Hey guys! Well, we're back to the story now, for real. Sorry this chapter took a while. I actually had most of it written already before Episode 15 came out but I wasn't sure it was ready to be published just yet, hence I delayed putting it up so I could review and edit some more. Even editing took a while because I was really busy with work and personal stuff. I think I mentioned before that February always tends to be a busy month for me-and it's the shortest! It being a Leap Year and all was extra busy because that means my dad had a birthday and people make a big deal out of it and I had to prepare of course...so over all, yeah it's been really hectic these past few weeks. BUT thank you all for your patience and for continuing to read. This turned out slightly different than I thought it would, but I am finally happy with it now.
Now withour further ado...Here's more fluff and bromance with Harvey and Mike!
Chapter 10: In Which Harvey Helps Mike Out...Again
Harvey POV
Harvey looked at his sleeping associate…or rather, former associate. He had to get used to that. It was so weird especially since they had never expected it to happen from the moment he hired Mike and even more so when Jessica found out. Then they knew it definitely couldn't happen. But here they were, Mike was a Junior Partner at Pearson Specter Litt still with their secret hanging over their heads. Sometimes Harvey wonders what he got himself into. Taking the risk was one thing, but getting attached to said risk was another. Harvey never really minded the risk in the first place.
At first he didn't think they'd make it this far or even just far enough before Mike got bored and would want to quit or something. The kid did have a sketchy background after all and was still a pothead bike messenger when they first met, despite the fact that he had an IQ higher than most of the population (Harvey himself included, not that he'd ever admit it out loud). There had to have been a reason the whiz kid couldn't get or keep a steady white collar job.
But then as they began to work together Harvey saw something he never thought he'd see in another lawyer, much less a fake lawyer—true love and passion for the law. Mike was a smart kid who'd taken a few detours in life; and much to Harvey's annoyance he also had a bleeding heart which he wore on his sleeve where everyone could easily see it. But what amazed Harvey was how much fight this kid had. And it wasn't just the born-and-raised-practically-on-the-streets kind of fight. It's like someone had given this kid a reason that would never run out.
Harvey knew the initial reason Mike wanted to be a lawyer was because of his parents. But he didn't just want vengeance or even justice for that. He had this strange, unbreakable faith in the law (which ironically he had to break every day to practice). Harvey had realized this when they'd worked on getting Clifford Danner out. And just like that he knew this pothead kid he'd hired was gonna stick it through. Looking back he thought that's probably what it felt like for Jessica when she saw in Harvey what no one else saw: potential. But also passion enough to take on the world.
So he stuck his neck out for the kid time and time again. He was his responsibility for one thing and if Harvey were honest, he also enjoyed the challenge the secret brought. Both in keeping it and using it to bend others to his will, like Jessica. But he wasn't just protecting Mike for his own sake but for the kid's as well. Harvey honestly didn't know how this would all end. But he did know his pup had a bright future ahead of him. And he'd be damned if he let a little technicality get in the way of that. Or a little sickness for that matter.
Harvey smirked and shook his head. What had he gotten himself into? Indeed. He turned around and decided to watch some TV with the subtitles on instead of the sound so Mike could sleep while he waited for Donna and Rachel to return. They had only been gone about twenty minutes before Mike had woken up, so he expected it to be a while before they came back. Harvey scoffed. Typical, the girls leave and Mike wakes up and is annoying to deal with, at that. Though if he were honest, he was glad the kid was lucid and coherent rather than delirious. He's never admit how relieved he'd felt when the kid had opened his eyes and they hadn't looked as glazed as before.
Harvey takes one more glance at the kid. He hasn't moved an inch. Which Harvey is glad for of course. The kid needs his rest and Harvey really hopes he gets it. He'd been over a few times over the past day and a half and Mike had not looked good. He'd never admit it, but Harvey couldn't stand seeing Mike that way, weak and half out of his mind with the fever, coughing himself hoarse. It's why whenever he'd been over he'd demanded to see the doctor and keep updated on Mike's condition. Rachel had laughed at how he's practically cross examined the doctor he'd recommended. Harvey would never admit he'd done it not just because he was really worried, but also because he couldn't stand seeing Mike suffer.
Still he had meant what he said to Louis the other day. Mike was tougher than he looked and he always beat the insurmountable odds. This wasn't even a rare untreatable disease, it was just pneumonia. They had caught it early and it was the 21st century. Mike was gonna be fine. He just hoped the kid didn't suffer too much before he got better.
It's thirty minutes later and Harvey's beginning to wonder what became of Rachel and Donna when he hears a groan coming from the bed. He turns to see Mike shuffling out of it.
"Hey kid, what are you doing?"
Mike struggles to get up but can't seem to untangle himself from the blankets. He's also pulling at his IV and Harvey sees a little bit of blood begin to leak out from where the needle was put in his skin. He quickly goes to help the kid.
"Hey easy there Mike, you're pulling on the IV. What are you trying to do?" he asks again.
Mike stops struggling and petulantly removes his oxygen masks. He sighs and looks at Harvey before looking away again, obviously embarrassed.
"I need to pee," he says quietly.
"Oh," is all Harvey says at first. He draws a breath before he speaks again, trying to quell the awkwardness.
"Well, when you gotta go, you gotta go." Harvey says, unable to resist making a Jurassic Park reference. Also, he thought the joke would sort of help in quelling the awkwardness. However Mike's still a bit out of it and doesn't comment at his joke or make a quippy comeback like usual. Harvey clears his throat deciding not to make any more jokes and just get this all overwith. "Let's get you up then," he says flatly.
He lowers the bar on the bedside and helps Mike out. Once the kid is perched on the side of the bed ready to stand, Harvey positions himself so he can support Mike and hold the IV pole for him. Mike gets up shakily and Harvey hovers close enough to catch him but doesn't touch him.
Mike gestures that he's okay and begins to walk. Harvey follows gingerly grabbing the IV pole and keeping it at the right distance from Mike, taking painstaking baby steps with him this way until they reach the bathroom.
Once inside, Mike says, "I can take it from here, thanks." And Harvey leaves him and closes the door but waits right outside in case the kid falls over or something. Nothing happens for a couple of minutes until he hears the toilet flush. He hears the tap running and the doorknob turning and stands aside. When Mike emerges he takes the IV again and helps Mike back to the bed. He tucks him in and hands him the oxygen mask but Mike doesn't take it.
"Mike," he says, using his 'reproving with a hint of rational' voice that he uses on clients who want to make a stupid move; adding a pointed look for good measure. Mike stares back defiantly.
"Look kid, I know you hate it but you have to put it on. It'll help you get better." Mike still doesn't budge. Stubborn kid. Harvey sighs and goes over to the bedside table. He pours a glass of water and swipes something off the table before heading back to Mike. The kid is frowning at him now but not angrily. Rather, he's looking curiously at his mentor trying to guess his next move.
Harvey hands him the water. "Here, drink this." Mike looks at him suspiciously one more time but takes the water and gulps it down. Harvey's guess had been right, apparently he was really thirsty. When Mike's done with the water he hands him the other thing: the Chap Stick he brought the other day. Mike raises his eyebrow but silently takes it.
"It'll help," Harvey says confidently. Mike dabs it on his lips then hands it back to Harvey. Harvey can tell from his expression the Chap Stick and the water have both given him some sort of relief but he can also see as Mike's expression shifts from relieved to stubborn, meaning he's gearing up to make another argument. His next words come out whinier than what he'd normally use in court or at a deposition though.
"Do I really have to?" he says petulantly. "I know it helps but it feels so stifling. Especially when I'm awake."
"So go back to sleep," Harvey says reasonably. "You don't have to keep me company while I'm here kid. That's what the TV's for."
"I don't wanna sleep," Mike says, sounding like he's five and Harvey rolls his eyes. But he's dealt with stubborn opponents who wouldn't budge in his line of work and he's definitely dealt with stubborn little brothers before, so he remains unfazed. His tone, when he speaks, suggests a compromise however.
"Fine. If you won't sleep, will you eat?"
Mike seems to think about it before he answers. "I'm not really hungry, but I guess I could eat." He shrugs weakly, still pouting. Harvey shakes his head.
"You can pick anything you want kid and I'll let you keep the mask off. But afterwards we're gonna have the doctor get a look at you and then we'll see if you can keep the mask off for good. How's that sound?"
Mike sighs heavily, obviously defeated. "Where'd you learn to be such a good lawyer?" he says and that makes Harvey laugh.
"This place called Law School. You should try it sometime."
This time Mike laughs. He coughs a bit but it doesn't turn in to a fit. "Fine, you win."
They end up getting a pizza, stuffed crust of course but Mike's only nibbling on his first slice while Harvey's already on his second as they watch a game on TV.
"Did you really mean what you said?" Mike asks suddenly during a break in the game.
"About what?" Harvey says, turning to look at Mike.
"About taking me to the game…and about MJ being there."
Harvey chuckles. "Of course I did kid. But like I said, you have to be well enough to go. If the doctor says you can't at that point, we're following his orders."
Mike scoffs. "Since when do you follow anyone's orders?"
"Since they're sensible and for your own good. Besides even if you can't go, who says I can't?"
Mike's eyes go wide. "You wouldn't! Man you are cruel Harvey."
"Hey I already bought the tickets, why let them go to waste if you can't go?"
"But it's just cruel to taunt me with them if you're gonna go without me." Mike pouts.
Harvey smirks at him and says, "I wasn't taunting, I was just giving you an incentive. And like I said, the other ticket is yours as long as you are well enough to go. So if you really wanna go I suggest you get better in the next twenty four hours."
Mike sighs heavily. "That's not really in my control."
"Never stopped you before," Harvey shrugs nonchalantly, turning back to the TV. He can sense Mike's about to say something else so he cuts the kid off.
"Now shut up and eat or I'll put that oxygen mask back on you."
He's not looking at Mike but from the sigh he hears from the kid, Harvey can tell he's pouting. After a moment he can hear Mike chewing, however and he smirks smugly.
"You know you suck as hospital company," Mike whines again. "When's Rachel getting back?" Harvey can tell the kid's still pouting but there's no real venom in his voice. Mike always does this when Harvey gives him something relatively hard to do. He kicks and screams and throws tantrums but in the end he gets the job done. Harvey's sure this time will be no different and that they'll get to watch the game next Sunday.
"Well judging by her long absence I think we can assume it is you who is terrible company and not me. Guess she wanted to enjoy her freedom a bit longer," Harvey turns to smirk at Mike.
"Ha-ha, you're hilarious," Mike rolls his eyes before coughing again. This time it turns into a fit and Harvey stands to help him.
There's not much he can do but rub Mike's back and pour him a glass of water and wait 'til the fit is over.
"Ow," Mike gasps when he's done. Harvey silently hands him the water. Mike's hand is shaking as he takes it and that worries Harvey.
"You okay?" he asks, not bothering to hide the concern in his voice. Mike just shrugs.
"As okay as I can be, Harvey," Mike says hoarsely. He gives the older lawyer a weak smile.
"Well I'm still calling you're doctor. 'Bout time he had another look at you anyway." Harvey says already dialing Dr. Rosenthal.
"Harvey, I'm fine. You don't have to do that. He'll check me up when he checks me up." Harvey ignores him and tries to put the oxygen mask on Mike's face again with one hand, the other holding his phone to his ear, but Mike bats it away. Harvey doesn't force it on him though as he's already on the phone.
"Hello?" he hears the doctor's voice after a few rings.
"Hi Dr. Rosenthal, this is Harvey. I'm calling because I'm here in the hospital with Mike Ross. He woke up about an hour ago and we were wondering if you could do aquick check up an update us on his recovery."
The doctor tells him he'll stop by in a few minutes and after Harvey thanks him he hangs up. He looks up from his phone to see Mike looking at him with a strange expression on his face.
"What?" Harvey says. Mike smiles and he knows what's coming.
"You so care," he says. His expression isn't really teasing this time though. It's more thoughtful.
"Well I'm innocent until proven guilty," Harvey says. "And I'm only guilty if I actually admit to anything."
"The evidence isn't in your favor though," Mike says. Harvey just smiles and shrugs at him.
"But you're not such terrible company," Mike adds quietly. Harvey knows this is his way of thanking him.
"Anytime, kid," he says and means it. What were brothers for, after all?
There, so I hope you enjoyed that. We are almost at the end of this story. That being said it might take a while to wrap things up. I hope those of you who were able to read the preview to my other story enjoyed that too. If you read it, let me know what you think. If you didn't, don't worry I'll post the preview again when this story ends for real. I'm excited in continuing that story though I have already written more than what I previously posted, because it's got kid Mike and his parents. :)
Also on a side note, I can't believe the season's almost over again! That last episode (Ep15) was great and I was ecstatic when they referenced the Clifford Danner case because I had written my reference to it even before the episode came out. So many feels in the episode though and I'm expecting so much more to come. Mike's closing argument sounded so much like a "With great power comes great responsibility" speech too, proving yet again that Suits is really just a Marvel AU in which Tony Stark and Peter Parker are lawyers, IMO. Haha! Leave a comment of you agree...or even if you don't. Either way thanks for reading and look forward to seeing you at the next chapter. Bye for now!