Hey there, thanks for taking the time to read. This chapter is a little fluffier and features Mike doing something for Harvey. Enjoy!

Mike wiped the sweat off of his brow as he continued weeding. He'd been doing yardwork all morning, trying to beat the heat. He was almost done with the two flower beds in the front yard. After that, he all needed to do was mow the backyard before he could get paid.

It wasn't the ideal way to spend a July during summer break by any means, but at ten years-old, it was the only way he could think of to make some quick cash.

Their elderly neighbor Mrs. Ross, or 'Grammy' as she had asked to be called, always paid very generously for yard work in the summer and shoveling in the winter. Besides the fact that she was a sweet old lady who genuinely cared about him, she also usually supplied lemonade and snacks whenever Mike worked for her too, which was more than enough to make Mike look forward to visiting her. Which he tried to do at least once a week, regardless of whether or not she needed any outdoor work done.

Mike pulled out the last of the weeds, struggling to make sure that he got the root. He sat back on his heels and took a break. Sometimes, when he worked, Mike would recite books that he'd read, or movies that he'd watched to help pass the time. He'd gotten pretty good at it. One of the perks of a pristine memory like his. Today, however, he was only thinking about what he was going to spend this money on.

He was saving up for something special. Or rather, he was trying to figure out something special to spend it on.

In a couple of days, it'd be Harvey's birthday. Mike had been planning on getting him a goofy card and some boxing gloves, neither of which were super expensive. He knew that Harvey tended to prefer practical gifts over sentimental ones and hoped that would be a good mix of both.

Then Mike had learned that their father was going to be out of town for the week, missing Harvey's special day and he knew he needed to do something more. After all, it wasn't every day that someone turned fourteen.

Harvey wouldn't admit it outright, but Mike knew that he was devastated that their father wouldn't be there. Even if the man had promised to make it up to him when he returned.

So, in addition to a card and pair of gloves, Mike wanted to do something else to make up for their dad's absence. The problem was, now that Harvey was going into high school, Mike was at a loss for what he would want.

The boxing gloves idea had only come to him because their father had signed Harvey up for boxing camp at the beginning of summer. The camp lasted all day for two weeks. Whenever Harvey had come home after, he'd complained about how hot the gym had been and how they'd had to 'run until they got sick or passed out', but Mike could tell that his brother had loved the experience and the sport.

So Mike got Harvey a pair of gloves to own. But what else? What could he possibly get that he could carry on his bike?

Mike stood up and tied off the trash bag of weeds. He carried the bag with him to throw out on his way to the backyard.

It wasn't often that Mike had a chance to do something for Harvey. He didn't want to let the opportunity go to waste.

Mike was beginning to become old enough to appreciate all that Harvey had done for him. Harvey had been there for him since the day that their mother had passed. He'd held him through the tears. Taught him how to ride a bike. Celebrated with Mike when he'd lost his first tooth.

It wasn't that they had a perfect brotherly relationship.

They drove each other crazy and fought as much as any other pair of siblings. And Mike recognized that there'd be other holidays and birthdays down the line to give Harvey gifts. For whatever reason, this birthday just seemed important. Like a golden opportunity for him to give back to his big brother. Mike was going to do whatever he could to make the day special and that meant figuring out the perfect gift.

"Mike! Take a break out of the sun and have something to drink!" Grammy called from the screen door.

Mike wiped his brow again with a smile and jogged over. One break. Then he'd mow the lawn and hopefully figure out what to get Harvey while doing so.

Harvey allowed himself to sleep in on his birthday. Typically, he started every morning off with a run. He knew he was already practically guaranteed a spot on the high school's baseball team, but he didn't want to leave anything to chance and that meant staying in shape over the summer.

But one morning one day couldn't hurt, right?

He awoke nice and late to the sound of someone, presumably his brother, banging around in the kitchen.

Harvey groaned and threw an arm over his eyes in an attempt to return to sleep. After another crashing sound, Harvey decided it'd be irresponsible to not investigate.

He begrudgingly got out of bed, pulled on some shorts and a t-shirt, and made his way downstairs. Trying to conjure a lecture about common courtesy and not making loud noises while people were trying to sleep.

The lecture escaped his mind as he stepped into the kitchen. He was greeted with the smell of something burning and the sight of Mike panicking at the stove.

"Uh, what's going on?" Harvey asked, not sure if he should be concerned or amused.

Mike turned around, looking like he'd gotten caught breaking the rules somehow.

"I didn't hear you come down," he said, returning his attention to the stove.

Harvey noted the toaster on the counter next to Mike and the blackened pieces of what used to be bread inside. That at least explained the burning smell.

"Need some help?" Harvey asked getting closer to inspect whatever monstrosity was on the stove.

Mike hesitated, his shoulders sagged forward, "I, uh, I wanted to make you breakfast," he explained, looking sheepish, "You always do that for me, so I wanted to…"

Harvey chuckled and brushed Mike to the side to see for himself. He could vaguely tell that Mike had been trying to make eggs. Somehow, he'd managed to overcook part of them, while leaving other areas completely raw. Harvey prodded the eggs with a spatula, yep, there were also bits of the shells in the eggs still as well. His brother was a genius at many things. Clearly, cooking was not on that list.

However touched by the thought he was, Harvey wasn't willing to try and eat any of it and risk getting food poisoning.

"You know," Harvey turned off the stove and put the frying pan aside, "I think I'm in the mood for cereal this morning. Thank you though."

Mike nodded with a blush. He hurried to get two bowls and the milk while Harvey poured himself a cup of juice.

While Harvey poured himself a bowel, Mike started cleaning up the mess. Scraping the food into the trash.

"I was going to hang out with some friends this afternoon, think you'll manage not to burn the house down if I leave you here?" Harvey teased.

Mike rolled his eyes, "I've been home alone plenty of times before," he reminded, as he joined his brother at the table, "Besides, I was going to hang out with Trevor anyway."

Harvey pursed his lips, he didn't want to get into that argument today of all days. Mike and Trevor had been practically inseparable since elementary school. Mike always insisted that Trevor had stood up for him and helped get him out of trouble with other kids, Harvey suspected that Mike wouldn't have that trouble if he wasn't hanging out with Trevor in the first place. However, Trevor was one of Mike's blind spots. Somehow, Mike always seemed to see the best in the worst people.

Harvey forced himself to take a deep breath. He decided to let it go, he was sure that there'd be a time to discuss it later.

He changed the subject, "Yeah, well," Harvey gestured towards the stove, "Maybe we should get pizza tonight."

…

Mike and Harvey sat back in their seats, stuffed after nearly finishing off the pizza. It had been a good day. Harvey had spent most of his time at the batting cages with his friends, then had come home, showered. By the time he'd gotten out, Mike had already ordered from Harvey's favorite pizza place.

Definitely a good day.

It still stung slightly that their father couldn't be there, particularly since the man hadn't even bothered to call, but Mike and all his efforts had more than made up for the absence.

"I, uh, I got you something," Mike said, standing up with a sheepish grin.

Harvey furrowed his brow, "Oh?" When Mike hurried out of the room to get the gift Harvey mumbled, "As long as you didn't cook it," under his breath with a chuckle, remembering that morning's disaster.

Mike slid back into the kitchen and handed Harvey a lumpy wrapped gift and a card.

Harvey smiled and started with the gift. He peeled back the paper and his grin grew. Boxing gloves. He'd been thinking about that camp recently. As difficult as it'd been, the camp had been the highlight of his summer so far.

"Hey, thanks man!" he said, sincerely.

Mike beamed, "That's not all," he nodded towards the card.

Harvey set the gloves aside and opened the card. He chuckled at the pun on the front and furrowed his brow at the piece of paper that slid out of it.

"What's this?" He read the paper carefully, then again just to be sure, "You got me a membership at the boxing gym?" he asked in disbelief.

"Just for a year," Mike said with a nod, "It seemed like you liked doing it so…"

Harvey stood up and pulled Mike into a hug, something that he rarely did. He was so touched by the gift, both by Mike's thoughtfulness and the fact that he knew the membership wasn't cheap. He'd looked into it himself after the camp had ended.

He couldn't fathom how Mike had somehow managed to scrounge together enough to pay for it.

"Thanks, Mike," he said, "Really, I appreciate it."

Mike insisted on cleaning up after dinner while Harvey tried on the gloves. They fit perfectly. He did a few air punches to try them out, allowing himself to get excited.

He knew he would treasure the gifts almost as much as the painting his mom had given him that he kept in his room. He undid the velcro and slid the gloves back off, shaking his head. He was still in disbelief over Mike's gifts.

"Hey, you want to watch a movie or something? I can make some popcorn," Mike offered.

Harvey smiled, "Sure, sounds good."

All in all, a good birthday.

Thank you so much for reading. Please, if you have a spare moment, leave a review and let me know your thoughts!

Thanks again! :)