The Funny Number Intermission.

(Funny number goes brrrr.)

— –Shuna– —

Taking in a deep breath, she nestled closer to Rimuru. They were away from Tempest, in one of the hills across the forest, where the usual bustling of the city faded into the gentle rustle of leaves. 

She was enjoying the gentle breeze and the smell of her husband. He smelled just like fresh rain and clean earth. It was a hard scent to describe, but it was one she absolutely adored. It grounded her, made her feel safe.

He was gently caressing her hair and resting his own head against hers. For a while, neither spoke, content in the quiet peace both of them felt. Shuna could feel his warmth seeping into her, the usual comforting flow of energy coursing through her and calming every restless thought.

"I could stay like this forever." She murmured softly, closing her eyes as she listened to the steady rhythm of his breathing.

"Oh?" Rimuru asked with a chuckle. "Are you sure you won't get bored of me? Forever is a long time."

'Bored? How could I ever get bored of you?' She thought, smiling softly as she remembered watching him restructure the Labyrinth with a massive grin. 

His enthusiasm, his vision, it was all part of what made her love him more with each passing day. There was always something new to discover about him, some small detail or quirk that brought her joy. How could she ever grow tired of that?

Shuna smiled, closing her eyes and nestling closer to him. 

"Hmm… you are right… forever is a long time… I'd have to think about it." She answered, playing along, her voice light with amusement before she shook her head slightly. "No, I think forever sounds about right."

Rimuru's fingers continued to weave through her hair, a touch so gentle that it made her want to fall asleep. Shuna let herself bask in the moment, but as her thoughts wandered, they drifted back to a time long before she met Rimuru, before Tempest, before everything had changed.

Her mother's face surfaced in her mind, clear and vibrant, even after all these years.

'Mother… if you could see me now, would you be proud?' 

Shuna could almost feel the warmth of her mother's embrace, the same way she now felt comfort in Rimuru's arms. Her mother had been a pillar of strength, with her flowing crimson hair and unwavering resolve, a beacon of light for their people. She had taught Shuna so much, how to lead with grace, how to care for those under her protection, and how to remain calm in the face of adversity.

Her mother had always seemed so invincible, so sure of herself. Even when she was dying, she still stood tall. Even though she had been left so weak from having her and her brother, she was still so strong. Shuna had admired her endlessly, and in many ways, she still did. She could feel her mother's teachings guiding her every time she stepped into a leadership role, every time she offered counsel to Rimuru or stood before the people of Tempest. 

Opening her eyes, she saw Rimuru looking into the distance.

"Do you ever think about how far we've come? How much we've changed?" There was a sense of wonder in her question, as though she still found it hard to believe that this was her life now.

"Hm? Yes…. I sometimes wonder how things would've turned out if I hadn't met you... or any of the others. It's strange to think about what could've been." Rimuru hummed thoughtfully beside her. 

She saw his expression, the gentle breeze rustling his hair slightly as he continued to stare into the distance.

"Do you regret it?" She asked somewhat hesitantly.

"Never." He answered without hesitation. "I don't think I could've imagined any of this back then. Being here with you, with our people… it feels like a dream sometimes."

Then, a soft smile appeared on his face as he turned to look at her.

"I'm glad I met you, Shuna. None of this would be the same without you. Tempest only started to feel like home because of you."

She felt butterflies in her stomach as she heard him. The sincerity in his eyes made her feel as though the whole world had melted away, leaving only the two of them. A soft blush crept onto her face as she nestled her face in his chest.

'He always knows how to make me feel like I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be.'

It was then she felt Rimuru gently nudge her, and as she lifted her head to look at him, she felt him kiss her.

Her mind went numb as she gave into the kiss, wrapping her arms around him with a smile.

"You know… Everyone is expecting for both of us to take the day off… soo… if you put a barrier up…." She said with a blush, hearing him chuckling before she smiled and brought both of them down onto the grass.

~~~ ~~~ ~~~

Rimuru kissed her lips softly as the two of them gently fell on the grass before breaking the kiss and reaching his hand to undo her kimono.

His hand moved with purpose, undoing the intricate knot of Shuna's kimono. Each fold of fabric parted way, revealing more and more of her pale skin. His fingers gently traced the contours of her body, caressing every curve and sending shivers down her spine. 

Shuna arched her back, a breathy moan escaping her lips as his touch grazed her sensitive skin.

Not one to remain passive, Shuna's own hands roamed over Rimuru's body, pushing his clothes aside to reveal his toned muscles. She could feel the warmth of Asmodeus' Invigorate skill emanating from his skin, adding an electric tingle to her touch.

"Hmm~" Shuna moaned, unable to hide her surprise as Rimuru's hand found its way down to her private parts, caressing her most sensitive parts through her underwear. Then as his finger slipped through the underwear, he caressed her clit, sending sparks of pleasure through her body.

Then, without giving her a chance to get used to the sensation, he gave her one more soft kiss on the lips before moving down and kissing her neck, then her chest, her breasts, her stomach, until finally reaching her legs and giving her thighs a gentle kiss and soft bite before slowly moving his mouth between her legs.

Maybe it was her taste, maybe it was her moans, or maybe the way she skwirmed as his fingers entered her and as his tongue reached for her clit before lightly kissing it and gently using his lips to nibble and put slight pressure on her, but he couldn't help but smile.

Focusing his Invigorate skill, he doubled his efforts, determined to drive her wild with desire. Just as her inner walls began to flutter and clench around his probing fingers, and her thighs threatened to crush him against her core, he pulled away with a mischievous smile.

Resisting her attempts to pull him back, Rimuru lifted his glistening fingers to his mouth, sampling her taste. Which caused Shuna's face to burn crimson as she averted her gaze in embarrassment.

Shuna blushed even harder as she saw him, instinctively looking away.

"You meanie..." She pouted, her hand drifting downwards in a desperate bid for relief. Rimuru let out a low chuckle, gently halting her movements.

"Sorry, you are just too cute sometimes." Rimuru said with a chuckle. "I get to tease you from time to time, no? I'm just paying back the favor."

"That was different!" Shuna protested, her legs shifting restlessly as she tried to satisfy the ache between them.

"Hmm… is that so?" Rimuru asked with a teasing smile, causing her to blush even more.

"Please…" She whimpered, more of her juices trickling down her thighs as she squirmed.

Cupping her burning face in his palm, Rimuru could feel the heat of her blush against his skin. Then, in slow, deliberate movements, he removed the rest of his clothing, not using an ounce of magic. He left Shuna to writhe for a few tantalizing moments longer before lining himself up with her dripping entrance.

"Ah~" Shuna moaned as Rimuru gently entered her, feeling her warm walls pressing down on him slowly getting deeper and deeper until he was fully inside her, and then without warning he locked her lips into a kiss, with one of his hands massaging her breast and then lightly pinching her nipple while his other wandered down to her ass to give it a gentle squeeze.

The combined sensations were too much, too soon. Shuna's legs came up to wrap around his waist, her hips rolling to meet his as she suddenly moaned into his lips, her entire body spasming slightly as she squished him tighter and brought him as close to her as she could.

Breathing heavily, her embarrassment began to slowly vanish as she looked him in the eyes. Then as they looked at each other he began to move. Slowly at first, he pulled back until just the tip remained inside her, then pushed forward to fill her completely once more. Over and over again, gradually increasing his speed and force.

Shuna's moans filled the air as she clung to him, her nails digging into his back. Her hips rocked in time with his thrusts, drawing him in deeper still. 

"Rimuru~" She cried out, her voice filled with a mix of pleasure and desperation. "It's… I'm going to… again…" She struggled to say between moans.

As if her words were a command he couldn't refuse, Rimuru picked up the pace. His hand left her breast to grip her thighs, pushing them apart and allowing him to plunge into her even more intensely. 

Suddenly Shuna tensed beneath him, her inner walls clenching tight around his length. 

"Rimuru! I'm...I'm going to..." Her words dissolved into a wordless cry of ecstasy as her climax crashed over her once again, stronger than before, as the aftermath of her previous climax pushed her even further, causing her mind to blank out for a few moments.

The feeling of her walls trying to crush him, along with the loud moans, was enough to push Rimuru over the edge as well. With a final, deep thrust, he buried himself inside her before finally cumming inside of her.

Then, as she caught her breath, still joined together, Rimuru rolled to the side, pulling Shuna with him so she could lie across his chest. Both were quiet, simply savoring the feel of the other.

Shuna cuddled deeper into his chest, subtly burying her head and smelling him before letting out a satisfied sigh.

"Give me a few minutes. I'm enjoying my new pillow." She said with a soft smile, closing her eyes and allowing herself to melt into his warmth. "But after this, it's my turn to tease you." Her giggle was soft, almost mischievous.

"Hmmm… that just makes me want to tease you even more." He said with a playful smile.

"Is that so?" Shuna asked, a slight blush creeping up her face. She tried to pout, but her lips betrayed her, curving into a smile as she closed her eyes and cuddled even closer. "Well, you'll have to wait until I've had enough cuddles. I'm still a bit too sensitive— Hmm~" She let out a small, involuntary moan as Rimuru caressed her nipple softly to tease her.

Then she gave Rimuru a fake pout, her cheeks still flushed.

"Sorry, sorry, I'll wait," Rimuru said, chuckling softly, his hand gently tracing circles on her back.

"It's too much! You remember what happened last time?" She looked up at him with a playful but exasperated blush. "I was supposed to have a meeting with Blummund later! If it wasn't for Testarossa covering for me, I could've messed something up!"

"Poor Blummund though, Testarossa was kinda ruthless with them, wasn't she?"

"They had it coming! That sneaky bunch always tries to leech off us." Shuna huffed softly, though her tone carried more amusement than frustration. "They're lucky we like Fuze, and he was smart enough to interrupt. I swear…" She sighed dramatically, nestling back into Rimuru's chest. "Diplomacy is fun, but some nobles… they can be so exhausting."

"Oh? What do you think of Elmesia?" Rimuru asked curiously, causing Shuna to laugh lightly.

"She's fun, I like her. I met up with her while she was still in Tempest. For some reason, she knew about the pillows I made back then, don't ask me how! But she asked if I could make one for her, so I did. A personal one. You should've seen her smile." Shuna giggled at the memory. "And then, she got curious about our food here in Tempest, so we cooked together. She's a terrible cook, but she has the spirit! Honestly, she acted more like a regular person than an empress while we were together. I get the feeling she likes to laze around when no one's watching."

Rimuru couldn't help but laugh. Comparing the Elmesia Shuna described to the one he knew felt like night and day.

"She owes me one, so if you ever need anything from her, just let me know." Shuna added with a slight, prideful smile, clearly pleased with her connection to the queen.

Then, after a few more minutes of cuddling, Shuna leaned onto Rimuru's ear before whispering.

"I'm ready."

— –Shion– —

As Shion swung her blade, she focused harder, pushing her body to the limit with each strike. The gravity was far heavier than she was used to, and she could feel every muscle screaming in protest. The weight of the increased force bore down on her, making each swing a monumental effort, but she didn't falter.

"Ahhhhhh!" She roared, lifting her blade high before slamming it down with all her might. The floor beneath her cracked under the force, splitting as if acknowledging her raw power.

But even that wasn't enough.

She wasn't like Shuna, no.

Shuna, with her grace and quiet strength, who could lead all of Tempest without a second thought. 

'She can inspire an entire battlefield with a single word. She can charm entire nations to her side with just her presence. Shuna was everything Shion wasn't—elegant, refined, and so sure of herself.'

The kind of person Rimuru could lean on and trust with the responsibilities of an entire nation.

Shion gritted her teeth, gripping her blade tighter. 

'I can't do that.'

And she wasn't like Frey either.

'Frey, with her intelligence and sharp instincts. She's so calm in every situation, even in battle. She can outthink her enemies without breaking a sweat, while I... I act on instinct. Fighting comes naturally to me, but manipulating people, thinking three steps ahead in a battle of wits? That's not me.'

She took a deep breath, her body protesting the weight of the gravity pressing down on her shoulders. The best she could do was fight. She could swing her sword harder, push herself further. 

'But even then… even then, Frey is stronger.' 

Maybe that was an unfair comparison since Frey had Awakened as a Trued Demon Lord with Rimuru's help, but that didn't matter. She was still weaker.

And Shuna… just one visit from Shuna, and the Amethyst guards be giving 110% in her presence, eager to please the one who had the respect of Rimuru and the entire country.

It was frustrating, no, it was maddening. 

'They're both so perfect.'

But she couldn't think about that. Shion shook her head, slamming her blade into the ground again. That's not me.

She couldn't inspire or charm nations like Shuna. She couldn't command and outthink armies like Frey. But there was one thing she could do.

She could push herself harder than anyone else.

She could destroy her own body and rebuild it stronger, over and over, until the world itself had no choice but to acknowledge her strength. She would keep training, keep fighting, until she became the blade Rimuru could rely on. She didn't need to be graceful, or brilliant, or even the strongest. She needed to be relentless.

Shion could feel the strain in her muscles, the gravity weighing down her limbs, but she ignored it. She would break herself a thousand times if it meant becoming someone Rimuru could truly trust. Someone he could lean on without hesitation. Someone who wouldn't ever need to be told to step back or run away.

'I won't run. Not ever.'

She would be his sword, unbreakable, unyielding.

The image of Rimuru flashed in her mind, and her grip on the hilt tightened.

'I'll prove it to you. I'll be the one you can trust the most.'

With fierce determination, she swung her blade again, ignoring the pain shooting through her body. The floor cracked even deeper, but the damage to her muscles, the strain on her body, it didn't matter. She would push through it all.

{Request Acknowledged.}

{Ultra-Speed Regeneration has evolved into Infinite Regeneration.}

As the voice of the world echoed in her mind, Shion felt her torn muscles begin to heal even faster, the familiar sensation of her body mending itself. But this time, it was stronger.

'So I'm on the right path, then.'

The pain was almost reassuring, a reminder that she was getting stronger. She raised her odachi again, ready to push herself further, to break even more of her limits.

Yet before she could swing it down again, the gravity in the room returned to normal.

Her body staggered slightly as the pressure lifted, exhaustion crashing down on her all at once. The adrenaline that had fueled her earlier drained from her limbs, and for a moment, her vision blurred.

Before she could fall, she felt her body be caught in a familiar warm embrace.

"Ready for a break?" He asked softly, the comforting warmth spreading through her body and healing her exhaustion.

She melted into his embrace for a moment before a frown appeared on her face.

"No." She said firmly, her voice more determined than before, even though her body screamed for rest. She stood straighter, pulling herself away from the comfort of his touch. "I just finally made some progress. I can't let myself get comfortable now."

"You know… there is a thing as pushing yourself too hard. Rest is just as important as training." He tried to remind her, but she shook her head as she heard him.

"You don't understand…. I need this. I'm still… not enough…" She admitted.

Yet before she could get lost in thought, she felt a pang of pain in her forehead as Rimuru flicked her.

"Stop getting lost in your head," Rimuru said gently, but there was an edge of firmness in his voice. His eyes met hers, and she could see the concern there, a deep well of emotions that he rarely expressed outright.

For a moment, the silence stretched between them. Shion opened her mouth to argue, to tell him that she needed to push harder, but something about the way Rimuru looked at her made the words catch in her throat.

"I've noticed." Rimuru began, his voice quieter now, softer. "You've been pushing yourself more than usual lately. More than should be right. At this point, you're torturing yourself. And I think… I think I've failed you in some way."

Shion blinked, her breath catching at his words. 

'Failed me? How could he have failed me?' 

She didn't understand, but the way Rimuru's gaze softened as he looked at her made her heart ache.

"I should have noticed sooner." Rimuru continued with a complicated expression. "You've been so hard on yourself, and I didn't realize how much it's been weighing you down. I really should have shown you why I asked you to run."

Shion felt her throat tighten as she listened. She wanted to deny it, to shake her head and tell him that he hadn't failed her, that it was all her own doing. But there was something in his words, something in the way he spoke to her, that made her stop.

And then, as if a veil had been lifted from her eyes, she saw it. The future he had seen, the devastation, the loss, the ruin he had wanted to prevent. And she finally understood. He hadn't asked her to run because he doubted her strength, but because he cared. 

Because he feared for her, for all of them. 

"Rimuru…" She started, but her voice was softer now, her earlier determination fading into something more vulnerable.

Rimuru gave her a small smile, a warmth returning to his expression. 

"You know, you don't always have to fight to prove yourself. Sometimes… it's okay to just be. To take a step back and breathe. No matter what the future holds."

She looked down at the floor, her hands still gripping her sword. 

'Just be?' That idea felt foreign to her. For so long, she'd thought that the only way to be useful, to be worthy of his love and trust, was to keep pushing, keep fighting. But now, standing in front of him, she wasn't so sure.

Rimuru gave her a small smile, the warmth in his expression chasing away some of the heaviness in her chest.

"How about this?" He said gently. "Why don't we take a break from all this training and go do something else? Something less… exhausting?"

Shion raised an eyebrow, glancing at him curiously. 

"Like what?"

Rimuru smiled, a glint of playfulness in his eyes.

Hearing him, she finally burst into a soft giggle, the sound light and filled with a warmth she hadn't let herself feel in so long. Her smile beamed, bright and genuine, as she nodded.

"I'd love that." She said with excitement.

— –Rimuru– —

With a snap of his fingers, Rimuru teleported the two of them into a massive kitchen. There were a few workers there, but with a single glance at Shion's beaming smile, they instantly knew to retreat. 

"Ah, they must be busy. They've been helping me get better with cooking lately," Shion said, her voice bright as she turned toward him. "I know I can make my food taste good using 'Cook,' but I want to be able to make something that you like even without it. Goose told me that presentation is important, and though I can change the flavor, I can't change how it looks. At least not yet." Her smile grew even wider as she explained, clearly proud of what she had learned.

Rimuru watched as she darted over to grab an apron, quickly tying it around her waist before rushing to wash her hands. The excitement in her every movement made him smile. She was completely in her element, even if cooking wasn't exactly her strongest skill.

"Alright! I'm ready!" Shion exclaimed, her fists clenched in excitement, her grin practically lighting up the room.

Seeing how happy she looked, especially compared to the serious expression she'd had just moments ago, Rimuru couldn't help but chuckle. He reached out, ruffling her hair, which earned him a playful pout in return.

"Hey!" She protested, though the smile on her face never faltered.

Rimuru grinned and, with a casual snap of his fingers, used Material Creation to conjure a chef's outfit for himself. 

"Alright, Shion, you're the boss this time. I'll be your Sous Chef."

Shion's eyes sparkled as she took charge, clearing her throat and looking around the kitchen for a few moments before nodding to herself.

"Okay! We're making pizza today. Goose said it's simple, so I thought we could start with that!" She bounced slightly on her feet, grabbing ingredients and setting them out in front of her.

"Pizza, huh? Sounds good to me." Rimuru said, watching her closely as she tried to organize everything. But she kept accidentally knocking stuff over from how excited she was

"Okay, first, we need to make the dough." Shion instructed, her face scrunching slightly in concentration. She grabbed the flour and water, turning to Rimuru with an expression of pure determination. "I'm gonna get it right this time."

"Alright, let's cook." Rimuru said with a smile as he stepped next to her to help her.

Shion smiled at his encouragement, then suddenly turned around and grabbed what looked like a jar of pickled tentacles. Rimuru blinked in surprise as she triumphantly set it down next to the flour.

"And we can add some of this for texture!" She said with a wide smile.

Chuckling slightly, Rimuru gently pushed the jar away and cleared his throat.

"Maybe let's save the tentacles for another dish, okay? I think the simpler we make it, the better it will taste."

"Simple? Right, right, let's keep it simple." Shion said with determination as they both began to work on the dough. Shion had some slight issues controlling her strength and kept ripping the dough apart. However, Rimuru simply moved behind her and gave her shoulders a gentle massage.

"Gentle, like this, see?" He whispered, feeling as she shuddered under his hands. Yet as a small blush appeared on her face, her hands began to move with less strength, carefully shaping the dough just as they needed it.

Once the dough was done, Shion turned to grab some things for the salsa. She grabbed the bowl of tomatoes with one hand, and then with the other, she reached to grab a small container of… something slime-like and faintly glowing.

"For some extra flavor?" She asked, looking at him with excitement.

She passed the container to him, and he couldn't help but frown slightly as he opened it and gave it a test.

"Why is this in the kitchen?" He asked with some confusion, causing Sihon to giggle with pride.

"I asked for them to keep it. This is my special salsa! I found some glowing flowers in the forest, and I brought them back to make some salsa. Goose was telling me that the smell of food is just as important as the taste.

"Hmmm…" Rimuru thought, trying to find the right words before finally speaking up. "You know, I am not quite as… adventurous as you, so how about we go for a more traditional recipe?" 

Shion pouted for a second before breaking into a laugh. 

"Okay, okay, I'll stick to the basics this time."

They continued with the pizza-making process, with Shion occasionally reaching for more unconventional ingredients, like crushed beetles for "crunch" or a jar of something that looked suspiciously like preserved dragon scales. But each time, Rimuru gently redirected her toward more standard ingredients.

With his help, they had managed to get a relatively normal pizza. Then, once it was oven time, they finally cleaned up.

"You know, I'll give you something. You are very creative. Maybe I should get your help when designing my next few experiments." Rimuru said with a chuckle as he saw Shion putting away a jar of pink magisteel powder.

"Really?" Shion asked, her eyes lighting up with excitement before a slight blush crept over her cheeks. "I just wanted to make something memorable."

"Well, I think we managed to make something we'll both remember." Rimuru glanced at the pizza in the oven before turning back to her with a smile. "Do you want to keep cooking together? I'm trying to pass off some of my responsibilities down the chain. So I'll have more free time soon."

Hearing him, a bright smile spread across Shion's face as she suddenly jumped forward and tackled him, her arms wrapping tightly around his shoulders. Rimuru managed to catch her, but he stumbled back a few steps, trying to stabilize with her clinging to him like a koala.

Shion hugged him tightly, squeezing him for a few moments before relaxing her hold, looking into his eyes. Her gaze softened, her excitement giving way to a more tender expression. Without warning, she leaned in, pressing a series of playful, loving kisses along his cheek, his neck, and then his lips.

He couldn't help but smile as he felt her warmth and affection. His hands instinctively found her waist, steadying her as she shifted her position slightly, her lips never leaving his skin.

Between kisses, Shion smiled up at him, her voice a gentle whisper. 

"I've been wanting to spend more time with you, too... I don't get to do this often. After Walpurgis, you have been so busy, I didn't want to bother you… and I also had my own responsibilities."

Rimuru's gaze softened as he brushed a strand of her hair behind her ear. 

"Well, we're here now."

Shion's heart fluttered at his words, and in response, her kisses grew slower, more intimate, lingering as her hands slid up to his neck, pulling him closer. The playful energy between them shifted into something deeper, more intense, as their eyes met, both of them completely wrapped up in the moment.

Then Shion smiled as an idea sparked in her mind. Her mischievous grin grew wider, and she suddenly let go, dropping down to the floor. Rimuru raised an eyebrow, watching her with curiosity as her smile grew more by the second.

"Turn around! And don't look!" She said with excitement, and with a chuckle, Rimuru followed her orders.

Rimuru chuckled but decided to humor her, turning around as she'd asked. He deactivated his Universal Sense, trusting her fully, and listened closely as he heard Shion scrambling around the kitchen. There was the rustling of clothes, a few light footsteps, and then… a laugh. Rimuru's curiosity grew as he stood there, patiently waiting.

~~~ ~~~ ~~~

"Alright, you can look now." Shion said, her voice filled with playfulness.

When Rimuru turned around, he couldn't help but smile, taking in the sight before him. Shion stood there, her confidence radiating as she had taken off everything except for the apron, her grin playful and daring. She had even gathered a few ingredients from the fridge and cabinets, clearly prepared by the other chefs.

"Oh? Now this is a nice surprise, chef." Rimuru said with a playful smile

"Hmm… I thought it was time to… try some ingredients." She whispered.

Shion grabbed a bowl of whipped cream from the counter, a knowing smile on her lips. She stepped right up to Rimuru, close enough that her breasts brushed against his chest with each soft breath. Slowly, teasingly, she sprayed a dollop of whipped cream onto his lips.

Then, in a flash, she closed the distance, capturing his mouth in a searing kiss. She licked at the sweet cream, nibbling playfully at Rimuru's bottom lip. A throaty moan escaped her as she savored the taste.

Pulling back, Shion licked her lips, savoring the lingering sweetness. 

"Delicious." She whispered.

"Is it? I might need another taste." Rimuru joked, bringing her closer for another kiss before nodding. "Delicious."

Knowing where things were headed, he placed a barrier around the kitchen to prevent anyone from entering or any sounds from leaking out.

Then, her hands carefully moved to Rimuru's chest, undoing the buttons before revealing his chest, and then with a smile. She grabbed a small container of honey.

"You always do this to us. Now it's my turn." Shion added as she poured some of the honey over him before starting to softly lick it off his chest and abdomen. Her hand reached down to her pussy as she gently began to massage it, letting out soft moans as she continued to lick the honey until she was done.

Shion gently lowered her body until she reached his pants, and with one swift movement, she revealed his hard dick. Yet, as she stared at it for a moment, she tilted her head curiously.

"Hmm… I wonder how it would taste if I added this to the pizza?" Shion whispered to herself.

"Uh… let's not." Rimuru said with a chuckle, snapping SHion out of her daze as she quickly grabbed some of the oil on the counter.

"Pure extract Hipokute oil…." Rimuru muttered with some amusement as she saw Shion pull her breasts out of the apron and pour it over her breasts. Some countries would spend countless gold coins to receive the unique oil with healing properties, but here she was, using it as lubrication.

Once her breasts were glistening with the slick oil, she brought them together and squished Rimuru's stiff member between them. She moved her breasts up and down his shaft, massaging it with her soft skin and slippery oil.

After a few moments, Shion decided to move things further. Leaning down, she opened her mouth and gently took the head of his dick into her warm, wet mouth. She swirled her tongue around the sensitive tip before taking more of his length deeper into her throat.

Shion began bobbing her head up and down his dick, sucking him with enthusiasm. Her plump and soft lips felt incredible, and her enthusiasm only helped to make the experience far more enjoyable.

She swallowed around him, the muscles of her throat massaging his length. The sensation was electric. With a low moan, Rimuru found his release, spilling his seed straight down her eager throat. Shion gulped it down greedily, not wasting a single drop.

Then, as she licked her lips with a smile, she turned and bent herself over the edge of the kitchen counter, presenting her heart-shaped rear to Rimuru. He could see the glistening evidence of her arousal trickling down her thighs. Slowly, teasingly, she reached back to spread herself open for him, revealing her glistening pink pussy.

Rimuru didn't hesitate, aligning his hard member with her waiting entrance. With one powerful thrust, he sheathed himself fully inside her. Shion let out a moan at the sudden fullness, her inner walls clenching around his girth.

"Mmm~ Yes~" Shion moaned.

Rimuru set a hard, driving pace, the lewd slap of skin on skin echoing through the kitchen. 

"Yes, yes, yes!" She gasped out, pushing her hips back to meet his increasingly forceful thrusts. While her breasts bounced with every snap of his hips. "Harder!"

Following her request, Rimuru began to thrust even harder, shaking the entire kitchen as the kitchen supplies began to rattle on the counters. Shion was lost in the pleasure as she laid her head down, holding and squeezing her breasts, only being able to moan.

And, as the two of them felt the pleasure growing, Shion suddenly clenched harder than ever. 

"Oh wait, the— Mmmmm~" Shion tried to shout before surrendering to the pleasure once again. Soon enough, the two of them exploded in pleasure, their bodies entwined as they caught their breath.

Shion lay panting, small beads of sweat glistening on her skin as she tried to steady her racing mind. But then, in a flash, her eyes shot open.

"The pizza!" She shouted with a panicked voice.

"Hm?" Rimuru mumbled, still half-dazed, before his gaze followed hers toward the small oven that was now billowing with smoke. His eyes widened. "The pizza!"

They scrambled to their feet, stumbling over each other as Shion rushed to the oven. With a determined expression, she flung the door open, revealing a thick wave of dark smoke pouring out.

"Nooo!" Shion wailed dramatically as she reached inside and grabbed the pizza with her bare hands, completely unbothered by the heat. She blew on the small embers glowing faintly along the edges of the crust, trying to salvage what remained of their creation.

The pizza, however, was beyond saving, burnt to a crisp, with blackened cheese and charred toppings. Shion stared down at it, her shoulders slumping slightly in disappointment. 

"I was so excited about this…" She muttered with a pout, her eyes holding back her tears.

Rimuru couldn't help but laugh softly at the sight. 

"Well… it's definitely memorable." He teased, stepping beside her and gently taking the charred pizza from her hands. With a snap, he broke it in half.

Shion looked at him, sad and confused, her disappointment clear. But before she could say anything, Rimuru took his half and, without hesitation, gave it a bite. The taste of burnt crust hit him first, like biting into a piece of coal, but beneath the charred surface, he could just barely make out the cheese and other ingredients fighting to be tasted.

"Bon appétit," Rimuru said with a grin, passing the other half to Shion as he took another bite. In comparison to the infamous 'meat muffins' she'd made in the past, this was a significant improvement.

Shion blinked in surprise before her face lit up with a smile. She jumped at him, wrapping her arms around his shoulders, hiding and burying her face in his neck.

"You… like it?" She asked shyly, her voice muffled against his shoulder. "I used to think my food was good, and everyone who complained was just exaggerating. But I overheard Laios complaining about it once, and everyone agreed. And then…" She began to ramble, her body trembling slightly as the old insecurities bubbled up.

"I love it." Rimuru interrupted, his voice gentle but firm. He took another bite in front of her, looking her straight in the eyes.

Shion's eyes widened as she watched him chew, her doubts melting away with his words. Overwhelmed by the reassurance, she suddenly picked Rimuru up, spinning him around with excitement, her strength on full display. He didn't resist, laughing as she twirled him in the air like he weighed nothing.

She finally set him down, her face glowing with a bright, beaming smile. 

"You really like it!" She exclaimed, her joy infectious.

Without thinking, Shion took a bite of the burnt pizza herself. Her eyes lit up even more as she set both halves on the counter with newfound pride. Then, without warning, she tackled Rimuru again, this time with even more enthusiasm, pushing him down to the floor.

"Shion—" Rimuru began, but his words were quickly drowned out by a wave of excited kisses, each one more energetic than the last.

"It's delicious!" She said between kisses, her voice brimming with happiness. She didn't stop, her lips pressing against his cheeks, his neck, anywhere she could reach, until she finally latched onto him like a koala, squeezing him tightly in her embrace. "Thank you…"

Rimuru smiled, wrapping his arms around her as she clung to him. 

"You're welcome." He whispered, feeling her warmth and excitement as she held him close.

— –Ramiris– —

Opening her eyes, Ramiris couldn't help but stretch as she rolled around on her makeshift throne, Rimuru's head, wrapping herself up snugly in her blanket, his hair. The constant stream of energy passing through her body was soothing, and the gentle flow of magicules from Rimuru's presence slowly healed her.

It was nice.

If she was being honest with herself, she couldn't remember a time when she had slept so soundly. Back in the Labyrinth, it was always cold, and despite the abundance of Spirits, it had felt lonely. Even though the Labyrinth was her domain, something had always been missing.

The only time that loneliness would go away was whenever Milim would come to visit her or Guy would pop by to nag her. There was also the few times heroes would enter, such as when a young Leon Cromwell entered and claimed the Light Elemental.

He was a good kid at heart, dropping by and visiting her from time to time. He would say it was just for getting more Elementals, but deep down, she knew he cared. However, his expression could be scary sometimes.

Her memories were somewhat vague, muddled after countless reincarnations, but she could still faintly remember the past. There were times when her Labyrinth was full of life or times when visitors kept entering and leaving. But even then, this… this was far better. Strangely enough, Tempest had become her home in a way the Labyrinth never had.

Her memories were somewhat vague, muddled after countless reincarnations, but she could still faintly remember the past. But even then, this was far better.

Poking her head out of Rimuru's, she blinked sleepily, watching as he walked through the Labyrinth, overseeing some of the construction and research while being followed by Zegion, Kurama, and Ranga.

'Rimuru…' She thought as a small smile appeared on her lips.

As Ramiris brought her hand up, she noticed the small magisteel ring on her finger. It was a simple design, but it carried immense meaning for her. Rimuru had given it to her because, technically, they were married, though it was a playful, symbolic gesture more than anything formal.

The ring was a unique combination of magisteel and dryad wood, a small donation from Treyni when Rimuru had crafted her current body. It still made Ramiris' heart flutter every time she looked at it.

She wasn't quite sure when her feelings had started to grow, but lately, she had found herself enjoying every moment she could spend nestled in Rimuru's hair.

'Maybe it's because he treats me differently…' She mused, her fingers absently playing with the ring.

Unlike everyone else she had known, Guy, Leon, Milim, Dino, and even Sylvia, Rimuru always made time for her and always listened, no matter how trivial her thoughts might seem. Sure, Guy owed her, and he checked in from time to time, but she could tell she annoyed him sometimes. The others all cared for her in their own ways, but she often felt like a burden to them, too much for them to handle.

But with Rimuru… it was different.

She glanced at him again, feeling a soft warmth bloom in her chest. 

'It's nice, being with someone who never makes me feel like I'm too much.'

"Hey, Rimuru… guess what?" She chirped, her voice bubbling with excitement.

"Hm?" Rimuru asked, his hand gently reaching up to his head to pick her up, his fingers delicate as he cradled her in his palm. "What is it?"

"I had a dream! And it might be crazy, but hear me out, Water Elementals!" Ramiris' voice was filled with excitement as she began waving her hands in the air. "I think I remember a previous version of me doing this… but can't we use water elementals for something like… um…" She scratched her head, trying to find the right word. "For spying!"

"Spying?" Rimuru asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Yeah, like a… what's the word… I saw it in a manga… a… a satellite system!" Ramiris exclaimed, her face lighting up as the idea fully took shape in her mind.

Rimuru froze in her steps as he heard her, his mouth opening slightly as he got lost in thought, and the next moment, his expression changed into a massive grin.

"Ramiris, you are a genius." He praised.

Before she could respond, Rimuru waved his hand, summoning a group of lesser water elementals into the air around them. The tiny orbs of water began to move, forming a complex network that resembled a magnifying lens, each elemental working together to enhance visibility. It was a rough demonstration of the system she had described.

Ramiris' eyes widened as she watched the elementals at work, her excitement bubbling over. 

"See? I told you! This could work!" she said, her voice full of pride.

Rimuru burst out laughing, the sound filling the air as he looked at her. 

"It's perfect! You've got quite the imagination, Ramiris."

Ramiris puffed up with pride, crossing her arms and grinning at him from her spot in the air.

 "Of course! I've always had good ideas. You just needed to see it for yourself!" She stuck out her tongue playfully, feeling a warm sense of accomplishment.

Rimuru chuckled, reaching up to lightly tap her on the head with his finger, his touch gentle despite the size difference. 

"You're something else, you know that?"

Ramiris giggled, flitting around his head before settling back down on her usual perch in his hair. 

"Well, now you see why you should listen to me more often! I've got plenty more ideas where that came from!"

"Aye aye, captain." Rimuru answered in a playful tone.

Then as she felt the warm stream of energy coursing through her again, Ramiris let out a soft sigh before sticking her head out of his hair.

"Oh! That's right, I had another dream! I was in the Labyrinth, and there was this massive shark chasing me around…" She began, her hands flailing as she fluttered around Rimuru's head, dramatically punching the air as she retold her vivid dream. She kept going, bouncing from topic to topic with her usual boundless energy.

"...and that's why I think watermelons are better than apples." Ramiris finally declared, wrapping up nearly an hour of rambling through various stories.

"But mangoes are still better than watermelon." Rimuru said with a slight smile as the two of them sat in the Statosphere amidst countless Lesser Water Elementals, all of them rearranging themselves into place.

"Of course!" Ramiris agreed with sudden excitement. "But what's better? Mangoes or pineapple?"

"Hmmm… well, have you tried pineapple with salt, lemon, and dried and crushed chili pepper?" Rimuru asked, chuckling to himself. "Pineapple is pretty good, and hey, it comes with extra benefits."

"What benefits?" Ramiris demanded, her tone teasing but curious. "Mango is obviously superior! Look at all the stuff you have to add to make pineapple good!"

"Tsk tsk." Rimuru clicked his tongue, shaking his head in mock disappointment.

Before he could continue, Ramiris interrupted, waving her finger dramatically.

"No! I overrule your opinion because I saw you eating a tomato like it was an apple! That's just weird!"

"Have you tried it with salt, though?" Rimuru asked with a smile.

Ramiris blinked, hovering closer to his face, squinting suspiciously. 

"Tomatoes aren't apples!"

"I'm telling you, it's good!" Rimuru insisted with a laugh. "It's not weird, just a little unconventional."

"Unconventional is just a fancy way of saying weird!" Ramiris fought back, unable to hide her smile, and then she turned to look at the Elementals. "Huh, that was fast."

"It's only a prototype right now." Rimuru answered as he aimed it at Tempest and looked at the image. "But, it's a proof of concept, great idea, Ramiris."

Ramiris smiled softly before puffing out her chest in pride.

"It's nothing."

~~~ ~~~ ~~~

After finishing her duties in the Labyrinth, Ramiris fluttered through Tempest, humming quietly to herself. She had been gone for a while, overseeing some of the updates and new research within the Labyrinth. But now, she was eager to return and find her usual spot with Rimuru.

Reaching Rimuru's bedroom, Ramiris quietly pushed the door open, peeking inside. 

"Rimuru?" She called softly, expecting to see him lounging or resting after a long day. But the room was empty, the only sound being the gentle rustle of curtains swaying in the breeze from the open window.

She fluttered further inside, her tiny wings making a soft buzzing sound as she looked around, her face scrunching slightly in confusion. 

'Where is he?'

Ramiris fluttered around the room, her eyes scanning every nook and cranny. She spotted Rimuru's pillow, still bearing the faint imprint of his head, and a strange urge washed over her. Flying over, she landed delicately on the pillow, inhaling deeply.

As she enjoyed the familiar scent, Ramiris shivered slightly, feeling the warmth inside her.

Taking a quick moment to look around the room again to make sure she was alone. Ramiris lay on the pillow again, closing her eyes as she began to let her imagination go wild. As she got lost in thought, her hand began to move down.

'I wonder… how would we…'

Yet before she could do anything, she felt someone appear next to her, causing her to yelp out in surprise.

"Ri-ri-rimuru, eh, well, fancy seeing you here." Ramiris said, stumbling over her words and causing him to look at her with some confusion.

"Ramiris? What are you doing here?" He asked with a mix of confusion and amusement. 

Ramiris hovered in the air, blushing furiously as she tried to find the right words. 

"Ah, you know, just… checking on your pillow! Making sure everything's in order!" She laughed nervously, hoping he wouldn't question her too much.

Rimuru raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced but too amused to push the subject. 

"I see… Well, it looks like you're doing a thorough job." He said with a playful smile.

"Of course! I take my duties very seriously, you know!" Ramiris puffed up her cheeks, still flustered but trying to regain her usual energy. 

— — —

Special Thanks to my Beta Readers/Editors: The one, the only, the amazing @Basilisk, and @Kiyan Tribe (FF.net/AO3/QQ/WN) | kiyan_tribe( Discord)

Go Check out Basilisk's great story "I'm a Daemon, so what?" 

Support me and get five chaps ahead at p@treon.com/BonVoyageFF

https://discord.gg/WTgN9J3Y

(Had to do a funny number special, hopefully ya'll enjoyed. Took me forever to write the lewds, but hey, I got em done. Also, hope you enjoyed the conversations post lewd. Usually I would just cut it and then boom next scene but thought it would be nice to add a segment afterwards to show their relationship.

Also, Shion finally gets some love, poor Sihon has been forsaken by me for too long. I'll try to add her more in the new chaps I am writing.

Also, deleted the announcement for Sundays, but the plan is still every Sunday. If I had left it up then it would have messed with the chapter number.)