Brian the Good Boss

[mysid.livejournal.com]

I've read several fics in which Brian is a horrid, verbally abusive boss. But Brian must be a good boss to work for. After all, Cynthia burns bridges behind her in order to help Brian get Kinnetik off the ground so she can continue to work for him instead of for Vance. Also, Kinnetik is a success, which would never happen if Brian creates a toxic work place. Yes, he does say, "Would it help if I threatened to fire you?" to a guy in the art department in canon, but he does so in such a teasing manner that the guy laughs. He does criticize Bob and Brad's work, but in the same meeting he praises and encourages new guy. (New guy is Kip, but Brian doesn't know Kip's a sleaze yet.) And yes, he does get bitchy with Cynthia when he's highly stressed, but I have to conclude she puts up with it because his behavior the rest of the time balances it.

So, two part request:
Those of you who know canon backward and forward, what are your favorite Brian-boss moments in canon? Episodes?

More importantly, I'm looking for fics in which Brian is portrayed as a good boss. A bit bitchy at times (this is Brian we're talking about), but overall, someone you would like working for.

ETA: Fics don't have to be set at Kinnetik; Brian doesn't have to be THE boss. After all, Brian is a partner at VanGard, and even at Ryder, Brian was higher on the totem pole than other some other employees. I just want to see Brian doing his job, interacting with clients or-- better yet-- interacting with employees, and being good or great at his job instead of being a mentally unbalanced two year old.

Update: A few recs in the comments and (hopefully) more coming in!

Comments

[balrogtweety.livejournal.com]

I know this story is a bit long but I love it. It's called Forever Yours (http://www.midnightwhispers.ca/viewstory.php?sid=1059). Brian is a very likeable boss but comes across with authority.

Happy reading.

[mysid.livejournal.com]

Thanks, but that one isn't for me.

[echelonizi.livejournal.com]

I don't know if this is exactly what you asked for, but my favourite Brian/Work bit is where his Mom comes to see him and he's like "I'd rather spend an eternity in hell then spend one day in heaven with you"
Can't remember the episode number though :o

And sorry, i can't remember any fics where he's portrayed as a good boss. Most of the work orientated fics i read are set at Ryder/Vangard
xo

[mysid.livejournal.com]

Fics in which Brian works for Ryder or VanGard are quite welcome. After all, Brian is a partner/boss at VanGard, and he is pretty high on the totem pole at Ryder too.

[gundamnook.livejournal.com]

In besame_bj's "Mirror" universe, Brian is an amazing boss and interacts very well with his employees once he starts his own company! If you haven't already read that series, I highly recommend it. However, you do have to friend her in order to read it!

[mysid.livejournal.com]

Read it, love it, also recommend it!

[wjsc99.livejournal.com]

Brian is an amazing boss (among other things) in 'The Sunshine Files' written by Thyme and Sabina.

This huge, ongoing, uber-fic universe is updated weekly and is more of a continuing series than a WIP:

http://www.mags-nificent.com/MSW/TS1.htm

I agree, mysid; reading Brian as a raving, abusive lunatic in the workplace is always a real turn-off. :-(

Also, any employer behaving so outrageously would quickly go broke with financing the team of lawyers he'd have to keep on retainer. And settling all the legitimate lawsuits filed against him.

[mysid.livejournal.com]

I've read most of that series. It's a fun read if you're in the mood for schmoopy-domesticated-Brian. (Which I am from time-to-time.)

FYI to other readers: Brian semi-retires from Kinnetik relatively early in this series, but he does do the "Great Boss" thing while getting a landscaping business off the ground.

The good boss

[galeandrandy.livejournal.com]

Hi, I wrote a fic called "Endeavor" it should fit your request. To my knowledge in remembering the fic, I didn't write Brian as a totalitarian, hated boss though there is some of his snark in there at times. I always think about how he was after the bombing regarding his employees and I totally agree, Cynthia never would've just left everything if she didn't LOVE working with Brian. It was so freaking risky, it doesn't matter if she knew he'd be successful, she had to have a different liking to him than just boss/employee.

This is Endeavor:
http://galeandrandy.livejournal.com/157125.html
It's complete.

Re: The good boss

[galeandrandy.livejournal.com]

Oh, thank you!

Re: The good boss

[wjsc99.livejournal.com]

Three cheers for completed fic! I'm saving this for the weekend. :-)

Re: The good boss

[mysid.livejournal.com]

Not only is Endeavor (http://galeandrandy.livejournal.com/157125.html) exactly what I was hoping for in terms of seeing Brian-the-good-boss in action, but it's a really good story too. I'm six chapters in and looking forward to reading the rest. I love AUs in which B/J meet after Justin has had time to become a bit more mature and independent. Thanks!

[mysid.livejournal.com]

I've found a ccouple on my own and thought I'd add them here for "archive" purposes.

conzieu's In His Kiss (http://www.mags-nificent.com/MSW/ConF/Kiss.htm) and its sequel Together (http://www.livejournal.com/tools/memories.bml?user=conzieu&keyword=*&filter=all) feature Brian working as a partner in a NYC ad firm--a job he does quite well. Yes, the art department has nicknamed him "The Asshole," but I get the feeling they like him in spite of the sharp edges. And I can't help but be impressed at Brian in action, especially in the crisis that occurs when they have to completely reshoot an ad shortly before the Superbowl.

quinn222's series of epistolic fics are told through photos containing letters, e-mails, journals, etc. In Changes (http://www.kinnetik.org/changes/), one of the last stories in the series, Kinnetik moves to NYC, so a fair portion of the story is about Brian overseeing both Kinnetik and its employees. I especially love Brian's protective side showing when a young employee comes out to his parents.

Thyme's Close to Home (http://community.truequeerlove.com/viewseries.php?seriesid=14) is an AU series in which Brian is in a wheelchair. After meeting Justin, he returns to work full-time, so we get to see him in full "good boss" mode in Close to Home III and Close to Home IV.