The way to a man's heart [4/6]
Title: The way to a man’s heart
Pairing: Harvey Specter/Mike Ross
Other characters: Donna, Rachel Zane, Harold
Rating: PG-13
Word count: 3,082
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters.
Warning: none
Summary: Mike is a secret stress baker and Harvey secretly has a sweet tooth.
Author’s note: Originally written for suits_meme. The prompt was ‘Mike is a stress baker who is too embarrassed to tell people that he bakes, but his baked treats are heavenly. Harvey secretly has a sweet tooth and can’t get enough of Mike’s baked goods.’
The first thing that Harvey did when he came home from work was to march into the kitchen. He did feel a little better after increasing his dose to two muffins but he now had other symptoms. He experienced hallucinations (he had kept eyeing the coffee table all afternoon, thinking that he saw a muffin out of the corner of his eyes) and nightmares (when he fell asleep for a minute or two at his desk, Mike was wearing nothing but an apron in his large kitchen and was bending over to pull out the baked goods from the oven).
Harvey dropped his suitcase and jacket on the kitchen counter and crouched in front of the oven. He had never really paid much attention to it even though he had used it several times. He ran his fingers along the handle, thinking about how Mike’s fingertips had danced on it.
‘What kind of a guy has such thin fingers? I bet he lied to me and actually took the test in drag.’
Harvey’s mind started to picture Mike baking muffins for him. He imagined Mike wearing nothing but a red apron, using his able fingers to make the most heavenly muffin that he had ever tasted. He did not know the process of baking muffins but he could damn well picture Mike sucking his fingers repeatedly. Mike was definitely the type of person who wouldn’t let anything good go to waste even if they were just little bits of ingredients left on his fingers.
‘Oh, Harvey… This is so good… so good…’
Bits and pieces of Mike’s words and his breathless voice filled his head.
‘Okay. I even hear things.’ Harvey added to his list of symptoms as he entered the walk-in closet.
‘Jesus… This is killing me, Harvey…’
The burn that he had felt at lunch became a little more intense as he got out of his clothes.
‘Maybe Mike was right. Maybe I do have a fever.’
Harvey took the last piece of garment off his body and walked into the bathroom. He needed a cold shower.
The first thing that Mike did when he came back home was to rush into the kitchen too.
“I am losing my mind!!!” He yelled as he lost his jacket and tie and threw them on the floor. He even kicked his jacket a few times as if that was what stood between Harvey and him.
“Harvey…”
Mike sank down on the floor, leaning against the kitchen counter. He was utterly miserable. It was so very nice to have lunch with his boss every single day, but as he spent more time with Harvey, more hope crept into his fragile heart. If he didn’t stop himself soon, there was a good chance that he would do something worth getting fired for or get sued for sexual harassment.
“And he hasn’t even tasted my cupcakes when I bake cupcakes best! Urgh!!”
Frustration made him dizzy, so he took a moment to calm down. But of course, when he closed his eyes, his mind immediately came up with an image of Harvey getting a firm hold of his muffin and taking a bite with his gorgeous lips. Mike was quite sure that Harvey would have the ability to kiss someone to death.
‘What do I do? I’m stressed out! I want to bake!’
He had baked enough muffins yesterday (he couldn’t just bake two!) so there were plenty of them left to feed Harvey for the next couple of days.
Mike pondered for a second and went for the good, old solution; calling his grandmother.
“Grammy?” Mike was glad that she hadn’t fallen asleep yet.
“Mike? Why the sad voice, dear? What’s troubling you?”
Mike told her what had happened from the very beginning. He was careful not to go into details about what Harvey looked like when he had ravished his muffins.
“What should I do, Grammy? I’m so tired and miserable.” Mike knew that he sounded like a little boy.
“Mike, when I made you promise that you would live up to your potential, I didn’t mean that only in a professional way.”
“Oh…”
“You deserve to be happy, my dear. You deserve a chance to be happy with Harvey.”
“But I really don’t think he would return my feelings!”
“Honey, if he really devoured your muffins as you described, I think it’s safe to assume that he feels the same way about you.”
“Grammy!” Mike blushed furiously.
His grandmother laughed a little and gave him her words of wisdom. “If you want him to taste your cupcakes, get creative and bake cupcakes that he wouldn’t be able to refuse. You can throw in some hints so that he would realize that you’re the real baker behind the muffins and cupcakes.”
“Grammy, I think you’re a genius.” Mike would have clapped if he hadn’t needed one hand to hold the phone to his ear.
“Where do you think you got that giant brain of yours?” The grandmother snorted and Mike smiled. It was time to take the smart lady’s advice.
**********************************************************************************************************************
The next day, when he walked into the office, Harvey spotted a box on his desk.
He hit the intercom as he settled down in his chair. “Donna? What’s this on my desk? You’ve finally decided to poison me?”
“I’d actually prefer a more subtle method, Harvey. I’d probably go with poisoning your coffee rather than your mail.”
“I’m convinced. I guess it’s safe to open it then.”
“What? You think I’m the only one who wants to go after you? I’m flattered!”
Harvey chuckled a little and opened the box.
“What the…”
“What is it, Harvey?” Donna was intrigued by her boss’ surprised tone.
There were eight mini cupcakes neatly sitting inside the box. They all had a brown base with white frosting. Every single one of them had something that he liked on top; a large tie, hair gel, a baseball, a basketball, an LP record, TOM FORD, a sports car, and something that looked like a glass elevator.
“Harvey? Are you there?” Donna asked, wondering what was going on.
“Yeah, is Mike in yet?” Harvey couldn’t tear his eyes off the cupcakes.
“I think he’s down in the files room. You want me to bring him in?”
“It’s nothing urgent. Just send him in if you run into him. I’ll see him at lunch anyway.”
“You got it.”
Tick-tick.
Mike was staring at the clock in the files room, fully aware that it was lunch time. He had been successfully hiding throughout the morning, but it was finally time to go up and meet his doom.
‘Oh god…’
He knew that he was being a drama queen. Harvey probably wouldn’t feed him to the sharks even if he found out about the truth. If there was a cage in Harvey’s office, he could always say that he had asked his grandmother to put on such decorations for Harvey. And, it’s not like he drew hearts on the cupcakes. They were just cupcakes, not some love confession, at least in Harvey’s eyes.
‘Then why am I so terrified?’ Mike asked himself.
It was because Harvey read people so well; he had the ability to read between the lines and had amazing deduction skills. Mike wouldn’t be too surprised if Harvey somehow already knew that he was the secret baker and that it was indeed a love confession.
Bleep.
“Jesus Christ!” The sound of his cell phone scared the life out of him.
Harvey had left him a text message.
Where are you? It’s lunch time. Get your muffins over here.
‘Oh sweet Jesus…’ Mike’s throat became really dry as he read the last sentence over and over again.
‘He couldn’t have possibly meant it that way, could he…?’
Mike finished whatever was left in the latest can of Red Bull and started packing his things. Harvey didn’t seem particularly angry or disappointed if the message was anything to go by. Maybe he was going to turn him down gently, telling him that it wasn’t appropriate for a senior partner and his associate to see each other.
‘I probably should keep my mouth shut and not mention the fact that I’ve already checked the bylaws.’
The Pearson-Hardman bylaws stated that fraternization between employees of different ranks was discouraged; but with the proper paperwork and solid evidence that the lower ranked employee wasn’t in the relationship under duress, it was permitted.
‘What kind of solid evidence do they need? Would I have to kiss Harvey in front of Jessica and the whole board?’ Mike wondered.
Bleep.
Harvey had sent him another message.
You have five minutes to get in here, or you’re fired. For real.
That was all Mike needed to shoot out of his seat.
Knock-knock.
“Sorry I’m late. I didn’t realize it was already lunchtime.” Mike hurried to the couch.
“It’s fine. I like my associate working hard under me.”
Gulp.
Mike cursed himself for interpreting the words in a sexual way. Harvey somehow looked hotter than usual and Mike could feel his eyes watching his every move.
“How did you like the cupcakes?” He went straight to the point, without looking up. He busied himself opening his lunch box and getting his tumbler out. He wanted to end his suffering.
“They were delicious, thank you.”
“So you actually ate them?” Mike looked up. He hadn’t been sure if Harvey would even taste them. He didn’t seem to be a cupcake type of guy.
“That’s how it usually works, Mikey. You have to eat one to tell if it’s delicious or not.” Then Harvey realized with horror what he had just called his associate.
Judging by how Mike was gaping like a little fish, it was apparent that he had heard it too.
Harvey shrugged it off. It wasn’t a big deal. He could call Mike whatever he wanted. If rookie, kid, and puppy were allowed, why would Mikey be a problem?
“When you have your mouth open, it’s time to put something good in it, Mikey.”
Damn it! He did it again. What was wrong with him?
‘Brain-mouth coordination failure.’ Harvey added on his symptom list.
Meanwhile Mike was asking himself the same thing. ‘What is wrong with me? When Harvey said ‘something good’, he obviously meant food, you dirty, dirty mind!’
He took a deep breath and started eating his lunch. This was usually the part where they started to discuss their cases, but Harvey seemed to be pondering about some serious matter over his salad.
“Um… Harvey?” Mike thought that this was his chance to get the burden off his mind. He had been momentarily distracted by Harvey calling him so fluffily; Mikey sounded really nice on Harvey’s lips.
“What is it?”
“About the cupcakes… What do you think about the baker?” Mike tried to be brave.
Harvey aimlessly moved his fork around and gathered his thoughts. “I think he’s got some serious talent.”
Mike winced at the ‘he’. So Harvey knew that it wasn’t his grandmother.
“That’s all?” Mike ventured. Harvey had been the one person at work that he could tell everything. He didn’t want that to change.
Harvey snorted. “I think I have to send him my medical bills.”
“What! You got sick because of my cupcakes?” Mike bit his tongue but it was too late. He had fully admitted it.
Harvey took pity on the terrified soul. “To answer your question, no, I didn’t get sick because of your cupcakes. And, I suspected it was you from day one, Mike. You somehow manage to keep forgetting how well I read people, especially you.”
“Why especially me?”
“Because you have a lousy poker face. And, because you’re my puppy. I hired you with my own hands.”
“How did you know it was me then? I thought I was completely safe on day one.”
“Because you had that exciting look on your face when people told you the goods were great. That kind of look doesn’t appear on the face of a proud customer but on the face of a proud creator.”
“How can you possibly know that? You don’t bake.”
Harvey wanted to say ‘because that’s probably what I look like when someone tells me I have a great associate’ but he opted to give Mike a comforting smile instead.
“So are you going to lock me up and make me bake for you? Or are you going to tell Jessica?” Mike asked with unease.
“What kind of a person do you think I am?”
Mike relaxed visibly.
“You know I don’t like to share. Of course I’m going to lock you up and keep you for myself.” Harvey teased.
“I’m serious!”
“But you haven’t really seen the place where you’re going to be locked up. You might like it better than your place.”
Mike shook his head in disbelief. His boss could be a real child at times.
“I’m serious too. Tomorrow’s a Saturday but since we have a lot to do, why don’t you come by with the files and check out my kitchen? I have an oven that might suit your needs.” Harvey knew that Mike hadn’t seen him watch him fondle the oven.
“So you’re okay with having a male associate that has soft features and bakes?” Mike wanted to be clear.
“Sure. As long as you stay locked at my place.”
“Harvey!”
Harvey chuckled and Mike blushed, both of their minds filled with images that involved a cuffed Mike in Harvey’s closet.
Mike was in the break room making a cup of coffee as he thought about how anti-climactic it had been to admit to Harvey that he was the baker.
‘But then, haven’t I had enough drama in my life? How much more do I want?’
He grabbed his mug and headed back to his cubicle, only to find Harold waiting for him.
“Oh, Mike! You’re back! I’ve got something for you.”
Mike wished that he didn’t have good instincts because his instincts had just told him that he was going to face something unforgettable.
“What is it, Harold? I already told you Grammy’s not interested in you in any kind of way.”
“I got it. So I’m going back to impressing you.” Harold said eagerly. “Please take a look and tell me if you like what you see.”
Mike sat on his chair and took a deep breath before accepting a bunch of pictures.
“Good lord!! What is this?” Mike turned away from the picture of a guy who seemed like Harold wearing some kinky lingerie.
“Ah, I was worried that might not be your kink. I’ve prepared other styles too if you’d just get to the next picture.”
“Harold, for the last time, I am just like my Grammy! NOT INTERESTED. I’m sorry!”
Harold made a sad face and went back to his cubicle with his pictures.
Mike felt horrible. He liked Harold all right but he didn’t like him in that way! He was stressed out and he needed to bake. He reminded himself to take enough ingredients to Harvey’s place tomorrow so he could bake all he wanted.
‘What is this?’
That was when Mike spotted a booklet on his desk. It was a collection of poems with a title ‘The Great Creator’ and the poet’s name was… Louis Litt.
‘Unbelievable. And, I thought these people actually thought with their brains, not with their stomachs! I can’t believe Louis wrote more poems for Grammy!’
In an attempt to avoid any other worrying gifts, he escaped into Rachel’s office.
“Rachel, please let me hide in here.” He begged as soon as he closed the glass door.
“Someone’s after you? Why don’t you go hide in Harvey’s office?” Rachel looked up.
Mike wished that he could tell her that Harvey looked too hot and gorgeous these days for him to stay in his office and keep his hands to himself.
“He wouldn’t let me.” Mike sat down in a chair.
“Well, if you’re going to hide here, you’ll have to do something for me.” Rachel’s eyes shined with excitement and hope.
“I’m not going to make my poor old grandmother bake cookies for you.” Mike made himself clear.
“You might want to change your mind after you try these sensational mini-burgers.”
Rachel opened a paper bag and offered two mini-burgers that looked really tasty in Mike’s eyes. He was a lowly associate in a bad-ass firm; he was always hungry.
“Rachel, you can’t bribe me with burgers. You know how much I like them…” Mike was already feeling a little weak. Perhaps Harvey could share his muffins with Rachel. But then he knew that Harvey didn’t like to share.
“Just try them, will you?” Rachel spoke with her softest voice.
Mike hesitated. He didn’t want his friend to get addicted to his baked treats again, but those burgers looked really tasty.
“Mike?”
Mike bolted out of the office with the burgers in his hands, headed to the rooftop. He wasn’t going to give in to her that easily.
Meanwhile Harvey was busy dealing with his own briber.
“I said no.” He stomped his mental foot on the ground.
“Why not? Then you can have him on Sunday too.” Donna compromised.
Harvey looked at her in disbelief. His secretary had just suggested that Mike could be locked up at his place during four days of the week and then at her place for the remaining days of the week.
“Isn’t it nice that I share every little office secret with you thanks to our broken intercom button?” Donna beamed, thinking that not fixing the button was the best thing that had ever happened to her. She got to learn who baked those cupcakes!
Harvey let out a small sigh and opened the cupcake box.
“Pick two. And, obviously, nobody’s locking up Mike.” He swallowed the ‘y’ at the end.
“Only two? You have five left! Can I pick three?”
“Two means two, Donna, not three.”
Donna chose the LP record one and the baseball one. Then her eyes glinted with joy and delight. “I see what’s going on here, Harvey.”
“Please don’t tell me and leave.” Harvey picked up his pen to get back to work.
“You’re saving these cupcakes because he baked them for you! Did you divide them into six pieces and eat a piece every ten minutes?”
“Get out with the cupcakes now.” Harvey growled. He couldn’t wait for the torturous day to be over.