Verdant Skies

As the darkness of his dreams faded and he began to wake, the warmth of another's body was pressed against his side. The soft rise and fall against their chest slowly prompted Kouen to open his eyes as memories of last night sank back into the forefront. The familiar darkness of his bed greeted him though as the sun began to rise he could see the faint outline of Iris's form pressed against his own. One of her arms was curled around his chest with her hand against his arm. Her head lay on his chest, the soft exhale she made ghosted across his skin.

Satisfaction burned within him as the memories of last night flickered through his mind, Kouen's arm tightened around Iris as a low heat stirred in his gut from certain memories. While he would have preferred to have certain information beforehand, he did admit it explained some of her reactions to his antics. Mentally snorted as he pushed that thought away, he allowed the contentment that had been simmering within him to the surface. For the moment, he didn't think of the responsibilities and worries that would be awaiting him at the main palace.

Eventually, though, Kouen knew he couldn't linger for much longer despite enjoying the peace this moment created. Taking great care not to disturb Iris, he distanced himself from her embrace and crawled out of bed. Walking towards the window, he pulled it open as dawn spilled over the horizon. As cool morning air brushed against his skin, a slight slow smirk formed on his lips. Last night had marked a significant shift in his relationship with Iris, it was a development he'd long desired. As he peered out at the sky and his mind went over the many scars that dotted her skin, he felt a surge of possessiveness and protectiveness rush over him.

Hearing a gentle knock on the door, Kouen turned away from the window as he called out, "Enter."

Opening the door, a maid walked in and he felt a small amount of amusement at the flush darkening her skin. More than likely she was spotting the marks that Iris had left on him, he chuckled softly as the maid let out a low squeak and bowed. The woman spoke quickly, "M'lord, the morning meal will be prepared shortly. Ah-the maids working under Lady Iris have reported that she isn't in her room..."

"She is in here," Kouen smirked at the way the woman's eyes widened and the blush on her cheeks darkened though she otherwise maintained a composed demeanor, "She still asleep," He turned and began moving towards his wardrobe, "Ensure she's undisturbed until she wakes on her own," He kept his voice low and steady even after moving away from his bed, "When she does wake, she is to be served breakfast,"

"Yes, M'lord," The maid bowed lightly, "I will see it done,"

"And do ensure that she isn't bothered by any...rumors," Kouen heard a sharp intake of breath, "I am starting to enjoy my current staff and I know that Lady Iris is beginning to care for them as well. I would prefer not to have to replace anyone,"

"Y-yes, M'lord. Of c-course, M-M'lord," The maid bowed with a nervous expression before leaving.

As his door closed, Kouen smirked darkly and pulled his wardrobe open. After dressing himself for the day and securing his sword to his waist, he started to head for the door only to pause. With a contemplative look, he walked over to the bed and pulled aside the draperies closest to where Iris would be lying. Still fast asleep with a peaceful expression on her face, she'd curled up in the spot he'd vacated which made him smile. Reaching across the space between them, he ran the tips of his fingers across her cheek. There was a soft sigh and Iris nuzzled her face into his touch, she shifted about until his palm was cupping her cheek.

As he started to pull away, Kouen paused when Iris's sleep-drenched voice murmured, "Kouen? Where ya goin'?"

"I have duties to attend to," Kouen met Iris's sleepy emerald green eyes and almost wanted to abandon his duties if it meant staying in bed with her all day, "Go back to sleep,"

Humming low in her throat, Iris peered at him for a moment longer before those emerald green closed again and she shifted to press a kiss to the palm of his hand. Warmth and desire curled within his chest, Kouen slowly pulled his hand away before leaning over to press a kiss to her forehead. There was a low sigh from Iris though she said nothing as he pulled away, he let the draperies fall shut before leaving his room as the desire to stay started to surge within him.

Her skin prickled against the morning air as she leaned against the windowsill, Iris's eyes were closed as she breathed in the soft scents that wafted up from the nearby gardens. Even after waking up alone amid the twisted sheets and dark expanse created by the draperies surrounding Kouen's bed, Iris felt content even if she would have preferred having Kouen be there when she'd woken up. There was a faint memory in the back of her mind, it made her question if she hadn't already woken up once that day. Despite the lingering sense of disappointment, Iris couldn't suppress the smile that played on her lips.

The knots of anxiety that had once gripped her seemed to have loosened their hold. The prospect of being with Kouen no longer filled her with the same nervousness. Pushing herself away from the windowsill, she realized it was probably time to get ready for the day. Heading towards the couch where Kouen had laid her robe, she felt a faint twinge between her legs. Face flushing at the feeling, the events of last night flashed through her mind for the third time since she'd woken.

As her fingers grasped the robe and she slipped it around her shoulders, Iris felt the ghost of Kouen's touches, the warmth of his body against hers, the way she'd felt press against her mind. Swallowing as she pushed the memories away, she secured her robe and headed for the door. Tossing one last glance over her shoulder at Kouen's chambers, she tugged the door open and stepped into the corridor outside. Making her way through the surprisingly quiet corridor, she wondered why the servants seemed to be avoiding going near Kouen's rooms.

As she moved through the corridors to her room, Iris felt a distinct chill against her skin for the first time since leaving Kouen's room. Arms curling around herself, she realized with an internal jolt that it was loneliness and mentally grimaced. Not waking up beside Kouen and missing out on actually seeing him before he left for the day, it seemed to hammer in just how isolated she seemed to be here. Swallowing as she pushed her door open and stepped inside, the familiar surroundings of her room offered a sense of comfort, but the loneliness lingered.

As she passed by the mirror when going towards her wardrobe, Iris paused to glance at herself. Slowly a smile formed as she caught sight of the faint bruises half-hidden around her collar and jaw, the sight brought a light flush to her cheeks. She tugged her robe off and resumed moving towards her wardrobe. Digging out a comfortable outfit for the day, she made a mental note to grab a muscle relaxer from the potion's box and the morning after potion Hermione insisted on her learning how to brew. Her cheeks darkened at the latter thought before she pushed it aside, she tugged out her clothes and got changed before grabbing the potions.

Just as she finished downing them, a tentative knock sounded on her door. She called out, "Enter!"

"Ah-Lady Iris," The maid that walked in flushed darkly and couldn't look at her straight, "Prince Kouen left instructions before he left this morning. Breakfast is being prepared for you as we speak, he also wished for you to know he'll be late coming back today. A messenger arrived this morning with urgent news though little else is known other than that,"

Nodding in acknowledgment as she wondered what could have happened, Iris frowned as unease swept through her. She mentally shook her head while murmuring, "Thank you, I'll head down in a few moments."

"O-of course," The maid actually bowed to her before leaving.

Raising an eyebrow at the action, Iris's eyes widened as she realized rumors of what she'd been doing with Kouen last night had probably spread around the palace. Face flushing at the thought, she didn't feel the embarrassment that she expected to feel at the realization. Instead, she felt...relieved if only because it meant she wouldn't have to hide her affection around the staff. Though she wondered how it would work with Koumei, she didn't plan on not being affectionate with him. After all, she was coming to realize that she enjoyed being able to touch the people she cared for and being touched back.

Head pressing into his hand, Koumei felt a flash of irritation ripple through him. They should have been more prepared, but now everyone connected to Gyokuen who had been taken in was dead save for a single noble who had just barely managed to survive it. The man was clinging to life even with the various magicians working on him and they couldn't risk using Phenex even with the Djinn's power. If the man was healed too quickly, they could just as easily kill him that way. So question is how they'd get the answers they needed without killing their only witness?

Tossing the papers in front of him to the side, Koumei rubbed at his face as he muttered, "This is a mess."

Glancing over at Kouen, Koumei's eyes narrowed as he realized his elder brother had been distracted for the third time since arriving. There was a sense of satisfaction that seemed to be radiating off of Kouen during these moments and it made him itch. Biting the inside of his cheek, he rubbed at his temples as Chu'un settled another stack of documents before him, "More from the investigations team."

"Thank you," Koumei waved Chu'un off before calling out to Kouen, "En!" Kouen's attention snapped toward him at the sharp tone, "We need your attention here. Not back at your palace,"

There was a flicker of guilt in Kouen's eyes, it was something unexpected which made Koumei sit up a bit straighter. Kouen picked up the papers before him as he muttered, "Sorry, I had a long night."

Ignoring the sting of jealousy that bolted through him, Koumei looked back at the documents, "Even so, we have a lot of work to do. Only one of the bastards is alive and he's in critical, you can't even use Phenex if these reports are right."

"No...I can't," Kouen grimaced as he looked over the report with a frown, "But...Iris might have a workaround we could use," Koumei raised an eyebrow, "I'm sure she might have some weak healing potions or knows how to create them,"

Contemplating that suggestion, Koumei remembered what Iris had done to get the refined truth serum recipe, "Or she could send a message to one of her friends...either way, it's a chance."

"I'll have Seishuu run the message over to her," Kouen took out a blank sheet of parchment, "I need him to drop off a few documents anyway,"

Watching as Seishuu entered and took whatever Kouen planned to give him, Koumei kept silent and worked on the paperwork in front of him. He finally spoke after the Gorgon-like household had left, "En," Kouen glanced at him, "Why have you been so distracted today?"

There was a moment of silence before Kouen cleared his throat, he spoke in a light tone, "Iris...came to my rooms last night," Koumei's stomach dropped slightly, "And we spent the night together."

Grip tightening on his quill, Koumei nodded slowly even though part of him was seething just a bit. Despite the logical understanding that they were all in this relationship together, the emotional currents ran deeper. Managing to gather his voice, he spoke in an even tone, "I see."

As if sensing his tension, Kouen spoke with a frown as Koumei turned back to the documents before him, "Mei..."

"I...I'm fine, En," Koumei forced himself to relax his grip on the quill, "Just...Like I said before, it's not an easy adjustment. I just...It's going to take some time for me to get used to it," He finally looked back up at Kouen, "But...I'll be okay with it. After all, she's happy, right?"

"As far as I know, she was still asleep when I left this morning," Kouen winced as Koumei frowned at him, "With the messenger arriving-"

"You wouldn't have been able to stay regardless," Koumei shook his head with a low sigh, "Well, I hope she's alright. I'm pretty sure some women dislike being alone when they wake up after..."

Trailing off as he didn't wish to think about Iris being together with Kouen before he'd even had a chance to touch her in that way, Koumei cleared his throat. Kouen rubbed at his temples, "I'll speak with her when I get back...if she's still awake since this might drag."

Both of them looked at the practical mountain of paperwork that kept growing and shared a grimace, Koumei had a feeling it would be long after the moon rose before either of them made it home tonight. If they left the palace at all that is...

Flicking through the book she'd written her notes in, Iris glanced at each page carefully before shaking her head. Clicking her tongue as she reached the end, she set that book down and grabbed another one. Opening that one, she began flicking through it as a knock sounded on the door. Without looking up from the intricately written recipes, she called out, "Enter!"

"Woah, it looks like a library threw up in here," Kouha laughed as he walked into the room, "What're you doing, Iris?"

"I am trying to find a specific potion for your brothers. I'm fairly sure I've got something buried in one of my potions books," Iris glanced up at Kouha as the door closed and he stepped around the small stacks of books she'd created, "And if I don't, one of the others should be getting back to me soon enough with a recipe,"

"Gotcha..." Kouha hummed low in his throat as she turned her eyes back onto the book in her hand.

Hearing the clacking of his nails on a table, Iris's brow twitched though she managed to ignore it long enough to finish looking through the potions book which again revealed no recipe. Closing the book with a thump, she set it down beside the others she'd checked through and gifted Kouha with an irritated look, "So did you need something? Or did you come to stare at me all day?"

Grinning brightly, Kouha stood up from the stool he'd taken a seat on, "I'm dreadfully bored and want to go on an adventure. You still need to see Kou in all its amazing glory," She raised an eyebrow at him, "And since our last trip out was ruined by that assassination attempt, I feel the need to make it up to you."

Despite the frustration she was currently dealing with, Iris found a smile forming on her lips, "An adventure..." She glanced around them, "I suppose that would give me a clear head which I'll need if I'm going to look through the rest of these things," She contemplated her options for a long moment, "Though Kouen might be a bit pissed off I leave the palace..."

"I'll deal with En," Kouha promised her with his grin widening, "I'm used to pissing him off,"

Eyeing him with a low laugh, Iris slowly got up from her chair, "I suppose if you're willing to deal with him being angry at you," She giggled as Kouha let out a cheer, "But let's avoid the market? As much as I'd love to explore it a little bit more, I'd rather not do it so soon."

"Gotcha," Kouha bobbed his head happily, "And we'll even bring along some guards too,"

Shaking her head in amusement, Iris smiled softly, "Fine then, I just need to grab a few things from my room and we can head out."

Leaving her potions room, Iris made a quick pit stop at her room to grab a few easily concealable weapons, a bag, and a light cloak before heading out with Kouha. There were some protests from the staff when they realized what was going on, Kouha ignored their protests while she assured them that they'd be back soon. Hopping into a carriage with Kouha, she smiled at his attendants and Meihou as they started out of the gates. Her stomach shifted uneasily as they passed the gates and she spotted some of the staff walking outside, she had a feeling that Kouen might be there when they returned.

"M'lord," There was a strain in the maid's voice when she spoke, "P-prince Kouha's carriage is approaching the gates,"

"Good," Kouen stood from his desk and began moving towards the door.

Ignoring the maid as she scrambled out of his way, Kouen left his office and walked through the dimly lit hallways of his palace. Tension filled his entire being, he wanted to strangle Kouha for daring to take Iris from the walls of his palace without asking. How stupid could Kouha have been? While it may seem as if she was alright, Iris was still recovering from what the damn potion had done to her. As he reached the grand entrance, the large palace gates slowly swung open, revealing the approaching carriage.

Slowing to a stop, the carriage doors opened allowing Kouha to spill out into the torchlit courtyard. With a bright grin on his face that made Kouen want to slap him, Kouha spotted him, "Entei! Iris and I had a lot of fun today-"

"A word, Ha," Kouen's eyes were narrowed in on his younger brother.

Face faltering at his shortness, Kouha nodded as his body took a small step backward, "A-ah yeah, sure-"

Without waiting for his younger brother to finish, Kouen grabbed him like a misbehaving kitten and dragged him inside to the lower study. Tossing him aside as the door shut behind them, he took a deep breath through his nose. Turning to his brother as he managed to calm himself enough not to harm Kouha, he saw Kouha eyeing him with wide pink-red. Speaking lowly as his anger flickered into his tone, he clenched his fists, "Kouha, do you have any idea how reckless it was to take Iris outside the palace without informing anyone?"

Scratching the back of his head, Kouha let out a nervous laugh and tried not to look at Kouen, "Well, we were just going for a little adventure. Entei, it's not like we were storming an enemy fortress."

Gaze unyielding as his anger surged, Kouen's lips peeled back, "You're not getting it. Iris is still recovering, and her safety is paramount," He saw just a hint of guilt well up in Kouha's eyes, "Taking her outside, especially without informing me, is unacceptable. You should know better."

Looking away from Kouen, Kouha's fingers grasped at the hat he'd been wearing, "I get it, Entei. But Iris needed a break, and I thought it would be good for her," Kouha glanced at him with defiance and guilt clear in his eyes, "We didn't even go far. Just to a couple of food places and one of the gardens not far outside of the city."

"That's not the point," Kouen snapped, his frustration breaking through, "You should have informed me. What if something had happened? What if—"

"I can handle myself," A voice interrupted them.

Turning at the sound, Kouen's expression softened at seeing Iris leaning against the door frame with her arms crossed. Her expression was one of irritation and firm resolve as she stared at him, she was giving him the same look she had that night when she'd taken off to join Kouha back in the Goulon Empire. Concern still filled him as he noticed the exhaustion lining her features, it was clear that today had been a lot for her. He spoke softly, "Iris, I'm not arguing against that fact. But you should have rested, you're still recovering."

"I needed some fresh air though," Iris pressed as she peered at him, "Kouha merely offered me a chance to get it while also exploring Kou a bit more. I took him up on his offer," She glanced between them for a moment before her eyes settled on him, "Despite being here for a few months now, I barely know my way around Rakushou," He winced at that, "I appreciate your concern, Kouen, but I can make choices for myself,"

Sighing as he realized his worry might've overstepped her agency, Kouen rubbed at the bridge of his nose, "I understand, Iris, but in the future, please inform someone before leaving the palace. We are no closer to solving the current situation," Iris nodded with a slight grimace, "And I would prefer it if you were safe."

"I'll make sure to have a messenger sent your way in the future if Kouha decides he wants to abduct me for the day," Iris promised earning a snort, "So...you're back earlier than the maids said you would be,"

"One of them decided to send a message to the palace about your shenanigans just as Koumei and I managed to find a stopping point," Kouen admitted as Kouha stood up, "I had originally planned on the three of us eating dinner to discuss our options for any potions, but that went down the drain,"

"I'd apologize, but today was a much-needed fun day," Iris stood up fully and stepped back, "Though I could use a bite to eat if you haven't already had dinner, we only ate lunch,"

Somehow not surprised, Kouen nodded while giving his little brother a look, "I'll have the staff make something for us. Let's head to the dining room."

Humming as she worked on the potion that Luna had sent her, Iris carefully prepared each ingredient and added it as directed into the simmering cauldron. Reaching up to one of the higher shelves from some of her powdered ingredients, she blinked as another's hand grasped the jar she'd been reaching for. Turning her head, she glanced to the side and found Koumei standing there with a raised eyebrow as he examined the jar. He spoke softly, "Powdered Dandelion root?"

"It's good for a lot of things when it comes to healing like reducing inflammation," Iris gently plucked the jar from his hand and moved over to her cauldron, "Though I like adding it to some potions because it can act as a laxative, it adds some...spice to an already fun potion,"

Chuckling as he moved to stand beside her, Koumei shook his head softly, "Somehow I'm not surprised," Iris winked at him before glancing over at the recipe and began measuring out the correct amount, "So you found the recipe?"

"Luna did," Iris snickered at the way Koumei's breath caught, "Relax," She glanced at him and saw how his face had twisted at the mention of Luna's name, "Neville assured me via a second message that she wasn't toying with me. The recipe is a good one,"

"If it's Neville, I suppose that does make it better," Koumei slowly relaxed and Iris added in the powdered Dandelion root before capping the jar, "How long is this potion going to take?"

Humming as she began stirring the potion, Iris glanced over the recipe for a moment, "According to what Luna told me, it should only take a few hours from when I start. Since I started two hours ago, I have only a little bit. We'll have to let it simmer for thirty minutes after I add the last ingredient, but it'll be viable once it takes on a sunny red color."

"Sunny red color?" Koumei muttered softly.

Giggling softly, Iris moved to grab the next ingredient that she'd already chopped up, "I know exactly what she meant by it, but..." She tried to think about how to describe it to Koumei, "Remember that painting I did a couple of weeks before everything happened, the one with those spider lilies?"

Making a sound low in his throat, Koumei nodded as she began carefully adding each chopped-up piece into the cauldron, "The one with those...I think they were rabbits, right?"

"They were," Iris confirmed with a light smile, "Do you remember the pond I had in that painting? How the water looked?"

Starting to shake his head, Koumei paused before a look of realization crossed his face, "Almost like it was starting to set, the yellows had started to gain a red tint to them."

"Mhmm," Iris hummed as her smile brightened, "It'll look like that only the red will be darker," She glanced at him and saw the surprised look on his face, "Surprised you remember that detail? I would be if it weren't for how much time you spent in my studio before I ended up staying here. Kouen barely ever comes into my studio,"

Despite the thoughtful expression forming on his face, Koumei frowned, "He doesn't? I always found it calming to visit your studio."

Shrugging as she set the bowl she'd been using aside, Iris stirred clockwise for a few moments before doing the same counterclockwise, "I think...he got it into his head that I'd mind the company after everything that happened," She sighed softly and smiled sadly, "I...miss having someone visit me even if it was only for a few minutes," She shook her head softly, "But with everything going on, I haven't had a chance to tell either of you."

"Well, I'll try to visit when I have a chance," Koumei promised her and she offered him a soft look.

"I'd appreciate that," Iris moved to grab the last ingredient, "I'd step back. This thing is about to get very hot,"

Despite giving her a quizzical look, Koumei stepped back and Iris added in the last ingredient. She barely had time to step back before a small pillar of flames shot up from the cauldron. Giggling as Koumei cursed and stumbled back further, she waited patiently for the pillar to die down before stirring it one last time. Turning to Koumei with a bright grin, she gestured to the door, "Want to get something to drink? I'm a bit parched."

Silently nodding to her, Koumei didn't move as he stared at her cauldron as if it'd start burning up again. Giggling softly, Iris grasped his arm and tugged him towards the door.

"The potion has already brought the man from critical condition," Kouen commented as he turned towards Iris carrying a glass of wine, "I was semi-dubious of it when I'd heard the recipe had come from Luna,"

"You weren't the only one," Iris admitted as she played with her glass of wine, "But Neville confirmed the validity of it and I remember him using the specific potion on me more than once," She saw Kouen's features twist as he sat down beside her, "It wasn't for anything near as major as the man you need it for now. I just happened to...get stabbed by a spear...twice..." She saw Kouen's eyebrow twitch, "I was fine. The only reason the asshole managed it was due to me being drunk for the first time,"

"You got drunk?" Kouen gave her a look of disbelief.

"Ginny got me drunk," Iris set down her cup of wine as she began explaining the story, "Along with everyone else save for Neville, we decided it would be excellent to try and see a show at one of the theaters. Only our drunken selves ended up going to one of the noble theaters, Ron when he isn't sober get's belligerent and I tend to go along with it because I'm a people-pleasing little bitch if I'm not angry,"

Eyebrow raising as a faint look of amusement formed, Kouen took a sip of his wine, "So you got into a fight with the theater's security when they didn't let you in?"

"Ron started it, I joined in especially when they started to hit on the girls in my group," Iris let out a low laugh as she remembered everything that had happened, "And well, I can't remember who exactly hit someone first, but one of the bastards hit me. I immediately went from people pleasing to angry because I have a little switch in my brain when I'm drunk that turns me into a raging bitch when I'm hit," She rubbed the back of her neck, "And well, I floored two of the assholes before anyone realized what was happening,"

"Because you're a fast little shit?" Kouen offered earning a nod.

Grabbing her drink, Iris took a sip before setting it down again, "Especially when I'm angry, I don't know who brought out their weapons first either, but I was barely starting to get the hang of my daggers back then. Let me tell you, you don't want to get stabbed by a spear. Let alone twice, it fucking hurt even when you're drunk though I guess it's an interesting way to get sober."

"I'll say," Kouen shook his head, "I take it that's one of the other reasons you won't drink very much besides the fact your body can't process it very well,"

"Partially," Iris snickered at his look of disbelief, "Making bad decisions is the main reason why, I could list quite a few bad decisions that make getting drunk not an option,"

"You make me very curious as to what those bad decisions are," Kouen took a sip of his wine.

Shaking her head at his amused look, Iris grabbed her glass of wine and stood, "How about I don't embarrass myself and you just remain curious?" She set down the glass of wine, "I should let you get some rest. You have to be at the palace early tomorrow-"

Arms wrapped around her before she could even take a step, Kouen pulled her to his chest. Licking her suddenly dry lips, Iris shivered as he pressed a kiss to her jaw, "Koumei will be there to oversee things," She felt a tendril of head flicker down her spine as her chest fluttered at the unexpected touch, "I can head in later..."

Head slowly tilting at the touch, Iris's eyes slid shut as she felt one his of hands press into her stomach. She reached up to curl her fingers around his neck as she murmured, "I-but..."

"I want to spend time with you, Iris," Kouen's nose pressed into her cheek, "Even if I just get to hold you in my arms tonight, I'm fine with that,"

Heart fluttering as warmth surged in her chest, Iris slowly nodded her head, "I...alright..."

Rather than move, Kouen kept Iris in his arms just like that for a long moment and she slowly leaned back against him. Gentle kisses were pressed along her jaw and cheek, she shifted to catch his lips after a little while earning a low sound from Kouen. Breaking the kiss after a moment, she saw him peer at her with an unreadable look in his eyes. He spoke softly, "Let's go lay down."

"Okay," Iris didn't move until he started to pull away from her.

Taking off her boots and the light overshirt she'd been wearing, Iris moved towards Kouen's bed. She hesitated for a moment before climbing through the draperies. Settling against the pillows, she watched Kouen climb into bed and make his way over to her. Sinking into the pillows beside her, he peered at her and she offered a hesitant smile before sinking into his side. Burrowing her face into his neck, she wrapped an arm around his side as she felt his arms curl around her. Eyes closing as she felt one of his hands run along her back, she cracked open an eye as he murmured, "After your comment the night before last, I almost thought you would've been a bit more eager to have sex again."

Face flushing at that, Iris pressed her face harder into his shoulder as she muttered, "There is a time and place for it, I can also tell something's bothering you. So I'm not eager to push for it."

There was a small beat of silence as Kouen's hand stilled on her back, Iris was almost afraid she'd said the wrong thing before he released a soft sigh. Hand resuming its path, he admitted, "Koumei is...I don't think he's pleased that we slept together. Despite the fact we all knew it was going to happen at some point, I think he's...angry."

Irritation and confusion curled through her, Iris also felt concerned flutter through her as she absorbed Kouen's words. The sheer fact that Koumei felt any kind of negative emotion about this was confusion. Part of her wondered if it came from being a guy which was the source of her irritation, she pushed it back. She was concerned that any negative emotions could complicate their already intricate relationship further. Shifting uncomfortably, she peered at Kouen as her fingers flexed against his side. Trying to find the words, she murmured, "Kouen...I..." She clicked her tongue, "I didn't mean to cause unnecessary tension between you two. I mean with everything we're trying to do, it's already stressful enough," She sighed heavily, "I...I should talk to him..."

Hold tightening on her, Kouen's expression grew conflicted, "Iris, it's...it's a complicated situation. And...I don't think it's fully rooted in the now," She frowned at him and he shook his head with a sigh, "I...let me talk with him, alright? I've been meaning to address this anyway."

"Kouen?" Iris frowned at him.

"Iris," Kouen adjusted his grip on Iris and cupped her cheek, "I promise that I'll explain everything after I've talked with Koumei. We'll have our open communication...just a bit later,"

Eyeing him for a long moment, Iris nodded and leaned into his touch, "Fine, but if it doesn't work, I'm talking to him, alright?"

"Alright," Kouen agreed with a soft smile.

Shifting to kiss him, Iris deepened the kiss and giggled as she felt a part of him still. Breaking the kiss as Kouen rolled them over, she smiled up at him, "Kouen..."

"You're in my bed, we're kissing, and I've been dying to touch you since that night," Kouen ran a hand along her side, "Can you blame me?"

Shaking her head in amusement, Iris pushed herself up to kiss him softly, "No, but I'm tired," She laid back down, "And I think Koumei would appreciate it if you were there on time tomorrow."

Low chuckle leaving him, Kouen kissed her softly before laying back down beside her. He tugged her against him, "Very well."