Mike had fallen asleep in the ride back to the condo, his face pressed against Harvey's suit jacket, the soft sucking sounds on his pacifier, making Harvey's heart swell.
Harvey sat staring down at the younger man, until they pulled up outside Mike's favourite takeaway.
Harvey had left him in the car with Ray, while he picked up pizza and Mike's favourite ice cream and other snacks, he knew the younger man was emotional just now and wanted to make him feel as comfortable and settled as he could.
Mike had stirred a little, by the time they got back to the condo, which made it easier for Harvey to wake the younger man.
The older man had debated carrying Mike, but he didn't want to crease his suit; Mike or not, it was expensive.
Mike who was still feeling sleepy and clingy, got under Harvey's feet, as they walked, the senior partner, having to pull him up a few times, in order to prevent him face planting the floor.
"Harveey, daddy " Mike whined, grabbing a fistful of the older mans jacket, "I know buddy, almost there" he reassured his associate.
When they got into the condo, Mike was still holding onto Harvey, looking up at him with wide eyes.
The older man smiled softly, ruffling his haIr, "Hey pup, you think you can let go so we can get you changed and so dsddy can change out of his suit?"
Mike blushed bright red, when he realised he did in fact need to be changed, his lip wobbled as he stood 'where Harvey had left him', longing for his daddy.
Harvey walked out into the kitchen area. He had been gone minutes at the most, but he could tell that Mike was about to burst into tears, at any given second.
"Hey, hey buddy" he cooed, bringing Mike to lay down on the couch, gently shushing him, rubbing his hand, as he assembled the diaper changing supplies.
Harvey made quick work of pulling down the sweats, unpopping his vest and untaping his diaper. Mike whimpered, starting to shift uncomfortably. "Almost done pup" Harvey reassured him, as Mike continued to wriggle and his cheeks a firm cherry red.
"Mike.." Harvey spoke gently but firmly "We have been through this, you don't need to be embarrassed"
Mike nodded, sticking his fingers in his mouth, starting to suck on them nervously, he was worried that Harvey was getting him settled in his condo, in order for him to return to the firm. Mike had managed to loose his pacifier on the journey from the car, to the condo.
Harvey noticed the change in Mike's demeanour "What's on your mind pup?" He asked him, as he finished changing him, lifting him to sit on one knee.
Mike let out a loud pitiful sniff.
"Daddy staying with Mike" Mike asked, as he watched Harvey, the older man could hear the break in his voice, which told him tears were about to fall, frowning slightly.
"Of course I am Mike, you didn't think I was going to leave you?" another look at the kids face confirmed that is exactly what he thought.
"Buddy, it is you and daddy tonight" Harvey hugged Mike close to his chest, "And this. stops." He told him firmly, ignoring Mike's scowl, as the older man removed his fingers, reaching into the drawer of Mike's table, by the couch.
"Here baby boy" Mike's eyes lit up and he accepted another of his pacifiers
The two if them sat in silence, cuddled into each other, enjoying the tranquility of the moment. "No-oh" Harvey spoke, jumping Mike up "No falling asleep on me, if you did, who'd eat all the pizza and ice cream?"
Harvey rolled his eyes as Mike immediately squirmed to be let down, as if he was being held against his will, running in the direction of the familiar smell.
Mike ran for the table, climbing up onto his chair, kneeling like an excited child. Harvey followed him, chuckling and shaking his head. smiling happily.
Harvey watched as Mike shovelled the stuffed cheese crust pizza into his mouth, wincing slightly "Oww" he cried.
Harvey shook his head, "Don't shove it all it and that won't happen" he scolded fondly, as he fed Mike milk from his bottle, after he burnt his mouth. The younger man pouted, going back to eating
.
The next few days and nights were a bit of a trial for both of them, Mike as Harvey had found out was prone to nightmares and had severe separation anxiety in his, as what Donna referred to as his 'little headspace'
Harvey had lost count of the amount of times , he and found himself stumbling around in the dead of night, bumping into walls and toys, in his haste to get to the screaming young man.
As a result of all these late nights, where Mike was physically attached to him, and had his full attention and when the most intimate moments with Harvey were spent (where he held his young associate, fed him his bottle of milk, dried his tears, read and told him stories and rocked jim comfortingly, until he fell asleep) had really melted Harvey and Mike had him wrapped around his finger.
All these moments made it almost impossible for the senior partner to dish out the discipline when required, he looked and all he could see was tear stained cheeks and wide pitiful looking eyes.
He had of course been warned by Donna that spoiling Mike was not going to go in his favour, he had shrugged it off, with the reasoning that, 'I know what I am doing'
Of course Harvey had realised that Donna had been right in advising him against giving into Mike's every wish and demand, after they had returned from the firm and Mike was being difficult about what was on offer for dinner.
He and Harvey had just finished a long grueling day and Harvey was in no mood to play around, of course, this was when Mike would decide to test him on every possible level. ;Cheeky little shit.
Harvey watched as the younger man stared down at his dinner, evidently not happy. Instead of engaging Mike in conversation that he was not in the mood to have, he ioted to ignore his sullen ways and instead drink his coffee and eat his food.
Mike wasn't going to make it as easy as that.
"Where's the pizza?" Mike grumbled, eyes glaring at the food on offer.
Harvey frowned. "Mike, we can't live on pizza every night" Harvey hoped that would be an end to the impending fit.
Mike whined, shuffling around in his chair "No-oh, I want pizza" Harvey looked at Mike, raising an eyebrow; Donna had been right, Harvey had been totally spoiling Mike.
"Mike this is dinner, daddy made you chicken and veggies, eat up"Harvey told him firmly.
Harvey had expected the younger man to pout and sulk, before starting to eat, he was not prepared for the crash that sounded, while he went to grab himself some more potatoes from the pan.
Turning to face the younger man looking smug. "Mike!" He exclaimed "What did you just do"
Stupid question, of course he knew what he had done, he just couldn't believe it. Harvey reached for his phone, messaging Donna.
Donna!, Mike just tossed his dinner to the floor, over an argument about pizza. He actually just threw his food!
Harvey could almost hear Donna's voice as he received another text of 'I told you so'
D.
Harvey, I warned you, Mike has been given too much leeway- this is a test, you need to show him the you are the boss.
Mike sat still scowling at his food, he had hoped for a better reaction, than for Harvey to grab his phone and begin a texting stand off with Donna.
Harvey surveyed Mike with a cool eye.
Harvey rolled his eyes at the juvenile reply of a laughing face, standing, grabbing two cushions from the couch, he then walked to the balcony door, laying them on the floor. Mike watched, a smirk on his face, thinking Harvey had finally lost it.
Kneeling up on his chair, Mike giggled "What you doing Daddy?" He asked, slightly mockingly.
Harvey looked at him pointedly and took his hand, walking him quickly over to the window sitting him down, before Mike had a chance. to process what was happening. Before Mike knew it Harvey was crouched in front of him.
"Mike, you don't throw your dinner, that was naughty. You sit here for two minutes" Harvey explained, raising an eyebrow at the younger man, as he squirmed around, daring him to disobey.
Mike looked puzzled for a second and then he looked up at Harvey, smiling "Naughty" he asked sarcastically, as he walked away calmly going over to the couch.
Mike climbed up, reaching for his stuffed dragon, which had been left discarded by his morning bottle as Harvey tried to get them both together in order to go to the firm.
"No Mike, time out" Harvey told him, taking the dragon, sitting Mike back down. Mike started to cry, grabbing for his dragon "Mine" he wailed.
"Not working Mike" Harvey told him, sitting him back.
After more than ten escape attempts, Harvey was beginning to doubt that what he was trying to do with the younger man, was actually going to work.
H.
Donna he keeps getting up, do I spank him or leave his punishment. Harvey messaged Donna, pouring himself a scotch.
D.
Do not let him up Harvey, he will sit for as long as you tell him. Be persistent and firm. It may take an hour the first time and five minutes the next.
"Daddy" Mike cooed, hugging Harvey's leg, as he sat on the floor. "Mike, timeout!" Harvey sternly told him, taking him back, ignoring Mike's attempts to plonk his butt on the floor.
Mike started to full on cry, reaching out for Harvey to scoop him into his arms. Harvey felt like shit for making Mike cry.
H.
Donna, he is sobbing. I am breaking his heart. All he wants is a hug!
D.
Harvey don't be so dramatic. Mike is learning the word no. It is something that millions of children find themselves going through every day and they survive.
Mike found himself shocked when the senior partner remained firm and instead of coddling him, simply ignored him.
It was Harvey's turn to feel shocked as he saw that Mike had resided himself to his fate and had take to lying down on the floor, running his fingers along the wood, staying for his two minutes.
Once the time was up, Harvey crouched beside Mike, who threw himself into his arms, gripping onto him with all his mite.
Harvey rubbed his back in order to calm him.
"Mike, you need to say sorry for throwing your food, that is naughty, do you understand?" Harvey asked, Mike nodded, whimpering out a sorry.
Harvey pulled him into his chest, kissing his cheek. "Come on kid, let's eat"
"I am sorry Daddy, don't give me away" Harvey rolled his eyes "Who'd take you?" He asked, ignoring that Mike had just pinched him.
"Come on kiddo"
Harvey sent Mike a picture of Mike sitting in his lap, eating something from a box, as they watched Pete's dragon.
D
.Harvey! You were not supposed to give him pizza! Even with his punishment.
H.
He said sorry.
Mike sat eating a slice of pizza, leaning back against Harvey's chest, as they watched Pete's dragon for the fourth time that week.
Mike was obsessed with dragons currently and forced the older lawyer to endure the same film everyday.
D.
You have so much to learn. Enjoy the rest of your night. Give Mike a hug and a kiss from me.
They sat for a couple of hours, enjoying each others company and the peace and quiet, they didn't need to rush around, like at the firm.
Harvey checked the time, he knew he still have to give Mike a bath, as he was in diapers, he made damn sure he was bathed every night, luckily for him, Mike loved baths.
Mike flapped his hands excitedly as the dragon appeared oved head, leaning forward "Wow!" He exclaimed as the film had finished, Harvey had left to run his bath, Mike wandered into the bathroom to find him, sucking on his pacifier.
Bath time went without a hitch, Mike played happily and allowed Harvey to make sure he was scrubbed clean.
Harvey noticed that Mike had started to become stressed, when it was time to come out of the tub.
Harvey carried Mike into his room, laying him down on the king size bed, turning his cartoons on. Mike cried, kicking his feet and rolling around, making it difficult for Harvey to get his diaper and pyjamas on.
"Mike. it is time to get ready for bed" Harvey told him, carrying on with rubbing the baby lotion on him, taping up his diaper, reaching for a pair of soft joggers and a long sleeved top.
Mike cried "No no" he yelled, throwing the duvet onto the floor, when Harvey had gone into the bathroom to dispose of the diaper.
He walked back in, to see Mike kneeling on the sheet, panting, angry tears on his cheeks.
Harvey rubbed his temple "What is going on Mike, why are you destroying daddy's room?" He questioned, sitting down on the bed, pulling Mike onto his lap.
"You usually go down to bed well Mike" Apart from waking with the horrendous Nightmares, Mike usually goes down with a bottle, a story and cuddles with daddy, allowing Harvey to have his night to himself.
Ahh the horrendous nightmares. Now Harvey understood.
"Mike, is the reason you don't want to go to bed, because you know you will wake with nightmares?"
Mike's loud cry made him realise this was exactly why. "All the blood, all the blood and I couldn't do a thing"
Harvey kissed his head "Your parents" he asked softly, surprised when Mike shook his head "N..no. No you, I lost you too" He sobbed.
Harvey hugged him close, rocking him, planting kisses over and over again to his cheek. "My baby boy, I am never going to leave you" he sang softly, Mike was calming down, but still crying.
Harvey scooped him into his arms, smiling when Mike wrapped himself around his body, like a koala.
"Daddy's here, daddy's here" He cooed reasuringly to Mike as he prepared a bottle of milk, with one hand (adding a little cinnamon)
Harvey laid down on the bed, cradling him in his arms, feeding him the milk, until the younger man had fallen into a deep sleep, instead of leaving him, he lay beside him, keeping watch.
"I'll never leave you buddy"
