Ike didn't really get angry. He was grumpy in the mornings before someone put food in front of him and handed him a mug of coffee, sometimes he was irate and VERY VERY rarely he would snap at someone. Irritated, when someone used the word "sub-human", yes. Exasperated when things went awry, yes. But he was never just angry.

When the Black Knight killed his father, Ike was heartbroken and hell-bent on revenge. But he was not angry. He wanted to kill the looming figure who had stolen his hero from him, but not cause pain. The emotion was like a dull throb, a stab wound or a head ache, not the fire that consumed people. Ike's hurt gave him strength where his anger would have destroyed him.

But the day that someone used the phrase "that filthy branded", Ike got, not just angry, but furious.

It was shortly after the Goddess War. Gallia and Crimea were discussing the new alliance, and as such, the castle was a flurry of movement. Courtiers, both Beorc and Laguz walked together, talking, debating, flattering and being all too political for the tastes of the Mercenaries, who found themselves stuck as war heroes in the middle of it all.

Ike and Soren were alone for a moment. It was a rare occurance these days, but it was still something they both loved and needed. The mage sat against a tree, reading his book while Ike took a nap, his head in the lap of his best friend. They were both only just becoming aware of the feelings they felt and, unlike most friends moving to that next step, there was no awkwardness. There wasn't the initial question of boundaries, it was just something they both knew. Ike didn't have to ask or feel out the situation to realize that he could nap with his head in Soren's lap. And Soren didn't need to ask before he brushed blue hair off his friend's brow. No kisses, no romance as such, but it was a step.

They both heard the laguz before he arrived, and instinctively, Ike sat up and leaned back against the tree. Soren looked up from his book, acknowledged the situation, and returned to his reading.
"General Ike?" A young laguz neither of them recognized was running towards them. Ike sighed, still unused to the title.
"I think 'General' is more annoying than 'Lord' was" Ike mutter through his teeth before answering, "Yes?"
"Um...Ranulf wanted to talk to you..." the laguz said. His eyes focused on Soren for a moment before he turned away, ignoring the Sage's existence.
"Right, we'll be right there." Ike said, standing up and stretching. The laguz gave him a look and turned on his heel, leading the way, choosing to pay no attention to the boy Ike was helping up.

The trio walked inside, the laguz (who introduced himself as "Martin") lead them to a council room, and it was there he made a nearly fatal mistake.

"Master Ranulf." Martin said in his most formal voice, "King Skrimir, I present to you General Ike."
"And Soren?" Ranulf asked, knowing that where Ike went, the mage would follow.
"Who?"
"Soren," Ranulf gestured at the mage. "Really, Martin, I've told you a million times, you've got to introduce everyone when presenting them to the court. And Skrimir goes first. You need to stop saying "Master Ranulf" and then "King Skrimir," its the other way around." The blue cat sighed, looking over worked as ever. Ike contained a chuckle, watching the laid-back laguz trying to teach a precedent he's never actually followed.
"I know all that, sir." Martin said, "But General Ike keeps...unfitting company."

EVERYONE, shot Martin a "Shut up now." look. But, full of undo righteousness, Martin continued, "I didn't think that the great hero ought to be announced in the same breath as that filthy brand-"

Ike was never angry, everyone knew that. Which is why it came as a shock when Martin was suddenly pinned against a wall by the neck. Ike was fuming. Martin nearly defecated in his pants. Ranulf was wide-eyed and speechless, Soren had a look of terror (and some pride) and even Skrimir took a step back.
"L-let him...Ike...uh..." Ranulf's normally charismatic demeanor was shaken as he tried to find the words to convince his friend to drop his stupid page.
"Ike..." Soren half-whispered.

"Listen, Martin." Ike hissed, the laguz gulped. Ike whispered something no one could make out in his ear. The laguz seemed so small in comparison to the furious demon that was Ike.

Then, it was over. Ike dropped the hapless laguz, turned to everyone, and apologized. He wrapped an arm around Soren, and that was that.

No one really knew how to react. Martin didn't move for a little while, but the way he quivered told everyone he was very lucky to be alive. Skrimir let out a laugh, claiming that it wouldn't surprise him if Ike wrestled a lion to the ground and won. Ranulf was still speechless, and could only watch as Ike and Soren walked down the hall and back outside.

Once out by their tree, Ike and Soren resumed their positions, with Ike's head resting in Soren's lap. The blue-haired man's eyes still betrayed the fire in his heart, and Soren was shaky from the explosion.
"I'm sorry." Ike said, looking up into Soren's red-eyes, "I didn't mean to lose my temper like that." He chuckled, "I guess they're all going to start guessing we're together now."
"Don't apologize." The mage said, "I...I appreciate it." He bent down and placed a chaste kiss on Ike's forehead, "No one has ever stood up for me like that."
"That changes now." Ike said, reaching up and stroking Soren's cheek, "Because I want to take care of you. And I can't stand the hurt on your face when someone uses that word."
"I've never seen you angry before."
"You haven't?" Ike paused to consider this, "No...I guess not."