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It is a fact universally acknowledged that Mammon is often jealous.
His attempts at hiding those hot, unpleasant feelings were usually met with knowing glances and passing comments from his brothers. It would be embarrassing if it weren't sort of endearing.
Like when he got so upset at the sight of Asmodeus’ arms around Victoria's shoulders that he had to leave the room. Not before bursting into undignified, loud yelling, naturally.
Or when he camped in Levi's room for three whole nights while his younger brother and the exchange student tried to beat a particularly difficult level of Call of Devil. Did he do something but glare and complain the whole night?
Well, no. But he couldn't just leave her alone there! She had been his first. No, actually, he had been her first. Which meant, in his personal brand of logic, that he had seniority and therefore was entitled to her time and affection.
And it's a good thing that he did, because he craved those things infinitely, even if he didn't verbalize the fact. Mammon, apart from jealous, was also stubborn, and very untalented at expressing his earnest thoughts outright.
Although, there were exceptions. He could ask for things, sometimes.
“Oi. What're you frowning for?” He murmured softly, looking towards the girl sitting next to him outside the manor. Her usually blasé gaze was strangely glossed over with what could only be concealed sadness.
His words seemed to remind her she was visible, and that, despite his many flaws, Mammon was quite perceptive. Victoria shook her head, giving him a faint smile as she shifted on the stone bench. It felt cool under her fingers.
“It's not an unusual sight, me frowning. Don't tell me you're worried.” Her gaze flicked away, knowing he would recognize her soft deception.
Mammon's expression faltered a bit. So there really was something wrong. “Um. Call me crazy, but I think you're lying to yours truly…” He seemed to almost pout, making his voice lower and a bit guarded. “And you shouldn't. Lie, I mean. You know you can tell me anything.”
A beat of silence. His tan, smooth cheek turned rosy because of his own words. Any amount of vulnerability from her and his own would stumble out cascading…how pathetic. His stern stream of thought was interrupted by a light grazing on his elbow.
Victoria shot him a small smile, this time an earnest one. But her touch went as quickly as it came. It had been but a nudge. An appreciative one. Her eyes had softened as well, dark and grateful. “How quickly you catch me in a lie. Is it because you lie a lot yourself?” She teased.
Mammon spluttered, a crease between his eyebrows, mostly because of her touch, not the accusation. He had come to expect those throughout his life. “Yo. That's only another of my many talents!…you'll find that knowing how to lie is of the utmost importance in the Devildom.”
Victoria hummed, eyebrows raising slightly. It seemed his chatter had alleviated her previous unease. She tilted her head in question. The girl's voice came soft and flat as always.
“Well. Teach me.”
“Ha?” Mammon croaked.
“Teach me.” Her fine fingers tugged on his sleeve, demanding.
And as usual, he was too weak to deny her.
“Um. Confidence is key as they say. Heh.” He gesticulated easily, eyes flicking to the sides.
“When lying, you gotta go all out! Dontcha ever doubt yourself or you're toast!” He jutted a long finger towards his friend and housemate.
She stared back, eyes narrowed in an unconvinced, suspecting expression.
“Even when it's bogus?”
“Especially if it's bogus, Victoria!”
That earned an unamused grumble from her, but she ultimately shrugged, relenting.
“You're the expert, I guess.”
“That, I am.” He grinned widely, his straight, bright teeth on display. “Now, go on! Lie to me!”
“...” Victoria seemed deep in thought for a couple of seconds, her eyes staring straight towards Mammon. “I'm in love with Asmodeus…Madly in love.”
Mammon's sunglasses threatened to slip down his nose as he opened his mouth to protest. But Victoria didn't give him any time to do so.
“His sculpted face and lithe body render me breathless! I wish to indulge with him until our bodies are one!”
Mammon did speak then. Although not quite. It was more of a grimacing, dry cry. His hands clenched against his thighs.
“...Why did you choose to lie about that?!”
Victoria pursed her lips, before smiling. “You said to go big or go home…” She leaned close to him, eyes now hopeful. “Did I do well?”
“Mm. No. You should say something untrue about me next.” He rasped out, feeling the stinging feeling subsiding only at the thought of being mentioned. He cracked a large, lopsided smile. “Me next, do one about your favorite demon! The Great Mammon!”
She closed her eyes, humming. “I dunno what to say.”
She opened one of them. “...”
“Go on!” He rushed, getting impatient as the seconds passed.
“Mammon is considerate and sweet.”
Mammon flushed, eyes opening in sudden embarrassment, before he registered the context in relation to her words. His face fell for a second time, paling in stony, unconcealed disappointment. “Oh. So you don't…I see. Trying to be funny.”
“And he's cute when he's upset…” She continued, eyes scanning his expression fondly.
“Oi! Will you stop it for now? You ask for my help only to tease me afterwards?!” He barked out pitifully, whipping his head the other way.
“Stop what? The lying?”
He nodded. "Duh..."
“I gave up after the first try.” She said gently, waiting for his reaction. And wait she did, patiently looking in his direction for about three seconds too long before his slumped shoulders lifted.
“Oh! So you mean…” She chuckled as he perked up instantly. He turned to flash her a bright, practiced smile. Probably a residual perk from his modeling. “So you…”
His confident expression became tinged with embarrassment. His head bowed down again, his pupils looking something else to focus on.
“I-I think…you should say it again. Without the lying stuff confusing me…”
Victoria looked up at him through her lashes, her own face now a bit rosy. “You're silly. These are things you know by now.”
He rubbed the side of his thigh, feeling his skin tingling with embarrassment as he spoke honestly. It seemed like this was a pattern around her. “Um. Yes. But it's nice hearing them anyway.”
“You're considerate…and sweet. And cute when you're upset.” She repeated hushedly, blinking softly, searching his expression.
Mammon's head lifted, his reddened cheeks on display. A frank, soft lopsided smile stretched under his nose, which grew wider as he spoke. “Really? You must super mean that if you agreed to say it twice…”
Victoria let out a fluttering, hearty chuckle, leaning back. “I think I'll leave the lying to the experts. I'm okay only using it when needed.”
“Well. I think…I want to learn new things too.” Mammon mumbled softly, giving her a longing look.
“Mm? Like what?”
“Like. Uh…telling you that I like you…and that you mean so much to me. And that you're cute too. You know...the truth…” He said it all bravely, squaring his shoulders despite avoiding the girl's gaze. It only made her smile softer.
“Yeah? You like me?”
Her plush mouth had met his cheek before he could reply.
“Mmn!” He managed, surprised by the unannounced affection. He blinked at her in disbelief. Then, his expression sobered. “More.”
It was her turn to gape back. “Woah.”
“C'mon. You can't just plant one on my cheek and be done. That ain't fair! Avatar of greed and all that!” He pressed vehemently, nodding and lifting his hands for emphasis. “It'd be, like, rude just to give one…y'know?”
His energy fizzled out at the end of the utterance, looking in her direction hopefully, eyes big behind the tinted sunglasses. Two beady, blue forces beckoning more attention lingered on Victoria, expectant.
“You want more kisses?”
Mammon huffed, his sweet expression interrupted by reluctant fluster.
But Victoria merely awaited for an answer, unwavering in her questioning.
The demon finally relented and gave a self-conscious nod, staring through his white lashes.
“Aw.” She cooed, leaning in to nuzzle his cheek, something like a kiss, but longer. It was making her warmth and scent seep into his skin in a way that a fleeting peck didn't. It felt more intimate.
“I…uh. Mm.” He sighed out, closing his eyes. The logical part of his brain (small as it was) would've been grateful that it was dark enough outside of The House of Lamentation for nobody to see the interaction, if it hadn't shut off the second she touched him. Another area of it wished it were bright and lit, so everyone could see who she had chosen to coddle.
“If you were more honest, and asked for what you wanted you could get more kisses more often…” She whispered, planting one against his sideburn.
He let out a weak sound, eyes fluttering between open and closed as he tried to reply. “Yeah, yeah. I'll consider it.”
A kiss against the corner of his mouth. “I'll seriously consider it…”
A lot can be learned outside of RAD, it seems.