Chapter Text
‘Come on man, we’ve been at this for hours’ Mike says in Havrey’s general direction, putting his hand into his hands and rubbing his eyes.
‘Your point?’ Says Harvey ‘This is what you signed up for, rookie.’
Mike put the top of his pen into his mouth, muttering ‘I know… I know.’ He picks the brief back up and continues to read it, glancing over at Harvey after he reads the first sentence, only to find Harvey staring right at him. Mike looks down at the brief quickly, feeling his cheeks grow warm and his breath come quicker, he re-reads the first sentence again and again till he feels like he won’t burst into flames.
He knew harboring a secret crush on his boss was bad, but it was so much worse with this case, the late nights in Harvey’s office that have become almost too casual. When Harvey takes off his suit jacket and shoes, loosens his tie, and rolls up his shirt sleeves, Mike knows he's in for it. How can one man, no scratch that, person look so damn good.
‘What are you thinking about over there Mike? I can practically hear the wheels turning,’ asks Harvey
‘Just about the case.’ Mike says as he settles back into his chair and back into his brief, hoping to finally make some progress.
Harvey makes a non committal noise, takes a look at Mike before returning to his work.
Mike was the best associate he ever had, kid is a freaking machine, and he hasn't regretted hiring him for one minute, Harvard law degree or not. He knows Mike has a crush on him, how could he not, kid’s not subtle. And when Harvey really thinks about it, maybe he likes Mike too, but that could never work out and Harvey doesn't want to lose his best associate (and favorite coworker, but he wont let himself think that) by doing anything stupid.
Harvey knows that if Mike’s complaining he really must be feeling overworked, and he makes a snap decision.
‘Go home kid, we can reconvene tomorrow,’ he tells Mike.
Mike glances up and gives Harvey a half smile, ‘Nah boss man, we need to finish this, I don’t need a break.’ Truth is Mike doesn’t want to go home, but he wont put that onto Harvey.
Harvey raises his eyebrows and looks at Mike, ‘I’m giving you time off cause you look like shit, every other associate would be jumping all over this.’
‘Thanks for the kind comment,’ Mike retorts, ‘I’m not like every other associate am I?’
Harvey scrutinizes Mike's expression, which Mike is forcing himself to keep very neutral, ‘Why don't you want to go home Mike?’
Dammit Harvey, Mike thinks, ‘Just leave it alone man.’
‘Why don’t you wanna talk about it kid?’
‘I just don’t Harvey, leave it alone please.’
And Harvey does after saying, ‘Okay, just know you can talk to me whenever, I want you to be okay.’
‘Oh Harvey, don't be so loud, people might learn you give a shit about your associate.’
‘I just need you awake so you don't produce shoddy work, kid, that's it.’
Mike sighs internally, because of course he doesn't actually care but god does he wish he did. But he pushes that thought aside, into his minds little black box labeled ‘holy shit i like my fucking boss because of course thats how it goes’ which is a bit of a mouthful but that okay cause it doesnt need to be said out loud, like ever.
They both continue working for the next hour or so when Harvey gets up and declares, ‘I’m calling it a night Mike, I suggest you do that same.’
Mike waves him off saying ‘Yea, yea, as soon as I finish reading this brief, night Harvey.’
‘Goodnight kid.’
Mike does not go home, he says and reads more and more for the case they’ve been working on. He switches position from the chair to the couch making himself more comfortable. After many more hours of reading he drifts off to sleep, accidentally.
Donna is the first to find him there when she comes into the office an hour later, around 7, and she doesn't want to wake more, she’d rather see Harvey's reaction to him being there later, she knows he's got a soft spot for the kid, i mean everyone can see it, even Louis can. She just wants to see how soft he gets for Mike.
Harvey comes in about an hour later, and stops at Donna’s desk before going into his office.
‘You have a present in there,’ Donna says in a sing songy voice
‘Ah a present for me Donna, you're too much.’ Harvey stops dead in his tracks when he sees the ‘present.’
It's his associate, his very adorably sleeping associate, whom he explicitly told to go home last night.
‘Damn it Mike,’ he whispers, and goes over to him, gently shaking his shoulders, ‘Mike it's time to get up,’ he says it in a tone he’s never used before.
Mike shoots up, a panicked look on his face, which softens when he realizes it's Harvey. He immediately launches into a slew of apologies, ‘Harvey I am so sorry, it will never happen again, I didn't mean too, harvey I’m so sorry, please –’ Harvey cuts him off, ‘Mike, take a deep breath, I’m not mad at you, it’s okay.’
Mike does calm down a little, apologizing one last time ‘I’m so sorry Harvey.’
‘It’s fine Mike it happens, I just don't get why you didnt go home when you had that chance to,’ Harvey says in a way that implies he almost cares.
Mike knows he doesn't really care beyond how he reflects onto Harvey but still. ‘I just didn’t want to go home okay. I’ll get back to work.’ Mike moves to get up.
‘I might not understand why you don’t want to go home, but what I do understand is that you look like shit right now, and I will not have you going to a client meeting with me looking like that.’ Harvey gets his keys out, ‘Here, go to my condo, shower, shave, and change into one of my suits.’
‘I can’t accept that, Harvey.’ Mike gulps before continuing, ‘it’s fine I’ll go home, and be back later.’
‘Mike you clearly do not want to go home, so why would you do that, just go back to my place, and for the love of god take a fucking cab, my neighbots don’t need to see you with you bike.’ Harvey says jokingly. He brightens Mike’s mood a bit, so he’ll call that a win.
‘Thank you Harvey, I owe you one.’
‘Don’t mention it kid.’
Harvey smiles as he watches him speed walk away, god that kid really is something.
Donna comes in, ‘You seriously are letting him into your condo, it took me five years to get invited into that exclusive club,’ Donna jokes, ‘but hey what can you do when you're in love with your puppy dog associate.’
‘Woah Donna, I am not in love with Mike, not even a little so just drop it.’ Harvey retorts.
‘Whatever you say Harvey, I'll just wait for you to confront your little feelings and then we’ll talk,’ laughs Donna.
Meanwhile Mike has just arrived at Harvey’s condo, ‘Holy fucking shit,’ he mutters to himself. He knew Harvey lived well, but he just hadn’t realized how well.
He begins to search for a bathroom, preferably the guest bath, but he’ll take what he can get. He wanders into Harvey’s bedroom, though he doesn't know that it’s Harvey’s room, due to the lack of personal effects. He finds the closet and then realizes it's Harvey’s room, recognizing the suits in there. He picks the one that’s his favorite on Harvey, and thinks to himself that this is a dangerous game he's playing.
That doesn't stop him from going to sit on Harvey’s bed, ‘God i’m so screwed,’ he says aloud as he picks up Harvey’s pillow and puts it to his nose. It smells like Harvey of course, it smells like safety, like understanding, like forever. ‘Fuck I’m so fucked,’ Mike says. He quickly puts the pillow down, trying to put it back into its exact spot (spoiler alert, it’s not), and gets into Harvey’s shower. He is standing naked in Harvey’s bathroom, and thinks ‘god I cannot believe this is the first time I’m naked in Harvey's apartment and the man isn't even here.’
Mike wraps up his shower quickly, trying his best not to snoop at all of Harvey’s bath products, which is a shit ton of products. He shaves and wraps up his stay in the apartment quickly, knowing that Harvey would be uncomfortable with the thoughts being here was giving him. He does however have the biggest smile on his face as he puts on Harvey’s suit, knowing that it is a little too big, just spurring on his thoughts about how hot Harvey is.
He locks the apartment with a bittersweet smile, knowing that he probably won’t be back there, not the way he wants to be anyway, everyone knows that Harvey’s got a new girl every week. Mike knows he doesn't have a chance, but it’s nice to feel close with him, even if it’s one-sided.
Once back in the office he goes straight to Harvey’s office to return his keys. Harvey glaces up initially then does a double take.
Seeing Mike in his suit does something to him, because Harvey is possessive by nature and seeing Mike in his clothes is driving him wild, maybe Donna was onto something. The suit is too big but Mike looks so good, it makes Harvey want to destroy him.
‘Uh Harvey?’ Mike asks
Shit he's been staring, Harvey coughs and says, ‘It’s about time you got back, how long does it take to get ready. Let's get back to work, rookie.’
‘Okay.’ Mike turns to leave, to go work at his own desk evidently.
‘-Mike wait,’ Harvey says, letting in a little too much emotion into his voice, ‘Stay, work in my office today.’
‘Okay boss man, whatever you say.’ Mike turns back in, and heads to the chair.
Harvey gets up and mutters something about the bathroom, he's blushing but he can't let his associate know that.
Donna just smirks as Harvey practically runs to the file room, motioning at Donna to follow.
‘So Harv, learn something about yourself did we?’ Donna asks with a smile, looking at Harvey.
‘One don’t ever call me Harv again if you wanna keep your job. Two, holy shit maybe I like the kid more than I thought.’ Harvey exclaims.
‘I fucking called it!’ Donna said, ‘I knew you loved him.’
‘Woah, I don't love him Donna, give it a rest.’ Harvey says at her, ‘Fuck what do I do, I cannot go back in there like that.’
‘You need to talk to the kid, see how he feels, though we all know how Mike looks at you.’ Donna says something, putting her hand on Harvey’s shoulder.
‘I can't, it's not appropriate.’ Harvey replies. He gets up to leave, heads to the bathroom, and splashes some cold water onto his face. He stays in there till he feels like he can face Mike again.
As soon as Harvey walks in Mike is all over him, ‘Harvey what happened, are you okay?’ Mike asks, his expression laced with worry.
‘Mike take a deep breath,’ he sees how worried Mike is, ‘Seriously Mike, I'm fine, I’m okay. It’s nice to see you care though,’ Harvey says, a smirk forming on his face.
‘I care about my job Harvey, who else is gonna hire Mr. No Degree.’ Mike smirks back, knowing so much is unsaid.
Harvey gets the message though, he knows Mike is worried about him.
‘Mike stop, let's get back to work.’ Harvey tells him.
And they do, the rest of the work day passes as usual, they are even the last ones there, in their more casual wear, no suit jackets and sleeves rolled up. That is until the end of the day.
Harvey gets up to leave, ‘Get up Mike, you're coming with me.’
‘What Harvey, why would I do that? There's more work to be done.’ Mike says, giving Harvey his signature puppy look.
‘Look Mike, we are not having a repeat of last night, whether you tell me what's wrong or not, but you’re gonna come stay with me so I can make sure you get some sleep, kid, let's go.’ Harvey tells him.
‘Okay,’ Mike gives in easier than Harvey expected.
They go downstairs where Ray is already waiting for Harvey, if he's surprised to see Mike, he doesn't show it.
They ride back to Harveys in silence, Harvey fighting the urge to ask Mike what his problem was.
Once they get back to Harvey's place, Harvey asks ‘Are you hungry kid?’
‘No i’m good,’ Mike lies, his grumbling stomach giving him away, ‘Okay, maybe a little,’ he laughs.
‘Pizza?’
‘Yea’
Harvey goes to order it, Mike didn’t tell him he wanted cheese in the crust but Harvey knew.
They sit on the couch, waiting for the pizza, when Harvey finally asks Mike what's wrong.
‘Please Harvey, just leave it.’ And he sounds so sincerely that Harvey drops it.
They make small talk about nothing important till the pizza gets there, after they eat, they are both beat.
‘Uh Harvey, do you think I could borrow some pjs?’ Mike asks sheepishly.
‘Of course Mike.’ Harvey goes to his room to grab him some, glazing at his bed, realizing his pillow is out of place, he sucks in a quick breath and thinks of Mike being in there earlier. Sitting on his bed, touching his pillow, fuck this kids gonna be the death of him, he thinks.
He brings Mike a plain t-shirt and some pajama pants, and leads Mike to the guest room, ‘Let me know if you need anything Mike.’
Harvey gets ready for bed in his bathroom, very aware that Mike had been in there this morning, he would have kill anyone else that had been in his room without permission, but he wasn't even mad at Mike, in fact he wished Mike was in there right now, he was so close, yet so far.
In the other room, Mike changes, knowing he smells like Harvey, and gets into bed, this pillow on the other hand doesn’t smell like Harvey. Mike is thankful when sleep comes easy, since it hasn't in a long time, and he doesn’t want to think of the implications of that.
It doesn’t last though, Harvey is awoken in the middle of the night, hearing Mike thrash around and he rushes in there to find that Mikes’ also crying. Fuck what are you supposed to do when someone has a nightmare, Harvey thinks. He just wants to wake him up, not being able to bear seeing Mike look like that, but he knows that he needs to talk to him calmly.
‘Mike wake up please,’ Harvey practically begs, he's never felt this helpless before, ‘Mikey please wake up.’ He didn't even register the nickname slipping out.
Mike grabs Harvey’s shirt, still having his nightmare but instinctively knows he needs him closer.
‘Come on Mike please wake up.’ Harvey is full on begging now as he rubs Mike’s back.
Mike's eyes shoot open, and he is in full on panic mode, ‘Mike calm down, it’s me Harvey, you're in my guest room in my condo, you're okay.’ Harvey hopes it's calming.
Mike keeps holding on to him, even after he calms down, ‘Harvey i’m so sorr–’ ‘Dhut the fuck up Mike, don’t be sorry, I dont wanna hear that, I’m just glad youre awake.’
Harvey wipes a tear off Mike’s cheek, Mike hadn't known he was crying till then. He finally realizes he is gripping onto Harvey and lets go, ‘Sorry I woke you up, you can go if you want, or I can go home if you want me to.’ Mike trails off, not really wanting to leave, or wanting Harvey too, but he doesn't want him to be uncomfortable.
‘Mike don’t you dare apologize again or youre fired, and you are not leaving on my account. I’m fine Mike, just worried about you.’ Harvey says, ‘I’ll leave if you want me too, but I can stay too Mike, it's up to you.’
‘Stay,’ Mike blurts out immediately, ‘please Harvey.’
Harvey climbs into Mike’s bed, and Mike grabs his hand immediately, just needing some form of contact.
‘Mike, what brought that on, please tell me, I just want to help you.’ Harvey pleads with him, ‘Is that why you couldn't go home, please Mike let me in.’
‘Yea that’s why I couldn't go home.’ Mike said only answering the second part of the question.
‘Mike, what happened?’ Harvey practically begs him.
‘I don’t want to talk about it, not yet,’ tears prick Mike's eyes, ‘you don't need to stay in bed with me if you don't want to.’
‘Mike, I'm staying, you want me too, and I want to, stop worrying.’
‘Okay.’
Mike curls into Harvey, giving up on pretending he doesn't want to. Harvey rubs his back, his shirt is drenched in sweat, ‘Mike lets get this shirt off of you.’
Mike lets Harvey take it off of him, completely drained to try and fight him. Mike goes right back to cuddling up with Harvey, and Harvey just rubs his back until Mike drifts off.
When harvey wakes up in his guest bed in the morning, Mike is gone, and there's a note on the kitchen counter,
‘Thanks, for everything.
-M’
Damn kid up and left, Harvey knew they needed to talk, and he knows Mike knows that too, but he's running away from the conversation, or so he thought.
Mike is waiting in Harvey’s office when he gets there.
‘Mike,’ Harvey says it like he's letting out a breath.
He goes up to Mike and gives him a hug, ‘God kid you scared me.’ Harvey breathes a sigh of relief.
Mike melts into the hug not expecting it, but welcoming it.
‘We should probably talk.’ Mike prompts.
‘Yea we should. Mike what happened.’
Mike is crying before he can get the words out, ‘Grammy died.’
Mike is balling at this point and Harvey just holds him, ‘It's okay Mike, let it out, I’ve got you Mikey, let it all out.’ Harvey lets the nickname slip again, neither of them acknowledge it.
Harvey just holds him until, rubbing his back and whispering nice things into his ear until Mike calms down.
‘God Harvey, I’m sorry I made a mess of your suit, and you probably don't care about what is happening in my life.’ Mike says
‘Stop it Mike, how can you possibly think I don't care.’ Harvey says, ‘Mike go back to my place, take the day off, I’ll be there this afternoon.’
Mike just sniffles and says, ‘Okay.’