A/N: Honestly, IKEA’s style is probably too bland for Gieve’s taste but Isfan is a big fan, so.