Mike watched as Harvey's face fell, showing emotions Mike never thought he would see on his boss, dammit, former boss; and watched with surprise, even though he wasn't showing it, as Harvey slowly turned and left the apartment. He could see more than just the pain; he could see heartache and regret, and what had Mike almost calling Harvey back was the sad smile he sent Mike as he turned down the hallway, walking out of view.
Mike took a few seconds to stair after the man he looked up to so much, and then turned to pay attention to the other man he looked up too. Mike made his way over to the bathroom, and after calling to Mr. Collins that Harvey had left, entered the bathroom. Mike saw that he was rubbing the back of his head, so gently guiding him to sit on the couch Mike went and got him an icepack. Mr. Collins winced as Mike gently put it against the back of his head, causing him to wince in sympathy. Mike had his fair share of memories, sitting still with an icepack on his head for hours, his head still throbbing, only now cold as well.
Mike let him lean back into his knees as he sat on the back of the couch, and continued to hold the pack for him. While keeping an eye on the time Mike spoke in a gentle voice to Mr. Collins about past cases, past mistakes, and really just whatever popped into his head. He knew that, at least with the actor, it would be a good distraction from the pain in his head. After a few hours Mike got up from the couch to make them some late lunch, and they ate watching TV, Mr. Collins on the floor, again leaning against Mike, who was on the couch this time, only after Mr. Collins insisted.
After the movies came out their Sunday evening was spent eating junk, while the actor used Mike's lap as a pillow, now that he no longer had the ice pack on his head. Mike knew he would be tired from not only getting knocked on the head, but also just from the last few days. He had traveled to another country, taking time off his show, and been sued, where he had to sit in meetings and court all day. He had also spent the last two nights out till very late. Mike was surprised by how long he did last before Mike could hear quiet snoring coming from the tired man. Mike just smiled down at him, carding his hand through his hair, as he went back to watching the movie, only to be claimed by sleep a few short minutes later.
Suits
Harvey had only felt pain like this once before, and that was when his father had died. Because of that, he knew he did not handle heartache well. He couldn't decide if this was more painful because when he lost his Dad, it was over, there was nothing he could do, there was noting that could be fixed or changed. His Dad was dead, and it was as simple as that, but with Mike, he was right there, just out of reach. His Dad hadn't chosen to die to get away from him, but Mike had chosen to stay away and to not come back. Harvey had moved on in a sense from his father's death, but he had no clue how to move on from Mike; most of all because he worked in the same office as Mike.
Harvey trudged out of Mike's building, and down to the curb. He had never been so happy to see Donna as when he saw her leaning against his town car, Ray right beside her. He tried to smile at the pair, but all he managed was a pained grimace. He saw them both wince at it. Harvey could tell Donna was mad at him again, but he could also see that she was letting her mother hen instincts take over, shoving any anger aside for another time. He knew that it wouldn't be forgotten, but he was grateful for the reprieve.
Donna walked toward Harvey, who had stopped a few feet away from the two, and enveloped him in a hug, and seconds later Ray joined in to make it a group hug. Harvey found it far more comforting than he ever would have guessed, and so refused to let go for a few seconds after the other two made a move to step back. As Harvey got into the car behind Donna, all he could think was that the old him would have laughed at even the idea of someone giving him a truly meaningful hug. He would have stepped back and made some smart ass joke at their expense before walking away. Now he found all he wanted was for someone he cared about and who cared about him to give him a hug; for Mike to give him a hug. On the entire drive back to his home he thought about Mike forgiving him, and giving him a hug, showing that he still cared. Harvey couldn't handle the idea that he might not care anymore.
As they pulled up Donna sent Ray a nod, promising to take good care of Harvey. Ray nodded back as he got out of the car, walking around to let them out. With a firm squeeze of Harvey's shoulder he tried to send his support, and as he watched the two disappear behind entrance doors, he sent up a prayer that his boss would be okay, and that everything would turn out right. With a final look to the sky, Ray got back in the car and headed for home. His family was waiting on him since he usually had Sundays off, but when he had gotten the call from Donna they had all insisted he go and help his friend.
Donna didn't speak until she had Harvey back in his home, and sitting on the couch. Sitting down next to him, she put a hand on his, which was resting on his knee, and finally asked, "What happened up there Harvey? We could hear Mike yelling, but we couldn't tell what he was saying." Donna hated that Harvey's face fell more at the question, but she had to know what was wrong if she was going to try and fix it. After a few minutes of Harvey just looking down at their hands with a frown on his face Donna added, "At least tell me what you are thinking right now."
Harvey lifted their hands, and looking over to her, said in a small voice, "I won't ever get to hold Mike's hand." Donna felt her heart break at the words, and the way they were spoken, and went to try and comfort him, but he quietly spoke again before she could. "I went there to confront him about his relationship with the firm's client. I thought at least I could make it stop by bringing up ethics, but when I knocked on Mike's door," Harvey closed his eyes, willing his voice to stay even, "It wasn't Mike that answered. It was him!" Harvey took a deep breath, trying to get control again. "I heard his voice, not Mike's, coming from inside Mike's apartment, and it just made me so angry. Before I could think about what I was doing I had unlocked the door with the spare Mike gave me a long time ago, and I was throwing the door open. When I saw them cuddled up on the couch something just snapped, and the next thing I knew I had thrown the unsuspecting man to the floor, and I…" Harvey looked at Donna, pleading with his eyes for her not to judge him, "I went to kick him in the stomach." Donna let out a small breath of air in surprise, but stayed silent. "The only reason I didn't was because suddenly Mike was in my path, and my brain was able to register fast enough that I would never forgive myself if I hurt him… any more than I already have." Harvey sighed, "Not that I can live with the pain I've already caused him now."
Donna could see Harvey's eyes were watery as he said, "Mike yelled at me that he didn't want to come back, and that even if it had not been for the client, he would still be working for Louis." Donna saw a tear make its way down Harvey's face, followed by others, as he brokenly whispered, "Donna, Mike hates me now." Donna felt her own eyes fill with tears as she leaned in and gave Harvey the tightest hug she could without hurting him. He had never seen so much genuine misery on one person's face in her life.
Donna held Harvey to her chest, like her Mother had done for her as a child, as she tried to sooth the broken man. She was rubbing his back, and muttering things like, "Mike could never hate you Harvey." After close to three hours Harvey fell asleep against her, and she gently laid him out on the couch before going to make some food for when he woke up. She had joked before about having to act like his mother, but this was the first time she actually felt like she was. She felt like she was watching her son get his heart broken for the first time, only worse because he brought it on himself; and she also felt like she was being divided between her son, and his best friend, whom she loved like a son. As much as she knew Harvey was hurting, she knew Mike had been hurting just as much, only longer. As she went about making some food she found her thoughts were either on Harvey or Mike, or both.
Harvey slept on the couch for a few hours, before waking up groaning from the headache he had given himself. He was delighted when Donna handed him an Advil and water, before putting a bowl of soup and a sandwich down in front of him. Donna watched with a smile as he ate the food, and they watched old movies. Donna didn't want to quote any of the lines at first, but once Harvey had done it a few times she joined in. They ended up quoting almost an entire movie at each other at one point, only not succeeding because they fell asleep on the couch at the same time, missing the last few minutes.
Neither woke up the next day until the sun was shining to brightly for easy sleep. Harvey woke up slow and groggy, but as he heard Donna mutter a litany of swears under her breath he looked at his watch. They were late, even for Harvey's lazy day standards. Harvey quickly changed into a new suit and was running out the door with Donna on his heels, somehow in a new outfit as well, but he ignored it, it's not like he'd ever figure out how she had done it. All that was important at the moment was getting to work before Jessica realized they had yet to come into the office; it was mercifully all they could think about.