So, this chapter was the resounding winner of my last poll. When I wrote it, I pictured it being in season two after Donna returns to Pearson Hardman; although, it could probably work in season five, too.
««« ×ǁ CAN OPENER CHRONICLES ǁ× »»»
Ever since he got her back, things have been different between them.
He's practically been falling all over himself to show his appreciation for her, never wanting her to feel like she's being taken for granted, like he doesn't know how unbelievably lucky he is to have her in his life and on his desk.
He always suspected that he'd be completely lost without her – doesn't even remember how he survived before her, but after losing her for those few torturous weeks, he knows that not having her will just never be an option. Not again.
It's not even really the secretarial duties – although, the way she organizes his life and anticipates his every need is invaluable, he's sure he could find someone else to do that – certainly not as well, but good enough.
Really, he just needs her by his side.
Without her wit and her charm, his days are dark and dreary.
Without her guidance and her support, his world is chaotic and cloudy. Without her friendship and comfort, he feels isolated and alone.
Every day, she's saving him from himself. She reigns in his anger, she talks him off the ledge, she forces him to think things through, she calls him out when he's wrong.
She's his sounding board, his partner in crime, his support system. She's the keeper of all his secrets, she's the person he trusts most.
Admitting that he can't be himself without her – it's probably the most honest thing he's ever said.
So yeah, things have changed since she's been back.
They've been sharing more meals, more drinks, more everything.
It's as if he has post-traumatic stress from the whole ordeal and just the idea of her leaving for the night triggers those panicked thoughts of her never coming back.
So, he keeps finding excuses to prolong their evenings. They've been sharing drinks and dinner as often as she allows. Sometimes they'll stay at the office and he'll surprise her with shitty Thai and even a bottle of wine – she'll kick off her heels and divvy up the food while he searches his record collection for the perfect track. Other times, he'll entice her to go out and they'll grab a few drinks at a nearby bar or occasionally, sit down to a meal at a hot new restaurant she casually mentioned wanting to try. Either way, they'll laugh and reminisce deep into the night.
He used to spend his evenings picking up women and bringing them home. Now he spends them with her.
He feels like he must really be growing up because he finds that, even though they aren't ending with sex, he's enjoying his nights more now than ever.
Tonight is more of the same; although, this time, they're celebrating – he had a big win in court today, so when he returned to the office, he told her to grab her coat because they were going out.
She smiled and did just that, no questions asked. Like always, she just knew.
It's not their typical bar, but she suggested it and he is not about to say no to her.
Either way, it's a nice place. She places an order of hand-cut fries and they share the plate while sipping their Macallan – it's a somewhat strange combination, but all he really cares about is the company.
They're situated at the end of the bar, off in the corner, away from everyone else. It feels private and cozy in a way that you could only find on a Wednesday night, in a bar like this.
He hasn't stopped smiling since they sat down. And because they're celebrating, he lets himself order a third drink. She does the same.
Her knee brushes against his thigh while they're laughing about a prank they pulled on Mike months ago – one of their best, if you ask him.
He drapes his arm on the back of her chair while joking about an infamous client of theirs – she would wear an entire department store of makeup on her face and had a different accent every time she came into the office.
Her ankle touches his calf while they're reminiscing over a case they had in the district attorney's office – the defendant showed up drunk to his own DUI trial.
Needless to say, Harvey got the conviction.
As the night goes on, they are slowly inching closer and closer. The air between them is charged and their brains get fuzzier with each drink. All he can think about is how badly he wants to touch her.
So, he does.
His hand squeezes her knee, his palm stretching around her thigh, slowly edging higher and higher.
She smiles at him, but otherwise pretends not to notice until the tips of his fingers slide just under the hem of her dress, leaving delicious goosebumps in their wake. That's the moment her breath hitches in her throat and he witnesses her eyes darkening.
"Donna," he murmurs, leaning in just slightly, wanting to kiss her with every fiber of his being.
He knows each and every single reason he shouldn't – they've been on replay in his head for the last few weeks, but at the moment, he just can't find it in himself to care anymore.
Although, before he can even make the move, she's pressing her lips against his and pulling him closer, causing his palm to slide further up her thigh. It takes him barely a second to respond, getting his other hand tangled up in her perfect red hair as he coaxes her mouth open and uses his tongue to caresses hers.
He truly has no idea how long they are making out in that bar, but they don't stop until the echoes of last call ring in their ears.
Eventually, he tears his lips off of hers, helps her into her jacket and walks her home – it's late spring so it's warm outside and her apartment is only a few blocks away. Despite that, it takes them over an hour to get there because he keeps backing her up against the brick and kissing her even more.
It's just, now that he's started, the last thing he wants to do is stop. He was such an idiot for not doing it sooner.
When they finally arrive at her apartment, he thinks she's expecting him to invite himself in, but instead, he just pushes her up against the building and kisses her again. Several minutes go by and his mouth is sliding down her neck, sucking on her skin, and he's sure that he's leaving a mark but she doesn't seem to care so he's certainly not about to.
Eventually, he pulls away, and all he can see is how unbelievably dark her eyes are. He's sure that his are a perfect match.
What he really wants to do is suggest that they take this upstairs – peel her out of her clothes, get his mouth on every inch of her body, and spend at least half the night inside of her. He's practically itching to do just that, but it's Donna and she deserves so much more than this.
It's funny that it takes him being drunk to gain that kind of clarity, but in this moment, he knows that he wants more. More importantly, he wants to give her more.
When he finally gets her into bed again, he wants her to know what it means. He doesn't want a single doubt floating around in her mind.
It physically pains him to do this, but he gives her one last kiss, squeezes her hand, and says good night.
He walks all the way home, needing the brisk air to cool himself off.
.
.
The next morning, he greets her with a warm smile and a vanilla latte from her favorite coffee shop. She thanks him, but he feels like she looks a little off kilter. He wants to pull her aside and make sure he sets the record straight, but just as he opens his mouth, Jessica is walking over and demanding his attention, letting him know that she needs his help and it cannot wait.
He's just about to ask her for a minute to put his stuff down, when Donna gets up from her desk, grabs his coat from him and offers to reschedule his ten o'clock meeting.
Answering for him, Jessica says to go ahead and reschedule and then she gestures for him to follow her. Letting out a sigh, he chances one more look at his favorite redhead before following his mentor down the hallway.
The case Jessica needs help with turns out to be a real bitch and he's cooped up in her office for the next three hours before the two of them head straight across town to meet with the client for the rest of the day. He doesn't end up back at the firm until quarter to eight and by then, Donna is already gone.
Without much thought, he grabs his jacket and has Ray drive him straight to her place. They barely said three words to each other today, and there's no way he can let that stand until morning.
He can't allow this to linger for any longer than it has. If he doesn't clear it up now, he's certain it'll just get swept under the rug like everything else between them.
When he knocks on her front door ten minutes later, she's rather surprised to see him, but she quickly tries for nonchalant. "What are you doing here?" She questions, raising an eyebrow as she leans against the threshold.
"I was hoping we could talk," he explains, a warm smile touching his lips.
"Okay, well, if it's about last night, you don't need to worry," she assures him, dismissing the idea with a wave of her hand.
Furrowing his eyebrows, a frown teases his lips. "I'm not worried," he assures her.
"You're… not?" She clarifies, clearly confused.
"No," he confirms with a shake of his head, looking all kinds of sure.
"Then what do you want to talk about?" She inquires, genuinely curious.
"Us," he simply replies.
"Us?" She repeats, her brows sky high in surprise.
"Yes… I mean… we kissed last night," he reminds her with an amused smile. "We kissed a lot last night," he amends, trying not to grin like a complete fool.
"I remember," she blushes, momentarily avoiding her gaze. "And then you went home," she points out, when she glances back up at him.
"Not because I wanted to," he tells her, quickly, taking a step forward as he reaches out to her, letting his fingertips run up and down her forearm. "I left because I didn't want last night to be some drunken hookup," he tries to explain. "When we do this, I want you to know that it means something… I want to do it right," he adds with a gentle squeeze of her arm as his eyes bore into hers, caressing her skin.
"Oh," she says, his words wrapping around her and warming her heart. trying to fight the smile that's threatening to escape.
"Yeah," he responds, practically grinning at her.
"Okay, well… then, do you want to come in and have a drink?" She questions, still struggling to contain that lingering smile. "Just one," she adds before he can answer.
"Okay," he happily agrees before following her inside.
Except, right when she turns to go grab said drink in the kitchen, he's tugging on her arm, pulling her right. She falls easily into his embrace, letting him kiss her just as passionately as he did last night.
Walking her backwards towards the couch, his lips encourage hers to open while his hands explore every inch that's within their reach.
Before she can even comprehend what's happening, he's sinking into the couch cousins and bringing her with him, immediately pulling her into his lap. Not wanting to waste a second, he picks up right where he left off – his mouth on hers while one hand sifts up through her hair and the other dips underneath her top, sliding up along her rib cage.
She feels his touch all over her body, her head still spinning from this turn of events. It's the absolute last thing she expected to happen tonight.
Eventually, he pulls away, redirecting his attention to nibble on her ear, making her absolutely crazy. She can't help but roll her hips at him, already feeling a bit desperate. The move causes a groan to fall from his lips and his breath against the curve of her neck sends goosebumps trailing down her spine.
He leans in to place a kiss on her skin, but pulls away before his lips make contact. "Is this from me?" He asks, suddenly, sliding his thumb over the mark on her neck, his gentle touch causing a shiver to roll through her entire body.
"Well…I haven't made out with anybody else since last night, if that's what you're asking," she tells him with a smirk and all kinds of sass.
She feels his smug smile against her skin again and can't resist rolling her eyes for the second time. "Thanks for that by the way," she quips.
"Sorry," he murmurs, his quiet chuckle almost hidden in her collarbone.
"Somehow, I don't think you are," she challenges.
"I'm really not," he confirms with a grin, his thumb still running over the mark. "It's just really hot knowing I gave that to you," he adds, absolutely beaming.
"Well, you better not do it again," she chastises. "It took me far too long to cover that up this morning."
He thinks it over for a moment and then shakes his head. "Yeah, I don't think I can agree to that," he tells her, looking all kinds of serious, except for the silly glint in his eye.
Playfully hitting his chest, Donna rolls her eyes, before they both break out in a laugh.
Ever since he got her back, things have been different between them. All those late nights, the drinks, the dinners… it was always destined to end up this way.
Things have been different, but after tonight, they're in for some more changes.
A year from now, she'll reminisce on it all and it'll be the small changes that get to her most – the casual way he touches her whenever they have a moment alone at the office, the way he holds her hand at the dinner table when they go out to eat or how he doesn't look away anymore when she catches him ogling her from his desk – instead, he just beams at her and keeps on looking.
It's the way that he tells her she's beautiful at the most random times – the sun hitting her face just right as she strolls into his office, in the middle of a big belly laugh late at night, as she dances to one of his records after a couple drinks, or when he watches her in the mirror as they brush their teeth.
It's the way that he clears out space in his closet for her and how he always ends up holding her in the middle of the night. It's the way he pulls her closer whenever she's within his reach and how he runs his fingers through her hair when they're watching a movie on the couch.
It's so many things, big and small, but for someone who hates change as much as Harvey, he sure has taken to it.
««« ×ǁ CAN OPENER CHRONICLES ǁ× »»»
This one isn't my favorite, but I hope you liked it. Please don't forget to leave a review!
And now for the vote on the next chapter… except, I figured I'd switch it up again. This time, the only information I'm giving you is the time period of each chapter:
One: A few weeks after their kiss in season seven.
Two: A few years into married life.
Three: On the anniversary of Gordon's death.
Four: Five weeks into their relationship
I'm trying to work on some unfished fics so I can add to this list, but I'm struggling a bit. If anyone has some prompts, please send them my way. Hopefully, that'll get the creative juices flowing again.