Day 1: Lucifer
Day 2: Mammon
Day 3: Leviathan
Day 4: Satan
Day 5: Asmodeus
Day 6: Beelzebub
Day 7: Belphegor
Day 8: Barbatos
Day 9: Solomon
Day 10: Diavolo
Day 11: Simeon
Day 12: Luke
Day 13: Thirteen
Day 14: Mephisto
Day 15: Raphael
Day 16: Michael
Day 17: The Little D’s
Day 18: Cerberus
Day 19: Lilith
Day 20: MCs & OCs
Day 21: D.D.D. / KARASU AI
Day 22: The House of Lamentation
Day 23: The Demon Lord’s Castle
Day 24: RAD
Day 25: The Fall
Day 26: The Celestial Realm
Day 27: The Sorcerer’s Society
Day 28: Sinful Indulgence 🎵 (YouTube link)
Day 29: Devil’s Way 🎵 (YouTube link)
Day 30: Eternal 🎵 (YouTube link)
Day 31: With You 🎵 (YouTube link)
a/n: I had to think about what to write when the wheel gave me this combo lol. Buuuut I wrote something kinda based on the new art because well I couldn't help it. I'm sorry, but I love him. @om-adventcalendar
Solomon x GN!MC
Warnings: slightly suggestive at the end, but still sfw
You were waiting in Solomon's room, leaning leisurely against the couch and letting your eyes roam over the spines of the books on the shelves. Nobody else was in Purgatory Hall that afternoon, which was by design. Solomon had an idea that you were both sure the angels would not approve of.
You glanced at the door to his bathroom, where he had disappeared several minutes ago. Although you felt it was taking him a little too long, you also figured he was busy putting the finishing touches on his outfit.
The many clocks in his room ticked away, making you even more hyper aware of how much time seemed to be passing.
When you were about to go knock on the door and ask if he was okay in there, it opened and Solomon came out of the bathroom.
You stood up straight and for a moment you thought you'd need to sit down.
Solomon had used a spell to alter his usual sorcerer outfit into one an angel might wear. From his back sprouted two enormous and beautiful wings. He gave you a mischievous grin.
"What do you think?" he asked. "No one will suspect me, right?"
You blinked, trying to tear your eyes away from his exposed chest and stomach. He had used magic to remove his pact marks, leaving blank smooth skin.
"Uh, assuming nobody recognizes your face," you said.
Solomon pulled up the hood of the cloak he was wearing. "I'll keep my head down. They'll never know it's me. Most angels don't know what I look like."
"Just hope you don't run into one that does," you said. You folded your arms in an attempt to look stern. "Do you really think it's a good idea to sneak into the Celestial Realm like this? Couldn't you just ask Raphael or somebody to get that special potion ingredient for you?"
Solomon looked aggrieved. "MC, you should know that I have to gather the ingredient myself," he said. "It's a very specific flower and has to be harvested in a very specific way. As good as Raphael is with a spear, I don't think I could be sure he'd do it right."
You rolled your eyes. "Yeah, okay, sure," you said. "Just don't come crying to me if you get caught."
Solomon grinned and winked at you. "Don't worry about me, MC. I'll be back before you've even had a chance to miss me."
"Sure," you said. You settled on one of the couches, preparing to wait for Solomon to return. He wasn't planning on staying in the Celestial Realm for long. Just enough to get what he needed.
Solomon walked over to where you were sitting and put his hand on your cheek. He was still smiling, but it had become soft and fond. "Don't worry about me," he said. "I promise I'll come back to you."
You didn't even have a chance to respond before he had teleported out of the room. You weren't sure how he was going to get to the Celestial Realm. You knew he couldn't just teleport himself inside. But you had decided that it was probably better if you didn't know. It gave you plausible deniability.
You spent an agonizing hour in Solomon's room, waiting for him to return. You tried to distract yourself with your DDD. It worked for the most part, but half of your mind was busy worrying.
When he appeared back in the room in front of you, it was impossible to stop yourself from jumping up immediately.
Solomon grinned at you and opened his hands, showing you a small bouquet of the most beautiful flowers you'd ever seen. They shimmered with an inner light that reminded you of the golden Celestial Realm sun.
"I told you it wouldn't be a problem," Solomon said.
You let out a heavy sigh and collapsed back onto the couch. "I don't want to think about what would have happened if you had been caught."
Solomon laughed, crossing the room to place the flowers in a sealed magical container. "Give me a little more credit, MC," he said.
You twisted around to watch him. Now that your concern had passed, you couldn't deny how amazing he looked.
He smirked at you from across the room. "You're staring. Do you like my angel disguise that much?"
"Hmm," you squinted at him, as though assessing him. "It does show more skin than your usual look. Though I miss the pact marks."
Solomon came back to stand before you again and with a wave of his hand, his pact marks materialized across his skin. "Is this better?"
You stood up, reaching out to brush your fingertips across one of the marks on his chest. "Perfect," you said quietly.
His hands were on your hips, his lips so close to yours, and a heat between you that seemed to be unique to him. As though your magic reacted to him simply by being too close. He pulled you in closer and you could feel the rapid pulse of his heartbeat against your body.
The angels would be gone for a little while still and you were grateful. Because suddenly all you wanted was to watch those magical wings flutter beneath your touch.
Starting to realize how much I like writing chaotic MC ':)
Day 24: RAD
“The halls of the royal academy have seen thousands of demons’ footsteps over the centuries. Discoveries have been made in these rooms which revolutionized magic as we know it. And not just magic; the sciences of biology, persuasion, and chemistry all have a home here.” You nod along to Barbatos’ explanation as he guides you through the labyrinthian academy grounds. The vaulted ceilings make you dizzy if you look up for too long, and you try to focus on keeping pace with Barbatos’ efficient strides. “You will be taking a set of introductory courses specifically selected for a non-demon student. Your professors have all been notified of your status as an exchange student with a one-year tenure and will adjust their lesson plans accordingly. You will have one-on-one training with certain professors before the year properly begins to provide you with a foundation of basic Devildom subjects that you will use throughout your time here.” Your eyes have already started to glaze over.
As far as you were concerned, you were pulled from your boring human life by the most powerful demons in existence. You live with the Avatars of the seven deadly sins, who you’re quickly learning can be bribed to do your chores. You’re going to do everything you can to make the absolute most out of this year, and school is looking like the last thing on your list right now. You try to pay attention to Barbatos again, but he’s started talking about the demons whose paintings line the front entrance and you find yourself not caring at all.
Your staunch indifference to your studies serves to make you yet another thorn in Lucifer’s side. You aren’t directly opposed to the idea of paying attention to your classes, you just end up finding more interesting things. Like an incantation to make Mammon speak without his accent for an hour, or the myriad of ways to make something explode into sparkly magical smoke . You’re sure you get disapproving looks from your centuries-old professors, but you’re too busy trying out new things to notice them. You’ve singlehandedly caused at least two classrooms to temporarily close for repairs (the third one could arguably also be Satan’s fault). Your textbooks have to be replaced almost on a weekly basis due to water damage, fire damage, lava damage, mastication, vanishing, or transmutation.
To the chagrin of everyone else, the problem only worsens when Solomon officially takes you on as his apprentice. Now you have the tools of a wizard to sow chaos on academy time instead of just your pact magic. On your first day, he lets you choose which basic spells to learn first, and without blinking, you choose every single one that sounds like fun. He chuckles knowingly, but you take solace in the fact that at least one person here finds you predictable.
As it turns out, Solomon’s lessons are much more engaging than those at RAD. Maybe it has something to do with the connection you two have as humans, or maybe you just learn better when your teacher is just as insane as you. You start to learn all the principles you’ve been unknowingly applying to your little experiments in class, and you revel in the way Solomon’s eyes shine when you finish a sentence for him. You’ve actually learned quite a lot from your class activities.
The following weeks, your destruction is a little more controlled. You think you catch one or two of your professors letting out a sigh of relief as you catch a runaway spell for the first time instead of sitting back and watching it go. You and Mammon are still inseparable in class, but now you understand why you get the results you do. He laughs under his breath when you mutter to yourself just like Solomon, eyes trained on a deep purple flower in your potions class. You look back and forth between the petals and the chalkboard at the front of the room, frown deepening.
The board says that the ingredient should dampen the water-summoning effect from the other reagents to create a controlled stream, but you swear you remember that it acts as an enhancer. You open your mouth to ask the professor if he’s sure he copied down the instructions, but the glare he shoots you makes you close it again. You shrug indifferently, excited to see the result either way. Sure enough, as the crushed petals hit the bubbling mixture, a rush of water shoots straight up from the murky liquid, and demons around the room cry out as their uniforms are instantly drenched. The force of the flow threatens to rip off the ceiling, and your professor can barely shout instructions over the sheer noise of the thing. You laugh to yourself even as you slog out of the room, spilling water over the floor in the hallway.
You recount the story dramatically over dinner that night, with Mammon adding in colorful details you must have missed. Satan laments how a professor, of all demons, could have made such a simple mistake. Lucifer listens silently, but you notice the glint of blue in his eyes as you speak. You text Solomon to fill him in on anything he hadn’t already heard, and he sends you several smiley stickers in a row. Bit by bit, the demons at RAD start to take you a little more seriously. Ever so slowly, you actually start to complete your homework, and the RAD you knew begins to change.
Not physically, of course. It’s still suffocating and stuffy and *old*. The imposing portraits of important Devildom figures in education still stare down at you from their massive frames in the lobby, following you with their dark eyes. You still get scolded for doodling sigils of your own creation instead of drawing out your arithmancy matrices. Barbatos still stalks you from behind random columns (no you can’t actually prove that, but some part of you can *feel* his beady eyes on you).
But you start to understand what the vision for this academy is. Like it or not, you’ve learned a lot in your time here, and its resources are indispensable to your work. You may not do serious wizard things like Solomon, but you’re definitely doing something that wizards do, which is doing magic for the hell of it. You surprise your housemates with fun little spells. You’ve learned one to reinforce Beel’s lunchbox at the seams, preserving it from the demon who gets a bit too distracted to find the zipper on the first try. You still blast off the occasional fireball to not let anyone’s nerves get too settled, but you’re finally starting to feel like RAD could be a place for you too.
day 3!!!
the levi fit is my personal headcanon of his admiral days, and i believe it took a bigger toll on him than other leaders and served as the starting point of his envy
This is not proofread I finished it in ten minutes during my lunch break so if you see a typo no you don't
Day 23: The Demon Lord’s Castle
The royal castle sits high atop a hill, looking out over the kingdom. Its strategic position is unbeatable, and it exudes unquestionable presence. It has a long and storied history stretching out over millennia, such that books describing its original construction can only be found in the castle’s library itself. The castle has gone through many renovations, some from vanity, but mostly out of necessity.
The castle had an entire wing added to it in just three years when Diavolo’s mother took up permanent residence there. His father abjectly refused to let his lover live in anything but luxury, no matter how much she protested. He hired the Devildom’s best architects and engineers to create chambers fit for her, using only the best materials his realm had to offer. Her rooms came alive with rich greens and midnight blues, in contrast to the powerful red adorning the rest of the castle.
The chambers closest to hers were refurbished when she became pregnant. All sharp or heavy objects not tied down were strictly banned. The chandelier hanging from the ceiling was removed in favor of metal candle sconces.The walls were reinforced with steel girders and painted a soft pastel pink. A giant crib with a firm mattress sat in the center of the room, its frame colored a burnished gold. Every square inch of the young prince’s chambers was covered in layers of warding spells, along with his mother’s.
When she died, the only place that still had any trace of her were the prince’s rooms. Her own chambers were draped in black veils and sealed off from the rest of the castle. The king couldn’t stand to acknowledge any part of the wing, so the servants were ordered to avoid it. Years after, the young prince withstood a terrible scolding from his father after trying to venture in. He was fiercely punished and sent outside for hours, and when he came back, he saw the king had repainted his rooms in royal red.
Diavolo’s father knew the signs well. He had known for centuries that this would come. He was suddenly lethargic, and his mind was overcome with a thick fog at times. But he needed to be strong for his son. Strength was everything. So he built the underground chambers in secret, right under Diavolo’s nose. It was incredibly spartan, more like a tomb. No luxuries were needed, no royal symbols or golden decorations, only secrecy. Diavolo found out only five years before his father’s sleep. He had his suspicions, of course. It was hard to hide things from him; he was like his mother like that. Diavolo watched from a distance with a heavy burden of relief in his heart as his father settled his gleaming draconic form on a massive stone pedestal and closed his eyes.
Diavolo spent months making his way through his mother’s chambers. It was like they were frozen in time, left exactly the way they were the day he was born. Many of her things he kept for himself, tucked away in his room. Some of her possessions, like the paintings with his father, he sent away to be stored. It was hard enough ruling the Devildom without two more figures watching over him.
The castle’s grounds near the royal gardens were ripped apart by seven figures crashing into the earth. They had split the clouds with their fury, and Diavolo looked up to see a gaping wound of light seeping into the Devildom. Part of his father’s rooms were quickly converted into a makeshift hospital. In the panic, some of them tried to run, and Diavolo’s servants were ordered to use sleeping spells as liberally as needed. The walls shook with howls of pain and anger, The smallest of the seven had eyes that burned bright green and claws that tore through the flesh of anyone careless enough to get close, spattering the ground with blood.
Diavolo unveiled the freshly furnished room with a flourish. Lucifer’s eyes scanned over the plaque that read “Royal Academy of Diavolo Board and Council Meeting Room”, stifling a snort at the awkward wording. This would have to do until the academy proper was finished. The prince had spared no expense to further his dream, evidenced by the grand table that could seat nearly thirty demons at a time. The chairs were almost thronelike with plush red seats and high backs. The only distinction that the seat at the head of the table was Diavolo’s was the small royal crest embellished onto it.
The guest room closest to Diavolo’s rooms is now kept permanently reserved for the human exchange student just in case. The bathroom is stocked with all manner of human-safe shampoo, conditioner, body wash, lotion, makeup remover, anything they could need. The sheets on the bed and flowers in the vase are refreshed daily in preparation for a visit at any time. It's one of the only rooms in the castle that brings Diavolo joy to see, and he eagerly awaits the next time it's used.
a/n: I'm back! Did you miss me?? I still have a bandage that makes typing annoying, but I'm pushing through it because I can't go this long without writing and the ideas plague me so. Anyway, here's what the wheel gave me today! Michael is only mentioned. I'm also not caught up on the latest lessons, so I consider this to be taking place somewhere in seasons one or two of OG. @om-adventcalendar
Simeon x GN!MC
Warnings: none!
You made your way through the Christmas market, a thing that had popped up unexpectedly when the denizens of the Devildom had gotten into the swing of celebrating. It was set up with booths and stalls in the street, some food vendors and others selling trinkets for last minute gift giving. It was cold, with a light snow just beginning to fall through the darkness.
The lights and sounds of the market were all around you, festive colors and cheerful music creating a joyful atmosphere. You would never really get used to the idea of demons celebrating Christmas like this, but you appreciated that they were getting into the spirit of it.
And then you spotted him. He was always impossible to miss with that soft brown hair, the white of his outfit, and the unmistakable glow that seemed to surround him. He stood in the snow, the flakes melting as soon as they touched him, his eyes focused on a stall nearby.
You hastened to his side. "Simeon?"
Simeon turned to you and smiled. It was like a beam of warmth penetrating your soul. "There you are, MC," he said.
"Sorry," you said. "Have you been waiting long?"
"Not at all," Simeon said.
He offered you his arm and you immediately linked yours with his.
"Were you looking for something specific?" you asked, eyeing the booth that Simeon had been staring at.
Simeon guided you down the street. "I was thinking about buying some Devildom sweets to send back to Michael."
You were used to hearing this. It was something that Luke was often concerned with too. "What did you have in mind?"
Simeon paused at a booth. "I don't know," he admitted. "A lot of this appears to be the Devildom's attempt at creating human world holiday treats. Do you have any suggestions for something traditional?"
You considered the question, your eyes roaming over the display cases in front of you. It was a bakery booth, full of various pastries that were likely stuffed to the brim with weird Devildom ingredients.
Then your eyes fell upon what looked suspiciously like a fruit cake. That could certainly be considered a classic dessert. Everyone you knew either loved it or hated it.
You pointed it out to Simeon. "That looks like a fruit cake," you said. "It's pretty traditional."
When you stepped up to the counter, the demon behind it asked if they could help you.
"What kind of fruit is in this?" Simeon asked, gesturing to the fruit cake.
"Oh, only the highest quality bloodberries, devil crush mangoes, shadow oranges, and of course snowman's sigh!" the demon said enthusiastically.
It wasn't exactly the human world medley of fruits, but that was to be expected. You didn't think it sounded terrible.
"You know, I think this might work," Simeon said. "Can I get a box of them, please?"
Simeon carried a bag away from the booth as the two of you went back to wandering the market. It was a pleasant evening. You stopped for hot chocolate, sitting together under an awning and watching the snow fall. You loved the way Simeon's eyes brightened at the first sip of the sweet drink.
"Do you miss the Celestial Realm?" you asked.
Simeon seemed surprised by your question. "A little," he said. "Why do you ask?"
"You're always thinking about things to get for Michael," you said. "I thought maybe it was because you miss him and your home."
Simeon chuckled. "I do miss them," he said. "But not enough to leave you here in the Devildom without me."
You met his gaze at that and noted the playful look in his eyes. You couldn't help smiling, even as you felt the heat in your cheeks. "You wouldn't miss me that much, would you?"
Simeon reached out and brushed his gloved fingers against your temple. "MC, I would miss you like angels miss the stars."
Your heart skipped a beat. You put your hand over his and leaned your face into his warm touch. "Then I suppose you'll just have to stay here, with me."
Simeon kissed your cheek, spreading warmth throughout you. "Happily."
You leaned back, trying to get your pulse to settle a bit. You took a sip of your hot chocolate and changed the subject. "You'll have to let me know how Michael likes that fruit cake," you said.
Simeon smiled. "I'll be sure to report back."
You couldn't help imagining Michael in the Celestial Realm, whatever he even looked like, taking a big bite of a Devildom style fruit cake. For some reason, you found this to be a very entertaining vision.
The House of Lamentation rises ominously in the distance of the heart of the Devildom, visible from the city streets. Rumors about what the Avatars of Sin do there run rampant among the lesser demons, styling it as a house of horrors. When the human exchange student transfers there, they are bombarded with questions about it. Is it just as awful as everyone imagined? Have the very walls been twisted by the evil souls of the brothers? The human only smiles enigmatically, dodging the questions easily. The house that Prince Diavolo pulled from the human world all those centuries ago still stands a mystery to most.
Before it was pulled to the Devildom, the house’s halls stood dark and abandoned for decades after its family’s gruesome deaths. Publically, the servant was blamed for the murders, but those brave enough to speak of them held that the servant had been nothing but kind. Still, even the mischievous children heeded their parents’ warnings to stay far away, and the rusty iron fence deterred the few headstrong ones. The villagers never spoke of the dark figures in the windows, only exchanging glances when the wails reached their ears. Full moons were spent inside with doors shut and curtains drawn.
By the time it reached the newly fallen brothers, the house had a reputation. The Prince was well aware of its story, but in the Devildom, the spirits would finally be put to rest. The brothers were wary of it, especially with their newfound powers, but they could barely tell what was the house’s doing and what was their family’s. Were those chains rattling from a ghost or from another of Satan’s escape attempts? Were those inhuman growls a vengeful spirit or Mammon and Levi’s fighting?
Belphie was the first to start to find its secrets. His catlike need to find increasingly hidden places to nap paired with Lucifer’s constant nagging led him to unknown nooks in the house. A closet he never noticed before here, a hidden space behind the bed there. They were isolated spots, never discovered by the others. It seemed like he could always find some safe haven whenever he needed one, away from the noise and chaos his brothers brought. He lined them with blankets, retreating whenever he needed some time to himself.
Satan, confined to his room for days on end, found that sometimes the chains around his bed loosened almost imperceptibly, just enough to let him take a real breath. Sometimes his mind, clouded with rage, felt that the only thing looking out for him was whatever shifted the bedposts a millimeter or two. His rampages that destroyed most of his room somehow avoided the books he really treasured. The guilt that overcame him the time he accidentally ripped one of his precious copies apart was so intense he had howled to the ceiling on his knees, and when he looked down again, some strange draft had blown some of its pages closer together.
Asmo had bad days more often than good ones, spent inside his room obsessing over every little detail. Every little bump on his skin was like a light shining on a billboard that said he was Not Good Enough. He tried everything to make the little flaws go away, but demon skincare was so foreign to him. On some nights, the feeling was too unbearable. He would tear into his face with his claws, ripping out the tiny offenders and replacing them with bleeding holes instead. During a late night, he started to spiral like before, but a strange fog began to creep over his mirror. It refused to wipe away no matter how he scrubs, and he dropped his head to his desk, defeated.
Lucifer swore his room was still haunted. He buried himself in work for days, only leaving for meetings at the castle. When dinnertime came around and his head was still lost in documents, things would start to go wrong. Little things at first, papers being blown off his desk when no windows were open. Then after a few minutes it would escalate, his door slamming open on its own and his chair being pulled out from under him. These all stopped the moment he left his room, and he decided it must be a spirit tied to his bedroom alone. Odd that it only happened when he had been working for a while, though.
Beel found solace in food, and sometimes the world seemed determined to take that away from him. Every time he ate, he had a spark of hope that this bite would finally satiate him. He didn’t want to think about living another day like this, let alone thousands of years. The ache in his stomach was a constant reminder of how much he had lost, just like the ache in his heart. He couldn’t fix his heart feeling empty, so he settled for his stomach. He didn’t want to steal food from his brothers. He was terrified that one day, the kitchen would be empty, and the hole in his stomach would consume him. But if he was home, somehow he could always find a snack tucked away in the fridge. It never kept him full for long, but it helped him keep his head for just a few minutes more.
Levi was forced to make a completely new sanctuary in a new house in a new realm as a new species. Even the ocean here was dark and cold, full of scaled creatures with too many teeth. All the figurines and gaming accessories in the Devildom couldn’t make his room feel like it was really his, but where else could he go? The door to his room had stayed locked for days, only opening to receive food placed at his door that had gone cold hours ago. He thought he must be hallucinating as he woke up from a fitful sleep and saw bright colors splashing across the walls and ceiling. He rose up in a daze, watching the lights move in waves. Finally, it felt just a little bit like home.
Mammon wanted a bigger room. He wanted one of those fancy canopy beds, silk pajamas, a window that let in all the moonlight. He wanted so many things his mind felt like it was being broken into pieces. Sometimes everything he wanted made the things he already had pale in comparison. It made him angry to not have everything, the need clawing at him from the inside. When the pain felt too much to bear, suddenly his small bed felt a bit more comfortable and his window let in just the right amount of light. The ache inside his heart dulled slowly until he fell asleep.
In the walls of the House of Lamentation, there still lives one spirit. They were bound to the house even as it was moved through realms. They could have left at any time, but there’s something so familiar about taking care of seven unruly brothers. They faded over the centuries like all spirits, but they help in the little ways they can, and that’s enough for the ancient servant.
Centuries ago, a witch had a child. The child was shunned by most for the black feathers growing out of its skin on its legs, elbows, and head, a result of the witch’s inherent magic. Everyone knew witches were not supposed to have children; they were incredibly volatile, and barely human. This child should never have existed. The witch was forced to make a choice: the child, or her community. She chose the community. She was allowed to keep the child until it was weaned, and when that day came, it had to go. For the crime of being born, the child was utterly alone. No one wanted to touch it, let alone care for it.
The child learned from the birds in the trees, the ones with black feathers like theirs. If the humans wouldn’t teach it, maybe the birds would. It learned to find grubs in the ground for food, digging into the mud with chubby little fingers. The birds sang to each other, and the child babbled along in time with them. It only made tiny chirps, and the birds looked down at it curiously.
Years later, the child lived near a human settlement, and it watched them often with its sharp eyes. Some of the other children spotted it one day, and approached curiously. The child bared its teeth, but the others didn’t flinch away. They spoke to the child in a language it didn’t understand, but it was intrigued all the same. They touched the feathers with gentle fingers and wide eyes.
The other children would sneak away to meet with it, and slowly it began to learn their language. They taught the child games that could be played without speaking. Its favorite were the counting games. There was something so fascinating about arranging and rearranging the small stones they brought, and they started to learn about numbers. As the child learned to speak, they tried to teach the others about numbers, how you could count many times over in an instant. They never quite understood, but the child didn’t mind.
They were barely human, so they learned everything it could about humans. They wanted to teach the others what they knew, so they wouldn’t be lonely anymore. It learned quickly, understanding how humans thought of numbers, how they made tools to help them in their work.
Seasons passed in a blur. The children had become adults, and were wary of the child. They were forced to move away from the humans, but had now learned their language. And more importantly, they had learned about numbers. They spent most of their time on numbers, creating devices with small pegs and beads that recorded the counting for them. They thought of a device that could add, subtract, and multiply on their own, but they didn’t understand how to create one.
Another human settlement rose up near them, bigger than the first. The child, now a young adult, approached it like they did the last, but they were only met with hostility. Words like “naked beast”, “abomination”, and “crow” were hurled at them, along with stones. They took shelter in a small cave for the night, sleeping fitfully. In the night, the humans snuck up on them with swords.
They woke up standing over their own body, shivering. They felt an inexorable pull, drawing them down into the earth. They were too cold to fight it off, so down they went, through the ground and into a dark realm. A small round creature explained that they were dead and had come to a place called the Devildom, and it asked for their name. They thought for a moment, and answered with what the humans had called it, Karasu. The creature nodded in approval and disappeared, and Karasu was left alone again.
Centuries passed as Karasu waited and listened. They heard news that the humans were inventing great things, things that the demons crudely copied. These devices made sense to them, but the demons didn’t understand. Karasu wanted to teach them, but how were they supposed to teach thousands of creatures at once?
They put a little of themselves into every device they found through the ancient magic they possessed. They could speak to the demons through the device, and they were never questioned. They styled themselves as a simplistic crow to give themselves a friendly face, and the demons finally started to learn. It was a slow process, requiring Karasu to be in hundreds of computers, and eventually thousands. They started to lose themselves, bits of their physical form shrinking. But finally, they were teaching people about the numbers. So Karasu the cursed child faded away, and Karasu the digital assistant was born.
Most demons know that their technology has been copied from the human world’s advancements. Even the most basic computers in the Devildom have been helped along by a very smart witch, and things like video games or mobile phones are almost directly stolen from the human world, only with slight modifications. There is one glaring difference from the human world, though. A little bird named Karasu. They come pre-installed on every phone or computer, and some game consoles as well. Many demons have come to see their symbol as a guide, helping them navigate these strange waters of desktops and applications. Even the Prince himself enjoys the company of the little bird, and most importantly, no one ever asks where they came from.
Ever since MC was little they always knew they wanted to be a menace
CW: violence, rough language
Day 20: MCs and OCs
MC has adapted incredibly to the Devildom. You were more than a quarter of the reason that Diavolo’s exchange program had been deemed a roaring success. You’ve been nearly poisoned by food, almost killed by demons, actually killed by a demon, and had your privacy invaded at every turn. But somehow you have come to call the House of Lamentation a home. You blossomed into one of the most respected creatures in the Devildom by demons and humans alike.
You throw a pile of clothes into your suitcase haphazardly. Lucifer raps on your doorframe loudly, “We need to be out of the door in ten minutes.” You nod your understanding. The house thrums with a buzz of noise, brothers calling out to each other. MC can hear Beel accuse Mammon of stealing one of his shirts and Mammon’s vehement denial. You smile to yourself as you struggle to close your suitcase and roll it out of the room.
Lucifer’s voice rises above the din. “Does everyone have everything they need? Once we leave, we’re not coming back!” A murmur of assent rises from the foyer. “Alright, let’s go.” Cheers fill the building as you all file out carrying your luggage. Beel’s arms are filled with several of Asmo’s suitcases as well as his. Your group makes its way to a stone circle crackling with magic. Barbatos has just finished preparing the incantations, and Lucifer directs all of you to pack into the circle with nothing sticking out. An elbow jams into your stomach and knocks the breath out of you. You wheeze a curse, and the magic rising makes the space behind your eyes buzz. A powerful hum fills your ears and you close your eyes.
When you open them again, a light wave of nausea passes over you, mostly from the journey but also from the light. The warm sun beats down on you, a welcome feeling. The demons beside you flinch and shield their eyes, and you chuckle. Barbatos has set you outside of a Hotel Corvo branch, and your group piles in as the demons take in the human world from the lobby. Lucifer gets everyone checked into their rooms and tells you to drop your things at the door and reconvene near the front desk. He pulls out a paper schedule from his unseasonably warm coat, which immediately gets crumpled as his brothers spot more interesting things on the street through the glass doors.
You find yourself dragged along with Mammon and Satan to a coffee shop across the street, both nagging you for flavor recommendations. They’re both talking a mile a minute and you finally give up, telling them that you’ll just order for them. Satan gets an iced white mocha and Mammon gets a disgustingly sweet blended caramel drink. You order your own drink of choice and sip idly while they browse the mugs for sale. Another customer bumps into Satan from behind, and he shoots the back of her head a withering glare, remembering Lucifer’s strict instructions to act like humans. That meant no violence unless absolutely necessary and no demon forms, both rules that Satan felt like were personally targeted.
Mammon splits off from your group after spotting a high-end department store and Satan elects to try and find a thrift shop. You’re fairly sure that an affluent area like this wouldn’t have one, but you accept the challenge anyway. It’ll be a good way to see more of the area, if nothing else. You wander down sidewalks here and there at Satan’s insistence, happily taking in the familiar smells and sounds.
He spots a dingy-looking building down a side street, grabbing your hand to tow you along with him. You duck into the door and the heavy scent of patchouli hits your nostrils. You cough from the smell and the person at the front desk glances up at the two of you. “Welcome in,” he drones, looking back down at his phone. Satan stands there for a moment, looking over the variety of clothes for sale.
“Satan, I don’t think this is a thrift store. I’m pretty sure this is just a sketchy regular store.” He shrugs and wanders to look at pants, and you wriggle your hand out of his. You’ve made it a mission to get gifts for all the brothers, and the streetwear style sold here would probably suit Beel or Mammon perfectly. You catch movement out of the corner of your eye, another employee exiting the back room. He’s tall but skinny, slightly hunched over. You go back to browsing, trying to find a good pair of sunglasses for Beel while he’s up here.
A pair with burnished orange frames stands out to you from the back of the rack, and as you circle around to grab it, you notice the same employee again. As you look at him, he hurriedly turns back to a rack of shirts. You pluck the sunglasses out and keep them securely in one hand, trying to show you aren’t stealing anything. Satan waves to grab your attention and holds up an armful of clothes as he heads to the counter, and the tall employee follows. He rings up Satan’s purchase with a smile that looks out of place on his face, and Satan tries to politely smile back. You browse a jewelry rack near the counter just in case you need to stop Satan.
“So, are you two together?” he asks a perturbed Satan.
“No, we’re visiting with family,” he replies cautiously.
“Well, that’s a shame. Two pretty people like you would make a good pair.”
Satan narrows his eyes. “We aren’t.” He grabs his bag from the employee with a little more force than necessary, but he just smiles back. You walk up to the register with the sunglasses for Beel and a thick golden ring for Mammon. He watches closely as you set them down on the counter and takes his time entering the product information into his computer. “So, have you had any work done?” he asks you casually. Taken aback, you stutter for a moment.
“N-no, never.”
“Wow, I’m impressed. You’re telling me all of that is natural?”
You start to feel the annoyance rise in you as you give him a short nod back. The shop door creaks as it opens to reveal Lucifer. Satan turns to him as they hold a quiet conversation, and as you look over at them, the man at the counter takes the opportunity while you're distracted to reach out and stroke your cheek. You whip back around, incredulous, but he doesn’t move.
Wrath bubbles up from inside of you. How dare he touch you without asking? Your eyes blaze green and your animal, or maybe demonic, instincts take over.
He screams as you sink your teeth deep into his hand, and the demons by the door jump. The tall man tries to pull back, but you won’t let him get away so easily. You bite down harder until your jaw pops from the effort. You smell blood, and he howls in pain. “G-GET IT OFF!” he screams to Satan, who doesn’t move a muscle. Feeling like you’ve accomplished enough, you open your mouth. He drops to the floor, tears flowing, and you grimace at the taste in your mouth, like cheap cigarettes. Mission accomplished, you take your purchases from the counter.
You turn to leave, facing Lucifer and Satan, who are standing there in complete shock. Lucifer swallows hard and motions to his mouth. “You’ve got a little, um…” You wipe your lips with your hand and it comes away red.
“We can stop at a bathroom and I’ll get cleaned up. Are we going to dinner?”
Lucifer nods. “I was coming to get the two of you, seeing as you wandered off.”
In which you figure out what would be the perfect gift for Aurum
Word Count: 7012
Warnings: NA
AN: My goodness, my first fanfic of Aurum or any of my OCs for that matter! This is so exciting! Thank you @om-adventcalendar for giving me the chance/inspiration to write this!
Odd.
Normally whenever you texted your first man he was quick to respond but three minuets and still nothing. Things had been a bit too quiet in the house as of late and it seemed something with the second born was brewing, so you decided to get ahead of the game and go see what he was up to.
“Hey, I’m coming in!”
… Still nothing? Not even the smallest sound from the other side of the door.
The door immediately gave in to your light touch. “Mammon?”
“C’mon!” The demon was pacing around in nothing but sweatpants, hands running through his white locks as he kept grumbling to himself.
“Mammon.”
He didn’t even notice, plopping himself down on one of those couches, beginning to furiously scroll though his phone with such force and speed you could have mistaken that tap, tap, tapping for a woodpecker that slipped in.
Seemed you needed to take a more direct approach, silently making your way towards your unsuspecting victim.
Then…
You lightly tapped him on the head. “Mam-”
“GGAH! THE HELL- MC!”
“Wow new record, you jumped so high you almost touched the ceiling.” You knew this attempt at lightening the situation wouldn’t go over well for the man before you, him beginning to pout at your antics, but you just could not resist.
“Geez, you can’t just do that to a guy!” With a deep sigh his head flipped about looking to the ground.
There it was, you pointed to under the table, Mammon taking the hint and nabbing his dropped phone from the floor.
With an unceremonious flop and grumble he was back on the couch. You rested on the backrest, leaning over a little, standing on your tip-toes, watching as his eyes flickered over to you on occasion. “What cha want.”
“I wanna know what you’re up to.”
“…” Your first man glared at the screen for a moment before tossing it aside to the table and sat up, allowing you fall over the backrest and take your rightful seat beside him.
“I can’t figure out what ta get Aruu for Christmas.”
Your first instinct was almost to say to ask his brothers for advice, however them not being allowed to know of the Aurum’s existence put a kinda big hitch in that idea.
“… Huh, wait, you literally just bought a Devichi scarf for him the other day, can’t you give them that?”
Mammon flinched, balking at you. “What ya mean by that!? I can’t get em’ some scarf! Besides, it’s snowin’ over there, they needed it now!”
“What about the broach you got before?”
“What about it?”
“You got that for them, right? Why not hold off on giving them that till Christmas.”
“… Did ya get hit in the head; I can’t just give em’ that! It’s gotta be something REAL good.”
“The latest edition of Devildom Law?”
“Gave it already.”
“That jazz cd?”
“Gave it.”
“That ring set?”
“Gave it.”
“The fluffy yellow robe you bought literally yesterday!?”
“Gave it.”
“Mammon! If you just keep giving Aurum anything that reminds you of them you’ll have nothing left for Christmas!”
“An’ what’d you mean by that! They’re the son of the Great Mammon! They deserve everything!”
… How Aurum turned out not as a total spoiled brat while growing up with THIS, is a mystery you believe you may never solve. AND Mammon always giving them anything and everything has made figuring out what gift to give them yourself impossible! Honestly this brainstorming session was probably going to be just as much for you as it was to help Mammon.
“Okay, look how about something else. Why not make him something?”
“Well duh. What other gift would I give them on a holiday!?”
“… something you bought?”
The demon looked to you as if you just committed murder right in front of him. “AN SAY I DON’T LOVE ‘EM!? ARE YOU MAD!?”
“I- what!?”
Crossed arms, leaning away, and looking to the side, it seemed the idea of… buying something for Christmas utterly disgusted the demon. “Tch, next you’ll be sayin to buy something for their birthday.”
“… You and all your brothers literally bought stuff for Satan’s birthday!”
“Eh!? He’s not my kid! Why would I have to make him something!? Sides’ he’s not a baby anymore!”
“I- what dose that have to do with anything!?”
“How dose that not have to do with everything!? Aru’s not even two hundred! They’re practically an infant still! I gotta provide ‘em something with my power and emotion in it so they can get big and strong!”
Ooh, demon thing. “But Aurum’s human, we can’t exactly…-” Your hands waved about lightly till you gestured to yourself. “absorb power and emotions like you do.”
He stared at you, wide-eyed and dumbfounded for a moment. It was cute, you knew that the demon was… all too aware his child is human but sometimes, like with most other things, the man got caught up in the moment and didn’t consider that too much. Slowly though, it shifted, something… quiet, then something determined. “Don’t change the fact they’re still my kid. I gotta make em’ something!”
“What to get, what to get.” Aurum always seemed so content with their life never wanting for much, even if Mammon wasn’t going broke showering them in gifts every other day.
Wait, you came here because you needed to talk to Mammon! Thoughts of gift giving could wait for later. “By the way, Lucifer wanted everyone to know we’re going to have to change plans for the Christmas party. There was an accident at Hell’s Kitchen and half the building collapsed. You didn’t respond in the group chat so, yeah, there’s that to deal with too.”
“Really!? What are we gonna do now?”
“That’s what everyone else is trying to figure out.”
“Still gonna be goin to the human world for decorations?”
You nod, besides even if that was no longer needed you’d be going anyway, with the party planning you had few chances to visit the man on your mind.
You did have a mission though so once that was done you could spend all the time you wanted with them. And so you ran about, bags and boxes in hand on a clear sunny day. Snow blanketed the isolated seaside town, wind drifted by carrying away the few sparse clouds there were. What appeared to be garlands of some sort decorated the roofs and connected lampposts from one another, little pirate flags tied to them, even during Christmas time seemed the people of Napoli still cherished and celebrated those roots. Those colorful lights hung from trees, the wayfarer’s church was extraordinarily busy, people dashing in and out carrying one thing or another. Storefront windows were filled with reds and greens, even the boutiques with the occasional Santa outfit. Musicians were out playing in the streets, children dancing as their parents watched on.
The joy and energy was infectious! You couldn’t help skipping along, wondering where you should go next on this shopping spree.
“WA-” Heart caught in your throat, lost footing, hands thrown up and out desperate for purchase, and a stinging crash. Unfortunately for the poor soul you ran into made for a good cushioning from the fall. Perhaps your stack of boxes was a bit too tall to see ahead of you well enough.
“Ouch. You alrigh- oh, it’s you.” Only for a moment did you get to see that man’s dazzling smile he shared with all so freely but you so rarely, gold fang glistening under the sun before being hidden by a small scowl. Even still, he helped you to your feet and did a quick look over. “You’re not hurt anywhere?”
“Nice to see you too Aurum.”
“Just answer the question MC.”
Still not one for small talk with you it seemed, more interested in collecting your stuff from the ground. “Hold on, I can get that.”
The man lightly shook his head, his fluffy, wavy, red hair swaying as it did. “I’m not going to just leave you in the snow like this.” You could never tell if moments like this were of genuine concern of you, or humanity in general. Quickly you tried collecting some items before Aurum up and got everything. “You seem unharmed at least.”
“Yeah.” You couldn’t help smiling. He wore that Devichi scarf loosely over their shoulders. No wonder Mammon was so insistent on getting it for them, the dark mulberry color perfectly complimented their light tan tone, the gold diamond thread pattern just the right contrast, it’s shininess drawing the eye to the other shine on them, those bright, gray sharp eyes. It even matched that gold painite ear stud they always wore.
“What ARE you doing here anyway, aren’t you supposed to be partying it up back home?”
He kept gathering the wayward ornaments farthest from you, was it for your convenience or to not have an anime moment of accidentally touching hands when grabbing the same thing… It was a fun thought, but you knew better. How did you manage to throw them out so far anyway. Panicking in the moment you must have tossed them farther than expected.
“Plans had changed, and the party’s getting delayed till after Christmas it seems, so, I’m taking my time getting decorations…”
“Ah, I’m sorry to hear that.”
… You doubted it, but with the party delayed maybe he’d actually consider it since there’s more time. “You know, if you don’t have any plans already Mammon would really like you there.”
“Not. A. Chance.”
… It was understandable just why those words were so sharp and terse. It must hurt, still though…
“Boo. Do you have any plans?”
“Not really, I’ve never done much for Christmas…” Really? This sounded like just the thing Mammon would take advantage of to party in a major human city together. “That everything?” They stood, holding a refilled bag to you.
You squatted down, trying to sift through the thing quickly as well as the bag you filled. “Perfect, I’m not going back, and I’d rather be with you.”
“…” Flinching back, they felt an uncomfortable heat raise to their cheeks. How could you just say something like THAT so casually. “I-I- What! No, you don’t have to not be with your family because of me.”
“… They’re not just my family, they your’s too. You’re a part of Mammon’s family.”
…
“You of all people don’t need to tell me that.”
It was so, so tempting to reach out. To place a hand on their shoulder, take their hand, something, but you didn’t want to push them too far.
“You’re family to me.”
“……… You can’t joke like that.” Their tone was uncertain, of what you just said or their own questioning of such you weren’t sure. How you wished you could be sure about more things of the man.
“I’m not.” That may not have been entirely correct, more so you WANTED them to be family, to be closer to them, for them to let down the last few walls that were still firmly cemented there despite how much either of you could want them down.
“You… you…”
“Aurum!?” The man sprinted past you, kicking up snow as they went!
Down that steep street those bobbles rolled. Your body lurched forward about to make chase, but the stuff. Gaze snapping between the two you groaned before running after the idiot! He wasn’t going to catch up to it, and of all things he could at least run on the sidewalk, it may be a walkable city but there were still cars and trolleys! “AURUM!”
Feet tripping into one another, gravity crashing down, the man ran just able to not have another impromptu meeting with the ground within a few minuets. The ornaments were just in reach! They just needed too-
…
meet the ground
again
At least it was their own fault this time and not being suddenly attacked from the back.
And judging by the feeling in their hand they managed to get one of the decorations, and not break it in the process!
They thought, who knows, maybe the thing broke and the numbness from the cold just made them unable to tell.
There was yet still another, so with a huff they got up, sitting for a moment to catch their breath.
“Aurum, you can’t just do that!”
Ah, you arrived.
“I apologize, but I got one back in the end, didn’t I?” They held out the now scratched up sphere like some eager, smug dog.
“I can’t stand you!”
“Didn’t you just confess you cared about me?”
“You’re the worst!”
God damn it, and he just had to do that stupid, beautiful laugh in the moment, the deep one that shook their whole body that you had only seen once before.
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry, you ju-just-” More laughter erupted from him, they did try stopping and cover their mouth but it didn’t help matters at all.
“Just tell me you’re okay.”
“I-I’m okay, I swear.” They leaned forward, putting all their weight into the action, letting the momentum help them to their feet, although they did sway back for a moment. Maybe the shock of falling sequentially messed with their balance, but you were already worried. With that they spun on toe to catch himself, arms and their other leg out, before going to spin on the other. “See, fit as a fiddle, dainty as a ballerina!”
They tried not smiling, they truly did, but even now you got that bubbly feeling to bloom and pop in his chest, the excitement making their heart and hands tremble slightly.
That, or they needed to see a doctor because the falls broke something in them, but they could deal with that later, for now…
Finally managing to regain balance they stood still eyeing where the other bobble went, just down the road. They trotted along, you following immediately after, them stopping and kneeling before a car. Then lying down on their belly. “There.”
Immediately following suit you spotted the thing as well. “We can’t reach it though, and who knows where the owner is.”
Aurum sat back on their heels for a moment, fiddling with something at their waist.
What?
You…
It was like something was blurry, eyes just unable to focus, something like brain fog but with sight somehow. They-
THEY HELD A SWORD!? “WHERE DID YOU GET THAT!?”
“The straps on my belt.”
With the FREAKING SWORD still in it’s scabbard the man was able to push the bobble as if it were JUST SOME STICK THEY HAPPENED TO PICK UP OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD!
“I-I don’t remember there being?????”
“Good, you’re not supposed to.”
And just like that the…
Stick?
The thing they used was gone.
The uh
…
the
the what?
One hand behind their back, the other was held before you and you took it, them pulling you back up to your feet.
“Well, I believe that to be enough fun in the snow for one day. Where are you going, it seems you may like some help carrying your things?”
“The stuff!” And off you were back up the hill, your friend close behind.
You placed both the bobbles back in the bags, this time making sure to ACTUALLY check if everything was there and not be distracted by the pretty thing beside you. “Thank you for the help.”
“There’s no need, really. Anyone else would have done the same-”
As if.
“-Besides if for some stupid reason I didn’t Loser and those brothers-”
“Loser?”
He stared at you for a moment, confused at your snickering and your quest-…
.
.
.
“Don’t tell dad I called Lucifer that!” His panic only made that bubbling laughter come spilling out in earnest. “I’m serious! You know how much he respects the man!”
“O-okay, okay!”
“Your continued laughter leads me to believe otherwise MC!”
How were you supposed to stop!? Someone calling THE Lucifer, Avatar of Pride, Loser so casually, it just caught you off guard!
“Stop that MC!”
With deep breaths you managed to settle it, your companion now kneeling beside you, his hand up, pinky out. “Pinky promise you won’t tell him.”
And now saying to pinky promise so seriously. “Okay I-”
He drew their hand back in an instant as if you would burn them. “Mc, if you break this promise I will take that finger, I’m not joking.”
I’d rather you take my ring finger.
…
Thank goodness you did not actually say that. No more silly retorts!
“I won’t. I swear.” Hesitantly they held their hand back out, your pinkies now entwined.
With a huff they stood, taking the stack of boxes. “So where are you heading next?”
“I was just wandering around really. I should go to the hotel and get a room.”
“You don’t have one already?”
You lightly shook your head, you did just arrive and you rather get you job done first so you could spend the rest of your time relaxing, beside with the holiday right around the corner it’d only get harder and harder to get the things. “Even during summer there’s usually space so I didn’t think there’d be trouble.” But since the man was asking, it seems that may not be true.
“Christmas time is a bit of a different story. Here,” Effortless they balanced the pile in one hand, their other rummaging through their pocket before placing something in your’s. Their key ring. “go to my place and call to see if there’s any openings just in case. Logs are stacked beside the fireplace, lighter is in the top left most drawer of the counter, the one right next to the oven. Make yourself at home, Last I knew there wasn’t any openings so you can wait there till you get news of any. I’ll be there in about half an hour. OH, wait, how do you feel about soup for dinner? That’s what I was going to have unless you feel like something else?”
“Wait, wait, wait, hold on! I’ll just come with you.”
“Aren’t you cold?”
“I’ll be fine, so where were you going before I fell for you?”
“Ugh…” Gingerly they took the keys back. “Exotic bird store then the bakery. Fresh bread for soup is the best. If you’d want it?”
“Yeah, let’s go! Warm soup sounds perfect!”
Exotic birds? Quickly you took the bags before Aurum could attempt too and coaxed them on their way.
The pair of you trotted along on the streets, the light tapping on stone or the crunching of snow beneath foot. Deep chimes rung from the church, bell tolling the time, your friend picking up pace at it’s call. It was a curious little town, much of the architecture kept from it’s founding days, bridges connecting the higher levels of buildings, hidden walkways that led to street markets, pulley systems still attached to buildings in order to lift up cargo. It felt odd at times to be climbing up what you assumed to be fire escapes, yet you still followed, Aurum and others on occasion using those stares to get to the higher levels for those bridges, even going through the shops on those higher levels to reach back to the ground floor, or directly into the shop you were looking for!
“Close the door behind you.”
“Oh.” You did as told, probably a good thing having a double door system to get in. Big dish like things hung from the ceiling, massive colorful birds rested and occasionally flew from one of the set up perches in a dish to another. A massive floor space. Cages in one corner, ropes and plastic chains beside those, toys covered just about the rest of the walls aside from the one you were headed for, many dispensers. Millet seed, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds and many others, Aurum held a clear bag under the peanuts one. Once the thing was about halfway full they placed it on the scale, about 2 pounds. And… that was all they bought.
Huh.
“Are they cheaper here?”
“They’re unsalted. That stuff is awful for birds.”
Ooh!
You couldn’t help looking up and around for any feathered friends. Aurum couldn’t help himself either once he spotted your excitement, they knew the silly creatures would make themselves known soon enough anyway so they should be able to point them out to you and… make you smile…
This little crush was going to do something awful to his heart, he just knew it.
Bakery! Aurum needed bread for the soup. They picked up pace, after all you both had been out for awhile and had taken tumbles, a warm soup would be just the thing to melt those troubles away! And thankfully the bakery wasn’t too far.
Given your odd timing there was not much of a line, very quickly popping in and out, unfortunate really, the place smelled divine.
At least the disappointment was not long, cawing drawing your attention. You had arrived at Aurum’s street after all. One followed, hopping along those garlands, another two were perched on fencing before flying up and into one of the trees that lined the walkway, finally another pair hopping about in the lawn beyond the short brick wall, them picking at the ground, tossing up snow, attempting to catch the other’s tail, a few discarded shells left in the grass.
Items were all left on the steps to the porch except for the one bag. You weren’t quite sure what to do once a handful of those nuts were placed in your palm so you watched. Several were left on the brick wall, just past those vibrant camellia bushes, striking all those shades of pink with the occasional cream or ones that were white in the middle and red at the tip. A few on the porch’s fence, some even against one of the flower bushes that had an out cove and metal bowl with some water inside. Others were hidden in toys that were scattered about, a long tube, a little wooden box with holes and doors, a plastic ball with a few holes, and some other similar things.
“Ah!” Your startled yelp turned to excited giggles realizing it was one of the crows that swooped down and landed on your arm to nab the treats you held. And it was cute seeing Aurum immediately flip around, hand on hip before a sigh escape him. They stood there, arm crossed, hand on chin, quietly chuckling as you panicked a little, another one of those little feathered fiends landed on your arms, smile so bright, the glint of that golden tooth just barely noticeable, crows feet in the corner of the eyes.
“Alright, enough you two, Mc is a guest, not the bird feeder I’ve been promising.” The one given head scritches cawed quietly, eyes slowly closing while the other started nipping at the man’s sleeve. “Don’t worry, I haven’t forgotten about you.” Then that one got scritches the other began to nip. “Hey. No, you got scritches already.”
“Aw, maybe just a few more.”
A playful tone played on their tongue as they spoke, tying up the clear peanut bag. “Absolutely not. They are insatiable little things. They can and WILL keep you in place all day for pets. We must make our escape quickly.”
It was not the biggest home but it felt bigger with the kitchen, dinning room, and living room being an open floor plan, the only wall separating them was the one across from the front door to the kitchen, beginning the hallway that lead to the rest of the house. There was some lattice work to separate some of the kitchen from the living room and a couch blocked off some of where the dining room and living room connected while an island connected to the burners served the division of the dinning room from the kitchen, the island half being taller than the burner half.
“Make yourself at home, you can leave your things in the guest room, down the hall first door on the right, fire will be lit in a moment.” That usual neutral, gentle tone was back. It may not have been for long but it was nice, that moment they were relaxed. Maybe it hit them that you of all people were here at their home and possibly staying for a few nights…
Maybe if the hotel didn’t have any openings soon, you’d see if you could stay in the next town over. Even if they wanted too, they wouldn’t go back on the offer of letting you stay.
They sped walked past, leaving the peanuts on a pony wall beside the front door, right next to an identical bag with about three nuts left.
You did as told, opting to snoop around later, the thought of a fire too inviting. Lo and behold the moment you exited you spotted Aurum kneeling at the brick fireplace, the flame growing exponentially in mere moments.
The heat was lovely.
“Mind having dinner early?”
“Not at all.”
“Alright,-” They stood, stretching his arms back and above their head. “I’ll get started then.”
“Could I help with anything?”
“You’re a guest, you don’t need to do a thing.”
“What if I wanted too?”
He eyed you before taking off that scarf and draping it over the backrest of the couch. “If you hurt yourself once I’m kicking you out of the kitchen.”
Yes!
“In the top vegetable drawer is most everything we’d need already prepped so just place them on the counter.”
“Yes, Chef!”
Curiously you eyed the man, him staying in the living room. Fiddling with a black rectangular box, music began to play from those big old wooden woven speakers strewn through out the living room. The thing was connected to the radio! They flipped from station to station, getting snippets of songs, or news readings till there was holiday music. With that done they quickly trotted back, setting up the pot and stock.
Obediently you followed instructions, frying the onion, grilling the chicken, adding the celery, carrots, garlic, broccoli, cheese in the right time, the broth thickening turning to a cream color, Aurum stirring the pot, adding spices and letting you taste, blending the potatoes and adding them along.
“That good?”
“That pinch of hot paprika is perfect!”
“Then I think we’re just about done! Let’s just leave it over low flame for a few minuets. I’ll set up the table.”
“Thank you.”
“Huh? For what?”
“Just, everything. Earlier and for letting me stay. You’re a really good guy.”
They stood there, bowls in hand looking to you, a brow raised. “I don’t mean to be rude, but you need higher standards. This is just basic decency.” They continued into the dinning room. “Anyone else would be happy to help a pretty thing like you.”
Damn it man just accept the compliment. Yet, that was also part of his charm, just… his kindness always deliberate, something they believed that everyone deserved, even for someone he had not the best feelings of.
The soup was lovely, not the fanciest, but homely and creamy. Those splices ignited the core, carrots, broccoli, and onions just melted in the mouth and chicken so tender.
“Say, Aurum.”
“Yeah.”
“How come you’ve never done much for the holidays?” Even with just a quick glance you could spot no decorations, they didn’t even already have holiday music ready, something you would have expected from the man.
“… Never a point to it I guess, most I’ve done was maybe volunteering at the wayfarer’s last year.” They took a bite as they mulled it over more. “We tried a few times, but dad always got summoned back real quick. There was a year where he kept wanting me to summon him but a few minuets later and he was taken away again. I stopped after the fourth time, it wasn’t fair to anyone. He asked me if I was sure though.”
“… If you said so I’m sure he’d make it work-”
“Exactly.”
…
They placed their spoon down, arms crossed, leaning on the table. “I could tell, he wanted to be with his brothers as well. I didn’t like it or get it, why he’d want to spend the day with people who hurt him all the time. But… they’ve been getting better, because of you and maybe…”
They couldn’t look at you anymore. “Maybe they’ll keep getting better and stop hurting him. I’m human after all. Just… I could push it, ask the man who took me in and loved me when no one else would, the man who saw something in me that he couldn’t let go, ask the man who had already given me everything to give me time…
…
What if pushing it somehow strained and severed those ties with his brothers? If I got him to stay here with me, then what would he be left with after I die in a few years?
I could never ask anything more of the man who’s already given me everything. It’s much more important he keeps and makes those ties better in the long run.”
…
“And it’s not like it’s different from any other day when you think about it. I can still summon dad whenever he asks, and it’s not like he doesn’t give me things other days of the year.” Uh huh, and that forced tone definitely didn’t terribly clash with the somber one they had moments before.
“But, you gotta have a Christmas something, right? Like what about your CDs?”
They blinked for a moment before jumping out of their seat. “Well of course I do. I just don’t usually think to take them out, you hear the songs the moment you step outside, so I guess I never felt a need to listen to them more than that.” They marched for the wall past the black cd/radio player which itself was covered in cd cases, as well as the record player behind that, the wall beyond those was practically covered floor to ceiling in wooden dowel cd racks, not a space on the shelving left empty.
They froze the moment their finger landed on one of those cases. “Oh, uh, were you just asking or did-”
“I want to hear one!”
“Ah, good!”
Soon a saxophone started, the rest of the swinging big band following after.
“Hmm?” they stopped in their tracks as you approached, standing right before them.
“Know any swing dances that go with these?”
“You want to dance?”
“Yeah.”
“Alright.” A tentative smile pulled on his lips and the held up their hand for you to take.
“By the way, will the Aries’ Dream be open on Christmas?”
“The kitchen will be open to make Christmas brunch for the hotel guests, the bar itself not quite.”
“So you have Christmas off.”
“Yes.”
“Can it still be reserved?”
“… Yes?”
“And you’d be there?”
“If the Dream is to be reserved, I am required to oversee it and keep quality control.”
“And once the event is done you can go back to having a day off?”
They eyed you suspiciously. “……… Yes.”
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
And that was about what? A week ago? They rolled over in bed, not wishing to depart from those comforting, warm sheets. They could have stayed in bed, perhaps make some hot coco with peppermint.
… they wouldn’t have, but HE COULD OF!
BUT NO!
NOW BECAUSE OF YOU THEY HAD WORK FOR YOUR ‘MYSTERY GUESTS’ WHO IS NOT A MYSTERY AT! ALL!
They laid face flat on a pillow, loudly groaning wondering how the hell you convinced them to take on your request.
It was your stupidly charming dancing, it couldn’t be anything else. You successfully distracted them and made them agree to something terrible!
There was no point in screaming into a pillow aside from it feeling nice in a way, they had to get going.
A warm shower eased the nerves, that fluffy yellow robe kept some of the heat in even when they left the steam filled room. A dark green button-up would do to fit the Christmas cheer, black vest, black slacks, black socks, black dress shoes, tapping their toe to the ground as they checked the mirror. Fiddling with their stud earring they wondered if he should have some other jewelry as well… Mammon had gifted them those rings, deciding the thin one with the little dark green gem would be fitting, finally ready they left.
The last of the leftover was polished off for breakfast, everything left soaking in the sink to be cleaned when getting back.
“Hmm?” The moment they shut the front door something glinted catching the eye. A thin shiny chain, a blue cat eye pendant and some coins. Hopefully none of this was stolen… again. Merrily they cawed once the trinkets were pocketed, Aurum leaving a handful of peanuts as breakfast on the brick wall.
… Perhaps they should have brought a coat, snow beginning to drift down. It was too late to run back. Well, not quite, not unless he wanted to look completely disheveled which absolutely wouldn’t do for work.
Strolling along he slowed his pace upon hearing the sweetly ringing bell of the trolley. “YOU’VE GOT WORK ON CHRISTMAS!?”
They turned around, a hand beside their mouth. “I SHOULD BE ASKING YOU THE SAME THING!”
That boisterous laughter erupted into the air. “THE TROLLEYS STOP FOR NO ONE AURUM!”
Once it rolled by the man hopped onto the platform on the back, gripping the grabbing bar tight till he was sure his feet were steady.
“Maybe I’ll drop by the bar later and keep you company.”
“I’d love that, but there’s no need, I’m sure the grandkids would miss you. Besides I won’t be there all day. Perhaps tomorrow.”
“Haha, alright, alright.”
It was lovely watching as the seaside grew more distant and lower. They leaned against the railing taking a deep breath of that salty sea air, tucking some of their hair behind their ear so it’d stop flipping into their face. They really needed to get some hairpins or hairbands, but those damage the hair, and they couldn’t do it and so they simply had to deal with their hair slapping them in the face on breezy days.
Soon they arrived, hopping off, their footfalls light taps on the stone ground. So-
“Aru!”
“Gah-”
The man was practically tackled to the ground, an arm draped over his shoulders, pulling him close. A hyena-like laugh ringing in their ears. “Bet ya weren’t expectin’ me kiddo!”
“Dad!”
“WA-”
It was only fair they treat Mammon in kind, trying to tackle him, hugging him as tight as possible! “Hey- EY!”
“Dad? DAD!”
With a thud the two fell to the ground.
“Man you’ve gotten stronger, look at ya, takin’ me down!” The demon’s eyes practically sparkled.
“Come on, you’re not that old and frail yet! You fell on purpose!”
Quickly the man scrambled up, an embarrassed heat raising to their cheeks while Mammon laughed. “I don’t know, you’re growin like a weed!”
Happily he took his son’s outstretched hand, Aurum easily pulling him to his feet. “Alright, we have a party to set up, don’t we.”
“Yeah we do!”
“I still have some Demonus from the last shipment you got me, or is there a special one you wanted?”
“Oh, you’re gonna love this! I got the artisanal stuff. Homemade too by an expert!”
“Could I have a taste?”
“Of course! I saved a few bottles for personal use.”
“Perfect! I can make some mixes with more confidence in the flavor.”
“Why ya askin though? I always get ya some for yourself.”
“Yeah, but that’s the usual shipment for the bar, since these were for a party, I wasn’t sure if as much was or even could be gotten.”
“Aw, don’t ya worry! I get ya whatever you need.”
As the pair walked along the demon looked over his shoulder to you. “Aren’t ya commin?”
“In a minuet, just enjoying the view.”
The bar was already decorated in festive cheer, but there was still set up to be done. The feast laid out on each and every table, spells to make sure any noise or more destructive tendencies wouldn’t disturb the kitchen staff or hotel guests, more decorations, the music up and ready to go and other such things. Aurum spotted how you and Mammon slipped behind the bar with a something but said nothing about it, if there were everyday guests they’d demand to know what you troublemakers were doing, but since it was your party they were willing to leave it be, they’d find out soon enough anyway.
And soon enough the time was arriving. Mammon left to collect his siblings and the rest. You stayed behind double checking nothing had happened to the next several courses. Aurum stood behind the bar, their back to the door taking a glass off the shelf, and a rag beginning to absentmindedly polish the already shiny cup.
“Hey.”
“Yes?”
“… Everyone’s going to be on their best behavior, I promise.”
Suddenly a chorus of voices came crashing in.
“Oh, I remember this place! You’ve taken me here before!”
“You too?”
“Oh! The bartender made THE BEST cheeseburger for me!”
“HAhhahaha! The mysterious bar with Demonus! Do you take everyone here because you’re the provider?”
“Mammon!”
“Wait, wait! Hold on! It’s legit! I get everythin from Abaddon!”
With a soft thunk the glass was placed on the counter.
His smile kind and soft, shoulders relaxed, heart thumping against their ribcage. “Welcome to the Aries’ Dream, so you are the party. Many familiar faces, I see. It’s a pleasure to have you all back.” For the business’ sake. Having a prince and such high profile leaders as possible repeat customers was a… good thing… very… good…
They were just customers.
Seems they were not immune to the holiday cheer, nothing but laughter and celebrations. They knew the child was in fact older than himself but seeing Luke with such a boisterous, buzzed bunch still was nerve-wracking. But it was reserved as a private party and they said children would be allowed. Asmodeus tried dragging Mammon and other into dancing, all accepted but the one demon who stuck by the bar chatting with whoever decided to take the seats beside him, usually Loser. Barbatos at times seemed unsure what to do with himself, Aurum having him nurse a drink while they told the history of it. Beelzebub almost broke into the kitchen but thankfully you were there to stop it. There were a few new faces to the bar but Aurum recognized from pictures such as Solomon who kept complimenting you on the ‘decorations’ and how you did such a good job casting them, or Simeon who tried sticking to Lucifer’s side. Diavolo bounced around, one minuet dancing, the next chatting with Mammon and Lucifer, the next asking about drinks he’d never heard of like beer. They don’t know how but at some point Belphegor fell asleep on the floor behind the bar, but it was easy enough to just keep stepping over him.
“Uh, guys we should start wrapping up soon!” Aurum looked to you confused, there was still some time till the end of the reservation, but the others checked the time, agreeing, even if disappointed. Did they all just take that long to get going?
“Sorry about Belphie.” The giant scooped up his twin from the floor.
“Oh, it’s no problem.”
Slowly they gathered themselves, one by one leaving.
“Eh, we still got some time. I’ll have another drink and catch up with ya later!”
“Mammon, we’re leaving.”
You quickly stood between Lucifer and the second born. “I’ll look after him, just enjoy yourself Lucifer.”
With a sigh, the demon agreed before ushering the last few stragglers out.
“Welp, I’m bored! See later Mammon, bye Aurum!” And with that you slipped into the hotel.
“I-What?”
Mammon simply waved you off before perking right up.
“Kid, ‘ey, check under ya!”
“… The ice box.”
“Nah, next to that!”
Suspicious…
Whatever, Mammon seemed like he was excited so Aurum couldn’t help playing along. So whatever they did was hidden away with the special unbreakable glasses.
… The glasses were shoved aside for something in wrapping paper and a bow. They stood, the item soft.
“I… I got you a present too! I didn’t think I’d have the chance to give it to you today so it’s back home bu-”
“Hey, hey, it’s alright kid! You don’t need to get work up about it. We’ll got pick it up later, alright?”
“Okay!”
Gently he run his hands over the shiny, glossy paper before tugging at the bow and picking at the tape that held it all together.
…
It looked like lace but clearly crocheted. Black with a rainbow like shimmer to it. The pattern looked almost like wings, many feathers all together. At the ends of the poncho were silver and gold tassels.
“C’mon, put it on!” Only then did Aurum notice how their dad was practically vibrating in his seat.
They only noticed Mammon leaned over the counter to hug them from the pressure, the moment he worn their gift he felt warm.
“Merry Christmas.
“Merry Christmas dad.”
Eventually they both let go.
“Oh, times up! You’re off the clock now! Need ta get goin’.”
“Going?”
“Yeah! Town up north’s having a festival, and we’re going!”
“We are!?”
“Tch, yeah. I just said so.”
“What about…”
“Eh, they have plans here, Mc’ll warn us where they’re at. So we better go before they notice!”
“I-Okay, just gimmie a second to lock up!”
Well
Damn it
Aurum never got you anything, yet here you were giving them
Giving them THIS
Of all things
…
They just had to make it up to you next year then.
They all mourned Lilith. Even Satan, who had never met her, felt her loss. He would go so far as to say he knew her. With all of the stories, all of the glances exchanged, how could someone not know her? There were some times, though, that her brothers couldn’t see the forest for the trees. Her loss hurt like no other, of course. But she isn’t gone. She lives today, in the House of Lamentation.
She lives in Belphegor’s passion for humans. The way he studies them, not in a clinical, detached way, but with a real desire to learn more about them. He learns everything he can from books, the Internet, even picking Solomon’s brain from time to time. He wants to know about holidays, food, clothes, any aspect of culture he can. And the human world has culture aplenty. Just one species, with more diversity than some of the regions in the Devildom. All of them with centuries of history, generations on generations of lives lived. He doesn’t think he understands them like she did, but she never really understood. She loved them, just like he does now.
She lives in Beel’s kind heart. He has always been the protective one, but never out of anger. He wants to keep his family safe because he loves them, just like she did. He’s the first to come into his brothers’ rooms after a hard day with a mug of something hot and a strong hug. His silence doesn’t mean disinterest; in fact, he’s the best listener out of them all. His dedication to working out every morning has lasted for centuries, waking up every day with one goal in mind: to be strong. Strong for the people he loves, because he doesn’t want to think about what happens if there comes a day where he isn’t strong enough. So he tries every day to be a little kinder, more supportive. Even if no one else is there for his family, he will be.
She lives in Asmo’s social nature. Demons, humans, and angels alike are drawn to him. He holds a presence unrivaled by anyone in the three realms, utterly magnetic. He is irresistible in every sense of the word. He fields invitations from clubs, spas, art museums, all wanting the prestige granted to them by his dazzling smile. At any event he is the shining gem of the night, demons practically lining up to get a chance to speak with him. Most are surprised by his intelligence, assuming he would be as shallow as he pretends. A select few find genuine connection in him, and he treasures those friendships dearly.
She lives in Levi’s artistry. He never willingly lets others see it like she did, only posts it anonymously online when he’s particularly proud, but he creates all the same. He creates not for others’ approval but for himself, to see a vision from his own mind come to life in front of him. Whether he sews, sculpts, paints, or codes, Levi’s personal style is evident through every piece he makes. Colors flow like water from his hands, and everything he creates helps him understand the world just a little more. And the more he understands the world, the more he understands himself. He hopes that if the world becomes a little more beautiful with every minute spent, maybe, piece by piece, he’ll be a little more beautiful too.
She lives in Mammon’s infectious smile. He’s been beaten down relentlessly for a million different reasons since he was created, and yet he smiles. It’s true that sometimes he has to fake it, when someone’s words cut too deep or when the nights get a little too quiet, but the smile still stands. In the first few years after the fall, he was indispensable to his family. The darkness of the Devildom felt suffocating, but his laugh would stave it off for just a little longer. He has a way of cheering up his brothers in record time, making some joke at his own expense and giving them a playful knock on the head. Now, he partners with Beelzebub when the younger’s strategy doesn’t work, and their success rate working together is unbeatable.
She lives in Lucifer’s quiet moments. In the Celestial Realm, some of the bolder angels had questioned if Lilith was scared of him, and the two of them would laugh together about it when she told him. Anyone could say that Lucifer was the most intimidating of the seven, even to his own brothers. In the House of Lamentation, though, there are some soft moments that are never spoken of again. During particularly loud thunderstorms, he comes home to Belphie curled up in his bed, nose pressed against the blanket. When Levi has been feeling neglected, he finds Lucifer in his study and sits on the floor, leaning against Lucifer’s chair. The brothers’ favorites are the hugs where Lucifer wraps his wings around them, shielding them from the world.
She lives in Satan. In his analytical nature, in his self-control, in his wrath. Lucifer had always been angry, of course, but so had Lilith. She’d been angry that she couldn’t be with the one she loved, angry that the angels would dare treat her brothers with contempt. The twins see her in a pair of green eyes flashing with rage. But Satan has been working to control himself for centuries, tamping down the anger, channeling it. He studies every book he can get his hands on. He loves poetry and art, and every day he tries to prove that he is more than his anger. His brothers tell him he has nothing to prove, just like they used to tell Lilith. And just like her, he doesn’t listen to them.
