“Are you really not going to call the cops?”

Riley sighed, massaging his aching temple. He’d either had too much, or not enough to drink. Either way, he was not interested in turning his apartment into a crime scene. Or at least not an official one; the thief did still have his hand in one of Riley’s kitchen drawers. 

“Take what you can carry and go. If you come back, I will kick your ass.”

The thief cocked his head, some of his wavy brown hair falling across his face. “Really? That’s it?”

“I can punch you now if you’d like a demonstration,” Riley offered.  

“No, no, you could clearly beat me up, I just… you’re just going to let me rob you?”

Riley nodded tiredly. “It’s just stuff, man.”

“But it’s… your stuff.”

“I haven’t been robbed before, but I don’t think this is how it’s supposed to go.” Riley's head was seriously starting to hurt. It was time to employ his favorite remedy. 

The thief shifted, looking deeply uncomfortable. His blue eyes were locked on Riley, watching carefully as he crossed to the kitchen. “Usually the victim isn’t so helpful. Now it… feels weird.”

“Sorry?” Riley said, opening the fridge and pulling out a beer. “You want one?”

“I-- well, sure. Actually yeah. I wasn’t really drunk earlier, but this conversation is kind of making me wish I was.”

Riley extracted a second can from the case in the fridge, sliding it across the counter to the other man. He cracked the tab of his own and took a long, restorative draught. On some level, he knew he should be significantly more upset about a stranger trying to make off with his possessions. But he’d spent most of his adult life moving around with only what he could carry, and he was used to leaving non-essentials behind. 

He'd gladly give up the few trinkets he had now to avoid dragging law enforcement back into his life.  

He leaned back against the counter, taking the thief’s measure over his beer. He guessed they were about the same age, or near enough. Riley was used to being taller than everyone, but he only had a few inches on this particular fellow. The stranger’s build was softer, with his round cheeks and hint of belly in the lines of his shirt. His eyes were soft too, that cornflower blue, giving him an appearance of being utterly non-threatening. Riley wasn't exactly sure what he thought a thief should look like, but this wasn't it.

“This your first time robbing someone?” Riley asked. The stranger snorted into his beer.  

“Sadly, no," he said, shaking his head. His brown waves bounced around his face. "I’m just having a really off night, apparently. I thought you were dead asleep.”

“Light sleeper, sorry,” Riley said with a shrug.  

“Serves me right,” the thief said, waving him off as he took a sip. “Honestly, I hate doing petty jobs like this. A museum or party is one thing, but taking from someone's home feels extra slimy.”

“So, you’re like, the most reluctant thief ever?” Riley said, snorting into his beer. To his surprise, the man blushed.

“I mean, kind of. I’ve been working with a crew for years, and I want out. The only way to get out is to buy myself free.” He named a sum that made Riley whistle.

“I don’t have anything close to that,” he said. The thief laughed.  

“I assumed. I stick to small jobs that will fly under the radar, otherwise Felix, my boss, will find out, and... he can’t know I want out yet. So it’s ripping off drunks at bars, as many nights a week as I can manage. Usually I can just seduce them into taking me home, but you turned me down. I kind of had a feeling that wouldn’t work on you, anyway.”

“Am I supposed to be flattered that you’d rather punch me than sleep with me?” Riley asked. 

The thief’s blue eyes flashed, a mischievous spark flaring as he looked Riley up and down.  

“I didn’t say I wouldn't be interested. You just don’t look like the kind of guy who’d fall asleep after only a round or two. Hard to sneak out when you’re still getting laid.”

Riley snorted. He was a criminal, and cheesy... but he was cute, too. Riley had a real soft spot for cute.

“Why target me?” he asked.

“My usual work takes place in a much higher echelon of society than the dive bar in which we found ourselves tonight. The sphere from which you come, Mr. Decker, even though you looked like you were trying to hide it.”  

“Great,” Riley groaned. “What, did you pick my pocket for my ID or something? Wait, seriously?” The thief shrugged, smirking a little as Riley groped for his wallet in pants he was no longer wearing.  

“I put it back,” the man said, taking a dainty sip of his beer. “It might be slightly lighter than it was, but you’ve got all your cards and stuff. I’m not a monster.”

“Don’t know your name, so maybe that’s what I’ll call you,” Riley said, folding his arms across his bare chest.  

“Gabe Reyes, at your service,” the thief-- Gabe-- said with a mock bow.  

“Yeah, I’m sure that’s your real name,” Riley said. The thief winked.  

“Why not? You won't find me again once I leave. But I have to say, I’m surprised to find a Decker here. You’ve really committed to breaking the mold with this apartment, too. Honestly, I thought you’d have more here.”

“Comes of being the black sheep of the family,” Riley said. “Got some electronics and cash, but other than that, not much. Your instincts were all off about me.” 

He leaned back, taking another sip of his beer. Now that he knew he'd found the wrong Decker, Gabe Reyes was sure to make a hasty exit.

And indeed, Gabe set his beer down. But insted of planning his retreat, he took a step closer, letting his soft blue eyes trail down Riley’s body.  

“I don’t think I was completely wrong. Bet I'm right about your stamina.” He took another step closer, and Riley felt a prickle run down his spine. 

A very small part of his brain knew that he should have thrown the guy out already, the instant he found out why he was really here. But that was only a very small part… after all, he’d been stressed lately. And it had been a while.  

“Are you really trying to seduce me after trying to rob me?” Riley asked, dropping his arms and leaning forward slightly. He watched Gabe’s eyes skate across his fully exposed chest. “I already said you can have my stuff.”

“Yeah, but since you already caught me, I don't really have to bother with the sneaking out part.”

“I could just throw you out right now,” Riley challenged.

“You could,” Gabe agreed amiably, taking another step closer. “But you haven’t. Seems fitting that I should thank you for your hospitality.” 

A final step brought him right up against Riley; not quite touching, but near enough that Riley could feel the heat of his body, making the hairs stand up on his skin.

“Are you just setting me up for something else?” Riley asked, trailing his fingers down the buttons of Gabe's shirt. 

“Yeah,” Gabe said, his hands finding Riley’s waistband. “A good time.”