Author's Note: Thank you again for all your support and just another reminder that this fic is rated M. Please R&R, I love to know that you're all enjoying the story!

Chapter Four: Entombed

{Noctis' POV}

It's pouring rain and we've been walking around in circles for hours. Neither of us can see through the rain and I can't seem to get a bar of single on my phone. No matter how loud we shout or how long we walk in a straight line, nothing changes. No one answers and with every passing moment it gets closer and closer to nightfall.

Iris feels terrible, I think at this point she accepts that Gladio isn't anywhere near here and she was mistaken. "Noct it's getting dark." Iris quips and I know she's right. I can't believe how lost we are. When she took off running she zig-zagged and rounded so many corners, and with as much warping as I did to catch up to her, I have no idea where she zigged, zagged or turned. This swampy forest all looks the same no matter where I look.

It's so dark I'm worried that if I let go of the hand I'm holding I'll never see Iris again. "Stay close." I command over the sound of the storm.

"Noct I'm so sorry!" She wraps herself around my arm. "This is all my fault!"

"You thought Gladio needed us-"

"But I was wrong!" She screams and her voice strains, I look down into eyes that betray every emotion she's ever felt. Pain glitters in her brown irises despite her tears being obscured by the rain. "I don't know what to do! Should we stay here?"

"We can't stay here, Iris. Even if…" my jaw quivers and I feel goosebumps rising on my skin. "Even if we're going the wrong way we have to find a place to camp. The daemons will be coming out any minute now."

"What about the mythril? What about Prompto and Ignis?" Thunder cracks and lighting casts an electric glow over the marsh. A loud shriek erupts from the back of Iris' throat as a tree cascades to the ground in the near distance.

"If we don't go too far from here, I think everything will be okay, but we've gotta find shelter." I shout, I hate yelling but she's not hearing me otherwise. The world around us seems alive as I lead Iris through the marsh. Hungry eyes follow our every move and a sword materializes in my free hand.

"What is it?" Iris whispers softly.

"Not something I want to fight in this storm." I answer as I recognize those bright yellow eyes. Of all the things that could come stalking us tonight, it had to be a coeurl. Are there more of them? Is it just this one? Can I keep track of Iris and fight? Has Iris ever actually fought anything in her life? So many questions roll through my head and I start to feel dizzy.

"Iris, stay back." I whisper as the great beast steps from the shadows. This coeurl isn't full grown, she's not much bigger than an average tiger. My saving grace, unless there are more of them.

"What can I do from behind you?" My girlfriend's sweet voice meets my ears and she disappears from my sight, consumed by the shadows and rain.

"IRIS!" my voice catches at the end and the coeurl's vicious growl tears through the storm louder than any thunder. I warp to the side and the animal charges my residual shell. My heartbeat fills my ears and I feel like I'm going to be sick. Where is Iris?

As the creature shakes off ramming a tree head on, I warp into it's side with my sword and it cries out into the night. Rain beats against my skin and I still can't see Iris. Maybe she ran to safety. "IRIS!" I try one more time, turning my eyes toward the dark sky. Weight and claws come down on my shoulders as the coeurl knocks me to the muddy ground. Pain surges through my torso as I try to roll onto my back, the mud is almost suffocating as it cakes onto my face. An attempt to warp only results in pain and I cry out into the earth. The creature on my back is heavy and as her large paw comes down and claws tear into my shirt I arch my back.

"Oh no you don't!" her voice is a godsend and a nightmare.

Sloshing around in the mud, I lift my face enough to beg her to stay back "IRIS NO! Get away from here!"

{Iris' POV}

My fingers strain as I jump fearlessly from a tree branch and land on the beast's back, it writhes but I hold on and reach forward, digging my fingers into her fur to keep a grip. "NOCT GET UP!" I scream over the sound of the rain, my speech broken apart by all the creature's rapid movement. My hand reaches forward, feeling around until I get a grip on one of her long whiskers. It hurts, like grabbing an exposed wire with wet hands. For Noct, I endure it.

He's hurt, blood drips from his back and I bite my lip and move for the other whisker, I want all her focus to be on me. The feline lunges backward, and shifts onto her hind legs smashing my back against a large tree trunk. A loud whimper escapes my lips as I slam my left fist into her spine. A plethora of cracks follow and she gives in, tearing toward the other side of the marsh on all fours with me still clinging to her back. Noct is laying on the ground behind me now. At least he's safe.

"Iris." My boyfriend calls after me "On the count of three get off of her!"

"Aye! Aye! Captain!" I groan as the creature sends another shockwave through her whiskers that are wrapped around my wrists.

"One!"

I let one whisker go.

"Two!"

My eyes narrow and I look for a good stopping point as the creature continues to race toward the mouth of a river.

"Three!" Noctis disappears and leaves of trail of blue sparks in his wake and I roll off of the coeurl. My mistake was thinking her whisker would uncoil from the wrist I'd left it around just in case something went wrong, she veers to the right and drags my body through the mud. Rocks and twigs bite into my flesh as I scream.

Noct materializes mid air with a sword raised high above his head and determination in his blue eyes. Like lightning, he strikes, swift and sure. The beast's head rolls across the ground and her body falls limp on it's side.

Noct crawls on top of me, panting as rain soaks his clothing and hair "Are you okay?" his words are broken apart by his heavy breathing and his hands capture mine, eyes scanning the red marks that trail up my arms. They remind me a great deal of marks left behind from jellyfish stings.

"Yeah, I think so." I respond softly as my eyes stare up into his, "Noct that was amazing."

"You...broke her back, Iris. You slowed her down enough for me to do-" I cut him off with a warm kiss, I don't care that we're both covered in mud and everything tastes like dirt.

"Don't sell yourself short." I smile into his mouth as my eyes lid.

"What can I say?" The prince winces

My tone fills with concern "Are you alright? That looks like a lot of blood."

"I won't lie, it doesn't feel great. Could you take a look at it when we get somewhere dry?"

"Of course." I nod my head and he helps me to my feet. We start a commute toward the water, though the bank is slightly flooded and the amount of water in my boots is insane. Noct's arm is slung over my shoulder as I offer support and keep mine on his lower back.

"Do you think anyone lives near the river or at least used to?" my voice is soft as we make our way up the shore. This storm hasn't let up even a little.

"Beats me." The prince murmurs and a groan falls from his lips. "Can you see anything up there?"

"Um…" I squint my eyes in a sad attempt to make out a shape in the distance through the trees and the fog. "Actually.." a smile crawls across my lips "Actually, Noct I do!" Every ounce of willpower in my body pushes me forward. I can't make out what it is, but it's a building and it's not big enough to be an Imperial base so that means shelter and Noct needs medical attention, so it's perfect.

The building is almost dome shaped and seems to be made up of polished ivory. It's clearly been here awhile and it's hidden well within the marsh. "Iris this is…" he's lost his breath.

"Do you know this place?" my head turns toward him and I raise an eyebrow.

"Yeah, sort of." his eyes are wild, they move in every direction as if he's searching for something.

Beneath our feet, the ground shakes and rocks kick up from the earth. "Noct-"

"Run into the tomb." His voice is a rasp.

"I'm not leaving you." I whisper back.

"I can handle myself like this but I can't protect us both-'

"Gladio isn't here!" I argue. "None of them are, you're hurt, whatever that thing is it's huge! Noct. We can fight it on our way out but you are not fighting it now, I'm putting my foot down." I grip him roughly by the arm and pull him toward the building.

"Iris." In the way he speaks I can hear that he lacks the strength to argue. Masked by the fog and the rain, I haul the heavy iron doors open and we slip inside, finally safe from the storm. The door closes with a loud creak and I sink to the floor with my back against it. The room, like the outside is all polished ivory and lanterns burning with everlasting blue dangle from the ceiling to light it.

With an uncomfortable plop, Noctis' jacket is cast to the floor in a wet heap. My eyes focus on it as my breath burns in my throat. "We're gonna be okay, Noct." I promise him as I look toward the middle of the room, there's a sarcophagus hoisted up on an ivory pedestal, adorned with a beautiful statue. I can't place a name to it's likeness but I think I've seen him before, maybe in a book. "This...really is a tomb." my voice rasps. "Who buries their dead way out-:

"My family." Noct immediately takes a seat in front of me, crossing his legs as he slouches forward.

Sharp pain strikes me right through the heart and I bite my lower lip. "I'm sorry, I didn't know." my fingers start to peel his shirt away from his skin. Blood, mud and rain work against me as the cloth clings to his open wounds. "Damn it!" The prince hisses through clenched teeth.

Wet bangs dangle in my field of vision as I whisper "I'm really sorry, Noct."

"Just keep going, I'm fine. Do you have anything to help it with?" tremors wrack his body.

"I always have a small medical kit on me, I can clean it up and-"

"Good." his words become muffled as he buries his face into his hands.

"It's okay to scream, Noct. I'm not going to love you any less-"

"I don't want...to see you cry." The words come out strangled.

"That's silly." I murmur as I peel what's left of his shirt off. "I would only be crying because I care."

"I never want to see you cry...and I definitely-" a sharp hiss breaks his words apart. "Never wanna see you cry over me."

My heart feels heavy in my chest. Luckily the claw marks in his back aren't too deep but they are painful to look at. Four long ligatures full to the brim of tattered flesh and dried up blood. Slipping my fingers into the pocket of my floral vest I pull my first aid kit out into the open. It's something of my own creation. A tiny disc with four sections. The first is full of colorful moogle shaped second is full of hard candy to make the vitamins taste better. After that comes the not so fun stuff, a space for peroxide and a space for spools of thread and needles. "Here." my fingers push a purple moogle into his mouth.

"Iris!" he chokes softly, gagging on the taste.

"Swallow it." I command with a straight face.

"It's horrible!" I hear him swallow hard and his breathing becomes erratic.

"That's why these exist." I sing softly as I reach around again and shove a caramel flavored candy where the vitman used to be.

Despite his grumbling, I can hear him enjoying the candy. Him and his sweets. I just wish I had something chocolate for him. While he enjoys his snack, my fingers get to work on rolling a pearl of peroxide over each wound. They feel almost like gel or a dippin-dot, but instead of ice cream it's medicine and it's more portable than the big bottles of liquid.

Music fills the air unexpectedly and I jump a bit as Noctis pulls his phone from his pocket. He must finally have signal. "Hey." The prince answers quietly.

On the other end I can hear Ignis' smooth voice in murmurs.

{Noctis' POV}

"I imagine you did at least try to call?" My adviser snaps softly in my ear.

"Yeah, the storm made it kind of hard." I mumble and shift my shoulders as whatever Iris is using to clean my cuts starts to sink in.

"Where are the two of you?"

"No clue." a small groan slips from my lips.

In the background I can hear Prompto shouting questions over Ignis' shoulder "Are they safe? Is everything okay? Do I have to find a new best friend? Is everyone gonna die? Is-"

"That is quite enough of that." the British man mumbles under his breath. "Noct, why did the two of you run off in the first place?"

"Honestly? Iris thought she saw Gladio and apparently he looked hurt."

"That is...awful and so very unlikely…" Concern fills Ignis' voice.

"Yeah, I know but she really thought- that doesn't matter. The point is...she took off and I followed. We got lost, it got dark and here we are."

"And you have no idea where we can find you?"

"No, and it's too dark to see out here so just...look for the mythril. I'm sure I'll be able to find the road in the daylight."

"Are you sure you don't want us to come looking for the two of you?"

I shake my head and sigh "What's the point? We'd all be lost if you guys tried that so just stick to the plan and don't let Prompto signal all the daemons with his crying." my lips form a small smirk.

"And you are completely sure the two of you will be alright?" I can almost see Ignis' all too cool, judgmental face and it's giving me a headache.

"You worry too much, Mama." Aranea coos from close behind my adviser.

"We're fine." I state finally. "Meet you guys at the car first thing in the morning."

"If you say so." there's a spark of irritation in his voice and I can't figure out if it's toward me, Prompto or Aranea. "First thing in the morning, I will see you and Iris at the car."

"And you'll have the mythril?" I tease softly.

"Indeed."

Prompto breaks in "BYE NOCT! BE CAREFUL! I DON'T KNOW WHAT I'D DO IF-"

"Gotta go." I hang up on him and slip my phone back into my pocket.

"Is everything okay?" the beautiful girl sitting behind me asks gently as she moves to stitch up a deep cut. It stings but not so much because her medicine numbed my skin and I think there were painkillers in that moogle.

"Yeah, everything's fine." My hands fold in my lap. "The guys are going to find the mythril and meet us at the car in the morning."

"I feel bad, they're doing everything all by themselves."

"Don't feel too bad, they have Aranea."

"Speaking of which." She finishes stitching me up and moves to stand in front of me with her hands on her hips. "What was she talking about earlier?"

"Iris." her name leaves my lips in a soft chuckle "That's just the way she talks."

"So…" her brown eyes turn pouty "I have nothing to be upset about?"

"Pretty much." her hands take hold of mine and she helps me to my feet. "That feels way better."

"I'm so glad...so...whose tomb are we in?" her tiny voice echos from wall to wall.

"Beats me, a king of the past." my footsteps are soft as I approach the altar and tip my head to the side. One good thing came out of this little misadventure, I'm getting a royal arm out of it. "You might….want to take a step back." I warn her and she slowly heads my advice.

{Iris' POV}

I do as Noct asks and take a few steps back. "What are you doing?" the question leaves my mouth slowly as he lays his hand flat on the hands of the statue adorning the platform. A burst of pink energy in the form of what looks like lightning knocks me back and I stare in wonder as a shuriken ghosts into the air from the altar and Noct's eyes turn the color of a blood moon. I don't know what to think or feel. This is insane, what is going on? An ominous wind fills the room and the weapon floating in mid air swings toward the prince. "No!" my body moves on it's own and I throw my arms around Noctis, slamming my face into his chest as something passes right through me. Slowly, I feel his hands on my back and I look up into his eyes as the red fades to the familiar, beautiful blue I know and love "Where did it go?" I feel my body shaking.

"Inside of me, I guess. I think that's how it works anyway." He shrugs as if it's no big deal.

My brow raises and I cock my head to the side "Inside of you...the...shuriken...is...I…I'm sorry, I'm confused."

Light hearted laughter erupts from the depths of Noct's throat and he pulls me close, placing his hand on the back of my head "I guess it does look kind of scary if you don't know what's going on." his voice is a murmur.

"Noct!" I whine.

"It's no different than the weapons you watch me pull out of thin air...all the time."

"I never thought about where they come from!"

"Really?" He cocks his brow.

"Really!" my tone makes it obvious. "Do you ever think about where blood comes from when you bleed? Your body just kinda makes it happen!"

"And you thought...my body just made swords happen?"

"Yes!" I throw my hands up in exaggeration "Your body also makes you disappear and reappear like a mile out so, yeah! I figured the swords worked the same way, don't you dare look at me like that, Noctis Lucis Caelum!"

"Like what?" his mouth forms a half smirk and a glint fills his eyes.

"Like I'm just supposed to know this stuff!" heat rushes color to my cheeks and my fingers move through my wet hair as I try to regain my composure. Seeing that go down is still messing with me to an understandable degree.

"And here I thought you made me your business." The prince teases and I stick my tongue out at him in sound response. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

"So did a fishing pole-"

"What? No."

"Where does it go?"

"It...it just goes."

Thanks to the lanterns, it's warm inside the tomb and there isn't any need to build a fire. The only downside is food but it's not like we're wasting away to nothing. The two of us cuddle up in a corner and use Noct's wet jacket as a blanket. My cheek rests on his bare chest and he stares up at the ceiling as I bite my lower lip. "Do you think the rain will stop before the sun comes up?" I ask softly as my fingers trace over his chest.

"Even if it did, it's too dark to navigate the swamp. We'd have to stay here until morning anyway." Noct's fingers move up and down my arm.

"If it does stop can we maybe rinse off in the river?" My eyes flicker toward his face "It looked pretty clean, from what I could see."

"We'll do that when the sun starts to come up. I want to avoid whatever's out there."

"That's fair."

"Are you...comfortable?"

"As I can be with your dead ancestor right beside us, yes."

"That was….honest." He murmurs as his fingers tangle in my hair.

"Speaking of...honesty...would you please...tell me what's going on? With the floating weapons and that Ardyn guy." when I hear my own voice, I don't like how small it sounds.

"Well, the first part is kind of hard to explain. There are thirteen of them in existence and they are called Royal Arms. Every king of Lucis decent carried one...when they were alive. Only someone with my blood can use them effectively though I don't know what happens if someone else tries...and...finding them all is...important." As he speaks, I lay still and listen.

"Why is it so important...to find them all?" I lean up onto my elbow and look down into his eyes as our noses brush against one another.

'In a way...it honors my father, and because I need to be...strong...to be king and obtaining these special weapons is supposed to...help with that, I guess." Wind howls and the doors rattle a bit. "And Ardyn...he's the Chancellor of Nifelheim, he stole the Regalia...he gave it back...he talks a lot. that's all I've got."

"I guess that answer will have to do." a smile graces my lips and I place a kiss on my boyfriend's bruised shoulder. "How are you feeling?"

"I told you, I feel a lot better." he rolls onto his side and his hand dive into my vest pocket.

"What are you looking for?" A jubilee of giggles slip past my lips.

"Your candy."

"Noct that's medicine."

"I didn't say I wanted your moogles."

"What if someone else had to eat one of those horrible things and I had no candy left-"

"It's really good incentive for me to avoid getting hurt." He smirks as he pops a hard candy into his mouth, keeping my little disc in his hand.

My eyes roll back into my skull and I sigh "You can have it."

"I usually can." he mumbles around the food in his mouth.

"Ha-ha" I fake laugh and my eyes lid "It's only because I don't want to argue with you right now."

"I get it but I do like when you argue with me." He catches me off guard.

"But you hate conflict." My eyes search his face.

"Yeah, usually but I also hate being bored and...when you argue with me...you actually win sometimes. You don't just give in and I like that, Iris. A lot."

"Really?" my hand moves to the back of his neck and I work my fingers into his hair.

"Yeah, you kinda tease things out of me that I don't even know are there so, I dunno' I just...appreciate you." He's cut off when I capture his lips with my own. I feel like I kiss him too much but I can't help it, I don't know how many times I'm going to get to kiss these lips in my life and I want to take advantage of the time I have to do it now. I just hope he feels the same way I do.

"I think you're pretty great too." my breath dances across his lips.

The prince places a hand on the side of my face, dropping his fingers downward, he begins to play with the choker I always wear and he leans down, kissing my forehead through my bangs. When his hand shifts lower, his fingers close around the pendant that hangs far below my collar bones, dangling from a long silver chain around my neck.

"It was my Mom's." I explain gently with a small smile.

"Gladio never talks about her." Noct responds and his answer doesn't surprise me. Mom's name is a curse word on Gladio's lips. "What was she like?"

Drawing in a deep breath I shake my head slowly "I don't know. I never knew her." It's a confession, even though I know by now her death wasn't my fault.

"Oh, I see." Noct's blue eyes dull a bit "I didn't really know mine either."

"I know you didn't." My fingers lace with his "I just know she loved you."

"Really now?" a fading smile chases across his marble lips.

"Who wouldn't?"

"Well, I can say the same for you." when those words leave his lips, my heart beats so fast I think it's going to explode, like a spark chasing up a short fuse. Warm lips come down on mine with a hunger and in this moment, I know that he feels the same way I do about our time together. For what feels like hours, we do nothing but whisper and kiss. Our fingers stay laced together except for when I talk him into a game of rock-paper-scissors.

He's talking about King's Knight now and how he wishes he could play it with me. Glady likes it too so I've played before and Noctis is extremely excited about this. I could listen to him talk about fishing and video games for hours. And tonight, I do. I wish I could say that I'm learning something new about the one I love. None of this is new, I already know what fishing means to him and why he loves that mobile game so much. I've memorized the smile that creeps across his features when he gets down to talking about either of the two and I could count the strands of light that pass through his eyes. This isn't new, but it's the longest I've ever gotten to admire it up close for.

We continue like this until the both of us are near sleep, listening to the soft crackle of blue fire where it burns in the lanterns above our heads. Time passes, but I'm not sure how much. I just know there isn't anyone else in the world I'd rather be trapped in a tomb with. As my eyes are half closed I feel Noct murmur against my forehead "Sounds like the storm stopped."

"Is the sun up?" I snuggle into him.

"Not sure." Against all my physical protesting he gets up and stalks toward the door. Pushing it open with his hand, he leans out into the brisk morning air. "Iris, it's safe."

"What time is it?" my voice is a sweet groan as I shift up onto my feet.

"Can you say crack of dawn?" he snickers, covering his mouth with his hand as a yawn breaks through.

"Should we head back to the car?" My cheek leans against his arm.

"I'd say we should rinse off first, Ignis would have a heart attack on spot if he saw us like this and don't even get me started on Prompto." The tired prince groans as he starts to undo his belt.

My eyes turn toward the river, it's blue and a soft mist lingers above it. It does indeed look clean. In the morning light, this area is actually really pretty and without the daemons around I'd almost call it atmospheric. Water from the storm drips from the long tendrils of weeping willows like diamonds. The air is gentle and nips my skin just the slightest bit. A smirk pulls my lips back and I snicker "Didn't Ignis say not to go back in the river."

Noct's arm hooks around my waist and me pulls my vest over my head, kissing my lips when my eyes are covered by the cloth "Ignis is my adviser, he advises. Sometimes I listen, sometimes...not so much." Our eyes meet as he casts my shirt to the ground and his fingers fumble with my bra strap as I undo my own belt and let my skirt fall down around my ankles.

"Go get in the water." I murmur as I cover my exposed breasts with my hands.

"Are you shy?" he arches his brow.

"I mean, we're standing outside. I'm not used to being naked in front of you in the first place but we're standing outside!" To me this makes an obvious difference.

"Squirrels make a difference to you?" his mouth forms a perfect 'O'.

"Noctis get in the water." I deadpan and his throws his hands up in defeat, walking to the river while I steal a glance at his exposed body. It's short lived because he warps into the lake, leaving behind a shell of beautiful blue stars. When he materializes in the blue water, he looks like a painting. All moonlit skin and ebony hair with eyes blue enough to make this crystal clear river jealous. Dirt washes from his skin as he outshines the sun as it's just beginning to fill the sky. If I went blind right now, I think I'd be okay with it.

"Are you coming?" he asks as his hands move through his wet hair, fingers shaking out the dirt.

"Y-yeah!" embarrassed, I stammer and kick my boots to the side along with the soaked socks I will not be putting on. Drawing in a deep breath, I mentally count to three and apologize to all the little woodland creatures as I throw my panties to the ground with my clothing pile and rush into the water, which is freezing. Squeals burst from my lips in spades as I jump around in the icy liquid.

Noct's arms close around my shoulders and he laughs softly against the shell of my ear "Iris, it's not even that-"

"It's freezing Noct!" I scream.

"Ow." The prince murmurs sticking a pinky in his left ear "Iris you could wake the dead."

Swishing his fingers around in the water just before gliding them over my breasts he gives me a look and I narrow my eyes "Don't say-"

"I guess it is cold." he smirks.

"That is so- you are such a little boy sometimes!" I move to slap him only to have him catch my wrist in his hand.

"Nah, you're just used to me not saying much." his smile is soft.

"I might actually like that better." It's a joke, I love everything about him.

"They don't call me Prince Charmless for nothing." Noct sighs as he rubs dirt from my shoulders with his thumbs.

"Well, I should say so." I tease as I lean against his chest.

"How's this?" he asks gently. "You're really...beautiful, Iris."

"Perfect." I sigh happily "But, don't ever just say stuff to be cute, okay?"

"I mean I'm not. I never do. I just kind of say what comes to mind around you and I can, because...it's you." His murmurs tell me how tired he is. In all our talking we both forgot to sleep and I'm tired too.

Soft giggles befall my tired mouth and I look up into the eyes of the one I love "I'm yours." my voice rasps as I wrap my arms around his neck. "You know that don't you?"

"Iris-"

"I've been yours since that first moment." I whisper against his chest as his arms pull me closer.

"So...you just never said anything?"

"I mean...I looked for every opportunity to spend time with you, Noct."

"You would have told me anything else-"

"We couldn't have been together." My brows knit together and my nose scrunches up. "We still-"

"We're not talking about that." his hand covers my mouth softly.

I shove his arm away from my face and roll my eyes slightly "Are you really just going to avoid responsibility until you can't anymore?"

"Uh, pretty much." The prince murmurs

"Typical." I retort as our eyes shift toward the sky all streaked with purple and grey.

"It's really beautiful." Water swishes around my waist and I sink beneath the waves to wet my hair. It feels really good to wash all the mud, blood and dirt off. Like Noct, I don't care much for being sticky.

{Noctis' POV}

Despite my lack of sleep, I'm not in a bad mood. Last night was one of the best nights I've ever had. Trapped in a Tomb, battered by a daemon, stitches in my back, no real dinner and yet, being alone with Iris all night made everything worth it.

She's been underwater for a few seconds now, air bubbles jump from the depths and pop up, breaking against the morning breeze. In my head I know that we started something painful back in Lestaullum. I just hate that she keeps bringing it up, reminding me that we don't have much time together. Every hungry kiss from her lips is a reminder, I can feel her trying to get as much as she can with every touch.

When I lay my hands on Iris, when I kiss her, I don't want to do it thinking about how many times I'll get to do it after. I want to go slow and drag it out. If I think to hard about what comes next I'll miss what's going on. For instance the week before the guys and I left Crown City, I spent so much time thinking about how much my life was about to change that I forgot to spend time with my Father. Now he's gone and I can't ever get that time back. It's not a mistake I want to make again, with anyone.

Yeah, I'm going to make sure when I'm with Iris I take full advantage of every second, and I'll live in each moment. It's easy to do when we're alone, nothing else matters when she's standing in front of me. I'll kiss her as much as I can, claim her in a way that can't be erased, she says she's mine and I've never been one to share.

Her head breaks surface and she gasps for air, I deny her what she needs and trap her face between my hands, slipping my tongue into her open mouth. For a moment she squeaks and her hands flail as if she doesn't know what to do. As my tongue curls around her's, and our lips find a rhythm, her fingers knot in my hair and I pull her closer. Full, round breasts smash against my chest and my fingers pry us apart, gripping one perfect flesh mound so her erect nipple falls between my middle and ring finger.

Like a cat her back arches and a shiver rolls down my spine. I love feeling her react to my touch. The kiss breaks when I decide she probably needs to breathe and Iris gasps violently into my chest as I run my fingers through her wet hair "Are you okay?" I murmur.

"N-Noct!" The beautiful girl's words are broken apart by labored breaths "We can't do this here!"

"Why not?" I raise an eyebrow at her.

"We have to...the car." Brown eyes focus on my face and I snicker.

"They aren't even awake yet, I promise." My fingers slid across her cheek and she leans into my hand needily "We don't have to do anything you don't want to do."

"N-no..no, I...I want it." She states shyly as her pillowy lips press kisses to my thumb. The sound of her sweet voice is enough to make me throb. Without another word I guide her legs around my waist and carry her out of the water, we're both freezing and the truth is there's no good place to do this out here. Her back meets the soft shore and I trail warm kisses down her neck to the hollow of her throat. Beneath me, Iris squirms and clings as she arches into my touch.

Mist shimmers on the air as my fingers move across her cheek. We're going slow this time. No rush. Pink lips press warm kisses to my shoulder as I shower her in affection. It's not cold anymore, we're warming each other with flesh and labored breaths. In her touch, in the way she feels over my back and jawline, there is a claim she's staking. I can feel it. My heart beats so erratically I swear she can feel it against her own chest.

My lips claim her's and I lace my fingers with hers, pushing her hands above her head and keeping them there. "Noct!" Iris gasps raspily as her mouth drops open and her lips form a breathless smile.

"I just want to look at you." I whisper as my eyes assess the soft exterior that encases all she is. Iris is a vision. Perfectly round flesh mounds heave up and down as her face turns the color of cherry blossoms. "What are you thinking?" I ask as I tighten my grip on her hands, forcing them against the ground.

"I think you're evil!" my girlfriend retorts quickly as her legs squirm and I only take this as a challenge. Releasing her hands, I work hot kisses down her chest and latch onto her left breast. A sharp hiss fills the air as her head falls back and her fingers tangle in my hair. Shifting slightly, my teeth graze her tender flesh and she moans for me. She makes me want to kiss her all over. I could do this for hours. Impatience is evident in the way she squirms.

Unlike me, she's not trying to go slow. Iris' demanding hands grab my hair in fistfulls. Sharp pain spreads across my scalp like wildfire as she pulls me into a starved kiss. My hands cup her face and she throws me down onto my back without warning. Her strength really does surprise me half the time.

Her legs straddle my hips and she crosses her arms over her chest with a smug smile. She thinks she's won and it's adorable. "Not this time." I murmur as I warp behind her and pull her into my lap, dropping my fingers down her stomach as my tongue slips over her soft ear lobe.

"Aha! Noct." Nails dig into my thighs as my fingers slip over her swollen clit. As her back arches, I bring my free arm across her shoulders to hold her still. "Slow down." I whisper in her ear.

"Why?" the word is a small whine as it slips past her trembling lips.

"Geez, are you really gonna make me say it?" I ask as I pull her closer, knowing full well she can feel me throbbing hard against her back.

"Yes!" Iris squeaks "If you're gonna put me through it the least you could do is tell me why!"

"We went too fast the first time, I feel like I missed out on you." I answer honestly. There's no need for me to see her face right now, I know that her dark eyes are lidded and I know she's beginning to agree with me because her hands are clasping onto mine, guiding my fingers into the warmth of her mouth as she wiggles her hips and teases my swollen flesh for all it's worth.

My mouth forms an 'O' and I bury my nose into her layered hair as I moan softly. Violent shivers roll up my legs in pleasure waves as her tongue works over my long slender digits. Soft moans erupt from around my fingers as she frees me and pulls my hand between her thighs. I delve into her folds and feel her soaked entrance, so warm and wanton. Her knees knock together and I shake my head "Iris…" I whisper against her ear "Spread them. I won't force you."

"This is embarrassing, I don't know why!" she hiccups.

"It's only me."

"You're the most important person in this world to me, saying it's only you." her breath shudders "Noct you have no idea…"

"Do you...trust me?"

"With my life."

"Spread your legs." I rasp and she does, shakily. "I'll go slow." It's a promise. Leaning into her I slip my middle finger inside and her warmth envelopes me with a greed. Iris hiccups and squirms as she covers her gaping mouth with both hands.

"Does that hurt?" I ask, genuinely concerned as I move my finger around inside of her. Her hips shift with every move I make and she shakes her head without saying a word. As I slip my index finger inside alongside my middle Iris bucks into my hand and my free hand pulls her arm back to curl around my neck. "I want to hear you...Iris."

"O-oh okay." The dark haired girl whispers as she drops her free hand to place it on the back of mine, stroking my knuckles with her thumb as I use my fingers to stretch her insides. My lips press a trail of kisses to the side of her neck and a jubilee of moans fill the air. She's pulling at my hair and I can't deny, I fucking love it. My fingers plunge in and out of her soaked cunt as I suck on her shoulder, leaving behind a faint red mark. Iris' hand moves mine to her breasts. I grab them roughly and pull at her nipples. Soft squeaks fall from her lips and she trembles under my touch, shivering with need. She makes it hard to go slow. "Nocis! Please, please, please." She begs as I curl my fingers and nip the shell of her ear, grazing the sensitive spot with my kanines.

"Is that the sound of a mighty Amicita begging?" I tease, grabbing a handful of her hair, jerking her head back to look down at her beautiful face. "Iris…" I whisper breathlessly as tears stream down her cheeks. "Did I hurt you?" before I can even finish that question I pull my fingers out of her and pull her close.

"You didn't hurt me, I just...I need...Noct...please."

"Right now?"

"Yes, please." she brushes the tip of my nose with her's. Without another word I pull her close and lean her back against the ground, my hands helping her shaking legs to close around my hips. Despite being sleaked in a sheet of sweat, we're both shivering at the brief loss of contact.

Our lips connect and my hands roll down her curves, admiring her soft skin as her legs quiver around my waist. My fingers slip between her body and the ground, grabbing a handful of her bouncy butt. My hips shift and my erection grinds against her warmth as her fingers lace with mine and lust overtakes her dark irses. "Wait." I rasp softly.

"Wait? What wait? Why?" she squeaks as legs tighten around my hips in an attempt to pull me closer.

"We don't have a.."

"Noct..no."

"It's kind of a thing." I smile apologetically but I can't get over how adorable she is right now. Pink flares up in her cheeks and her body is practically crying.

"Can't you…" Iris gestures with her hand and flicks her wrist outward.

I raise an eyebrow at her and tip my head to the side "I've never tried…"

"I mean you can summon a fishing pole…" her voice rasps as she tries to reason. "So it's not just weapons."

"Good point...here goes nothing." I throw my hand out and shift my fingers until I feel something form.

"Hey!" Iris giggles "It worked."

"Seriously?" my response is pure surprise. I really didn't think it would, well thank the gods for small miracles.

Tearing the packet open, I roll the latex sleeve over my shaft and let out a surprised sigh. I really can't believe that worked. "We're gonna have to make a game of figuring out what you can pull out of thin air!" Iris giggles, cut off when I slam my cock deep within her warm flesh.

Beside us, the river is steady and delicate. On occasion I hear the waves shift over the shore and birds singing to greet the day. Beneath me, Iris sings, she screams in a way that she couldn't before because someone might have heard. With every move she challenges me and I melt into her. "Careful!" My lover warns "Don't split your stitches!" I can't help but smile, I love her, I love how she cares for me even when she can't see straight.

"I...I can't believe this actually happened again." She admits against my lips as I slow my thrusts.

"Really? I thought I was pretty clear about wanting more of this." I murmur as she kisses along my jawline.

"I just...didn't think we'd get the chance..I'm...so mm glad we did." Delicate fingers move through my hair and my hands grip her hips.

"Me too. I'm...gonna miss you, Iris. So much. I wish there was a way to take you with me." It's the truth, I want her by my side, everywhere I go from now on. Everything is so unfair, why do I have to marry Luna? Also, why does Luna have to be my friend? Why can't she be someone I don't care about what so ever? It's so painful, but with Iris, it's so worth the pain.

"I'll never leave you, no matter what!" she cries out and I quicken my pace, slamming my tongue down her throat as I pour myself inside her. As I do, she convulses violently around me for what I think is the third time and she trembles, kissing my cheek. My lips press a kiss to her forehead through her bangs and I smile against her.

"I think...we need to rinse off again." she giggles and I nod in agreeance, I really do hate being sticky. Slowly, I pull out of her and when I do the latex holding everything together disperses into blue stars the way anything I summon does and my seed covers my hand. My blue eyes roll back into my head and I groan "Agggh! I should've known."

In front of me, Iris is covering her mouth with both hands and making strange noises. "What?" I raise an eyebrow.

Her eyes fill with mirth.

"Do it." I murmur "Before you explode."

Soft giggles turn to full blown laughter and Iris cries out "That's hilarious!"