Work Text:
It was about 6pm when Mike knocked on the door to Harvey condo. His boss had summoned him at the last minute to check over the documents they needed for a deposition the following Tuesday.
Normally they’d still be at the office at 6pm on a Thursday evening, but it was Christmas Eve, and Christmas Eve meant that Mike should have been cosy and slightly tipsy playing checkers with Grammy at the home, whilst some cheesy Christmas movie played in the background.
So, considering all that, he was less than pleased to be standing outside Harvey’s door instead. Like seriously, even Harvey needs to take some time off!
“Good of you to finally show up,” Harvey said with a frown as he opened the door.
“Dude, it’s Christmas Eve, half the city is trying to drive home.”
Mike shimmied past him, completely ignoring Harvey's protests about being called ‘dude’.
“Anyway I have the files, but I can’t stay long, I need to get to-“ Mike stopped dead in his tracks when he rounded the corner to the living room. “Hey, where’s your Christmas Tree?”
“I don’t have one,” Harvey replied without a second thought.
Now Mike knew that Harvey wouldn’t be one to go overboard, but no tree at all? That was positively criminal.
“Mike… files,” Harvey snapped him back or reality be waving a hand in front of his face.
“Oh, erm…yeah” he stuttered. “I don’t think we need to completely change our tactic but I spotted this bit here,” he dumped his bag down and pulled out the file he’d brought over. Opening up the file on the kitchen island, he flicked through the pages to find the bit he was looking for. He pointed at the paragraph near the bottom of page 12 giving Harvey a chance to read it.
“Seriously no tree at all? Not even a small one?”
“Not even a small one.” Harvey replied again clearly not interested in explaining himself further.
“But… but…” Mike was seriously having a hard time comprehending Harvey’s complete lack of anything Christmas. He might not have been so bothered if it was earlier in the month, put it down to Harvey's busy schedule, but for there to be no signs of anything less than 12 hours before the big day…
“Why do you care anyway?”
Good question, why did he care?
“Dunno,” Mike shrugged. “I guess it just doesn’t feel like Christmas without a tree.”
“Well I can assure you I’ve coped perfectly fine without one before and I think I’ll be ok tomorrow too.”
Mike was about to try and argue but Harvey shut him up with the wave of his hand.
“Now I wouldn’t want to keep you from your tree any longer than necessary,” Harvey shut the file in front of him and gestured towards the door. “I’ll see you on Monday.”
Reluctantly Mike picked up his bag and slung it back over his shoulder.
He paused just as he stepped through the door, he turned back towards Harvey. “Well Merry Christmas I guess.”
Harvey’s expression softened slightly.
“Yeah, Merry Christmas Mike.”
He gave Mike a quick wave and then shut the door behind him.
Mike trudged out of the building into the cold feeling pretty bummed about the whole interaction. He always loved decorating the tree, it was the best bit of Christmas. Was Harvey really about to spend Christmas Day alone, no decorations, not even a simple tree? Next year he’d make sure that changed.
****
“What’re you doing here?” Harvey questioned as he opened his front door.
“Nice to see you too Harvey,” Mike rolled his eyes and waited patiently to either be let in or for Harvey to notice the object currently tucked under his left arm.
Harvey’s eyes quickly flicked south and widened when he spotted it. “What the hell is that?”
Another eye roll from Mike.
“What does it look like? It’s a Christmas tree!”
He pushed past Harvey, giving up on waiting for an invitation.
By the time Harvey had closed the door and caught up with him, Mike's miniature tree was sitting proudly on the centre of his kitchen island.
“Ta-da!” Mike said as he straightened the little gold star on the top.
The tree itself was barely more than two foot tall but it added a small amount of festivity to the otherwise clinical kitchen.
“Is it…” Harvey inspected the tree, reached out with his hand warily and stopped just short of touching one of the branches. “Is it real?”
“No Harvey, it's a figment of your imagination.”
Harvey shot him a look. “I mean, is it a real tree with roots and stuff…one that needs to be watered?”
Mike smiled at Harvey’s apparent wariness. “Also no. Don’t worry I knew you’d kill a real one. But I also know you have standards so I got you the most realistic one I could find. I thought you could get some lights, you know, brighten the place up a…” He trailed off when he noticed the look on Harvey’s face. “Or I could just take it back.”
“No,” Harvey said, maybe a little too quickly. “I mean… you brought it all the way here, I don’t want you complaining about being tired if I make you carry it all the way back to Brooklyn.”
Mike smirked. “Well, whatever helps you sleep at night.” He smacked Harvey lightly on the shoulder as he walked past and back along the hall.
Part one of defrosting Harvey’s Christmas spirit - complete.
****
Until Mike met Rachel, he hadn’t realised quite how many rules there were surrounding how you should and should not decorate a Christmas tree.
He was standing in her living room surrounded by the biggest selection of ornaments he’d ever seen. They were all sorted and colour coded, and apparently it was essential that they didn’t get muddled up. Her mom was busy helping decorate whilst her dad stood in the kitchen pretending not to watch them. The whole experience was completely overwhelming.
“Please could you pass me the silver box?” Rachel smiled at him sweetly, pulling Mike out of his trance.
Mike smiled back, putting on his bravest face and handed over the box.
He bent down to try and pick out a few ornaments that he thought might be suitable preparing himself for inevitable scowl of disapproval when his phone began to buzz in his pocket. He pulled it out and smiled when he saw Harvey’s name on the screen before quickly excusing himself to take the call in Rachel’s hallway.
“Please tell me you have a super important emergency that you absolutely need my help with?” he asked hopefully.
“What?” Harvey’s confused voice came from the other end of the line.
“I uhm…chrsitmas tree, Rachel…parents… you know, it doesn’t matter,” he stuttered back. “How can I help?”
“I thought you loved Christmas trees. Mr ‘it doesn’t feel like Christmas without a tree’” Harvey said, clearly amused by his own wit.
“Are you calling about something important or are you just going to laugh at my discomfort?”
“I’ll always laugh at your discomfort Mike. But no, I need your help with the Rawlins depo, they’ve moved it up to Monday so we need to have our defence ready stat.”
“Ok great, I’m on it.” Mike was practically gathering his jacket before he finished speaking.
“Not so fast hot shot, I wouldn’t want you missing out on Christmas traditions with the new in-laws. Finish the tree first, then you can work. I want proof.”
“They’re not my…proof what proof?”
“And stop complaining. You love Christmas." Harvey shut him up.
“Fine” Mike pouted. The last thing he heard before the call hung up was Harvey’s unashamed laughter.
He reluctantly returned back to the living room and was relieved to find that Rachel and her mom were almost done.
Rachel walked up beside him and wrapped her arms around his waist. “Now, doesn’t that look good?” she asked as she lay her head against his chest.
“It’s perfect.” Mike planted a kiss on the top of her head as he admired the picture perfect tree with its symmetrical silver ornaments and twinkling white lights. He wanted to mean it, he really did, but he couldn’t help but feel that there was something missing. That little bit of chaotic spark that came from having a tree full of mismatching decorations, handmade crafts and items collected over years, a tree full of memories.
His phone buzzed again and he opened the message from Harvey.
‘I’ll show you mine if you show me yours’
Huh? Mike blinked to check he hadn’t misread it.
The message was quickly followed by a photo from Harvey showing his tree. The very same one Mike had given him last year, star on top and now ordained with a set of golden lights. It looked simple, tasteful but still warm. Perfectly Harvey, Mike thought with a grin.
He snapped a quick photo of the tree in Rachel’s living room and sent it through to Harvey who replied almost instantly; 'Great now get your ass over here and do some work’.
Mike chuckled to himself and made his excuses to Rachel’s family. Maybe Harvey’s frostiness was melting away on its own.
****
Mike had spent most of the day lying on the couch feeling sorry for himself. He lay staring up at the ceiling, a now lukewarm beer in his hand, as he digested the last of the pizza he’d ordered himself a few hours ago. He couldn’t think of a worse way to spend Christmas day.
He’d not bothered decorating, he’d not bothered with anything really - aside from reluctantly taking part in the firm's Secret Santa. Thankfully he’d avoided getting Rachel, that would have been awkward with a capital A.
He was still trying to find the motivation to stand up and clear some of the mess he’d made when there was a knock at the door.
Huh?
Had he accidentally ordered more food? Invited someone round and then forgotten about it? No to both he was pretty sure, but then again the day had slipped by in a blur so he wasn’t really sure about anything anymore.
He reluctantly hauled himself up from the couch and crossed over to his front door. He peeped through the hole and stepped back again in surprise.
Harvey was standing in his hallway. Harvey, at his, on Christmas day. Maybe he’d actually fallen asleep and it was now the 27th, and Harvey was here to see why he wasn’t at work yet. Yep, that would make the most sense.
“Heeeey?” he said questioningly as the door swung open.
“Jesus,” Harvey looked him up and down. “You look dreadful.”
“Thanks.”
Mike stepped aside to let him in.
“Wow, no snappy comeback. Things must be really bad.”
“What’re you doing here Harvey?” Mike asked. He wasn’t in the mood for a lecture.
“I just wanted to make sure you were ok,” Harvey said with what sounded like genuine softness. He was standing in the middle of the room looking like he wasn’t really sure what to do with himself.
Mike frowned. He’d got to know Harvey pretty well over the years, even more so in the months since he broke things off with Rachel, but this was new. Harvey usually commanded the room, he didn't look awkward, Harvey Specter simply didn’t do awkward.
“I’m good,” Mike shrugged and Harvey gave him a look. “Ok, well maybe not good, but I’ll be fine, honestly. Do you want a drink?"
Harvey still didn’t look convinced but he accepted Mike’s offer and sank down into the couch when Mike handed him a beer.
They sat in silence for a while, both periodically sipping on their drinks until Mike finally broke the tension.
“Didn’t have any plans to see your family then?”
“No,” Harvey replied. “I get grilled enough in the courtroom, I don’t need more of that for Christmas.” He tried to laugh it off but Mike could see the small hint of hurt behind his eyes.
Harvey sighed and leant back further into the couch.
“Marcus came down to see Katie’s parents last weekend, I saw them then, gave the kids their gifts and such.”
“I bet you spoiled them rotten,” Mike bumped his shoulder against Harvey’s.
“Maybe,” Havey shrugged. “It doesn’t make up for not seeing them often though.” He said sadly.
“Do you have a photo of them?”
Harvey frowned but reached into his pocket for his phone. He swiped a couple of times before turning the screen round to show Mike a picture of him standing in front the fireplace in his apartment. There were two girls in the photo too, one in Harvey's arms, the other clinging onto his leg. They were both looking at him with a sense of adoration and it made something ache inside Mike’s chest.
“You look happy,” he said quietly. He liked this side of Harvey, he looked lighter, more open.
“Yeah, well they’re good kids. I suppose they bring out my softer side.” Harvey laughed softly and took a sip of his drink.
“I can see that.” Mike smiled. “I can see something else too.”
Harvey’s brow furrowed in confusion and Mike almost laughed.
“The tree?” He pointed at the background of Harvey’s photo. “You’ve had a bit of an upgrade.”
“Oh,” Harvey let out a breath. “Yeah, well I thought the kids might like something a bit more exciting.”
“You mean you didn’t want to be accused of being a scrooge by your nieces?"
“Yeah something like that.”
Harvey stuffed his phone away and the room went quiet again. It was an odd feeling, Mike wasn’t used to awkward silences with Harvey. Normally they could keep a conversation going for hours, Mike could talk about everything and nothing, and Harvey usually let him.
He began to pick at the label on his bottle when Harvey bumped his knee.
“I notice you don’t have one.”
Mike frowned.
“A tree,” Havey clarified.
“Oh.” Mike stared up at the ceiling as if it might help him answer Harvey’s implied question. “I guess it just didn’t feel right this year, you know, after Grammy, and Rachel. Things don’t really feel like Christmas when you’re alone.”
He couldn’t bring himself to look at Harvey, he didn’t want to see the look on his face. He didn't want his pity.
“Well, go get it then,” Harvey nudged him again.
Mike let his head fall to the side. “Huh?”
“You once told me it doesn’t feel like Christmas without a tree, so let's make it feel like Christmas again.”
It took Mike a second to actually comprehend what Harvey had said. Was he really suggesting they put up a tree now? It was almost dark and most people were getting to the end of their Christmas, not just starting it.
Harvey got to his feet and held out a hand. Mike hesitated for a second but eventually he took it and allowed Harvey to pull him from the depths of his couch cushions.
Still unconvinced, Mike hunted through his closet for his motley selection of decorations and emerged a few minutes later with a tree under his arm and a box of ornaments. It wasn’t everything but it would have to do.
“You gonna help, or are you just going to stand there looking pretty?” Mike said when he noticed Harvey leaning against his kitchen counter looking a little too pleased with himself.
“You think I’m pretty?” Harvey said, a smug smile pulling at the corner of his mouth.
“No. No... yes.” Mike stammered, he suddenly felt hot, the weight of Harvey’s gaze boring into him. “I mean…objectively speaking, maybe…oh shut up.”
He thrust the box of ornaments at Harvey when he began to laugh.
“Don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone” Harvey whispered in his ear and Mike felt the hairs on his neck prickle.
He set about putting the tree together doing his best to ignore the growing feeling deep in his stomach.
“There’s just one thing left,” Mike pointed at the top of the tree once all the ornaments had found a home.
They looked inside the box, a lonely gold stay lay at the bottom of the empty box now perched on the dining table.
“Better put it on then.” Harvey flashed him a suggestive grin.
They leant over at the same time, both reaching for the star and their eyes met as their fingers brushed together. Mike’s breath hitched. Had Harvey done that on purpose? Without stopping to think about what he was doing he leaned forwards. It was a moment of courage, or madness, or maybe both, but once he did it there was no going back.
He moved his hand from the top of Harvey’s and instead rested it on his cheek. He brushed his thumb over the rough stubble on Harvey’s jaw, admiring his features in a way he never had before.
Mike paused, giving Harvey just enough time to pull away if he wanted.
He didn’t.
He closed the gap between them, letting their lips brush gently at first and then he pushed in further, willing Harvey to do the same. Harvey’s lips were soft and warm, and Mike savoured every second.
They pulled apart slowly and Mike held Harvey’s gaze, waiting for a reaction, something to let him know that they were doing the right thing.
“Took you long enough,” Harvey smirked.
“Shut up,” Mike said before he surged forwards again, crashing their lips together clumsily.
They stumbled backwards until Harvey regained his balance and held Mike upright with a firm hand on his waist. He used it to guide Mike backwards towards the bedroom and Mike followed, no questions. He trusted Harvey to take him wherever he needed to be.
The star never made it to the top of the tree.
****
That was the first and last time Mike woke up on Christmas day without a tree.
They go out and choose one together now, every year. There’s no rules or themes to abide by, they decorate it with anything and everything they can find - except for tinsel, Harvey doesn’t like tinsel.
They’ve built up their own collection of ornaments now too, adding them slowly to the few Mike kept from Grammy’s collection. They range from the sublime (a hand carved wooden tree that they brought back from their honeymoon in Europe), to the ridiculous (a photo of Louis' face on a star that he had gifted to them, and everyone else he knew, when he mistakenly ordered five hundred instead of five). They’ve even added a few homemade decorations from that time that Mike managed to persuade Harvey to go to the local Christmas crafting fair (Harvey still claims he was tricked, but Mike knows he secretly loved it).
But no matter where they come from, or how mismatched they are, they are all special in their own way, and their tree will always tell a story of their life together.