Lines
Harvey yawns, the same paragraph he's re-read four times now starting to blur under his tired gaze. He'd kill for a coffee, but after Donna dozed off, her head found its way to his shoulder, and moving beyond rustling papers will disturb her. He knows because it's not the first time she's fallen asleep after working relentlessly by his side. Over the years he's observed all her habits. If she's just taking a quick power nap, she'll lean back with her eyes closed, like now. If she needs longer she'll pull her feet up and tuck her cheek into the nook of her elbow. Five minutes later she'll start snoring softly, something she claims is bullshit, but he never admits if he's just teasing or not.
Sighing, he drops the brief in his lap, hoping Mike and Jessica are having more luck finding what they need. He's not sure how much longer he can hold out himself, and he glances sideways, the urge to tuck Donna under his arm and make them both more comfortable rearing itself as he watches her shallow breathing.
But he doesn't give in.
They flirt and laugh and joke around. However, the truth is he toes a careful line for a reason. And not just because it was her condition they don't talk about the night they slept together. Back then, he didn't have an issue mixing business and pleasure. She was just a temp working at his desk. An amazing temp, but he hadn't thought about taking her with him in future endeavors. When he did, and he told Jessica he wasn't coming to the firm without her, he still wasn't thinking long-term.
But since then, she's become so much more than just his secretary.
She's his partner and his equal.
He rarely admits their dynamic out loud, because he has a reputation to uphold. And if he tried to give her more public recognition he doubts she would let him. Their understanding has always been that if one of them succeeds, they both do. They're a team, she gets him, and he loves that about her.
Which is why he won't risk the relationship they have, even if sometimes—like now—he doesn't want to think about the future. He just wants to pull her in close and hold her.
The door to his office suddenly swings open, Mike's voice snapping his head around.
"Jessica and I found a smoking gun."
The interruption disturbs Donna, who mumbles against his shoulder, and he rumbles a low growl at the kid. "Not here. Jessica's office."
Seeing Donna for the first time, Mike smirks. But the amusement falls from his face when Harvey glares at him. "Sorry," he mouths, backing up.
The door closes quietly. And setting aside his brief, Harvey shifts, hoping the move won't wake Donna. But as expected, she starts to stir and he whispers. "It's okay. Sleep a little longer."
He grabs the cushion next to him and guides her head down, smiling when she pulls her feet up with a murmur.
"You sure?"
"Yeah. Mike and Jessica found what we need. I'll wake you when we're done."
Her eyes stay closed as she nods, and he goes to get his jacket from the back of his chair. By the time he covers her with it, she's already snoring. And even though he shouldn't, he brushes the hair from her face, letting his knuckles linger against her cheek.
They have clear lines, but every now and again—just for a few seconds—he blurs them, stealing happiness that will sustain him until the next time he's given a fleeting chance to let his guard down.
Because these moments mean everything.
One day, he might even accept that.