Chapter Text
It's been a week. A week since Harvey punched Mike in the face. Except for minimal comments shared when needed concerning work, Mike wouldn't speak to Harvey. He barely even looked at Harvey. He knew that's what he deserved, but it didn't make it any easier. Harvey was his shock blanket for moments like this. Mike floated through the week as it dragged by, trying his best to be completely numb to his surroundings. But Friday had finally shown it's face and Mike had made his decision. He'd been emailing Trevor in Montana and he knew there was a room for him waiting. He wasn't running away, no. Old Mike Ross might have run with his tail tucked between his legs or begged Harvey for forgiveness. But the Mike Ross of today was going to learn how to stand on his own, he just needed a few days away from the stifling walls of Pearson Hardman and all the employees.
Mike took a deep breath before knocking on the door and only moved to open the door when Harvey waved him in. It was clear from the look in Harvey's eyes that he was thrown from Mike's visit seeing as he had no work due to him until Monday.
“Mike,” Harvey said with a small hint of concern, “what brings you in here?” Using the small moment of Harvey's question to really take in his appearance, Mike noticed how truly haggard he looked. Dark circles and strain marks were in place where Harvey's skin was usually smooth, and on rare occasions accompanied by laugh lines. He stood with a slight hunch, not very noticeable had one not spent hours studying every inch of this man. Mike suspected he only let it show when he was alone. When Mike flicked his eyes back to his lover's, he stuck his hands in his pockets so as to keep himself from reaching out to comfort Harvey.
He straightened his back a fraction and held his gaze with the man in front of him as he said “I'm taking a few days – I already ran it by Jessica, she said it was fine – and I'm heading out to Montana to clear myself of the tensions of the past week.” He saw Harvey's jaw clench when he mentioned Montana. He never did approve of Mike's long time friend. “I'll decide by the end of my time there if I will be returning, most likely not.” Mike held his breath a bit as he forced out the last bit of what he needed to say to the man in front of him. “But regardless of if I return to work, I won't be returning to you.” Before Harvey could persuade him otherwise, Mike stalked out of the office and gathered up his things at his cubicle. He knew what he just said to Harvey must have wrecked him but he could not let himself fall back. With a quick glance around, Mike let out a long breath and prepared himself for what would hopefully be a chance at a new beginning.