Chapter Text
The First-Born. The Morningstar. The Avatar of Pride. Lucifer.
Why the hell did I decide to go in birth order?!
When I'd been working out how I was going to kiss prank six demons and still get what I wanted, it had all seemed a lot easier. Now, trailing after Lucifer as he walked into the music room, it seemed the next best thing to impossible. On the other hand, it wasn't like that had ever stopped me before.
I glanced around nervously as I walked in, leaning to one side to try to subtly check out if anyone was lurking in the planetarium. Belphegor's plan had been to slip away from his brothers on the way to RAD and come back to the house. Then, he'd give me some kind of signal and I'd be able to get on with the kiss prank. That was what was supposed to happen, but it was quickly approaching time for the reset and there still wasn't any sign of the smug bastard. I let out a long sigh, and dropped into a nearby seat, my fingers tangling together as I went over my rules one more time.
First, just a single peck on the lips for each kiss prank. If I did anything more than that, I knew I'd feel awful about it afterwards.
Second, right after the kiss, I would tell my target that it was a prank.
And lastly, that I would do my best to keep my real reason secret from Belphegor, since he was the only one who would remember past this loop. I have to make sure he doesn't find out. It's far too embarrassing. I mean, kissing his brothers just to work out how they feel about me? I could already imagine the look on his face.
It was especially annoying since the whole thing was his fault. He'd casually asked about my favourite brother when we'd been locked up together in the attic, and he kept coming back to the question every so often. I knew how I felt, of course, but after a while I couldn't help but start to wonder... Did any of them like me?
Satan had been furious the morning after the cat collar prank, holding the offending article and accusing his brothers at breakfast. Asmo ended up under suspicion, since it was his collar, and he'd unsurprisingly thrown me under the bus to save his own skin. I was sure I was going to get screamed at (at the very least), but instead Satan just gave me a really strange look. I wasn't certain if I'd somehow imagined it, but I could have sworn that he'd been blushing as he stalked away.
Then, when I'd been gaming with Leviathan on one of our off-days, I'd finally managed to capture one of the rare spirits in Mononoke Land. I'd been showing it off, but when I'd turned to see his reaction, he must have been leaning in to get a better look because we were practically nose-to-nose. He'd stared at me like a deer in headlights, before staggering back and covering his face with his hands, muttering something about Ruri-chan. I'd been chased out shortly after that, though.
And then there was Mammon...
It was driving me crazy and eventually I just had to know for sure. Working out how to get it past Belphegor had been the hard part, I knew he'd never agreed if I just told him, but if it was part of a kiss prank? The Avatar of Sloth had agreed a little too quickly though. I narrowed my eyes thoughtfully, still trying to work out what he could be after even as I toyed with my DDD, checking the time once again and grimacing. He only had another ten minutes before I should really start without him.
Come on, Belphie...
I looked up at a creak of wood and leather as Lucifer sat before the piano, a sheaf of music already placed neatly on the stand. He played a few notes experimentally with one hand, the tones echoing beautifully in the vaulted ceiling, before glancing over at me with a cool, confident smile, "Some music will help take your mind off it."
I sent him a brief flicker of a smile in response, feeling a little bad that the Avatar of Pride didn't know what was really worrying me. Still, at least if he was sat down to play the piano, that meant I wouldn't have to get him down to my level in order to prank him.
My attention was gently stolen away from watching the clock as the first few notes slowly became a sea of music that rose and fell in captivating waves, a twinkling melody reaching up into the higher notes as I watched Lucifer's fingers dance across the keys, beckoning forth such beautiful music. It was exquisite, yet somehow sad. Soft, even affectionate, but it also felt almost like... a goodbye. I closed my eyes as I listened to the billowing melody, falling stars and butterflies dancing in the darkness behind my eyes.
The tune shifted, the ache of melancholy becoming even stronger. I blinked my eyes, doing my best to try to chase away the threat of tears, biting my bottom lip as I looked up at Lucifer, his own ember gaze lost in the distance. As if he was trying to send a message through his music, to somewhere far away.
A flicker of movement caught my eye, pulling it towards the deep purple curtain that separated the music room from the planetarium. A smile crept onto my face. Belphie! He peered out from behind the heavy fabric, sending me a smirk and a sly wink as he realised that I'd finally noticed him, before stepping back until he was completely hidden. He'd made it just in time, somehow managing to make me dizzy with relief while still wanting to throw things at him.
I got to my feet, letting the music draw me forward and pull me across the distance until I stood next to the Avatar of Pride, watching the movement of his hands as they drifted up and down the keys.
The piece of music slowly came to a close, the last notes lingering on the air as I took in a deep breath and summoned up my courage. I licked my lips, stepping a little closer and trying to think past the hammering of my heart, "Lucifer."
He turned, looked up, one eyebrow slightly raised, and I leant down before he could answer, pressing my lips softly against his.
If it wasn't for the warmth of his mouth, I could have fooled myself into thinking I was kissing a marble statue. He didn't move, not so much as a twitch, until I pulled away and looked nervously down at him.
Coal-dark eyes filled with some nameless emotion lifted to meet my gaze, his voice deceptively soft, "Why?"
I grimaced, fidgeting uncomfortably beneath his stare, "It's a kiss prank." I watched him closely for his reaction, a twist of anxiety in my stomach. I'd probably just have to put up with a lecture until the reset, but there was always a small chance that Lucifer would lose his temper. Even if he does, Belphie is right there, and the reset is in like five minutes. I'll be fine.
He blinked, leaning backwards slightly as he mulled it over. Finally, a mirthless smile spread across his lips, "A prank."
As I waited, I couldn't help but be impressed at Belphegor's foresight. Though, thinking about it, if I couldn't have worked out that Lucifer would punish me for my little prank, I clearly hadn't been paying the slightest bit of attention.
I startled as Lucifer got up from his seat and moved closer, forcing me against the piano until I fell back onto the keys with a discordant twang. I flicked my gaze up to meet eyes that burned with low embers as he settled his arms on either side of me, effectively pinning me in as he gave me a slow smile.
This wasn't how the Avatar of Pride's punishments usually went, and I swallowed nervously. He spoke quietly, a clear warning in his voice, "Tell me. Do you not remember what I told you that night you gave me the TSL record?" The slight annoyance was somehow reassuring, normal.
I tried to remember what he was referring to, but a lot had happened that night, and I came up empty. Lucifer leant in slightly towards me as I paused for a little too long, and my response came out a bit strangled, "Uh, no?"
He reached out and slowly slid a leather-clad finger beneath my chin, tilting my head back. Surprise at the touch shivered through me, and the look in his eyes made me hold my breath as Lucifer moved towards me, whispering dangerously, "I told you that demons can't resist temptation." His fingertips gently grasped my chin, holding me in place as dark eyes slowly shifted crimson, "When there's something we want staring us in the face, we have to have it."
My eyes widened, heart drumming in my chest as he spoke. I couldn't look away or quite catch my breath as Lucifer leant in closer. So close, his breath brushed against my lips, tickling them softly, "Did you really think you could act so brazenly and there wouldn't be any consequences?"
His touch was still gentle as one perfect eyebrow raised expectantly. I closed my eyes for a moment, dragging in a deep breath and trying to ground myself. It couldn't be much longer until the reset, could it? I let out an awkward chuckle, eyeing the arms caging me in, "I, uh, didn't think you'd mind?"
Lucifer smiled, dark eyes amused as his grip moved from my chin to cup my cheek, "I didn't say I did." He leaned back in, but this time it was not his breath, but his lips that brushed against mine.
I froze, my shock becoming a whole swarm of wild butterflies doing loops around my stomach. Does he have feelings for me?! No, this is Lucifer we're talking about, he couldn't possibly... Could he? His kiss was surprisingly gentle, teasing and delicate, brushing against my lips softly again and again.
He paused, suddenly still, and then slowly straightened up. I took in a deep breath, fighting to calm down. I was still breathing too fast, but Lucifer wasn't even winded. Had the kiss even affected him at all? The only visible change from normal was his eyes, which were almost entirely red with flashes of darkness. He levelled me a sadistic smirk, "Now you know how it feels. Consider this a lesson on why toying with the emotions of others is dangerous, especially when they are a demon."
I blinked, the words taking several seconds to sink in. He'd kissed me just so he could lecture me?! Purely hypocritical anger flooded through me. At least we were close enough to the reset point that I could make a decent attempt at trying to strangle him.
Lucifer reached out, making my thoughts scatter as he stroked my cheek with the back of his hand, a slight smile on his lips. His voice was soft but thrummed with a dangerous promise, "And if you ever kiss me again, you had best be ready for the consequences."
Wait, wha-
***
Asmodeus turned, sliding his arm around my waist and pulling my hips to press against him. My mind was still reeling at Lucifer's words and I relaxed into the embrace gratefully, the subtle comfort helping to settle my hummingbird heart as he spoke, "Belphie, you can't hate humans forever."
Mammon's arm was wrapped securely around my shoulders, another point of contact keeping me steady. I took in a deep breath, deliberately shoving all of my whirling speculation to one side. After all, it was pretty likely that Lucifer had been deliberately messing with me. It was exactly his sense of humour and I had wilfully antagonised him. I couldn't help but smirk at the irony, I thought I'd known where I stood with Lucifer, but after kissing him, I was less certain than when I'd started. Maybe kiss pranks weren't the smartest idea...
I glanced up, my brow knitting in concern as I realised Belphegor wasn't looking at me. Instead, his violet eyes were flat as he stared silently at Lucifer, one hand clenched into a tight fist. But what could have possibly crawled up his pants in the last ten minutes? The Avatar of Pride returned the glare calmly, derision practically freezing the air that hung between them.
Satan stepped up, green eyes trained on the stand-off, "He's right. Lilith was reborn as a human. She always wanted to spend more time in the human world, so I'm sure she lived a happy life."
Belphie took in a deep breath, tearing his gaze away and to Lord Diavolo, the hostility softening just a fraction, "You're right, I've changed my mind." I recognised the start of his usual spiel, how he'd given up on his plans to destroy the exchange program, blah blah blah, and tuned out the rest, trusting that he wouldn't go too far off-script even if he was suddenly in a snit. Instead, I reached up to wrap my hand around Mammon's forearm, still pressed against my collarbone like it was one of those bars that stop you from falling off a rollercoaster. His attention was all on what Belphegor and Lord Diavolo were saying, though by the way his mouth pressed together into a hard line, I could tell that he wasn't impressed by what they were saying.
Mammon was next on the list, and he was also the main reason I was even doing the kiss pranks in the first place. I knew now that he would be perfectly happy to kiss me, but I still needed to know why. Was it was just purely physical attraction, or could it be something more? The fact that I got to kiss him, to feel that heady intensity as he devoured my lips again was just the cherry on top.
Generally, once Lord Diavolo's explanations were over and he returned to the castle, we'd found that most of the brothers tended to split up into different parts of the house. We'd decided that I should wait until then for the rest of the kiss pranks, so technically I had a couple of hours before I had to actually make a plan.
Mammon glanced down and I quickly flicked my eyes up to meet his. Hopefully he hadn't noticed my gaze lingering on his lips, or the hot blush now trying to swarm up onto my cheeks. He frowned slightly, blue eyes touched with worry, his grip tightening, "Ya okay?"
This demon... I sighed in relief at the unexpected concern, and plastered a reassuring smile onto my face, "I'm fine." It was the truth, too, at least apart from the way my thoughts kept drifting back to the memory of his mouth on mine.
Ugh, I am definitely going to need a cold shower when I get back to my room.
***
I walked out of my bathroom, vigorously drying my hair with one hand and not particularly surprised by a certain white-haired demon lounging all over my bed. He always seemed to end up in my room eventually. Mammon had clearly been messing about on his DDD while I was in the shower, but he glanced over towards me at the noise of the door, his long limbs taking up far more than his share of the space. I wandered over, throwing the damp towel at him and enjoying the offended squawk as he batted it out of the air and onto the floor, giving me a half-hearted glare, "Oi! What was that for?"
I grinned back at him, brushing my hair absently as I kicked the towel into the corner. I pointed accusingly at him with the brush end, "You know, the fact that you don't know how to knock is why I get dressed in the bathroom rather than in my actual room."
He pouted, waving defensively with the hand not holding his phone, "Hey! I know how to knock! Besides, you're my human. All yer stuff is basically mine anyway."
I gave him an unimpressed stare, the 'logic' never made any sense no matter how many times I heard it. "Maybe next time I'll just walk out naked."
"Huh?!" Mammon's eyes shot wide open, before he swallowed nervously, chuckling, "You're kiddin', right? Ya wouldn't just..." He bit his bottom lip, eyeing me, "Right?"
I grinned at him, enjoying letting him stew for a second as I picked up my DDD, fingers dancing over the screen as I created a conversation with an unsaved number.
>: Hey, Mammon's in my room. It doesn't look like he's going anywhere for a while. May as well get started?
I flicked my eyes over to the Avatar of Greed, now impatiently waiting for an answer and blissfully ignorant as to what I was planning. Excitement started to mix with the nerves fluttering in my stomach.
"Hey, don't ignore me human, I'm the Great Mammon, don't leave me hangin'! Ya were kiddin', right? Come on, just tell me!"
I chuckled, amused that he'd taken me seriously, "Relax, I'm just kidding. Though one of these days I am definitely getting a lock on that door."
He half-sat up with a gleam in his eye, "Yeah?" I narrowed my eyes in sudden suspicion as he scratched the back of his neck, glancing to one side, "So, uh, what kind of lock?"
Sticky-fingered little-
He was saved by the buzzing of the DDD in my hand and I quickly brought it up to check my messages.
???: I'm in the corridor outside your room now.
It was time. I closed my eyes, squeezing the device in one hand and then nearly jumped out of my skin when it vibrated again.
???: If something happens, scream. I'll come help.
My shoulders relaxed, a small smile on my lips at Belphegor's offer. I was sure it wouldn't be necessary, I had a pact this time and besides, I could handle anything my guardian demon could possibly throw at me. I licked my lips, sliding the phone into my back pocket as I turned to face Mammon, carefully keeping my voice light and easy, "Hey, Mammon? Could you come over here a sec?"
He grumbled, but rolled onto his feet with a big sigh, hands stuck in his pockets as he walked over, "You're lucky I'm such a generous demon, ya know. So whaddya want from the Great Mammon?" A pale eyebrow quirked up as he looked down at me, clearly trying to work out what I was after.
I crooked a finger, my eyes trained on his face while my heartbeat started to quicken. I fought to keep my breathing even so as to not give the game away but I still couldn't help the slightly breathy way my words slipped out, "Come down here."
Confusion wrinkled his brow but he obediently leant forward until he was close enough. I reached out, tugging on the lapel of his jacket, enjoying the feeling of the supple leather under my fingers as I pulled him down the rest of the way to meet my eager lips.
The familiar scent of cinnamon teased my senses as Mammon stole the breath from my lungs with a sharp inhale, his entire body tensing in surprise. It only lasted for a moment, and then his mouth softened against mine, warm and willing. I bit down on a whine, struggling to stop myself from continuing with the kiss, the feat pushing the limits of my self-control.
I finally leaned back, looking down to try to catch my breath and avoid any further temptation.
He dragged in a loud breath, and I could feel the tremble in his frame under my hand. He let it out as a complaint, his voice slightly hoarse, "Wha-what was that? Ya can't just go and... do that kinda thing all of a sudden, ya know!"
I thought he wanted to kiss me? I frowned, jerking my gaze up to look at Mammon's face, suddenly worried I'd made some kind of horrible mistake. He was looking to one side, a blush decorating his cheeks and flushed down to his neck. He seemed uncomfortable, and I bit my lip, fearing the worst, "You don't want me to kiss you?"
His gorgeous sunrise eyes shot back to mine, wide, "That's not what I said! I just mean, ya have ta give me some warning before ya just... do something like that." He glanced away again and trailed off, clearly embarrassed, the pink starting to advance on his ears.
I looked up at him, eyes narrowing as a suspicion started to form, "Like what? Kiss you?"
"Y-yeah..."
"Mammon..."
"Uh, yeah?"
"I'm going to kiss you again."
His eyes widened as I slid my hands up and around the back of his neck, pulling him closer. He didn't resist, his eyes slipping closed as I pressed my lips against his, almost immediately deepening the kiss, the sweetness of his mouth making my head spin. He shivered, moaning softly against my mouth as his hands gripped my hips and he kissed me back hungrily, his tongue tangling against mine over and over, as if he just couldn't get enough.
My fingers wound into his hair, tugging on the silken strands as I tried not to get too carried away by the pleasure coursing through me in waves. It was even better than I remembered, every time our lips touched spreading warmth through me down to my toes and leaving me delightfully light-headed.
Finally, I pulled myself away with a gasp, rolling my head back as I fought to catch my breath, "Mmm, Mammon..." It was so tempting to surrender to another kiss, the dull ache of desire burning in my veins.
Warm lips found the skin of my throat, the Avatar of Greed slowly kissing up the neck I'd so conveniently bared for him. I gasped, the sound turning into a low moan before I gritted my teeth, fighting to think past the demanding haze. I'm supposed to be finding out how he feels about me. I already know that he wants to kiss me, as good as this feels.
Mammon straightened as I dragged him away from my neck, his eyes dark and full of fire. He leant in to kiss me again, letting out a low growl that sang with need as I stopped him short, my fingers still tightly wound in his hair, "More. Don't stop..."
I bit my bottom lip, hard enough to hurt. Part of me was in full agreement with that plan but I firmly over-ruled it, forcing out the words, "I need to ask you something."
He frowned in confusion, blinking at me silently as his eyes shifted to focus on me.
I swallowed, loosening my grip on his hair so I could gesture with one hand, my voice soft and hopeful, "Do- Do you like me? I mean, as more than a friend, more than... this."
Mammon's eyes widened, his reaction almost comical as his mouth dropped open. Apprehension twisted in my gut as the hush between us stretched out until it became uncomfortable. Finally he spoke, voice rough, "I-" He paused, something darkening his azure gaze as he looked away from me, dragging in a deep breath, "I mean, of course ya-" I smiled bitterly as he stopped again.
He suddenly growled, frustration clanging on every syllable as it became a whine, "Why did ya have ta ask me that? Can't we just keep kissin'?!"
I pressed my lips together, the rejection racing along my bones, a persistent ache that was soon joined by a flood of anger as I realised that the Great Mammon hadn't even had the fucking decency to say it to my face. Too worried about his precious kisses.
I pulled out of his embrace and turned away, pausing to hiss over my shoulder, "You could have just said no."
I really should have known better than to think that Mammon might care about me like that. Some random human. My lips twitched and I felt a hysterical laugh on the verge of bubbling up as a thought popped into my head, the irony perfectly vile. I guess I got too greedy.
Well, at least now I knew.
Warm fingers wrapped around my wrist as I took a step towards the door, Mammon letting out a strangled yell, "Wha- Hey, human, hang on! Let me-"
I refused to look around, the last thing I wanted was for him to see the embarrassed tears gathering on my lashes. I yanked my arm out of his grip, the hurt tightening my throat until my words came out as a whispered scream, "Leave me the fuck alone!"
I didn't bother to look back as I ran out of my room and slammed the door behind me.
***
I jogged down the corridor, blinking away the tears so I could actually see where I was going. I had no particular direction in mind, only the need to keep moving and burn away some of the bitter fire searing through my veins.
Who the hell does he think he is, anyway? Letting me think that- Wait... I absently chewed on a knuckle, slowing my steps and taking in a deep breath, realising that I'd been allowing my thoughts to run away with me. As much as it stung, Mammon hadn't actually done anything wrong by not having feelings for me. He hadn't led me on, or lied. Just because I had a crush on him, that didn't mean he had to reciprocate.
It fucking sucked, but I shouldn't have taken that out on him, either.
I groaned, my cheeks flaming with vehement embarrassment as I remembered the way I'd acted. At least, since it was an off-day, I'd just have to avoid him until the reset and then it could be safely put away in the box of stupid-shit-I've-done memories that kept me awake at three in the morning.
My eyes widened as I suddenly realised I'd forgotten another important thing while distracted by Mammon. Belphegor. He'd been just outside the room while the entire thing was happening. I glanced back the way I'd come, only to see said Avatar of Sloth ambling towards me. My stomach clenched in sudden panic. Please, pleasepleaseplease, say he didn't overhear me asking Mammon how he felt. It had been by far the quietest part of the conversation, so if I was really, really lucky...
As if they were buses just waiting for their chance, the third 'oh fuck' moment hit me. I'd probably broken every single one of my rules, on just the second kiss prank. It hadn't been a peck (not even close), I hadn't told him that it was a kiss prank and, what with demonic hearing, it was pretty much inevitable that Belphie now knew what I was really up to.
Well, shit.
As Belphegor finally reached me, a slightly amused look on his face, I gave him a mock-glare, trying to ignore how my cheeks were still warm and no doubt a lovely shade of pink, "Don't even start."
He smirked, violet eyes half-closed as he twisted so he could lean against the wall, crossing his arms, "Ooh, I'm terrified."
I made a face at him, grateful that he wasn't acting concerned or bringing up what happened with Mammon. He was just being his usual, bitingly sarcastic self. I glanced down the corridor, the anger and shame finally starting to ebb down to something manageable.
Next on the list was Leviathan, my self-proclaimed best friend and the most otaku-y otaku to have ever lived. He would no doubt be holed up in his room, a geeky treasure trove that, fittingly, left me in throes of envy every time I went in there. As I headed towards the stairs leading to the second floor with Belphie trailing after me, he let out a soft chuckle, "We're moving on to Levi? You sure? You're not exactly in the best mood."
I rolled my eyes as the 'concern' and turned back to him as he settled himself against the wall a little way down, "I'm fine." He was suspiciously well placed, just where he wouldn't be easily visible from Leviathan's doorway, unless the third-born actually leaned into the corridor for some reason.
I faced the door, hand raised and trying to put the whole thing with Mammon to one side. I repeated it to myself, more quietly, like a mantra, "I'm fine."
And then I knocked.