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Shinji sighed softly as he slowly opened the door of his and Yu's apartment at 6. He and Edgeshot had worked another long shift starting at 3 in the morning. It had been a long shift without Mt. Lady and it had been four months since she had taken a leave of absence. She didn't give an explanation why and many theories and speculations have come up in her fanbase. One theory is almost spot on and has grown to who the other person was.
Shinji has been stopped by multiple people reporters and fans alike to ask about Mt. Lady. He's also been told so has Edgeshot and the questions are almost spot on to the true thing that, he had to lie. Yu always said he was a bad liar and he not surprised that the people suspect he might be in on it. Yu basically was laughing so hard at that interview, Shinji wished he was wearing his mask for how red his face was in embarrassment.
Shinji gently removed his mask in the safety of his home and placed a bag of takeout on the kitchen counter before, he walked into the bathroom. He loved the privacy and security his mask gave, it hid the weird beard like mutation his wood made. Shinji rubbed his chin and jaw line where roots sprouted and was sunken into his skin, a wooden beard Yu likes to call it.
He fixed his stiff brown hair, another unnatural and not handsome feature of his face, another reason he hides behind a mask. He was ridiculed all his life by his quirk so looking at his face was not an ok thing for him. He never even had a mirror before Yu had came into his life. In their home and his safe haven, Yu was able to break down the walls he so purposefully kept up around his co-workers.
Yu had been the only one, in his adult life to see his face and he honestly didn't mind it that much. He was thankful the roots that were pressed into his skin didn't go lower then his chest. Yu never questioned him and she let him take his time. Under all that hero sex appeal, still had a kind and caring heart for those she was close to. She had patience that could last millions of years when it came to Shinji and he never could understand where it came from.
Shinji excited the bathroom and grabbed the take out bag again. He was still in his hero costume minus the mask when he made a stop in the living room. The sight would be one of many scenes imprinted in his brain for years to come. Yu was without makeup, her hair unkempt and slightly fuzzy, she also was wearing one of Shinji's hoodie that was zipped open to not stretch it. It was a straight contrast to her usale look in her hero attire or out in public in general. Still she looked as stunning as the first day he had met her, to know she barely had to do anything to make his knees weak and his heart flutter.
She was relaxing on the couch, her voice speaking softly as she gently rubbed her 7 month pregnant belly. The hero news was playing, her eyes intent on the her stomach as it showed a replay of a fight with Suneater, that had happened earlier in the day. He watched as she just smiled "you gonna come in or what?"
Shinji smiled before fully coming into the living room and Yu finally directed her gaze at the other hero and her eyes lit up at the sight of the takeout bag. She practically made grabby hands for the bag as Shinji held it out of reach "what's the magic word?"
Yu glared at him as she spoke "you are signing your death warrant if you with hold that bag any longer."
The wood hero quickly plopped the bag in her hands and she squealed happily and she nearly teared it open to get to the contents inside. Shinji excused himself to their bedroom and quickly changed into his pajamas, which was just sleep pants and a worn white shirt. When he reentered the living room he already saw Yu happily munching on her Udon, thankfully leaving his own unscathed.
Shinji sat on the couch beside his mate, even if they were both betas, his mind still deemed her as his mate. One he would willing protect, he didn't refuse when she leaned on his side as they ate. When they were finished Yu practically tugged him to the bedroom and claimed him as her pillow for the rest of the day. Shinji did not complain as Yu had her head rested on his shoulder and her hand intertwined with his own. His other hand was gently caressing her bump and his cheek touched the top of her head.
Yu had always loved to cuddle with or without their night time activities happening. Shinji never understood how she found his root covered skin comfortable to lay on, he had once tried to ask, but all she did was kiss him.
"Did he cause you trouble today?" Shinji asked softly, not want his voice to break the peaceful moment as he felt kicks from his unborn son.
Yu just huffed, she let go of his hand to intertwine with the one on her stomach "aside from the usual pains and aches, not much. Though I won't be surprised if he gonna keep me up again tonight. I blame you, my parents said I wasn't a very active baby"
"Sorry, Love" Shinji said as he free hand gently cupped her cheek, and gently kissed her. He wasn't surprised that night, when he gently was speaking to his son. Begging him to allow her to sleep, he had stayed like that for an hour with Yu's hand tangled in his wooden hair. Yu had finally fallen asleep, Shinji still did not move from his spot for another 10 minutes after before he too situated himself.
Yu's back pressed into his chest and one hand rested on her stomach and the other wrapped around her and he too fell asleep.
~~~
About two weeks later, Shinji found himself holding a small boy in his arms. Yu was sleeping after a grueling 12 hours of labor and Shinji knew she very much deserved her rest. It was still early morning as the wood hero looked at the smaller follicles of brown clung to the babies head, and he had a hard time not running his fingers thought his small babies brown locks. He was immensely grateful to find his son free of the bark mutation on his arms and free from the roots that were in his own fathers skin (My canon Shinji was born with bark on his arms and the roots grew over his remaining skin on his arms, chest, neck and jaw line the mor other grew older).
Shinji gently placed another kiss to his boy's cheek, his anxiety of being maskless infront of the doctors and nurses taking care of Yu had all but, faded. Shinji had met with all the doctors and nurses way before Yu was scheduled to give birth. A meet up Yu herself encouraged, knowing she'd want Shinji in the room with her and not Kamui Woods. They all promised they would not breath a word about his face and none of them recoiled in disgust.
He knew Yu's parents have never saw his face before, and he knew when they'd visit this would he the first time they would see him maskless. He couldn't seem to care right now and Shinji currently only had eyes for was his son and his beautiful mate. He wasn't surprised when his son began to cry a few hours later, waking Yu from her sleep. A nurse came in not to long after that, and gave small instructions on what to do before leaving the couple. Shinji wrapped one arm around Yu's shoulders and the other under the arm cradling their son.
"Still like the name we choose?" Shinji asked softly as he nuzzles her hair.
"Mamoru?" Yu asked her voice heavy with from sleep as she fought to keep her eyes open as she fed their son "yea, I think it still suits him."
"Welcome to the world, Mamoru" Shinji said as Mamoru opened his eyes to looks up at his parents. Shinji smiled down at his son's violet eyes that stared right back up at them.