Secret's Out
✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*
It's a Sunday, the dusk light filtering in through Harvey's condo as he sits with a book in one hand, his phone balancing between three fingers in the other. Donna is in the shower readying herself for dinner, the faint echo of water just reaching his ears and he folds closed the piece of literature sliding it onto the table.
He's been thinking of calling Mike a lot lately, the weight of secrecy becoming harder to wear as the weeks roll by.
It's not like he and Donna aren't sure; this is it for both of them, he knows that... but there's still going to be a fallout once they go public. People who will question their integrity, use it against them and he can just about deal with the ramifications but it isn't fair on Donna. She's worked hard to get where she is and doesn't deserve to be dragged over hot coals to justify what people shouldn't even be questioning. It's going to be a challenge but they're going to have to come clean eventually (it's getting to that point) and he thumbs through his contacts double-tapping Mike's name on his speed dial.
It rings twice before the kid answers with a snappy tone.
"Well it's about damn fucking time."
Obviously he's not just referring to the phone call and Harvey flinches. "How did you-"
"Donna told Rach this morning."
Harvey smiles in spite of himself. Either they're that in sync or she's playing him and being Donna either is possible but he'll have his own fun figuring that out later. "I think what you're meant to say is congratulations
"For what, seeing what everyone else has since the beginning of time?"
The banter is typical and Harvey leans back kicking his ankles together with an air of indifference. "See this is why I didn't tell you." A stillness follows the comment, an indication something serious is coming and he plants his feet back on the ground with a sigh. "Mike?"
"You didn't tell me because you're worried about Donna taking the heat for this when it gets out."
Harvey swallows, closing his eyes briefly. Almost three thousand miles of distance between them and Mike can still read him better than anyone else. Fortunately the days of him brushing things off and and hiding his emotions are long gone. Mike isn't his protege anymore and they're not colleagues they're friends and he rolls forward dipping his head into the call. "Yeah, I am."
"Don't be."
The kids tone is firm and reassuring.
"The shit you've been through to get here, she can handle it and so can you."
Harvey nods into the receiver, the reaction silent and somewhat redundant because Mike can't see it but it's an acknowledgement of the fact he's right. They'll deal with it but that doesn't mean they should have to. "She's worked damn hard to get where she is."
"So have you and the people who matter know that."
It's a comforting thought. It might take some getting used to but he isn't worried about judgement coming from inside the firms walls. They're a family, they'll support each other no matter what and he settles back into the leather chair as Mike's voice cuts across the line again.
"Harvey... congratulations, you guys deserve this."
The corners of his mouth twitch up in response and the phone suddenly feels lighter in his hand. "Thanks Mike." The gratitude is genuine and he hangs up placing the device on top of his book, letting the silence spread throughout the apartment.
When the shower stops he knows he should wait, at least give Donna time to get changed before he seeks her out, but his legs carry him to the threshold of his bedroom anyway- a place he seems to be spending a lot more time in lately. He isn't complaining and his eyes shimmer with amusement landing on Donna as she swans about in his fluffy white bathrobe.
"Something you want to tell me?" He asks, folding his arms and leaning against the door-frame.
She stills at the built-in wardrobe, hand poised between the collection of dresses on 'her' side as she throws a smile over her shoulder. "Since you brought it up..." she says, gaze washing over him, "your tie is crooked."
He doesn't give her the satisfaction of glancing down. "My tie is fine."
She turns fully, raising an eyebrow at his smugness. She know's exactly what he's referring to and is going to kill Rachel for telling Mike but not until she lectures the women for a good hour first on what it means to keep a secret, even from her husband. The only saving grace is that if Harvey knows it's because he rang Mike (undoubtedly for the same reason) and she abandons getting ready, lazily sweeping across to adjust the knot at his collar. "Now it's better than fine."
The soft aroma of Jasmine and Vanilla makes him inhale sharply but he refuses to let the distraction throw him. He's always considered himself a man of restraint, a master of self-control but even since before they got together she's been unconsciously testing him. Now she knows the effect she has on him it's like he's drowning in an ocean half the time but he's not ashamed to admit he enjoys being lured in by the seductive pull. Most days anyway. This time is different and he catches her wrist, his thumb delicately grazing her pulse and feeling it flutter in response. "Nothing you want to tell me about this morning?"
His fingers drop lightly bunching the material at her waist and she can't help the jolt of adrenaline that races through her. They have a reservation to make but he seems intent on drawing this out and she's never been one to back down from a challenge, she isn't going to start now. "Okay, you win..." she rolls her hips ever-so-slightly towards him, "I may have rearranged your baseball cards into alphabetical order."
He swallows a huff off laughter, raising an eyebrow. "Anything else?"
The boyish charm takes years off his features and her resolve weakens, her hand skating down the front of his chest. She was the one who caved first and a soft sigh presses from her lips. "I told Rachel..." she admits, glancing up at him with a curious look of her own, "which you would only know if you rang Mike."
He shrugs feigning indifference. "Who says I wasn't just checking in?"
She smirks at the bullshit defence. "There's over five hundred people in your contacts list, pick one." He never just calls and they both know it. There's always an incentive that drives him to pick up a phone and he concedes with a shrug.
"Felt good though, didn't it?" The assumption is light, testing, and there's a flicker of hesitation in her expression that tells him to tread carefully. Their two best friends finding out is different to alerting the world but Mike was right, they can handle the fallout and he wants to make things official. After thirteen years hiding his emotions he's ready to put them out in the open for everyone to see. "You know we can't hide this forever."
"I'm not saying forever." She drops her arm stepping away from him and starting towards the wardrobe. She wants to tell people but it's harder for her. Things have changed over the years but society still perceives women differently and she isn't ready to have everything she's worked for thrown back in her face.
"Donna..." he trails behind scrubbing a hand across his face, "I know you're worried-"
"No Harvey, you don't know." She flicks her wrist brushing the damp curls over her shoulder as she turns, nearly causing him to stumble into her. She's always taken a back-seat to his career which was to be expected but she's been ridiculed on trial, had her ideas (including The Donna) mocked because people don't take her as seriously and going public now- when the firm has only just recovered from losing Zane- is just going to confirm what everyone's thinking; that Specter Litt Wheeler William's is the kind of establishment where people can just sleep their way to the top. "You work hard and people respect you for it, I do the same thing and then there are bets going to see who I banged to get what I wanted."
She holds his gaze a moment, letting the words sink in before resuming her stalk to the wardrobe he stands still giving her space, torn between wanting to reassure her and knowing he can't. All he can do is prove he'll be there when she needs him or back off if she doesn't and frustration works itself into his tone as he buries his hands into his pockets. "So give me a time-frame then, how long do you think we can keep this up for?" He takes a half-step, edging into their first real disagreement, "because i can't keep doing this and honestly, I don't think you can either."
He's right, she knows he is and her fingers still against the sliding door in defeat. The more comfortable they become around each other the harder it is to keep things from slipping at work; light touches, comments about dinner or plans they're making. Not to mention she hates lying to their friends but she's scared the strain of admitting it will cause things to unravel.
What if they can't handle it?
What if it changes things and the perfect little bubble they've created shatters around them. "I don't want to ruin what we have."
Genuine concern chokes her voice and Harvey sighs, shoulders slumping as she turns wrapping her arms tightly around the robe. She isn't talking about the Malik's and Hardman's of the world coming between then, that's a separate issue- the vulnerability he's reading now a lot closer to home. "Nothing is getting ruined." His feet rock him forward, his hands reaching to unwind her fingers and take them in his own. They can't control what's going to happen but they can choose how to deal with it and he has faith in them, even if they both need a little reminder every now and again. "We've spent thirteen years building this thing...it's strong enough, trust me."
It's logic she can't argue with and she does trust him, her lashes damp as she instinctively leans in- breathing out as his arms wind around her. "Okay..." she nods against his chest, "you're right, we should start telling people.."
He loosens his hold slightly, edging back to make sure she's really ready. The last thing he wants is to force her into something but she smiles lightly and he pushes his thumb up running it gently through her hair "What did Rachel say?"
She relaxes as the warm, easy question washes over them. "That we're both idiots for waiting so long."
He chuckles softly, Mike's sentiments (though more colorful) basically the same. Their friends aren't wrong and he tugs at the edge of her robe, pressing his lips against her soft exposed shoulder. "Then let's not waste anymore time."
She angles her head back with an amused sound, her doubts finding room some where else as he lands a trail of kisses along her collarbone making her shiver. "We have a reservation."
It's a weak protest and he lets his hand and mouth do the work to unravel it, his fingers seeking a way in to roam her naked body. He got dressed nearly an hour ago but that's the least of his concerns, his desire reacting to how accessible she is and making him instantly hard. A moan escapes from her lips and he finds her already wet, his ego boasting he could easily make this quick and still leave plenty of time for dinner... but he selfishly wants more and walks her back to the bed, kissing the smile from her lips.
They don't make it to the restaurant.
Hours later he's not even sure he can make it to the door when the Chinese arrives, his body spent from overuse, and when Donna picks up his shirt from the floor he smirks. She's going to give the delivery kid a heart attack in that thing.
She sashays out and he hears the door open, silence reigning through the apartment and shit, maybe she did kill the poor bastard. The thought urges him up off the bed, despite his protesting muscles, and he shrugs on a pair of briefs flinging a t-shirt over his head as he makes his way out.
"Babe, what's taking so-"
Fuck.
Louis, not the Chinese guy, is standing in his doorway opposite Donna... who's staring like a deer trapped in headlights- in his shirt.
Fuck.
"I... ah, Louis... hey." He shifts awkwardly, heat rushing the back of his neck and his fingers lift to pinch the sensation. "What 'hem-" he clears his throat, "what are you doing here?"
"What am I doing here?" His voice squeaks as his gaze snaps back to Donna, a wave of something he can't describe barrelling through him. He's pissed, confused and elated all at the same time, faced with something none of them have ever dared speak about despite it being completely obvious. He should be angry, the shit they've all been through, but he lunges forward instead wrapping his arms around Donna in a bear-like grip. "This... is great, you guys just-"
He lets go abruptly- awkwardly.
"Carry on, don't let me interrupt."
"Louis, you should come in." Donna snaps to her senses first and takes a hesitant step back, "we should explain."
He sucks in a sharp breath, the curious side of him warring with social etiquette. It doesn't really need explaining- the scene is pretty clear and he glances at Harvey who shrugs wearing the same consensus. Still, Donna insists with a wave of her hand and he moves inside landing in the middle of the apartment in front of Harvey.
"I'll just get changed." Donna slides passed him ignoring the incredulous look Harvey's shoots her. Too bad. She is not doing this in his shirt, she has some scruples or at least she did up until five minutes ago and her face flushes a deep shade of red as she tugs down on the hem.
Harvey watches her disappear into the bedroom, closing the sliding door behind her, and doesn't bother hiding his own modestly. Not really much point at this stage and he pads toward the island in the kitchen. "Drink?"
Louis shakes his head watching the lawyer pour a water- not his usual trademark scotch. He looks relaxed despite the circumstances and Louis folds his hands into his pockets. "I should have called."
"Why didn't you?" Strangely there's no annoyance to the question- just general interest as he turns back around taking a sip from his glass.
"I was... worried." Louis settles on the truth, feeling stupid for the concern now he knows why Harvey's been so 'busy' lately. "You blew me off a couple of times, if I'd known why..."
He motions towards the bedroom and for once Harvey actually feels guilty, setting down the water with a sigh. "I'm sorry Louis." The rare apology slips out as he palms the counter, "we were going to tell you soon, we were just... finding our feet first."
"It's serious?" His eyes narrow slightly but he's being protective of both of them not just Donna. He wants them to be happy and he honestly believes it could work but it won't if they're going to be all 'Harvey and Donna' and about it. "I mean marry her, have kids, grow old... the whole thing?"
"You realise this isn't the sixties?" He points points out the cliché picking up his glass but it stops halfway to his mouth. He actually does want those things. He wants to spend his life with her whatever that involves and he figures there's no harm in putting Louis' mind at ease. "Yeah..." he admits, nodding over his water, "it's serious."
The sliding door swooshes open and his gaze shifts to Donna, her legs now hidden beneath a pair of yoga pants and he smirks at the t-shirt of his she picked out. He liked the shirt better but keeps the thought to himself as she joins them sliding onto a stool at the breakfast bar. She looks uncomfortable, entirely un-Donna like, and he really shouldn't tease her but can't help himself. "Louis was just asking about kids."
Her eyes widen despite the amusement in his expression and never mind babies, she's likely to kill him before they ever get around to it. "I already have my hands full with you." She throws back, growing a little more serious as she swivels toward Louis who's standing beside her. "I know this isn't the best timing-"
"Donna," he stops her, pulling his hand from his pocket to motion between her and Harvey, "if you guys are sure then I'm sure, you don't need to worry about this being an issue at the firm."
She smiles relaxing her shoulders. "Thank you Louis."
A knock at the door interrupts them, Harvey fielding it and murmuring under his breath, "so help me if that's Samantha."
Knowing their luck it wouldn't surprise him but it isn't, just their food, and he pays the man bringing it inside and smirking as Donna's laughter fills the small space. He doesn't even care that he missed the joke, he's just happy she's happy and deposits the two bags on the counter with a shrug, "you want to stay, there's plenty here."
Louis shakes his head, grateful for the offer but he found what he needed to- everything's okay and he extends his arm towards Harvey, breaking at the last second and pulling him into a hug. "I can Mike-Ross you through this if you need it buddy."
Harvey rolls his eyes begrudging patting his back. "I think I can manage." He separates them (not really dressed for the intimate but well meant gesture) and ignores the smug look on Donna's face as he walks Louis out.
It might not have been how either on of them pictured breaking the news but they just proved with relative ease that that can handle things outside of their control. It's a small step in the right direction and they'll figure out the rest as they go along, together.