Do This Together (a Suits fanfiction)
Rated: T
Pairings: Mike/Harvey
Summary: Mike has been distant lately, and Harvey does a little digging to find out why. It's easier than he thinks, and when he does, he finally understands his associate's behavior. Eventual slash.
A/N: I hate when I get these ideas that just don't leave me alone. I know I have a ton of stories going and a new one is the last thing that I need, but I have a few chapters of this written already so I'm posting this first one because this fandom needs more... Not sure if this'll turn out how I'm planning, but let's roll with it and see where it takes us. I'm gonna warn you for a bit of OOC in Harvey just in case. I can never get him quite right.
Chapter 1 - It Just Won't Work (Posted 29 November 2011)
"Hey, Harvey," Mike said, walking into his boss's office, "is there anything else you need before I go?"
"Did you finish the-" Harvey didn't have time to finish his question before Mike thrust a handful of folders in front of him with a small smirk.
"They're all done." Mike said, sounding a little sluggish, but hiding it well. "If there's nothing else, I have to go."
"Where are you going again?"
"Doctor appointment." he answered stiffly.
"In the middle of the afternoon?"
"She had to move my appointment, something about an emergency trip... I promise I won't schedule one at this time again, I just... I really need to see her."
Harvey scowled and furrowed his brow. "Are you okay?"
Mike smiled a little bit at the concern Harvey was showing but would later deny. "I'm fine. It's just a... check-up."
"Alright. I'll see you Monday morning, then."
"Yeah." Mike gave a little wave as he left.
Harvey watched him carefully, as if he could tell what was wrong just by studying the way he walked. "Donna..."
Her voice proudly responded, "On it."
X
"Wow, you're on time," Harvey observed Monday morning, though his tone was less biting and more joking than usual.
Mike quirked an eyebrow at him. "I haven't been late in a while."
"I know. So how was your appointment?"
"Good. It was good."
"Are you sure? You seem... kind of out of it."
"I'm fine, Harvey, really." He smiled. It would have been convincing to anyone else, but he couldn't fool Harvey. "I just didn't get much sleep last night."
"Mike, you know if something is bothering you, you can talk to me."
Another smile formed on Mike's lips, this one seeming to have a little truth behind it. "Harvey, we've been over this. I know your feelings and... I'd be lying if I told you I didn't feel it too, but you have to trust me on this. It just won't work between us."
"That's not what this is about," Harvey said, although that wasn't completely true. It hurt every time Mike rejected his advances. He would never admit that to anyone, but he knew Mike could see it. And he knew Mike returned his feelings, as confusing as they were. What he didn't know is why Mike was so convinced they could never have a successful relationship. "You told me you didn't want to pursue anything with me, and I respect that. I'm not trying to push you into anything, Mike, I just want you to talk to me. I'm worried about you."
"If I start spending time with you outside of work... I might do something I regret. It's not that I don't like you... I do... I really do, but... there are things going on in my life that I just... I need to deal with and I can't do that and have a relationship at the same time. Maybe someday... because I've thought about it, Harvey. And I've never done that before. Anyone I was ever with... I was never serious about being with them, you know? But with you... it's different. For some reason I can see myself with you and I wish we could have that but we can't. Not right now. And I'm not sure if I'll ever be ready."
Harvey nodded shallowly. "Mike... if you're concerned about my... reputation, I want you to know that being a bit of a playboy doesn't mean I'm incapable of being in a monogamous, long-term relationship."
"Oh, Harvey... it's not you I'm concerned about." Mike assured him. "I'm the one that's... incapable."
"Really? You're giving me the 'it's not you, it's me' speech? We haven't even gone out yet and you're already breaking up with me." Harvey attempted a joke.
"You know what I mean," Mike's voice was low, but there was a small hint of laughter in his eyes. It was obstructed by a shadow of sadness and pain, but it was there, calling out to Harvey like a thin but glistening ray of hope. "I'm sorry. I'd like nothing more than to be with you like that... but I can't. We can't, and that's all there is to it."
"We can't even be friends?"
"We can be friends. The kind of friends who work together and occasionally bump into each other out in the world. But that's all I can offer you right now."
"I'll take it." Harvey agreed easily. "I don't want to make you uncomfortable, but my offer still stands. If you need to talk to someone, I'm here." Icareaboutyou. He didn't say the part about caring. But he didn't have to.
"Thanks. I'll think about it, okay?"
"That's all I'm asking."
