Chapter Text
Harvey first met Mike at a celebration party his last year at Harvard. It was common knowledge that Harvey wasn’t that serious as a student, even though his grades and work were good. He loved working with the law, it was just that he loved having fun and sleeping around even more. So it wasn’t that much of a surprise, actually, it was sort of bound to happen, that he would eventually get into bed with the wrong person. Or actually, getting into the wrong person’s bed.
He was supposed to meet up with this girl, Monica, in her dorm room. So after finding the key, right where she’d left it for him, he had sneaked his way into the room and under the covers. It was about three seconds after he found out that he was in fact, snuggling up to a man, that he was kicked in the stomach and fell straight on his ass on the floor. That was how Harvey Specter first met Mike Ross.
“I’m Harvey.” He had said and reached out a hand for Mike, after he tried to explain the situation. At first he just figured that he was Monica’s roommate’s boyfriend.
“Mike.” The other man had answered, and shook his hand briefly before getting a t-shirt and some sweatpants.
“I’ll be so much more careful with who I get in bed with now.” Harvey said as he rubbed his sore stomach and sat down on the other bed in the room.
“That would be a big change for you, wouldn’t it?” Mike asked, cocking his eyebrows at him.
Harvey frowned. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
Mike scoffed at that as he got a water bottle from the mini-fridge, offering one to Harvey as well. “I was warned about you the second I got here, the senior, who preys on freshmen, you’ve slept with half this floor is what I’ve been told.”
So Mike had been warned about him? Couldn’t be somebody’s boyfriend then.
Harvey just shrugged “Half this floor is female.”
“I’ve heard you’re pretty neutral on the gender front.” Mike said as he leaned back against a dresser, his eyes looking Harvey up and down.
Harvey smirked “I don’t like choosing sides.”
Mike chuckled “Aren’t you a law student?”
“What about you?” “Same.”
Harvey clearly saw an opportunity at that as he stood up and walked closer to the other man “Well, if you need some tutoring, I’m sure-“
“First of all, I’m top of my class, I’m smarter than anyone of these Harvard douchebags, including you, second of all, why would you think I’d be interested in you?”
“That look you get, it’s like a dog when it’s about to get food in it’s bowl.”
“You’re offensive, a bit of an ass and clearly too cocky for your own good.”
“What?” Harvey asked “Says the guy who thinks his smarter than anyone else here?”
“I passed my midterms with flying colors without even going to any of the lectures.” Mike stated, and okay, that was actually very impressive.
“I’m not offensive, I’m honest.” Harvey said as a comeback and Mike just smirked.
“Then I guess I can be pretty honest with you too, you’re a dick.” Mike said as he went over to the door and opened it. “You may go now.”
“Wow, look at you freshman, you got some balls.” Harvey said, clearly impressed, he didn’t think anyone had ever been that honest with him before, well, except for Jessica, who told him to get his shit together like every other month or so. It could be because she was paying for his tuition.
“I appreciate the honesty.”
“It’s called a friend.” Mike said, tapping the door twice, trying to get Harvey to take the hint. Harvey just realized he didn’t have that many friends, not like that anyway.
“I’ll go.” He said and held his hands up in defeat “Oh, and Mike.”
“Yes?” Mike asked, clearly annoyed.
“When you get to professor Gerard’s class in Legal ethics, you better go to the lectures.”
“And why is that?” Mike asked, even though there was still some irritation in his voice, Harvey could tell that he was curious.
“Because his tests aren’t’ about his books, they’re about his lectures.” Harvey stated, feeling very proud of himself. “Maybe you should stick around kid, might learn a thing or two.”
As he was leaving the room, he suddenly realized something and turned around. “Wait, if you’re a freshmen, how did you get in here?” Harvey asked “
Only seniors were allowed here tonight because of the end-of-the-year party.” Mike smirked at him
“Who says I’m not a senior?”
“You did.” “Whatcha going to do, Mr. Attorney, sue me for fraud?” He winked at Harvey “See you around, Specter, maybe you’ll learn a few tricks.”
Six years later, Harvey had just been made one of the youngest senior partners ever at Pearson Hardman and Mike was his associate. Not much had changed since that night at Harvard. Harvey still slept around, and he was still a dick. Just not to Mike. Mike still thought he was the smartest one in whatever room he was in. Except when he was in the same room as Harvey. He’d never admit that he found Harvey an equal of course.
Harvey had been with the DA’s office for a year before Jessica Pearson had hired him, and he’d quickly moved up the chain of command, known for being the best at closing cases and for a few high-rank cases that had caught the attention of the media, he’d become one of the youngest senior partners at the firm. Just as his mentor had been, Mike was also the most promising among the associates.
“Gonna be senior associate soon, then I’m sure I’m gonna be made junior partner.” Mike said jokingly as they made their way towards Harvey’s new office. “I’m gonna make senior partner even sooner than you did.”
“You wouldn’t even be here if it wasn’t for me.”
“Hiring me was the best decision you ever made.” Mike said as he briefly stopped at Donna’s desk to hand over a soy latte.
“Extra caramel?” She asked as she followed them into Harvey’s office.
“You think I’m some kind of animal?” Mike joked and Harvey rolled his eyes at the both of them. Donna, bless her, was like a gift from above, but whenever she and Mike were both in the same room, they both found it way too entertaining to give him a hard time.
“Oh, and by the way, you sound like an old married couple.” Donna stated “And hiring you is the second best choice that man has ever made.” She said and winked at Harvey. Mike grinned at Harvey as he sat down opposite of him, taking a sip of his own coffee
“So how was your date last night?” Harvey only made a vague comment about how they should be working before answering the question “It was great, but she wanted to see me again tonight.”
“Ah.” Mike said and held up a finger “Your rule about not seeing the same person two nights in a row, god, no wonder everyone wants to jump into bed with you.”
“Zoe knows about my rules.” He stated.
“You’re such an ass sometimes.” Mike replied.
“Honest.” Harvey corrected him “Now, go get me those approvals from the Milson case.”
“You got it boss, lunch later?”
“We’ll see.”
“Come on, we’ll go to that steak place.” Mike said and Harvey just knew he was giving him the puppy-dog eyes without even looking up.
“Go with Louis.”
“I would if you didn’t get so jealous.” Mike said and winked at him. Harvey gave him a disapproving glare
“I’ll have Donna make a reservation.”