Jack was halfway home when a taxi pulled up in front of him. Jack gave the driver a glare and began to walk around the car. He heard a door open. He looked to the taxi and saw Aster step out.

"'Ey, Jack." Aster's voice was somewhat solemn.

Jack thought for a moment. I am more than halfway home already. "No, thank you," Although my body does ache badly. "Actually…If you're buyin' I don't mind."

Aster nodded in response. Jack trekked to the cab door and looked over the roof at the still standing Australian.

Jack gave Aster a questioning look, "Are you gonna come with or walk home?"

Aster waved his hand dismissedly, "Whatever ya want, I could do either."

Jack gave a devious smile, "I think I've caused you enough stress today. Your big feet don't need the wear and tear."

Aster smiled and gestured for Jack to climb into the taxi alongside him. They sat next to one another, their hands resting close to the other. Jack stared out the window as he inched his hand closer to Aster's. He stopped when his knuckles were barely touching Aster's. He felt Aster's hand move against his. Jack smirked as he absentmindedly watched the scenery pass by.
The taxi jerked violently to a stop, Jack quickly threw his arms onto the driver's seat to brace himself, fearing for his life. Aster reached an arm over Jack's chest to stop his lithe frame from being thrashed around.

The Driver turned around, "We're here. That'll be 27.50."

Aster pulled out his wallet, "Here's thirty. Keep the change."

The driver scoffed at Aster, "Sorry tip for a guy with a full wallet."

Aster heard a car door shut, he looked to see Jack standing outside the cab. Aster mumbled something about the awful braking and stepped out of the taxi. He looked to Jack who was standing in the road staring up behind Aster. Aster turned around.

Aster pinched the bridge of his nose, "Shit. I forgot ta tell him ta take ya home."

Jack stopped staring at the apartment building and brought his vision to Aster, "You live here?"

Aster glanced back at the building, "Yup, top floor."

Jack gave a small smile, "Can I see it?"

As waved a hand to follow as he walked to the building, "Sure, c'mon."

Aster lead Jack through the front door, down a seemingly endless hallway to a lift. He slid the gate open to let Jack on. Aster steps inside and closed the door. He pressed the '6' button and the lift squeaked to a start.
Conveniently with no interruptions, the lift stopped on Aster's floor. Aster slid the lift's gate to the side then bent down, much to Jack's enjoyment, to lift up the gate to his home.
Jack's jaw dropped at the sight of the Australian's home. The walls were filled from floor to ceiling in paintings. In several spots around the, Jack realized, loft, there were easels with half finished paintings with a mess of paints underneath them.
Aster walked ahead of Jack, who was frozen in place trying to take in every painting he saw.

Aster walked into the open kitchen, "Ya want anything ta drink?"

Jack nodded, "Sure, surprise me." Jack walked into the loft to the living area.

Aster came back with steaming cups of coffee, "Si'down, mate," He gestured to the worn couch as he sat down across from Jack on the couch. He handed Jack his cup of coffee, "Sorry 'bout, the mess. Been meanin' ta clean it up some."

Jack shook his head slightly, "It's whatever, I'm enjoying the artwork."

Aster smirked, "Good, most of it won't be here by the end of next month."

Jack asked in a confused tone, "Why?"

Aster took a drink of coffee before answering, "Got a few buyers lined up. I gotta finish those three," He motioned at the easels around the loft, "'fore they buy 'em."

Jack took a drink of the almost too strong coffee, "Do you got any creamer?"

Aster took Jack's cup, "Yeah, hold on a sec." He walked to the kitchen and opened a cabinet, "How much ya' want?"

Jack thought momentarily, "A big spoonful would be fine."

Aster finished adding the creamer to Jack's coffee and made his way back to the couch, "Here ya' go." He handed Jack his cup back.

"Thanks." Jack said curtly.

Aster leaned back against the arm of the couch, "So, can I ask ya a couple questions?"

Jack's eyes went wide as he reluctantly nodded his head. He took a drink of tasteful coffee and hurriedly attempted to mentally prepare himself. Oh shit. He glanced to the lift. I can't make an escape easily. Would he even stop me? Jack looked into the kitchen to see a creature leaning on the island countertop he facing him with a designing smile, waiting to hear what Jack had to say.

HI! So, hope you enjoyed this rather really short Chapter. I figured i'd leave you with a more of a cliffhanger than previous chapters. Gotta keep ya reading somehow. I mean if each chapter wrapped itself up nicely, That wouldn't be very suspenseful now would it? I realize that this chapter wasn't super great either. I hit a writer's block several times. Mostly because I struggled immensely trying to describe Aster's home in any way, shape or form. I know said i would put a flashback in this chapter...I lied. Only because I didn't think about it. But! Jack will be explaining himself some in the next one..or he'll runaway..or Maybe I'll set the loft in a blazing hellfire. Maybe! Just Maybe! I'll just have Jack thrown out the window. HA! Okay, umm.. I realize that the word "dismissedly" isn't real...but I like the way it feels on my tongue. This AN has gone on for far too long! Have a great day/read/night/slice-of-cake/muffin!