Mike was making dinner in Louis's kitchen. Louis did have a great apartment. It wasn't to Mike's taste but it was spotless and in some weird way it was cozy. And it had a great kitchen which was actually being used.

Louis was still obnoxious. Especially when he shared his visions on Pearson Hardman and the world with Mike. But staying at his house wasn't nearly as bad as Mike had anticipated.

Of course there would be a catch, or some unpleasant surprise if he stayed too long. Although Harvey always referred to Mike as 'kid', which Mike detested, he wasn't that naïve. Louis couldn't stay nice if his life depended on it. He would always come up with some devious plan, because he just didn't trust people who were kind to him. Which was really kind of sad, Mike thought.

But for now, everything still seemed to be okay and Mike hadn't detected any boobytraps. So he thought that the least he could do for Louis was make him a decent meal. He knew Louis was a very picky eater so he really had done his best to take into account all of his allergies and dislikes.

Louis walked into the kitchen and threw a suspicious look at all the pots and pans that were heating on the stove. "What are you doing? You know I have allergies right? Are you trying to poison me? So you can take advantage of my feeble state?"

Mike had to bite his lip not to laugh out loud. He was sure Louis meant something else entirely but the idea of Mike throwing himself at Louis was just too funny. Mike throwing himself at Harvey on the other hand... Oh my God, I still can't believe I did that.

When he relived the moment his lips met Harvey's and he tasted him, his heart made a free fall.

Louis's voice came calling from miles away. "Mike? Mike, when will this be ready?"

He kicked himself back into reality. "Sorry Louis, my mind just drifted off for a moment. It will be served in ten minutes." Still not completely convinced, Louis threw another suspicious look at Mike before heading for the living room.

While Mike was putting the last touches on the dishes, his phone made an 'incoming message' sound. It was Donna.

Found you an apartment, just around the corner from my building. Small but clean. I know what's on your paycheck so I know you can afford it. You can move in tomorrow. Don't think you can come over for coffee just because you live close by. I expect you to thank me profusely later.

Mike felt his heart make a little leap of joy. The woman was truly amazing. He typed a reply.
If I was straight I would be on my knees offering you a way too expensive ring. And I promise profusely that will be a poor way to describe my thank you.

Fifteen minutes later, Mike and Louis were sitting across from each other at the dining table.

"I must admit Mike. This isn't as bad as I thought it would be."

Mike smiled. He knew he had outdone himself. It was delicious. "I just wanted to let you know that I really appreciate what you have done for me Louis. I know it is not a small sacrifice to give up the privacy of your own home. Which by the way, is very nice."

Louis just nodded, not sure how to react to Mike's kind words.

Mike imagined for a moment what the expression on Harvey's face would be if he could see the two of them sitting together at the table, enjoying the dinner Mike had prepared.

"But I do not want to impose on your hospitality any longer, so I found an apartment. Well, actually the awesome Donna found it for me. It's small but it's clean, in a decent neighbourhood, and I can move in tomorrow. I just want you to know that I will not forget this, Louis. I know we don't always agree and no doubt we will clash over something again in the future. But my appreciation stands."

Louis seemed very busy inspecting the food on his plate. He mumbled a sort of 'thank you' and took a very large sip of his wine.

Mike smiled. Louis could be quite adorable. But he still wouldn't touch him with a ten foot pole.

-

Harvey was confused. At least, he thought he was confused. The emotion wasn't one he experienced often and so he had reserved a few doubts on its authenticity. But he was certain he must be feeling something akin to confusion.

He replayed the scene in his mind once more in a futile attempt to understand what the hell had happened.

He remembered Mike angrily storming out of his office to go work for Louis of all people. Then he remembers Donna storming off to do whatever it was she did when she wasn't here. Then his phone had attempted to ruin his life when Jessica walked in and scolded him.

He looked over tiredly at the damned phone which now lay in pieces on his office floor. The stupid thing was unplugged and torn apart, but Harvey swore he could still hear something ringing in his office.

After the whole mess of the afternoon, he'd attempted to continue working on his cases, but he'd been too busy plotting about how to stop the damned ringing in his office and how to get Donna and Mike back. Not that he actually needed them, but it would make life go smoother.

He'd finally got around to formulating the execution aspect of his plan when Mike burst into his office, yanked on Harvey's silk tie, and smashed his lips into Harvey's. Saying Mike had surprised him would be a grievous understatement. But then the kid had forced his tongue into Harvey's mouth quite enthusiastically and Harvey had really been shocked. So shocked he hadn't even thought about kissing the man back.

But before he could begin to process what had happened, Mike had run from the room, anger still clear on his features.

As the phone rang again from the depths of his office, he was glad Donna hadn't been present for that intimate moment.

So there he sat, still somewhat stunned from Mike's actions. He realized he no longer had a clue as to what to do next. As usual, Mike was the complication to the problem.

He licked at his lips absentmindedly, as he did often when thinking on a crisis, and found himself immediately remembering the taste of Mike's lips: too much coffee and a faint taste of plastic, as though he'd been noshing on highlighters for hours.

He couldn't believe the kid had had the guts to make the first move. But then, this was Mike-always defying expectations.

But did he feel the same way? He wasn't necessarily attracted to Mike. Sure, he'd sneaked a peek back at his apartment the other night, but it hadn't been planned. And Mike's kiss, while indeed impassioned, hadn't exactly sent sparks flying. And who would want to introduce the mess of a relationship at work? He and Donna certainly hadn't ever...

And suddenly Harvey realized that he couldn't return Mike's feelings. He would just have to go to the man and end things before they could ever begin. Harvey didn't have room in his life for the well of emotions Mike was so attached to. It didn't matter what Harvey felt; it was impractical and irresponsible and unprofessional.

With a sigh, Harvey stood from his chair, eye twitching as the mysterious ringing sounded once again in his ear. He could tell Mike tonight, but that would involve going to Louis's apartment. Better if he waited until tomorrow.

But they had work tomorrow. And Harvey didn't know how Mike would react. It would be better for everyone, ultimately, if he let Mike down as soon as possible.

With a steely expression, he packed his things and headed for Louis's. He dragged his hand through his hair, not noticing the mess he was making of it, nor the way that his tie was still scrunched from Mike's grip on it earlier. He was doing the smart thing, he reassured himself.

He tried to ignore the painful squeezing sensation of his heart being crushed the whole way there.

-

When the doorbell rang, Mike felt a mild panic attack quickly rising in his gut. He was almost certain it was Harvey. The realisation of what he had done was only now starting to sink in. He had felt almost dizzy ever since he had kissed Harvey and every time he relived the kiss his heart made a little flutter. But now that he was confronted with the very real possibility of facing the consequences of his actions, it hit him full force. Mike desperately wanted to be able to turn back time.

Because reality was, that no matter how gratifying it had felt to finally kiss that beautiful mouth, Harvey hadn't returned his passion. At all.

And now he was at the door. And he would be pissed. Or insulted. Or worse.

Louis came walking back in, agitation clear on his face. "It's him. Again." Mike excused himself and while trying to control his breathing, somehow made it to the front door.

Harvey still had a steely expression on his face. He did not waste a second. "Mike, I don't know what possessed you this afternoon but I am willing to treat it as temporary insanity. That said, it better be a one time thing because I will not tolerate it a second time. I am sure you realise that the thought of me ever being interested in you is preposterous. If you ever pull a stunt like that again, I will kick you out so fast that you won't know what hit you. And no Donna or Louis will be able to save you. I expect you to be at work tomorrow at seven-thirty sharp. And one more thing. I don't want you to ever prioritize Louis's work over mine again. That will also be grounds for immediate dismissal." He turned and marched away.

Harvey could not have hurt him more if he had beaten him senseless.

Mike tried to calm himself down before returning to the warm comfort of the living room but he couldn't. He did not know what to do. The tears were streaming down his face and he knew he couldn't face Louis. He would never hear the end of it.

Mike had known in his heart that Harvey would turn him down. The thought that Harvey could be intrested was indeed preposterous. But the cold cruelty with which Harvey had made that clear had torn at the seams of his heart. Mike just could not understand why Harvey had to be so ruthless.

While he stood there figuring out what to do next he heard Louis clearing his throat behind him. He began in a very annoyed voice." I do hope this is the last time..." but stopped mid-sentence when he saw the tears on Mike's face. Clearly not knowing how to handle this unexpected turn of events he started to stutter. "I .. uh.. well.."

Mike tried to master a smile. "Sorry for all this, Louis. Really. Please accept my sincere apology that you had to witness this. I'll be gone tomorrow and I promise you, Harvey won't be back." He quivered when he said those last words.

He looked at Louis through his tears. "Would I be overstaying my welcome if I asked you for a very large drink?"

Louis rolled his eyes and sighed. "I knew that either one of you would start causing trouble." But the hurt on Mike's face touched the little piece of humanity hiding somewhere in him. "Well, since this is your last evening, I guess I can spare one drink."

Mike followed him back to the living room and found himself so utterly alone inside that he was grateful for Louis's obnoxious company.

He would be there tomorrow morning. At 7:30 on the dot. And he would do his job. But it would hurt for weeks to come.

Mike prayed that the universe would be considerate of his pain. And not make him face Harvey flirting with anyone because that would be too much. He would leave.