The Marvey Chronicles [19/31]
Title: The Marvey Chronicles
Pairing: Harvey Specter/Mike Ross
Other characters: Donna Paulsen, Jessica Pearson, Harold Jakowski, Benjamin, Aaron
Rating: PG-13
Word count: 4,474
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters.
Warning: none
Summary: Coworkers fangirl over Harvey/Mike.
Author’s note: Originally written for suits_meme. The prompt was ‘The Pearson-Hardman employees ship Harvey/Mike and try to get them together.’
Two days had passed and Jessica was once again looking at the list of employees who had missed work. The list was shorter but fourteen (not counting the IT guy who was going to work outside the building until the mess cleared up) was still too many for her liking. Some even sent her a doctor’s note which said that the patient needed to rest due to over-anxiety, insomnia or extreme stress.
‘So they’d rather risk their jobs than running into Harvey? Didn’t Norma tell them that they wouldn’t get the newsletter or the newest life-size posters if they didn’t show up today? Those are some very nice posters!’ Jessica shook her head and decided to take matters into her own hands.
“Harvey, sign the damn deal.” She ordered as she walked into the senior partner’s office.
“Good morning to you too, mom.” Harvey snorted. It was clear that he didn’t approve of her order.
“I mean it. This is starting to cost me money and you know how I feel about that.” She took a seat on the couch, forcing Harvey to leave his desk and join her.
“You should’ve thought about that before you let those law breakers manipulate us.”
“Mike doesn’t seem to mind it too much.”
“Well, he’s too happy that he’s sleeping with me on a daily basis.”
“And, you don’t feel the same way about him?” Jessica lifted her thick eyebrow.
“I feel satisfied within the normal range of emotions. Seriously, it’s like he’s on a quest to discover all the wonders of Kama Sutra in a very short time.”
“So that’s why you look all stiff and tired. It’s your back?” Jessica laughed.
“Yes and some places that I refuse to mention.”
Jessica’s laughter became louder. “It can’t be easy to keep up with someone who’s a decade younger than you.”
“It’s not that.” Harvey was quick to correct her. “He might have a great memory but I don’t think he’s that good at determining what works in reality and what has to stay in a book.”
“I’ll get Donna to find you a good masseuse if you agree to sign the deal then.” Jessica offered, still laughing a little.
“Have you even seen the deal? It’s utter crap.”
“What a great choice of words from my best lawyer.” The managing partner mocked.
“If you want me to sign a deal, it’s going to be on my terms and I choose to deal with you instead.”
“How flattering. You’re just going to take advantage of the fact that I need my employees back at work.”
“You’re the one who taught me how to make deals. Live with it.” Harvey smiled like the shark he was.
“All right. What do you want? You don’t get to sue anyone in the firm though.” Jessica was ready to listen.
“I want to talk to Ben alone and you’re going to do several things for the employees. You’re not going to tell anyone that it’s my idea or warn anyone. Are we clear?”
“What kind of things are we talking about?” Jessica wondered what he had in mind.
“Let’s just say that it’s all about improving the productivity of this firm. Trust me, you’ll like them.” Harvey kept it vague. The less she knew, the better it would work.
“How many things do I need to do?” Jessica hoped that Harvey had enough sense not to ask for drastic changes.
“Only a few. Nothing to worry about.” Harvey spoke in a tone that exactly made her worry.
“Anything else?”
“I want handwritten letters of apology from everyone in the club, including you. No exceptions.”
Jessica looked surprised. She hadn’t expected this kind of a request.
“No need to say it’s Mike’s idea.” Harvey rolled his eyes.
Jessica enjoyed another laugh. “That’s a sweet idea. I can’t believe he survived in Harvard with such a gentle heart.”
Her words gave Harvey a really sweet idea. “One more thing.”
“What more thing? I think you’ve asked enough.”
Harvey’s tone was firm. “Nothing so far has concerned you except for that letter of apology and even that one is just for Mike. So you will do this one thing for me.”
Jessica sighed. “I’m listening.”
“One day, when I ask you, you will give me or Mike a free pardon.”
“If you’re going to get rid of Louis and make me give you a free pardon, I can’t do that.”
“I’m not going to get rid of Louis. Who’s going to take all the boring cases?” Harvey grinned.
“Fine. Now it’s my turn to ask.” Jessica crossed her legs.
“What? Not suing anyone isn’t enough for you?”
“Unfortunately, no. You and Mike are going to have an autograph session tomorrow so that everyone would show up to work. And, you are going to be nice to everyone. No exceptions.”
“Why do they want our autographs anyway? They already stole ours from the documents.”
“It’s not about getting an autograph. It’s about getting to talk you to up close and personal.” Jessica explained as if she was talking to a seven-year old child.
“All right. But if I get a cramp in my arm, I’m going to blame you.”
“You can sue me.” Jessica said drily but her tone changed as she moved on to her real request. “I also want you to invite the club to your wedding.”
“What wedding? I’m not getting married.”
“Yet. But you will want to and you will get married.” Jessica’s eyes twinkled with excitement.
“You can’t possibly know that. Unless you’ve never told me that you could see the future.”
“Look around, Harvey. You like to put your possessions on display. I’m sure you’d like people to know that Mike belongs to you and only you.”
Harvey didn’t say anything. He just hated her sometimes.
“It’s just signing a piece of paper. It’s not like you’ll have to deal with Mike’s family. He only has one grandmother if I’m not mistaken.”
“Yeah, she seems to be pleasant and wise from what Mike tells me.”
“Great then. And, I’m not suggesting this for you. Think about Mike. While you’ll have many people on your side, he’ll only have his grandmother. He doesn’t need to be reminded on one of the best days of his life that he doesn’t have much of a family. The club can be his family for that one day. Think about it. No need to decide in a hurry.”
Jessica got up and patted Harvey on the shoulder as she walked past him. Now that she had made a deal, she could tell her weak-minded employees to get their asses back to work.
Knock-knock.
“Harvey?” Mike rushed into the office.
“What did you do, puppy?” Harvey asked, wondering what kind of a mistake his associate had made.
“It’s not what I did. It’s what you did! Why do you need a masseuse when you have me? Donna just asked me if I was fine with another person touching your body.” Mike walked around Harvey’s desk.
“Is today the day that people tell me all about their hidden abilities? Since when do you know how to give a massage?”
“I read a book about it. Let me show you. If you give me a couple of hours, I can do even better. The book I read didn’t have the last few chapters. Someone tore them out.” Mike put his hands on Harvey’s shoulders and Harvey tensed immediately.
“Hey, don’t worry. You’re in good hands.” Mike started to rub the tense shoulders.
“You’re not a pro, Mike. I’m not sure I’m in good hands.” Harvey spotted Donna smirking outside the office and pressed the button to get the blinds down. The woman wasn’t supposed to enjoy this.
“But I know your shoulders, Harvey. Better than anyone! That even includes yourself!” Mike moved his hands confidently.
“Gripping one’s shoulders while moaning isn’t the same as giving a professional massage. Besides, it’s my back that needs a massage. The shoulders aren’t too bad.”
“Got it. I’ll read all about back massages and blow your mind tonight.”
Harvey wanted to point out that possessing the knowledge by reading a book and having years of experience actually giving a massage were very different things but he didn’t have the heart to say it. Mike looked excited at the task ahead and he didn’t want to wipe off the bright look from his face.
‘I guess he’ll learn the hard way that he can’t do everything even with an eidetic memory when I’m unable to thrust into him.’ Harvey sighed as Mike karate-chopped his shoulders.
“Thanks, Mike. I feel great now. You can go back to work.”
“Already? Are you sure?” Mike asked suspiciously.
“Yeah, you’re a terrific masseur.”
Mike let go of Harvey. “You obviously don’t believe what you’re saying. Just wait till we go back to your place after work.” He pressed a kiss on Harvey’s cheek before leaving.
Harvey groaned, suddenly not minding doing some late-night work. He valued his body almost as much as his brain and he really couldn’t trust Mike’s unskilled hands no matter how nice and warm they were.
‘Oh well, maybe I’ll finally get some rest if he damages my back.’ He thought as he let out a long yawn. Of course, he could always say no to Mike but he found it extremely difficult to do that when Mike called his name in a sultry voice while pressing up against him.
While Harvey was debating if he could squeeze in a short nap, Donna was calling Benjamin with a heavy heart. Jessica had told her that Harvey wasn’t planning to press charges against him but she was worried that he might suffer a heart attack by talking to Harvey without any backup.
“Hello…?” It sounded like he was already having a heart attack.
“It’s me. Do you still see Harvey everywhere? You sound like you need to call 911.” Donna felt bad for the guy.
“Donna? You said that nobody knew about that place! You said it was a safe house! Well, guess what!? It’s not as safe as you made me think! Harvey found me!” Benjamin’s tone was accusing.
“Don’t be ridiculous. Harvey doesn’t even know that place exists. I never told him. But wait. What do you mean by ‘that’ place? Where are you?” Donna wondered if Harvey had gone as far as to put Vanessa on him.
“There was a note on the front door this morning! It said ‘Ben, Mr. Specter says hi.’ so I left right away!”
“Where are you now then?”
“I’m not going to tell you for my own safety. Considering that you’re the one to blame for all this, you’ll have to find a way to get me out of this mess. You promised me!”
“Stop being dramatic, Benjamin. I called to give you some good news. The mess has already been taken care of. Jessica confirmed that Harvey won’t be pressing any charges against anyone.”
“What’s the catch?”
Donna bit her lips. She was hoping that she wouldn’t have to tell him until he set foot in the office.
“Harvey just wants to talk to you. No big deal!” She said as cheerfully as possible. “You’re not going to talk to him in court so consider yourself lucky.”
“Lucky? Did you just say I’m lucky? I’m miserable, horrified, sleep-deprived, and many more things, but there’s no way I’m lucky!”
Donna was starting to get annoyed. If Benjamin thought that he was the only one who wasn’t in a good mood, he was definitely mistaken. If losing her intercom privileges wasn’t bad enough, Harvey had confiscated some of her best Marvey tape recordings when he found out that she was listening to those instead. She felt like she was ageing a year every few hours and at this rate, she would look like Louis’ mother in no time.
“Listen. Do you want a medal like Lex? You did what had to be done and now you’re going to face the consequences like a man. You want to go back to your normal life and see your girlfriend again, don’t you? Plus, you want to show up tomorrow because we have a Marvey autograph session. You don’t want to miss that.”
“You’re right. I don’t want to miss that. God, I’m so marveyed…” Benjamin whined as he realized that he still liked Marvey despite everything that had happened. It was nice to think that Mike would remember him for the rest of his life.
“So you’re going to wear a brave suit and come in tomorrow?”
“Yeah… What choice do I have? Harvey will find me anyway. And, I really miss Sophie.” Benjamin thought about his girlfriend who worked at H&M.
“Ask her for more bags, will you? Mike wants a few Harvey items and I can’t give him those in an ordinary bag.”
“Ooh, what does he want? I should buy the same things as him!” Benjamin sounded more alive now and Donna smiled victoriously.
“You want to know? Then find out tomorrow when you come to work.”
“Damn, you’re good.” Benjamin was impressed.
“I work for Harvey.” Donna stated with pride.
“Uh, since you mention that, what do you think he exactly wants from me? You know him best. It would be nice to know what I should look out for.”
Donna shrugged. She honestly had no idea. “I don’t know. If I had to guess, I’d say he would want to use your IT skills like me.”
“Oh, that’s just great. My skills were supposed to set me free, not lead me down this dark, dark path!”
“Oh, you’re such a wuss.” Donna had had enough of it. “You’re going to wrap up your work if you’ve done any and come in tomorrow, okay? Then, you’re going to face Harvey like a man or I’m going to tell Sophie how much of a wuss you are.”
She hung up the phone and looked in her hand mirror. Yes, she had definitely aged several years in three days. What fun was it to work as a secretary if she didn’t get to know every single detail of her boss’ life? She glanced at Harvey’s office but the blinds were still down. It was likely that Harvey was just working but she had to see if her puppet was actually working. ‘He pulls down the blinds way too often this week. And, I bet the coffee he got me this morning didn’t have skim milk. Gosh, I should’ve seen right through it but I was too touched that my puppet brought me something nice during such difficult times. So now I look both old and fat. Great!...’
Donna bit her fingernails as she looked anxiously at the office. She could think of plenty of excuses to invite herself inside but Harvey had particularly warned her that he didn’t want anyone to disturb him when the blinds were down.
‘It’s okay. He said that he was taking away my intercom privileges only until I deliver Benjamin, right? Everything will go back to normal by tomorrow then.’ She breathed out a sigh of relief, unaware of Harvey’s plans.
Now that Norma had officially informed the club members that Harvey had agreed to not go after them in court, Mike was freely interacting with them in front of his cubicle. He didn’t know what exactly Harvey had asked for in return since he wouldn’t tell him but Mike was relieved that his boss didn’t do anything damaging. He did have his suspicions that Harvey must be planning other types of revenge and judging by the childish cackles he heard last night before falling asleep, it must be something rather childish.
‘Maybe he misses the days when he was allowed to pull pranks. Or perhaps my pleadings worked, hmm… But why wouldn’t he talk to me about it? Did he find out that I asked Donna for a Harvey mug and a life-size poster?’ He couldn’t continue thinking since one of the girls praised his blue eyes again.
“Haha, thanks. You have lovely eyes too.” He smiled at her and saw her blush. He felt like he became a celebrity. The girls died at his every move and hung on to his every word.
“What are you doing?” Harvey’s irritated voice froze everyone. The girls nodded their goodbyes to Mike and quickly disappeared.
“I was just taking a short break.” Mike explained.
“No, I mean what were you doing with them?”
“Huh? I thought the war was over.” Mike looked confused.
“It is. But you don’t just mingle with people who were your enemies until a few hours ago.”
“Why not? It could be a good starting point.” Mike answered with a smile.
Harvey frowned. “You don’t get it, do you? It doesn’t work like that.”
“Is that a question for me or a rhetorical one?” Mike lifted his eyebrow which reminded Harvey of himself.
“You just don’t get it.” Harvey shook his head and turned on his heel.
“Are we still on for dinner and massage at your place?” Mike asked excitedly.
Harvey opened his mouth to say that it would be better if they slept in their respective beds for once but the answer that came out was, “Yeah.”
“Great! Oh, and I wanted to ask. Do you want any Marvey stuff for yourself? I can ask Donna to pack your stuff with mine.”
Harvey gritted his teeth. His associate wasn’t just mingling with the former enemies; he was also acquiring some of their merchandise.
“Don’t you have any kind of dignity?” Harvey turned around and faced Mike.
“What dignity…?” Mike wasn’t following.
“Exactly.” Harvey swallowed bitterly and looked around. ‘Where’s that associate who always craves my attention? Alan? Aaron? Apron?’
He spotted the guy who always seemed to be near the fax and approached him, aware that Mike was following him with his eyes. “Hey, associate.”
“Oh, hello, Mr. Specter. It’s Aaron.”
“Aaron, do you think you could handle some work for me?”
Mike’s jaw dropped at Harvey asking for another associate’s help. ‘What in the world is wrong with him today? I’m right here and he goes to another associate? Aaron’s not even half as smart as I am!’
Mike narrowed his eyes at the associate with oily hair and that was when he finally got it. ‘Oh, this is about me hanging out with the club, isn’t it? He’s trying to punish me!’
When Harvey put his hand on Aaron’s back and guided him out of the associates’ area, Mike saw red. He gulped down the water on his desk and squeezed the paper cup before throwing it into the waste basket with unnecessary force.
“Mike? Is everything okay?” Harold looked up from his cubicle, startled at the sound. He had been busy ordering the same fountain pen as Harvey’s.
“Yeah, I just need to finish reading this massage book. Gosh, why is it so long?” Mike stared disapprovingly at the thick book.
“But you can read faster than anyone else!” Harold pointed out. The tone of admiration in his voice made Mike feel a little better. He was definitely enjoying all the compliments and encouragements he was getting from the club members.
“I don’t know why you’re reading that book but if you ever need a test subject, I’m all yours. I’m willing to be under your magical hands 24/7.”
Mike believed that Harold’s words were supposed to be sweet but the truth was that it crept him out. “Uh, thanks, Harold, but that won’t be necessary. I’m just trying to make Harvey feel better.”
“Oh, it’s for Harvey!” Harold almost drooled but he closed his mouth in time. It was a great relief that he didn’t embarrass himself in front of Mike. The mental images of a naked Harvey spread on a large bed with a naked Mike (he didn’t think that Mike would like to get massage oil on his clothes) straddling him while Harvey made both painful and relaxing sounds was too much to deal with.
“I’m sorry. You’ll have to excuse me…” Harold rushed out of his cubicle with a flushed face and sprinted out of Mike’s sight.
‘Oh gosh… Perhaps Harvey was right. Maybe I shouldn’t mingle with them too much.’ Mike shuddered, trying not to think about where Harold had gone.
It didn’t take long for Mike to find out what Harvey had needed another associate for. Aaron came back with his arms full of shopping bags in an hour or so.
“Oh no, they’re already here! I thought it would take a couple of days!” Harold gasped.
“Huh? What are you talking about?” Mike watched as Aaron set the bags on the floor in the middle of the associates’ area.
“Haven’t you checked your inbox? The firm is adopting several measures to improve our health and productivity.” Harold motioned for him to read the notice.
Mike opened his inbox and started to read. Given the suspicious timing of the notice, he could sense that it was all Harvey’s doing.
‘Hmm, so yoga classes are back. Twice a week with Rachel and it’s for everyone except the partners again. Damn, I can’t wait to make partner.’ He thought as he clearly remembered how much pain his body had gone through during the trial session.
“These are for you, Ross.”
Mike looked up from his monitor to see Aaron leave a pair of black sandals on his desk. “Uh, thanks.”
‘These must be the acupressure sandals.’ He figured out as he kept reading. According to the explanation, the sandals were supposed to stimulate a person’s feet and relieve and prevent various types of illnesses.
‘So we have to wear them in the office at all times unless we’re in a client meeting. Fine. How bad can it be? But if it wasn’t bad, Harvey wouldn’t have asked for this.’
“Oooww!!” Harold yelped and almost hit himself against the wall of his cubicle.
‘Okay… perhaps it’s really bad.’
Then Mike started to think clearer. ‘But of course it’s going to hurt like hell. We’re all overworked, overstressed, with no time or energy to work out or eat healthy! Urgh… but why do I have to go through all this? I’m with Harvey! Shouldn’t I be getting a special pardon or something? He can’t treat me like one of the members!’
With a pouty look on his face, he moved on to the third measure. There was going to be a senior partner-associate, junior partner-secretary bonding function on Friday evening in a fancy hotel. ‘Okay, that makes me feel better. It could be a nice working date.’
The thought of standing next to Harvey in an official function as his associate/boyfriend made Mike giddy with delight. He realized that he and Harvey had never been on a proper date. All they had done so far was spending time in Harvey’s condo.
‘Does that sweet nap at the hotel count as a date? It was nice.’ Mike remembered how happy he had been to nap in Harvey’s arms.
‘Perhaps I can ask him out this weekend. We obviously need to take it easy with Kama Sutra since he can’t keep up with me.’ Mike chuckled smugly, wondering where they could go for their date.
‘I’ll think about that later. Let’s finish reading.’ He kept his focus on the screen and read the last notice. It was about more bonding between partners and their secretaries so it didn’t concern him but he could see how it concerned Harvey, Donna, Louis, Norma, Lex and Lana.
‘Oh no, there will be drama. It’s about switching secretaries for a week so that the partners would appreciate them more when they get them back!’ Mike could see how this little bonding experience would work like a charm for Harvey. He would be able to torture both Donna and Lex by sending Donna to Louis and having Lana for himself.
‘Poor Lex. Harvey must know that Lex has eyes for Lana. He’s probably going to be sweet to her and drive Lex mad. Eye for an eye, it seems!’
Then he understood that the plan did concern him after all. ‘No, I’m not going to watch him flirt with a pretty girl! No way! What happened at the party between Lex and me was just business! He can’t hold that against me! It’s not fair!’
Mike groaned as he put on the sandals. If Harvey wanted to punish him, he would have to take it.
‘It’s nothing, really. As long as I get to be with him, I’ll do anything.’ He put on a brave face and stood up tentatively. “Oooouch!”
‘Okay, I’m not going anywhere until it’s time to go home!’ He decided as he quickly sat down. Harvey was definitely a good-looking, evil genius.
“My feet are burning!” were the first words that came out of Mike’s mouth as soon as he joined Harvey in the town car after work.
“Good. That means your body is healing itself. You’ll be healthier.” Harvey chuckled as he placed a kiss on the puckered lips.
“Since you’re the one with a bad back, shouldn’t you have included partners too?” Mike sat closer to Harvey despite being a little mad at him.
“I have a very confident masseur, remember?” Harvey wrapped an arm around Mike’s shoulders.
“So you do believe that I could be helpful.” Mike rested his head on Harvey’s shoulder and closed his eyes.
“I’m willing to give you the benefit of the doubt. Don’t make me regret it.” Harvey kissed the top of the blond head.
“Oh, you just wait, Harvey. After tonight, you’re going to beg me for more massages.” Mike smiled as he yawned.
Harvey couldn’t suppress a yawn as he snorted. Yawning was infectious. “I think we’ll need a nap before doing anything.”
“Getting old, Harvey?” Mike giggled but he had to yawn once more. Now that he was relaxing in Harvey’s arms, waves of fatigue were hitting him over and over again.
“No, you brat. I’m just proving to you that I’m a human being so you wouldn’t feel too intimidated.”
“Nice answer.” Mike giggled some more. He still couldn’t believe that Harvey had positive feelings for him.
Harvey wanted to say something in his smuggest voice but his eyelids kept getting heavier. The car was rocking him gently and he had a warm body in his arms. He didn’t think that Mike would mind even if he closed his eyes for a few minutes.
Ten minutes later, when Ray turned around to announce that they had arrived at Harvey’s condo, the duo was fast asleep in each other’s arms.
‘Aww, how adorable.’ He took a quick picture with his cell phone before shouting gleefully, “Wake up, lovebirds! We’re at your nest!”