II

Mike sees Harvey walking away and he realizes with a sinking feeling that, this time, things are different. Harvey doesn't seem inclined to forgive him and Mike doesn't know what to do.

He didn't realize stopping the merger meant this much to Harvey – and, to boot, Harvey is no longer getting his name up on the wall. That was the biggest justification Mike had had for doing what he had… At least, on some level, he'd still be helping Harvey get what he'd always dreamed of.

Mike remains standing in the lobby of Pearson Hardman, watching Harvey walk out… out… out of his life?

God, he hopes not. That's a terrifying thought.

And a part of him wonders why Harvey is so mad at him.

And a part of him wonders why he's so determined to claw his way back into the man's life.

-x-

Mike takes a deep breath, letting that particular memory fade. He knows he should focus on the present, but another takes its place – he remembers the first lesson he ever received on how to write a good story; remembers his teacher's face as she drilled into the heads of her attentive class the five fundamental questions to ask – who, what, when, where, why. And, of course, sometimes how.

Who?

He knows who; him. And Harvey. Mike can't say he finds the idea unappealing.

What?

The thought of 'what' is enough to make him blush. Again, Mike can't deny this has never crossed his mind – but he's never believed it to be a real possibility. It's much like his offhand fascination with the concept of time travel; sure, it would be cool (there are a lot of moments in his life he'd love to re-do), but it's never going to happen.

So that leaves when? Where? Why?

And, more importantly, why him? What's so special about him?

At this point, he realizes Harvey's been staring at him the whole time and suddenly the other man's gaze weighs on him like a blanket. Harvey's standing by Mike's couch; Mike is standing by the wall. There's an ocean of space between them.

"Want some water or… maybe some juice?" Mike asks, to break the silence.

"Did you seriously offer me juice?" Harvey clarifies as he raises his eyebrows. "How old are you, again?"

"Old enough to catch your attention," Mike retorts, mainly out of habit – and certainly before he has a chance to think about how the words sound, what signals he might be sending.

"Not if you're still drinking juice boxes," Harvey counters easily, giving him the look. The seriously-how-can-you-not-be-kidding? look.

"I never said it was in those small boxes with an attached straw. And cut me a break – I'm out of beer."

"Lots of lonely nights spent drinking your troubles away? Good thing I came by." Harvey makes a feeble attempt at a joke, but Mike can see the curiosity in his eyes. He's wondering whether it was indeed a good idea, and Mike is too.

They can't go back.

"See, that's not funny because," Harvey adds, his tone lower, closer to gentle, "I made the joke too soon."

"How, Harvey?" And Mike's not talking about the joke. "And please, be honest." Not that he really expects Harvey to lie.

"How?" Harvey repeats, clarifying Mike's choice of question. When Mike nods, he just shrugs. "Does it matter?"

"Yes."

Harvey frowns and Mike figures he won't end up answering, but then he does. "Maybe... it's the fact that we spend so much time together. Maybe it's your mind… You're not afraid to prove me wrong, Mike, and not many people can."

Mike realizes how surreal this moment is; Harvey is actually addressing his feelings. He also understands how difficult it must be for someone like Harvey to do so.

"But," Harvey adds, and Mike's eyes snap to his. "Since we're being honest… I think it's just you. You're you, you're who you are – mind and attitude and ideals – and I …" He hesitates. Mike can tell he's going to deviate from what he truly wants to say, and in the end Harvey doesn't say anything at all – just lets his sentence trail off. But Mike understands.

Harvey's brown eyes continue to hold Mike and a look like that, the way it lingers, well... Mike swallows and it doesn't escape his notice that his heart beat has quickened.

Your turn.

Mike stares at Harvey, his brain swimming in Harvey's words and yet also trying to figure out his own; how does he feel?

If Mike's being honest, he's not sure.

He likes the idea of being in a relationship with Harvey. But now that the real thing is staring him in the face, he realizes all he knows with certainty is that Harvey 'like likes' him.

There's no offer of anything beyond that. Will they date? Be exclusive? What will the new dynamic between them be? Can they even last? Mike doesn't know if they can survive a break up…

And yet…

"I don't know… this is just – I've never let myself think about this, you know?" Mike starts babbling. "I just… you're Harvey Specter. I'm Mike Ross. I'm having trouble picturing us together."

Harvey nods. "It's okay Mike. Look, I want you to know, if you're not interested, then nothing needs to change between us. If it comes to it, I can move on." He mentions it so briskly, so matter-of-factly, that Mike feels a pang of emotion… He's hurt.

"Could you… Could you do that?" Mike asks, his tone quiet. "Would it be that easy for you to just… move on?"

"I didn't say it would be easy." Harvey looks away. "But… I'd rather we be friends than nothing."

Mike looks down at his shoes, a little embarrassed. "I'm having trouble picturing us together," he repeats slowly. "And I can think of only one way to fix that."

Harvey looks at Mike. His eyes are alight. "Are you sure?" He asks for the second time that day.

Hell yes.

Mike simply looks at him. "I'll come over to you," he decides. He moves towards Harvey, who's now leaning against the back of Mike's couch. Mike feels self conscious. He hopes his cheeks aren't red.

God, why am I so nervous?

Mike stops when he's a step away from Harvey. "Um, can you… close your eyes? It'll lessen the pressure."

"You're kidding, right?" He catches sight of Mike's sheepish look and his mouth twitches. He's fighting a smile, Mike realizes. "How do I know you won't just leave me standing here like an idiot?"

"I guess you don't."

"You've got a lot of quirks, kid." But Harvey smirks and closes his eyes – and despite everything, Mike suddenly feels excited.

He moves towards Harvey, still half expecting the man to jump back and say 'Psych! Got you! Whole thing's a joke.' But Harvey doesn't. Instead, the other man's arms automatically wrap around him, bringing him close, even as Harvey's eyes remain shut. Mike feels his body relaxing and his own hands come to rest on Harvey's chest.

"Anytime now would be good," Harvey murmurs – just as Mike closes his own eyes and kisses him.

-x-

Louis is so furious he's practically fuming and Jessica does not have the patience to deal with him today. Nor any day, really. But it doesn't matter how she feels, she's managing partner first and, as always, she finds the patience somehow. She gives Louis a look. "Is that all?"

"No, it's not goddamn all," Louis fires, his words leaving his mouth at a mile a minute. "We're being sued for malpractice and this is all his fault. I'm just so mad at him! And us – for ever trusting him."

Jessica sighs internally. She has known Louis for a long time; to this day, she can still remember when Louis first began working here, how he slowly got his feet under himself, as he learned all about how a real top tier firm worked. Louis the first year associate was a very different man from the Louis in front of her right now.

"Louis, you've made your point, but we can't do anything more than defend ourselves and do everything in our power to make sure Ava Hessington's anger ends up where it belongs. Directed at him."

Edward Darby.

Harvey's I told you so.

A mistake she truly regrets.

Louis pouts, but nods. Jessica hopes he's finished venting for the day. "You're right."

"And on that note, I've considered your earlier words and have decided that you're right too. Provided I see no more angry outbursts from you, I'll allow you to handle the disillusionment talks." Jessica gives him another look; this time, a friendlier one. She sees Louis's chest swell with pride. "This is your opportunity to step up, Louis. Now, I suggest you get back to your own clients, not to mention the negotiations. Leave the suit to me and Harvey."

Louis nods and turns to leave. But then he hesitates, quickly shooting Jessica a nervous glance. "Yes. Okay. But if Harvey keeps spending his time at morning meetings and not here, then what chance do we really have? He's not taking this seriously. Listen, Jessica, if you want me to help fight the Suit at any point –"

"I know exactly where to find you," Jessica cuts him off, letting her annoyance taint her voice. "But, for the record, Harvey's not at a morning meeting, he's having brunch with a client who got wind of this malpractice suit and is rattled. And now, more than ever, is the time for you to be a team player."

"I know." Louis has the decency to look ashamed. "I'm just worried about the firm, Jessica. I simply want to make sure we're all putting in our best effort."

You mean you want to make sure Harvey's putting in his best effort.

She wonders when Louis will learn that an attack on him is an attack on her too? But she also knows Louis is telling the truth when he says he has the firm's best interest at heart.

"Don't be worried," she says simply. "Because we are."

Jessica waits until Louis has left, then allows another three minutes to pass for good measure, before she exits her office. She doesn't stop until she's in front of Harvey's empty office, standing next to Donna's cubicle. "Where is he?"

Harvey should have returned from his meeting half an hour ago.

"He's on his way back," Donna lies, and Jessica decides to let it slide. After all, she values loyalty.

"If he's not at my desk in the next thirty minutes," Jessica says, "I'll assume he's already fixed the Hessington Oil fiasco. Because unless he's working on cutting a deal right now, you have my express permission to tell him to haul his ass into my office and talk some goddamn strategy with me."

-x-

By the time they come up for air, Mike's breathless. His heart's racing, his mind is buzzing and he feels really hot. They're on the couch now, limbs tangled, Mike's arms around Harvey's neck and his hands in his hair. Harvey's arms, for their part, are tightly wrapped around Mike's waist.

"Damn. That was only meant to be one kiss." Mike's gulping down air – and yet, despite the breathlessness, he can't stop grinning.

"What can I say? I'm a great kisser. No one in their right mind stops at one." To prove his point, Harvey kisses Mike's jaw, the corner of his mouth, his cheek, working his way to his ear.

Mike shivers and Harvey takes the opportunity to pull him closer. "If you'd asked me yesterday what I thought I'd be doing today, on my first day off in what feels like forever… Well, fooling around with you wouldn't have made the list."

Mike meets Harvey's gaze; he's pleased to find that the seasoned lawyer's eyes are bright, drinking him in.

Harvey opens his mouth, a mischievous look on his face, when his jacket pocket starts buzzing. His phone. His jacket is currently lying on the floor; Mike had somehow managed to take it off between kisses, as they'd stumbled onto the couch.

"Shit, I can let that go," Harvey apologizes, but Mike knows he can't. So Mike's already moving back, untangling himself (something that requires a surprising amount of self-control from him).

"Take it. I don't mind." Mike smiles, a little giddy. But that's not to say he doesn't realize what's going on. "It's my day off – not yours. I know for a fact you've had a meeting with Groff scheduled for this morning and you should've headed straight back to the firm afterwards."

"Are you asking what inspired my change of heart?" Harvey asks. His usual amusement with Mike colours his tone. He moves towards his jacket and grabs his phone. Harvey frowns as he looks down at the screen, and Mike knows he'll have to leave now.

"I'm guessing something happened there that prompted your spur of the moment confession," Mike says.

Harvey looks at Mike and his expression changes – melts. His face is lighter, happier, than Mike has seen it in a while. "Groff had nothing to do with it. There have been so many times when I've been this close to telling you." Harvey holds up two fingers, barely an inch apart. "Groff just reminded me that I have a lot of courage when it comes to taking risks as a lawyer. I decided it was time I… used that courage for something that would make me happier than winning some stupid case ever could."

It's not Mike's intention to make light of what Harvey has said, but he smiles. "Bullshit," he says gently. "You love winning cases."

"I know." Harvey gives him a look that he hasn't received in a while; the same look Harvey used to shoot at him when they first met, back when Mike used to be a few steps behind. "But this means... more."

It's all Mike can do not to get up and kiss Harvey again; because if he does, there's probably a good chance they'll end up back on the couch. And Harvey needs to head to work; he's already shrugging his jacket back on.

"I'm sorry Mike, but Jessica's demanding I haul my ass back to the firm. I –"

"It's okay, Harvey. Really." A slight smile tugs Mike's lips as he surveys his… boyfriend? Date? Crush? All potential words seem juvenile and inadequate, and besides, what Mike is feeling right now – whatever it is – is much more than a crush.

Harvey moves over to Mike and kisses his forehead. "Bye, kid," he murmurs. He walks all the way to the door of Mike's apartment, then pauses, his hand resting on the door frame. Harvey turns his head back.

"What're you doing Friday evening?" He asks, his voice gruff.

"I've got plans," Mike answers, beginning to find his bearings in their relationship, whatever it has now become. "I've got a date with my boss. I've heard he can be sweet, in a dick-ish sort of way."

"Don't go ruining my reputation now," Harvey grumbles, but he shoots Mike an affectionate look. "How's eight o clock sound?"

"Sounds good."

Harvey nods, closing the door behind him.

Mike's still smiling.