Chapter Text
Mammon is fidgetting during the entire Student Council Meeting. He seems to be excited about something.
“Do you know what's up with him?” I ask James, but he shakes his head.
“...That wraps up todays meeting...” Diavolo is collecting his papers and notes, and Lucifer nods, getting ready to leave, himself.
“Yes, and I have allready finished writing the rep-.” Lucifer wants to say, but is interupted by Mammon, who can't hold, whatever has got him so excited, to himself anymore.
“Oy, Lucifer! Aren't ya forgettin' a very important note on the report?” But Lucifer doesn't know what Mammon is talking about. “My birthday! What else? It's this weekend!” He is beaming.
All the brothers react in a very desinterested way, they all seem to have forgotten. Poor Mammon. So I'll be extra enthousiast for Mammon in their place. “Really? You must be so excited!” I earn some eyerolls from the others with it, but I don't care. At least I made Mammon happy. What's their problem anyway?
“Oh yeah! I'm hoping to get lots of money and jewels!” Yeah... That makes me do an eyeroll of my own. Suddenly I understand why the brothers have 'forgotten' about it. “I gotta go tell Simeon and the others!” And Mammon is gone. Lucifer sighs.
Lord Diavolo thinks it's fun though: Another reason to throw a party. “Come on Lucifer, he's just excited.”
When we step outside the Council room, James and I see that Mammon has ambushed Simeon and Luke. Scaring my little angel in the proces. So while Luke is lecturing Mammon about it, who ignores him completely, we walk up to them, hearing just the last part. “It's my birthday this weekend! You guys gotta celebrate with me, 'kay?
“You don't have to do anything.” James teases.
“But he is currently accepting gifts.” I add. Mammon looks at us confused. What are his humans doing, being contradicting like that?
Solomon walks up as well. “Hello there, Mammon. How are you so happy?”
“It's because this weekend...” Mammon starts.
“...Is your birthday, I'm aware.” Solomon nods. “I have to roll up my sleeves and prepare you a grand feast.” Solomon is the first one to offer Mammon a 'gift'. Mammon shudders and honestly, we all do...
At home, Mammon is still being excited. Like a little child. In a very greedy way. But still a little cute. Telling all his brothers to start prepping his party and that he doesn't mind getting his gifts allready. Belphegor is telling him not to wake him up until it's the day. Leviathan just shrugs and keeps playing on his DDD. Only Beelzebub is interested in the birthday. Cake. Birthday-cake, yes. Obviously.
But Mammon keeps going until Satan says. “If you're so keen for a present, then I'd be happy to give you something that puts you to sleep. Permanently.”
Asmodeus thinks that threat is exciting for some reason, but I think it's just mean. So I shoot Satan a look, which he reacts to with pulling me close with a smirk, whispering. “You want me to stop? Make me.” Does he really think I wouldn't use our pact?
I whisper back. “Are you challenging me now?” Which only makes him laugh. Ugh. He really does love to tease me. Ignoring Satan, I say. “It's Mammons special day, Let's let him be for once, okay?”
“Exactly, Ya all have a DUTY to celebrate! Ahahaha!”
“Let's not go overboard, Mammon. Seriously.” James rolls his eyes. “You're not supposed to ask for these kind of things. People should want to. It's not a duty.” But Mammon keeps going anyway.
When Mammon has finally fallen asleep from his own excitement, the brothers talk about his enthousiasm. Now it turns out they actually do want to celebrate Mammons birthday.
“Have a little faith in us, Leila.” Satan whispers to me, kissing me softly. Okay, he is kinda sweet. If only to me. I snuggle against him and nod. I will try. I'm not dating him and Belphegor that long yet, I still need to get used to their ways. Which are mostly to tease me, in Satans case.
“So what do you guys want to do?” James asks the group, after Beelzebub has deposited a sleeping Mammon in his bed. “You didn't celebrate his birthday last time I was here...”
Turns out it's tricky to celebrate Mammons birthday. His greedy nature makes his expectations way too high that is reasonable for a birthday celebration. He expects new cars and crown jewels, or something ridiculous like that. So that's why birthdays are only celebrated every 10 years or so. They have plenty of birthdays to celebrate anyway, being immortal and all that.
“We'd like to get him something special.” Says James and I nod. “Mammon is special to both of us. He is, after all, our First demon.” I see some eyerolls, but I don't care. I know they don't like to be remembered about that fact, but Mammon does and it is his day.
Belphegor suggests to give Mammon an experience he won't forget. “Something like that can also be considered a present, right?”
It's something the brothers have to think about. James and I look at each other. Maybe we can do the special birthday celebrations we always used to do when our parents were still alive? We have a new family now, with the seven Avatars. It could be fun, right? We nod at each other.
“You two seem to have an idea?” Lucifer asks, with a fond smile. “Let's hear it.”
“Yeah,” James says. “We did this thing with our family, when we were younger.“ And he starts explaining...
The next morning, I'm walking with James, Satan and Asmodeus into town to go shopping for Mammon, when James and I recieve a text on our DDD's.
The First (3)
Yes, I know, this was all Mammons idea, we could do nothing against it.
< Mammon: Hey, are ya free at the moment?
< Mammon: If you aren't doing anything, do ya wanna go hang out somewhere?
James and I look at each other and then show the text to Satan and Asmodeus.
Satan sighs. “Is that Mammon? Speak of the devil... literally.”
“We have to come up with an excuse, James.” I hope Mammon won't overreact... He nods.
“Agreed. His timing is awful.” Satan says again, while reading over my shoulder as Asmodeus does with James.
< Leila: Sorry, Mammon. We're busy. Another time?
< James: We have something important to take care of.
< Mammon: (Crying-Demon sticker)
Asmodeus laughs. “Just look at the boy, it's almost comical how down he gets after one little rejection!”
“Yeah, he's probably getting all kinds of weird ideas in his head now.” I shake my head and sigh.
“Don't worry about it, Leila.” Satan grabs my hand and starts walking again. “Let's go!”
In the shop, we're discussing what is best to buy: Satan wants simple paper, but Asmodeus wants something with some bling, as it is for Mammon. I kind of agree with that. Mammon would appreciate over the top golden paper! Hahaha!
James decides. “Let's get a set with different types of paper. That way everyone can choose a different one.”
Satan and Asmodeus agree that is a good idea as well. Well okay, fine...
When we're outside walking through the town again, suddenly Mammon runs up to us. All angry and right in our faces, he starts yelling at James and me.
“Leila?! James?! What are ya doin' here with them?!”
“What unbelievably bad timing...” Asmodeus mumbles, sighing, and Satan nods, holding my hand a little tighter as he can sense me tense up for being yelled at.
“Ya told me ya were too busy to hang out with me, 'cause ya were with them?! That's so mean!” Mammon is yelling in the meantime. “You heartless jerks!”
James starts. “I'm sorry...” Really, James? You're too nice! Mammon is being unreasonable and I'm gonna tell him, he is!
I start yelling back at Mammon. “Excuse me?! Who are you calling a heartless jerk?!” I poke him in the chest with my free hand, angrily.
But Mammon isn't backing off. “It's the truth, ain't it?!” He really wants to pick a fight with me? Really?
Satan is pulling me away from him. “Hey Mammon, Leila. Calm down!” Isn't it ironic how the Avatar of Wrath says that? I just can't laugh about it now, though.
Because I'm not done. “They asked us before you! I'm not dropping everything because 'The Great Mammon' wants some attention. What are you, a five year old?”
James is now trying to calm me down as well, while Mammon is deciding if he should apologize or not. “You could come shopping with us, Mammon, if you like?” He asks him in a friendly tone.
Mammon looks around, almost saying yes, before he sees my still furious face again and decides against it. Good call Mammon, it wouldn't have been fun for you.
He huffs. “Stop tryin' to spare my feelings! I allready have what I came for.” And he walks off. “I'm heading home, so you guys can have your fun together! See ya!” I roll my eyes at his back. Sometimes he's such a jerk!
While I'm still seething for being treated this way by my demon, James, Asmodeus and Satan are all sighing.
“You two can be so stubborn sometimes.” James says, while he throws an arm around my shoulders. “You really should try to hold your temper, Leila. Now you both are going to feel bad.” I nod. I know. I just can't help it sometimes.
“You'd best prepare your first letters as soon as possible.” Asmodeus and Satan shake their heads. “We'll be counting on you, James.” They know I'm not ready for it right now. “Let's just buy everything else now first.”