crack_van | a day too early (still a couple dollars short) by thatotherperv (NC-17)

Fandom: SUITS
Pairing: Harvey/Mike
Length: 11,424 words
Author on LJ:

thatotherperv
Author Website: AO3 profile
Why this must be read:

I've already recced another fic by thatotherperv this month, but it bears repeating: she has an amazing grasp on these characters. This one is an AU in which Harvey hooks up with waiter!Mike while out with Jessica to celebrate, instead of the waitress we see in the pilot.

Their interaction is quite different, obviously; they're nothing to each other but a mindless one-night-stand at first, and everything else happens quite by accident. Mike, true to form, is quite the fuck-up. He takes even less crap from Harvey here than he does in canon. I mean, on the morning after, he actually says, "Look, no offense. I mean, honestly, you are God's gift to anyone who likes dick, so rest easy...that's not just your overblown ego. I just don't think this'll work for me as a Thing."

It's a thing of beauty. Harvey is, as ever, a very unreliable and very snarky narrator, and watching Mike win his reluctant admiration in baby steps as they become fixtures in each other's lives is kind of brilliant.

"...the best closer this city's ever seen."

The waiter turned to Harvey with a sharp-edged focus that he hadn't been expecting; his perusal was too matter-of-fact to be a come-on, but it zinged down Harvey's spine. "Attorney?"

Now he was intrigued. "Not the first thing people think of."

"Well, I already know you're not a Major League pitcher."

It was stupid for a grown damn man to feel a pang of loss at that, so Harvey squelched it. He settled back in his seat, carefully casual. "You do?"

The kid had a small tilt to his lips, both cocky and knowing. "I'm good with faces. Plus, you've got that look."

"What look is that?"

"The one that says you make grown men cry for a living. And you like it. I'm gonna guess...M&A's your thing."

Harvey blinked once, surprised. Not quite true, granted, but close enough to revise Harvey's first impression. "Law student?" he guessed.

The smug look faded and left an imitation smile. "No," the kid said simply. "Anyway, congrats on closing your deal. Have a great night."

The last was addressed to the other side of the table, where Jessica looked amused that Harvey'd forgotten her completely. She generously waited til the kid was out of sight before she mocked him.

"At last, worthy prey. Enjoy your victory lap with..." She glanced at the bill and gathered her things. "Mike. But not too much. I expect you at the office tomorrow. On time, Harvey."

Harvey grinned but promised nothing. He never made any promises that he didn't plan to keep.

a day too early (still a couple dollars short)