Work Text:
"And you didn't tell him because..?"
"I don't know, I was there for professional reasons and it didn't feel like the right time to disclose my whole private life"
"Ha-ha, there it is, my emotionally stunted husband makes an appearance. I kind of missed it"
"Shut up, I'm hanging up on you"
Harvey could sense the affectionate tone through the receiver, and he was sure his teasing smile came through in his reply too.
"We miss you"
"I miss you too, I'll be home tomorrow. Is he sleeping?"
"Yeah, he totally crashed in bed—I barely had time to give him something to eat. He wanted to stay up to talk to you, but the day at the pool completely wiped him out."
Harvey let out a heavy sigh, the sound tinged with a hint of guilt.
"Hey Harvey, it's not your fault. He made me write that message just for the fun of it, he knows you're busy and I explained to him that it would be hard for you to call"
"I promised, back in Seattle, that I wouldn’t live just for work anymore—and that I’d never let anything compromise my time with him"
"And you didn't. I had to practically force you to leave for NY, and you never missed a goodnight call. You are the best dad and I'm so proud of you"
Harvey couldn't suppress the soft smile and felt a warm flutter in his stomach.
"...even if you keep us as your dirty little secret"
Harvey burst out laughing at the affectionate jab.
"You should probably stop sending me 'daddy' texts if you wanted to be taken seriously"
He could hear the barely suppressed laughter on the other end of the line.
"Stop it, or I'll end up waking him up!"
"You know I'm proud of you too, right? I didn't tell Ted anything about you because there is too much to tell, I wouldn't be able to explain what you mean to me while making small talk in a pub. I love what we have - I wouldn't trade it for the world."
"Harvey, I know.."
"And what if I want to keep you and James my little secret? I would do anything to protect you both, I like to keep my private life separate from work"
"I was just teasing you. I love how protective you are of us. But we're not going anywhere"
"You'd better not. A second divorce in such a short time could permanently stain my image."
"Oh, I’m truly touched—you just reduced our marriage to a matter of public image?"
"Of course, who do you think you're talking to?"
"To my husband, who feels an irresistible urge to ruin a rare sweet moment with his blunt cynicism."
"That sounds like me"
"Come home, Harvey. New York’s bad for you."
Harvey huffed a laugh.
"Goodnight Mike. I love you"
"Love you too"