Author's Note: I thought I had posted this like four days ago. Turns out, not so much. So since I was all prepared to post chapter 5 today, you get two! Yay! I'm working through my writer's block, and I think I've figured out where I want to go with it. Mostly.

Also, this note contains spoilers for epi. 2x5, the aftermath of which will probably be worked into this story so that it's at least mostly canon compliant.

I had a busy week(end) and I just got around to watching the newest episode last night.

SPOILER

I may have actually said this out loud to my computer screen at the end of the episode. DONNA, WHAT? NOOOO! I love her. Seriously. She's easily the best female character on the show. (Jessica is awesome, and Rachel is... Rachel. But Donna wins that handily.) Le sigh.

Suits belongs to USA. I just like to take the characters out for test drives sometimes.

Harvey Specter did not make bad decisions. So it was most certainly not a bad decision that he was climbing out of a cab in front of Mike's building with the strap of the kid's messenger bag clasped in one hand. It definitely wasn't a big deal that it was past midnight. It didn't matter at all that he was a little bit past buzzed.

It wasn't a bad idea, so Harvey knocked loudly on Mike's door. It took a few minutes, but Harvey heard the sound of Mike stumbling across the apartment, swearing as he tripped.

"What the fu- Harvey?"

"I brought your bag." Harvey's brain finally caught up as he hefted Mike's battered satchel.

This was an awful idea.

"It's the middle of the night. Are you drunk?" Mike eyed him suspiciously, but swung the door open nonetheless.

"Maybe a little," Harvey admitted as he slumped onto the couch.

"You didn't drive here, did you?" Mike flicked on some lights, puttering about the kitchen to brew a pot of coffee.

"No," Harvey almost laughed, "couldn't bear the idea of the valet denying me my keys. I took a cab."

"Uh-huh."

It was quiet after that, and Harvey nearly fell asleep to the sound of coffee percolating. The scalding mug that Mike shoved into his hands a few minutes later woke him up.

"Why didn't you just take a cab home?" Mike questioned as Harvey's gaze settled on him. Harvey's eyes went dark, and Mike saw his jaw go slightly slack as his thoughts drifted. Mike was being studied again. Except, now he knew who was watching and he didn't feel apprehensive. He felt... naked.

"Harvey." The name was loud, hard. Harvey actually jerked.

"What?"

"You're doing it again," Mike accused.

"No I'm not," Harvey denied without being sure what Mike meant, "I don't know what you're talking about."

"You're watching me."

"I am not," Harvey did not sound petulant.

"Yeah, right. Answer my question," Mike demanded. Harvey sipped his coffee to buy time. Mike wasn't forthcoming.

"What question?" Harvey was finally forced to ask. Mike rolled his eyes.

"Why didn't you just take a cab home? Why are you here, Harvey?"

Harvey set his mug down on the coffee table, but didn't look up.

"You..." he began, and then drifted, "There's something about you that I just don't get, and it's extremely distracting."

"I'm not sure I know what that means," Mike replied honestly, getting to his feet to fetch a cup of coffee for himself. Clearly he would need it.

"It means that your complete lack of awareness about social structure is perplexing. You're refusal to judge people, no matter what they've done. Everybody has a good reason, right? It's beyond ridiculous. Just, the way you go caring all over everything all the time. You're so goddamn smart, how can you not see that that's just asking for turmoil and disappointment? Over all it's confusing, but I cannot stop trying to figure it out," Harvey explained, unsure if he was relaying his point sufficiently. He buried his face in his mug.

"So basically what you're saying is that you find it incomprehensible that someone would risk being disappointed for the chance at being fulfilled by their relationships? You think it's easier to just assume everyone's an idiot?" Mike was incredulous.

"Easier isn't the right word. Cleaner, maybe?" Harvey offered.

"I gotta tell you, I have never been closer to thinking that you're a sociopath," Mike admitted with a chuckle, and Harvey knocked their knees together.

"Mike, I'm serious. Having faith in people is essentially just living life in a constant state of let down," Harvey insisted, finally lifting his gaze. Mike just smiled at him, making his breath hitch in his throat.

"You have faith in me, and I haven't managed to fuck that up too badly. I trust you, you know that, and you've never let me down," Mike shrugged, "People let you down, that's always going to happen. That doesn't mean you can't deal with it. You move on, and along the way you meet people that are worth it. How is that you seem to have life all figured out but know exactly zero about it?"

"I know plenty about life, trust me," Harvey muttered, sipping his coffee again.

"I mean an non-cynical version," Mike clarified and Harvey snorted.

"I'm not cynical, I'm pragmatic," he chuckled.

"It's really not funny, Harvey. It's not. It's frankly a little depressing. At one point or another, everybody is gonna let you down. Nobody else lives their own life for you. You of all people should know about living for oneself. What you have failed to grasp is that there's some people, some relationships, that are worth the fuck ups. You talk to me about 'getting it,' and you mean grasping the consequences. Sometimes your faith in people is rewarded tenfold, how can you not 'get' that?"

The concern practically melting out of Mike's eyes made Harvey a little nauseous, but he couldn't look away. The only way he was going to escape the conversation was by telling Mike he was right. Maybe he was, but Harvey wasn't going to tell him that. He wasn't sure what to do, and the lack of conceivable options made him freeze.

"Harvey?" Mike shifted uncomfortably, making Harvey blink slowly, "You're doing it again."

Mike was blushing, Harvey noted, he looked shifty. His slim fingers were wrapped tightly around his mug, and he was memorizing his knees.

"Mike."

He spent too much time obeying that voice. Mike looked up, and Harvey kissed him. Careful, slow, chaste, but sure. It was searing. Harvey's steady hand along his jaw, and the certainty of it. It hurt like somewhere inside all of it Harvey was mocking him on a level Mike didn't understand. The thought gave birth to a curl of resentment in his chest.

"What the hell are you doing?" Mike breathed, pushing him back shakily.

Harvey didn't know.

"I-" He tried.

"We're not teenagers working in a convenience store, Harvey, we can't just start 'fooling around!' You're my boss, at a prestigious law firm. One where my employment hinges on an extremely dangerous lie. A fraud. We don't get enough attention as it is, with my brain and your attitude? You really want to add sleeping together to this whole mess? Are you fucking kidding me?" Anger made Mike crass. His brows knit together tightly, making him look much older than he was.

Mike was right, again. Harvey still wasn't going to tell him. It was pride, sure, but really Harvey didn't want Mike to be right. Or at least he didn't have to be so reasonable.

"I'll see you at work on Monday," Harvey got to his feet, halfway to the door before Mike processed what he said.

"It's late, I'll walk down-"

The door was closed before Mike could finish his offer.