Set after Gordon's death.

Gordon had died a week ago and Harvey is continuing with his life as if nothing had happened. They all believe that he is fine and will overcome him quickly. After all, it's Harvey. His emotions never beat him.

Well, everybody thinks he's okay. Everyone, except Donna.

She sees him fight against his own demons from the other side of the glass. She sees as several times a day his gaze loses looking at nothing. She sees how his eyes fill with tears often and as his bottle of scotch empties faster than usual.

It's too late, and he is still working. It has been common these last few days. Donna always stays with him, just waiting for him to look up at her and ask for something.

Every day she tries to approach him, share a drink, a meal, a coffee... Something. But she always gets the same answer: Not now, I need to work, I want to be alone.

Donna looks at her phone and it's 11 pm. The previous days they were gone around 10 pm. She sighs, taking courage and entering Harvey's office, without asking for permission, but opening the door gently.

"Do we order something to eat?" She whispers.

"No need, go home Donna. I can finish this alone."

She walks a few steps towards him, but still keeps the distance.

"Some burgers from the place you like? Either way, we should have dinner. We can do it together. Don't you think?"

"It's not necessary Donna." He says standing up. "Really, go..."

"Harvey, please."

"Please, what?" He asks, annoying.

"I don't like you going through this alone… Maybe we can eat together."

"My dad is not here anymore, so apparently from now on I'll have to spend things alone."

"Your dad wasn't the only person who loved you, Harvey." She responds, feeling a burning in her chest. It hurts her so much not to be able to tell him how much she loves him. Specially now.

"I don't know, Donna."

"Do you really think I work just for you for the money, Harvey?" She sighs, but he doesn't answer. "Harvey?" She whispers. "Please, look at me."

"I want to be alone Donna, go!" Harvey screams.
"Harvey, you're not a superhero! You suffer, as all humans suffer. And usually, when we suffer, the people who love us are there to support us and that relieves us, at least a little. If you think this week I stayed until the night to charge extra hours, you're really wrong!"

"Donna, stop, please!" He begs, with tears on his cheeks. His shoulders loosen, he feels his knees shaking.

"No, Harvey. You need someone to tell you the truth! Every time I approach you, you scream at me as if it were a nuisance, when all I want is to relieve you a little bit of the pain you feel. Maybe I'm very naive and maybe I can't, but at least I want you to let me try. You're not alone Harvey!"

"Donna..." He whispers, loosening his tie.

You're the only person who can relieve me a little right now. He thinks, but he can't say it to her.

"Can you accept a gesture of love? Just one Harvey! The world doesn't hate you as you think!" She makes a silence to caress his hand with her thumb. "You can sell anyone the image that you're okay, but I don't buy it Harvey." She whispers. "And I'm here if you need me and I'm pretty sure you need someone right now."

Harvey closes his eyes and denies with his head, not being able to control the crying and enjoying the minimal contact they are having.

"Can I hug you?" Harvey sobs.

"Of course, Harvey." She responds completely honestly.

Without saying anything else, Harvey hugs her around her waist with his arms and hides his face around her neck.

Donna surrounds him by the neck and is encouraged to tenderly caress his nape. She feels like Harvey's body loosening up on her arms and sighs relieved. At least now she's doing something.

They close their eyes. It's the first time they've been so close since the other time and despite the actual situation, they both remember, know and feel it. This is in their minds.

He cries more and more in the arms of the woman who, deep down, knows that he loves. (and he fears never being able to tell her)

She comforts for the first time in days the man she loves and she can do it in a way (a little more similar) to the one she would like to do. Not just staying at her desk at night.

If you knew, I would want to hug you like this every night until the day you stop crying. She thinks.

"I didn't mean to treat you badly." He whispers in her ear. "Sorry."

"I know Harvey, and you don't need to apologize."

"Thank you..."

"You don't need to thank me either."

"Yes, and most of the time I forget." She smiles. "If it hadn't been for you, I wouldn't even have gone to the funeral."

"It's okay, Harvey."

Harvey separates from her and dries his tears.

"I know you don't just work with me for the money. I never thought it was."

"I'm glad you know." She smiles at him.

"Ok..."

"Ok..."

"I go to the bathroom."

"Do I order the burgers?"

"Yes." He says, smiling a little.

She smiles at him back. "Go, I wait for you just right here, and I order yours with extra cheese."

"You know me."

"Just now do you notice?" She giggles and he stays there, just looking at her. "Go, I guess you don't want anyone else to see you cry, even if we're alone in the whole building."

"You know me." He says again.

"It's my work. Right?"
"I'm not talking about work."
"Neither do I."

I decided to turn this publication into a series of pre-canon ficlets, although it is clearly not my comfort zone... I'll try!

I hope you like it!