"You will not be investigating anything." Jack says, voice final. Salem is trying not to feel irritated. He likes to make his own decisions, and he feels like his father's impatience is not warranted. "Any cases with Atlas Marino are none of your concern. Even if you were on the force, your personal relations would exempt you from participating to begin with."

"Well, he didn't really say that he was investigating Atlas, mostly just his family. I told him I never met his family, but he still thinks I could be useful." Salem tries to persuade. He thought about it, and had decided that he would help Jordan. However, his father vetoed the decision immediately on the grounds that Salem isn't a cop.

Salem supposes that it's somewhat of a valid concern. However, he thinks he should be allowed to help anyway. It's quite literally the entire reason he was asked to. He is ignoring the fact that there is only one reason that he wants to assist in this. He doesn't think it's a good motive, but he really wants to learn more about Atlas.

For his own health, he probably shouldn't, though. He should stay away from Atlas, maybe try to move on for real this time.

Still... he really wants to help Jordan.

"I'm not risking your safety for a case." Jack replies, growing impatient. "You don't understand how serious getting involved in the Astren underground is. It can swallow you if you're not careful."

"Atlas is not dangerous." Salem defends, frustrated. Despite their relationship now, he's positive that the guy would never harm him. There aren't many things that Salem is sure of, but that is one.

However, something about Jack's reaction to Salem's words doesn't sit right with him. The man looks unsure, frowning slightly. Salem is confused, because sure Atlas is strong and could be dangerous if he wanted to. Sure, he can be a bit scary if you catch him at the right time, but still. Atlas? Dangerous?

No way. "He at least isn't dangerous to me."

"It's not Atlas that I'm worried about." Jack sighs, exasperated. They're currently in the living room, and at this point they both have stood up. The tension is only growing. "There are things you don't need to know about that boy, or his family. You will stay out of it."

Okay, how the hell does this man expect Salem to stay out of it when he says shit like that? Now Salem is more curious than ever. Stuff Salem doesn't need to know? About someone he was romantically involved with for years?

Sure, Atlas had his secrets, but Salem thought he knew the guy pretty well anyway. It had always appeared to be small things. Well, mostly. There were instances where he would just completely disappear for hours, even days at a time, and Salem couldn't track him. He couldn't contact him, period. He would just be gone.

Salem just assumed that he was dealing with... criminal business, or whatever you call it. The whole underground boxing situation that Atlas is a part of can be quite demanding of his time, which is one of the few things Atlas confided in Salem about. Atlas gets paid decent money from it, though, because he's good. He's always had an obsession with winning at everything, more than a little competitive, and it becomes obvious when he fights.

Salem tried questioning Atlas every once in a while, but eventually just gave up. Atlas is quite talented at dodging questions and coming up with plausible lies. He also got irritated every time Salem asked for details or showed any doubt about his truthfulness.

The secrecy eventually lead to a complete lack of trust between the two. Of course, when you lose trust in a relationship, it's only a matter of time before the whole thing falls through. It wasn't the entire cause—honestly, Salem still doesn't know Atlas' complete reasoning—but it had a lot to do with it.

Atlas made it quite clear that he'd lost interest in a relationship with Salem. No matter the reason, that's what Salem should really be focusing on. Atlas ended it, and he's clearly moved on with his life. Maybe... Jack is right. Should Salem do the same?

Ha! That's a joke. Salem's already done the same. He's moved on, 100%, without a doubt. Absolutely. Remember Mercedes? Yeah. He wouldn't have dated her if he was still stuck on Atlas. So, his curiosity is warranted and has nothing to do with any remaining attachment.

Salem just wants answers! That's it! It's perfectly reasonable.

Jack really shouldn't be surprised, either, especially with the way he's acting. All... secretive, it's only natural for Salem to be curious!

Not to mention how Atlas and Jack have always been around each other. The way that he's acting now is only reminding Salem of it.

Salem can remember the first time that Atlas and his father met. See, his past lovers and friendships always had a bit of a strain to them when he mentioned his father's job. For whatever reason, a lot of people feel intimidated and on edge by that. So, he had decided not to mention Jack's profession to Atlas. He just liked Atlas a lot, and didn't want to risk it.

Atlas had conveniently failed to mention his criminal record to Salem as well, for basically the same reason... assumedly. He likely didn't want to put a strain on their relationship, just like Salem.

Anyway, it made for a very interesting first encounter.

Salem had been excited for the two to meet, because he could see himself being with Atlas for a long time. He thought he'd found the one, despite how naive and hopeful just the term is. He was basically shaking with anticipation and excitement the entire ride there, sitting passenger on Atlas' motorcycle as his thoughts ran a mile a minute.

When they pulled up to the house, Salem saw his father's black Chevy parked in the garage. He jumped off of Atlas' bike upon parking, and basically ran to the door, though in his mind he was just speed walking.

When Salem opened the front door, he found his father in the kitchen, seated at the counter with his laptop out and a couple empty beer cans next to him. At 3 pm.

Salem took a deep breath, nervous because he'd only ever introduced his father to girlfriends. He'd known he was bisexual since he was in middle school, but this was the first boyfriend he'd ever had. He came out to his father sometime freshman year, and Jack had no problem with it. Still, Salem couldn't help his nerves.

He didn't even know about Atlas' criminal history at the time, but he still hadn't been expecting his father to be all that impressed. Atlas still looked like a delinquent. He had tattoos—which, he was only 16 at the time, so he'd obviously gotten them illegally. He'd also gotten held back when he was a child, so he was a bit older than Salem, who was 15. Technically they were a year and five months apart, though, so Salem didn't think it was a huge deal.

Add on his dark clothes and piercings, though few, and Salem was nervous. He was shaking with anticipation as he watched Atlas get off his bike. He turned back to face his father, who was now looking up at him. Jack seemed curious, but Salem had already mentioned to him that he was bringing someone over. He also hadn't shut up about Atlas generally since they began dating—even before that, actually. So, Jack knew their relationship.

"How was school?" Jack asked, making conversation while Atlas took his sweet time walking to the door. Salem stepped out of the doorway so he wouldn't be blocking Atlas' eventual entrance. He answered, "good. I'm pretty sure I have almost straight A's."

Jack seemed pleased at that, and looked like he was going to say something else. However, seconds after Salem answered, he felt a presence at his back. The door shut a moment later, and he turned a bit to catch sight of Atlas.

Salem paused once he saw him, though. He'd never seen such an expression on Atlas' face. The way the guy was completely frozen, eyes wide as he stared at Salem's father. He still had his hand on the doorknob, grasping it tightly. Like he wanted to pull it back open. Like he wanted to run.

Salem was confused. Atlas wasn't looking at him.

Salem looked back at his father, and found him with a similar expression on his face. Shock, concern, confusion. He looked to have absolutely no idea what to do. Slowly, he got up from his stool at the breakfast bar, getting to a standing position.

"Uh, Dad," Salem said, breaking the heavy silence. "This is Atlas."

Jack began walking towards them, and Atlas had become even more tense. Salem was growing a bit worried. He'd seriously never seen Atlas so freaked out. "Atlas, this is—"

"Captain Heart." Atlas interrupted, and Salem noticed that Jack was holding out his hand.

Salem frowned, wondering why Atlas just addressed his father by his rank. Salem's first thought was that Atlas may have a relative that works for the police department, and recognized him that way. He felt excited about that, because then he wouldn't have to worry about any nerves or tension.

However, one look at Atlas' face, and he began to second guess that. Atlas reached out and shook Jack's hand, but Salem could see the hesitation on his face.

It was clear to Salem that the two already knew each other, he just had to figure out how. Atlas knowing Jack from being on the... other side of things, never once crossed Salem's mind.

They made small talk for a while, though Salem lead most of the conversation. The atmosphere of the room was really starting to get to him, though, so he ended the whole conversation pretty soon after. He lead Atlas up to his bedroom, and was preparing to interrogate the guy on what the hell just happened. However, as soon as Salem's door shut behind them, Atlas beat him to it.

"Why didn't you tell me your father was a cop?"

Salem just stood in front of him, staring at his stressed boyfriend. He frowned, wondering if his fear was beginning to come true. That Atlas truly did mind, that he was going to be all tense around Jack just because of his job. It's how people usually were—Cam, Milo, and Zona being the exception. That's mostly because they've known each other so long, though.

"Why does it matter?" Salem had asked, eyebrow raised as he crossed his arms. He was beginning to feel irritated, but mostly let down. He was really hoping that Atlas wouldn't be like the others.

"You said he handled finance." Atlas continued, troubled expression putting Salem on edge.

"He does." Salem replied, because technically his father did handle financial things for the city. That was just... not all of it. "Why does it matter?"

Atlas got right to the point, though, in typical Atlas fashion. He never did beat around the bush, preferring to take the direct approach almost every time.

"He's arrested me. A lot. The police really don't like my family."

Salem frowned, because at the time Jack would confide in him about his work. He never once heard the man mention a family by the name of Marino, though, so this caused some doubt. Salem decided that Atlas was probably being dramatic.

"I'm sure it's not that bad." Salem replied, and Atlas gave him a mostly unreadable look, though it was clearly disbelieving and wary. "I've never heard him mention anybody by the name Marino, so."

Atlas just stared at Salem for a moment, and there was something in his eyes... something that Salem has never been able to forget, for whatever reason. He never saw it again, and hasn't been able to decipher it as of yet, but he knows it gave him chills.

"Trust me." Atlas had said, voice sounding different. Back then he was harder for Salem to read, so the whole conversation hardly made any sense. It still doesn't, though, so maybe it wasn't just Salem. "This is bad. Why didn't you tell me?"

"Well sorry I didn't realize my dad's job would be a fucking dealbreaker." Salem snapped, feeling irritated and slightly bummed out. He was really, really hoping things would work out with Atlas.

"I never said it was a dealbreaker—"

"Seems like it is." Salem said, before sighing and running a hand through his hair. It's not like Heart is a very popular last name—at least, not the way they spell it. Atlas shouldn't be all that surprised. Then again, the whole Toplines area is pretty big. "I plan on joining the force too, when I'm old enough, so if it's such a big deal then maybe we should..."

Salem felt his face being grabbed. He made eye contact with Atlas, and found him with a troubled expression on his face. Still, he doesn't appear as harsh and stressed as he was earlier. "I just think it will complicate things. Doesn't mean I want to ruin this."

"Well you failed to mention the fact that you're apparently a criminal, so looks like we're even, anyway." Salem replied, voice bitter.

Despite Salem's irritation and the previous upsetting ordeal, Atlas had smiled.

That night, Jack made sure to question Salem a bit more on his relationship. He made it clear from the beginning that he didn't approve, but he never tried to break them up or keep them away from each other or anything like that. He wasn't controlling in the slightest, since he and Salem had a lot of trust. Also, Salem's happiness has always been a priority for Jack. As long as Atlas made him happy, Jack would leave them be.

Salem remembers feeling a bit confused about the whole thing, though. This is because some of what both Atlas and Jack told him didn't really add up. For one, Jack was a Captain. He was in the command staff, he had a high rank. Therefore, he didn't go around arresting petty street criminals. He handled the big things.

If Captain Heart is arresting you, then you did some seriously bad shit. So, why would he arrest Atlas? No way Atlas got up to any of that! He was 16! That's crazy.

Plus there's the whole hating Atlas' family thing. Salem has never heard a single thing about a Marino crime family, and he knows the majority of them. He was confused on that front as well.

So, those things didn't make sense, among others. Over time Salem rationalized it to himself, making up excuses for the lies he was fed by both of them. It helped his conscience if he pretended like the both of them messed up their wording or left out less incriminating details.

Salem never got answers about any of it, which was a downside he realized too late.

This is why, standing in the living room while in the middle of an argument about digging deeper, he can't help but to feel hesitant about complying. He wants to know more about Atlas, about his crime, about his family. He wants Jack to stop restraining him—to tell him the truth.

Looking into his father's eyes, hands clenched into fists at his side, he finally deflates, because he doesn't want to stress Jack out either. He breaks eye contact, staring at the floor as his resolve breaks.

Well, mostly breaks.

"Fine. I'll stay out of it."

"Promise?"

"Promise," He sighs. This seems to satisfy the chief, at least for now.

Salem can't help the guilt that eats away at him, as soon as the words leave his mouth. Even on the way to work, radio on mute, he can't stop thinking about the fact that for the first time—

For the first time, he's made a promise to Jack he's not sure he can keep.