Prompt #20 by purrycat206: "AU/pre-canon. Donna wants to meet her bff Rachel at the Christmas market, but her friend is late. So she waits by the entrance. As Donna checks her phone constantly, she almost misses a handsome stranger's eyes on her. "Are your friends as unreliable as mine?" Harvey asks finally. "Looks like it", she replies. They start talking and decide to have mulled wine together, since he too got stood up by his friend. They have the best time at the Christmas market, sharing stories under the mild snowfall. After a while they decide to go back to the entrance to see if their friends maybe showed up, but no one's there. They wait five more minutes. When Harvey finally spots Mike coming their way, he takes Donna's hand. "Trust me?" She nods, and he takes off with her in tow. They hide behind the cotton candy booth and giggle, the mulled wine going to their heads. "Why did you do that?" Donna asks. He hesitates, then swallows. "I didn't want the night to end yet. Writer's choice what happens next (M-rating always welcome, but not a request.)"
When Donna steps out of her apartment on 46th Street, she is greeted with a mild snowfall. Thick, round snowflakes swirling to the ground like in slow motion, getting caught in the red tresses of her hair and the beige wool of her scarf. She takes a moment to raise her gaze and take the whole scene in, as it reflects the epitome of her favorite season. The city becomes magical at this time of the year, and tonight is no different, the golden lights from the festively decorated street lamps holding promises of what the future might hold for her.
Donna usually isn't one for looking back or regretting the past. And yet, around this time of year, she tends to become a little sentimental, questioning the decisions she made in life so far and wondering what life could look like if she took a different path here or there. Maybe it's because of her past, a childhood where Christmases weren't always fun and lighthearted, especially the one right after her parent's breakup that tore the life she had taken for granted until then apart in the process. And maybe this year, her melancholic mood is even fueled by her recent breakup with Mitchell, even though she's been living her very best life as a single woman ever since. She doesn't regret the end of their relationship in the slightest. And yet, while most of her friends are getting married and starting families these days, she can't deny that she wouldn't mind finally stumbling into Mr. Right, even though she never really saw the "conventional" path as her own.
Shaking her head, laughing her silly thoughts off, Donna reminds herself of all the things she can count herself grateful for. Only yesterday did she celebrate the closing night of the latest Broadway success with her colleagues, a play in which she's been performing as the lead character for the past eight months, earning her the best reviews and the highest salary of her career to date.
And now she has already signed a new contract for another promising play that has the potential to become even more successful than the last one. However, the rehearsals won't pick up until mid-January, and so she's finally facing some time off that she's planning on spending with her parents over Christmas and then with a lot of me-time she didn't get to experience much of over the last couple years due to pursuing her career.
She really has every reason to be happy and carefree. And to make things even better, she's finally seeing her best friend again tonight, who suggested having mulled wine and some of the illicitly delicious snacks at the small Christmas market in Bryant Park just a few blocks from Donna's apartment, in order to ring in the holiday season together.
When Donna arrives at the entrance to the small Winter Village, the smell of roasted almonds, gingerbread and mulled wine floods her nostrils, making her stomach growl. The whole place looks wonderful under a thin cover of freshly fallen snow that reflects all the little, warm yellow lights that come from everywhere. The brown wooden stands set up along the park look cute and inviting, like straight out of a fairy tale, cheerful Christmas music completing the scenery.
Donna scans the area for her best friend, but despite the place not being too crowded yet Rachel is nowhere to be seen. Checking her phone she recognizes that it's already five minutes past their agreed time and Donna grows impatient, as Rachel usually is the one being on time and she herself tends to arrive a few minutes late. She repeatedly checks her phone, hoping to find any note from her friend, when she suddenly hears a voice speaking to her.
.
Harvey knows he's already late when he gets in the car, telling his chauffeur the address of the place where he's going to meet with his associate and friend. They just won a huge case that dragged on for several months, and tonight they want to celebrate that with a couple of drinks. Mike suggested going to the Christmas market for a change, for once skipping the snobbish bars where they usually end up in on evenings like this. And despite not really being into Christmas and all the corny, excessive festivities in the city, Harvey agreed, wanting to do the kid a favor after he'd been going through a rough patch with the recent loss of his grandmother. He could still hit the bars on his own later, in case he fancied some company at his bachelor pad tonight.
While he's busy checking emails and making some notes for the following work day on his phone he doesn't pay any attention to the ride and before he knows it, the driver informs him that they've reached their destination. "Thanks, Ray. Have a good night," Harvey greets before shutting the car door behind him, rushing across the busy street to the entrance of the market.
He looks around and searches the crowd for a familiar face, but to his surprise, there's no sign of Mike. He pulls his phone from the inside pocket of his coat and tries to call his friend, but he doesn't pick up. Harvey weighs his options, and just as he's about to send Mike a quick text he catches sight of a beautiful woman who appears a little impatient as she's stepping from one foot to another, fiddling with the phone in her hand.
Harvey lowers his own phone, not able to take his eyes off the gorgeous creature standing only a few meters away from him. It's her red hair that caught his attention first and that falls in beautiful, loose curls over her shoulders, adorned with tiny, half-melted snowflakes, as is the forest green coat she's wearing. She looks classy and elegant, but also stylish and Harvey's instincts are on fire. Immediately getting into Closer mode, he approaches the redhead, determined to get her attention.
"Are your friends as unreliable as mine?" he asks casually, putting as much charm and warmth into his voice as he can. For a second, the woman appears puzzled when she looks up from her phone. Her eyes scan his face, presumably looking for something familiar, but she doesn't seem to find anything.
"Looks like it," Donna replies a bit haltingly, not yet sure what to make of this stranger approaching her. As a woman in New York, she learned to never trust anybody blindly, to always be careful with men addressing her out of nowhere. She can't deny that she feels flattered, though, as the man does indeed look very handsome and sharp as hell in his elegant wool coat, leather gloves and cashmere scarf. It's all screaming money and status, but also style and taste. And the little smile on his face is something else entirely.
"Well, since we both seem to have been stood up, why don't we have a drink together?" he suggests nonchalantly, but Donna knows a flirt when she sees one.
Recognizing the hesitance that's still written all over her face, Harvey adds cockily "You won't regret it, I promise. The mulled wine is on me. See that booth right over there?" he points behind her, "We still have the entrance in view and can bridge the waiting time in nice company."
The wink he gives her stirs something deep inside Donna's stomach and before she knows it she accepts his offer, finding that it's pretty harmless and she can't come up with anything that contradicts. Maybe it's his deep, serious eyes that seem to look right into her soul, or maybe it's the way he gives the impression of being disturbingly indifferent and completely intent at the same time, she doesn't know. But somehow he already has her wrapped around his finger.
Three minutes later, they both have a steaming cup of mulled wine in their hands and gather at a small, wooden bar table.
"Geez, where are my manners," the man points out, putting down his cup and offering Donna his hand. "I'm Harvey Specter."
Donna takes the outstretched hand and shakes it. "Donna Paulsen."
"Nice meeting you, Donna." Her name rolls from his tongue like molten honey, his voice all warm and deep, his gaze insistently searching hers. And god, that smile. This man means trouble, she just knows it.
"The pleasure is all mine," she replies sultrily, deciding that a little flirting never hurt anybody and the trouble he might mean doesn't necessarily have to be bad trouble. Plus, her friend will probably turn up every minute now, anyway. So why doesn't she just have some fun?
"So, Harvey," she looks him over, admiring his height and build. "What are you? Banker, lawyer, sports agent, …?"
"Wow, you're good," he smirks, liking her straightforwardness.
"All three?" Her perfectly shaped brows raise eagerly.
Harvey chuckles, taking a sip from his cup. "No. Lawyer, actually. But I'm a huge sports fan, too."
"Yeah, I thought something like that. What kind of lawyer? Prosecutor? Criminal attorney? Financial market?"
Harvey studies her face for a moment, watching as she blows on the hot drink, and narrows his eyes. "You're not just a pretty face, are you?"
"No, I'm not." Donna smiles smugly. "So?"
"Corporate lawyer, actually."
"Yeah, that makes sense. I knew it had to be something profitable."
Harvey smirks, admitting to himself that her sassiness truly appeals to him. "Well, you have to be quite good at what you do to get somewhere."
"And let me guess, you are really good," Donna teases, her eyelids fluttering.
"I am, but that's only one of my many qualities," he brags, spurred on by her flirty attempts.
"Oh, is that so?"
"It is, you'll see," he winks at her before he adds "But enough about me for now, let's talk about you."
"Uh, my favorite subject," her face lights up and Harvey laughs.
"What does your favorite subject do for a living?"
"I'm an actress."
"Nice. What kind of films?"
"Broadway, actually. I'm doing theater."
"Wow, impressive," Harvey tries to appear enthusiastic, but she sees right through him.
"You don't care about theater at all, do you?"
"Well, I wouldn't say … no, you're right. Not much." How does she do that, he wonders.
Donna laughs. "It's fine. I don't care about sports either."
"You don't? Looking at your … physique, that's hard to believe," he lets his gaze wander over her defined curves, or what he at least assumes to be hidden under her coat.
"Well thank you, but that's just good genes. The only sport I deeply care about is Yoga. But I guess men like you don't even count Yoga as real sport."
She's good, Harvey thinks to himself, finding his mouth forming a wide grin.
"Men like me?" he teases, playfully quirking an eyebrow at her. "What are you -" his words are drowned by the sudden ringing of a phone.
"Ugh sorry, one second," Donna stutters, fishing her phone from her purse, seeing Rachel's name lighting up on the screen.
"Rachel! Where the hell are you?"
"Oh my god, Donna, I am SO sorry. I got caught up at work. I'm really sorry, I will make this up to you, I promise. But I won't make it tonight. This needs to be done by tomorrow morning. Rain check?"
"Okay fine, but you owe me, understood?" Donna taunts only half seriously, finding that she's not too bothered by the rejection now that she has become acquainted with this handsome stranger.
"Big time," Rachel assures, her remorse clearly audible.
"Call me tomorrow, will you?"
"Promise. Love you, Donna."
"Love you too, Rachel."
Donna ends the call, letting the device disappear in her bag again, accompanied by a sigh. "Well, looks like my friend stood me up indeed," she scoffs.
"Are you mad?" Harvey asks.
"No. I mean, it's sad because we haven't had much time for each other lately, with my busy schedule and her job as well, and her new, mysterious boyfriend … but it's fine. Plus," her gaze intensifies, "it looks like I found a nice pastime." That's the understatement of the year, she thinks but doesn't say it, just winks as she smiles candidly at him.
Just when Harvey is about to come up with some witty reply, he freezes in his tracks when he suddenly spots Mike's face in the crowd. He hasn't seen them yet, but he's coming closer by the second and it probably won't take him much longer. Harvey's stomach churns when his eyes move to the redhead again, and he just knows he needs to come up with something right the hell now.
"Hey, trust me?" he therefore murmurs conspiratorially, reaching for her upper arm and squeezing it lightly, careful not to cross a line but still determined to make her understand.
"Uhm, sure," Donna nods dumbfoundedly and before she knows it, she finds herself hand in hand with this man she only just met and who is now dragging her behind him at a rapid pace, leading the way to god knows where. But despite this being completely crazy and irrational, she doesn't even question this whole situation for a second, because for some reason it feels oddly natural and right. Did she have that much to drink already?
Harvey safely navigates the two of them through the crowds until they make a sharp turn left and then come to a halt in the shadows of what turns out to be the cotton candy booth. As they are both busy catching their breath, he finally lets go of her hand and for a moment they just stare at each other. And then, they burst out laughing, the alcohol now definitely going to their heads a bit.
"What was that all about?" Donna giggles, playfully slapping his chest. "Do you have any idea how hard it is to run in these?" she points down to her high-heeled boots. "On cobblestone!?" Her eyes are wide as saucers, and Harvey feels an odd urge to kiss her.
What the hell is wrong with me, he thinks, and instead of crossing yet another, more dangerous line, he grins sheepishly at her, considering his words.
"I'm sorry, I …" he hesitates. He feels ridiculous and childish, but somehow this woman does things to him he fails to explain. "I guess I didn't want the night to end already." He looks all serious now, his brows furrowed, his big brown eyes boring into hers. It sends a shiver down her spine.
"What do you mean?" she asks, getting lost in his intense gaze.
"I suddenly spotted my friend's face in the crowd, but I felt like I wasn't ready to let you go yet." A moment passes before he continues. "I know it sounds crazy. I'm sorry if I went too far."
"No it's … it's fine. It's not crazy. I'm glad you did it, actually," Donna admits astonishedly and they share a meaningful glance.
Harvey clears his throat. "Guess I should at least text him to let him know that I won't make it," he shrugs. "That means, unless you'd rather go home and get away from this freak?" He gives her a crooked smile.
"Not at all," Donna breathes earnestly, taking the moment he's typing his text to really inspect his face for the first time that night. She admires the way his eyes are focused on the screen, a small crease on his forehead, the two moles above his left eyebrow increasing his handsomeness tenfold, his coiffed hair that she imagines how it would tousle underneath her touch. She studies his lips and the way his upper lip is curved deliciously, and she senses a strange desire to taste those lips, to feel them on her own as well as on other parts of her body, and she wonders how his tongue might feel between her …
"Alright, that's done. Shall we get another drink then? Or would you like to eat something first?" Harvey's words shake Donna from her reverie and she clears her throat.
"A drink sounds perfect," she replies, feeling that she'd need the strongest shot known to men in order to be able to collect her wits again.
For the next two hours, they are wandering from stand to stand, drinking more mulled wine and also trying some mead, sharing a bag of roasted almonds and a giant German pretzel.
And as the night progresses, their conversation turns more personal and deep and they both realize that beyond their mutual attraction, there's actually a sincere interest in each other. They quickly build a real connection that makes them forget about everything and everyone else around them.
As they are getting to know each other better and share old stories, Donna is surprised to find out that beneath his suave demeanor, Harvey is actually genuinely funny and kind, even though it seems as if he doesn't want to show that side of him.
They giggle and flirt, innocently and casually touching here and there, as if they've known each other for at least a decade. Harvey is completely captivated by Donna's wit and savvy, something he's not used to with the women he usually finds himself flirting with. For the first time, it feels like someone truly is his equal and inside him grows the desire to impress her and keep her close forever.
They hardly notice that there are barely any more people around apart from them until an employee at the nearby ice skating rink informs them that the market is now closing for the night.
"Ah too bad, I'd have loved to see you ice skating. I bet you're great at it," Harvey points out, hoping that the night isn't over yet.
"Oh you bet your ass I am," Donna grins broadly at him. "But it's fine. I'm freezing, to be honest. I can barely feel my feet anymore. Can't wait to take a bath at home."
Harvey tries very hard not to elaborate on this image she just planted in his head but fails miserably, feeling his blood rushing south.
"Then let me call you a cab," he suggests, trying to keep being the gentleman even though he'd like to make a lewd remark. He doesn't really understand it himself, usually being much more offensive when flirting. But if there's one thing he's learned in the last few hours, it's that she's something different, that she deserves more, and that he wants to be a better person for her.
"No it's fine, it's just a few blocks, I'll walk."
"Then may I at least walk with you to make sure you get home safely?" he suggests sweetly and Donna smiles.
"That'd be nice."
And so they walk through the snow that is still falling, while their conversation is flowing naturally, her arm linked with his in order to keep her from slipping on the wet ground. It feels good to be so close to him, Donna thinks, a whiff of his masculine perfume creeping into her nose, making her head spin.
Way too soon they come to a halt in front of a redbrick house. "Well, this is me," Donna points out sheepishly as she turns to Harvey, her big eyes looking up at him through her long lashes. "Thank you, Harvey, for an amazing night."
He waves a cab that's driving past them while his look turns serious. "Look, Donna, I hope I'm not the only one who felt that this was … special. And I don't wanna wait three days to call you, or whatever the rules are. Can we just skip that? Can tomorrow be our three days?"
Donna looks him deep in the eyes, and for a moment the world stops turning. Her heart is hammering wildly in her chest when she takes a step towards him and leans on her tiptoes.
"What if we just say it's tonight?" she almost whispers, her voice deep and pure, and Harvey can feel her breath on his face. She takes a last, shaky inhale before she closes the final gap between them and kisses him square on the lips, only to pull back again immediately. "What if we just say it's tonight and you come on up?"
For a second there, Harvey is completely stunned, unable to move. Just when his hands reached for her waist to prevent her from moving away, she already pulled back again, leaving him confused and unsatisfied, wanting more so badly.
And then she invited him in.
"But I just got a cab," he responds in mock protest and they burst out giggling, breaking the spell a little, but only for the better. Moving his hand to her cheek it's him who takes the lead this time, making sure to kiss her more thoroughly than before, lingering for a while.
He watches her closely when they part for air, her eyes only reluctantly opening again. And with all the little lights around them reflecting in his irises, he whispers against her lips "I'd love to."