Title: What's in a Name?
Author: Ryoko no Shinigami
Warnings: Stereotyping of Heero's love for his laptop and his constant silence, as well as Duo's annoying nature.
Pairings: None.
Archives: Fanfiction.net. If you want it, please just ask. I'd be flattered, really.
Notes: Just random schtuff. Heero's reaction is the same as mine the first time my friend Sam explained the logic of naming one's computer to me. In fact, Duo's explanation is much the same as his was.
Disclaimers: Don't own 'em. All I have is a radio, a TV/VCR, a small library of anime videos, and a dog. And exactly $3.28 american. That's not even enough to buy the questionable affections of a cheap hooker in New York, so suing me is a real exercise in futility.
Dedication: To my own two computers, Maxwell and Ryoko, for not erasing my files as often as Emma's Leon does, or for not being as annoying as Leah's William.
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Heero was sitting at his desk, typing on his laptop. Duo came in, slamming the door behind him and ruining Heero's concentration. He slapped Heero on the shoulder in friendly greeting.
"Hey, Heero buddy! What's up?"
Heero didn't say anything. Duo snorted through his nose.
"On the old laptop as usual, I see." He reached over and scratched the side of the screen.
"Have you named it yet?"
Heero turned to Duo and raised one eyebrow.
"What? Haven't you ever heard of naming your computer? They work better that way, I swear. And they like it if you scratch them like this, too," he demonstrated again. "It makes them feel loved."
Heero turned his back to Duo. "Hn," he snorted. It was amazing the amount of scorn he could fit into that monosyllable.
"Hey!" amazingly, Duo managed to insert his body between Heero and the desk. "It's true, I tell you! Have you ever tried it?"
Heero eventually stopped trying to see through Duo by glaring at him, and looked up. "And I suppose you've named yours?" he asked.
"As a matter of fact, I have."
Heero sneered up at him. "And what, pray tell, did you call it?"
Duo sniffed. "Roxy."
Heero blinked and his eyes widened. "What? You named it for a girl? Wufei would have a fit."
"Yeah, well would you like to touch a boy the same way you touch that computer? That's why mine's a girl."
Heero tried to push the irritating boy out of his way. "Just shut up and let me work."
Duo began waving his hands around in front of Heero's face. "You better be careful. The spirit of your computer may get pissed off at you and erase all your files," one of his flailing hands hit a button on the keyboard. The screen went blank. "See? I told you."
Heero pushed his chair back from the desk, as he stared blankly at the screen. His face slowly drained of color. His mouth hung open.
"My…files. You…you erased my files."
"Huh. It wasn't me. It was the mighty computer gods. I warned you."
Duo left the room, leaving Heero in shock. With a shaking hand, he reached out and shut the computer. Slowly, gingerly, he gathered it into his arms, and brought his legs up to his chest, cradling the laptop carefully.
"Leslie. Leslie, what has he done to you?"