Re: Saiyuki, Koumyou/Ukoku, voyeurism and/or exhibitionism, what the moon saw
Koumyou's a hard character to get a handle on, I think -- there's so much of an undercurrent there that, while it's so much of what makes him interesting, also makes him difficult. (I'm curious to see what Ibun winds up showing of him, compared to his older self.) And IMO, his interactions with Ukoku can't ever be uncomplicated, especially with how Ukoku became a Sanzo.
Rather agree with you on the lovers thing; I'll read just about anything if it's done well and rendered plausible, but that's one where other shades of dynamic just work out better. And yours was one that definitely worked!