Dedicated to the wonderful YasminSnowflakeFaith. Hope you enjoy, my dear!

Follow Your Nose's Pt 2

Jack had decided to kill two birds with one stone. He enthusiastically agreed, the week before, to the lunch date but on the condition that he would be cooking lunch for Aster at his apartment. He smiled as he stirred, proud of himself for getting a way to thank the man who found his beloved pet. Bacon was pacing at his feet, just waiting for his human to drop something, anything. The small bundle of energy whined as Jack stirred the pot. He had decided to make beef stew. The weather was cool enough that it was be perfect. All the ingredients had been added, now all he needed to do was let it simmer. While it did, Jack slid a baking sheet into the oven. Toasted bread would be great with this, he thought.

Aster had agreed to be there at one. The clock read twelve-ten. Jack scurried about; anxiously cleaning his apartment for the older man's arrival. He had called Tooth the minute Aster was out of earshot from his door. Jack smiled, picking up Bacon's toys, as he remembered.

"Tooth! I got Bacon back!" He exclaimed, still cuddling his furry friend. Unwilling to let the happy pet go.

"That's great! Who had him? Was it one of the guys from the Bistro?"

"No, his name was Aster. He was that guy you told me about; the Australian one with the nice ass."

There was a pause on the other end of the line. He knew Tooth well enough that he could practically hear the gears tuning in her head. Finally, she spoke. "You might want to take Bacon to the vet then." Her tone was laced with spite.

"I really don't think so. Why would he poison my dog, then ask me to lunch?" He sneered. The gasp sounding over the phone made him want to laugh, but he dutifully held it in.

"He asked you out?!" Tooth shouted.

Jack shook his head; for the next three days Tooth had badgered him about any and all details of that night, and what he was going to do about the date. She thought he was being 'lame', and scoffed at him when he told her he was going to cook. But he shook off her displeasure and continued with his plan.

The stew was steadily bubbling away, the smell wafted through the apartment; filling every nook and cranny with the comforting smell. Checking on the bread, Jack smiled at the golden edges and pulled on a bright purple oven mitt, courtesy of his sister, and pulled out the sheep pan. He checked the wall clock, twelve-forty-five. Just enough time to vacuum and put the cleaning supplies away.

Shutting the closet door, a knock sounded. Aster stood in the hallway; he straightened his shirt under his coat. The door opened and the he was graced with an amazing scent that invaded his nose. He smiled down at Jack' the boy was smiling up at him, the annoying pet thumping its tail against the floor.

"Aster." Jack said. He opened the door, motioning for Aster to enter. Taking his coat, Jack danced to the kitchen to take the food off the flame and set out two bowls and spoons.

"Nice place ya got here, Jackie. Smells amazin' in here, by the way." Aster smiled and exaggeratedly sniffed the air.

"Thanks, hope you like stew." He answered.

The two sat and began chatting as they ate. Bacon watched from his perch on the arm of the couch. He remembered this human. He had the cake. The cake, the terrier remembered, he got none of. But that was water under the bridge, he guessed. Jack seemed happy; laughing openly with the bigger man, so Bacon decided to be forgiving.

He let them eat peacefully. For once not whining and begging for bites, like he usually did, out of respect for the cake man for letting him stay the night. Only when his human stood and carried things to the sink did Bacon uproot himself, trotting to the table and planting himself next to Aster's feet. He looked expectantly up at him, wagging his tail.

"I'm not givin' ya anything." Aster deadpanned, not even bothering to look down.

Bacon blinked twice before delicately laying a forepaw on top of the Australian's shoe and waited. He ducked his head in defeat and removed his paw when no look was given, but was happily surprised when a chunk of bread suddenly landed in from of him. The terrier jerked his head up, giant doggy grin in place as he enthusiastically scarfed up the bread. Oh, how he loved anything that wasn't dog food! The bread was crusty, crumbling to the floor as he chewed. Bacon looked up as he finished the chunk. He dearly hoped his Jack would keep this human around.

After the dishes were placed in the washer Bacon hopped onto the couch between the two men. He abandoned his place in Jack's lap for Aster's.

The Australian man absently stroked the down white fur on his lap as he and Jack talked. He found himself laughing more than he had in months at the younger man's antics. The chatted for hours. Jack told him about his life, what he'd accomplished in school, and what pranks he'd pulled on the teachers. Aster told him about growing up in Oz, his job, his hobby. The younger man leaned in with an eager face when he heard about his artistic prowess. "Draw me!" He'd said. Aster surprised them both by agreeing. Jack had brought out some pencils and printer paper so he could work.

Jack told him the story of how he came to have Bacon, and how the dog got his name, as Aster stroked the lead over the paper.

"Me and Tooth were brand new to the city, we'd just moved here. She had finally gotten the job she'd been interviewing for, and I had gotten my foot in at my office.

One day I checked the mail and found a letter from my foster parents. It said they were so sorry to have to tell me in a letter, but my birth mother had died of something or other. I never knew the woman, so I didn't think too much on it, but after about a week I was a wreck. I wasn't sleeping, I barely ate…" Jack muttered, looking down. Aster cupped his chin to lift his head, offering a reassuring smile as he continued. "Tooth was pulling her hair out with how worried she was, so she took me to the animal shelter. She said that nothing would take my mind off of things like a cute little animal to take care of.

"Bacon was the first puppy they brought out. They told me that he didn't play well with other dogs, but he was the only one that fit the description of what I was allowed to have in my complex. He was so cute. Came right up to me and sat next to me. I signed the papers that day and brought him home. Tooth had a blast helping me get all the stuff I needed for him." Jack chuckled and looked at his furry friend sitting obediently in Asters lap as the older man doodled.

"What about the name? How'd ya come up with Bacon?" Aster smirked, glancing up from his paper at the younger man. He blew on the paper to clean off the lead dust and eraser pieces before handing the drawing to Jack.

The drawing was amazing to put it simply. It was looking at a black and white photo of himself, Jack thought with wide eyes. "This is amazing, Aster." He whispered, smiling at the artist.

"Glad ya like it." Aster returned the smile. "Now, how'd ya pick 'Bacon'?" He snickered.

Jack laughed, quickly leaning in to press a kiss to the older man's cheek. "Cook me dinner next week, and I'll tell you."

Aster barked a laugh, green eyes glittering in mirth. "Deal."

End.