]Fic] The Suit and the Pen - Chapter 10: One Month Later (Suits/Castle, PG-13 with NC-17 spots)
Title: The Suit and the Pen
Chapter Title: One Month Later
Rating: PG-13 overall, NC-17 in spots
Chapter Word Count: 1,489
Overall Word Count: 17,263
Spoilers/Warnings: Spoilers for all of season 1 of Suits and up to the end of season 3 of Castle. Also huge spoilers for Heat Rises, a tie in book to the Castle series.
Summary: With Castle's life spinning apart if he doesn't make a decision on writing the next Nikki Heat book, Harvey comes in and picks up the pieces.
Author's Note: I do not own Suits or Castle.
It had been a month since the meeting and it had been one of the busiest in Harvey’s life. He was doing his job and everything that Jessica had to do in order to keep the firm running. He barely had time for anything else and a part of him was glad that Richard was keeping himself busy with writing the book. There was a dinner here and there, but he knew that Richard’s patience was running thin. So is mine he thought as he signed off on something and looked up at the knock on his door. He smiled at seeing Jessica, even if she was in a wheelchair. “I thought you weren’t back until Monday.”
“I was driving myself crazy at home,” Jessica said. “And I hear that you’ve been driving everyone crazy here.”
“I have not,” Harvey said.
“Donna filled me in, Harvey,” Jessica said. “You can’t hide that easily. Especially when you nearly came to actual blows with Lewis.”
Harvey sighed. “It was over something stupid as well. I did apologize. And send a fruit basket where an apple got thrown at my head. I threw it back though. We seem to be doing a lot better since then.”
Jessica smiled. “Because your sense of humor actually lightened up?”
“Possibly,” Harvey said. “Or maybe we’re both trying harder. And if I ever say that I want your job again, please feel free to bean me with something heavy.”
“Duly noted,” Jessica said. “Have you been doing your job and mine the entire month? You do have an associate that you can pass things on to.”
“One who hasn’t passed the bar,” Harvey countered. “And he’s been doing something things.”
“Good,” Jessica said. “How are you and Richard Castle?”
Harvey shook his head. “Not well, but our work has been keeping each other busy. So I’m not sure if it’s more work or the fact that he’s pushing me away.”
“Well, you just need to push back,” Jessica said. “How would a week off sound?”
Harvey raised an eyebrow. “Right now?”
“If only so you don’t blow up at me,” Jessica said. “It’s only Tuesday. Why not take the rest of the week and just relax? Think about where you want to be and if you really enjoy your single life as it is right now.”
“You just want me in a relationship,” Harvey countered.
“I just want you to be happy,” Jessica said. “It’s been a long while since I’ve seen you happy, Harvey. So, yes, I am being a bit selfish in pushing you out of the office, but I am doing it for your own good. Give whatever you need to be done this week to Mike. I’ll have Donna reschedule any court appearances and any client meetings. We’ll be apologetic, but you need this.”
Harvey sighed. “Alright,” he said. “And I’m not in court this week, which is a good thing.” He looked through what he had on his desk and made a pile to take down to Mike. “And thanks for this.”
“You’re welcome,” Jessica said and left the room.
Harvey wrote down a quick list of instructions for the work and went over to Donna. “Reschedule any meeting I have for the rest of the week. I won’t be back until Monday.”
“Glad you decided to do what Jessica asked,” Donna said with a smile. “And I’ve already rescheduled.”
“I’m not sure if I like you knowing everything but nothing would work if you didn’t,” Harvey said with a grin. “Happen to know where Mike is?”
“Behind you,” Mike replied.
Harvey turned around and gave Mike the stack of folders with his instructions on top. “Your work for the week. Donna knows how to reach me if you have questions, but otherwise, you’re to get through this on your own.”
“But - alright,” Mike said. “Where are you going?”
“I’m just not going to be here until Monday. Jessica’s back, so make sure she doesn’t need you to do anything as well. It’ll help you get back into her good graces.”
“Got it,” Mike said. “Have fun.”
“Plan on it,” Harvey said as he got his coat and left the office.
*~*~*~*
Castle was basking in the fact that he had gotten the book done in under a month when the plan was for two months. Sure, the basking was taking a nap on the couch while soft jazz played in the background, but it worked. The problem was that he was rethinking everything that he had just submitted but he had to let it go. Wish someone would call or come by he randomly thought and jumped when he heard the door. He got up and went over to the door, opening it when he saw it was Harvey. “Hi.”
“Hello,” Harvey said and held up a tray of coffee from Starbucks and a bag of pastries from the City Bakery. “Am I allowed to come in?”
“I really might just take both from you and run,” Castle said but let Harvey come in. “It’s been a while.”
“I’ve been busy,” Harvey replied as he went into the kitchen. He sighed as he saw a sink full of dirty dishes. “Really?”
“What?” Castle asked and came over to the kitchen. He brushed up against Harvey and shrugged. “I’ve been writing a book.”
“I’ve been working 12 to 15 hour days and I manage to have my kitchen clean,” Harvey countered.
“Are you even able to use your kitchen working that much?” Castle countered.
“Touché,” Harvey said. “Jessica came back. She made me take the rest of the week off.”
“Really?” Castle asked. “And you come with this type of peace offering?”
“And dinner tonight at your favorite sushi place,” Harvey said.
Castle paused and then grinned. “I might be open to hearing you grovel.”
“I don’t grovel,” Harvey said.
“You do in bed,” Castle said as he took the coffee marked with RC.
“Only in bed and only to you,” Harvey said. “So am I forgiven?”
“Yes and no,” Castle said. “We need to talk.”
“…Such lovely words you use,” Harvey said. “Should I be looking up for an acme anvil?”
“No, but that is a good idea,” Castle said. “I had a session with Doctor Dani last night. And I was a bit angry last night.”
“I think the anger bug is going around,” Harvey said. “I nearly punched Lewis’ lights out yesterday.”
“I would have paid money to see that, but this is about me and not you,” Castle said and smiled as Harvey sat down. “She thinks that I might be angry because we haven’t really defined our relationship. I asked her if that was all of it, but she thinks that it is tied into the fact that the memorial is coming up. And I do kind of hate you that you didn’t really notice it or have been talking to me at all.”
“How about now that I explained what was happening?” Harvey asked after a short silence.
“You’re making up very well,” Castle replied. “And I didn’t know it was that bad.”
“I was doing my job and Jessica’s,” Harvey said. “See burnout and nearly punching Lewis.”
“Again, would have paid money,” Castle said and grinned. “But there’s something else to this.”
“What?” Harvey asked.
“Since you’re no longer my lawyer and everything, would you mind if we both came out of the closet and had our relationship out in the open?” Castle asked.
“…What?” Harvey asked and regretted saying that. “Sorry. The better question is why do you want to?”
“Well, mom and Alexis already know,” Castle said. “They’re both surprised that I didn’t sooner. Jessica already knows, right?”
“Right,” Harvey said.
“So, what does it matter if we come out to the rest of the world? Would it be so horrible?” Castle asked.
“For you, no,” Harvey replied. “You’ve got celebrity status. I am a lowly lawyer.”
“A lowly lawyer that I love even though it took me a bit more than a month to admit it,” Castle said. “This isn’t the dark ages of the 80s anymore, Harvey.”
“I know, Richard,” Harvey said quietly before moving and kissing Richard lovingly. “Fine.”
“Could I do it tonight at the Q&A that I’m dragging you to?” Castle asked.
Harvey groaned. “Must you?”
“Not unless directly asked,” Castle said and kissed Harvey’s lips again. “When’s the dinner reservation?”
“Eight,” Harvey replied.
“So, we’ll go through the Q&A, come out to a small gathering of people that call themselves my fans, and get sushi,” Castle said.
“I might drop you on your head and go for sushi myself,” Harvey said and smiled as Castle laughed. The rest of the day went slowly and, thankfully, Castle did not come out to the Q&A group. They had their sushi and went home together, just happy to be together without any of the worry that tomorrow would bring.
Chapter Title: One Month Later
Rating: PG-13 overall, NC-17 in spots
Chapter Word Count: 1,489
Overall Word Count: 17,263
Spoilers/Warnings: Spoilers for all of season 1 of Suits and up to the end of season 3 of Castle. Also huge spoilers for Heat Rises, a tie in book to the Castle series.
Summary: With Castle's life spinning apart if he doesn't make a decision on writing the next Nikki Heat book, Harvey comes in and picks up the pieces.
Author's Note: I do not own Suits or Castle.
It had been a month since the meeting and it had been one of the busiest in Harvey’s life. He was doing his job and everything that Jessica had to do in order to keep the firm running. He barely had time for anything else and a part of him was glad that Richard was keeping himself busy with writing the book. There was a dinner here and there, but he knew that Richard’s patience was running thin. So is mine he thought as he signed off on something and looked up at the knock on his door. He smiled at seeing Jessica, even if she was in a wheelchair. “I thought you weren’t back until Monday.”
“I was driving myself crazy at home,” Jessica said. “And I hear that you’ve been driving everyone crazy here.”
“I have not,” Harvey said.
“Donna filled me in, Harvey,” Jessica said. “You can’t hide that easily. Especially when you nearly came to actual blows with Lewis.”
Harvey sighed. “It was over something stupid as well. I did apologize. And send a fruit basket where an apple got thrown at my head. I threw it back though. We seem to be doing a lot better since then.”
Jessica smiled. “Because your sense of humor actually lightened up?”
“Possibly,” Harvey said. “Or maybe we’re both trying harder. And if I ever say that I want your job again, please feel free to bean me with something heavy.”
“Duly noted,” Jessica said. “Have you been doing your job and mine the entire month? You do have an associate that you can pass things on to.”
“One who hasn’t passed the bar,” Harvey countered. “And he’s been doing something things.”
“Good,” Jessica said. “How are you and Richard Castle?”
Harvey shook his head. “Not well, but our work has been keeping each other busy. So I’m not sure if it’s more work or the fact that he’s pushing me away.”
“Well, you just need to push back,” Jessica said. “How would a week off sound?”
Harvey raised an eyebrow. “Right now?”
“If only so you don’t blow up at me,” Jessica said. “It’s only Tuesday. Why not take the rest of the week and just relax? Think about where you want to be and if you really enjoy your single life as it is right now.”
“You just want me in a relationship,” Harvey countered.
“I just want you to be happy,” Jessica said. “It’s been a long while since I’ve seen you happy, Harvey. So, yes, I am being a bit selfish in pushing you out of the office, but I am doing it for your own good. Give whatever you need to be done this week to Mike. I’ll have Donna reschedule any court appearances and any client meetings. We’ll be apologetic, but you need this.”
Harvey sighed. “Alright,” he said. “And I’m not in court this week, which is a good thing.” He looked through what he had on his desk and made a pile to take down to Mike. “And thanks for this.”
“You’re welcome,” Jessica said and left the room.
Harvey wrote down a quick list of instructions for the work and went over to Donna. “Reschedule any meeting I have for the rest of the week. I won’t be back until Monday.”
“Glad you decided to do what Jessica asked,” Donna said with a smile. “And I’ve already rescheduled.”
“I’m not sure if I like you knowing everything but nothing would work if you didn’t,” Harvey said with a grin. “Happen to know where Mike is?”
“Behind you,” Mike replied.
Harvey turned around and gave Mike the stack of folders with his instructions on top. “Your work for the week. Donna knows how to reach me if you have questions, but otherwise, you’re to get through this on your own.”
“But - alright,” Mike said. “Where are you going?”
“I’m just not going to be here until Monday. Jessica’s back, so make sure she doesn’t need you to do anything as well. It’ll help you get back into her good graces.”
“Got it,” Mike said. “Have fun.”
“Plan on it,” Harvey said as he got his coat and left the office.
*~*~*~*
Castle was basking in the fact that he had gotten the book done in under a month when the plan was for two months. Sure, the basking was taking a nap on the couch while soft jazz played in the background, but it worked. The problem was that he was rethinking everything that he had just submitted but he had to let it go. Wish someone would call or come by he randomly thought and jumped when he heard the door. He got up and went over to the door, opening it when he saw it was Harvey. “Hi.”
“Hello,” Harvey said and held up a tray of coffee from Starbucks and a bag of pastries from the City Bakery. “Am I allowed to come in?”
“I really might just take both from you and run,” Castle said but let Harvey come in. “It’s been a while.”
“I’ve been busy,” Harvey replied as he went into the kitchen. He sighed as he saw a sink full of dirty dishes. “Really?”
“What?” Castle asked and came over to the kitchen. He brushed up against Harvey and shrugged. “I’ve been writing a book.”
“I’ve been working 12 to 15 hour days and I manage to have my kitchen clean,” Harvey countered.
“Are you even able to use your kitchen working that much?” Castle countered.
“Touché,” Harvey said. “Jessica came back. She made me take the rest of the week off.”
“Really?” Castle asked. “And you come with this type of peace offering?”
“And dinner tonight at your favorite sushi place,” Harvey said.
Castle paused and then grinned. “I might be open to hearing you grovel.”
“I don’t grovel,” Harvey said.
“You do in bed,” Castle said as he took the coffee marked with RC.
“Only in bed and only to you,” Harvey said. “So am I forgiven?”
“Yes and no,” Castle said. “We need to talk.”
“…Such lovely words you use,” Harvey said. “Should I be looking up for an acme anvil?”
“No, but that is a good idea,” Castle said. “I had a session with Doctor Dani last night. And I was a bit angry last night.”
“I think the anger bug is going around,” Harvey said. “I nearly punched Lewis’ lights out yesterday.”
“I would have paid money to see that, but this is about me and not you,” Castle said and smiled as Harvey sat down. “She thinks that I might be angry because we haven’t really defined our relationship. I asked her if that was all of it, but she thinks that it is tied into the fact that the memorial is coming up. And I do kind of hate you that you didn’t really notice it or have been talking to me at all.”
“How about now that I explained what was happening?” Harvey asked after a short silence.
“You’re making up very well,” Castle replied. “And I didn’t know it was that bad.”
“I was doing my job and Jessica’s,” Harvey said. “See burnout and nearly punching Lewis.”
“Again, would have paid money,” Castle said and grinned. “But there’s something else to this.”
“What?” Harvey asked.
“Since you’re no longer my lawyer and everything, would you mind if we both came out of the closet and had our relationship out in the open?” Castle asked.
“…What?” Harvey asked and regretted saying that. “Sorry. The better question is why do you want to?”
“Well, mom and Alexis already know,” Castle said. “They’re both surprised that I didn’t sooner. Jessica already knows, right?”
“Right,” Harvey said.
“So, what does it matter if we come out to the rest of the world? Would it be so horrible?” Castle asked.
“For you, no,” Harvey replied. “You’ve got celebrity status. I am a lowly lawyer.”
“A lowly lawyer that I love even though it took me a bit more than a month to admit it,” Castle said. “This isn’t the dark ages of the 80s anymore, Harvey.”
“I know, Richard,” Harvey said quietly before moving and kissing Richard lovingly. “Fine.”
“Could I do it tonight at the Q&A that I’m dragging you to?” Castle asked.
Harvey groaned. “Must you?”
“Not unless directly asked,” Castle said and kissed Harvey’s lips again. “When’s the dinner reservation?”
“Eight,” Harvey replied.
“So, we’ll go through the Q&A, come out to a small gathering of people that call themselves my fans, and get sushi,” Castle said.
“I might drop you on your head and go for sushi myself,” Harvey said and smiled as Castle laughed. The rest of the day went slowly and, thankfully, Castle did not come out to the Q&A group. They had their sushi and went home together, just happy to be together without any of the worry that tomorrow would bring.