Rich boys don't have hearts;

Issac: Me the reasonable one? Oh no. We can’t have that.

Isaac: I know and yo are probably right. If I’m being truthful as your boyfriend I’m glad you have to pull back. Jennifer is ten times more dangerous than her brother. Her nature seems to be much more like their mother the assassin.

Isaac: and you didn’t drop anything on me. I can’t do my job without that information. So you just set me in a course. I promise I will not expose you. It is my job to protect, as the SoA and as your BF. I love you too. ❤️

Sterling: The world is likely to start imploding at any moment, be prepared lol

Sterling: Jennifer doesn't scare me, if I'm honest she's interesting as hell. Nice to see at least a couple of them Royals have brains, though it'd be easier if they didnt

Isaac: I know why you told me. I get that. And I appreciate it.

Isaac: but I also have a job to do. I would never pretend to tell you how to do yours. Please don’t tell me how to do mine.

Isaac: I am already tempering my first judgements. I am actually supposed to report these things and have them handled. It’s what I do babe. Please know it’s not because of you and your ability to take care of yourself.

Sterling: Stop being reasonable, I'm trying to be mad at you

Sterling: I know, I, but I've been flying under their radar as a member for a while and I think it would be smart to try to keep it that way... they're definitely interested though with Payton showing up talking about Amelia and Jennifer Krongold just being... a Krongold, I guess.

Sterling: Could be good bait for something, just haven't figured out what yet, but that's something to sit on and think about and discuss with Miguel

Isaac: if I were doing that I would be there now. I would be beating the shut out that fucking Pendejo right now.

Isaac: but I listened to your reasoning and I’m not.

Isaac: but safety and security is my job. And reporting shit to Miguel also my job. So it isn’t you. It isn’t personal. It’s just my damn job.

Sterling: Fine, good.

Sterling: I didn't tell you this because it's your job either, I told you because it is personal for us. Anything I tell you is, even if we pretend its not.

Isaac: I know you're not. This has nothing to do with that.

Isaac: Its my job to know these things and report them, regardless of whether you are mine or not.

Sterling: You say that, but it still feels like I'm being handled with kid's gloves

Sterling: Just because I'm not out there throwing punches doesn't mean I can't take care of myself, or Nina and Quinn, or you for that matter

Isaac: FUCK.

Isaac: FUCK.

Isaac: I'm with Miguel, I'll tell him.

Isaac: I don't like it.

Isaac: Howe the fuck did he find out where you live?

Isaac: .....

Isaac: SO you are saying I can't do anything? I just have to let that little prick threaten you?

Sterling: I didn't think that you would. I don't particularly like it either, I. Nina and Quinn both live at my place. The inside is not going to get broken into any time soon but I can't stop them from being outside

Sterling: I don't know, property deeds would be my best guess

Isaac: He was waiting? At the house?

Isaac: If he didn't know you were involved with us, why would he tell you to pull the funding?

Isaac: Do not tell me what to do.

Isaac: I can't leave even though I want to.

Sterling: Right on the sidewalk

Sterling: Darling, he's seen me with y'all. Seen my at Moonlight. They know I know y'all, I just don't think they know what I'm doing or how I fit into it all

Sterling: Oh shush, you like it when I tell you what to do

Isaac: Why did you need to know that first?

Isaac: Interesting how?

Isaac: He was at your fucking house????

Sterling: Yeah, waiting for me to leave this morning, I guess

Sterling: He told me to pull my investments from Amelia Krongold's art gallery, was being rather insistent

Sterling: Didn't mention anything about me and the Devils explicitly though

Isaac: Just got to a meeting.

Isaac: Why?

Sterling: Just needed to know before I told you about something

Sterling: Just had an interesting conversation on the front steps of my house a few minutes ago

⊰

“Smart man,” Miguel confirmed the spoken assumption when his hands settled in an tangled clasp against the wooden surface. “Gotta take advantage of that southern hospitality,” He countered despite his denial during the initial meeting about the proposed expansion for their club. The male turned his attention to Sterling when the familiar name was stated as an inquiry that could be answered in a variety of ways. “Jennifer,” A humorless laugh broke through parted lips while their brief encounters lingered in the back of his mind like a faded memory. The filled glass became a temporary distraction while he silently considered how to proceed with the unexpected questioning with the burning sensation forcing his jaw to clench for a shortened moment. “She shows you what you want to see,” He informed Sterling as his fingers tapped against the side of the glass while he thought about the observations made about the rivaling brunette through first hand experience. The stark contents raised to his lips in a prolonged sip as a final consensus was made about the brunette that seemed to be acting on a agenda with their upper ranks. “A raven can’t resist something shiny even if it’s covered in blood,” 

//

“Last I heard, you were ready to bleed them southern manners right outta me.” Sterling commented, not bothering to suppress the amused smile on his lips. “Knew that tune would change when it suited ya.” He added, just joking with the other man as Miguel had actually proven to be one of the people that was more likely to stick to their guns and morals out of all those that Sterling had met in the city thus far. There was a difference between playing the game and losing yourself to it in Sterling’s opinion and so often people fell victim to the latter.

As Miguel reacted to Sterling’s inquiry, the young man carefully took in every aspect of his expression and voice. There was a lot to be said about Jennifer Krongold, obviously, and it seemed to him that perhaps Miguel knew even more than most. “We all love a bit of shiny, man.” Sterling said, considering his comments for a moment before tapping his fingers lightly on the bar top. “She and I have had a few run-ins out in the city, but when I spoke with her at the event... somethin’ about it was all just too pointed. She was talkin’ like usual, though she was definitely asking more questions than usual, then Payton Fischer goes on and shows up at my doorstep.” He revealed, shaking his head.

Isaac smirked at his boyfriends comment. “Oh really no idea?” He shrugged. “That’s a shame.” He shook his head and started to walk away from him after the kiss. “I have some and if you want to hear them. You are gonna have to follow me.” He told him smirking to himself as he walked away from him down the hallway. He made his way into room and wasted no time stripping off his clothes.

“You know if you are any slower getting in here, I might have to start with out you!” He called out down the hallway towards where Sterling had been.

//

Watching as his boyfriend retreated down the hallway, calling back to him as he went, Sterling couldn’t help but smirk and take a moment to enjoy the view as he walked away. Sometimes, Sterling found himself reflecting on the situation that he was in and never could he have imagined his life leading him to where he was currently. The hometown golden boy, the star football player dating the gorgeous daughter of the police chief, would have never been able to picture his future self standing in the NYC apartment of his boyfriend, enjoying an evening away from the constant drama and violence that the literal gang they were both members of.

When his boyfriend called out yet again, Sterling pulled himself out of his moment of reflection and headed down the hallway as well. Stepping into the room, his eyes immediately found his lover and he paused, letting his gaze rake down his form. “Ya know, I’m still waitin’ to hear them ideas of yours, darlin’.” Sterling commented, taking a step further into the room and reaching out to trail his fingertips over Isaac’s collarbone and down his chest, still keeping his distance even as he touched him.

“Darlin’, I didn’t bring you to 5th avenue to window shop.” Sterling reminded Nina as he sipped the coffee in his hand, watching her flit about the high-end store without really committing to picking up anything to try on, let alone let him buy her. One of his favorite past times was doting on his friends, Nina in particular, and while he often just brought something random to her that he thought she might like, he figured it was time to change it up and let her decide just what he could gift her. “You don’t start pickin’ up somethin’ soon then I’m just gonna start grabbin’ at random.” He threatened, hiding his smile behind his coffee cup then. There were several store employees who had been following his best friend around the store, trying to get her to try on this or that so they could get commission off of their purchases that day but he could tell that even they were getting frustrated. “I reckon somethin’ red.” Sterling suggested to one of the employees.

^^

Isaac shook his head. “Can’t help it?” He said with a smirk. “You knew exactly what you were doing mi corazon.” He said as he trailed away from his love. And it was true. No matter how hard he tried, not matter what he did. he couldn’t keep himself from looking at Sterling like that. And it had gotten so much worse of the past two weeks. The more time between moments alone and the stronger the hunger he felt for the other man became. He stirred the beans and checked the chicken Mole before returning to the hallway.

“Something that won’t be ready for a couple more hours.” He said with a sly grin on his face. He came back towards the other man. wrapping his arms around him and pulling him in close. “What do you think we can do to pass the time while our dinner continues to cook?” He said with a waggle of his eyebrows before kissing the other man again.

//

As Isaac wandered off towards the kitchen, Sterling took that time to shed his shoes and suit jacket, hanging the latter of the two up and turning to head back towards the living room once he heard Isaac’s approach once more. As the other man tugged him into the circle of his arms, Sterling smiled at his playful words. He ducked down to press a kiss to the underside of his boyfriend’s jaw before shrugging at his question. 

“I ain’t got a single idea, darlin.” Sterling said with a teasing smile of his own. “I must admit, I think I’m gonna need more than a couple of hours to get my fill of you.” He added lowly before giving into the other’s kiss, enjoying the feel of Isaac’s lips on his own after so long of going without. He knew that much of that was his fault, that if he was out then they could have had the casual PDA that so many others had rather than relying on closed doors to exchange so much as a kiss. Being able to come out, well, that was something that Sterling was currently working on making able to happen.

“But I reckon I’ll take what I can get.” Sterling added as a murmur against his boyfriend’s lips.

//

There were a few things in life, Payton found of greater importance. Starting with those he cared about, and in this case, his family. Which even if she had once carried a different surname, didn’t mean she wasn’t a Fischer now. Thus the home visit in his mind was utterly warranted, a hand moving to lean against the doorframe, toe pressing into the corner spot. “See, there’s where you’re wrong.” Crossing his arms over his chest, he squared his shoulders. As if to physically showcase his gravity on the subject. “She’s my brother’s wife, and well you,” Looking the other male down, he never would’ve guessed his involvement in something as seedy as the Devils. But maybe that was the point, a clear misdirection on their part.

“You’re lookin’ for harvest in the wrong field.” More or less he wanted to separate his family from the Devils as much as possible. Which meant whoever this man was, and rather he had invested with intention or not didn’t matter. All that did was he pulled back, and forgot he was ever interested. “Amelia Krongold’s gallery, pull back all your investments, silent or not.” Pause. “Oh, and is that an accent I hear?”

//

As the older man corrected him, Sterling eyed him with open interest and a fair bit of disdain. By nature, the Whitaker heir was not particularly haughty nor self-aggrandizing; however, he was very realistic about who he was, what he did, what he knew, what he could do, and thusly, the weight that he could carry should he choose to do so. So VP of the Royals or not, Sterling Whitaker wasn’t easily intimidated by anyone.

“Congratulations to your brother, I had heard that she had wed through the grapevine. From our brief meetings, I’ve gathered Amelia is a rather knowledgable and lovely woman.” Sterling said simply, easily leaning into the idea that he had not a single clue why the man in front of him might have felt that he needed to approach him. “Was that supposed to be some sort of attempt at a Southernism? Needs a bit of work.” He commented, amusement playing across his lips. This was the minor leagues and Sterling didn’t so much as flinch at the mention of his accent. Or rather, he did not so much as flinch at the less-than-subtle hint that his origins could be traced.

“So you’re here to scare off one of your sister-in-law’s investors? One who regularly invests so much that there is a wing of the gallery with my name on it?” Sterling asked, not truly needing clarification but rather pointing out just how ridiculous the other man sounded. “So is your brother the jealous controllin’ sort who can’t handle is own dirty work? Or do y’all just got somethin’ against Southern accents?” Sterling asked, pausing before adding another question. “Does Amelia Krongold know you’re dirtyin’ my doorstep or did ya think you’d better just go ahead and undermine her work without her knowin’?” He wondered, regarding the other man cooly.