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For Barbatos, birthdays are meaningless. The passage of time simply happens. And while it can be altered, certain things remain constant no matter what.
His existence is one of them.
Even this form is inevitable, despite it not being the one he was born with.
But the young master was insistent, as were many of the other demon lords. So here Barbatos stands, gathering everyone’s dirty dishes as they congratulate him for something he cannot change.
It’s not that he hates it, per say. He just doesn’t understand the point of it all, and he’s never been one for parties or noise. The thought is appreciated though, especially since Diavolo lets him continue to work as he normally would. Although the young master hasn’t stopped pouting about it.
Apparently birthday boys should serve no one but themselves.
Barbatos chuckles, giving the last of the guests his thanks as he carries a stack of cups and plates to the kitchen.
It isn’t long before a set of footsteps echo behind him.
He doesn’t have to think twice before knowing who it is.
Mammon has become a part of his routine now, as silly as it sounds.
“Oi, don’t think you can cancel on me just cause it’s your birthday.”
Barbatos grins, not even bothering to look over his shoulder as he starts filling up the sink.
“I wouldn’t dream of it. It’s in 30 minutes, correct?”
“Yep. At the gazebo in the royal gardens. Like usual.”
“I’ll meet you there.”
“Good. Remember, if you’re late, I’ll charge ya.”
“And as I’ve said before, there isn’t a timeline in existence in which that happens.”
“That won’t stop me from dreaming. You’ll owe me one of these days.”
It’s a day that will never come, of that Barbatos is certain. Punctuality is a part of his duties, after all. The world ending and crumbling into pieces is far more likely.
But Mammon is well aware of that.
This is simply part of their banter. A pattern that they’ve fallen into just like their private tea parties.
And it never fails to brighten Barbatos’ day.
The butler grabs a sponge, and gestures towards the sink.
“Unless you plan on helping me, you should probably leave. Lest you’re the one who’s late.”
Mammon frowns as if he was just asked to do something horrid.
“No thanks. I’m more of a laundry man myself. See ya in a few.”
“See you then.”
And then, Mammon is out the door. Barbatos doesn’t know why he had watched him leave, or what it was about that view that distracted him. A plate slips through his fingers as he mulls it over, plopping into the sink and splashing water and suds on his jacket.
That’s right. He’s doing dishes. It’s one of his favorite tasks, but for some reason it isn’t as appealing as it was before.
Thankfully, they didn’t have many guests earlier. So he should be finished in no time at all. Still, Barbatos starts scrubbing at the dishes with a bit more vigor.
Just to be safe.
He has somewhere to be.
~•~
Like always, Mammon is already waiting for him by the time he arrives, despite Barbatos being 10 minutes early. But this time, something is different.
There’s a box resting on Mammon’s lap. One that’s wrapped in neon yellow wrapping paper, and decorated with a glittery bow.
“Yo!” Mammon says as he nonchalantly waves at him, as if he isn’t steadying the box in his lap with his other hand, and treating what’s obviously a gift like it’s something precious.
…It’s strange. Mammon had already given him a present earlier, along with the others. It was a joint gift, so to speak. And even though it was only a card, Barbatos treasures it.
The childish comments Mammon scribbled about the others came close to cracking through Barbatos’ prim and proper exterior. The most undignified laughter had bubbled within him.
Who unironically calls someone a fartface?
Now, all it does is make Barbatos smirk. But the amusement remains.
“It’s good to see you once again, Mammon.”
“Yeah, yeah. Same here I guess.”
A bit of small talk follows soon after. Midway through their conversation, Mammon starts fiddling with the bow. A second later he begins tapping his foot. There’s something oddly enjoyable about watching him squirm.
If they had more time, Barbatos would do this all day; evading the elephant in the room until Mammon finally snaps and shoves the gift in his face. But the day is nearly over.
That party had taken up nearly all of it.
So he throws Mammon a bone.
“I see you’ve brought something with you.”
It’s subtle, but Mammon’s shoulders immediately sag with relief. His eyes lighting up with excitement as he hands the gift over to Barbatos with a grin.
“Today’s your lucky day. I’m feeling real generous, so I brought ya an actual gift that’s way better than some lame card.”
Mammon then tries to school his expression into something more casual.
He fails, but no one seems to mind.
“Open it.”
Barbatos undoes the ribbon with ease, delicately unwrapping the box in order to preserve the beautiful paper it’s wrapped in.
Perhaps he could make Mammon some origami crows as thanks.
That had originally been the plan at least. Everything changes when a single name gets revealed, a product from a company that Barbatos has coveted for eons. His eyes widen in disbelief. The wrapping paper gets torn to shreds.
In his hands, is a Royal Amare tea set.
There are only fifty of them in existence. One of its cups alone could sell for 400,000 grimm.
To say Barbatos is flabbergasted is an understatement.
“Are you sure? This could easily pay off all of your debts.”
“Pfft. I’d just get more in debt anyway. Besides, it’s your birthday. You deserve something nice.”
Barbatos immediately tears his gaze away from the tea set, looking up at Mammon with evident surprise.
I… deserve something nice?
It’s not the first time someone has told him that. The young master has said it on multiple occasions, usually after insisting that they have tea together. But coming from Mammon, it’s different.
He can’t say why.
Mammon’s eyes widen as well, as what he just said finally sinks in.
“N-Not that I think you’re nice or anything!! Don’t get the wrong idea!! I definitely don’t like you. You're just some lousy, stuck up butler. I’m here for the tea.”
So he says. But Barbatos can see him struggling to hide another present behind his back.
How cute.
“In that case, I’d be happy to make you some.”
Barbatos carefully sets the tea set on a nearby table. Taking a second once more to admire the picture on the front. Every single piece is hand painted with a unique design, encompassing the different flowers of the Devildom.
This set in particular is referred to as the Lover’s Bouquet. It also happens to be his favorite.
Acquiring this couldn’t have been a coincidence. Barbatos doesn’t know what lengths Mammon went through to get it, but he’s eternally grateful.
A treasure like this should be saved for a special occasion.
~•~
The teapot that he’s using today is an old one that uses crows as a motif. Although it has a proper name, Mammon constantly refers to it by the names of the different crows he’s befriended over the years.
Today, the teapot has been dubbed Karasu.
One on one time with Mammon is actually something that he’s secretly come to cherish. With him, there’s no need for manners or propriety. Not that anyone would find that surprising. Quite frankly, Mammon doesn’t have a single tactful bone in his body.
Still, Barbatos could never have predicted how refreshing that would be, or how relaxing he’d continue to find it. He refuses to toss his own inhibitions aside, of course. Chairs must be pushed in, and guests should always be served before himself. But there’s a spec of greed inside of him, followed by dozens upon dozens of desires that are completely selfish in nature. Even though he never acts on them, they’re still there. Lurking within him. Waiting to be fulfilled.
Maybe that’s why he started to enjoy Mammon’s presence. There’s something about seeing the avatar of greed in action, and hearing him speak, that’s rather liberating.
He can do all of the things that Barbatos cannot.
Speaking of which, Mammon has already made himself comfortable, his posture as horrific as ever. But he doesn’t prop his shoes on the table, or lean back in his chair. It’s a compromise that they’ve made. One that Barbatos heeds as he brings the tea to the table, and remembers not to bow.
“I’ve brewed your favorite blend, senna and matcha.”
Mammon grunts, mumbling out a thanks as he takes a sip. The demon’s face immediately begins to wrinkle in disgust. Yet whenever he swallows it, all he does is cough.
“…It’s nice.”
Barbatos hides a smile behind his hand. Luckily Mammon slurps the tea so loud he can’t hear Barbatos chuckle soon after.
There isn’t a single flavor of tea in existence that Mammon enjoys. But that’s never stopped him from drinking the entire pot.
I don’t like you indeed.
He’s so much of a tsundere that it’s adorable.
The two of them drink their tea as Mammon chatters away about his latest modeling gig. Barbatos, of course, prepared a separate cup for himself.
The blend Mammon is currently slurping down isn’t for him, to say the least.
They sit there for hours, long into the night. Their conversation drifting over to gossip and the latest scandals. Mammon boasts that he’s not even involved this time.
In a week, Barbatos predicts that’s going to change.
The moon glows brightly in the sky above them. Crickets have started to chirp, adding a calm atmosphere to what had otherwise been a rather hectic day. All of the nocturnal flowers in the garden open up, their petals dancing in the gentle breeze.
There’s a clinking of porcelain as Mammon finishes the last of his tea. Before Barbatos can begin cleaning things up, a familiar box is nudged against his shoulder.
It’s the one Mammon had been hiding before.
“I got ya another gift.”
This time, Barbatos succeeds in carefully removing the wrapping paper. He folds it up, and tucks it away in his pocket for later use.
Whatever this gift is, it isn’t as apparent. The box itself is simple and gray.
When Barbatos removes the lid, he’s greeted with a new pair of gloves. But unlike all of the other ones in his wardrobe, these are black.
“Your gloves are always gettin’ stained cause they’re white,” Mammon mumbles, “and I figured bleaching them all the time must be a pain. So…”
Barbatos doesn’t quite know what to say. He settles for grabbing Mammon’s hand and giving it a light squeeze.
“Thank you.”
A light blush stains the demon's cheeks.
“Course. Happy birthday.”
It’s strange. After Mammon says that, Barbatos can feel something inside of him shift. Maybe birthdays do have a purpose. Because this moment is something that he’ll cherish for years to come. A memory that will always live on inside of his heart.
And that is something worth celebrating.
When I’m with you, I’m reminded of what it’s like to be an actual person. Along with how important it is to focus on the present, instead of the future.
I’m incredibly glad to have met you.
Barbatos doesn’t actually tell Mammon that, of course. He keeps those thoughts to himself, where they’ll be nice and safe. Where he won’t be placing a burden on one of the most carefree demons that he’s ever met. Because that’s all his feelings could ever be. Especially in this instance, where they carry a large amount of weight.
Considering the circumstances, a certain amount of gratitude isn’t out of place, nor is happiness. Still… that fluttery feeling in his stomach doesn't fit.
He doesn’t know why it’s there.
Maybe the answer will come to him in time.
Until then, he places both of their empty cups on the tea tray, and smiles.
“I was planning on trying out my new tea set tomorrow, but I’m afraid the young master is going to be busy with work. Would you like to join me instead?”
Mammon pauses for a moment, clearly taken aback by the invitation. But he recovers quickly, and casually waves Barbatos off as he leaves his seat.
“Yeah, just make my favorite like usual.”
”Senna and matcha?”
One of the most bitter combinations I could come up with. A potent laxative that Mammon had never needed, and the first tea I had ever made for him.
He wasn’t supposed to have enjoyed it at all, and yet…
Mammon smiles in return.
“Yeah, senna and matcha.”