Amraani’s hands went to Shinji’s back and he carried/crushed him against the length of himself. The desire expressed down his groin matched what he felt from Shinji. Shinji let out a deep moan and Amraani sighed against Shinji’s mouth. He released him a tiny bit.

“If I don’t let you go right now, we will have to lock this door very soon.” He still held Shinji plastered against him as he said it.

They heard the soft click of the door opening and then closing right away.

Shinji smiled against Amraani’s neck. “I think someone already got to it."

" Still, let’s get to our suite, for what I want to do to you suffers neither witnesses, nor interruptions.”

The lascivious look on Shinji’s face had Amraani done packing them both and leaving the office in seconds. Fortunately, they met no soul until they were inside their suite, door locked, and kissing with renewed passion. Somewhere at the back of their mind, they heard the flying monitor announce it was done downloading Religious and Spiritual Matrices in the couple’s USSID. Amraani ordered it to pipe down and looked at Shinji in his arms with eyes boring through his soul.

“Are you sure about this? There will be no turning back.”

Shinji’s simple answer ‘I am’ undid whatever self-control Amraani had left.

And his expert fingers tore away at the he-female’s clothing. Mouths caressed necks, chests, and went even lower. Moans and cries of passion echoed through the room. Hands brought them both to the brink of ecstasy. Suddenly Shinji heard his brain tutor stating cellular exchange was achieved. The mental question his lust-soaked mind managed to ask was answered right away.

“The vaginal cells of your anal and rectal regions are created and migrated into position. Coitus is encouraged.”

Shinji looked into his lover’s eyes. They had turned deep grey and the small blue flecks they contained were invisible.

“I can’t take this anymore. I want you inside me right this instant.”

Amraani's reply came in a husky voice Shinji didn’t recognize. “I want to take you right this instant, but I care for you too much to risk hurting you. Let’s prepare you.”

“You won’t hurt me and you don’t need to prepare me. My body is ready.”

Amraani didn’t move. He only kept looking into the now-royal-blue, desire-filled eyes. The other man understood and drew Amraani even closer to himself, closer to his rear entrance, coaxing him inside himself. The red-hot rod gliding into the wet, velvet conduit sent delightful chills shooting through Shinji’s body.

Amraani groaned his pleasure and Shinji’s name in one indescribable sound. Then they lost touch with the world around them, drowning in the voluptuous sensation, calling to each other as they sought release from the sweet torture.

They spent the evening touching, caressing, tasting, and taking each other to the feeling beyond and back. Room service granted the love-makers the strength to take the sensual exercise deep into the night. In the morning, they were still sleeping in each other’s arms when the alarm rang to remind them of their last two appointments to search for housing. They didn’t resist a bathroom make-out session and had to rush to meet the realtor for the tour.

The downtown loft they first visited, had a stylish feel to it. Wide glass panels darkened or changed hues, according to the weather or custom settings. High ceilings gave space to a minimalist floating magnetic staircase leading to three bedrooms and their posh bathrooms.

The living room was a throwback to the 18th century Japanese interior decoration with a corner for honored guests with its bar and other classical items. The kitchen with its wide marble countertops and islands, came fully furnished. A chef would be proud of owning it.

A vast home office occupied the back of the fake first floor. A small rainforest room tripled as personal gym, sauna, and garden and a small elevator went down through the entire length of the main supporting pillar to the garage. A home computer controlled an insane number of security and environmental features.

As they visited the place, the realtor asked.

“Are you lovebirds gunning for a big family?”

Shinji blushed to his ears, Amraani looked quite uncomfortable, and the realtor downright confused.

“Please forgive me for getting it wrong. You two look so much in love I spoke without thinking. I overstepped my boundaries.”

Amraani replied “Worry not. You are right to think so. It’s just we haven’t discussed children yet.”

Though it was true, Shinji felt unsettled by the tone Amraani used. He could tell from the lowering pitch of Amraani's voice that his husband was hiding something. They finished the tour, but Shinji had to repeatedly tamp down the nagging feeling he was getting.

This program is giving me a paranoiac streak. Amraani never hid anything important from me.

The next house wasn’t as appealing to Shinji and Amraani and they decided to take an option on the loft. They let the realtor know their choice and contacted their support team too.

“We are done with work for now. Have dinner with me, my love.”

Amraani already had Shinji in his arms looking at him with tenderness. The endearment took Shinji by surprise. He knew Amraani was attracted to the he-female version of him, but that was icing on the cake.

“You love me?”

Amraani smiled comprehensively. “I am saying it again since it’s difficult for you to fathom. Yes, I love you Shinji-Patrick. I always have.”

“But you never said anything. You never hinted it at all.” Even as he protested the surprising declaration, Shinji knew he wanted it to be true.

“You are right. I didn’t know what this feeling was, or what I could do with it, but now I do. With the way our Jarushan society is, I couldn’t even imagine that my wanting to be constantly around you was love in its inception.”

The he-female had hoped, wished, and craved this kind of caring from Amraani for so many years that it felt bizarre to feel it thrown at him so casually. Thus, Shinji did the one thing he was good at when it came to dangerous feelings. He fled. And brought the conversation to a safer ground.

“I would very much like having lunch with you. I’m inviting.” Amraani’s arms tightened slightly around Shinji. He paused briefly then replied with steady tender voice and gaze.

“Lovely, beautiful Shinji, I refuse! It’s my treat! I plan to take you somewhere you will like.” Experience taught Amraani to give Shinji space when it came to the subject of dealing with his feelings. His past held too many cases of Shinji’s attachments to others being betrayed for Amraani to rush this plan. so, he let go.

“Then, you have to let me treat you as thanks.” Shinji was grateful for the reprieve.

“No, thanks. Sorry, but I need no gratitude from you. All along these years you did so much for me, I am beyond saving if we compete on need for expressed gratefulness.”

“In that case, how do I acclaim the feat you are about to accomplish?”

“Kiss me.”

Amraani didn’t have to repeat his order. Shinji slid his arms around the man’s neck and brought his head down to his. The kiss was so delectable, he barely remembered to shield their faces from public view. When he felt himself losing touch with their surroundings, Amraani broke apart tenderly from his lover.

“I am lost the moment you touch me with your lips. I better be careful. You have no control over your appeal. Look around.”

When Shinji mustered the strength to gaze away from Amraani, he saw men ogling him as they rushed about their day. Granted what they saw was a ravishing dark-blonde in a gorgeous, classy off-white blouse-black capri outfit, but Shinji thought nothing of this new appearance. He was still Shinji-Patrick Onodera underneath those clothes. Shinji lingered watching around them the people walking by.

“Let’s go.”

Amraani felt himself falling into a sour mood as he pulled Shinji toward their destination.

That lewd fox! He enjoys the attention.

He hung even tighter onto Shinji’s hand as he rushed them down the street. The new shorter body of Shinji got him almost running to keep up with his long, fast steps, but Amraani didn’t care.

He plans to play the field, this bastard. I won’t let him. See how I lure you away from them all.

A few blocks down a parallel street, and they stopped in front of a restaurant boasting traditional fusion cooking.

Amraani breathed deeply for a second.

“Misericord, Shinji,” he turned toward the beautiful woman by his side.

“My behavior just now was rude. I should accept men aren’t blind and your beauty can hardly be covered up. But, I’m still not used to others knowing how attractive you are. You were my hidden treasure.”

Apology was written across his face.

“It’s okay, Amraani. I know the feeling. The only difference is that I bore with girls ogling you and flirting with you for years, so I have a little more practice than you. I can dominate my possessiveness better and faster.” He paused.

“To be honest, it pleases me to see you this mad with jealousy. I feel loved. So, don’t apologize.”

His hand caressed Amraani’s new face. A stronger jaw than Shinji knew of Amraani framed a sharply-cut face, whose eyes, nose, and cheekbones were strong yet very appealing in the amicable sense. Shinji still had trouble conciliating the two faces as being the same person. His vision often lagged in recognizing the Amraani he always knew in this polished, alluring individual.

Amraani didn’t say a thing. He just looked at Shinji with intensity, joy, and something that looked like reverence. He seized Shinji’s caressing hand and kissed it without breaking eye-contact. Then, he quickly turned to enter the restaurant, still not releasing him. Not fast enough, though, to prevent Shinji from seeing a ray of guilt cross his darkened grey eyes.

What was that I saw? Guilt? Again? Why?

Shinji’s straining thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of the host. The maître d’hôtel greeted them with condescending politeness. And Shinji already bothered by Amraani’s bizarre expression, began fuming inside. Amraani said with aplomb.

“I had my friend Dr Amraani McAuliffe make a reservation for his favorite table. I trust we can be promptly served refreshments. We had a trying past hour.”

It was nearly comical to see how the maître d’hôtel tripped over himself to care for them. The food was as delicious as Amraani had promised. The menu was typical asiafric order. A fusion of traditional West African food served with Japanese style side dishes. They started the small feast awkwardly, Shinji still puzzled at the guilt he might have sensed in Amraani. They silently fed the beast in their stomachs for a while, before Amraani asked:

“Have you chosen your wedding gown yet?” Shinji's eyes  He set down his fork, almost choking on his food.

“This is one thing I’m struggling with. This brand-new vocabulary my brain tutor downloaded in me?! I have all the mental arsenal of the perfect newlywed. Wedding gowns, mascara, t-back lacy panties. Now, I even have hips to better fit my female clothing, but my male genitalia are still there. I am already inventing a list of excuses to be left alone when I’ll go fitting. Explaining away the privates when you are in women’s clothing stores or restrooms should be avoided at all cost.”

“Worry not. On this one, I got you covered. I will always be there to assist you when you shop. Nobody but me gets to see you half or more naked.”

“Still, hips?! It’s hard to wrap my brain around this one.” The second he uttered the last sentence, Shinji saw something he really didn't need to see. At least, not this day.

Amraani shifted uncomfortably in his seat.

Oh, Mocks! I wanted so much to be wrong! Amraani is hiding something from me. I must ask him.

He was about to open his mouth and do just that when he remembered where they were.

Outside. In public. At a well-known restaurant where the entire staff was taking turns gawking at their gorgeous duo.

Yep. Not the best place to ask your male fiancé why he is feeling guilty that you, a man –no, now it’s you, an he-female and future he-wife- have full, wide, feminine hips.

I can’t afford to jeopardize my unique chance at happiness. This society has no place for the love I feel for Amraani. My only luck is I’m a highly capable scientist. It got me a spot on that insanely well-articulated theater troupe of paid-with-public-penny liars. I cannot afford to mess up and lose him. This can wait. Plus, I could have simply misinterpreted his thoughts.

He focused on his food for a while. When he looked up again, Amraani was smiling at him with that new expression of affection he was seeing more and more often. He smiled back, his heart warming involuntarily. The remainder of the meal went on calm and relaxed. They didn’t squabble on the bill, Shinji relishing the feel of being pampered in public by this gentlemanly version of Amraani.

“It’s barely 2pm. Where do you want to go? We have 2 hours before we are due back to the Constitutional building for filing the final match acceptance form.” Amraani held the door for him.

With a mischievous smile, Shinji replied “Thanks. I want to go somewhere with ducklings, swans, and little birds.”

“You don’t want to choose a wedding gown?” A brow rose, and a face grew slightly anxious.

“You already had the next place in mind. Why tempt me then?”

“Because I want to make all of your dreams come true. But also all of mine too.”

“Then, put your money where your mouth is. Find us a place with both the birdies and the wedding gowns.”

“As you wish, Milord. Weddingham Palace in front of Battery Park. Bridal shop with huge side glasses that face the pond with the ducklings, swans, and all the little birds.”

“My hero” Shinji took his arm, tiptoed up to his lips, and hid the sweet kiss from the passerbyes. Amraani caught the retreating hand as he whispered close to Shinji’s ears,

“You are killing me.”

Shinji had fun at both the birdies’ feeding and the gown-choosing task. They chose a structured, shoulder free, off-white, satin piece that complimented Shinji’s fair skin and dark blonde hair. They bickered a little about the hair style and the size of the bouquet, but Shinji’s long-held habit of giving into Amraani’s wishes kicked in.

They got the he-bride ready in no time. And they didn’t linger around. They got back to the hotel without further ado. Shinji had recognized the lust-fueled glances Amraani was starting to give him and the bridal shop attendants seemed to be increasingly aware of it too. With purchases in hand, they reached their room fast.

And Shinji’s hopes of sensual endeavors drowned in Amraani’s neutral-toned “I have something to do. I will be back.”