#sburbox

It was a dreary, rainy afternoon. The sky was cloudy and it was thundering. Inside was warm and cozy, though. Steam and Crudler were cuddled up on the couch watching some baby mama show on TV. It had been a month or so since they moved from the busy, smog covered city and to the calm, clean suburb. It was the beginning of a new life for them! And for their unborn child. Steam rested her hands on her baby bump, legs laid in Crudler’s lap. Crudler gave his lover a foot massage because she had asked for one.  While the TV droned on about whose daddy was whose, the couple were busy discussing names for their child.

“What about Matthew?” Steampunk asked, “That’s a good name. Or maybe Michael.” Crudler shrugged, “I knew a guy named Michael. Last time I saw him he was on the news for a dope bust.”

“Ok, Michael is out. What about Zachary? Knew any clients or criminals with that name?”

“Uh…maybe.”

“That name’s out too. Ugh, this is hard.” Steam leaned against the arm of the couch, frowning. Who knew it would be so hard to pick a name! Maybe because they were trying to pick something besides a Once-ler name. They wanted something unique, the perfect name for their child. They still had some time before the baby was born but they wanted to make sure they were ready. Steampunk scrunched up her face in annoyance. She grabbed a pillow and groaned into it.

“Hey, we have time before the kid is born. I’m sure we’ll have a name picked by then.” Crudler reassured. He finished massaging one foot then started on the other. “Don’t stress out over this.” “I know, but I want to give them a good name, so they’re not just another Once-ler. But most of the names I’ve picked aren’t good enough.”

“I liked the first name you picked out.” Crud stated

“Which one?”

“Smogulous.”

“Why do you like that name? It’s not even a real name.”

“I dunno I just like it. I also like the name Kris.”

Steam blinked, thinking for a moment. Kris seemed like a good name, but Smogulous was also fitting for a Once-ler. They could call them Smog for short. After a few minutes she spoke,”How about we make Kris their middle name or vice versa. I don’t think I can break away from giving them a Once-ler name. Plus Kris is unisex so if it’s a girl we can name her Kristen.”

“I can agree to that.” Crudler said finishing up with the foot massage. “Speaking of names, I’ve been thinking. I think we should change our names.”

Steam looked over at the other, a confused look on her face. What was wrong with their names? She liked her name, as well as Crudler. “Why? What’s wrong with our names?”

“Nothing is wrong with our names. But I’ve been thinking since we’re starting a new life in a new place we should have a new name.”  Crud said clicking off the TV. The sound of rain filled in the silence. “Besides I don’t think anyone would hire someone with a name that sounds like “crude”.”

“You have a job at the massage parlor, though.”

“That’s because I knew some of those people, and they’re doing me a favour.” Crud explained “I was just thinking that it was time for a change, that’s all. We can still call each other by our old names, like nicknames.”

Steampunk thought about for a moment. A change wouldn’t be bad. After a few minutes of thinking she nodded. ”Alright. I’ll go along with it. What name did you have in mind?”

“Oh I already picked out my name. It’s Jackson.”

“Just Jackson?”

“Yeah. Something wrong with it?”

Steam shook her head, smiling. “No there’s nothing wrong with it. It suits you actually, but you seem to be lacking a middle and last name.” “Do I need one?” “I would think so since applications require a middle initial and last name.” Steam shifted on the couch, her feet now hanging over the arm of the couch and her head in her partner’s lap. “What is your name going to be?” Crudler asked, stroking Steam’s hair.

Steam gently drummed her fingers on her stomach, thinking. “Maxwell P. Lovecraft.” She said “When I’m a man again, that it. Right now I’m Maxine.”

“Aw, I can call you Maxie now~” Crudler teased “Nah, Maxwell is a good name. Sounds like some fancy, space-age shit. What’s the ‘P’ stand for?”

“Phillip..or Phyllis.” She shrugged. She grabbed the remote and flicked the TV back on. The sound of rain was putting her to sleep. Some game show was on and the contestant wasn’t doing well. “Want to use my last name since you didn’t come up with one?”

“Sure. I’ll be Jackson C. Lovecraft. It sound fancy like yours but at the same time still badass.”

Steam rolled her eyes. ”What’s the ‘C’ stand for?”

“Calhoun.”

“Like from Wreck-It Ralph?”

“Yup. She’s a badass lady with a bad past. Like me~” He grinned when Steam rolled her eyes again. She returned the smile, “It suits you, honey. We should come up with names for Greedlerbot and Onciebot.”

“Why?” Crudler asked

“Well, they’re part of this family too and I think they should have a name change as well.” She yawned. “But I’m going to let them pick their names though. I’ve play enough of the Name Game.”