Back in Town Chapter 2
Here’s the second chapter from my slow burn Marvey fic. I’m new to this fic writing thing so I’d love feedback and corrections! I hope you enjoy!
Click here for Chapter 1
Harvey waited outside the steakhouse questioning why he was so fidgety. Up until now they had always gone out to the same place for important dinners; the first place Harvey ever took Mike. Except that Harvey hadn’t returned there since he said goodbye to Mike in the parking lot the night before Mike flew to LA.
When Ray pulled up and Mike stepped out Harvey moved forward and hugged him, tight, before he even realized what he was doing. But to his surprise, Mike didn’t question it but just hugged back. Harvey stepped back wondering what got into him. With the exception of his nieces he didn’t hug people if it could be at all avoided. But damn, he couldn’t deny that as soon as Mike stepped out of that limo he felt a peace he hadn’t realized he had been missing. It didn’t last long because as he pulled back he was able to really see Mike’s face for the first time; dark shadows, hooded eyes and all.
“Hey kid, don’t people move to LA for fresh air and rejuvenated skin? What are they putting in the water out there? You look half dead.” “Well gee, it’s good to see you too. Glad to see you haven’t gone soft in my absence,” Mike said with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes.
Harvey told Ray to hang on to Mike’s bags and be ready to pick them up when they were done before leading Mike to the table where he had scotch waiting. Mike took a long drink and looked up with a sigh. The short lived joy Harvey had felt by Mike’s arrival drained completely, leaving him with a sinking feeling in his stomach.
“Mike, I’m glad to see you, but what’s going on?” Mike avoided his eyes and Harvey felt actual physical discomfort at the pain he saw in his friend’s face.
“It’s over with Rachel. For good,” Mike said flatly, with his eyes glazed and still fixated on a point over Harvey’s shoulder.
If Harvey had been expecting something, it wasn’t that. Hadn’t they left everything, hadn’t Mike left Harvey to be able to prioritize his marriage? If there was one thing that had made the loss bearable for Harvey it was knowing the move allowed Mike to be happy and loved. Like Mike should be.
“Shit Mike, I’m sorry. What happened?” Mike finally dragged his eyes to meet Harvey’s and Harvey flinched at the desolation he found in them. He hadn’t even seen that look when Mike was in prison. Hell, he hadn’t seen that look since Mike looked up, a stranger, over a briefcase full of weed and explained how his whole life had spiraled out of control. But even then there was a spark of hope, of determination. Now there was simply emptiness.
“It doesn’t really matter. It just didn’t work.”
“I thought your move to LA was because you guys were great and didn’t want anything getting in the way?” Harvey realized too late he probably should have said something more kind and supportive; but there was a need to comprehend what happened he didn’t fully understand.
“Well I certainly didn’t go thinking I’d get a goddamn divorce.” Mike flinched at the last word and Harvey wondered if this was the first time he had actually said it out loud. “Look Harvey, I don’t know what to tell you. There was something missing from our relationship. Or maybe something there that shouldn’t have been. I don’t really know but we did love each other and we thought it was just all the bullshit that was always happening here. But I guess it was just us. Or maybe just me.” “Mike..” Harvey’s voice was choked
“It’s fine. If I’m being honest I’m grateful to have some finality to it all.”
“How long has this been going on?”
“I think we both knew something was going on but rationalized it. After all there was always some secret or bullshit going on here to account for it. We thought it would go away when we moved. Once we did we spent a long time both pretending we didn’t still feel it, a longer time arguing about how to fix it and who’s fault it was, 8 months in therapy, and the last few months trading off who was sleeping in the office.” “And you’re sure it’s over?” Harvey asked.
“Oh yeah, I’m sure.” “The therapy, it didn’t help?” “Unless making us fight twice as much is helping, no. She was really stuck on Danbury and that I needed to talk about my time there, since Rachel and I just kind of moved on with our lives.” Mike’s eyes had become unfocused again. “But it’s just not something I can talk about.” Harvey was confused for a moment, he had thought Mike was fine coming out of prison, he came out swinging and had worked with Gallo before he died.
“I don’t know what to say Mike, I had no idea things were bad.”
Mike sat up straighter, “Yeah well maybe I should give you a sob story more often if it means I get a ribeye and scotch out of it.” Harvey knew he was trying to change the subject.
“Oh yeah? Who says I’m paying? Didn’t you get enough cash out of me when I was signing your paychecks?” “Judging from the small fortune of a timepiece around Ray’s wrist I think you can afford a few nights out,” Mike said baiting him. “Well as it happens I am doing fairly well for myself thanks for noticing,” Harvey says with a cocky grin while slipping a couple bills on the table and texting Ray. Mike stood up to leave.
“So I know you’ve spent nights in all the hotels around town. And by nights I mean evenings because I don’t see the great Harvey Specter turning around for a snuggle. Any recommendations?”
“I’ve heard my cuddling skills come highly recommended. You want to test that out?”
Mike just raised his eyebrows in that ‘you’re full of bullshit’ look Harvey missed so much.
“Well I can give you recommendations if you want. Their beds are probably a hell of a lot more comfortable than my couch. But I was planning on starting a Godfather marathon tonight if you wanted to join?” Of course Harvey was actually buried in paperwork and had planned to return to the office after dinner. But now that Mike was in front of him the thought of seeing his back walking away, even just for the night, filled him with panic.
“An offer I can’t refuse. Thanks Harvey,” Mike said tiredly.
Read the next chapter.
