A/N This is my first fic. After rewatching this scene from 5x11 I noticed Donna's trembling lip and decided to give it a shot.
Harvey walks into his condo, Donna has lit up the fireplace and is sitting on the couch with a glass of scotch.
Harvey is surprised and asks : « How did you get in here? »
« Jessica told me how when I told her what I was coming here to do. »
« And what is that?» Harvey asks, truly clueless.
« You need me. Because as good as Gretchen is, she can't be a part of this and you know it. »
With a soft and hopeful tone, he replies: « You're saying you're coming back to me? »
« Yes... I am. »
He leans his head slightly to the side, his full body relaxing at the thought of her finally coming back, especially when he needs her more than ever, his heart feels warm, he smiles genuinely and says :
« Good. »
« Good. » she mirrors.
She gets lost in the deep gentle gaze he is giving her, with everything that they went through, with the recent thought that something might have happened to him and everything he had to face, she is relieved to see him happy and to be the one to bring him happiness. Holding his gaze, her emotions rise quickly and she can't stop her lower lip from beginning to tremble. She tries to make it stop by biting it and looking away. He does not fail to notice and he instantly understands that it means a lot to her, because it means a lot to him too.
Embarrassed by the feeling invading her skin and actually her full body, she needs to leave. She places her still half full glass of scotch on the coffee table and gets up slowly. Shyly smoothing her dress she walks by past him, brushing very close, fixing his dark eyes. Butterflies consume her stomach and her legs are suddenly heavy and weak. Her eyes drop to his lips where she notices his smile emanating true happiness. He looks more relaxed than he has in weeks and he looks tremendously handsome and manly in his grey three-piece suit.
For Harvey, the past weeks without her by his side during those stressful times had been a struggle, he admits that he was not completely himself without her. It hits him that she just made the choice to come back to work for him. She must have had the courage to inform Louis of her move. He finally feels that he can accomplish anything now that she is back, back with him... he realises that it's more, she came back for him. When she reaches the kitchen counter, he closes his eyes and turns around.
« Donnaaaa…? »
She turns while he slowly walks three steps towards her and stops.
« Thank you. »
She smiles lightly, blinks and goes to open the door.
Harvey's past weeks have been punctuated by a feeling of overall helplessness. The new hope that her presence brings is causing his heart to start thumping and a shiver invades his skin. If he has learned one thing recently is that he needs to keep the people he cares about close and be more open to talk about what he is going through, especially with her. He feels the need to let her know how much this means to him too.
« Wait. Can I be honest with you? »
« Of course, Harvey. »
He sighs deeply and looks at his feet for a second, hiding his hands in his pockets.
« What is it Harvey? is everything okay? »
He gathers himself, looks at her and god, with the dim lights and fireplace, her red hair looks like golden silk, he also remembers too well how soft her pearl skin can feel under his touch and he lets it out.
« Donna, the past months were just so wrong without you at my desk. I'm sure you know that I have been a mess... I had a hard time to just concentrate or even find solutions to simple problems... » He continues as his voice drops softer.
« You have no idea how much you coming back means to me... how much you mean to me. »
The words are coming out easily and the truth that he lets out feels right and long due, she needs to know that having her back make his life whole again. He feels light and relieved to have said it.
He nods almost indistinctively, confirming the truthfulness of his words.
Her eyes go wide and her mouth opens slightly, absorbing his sudden revelation. She always knew that he cared about her, he had said nice (and hopeful) words to her in the past, but tonight, to hear him say it with such sincerity and tenderness causes her body to freeze.
He wants to get closer, to feel her close to him. He misses her... physically. But he does not let himself move, he could not face the repercussions of going a bit too far and risking messing up and losing her again.
Seeing that he has finally let himself be vulnerable in front of her, even if it's not his cup of tea, she smiles from the corner of her mouth and asks with playful eyes.
« Is it okay if we hug? »
It's like she had read his mind, she always does. The tension from his shoulders drop, his smile reaches his eyes and he moves forward to catch her in his arms while she engulfes her nose near his neck. His arms go to her upper back to hold her close. Their bodies sway slowly in harmony, and this feels so right and both of them remember how their bodies fall perfectly together. He can't help but close his eyes and savour the moment. His heart is beating faster and stronger than it should and he hopes that she does not feel it. She is in his apartment and tonight she has allowed him to hold her in his arms. They avoid touching and they definitely never hug and this moment reminds them why; it's too much and not enough and it feels electric and warm and dangerous every time.
For Donna, it feels like going back to a place where she always belonged and where her mind has gone so many times. She feels his warmth, his strong reassuring body and his cologne tickles her nostrils and a soft moan escapes her involuntarily. Embarrassed that he must have heard her, she makes a move to step back. But he is not ready to let her go and doesn't want this to feel awkward so he tightens his hold by moving his hands to the small of her back and he hums in return while moving his nose to rest in her silky red locks. The vibration from his moan causing waves of excitement to go through her full body.
He speaks just above a whisper :
« Donna, thanks for being in my life. Thanks for being who you are and for making me feel like I am invincible when you are by my side. I have said some words that I have later not been able to explain clearly, but you need to know that I care deeply about you, I always have and always will. »
He then loosens his hold to meet her gaze. Her eyes are now full of unwanted tears, she holds tighter; this time she is the one who does not let him step back.
« I know. »
She means to say that she cares about him too and that something magnetic always brings her back to him but her throat is constricted.
He can feel a tear escape her in his neck now and suddenly understands that she feels the same way, but tonight is not the time to go further, there is too much on the table now, he just can't risk losing her again by going to far. It's a step in the right direction for their relationship and this is enough for now.
He softly lets go of her and she loosens her hold as well. Her wet eyes smile at him.
« Goodnight Harvey, see you tomorrow. »
« Goodnight Donna. »
When he closes the door, he can't get rid of the hopeful smile lighting up his face.