#whoa crazy self control? idk her

[nani-nonny]

Setting Sun: Part 1

Welcome to Setting Sun, a rottmnt vote-based short story where readers dictate how the story continues on. Your goal as the reader is to choose the best option to 1. Continue the story and 2. Learn what you can about the “lore” behind this story.

Every update has a week to vote for how the next part of the story starts. Be cautious in making your decision! Your decision could very well end the story before you learn anything or before the “planned” happy ending.

The readers only get one (1) chance to change a voted decision if you get a “bad” ending(or have some unanswered questions). So remember to be cautious when voting (nothing spooky/gory happens so no stress).

If you have any questions or something doesn’t make sense, feel free to ask and I’ll fix it or make it easier to understand! This is a first for me so this could be rough hahah!

Enjoy this short story and be patient in the wait time. (I would have made it one day to vote, but I need time to write other stuff too hehe... that and work and shit.)

Mikey can’t count how many days, weeks, months he has been in this place. Everyday is the same, every person he encounters is the same as the last, every day is the same. But the only thing he can count on, the only thing that changes the most in this godforsaken place is the setting sun.

No matter what he is doing, even if he is on the run or hiding in the deepest cave, he runs for the nearest height. He runs and runs even after his lungs burn and his heart can’t keep up. He runs until his blistered, burning, calloused feet slid to a stop on a cliff or remnants of a building.

Then he watches the sunset. He sits down and tries to control his breathing as he takes in the new colors of the sun. He takes in the brilliant array of colors, embedding them into his mind. He watches as the orange tones consume the redness of the flaming sun, enveloping the tint of hidden yellows.

Nothing could compare to this. Not even the sunrises he sought out in hopes to capture the same feeling he gets when he watches the sunset. But it didn’t feel the same. The soft blue that rises with the sun didn’t make him feel warm and calm like the sun pulling the navy blue canvas freckled with white points into the sky.

God, how he wanted to encapsulate this moment. He wanted to replicate it with his own hands, each and every sunset. He wanted to hang them up on every nook and cranny of the vault that was his memories. But he knows he can’t. He knows that he can’t afford to stay in one spot longer than necessary.

Not when they’re after him.

He doesn’t know how he got here, or why he’s being chased. He doesn’t know what this place is and if he can even call it what used to be home. He doesn’t recognize anything—not like there was much to make an attempt off of.

That was this place’s constant. A large, open plain that stretches beyond what seems like infinity. Sandstorms seem to always be brewing, whipping around clothing and blinding views. There hardly is any time to rest in between sandstorms, and the harsh whip of wind accompanied by clusters of sand hurt like hell.

Even the occasional person he met was a constant. They always wore the same attire: a long beige cloak to blend in with the sand, large beige scarf that hid their eyes from the sand, and voices that Mikey could barely hear over the wind. He would try to ask them anything—get some clues as to where he was, but they would give one of three replies.

“What? I can’t hear you!”

“Sorry, can’t chat!”

“Heed my warning, stay away from the Riots!”

Mikey never got to know what or who “the Riots” are, and he’s not entirely sure he wants to find out. He learned quickly that mentioning it to anybody he passed would result in immediate silence paired with avoiding eyes.

He wouldn’t have a problem with that as it was easy to tell they were trouble. The problem is that he doesn’t even know how he was supposed to avoid “the Riots” should he ever come close to encountering them or whatever it is.

And he’s not entirely sure if they’re actually bad news. If anything, they could be his ticket out of this unchanging place. Maybe they could be his saviors and provide all the water, food and protection he needs instead of constantly running to and fro. Maybe they could provide shelter instead of having to find some remnants of a building sticking out of the ground or sleeping dangerously out in the open.

And forever the optimist, he hopes that he just might meet these people. He hopes that he will find something new.

But it’s hard to keep holding onto that hope when everything—as far as the eye can see���is the same no matter what direction he looks.

So, he stops for a moment. Just like every day in this strange and unchanging and windy plain, he must choose his path.

Going in circles wouldn’t do him any good, so he has to make a choice: Forward or turn tail.

[loveisbraveandwild]

Hi. Can you put your ranking of tjr books and give reasons why? So the only book I read so far is Forever Interrupted and loved it so much. Then I started reading Daisy Jones but couldnt get into the format even though I love music and the 70s but I plan on going back to it. So now I started Evelyn Hugo cuz everyone loves it but the premise is kinda unrealistic so far? Also did you enjoy Evelyn Hugo or Daisy Jones more cuz it seems like it's pretty split, and it seems a lot different than Forever Interrupted style. But I also started reading Maybe in Another Life before, and decided to go back to it as well but idk so far. Then I started One True Loves and really love love it so far lol. But basically I plan on reading them all..its just sometimes I have different moods and dont wanna read it too fast. It's always interesting to read different books by the same author to compare. So my question is where do I start or if I should end with the best books..apparently Daisy Jones or Evelyn Hugo..so idk.

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo- there are maybe 3 books I would describe at “the perfect book” and this is one of them. i recently reread it and fell in love with it even more and discovered so much about myself and the characters. you will love and hate the characters and the story is incredibly compelling. a little bit of humor and a lot of romance and drama and mystery! ive gotten just about anyone who will sit down and read it to read it. came out in 2017 and a huge shift away from her first 4 books, but a little bit more in line with daisy jones. however, its not written like an interview- it’s a regular novel that jumps between two “periods” for a lack of a better phrase. it’s basically a story within a story. this is also the first book of tjr’s a read and i loved it so much i bought her other 5, which is, in my opinion, a testament to the effect it had on me. Also- I’m surprised you said it’s unrealistic, its actually based on elizabeth taylor which was v obvious to me early on. 

Daisy Jones and the Six- i read this in one sitting. ive never read a book in that style and i was absolutely obsessed with it. that journalistic style is incredibly difficult to pull of, and i thought tjr did it beautiful. the plot twist was not as striking to me at EH was, but i was still like “whoa what!” i made a playlist based off of the book too because i just wanted to live inside it. the characters, again, are incredibly complex. but i love fleetwood mac, and felt like i was existing in the 70s reading it. another must must must read. 

One True Loves- while i read this i was updating my roommate and practically screaming about it! I loved it and it’s most like forever interrupted imo. its suspenseful and romantic and emma is an incredible character. you will be both team jesse and team sam at various parts of the book, but i was very happy with the ending! this book also made me a bit stressed because it was crazy and i just couldnt imagine being in any of the 3 of their shoes i was just like hfgkjdls the entire time reading it! def recommend! 

Forever, interrupted- i’m putting it as 4 but i might be tied with otl. you already read this so i won’t bore you, but this book made me cry. im surprised it was tjr’s first book, because i was very moved by it. also tjr’s ability to make you fall in love with a character within the first 300 pages of her books is scary. there’s literally no reason i should ever be in tears to quickly into a book but alas, if anyone can have that effect on me it’s tjr. 

Maybe in Another Life- this one starts off with a woman who moves and then goes back and forth between two different lives and explores. how small decisions can completely alter your life. it made me think a lot about my decisions and i love the back and forth and the way tjr tells this story. i gave it 5 stars on goodreads, but def not my fave of tjr’s

After I Do- my least favorite of tjr’s. following a year of Lauren’s life after her and her husband decide to take a year long hiatus from their marriage, this book is very much about self discovery and healing, but also very romantic. It’s always interesting to see where life takes you versus how much control you have over your life. def a feel good book. 

[fanatic-scribe]

A Bottle and Some Cards

Chapter 1/?

Fandom: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2012)

Word count: 2,484/2,484

Ao3: Here

Characters: Donatello (main), Casey Jones (main), everyone else

Pairing: Donatello/Casey Jones

Warnings: Aged-Up Character, Drinking Games, Slow Burn (kinda)

Ch 1 / / Ch2 (coming soon) / /

Summary:

Ethanol is the intoxicating part of alcohol and its molecules are so small that they can actually pass into the gaps between brain cells. There it can interfere with the neurotransmitters that enable all the brain’s activities. If you drink fast, alcohol will start to flood the brain. Alcohol affects parts of the brain responsible for self-control. And that is why Donatello did all this dumb shit to himself.

A/N: Just something fun I made for the hell of it. There may be other pairings in this but Idk yet.

This work will be tagged with #B&C tmnt

Chapter 1: Salt and Lime

“Pussy.” Mikey huffed at Casey as the human chugged down his cup of beer. Casey stuck out his middle finger as he drank.

“I’d say sensible,” Donnie chimed in, “the dare said to ‘drink a concoction of whatever the opponent makes using whatever they can find in the kitchen.’”

“Yeah so?” The other’s looked at him dumbfounded. Flashes of Mikey’s bizarre “food” concoctions from when he was a young chief, and them too worried to crush his dreams, flash in their minds.

Taking turns they began to reminisce of his old creations. The ‘Squid Oatmeal Pizza.’ that Raph still swears he saw an eye on. But, as Donnie pointed out at the time, “It could be a raisin. You know, from the the...oatmeal...part?” at least that's what the boys keep telling themselves. They ate the entire pizza that night.

And who could forget the ‘Apple Pizza Pie Suprise’ with ‘All the wonders of both pies together with a twist!’ Poor April, who had not yet tried his creations and was too late to hear the turtle’s warnings, found the twist quickly after chewing on the bite only once. The brother’s had watched helplessly as their best friend’s soul left her body to the depths of hell. The pizza part of this creation was a classic Mikey order that she has seen only once; double anchovies, roasted garlic, chocolate, cappuccino pizza. The only thing that had stopped her from spitting it out before Mikey had walked away was the shock of the taste, it had paralyzed her. All she could do was open her mouth to let the food fall onto her plate and push it directly into the trash next to her. None of the brothers could blame her. She remembers her bite having a certain pop to it that she tried many years to forget.

‘Asian cowboy fusion calzone dude!’ Is what had gotten Karai. By this point, Mikey was a better cook, he would make odd foods for himself all the time still but no one had told Karai. She took a small bite that Mikey offered her but immediately spit it out, much to the turtle’s amusement as he was laughing. She found out later that to Mikey “cowboy” meant beans and s’mores and “Asian” meant teriyaki sauce, ginger, and shrimp. Karai learned an important lesson that day, never trust Mikey’s original cooking.

“And that was all him being nice and trying to cook.” Casey added pouring himself another cup of beer, “This would be him making something bad for my dare.” Everyone shuttered thinking about the horrors that could have been. Except for one bubbly laugh.

“Yeah, you’re right dude.” Mikey took a drink from his cup, “I get creative when I’m drunk so I probably would have killed you.” They all chuckled at this, everyone would have rather drunk.

They loved their weekends together because they got to do this, have fun and laugh. April was in college and spent a lot of time studying, even if she came to the lair at least four times a week. Casey wasn’t in college but he had a job at his local ice arena, he helped teach young kids hockey and did general cleaning and maintenance, that kept him pretty busy. Karai was always busy, over the time she took over the Foot Clan had reclaimed their good name but she was still having to deal with certain people still loyal to Shredder or mob bosses who saw her as an easy hit. Even if they were busy they still would try to gather together every weekend to relax and half fun together. This Friday night, with alcohol already clouding their minds, they were playing Truth, Dare or Drink.

Leaning forward Casey took hold of the bottle and spun it, still leaning forward he plucked up a dare card not looking at the words yet. “Wow, Casey Jones picked dare.” Donnie chaffed, “Did not see that one coming.” Casey smiled cheerfully at the turtle with wide eyes, gap teeth, and a middle finger on both hands. There was a chuckle at their banter, Donnie had become comfortable with it and often looked forward to his time with Casey. They had truly become good friends.

As the sound rolling of glass slowly dulled so did everyone’s voice until both were silent. The neck of the bottle pointing, if a bit vaguely, at Donnie. Mikey oohed with excitement like Casey Mikey enjoyed movement rather than talking so he always preferred dares. Hopefully, this dare won’t be a drink instead.

Dramatically, Casey lifted his arm to point at the turtle, “Donatello! The cards dare you to,” He lifted the card up to read aloud, “do a body shot off your opponent.” There was a chorus of laughs and oos from everyone as Donnie shook his head.

“No, no. I’m not doing that. I’ll drink.” Everyone turned to boo him. “BOOO!” he answered.

“Donnie you haven’t done one dare!”

“Mikey, I’ve only gotten one other dare.”

“AND YOU DIDN’T DO IT!” Mikey was having a hard time trying to understand what Donnie didn’t get about this very simple topic. Just before Donnie could say anything Raph leaned forward from his spot on the couch interjecting their argument.

“Hey come on, it's fine. This is Donnie’s choice.” He paused for a second taking a drink from his cup as everyone looked surprised. He smirked as he pulled the cup away, “And he’s choosing to be a fucking killjoy.” There were a few laughs as Donnie just rolled his eyes, he reached for his cup leaning forward from his spot on the floor.

A hand reached out and stopped his wrist, he followed the hand up to April who had walked over to him from her seat next to Karai. She was crouched down sitting on her heels, he ninja training with the other girls must be going great, he had not even heard her move. “Look, Donnie,” He’s heard that tone of voice before, “if you don’t want to do this that’s fine but you had two easy dares. Just have fun no one will make fun of you.”

“Bullshit.”

“Did you see us make fun of anyone else?” Thinking back Donnie could remember everyone laughing at crazy antics but then just more celebrating all together. When Leo had to let Raph draw on his face with a sharpie everyone was laughing, even Leo now sporting a lovely penis across his forehead among other drawings.

Donnie sighed, might as well give the people what they want, “Alright fine I’ll do it.” he said throwing his hands up. Before he could even stand up Casey and Mikey had already hoped up and started moving to the kitchen laughing and cheering. As everyone else stood and made their way to the kitchen Casey was sitting on the table, legs dangling over the sides, shrugging off his jacket and throwing it to the side. Bent over the open fridge Mikey was looking for the tequila Casey had brought over with the beer. The salt and lime already in his hands as Mikey grabbed the chilled bottle and placed the items on the table. Soon the rest of the group joined them at the table just as Casey began to pull his shirt over his head.

Donatello couldn’t help but see how the human had really grown into his frame, as a scientist observes an animal grow and mature. His muscles were more defined from when he was a gangly kid, his abdomen had the defined lines of muscle. His hips made a V just before his pants, this was accented further due to a small patch of hair leading from his belly button to bellow his pants. Donnie realized this felt different than observing and animal grow and mature, ‘Must be the alcohol.’ he thought to himself, because what else could it be? A shout from Mikey quickly shook him from his trance. “Dude, what the hell!”

“What?!”

“What the fuck is on your nipples?!”

The turtle’s had seen Casey shirtless before but something had changed. Now there was a visible bar of metal going through each nub where there hadn’t been last time. “Oh yeah,” Casey chuckled looking at his chest, “I got my nipples pierced.”

“Well, that part is obvious!” Shouted Raph, “When did you do this?”

“A little after the tongue at a shop.” Raph had known about the tongue. They had gotten their tongue piercing done together by Slash. Sure it may have been a ‘teenage at home piercing’ but it was straight and healed up just fine, that was almost a solid year and a half ago. Donnie rolled his eyes as he got to work cutting the lime, being very careful as he could feel his body sway.

“It’s just body modification, lots of humans do it.” Even though his words were indifferent his eye’s lingered on Casey’s chest, a slight amount of dark hair contrasted with the sparkling silver rings. There was something fascinating about it that just drew in Donnie’s attention, they suited Casey.

“Dude, it’s so weird looking!” Mikey reached forward and poked at the human’s nipple. Normally Casey was cool with being randomly touched by Mikey, especially in a party situation like this. However, as soon as he pressed down on Casey the turtle had his hand pushed away as Casey scooted away on the table with a nervous hum, laugh. He had reached up to covering his nipple with his hand and other arm held up to keep Mikey at a distance.

“Whoa! Ok!” There was still a chuckle with his words, “Hey Mikey lets not touch my nipples ok.” There was a questioning look in his eyes as well as everyone else, Casey shrugged, “They made my nipple more sensitive than I'm used too.” There was a slight pinkness in his cheeks as everyone briefly discussed this new topic. Donatello could feel his face heat up as well, ‘Must be from the alcohol.’ he thought.

Raph snatched the lime slice Donnie had cut and ran the fruit next to Casey’s belly button and poured salt over it, the crystals clung to the lime juice on his skin. After much debate, the group decided to pour the shot into the dip made by Casey’s pronounced collar bone when he leaned his head back. It wasn’t enough to fit an entire shot and he wasn’t allowed to move or he would pour the tequila but it made the body shot feel more authentic, whatever that means. Casey complained slightly about the cold fruit and liquor but no one really cared enough to change anything, besides it was already too late to change anything. So Casey just sat there, neck stretched back, leaning on one arm with a lime slice in his mouth waiting on a certain purple-clad turtle.

Donnie stepped between the human's legs a bit reluctantly, they looked at each other, well as best they could without Casey moving his head.  Donnie with his arms crossed, he waited for Casey to back out because surely he would by this point. But he just sat there, lime sticking out of his gap teeth surrounded by a shit-eating grin, Donnie couldn’t let that grin win. After a few more still, silent seconds Donnie took a breath and bent down.

Donatello’s rough tongue ran over the area of salt on the human’s stomach, he could feel Casey tense slightly under his tongue, he could feel the soft, warm skin as it contracted against muscle. Donnie ran over the slight dip were his abs were more defined, he couldn’t taste the human over the tart lime and salt but some animalistic part of him wanted to. Some inner part of his brain wanted to bite the human. Vaguely in the distance, he could hear hoots of encouragement but they were drowned out by the sound of hot blood rushing to his head. Still, they pulled him back to the task at hand, already forgetting his primal thought.

As Donnie stood he rested his hands on either side of Casey on the table, he leaned forward and touched his lips to the human’s collar bone and the tequila. Donnie could have sworn he heard Casey’s breath hitch over the chorus of cheers when his tongue lightly ran over the soft alcohol wet skin. With a loud, almost comically, disruptive slurp Donnie had swallowed the alcohol, it burned his throat but the salt helped.

Moving on, he leaned forward to take the lime from the other’s mouth, he bit down and pulled only to be met with resistance. Casey held onto the lime with a smirk forcing Donnie to play a game of tug o’ war for the lime, very annoying.

The turtle looked up to glare at Casey only to find black eyes already looking at him and it felt like time had frozen. Donnie wondered if he had ever looked at Casey’s eyes. Donnie thought that he had eyes like the deepest water, black and bottomless pools of onyx trying to pull the turtle in. For a moment he thought he could explore those eyes for hours trying to find their end and never get tired.

Snapped out of his daze by Casey letting go of the lime causing Donnie to stumble back from his own tugging. This earned a chuckle from the group followed by pats on his shell and congratulations. Smiling and laughing with everyone he couldn’t help but feel his heart beat faster and harder in his chest. He glanced over at Casey and saw him putting his shirt back on and laughing with Raph about how he jumped off the table and almost fall.

Everyone was using this time to talk about what had been happening in the game and to grab more snacks and drinks. Also to pet Ice Cream Kitty, like a lot. A few people cried. Petting Ice Cream Kitty is serious business. Donnie was pouring bags of snacks into different bowls when his eye’s drifted to Casey once or twice, looking for something. He was standing in front of the open freezer having just put whipped cream on the sugary cat, he then tipped his head back to fill his mouth with whipped cream. Donnie watched as his long neck stretched back, Donnie remembered how soft his skin felt against the harsh salt taste. A more animalistic part of his brain said something but it was muffled in the back of his mind.

“Don, you ok?” April’s voice pulled him out of his daze and he realized he has spilled quite a few pretzels.

“Yeah, yeah I’m fine just lost focus.” He smiled and worked to clean up the spilled pretzels. Why was he so fascinated by Casey?

‘Must be from the alcohol.’ he thought.

Notes:

Hope you liked it! I know nothing happened yet. Bummer. Well, the next chapter will be coming soon! Sometime next week Maybe

[darveyfics]

Christmas prompt- Donna and Harvey are a couple but they’re fighting. Every time they see mistletoe, they kiss. Eventually they make up. Idk just lots of angst and then fluff lol

Darvey & Mistletoe; aka the only Christmas tradition Harvey finds interesting. Bonus points if it drives Donna crazy :)

Mistletoe kiss fic please (it's up to you if they're already in a relationship or not)

Harvey and Donna fight right before Christmas

Harvey and Donna first Christmas as a couple

AN: I’m not sure if this is anything like what you wanted, but this one got away from me a lot. It’s a full blown fluff/cheese fest. Hope you still enjoy.

“Of Gingers and Kisses”

“Donna, come on,” Harvey heaves out a breath as he chases his relentless girlfriend out of the elevator. 

He stops short when she halts her steps, both of them standing in the middle of the annual- now Specter Litt- holiday party.

“You’re seriously going to continue giving me the cold shoulder?” Harvey huffs beside her, and if she wasn’t so pissed at him she would’ve laughed at the adorable pout he gives her.

“I think you’re forgetting why I’m so upset with you,” Donna retorts, crossing her arms over the black Prada dress she donned- flowing down her body instead of her usual skin tight dress look, complete with a pair of red hot pumps. 

Harvey sighs beside her, “Trust me, I’m not,” he mumbles, absentmindedly giving a few fake smiles to some of the firm’s employees that pass by. The party was in full swing now, taking place just off to the side of the library. Holiday music was playing in the background, a tall Christmas tree sat in the center of the room, honing in most of the attention to the surrounding area, strategically placed next to the open bar. 

He takes her arm then, gently guiding her until they’re in a semi-secluded corner of the room. 

“You know I didn’t mean to-”

“It wasn’t just that, and you know it,” she hisses, her eyes sending daggers his way.

His lips turn thin at her words, trying his best to reign in some self control and not smile at how cute she looked. He was still feeling the backlash from when he had called her that earlier. 

“Donna,” Harvey starts in that low tone of voice he only reserved for her, “I’m sorry, and for the way I acted afterward,” he repeats her earlier words right back.

“Are you?” She raises an eyebrow at him, firmly standing her ground and he tilts his head at her, trying his best to not let his irritation come to fruition.

“You know I am,” he tells her softly.

“Oh, so now you’re telling me what I know?” She shoots back with raised eyebrows. He gapes at her then, trying to formulate a sentence that won’t keep sending him to the dog house. 

“I-”

“Hey guys!” Mike’s all-too cheery voice interrupts their moment, appearing with a half filled champagne flute and his signature 100-watt smile. “Uh, why do I have a feeling I just walked into a couple’s quarrel?” He questions, blue eyes glancing from one friend to another.

“Oh, look, your puppy showed up,” Donna rolls her eyes.

“Whoa- she’s pissed,” Mike’s eyes widen comically before looking back to Harvey, “Dude, what the hell did you do?”

Harvey’s mouth opens at the same time Donna lets out a half-amused laugh, “Why the hell do you automatically assume it was something I did?”

“Because it’s you,” his former associate retorts without hesitation. 

“He’s not wrong,” Donna mumbles beside him.

“It’s- nothing, Mike.” Harvey shoots him a look in warning, trying his best to ward off his friend so he could continue talking to his girlfriend. 

“Nothing?” 

“Oh, boy,” Mike mutters, fearfully looking between the couple now.

“Donna, I didn’t mean-”

“The hell it was nothing,” she swivels around to face him, standing a mere inch away from him now, hazel eyes glaring at him.

“And… that’s my cue to leave, see you guys,” Neither notice Mike scurrying off to the side of the room, automatically finding Rachel in the sea of Specter Litt employees. 

“Donna, I just meant it was nothing concerning him,” Harvey sighs, willing his girlfriend to understand. His eyes subconsciously survey the area around them, trying to find the answers to his current predicament elsewhere. 

“You know, you’re being a real pain in the ass- mmph!” His lips land on hers in the next second, catching her off guard. She stays still for a moment, letting their kiss linger in half surprise and half reflex before she’s pulling back, “What the hell are you doing?” She seethes in a whisper.

Harvey gives her a sheepish smile and points up with his index finger. Donna’s eyes follow him and she purses her lips when she sees the small twig hanging above them. 

“Seriously?” 

“It’s tradition,” he shrugs, giving her his signature charm smile, hoping it would set her at ease then.

Donna shakes her head instead, annoyance seeping into her, “I need a drink,” she mumbles under her breath before turning around.

“Donna,” her name is a warning and a question all in one.

Her loose copper waves bounce when she turns around to face him again, rolling her eyes at him, “It’s a saying, Harvey, you can calm down.”

Before he could stop her again, she’s walking off to meet Rachel, standing by one of the array of decorative tables. Harvey sees his girlfriend’s best friend handing her what appeared to be apple cider as the two shared a laugh. He shakes his head then, turning around to grab a drink from the open bar. He didn’t notice when his own best friend left his wife’s side to come meet him.

“So,” Rachel starts tentatively after a couple of minutes of laughter, “How long are you going to make him squirm?” She tilts her head in the direction of the bar, Donna turning around to see Mike clasping a hand on Harvey’s shoulder as the two began a conversation. 

Donna chuckles, “I don’t know, I am still pretty pissed at him, but, it’s been fun watching him squirm and grovel for the past couple of hours.”

Her friend shakes her head, “You’re pretty evil, you know that?”

Donna shrugs, taking a sip of her apple cider, “Yeah, well, I’ll forgive him before Christmas. And hey, you’re one to talk,” she quirks an eyebrow in return.

Rachel lets out a laugh, “I don’t think I ever tortured Mike that long, though.”

“Hmm, true, poor guy’s gotta deal with double the trouble soon,” she places her hands on Rachel’s growing stomach, “how are thing one and thing two, anyway?”

Rachel smirks, still amused by her friend’s nicknames, “They’re fine. Pretty sure they’ll both make the soccer team, but I hear that’s normal.”

“Have you picked any names yet?” Donna smiles, feeling the babies kicking under her touch.

“We’re waiting to find out the sexes first, but if one of them is a boy, Mike really wants to name him after Harvey, at least for a middle name.” 

Donna’s features soften, her eyes filling with tears and she curses herself for her current uncontrollable emotions, “He would love that.”

Rachel nods with a smile in return.

“And well, if it’s a girl, you really can’t go wrong with ‘Donna’,” the redhead flips her hair in a dramatic gesture, giving her friend her signature overconfident look. 

Rachel lets out a bubbly laugh, “No, you really can’t.”

“So… you going to stay here all night drowning yourself in self pity for wherever it was that you did to piss off Donna so much?”

Harvey swirls the amber liquid in his hand before placing it down, turning to glare at his friend, “Is that why you came here? To lecture me?”

Mike puts his hands up in defense, “Hey, I just want to know why mom and dad are fighting, is all.”

Harvey’s lips quirk up at his words, taking a sip of his scotch before turning to face his friend again, “I may have… done something I shouldn’t have.”

“Well, no shit, Sherlock. Question is, how bad was it and what the hell are you going to do to make up for it?”

Harvey sighs, playing with the glass holding Macallan as he glances up at an awaiting Mike.

“Okay, before I tell you, you have to understand… this is… a big deal, for her, I don’t- really understand myself, but…”

Mike gives him an expectant look, “I’m literally so lost already so can you just spit it out already or…?”

“I may have…” Harvey looks away from his friend for a moment, eyes finding his favorite redhead before landing back on Mike, “eaten the last of the gingerbread cookies we had,” he finishes in a low mumble, turning away from Mike’s gaze.

“You-”

Harvey puts his hand up before he could continue, “Don’t try to analyze it, it is what it is.”

Mike stays quiet for a moment before nodding, “First trimester cravings.”

Harvey swivels his head around to his friend, “You know?”

Mike scoffs, “Of course I know.”

“How the hell do you-”

“Because,” Mike points to the corner, smiling when he sees his pregnant wife talking to Donna, “My wife and your girlfriend are best friends, they talk.”

“Why the hell didn’t you say anything?” Harvey prods, not knowing whether or not to be annoyed or amused. 

Mike shrugs, “Rachel told me and I figured you two would tell me when you wanted to. Though, I am a little offended that your girlfriend told my wife and you didn’t say anything,” he playfully pokes him. 

“Hey, we,” he points toward Donna, “had agreed not to tell anyone. I didn’t even know Rachel knew,” he mumbles before taking another sip.

Mike claps his hand over his back in assurance, “Rachel told me Donna had accidentally let the news slip, she’d been ‘adorably excited’ apparently.”

Harvey’s lips curl at his friend’s words, an all-too familiar fluttering settling in his stomach then- one he had been getting ever since Donna had dropped the news that she was pregnant weeks before, “She said that?”

Mike nods, mirroring his friend’s smile, “Yeah, and speaking of, congratulations, dad.”

Harvey’s lips stretch into a full grin at the word, still not used to the notion that he was going to become a father- the father of his best friend’s child, to be exact. He breathes out a quiet “thanks” to his friend, clinking his own glass against his when Mike extends his champagne glass to him.

“By the way,” Mike begins after taking a sip of his drink, “you should know I won the pool.”

Harvey’s brow furrows, “The pool?”

Mike nods, “Yeah, there was a pool going around to see when you two would finally settle down, have a family. I bet you would get her knocked up within the first year of you two dating,” he smirked.

Harvey gapes at him, trying to render in all of his annoyance. He watches Mike taking another sip of champagne, and he reaches out a hand, pursing his lips as he tilts the flute upward, causing the younger lawyer to choke on his champagne, the liquid spilling out in front of him.

“Dude!”

Harvey lets his lips twitch, automatically feeling better. He stands up in the next second, downing the last of his drink before clasping his hand on Mike’s shoulder, “And on that note, I’m gonna go. I have some making up to do.”

“Hey,” his voice is a low whisper behind her ear, and she supresses the urge to turn around and kiss him, mentally cursing the way her hormones were playing with her. 

Rachel gives her a knowing smile, waving hello to Harvey at the same time. She watches in amusement as her friend puts on her best acting skills and hides her smile before turning to face Harvey.

“Can I help you?”

Harvey sighs at his girlfriend’s stand-offish attitude, turning to face her friend, “Rachel, can I steal her away for a second?”

“Uh yeah, sure, I’m just gonna go see what Mike’s up to,” she leaves with a smile that turns into a confused frown when she notices her husband dabbing a napkin on his tie.

Donna lets out a dramatic sigh once they’re left alone again, or as close to it as possible with a mired of people surrounding them, “You wanted to talk?”

“Donna, you really have to help me out here, how long are you going to freeze me out?” She feels a twinge of guilt then, noticing the way his brown eyes bore into her own, a mask of of his own guilt written all over his face.

She had partly been annoyed with him- knowing that her hormones were in no way normal at the moment, but the other part of her had been having fun with him, enjoying the way he squirmed every time she had an outburst. 

“I haven’t decided yet,” she frowns instead, folding her hands over herself. Okay, so maybe Rachel was right and she was being a little evil with him. 

“I told you I’d buy you more cookies,” Harvey gently reminds her, taking hold of her hands in his. He was trying his best not to laugh at the matter- at how ridiculous this whole situation was because he had eaten the last of her gingerbread cookies.

“And I told you it wasn’t just about the cookies, Harvey,” real annoyance settles in her again and she moves away from him to walk to the corner of the room, with her boyfriend in tow.

“I told you I was sorry about what I said too,” he sighs again, trying his best not to lose his cool with his very emotional and pregnant girlfriend.

“Okay, A- you never actually said you were sorry about what you told me, and B-”

Her words are cut off again when his lips land on hers for the second time that night. She closes her eyes on reflex, internally groaning when he pulls back too soon, yet tries her best not to show her disappointment. When she sends him a confused glare he just points up again, and she rolls her eyes at the familiar twig.

“You’re shitting me, right? Who the hell decorated this place with mistletoes?” She berates then, glancing around the room to finally take note in the dozen or so mistletoes that decorated the area.

“I thought you were in charge,” Harvey remarks, a slight amused tilt to his voice.

Donna rolls her eyes, “I’ve also been dealing with morning sickness at all odd hours of the day, so no, I gave the job to- Louis,” she sighs when she notices the other name partner in the room, a shit eating grin on his face as he kissed Sheila under one of the mistletoes in the room. “Well, that explains it,” she mutters. 

Harvey turns his attention back to his girlfriend, “Donna,”

“What?” She crosses her arms over her chest again.

“You’re right, I didn’t apologize for what I said, but only because I meant it.”

She gapes at him, “You can’t be serious.”

“What’s so wrong about what I said?” Harvey throws his hands up, confusion taking over him.

“You called me cute, Harvey,” Donna reminds him.

“I-” 

“While we were in the middle of an argument, because you-“ she pokes his chest, “just had to eat the last batch of gingerbread cookies.”

She gives him a pout and he nearly loses it when her bottom lip begins to quiver and she turns to walk away again, this time to the far side of the room where there were less people present. 

Harvey internally groans when she walks away from him for what felt like the dozenth time that night. He catches up to her in seconds, reminding himself not to tell her how ridiculous this whole thing was, knowing that that would only get him sent to sleep on the balcony that night.

“Donna,” he begins softly, “I’m sorry.”

“For?” She sniffles, hugging her arms over herself.

“For being an ass,” he begins gently, taking a tentative step toward her, “for- making light of a situation I know must have- is- frustrating for you,” when she doesn’t back away, he grabs hold of her hands again, “I know this must be a really difficult time for you,” he rubs circles on her hand, and she sighs in response.

“It hasn’t been all bad,” she mumbles, staring up at his eyes.

His lip quirk slightly before sobering up again, “I’m kind of learning this as I go too, you know? And you did look cute. I mean, you always do, but, in case you haven’t noticed, I’m pretty infatuated with my pregnant girlfriend, I can’t help it if everything you do now is…cute.” He risks sending her a sheepish smile, and he fights back sighing in relief when she finally lets herself crack under his gaze. 

She rolls her eyes at his words, but her annoyance is diluted by the smile she sends him, “You’re pretty relentless, you know that?”

Harvey lets a full grin grace his features when she steps into his arms, “Does that mean I’m forgiven?”

“For eating my cookies when that’s what your unborn kid wanted to eat?” She raises an eyebrow at him.

He swallows back, “Seriously?”

“You and I both know I’m very serious when it comes to my cravings lately, mister,” she mumbles against him, winding her arms around him.

Harvey sighs, “I promise to buy you a whole pack. And then some.”

She hums against him, her lips hovering over his now, “I guess I can…” she toys with his tie, sending him a coy look, “forgive you.”

He lets out a breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding, “I promise to make it up to you, to both of you,” his hand rubs her stomach above the fabric of her dress, watching her face softening further beneath his caresses.

“We thank you,” she sends him a grin before closing the gap between them and slanting her lips over his, letting their kiss linger for a minute before pulling back. Harvey’s eyes glance above them, and his smile turns into a frown.

“We’re not under a mistletoe,” he observes, glancing back down to Donna.

She purses her lips at his words, “You want me to stand under a little Christmas twig just so you could kiss me? 

Harvey shrugs, “It’s the only tradition I actually like.”

Donna rolls her eyes at him, ”Fine, you want me to go and stand over there instead?”

When she moves to step away from him, he reels her back in, her chest flush against his now, “Don’t you dare,” he growls, pulling her in for another kiss. He lets his tongue boldly snake into her mouth, tasting the remnants of apple cider and something else he couldn’t quite get a read on at first. 

He pulls away from their kiss then, and she sends him a confused look when she finds him frowning, “What?”

“You had gingerbread cookies tonight, didn’t you?”

She bites her lip at his inquiry, giving him a shrug after a beat, “I may have… a secret stash in my office and went to eat some when you weren’t looking.”

He shakes his head at her, disbelief and amusement in his features, “So I didn’t eat your last stash. You had some here the entire time.”

“You ate the last ones we had at home,” she tries to defend.

“You know, I’d be more annoyed with you, but I can’t help but find all of this… cute.”

She gawks at him then, narrowing her eyes at his smirk, “Shut up.”

And with her mouth slanting over his smile, she makes sure he does just that.