Mike stumbles down the hall the next morning naked and with one hand against the wall for support. He would prefer to wear his pajama pants since they never made a rule in the contract about nudity, but his head is killing him and it hurts too much to bend over and retrieve them from the floor.

Two plates wait at the kitchen counter while Harvey fries something at the stove. It makes a sizzling sound. "We could just call the breakfast service," Mike suggests. Harvey turns around and grins. "I was expecting to spend the whole day in bed like normal people after a fight." He plops down at the counter and takes a quick swig of black coffee, ignoring the bottle of sweetened creamer he usually prefers.

"That wasn't a fight, it was a hiatus. Or rather, a period of contemplation and reorganiz-"

"Whatever-the-fuck. Do you have any pain killers? I think I'm out."

Harvey frowns at him. "What's wrong?"

"Migraine." He pinches his nose and turns away from the window. Harvey plates two omelets and a side of bacon - Mike's favorite - before going to grab some Advil from the medicine cabinet in the bathroom. While he's gone Mike reaches for the extra bacon and adds it all to his plate.

"That's not going to help. If anything it'll give you a stomach ache."

"It'll make me feel better. Bacon is great medicine." He mutters a thanks when Harvey sets the four pills in his palm. This has happened a few times now, with less severity, and Harvey knows he needs all the milligrams he's allowed.

"Are you sure you're not just a little hungover? You were drinking a lot last night to avoid talking to that Sub." Harvey sits down next to him and digs into his food.

Mike knows the more probable reason why his headaches are kicking into overdrive, but he's not about to tell Harvey the withdrawal symptoms are getting worse. At least, not while he still has them reasonably under control. Besides, once Harvey starts putting him in subspace regularly it'll probably dissipate. He looks over again at the massive windows that Harvey never bothered to have fitted with automatic blinds like in the bedroom. "Shit, it's bright today."

Harvey follows his gaze and squints. "Hmmm. Would it help if I blindfolded you for a while?"

Mike snorts back a laugh. Harvey frowns.

"I was serious."

"Really? Isn't that a little dramatic?"

"Not unless you want it to be. Just a suggestion. I won't make you."

Mike finishes eating his omelet with one hand shading his eyes from the brightness that is now seriously starting to make the pain behind his eyeballs swell.

"Yeah, okay. I'll take the blindfold."

Harvey squeezes his thigh. "Good boy. I'll keep you entertained, I promise."

"No sex though, I might explode."

Harvey's version of entertainment is surprisingly simple and gloriously relaxing. After fastening on the blackout blindfold, Harvey leads him to the living room couch where Mike lays back with a pillow under his head. Mike can hear Harvey muttering to himself as he flicks through the stacks of LPs on his bookshelf. He finally settles on something smooth, mellow and with no saxophones, considering that it reminds Mike of the elevator at his Gram's old hospital. Harvey turns the volume down low and sits at one end, resting Mike's feet in his lap.

"I thought you'd try to read to me or something."

"Do you want me to?"

"Maybe later. This is nice." With visual stimulation gone it's easy to lose focus on the pain in his head, so Mike takes the opportunity to sift around gently through his memory. Eventually he skims over the first time Harvey sucked his cock, and because he's so comfortable and safe and relaxed, he lets himself remember it in all the detail his unique memory allows. It's better than porn, really.

"Is it safe to assume that blindfolds are a new kink?" Harvey chuckles.

Mike remembers through the fog of sensation that he's not wearing anything to hide his erection. Any other day that would bother him, but that same something that Mike sensed the night before, that torn down wall between them, makes it all okay. He lifts his hips off the couch to give Harvey a better look.

"Not the blindfold. Just, you." He grins.

Harvey rubs a hand up and down his thigh. Mike can hear the smile in his voice when he says, "well then do you want me to help you with it?"

"Nah. I'll save it. For later."

They spend the day listening to music, reading, being read to, discussing the cases at work, and gossiping about Pearson Hardman and company. Harvey brings Mike two more rounds of painkillers, after which Mike lets him, begrudgingly, hand feed him a bowl of rigatoni for lunch.

"This isn't sexy. At all." Mike says as he bats Harvey's hand away and wipes at his chest where a noodle had dropped and smeared sauce across his nipple. Harvey can't help but laugh at his wrinkled up nose and look of disgust. "It would have been if you'd let me get it with my tongue."

"You can try to make the best of it, Harvey. But the fact is that you're not cut out for the whole seductive finger feeding thing."

"Yeah well, I've had many Subs who'd say differently."

Mike's jaw clenches at the statement. "Then call them. I'm sure they'd be thrilled to come be made a mess of."

"Come on Mike. I know you don't feel good, but remember yourself. Don't get snarky."

Mike falls back against the couch and doesn't say anything at all while Harvey cleans up the dishes. All the while Harvey deeply regrets not being able to see the emotion in his Sub's eyes. Later Harvey suggests they try taking the blindfold off, but Mike complains of being tired and asks to be led into bed for a nap. And no, he wants to keep the blindfold on, for now. He stands up and feels his way along the couch, then turns left toward his own room.

"Wrong way," Harvey says. He grabs Mike's hand and tugs him in the opposite direction. "We share a bed now, remember?" Mike hesitates before acquiescing and letting Harvey lead him to their bed. Harvey lays beside him, Mike curled up close but with his arms wrapped protectively around himself.

The rest of the evening Mike sleeps, and into the next day. In the morning he wakes insisting that there isn't anything at all bothering him.

Nearly a week later, after a long and particularly exhausting day at court, Harvey and Mike meet coincidentally in the lobby of their apartment building. Harvey smiles warmly at him as they stand close to each other while waiting for the elevator. Once inside Mike surprises Harvey by saying, "let's go out clubbing. I wanna dance."

He looks at Mike, observes his worry lined eyes and pale skin. "Is this such a good time? You look exhausted. In fact, you've looked exhausted for days. I think you need more sleep. I can give you a day off if you need it."

"No, I'm fine. I want to go. I really really do. Anywhere."

"Anywhere?"

"Well, anywhere that's clean and safe and discreet. I just don't want to pick. You choose and I'll put on a pair of jeans, get drunk, and dance."

At their floor Mike leads them both out, down the hall, and into the apartment beyond. His expression is strange, tired, care worn.

"Did something happen at the office this morning?" Harvey asks. "Is Louis being a dick again?"

Mike laughs as he fumbles with his bedroom door key. Although they've been sharing a room as per the contract they both signed, Mike hasn't quite transitioned out of using the space for storage. There are things, he says, that are important to him and he doesn't want to start using storage units. It reminds him too much of cleaning out his parent's house after they died.

"Louis is always a dick. And come to think of it, he did spend, like, a half hour today trying to dig at me about Harvard. I think he suspects something."

"Louis is classic for thinking he can weasel out people's secrets. If he bothers you too much I'll scare him off for a while. I have more real dirt on Louis than he could ever hope of riddling out of you."

Mike hums while stripping out of his clothes and leaving even his suit jacket thrown haphazardly over a chair. Harvey follows him in and starts cleaning up.

"That's not why though. I just want to get out." He looks over one shoulder and smiles, but the humor doesn't quite make it up to his tired half-lidded eyes. Harvey nods, watching him with appreciation as he walks around naked looking for his favorite pair of jeans.

Harvey decides to take a cab to a club he knows of. It's so far from the center of the city that the chance of anyone recognizing them is slim to none. Usually Mike would remark on the implied risk, but he doesn't. He just sits quietly watching the city lights pass by his windows while the other drivers swerve in and out of the lanes surrounding them.

"You know we'll look gay together," Mike says suddenly. He's fingering the short hair at the nape of his neck.

"I don't give a shit. Besides, no one is going to be looking at us."

Mike humphs. "I hope that's not true. We're very attractive, or so I thought."

"Yes. Subs everywhere can fantasize then, about the two beautiful Doms at the club, getting off with each other."

Mike smiles and leans his head back against the seat with his eyes closed.

The club is small but known for their exceptional drinks and large accommodating backroom. They don't have any problem getting in. The bouncers wave them past the line without issue, in hopes they'll even out the Sub to Dom ratio. As soon as they're in the door Harvey puts his arm around Mike, who startles, but gently eases into the embrace. The music is loud. Maybe too loud for Harvey but Mike seems elated. Harvey can feel the vibration of Mike's moan through his body.

"Get me a drink, will you? Something strong. No, two somethings strong."

Harvey nods, forgiving his Sub's pushy attitude, then goes to order two beers and two scotches at the bar. Mike wrinkles his nose at the beer but takes it anyway. He downs the scotch in one go and without missing a beat starts chasing it with the bottle.

"Don't over do it," Harvey yells. "We have to work in the morning."

Mike shakes his head but Harvey doesn't know what he's denying. "Dance with me, huh?" Mike shouts. "Right now."

Harvey nods and they both finish their beers while heading out onto the dance floor. Mike throws his head back and moves with more abandon than Harvey has ever seen before. He situates himself right in the middle of the crowd and stretches his arms up to the ceiling as he moves, head thrown back, eyes closed, pelvis twisting. Harvey's mouth goes dry. He licks his lips and casually adjusts his growing erection.

Mike opens his eyes just enough to catch Harvey's attention as he lures him in with a grin. It would take a miracle, really, to keep Harvey's hands off his Sub at that moment. He moves in close making Mike smile broadly, seductively. He keeps moving his hips even as Harvey pulls their groins together. He slips his hands under Mike's shirt and strokes the hot skin underneath, then runs his fingers around to his back where his beautifully curved spine dips in. Harvey chases the sweat that's starting to pool at his waist. He moves his hands low under the belt of Mike's jeans then down until he gets both hands around the flesh he's been so addicted to. Mike whimpers and moans, then uses his position to get Harvey to join him in a grind. Something unbearably loud and pulsating is playing, causing the crowd to push them closer together.

Harvey holds Mike's head in place while nosing around his jaw with little bites. Mike turns his head until Harvey's hands are nearer his lips. He licks Harvey's fingers and is gazing hotly at him when Harvey pulls back. His mouth is open and because Harvey needs to feel it, he places two fingers on his bottom lip. Mike closes his eyes and sucks both fingers in all the way to the knuckle. His cheek hollow around the digits, but it's his concentration that's most erotic. He pulls the fingers out wetly as Mike holds his lips tightly closed so Harvey can push back in again several times. Harvey growls and bites his neck hard while fucking Mike's mouth with his fingers.

"Let's go home. I want to get you naked," Harvey moans right into his ear, but Mike shakes his head.

"Later. Get me another drink."

Harvey pulls his fingers away, then puts a hand around Mike's throat purposefully. Mike leans back, his eyes glistening. "Don't fucking tell me what to do."

Mike gulps and nods. "Yes, sir."

Harvey can't hear the words but the shape of them are visible on his lips. He moves his hand from Mike's throat and up to his jaw where he holds on tight, prying his Sub's mouth open so he can get his tongue in as deep as possible. Mike falters in his dancing and just hangs on while his mouth is plundered.

"Is this what you wanted?" Harvey asks against his ear. Mike nods. "If I get you one more drink will you be a good boy and do as I say tonight?" Mike nods enthusiastically and kisses his fingers in submission. Harvey slips away and goes to the bar where he orders two cocktails. The bartender is a tall, thin, dark skinned Sub who seems very hopeful that Harvey will notice him, gives him the drinks quickly. Harvey smiles cordially but with just enough flirtation to make the Sub feel like he was worth it. When Harvey goes back to look for Mike in the crowd, he's nowhere to be found.

After getting bumped and tripped one too many times he sips a bit off the top of each glass and scans the floor. Finally, somewhere in the back near the bathrooms, the couches, and the back-room entrance, he finds Mike pressed up against the wall looking a bit shell shocked. As soon as Mike gets Harvey in his sight he visibly relaxes and practically pulls Harvey in by his shirt tails until they're pressed together.

Mike snatches the drink desperately.

"What's wrong?" Harvey asks.

"Will you stay close to me tonight?" His eyes are wide and worried.

Harvey nods. "Yes. Of course I will. What's going on?"

Mike takes a deep breath and looks away. Harvey grabs him around the chin to lead his gaze back. "Tell me."

Mike searches his eyes for a second before saying "I feel like I'm going to use. I thought about going to Trevor's all the way home. I'm surprised I even made it."

Harvey's heart beats a little faster. He puts his hand around Mike's shoulder, holding him tight enough to bruise. "And this helps?"

Mike nods but he doesn't look sure. "The music helps. And the drinks," he looks down into the clear liquor. "And you. Having your hands on me helps."

Harvey presses in even closer as he slides his free hand around the back of his Sub's neck. "Come into the back room with me," he says darkly.

Mike glances to the closed door.

"Don't worry about who's in there. It'll be just you and me."

Mike doesn't think much more about it. He swigs the last of the drink, takes Harvey's hand, and is lead around the fringe crowd and through the door.

In the back room the noise is different. They're playing something with a slower more sensual beat. Harvey remembered this club mostly for the exceptional quality of this particular room. He was crossing his fingers in hopes that he'd be able to lure Mike here.

At the far end is a large main room where they can both hear the faint sounds of pleasure and the movement of dozens of bodies under blue light but Harvey points Mike toward a wall of open doorways covered in thin veils of fabric. As they pass they look in on several occupied rooms and the shapes of their occupants inside. Mike's breath catches in his throat. Finally, near the end Harvey finds an empty stall. In the center of the room is a low black bench covered in cushioned oil cloth, and on the shelf behind is a collection of condoms, lube packets, Kleenex, and sealed bottles of water. Otherwise, the place is empty. Harvey holds Mike's hand as he sits back on the couch. Mike looks down at him curiously, his mouth hanging open slightly and his breath coming unevenly.

He pulls Mike in between his spread legs and smiles when Mike puts both hands around Harvey's head.

"Kneel down for me," he says. Mike sinks down gracefully to sit on his heels. The sight reminds Harvey feverishly of that first time in his office, when Mike didn't have any of this grace, nor any true confidence in himself. It seems so far away now.

Harvey runs his fingers along Mike's lips and is unsurprised when they open for him.

"I want to feel this around my cock." He wipes his thumb around Mike's bottom lip, then in to feel the slickness of his tongue.

Mike gives his fingers all the attention he can muster until Harvey takes the hand away and runs it over his cock.

"You say you've wanted to taste me. Show me how much."

Mike's hands fumble a little with Harvey's belt and the zip of his jeans, but he's otherwise enthusiastic. Harvey groans as Mike pulls him out. He prefers a Sub who knows how to take it slow, to seduce him with their mouth. And maybe someday soon that'll be Mike, but right now, in this moment, watching Mike slide his dick into his mouth like he's starving for it is the greatest sight Harvey could imagine. He puts a hand gently on Mike's hair and lets him explore.

He's clumsy at times, but they both enjoy the instructions Harvey gives him in that deep husky voice.

"Careful. Guard your teeth"

"Suck on the tip. Taste how much I want you."

"Don't take me too far down, you'll choke," Harvey says with a chuckle when Mike tries to go too deep. The pained expression on his face is endearing. Harvey pushes him off gently, then takes himself in hand while Mike sits back to watch intently.

"Close your eyes and open your mouth," Harvey commands. "I want to come on your face."

Mike's breath quickens startlingly fast and at first it looks like he's going to protest, but Harvey grabs him by the hair and pulls his head back. Mike moans and his eyes slide shut. He nods. Harvey speeds up his hand until he's seconds from coming. Mike's eyes open slightly and he whimpers just as Harvey comes in long stripes over his lips and cheeks. He licks wantonly at what he can reach with his tongue. Harvey stands, pulling Mike up with one hand in his hair and the other under one arm. Mike rises from his knees weakly. Harvey briskly unbuttons Mike's jeans and pushes them down.

"Kick them off."

Mike does so and then looks to the door.

"Don't think about anything but me. Understand? Just you and me here."

He lets out a breath and nods. Harvey runs his hands down to grab Mike's ass, just as he'd done on the dance floor.

"You looked so fucking delicious out there," he says. "It made me wonder who you were showing off for. Me?"

Mike nods. His eyes are bright and the tiredness of earlier is gone.

"I think you wanted those other Dom's to see you too."

Mike's eyes narrow. He shakes his head. Harvey smiles with humor and nods. "No, I think that's right. I think you're just a filthy slut who deserves a spanking." He lifts one hand off and brings it back again with a sharp slap. Mike yelps, and then moans. His knees weaken so that Harvey has to hold him up.

"Yeah. Do it, spank me."

"Sir," Harvey corrects immediately.

"Spank me, sir." Harvey can just see the smile of satisfaction as he sits back down and brings Mike with him over his lap. He starts with two sharp slaps that leave red marks on each cheek, and then he rubs the swelling flesh gently, running his fingertips and nails over the marks teasingly. Mike moans as he rubs himself shallowly against Harvey's thigh. He slaps him again four times in quick succession and runs a finger down between Mike's thighs to grab and squeeze his balls.

"Can you come like this?" Harvey asks.

"Yeah. Make it hurt, please, sir."

Harvey squeezes his handful as tight as he dares. Until Mike is screaming tensely in his throat, then he lets go and positions Mike so he's kneeling on his hands and knees over Harvey with his groin lifted up and accessible. He takes his Sub's cock in hand and begins stroking him quickly and rough while returning the attention of one hand as it strikes him on the ass. It only takes Mike thirty seconds before he's coming, screaming loud enough that the whole backroom will have heard.

When Harvey lets go Mike collapses like a rag doll off the bench and onto his sore ass. He sits, barely holding himself up with one shaking arm. Harvey retrieves the tissue on the shelf behind him, then begins cleaning Mike up. Mike offers up his face with a smirk when Harvey wipes off what's left of his cum.

"What if I'd paraded you outside like that?"

He hums. "In this state I'd probably let you."

He wipes until it's gone except for a drop in the corner of his lips, which Harvey licks up himself when he goes in for another long kiss.

"Do you feel better?"

Mike nods, his expression blissed out and content. "Better. It's not gone, but better."

Harvey nods. "You'll always tell me, won't you?"

"Yeah. I will now."

Mike crawls over gratefully when Harvey opens his arms. He straddles Harvey's lap, a position that has become a favorite for them both, even if it's just to talk and kiss and be nearer each other.

"The cravings, they aren't really going away anymore." Mike says quietly. "It's like no matter what I do they stay. Remember that migraine? I've been getting them almost everyday."

"Why didn't you tell me? I could have put you in subspace more."

Mike chuckles. "More? We'd have to stop working, Harvey. Obviously it's not enough. It helps, but only for a little while." He's quiet for a long time. "Do you think it'll always be like this?"

Harvey shakes his head. "No. Everything passes. And you're stronger than most. Besides you have me. We'll get through it together."

"But what if even that's not enough?" Mike asks so weakly that Harvey's heart breaks for him.

"I won't leave you, if that's what you're asking. So long as you keep trying. So long as you don't give in to it."

Mike nods, kisses his Dom lightly, then lets himself be held until his knees start to ache and Harvey's thighs go numb.

"One more beer?" Harvey suggests. "Too late now to avoid the hangover."

Harvey and Mike walk back through the club hand in hand. The music has gotten quieter as the night has dragged on, and the couples on the dance floor are less riotous. Now they're more concentrated on the sensuality of their partners and the promise of what's to come.

At the counter the bartender looks at Harvey with disappointment when he curls an arm around Mike. They order two beers that take longer than usual now that the bartender knows Harvey is off the market, at least for the night.

Mike and Harvey stand with their sides against the bar, facing each other.

"Don't look now but there's a Sub staring at you," Mike says. He's looking over Harvey's shoulder at someone down the bar. "God, she's gorgeous."

Harvey just smiles and shrugs. "Mike, if she's looking this way, she's probably looking at you. My back isn't all that appealing."

He shakes his head adamantly. "No way, she doesn't give a fuck about me." He takes a swig of his beer. "Ah shit. She's coming over here. She probably knew we were talking about her."

Harvey chuckles, releases his grip on Mike's hand under the bar, and turns around to face the mystery Sub. As soon as he makes eye contact with the brown haired woman, sauntering purposefully toward him, his heart skips a beat. He startles noticeably enough that Mike takes a step back.

"If it isn't Harvey Specter," she says. The two Doms she left behind watch on with narrowed eyes. She's petite, thin, fragile, beautiful, and everything Mike imagines a Dom would want in their perfect fantasy of a Sub. Her hair is soft, wavy, and laying over one shoulder, just begging to be touched.

"Scottie. I thought you were in London."

"I was, and now I'm not." She smiles, looking him up and down. Harvey turns away from the attention nervously, then moves as if to put an arm around Mike before thinking better of it. "I've only been back this week," she purrs. "I was hoping I'd see you around. Who's your friend?"

Mike stutters something inaudible through the music then takes a step forward to offer a hand.

"This is Mike Ross. He's my new associate." Mike smiles shallowly but Scottie doesn't bother glancing at him, even when she takes his hand gently with her fingers.

"You boys out hunting?"

Harvey makes an affirmative noise in his throat. "Yes. Long case finally wrapped up today in court, so we thought a night out was in order. Isn't that right Mike?"

"Yeah." His Dom defenses have already clicked into place as he follows Harvey's lead.

"Any luck so far?" She says, taking one step closer to Harvey.

"I always have luck," he says. "But that doesn't mean it's going to be with you." He puts a hand around her shoulder and pushes her gently, but firmly away. She takes two steps back, stumbling a little in her heels. The Doms behind her stand up.

"Still angry with me, then?" Her lip curls up in a grin as she tucks a bit of hair behind one ear. Just then Mike notices that she has a ring of pale skin around her neck. The tan line of a long worn collar. "We all made our choices. It's no reason to be bitter."

Harvey looks over his shoulder at Mike and jerks his head toward the door.

"I won't say it was nice to see you, Scottie, but it was a surprise. Have a good night."

As soon as they're outside, Harvey takes Mike's hand and pulls him in possessively.

"What was that about?"

"Nothing. Let's go home. I'm tired."