IV

When the pair arrived at the movies, Jack was disappointed to discover that 'Saw VI' was no longer playing.

"Aw, man!!" Jack groaned. "That is so not fair!"

Norm scratched the back of his head. "Why not wish for it?" Jack spun around and gave him a look that said 'Nice try but no'. "Okay, is there anything else?" Norm looked around at the movie posters, trying to find something interesting. "How about this one?" He pointed to a poster with a weird-looking goldfish on it.

"You think 'Ponyo' looks interesting?" Jack raised an eyebrow. "Seriously?"

The genie shrugged. "Actually, it did look pretty good… I saw some previews while I was watching 'I dream of Jeannie' and… Well, yeah. Let's see it."

Jack stifled a laugh at Norm's response. "Okay. We'll see 'Ponyo'." He bought the tickets and grabbed Norm's hand. After obtaining their popcorn and drinks, they strolled into the dark theater. Jack looked around for some seats and noticed how… empty the theater was.

"Where is everybody? I thought people came to the movies a lot…" Norm queried.

"They do. 'Ponyo' has been out for awhile and I guess no one else really wanted to see it. They'll probably pull it next week," Jack explained, sitting in the very back.

Norm took a seat beside his young master. "I guess this is okay… No pint-sized brats screaming and laughing."

Jack nodded. "Amen."

*******

About half-way through the movie, Jack was going 'Aww' because Ponyo had kissed Sosuke and said, "Ponyo loves Sosuke!!" And Norm regretted picking this movie. It was good, but it made the genie very aware of how feminine Jack really was. Norm wasn't sure why that bothered him; if Jack was girly, then maybe liking him wouldn't be as awkward. Maybe it was because Norm saw a different side of Jack earlier and it was creeping him out that the albino was such a softie for cute things. Norm silently prayed that they wouldn't find a homeless kitten on the way home.

Norm was dragged out of his thoughts when Jack rested his head on the genie's arm. "You okay?" The albino asked, still looking at the screen.

"Yeah," Norm shrugged. "It's just… you're so… girly…" He watched Jack, hoping he hadn't offended his master.

"I know I am," Jack replied. "I've always liked cute things. I'm a girly guy. It's just how I am." He looked up at Norm. "Why? Does it bother you?"

Norm lifted his hand and made a 'so-so' gesture. "Kinda… Well, I just thought you had a girly scream. Not that you actually were feminine… Anyway, who cares? You are who you are." He paused. "Umm… Are you… y'know… gay?"

Jack smiled. He knew that was coming. "Yes, I am. Girls are too pushy. Guys are just… easier to figure out." He explained. Jack had encountered this situation many times, so he wasn't bothered. "Does that bother you?"

The genie shook his head. "Not at all. If you're gay, whatever. That's your business."

Jack lifted his head and smiled at Norm. "I'm glad. That it doesn't bother you, I mean."

Norm blushed. Jack had a cute smile. He coughed into his hand, pretending to clear his throat. "Let's finish the movie, shall we?" He watched Jack turn back to face the screen, still smiling. His master was almost too cute to resist.

************

After the movie, Norm and Jack decided to go for dinner. The movie was really good, which surprised Norm. He had lied about it seeming interesting. He was wrong.

"So, what do you usually eat, Shades?" Jack asked, looking up at Norm.

Norm glanced down at his master. "I thought we were past the 'Shades' thing, Red." Jack just grinned at him. Norm shrugged. "Burritos and some other stuff… What do you recommend?"

Jack pulled a piece of paper out of his pocket and unfolded it. "Umm… I have some coupons for pizza… I thought I had a different one but I guess not… So, pizza?"

The genie smiled. "Pizza's good." He draped his arm around Jack's shoulders and allowed Jack to lead the way.

*********

It was around 9 pm when the duo returned home. Norm found himself feeling surprised that he had a really good time. Jack wasn't a girl and it wasn't a date, but it felt like one. The genie was beginning to feel wanted, something he had never felt before. Jack showed no sign of using Norm in any way. Jack merely wanted a companion other than the witch that clearly didn't respect him. Norm respected Jack. Again, he was surprised. He never respected his masters. Ever. Why was he feeling this way?

Jack walked over to his computer, switched it on, and sat in his revolving chair. He clicked on a file marked 'Music' and pulled up a list of songs Norm didn't recognize. The genie pulled up a chair and watched. "What are you doing??" Norm asked, turning to Jack.

The albino continued scrolling through his list, clearly looking for something. "Trying to find some music to sleep to… I was too tired yesterday to turn it on, but I'm going to make sure something's playing while I sleep. You don't mind, do you?" He turned to Norm, immediately blushing. His face was very close to Norm's.

Norm blushed as well. "N-no… I don't mind." He stood up and walked to the couch. "So, you're tired?"

"Not really. I just want to listen to something," Jack smiled at Norm. "And I'm making sure I don't forget to turn it on."

That is exactly what you're doing to me, Red. Norm thought with a strained smile. He was finding it increasingly difficult to restrain himself from 'attacking' Jack. He crossed his arms and sighed. "Did you find it yet?"

Jack spun around in the chair to face Norm. "I don't really feel like listening to Lady Gaga… So I'm trying to find something else."

Norm tilted his head in confusion. He was never that into any music other than Jazz. 'Lady Gaga' sounded like a pop artist. He didn't like pop. Rock was okay. "Any rock music?" He asked, figuring Jack probably didn't listen to Jazz.

Jack nodded. "Tons. Any particular band?"

The genie shook his head. "No. Ya see, Red, I don't listen to music all that much. I sing sometimes, but that's about it."

"Oh…" Jack now found himself hoping to hear Norm sing one day. The red head went back to his music search. "Let's see… Soundtracks, Pop, R&B, Dance, Classical, Soundscapes… Ah! Here it is! Rock. Now, who to listen to?" Norm watched as Jack scrolled through a list of decent length. "Breaking Benjamin, Skillet… Oh! Hollywood Undead!" He clicked on a button the read: 'Play All'.

Norm listened as the music started. Not bad. The song was all about partying and sex; 2 of Norm's favorite pastimes. "What's this song called? I like it," Norm said, smirking at the albino.

The young mechanic spun around again in his chair, finding that he was becoming dizzy. "It's called 'Pimpin'. I love this song." The red head grinned at his genie. "I'm glad you like it." He stood up and stretched. "Man, I'm tired now. I made myself dizzy spinning around in that chair…"

The genie chuckled at his master. "Turning in, then?"

"No! I will never turn myself in to the cops!" Jack punched the air in a victorious gesture and Norm smiled. This kid was just too cute. "Heh heh… Yeah, I'm going to sleep. What about you?"

Norm nodded. "If you are, I guess I have to. If you're out, there's nobody to talk to." He flopped down on the couch and closed his eyes. He could feel Jack smiling at him and Norm looked up at the hovering albino. "What?" Norm asked.

Jack shook his head. "Nothing. I'm just happy that we get along." He turned and walked over to his bed.

A rustling of clothes caused Norm to look at Jack. The adorable little genius was taking off his shirt. And Norm couldn't stop staring. He found himself standing and walking over to Jack. He paused. Jack was not only feminine in certain aspects of his personality, he was feminine in appearance. His skin, that ivory skin, glowed in the light of the computer screen. The albino turned when he heard Norm behind him.

"Something wrong, Shades?" Jack blinked up at his genie.

Instead of responding, Norm reached up and gently touched what looked like a scar on Jack's left shoulder. He didn't trust himself to speak and gave Jack a questioning look.

"Oh… Umm… I got this about a year ago after losing to those Xiaolin losers… Chase got mad at me and…"

Norm cut him off. "Chase? You mean that freakin' elf?! What the hell?! Why would he scar you?" Norm was so far beyond upset now. What Jack had just told him somehow confirmed that Chase was the one who rejected the genius before. This was royally pissing Norm off. "He had no right to hurt you! Or to reject you! You shouldn't be so into someone who doesn't give a rat's ass if you die!"

Jack looked down at his feet. "Why are you so upset? I didn't think that you'd…"

"That I what? Wouldn't care? You're right, I don't. But you're still just a kid. Other than my intense desire to do harm to a certain buck-tooth 10-year-old, no one should hurt a kid. You didn't do anything wrong," Norm seethed. He was surprised that he was so angry. Why did it bother him so much? Norm felt his heart pounding. Reaching out, he pulled Jack to him and held the boy tightly. "You shouldn't take that from a jerk like him, Red…"

Jack's face flushed. He could hear Norm's rapid heartbeat. It sounded like Jack's own heart around the one he had feelings for. He tilted his head up to see a pair of violet eyes looking down at him. "Norm?"

Whatever Jack was going to say next was silenced by Norm kissing him. Jack gasped in surprise and Norm pushed his tongue into the boy's mouth. The albino moaned and wrapped his arms around the genie's neck, deepening the kiss. After a minute or two had passed, Norm pulled away and Jack just stared at him. They were both blushing like crazy.

"Ahem…" Norm cleared his throat. "S-sorry about that. I just… I uh…" He rubbed the back of his head, sensing that there was a renewed air of awkwardness between him and his master. He turned away. Norm was about to start walking back to the couch when he felt arms wrap around him. He glanced behind him to see Jack smiling.

"It's okay. It… It made me happy, even if you didn't mean it…" Jack hugged his genie. "That couch isn't that comfy… Especially if you sleep on it too long… Why don't you sleep with me tonight?"

Norm blushed. "Uh… Sure… Why not?"