II
A rhythmic click-clack noise brought Norm to consciousness. The genie sat up on the couch and shook his head. He didn't even realize that he had fallen asleep. He allowed his mind to wander to the previous day.
A young man by the name of Jack Spicer had rubbed Norm's lamp and become his new master. The redhead had given Norm legs. Which reminded him, where was Jack?
He looked around to find the source of the clicking sound and discovered the unhappy albino at his computer. An obese ninja was dancing around on the screen, patting his rear end in a mocking gesture. Norm chuckled and strolled over to Jack.
"Having technical problems, pretty boy?" He asked, playfully mussing up a mop of red hair.
Jack swatted at the hand and nearly fell out of his chair. "Knock it off, Shades. I'm busy." He had a warning growl in his voice and Norm took a step back.
"What seems to be the issue, Red?" Norm asked, stamping Jack with his own endearing nickname. He placed a hand on Jack's chair and spun it around so that his master was facing him. "Whoa. You look like crap."
Jack had dark bags under his eyes and it wasn't his usual eyeliner. "The virus duplicated and I've been up all night trying to get rid of it."
Norm cocked his head to the side. "Virus? What, you're sick?"
The mechanic ran a hand through his hair, brushing lightly against Norm's hand. He blushed briefly. "No. A computer virus. I accidentally downloaded it yesterday. I thought I deleted all of it, but Wuya came in and distracted me when I was almost done. I forgot to double check. I usually do. But then you show up out of a lava lamp and… Well, I was more than a little distracted."
The genie nodded, actually paying attention. Norm usually ignored his masters unless they were making a wish, but he felt compelled to listen to every word that came out of Jack's mouth. Norm started to pull his hand away when Jack grabbed it. "Jack?"
"I'm tired…" Jack said, his eyes struggling to stay open. "I got it all this time, so I'm going to bed. If Wuya comes by, tell her off and make her go away. I don't care what you do; just make sure she leaves me alone, okay?"
"Okay," Norm replied, retrieving his hand. "Need any help?" He raised an amused eyebrow at Jack, who stood up and stumbled over to his bed. His master waved a dismissive hand at Norm and landed face first on his bed. Norm heard the boy's breathing slow and watched as his back rose and fell in a steady manner. The genie walked over to the bed and covered Jack with a black silk sheet. He kept telling himself that he was just doing it out curtsey, not because he had feelings for Jack. As soon as the albino was covered, Norm sat back down on the couch, trying to calm the pounding in his chest.
"Dammit. I hate this. I barely even know this little brat… So why is my…" Norm trailed off, glancing over to his sleeping master. He leaned his head back against the soft couch and sighed, still watching Jack. "Hurry up and make your other two wishes, Red… Before we both get in too deep…"