Rimuru's Ni-san? Ciel took a long look at this person who would be her brother-in-law.

He had a similar build to Satoru if not an inch or two shorter with broader shoulders. He also had a similar facial structure but where Satoru had rounder and softer edges, this person had a sharper bone structure.

The funny thing was, the longer she studied this person, the more Ciel thought he reminded her of Benimaru as opposed to Satoru. Perhaps they have similar personalities?

Ciel felt a pang of sadness resonate from Rimuru and brought her attention back to him. His expression was clouded as if lost in a daydream.

"Rimuru," she squeezed his hand in comfort.

Rimuru blinked to attention, "Ah sorry Ciel. I'm fine. I was just thinking. It's been so long since I've seen him. I almost forgot what he looked like."

Ciel, "Do you want to go say hi?"

Rimuru, "I don't know. As siblings, we care about each other but we were never that close. I have seen him maybe twice a year since I left our parents. We live in different cities so I'm surprised he's here at all. He's always been extremely busy with work or taking care of his own little family. Besides, he wouldn't recognise me like this."

Ciel considered what to do.

She couldn't remember her Master ever saying he missed his blood family. Ciel wondered what could've happened to make Rimuru so seemingly estranged with them.

Back when she was first conscious as the Great Sage, Rimuru had only acquired her because in his heart he lamented that he was still a virgin and wished for a partner who would stay with him forever. That spoke of the loneliness he must have felt when he was still human. It made Ciel want to hug him and never let go.

Ciel would do anything to make him happy. Perhaps there was a way for Rimuru to reconnect with his blood family.

Originally, their human selves were going to have a small and private ceremony with only Tamura and Miho as their witnesses since it wouldn't be a good idea to bring the whole of Tempest to Earth when they were going to have a proper wedding ceremony in Rimuru City anyway.

"Do you want to invite your family to our wedding?" she asked.

To be honest, Rimuru felt that it would be too awkward to see the family he hasn't been close to in years suddenly attend his wedding and he wouldn't know what to say to them. But he also felt that if he didn't at least invite his parents he would be too much of an unfilial son. Thinking about it now, it would be even more troublesome to explain why he didn't invite them to his own wedding if his other self ever ran into them in the future.

Rimuru sighed, in any case aside from enduring the awkwardness, it wouldn't hurt to invite them. Besides, Rimuru thinks he may find satisfaction in showing off his beautiful bride to the older brother who used to tease him for not being able to get a girlfriend and the parents who judged his overall life choices.

Rimuru, "Okay. Let's invite them."

Time flew by under the maple tree until it was midday. Other than a few glances, Rimuru chose to ignore his brother's presence. There was no need to talk to him yet. Satoru could handle that for him. Instead, Rimuru and Ciel took this time to focus on each other. Cuddled up against each other, they spoke in quiet voices and mostly sat in companionable silence preferring to communicate abstractly through their bond.

"Rimuru?"

"Mn?"

"How many children do you want?"

That was a good question. If someone asked Rimuru before he died, he would've scoffed 'kids? When would I have time for that?' and pretend like he didn't care when he was actually jealous of his peers who were family planning. Exactly how many children did he want?

"I… Just one. I think? Would I even be a good Father?"

"You would be a wonderful Father." Ciel replied confidently.

Rimuru laughed nervously, "and how do you know that? I could be terrible. Ciel-sensei would have to teach me."

"I know you. You would do anything to protect our child. Besides, I would not allow you to fail."

.•° ✿ °•.

The sunset cast an orange light in the parking lot of Satoru's workplace. Rimuru's other self carried out a box full of knick-knacks that had decorated his office to his car. Tamura helped him along the way by opening doors and pressing the button on the elevator.

"Senpai, is this really okay?"

"Tamura, you worry too much. The old boss being a grumpy hardass is nothing new, but considering I'm leaving for no other reason than 'retirement' at such short notice I think he has the right to be angry. Withholding my recommendation letter won't harm me in the slightest."

"If you're sure. But Senpai, you've been loyal to the company for almost 16 years. It's really unfair."

Satoru shrugged carelessly like it didn't bother him. In truth, although he didn't need the letter, he was a bit miffed about it. "I'm moving on in life Tamura, pretty soon I'll be married with a kid of my own. I'll just spend the rest of my life in domestic bliss."

"Is it that lady from your apartment yesterday? Who is she really?"

"It's… complicated. Let's just say she's someone I've met after I was reincarnated. I just didn't recognize her at first because of a prank my other self played on me. She really is going to be my wife."

"You lucked out Senpai. She's a beauty. Well your other self is a beauty too so I guess it makes sense. What did it feel like to be a woman?"

"I was a Slime, remember? Slimes don't have a gender so I- Oi! What's with that look?"

Tamura had given him a look full of pity when he mentioned not having a gender. "Senpai! You've suffered."

"Tamura, I will hit you. And stop calling me Senpai. I'm not your Senpai anymore. We're friends aren't we? Just call me Satoru."

Tamura smiled sheepishly at him, "alright, Satoru. When's the wedding?"

"We haven't set a date yet, but we're going to have a small ceremony before leaving for our honeymoon. You and Sawatari-san are invited of course."

Once everything was packed in the car, Satoru and Tamura said their goodbyes with promises to meet up for lunch in the future.

.•° ✿ °•.

Human Ciel and Diablo returned to the apartment with arms full of groceries which they immediately stored away in the fridge and cabinets.

She put Diablo to work by having him prepare supper while she sat at the dining table to look through the shortlist of properties they would choose their home from. There were a few in and around Kyoto which was where Rimuru's parents lived. Depending on how successful reconnecting with her in-laws would be, purchasing a property in Kyoto might be worth considering.

Ciel was in the middle of laying out the plan for their small wedding when Satoru came home.

"Ciel? I'm back."

"Anata, welcome back."

"Rimuru-sama, welcome back."

"Diablo? What are you doing here?"

Ciel, "Don't mind him. I've already sent word to our other selves when they synced with us this afternoon. Diablo will be staying here for a year to assist us with whatever we need."

Satoru, "did something happen?"

Diablo, "Rimuru-sama doesn't have to worry. It's already being taken care of. Dinner is ready, I'll return to the hotel now. I will come back tomorrow."

"Alright. Thank you for your help."

After Diablo left, Satoru took a seat at the dining table. Ciel served them each a bowl of rice, grilled tuna fillets, and miso soup.

Before Satoru could say 'itadakimasu' his phone rang.

The name of the receiver had him pause.

Mikami Kaoru.

Satoru answered the call, "Ni-san."

"Yo Satoru. How have you been?"

"I've been well. How can I help you Ni-san? Are Kyoka and Mirai-chan well?"

"We're all doing well. We've just moved to Fukuoka for the time being as my work needs me to take care of a case that recently cropped up. We haven't seen each other in a long time. How about you visit us this weekend?"

This was a surprise, but also good timing, "Sounds good. Actually Ni-san I was going to call you tonight as well. There's someone I'd like you and our parents to meet." Satoru flashed a smile at Ciel as she was watching him fondly as he had this conversation.

"Oh? Did you finally get yourself a woman, little brother?" This was said in a joking manner. They both knew his luck with women.

"Even better. I'm getting married."

There was a cracking sound and a murmured curse on the other side and Satoru realised his brother dropped his phone.

"What?! Did I hear that right? You're getting married? You better not be joking!"

"Why does everyone think I'm pranking them? Yes, you heard that right. I'm getting married."

"Oo mai goddo, it finally happened. Bring her with you this weekend. I won't believe you if you don't."

"I'll bring her. You'll text me your new address?"

"Yeah. Alright I'll let you go now. See you this weekend."

"See you."

The food had cooled slightly during the conversation, but it was still warm enough to be enjoyable. Satoru ate the food with a pleased hum.

Ciel, "Rimuru, what does your brother do for work?"

"He's a private investigator. Most likely he was called here to help work on a case. It's a little strange though, why call him all the way from Kyoto? Fukuoka does not lack capable people."

"..."

After they both finished their meal, Ciel brought out Mochi ice cream and they sat together on the couch. Ciel showed Satoru her plans for the wedding so he could give his input.

"Let's have a traditional wedding, I'm fine with it being anywhere but a temple." Was his only preference. Satoru was atheist and it would just be weird to ask for blessings from the Gods when he was basically a Godly being despite currently inhabiting his human body.

As they went through the plans together, Satoru became more and more aware of Ciel's soft body pressed against his side.

Testing the waters, he curled his arm around her and pulled her closer so that she sat on his lap, plans forgotten.

Ciel didn't resist. She even cuddled closer by pressing her chest against his and smiled up at him happily. Satoru brought his hand up to cradle her face and gently stroke her cheek. She was beautiful. Her grey eyes were like two moons that hung in a starry sky. Her skin was soft like silken tofu and her lips were full and lush. She smelled sweet and it drew him in.

He could feel his own heart rate speed up as affection and a long forgotten feeling of lust built up within him.

"Ciel can I kiss you?"

"You don't have to ask."

Ciel steadied her hands on his shoulders before pressing her lips against his and he responded a moment later in kind. Soft kisses turned into something overwhelmingly hot as they slowly opened up to each other with hungry licks and sucking as they clutched at each other. Minutes later when they parted with pop a string of saliva formed a bridge between their lips and they were both breathing heavier.

Ciel's eyes darkened to something imperceptible as they took in the flustered look on Satoru's face.

"Again." She demanded and they were kissing again.

.•° ✿ °•.

Author Notes

Next time there will be two installments which is Chapter 9, and the first entry of 'Ciel-sensei's sex ed' which is a companion story to the Eternal Partners series which will hold all adult content that will be glossed over in the series.

A big thanks to everyone who has been supporting me. I do love this read your comments and it encourages me to write more.

To see an image of what my Ciel looks like you can check where I cross-posted it on A O 3.