Iris left a set of black satin sleepwear on the door in front of the bathroom and then made her way down the stairs. As she went down, she heard the sound of oil bubbling from the kitchen and the smell of something good in the air. The smell reminded her just how hungry she was, having not eaten since her lunch with Eir earlier in the day. The sensation was sickening to her as she resolved to get something light to snack on and she went over to the kitchen. She saw Arylos slicing up cabbage while also working with something frying in the pan next to him on the open fire, occasionally tilting the pan and sprinkling seasonings in.

“Well look at the master chef go,” Iris commented with a smile.

“If you’re so entertained, you could watch and learn a thing or two,” Arylos returned with a smile.

“But you’re so good at what you do,” Iris returned while reaching for a green apple on one of the shelves and biting into it.

“And what about when something happens to me?” Arylos asked while moving the sliced cabbage to a bowl and clearing his board.

“I survived a week without you just fine,” Iris returned in a sarcastic tone while eating the apple.

“You spent all of the money I left you on restaurant food,” Arylos remarked while laughing. “And the only food you ate that I left was noodles.”

“Sorry that I have simple tastes,” Iris barked while leaning against the wall.

“More like no taste,” Arylos added, continuing to laugh. “I’ve eaten your cooking; your seasoning is practically non-existent.”

“Not everyone likes overly seasoned food, you big idiot,” Iris barked while blushing.

“Then explain how you always enjoy my ‘overly seasoned food’ as you call it,” Arylos teased while tilting the pan once more as he turned the pork cutlets inside.

Iris couldn’t help but blush as she shook her head quickly. “Just shut it you big idiot,” she added while pushing away from the wall and coming next to Arylos to watch him shake the pan to settle the pork and then spoon the hot oils over the top of the pork. “What are you doing that for?” Iris asked while taking another bite from the apple.

“This is how I keep pan-fried meats moist,” Arylos responded. “It keeps the oil and juice inside the meat while also adding a crunchy layer, enhancing the crust of the breadcrumbs.”

“I’ve never seen it done that way,” Iris commented in awe. “Where did you learn that?”

Arylos laughed as he set the pan back down and returned to the bowl of vegetables. “I’ve been alive a long time, Iris. I’ve learned a thing or two as I went.”

“Right,” Iris added under her breath. “Then can I help you since you want me to learn some things?”

Arylos chuckled under his breath as he shook the bowl and grabbed a bottle of oil. “I’m sorry little girl, but I cook alone. I find the kitchen too cramped to share with others; you’re more than welcome to watch though.”

Iris pouted and leaned against one of the shelves. Fine then, you big idiot, she told herself while a part of her wanted to hit Arylos on the back of the head. She wanted to learn so she could improve her own cooking skill that Arylos likes to critique. She knew how to bake, but things like preparing kaikatsu was beyond her skillset.

But there was another reason, one that made Iris blush a little. She wanted to share the experience with him. She used to read about couples cooking together and the few times she baked while Arylos cooked made her happy. She had so much on her mind that she wanted to feel a little normal.

“Hey Iris, your butt’s in the way,” Arylos voiced from behind her.

Iris’s blush went red hot as her mind went to indecent places. Oh? My butt’s in the way big boy? she couldn’t help but to think. She felt her heart pound in anticipation as the indecent thoughts grew. He wouldn’t, would he? Oh but what if he would? she continued to herself, wondering if Arylos was finally making a move.

“Could you move to the left for me?” Arylos asked.

Is that for better reach? she continued the indecent thoughts. She giggled and complied, moving a bit to her left and leaning further forward.

She then saw Arylos reach for the shelf she was leaning against and pick up a bottle of oil and a large spoon. With his tools he returned to the bowl he was working on and drizzled a little oil in and mixed the vegetables.

…REALLY?! Iris screamed in her head as she covered her face in embarrassment. My butt was legitimately in the way! Dammit! she couldn’t help but shake her head and squeal as her face went hotter. She tried her best to hide her embarrassment and shake away the thoughts that came to her.

“Are you alright over there?” Arylos asked softly.

Iris took a deep breath and tried to contain herself. “I’m good,” she exhaled as the blood left her face. “Just some womanly problems, that’s all.”

If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

Arylos’s head tilted as he looked towards the once-flustered Iris. “Is it that time of the month already?”

Iris’s pale face went red again and she threw her apple core towards Arylos’s face but his hand went up and he caught it. “Is that a yes or a no; I can’t tell?” he asked with a raised eyebrow as he tossed the core into the bin next to him.

“It’s not!” Iris howled while hiding her face, trying to get control of herself. “You’re a big idiot, you know that?”

“Why am I an idiot now?” Arylos asked while laughing.

“Do I need to get a list for you, old man?” she teased while rubbing her red cheeks.

“You hurtle ‘idiot’ around so much that it kind of loses its meaning,” Arylos teased as he pulled the cutlets from their pan and left them to rest on a plate.

Iris fumed to herself and crossed her arms. “I guess old man will have to do for now then,” she teased while turning away to the dining room.

“Whatever makes you feel better,” Arylos laughed as he took the food to the dining room. “Is Eir staying the night here or is she staying long-term?” he asked while setting the table.

“I don’t know yet,” Iris responded while thinking about the whole situation. “What do you think?”

“I’m okay with whatever you want to do,” Arylos responded while setting the portions on the plates at the table. “I have no grudge with her so it’s all you and what you want to do.”

Iris lost herself in her thoughts as she considered where she truly sat on the situation. “I don’t know,” she voiced while rubbing her arms. “She needs a roof over her head. Whether or not that’s our roof I don’t know. Are you okay with it?”

Arylos chuckled as he finished setting the plates. “I told you, I don–”

“Forget about me, you idiot,” Iris insisted. “This is your house too and she did attack you. I want your thoughts, even if you think nothing about it. What would you do?”

Arylos let out a soft sigh as he thought. “I think I would have been content with her being homeless for the rest of her life if I wanted. That’s the difference between us Iris; you are a compassionate human while I am not.”

“So what I’ve done already is not what you have done,” Iris summarised to herself.

“Exactly, I don’t forgive easily,” Arylos answered while gathering everything.

“I haven’t forgiven her, I just…I don’t know, understand I guess,” Iris answered while taking a seat at the table across from Arylos’s spot.

“You might sit next to me and let Eir sit across,” Arylos suggested while making his way back to the kitchen. “I don’t think she’ll be comfortable being close to me.”

Iris thought about it and nodded, agreeing that the last thing Eir needs is to be so close to the Titan that tore her wings off. Iris took the specified chair and as if summoned, Eir came into the living room, wearing the set of satin pyjamas that Iris had set in front of the door. A hint of jealousy came to Iris as she couldn’t help but to think that the dark skinned valkyrie looked gorgeous in the sleepwear Iris thought looked less than flattering on her. It was too big for her but seemed just right for Eir to wear.

“Feeling any better?” Iris asked the valkyrie while trying to hide her jealousy.

“I am, thank you very much,” Eir responded while nodding.

“Good, now get over here and eat,” Iris responded with a smile. “Arylos just finished preparing everything and I’m starving.”

Eir let out a soft smile as she sat herself down at the table, the smell of the pan-fried meat filling her nostrils and she could smell the oil and various dressings in the salad to the side. Before Eir could eat, she saw Arylos coming back into the room carrying a red corked bottle.

“I believe wine is in order,” he mentioned with a smile. Iris perked up excitedly as Arylos uncorked the bottle and gathered the glasses at the table. Eir felt strange being served by a Titan; a god amongst the Templarians. And yet here he is, serving dinner and wine without a care.

The valkyrie couldn’t help but wonder just how Iris got the Titan to heel to her.

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“Now that was good,” Iris exhaled while patting her stomach. “See Arylos, why would I bother cooking when you do it so well?”

“Because what if something happens to me?” Arylos teased in return while drinking from his glass of wine.

“Yeah right, you’re not going anywhere,” Iris returned with a smile before turning to Eir. “What did you think?”

Eir laughed under her breath as she realised she finished eating first. “Honestly, it makes me want to go to sleep now,” she answered while still laughing.

“Good; a food coma is good for you,” Arylos teased and he and Eir laughed.

“Wait, what’s a food coma?” Iris asked.

“I’ll tell you when you’re older, little girl,” Arylos teased in return as he got up from the table.

“You always say that!” Iris exclaimed while reaching out for a slap but grazing Arylos’s arm with her fingers. “I’m not as young as you make me out to be, you know!”

“Sure, whatever you say,” Arylos laughed before turning to face Eir. “The guest bedroom is yours for the night. Let me know if you need anything.”

“Yep!” Iris added while getting up. “Arylos watches the house at night so you’re safe here.”

“Wait, he does?” Eir asked in confusion.

“My awareness isn’t limited to this body,” Arylos explained. “Throughout the house, there are tripwires that if something touches them, I can sense it and see it. This way, I can detect movement in the house.”

“He caught someone breaking in a little while ago like this,” Iris cut in with a smile. “So trust me, you’ll be safe here if someone comes after you.”

“Thank you,” Eir whispered while lowering her head. “Although, I don’t deserve all you’ve done for me.”

“Nonsense!” Iris cut in. “I said I wanted to help and I’m doing just that. So sleep tonight. Tomorrow, we’ll get you sorted out.”

“Sorted out how?” Eir asked.

“You and I are going to find you a place to work and live,” Iris suggested with a smile. “I think it’s fair that you have a chance to properly settle in so we’ll ask around and see what can be arranged for you.”

“You’re very charitable,” Arylos added with confusion in his tone.

“Yeah, well I’m in a good mood for a change,” Iris replied while patting him on the shoulder.

Eir held her hands together while trying to contain fresh tears. She didn’t deserve any of this help she was getting. She wanted to say so, to reject the help, but she couldn’t bring herself to voice her concern.

She could do little but listen to the duo talk happily and feel embarrassed.