Chapter Text
You stopped on your tracks with bags on your hands as you spotted an odd path towards what seemed to be a forest. You were suddenly curious if it could be a hidden shortcut towards the house of lamentation. You looked around and saw no warnings, fences, or any indication it was a private property. Without hesitation you started walking towards the path leading to the forest, you sure thought that you explored every inch of Devildom. Taking a mental note of where the place was, you slowly took in the surroundings. The trees were tall, but only a few had any leaves, the rest were just branches and branches. The dirty path you were walking was wide enough to look like a road. It wasn’t until you passed a certain tree that was taller than the rest that you felt a creepy feeling down your spine, the atmosphere changing and the air suddenly felt cold.
You shook your head, I’ve been here for years already, you thought. It felt as if you already saw what there is to devildom, the demons, the witches, and even encounters with Cerberus doesn’t faze you as much as it did the first time. Heck, you were even friends with Diavolo, the future demon king himself.
Your thoughts were interrupted when you spotted some red eyes behind a tree, your eyes widening as you saw its one wing spread out while the silhouette flashed its sharp teeth. You took a sharp inhale, suddenly frozen in place as the bags fell down on your feet. Your mind scrambling to the spells you know, you opened your mouth but nothing came to mind, panic settling in as the mouth of the silhouette became wider to smile. It closed its eyes and inhaled deeply like it could smell your fear. Even the summoning spell that you knew by heart suddenly flew away from your mind as you took a step back, you fumbled as you stepped on a branch, the silhouette moving but a gush of wind from behind knocked you towards that you fell on your knees. For a moment your heart stopped until you raised your head, a familiar back was turned to you. Wings spread out, a squeal was let out but abruptly stopped when you heard bones cracking. With little strength, he threw it deeper to the forest, you barely heard a thud when crows flew from afar.
Your lips were trembling as you tried to stand, the demon before you glanced on his shoulder to look at you, his eyes void of the warmth that always directed at you. You knew that back, knew those wings, those eyes.
Mammon.
There was a rush of adrenaline through Mammon’s veins, his hands suddenly itching for more when he threw the other demon away. Dammit, he thought, he had to tell Lucifer there were still astrays lurking around. When he noticed you move there was suddenly panic inside him.
Are you scared of him now?
You knew they were demons, you heard their “adventures” before, but you never actually saw them in action did you? You never saw the true raw form of their powers, of what they are capable of.
Mammon could never stomach it if he saw disgust in your eyes, or fear him that he’d do the same to you, because he never would. Never. Mammon closed his eyes, bracing himself to hear your footsteps running away, his chest already heavy at the thought.
Mammon’s eyes opened when he felt your hands around his stomach, your arms embracing him tightly as you started to cry. The reality was suddenly dawning in you, you were almost someone’s food. The eyes and teeth were still vivid in your mind, how it suddenly disappeared lunging to you.
Mammon wrapped his arms around you as he took you, his body shook as well as he buried your head onto his neck. There was a relief in Mammon that you’d still touch him, go near him, despite what you saw.
“I panicked, I couldn’t- I couldn’t think of any spells, of anything-” your lips still trembling as you spoke, Mammon held you tighter, his jaw clenched that if he was just seconds late he could’ve witnessed something else. Mammon wanted to be angry, angry that you were by yourself wandering to a place you don’t know, angry that there were still those kinds of demons lurking around, but hearing you, touching you, there was only relief that you were alive in his arms.
—
You slipped into the bed after drying your hair, as soon as Mammon took you home he led you to the shower. You faced and stared at the wall as you processed what happened, you’re still alive, and that’s what matters, you thought as you let out a sigh. You were surrounded by demons everyday, but not once did you feel that sinister feeling when you saw those red eyes looking at you. Your whole body trembled as you remembered it.
You heard your door open and close, the bed dipping to the weight as someone slipped into the bed with you.
“Don’t ya do that again,” Mammon hissed as he wrapped an arm around your waist, “Don’t ya do that again to me,” he whispered, burying his face on your nape while he inched forward. Mammon almost lost you once, it was a gut wrenching feeling, something he thought he would never experience again, and never would like to again.
It was almost a plea, his tone sounding so defeated. You turned around to face him, you moved closer and curled your body against him, your face finding his neck as your hand rested on his chest. There was warmth, comfort, and safety in Mammon's arms, far from the cold demon you saw earlier. This is your Mammon, gold heart when it comes to the people he loves and cold to those who dare to threaten them.
Your muscles relaxed, your bodies molding into each other as if you were two puzzle pieces that fit perfectly. One of his arms draped around your waist while the other held your head. And you know, without a doubt, Mammon would challenge and destroy all three realms for you.