Set in the bridge between the end of s7 and s8 , where the evident tension of a possibility of the becoming of their relationship together is clear. Little dialogue in the first chapter , following chapters will involve much more. I still don't know what I'm doing yet .. this probably isn't any good. Please leave a review , let me know your thoughts and whether you'd like to see this continued.
Chapter 1 - familiarity in complexity
After everything that went down the last few months , it finally felt as if the tension between them had eased. It'd become apparent to them both that their relationship had easily resumed familiar behaviour of the past with flirty remarks , stolen glances and witty commentary towards each other. It felt familiar , but now , … this behaviour was accompanied with a complexity of realisations surfacing in the way they saw each other. They'd always been there but accessible? … never, not until now at least.
This past week had felt like a week from hell , the state of the firm in a difficult position after being sued by ousted partner Stanley Gordon. The position of the firm and the case , resulting in a brief reunion with Scottie.
The conversation in which they'd had led him to reflect further on his relationship (or lack thereof) with Donna after she'd confronted him about the complication in his relationship with Paula , having relation to Donna , which had given her clarification that reconciliation in a relationship with Harvey wasn't optional.
Amidst the chaos of the firm , the pressing lawsuit and return of Jessica Pearson. Harvey finds a moment to reflect on the complexities of his current situation in his career and also his personal life.
Everyone left , because this firm , this career , wasn't the centre of the success of the employees. Everyone went home to what they had built for themselves outside the confines of the office walls , everyone except him.
He reached for the decanter , poured himself a glass of whiskey. He sat on the leather couch nursing it , listening to his father's records and searching for clarity in the chaos of the past few months.
He thought about Scottie's confrontation of himself in the complexity in his relationship as a result of Donna , leading to his reflection on relationships of his past , and also hers being affected in some form by the relationship in which they had with each other. Which he concludes is no coincidence even if they've both chosen to disregard it , or at-least until she kissed him while he was in a relationship.
He winces at his own behaviour towards her following the kiss , because he knows it wasn't from the result of her actions , it was the result of his. Because in that moment , the moment in which his shock subsided and he'd leaned further towards clarity than he'd ever been able to access before , was the moment he became everything he'd never wanted to become. Because he became his mother , by fault of his own accord the moment he'd not only succumbed to the feel of her lips against his own , but he'd reciprocated and he'd have lost complete control if she hadn't retracted herself from him.
He hated himself because the moment she did , he felt at complete loss and he'd yearned for her to do it again. He retracted then , became conscious of what he'd let himself become because even in the face of infidelity , he'd wanted nothing more than her.
That was when his own impulses became prominent , and every part of himself that yearned for her was concealed with the trauma he'd endured from his past with his mother. That resulted in his outburst of the direction of anger at himself , being pointed towards her. Because for the first time in his life , he felt understanding towards his mother's infidelity and that repulsed him.
They were past it , fortunately their relationship with each other allowed that. Because no matter the situation or circumstances, they would always find their way back to each other. But that didn't mean that their situation was any easier to navigate , not last time around and certainly not this time. Except now , he was ready to navigate uncertainty if with that it opened up the possibilities of having her with him , and not only professionally.
He thinks he's going to start by proposing that they go out for a drink tomorrow , before he leaves for Chicago. He's not certain what her response to his offer will be , despite their development back into familiar territory with their relationship. They haven't exactly had a conversation unveiling everything that has happened between them since she kissed him.
The first time he sees her the next day is in his office , she's updating him on the business ongoing within the firm. He feels nervous in her presence and his behaviour becomes jittery , as he suspected she quickly reads him even if she's not certain as to why he's behaving in this way.
She reads his behaviour and the state of his office , empty decanter paired with a glass matched with his behaviour , the spot of stubble he'd missed shaving and ties clumsy stance against his shirt.
She assesses and her head begins retorting to possible conclusions for the reasoning in his behaviour.
Her retorts are stopped in their tracks when he says something . Just her name , but it's enough to draw her out of her thoughts because it's loud and clear. She focuses on him , and he's looking at her in a way that feels familiar and unfamiliar all the same. Because it's not the first time he's looked at her that particular way , but it's the first time unprovoked by overwhelming situations or emotions he can't navigate on his own , so he seeks for her. This isn't that.
She's staring at him. She can't seem to get any words out. She shuts down her previous thought process , concluding that she's getting ahead of herself and retracts the idea completely that he's had any kind of realisation and that his behaviour is by reason of anything but that. She feels flustered , In amidst her thoughts she fails to realise he calls out for her again. It's only when he places his hand against her forearm she's pulled back down to reality.
She almost laughs at the obscurity of the state she had let herself become just before. She thinks it's ironic , she assesses his behaviour and it affects her enough to leave her in a similar state.
"Donna , are you okay?" His eyebrows raised slightly , showing concern in his expression.
"I'm fine Harvey … I have to go." She doesn't meet his eyes.
" Donna , wait. " He reaches for her arm again , letting out a breath when she turns , facing back into him.
She finds his eyes , seemingly communicating something he's not yet saying. Until he does.
"Donna , I've been thinking a lot about this." His hand moves and signals between the two of them , and she almost forgets how to breathe right then. Then he takes a breath like he's inhaling the ability to proceed with what he's trying to say. "I'd like it if you'd agree to have a drink with me tonight , before I leave for Chicago." He's searching her eyes , desperate for her to give him something.
She takes a breath and follows with "I'd like that Harvey." Her lips curve slightly at the corners.
"It's a date. I'll pick you up at 8." He says softly , mirroring her expression.