Author's Note: This is probably my least favorite chapter of the story thus far. It was immensely difficult for me to write, but I'm not really sure why. I'm still not even really that happy with it, but I've spent so long on it that I can't look at it anymore. Plus the chapter I started when I finally got this to a point that didn't make me want to vomit is totally awesome. I'm sorry if it's disappointing. I am certainly disappointed in it. Hopefully when the story is finished and I reread it all together, I'll be able to see more clearly how this section should go, and I'll fix it. Until then, this is what we're stuck with.
When I have the money for an executive producers credit on Suits, I'll let you know. Until then don't sue me because it's not mine.
"What?" Harvey recovered quickly.
"I said I think-"
"I heard what you said, Mike. I'm just not grasping the words you've found appropriate to put together in a sentence," Harvey interrupted, making Mike roll his eyes.
"Listen. We are not 'throw caution to the wind' types, Harvey. We're corporate lawyers, all we do all day is either figure out how to use peoples mistakes to screw them, or outthink the people that are trying to screw us. We're never just gonna fall into bed on a whim. So instead let's talk about it like we're adults. What we want is pretty goddamn clear to me, so let's just let it be what it is: a one-off fuck. Hit it and quit it. One and done. Fuck and chu-"
Harvey held up a hand to stop him, caught somewhere between amusement and irritation.
"I get it, Mike, but it's not that simple," Harvey's eyes went dark and Mike knew what he would say before he said it, "You can't go back."
"We won't," Mike was confident as he sipped his beer, "I wouldn't want to. Where we are right now isn't awesome. We'll move forward."
Harvey paused to consider. Mike was right, damn him. Where they were was definitely not awesome. Mike was driving Harvey to distraction. It was frustrating, not to mention that it left something to be desired in their working relationship. Also it creeped Mike out, although Harvey would never admit that that part was a little bit fun.
"All right," Harvey replied finally, casually. Mike's eyebrows rose over the rim of his glass.
"Just like that? I have to admit, I expected a little more of a fight," Mike admitted, and then chuckled, "You must really wanna fuck me."
"Don't be crass," Harvey scolded mildly, "When you're right, you're right."
"Are you admitting that I was right, and you were wrong? Who are you?" Mike was only half kidding.
"I never said I didn't agree with you, I simply took precautionary measures to make sure you wouldn't be yourself and start getting your feelings all over everything," Harvey retorted.
Mike opened his mouth to reply, but was cut off as Gina placed plates of food in front of them.
"Worked it out, have we?" she asked. Mike just stared at her, a little slack jawed.
"Yes," Harvey informed her without elaborating.
"Good. Don't fuck in my bathroom. Seriously. Last time some asshole broke the sink off the wall," Gina looked pointedly at Harvey. Mike gaped.
"A restaurant bathroom, Harvey? Come on."
"I was young," Harvey almost laughed, "And I paid for the sink."
He shot Gina an equally sharp look, "How do you even know about that? It was before your time."
"I have my sources. Eat your food," she ordered, and was gone.
They did eat, sitting in companionable silence. Mike discovered Harvey had decided to forgo his fries when he realized he could just eat Mike's instead. Without looking, without asking, without thinking, Harvey simply plucked food from Mike's plate. Mike didn't complain.
"Ready to go?" Harvey was reclined against the back of the booth, the last sip of his beer swirling at the bottom of his glass.
"Sure," Mike shrugged as Harvey finished his drink. Mike was loathe to admit it, but he hadn't actually planned for what might happen after he explained himself. He'd considered the possibilities of Harvey's reaction, of course, but not how he himself would react to a given situation. He was regretting that a little bit as strong fingers wrapped around his wrist to guide him to the door. Gina winked at them on their way out, and Mike felt a deep heat creep up his neck.
Harvey hailed a cab with sharp, impressive whistle. The ride back to Harvey's condo was silent, though it was less companionable and more like Mike just didn't have anything left to say. Harvey couldn't help but feel a little bit smug at that. Mike, who never knew when to shut up, was speechless beside him.
"What do you look so self-satisfied about?" Mike asked as they climbed out on the curb. He had ceased to appreciate the look Harvey was giving him about halfway back.
"You're quiet," Harvey half smiled as they crossed through the lobby and into his elevator, "You're never quiet."
Mike just rolled his eyes in reply, jamming his hands into the pockets of his trousers. Harvey fought the urge to tell him not to abuse his clothes in such a manner. And then they were inside Harvey's condo and the glass doors were sliding open, and Mike couldn't breathe. He certainly couldn't move his feet
"Mike?" Harvey turned to peer at him curiously, halfway out the door. That same slightly vacant, halfway wondering, semi calculating look that Harvey had been fixing him with for weeks. The one that made Mike feel exposed, like Harvey was seeing all sorts of things he wasn't supposed to.
"Stop it," Mike growled, taking one large step forward to slide his fingers into Harvey's hair, grasping the back of his head and kissing him roughly. Automatically, Harvey's arms slid around Mike's waist and pulled him along. He guided them seamlessly, backwards, through his condo to the bedroom. It occurred to Mike then that Harvey probably did this a lot.
The thought slipped away with his shirt as Harvey's fingers found his skin, roaming over the blade of his hipbone and across his abdomen teasing along the edge of his pants. Mike moaned, Harvey's teeth tugging softly on his lower lip. He couldn't get Harvey's clothes off fast enough. How was he still in his jacket and tie? Hell, when had Harvey taken his tie off of him? Harvey grasped his scrambling hands gently, pulling his mouth away from Mike's. Mike whimpered a little, breathless. Harvey shook his head, just slightly.
"We get one, right?" Harvey's breathing was hard and fast, but his words were slow, "Make it count."
Harvey's sheets were ridiculous. Movement from the other side of the bed had jarred a coherent thought out of Mike's cotton stuffed brain. He heard Harvey pad across the room, rummage around at his dresser, and then slip out onto the balcony. Harvey left the door open, and the draft made Mike shiver, sweat still cooling on his skin.
A moment later the harsh scent of cigarette smoke drifted past Mike's nose.
"You are so cliché sometimes," Mike moaned from the bed, flopping over to squint out at the dark shape on the balcony.
"Worth it," Harvey answered around a mouthful of smoke. He moved to lean in the doorway, studying the slight form Mike cut across his bed, naked to the waist and twisted in his sheets. Mike studied Harvey right back: the broad line of his shoulders slanted against the door frame, lean legs crossed as he dragged on a cigarette.
"I met the surgeon general- he offered me a cigarette," Mike grinned as Harvey's eyebrows rose, a slow, incredulous smile spreading across his face.
"Dangerfield?" Harvey shook his head a little, dropping his gaze to the floor, "Fuckin' kid gives me Dangerfield."
He heard Mike chuckle and then stretch, sliding out of bed. Harvey flicked his butt casually over the railing, watching Mike get redressed. It was disappointing, and yet satisfying in a way that Harvey couldn't quantify to watch Mike move around his bedroom collecting discarded clothing.
"Mike," Harvey was behind him all of a sudden, grabbing his elbow to pull Mike in. Harvey held him tightly, one hand slithering up under Mike's un-tucked shirt to brace the small of his back. The taste of tobacco was acrid on Harvey's tongue but he still tasted like Harvey: spicy with something bittersweet like dark chocolate when he pulled his lips away.
"Don't be late for work."