Chapter Text
After the meeting wrapped up, everyone paired off to finish setting up their attractions and Levi found himself following a bit behind Mammon and them. He held the mask tight in his hand, while he watched Mammon turn to them and smile, acting so carefree and happy.
“You’re gonna love it,” he said, puffing out his chest, “we’re goin’ with a whole ex-murderer-turned-ghost-haunts-village thing.”
“That sounds terrifying! I can’t wait to see it!”
Their excitement stirred something in Mammon’s soul… he knew that kind of pull.
Levi quickened his pace, catching up to walk next to their other side. “Yeah, it’ll look like you’re actually standing in the middle of a real town.”
Mammon shot him a look, but he ignored it, rather enjoying their eyes on him instead.
“A real town? Oh wow, that must’ve taken forever to build.”
“It wasn’t so bad actually,” He said, “It’s a masterpiece in projection mapping!” He gave them what he hoped to be a sly smile, “I’m the one who programmed it, by the way.”
Their soul pulled him in, drawing him closer when their expression lit up. “That’s amazing, Levi! You’re so cool!”
He sucked in a breath and looked away, trying to ignore the way it made his heart race. “S-Stop, you’re making me blush…” It was a good feeling though… especially with the way Mammon was starting to burn with envy. He gave them a shy smile, “But I’ll gladly accept the compliment.”
“So the whole thing will be all digital?” they asked, that curious pull making his heart skip again.
He grinned, raising his hand with a laugh, “Well, yeah. I mean, that kind of thing’s a cinch for me.” Felt so good to brag.
Mammon snorted, “That’s pretty big talk for someone who had to pull an all-nighter to get it done.”
Levi scowled, glaring at him, “Hey! Shush, you! This kind of thing’s way more impressive when you play it cool!”
They giggled between the two of them, and Levi let out a breath. Stupid, Mammon. He was just trying to get under his skin to make him look bad.
“Oh, yeah! The costumes are really cool, too! But, you’ll have to wait until Halloween to see them.” He said, slipping back into his cheerful facade.
“Yeah, you’re gonna wet yourself when you do!” Mammon added with a cheeky grin. Ugh, Mammon, he could feel your desperate need to be admired from here.
They gave Mammon a smirk, “That’s rich coming from a fraidy-cat like you.”
Levi couldn’t stop the laugh before it’d slipped out, and Mammon stopped in his tracks. “Huh?!” He put a hand on his hip, speaking while gesturing to himself, “Who’s a fraidy-cat?! When have I ever been afraid of anythin’?!”
“Oooh, buuuurn! Solid comeback!” Levi jeered, and they laughed with him much to his delight and Mammon’s dismay.
“Aw, c’mon Mammon I was just teasing.” They said, wanting to cheer him up.
“Yeah, yeah.” Mammon grumbled, shaking his head and then he stood up straighter. “Jus’ you wait. We’re gonna give ya the best Halloween of your life.”
“Anyways,” Levi cleared his throat, drawing their attention to him again, “I have a few more things to check, but we’ll show you around when it’s ready.”
“Sounds great,” they smiled up at him, and he blushed, looking away as they said, “I can’t wait!”
“G-good, I uh, have to go get changed now so I’ll see you in a bit.” He said, hurrying off before they could say anything more. He’d have to be quick, he’d been so tired last night he might’ve missed something. Just a quick check around to make sure everything was set up right before they went through the town.
Levi pulled up his hood, the mask tucked in his jacket pocket for now while he walked the perimeter of the courtyard. They might not even come around this way, but he had to check anyway, just in case. He never really knew with normies; they were always so much harder to predict than their 2D counterparts.
He kneeled down on the ground, adjusting one of the cameras to fix the projection angle and the building phased in and out of view before stabilizing again. “There,” he murmured, pushing himself back up and walking through the town, checking the atmosphere and lighting. “Hm…” He pulled out his D.D.D, opening up the app he’d created to manage the town, adjusting a few of the settings. “Just a little darker here, but we can have a bit more lighting there…” There, if he set it up like that it made the path clear without being too obvious. Guests would naturally want to follow through this path and then hit placed jump scares here and there before they’d be led to the center of the town where he and Mammon would be waiting. Perfect level design~
When he was finally satisfied, he started to make his way to the center of the pseudo-town and pulled his mask out of his pocket. He’d spent so many hours, had to put up with Mammon complaining for so long, but it’d be worth it.
Worth it to see their face.
Feel the pull of their admiration of his skills.
He couldn’t help smiling to himself, and he looked down at the mask. Maybe it was a good thing he’d be wearing this. He might not be able to hide how happy their delight would make him. Mammon might try to steal the light, as usual, but…
He lifted the mask to his face.
Tonight he’d show them. He’d show them how great he could be.
The mask fit snuggly against his face, and he adjusted the strap of the gun across his back. He’d made it to the the center of the courtyard now, one of a few true lampposts standing tall and imposing. No sign of Mammon, of course.
That was fine.
After all…
He was starting to feel… a little dizzy…
Mammon being here might… get in the way…
He braced a hand to the lamppost, inhaling a shaky breath while he struggled to keep himself upright.
He’d have to stay focused if he wanted to capture what he desired most.
Covet them.
Love them.