A/N: prompt by Danii _dar98 "I'd love to read about Harvey and Marcus's kids cheering Donna up after they run into her after a bad date/unlucky day or something.
I was inspired to write one angsty version, and then another that is more prompt- compliant with what Dani really wanted! First version is angsty, the second is the fluffy version which is separated by a line and bold new title. Read whichever version you prefer!
*If you read the fluffy version only, still read the italicized part of the angsty version which is the beginning of both stories!*
Guilty Pleasure (Angsty Version)
Donna and Harvey have always been excellent at silent conversations. So much is said in their unsaid words, looks, and thoughts that are understood but not uttered. And there are countless of reasons for Donna to wish they'd communicate a little less in silence and a little more in words. tonight, she's thankful Harvey doesn't dare to voice what he knows is going on with her. All week long, ever since they put Huntley behind bars Donna hasn't been able to shake the feeling of doubts and disgust that have shrouded her state of being. Shes lost countless nights of sleep, doubted her abilities at every turn, and been haunted with various versions of nightmares centering around Huntley and his beady little eyes that she almost fucking fell for.
She knows Harvey's picked up on it. He's not that blind and she hasn't been that good at covering up her state of duress. The last straw that broke the camels back was Carissa inviting her out for drinks and dancing. Donna Paulsen has never once turned down her Parisian friend's invite. Every time she visited the states with a flock of European friends, Donna would eagerly tag along citing how every time she went out with them something crazy was bound to happen, a fun time for the ages. "Makes up for the 360 days I spend working at a dreary old law firm" Donna always teased about her annual catch-ups with the fabulous Clarissa.
Except she turned her down this time. Clarissa had called her a bunch of times and blown up her phone with texts and still she got no response from Donna. Finally, she tried calling her office phone number and that was when Harvey overheard everything.
She made up a lie about feeling under the weather and that work was keeping her until all hours of the night.
Harvey was meeting up with Marcus and the kids at exactly 7 tonight. He sent her a look through the glass as she hung up with Clarissa. His head cocked to the side eyes brimming with understanding and sympathy. Donna swallowed at how intensely she could read the concern in his eyes. She felt compelled to look away, the intensity of it burning her skin a bright red.
He was by her cubicle in 2 seconds flat. "Donna," he said her name. That was it. But the way he shortened her syllables, barely putting any effort on the ending, coupled with his murmured tone and hand that was reaching out to squeeze her palm- it was enough.
She heard his voice clear as day - He was a bastard, she needs to understand it wasn't her fault, no one blames her and she needs to go easy on herself.
His eyes repeated that mantra consistently. Donna blinked back the sudden urge to cry or scream, settling for half a nod and squeeze of his hand. "You'll get there, I promise." He murmured softly. Donna shrugged helplessly not sure she believed him. She thinks Stephen took a part of her she'll never get back.
Harvey exhaled through his nose, shaking his head slightly. Donna wasn't sure if it was frustration at her or Huntley. She assumed both. "Is there any-" before he could finish his thought, before his fingers could stay deliciously wrapped in hers someone barged into their bubble- stomps and giggles erupting out of nowhere.
Donna quickly turned around, snatching her hand away from Harvey's and wiping her hands nervously on her skirt as she attempted to gather her wits about her as Marcus and his family dropped by.
"hey guys!" She thought she's fooling them but she wasn't and she can hear the gravel in her voice and the anguish in Harvey's eyes as he rearranges his face to a smile trying to focus instead on his niece and nephew. He was grateful for the distraction of their visit and subsequent stay in New York with him.
Josh squealed as he ran up to Harvey and threw himself in his arms play-fighting with him as Harvey tickled and jostled him around.
Hailey blinked up at Donna, who usually reminds her of Princess Ariel come to life. "What's wrong Aunt Donna? You seem really sad."
Donna's breath hitched slightly as she scrambled for an explanation as Hailey's brown eyes, oh so similar to Specter's, force a semblance of truth out of her. "I just had a really bad week sweetie. But I'm okay," she smiled reassuringly. Hailey frowned before casting a look at her uncle who was still looking at Donna despite his arms full of Josh.
"Did uncle Harvey give you a hug and the week off work? That's what I would want if I was feeling sad with school." Hailey looked reproachfully at her uncle, almost accusingly.
Donna chuckled at her response, especially when she saw Harvey's look of surprise and disbelieving eye roll. "Yes your uncle did everything he could to cheer me up."
Donna warmly smiled at the girl, it was true. He'd put Stephen behind bars and constantly reassured her nothing that happened was her fault. It wasn't on him she just still didn't believe him.
"Well, how about some ice cream? That's where we're going right now! Can aunt Donna come, pleaseeee dad?"
Marcus shrugged "it's up to her honey."
Harvey nudged his chin letting Donna subtly know he had no issue whatsoever with her tagging along.
Except donna didn't think she could handle an entire hour around the specter clan right about now. "How about I just walk with you guys before heading off to my place? You can tell me all about your visit to New York."
Hailey began launching her tale about the Big Apple. they each collected their coats and held a kid's hand in theirs, guiding them out of the building.
Half an hour of walking around chatting about Marcus's restaurant, Katie's students, and being dragged this way and that to look at iconic Manhattan monuments by the kids should have helped tricked Donna into to a calm state of mind. But what really helped her stop thinking about Huntley was Harvey's continuous glances across to her, checking she was ok, and redirecting the topic of conversation to include her. She indulged the kids with walking them all the way to the ice cream shop, and Marcus insisted on paying for her cone (with a loud whispered nudge from Josh and Hailey).
Donna couldn't say no to free sweets. She dutifully licked her cone and cajoled Harvey's mundane choice of vanilla along with the kids, who simply rolled his eyes and stuck his tongue out at them in retaliation. Donna let out a genuine laugh at that, surprised at his playful mood she rarely saw these days.
Harvey grinned smugly back at her, proud he managed to make her laugh.
She parted ways with them on 7th street, kissing and hugging each other kids before telling Harvey she'd see him tomorrow.
Instead of drowning her sorrows in leftover Chinese and wine that night, over analyzing every interaction she had with Huntley, she began wondering where Scottie was tonight when shed gotten roped into Harvey's family plans. If she knew she spent the night with his niece and nephew, that Hailey called her Merida and Ariel, that Marcus still only calls her with bad news before he even attempts to call Harvey.
She sat and stewed over Harvey's actions instead of Stephen, and even though a large part of her was annoyed she managed to replace one bad habit with the next, a small part of her felt comforted by the familiarity of it all.
Maybe she needed a therapist.
Unexpected Pick-me Up (fluffy Version)
"Well, how about some ice cream? That's where we're going right now! Can aunt Donna come, pleaseeee dad?"
Marcus shrugged "it's up to her honey."
Harvey nudged his chin letting Donna subtly know he had no issue whatsoever with her tagging along.
Except donna didn't think she could handle an entire hour around the specter clan right about now. "How about I just walk with you guys before heading off to my place? You can tell me all about your visit to New York."
Half an hour of walking around chatting about Marcus's restaurant, Katie's students, and being dragged this way and that to look at iconic Manhattan monuments by the kids she indulged the kids with walking them all the way to ice cream shop, and Marcus insisted on paying for her cone (with a loud whispered nudge from Josh and Hailey).
Donna couldn't say no to free sweets. She dutifully licked her cone and cajoled Harvey's mundane choice of vanilla along with the kids, who simply rolled his eyes and stuck his tongue out at them in retaliation. Donna let out a genuine laugh at that, surprised at his playful mood she rarely saw these days.
Harvey grinned smugly back at her, proud he managed to make her laugh.
Josh and Hailey ended up creating a face-making contest begging Donna to make her wackiest faces along with Harvey, and whoever broke first lost. With every cross eyed nostril flaring pose Donna struck, earning belly laughs from the kids and Katie who was an easy laugh, Donna genuinely felt a sense of hope that she'd be back to herself again, and soon. She was laughing along the Specter clan at Harvey's pig-snouted nose and wide open mouth.
She lost 7-4 to Marcus, the reigning champ.
When Donna finally parted ways with them on 7th street, kissing and hugging the kids goodbye and exchanging genuine smiles with Harvey, she felt like she'd just won the night, sleeping in her own bed peacefully for the first time in weeks.