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Matthew had gone to the saloon with Leah and Elliot a couple hours earlier. Harvey told him to text him when he wanted to come home, and that’s why he was out walking at midnight.
‘Baby Gus saiys tomato go home’
Harvey chuckled to himself as he remembered the message, or well- messages. Matthew had been drunk texting him since the first hour he went out. It was mostly nonsense rambling, but occasionally he would gush about Harvey. Oh he was so drunk.
Harvey walked through the doors of the saloon, searching. It was mostly empty now with a few stragglers. Lights low and music soft. Gus was cleaning up the counter before he looked to Harvey. He let out a soft chuckle.
“Over there, Doctor.”
He pointed to a booth in the corner where Matthew, Leah, and Elliot can all be seen piled together, a couple drinks around the table. Leah and Matthew were giggling as Elliot watched with his drink.
Harvey made his way across the saloon, sliding into the seat next to Matthew.
“Hey honey.. you ready to go?”
Matthew gasped like he didn’t know Harvey was coming, and wrapped his arms around the doctors neck.
“Harvvvv!!”
Harvey chuckled, holding Matthew’s waist gently. “Hi, I’m here to get you, remember?”
“Whaaat! Noooooo-“
Leahs hands were on Matthew’s shoulders in an instant, pulling him back from Harvey.
“We’re still having funnnn!”
Harvey huffed playfully, one hand still on Matthew’s side.
“I know you were having a good time, but I think it’s time for me to take Matthew..”
He looked to Elliot, who had yet to say anything. He was noticeably more sober than the other two.
“So, how much did they have?” Harvey asked playfully.
Elliot chuckled, sipping a wine before setting the glass down.
“You would kill me if you knew how much your dear lover had.”
Harvey huffed again, shaking his head. He turned his attention back to Tweedledee & Tweedledum next to him. Matthew (Tweedledum) was drawing out something on a napkin while Leah listened intently. They often connected over art and ideas, it was adorable.
But, as cute as it was, Matthew really did need to get home.
“Cmon love, it’s time to get going.” Harvey’s arm gently wrapped around his waist, and pulled him towards him.
“Okayyyyy” matthew practically whined, but then melted into Harvey’s side. He buried his face into Harvey’s neck, mumbling something about the farm. Harvey felt his stomach flutter.
Leah huffed but just crossed her arms.
“Fine.. get home saaafffe. Take carrrrreeee”
She leaned against Elliot now, already on another subject. Harvey glanced to the ginger man.
“You have her?” He wanted to make sure they all got home alright, not just Matthew.
Elliot pulled Leah’s hair back as she layed head down on the table now.
“Mhm, she’s alright with me.”
“Good. Thank you, for looking after this one.” Harvey stood with Mathew practically attached to his side and nudged him gently.
“Say goodbye, okay sweetheart?”
Matthew looked up, eyes tired now.
“Gooodniiighhtf… I loooove you guuuyysss..”
With that, Harvey was dragging Matthew out of the saloon.
Matthew stumbled every few steps, giggling everytime. Harvey smiled and shook his head. The moonlight made Matthew look, well, gorgeous. Flushed cheeks, messy hair and playful smile.. god, he was amazing.
“You’re ridiculous, love.”
“Nuh uhhhhhh…”
Matthew slurred, wagging his finger. Harvey laughed affectionately.
“Absolutely ridiculous.”
They continued through the square, heading towards the clinic. Matthew lit up.
“Sleeepovvverr!”
Harvey huffed another laugh, and nodded. “Yes, a sleepover.”
He fumbled with the keys for a moment- it was hard to do it right when there was a drunk and swaying Matthew clinging to his side. finally the key went in and the door opened
“You’re sooo.. cute..”
Matthew mumbled. Harvey’s cheeks went a bit pink, smiling to himself.
“Thank you, honey. You as well.”
They finally trudged up the stairs with much more effort than it should’ve been- most work done by Harvey. He gently set Matthew down on the bed and kneeled to take off his boots. He undid the laces slowly, pulling off the first boot. As he set it to the side he felt hands cup his cheeks. His eyes met Matthew’s, the younger man’s eyes filled with affection.
“You’re so pretty.”
Harvey’s face felt hot and tingly and his eyes grew wide. Matthew was always affectionate, but fuck, Harvey couldn’t help but melt everytime.
“Thank you, Hon. You are too.”
He continued to unlace Matthew’s other boot.
“No you’rreee reallly pretty…”
Matthew couldn’t keep his hands off, pulling Harvey’s face to his.
“Matthew-“
His complaint was cut off by Matthew’s lips on his own- his eyes closed as he grasped the man’s hand.
It was slow and gentle, like the world around them didn’t exist. When Harvey finally pulled back- he was huffing for air. Matthew was in protest, trying to pull the doctor back in.
“Slow down Sweetheart..” Harvey took Matthew’s hands off his face and into his lap.
“I love you, dearly, but you are drunk, and need sleep.” Matthew all but whined, and Harvey simply chuckled.
He continued to pull off his other boot, setting it next to the other one.
“Cmon, arms up…”
Matthew huffed.
“I can take. Carrre of myyselfd..”
His arms rose half way- his body clearly too tired.
Harvey rolled his eyes, smiling. He pulled off Matthew shirts in one sweep.
“Hush.”
Harvey got the rest of Matthew’s clothing off, leaving him in his boxers while he searched for pajamas. Matthew looked around the room, head spinning. The lamp light was warm and intimate, the bed sheets soft against his skin. He huffed and stretched across the surface of the bed, turning on his side.
Harvey turned back around from the drawers, some of his own clothing for him in hand. He stopped when he caught a glimpse of Matthew. Fuck. He was gorgeous. His beautiful, lovely boyfriend..
He slipped into the bed next to the other man, wrapping his arms around his middle.
“Hmm.. you’re absolutely, completely, ridiculous…”
Matthew wiggled in his arms.
“I didn’t evennn do anythinggg! I’m noot ridiculousss.. I’m sorrry..”
He turned over in the doctor’s arms, forehead to forehead.
“Why are you sorry?”
Harvey’s eyes softened, asking.
Matthew buried his face into his neck.
“You always… take carrre of mme.. and.. I worry you evenn tho I should.. care for mmyself..”
Harvey’s heart lurched. Oh Yoba, if only Matthew knew. If he could, Harvey would keep him in his bed forever- taking care of him for the rest of his life.
“Oh sweetheart..”
He whispered. His hand reached for Matthew’s cheek, pulling his face to look at his own.
“You think I’d take care of you if I didn’t want to?”
Matthew stared for a moment, before lacing his fingers with Harvey’s.
“You take carre oofff evryonen.. I don’ wannna mmake it.. worse..”
Harvey could feel the urge to grab Matthew by his ears and pull till he got it through his thick, drunk skull.
And, he did. He suddenly grabbed at Matthew’s ears, pulling. Not as hard as he wanted- obviously- but enough to grab attention. Matthew yelped slightly, but then giggled.
“Hhharrvvv! Ooowww!”
Harvey tugged a bit, pushing his forehead into Matt’s.
“Listen to me and listen good. You. Are not. A burden. If I didn’t want to care for you I wouldn’t have picked you up from the Saloon. If I didn’t want to deal with an intoxicated farmer, I wouldn’t have told you to text me when you wanted to go home. This is my choice, deal with it.”
His voice was firm, his eyes firmer. He gently let go of the man’s ears.
“Don’t you understand..?”
Matthew stared- wide eyed. He felt his chest turn and twist- before settling into a soft flutter. Water formed in the corner of his eyes and before he knew it, he was bawling.
“I-I’m sorry- sorrry-“
Harvey’s arms enveloped him in a second, warmth coming over his body.
“Shhh… it’s okay sweetheart.. shhh…”
Lips fell on Matthew’s forehead, then running down his nose.
“You’re okay.. I’m right here..”
They stayed like that for what felt like eternity, Matthew in Harvey’s arms- crying gently. Harvey simply let him, letting out soft and comforting words of reassurance.
It was ten minutes after Matthew’s tears stopped that Harvey finally spoke.
“Better?” The feeling of Matt nodding in his neck made him relieved, and his grip loosened slightly.
“Good, that’s good. So lovely. Let’s just get some sleep, yeah? You need it..”
His lips grazed Matthew’s for just a moment, before he pulled the blankets over both of them.
“Forget the pj’s.. I’ll keep you warm. I love you, hon.”
“I lovve.. you too..”
Matthew mumbled into the doctors neck, already almost asleep. Harvey chuckled and pulled him closer.
And in that small apartment above the clinic, the world melted into nothing but them...