Chapter Text
"Solomon is my boyfriend." You beam, giving the demon butler a knowing smile while your fingers lace together innocently. Mammon sputters beside you, denying the claim for you. This Mammon doesn't even remember you, but he's as ignorant as ever. You bite your tongue.
It'd be best to go along with everything for now, the same way you did the first (or second? Since it's in the future? Does this count as your first time then?) time you landed in the Devildom. You didn't know what effects your presence here in the past would have on future you (and future them...), or if this was even the same timeline. Barbatos' all knowing gaze turns away from you, lips upturned to question Mammon's intentions. You'll have to play along for now.
Throughout the ordeal, it hit you how familiar it all felt. The brothers were still themselves, no matter past or present. And it didn't matter if you were an attendant or an exchange student, you'd be dragged around by them anyway. You haven't even tried to date any of them this time yet, and they're already fighting over your attention. Some things never change, you suppose. With the bond you have, or perhaps the pacts you formed, you're almost certain it's only a matter of time before they all fall head over heels for you for doing the bare minimum for them. Or playing their family therapist. You could probably insult them each for a solid hour and they'd still fall in love with you.
Which is why you take a huge sigh of relief when you return home to Solomon, and tell him about your day. Despite the brothers' overreliance on you for support, Solomon always felt more like home. Perhaps because he was human, perhaps because he actually taught you about your power, without even a single trace of mockery. Perhaps because he was a refreshing breath of fresh air that didn't suffocate you with problems or back and forth games.
Crawling into Solomon's lap, you melt like a puddle, the tension and exhaustion of facing Cerberus amongst other things finally leaving your body. "Had a long day, didn't you? Don't worry, you can rest easy now." Solomon's tender voice was a lullaby all in itself after everything you've gone through today. His fingers run gently through your hair, playing with the locks and giving you a head massage that made you want to fall asleep then and there.
"I called you my boyfriend today." You admitted, sitting up and blushing at the sorcerer. Solomon's eyes widened in surprise.
"Oh? The others probably weren't too happy to hear that." The absolute joy in his voice contrasted the words he was saying. You're certain he's smug that he's the only one who gets to have you in his arms right now.
"They weren't, they denied it actually. Even though they don't know a thing about me." There's frustration in your voice, which may have come across as hostility. In your original timeline, it took... an incredibly long time to establish all your relationships with the people you lived with. They're demons, and selfishness seems to run in their blood. It became sort of a running gag to just go along with all seven relationships. After all, it wasn't as though you /didn't/ like them. Quite the opposite, you were fond of them for being such incredible friends, and you had some of the most fun memories of your lifetime with them.
But you were pragmatic at heart. Your head hurt every time they would fight for your attention, then turn cold or nervous, pretending you weren't important to them. Sure it was cute the first month or so, but you had known them for years, you had returned to the human world, you had made advancements in your career, your magic studies, you had solidified your role as the connection between three realms.
All while the 'seven rulers of the underworld' whined for you to glance back at them even once more. They seemed almost helpless without you. As wonderful as they are as friends, it would only ever really be just that. You'd like to think "and they know it, too" but unfortunately, it seemed they did not. Sometimes you entertained them, giving them fleeting kisses, or even saying "I love you too". They always seemed so happy to receive it, even when they know full well you're not a hundred percent there. Your heart belonged to another. Even if it wouldn't get through their thick, thick skulls.
"Well, did you insist?" Solomon's playful response returned, and you looked up at the tall ceiling, as though pondering deep in thought. This is what you loved about Solomon. There was room for banter. There was room for depth in your conversations. He was always so much more... multi dimensional. Finally, you shook your head.
"Didn't have a chance to. I'm hoping I get to show you off more, but I am trying not to upset them or start another war." Your snow-haired partner smiles in understanding. There's always a coy, delicate fine line with these demons, and you remind yourselves who you're dealing with. They remind you enough too, claiming "I still don't trust you," day after day, as though deep in denial. If they really had such a dilemma, they were doing a terrible job keeping it secret. After all, for a stranger that can command them around who they distrust, they sure do love to chase after your affections.
"Luckily for you, I had a long time to learn to share."
Solomon jests, and if there is hurt behind the lightheartedness, you really can't tell. It's true though, that Solomon had it very tough. After all, the brothers basically gate kept you from anyone who wasn't them for a solid year. You had tried your hardest to connect with your other classmates, with Solomon, with the angels, even with Diavolo and Barbatos, and yet the seven demons came first and foremost. You were associated with them through and through. Everyone else always felt like a side character, or an afterthought. It sickened you a little bit, and you wonder what it must feel like for the man smiling down at you, seeing you whisked away over and over again by other men. Your hand drifts to his forehead, brushing the snowy hair out of his eyes.
His eyes followed your gestures, humming to himself amidst the silence. There was only a grandfather clock ticking to fill the silence, but it was a comfortable, homey silence that you always looked forward to. Words didn't need to be said between you and him. He's perceptive and you're emotionally intelligent, it's why you make the perfect pair, you think.
"I'm so lucky," you whisper, eyes crinkling, "that you're the one person who remembers me." You can't imagine it being anyone else. You can't imagine appearing in the Devildom and being forgotten by Solomon. And needing to reform a bond with the mysterious wizard that always caught your eye. Whose intrigue in you took so much longer to fester into feelings. You wouldn't know what you'd do if you couldn't run into his arms at the end of the day, cursing at the situation you'd find yourself in once again. He was the staple in your life who you loved coming home to. Your mentor and your lover, he always seemed to have the solutions. And you couldn't be more grateful to him.
In some ways, you muse, Solomon is to you the way you are to the seven brothers. A comfort, a rock, the one good thing that keeps you going. Well, in that case, you feel very lucky that Solomon returns your feelings. Plus, you'd probably destroy all three realms before you agree to share Solomon with somebody.
"You know I'd chase you to the ends of the universe, you can't escape from me."
"Good, I don't plan to."
The dust of pink that appears on Solomon's face as he laughs at your reply is mesmerising. It's so lovely against his pale skin, and even paler hair. You can't help but lean closer and kiss his nose.
"I think you missed your mark, little apprentice." He smiles, pursing his lips and closing his eyes expectantly. You roll your eyes playfully as you meet his lips with your own, and feel his arms tighten around your sides. His kiss is sweet, and you feel his yearning, from constantly missing you. You know Solomon never gets enough of you, especially with the brothers vying for your time all the time. And yet he stays so patient about it, waiting for you to return to him at the end of every day. And you do, because you know no matter how much fun you have with the demons, your wizard is who has truly captured your heart. And you hope he knows it well.
"I love you, Sol." You tell him, pressing another kiss to his cheek to prove your point. You hope it conveys how touched you feel, that he came back to the past just for you.
"I love you just as much." He flushes, and you believe him.