A/N / AU: This is a sequel of sorts to my other fic, Donna & The Stand. You don't have to read it but it does provide some added background about the situation Donna refers to from her past with Harvey. Technically, this kind of screws with cannon timeline, because the Marcus and Katie stuff happened before Darvey was married but in this fic, I like to pretend they tried again, shelved the idea of divorce for a while, few months down the line they're serious about it and battling over custody again. and the fight between Marcus and Harvey never happened when he visited him in Boston prior.

Anyways, hope you like this quick piece! It's full of sap, little angst, lots of love. Darvey-centric as always Xxx

Sweet Moments in The Bitter

It's been a long day. Harvey had just gotten off the phone with Marcus, they had spent over an hour and half fighting over his impending divorce with Katie. Harvey had wanted nothing to do with the situation, it had taken every single piece of him to even attempt to be there for his brother, knowing his lying and manipulation in the relationship was the reason Katie wanted to call it quits. Donna had spent half her morning cajoling him to make the call and be sympathetic to his little brother. And when he finally wrapped his mind around the idea, Marcus threw another bomb at Harvey enlisting him as a lawyer to fight tooth and nail for full custody over his kids.

They went to blows, because Harvey has gone decades avoiding family law for the sole reason he knows how no one comes out a winner, and every party involved gets shafted.

They ended the call with Harvey calling Marcus an idiot and Marcus calling his brother a selfish prick who he couldn't count on as a sibling, or as the only thing he's ever been good for- a soulless lawyer.

Now, Harvey's in bed, laying on Donna with his arms wrapped around her waist, his head laying on her chest and his breath tickling her skin as she softly let her fingers graze his hair, combing it in a soothing manner as he continues complaining about his brother to her.

"I just want to distance myself from the whole thing. Or ring his neck in for putting his kids in this situation. And me" he adds the last part with somewhat of a pout that has Donna somewhat bemused as she lets her other hand softly squeeze his hand in hers.

After a few seconds of quiet cuddling, Donna finally speaks up. "You know when I first felt my heart flutter a little at you?"

"When we first met." He guesses smugly and donna can't tell if he's joking or not.

"When you propistioned me for sex? Yeah, no." Harvey chuckles softly at that before kissing the middle of her chest as encouragement to go on.

"It was when you first told me about why you wouldn't take that case for one of the guys at Pearson Hardman. Kyle Butterman. It was a custody battle case, for a partner, and even though it was a no brainer and you would've had a huge leg up with Hardman, you refused to take it on. Because you said you knew about how awful it was, how no personal gain would be worth it. And you were so… determined. So sure that was the right thing. And it was. And it kind of melted my heart a little an arrogant ass like you could think of such a situation in a mature and.. emotional way it was just… amazing to see. It's when I knew I was right about you."

She feels Harvey's cheek smile slightly against her chest at the memory. He remembers the moment well.

Donna's voice gets quieter as she continues, "And I know you didn't know it at the time, but I was a kid that went through that. And it was awful. and confusing. And probably led to a few psychological damages that almost stopped me from being as awesome as I am." Her voice quivers slightly as she swallows down emotion and hides the unpacked trauma through a forced chuckle.

Harvey kisses her forehead and rearranges himself to be closer to her eye-level, head now resting softly against her shoulder as he looks at her side profile.

"I wish my parents had had a lawyer like you, who could've convinced my parents to not go through with it. But I didn't. And it was terrible." Her eyes had a shiny glint to them and Harvey let his thumb softly graze the side of her neck, feeling her pulse flutter loudly as she attempts to keep her emotions in check.

He curses his in-laws for ever inflicting that pain, however briefly, onto Donna.

"Donna I can't convince Katie or Marcus to drop this." He confesses with anguish in his tone.

"But you can tell them the full story of how awful it is. Of how at the end of the day whoever they end up with its ok because they'll be loved and looked after. that the process is heart wrenching and adds a lot of unnecessary issues and anxiety for everyone."

Harvey wants to interrupt but she cuts him off, turning her head so that determined hazel met brown.

"You're the best closer in the city, you know you could persuade at least one of them to budge. And even if you don't- even if they completely lose the point that their kids deserve both parents to love and want them- you could at least try and help marcus get custody. Hes your little brother, he needs you. And Marcus wouldn't keep the kids away from their mom. He'd be fair at the end."

Harvey stays quiet, absorbing her words, knowing there was truth to them. He goes back to his original position, resting his head on her chest.

He feels her escalated heartbeat under his cheek and nods thoughtfully as he exhales his grievance. He knew she was right.

He kisses her collarbone before his hands squeeze her waist lightly. "I love you. And I'm sorrry you ever had to go through that as a kid."

Her eyes were still slightly misty but she shook her head as she carded her fingers in his hair, a small reassuring smile on her face. "It was a hard situation for them. And they managed to find their way back."

"Still," Harvey chides, hating how forgiving she was of her parent's mistakes. "You should never have been in that position. God when I think of 9 year old you, on the stand-"

She feels him shake and clench his jaw tightly and Donna shushes the rest of his sentence. "I know. But I got through it. Don't hold it against them, theyre human, just like Marcus and Katie."

"Hmm," Harvey muses "your empathetic nature never ceases to amaze." He props up on his elbows, kissing her softly, wanting to erase all the turmoil their conversation had brought up.

He also thanks god for the fact they can be there now for the bitter moments in life, sweetening the moment with each other's love in every way they can.

Donna smiles, "just one of the many amazing traits of Donna Paulsen."

Harvey snickers, playing with a strand of her hair, "that's Mrs. Paulsen-Specter."

Donna narrows her eyes "not officially, Mr. Specter"

Harvey scoffs, "In all the ways that matter though."

Donna's smile reaches her eyes, "can't argue with that." Harvey cradles her head in his palms before expertly kissing down the column of her throat, nuzzling the one spot that always got her going. She moans as she retaliates with wandering hands and dragging nails.

He kisses his way down her chest as he murmurs "we'll get the paperwork filed eventually."

"You want me to have your last name that bad?" She teases as she nips his shoulder lovingly, a frenzy working its way up inside her. She knew he could give a fuck if she just kept her maiden name.

"I just want the world to know you're mine. Not just with your rings, I want more. Everything." He murmurs his explanation through kisses and sucks as he swirls his tongue around her nipple.

Donna moans at his words "fuck Harvey, you keep talking like that and Mrs. Paulsen-Specter is gonna be done for in 2 minutes."

Harvey grinned. He suddenly had a new record to break.