Chapter Text
Lucifer wouldn't admit it out loud, but he was worried. It wasn't like Mammon to repeatedly break curfew and stay up in the human world so late, so often.
How long had this been going on for already, three weeks? When will he realize he's setting a bad example for his younger brothers? Was it the witches again? Lucifer hoped Mammon wasn't caught up in anything too big. If he was, he'd come to his big brother for guidance, wouldn't he?
Lucifer ran a palm over his tired eyes. No, he supposed not. Despite being the head of the household, he hasn't really been the go-to brother for guidance or comfort in the...last few centuries at least. Admittedly, the Avatar of Pride had never been good at talking about feelings or sharing his troubles with his brothers. Somewhere between being the perfect demon and the unwavering right-hand man of the demon prince, he had become the big brother who was more feared than relied upon — he can hardly fault his brothers for not coming to him for comfort.
So, yes. As much as he wished, Lucifer knew Mammon would rather try to resolve his problems on his own than involve Lucifer and get himself deeper into trouble.
The thought stung him.
That won't do, the eldest decided. He'd find out what Mammon was up to and drag him back before he gets himself hurt.
The very next day, he dropped a shiny new cursed bracelet where he knew Mammon would find it and waited. Sure enough, when Mammon misses yet another too-quiet-for-comfort family dinner that night, Lucifer manages to locate him in record time, thanks to that bracelet.
"peeek-a-BOOO!," a child let out a high-pitched giggle.
"You like that game a lot, dontcha kid," Lucifer didn't imagine the smile in Mammon's voice just then.
Lucifer looked through the window into the nursery to see Mammon sitting with his back to him, crouching down low, fussing over a child who appeared to be chewing on his expensive sunglasses.
"You should be sleepin', kid. It's not good for humans to be awake at this hour, y'know? There's demons out and about. They will catch you and EAT you," Mammon let out a playful growl. The kid giggled like she was having the time of her life.
This is what he's been up to in the human world? Entertaining some child? Did he get a job as a babysitter, perhaps?
No, it was past midnight, and Lucifer could sense other humans in the house. Clearly, that kid had not been left alone. Then why.....?
His eyes fell on the opposite wall of the nursery. A vaguely recognizable sigil scribbled using a yellow crayon. Could it be...? It was extraordinary, but not impossible, he mused. Humans do turn out to be full of surprises.
"Mamoo," the kid babbled, clinging to the younger demon.
"Oi, that's Mammon-sama to you. I've told ya to call me that, haven't I?
Even though you are technically my master an' all."
Lucifer let out a low chuckle. The kid doesn't realize how fortuitous it was that she ended up summoning Mammon, perhaps the most patient one out of his brothers.
He watched as Mammon fought to pry the child's iron grip off his designer jacket mumbling, "Ah geez kid, you're a pain.
You should be thanking The Great Mammon for his kindness. Offerin' me sacrifices and showering me with grimm, the works.
Instead, all you do is destroy my property, what's the big idea, huh?"
They really had to get going soon, but Lucifer couldn't stop watching the kid following Mammon with her big eyes, hanging onto his every word. Lucifer smiled warmly, remembering how Mammon used to follow him around in the Celestial Realm the same way.
He'd grown up a lot since then, Mammon had. He was no longer the helpless little angel that was Lucifer's first responsibility. Ironically, it was Lucifer who had come to rely on Mammon nowadays. Not that it was a surprise to the demon.
After all, it was Mammon, who followed him first without question during the rebellion.
Mammon, who tended to his brothers' physical and emotional wounds after their lives changed forever.
Mammon, who anchored him and kept him from drowning in his own regret and guilt.
Mammon, who was essentially the glue that kept his family together.
"Still, you're not so bad, y'know."
"You're always happy to see me. I guess that's why I keep coming back. I bet my brothers don't even realize I haven't been home in a while."
What is he saying? Of course everyone was worried about him!
" 's alright though, not like they'll miss me or anythin'."
That made the eldest pause, stunned. Is that what he truly believed?
"I could probably stay up here...." Mammon's voice trailed contemplatively.
Lucifer's shoulders drooped. After all the things they've gone through together, if his brothers—especially Mammon—don't realize how much he treasured them, Lucifer will have failed as the eldest and their guardian.
As much as he'd wanted to reach out and hug his younger brother right then and there, it hadn't escaped the older demon's notice that this was the most relaxed he'd ever seen Mammon be in a while.
Now that he knew Mammon was not in any trouble, it wouldn't be so bad to let him be for now, would it? Let him have his peace, so to speak.
But once he gets back home, they were having a chat, Lucifer decided. One that was long overdue.