Chapter Text
"You scumbag!"
Mammon could hear his brothers shout from a mile away as the Avatar of Envy barged in his room. And he winces seeing the empty bowels of spicy Ramen noodles on the floor.
"You sold my new Ultra Goddess Ruri-Chan figure 37 on special edition golden marking with the actual voice actor and creator of the amazing Ruri-chan and her wild high school magical girl romance adventure signing that figure, didn't you!?" The Otaku didn't even stutter.
Mammon raises his head from his pillow. Squinting his eyes with an extreme look of confusion on his face. "Did you just cast a spell on me?" He groans.
"Ugh! You scumbag! The most scumbiest scumbag of all!" Levi didn't get a clear answer, and yet, still blamed it on Mammon. As always. Before he left, Levi kicked down his bin and stomped out. Leaving his door wide open.
Mammon didn't even scold Levi for yelling and trashing his already dirty. Which was.. well.. strange. But who cares? Levi certainly didn't!
But what's even more shocking was that Mammon didn't even bother getting up to close his door. "Lazy scumbag.." Levi curses under his breath as he stomps down to the hall. Putting his tie on.
.
He made it to his brother's all gathered at the dining table as per normal. Lucifer raises his brow, seeing Mammon not come out with the third eldest.
"Did you not wake him up?" He asks.
"Oh, his awake, alright!" Levi huffs. Sitting on his chair, he quickly grabs his plate of food before Beel could eat it.
Lucifer sighs and rubs his head with irritation. "Mammon, come down here!" He calls from below. No response from up top.
"Just imagine he calls in sick again." Asmo snickers to himself. "What? Does he have a test due today?"
"I think we do. And the student council meeting after this." Satan agrees. Being in the same class with his older brother has its benefits.
"I wish I could stay in today.." Belphie says lazily. Leaning on his pillow with a yawn while his twin continues to eat his food.
"No one is staying in." Lucifer stands up. Gritting his teeth with irritation and heads up to his brother's room.
But his surprised seeing the door wide open.
.
Mammon is rather dizzy this morning. Which is weird. He didn't drink anything last night, so why was he dizzy? Doesn't matter.
He feels weird.. it feels like his sleeping, but his not at the same time. His seeing double. Why was his door open? What time is it?
Is someone calling for me? Why is my throat so sore? Mammon thought to himself as he closed his eyes for a moment. Just for a moment.
"MAMMON!"
He could hear Lucifer shout his name. Quickly, Mammon springs up. "I'm up! I'm up!" He says instinctively. Looking around his dirty room until he sees his older brother hovering over him.
"Get up and get ready." Lucifer demands. Mammon wipes the sweat off his forehead. Why was he so cold even if he was sweaty?
"Uhh.. I dunno Lucifer.. I feel funny." Mammon groans. Holding the massive headache on the side of his head with pain.
Lucifer raises a brow. "Mammon. This is the 7th time this month you called in sick. I'm not a fool. Plus, you have to give a speech to the student council today. Don't think I don't know your tricks." The older brother doesn't buy it.
But it shocks him when Mammon doesn't press further.
When he acts sick, he just whines and rolls around like a toddler. Crying how "painful," his head was. And how he was in unbelievable agony. And to which Lucifer's weakness.. he gives in and lets this scumbag stay home.
But today was important. Besides, Lord Diavolo has complained to him how soft he was with his favorite brother. As much as he enjoyed it, Barbatos scolded him for not scolding Lucifer.
But it's disturbing seeing his younger brother just nod. No arguments. No whining. No crying dramatically. It was disturbing. And concerning.
"Okay.. Lusfer.." Mammons' voice was hoarse and slurred. You'd think he drank. But Lucifer made sure there was not a single drop of alcohol anywhere in the House of Lamentation.
But the way he said his name sent shivers down his spine.
He could suddenly remember the weight of his newly born baby brother in his arms when he was still in the Celestial Realm.
"White hair." The young Lucifer plays with his new brother's hair. The newborn yawns and opens his eyes for the first time. Lucifer gasps. "Blue eyes?"
The baby smiles, seeing his older brother. A hand rests on Lucifers shoulder. "Yes, Lucifer. Blue for the sky."
"The sky.." Lucifer repeats his father's words. Lifting his hand up for the baby to take.
"Lusfer." The baby mumbles. Lucifer felt a huge sense of Pride hearing his brothers words.
Pride.
Pride.
The same Pride that got him sent to Devildom.
"Lucifer?" Satan's voice snaps him out of his memories. Standing by the doorway of Mammons' room. "What? Why are you staring at him like that? Don't tell me you're planning on keeping him in again, are you?" Satan raises an eyebrow.
Lucifer felt his eyebrows knit together. Clearing his throat, he looks at Satan and then at his favorite, who was struggling to sit up. "No. Of course not." He couldn't swallow his Pride. "Get up. We're heading out in 10 minutes." Lucifer said coldly to Mammon before he left his room.
.
That cold glare was unintentional. He didn't mean it. Why did he give him that look? "Dammit.." Lucifer rubs his eyes. Guilt eating on his soul. But he will never apologize. His the Avatar of Pride, after all.
He watches as his brother walks like a zombie to the dining table. In all which the rest of his brothers laugh.
"Are you seriously still playing the sick role?" Beel asks with a raised eyebrow. Chewing on the bag of chips he just bought on the walk to RAD.
"You'd think after Lucifer catches him, he'd stop." Satan buts in with a sigh.
"Ah.. it seriously hurts having a brother as stupid as him.. seriously, how can he be my older brother?" Asmo caresses his face. Feeling bad for himself.
"LMAO. Mammon's totally faking it and trying to get out of speaking that speech today. Lolololol." Levi laughs.
And the 4 brothers' laughter dies down after they realize Mammon won't yell or scold back. An uncomfortable silence fell on them. Usually, Mammon would be the one to break it. But no. Just further adding on to the uneasiness.
.
The first class Mammon dragged his body inside. He handed his test that he most definitely didn't study for. And so, he just picked up any letter with his eyes closed. Literally.
Satan happened to be in the same class. He was hovering over his brother as he sat behind him. He nibbles on his lip, seeing that his older brother couldn't even hold a pencil. But, he chose to say nothing to his brother. Merely watching him.
In the second class, he could barely keep his eyes open. Much less listen to what the teacher was saying. In which, the teacher scolds him and calls him up to the board.
Mammon gasps awake. Slowly, he gets up. But almost immediately collapses. His lucky Asmo was there to catch his fall. Usually, Asmo wouldn't even touch his brothers on such short notice. Especially if they're drenched in sweat. But Asmo's eyebrows were knitted with worry. This wasn't good! He'll get wrinkles of stress!
In the third class, he fell asleep. And woke up. And fell asleep yet again. That repeated throughout the class until the bell rang.
Finally, it was lunch. And Mammon stayed in his homeroom class. He didn't even get to pack in lunch. which he was secretly grateful for because the mere thought of food made him sick to his stomach.
And then, Beel came in with his cheeseburger. He sat next to his brother while Belphie followed after him. He turned to his pale brother.
"Where's your lunch?" Beel asks through his food.
"I don't have any food to give you, Beel." Mammon mumbles with his head laid on the desk. Belphie copied his position.
"Why is your eyes bloodshot? Did you drink?" Belphie asks curiously before yawning.
"M'no.." Mammon mumbles in response.
"Didn't you pack lunch?" Beel continues to ask.
"M'o.." Mammon mumbles. His answers get shorter as he dozes off more.
"Why not?" Belphie asks. But Mammon merely groans in response.
"You should be hungry. You didn't eat last nights dinner. And you had no breakfast." Beel continues. But no response came from Mammon.
Belphie stands up. Putting his hand on his brothers forehead. "His burning up." Belphie announces. And with that, Beel lifts his brother up and walks to the nurse.
.
Mammon's eyes open as he finds himself on a bed. At first, he thought it was his bed. But it wasn't. Slowly, he sat up. He was in the nurses office. "Must've.. pass out.." His conclusion was short. Slowly, he stands up without alerting the nurse. Feeling the massive headache pounding in his ears. And the nausea. Why was he so cold?
He checks his D.D.D and realizes that he is late to the meeting. "Shit.." He mumbles. Quickly grabbing his bag and running.. well.. jogging over.
And he continues for about a minute before he stops to catch his breath. And then he could hear the laughter of Levi as he walked past him.
"Devildoms fastest demon, huh?" Levi teases. Pointing at his older brother. He expected a reaction. Yelling. Whining. Shouting. Anything.
But Mammon didn't even look up at him. He merely holds his chest as he breathes heavily. Levi pouts his lips. Secretly craving attention from his older brother.
"Well, you're late to your speech! And—and Lucifer will be sooooo mad!" Levi huffs stubbornly. Stomping away childishly. Feeling frustrated, he didn't get the attention he yearned for.
.
Levi huffs as he makes his way to the student council room. And.. it was strangely.. gloomy.
Lucifer wasn't lecturing him for coming in late. That's a start. He seemed in his own world.
Satan was reading a book about medicines for.. whatever reason.
Asmo didn't even look at himself in the mirror. He just had his arms crossed.
Beel wasn't eating, and Belphie was awake! What was going on?? Is it the end of Devildom??
"Uhh.. hey, guys?" Levi questions. Sitting on his seat as he looks around the with a confused look.
But they all ignore him. Which Levi huffs more with irritation. "Seriously? Rude."
"Where's Mammon?" Lucifer asks Beel. Is this why everyone's so quiet? Because that dumb scumbag is fooling everyone?
"His still in the nurses office. Asleep." Beel responds. Seriously? Did he fake it so badly that he had the nurses fooled?? How ridiculous!
"You guys are such normies, frfr." Levi crosses his arms with a frustrated groan. "Seriously? You believe that scumbag???"
"You think his faking it? His paler than my concealer!" Asmo puts his hand on his cheek.
"Oh, yeah? Well, I just passed him jogging towards here! And he should be back any minute now—"
And the student council door opens. Levi smirks. Knowing he was right. "Speak of the demon!"
But to his surprise when his brothers jumped up. They all rushed to him. Levi bit his lips with anger. And.. well.. envy. Can't they see he was totally faking it? How unbelievable and super duper unfair!
But Mammon ignored them. Walking to the front with the papers of the speech he was supposed to give.
"Mammon, come sit down." Lucifer urges. Standing near his brother in fear, he might collapse any minute now. Beel does the same.
"M'o.. speech.." Mammon's voice was slurred. Which was a little concerning. But who knows? He could be extremely drunk right now!
"No, no speech. It's fine." Lucifer pulls the paper out of his hands. Mammon looks up with confusion.
"M'o..-peech..?" Mammon repeats deliriously.
"No speech." Lucifer repeats. Quickly pulling Mammon to lean on him. "Celestial.. you're an oven." Lucifer curses under his breath. He turns to see all his brothers waiting for his next move.
"Asmo, I need you to call a cab home right now. Satan, Beel, help me get his clothes off." They all nod. Ready to follow their brother. Even Satan is ready.
"Seriously?? You guys are such normies! Getting fooled again!" Levi stats bitter. Mainly because his jealous. And he doesn't want to show his concern.
But they all ignore him. Again. Why are they all worried about a scumbag who sold his prized possession?
Satan and Beel stripped him to his tank top underneath his school uniform with his pants still on. Finally, his body seemed to cool down.
But Mammon's teeth chattered. But he managed to keep himself up right. And his breathing started to regular. Sweat seemed to stop as he looked less pale. As if a miracle happened. Mammon looked all better.
"Lucifer, his getting a bit better." Satan announces. They all turn to him, all except Levi.
Lucifer puts a hand on Mammon's forehead. Feeling his temperature start to lessen. He let's out a sigh or relief. "It's alright, Asmo. You can cancel the cab." Lucifer sighs with relief. So did everyone else.
"See? It's just a dumb fever and a headache. It must be because of all those layers of clothes on." Levi retorts. All the brothers hesitantly walk back to their seats. Letting Mammon return to his seat as well.
.
And to their surprise, Mammon was able to speak clearly throughout the rest of the meeting. Maybe he just got a little headache because of the stress? Or it's because he didn't eat anything? Who knows.
But Levi knew for certain that it was all an act just to get out of doing his speech. It had to be! He just conveniently got better after Lucifer told him no speech? How stupid are they all?
Levi made sure he was the last one with Mammon in the council room so he could confront his brother on his little acting skills. As soon as they left, Levi had his hand to Mammon's chest.
"Do you think I'm stupid?" He asks with an annoyed growl. No response from his brother. "I know it was an act! You cheating scumbag.."
Levi stomps his foot with irritation. "You're telling me you immediately felt better after Lucifer told you not to do the speech? Ha! I'm not stupid! Just because you're Lucifer's favorite doesn't give you any right to manipulate us like that!" Levi whines. Putting his bag on his shoulders.
No response from Mammon. And Levi felt proud seeing Mammon's wide eyes and parted lips. He definitely put him in his place, that's for sure!
"That was seriously low of you, Mammon. Acting sick. Have you ever heard of the boy who cried wolf? That might happen to your one day!" He scoffs with annoyance before he turns around. "Hope you had your fun."
And just as Levi was about to walk away—he heard a loud groan. Levi sighs. Thinking Mammon was about to scold him. Secretly, he was a bit happy that Mammon would finally talk back to him. And so, he turned to see his brother.
But his eyes widened.
Everything seemed to slow down at that moment.
He watched his brothers eyes roll to the back as his knees buckled. And winced once he saw his head head the edge of the table with a thud before it hit the ground with another loud thud.
It took him a second to process what had just happened.
But Mammon had just collapsed at his feet.