Chapter Text
Mike Ross buttoned the bottom button on his shirt, pulled on his jacket and breathed a sigh of relief. He was free. The prison gate opened and out he walked.
He smiled, there was Harvey- but he wasn’t surprised, Harvey was always there. However, his smiled dropped a little when he realized Harvey was alone- no Rachel in sight.
He walked over to Harvey and was surprised to be pulled into a hug- if you would have told Mike Ross one year ago that Harvey Specter would initiate not one, but two hugs with him he would have laughed in your face.
“If you don’t start to at least make the effort to hug me back I’ll be really insulted.” Harvey said jarring Mike out of his reverie, he quickly put his arms around Harvey and sunk his head into the crook or Harvey’s neck- because this was the first real set of interaction Mike’s had in a long time and he’s missed this. He breathed in deep, and he felt at home, all those hours spent glued to Harvey’s side, he missed it so much he ached.
“Easy there Rookie or you’ll inhale me.”
“Can’t you just let a nice moment be.” Mike chuckled and eased his way out of Harvey’s embrace. “You look like hell, by the way.”
“Oh yeah the guy who just got out of jail is telling me I look like hell. Pot, kettle Mike.” But he was smiling, not a single ounce of heat in his words. “Let’s get you home? Or food? Your call.”
“Is Rachel home? Do you know?”
“I’m not sure, she told me she was busy today, something she really couldn’t get out of. She wanted to be here Mike.” Truth be told Harvey had no idea where Rachel was, he didn’t know why she wasn’t here, he was angry because she should’ve been here to welcome Mike home too.
“Alright well- um food? You’re buying right?”
“Obviously, they gave you what? Enough money to catch a bus? I can’t have your first meal give you food poisoning.”
“Thanks Harvey.”
Within an hour they were seated at a nice restaurant at a cozy table in the back. Mike tried to get comfortable but he felt like everyone was just staring at him- like they knew he just got out of jail. He knew deep down that this wasn’t the case, he’s just paranoid. But, he just couldn’t shake the damn feeling that everyone in the goddamn room knew he was a criminal.
“Mike.” Harvey said his name sharply and kicked his shin lightly.
“Huh?”
“What’s wrong?”
“What do you mean? Nothing’s wrong- everything’s good for once.”
“Then why are you fidgeting? Also you haven’t heard a word I’ve said.” Harvey was scrutinizing him, watching him closely for slips in behavior. Mike sighed.
“It feels- weird.”
“Weird?”
“Like everyone knows, I feel like wherever I go everyone knows I’m fresh out of prison.” He whispered.
“No one knows Mike.”
“I know- Harvey I know but it’s a feeling I can’t shake.”
Harvey’s face softened as he really took Mike in. The kid’s lost a few pounds, he’s a little on the paler side now, he keeps compulsively running his hand through his, really really short, hair. He looks uncomfortable, shaken, he looks embarrassed and afraid and it makes Harvey’s heart hurt. Prison has hurt his puppy. Before he could get a word out the waitress came placed their meals in front of them- she offered them a sincere smile and departed. Harvey sighed.
“Mike.” This time it wasn’t sharp, it was soft and sad and goddamn it Mike did not need Harvey’s pity.
“Just stop okay- I jus- can we just eat? Please?” Harvey just nodded and for the first time and awkward silence fell over them while they ate.
It wasn’t too long after when Harvey dropped Mike off at his apartment.
“You want me to come up with you? You know incase Rachel isn’t home.” Normally Harvey was sure of himself but his question came out- awkward, almost nervous.
“I’ll be fine Harvey, if she’s not there I could use a little while getting readjusted to my bed- I’ll probably catch a nap.”
“Alright, but if you need me you call me.”
“Yeah.” Mike just waved him off already getting out of the car.
“Mike- I’m serious, anything and I’m there, you know that.”
It’s the sincerity that makes him stop and look at Harvey- really looked at him. He seemed tired, the bags under his eyes prominent. His suit was still immaculate as always but if you looked closely you could see that he it didn’t fit him the same, like he’s lost weight or muscle or something. He felt bad knowing he was the cause.
“I know Harvey, and you know if you need me- I’m here.” Just as sincere, Harvey just nodded, eyes shifting quickly away from Mike.
Mike exited the car, spared Harvey a wave and made his way up to his home.
His heart sank, Rachel wasn’t there. He sent her some text messages and hadn’t received a reply yet. He was sad, and honestly a little angry. She should be there, he just got out of prison- she should be here. She wasn’t there when he went in. She wasn’t there when he came out. All he had to do was sit and wait.
It was hours before she walked through the door. Hours. She looked so casual walking into the living room and she looked shocked to see him.
She forgot he was coming out today.
She forgot about him.
“Mike.” It took her a few seconds to recover- before she was crashing into his arms, he hugged her back but he could feel a difference. It felt less sincere.
“I’ve missed you.” He meant it, he really did, he missed the way she felt in his arms, the way she smelled, he missed her.
“I’ve missed you too.” Her smile didn’t reach her eyes. That hurt. He decided to just call it as it was.
“Something’s different.”
“What do you mean?”
“Something’s different with you.”
“Mike-“
“Just tell me what it is, please.” He was so tired.
“I’ve been seeing someone.” He pulled away from her. It burned, Mike’s never been on fire but he’s sure this is how it felt.
“Ho-How long?”
“Not that long- Mike-“
“You we’re going to marry me. Rachel I wasn’t even in there that long.” His anger was rising.
“Mike- I’m sorry.”
“First the Logan thing- now this.” His voice was calm, but his words were meant to sting.
“Mik-“
“You couldn’t even be there for me when I came out today Rachel. Where were you?”
The silence that filled the room was the loudest thing that Mike has ever heard. He couldn’t take this, not today, he was tired he wanted to sleep. He wanted to be at peace. He didn’t even notice his feet taking him to the door.
“Mike where are you goi-“
He was out the door before she could finish.
Mike was barely paying attention to where he was going, but he knew exactly where he was going to end up.
Mike knocked on Harvey’s door and waited- it couldn’t have been five seconds before the door swung open. Harvey looked Mike up and down, his face softening when he looked him in the eyes, Mike subconsciously swiped at his eyes, they were wet. He was crying.
“Can I-“
“Get in here.” He was grateful that something’s never changed. God he hoped Harvey never moved, he really loved this place and could walk here with his eyes closed.
“I’m sorry to barge in so late-” he let out a sad laugh “I guess some things never change.”
“Change is overrated.” Harvey said as he held out a glass of whiskey Mike didn’t see him pour.
“She’s seeing someone- someone who isn’t me.” The words tasted more bitter than the whiskey.
“We were going to get married- now I can’t help but wonder what if we tied the knot before I went in?”
“Don’t worry about things you can’t change, Mike.”
“Why did she do that do me?”
And with that the damn broke, Mike sobbed as he slid down the same pillar he did the last time here was here. That time he was afraid of losing everything. This time- he felt like he lost everything. He didn’t even notice Harvey walk over to him and crouch down beside him.
“It’s going to be okay.”
“You can’t say that- I’ve lost everything.”
“Not everything, Mike. I’m still here.” With that Harvey pulled Mike into the most awkward hug either of them have every experienced, and let Mike cry into his over priced henley.
Mike didn’t know if he believed everything would be okay, but it calmed him to know Harvey was still there.