Work Text:
Lately the farmer and the good Doctor had taken to a little routine. Wednesday evenings - pending nothing else more pressing - they gathered at either her farm or Harvey’s apartment to watch a film.
During one of her clinic visits they got chatting about old movies and discovered they had a lot in common regarding them. Together the pair were watching their way through the library's little collection of vhs tapes.
Tonight they were at Harvey’s place, she was sitting curled at one end of his sofa, he sat at the other end, one hand covering his mouth as they watched film - both wide eyed.
“The Exorcist, 1973.” Harvey had told her, shrugging, “It’s supposed to be scary. Is that okay?” He offered and she smiled, settling in.
“I don’t mind a good horror film.” The farmer assured, and how she wished she hadn’t. She had a blanket up to her nose, only eyes peeking out as she watched the film - neither of them offered to turn it off. Occasionally she would cover her eyes with the blanket shuddering. Harvey’s hands moved from his mouth to the side of his head - occasionally wincing and covering his eyes.
Finally, the movie came to a conclusion, and the pair sat in silence for a moment. Finally, Harvey leaned forward, picking the remote and the vhs box up, sitting back down with a soft huff. The farmer still didn’t uncurl from the blanket, she simply watched Harvey expectedly. Before and after each film they read the back of the cover then talked about its ability to summarize the film.
“When young Regan starts acting odd, her worried mother seeks medical help, only to hit a dead end. A local priest, however, thinks the girl may be seized by the devil. The priest makes a request to perform an exorcism, and the church sends in an expert to help with the difficult job.”
“They could have just written “psychologically harrowing” She snorted, Harvey offered half a smile finishing.
“Based on a true story-“
”Now come on,”
“What? You don’t believe it could happen?” He raised a brow and she considered it. She no longer wanted to consider it right now.
“I don’t know. Final rating?” She and Harvey had a made-up rating system for their films. The categories changed with each movie and Harvey wrote it down regardless.
“Ten out of Ten for emotionally jarring.” He decided, and she nodded, glancing towards the darkness outside.
“Hey, Harvey...” She began quietly and he followed her gaze- immediately catching on.
“Of course, I rather you not walk home this late regardless.” He offered her a kind smile before standing from the sofa, “I’ll go get you some blankets. Would you like to borrow some clothes?”
“Yes please - thank you.” She and Harvey had had one other impromptu sleepover - at her farm. The man had fallen asleep halfway through the movie and she didn’t have the heart to wake him. She had laid a blanket over the man before retiring to her bedroom - and when she woke he was gone, just a note left behind.
Thank you,
Harvey
Butterflies began in her stomach but she pushed them into silence just as he returned to the sitting area. He placed a pillow and folded blanket on the bed before handing her the clothing.
“Thank you,” She accepted the old t-shirt and a plain pair of black sleep shorts.
“I don’t have a toothbrush for you.” He frowned, he was becoming aware he was not ready for a sudden sleep guest. Maybe he should be? He was beginning to overthink, but her smile put him to ease.
“That’s okay, thank you really.” Her smile was warm and sleepy. Harvey thought she looked stunning standing so comfortable in his home with him, it was like a dream. The farmer yawned, a hand covering her mouth.
“I’ll feel safer sleeping tonight knowing you’re in the next room.” She admitted before shuffling off to the restroom to get ready for bed. He stood there dumbfounded. She felt safer with him? Not just comfortable but safe? He blushed to himself - standing alone in his living room. Was it weird to stand and wait for her to return, he questioned himself. It was too late however to think for long because she returned and he nearly passed out seeing her dressed in his clothes. She must’ve noticed his staring because she offered him a shy smile in return.
“I - erm - well goodnight.”
“Goodnight Harvey,” She chuckled quietly, collapsing onto the sofa as he retreated to his room. Harvey gave the farmer mixed signals. Not that she thought he meant to - she really didn’t. But she worried he was having mixed emotions about her and about where they were heading.
Sometimes Harvey flirted - she knew it was flirting. It had to be, she’d never seen him speak to anyone else with the same tone. The light teases - the coy smile. But sometimes, usually if she attempted to initiate the flirting batter herself - he would become mildly dismissive, looking away, changing the subject.
Was that his way of saying it would only after going as far as the occasional flirt? She was too afraid to lose the doctor as a friend to ask.
The farmer tossed and turned, a storm had begun to roll through the Valley, adding the eerie atmosphere of the apartment. Slowly the rain pounding on the roof began to relax her - and she was just beginning to doze off when a crash of thunder nearly shook the room around her. She didn’t even hear herself yelp out in fear as she sprang fully awake until Harvey was rushing sleepily into the living room.
“Wha’s wrong?” He asked, voice heavy with sleep - his glasses forgotten.
“I’m so sorry.” She whispered, hands covering her mouth, mortified. “I - shit - I couldn’t sleep. The thunder. It startled me.” Harvey processed the words and frowned.
“Can’t sleep?” Her shoulders slumped and she shrugged. “Because of the movie?” Another shrug.
“It’s spooky being alone, not in my own room and your radiator rattles.” She offered him a half smirk which he chuckled at. They both remained quiet for a moment, thinking.
“Do you want-“
“Would it be okay if I-” they began simultaneously.
“Sorry I didn’t-“
“You can go!” they spoke in tandem again, Harvey blushing brightly as he looked down at his feet - shuffling them slightly.
“Do you want to sleep in my room?” He offered, risking a glance up before looking away again, “I could sleep on the floor if you want.” The butterflies were back and this time nothing was going to stop the swarm.
“I don’t,”
“Oh. I-“
“I don’t want you to sleep on the floor,” She rolled her eyes smirking softly again - Harvey nodded solemnly before throwing her a wink.
“Okay - you can sleep on the floor.” He began to walk towards his room and she laughed, following him. Harvey's room was similar to the rest of his apartment - not overly decorated or cluttered. Simple solid pieces of furniture. He stopped at the side closest to the door so the farmer continued to the further side, slipping into the already warm blankets.
She curled up on her side, facing towards Harvey as he climbed into the bed beside her, stretching out for a moment with a yawn before letting his head fall to the side to look at her.
“You know,” She chuckled, “You didn’t need to show me a scary movie just so I’d come cuddle with you.” She teased hoping he’d be receptive.
“You know,” He mimicked her and she giggled rolling her eyes at him, he grinned beneath the bushy mustache, “We’re not actually cuddling.” She blushed.
“Do you want to be?” Harvey followed her lead and blushed as well, glancing away.
“If you do.” Was his answer. She considered it for a moment. That was as much as an invite she thought she’d ever get from Harvey. She hoped it was an invite because she found herself scooting towards him settling into his side as he wrapped an arm around her. She could hear his heart pounding against his chest beneath her ear.
“You’re warm.” She whispered and he let out a small content hum.
“You smell good.” He murmured back - tentatively allowing his hand to brush some hair from her shoulder - playing with it gently. The way she snuggled closer to him made him know he made a good choice. He continued to play with the strands, closing his eyes and smiling to himself. He’d dreamt of this.
“I still can’t sleep.” The farmer whispered quiet enough that if Harvey was asleep he wouldn’t hear.
“Why?” He frowned but didn’t open his eyes, his hand found her hair again. She took a deep breath.
“Because. If I go to sleep I have to stop enjoying this. And I’m worried we’ll wake up and this would have been a dream.” She answered and his hand paused for a moment. Maybe she made a mistake telling him that.
“I don’t-” He started, before shifting slightly, changing their position slightly so that he could look at her. “I don’t want it to be just a dream.” He admitted, face serious. She swallowed hard but nodded in return.
“Neither do I.” Harvey’s hand moved from her shoulder to the back of her hand, running his fingers through the hair there. She shivered and closed her eyes enjoying the gentle touch.
“May I kiss you?” She heard him ask and her eyes opened again to find him gazing adoringly at her. She imagined she mirrored his expression.
“Yes please,” Harvey felt like his whole life led up to this moment - he leaned in slowly, gently pressing his lips to hers. She kissed him back sweetly and he decided he could kiss her lips for hours on end. He pulled back so he could look at her again, she smiled sleepily and he needed his lips to be on that smile. So he pulled her back in and she happily obliged.
They laid there together in Harvey’s bed, swapping tender kisses and soft whispers until one of them finally fell asleep first - the other following almost instantly - still cuddled up together - smiles on their faces as they slept. No use in dreaming that night - both their dreams had already come true.