Recently I’ve been really sad about PJA leaving suits; so I decided to try and make something out of it. This is my first try, so be patient. Also it’s late and probably full of mistakes. Warning: this is a sloww burn but will hopefully be worth it in the end. I was planning on waiting until I had the whole thing to post but in honor of knocking out a few chapters, here’s Chapter 1:

Hey this is Mike Ross. I’m going to be in town next week. I was wondering if you happened to have time if you might want to grab a drink?”

It was wasn’t until Harvey’s secretary knocked on his door to inform him that she had set a client meeting for the following morning that Harvey snapped out of it and realized he had been staring blankly at is phone for the past several minutes. He was confused. And hurt. And a bit angry. It wasn’t the fact that he hadn’t heard from Mike in the past 6 months; Harvey knew that was as much his fault as it was Mike’s. The reality was that maintaining a friendship across the country was hard and awkward. The banter that came so easily to them in person just felt forced over the phone. No, what he was stuck on was the wording. “Hey this is Mike Ross.” Like he no longer had his number stored in his phone. Like he didn’t know it by heart. Not even just “Mike” but Mike goddam Ross. Apparently they were no longer on first a name basis. Not only that but he asked if he would want to grab drinks. Like even if Harvey was free he still might chose not to see him. Did Mike really think that little of him? Hell, he didn’t care if he had time or not, he would always make time for Mike. He wished Mike didn’t doubt that. He wanted to just relish in the excitement of seeing his friend, and instead he was left wondering if Mike even still saw them as friends.

Harvey had been thrilled to see Mike’s name appear on his phone. The moment three years ago that Mike told him he and Rachel were moving to LA he knew his life wouldn’t be the same. He supported Mike. He even understood the need for him and Rachel to start over somewhere new, where they could focus on each other and the profession they loved without the weight of the past. And he tried to tell himself he wasn’t devastated. But he had made enough progress with his new counselor Julie to know that wasn’t true. Afterall, Harvey could count on one hand the number of people in his life he had known he could trust. His dad was gone, Jessica left the firm to move to Chicago, and then Mike moved across the country. That just left Donna. And even though things were normal between them again, every day Harvey wondered if it would be the day Donna once again told him she wanted more; and this time that more would take her away from him too.

“Mike Ross? Doesn’t ring a bell. Where do I know you from again?”

“We used to fight crime in too tight leather costumes and capes. Come to think of it no one ever told us what the capes were for but I’m sure they were essential to the crime fighting.”

“Kidding Robin, not like I dropped your number. I’ve always got time for you kid, just tell me when.”

“My flight gets in at 7:15 tomorrow so any time after that, I should be there for awhile.”

“I’ll have Ray pick you up from baggage claim. Welcome home.”

“Thanks Batman.”

“What has you smiling?”

Harvey didn’t hear Donna come in, and was about to ask her what she was talking about before he realized he did have a huge stupid grin on his face.

“Just getting a chance to catch up with a friend.”

“Well we both know I’m the only one delusional enough to be friends with you..that can only mean one thing, Mike’s coming to town!” By the time she got to the end of her sentence Harvey wasn’t the only one wearing a grin. But her face fell with her next words. “But without Rachel?” She asked worried.

“He didn’t mention it specifically but I think it’s just him, not sure why he’s in town.” In truth, Harvey had been too pleased that he was going to be in town at all to think to ask why.

“I’m glad you’re getting to see him again Harvey” Donna said, giving him a warm look. As she turned back towards her office Harvey thought he saw a glint in her eye he didn’t understand.

Standing in front of the window, looking out over the sea of fuzzy lights that make up the New York City skyline, glass of Macallan in my hand, I slipped the card out of its gilded envelope once more. ‘Congratulations on Your Engagement’ ribboned elegantly in gold across its cover. I could barely believe this moment had finally arrived, after all this time.

Opening it up, I read the message inside,

'To Mike’

Just Mike? I felt conflicted. Hadn’t we all been through enough together that I could avoid this petty snub? I coughed a little to stop my quickening rage in its tracks.

'To Mike, Wishing you both a lifetime of happiness.’ Well, it was short and sweet, if a little disingenuous.

Unsure of just how much of the happiness I should allocate to myself, I abandoned the card amongst the case files mounting on my desk. Deciding on another drink to steady the nerves before the engagement party (I checked my watch - we had 45 minutes), I unscrewed the top from the liquor bottle, and breathed in its honeyed-wood scent. I never had been able to stand these kinds of parties, but Mike had insisted. He always was able to turn my selfish thinking around, persuasive lawyer qualities flying right out of the window at the sight of his cherubic face.

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.

Start from the beginning

Previous chapter

As Harvey held the door open for Mike to enter his apartment he was filled with a sense of deja vu. How many times had Mike shown up at his door with some problem that needed fixing? Well there wasn’t any fixing this. Harvey realized that he would give up anything if he could somehow protect Mike from the events that always seemed to lead to him crossing this doorstep.

Mike went over to the drink cart to pour himself a scotch.

“Help yourself,” Harvey said drying.

“Oh, sorry Harvey,” Mike stuttered. The fact that he didn’t have some facetious come back told Harvey just how exhausted Mike really was.

Harvey’s face softened, “Hey Mike listen,” he said sincerely “you are welcome here as long as you want. Help yourself to anything. I told you once that you were my guy and always had been. That hasn’t changed. Anything you need, don’t hesitate to ask.” Mike looked like he wasn’t sure what to say, so Harvey kept talking, “Well you might as well pour me one too. Come on, I’ll grab you bedding for the couch; but if you want to watch the movie the TV is in the bedroom.”

Mike blinked at the giant stone fireplace taking up an entire living room wall, and the floor to ceiling windows taking up the other like he had never questioned the lack of a TV and he now found it completely absurd. “Not really used to entertaining huh?”

“The kind of entertaining I do here happens in the bedroom anyway” Harvey joked.

Mike groaned. “Yeah that definitely makes me want to hang out there..”

“Come on smartass,” Harvey slapped him on the shoulder as he passed by, leading the way to his bedroom. After setting up the movie Harvey plopped on the immaculately made king sized bed and reclined into the pillows. He looked up and noticed Mike tentatively standing in the doorway. “You going to watch the movie standing up?” Harvey asked with one eyebrow raised. Mike visibly relaxed at the implied invitation and walked towards the bed.

“Just wanted to make sure I’m not going to catch anything.” he quipped.

“Jesus who do you think I am? Hugh Heffner?”

“Hey, I guess I should be glad to have a friend with game. I’m not sure I haven’t forgotten how to be single,” He started it as a joke, but by they time he finished his voice had fallen flat.

“Well don’t tell Louis but I’m not exactly as full of game as you seem to think. After everything with Paula and Donna I just, I don’t know, focused on work.”

“Don’t worry. I won’t spread around that you aren’t the narcissistic, soulless, womanizer people think you are.”

“Perfect. Now I would tell you to shut up and watch the movie except we both know there’s never been a movie you haven’t talked through.” Except this time he didn’t talk through the movie, because within minutes he was fast asleep. In Harvey’s bed.

When the movie finished Harvey briefly questioned if he should leave the kid be and sleep on the couch. But screw it, it was his bed, and it was big enough for both of them. If Mike thought it was weird in the morning he could always claim he planned on moving but fell asleep too, the same as Mike. He got comfortable and turned to face Mike. In sleep Mike’s face lost all traces of the tribulations he had been hiding for the last couple years. The peace Harvey felt when Mike stepped out of the limo returned and Harvey fell easily into a blissful sleep.