Well, it's been quite a while since I've posted anything. I've been trying for months, but I really wasn't in the right head space considering so much of my energy was going towards having daily anxiety attacks about the election.
All I can say is thank God this fucking nightmare is coming to an end. I truly cannot express the amount of relief I feel that it's over and everything turned out the way it should have. Now, we just gotta get through the next sixty-something days!
Anyway, I know a lot of you don't live in the US and probably don't care about this at all, so I will restrain myself from the political rant that is on the tip of my tongue and just go into my new story!
It's been in the works for quite a while. Originally, it was just going to be another chapter of Can Opener Chronicles, but it started getting so long that I decided to make it into a whole new fic.
Basically, this story will catalogue some of the firsts that Harvey & Donna experience as a couple, with each chapter containing a few different minis. I know it is FAR from original and has certainly been done before, but hopefully you like my version. Surprise, surprise, it'll be mostly fluff with maybe a drop of angst every once in a while.
Enjoy!
««« ×ǁ MILESTONES ǁ× »»»
He's never been one to remember milestones.
It's something that always got him in trouble in his prior relationships – the overlooked anniversaries, the disregarded holidays, and all of the memories that were often forgotten.
The thing is, he remembers every single one of their milestones.
Their first drink, their first case, their first big win.
Their first inside joke, the first prank they pulled on Louis, the first time she put him in his place.
Their first meal at Del Posto, the first time he saw her up on stage, the first time she joined him to see his dad play.
The first time she got him out of a jam, the first secret they shared, the first time he realized he could trust her with everything.
After twelve years, he thought they had run out of firsts.
But then, one night, he finds himself standing on her doorstep, ready for a whole new host of them.
(→→ ←←)
Their first morning together is sleepy and slow, his hands lazily roaming her body, as they both try to squeeze out every last bit of sleep they can.
So much of the night before had been spent uncovering this new phase of their relationship – the whispered words in the quiet of her bedroom, the soft kisses and coy smiles exchanged under the moonlight, the wandering hands rediscovering parts of each other that they had never been able to forget.
When it was all said and done, they got nowhere near enough sleep.
And now, that the sunlight is drifting in through her windows and they're finally being confronted by morning, it only makes them snuggle closer, neither one of them ready to leave the warmth of the bed and each other.
All they want to do is stay right where they are for the foreseeable future. Unfortunately, with everything that's happened over the last twenty-four hours, they both know that's not an option.
Still, when Donna voices that reality, Harvey can only respond with a groan as he pulls her closer, savoring how good she feels against him – so soft and smooth and warm. He is absolutely dreading the thought of crawling out of this wonderous bubble they've found themselves in.
Donna can only respond with a blissful laugh – amused and delighted by how clingy and cuddly he's being. It's not at all what she would've expected from him, but she'll certainly take it.
Her laughter bounces off the walls of her bedroom and the sound brings an immediate smile to his lips. "Seriously, we need to get up," she reiterates as she playfully pokes him in the ribs.
"Five more minutes?" He negotiates, his mouth curving into a silly smirk.
She waits a moment, makes a show of thinking about it, even adds a roll of her eyes for good measure.
If only she could keep the smile off her lips, then maybe he would buy it.
"Five more minutes," she concedes with a bob of her head, her fingers grazing up and down his bare back.
He grins again, hard and bright – looking just as happy as she feels.
It's all completely blowing her mind, making her absolutely powerless, unable to do anything but pull him in for a kiss.
The moment their lips meet, he wastes no time in wrapping his palm around her jaw and decisively licking his way into her mouth, chasing after her tongue. She makes a sound against his lips, her quiet moan vibrating all the way down his spine.
Not even one full minute ticks by before he starts silently negotiating for more.
And, of course, she isn't about to start saying no to him, now.
(→→ ←←)
The second night they spend together is nothing like the first.
Instead of him showing up at her place, unannounced and full of emotion, this time they enter her apartment together, with her unlocking the door and him carrying a bag of takeout while his other hand rests on the small of her back. Instead of letting their eyes and bodies do the talking, they banter and joke and flirt over dinner and a glass of wine. Instead of stumbling towards her bedroom in a lust-fueled haze, wandering hands, passionate kisses, and clothes being thrown every which way, he kisses her in the kitchen, getting his palms on her waist and pulling her close; the knowledge that they have all the time in the world bringing a smile to his lips. Instead of falling asleep without brushing their teeth or without Donna removing any of her makeup, she gives him a spare toothbrush and then goes through her whole nighttime skincare routine.
And while it may be their second night together, they still get to experience a first.
As Donna remains in the bathroom, slathering some moisturizer on her face, Harvey slides into bed and waits for her – the whole experience feeling completely surreal. In twelve years, this is only the third time he's ever been in her bedroom, and while it should probably feel strange, in actuality, it feels just right.
Eventually, she strolls out of her bathroom and he is instantly struck by the sight. He can't help but stare as she climbs into bed, slipping underneath the covers and getting as close as she can. Her head is propped up on an elbow as she lets her fingertips dance down his side and flashes him a beautiful smile.
His arm immediately wraps around her waist as he draws her in, planting a quick kiss on her lips before pulling back to look at her some more, acquainting himself with this different version of her that he's only now seeing for the first time.
"You know… I just realized that I've never seen you without make up on before," he tells her, finding it rather odd. All the years they spent side by side, one would think it was bound to happen at least once, but he's rarely seen her when she's not dressed to the nines and perfectly made up. And even on those rare occasions when he did get to see the more casual side of her, it was never like this.
It was nothing like this.
"Oh yeah?" She replies, amused by the observation. "Any regrets, now that you have?" She quips, a silly smile stretching across her lips.
"Nope," he declares, completely confident and with a beaming smile. As his gaze slowly returns to hers, his expression becomes more serious and he reaches out to brush a lock of hair to the side. "You're gorgeous, you know that," He says, genuinely.
She immediately glows in response, his sincerity causing her heart to flutter. She's not sure she'll ever get used to this side of him – the side that is open and honest and doesn't hold back what he's thinking, the side that isn't afraid to let her in, the side that isn't afraid to love her.
She is deeply concerned she'll start to tear up if she starts thinking about it too hard. Everything he said to her in Mike and Rachel's apartment a few hours ago – it'll be playing on repeat in her head for weeks to come. And now, looking at her the way he is and telling her the things he is – it's something she never even let herself dream of.
But, it's real.
He's in her bed, looking so happy and smitten, as he holds her close and leans in for a few more kisses.
It's all so much better than anything she ever could've conjured up in her mind, anyway.
(→→ ←←)
It's just days later that they experience their very first morning at his condo and his jaw is actually becoming sore with the amount of smiling going on.
He just really likes seeing her in his space, is the thing.
Her red hair splayed across his pillow, her porcelain skin pressed up against his shower wall, her maroon fingernails wrapped around his coffee mug – he's taking in every second, trying his best to memorize the feeling coursing through his veins.
These past four days, he never knew he could feel this level of happiness.
Waking up with his face buried in her hair, her backside molded against his front, and his legs tangled with hers as his fingers drifted up and down her stomach – every morning, he's had a smile on his face before his eyes even have the opportunity to flutter open.
Even as everything at the firm goes to shit, all it takes is one simple look in her direction and it's all forgotten.
"Is Ray on his way over?" She wonders, stepping out of his bedroom, fully dressed, and distracted as she digs through her Marni bag for something.
He barely even registers the inquiry, letting his eyes slowly rake over her and soak in every inch of her form. She's wearing the outfit she brought with her last night – a pastel blue sheath dress that perfectly hugs her curves and ends a few inches below the knee. Her hair and makeup are flawless, as always, and she's just slipped on her favorite Louboutins.
All he can think about is how gorgeous she looks, and how fucking lucky he is to be with her.
"Harvey?" She says, her eyes full of question, when he fails to respond right away.
Again, he can't help himself – this affectionate smile touching his lips before he can even attempt to control it. "Sorry," he apologizes, despite not being anywhere close to feeling it. "Just… admiring," he tells her, his mouth tilting into a goofy smirk as he erases the distance between them and rests his hands on her waist.
He watches the way a very slight blush colors her cheeks as she shakes her head and releases a quiet laugh. It's a look she's given him several times over the years – the one that says he's a complete and utter idiot. It's always been a teasing expression, but now there is something different mixed in – something warm and affectionate – something he really likes.
It only makes his smile widen before he's compelled to lean in for a brief kiss.
If the firm wasn't crumbling to the ground and their Special Master wasn't searching for new reasons to fuck with them, he'd seriously be trying to lure her back into bed right now.
Even with all that going on, he still catches himself considering it.
"Harvey," she chastises, knowing exactly what's on his mind as soon as she spots those dark wandering eyes. She's got to put a stop to it quickly – if she waits even a second too long, he'll have her under his spell and she'll be powerless to turn him away. "We can't be late," she reminds him, reaching out to fix his tie, as a means of distraction.
"I know," he groans, internally wishing for just one more hour with her before they have to be at work and pretend they didn't spend the entire night curled around each other. "But, you're making this really difficult," he complains, his hands continuing to roam.
"What did I do?" She asks, incredulously, a light chuckle building in her throat.
"Couldn't you wear something that I don't want to instantly rip off of you?" He whines, his fingertips still dancing up and down her sides as he momentarily leans back, taking her in from top to bottom, once more.
"And what exactly would that be?" She questions, lifting an eyebrow in a silent challenge, as she tries to control the smirk on her lips.
"Hm…" he says, contemplating the question. "Probably nothing," he decides, while tugging her closer.
"Yeah well, somehow I think me wearing nothing wouldn't do much to help the situation," she teases while fidgeting with his lapels.
Harvey responds with a definite groan, eliciting a laugh from the woman in his arms. "Seriously… do you have any idea what you do to me?" He questions. "Not being able to touch you all day – it's torture," he grumbles, as his palm rests dangerously low on her back.
"Oh don't be dramatic," she quips, with a roll of her eyes and a light slap on his chest, as she does her best not to give herself away. Even for an actress, it's difficult – the things coming out of his mouth coupled with his dark gaze and the caress of his hands – she's struggling not to be effected. "You went years without touching me. I think you can survive the twelve hour workday," she retorts, trying to hold strong.
"That was completely different," he argues with a shake of his head. "I wasn't allowed to before," he points out. "And now that I am… I don't ever want to stop," he tells her, a seriousness suddenly settling on his face as his fingers twist through the tips of her hair.
Well, that about does it.
She's full on beaming at him now, and she doesn't even try to quash it.
Meanwhile, she's already thinking up ways they can sneak out during lunch.
(→→ ←←)
The next first happens that Friday night.
It's not even seven o'clock, but they're already in bed, completely wrapped up in each other, having just recovered from their orgasms.
He can't remember ever feeling so content.
Reaching out, he tucks a stray lock of hair behind her ear and then lets his palm drift down her bare back, his fingertips grazing her soft skin.
"So, I think that was a pretty good start to our weekend," Harvey declares with a smirk.
It's their very first one together and something he's been looking forward to – having her all to himself, for a couple days.
He had been counting down the minutes all afternoon, wanting nothing more than to take her home and spend the whole night together with no concerns of getting up early or going into the office the next morning.
Thankfully, he was able to convince her to head out earlier than usual, or he may have completely lost his mind.
"I'd say so," she agrees as her eyes light up with a smile.
He could barely wait for her to close her front door before he was pushing her up against it, his hands enthusiastically roaming her body as he claimed her mouth with his.
He just can't help it – he wants her all the time, with this intensity he's never felt before.
Luckily, she seemed just as eager, quickly undoing his tie, and practically tearing his suit jacket off his body.
It was as good as it's ever been – the two of them and their greedy hips and restless hands. She gets him off better than anyone else he's ever been with.
He likes to think he does the same for her, and her multiple orgasms seem to support that.
But, even more than all that, he just loves being with her.
Her perfect smile and infectious laugh. Their seamless banter and long-held inside jokes.
Her silky smooth hair and her soft, soft skin. The way she hooks her leg over his and draws random patterns along his chest.
The way they just know each other.
He still can't believe how goddamn happy he is and how much time he wasted not feeling this way.
It's why he plans to make the most of every second.
"You know…" he begins, catching her eyes, as a smile dances across his lips. "I haven't even taken you out on a real date, yet," he points out, his fingertips continuing to lazily sweep up and down her spine.
"Hm. You're right," she realizes. "How did I let you get away with that?" She wonders aloud.
"I don't know, I guess you've been off your game," he playfully taunts her.
"I have not," she retorts, with mock offense.
"You have been a bit distracted, lately," he suggests, looking way too proud of that fact.
"I haven't been distracted," she argues, refusing to give in.
"No? Well, I certainly have," he admits, an affectionate smile stretching across his lips.
"Oh yeah?" She responds, her interest clearly peeked.
"Mhm," he nods. "It's a wonder I get any work done at all," he tells her, clearly trying, but failing, to hold back a smirk.
"Hm… what is it you've been thinking about?" She immediately wants to know.
"I don't know… all the things I want to do with you," he smiles as his fingers wander into her copper strands.
"Which are…?" She prompts, needing to know.
"Everything," he exhales, pausing as they exchange a smile. "Long weekends in the Hampton's. Trips to Paris or Figi or… anywhere else you want to go. Celebrating the holidays with you. Visiting our families. Cooking dinner together. Staying up late watching movies. Sleeping in. Running errands… anything… everything," he says again.
She's practically beaming at him, and he's just soaking it in – how beautiful and happy she seems.
He loves when she looks at him like that. He loves being the reason for it.
"What?" He grins, after a few seconds passes.
"Nothing," she says with a shake of her head, failing to conceal the smile on her face. "Just… maybe we should start with a real date first?" She suggests, looking way too amused.
"You want a real date? Let's do a real date," he declares, suddenly sitting up and moving to get out of bed.
"Wait, now?" She asks, confused, as she watches him pull on his boxers.
"Yeah, c'mon," he urges her, while glancing at the clock. "This is long overdue," he reminds her.
"I know, but I didn't mean we had to do it now," she clarifies with a chuckle; although, she follows his lead and starts getting dressed.
"I know you didn't, but I want to," he assures her, turning back to face her. "Plus, I may have already made plans," he confesses, looking not so secretly pleased.
"You made plans? What plans? When?" She starts the barrage of questions, feeling completely caught off guard.
He's smiling wide as he makes his way back towards her, loving the look of surprise on her face. "I made the arrangements yesterday," he explains.
"What arrangements?" She asks, suspiciously.
"Well… I was able to get tickets for To Kill a Mockingbird," he explains as his hands land on her waist.
"Wait. You bought tickets to Broadway?" She probes, blinking back her surprise.
Harvey just shrugs and fails to not look too smug. "I figured it was a good compromise since it's your love of theatre mixed with my love of the law," he tells her, as if he put a whole lot of thought into it.
And if he's being honest, he really did.
He's never really been one to put too much planning into a date.
But, this is Donna – and she's different.
"And I thought we could either grab a quick bite beforehand, if you're hungry now, or we could have a late dinner, afterwards…. I made reservations at Per Se, just in case," he conveys.
She's completely awe struck, just standing in the room, staring at him.
Erasing the small bit of distance between them, she end up flush against his chest as he tucks a lock of hair behind her ear. "I did good, right?" He wants to know, unable to keep his grin to himself.
She lets out a laugh at how boyish and eager he looks while he awaits her approval. Standing on her toes, she leans closer, her lips hovering close to his. "You did really good," she confirms with a genuine smile.
Somehow, his smile widens and he pulls her in the rest of the way, his lips quickly landing on hers. He doesn't even debate it – within seconds, he's deepening the kiss, eliciting a quiet hum from her throat.
He has a split second thought of trying to coax her back into bed – wondering how much time they had before they absolutely had to leave.
But, as always, she can read his thoughts before they are even fully formed, and she immediately pulls away, her hand resting on his chest. "C'mon mister, you owe me a date," she declares with a silly smile.
And well, he can't argue with that.
««« ×ǁ MILESTONES ǁ× »»»
So, there it is – the first chapter! Please don't forget to leave a review – I so appreciate hearing everyone's thoughts!
Also, if anyone has any firsts they'd like to see, let me know! I have a bunch already written, but I'm always up for suggestions.
So far, I have first birthday, first time they use each other's keys, first fight, first I love you, first firm event, first time Harvey buys Donna a gift, first home cooked meal, and first illness – these are the ones that are either finished or mostly finished. I'd also like to do their first vacation, first holiday, and first trial, but I haven't worked them out in my head yet. If anybody has any other thoughts, please share!