#marveyficchallenges

They don’t end up pissing in Hardman’s office after all, but they do have another joint and solve the world’s problems laying on the floor under Mike’s cubicle, in the dull light of the bullpen.

Mike’s brain, although slower than usual, comes up with the idea that Hardman faked the document and he rushed to his feet to test his theory.  He forgets he’s under his desk and slams his head into it.  He’s sure he sees yellow canaries flying in circles for about thirty seconds.

“You doing okay there, Rookie?” Harvey says leaning over him and getting right in his face.  Harvey starts stroking his head, and Mike is smiling back at him like an idiot.

Mike thinks Harvey’s giving him heart eyes?  Then he remembers that he’s stoned and that he always thinks everybody loves everybody when he’s high, so he dismisses it.

They confirm Mike’s theory; Hardman very well could have used Donna’s date stamp to fake the document, so they go in search of Hardman’s calendar in the file room.

Mike is flicking through his fifth filing cabinet, thinking about how nice a hot dog would be right about now when Harvey starts dashing toward him.

Mike turns to look at him when he calls out and slams his ribs hard into an open filing cabinet.  He yells out and doubles over in pain holding onto the no doubt bruised area.

“Jesus, Rookie, you’re a bit of a spaz when chemically altered, aren’t you?” Harvey teases, but reaches out to rub Mike’s back and right him against the filing cabinet.

“Let me have a look,” he demands, dropping to his knees and pulling Mike’s shirt up with one hand.

Harvey’s hand is silky but cool, and Mike flinches a little when it touches his skin.  He gently examines the area, lightly running his fingers up over each of Mike’s ribs.

“Just a bruise,” Harvey mutters as he flicks his thumb back and forth over Mike’s left nipple, and then runs his hand down the curve of Mike’s flank.

Mike stops breathing for a second, and Harvey needs to stand up and not have his eyes level with his cock anymore, or it’s going to become very apparent that Mike is enjoying the attention.  Harvey looks up at him then and grins mischievously before he stands.

Mike’s breath whooshes out, and he needs to remind himself that Harvey is touchy-feely when he’s high and that he gets ultra horny.  That’s all this is he assures himself, even if he has catalogued what Harvey looked like on his knees staring up at him with that look, for later.

“I found Hardman’s calendar, the smug bastard knew, and he’s setting me up!” Harvey accused.

“What are we gonna do?”

“Nothing more tonight, let’s go home, we can take the bastard down tomorrow,” He replied, yanking Mike by the sleeve in the direction of the lifts.

2.  2013

“So, it’s been a year since we?” Mike asked making a subtle joint smoking gesture.

Harvey had given him the Friday off as it was the anniversary of Grammy’s death.  He also decided, each year they should keep the tradition up of spending some time together around that time, just to unwind and be present in each other’s lives, even if they did light up and get wasted.  It was cheap therapy.

"It is,” Harvey answered, wiggling his eyebrows with a look of pure ratbag written all over his face.

"Should we maybe?” Mike ventured, trying not to laugh at Harvey’s hysterical boyish grin.

“I think I need to go get a coffee,” Harvey smiled, standing and giving Mike a wink.  “My place at 8ish?”

“Deal,” Mike agreed, trying to hide his excitement at getting another night with ‘high Harvey’.

By 9 pm they are thoroughly off their faces and heading to the firm, coming up with a vague plan to move Louis’s desk and personal belongings down to Paul Porter’s now vacant office on the 46th floor.

"Why does Louis have a picture of Shannon Miller in his office?”  Mike asks, brushing cat hair off his pants.

Harvey laughs and makes a funny snorting sound, “He likes gymnastics almost as much as his precious ballet,” he replies, air quoting the precious to magnify his prognosis; that Louis is weird.

“I did gymnastics when I was little before I started wrestling.” Mike supplied.

Harvey dissolved into a fit of giggles.

“You?” He said chuckling, “I’m sorry, I just imagined you in lycra.”

“Hahaha, I was only 9, and stop imagining me in lycra!”  Mike complained, throwing the picture into the last box.

“I can still do a mean cartwheel.” He bragged, wondering if he should ask Harvey if he kept food in his office, he had the munchies big time.

“Oh come on, that’s gymnastics 101, everyone can do those,” Harvey replied cockily.

“You, Harvey Specter, can cartwheel?” He said disbelievingly, “Prove it!”

Harvey thought it might be a bad idea for a few seconds, that is until he realised that he needed to prove Mike wrong.

“Fine,” Harvey said lifting his hands over his head to stretch, showing off a patch of skin above his hips that Mike found more interesting than he probably should.

He followed Harvey out into the wide hallway and watched as his boss did the most uncoordinated cartwheel in the history of cartwheels, anyone had ever had the pleasure of witnessing.  It was spectacularly shit, he nearly crashed into Donna’s desk and landed on his face.  Mike was laughing so hard he was crying, the laughter doubling him over when he saw Harvey’s solemn face.

“I don’t see you doing any better Rookie?” He challenged, pouting.

At that Mike winked, bent over and touched the floor and then stretched his hands over his head and as far back as he could.  Harvey noted that he was far more flexible than he looked and saved his more detailed thoughts on that for later, right now a challenge had been laid down.

Mike walked away from Harvey and back down the hall, doing his best stick up his ass gymnast impersonation, he pivoted and threw his hands in the air in a V, signalling the start of his routine.  Harvey was staring at him like he’d finally lost his mind.

Mike took off, sprinting like an armed criminal was chasing him and threw himself into the first cartwheel, but to Harvey’s surprise continued tumbling toward him at an alarming rate.  Mike had no idea how close he was to Harvey, and before he could stop they collided in mid-air, Harvey doing his best to grab Mike upright as they crashed to the ground, tangled up together, laughter shaking their bodies.

As they began to untangle themselves, Mike felt the heaviness of Harvey’s hand under his tee shirt; rubbing his belly softly, the searing heat of his hand making Mike shiver.  He put it down to how touchy feely Harvey was when he smoked pot, until the hand moved to rest just above his track pants, thumb rubbing lightly through the course hair, just above the band.  Mike’s pulse started to race, and all his blood rushed south as he swallowed loudly.

At that moment, the lift chimed, indicating its arrival.

“Shit,” Mike said, jumping to his feet, hauling Harvey up with him.

They ran and hid out in the closest office until the coast was clear.

As they left, Mike slapped the sign on Louis’s door.  “This office is marked for deep cleaning; people have complained about a smell of prune and pussy…. cat, kindly report to the 46th floor.“

Laughter was drifting through the halls of Pearson Darby as they left.

3.  2014

Mike had been back at Pearson Specter for three weeks, so it’s very last minute this year when they decide to visit the coffee cart guy on their way out of the office.

With zero inclination to return to Pearson Specter, they instead choose to launch an age old attack on Louis’s front yard.

"How much toilet paper do we need?” Harvey asked, migrating toward a large pack of thirty.

“I know this might surprise you Harvey, but I’m a teepeeing virgin,” Mike replied, a roguish smile on his face, “This pack should do,” he says, picking up a dodgy looking carton of thirty.

“That’s one ply,” Harvey complained, “I’m not throwing cheap toilet paper, I’m still classy.” He whined, doing an overexaggerated frown.

“You’re ridiculous!” Mike said, rolling his eyes as he picked up the expensive looking embossed three ply and threw it into the trolley.

“Let’s get some snacks,” Harvey suggested, jumping on the front of the trolley and pointing to the potato crisp aisle like he had spotted an island from a crow’ nest.

Two hours, four drinks and another joint later, Harvey Specter is giggling and throwing toilet paper over trees at 1 am in the morning.  Mike thinks this is the best day of his life.  He hits record on his iPhone, to get some video footage so that he can remember the joyous look on Harvey’s face as he desecrates Louis’ front lawn with toilet paper.  He might also use it to get a raise.

Mike pockets his phone and makes for the unused pile of toilet rolls, but in the process neglects to see a scary looking garden gnome in his path before it connects with his big toe.

“AWW FUCK!” He swears, forgetting what he’s doing momentarily until the next door neighbour’s dog starts going apeshit.

Security light flicks on, and Harvey sprints to Mike and grabs him, hauling him up and behind a tree out of sight just as Louis appears on the front porch.  Well, they think it’s Louis.  Someone with worse fashion sense than a Sacha Baron Cohen character, is wearing a size too small maroon Harvard onesie, fluffy slippers that look like cats, with some giant teeth whitening contraption in their mouth, looking like they’re about to blow a gasket.

“Jesus, my eyes.  No way Harvard sells those!” Harvey muttered, snickering.

“Oh my god, are those- “

“Stay still, or he’ll see us,” Harvey whispers into his ear as he presses Mike against the tree from behind.

Harvey’s dick is lined up with his crack, and he can feel every breath against his skin as Harvey breathes into his neck.  Harvey rolls his hips just enough that Mike knows even in his stoned haze that it’s happening, Harvey is rubbing his cock against his ass, and he is fucking turned on by it.  It seems ironic that he is a hardwood sandwich at that moment and he can’t contain himself and starts chuckling.  Harvey clamps a hand over his mouth.

Louis must hear the chuckle because he is irate and yelling about calling the police and getting a restraining order against his neighbour who Mike seems to recall killed Louis’s lawn on purpose when he last went to Boston.

A porch light flicks on across the street and a grumpy balding man steps out onto the veranda.

“Litt, what the fuck is going on?”

Mike and Harvey still and peer around the tree.  A visible trail of drool follows the whitening contraption out of Louis’s mouth.  Mike makes a gagging sound, and Harvey shoves his face into Mike’s neck, muffling his laughter.

“Don’t you bullshit me, Wayne, I know you did this,” Louis rages, “This time I’m calling the police, they have fingerprinting and shit these days, asshole!”

As he turns to go inside and make the call, they make their escape, running and giggling down the street like teenagers.

4.  2015

Jack Soloff had been coming at Harvey and messing with his salary, and Mike had just witnessed one of Harvey’s panic attacks when that time of the year came around again. “Maybe we should just give it a miss this year?” Mike suggested as they sat side by side in the office, giving Harvey an out if he needed it. “No, if anything I think I need a night out of my head right now.  Besides, it’s one of my favourite times of the year,” Harvey disclosed smiling for the first time in weeks as he recalled all their shenanigans. “You decide the what; I’ll supply the pot.” Harvey continued, giving Mike a wink. “Okay, rhyme time,” Mike replied standing, “I’m on it.  You want something low key that will piss Jack off.  Easy.” Harvey didn’t care what they did if he was with Mike.  He just wanted to forget about how alone he felt and how upset he’d gotten at the thought that Mike might leave him. Mike knew Jack was a proud man, so he figured something simple, that would dent that pride, would do the trick.  All it took was a quick call to Benjamin and an internet search for a wedding supplies shop.

_

When Harvey arrived at Mike’s apartment a day later and noticed the two blow up dolls on the couch, he had cause for concern.

“Tell me you’re not having a dry spell so bad you’ve had to resort to this?”

“Very funny old timer,” Mike snarked, grabbing two beers from the fridge and handing one over to Harvey, “Actually they’re participating in tonight’s festivities.”

“I’m a forty-year-old professional Mike, I’m-”

“Forty? Rounding down much?” Mike snorted, dodging out of Harvey’s reach, “Roll us a joint before your 50th birthday will you!”

Harvey narrowed his eyes, “Are you teasing me, because you like me, Mike?”

Mike stiffened, then relaxed when his brain caught up and he realised Harvey was joking.

“I like da weed, and you have da weed, man.” he deflected, nailing the accent.

At 1 am, two very stoned professional lawyers were seen climbing into a cab accompanied by two blow up dolls.  Apparently, Harvey’s standards had plummeted down to his expensive, well-polished shoes.  They received some very odd looks from the taxi driver, and if Harvey weren’t named partner, the security guards probably would have frisked them.

Once in Soloff’s office, they started to arrange the blow-up dolls in a compromising position bent over the couch.

“I forgot the sticky tape,” Mike giggled, “This one needs to be stuck down, so it bends over, see?”

Harvey snorted, “There’s some in my top left drawer if you must position them like that!”

“Sweet,” Mike called, heading out the door only to find Jack at the end of the hallway, talking on his phone, heading straight toward his office and them.

Mike commando dived back into the office.

“Shit, he’s coming.”

“Who’s coming?”  Harvey asked confused, looking out toward the darkened hallway and hearing a quiet voice talking in the distance.  His eyes grew wide.

“Grab the stuff, get behind the couch now!” He whispered, gesturing wildly.

Mike grabbed the dolls, Harvey grabbed the bag, and they both dived over the couch, Mike landing first, and Harvey landing on top of him, just as Jack walked through the door.

“Don’t move,” Harvey mouthed, lips inches from Mike’s face.

If they moved, no doubt something would make a noise, so they are stuck in this position, Harvey’s body covering Mike’s, with two blow up dolls and a bag alongside them.

The first five minutes were fun, Harvey was trying not to laugh, and Mike could feel his body shaking with the effort.  Mike enjoyed the weight of Harvey on top of him, though he would never admit that little gem out loud.

Jack was on the phone to Hardman for ten minutes before he hung up, but instead of leaving he started to write what sounded like an essay.

Fifteen minutes in and Mike’s limbs were starting to go to sleep, so he subtly tried to move, resulting in his hips thrusting upward ever so slightly, Harvey looked amused and started making suggestive faces like Mike was purposely trying to grind against him.  He wasn’t.  Well not really.

At twenty-five minutes, Harvey had started tracing circles with his nose on Mike’s cheeks and puffing hot air onto his face.  Mike was in hell and constantly thinking of Louis mudding to stave off the twitching going on below.

At thirty-five minutes, Harvey started rutting against him on purpose.  Mike whimpered, then froze when Jack’s typing abruptly stopped, and they heard the creak of his chair as he got up.  They held their breath as footsteps made their way toward them.

Then the lamp was switched off, and the door closed behind him.  In unison, the breath whooshed out of them.  Harvey didn’t immediately move to get off.

“Didn’t think this night would involve a four-way behind a couch,” Harvey said, grinning down at him.

“If that excites you so much, I can buy you a deluxe model for your 50th,” Mike quipped, sitting up with Harvey still straddling him, refusing to move.

“Reading people is my job Rookie, you loved every minute of that,” he replied smugly, finally shifting off Mike and helping him up.

They lit another joint and Mike went to work arranging the dolls while Harvey stuck them in place.  They attached masks that were scarily realistic, added a bridal veil to the head of Jack’s doll and sprinkled confetti on the floor.

They left the office quickly, but not before capturing a picture from the doorway of Jack being taken from behind by Daniel Hardman on his wedding night.

Maybe Mike sent that picture to Donna, so a large curious crowd was standing outside Jack’s office when he arrived at work later that day.

5.  2016

It had been a long year, most of Harvey’s energy had gone into fighting for Mike.  Fighting to stop him going to prison, fighting to get him out, fighting with him full stop and finally fighting for him to become a real lawyer.  During that time Harvey had finally admitted to himself that he wasn’t just doing this to give Mike his dream, he was doing it because he had fallen in love with him.

Since day one he’d found Mike sexually attractive, Christ, the blue-eyed kid could have worn a hessian sack, and Harvey would have found him irresistible, but he never expected it to turn into a love so deep he would do or give anything to protect the man.

Tonight, he wanted, no, needed Mike back here at the firm, with them working side by side because Harvey knew that Mike was marrying Rachel and that working with Mike and being with him every day was all he was going to get.  Well, that and their traditional yearly smoking sessions, when Harvey got to pretend that they were more than just friends.  That one night a year when he got to touch Mike under the guise of being chemically altered and then woke up with a hazy mind, alone in his plush king size bed, and empty condo.

Now finally they had accomplished it, Mike was in the Bar.  A real lawyer.  Mike was stunned into silence, and even as Donna, Rachel and Jessica congratulated him, he only had eyes for Harvey.  He stared at Harvey who gave him a grin so happy, broad and beautiful; it was Oscar worthy.

Harvey reached over and slapped his shoulder, while he subtly made a smoking gesture and raised his eyebrows, non-verbal communication was their strong point after all.

Mike grinned back at him, “Later.” He mouthed.

Harvey nodded, he supposed Mike was already pretty high on life right now.

Mike was finally coming home.  They shook on it.  Well to Harvey it felt more like they had held hands, but it didn’t matter because he would see Mike, probably more than Rachel ever would.

_

Four hours later, Mike walked back into his office.  Harvey was sitting on the couch, feet up on the glass table with a tumbler of scotch in his hand, staring out the window.

“Saying goodbye to your office?”  Mike asked from the doorway.

“Thought you would still be celebrating with Rachel?”

“Nah, she had to study,”

Harvey nodded, hearing what Mike wasn’t saying, Rachel was pointing out that she still had to work hard to have Mike’s dream of being a lawyer.

“Top right drawer,” Harvey directed.

Mike grabbed the two neatly rolled joints and lighter and smiled back at Harvey, he poured himself a drink and collapsed onto the couch next to Harvey and lit up.  When they started to giggle, and Mike realised he was more affected than usual, he looked sideways at Harvey’s boyish face to question him but got distracted by how beautiful his best friend looked, and he couldn’t help lifting his hand to Harvey’s face and tracing his fingers over the smile lines lightly.

“This,” Mike said, holding up the joint, “Is not the coffee cart guy.”

“No, it isn’t, I got you special pot for our stoniversary,” Harvey laughed, “It seems to be working well don’t you think?”

“Oh God, Either I am really stoned, or you just said the word, stoniversary!”

“Come on,” Harvey said pulling Mike to his feet, “Let’s go and have the other joint in my new office.”

“What’s wrong with my new office which is your old office, just like my last new office was your old office?” Mike mumbled, not able to control the grin on his face.

Harvey stared at him squinting, too stoned to work out what the hell he was saying.

“Smoking pot in the boss’s office, I’m going places,” Mike joked, flopping down on the couch, lighting the second joint and taking a long drag.

“I might have to do some redecorating next week,” Harvey said, surveying the area and taking the joint from Mike.  He tipped his head back against the couch and blew a series of perfect smoke rings into the air.

Mike coughed out a small laugh, “Any thoughts on how you’re gonna christen this office yet?” he asked cheekily, waggling his eyebrows.

“Why Pup, are you angling for a blowjob?” Harvey joked, rolling his head to the side so that he could see Mike.

Mike should have laughed it off, but those words, that invitation, even if he was just kidding, it had his dick stirring in his boxers immediately.  Harvey watched Mike swallow, then stare at his mouth, shit the pot must be good stuff for him to be contemplating this.  Harvey’s gaze dropped to Mike’s crotch, noticing the hardened outline of his cock becoming even more pronounced under Harvey’s gaze.

“Mike?” Harvey didn’t know what he was asking, but he was asking because he didn’t know how to proceed here.

“I … Ah, it must be the pot,” he said in a small voice, gesturing to the large tent in his jeans awkwardly.

Harvey dropped to his knees in front of Mike and slowly ran his hands up his thighs.

Mike hummed, his head flopping back against the couch.

“Fuck,“ Harvey ground out, “Are you okay with this?”

Without looking down, Mike undid his belt and top button and then moved his hands away.  It was an explicit invitation to continue.  

Harvey’s heart started to pick up the pace; he was nervous.  He wanted this to be amazing for Mike.  How many years had he imagined doing just this and now he had to fight the haze the pot was giving him and try to focus.

Harvey took a deep breath and looked up at the relaxed smile on Mike’s face.  He looked sexy, his five o’clock shadow giving him a gruffer appearance.  Harvey wanted to do more than just blow him.

Harvey carefully unzipped his fly, and Mike automatically lifted his hips off the couch to help as Harvey pulled his jeans down past his knees.  Harvey groaned when he pulled Mike’s boxers down his hips, and his perfect thick cock sprung out and stood to attention millimetres from his lips.

A drop of pre-cum slipped from Mike’s slit, and without hesitation Harvey licked at it, hungry for his first taste of Mike.

“Fuck…” Mike breathed.

Without wasting another second, Harvey sunk his mouth down over the thick cock as far as he could manage and let out a moan when the silky head hit the back of his throat.

The hot, wet heat of Harvey’s mouth and the sensation of his lips sliding down his shaft surprised Mike, he choked out a broken groan, and Harvey looked up at him and grinned, his pupils blown with lust and Mike nearly came right there.  He laced his fingers into Harvey’s hair and thrust once, experimentally into his mouth.

“Ahhh, shit that’s good.”

Mike’s head thumped back against the couch, hand sliding down to the back of Harvey’s neck as he continued to lick sloppily at his cock, swirling his tongue around the head and occasionally dipping it into his slit.

Harvey’s mouth and tongue were perfect, and considering Harvey was kind of stoned it was an unbelievably good blow job.

Mike felt his balls start to tighten, and when Harvey moaned around him, he couldn’t help thrusting again, into his throat.  Harvey took it; he didn’t choke or pull back, he just cried a muffled “Mike,” and bobbed his head taking him deeper each time, swallowing around the head of his cock.

"Fuck!” Mike groaned, as he grabbed Harvey’s hair again, harder, his mouth sliding further down his shaft as he thrust forward face fucking him, slowly at first and then gathering speed when Harvey grabbed his hips, pulling him forward, encouraging him until it became hard and fast.

“Shit, Harvey! So good. Oh God!”

Harvey glanced up at Mike, his jaw was slack, and his mouth had formed an O shape, his eyes were squeezed shut.  Soft moans were falling from his lips as his dick slid in and out of Harvey’s mouth.  Harvey balls tightened, Mike looked amazing, and all he could think about was how much he wanted to do this to Mike, again and again, over and over.

“Ahhh, fuck,” he mumbled around Mike’s cock as he came untouched in his pants, hips jerking forward erratically.

Mike’s balls were tight against him, so when Harvey mumbled around his cock and his fingernails gripped into his thighs, he plunged his cock down Harvey’s hot, wet throat until Harvey’s nose was buried in his pubic hair and came hard. White lighting flashed in his eyes, and heat shot down his spine as he splattered cum down Harvey’s throat.

"Sorry,” he grunted as his hips jerked forward, realising he hadn’t given Harvey any warning.

Harvey’s face looked flushed, and his eyes are blown wide like saucers, and Mike watches in awe as he drags his lips over the head of his cock, sucking up the last drops of cum.

They look at each other then, and a lump formed in Harvey’s throat as he realises that this was too far, this wasn’t just something they could write off as a little touchy feely, this was sex.  He drops his head, words failing him.

Mike reached down then and started to run his fingertips through Harvey’s hair gently.  He continued for a minute or so before cupping Harvey’s chin and bringing his lips down to meet Harvey’s in a soft kiss.

“That was unbelievable,” he breathed against Harvey’s lips, voice filled with awe.

A fresh wave of pot hits Harvey then, and he closes his eyes and sways a little on his knees.  Mike grabs his biceps and hauls him up next to him, pulls his boxers and jeans back up and then straddles Harvey, and before he can change his mind, he starts pressing soft kisses against his lips, waiting for Harvey to get with the program and kiss him back.

When Harvey finally concedes and places the sweetest kiss back against Mike’s lips, it’s like the floodgates open.  Harvey is licking into his mouth and taking him apart with every searing kiss, his hands are up Mike’s shirt, on the globes of Mike’s ass, in his hair, roaming everywhere while he continues to take Mike’s breath away with his mouth.

They’ve been making out like life depended on it for twenty or so minutes when Mike stops and pulls away abruptly.

“Mike?” Harvey says, voice filled with concern.

Mike turned to him slowly with a solemn look on his face.

“I’m starving,” he said, and then burst out laughing.  Harvey was joining in the laughter a heartbeat later.

After cleaning themselves up, they grab a burger and fries at a local all-night café, and when they part to go home, Mike grabs Harvey’s hand and squeezes it once before he turns and walks toward the subway.  Leaving Harvey standing alone, eyes shining as he watches Mike until he is gone.

+1.  2016

When Harvey woke that morning, he had hoped it was all just a dream, an 'I got high and blew my best friend/unrequited love’, stoner dream, but even after brushing his teeth a third time he could still taste Mike Ross in his mouth.

“Come over; we need to talk.”

“I’m downstairs, be up in a minute.”

Harvey grimaced, of course he was.  The thought of Mike here to tell him they had crossed an invisible line and they needed to bury it, no more yearly tradition, it made his chest constrict, and he could feel a migraine coming on.  He could have denied it up until last night, but now it was out there, between them, there was a real part of him that wanted this guilty pleasure not just to happen once a year but forever.  Harvey could admit to himself that he wanted Mike to feel the same but realistically, he knew he was marrying Rachel and even if he weren’t would he want to spend his life with him?

Mike preened himself in the mirror while the lift climbed to the top floor, adjusting a few strands of hair that weren’t quite perfect.  Since day one, he had always wanted to look his best for Harvey; today he had put on his darkest denim jeans and his black button down shirt, showing a little bit of chest hair then rolled up the sleeves to showcase his muscled forearms.  He hoped it would throw Harvey off enough that he wouldn’t resort to denial and be skittish, coming up with explanations and evidence about why last night was a mistake.  Mike knew it wasn’t; it had been coming for five long years.

He knocked, only waiting a few seconds before Harvey opened the door, with a tight smile on his face.  Harvey turned and walked straight to the kitchen, grabbing a glass of scotch, and placed it into Mike’s hand. Mike set down the glass. “I don’t need it, Harvey, I’ve come here to say what I need to, if you don’t like it, I’ll go.” Go.  No, Harvey didn’t want that, he thought as he sunk onto the couch. “So?  What do you need to say?” Even though he knew it was the right thing to do, calling this whole thing off, it was still going to hurt.  He hoped Mike would make it as quick and pain-free as possible.  Rip the band-aid off and go so that Harvey could combust in private. “I need a week off work,” Mike requested. “What?” he responded, surprised. Whatever he thought Mike was going to say, it sure as hell wasn’t that. “Well,” Mike continued nervously, “I really enjoyed last night, um especially the errr … bit on the couch, so when my head cleared, I sat down and spoke with Rachel, and it’s over,” he affirmed, “It will take me a week to pack up all my shit and move it in here.  What do you say?” Harvey stared at him like he had lost his shit. “Are you joking?  You want to move in?  We… You… Us?” He spluttered, not quite grasping this unlikely turn of events fully. Mike laughed, the pure happy sound echoed around the condo in the way that Harvey had always wanted and imagined it would. “How are you the best closer in New York?  You can’t even form a sentence right now!” Mike chirped, his blue eyes smiling at Harvey. “You’re serious about this?” He asked, rising to his feet. “As a heart attack,” Mike replied, hand on his heart for effect. “Jesus,” Harvey laughed nervously, “You may as well marry me while you’re at it!” He joked. “Okay,” Mike responded with enthusiasm. Harvey grinned at him and moved into Mike’s space.  His hand shook as he placed it on Mike’s cheek. He leant in, so their foreheads touched. “I’m serious; you can’t do all of this,” He gestured haphazardly, “Us, move in here, everything unless it’s really what you want.  I need you to be sure.” “Yep,” Mike said, taking a step backwards, “I am sure, but you’re not giving me much assurance that you are?” “Puppy,” Harvey breathed, “No-one else could ever hold my heart like you do.” Mike smile was so big and bright, if it were possible for Harvey to love him with more than every fibre of his being, that would do it. “I have a couple of things I’d like to negotiate for this to work, though.” Mike proposed. Harvey raised his eyebrows, “YOU have conditions about moving into MY place?  Oh, this outta be good!” “Specter-Ross,” Mike blurted. “You better be talking about your surname!” “Nope, maybe not in a year, but within five.  I want my name on the door, next to yours.  I don’t care where.” “We’ll see, I’m not opposed to the idea, but you have to be seen to be worthy by your colleagues too,”  Harvey reminded him.

“I understand, you know I can do that.” He replied smugly.

“Yeah, I know,” he said fondly. “What else have you got for me?” He asked, sitting and pulling Mike down to straddle him on the couch.

“Um, Well..” Mike started, leaning out of Harvey’s persistent nips at his neck.

“What is it?”

“I want to be wooed.”

“Wooed?” Harvey repeated, the confusion evident on his face. “Yes Harvey, wooed. I know we’ve known each other a while, but I want dinner, movies and chocolates,” he confirmed, giving Harvey a 'this is non-negotiable’ stare. “Jesus, when the hell did you get your seniors card?” He jested, smirking at him. “Oh, just woo me already!”  He said, wrapping his arms tighter around Harvey’s shoulders and relaxing against him.

He was home now.                            

A week after Mike moves into the guest bedroom, he comes home and finds a basket full of extravagant chocolates and an envelope holding a card, inviting him out to dinner with a private rooftop movie screening, afterwards.

Mike would never have said he was easy, but from that night onward he no longer required the guest bedroom.

The End.

Harvey felt his jaw and fists alike clench instinctively. Goddamn Trevor. What the hell was he doing here?

“Mad? Mad??” Mike’s voice this time. “Of course I’m still fucking mad, you asshole! I risked everything to help you! Again! And what did you do?? You screwed me over! Again! Jesus Christ, when am I ever gonna learn??”

Good question, rookie, Harvey thought, but he knew he was more pissed at Trevor for taking advantage of Mike than at Mike for letting him. Mike wasn’t an idiot, and he wasn’t a pushover, he was just … kind. And loyal. Stupidly so sometimes, and to his own detriment, but he didn’t like giving up on people. 

Harvey had come to realise that was just who he was and although he lived to give the kid shit for it, in his heart of hearts (and, yes, the great Harvey Specter had a heart, even if it had taken a cocky, mouthy, idealistic, blue-eyed do-gooder to remind him of that fact) he knew he wouldn’t change him for the world. Besides, Mike had him to look out for him now. And he was tough enough for the both of them.

“Look, I … I broke your nose, and I’m sorry for that. But what you’re doing isn’t fair…”

Through the red mist that had descended upon him on hearing that goddamn fucking Trevor, who was about two seconds away from becoming goddamn fucking dead Trevor, had been the one to break Mike’s nose and not some stranger that just got a little too enthusiastic during a pick-up game of basketball as Mike had tried (fairly unsuccessfully, it had to be said) to convince him, Harvey heard Mike scoff at Trevor’s whiny lament.

“I’m not being fair??!” Mike was angrier than Harvey had ever heard him before.

Good. Maybe he’d finally recognised that his loyalty was wasted on his old ‘friend’, who may have been there for them when his parents died (although Harvey was more than halfway convinced he’d been calculating even then and saw it as an opportunity to keep Mike tied to him out of gratitude), but who hadn’t been anything more than a burden to him in years. A millstone around his neck, dragging him down and pulling him back.

We hate it when our friends become successful, Morrissey had sung. Personally Harvey had always celebrated his friends’ wins, having enough of his own to never feel outshone, but Trevor, well, he’d known for years what Harvey had realised minutes after meeting Mike - if given even just half a chance this kid could outshine them all. Trevor resented that, but Harvey, much to his own surprise, found that he didn’t. Instead he found himself wanting to be the one to finally give Mike his chance to shine. And, oh, Trevor couldn’t have that. He couldn’t have Mike finally wake up to the fact he had been manipulating him for years, playing on his gratitude and loyalty, to keep Mike in his place, in Trevor’s shadow, never letting his own light shine. Well, maybe Mike had finally woken up.

No sooner had Harvey thought it than Mike voiced it. “Harvey was right about you.” This time it was Trevor who scoffed.

“Oh yeah? And what did the great Harvey Specter have to say about me? Let me guess, it wasn’t flattering?”

“No, but it was right on the money,” Mike replied. “He said you didn’t really care about me, about our friendship. It was okay when I was just working jobs I hated all day and smoking it up with you at night, but the second I tried to do something with my life, tried to make a go of the one career I’ve ever really wanted, you couldn’t have that, could you? What? Too afraid I’d actually discover that maybe I’m worth more than trailing around after you and getting stoned every night, is that it? That maybe I’d hear what Grammy has been telling me for years, that you’re a user? That maybe I’d move on and forget you?”

“Well, that’s exactly what you did do, isn’t it, Mike!” Trevor roared. It took all of Harvey’s self-control not to step forward into the bullpen and make his presence known, somehow knowing this was a conversation Mike needed to have without his interference, even if it was out of concern. “Huh? All it took was some asshole with a $100 haircut in a fancy suit and I was history! Years of friendship forgotten after one meeting with His Highness, Prince Harvey of Harvard! One fucking chance encounter and suddenly I’m the villain of the piece!”

“This wasn’t Harvey’s fault, Trevor. This is on you. And, yeah, me too, for letting you keep me down all these years. I could’ve stood up for myself at any point. I could’ve stuck to what I knew was right and said ‘no’ every time you talked me into doing something stupid. Like memorising that test and selling the answers, or agreeing to do that drug deal for you. And that’s on me. But the truth is, a real friend would never have asked me to do those things. To risk everything I had, my future, my freedom, my safety, just so you could make a few bucks and keep me under your thumb at the same time. Well, no more. I got us out of this one by the skin of my teeth, but that’s it now. We’re done, and I mean it this time.”

“I think you’re forgetting something, Mike.” Trevor’s voice was low, dangerous. Harvey didn’t like it, but he stayed where he was. If things got violent he could be round the corner with his hands round Trevor’s throat in a second.

“Yeah? What’s that?” Mike sounded wary, and Harvey tensed, ready to spring into action if need be.

“Who gave you that black eye? Who broke your nose? You may think you’re better than me, Mike, but I’m still stronger. You think you’re so special? You think your precious Harvey thinks you’re special? Well, you’re nothing! Everything you ever had was because I gave it to you! Do you think anyone else wanted to be friends with Little Orphan Mikey, the freak with the memory? If it wasn’t for me you’d have had your ass handed to you every day in the playground! Never able to keep that big mouth of yours shut. Always having to show the bullies how much smarter than them you were. I was the only thing standing between you and a beatdown every day in high school.”

“Yeah, well, we’re not in high school now, Trevor. Oh, and by the way, that’s what friends are supposed to do! They stand up for you, and with you, and they always have your back, expecting nothing in return, except maybe you doing the same when someone comes at them. Harvey gets that. But, you … you have no idea what friendship is, do you?”

“Friendship? Ha! You really think friendship is what Harvey wants from you? Don’t make me laugh. Jesus, Mike, I thought you were smarter than that. I’ve seen the way he looks at you, and, trust me, it’s a whole lot more than friendly.”

Harvey had barely moved a muscle since he’d first heard Trevor’s voice, but now he was like a statue. Utterly still, he couldn’t move, couldn’t blink, couldn’t even breathe.

“What?” Mike’s voice was quiet, unsure of itself, as if he couldn’t quite believe what he’d just heard.

“You heard. He wants you, Mike, and it’s more than just your mind he’s interested in.”

“Okay, now I know you’re crazy. If you knew anything about Harvey then you’d know he’s the consummate ladies’ man. A real player. He’s not into guys, and even if he were, he’d never be into me.”

“No?”

“No. Harvey could have anyone he wanted. He doesn’t need to settle for someone like me.” The certainty in Mike’s voice tore at Harvey’s heart. Did he really not know how Harvey felt about him? Did he really think Harvey choosing him would be settling? Didn’t he know he was the most extraordinary person Harvey had ever met? Had ever known, ever loved?

Yes, loved.

Of course, Harvey had tried to fight it at first. He didn’t know what else to do. He’d seen love before and what it could do. His dad had been in love and what had it gotten him but a broken heart and a division of assets? Harvey had loved his dad but he’d been determined not to repeat his mistakes. But it had been an unfair fight right from the start. A lifetime of running away, of closing himself off, of witnessing firsthand what love gone wrong could do to a person, versus five minutes in a room with Mike Ross? No contest. Harvey would’ve liked to have been able to say I let you win to Mike, but the truth was he’d never had a say in the matter. The heart chooses and Harvey’s chose Mike. And when he’d dealt with this Trevor asshole he was finally going to tell Mike that.

“I think Trevor knows as well as I do that being with you would never be settling, Mike,” Harvey said, relieved to find his voice projecting its usual confidence as he rounded the corner and quickly assessed the scene before him, poised to strike if the need arose.

As predicted, the bullpen was empty except for the erstwhile friends. They stood beside Mike’s desk, overflowing with paperwork and Red Bull cans, Mike’s chair pushed back with his suit jacket draped over the back of it. Trevor in a suit Harvey had to concede was half-decent. Mike, face still bruised and swollen from their previous run-in, looking like Edward Norton’s more attractive stunt double from ‘Fight Club’, tie and top button undone and shirt sleeves rolled up. A wave of fondness and an overwhelming need to protect rolled over Harvey. But something else, too. Pride. Admiration. Respect.

Trevor was looming over Mike, but Mike refused to be cowed, head held high, back ramrod straight. All heart and soul, eyes flashing like St. Elmo’s fire. He’d already taken one beating (that Harvey knew of) at this man’s hands and still he stood tall, ready to take another if necessary, but not willing to back down. Mike might not have been able to throw a punch like Harvey, but he was his very own brand of tough.

“And as it seems that genius brain of yours hasn’t been able to work it out for itself, he’s right about me wanting more than friendship with you, Mike. But he’s wrong if he thinks I’d ever try to coerce you into something you didn’t want. You can say ‘no’ to me without it voiding our friendship. Your job here is safe, and always will be as long as I have any say in the matter. And I will always have your back without expecting anything more in return, except the same from you.”

“You … you mean … you …,” Mike stuttered.

“Use your words, rookie.” Harvey grinned.

“You mean it’s true? What he said? You … you want me?”

“I do. Is that gonna be a problem for you?”

A slow smile spread across Mike’s face and he shook his head.

“No, sir. No problem at all.”

Harvey’s heart gave a little kick and of its own accord his hand reached out towards Mike’s. Mike grabbed it without hesitation, still smiling, and Harvey felt himself become practically boneless as all the tension he didn’t realise he’d been holding on to ebbed out of his body. Of course, goddamn Trevor had to break the moment.

“I fucking knew it!” he spat. “Nothing more than a couple of …” Harvey turned to him before he could finish that sentence, contempt written all his over his face.

“A couple of what? A couple of guys who could bury you if you ever show your face around here again? A couple of guys who are smarter, better, stronger than you in every way possible? Yeah, that’s right. We are.” Harvey gripped Mike’s hand harder and felt Mike squeeze his in return.

“I’m also the guy who’s struggling to choose between kicking your worthless ass right now or putting in a call to my good friend, Judge Lawrence, and getting a restraining order against you. One which I’d be happy to have served to you at your workplace, which wouldn’t look too good for you. But then again, neither would turning up missing half your teeth because I’ve knocked them down your throat.” Harvey took half a step forward and was gratified to see Trevor take one back.

“So why don’t you do yourself a favour,” he continued, “and walk away now, before either of those things has to happen. Walk away, out of Mike’s life, for good this time, and never come back. It’s Mike’s time to shine now, Trevor, and because you tried to keep him in the shade you don’t get to bask in his light. And I’m more sorry for you than you can know because you’ll be missing out on the most beautiful thing either of us has ever had the chance to witness. You’ll be missing out on Mike and that’s a loss I don’t envy you. But you brought it on yourself and I don’t intend to make the same mistake. So get out of here while you still can, and never come back.”

“Mike? Say something.” All the bravado gone, Trevor looked and sounded like a pale, hollowed-out version of himself. Harvey could only hope Mike was tough enough to withstand the pathetic sight he made.

“I think Harvey said it all. Go, Trevor, and don’t come back. There’s nothing here for you now.”

Anger flared once more behind his dark eyes, but Harvey had drew himself up to his full height, puffed his chest out and moved to stand in front of Mike, before Trevor could do anything with his ire. Mouth twisting in disgust, he threw them both a final withering glare before turning on his heel and stalking out. Behind him Harvey heard Mike’s breath huff out of him in a rush and he turned in time to see his body seem to crumple into the chair he had abandoned when Trevor had shown up.

“Hey, hey, it’s all right. He’s gone now, and if he knows what’s good for him he’ll stay gone,” Harvey soothed, sinking on to one knee in front of Mike, suit pants be damned, and taking his hand in both of his. Mike just nodded and Harvey felt the tremors running through his lean body.

“Why didn’t you tell me he was the one who broke your nose and gave you that black eye? I didn’t believe that basketball game story for a second, you know.”

“Yeah, I figured,” Mike smiled sheepishly. “But I didn’t want you going away for murder, and that’s what would have happened if I’d told you it was him the day I first walked in here with my face looking like this.”

Harvey nodded, acknowledging the truth in his words. “Hell, kid, it was hard enough not killing him now.”

Mike smiled again, wider this time, but then his eyes flickered away from Harvey’s.

“Hey, what’s going on in that big brain of yours now, rookie?”

Mike glanced up uncertainly, fear and doubt and a dozen other things Harvey wanted to chase from his being forever, clear in his eyes.

“Did you really mean it?” So quiet Harvey, even so close, almost didn’t hear it. “Or were you just saying it to piss him off? Or to get him to back off?”

“Huh?” Harvey’s brain scrambled to catch up with Mike’s before it hit him what he was talking about. He was still doubting Harvey wanted him. Harvey took it all back. The kid was an idiot. But he was Harvey’s idiot.

Harvey rolled his eyes before levelling Mike with one of his patented get with the program, rookie looks.

“Mike, do you remember how I told you being a lawyer is a lot like being a doctor?”

“Yeah, you gotta press until it hurts and then you’ll know where to look.”

“Right. Well, the day you walked into my office, face swollen and bruised, eyes sadder than I’ve ever seen them before, I didn’t need to press to see where it hurt, because I already knew. I already felt it. Right here.” His hand still clasped around Mike’s Harvey raised them both to his own chest, just above his heart. “So, yeah, I wanted to piss him off and I wanted him to back off, but I meant it. I meant every word. I want you, Mike. I love you.”

Mike’s eyes widened at the use of the ‘L’ word and Harvey was suddenly afraid he’d ruined everything. Trying to salvage what he could, he quickly added, “But if you were just pretending you wanted me too in front of Trevor, it’s okay. Because I meant what I said about wanting to stay your friend too. Nothing has to change between us if you don’t want it to, okay? We can still…”

Harvey didn’t get to finish that sentence because warm lips were against his, stubborn and insistent as the man who owned them. Getting with the program himself, Harvey kissed back, his hands finding their way to Mike’s face and cradling it tenderly before he gently broke the kiss. He stayed close, though, and Mike rested his forehead against Harvey’s.

“Wow, I didn’t want that to ever end,” Mike breathed.

“Me neither,” Harvey beamed, “but I was afraid I might hurt you, what with your nose and everything.”

“Trust me, I’m not feeling any pain right now,” Mike beamed back.

Harvey chuckled. “Well, I guess that’s my reputation as a uncaring hardass shot to hell then.”

“Please,” Mike laughed. “Like anyone ever bought that to begin with. You’re a pussycat, Harvey Specter. I’ve known that since the day I met you.”

“Oh, really? And what gave me away?”

“I crashed your interviews, pretended to be someone I wasn’t, dropped a briefcase full of weed at your feet, corrected you on the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, told you I didn’t have a law degree and generally acted like an all-round wiseass - and you still hired me.”

“Maybe I just wanted to get in your pants.”

“You didn’t have to give me my dream to do that, you idiot.”

“No?”

“No.”

“Then what did I have to do?”

“You only had to ask.”

“That easy, huh?”

“For you? Yeah, that easy.”

“Then what the hell are we doing hanging round the bullpen when we could be at home in my condo, wrapped up in bed?”

“Well, I don’t know about you, but this guy, kinda cute, reputation as a bit of a hardass but really just a great big softie, told me he’d tell Donna I’d dissed Richard Gere if I didn’t have the briefs for the Maddox versus Lewis Industries case on his desk first thing in the morning.”

“Fuck Maddox versus Lewis Industries.”

“I’d rather fuc…” This time Mike was the one cut off by firm lips pressed against his own.

“Hold that thought, rookie. Come on, let’s get out of here,” Harvey muttered, getting to his feet and tugging Mike up off the chair and into his waiting arms.

“Aye, aye, captain.” Mike grinned. Harvey rolled his eyes again, but couldn’t keep the answering grin off his own face.

"Relax," he slurred, "this is just a warning." Then he smiled.  It looked evil and messed up because of the stocking distorting his features.  "Gallo wants to kill you himself, stay safe boys," he rasped yanking the briefcase out, sending the elevator on its way.  

Mike's face had drained of its colour, and he was shaking like a leaf.  Harvey grabbed him and pulled him close, but Mike pushed him away, making a gagging sound, then vomited down the front of his shirt as he slid to the floor.

"Mike listen to me; I need to call security, are you going to be okay?" He asked, grabbing the emergency phone.  When Mike didn't acknowledge him, he dropped the phone and knelt down next to him, gripping his shoulders.

"Mike, it's Harvey.  Are you okay?  What do you need?" he said, trying to sound calm.

Mike looked up at him slowly, meeting Harvey's eyes and breathed out a heavy sigh.  He was ashamed of his reaction.

"Sorry, yeah uh, I'm fine, just a bit shocked that's all." He said, trying to laugh and downplay the situation.

Harvey squeezed his shoulder and grabbed the phone again, connecting to the lobby.

It was too late.  The lobby reported later that Harvey had called a mere 30 seconds after the perpetrator was seen running towards the subway.  Harvey spent two hours retelling the story to police officers, who had surveillance footage for Harvey to look at and forms to fill in.  Mike stayed in Harvey's room curled up on his bed, complaining of a migraine so he wouldn't have to deal with it all.  

It was 11.30pm by the time the condo was quiet again.  Harvey quietly pushed the door to his room open; Mike was sitting up against the head of the bed, knees hugged up to his chin, staring at nothing-in-particular.

"Did you call Rachel?" Harvey asked, sitting down on the side of the bed closest to Mike.

"Yeah, she's been staying with her parents, so she's not in any danger." He said, avoiding Harvey's eyes.  The room fell silent for a minute.

"How long?" Harvey urged because he knew something had been going on these last few weeks, what with all the yelling and the misplaced anger, but he didn't realise Rachel had moved out.

"I knew the minute I took the deal it was over.  I'd hoped it wasn't, but when your lawyer visits you inside more than your fiancé, it's time to call a spade a spade."  He explained, grateful to have it off his chest.

"Now Gallo wants us dead.  It's like I can't get a fucking break anymore.  Like fuck!" He yelled, anger bubbling up inside him, "I have nothing, no job, no fiancé..."

Harvey was silent; he knew not to take what Mike was saying to heart, he was scared and vulnerable.  Jesus, even Harvey had to admit he'd been scared tonight.

"I think you should stay here tonight; you can have the guest room," Harvey said, standing and patting Mike on the shoulder.

"Thanks," Mike murmured, "Uh I could eat?" He added.

The way he looked with his big blue eyes and chin sitting on his knees reminded Harvey that he was so much younger than him, he looked scared, timid and overwhelmed.

"Grab a shower, you smell like vomit, I'll make us something to eat," he directed, "I'll leave some pyjamas on the bed."

Harvey grabbed a few items from his wardrobe for Mike and set them on the bed, moving to the kitchen he turned the griller on and cut up a bread stick.  He pulled some homemade pumpkin soup out of the fridge, separated it out into two bowls and heated each of them, while he toasted the bread under the griller.

When Mike reappeared and sat on the counter, two steaming bowls of soup were waiting, and Harvey was spreading garlic butter on the bread and building an impressive looking bread tower.

"Smells great." Mike enthused, grabbing a bowl and heading for the couch.  Harvey set down the bread on the coffee table and bought his bowl over, sitting down right next to Mike.  They demolished it in amicable silence.  They watched a documentary about Alaska and an episode of The Long Way Round before Harvey stood and stretched.

"I need some sleep, anything you need before I go?" He asked.

Mike looked up at him, a question on his lips but he didn't say anything just dropped his head and frowned.

"What is it?" Harvey asked sitting back next to Mike and placed a hand between his shoulder blades.

"It's stupid; I'm a grown man, I don't know why-" Mike uttered.

"Mike, you are the least stupid person I know, come on, I'm not judging you, what is it?" Harvey prompted, rubbing circles with his thumb on Mike's back.  It had taken a few more minutes of soothing circles before Mike spoke.

"When I was little, if I got scared Grammy used to let me sleep with her cardigan, I uh.."  Mike looked right at him them, blue eyes shiny with unshed tears, "Can I wear your tee shirt?" He asked so softly, Harvey almost didn't hear it.

Harvey was taken aback; Mike was so scared about Gallo that he wanted to wear his clothing, more must have happened in prison than he let on.  It was a lot for Harvey to take in, but this was Mike, so he pulled him into a quick embrace, "Rookie, you are wearing my tee shirt." He pointed out.

Mike went bright red and muttered something unintelligible as he stood up to walk away.

"What?  Mike?  What did I say?" Harvey asked, unsure what exactly was going on.  He reached for Mike's shoulder.

"It's more comforting if it smells like you." Mike blurted, "Forget it, good night."

"Mike, wait," Harvey said, peeling his undershirt off and throwing it to him as he turned around and stared at Harvey's naked torso.

"Get some sleep okay, we're safe here." He said softly, then headed for his room.  Did Mike find his smell comforting?  His heart might have melted a little bit in his chest.

He sent a short text message to Dr Agard, asking if she could make a house call tomorrow, tossed the phone on the bedside table and dropped his head onto the pillow, exhausted.

****

Sometime between the hours of two and four am Harvey woke when Mike moved under his covers and snuggled up against his back, nose pressed into his neck.

Mike had now shattered all of Harvey's personal boundaries, and even though he should just kick him out, he couldn't.  Because if there was one thing Harvey knew for certain in this life, it was that he would do anything for or give Mike anything he wanted.

When Mike's hand skated lightly over his belly, followed by a press of his groin against his ass, Harvey had to muster every inch of restraint and willpower he had not to press back against Mike.  He managed though and closed his eyes willing himself back to sleep.

Then Mike pressed his forehead against his back and whimpered please, and he knew he was beaten.  It was like the air left the room, all of a sudden a fog of desire and want, filled the space.

He rolled over and pulled Mike against his chest.  He knew this wasn't the right way, coming together when one of them was vulnerable, it wasn't the smart choice, but to hell with being smart, he had stubble scraping over his clavicle, and he could feel the head of Mike's cock, slick with pre-cum pressing against his stomach.

"Harvey, please." Mike moaned, rubbing his cock against him.

"Mike, we can't take this back, are you sure?"

"Yes, god yes, fuck me, please fuck me Harvey" Mike murmured, words of want and lust spilling from his lips.

It hit Harvey like a train then; he couldn't do this.  He cared too deeply about Mike for this just to be some fuck they once had.  Mike had no idea what he needed right now, but it wasn't this.  Harvey could make him feel safe and loved without sex.

"Okay, it's okay come here," Harvey said, pulling Mike on top of him and wrapping his arms around him.  He felt heavy and solid; it felt good.

Mike reached down and grasped Harvey's hard cock, stroking it lazily as he rubbed up against him until Harvey pulled his hand away and Mike froze.

"Mike, this isn't a no to you, it's a no to now.  Now isn't the right time to be doing this." Harvey explained, rubbing Mike's shoulders.

"You don't want me?  What? Even I'm too damaged for you?"  Mike spat, untangling himself and moving away.

Ouch.  Harvey felt that blow; again it took significant restraint not just to give him want he apparently only wanted Harvey for, hell it might be his only opportunity to do so, but he stuck to his guns.

"Mike, I do want you," he spoke to Mike's back.  "I want you to look at me and want me in that way more than anything, but you're fresh out of a relationship with Rachel, and you feel vulnerable because of Gallo and your job hunt.  I want you to want this when the going is good, not bad, doing that will only make it worse, it could ruin us Mike, and I can't stand to lose you." Harvey said, pleading with Mike.  "I'm sorry Mike, but even someone as damaged as me doesn't want to be a quick fix fuck."

Mike sighed.  "I'm sorry," he whispered, "You're right, you always are." He turned to face Harvey.  "Would you just-"

"Come here," Harvey soothed, cutting him off.

Mike slipped back under the covers and into Harvey’s waiting arms.  Harvey held him tight, his whole body pressed against him, it felt real, and he felt himself relax.  Harvey brushed his lips against his forehead and placed a firm kiss there, not moving away but keeping his lips against Mike’s head.

Mike tightened his grip on Harvey and slowly tilted his head back, so Harvey’s mouth dragged down his forehead and over his nose until it hovered level with his mouth.  He and Harvey were breathing the same air; he felt his body heat up, the nervous tension zinging around his body like white lightning.  His heart started beating out an irregular rhythm in his chest as he took one last breath of Harvey’s air and their lips met, perfectly slotting together and sealing the air in.

Harvey felt the kiss right down to his toes; it wasn't at all what he expected he and Mike would be like, this kiss was firm and filled with love, their lips just locked together, breathing steadily through their noses until Mike broke the kiss and whispered, "Is this okay?"

Rather than answer, Harvey captured Mike’s lips again, this time though he frenched Mike to within an inch of his life.  They made out passionately until the sun rose, falling asleep happily in each other's arms.

Frank Gallo could come, and Harvey would do everything in his power to protect Mike.  But what Gallo didn't know was that he had driven two very formidable minds into each other's arms, so he better watch his back too.

One seventeen; they stood in silence for what felt like forever.

“Why?” Mike asked quietly, voice broken, pleading, begging for Harvey’s mercy to let him go; though the lawyer knew that in fact, it was completely the other way around.

Harvey gulped down whatever he had prepared before he reached the building, the explanation, the lash, whatever he thought he need to tell Mike.

One nineteen; Harvey looked into Mike’s eyes for the first time.

He carefully laid down his heart, his guard, his shield, his pride, and bared himself the way he had never done before, not in front of Dr. Agard, not in front of Donna or Jessica; only Mike.

Naked, like he was looking at the mirror, inspecting scars marked all over his skin, one by one, searching for every secret and craziness underneath.

And he didn’t need anyone to tell him to.

One twenty; Mike’s breath stuck at the top of his lungs, stunned.

Harvey realized at that exact moment that he wasn’t the only one who was hurting, breaking, drowning, and falling into pieces.

Into madness.

Mike gritted his teeth; shouting soundlessly how his heart had bled empty a long time ago, when he told himself to move on, when he thought there was no hope.

Though Harvey was right; two adults who cared about each other didn’t move on at all.

“I’m sorry,” Mike finally whispered, ashamed, guilty, regretted.

Harvey closed his eyes. “Me too.”

One twenty three; they were about to choke on the thick familiar tension that screamed grab him, hold him, hold him, hold him close, kiss him, kiss him, don’t let him go, not again, never again—

Mike took a deep breath, mumbling, “Thanks.”

Harvey nodded slowly with an almost empty heart.  Maybe this was Mike’s payback, for never gave him chances, or cues, or hints, to step in a little bit closer to his heart.

Then Mike smiled at him, bitterly, but surely was a smile, in the last moment before he turned back into the building.

Harvey found the corner of his mouth curved up unconsciously.

Wasn’t a payback then; only madness, the one they had created together.