Shape-shifting and big ears

Rox comes on in. Today his bandana is as black as his coal colored hair. He is wearing an off white shirt under his vest since the weather is starting to cool down. 

"Hey Rox. I haven't started lunch yet but it shouldn't take long. You can sit on the couch while I get everything together." I tell him.

"I can help. I know how much you hate dishes." He shifts into his bigger form and starts rolling up his sleeves. He stops and looks at the sink and counter in shock. "You actually put them away?"

"Don't give me that! Yes I was surprised I did them in my sleep but they're done." I fold my arms all high and mighty.

"Let me guess, you ate what was in these dishes in your sleep too." He holds the one by his face giving me a skeptical look.

I can't lie to him. "Maybe." I turn on my heel grabbing my apron. While tying it on he sneaks up behind me and wraps me in his arms. 

"You did good. The rest of the place looks good too. I can even tell you wiped the walls down." He plants a kiss on my cheek. 

I lean back into his embrace. "Thank you." I whisper. 

"You're welcome. Now you sure you don't need help in here?" He says smiling while tickling my armpits and sides.

I'm squealing and squirming trying to get away. Words can't come out because I'm laughing so hard. I escape to the floor looking up at him trying to catch my breath.

"You alright? You need some help getting up?" He chuckles while looking down at me.

"NO! Stay back!" I grab a wooden spoon from a drawer wielding it like a sword. 

"Awww come on." He smiles dodging my swings from my spoon. We are both laughing til he grabs the spoon. 

"Evasive maneuver!" I shout letting go of the spoon I try to escape by driving between his legs. 

He bursts out laughing at my attempt to escape by crawling. "Come here." He scoops me up and I squeak while he does this. He plops me on the counter. "How about I help with dishes after you make lunch?" He says smoothing my hair down not contained by the bandana. 

"That would be very nice of you." I say looking into his gentle gaze.

"Alright I will get out of your hair." He kisses me. Then he tickles my sides again to hear me squeal before running out of the kitchen to the living room. It wasn't a far run since it was just around the peninsula of the counter. He jumps up laying side ways in the air then shifts into his true size. He lands perfectly on the couch with a pillow behind his head. Pulling the blanket that was his off the back of the couch onto himself. I shake my head at him with a smile pulling on my lips then hop down from the counter. The smile continues to grow as I start to prepare sandwiches for us.

The first time I saw Rox shift into his true form was a good day. All spring we kept running into each other. I just happened to train out in the woods often and he would show up teach me a few things. He also showed up to the Frog Creek's market on the pretense of keeping the goblin traders safe between his village and the town. 

Anyways it was a very warm late spring day when I learned the truth. We had just got done with him showing me some basic sword blocks and ways to deflect attacks. We were both tired and we're resting under a shady tree. He plopped his head on my stomach telling me I was his pillow. After asking him why, he told me it was my payment for the lesson. I cracked a joke about him being a cruel master before I drifted to sleep.

I was woken up when the pressure on my stomach jolted and suddenly disappeared. Looking around in a daze wondering if we were under attack, I saw a small version of Rox hiding behind the large tree. He poked his head out a touch just to retreat behind the tree more.

What little I saw of his face was adorable. At the time I was so intrigued with the idea of touching his ears. What I did afterwards was shameful but worth it.

I crawl to the tree then sit on my heels and hugged my knees to my chest. Rocking a little on the balls of my feet. 

"Rox is that you?" I asked gently.

"It's me. I didn't really want you to see me this way yet." His voice seemed nervous.

"Why? I think you look cute." I smiled.

"Cute?" He says flatly.

"Adorable?" I say quieter.

"You know your rubbing salt in the wound not sugar right?" He poked his head around the tree. My heart about gave out from his big ears.

"I'm sorry. I don't know a better way to say it besides I like this look." I tilted my head hoping to look cute myself to lure him closer.

"You really think so?" He came out a little more. 

Without realizing it I was already reaching out for his ears. "Yes really. Your ears look so soft." 

He jumps back behind the tree.

"Goblins only touch each other's ears out of a sign of intimacy." How shy his voice was melted my heart and my legs. Along with the embarrassment that I was making a bold move on him apparently.

"I'm sorry I didn't realize." I apologized and hugged my legs tighter.

He pokes his head back around and we watch each other for a little bit.

"Do you want to be together?" He finally asked.

"Like we are now?" I was confused at the time.

"No. Well. Sorta. Like together and slowly become intimate." He awkwardly explained.

"Oh so you want to court me?" I perked up.

"Court?" The look of confusion on his little face was priceless.

"How do I explain this... We see each other often to figure out if we really do like each other. Then if we do like each other, we get married." That was the simplest way I could think of explaining it. 

"It sounds like we are talking about similar things. Humans just call it court." He comes out from behind the tree. "Sophia? Let's court." 

How could I have turned down his little round face and big ears? With his attempt to use a word he just learned.

"I will be happy to court you Rox." I smiled back at him. He later explained how he can't keep a shape shifted state while sleeping.

Rox's voice breaks my day dream of the past. "What are you smiling about while holding that knife? Please tell me your not thinking of me." He hides more into the blanket as if it will save him.

"And what if I was thinking of you?" I smile sweetly at him. 

"I think I have some where to be." He slyly smiles waiting for my reply.

"I'm just really happy we have been together for awhile now." I say arranging the sandwich greens before pressing the bread on top of it.

Rox perks up at the sight of the food I plated and carry to the table.

"We are just shy of being together for a half a year." He says popping up on the chair he likes to sit in. 

"And your taking me to meet your family tonight." I say hanging up my apron. Then I sit down in the other chair. "I'm so nervous."

"You'll be fine. They will love you. But what ever you do. Don't be alone with my dad." Rox states.

"Why?" I asked concerned. I bite into my sandwich, I do my best to savor the flavor and not inhale the food.

"Heeee... He might try pulling a prank that crosses a line with you. I have been trying to talk to him for the last week but it's not sticking in his head. So I have been bribing my younger siblings Kiaha and Jeana to keep him busy or at least keep you two from being alone together." Rox shows the exhaustion on his face.

"Thank you. I will do everything in my power to stay by your side the whole evening." I'm a bit relieved to hear that.

"The whole evening? Even when mother nature calls?" He raises his eye brows a few times.

"Really?" I slap my forehead with my palm. I walked into it but why.