Work Text:
Jessica is busy running a law firm, she doesn’t have time to micromanage the HR or accounting departments, let alone notice anything different about Harvey and Mike. She appreciates Harvey’s wins, but his track record for annoying her is just as strong—if not stronger—so she still avoids him when she can. April is her least favourite month of the year, unable to escape a mountain of paperwork as all her employees file their tax returns.
The fresh stack on her desk was the unorganised of the office, waiting until the last day in the week they could submit. Jessica looked across Harvey’s tax return with an impressed smirk, in an awe she would never admit at his earnings (though still less than hers, of course). She was equally sighing in disappointment at his tardiness, which was almost impressive in itself. Harvey hasn’t filed his own taxes in at least a decade.
Below Harvey’s is Mike’s, which might be the reason Harvey’s is late. At first, she doesn’t think much of it. It’s the typical tax return of a third year associate. She pauses at the bottom, it can’t be an error for the document to be filed as Michael Specter. Clear as day, in relatively fresh fountain pen blue ink, is the scrawled signature of Mike Specter. Jessica stares at it for a few beats, looking back to Harvey’s tax return and examining the intricacies more closely. It’s not the single tax return she’s seen for him every year past, it’s a married but separately filed tax return. Mike’s is the same.
Jessica lets it stew in her head while she finishes the rest of the pile, summoning Donna into her office mid afternoon.
“I signed off on Harvey and Mike’s tax returns today,” Jessica starts, her raised eyebrows and inquisitive look fixed on Donna.
“Great, I’ll let them know they’ll be processed soon,” Donna replies, before she fully understands what Jessica is implying. Harvey and Mike being married is such an uneventful and back of mind thought to her now.
“Donna,” Jessica says flatly, “we are a law firm. I have seen Mike’s name and signature on many legal documents. It has always been Mike Ross.”
“Oh,” Donna almost squeaks, “that.”
“When did it happen?” Jessica sighs.
“I don’t know?”
“What do you mean?” Jessica is suddenly curiouser, never expecting Donna to be out of the loop.
“I found out in August, but it had been a few months.”
“Makes me feel better about not getting an invite to the wedding,” Jessica chuckles, “that’ll be all. But don’t warn them I’m coming.”
“Of course.”
A part of Jessica does appreciate their discretion. She wishes she had been kept in the loop, but attention on Mike should always be avoided. She waits until later in the day, when most of the office has gone home.
“Harvey,” she walks into his office with a confident smile, that Harvey doesn’t seem to think twice about.
“I’m about to leave,” he mutters, glancing to briefly note that it’s already 8pm on a Friday.
“With Mike?” she asks with a knowing smile, perching herself on the arm of the couch and looking at him expectantly. Harvey doesn’t even flinch, continuing to type like she said nothing important.
“Rookie’s don't leave before 9, even on a Friday,” Harvey says as if it’s obvious, almost with a scoff.
“Not even when they’re married to their boss?” Jessica says with faux innocence, batting her eyelashes at him. Harvey carefully pauses, looking up at her slowly. He shuts his gaping mouth and briefly flicks his eyes to make sure the door is shut. “I signed off on your tax returns today,” she adds flatly.
“Did my accountant accidentally select that I’m married?” Harvey offers, toeing the line of a cheeky gin and still hoping he can get away with it.
“Seriously?” Jessica laughs at him, “he signed it Mike Specter, unless you have a cousin I didn’t realise we hired.”
“Did you come here to tell me anything else?” Harvey purses his lips.
“Not really,” she stands up and clasps her hands together, “though I do appreciate your discretion.”
“You’re most welcome,” he grins, almost to a mocking degree.
“I would be upset that I didn’t get an invite, but Donna told me she didn’t get one either.”
“No one did, that’s how eloping works.”
***
Harvey isn’t surprised, has no right to be really, but he is still grateful that they got almost ten months of marriage without Jessica knowing. Mike leans against the open door of Harvey’s office around 8:45pm, staring at his husband with a tired desire to go home that is reserved for Friday’s. Harvey opens his mouth to say something but decides to leave it dormant for the minute. The walk downstairs and the drive home is quiet, the space filled with their soft and familiar routines. They know exactly how the other will move and settle into each place they frequent.
“Jessica found out today,” Harvey says casually while they’re getting undressed, toying with his ring in a way Mike hadn’t thought to read into.
“She what?!” Mike’s head snaps to his husband’s, voice frantic and entire demeanor panicked.
“You signed your tax return Mike Specter,” Harvey rolls his eyes fondly.
“Oh my god,” Mike’s mouth falls open like the connection never occurred to him.
“She doesn’t mind, appreciated our discretion,” Harvey adds, which was enough reassurance for Mike to let out a breath and wrap his arms around his husband’s neck.
“That’s great news,” Mike pulls back from their kiss with a hesitant smile, “though I think it means she never wants us to come out at the office.”
“That’s definitely what it means,” Harvey chuckles, leaning in for another kiss, “but I have you right here, so I don’t mind.”