Chapter Text
“I wonder who you got that ego from?" Lucifer’s tone was snide, but his prideful smirk said otherwise.
"As if you don't know!” Mammon snickered.
“Hm.” The eldest folded his arms across his chest and glanced back at the rest of his brothers. “I shall fill the rest of you in. Mammon, go check how things are going in the kitchen.”
"Huh? Okay." Mammon shrugged his shoulders and headed over to the kitchen.
With a hand in his silvery hair, he stuck his head in the room to see his daughter and Luke discussing the nuances of a little extra cocoa powder in their mix. Andrés was busy talking to Solomon with a bit of a panicked look in their eyes, nervous laughter, wringing their hands, and the like. Mammon admitted that it didn't cross his mind that Solomon followed Simeon into the kitchen. Andrés was doing them all a favor by taking this L. Mammon should probably try to get Solomon out; otherwise, it could mean their lives..!
"Solomon, heyyy, you got a minute?"
"Can I help you, Mammon? It's a bit cramped in here for so many people…."
"Carmen said she wants to talk to you. You definitely don't want to keep him waiting." He lied through his teeth.
"Is that so? Did he say what he wanted?"
"Nope! Just told me to get ya!"
"Solomon, it would be rude to keep her waiting." Simeon cautioned, trading a look with Mammon and Andrés. Solomon tilted his head in confusion but obliged, seeing himself out.
Once the wily sorcerer was out of earshot, the group heaved a sigh of relief, making the little girl look at them curiously. "What did Mama want?"
"Mama wants you to survive tonight, so no eating anything Uncle Sol says he made, okay?"
"’kay!"
“That was quick thinking, even for you, Mammon.” Luke shook his head.
“What’s that s’posed to mean? I’m thinking quick all the time!”
“Now, now, Luke, that’s impolite.” Simeon chided.
“Not to mention plain wrong..!”
Luke grumbled to himself but returned to work with Andromeda on the sweets. Mammon was so engrossed in the scene before him that lightly tapping his shoulder made him squeak in surprise.
“Don’t sneak up on me like that!”
“Simeon,” You glanced at the angel. Then Luke and Andromeda.
“Not to worry, I’ll watch them.”
“Huh? What’s goin’ on?”
“Thank you. Mammon, I need you for a minute.”
“Just one?” He laughed nervously.
“Is there somewhere we can talk, just the two of us..?”
“Upstairs.” He gulped.
Simeon gave you a little wave as you left the kitchen. The two of you passed by the story time Lucifer was holding before making your way to the stairs. Once away from prying ears and eyes, you threw your arms around Mammon and squeezed him tight. Tighter than your chest was when you got the text that he might’ve been in danger. “Don’t disappear like that, please. I was worried I’d lost you.”
“Woah! Gimme a warning before you throw yourself at me!“
“Mammon.”
“Sorry!” He squeaked. After feeling your heartbeat against his chest once again, he exhaled softly. “…I’m sorry I made you worry.”
You’re quiet again, not looking him in the eye.
“Say somethin’. I’m beggin’ ya.”
“…I’m sure you had reasons for not mentioning that you have a daughter.”
“I’m sensing a ‘but’ comin’.” He winced preemptively.
“It must’ve been hard keeping her from your brothers.”
Mammon’s expression softened. “You don’t need to act like it don’t bother you.”
“What do you expect me to say?”
“I ain’t expectin’ anything. Spit it out already.”
“I just want to know why, Mammon. I mean it. I’m not upset.” You frowned.
“…All this time with demons, you still haven’t gotten better at lying. You’ll get into trouble with such an honest expression, y’know.” He shook his head and waited before divulging his answer. “I’ve gotten real used to keeping my lives separate. I met her way before I met you, so telling you ahead of the others…never crossed my mind. That don’t mean I didn’t wanna tell you ever, but— “
“You don’t need to explain that part. I get it.” You rested your hand on his cheek and studied his expression. “You’re allowed to have things you want to keep to yourself.”
“Well…” There was a lull again. When he looked down at the floor, his silvery hair shifted to be more in front of his eyes. You noticed his breathing slow down until he finally heaved a sigh. “I didn’t want to keep her from you guys.”
“Is it because you're worried about Lord Diavolo?”
“That’s part of it.” He scratched the back of his head. “Okay, this might sound silly 'cause I know he’s been nothin’ but nice to ya, but he’s still the crown prince. What he says goes. Lucifer’s ass already got busted once for protecting Belphie instead of turning him in. Still, I don’t wanna be responsible for him getting taken in for treason or anything like that. It’s not that I don’t like the guy or anything, but I’ve never really felt like I could let my guard down around Lord Diavolo, even after seeing how things changed when you got to RAD. Besides, the less people know, the better. I know she’s in good hands with Carmen and Marcel, but I have more than a few people who’d wanna hurt me….”
“Wouldn’t Lord Diavolo be able to help protect her? It might help to come clean, Mammon.”
“Yeah, that’s if he doesn’t flip his shit about me lying for six years. He might ask to meet Andromeda, too, and I dunno how good he’ll be at pretending to be human for her.”
“Assuming she hasn’t figured it out already.”
“What? You really think she might know?” His eyes widened in honest shock before narrowing, “Hey! You’re not just messing with me, are ya? It ain’t funny!”
You laughed sweetly. “With a dad so sharp, who knows?”
“Okay, now I really can’t tell what you’re tryna tell me.”
“I love you, Mammon. No more disappearing on me, okay?”
“I-I already said I was sorry about that!” Mammon stammered, his lips pursed before he settled into the warmth of the hand still resting on his face. “Do ya want me to promise or somethin’? Ain’t it bad manners to make a promise ya can’t keep?”
You remained quiet. A quick look at his eyes, shaded by the dimness of the upstairs, told you he was being sincere. “You don’t think you can keep that promise?”
“Darlin’, I’m always gettin’ into some shit, whether I start it or not. Fatal flaw. I know, even The Great Mammon has one.” The demon stepped back to throw his hands up, blowing hair out of his face with a huff. You leaned in after him, using a single pointed finger to poke right where you knew his heart was. You’d know that thump, thump, thump anywhere. You had felt his pulse so many times.
“This is your fatal flaw.” You poked his chest once more for emphasis.
“…my left boob?”
“No! I’m talking about your—” Mammon snorted before you could get your thought out. “I’m trying to be serious!”
“I couldn’t help it. Ya just had this adorable look on yer face…"
“I’m glad you’re enjoying yourself.” Your tone was flat, but you blushed slightly.
“What were you gonna say?”
“Your heart, Mammon.” You insisted gently.
“My…heart? What about it?”
“You’re passionate, protective, and warm. Your brothers might give you shit, but they would be lost without you. Your daughter is lucky to have you, even if you can’t always be there for her. It’s your heart that gets you into trouble. You throw yourself into something headfirst and figure the rest out as you go, and you’re reliable when it really counts.”
Mammon swallowed as if tasting your words for himself. He could say a million and one different quips, but none were right. You were right; he knew it, but admitting as much was still tricky. He raised his hand to the nape of his neck and fiddled with his hair.
“I’ll think about coming clean to Lord Diavolo. I’d have to tell Andromeda first. I don't want her to be the last to find out, just in case the Prince decides to do what he does best. I dunno if she's ready to hear about any of this yet."
“You'll know."
"'preciate it."
With that conversation finished, all that was left was to gaze into each other's eyes. He'd missed you. You hadn't been apart very long, but that didn't matter to him. Almost shyly, now that there weren't any words to distract you, he reached out and twined his pinky in yours. He heard his heart in his ears once it had dawned on him. A smile graced your face when you witnessed the familiar red color seep into his cheeks.
"I love you too!" He blurted out with urgency.
You snorted, raising a hand to cover your mouth so you didn't let yourself get too loud. His blush only darkened in response, the embarrassment fluffing up his hair.
"Hey, don't laugh!"
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I just…" You allowed your laugh to die out. Taking a step toward him so you were chest to chest, you gave him a tight hug and buried your face in the crook of his neck. "I wish I'd come clean sooner. I really love saying that I love you to your face."
"You're telling me! I was so in denial that I couldn't take it anymore."
"So we…"
"Kissed. Right when you were about to leave. I knew I was gonna see you again. No matter who tried to stop me, I would see you again. But leaving me like that was plain cruel."
"I didn't have a choice; my year was up. And I didn't want to leave you in the dark, either, sooo…Lesser of two evils?" You tilted your head with a sheepish giggle.
"As if a kiss from you could be any kinda evil…." With a devilish grin, he stole a kiss from your lips.
There was another crash in the kitchen downstairs. Mammon pulled away with a soft sigh. "I'm gonna go check on the kids." He made his way to the stairs with you not far behind, your pinkies still linked.
"Such a dad thing to say."
"Shaddup!"
"I think it's cute."
"Oh."
He cleared his throat.
"W-well, yeah! I'm The GREAT Mammon! Of course you think I'm cute."
"There he is." You sighed with a honeyed smile. Mammon pulled you downstairs and back toward the kitchen.
----
"Dang. I didn't know Mammon was so impulsive that he'd adopt a whole kid." Leviathan hummed once Lucifer finished telling the story. The eldest had kept it relatively brief, sticking to the bare essentials, seeing as there wasn't much to say in his opinion.
"And you, sticking your neck out for him by not just turning a blind eye, but coming up here to lend a hand." Satan folded his arms into his chest.
"Not for him, for our niece. Did you see how she clung to him? Andromeda may not look it now, but she's a rather sensitive child; new people are frightening. I expect all of you to be on your best behavior if you want to build a relationship with her."
"Won't that be kind of hard? I mean, we're not you. We can't all sneak up here without getting caught." Belphegor's face contorted into a soft frown.
"He has a point. It would be entirely too suspicious if we all started disappearing without explanation." Satan shook his head. "It's not as though I'm not curious about our little niece, but…"
"Who said anything about a lack of explanation?" Lucifer interrupted. "Say you did it under my orders."
"Wait." Beelzebub's eyebrows pinched together. "You don't seriously mean that you'll take the blame for us, do you?"
"No, he's serious alright. He's doing the big brother pose again." Leviathan's posture deflated.
"Fuck no." A familiar voice called from the stairs.
"Maaaammmmoooon?"
"Eep-" He flinched but kept going down the stairs. "Y-You heard me! Not gonna happen! If anyone is taking the fall for it, it'll be me, obviously! She's my kid. You wouldn't have stepped in at all if I hadn't decided to help her."
"Since you're so emboldened today, enlighten me. What exactly is she to do if you're never allowed to see her again?"
"I…"
"Mammon. You're not allowed to make a gamble like that. I forbid it. She's human. Any kind of light sentence for us is years off her lifespan. You won't get that time back." He scolded, but his tone was gentle all the same.
In the presence of so many demons, you're reminded of your mortality. You felt some other eyes in the room drift you, and then they understood. It made your stomach turn, but you'd bite the feeling back. There was a better time for this.
"Allow me to handle Diavolo, should it come to that."
Belphie made eye contact with the floor, fists scrunching up. "What about us, then?"
"What's this all of a sudden, Belphie?"
"You asshole. "
"Hey, calm down—" Beelzebub reached out a hand to Belphegor's shoulder, but the younger twin shrugged it off immediately.
"No, Beel, he still doesn't get it! Let me spell it out. What happens to us if something happens to you, Lucifer?! What are we supposed to do..?"
The overhead light glinted off his glossy purple eyes as they welled up more and more.
"Belphie, I—"
"Damn you! You locked me in an attic for a year, and I still … gah! And you did it to protect me! I didn't ask you to do that, and right now, Mammon isn't asking for it, either! You don't need to keep putting yourself on the line. One day it'll mean you have to leave us behind, and you said you'd never do that! Was that a lie, Lucifer?!" Hot rage streamed down his face, eyes wide and brows pinched in the center. His tail flicked behind him impatiently. "Answer me."
"Time and place! Stop it, all of you!" Asmodeus threw his hands up, shielding Lucifer from Belphegor's view of him. "This is something we should discuss when we get home, 'kay? Can you wait until then, Belphie..?" Asmo's eyes drooped, bottom lip trembling.
"Thank you, Asmo."
"Don't." Asmodeus whipped his head to glare openly at his oldest brother. Tears had already streaked his face. "This conversation isn't over, Lucifer."
Music started playing from the kitchen at a moderate volume. Lucifer's D.D.D. dinged a second after. It was a message from Simeon simply reading: Keep your voices down.
"Very well then. We'll…talk later. Try to make the most of your time here. We’ll depart shortly, in about an hour or so. I suspect we’ve already been here too long."
"Mammon, where's the bathroom?" Belphegor wiped his face with the inside of his wrist.
"I'll walk ya, Belphie…"
"Thanks."
Once they'd departed, the room felt much colder. The sound of music coming from the kitchen seemed to taunt Lucifer, so he decided to step out to get some air. Asmodeus wiped his tears without another word, not exchanging glances with anyone but the floor. You touched his shoulder, and he moved into your embrace.
Eventually, Leviathan cleared his throat. "Are you guys okay? I wasn't expecting Belphie to flip his lid like that to defend Mammon, of all people."
"Yeah, well, lots of surprises today." You shook your head.
"It wasn't about Mammon." Beel clutched his forearm again. "He's wanted to say that to Lucifer for so long now. I can feel it."
"I'm still surprised he chose to say it now." Satan sighed. "The children should be done with their baking soon. Try to liven up. Remember, not a word about what just happened. There's no telling what the little girl heard."
"No problems here." Leviathan stretched out his hands.
"I'm worried about Belphie…"
"He'll be okay with Mammon, Beel. I'm sure he'll come back later." You reached out your other arm to his back.
Over the sound of the music from the kitchen, a timer went off, drawing the attention of the five of you. "All done!" Luke called out. "I just need to get it out of the oven."
"Be careful now, Luke. Make sure your mittens are on properly."
"Oh, oh, can I take the other side?" Andromeda reached out for one glove.
"Um, okay! Together then." Luke took the glove from his hand and offered it to her.
The two kids carefully pulled out the tray of angel-winged brownies before placing it on the cooling rack Simeon had set out for them.
"I should save one of these for Barbatos so he can see my improvement." Luke seemed more than pleased by this result.
"Won't it be cold by then? Maybe he'd like a fresh one better." Simeon looked over the tray of brownies and found it was much too small, considering the company they had. Beelzebub could and would eat at least thrice as many as they'd made. Would that look suspicious to Andromeda? He wondered. Ah well, if she asked, the angel was sure someone would be able to explain it in a way that made sense.
"That's a good idea! I'll make some more when we get back. I'll take a picture for now." Luke chimed, D.D.D. at the ready. When he pointed his camera at the brownies, Andromeda leaned over to look at them, getting both arms in the photo. "Oh, I'm sorry, Andromeda. Could you move back?"
"'kay!" She stood up straight next to Simeon, and Luke snapped a few more pictures before sending them all to Barbatos.
His back was to Simeon, so the older angel didn't notice Luke's face turn pale, but Andromeda raised an eyebrow at the sight. Luke swallowed and put his D.D.D. away. Once the brownies had cooled sufficiently, Andromeda and Luke brought them to you and the four brothers with you. Beel perked up once the brownies were in sight, but you knew he smelled them the whole time they were baking.
Beelzebub grinned, a bit of drool accompanying his hungry smile. Luke instinctively held the tray away from him, "Let everyone else go first!"
"Aww, okay…"
"Why don't you try one first, Luke, Andromeda?" You smiled at the two of them. The little angel lifted a corner piece from the batch and sunk his teeth in. He smiled widely with wonder, impressed by his and his new friend's work.
"You should have some too." He nodded at her. She obliged with a little squeak of delight.
"I'm not surprised it tastes good. We made it." She giggled sweetly, and Luke agreed. Slowly shuffling up to her uncles, she held up the brownies for them to take, stating quietly, "For you. Don't eat them all."
"S-Sure thing!" Leviathan tittered nervously and reached out for one of the sweet treats. He took a bite, eyes going wide and a sweet little smile forming on his face.
"I'll have one." Satan reached for one.
"They look so cute. How could I not try one!" Asmodeus squealed.
"Thank you." You smiled.
Finally, Beelzebub got to have his turn. Seeing the slight glare in Luke's eyes told him he should probably do like the others had and only take one, so he did. He tried to match their pace, one bite at a time. He didn't remember the last time he'd eaten so slowly; it was agonizing. Eventually, he was done.
The little girl frowned at him. Beelzebub's eyebrows pinched. "Is something wrong?"
"Did you not like it?" She frowned a little more.
"I loved it." He nodded.
"Then why did you look so sad eating it?"
"Your Uncle Beel was trying to be polite by not eating as fast as usual." You rubbed Beel's shoulder again.
"Right!" Satan concurred, "He likes to eat, but he didn't want to finish all the food. Isn't that right, Beel?"
Beel nodded, but Andromeda's frown was still present. She looked down at the brownies before clicking her tongue with an idea. "Here you go." She held up the tray to him. "I can make more. I don't want you to be sad eating."
"Do you mean it?"
"Of course!"
Beel accepted the angel-winged brownies with a smile that could light up a room. "Thank you.”
You smiled fondly at the little girl, but she noticed your eyes and immediately began to stare at you. It was unclear what you should do, but it felt like she was trying to look right through you. The others looked on in increasing bewilderment, aside from Beelzebub, who was enjoying every single brownie.
“You’re like me, aren’t you?”
You swallowed, trying not to betray your immediate thoughts. In typical child fashion, her words were vague but stoked your more profound concern. Mammon wasn’t kidding. Andromeda was a sharp kid. You could only imagine the kind of life she’d had to get there in the first place. “Haha, what do you mean, Andromeda?”
The little girl tilted her head in confusion as though the answer was obvious. “You’re not like Papa or the others. You’re like me.”
Satan traded a quiet look of panic with Asmodeus, clearing his throat to break the tension. “Why don’t we all play a game?”
“R-Right!” Asmodeus chimed in. He looked back at you with a nervous smile. “Maybe you’d like to go check on Mammon and sweet Belphie?”
Luke gently nudged you in the direction where Mammon and Belphie disappeared. “We’ll have a great time, don’t worry!” He glanced at Andromeda from the corner of his eye briefly before looking back at you with a thinly disguised nervous expression.
You could take a hint, but there was no way Andromeda would not find this behavior suspicious. Hopefully, this wouldn’t be a problem. Hopefully. Finding the bathroom in a further hallway, you knock on the door, and it swings open a little. “Mammon, Belphie..? It’s me.”
Two different hands pull you into the bathroom. There was plenty of room for the three of you to stand, maybe even room for a few more people, but that would be a tight fit. Belphegor only raised his eyes to acknowledge you momentarily before his gaze returned to the floor. Looks like he’d restored his human disguise already. He was holding his own arm, expression somewhere between a frown and a scowl.
“Go on, say it.” He grumbled.
“Say what?” You frowned.
“What, do you think I’d scold ya for defending me? Not a chance. Even if it wasn’t actually about me.”
“Give me some credit, that's only half true. Lucifer was out of line. He acts like we're not old enough to face real consequences. We didn't fight that war with him, by his side, for him to keep taking the fall for us."
Mammon fell quiet. It wasn't lost on him that he benefited from Lucifer's meddling on the day to day, considering how much trouble he made. Things were only getting more peaceful in the Devildom. Mammon considered his trouble to be playful mischief, but what he was doing here, this hidden life? This could be seen as a genuine insult. Something worth a more severe punishment.
But he knew that when he decided to become a father.
"You're right. You know what, I think I'm gonna come clean to Lord Diavolo!"
"Hey hey! Wait a minute, that's not what I— don't be so hasty, Mammon!" Belphegor's posture shot up straight and he waved his hands to get his brother's attention.
"Chill, I didn't mean right this second! Some stuff's gotta happen first. She deserves to know. But first…you doing okay? Don't think I don't see those tears."
"What of it? For a moment I really thought…" Belphegor dodged Mammon's eye contact. "No, Lucifer hasn't changed. The human sky is still blue. Nothing new there." There was an entire desert of dryness in his tone.
Mammon opened his mouth only to close it again. He held his tongue a moment, eyes tracing over the bathroom floor for the right words.
"How has he not changed?" You cut in. Both of their gazes turned to you and your chest tightened. Swallowing the lump in your throat, you continued. "Even in the short time I've known him, he's become more," You paused to figure out the right word. "Unguarded."
"No no. He's really nice to you." Belphegor wouldn't look you in the eye when he said that.
"Hey, watch it." Mammon tried to interject.
You sighed. "No, he's right Mammon."
"Like you can talk either, favorite brother."
"How is that my fault? I didn't ask to be the second oldest, but every day I choose to be your big brother. You can tell me I'm doing a lousy job, but if you think I have any control over how Lucifer feels and acts, you're outta your damn mind."
Belphegor's eyebrows shot up. Water dripped from the shower head into the floor of the bathtub loudly. Drop. Drop. Drop. The nape of your neck prickled with sweat. He folded his arms.
"I haven't slept enough today. Mammon's making sense." He directed his attention at you.
"Belphie, come on." You glared.
"Alriiight. I'm sorry, Mammon."
He sighed. "Maybe hang with Beel if you're feeling better." Mammon patted his brother on the shoulder.
“That hour can’t be over soon enough. I’ll see you.” Belphegor stepped outside the room, heading toward the other familiar voices.
Alone again, it seems. Your head was spinning from keeping all of the information in your mind and having enough room for your loved ones in your heart. You could feel a headache coming along, pinching the bridge of your nose with a sigh. Immediately, Mammon put an arm around your shoulders and tried to pull you close, but you gently interrupted him.
“Mammon, I think I need to be alone for a bit. There are too many emotions in the air. I can feel it double with my pact marks…”
“...” It was obvious from his expression that he felt rejected, but he did his best to swallow the reaction. “Don’t go too far. Wouldn’t want ya getting lost.”
You smile for him. “I’ll be okay, sweet demon. I shouldn’t be too long.”
He blushed at the new nickname, but he was completely happy with it. That gentle reassurance was enough for him to let you go.
---
The air outside was brisk. A welcome change from the house that had gotten hot from all the people, tension, and baking. The rich scent of brownies wafted out from the open windows, as did laughter and boisterous chatter. You find a wall to rest against and fold your arms with a heavy sigh.
It wasn’t your job to mend all these relationships, but what were you supposed to do when they weren’t getting along? It was almost instinct at this point to insert yourself like a protective barrier, but as much as you were family to all of them, it wasn’t the same. Their relationships were so woven, so twined, and for so long that it was physically impossible for your brain to comprehend the time. They’d allowed you to be a part of their life, but that was just it. This was their life you were in. They were devoted to you, and you just as much to them, but that didn’t come without overwhelming emotions every now and then. You would be able to go back inside eventually, but for right now, you wanted to be alone…
You inhale deeply and try to clear your mind. The exhale that followed was one of relief. With closed eyes, the world around you disappears.