My Shape-Shifting Lover

The warm water lapped gently around them, steam curling into the air as Yumi leaned back against Shinji's chest.

It was quiet, the kind of comfortable silence that came after an emotional moment.

His eyes still felt a little puffy from crying earlier—not that he wanted to think about that anymore.

Shinji's arms were loosely wrapped around him, one hand resting on his belly.

Yumi would have called it a coincidence, but he knew better. Shinji liked touching his stomach, because of the baby.

Yumi let out a small sigh, letting himself relax for just a second. Maybe Shinji would let things be. Maybe he wouldn't say anything.

…Of course, that was too much to hope for.

"Hey," Shinji said, voice low near Yumi's ear. "Why do you always get so flustered when I tease you?"

Yumi groaned immediately, eyes shutting. "Shinji."

"What?" Shinji said, laughing a little. "You do, though. You just cried, and now you're all embarrassed again."

Yumi refused to look at him. "Maybe because you're annoying."

Shinji hummed, as if thinking about it. "Mmm, maybe. But I think there's more to it than that."

"There's not," Yumi deadpanned.

Shinji grinned. "Then why do you react like this every time?"

Yumi clenched his jaw. This was so dumb. He already knew what Shinji was doing—he was always like this.

Always teasing, always pushing just enough to get a reaction. It wasn't like Yumi didn't know how Shinji felt about him. They were married. They were literally having a baby together.

And yet, somehow, Shinji still enjoyed watching him get flustered.

Yumi finally cracked open one eye to glare at him. "Why do you always tease me?"

Shinji smirked, resting his chin on Yumi's shoulder. "Because you're cute."

Yumi huffed. "I know that."

Shinji grinned. "Then why are you blushing?"

Yumi groaned, covering his face with his hands. "Shinji, I swear to god—"

Shinji just chuckled, adjusting his hold on him. His hand was still on Yumi's belly, warm and steady.

He rubbed slow circles over his skin, almost absentmindedly.

"Why do you get so flustered, though?" Shinji asked again, but this time, his voice was softer. "I really wanna know."

Yumi hesitated. His fingers twitched against his own skin.

He didn't know how to answer that.

It wasn't like he was surprised when Shinji called him adorable. He'd known Shinji loved him for years.

And yeah, maybe he still got shy sometimes, but it wasn't like he didn't know what Shinji thought of him.

So why did he still get flustered?

Yumi exhaled slowly, choosing his words carefully. "...Because."

Shinji raised an eyebrow. "Wow. What an answer."

"Shut up," Yumi muttered, nudging him with his elbow.

Shinji laughed, but he waited.

After a long pause, Yumi finally sighed, shifting a little in his arms. "...Because you mean it," he admitted quietly.

Shinji blinked.

Yumi's fingers curled slightly against his wrist. "You don't just say things to say them. You mean them," he said. "And even after all this time, it still..." He trailed off, feeling ridiculous.

Shinji tilted his head. "Still what?"

Yumi groaned. "You know what."

Shinji smiled, pressing a quick kiss to his temple. "Yeah," he murmured. "I know."

Yumi sighed again, leaning into him. "Then why'd you make me say it?"

Shinji smirked. "Because I like hearing you say it."

Yumi groaned. "You're the worst."

"You love me," Shinji said easily.

"Unfortunately," Yumi muttered, though his lips twitched slightly.

Shinji just grinned, tightening his arms around him. "No take-backs."

Yumi huffed but didn't argue.

Because, as always, Shinji was right.

And that was the most annoying thing of all.

---

Next Morning...

Yumi pressed the iron against Shinji's blazer, watching the steam rise as he moved it back and forth. It was just another morning, another routine. Something he did without thinking too much.

Behind him, Shinji was fixing his hair in the mirror, sleeves still rolled up, looking like he was about to step into some high-profile meeting. Which, knowing him, he probably was.

Yumi sighed. "You're gonna be late."

Shinji didn't even look away from his reflection. "I know."

Yumi shook his head, lifting the blazer off the ironing board. He walked over and held it up. "Arms."

Shinji turned, grinning a little as he slid his arms into the sleeves. "My personal assistant is so efficient."

"Shut up." Yumi smoothed the fabric down his shoulders, fixing the way it sat on him.

Then, without thinking much about it, he shape shifted. Just a bit—just enough to be taller, just enough to make this easier.

Shinji raised an eyebrow. "Oh? You wanna be taller than me that badly?"

Yumi ignored him and grabbed his tie. He wrapped it around Shinji's neck and started tying it.

Shinji smirked. "You know, I can do this myself."

Yumi pulled the tie a little tighter than necessary. "Then do it next time."

Shinji laughed, hands resting on Yumi's waist. "But I like when you do it for me."

Yumi huffed, finishing the knot. "There. Done."

Shinji didn't move. His hands stayed where they were, his eyes on Yumi. "You're cute when you're focused."

Yumi rolled his eyes. "You say that every day."

"Because it's true."

Before Yumi could argue, Shinji leaned in and kissed him—slow and warm, like he wasn't about to walk out the door in a few minutes. Yumi let himself melt into it, just a little.

When Shinji pulled back, he sighed. "I don't wanna leave."

"Then don't."

Shinji chuckled. "Tempting."

Yumi stepped back, watching as he grabbed his briefcase.

At the door, Shinji turned back. "Miss me?"

"You haven't even left yet."

Shinji grinned. "Still."

Yumi sighed. "Yeah, yeah."

That was enough for Shinji. He gave one last smile before stepping out.

Yumi stood there for a few seconds, listening as the car pulled away.

The house was quiet.

His hand rested on his belly without thinking.

"…We'll see him later."

But still, he missed him already.

---

END OF CHAPTER : 4 : WHY DO YOU GET FLUSTERED?