For @theschmoolkinsbergbrief 😊
They’re in court and Harvey’s been trying not to laugh for the past ten minutes for a number of reasons. Number one: The opposing attorney is a fucking moron. Two: At realizing this, the client who hoped for a good defendant went through the five stages of grief via facial expressions. Three: Every time the moron speaks the judge - who he knows to be a usually patient and reliable woman - looks like she wants regrets every choice that lead her here.
He hears Mike forcefully try to regulate his breathing beside him. He doesn’t look at him because he knows if he does he’s gonna lose it.
After thirty four more agonizing minutes they finally leave court, their case won easily. They barely make it into the car before Mike cracks, laughter shaking his entire body, tears in the corners of his eyes after seconds.
“Oh my fucking god,” he wheezes as they get in, “can you believe this fucking guy?”
Harvey’s not doing much better - he takes a full minute to catch his breath before he answers.
“No. I can’t. Half the time i was wondering if he was fucking with us.”
Mike sits up a little and imitates the horrible attorney. “Could it be that the patient was still alive during the autopsy despite being dead?”
Harvey doubles over laughing.
“The look on the Doctor’s face, oh god. I almost lost it right there.”
By the time they’re back at the firm Harvey’s whole face hurts from grinning. Mike is snatched by Louis as soon as they step inside, so Donna greets only Harvey when he walks past her.
“You’re getting laugh lines.”, she says without looking up.
“No way. I’m stone cold.”
“Sure.” She holds up a coffee to go. “I got your coffee, extra vanilla.”
He takes the offered cup with another grin stealing its way onto his face.
Donna swings around in her chair. “Take it the case went well?”
“Opposing attorney was a goddamn idiot, you should’ve seen it. It was hilarious. Kept expecting the client to request a new one.”
She looks at him for a moment. Then she smiles. “Mike’s good for you.”
He flushes, but pretends he doesn’t. “What do you mean?”
“I mean I’m glad you can have a laugh with him. That you can rely on him.”
He smiles, doesn’t say anything. He lifts the cup in acknowledgment, and heads back to his office.
The intercom cracks as soon as he sits at his desk.
“So is it crows feet or laugh lines?”
“Oh honey,” she says, laughing. “That ship’s sailed. If you want baby smooth skin, you gotta hold onto Mike.”
Now, this smile Harvey keeps to himself.
He intends to do just that.
