Chapter Text
Chapter one:
Ian Gallagher sighed loudly as he stared up at the intimidating building, working in the northside of Chicago already scared the hell out of him, everyday that he walked into this building, he felt the panic rising up inside him. It was hard to explain, all of the reasons
Why working here was possibly the best and worst thing about his life. On one hand, he loved the job itself. He worked at an architecture firm, and he loved it. On the other hand, his direct supervisor, was an asshole and his HR manager was a cunt. He hated that word but there was no better word to describe her.
In fact right at this moment, he would like nothing more than to hang the both of them from the top of this building. Fuck them. He had imagined the day he would meet his boss face to face, and it certainly didn't involve meeting him so that he could fire him for misconduct because as sure as Ian rode the elevator up to his floor, he knew that this meeting wasn’t to get his side of this shit, it was all about telling him that he was a fuck up, the size of Texas and he was done. He sighed loudly once again and stepped off the elevator putting his work on his desk looking around for the she-devil from hell herself.
“Mr. Gallagher.” She greets with a tight smile.
“Yes? De…Calina?” He says smiling tightly.
“Mr.milkovich is ready to see you now.” She says and whips her head around. “Nice knowing ya.” She says under her breath.
“Fucking Demon.” Ian says.
“Now, is that any way to talk about such a lovely woman.” Mandy says snickering from across the table looking up from whatever she was working on.
“Very funny mands. Now I'm stuck going up there…and talking to….him.” He grunts out.
“You talk like he's a mythical creature. Calm down red. His bark is…well about the same as his bite, but you know you'd love for him to bite you…” And she giggles making a biting motion.
“Fuck You. I do not. I said he was hot, once, fuck you very much. If you'll excuse me, I have to go get fired now.” He says stomping off and hears Mandy laugh. He glances back at Mandy who is typing away on her phone.
--
Mandy: sexy red-head incoming
Mickey: fuck off
Mandy: don't fire him. Fire the witch!!
Mickey: Mandy… I have a job to do –and last I checked, so did you..
Mandy: in serious Mick. Give the kid a chance. He's good people. And these designs. You gotta see this shit.
Mickey: are you going through his binder?
Mandy: -picture sent— wouldn't you?
Mickey: why haven't I seen those before?
Mandy: Derek won't show them to you. He tells him they aren't good enough.
Mickey: gotta go.
Mickey looked up from his desk and sighed. Having Mandy on the main floor was actually a great idea. He learned things, and because she went by her married name, nobody knew who she was. With the exception of his secretary Rita, who had been with him since his big architecture firm was a little hole in the wall in the southside. He sighed as she peaked her head around the door.
“Hey bossman, sexy red-head here to see you. Don't kick him too hard, that poor thing looks absolutely terrified. You'd think we were still in the southside and he owed you money or some shit.” She says lightly.
“Rita….professionalism…” He glares at her.
“Ay bite me. Real hard.” She winks.
“Oh yeah, because that's what I'm gonna do. Behave or I'm calling Calina on you.” He laughs
“Oh bring it. I will drop kick that bitch:” she says smiling and turns back around. “I'm sending him in.” She smirks. But drops her voice again before saying. “And don't fire him just so you can fuck him.”
“Out!!” He yells. The women in his damn family.
--
Ian looks up as the woman comes back out of the office smiling brightly at him.
“You can go in sweetheart.” And she leans in and whispers. “Don't look so scared. He feeds off that shit.” She says and he just looks at her shocked. This was Mr. Milkovich’s secretary? He gets up shaking slightly. This was gonna suck and he walks slowly into the office and opens the door.
Ian holds his breath as he walks into the office, slowly. It wasn't like Ian Gallagher was a pussy, if Mickey Milkovich approached him on the street, he couldn't cower down, he'd probably get his ass beat, but he'd stand up to him, but this was about his job, a job he loved, and Mickey could and probably would make sure nobody wanted to hire him again. And that scared the fuck out of Ian because it was hard enough finding this job, and one that he loved. To go back to cashiering, or any of the other mundane bullshit jobs he'd had in the past, or God forbid dancing, Ian shook his head at the thought.
“Sit down.” Mickey spoke in a deep intimidating voice. Fuck. He finally looked at Mickey as he sat down and he knew that was a mistake. The man leant forward at his desk his arms on it. His knuckled fingers on display. And his deep blue eyes staring into Ian's green ones. “Mind telling me what exactly happened to land you here in my office…” Mickey looked down and then back up. “Mr. Gallagher.” He finished.
“Calina wants you to fire me.” He says simply and Mickey just eyes him.
“I'm aware of that.” Mickey says. “Not what I asked. Try again.”
“Derek reported me for misconduct I believe is what they're calling it now. Of the sexual harassment variety.” He says the anger boiling up in him.
“And what exactly did you do?” Mickey asks eyeing him.
“Isn't that in the report?” Ian asks not meaning to sound as angry as he is.
“Well the report says that you propositioned your superior. I'm asking you, what happened. And why you were sent to me? I'm sure my human resources manager is more than capable of handling the situation, so tell me..did you or did you not…offer sexual favors in exchange for..." Mickey looks down at his paper again. "An introduction...to me..." Mickey's eyes widen as if he's reading that part for the first time. "Seriously?"
"For fucks sake, no.. I did not. I didn't hit on that asshole. I have better taste, thank you." Ian says. Fuck it, if he was getting fired anyway...and embarrassed, obviously. Why would they put that shit in there?
"Better taste like me? According to this, it was all just a game to get to me anyway." Mickey smirks. and Ian rolls his eyes.
"First of all, not what I said. I asked Derek simply why he would not consider me for a project that is coming up okay? I made sketches anyway, in my own time, and showed them to him. He implied that the only way I was getting them to you or anyone else for that matter was to be present at that stupid ass Employee retreat, I point blank asked him how I get invited then, I was being sarcastic. Because I was annoyed, he told me to ask Mandy out, because she was the only lower level employee that ever got invited, I explained to him that I wasn't an asshole to ask a girl out, just to get invited to a damn party, and besides, I wasn't interested in her, I would be more interested in...him. I didn't mean it like that." Ian hangs his head.
"I see. So a misunderstanding?" Mickey asks.
"No. He knows what I meant. he knew I was gay. Everyone fucking knows. that's when it started." Ian says.
"What started?" He tilts his head.
"The jokes, the bullshit HR meetings because of something I did or said. He's trying to get rid of me because I make him uncomfortable. I make people uncomfortable because I refuse to hide what I am. If you want to fire me, go ahead. I can't stop you, obviously it's my word against theirs, nobody is going to speak up, he's their boss, so whatever."
"Nobody? You don't think anybody down there would have your back?" Mickey asks like he knows its not true.
"There's someone, if I asked, I'm sure she would but, I won't. I won't put her in that position, It's fine. So can I go pack my shit now."
"Mm, not yet. Give me a second." Mickey looks down at his phone as Ian watches and types something out.
--
Mickey: You vouch for this kid? They harrassing him for being gay?
Mandy: Yes. He's looking smug as shit right now. Are you firing Ian? Please don't.
Mickey: Grab his stuff, and bring it up here.
Mandy: What?
Mickey: The drawings. Let me see the damn things. Bring them to me.
Mandy: Fine.
--
Ian stares at Mickey curiously. "What is going on?" Ian asks and Mickey shakes his head. and clicks the button on his intercom. "Rita...Mandy is coming up to deliver something, let her in will ya?"
"Of course, like I'd ever stand in her way, boss," she says, but there's something behind it and Ian can't place his finger on it. Why were they waiting on Mandy, was he going to ask her about it? He didn't want to put her in the middle of his bullshit, she had done nothing but be nice to him from the moment he started. He sighed.
"I don't really think..." Ian trailed off.
"I don't really care." Mickey cut him off and Ian glared, just a little.
Mandy sauntered into the room moments later, with Ian's folder in her hands. "Hey Ian, Hey shi...Bossman. Here is what you asked for." Mandy stepped back and placed her hands on Ian's shoulder in reassurance.
"Why did you bring my bag up here for?" He asks.
"You wanted him to see the work didn't you?" Mandy just says and Ian sits still, as Mickey goes through his drawings.
"Interesting. and You've shown these to Derek? When?" Mickey asks.
"Couple of days ago."
“I see. Mind if I keep these?” Mickey asks.
“Am I fired?” Ian asks And Mandy and Mickey both laugh.
“No kid. You aren't fired. Now get back to work.”
--
“He didn't fire me…” Ian breathes out as he and Mandy make their way back down the elevator.
“He didn't fire you.”
“I don't know how you did that. But thank you” he says to her.
“Didn't do anything. Boss asked me to bring your work up, so I did. Fuck Cruella, you know if you asked I'd vouch for you right? I would have taken you to the damn retreat too asshat.” She nudges him.
“I don't want to put you in the middle. How do you get an invite anyway?” He asks curiously. She just shrugs.
“Been here forever, and I have an in.” She smiles.
“What? You dating him or something?” He wiggles his eyebrows and she coughs.
“That's disgusting.” She says offended.
“What?! Why is that disgusting? He's fuckin hot.” Ian says as the elevator vaults and Mandy busts out laughing.
“Gross man. Your taste in men. Seriously needs some improvement.” And she nudges him as they make their way to their desks. Derek looks up sharply at them as he is on the phone.
“Yes…yes..sir. Of course.” He stammers and Mandy chuckles a little before sitting down.
As he hangs up the phone Mandy smirks at him and gets back to work, as does Ian. “It's gonna get worse isn't it?” He asks and Mandy looks up at him with sympathy.
“Don't worry so much Gallagher, I got ya covered.” She winks. “By the way, retreat is next week, you are gonna come with me.” She says.
“Why? Don't you think you'd have more fun bringing a real date?” He asks.
“Mm, Nah. The hubby, we'll soon to be ex-hubby is busy with his new slut. Come on, save me, come with me.” She says smiling and he nods.
“Yeah okay. Didn't know you were married.” He comments.
“Won't be for long. Oh, don't look at me like that. It's fine. He cheated, my brothers beat the shit out of him, and let me tell you, that's pure entertainment.” Ian laughed at that.
“Shit. Send them after some of my exes. Or would they be the types to come after me instead?” He asks joking. Mandy looks at him and smiles.
“Nah, they stopped doing that ages ago.” She says without missing a beat and he swallows a little:
“What? Like fag bashing?” He asks.
“Mhm. Don't look at me like that. It's how they were raised. My dad was a piece of shit. Things change though. I bet my brothers would adore you.”
“Yeah, uh huh. I don't think I believe you.” He says warily.
“Gallagher, come here for a minute,” Derek calls over and Ian rolls his eyes but gets up anyway.
“Yes?” Ian asks approaching the man, who is sketching something that honestly looks kind of boring.
Derek looks up and glares. “Don't know who you fucked to get it, but congratulations. You've been requested for a project. You have a meeting, in two weeks with Mr. Milkovich and the clients. You'll have a packet on your desk about it by the end of the day.” Ian nods silently and walks back over. He hears Derek speak to the she-devil.
“Only he could go up there on the verge of getting fired and come back down with a fucking promotion.” He grunts out.
--
Ian sits down and stares at Mandy.
“What? What did dickbreath want?” She asks.
“I…I got a job. I've been recommended…meeting in two weeks…what the…” He says staring off into the room.
“Holy shit! That's the new one. The one you wanted!” She squeals and smiles brightly.
“He liked my sketches…holy shit.” He breathes out.
“Of course he did. They are amazing.” She says proudly. “We are celebrating tonight. We are going to be great friends Ian Gallagher.”