Recs by Jane Elliot

Title: Imprimatur by Closer
Fandom: Suits
Pairing: Harvey/Mike
Categories: bonding, AU, drama, hurt/comfort
Length: ~22,500 words
Warnings: n/a

Review:
From the author: "Mike was raised to believe Imprint was a life-changing event for those few lucky enough to experience it. Harvey was raised to believe it was a form of mental illness. When it actually happened, neither of them noticed."

As anyone who follows my recs for more than a minute knows, I'm a sucker for a good bonding fic. Mix that with Suits!fic and I'm a happy reader. I especially enjoyed how realistic and low-key the bonding aspects of the universe was -- bonding fic traditionally revels in melodrama and miscommunication and angst and while I do enjoy all of those things, there's also something quite satisfying about a story that's just about the practical aspects of unconsciously bonding to another human being (read: impotence).

If you're in the mood for a well written, laid-back bonding fic (or maybe just a Suits fic that *doesn't* go the D/s route), this is the story for you.

Imprimatur

Title: a day too early (still a couple dollars short) by thatotherperv
Fandom: Suits
Pairing: Mike/Harvey
Categories: AU, drama
Length: 11,000 words
Warnings: n/a

Review:
Instead of meeting Mike at the associates interviews at the hotel, Harvey is served by him at a restaurant. The subsequent hook-up was supposed to be the end of it, but in reality it's just the beginning.

I have a confession: I just can't see the point of most AUs in the Suits fandom. So much of what makes the show interesting is tied up in Harvey and Mike's interactions within the high pressure, fast-paced world of law (complicated, of course, by Mike's past and their shared secret) and you just can't get those interactions when they're two random men who happen to meet on the street (and, honestly, the entire cast of characters is vastly too driven and ambitious to be believably transplanted into, say, a grocery store or a coffee shop).

The exceptions to the rule, at least for me, are fics that are just ever-so-slightly AU. Like story fic, which does a brilliant job of changing just one small aspect of canon (where Mike and Harvey meet) and then exploring the altered character dynamics that result. It's extremely well done, too -- both Mike and Harvey are very much in character and the progression of their relationship from one night stand to something more is very believable. Best of all, the author manages to incorporate the feel of the canon interactions without the story being strictly within the canon universe (yes, even the D/s elements -- the fic is clearly heading into kinky territory post-story).

If you're looking for a full-AU, this probably isn't the fic for you. However, if you like What If? scenarios and the idea of Mike and Harvey exploring their relationship without the whole "Harvey is the boss" aspect, give this fic a try.

a day too early (still a couple dollars short)