Chapter Text
He ran into an empty alleyway, panting as his lungs burned from running.
He shouldn’t have stopped, but he had to.
Sure his stamina was stronger than a human’s, but that didn’t mean he didn’t need to rest. His eyes darted around the alley, looking for a hiding place in case he was caught up to. A dumpster was about the only thing that wasn’t just sitting behind boxes, so he climbed in.
Tears streamed down his face as he leaned against the back of the disgusting wall. His body was trembling from overexertion.
“What the hell am I doing?”
Mammon stretched his legs, the dumpster surprisingly spacious. He sighed, rubbing his eyes to try and get rid of the tears from both his sadness and the stench. This wasn’t ideal, but it was going to do.
A few hours had passed before he heard footsteps outside and he froze in fear, straining to hear where they’re going.
Unfortunately, they went straight to the dumpster.
The light of day was revealed when the lid was opened and all of a sudden a bag was crashing into his face, a shocked gasp and groan escaped his mouth making the person who was throwing their trash away pause. The lid lifted more, and a semi-irritated voice mumbled into the bin.
“Now, who the hell is in there?”
“Oh shit.”
The figure poked their head in, revealing none other than the pawn shop owner. The tough looking demon smirked as she realized who it was, her eyes gleaming in interest.
“Well, look who it is!”
She pulled him out of the dumpster with unsurprising strength, laughing loudly as she clapped him on the back.
“I thought you’d be hooked on something. Why else would you sell that necklace for such a cheap price!”
“Look, I’m not hooked on anything and I could really use your help.”
“Why should I?”
The white-haired demon thought for a moment “I honestly don’t know why. But I need your help because I’m hiding from Lucifer and if he catches me, who knows what's going to happen.”
“What’s in it for me?”
“Free labor?”
He could practically see the gears turning in her head before she sighed in defeat, her face quickly showing amusement.
“Look kid, I’ll help you but for a price. I’ll get you a job at the bar down the street, they help people like you.”
“People like me?”
“The ones who want to be forgotten about.”
The pawn shop owner stretched, closing the dumpster lid. “Of course, not all of them managed to be forgotten about.”
Her eyes raked over Mammon’s form, noticing all the soot and dirt.
“As for your living arrangements, I’ve got a room in the back of the shop that isn’t being used for anything but storage.”
Mammon felt tears well up in his eyes again “Thank you so much!”
She shrugged, “Don’t mention it. I’m Bela by the way.”
“It’s nice to officially meet you.”
“Don’t play that, we’ve met officially many times. You were one of my best customers at one point. That’s probably the only reason why I am helping you. For such a high status demon like you, it’s shocking to see you this low.”
The avatar of Greed grimaced, he felt ashamed that this was even a thing to begin with. He was sure if his brothers had actually cared for him, this whole event wouldn’t have been real.
His mind drifted back to Beel, his anxiety spiking.
Was he okay? Did he make it home?
Before he knew it, he was standing in a room filled to the brim with a random assortment of items. Anything from ancient looking swords to beat up coffee cans, if you could think of any object it was most likely in there.
“If I come in here and anything is missing, I’ll stick that sword up your ass. So don’t sell anything.”
“Noted.”
Mammon watched Bela close the door before settling into his newfound home. There was already a bed in there, most likely when the woman wanted a quick nap between customers.
A month went by quickly, blurring between helping out at the shop and working at the bar. He was favored there and many customers requested his drinks. He never made them strong, nor did he add anything special. It must be because he was new. But even after the newbie spell wore off, people really liked him.
If he was honest, this job was incredible!
It wasn’t taxing like the restaurant he worked at, and it wasn’t demanding like Majolish. It was the perfect atmosphere, and he only had to break up one or two fights a night!
For Mammon, it was a shock he hadn’t been found yet. He wasn’t sure if it was because of the dim lighting or the amount of drunk people who just couldn’t care less. Like, there had to be one person that would recognize him.
He always made sure to look up at each customer, hoping that whoever walked in the door wouldn’t be one of his brothers, or a witch who he owed money to.
The avatar of Greed’s attention was brought back as a shot was placed in front of him, he turned to see Bela standing beside him. Her eyes trained on the swaying customers
“Thought you needed this.”
“I’ll pass, I don’t drink.”
“So serious.” She joked as she tilted her head back and tipped the shot down her throat. She laughed a little as she slammed the cup back down, turning to look at him
“You need to lighten up a bit.”
Mammon returned the laugh, his eyes lighting up. “I feel way better than I have been. Does that count?”
Bela pretended to think before shrugging “I suppose so.”
His eyes were fixated on the tiny glass before him, his fingers trailing the ridges as he watched the customers.
The door opened and a hooded figure stumbled in
“Ah, a pregamer.” Bela muttered as she poured herself another shot
“You’re going to have to pay for those, you know that right?”
“I know the owner.”
“He said you have to pay for those too.”
“That son of a-”
“Give me a double shot of cemetery tequila. And keep them coming.”
Mammon turned to the hooded customer “Of course!”
He started out the first shot, his mind focused on getting the amount just right before he slipped it toward the customer
“Here you are!”
The customer took the shot quickly, their hood falling off of their head in the action and Mammon froze.
“Ooh ain’t this interesting.” Bela said with delight.
The hooded customer was Asmodeus.
Mammon had to stop himself from shouting in surprise, his body dripping in cold sweat. Why was he here? And why the hell was he drinking so much? He never did that before!
That wasn’t Asmo.
That wasn’t his brother who treated fruity Demonus like an accessory.
This was an addict, one who has been going strong. But for how long? Was it after he left? But why?
“I said keep them coming!”
“Right, sorry!”
Mammon made Asmodeus another drink, watering it down a little before slipping it to him. The latter was none the wiser and gulped it down anyways.
“Well that looks like my cue to leave, Barkeep. Check ya later!”
“Wait, Bela!”
Bela left him without a second thought, her laugh echoing despite the room being filled with noise.
The white-haired demon sighed as he was left all alone with this mess.
“I’m waiting!”
So demanding.
Mammon gave the latter drink after drink, watered down significantly of course. Something about this scene made him incredibly uncomfortable. Actually everything about this scene made him uncomfortable!
I mean, who would want to keep serving their family members drinks until they pass out! Besides addicts, no one! Mammon was not an addict, nor would he have condoned this when he was an addict! Asmo was better than this, but yet here he was! Reduced to a drunk!
A large figure burst into the bar, also hooded but there was unmistakable striking orange hair poking out.
How many more of his brothers were going to come in!
“I’ve been looking for you everywhere!” Beelzebub gripped his older brother’s shoulders, his face full of concern and disappointment.
Said blonde barely responded, his muddled mind trying to get Mammon to serve him another drink. Practically begging at this point.
“I just need one more!!”
Beel gently tore Asmo away from the bar, his eyes glancing at Mammon.
The white-haired demon froze as the two made eye contact, the purple eyes of his brother widened as he recognized him.
“Mammon!”
“Mammon? Where?!”
The drunken avatar of Lust looked around the room, his eyes unfocused “I don’t see him!”
Beel sighed, giving Mammon a look of ‘I’m coming back later, don’t you dare try and run away’ before dragging the fifth-born out of the bar.
“Ah shit.”
The hours passed by slowly, each of them feeling like an eternity. The avatar of Greed couldn’t help but train his eyes on the digital clock behind the bar, his anxiety rising more and more with each passing minute.
When would Beel be back?
Did he and Asmo get home safe?
Would Asmo tell Lucifer that Beel saw him at the bar?
“Mammon?”
The white-haired demon jumped and he whipped around, sighing in relief when Bela was the one standing before him
“You alright, kid?”
Mammon felt his emotion threatening to spill out, his mouth being the only one holding them back. If he opened it, he wasn’t sure if he was going to be able to hold back any of his thoughts. But it was Bela, maybe he didn’t need to do that anymore. She wasn’t Lucifer. Or his brothers.
She wasn’t judgmental.
Scratch that.
She wasn’t TOO judgmental.
“Beel.” He choked out, the words almost caught in throat. He watched as Bela tried to piece together the events of the night with the single uttered word.
“Did blondie mention him? Or did you see him?”
“Saw..”
Bela nodded, sitting down in the stool across from him “I see. Did he say anything to you? Did he see you?”
Mammon drew in a shaky breath, willing the anxiety to go away for a second.
“He saw me, but he didn’t say anything.”
It wasn’t entirely a lie because all he said was his name.
Bela gestured for a shot to be poured before continuing “Do you think he’ll tell Lucifer? I thought that one was on your side?”
“He is on my side…it’s just-”
“You didn’t want anyone to find you?”
“Yeah.”
Bela took the shot, slamming the glass down with a satisfied smirk “So two brothers in one night! Who’s next? Lucifer?”
“Bela, please.”
“Haha! Right right, I won’t will it into existence. But it’ll be fun.”
“Bela!”
The woman sighed, stretching her arms above her head before standing once more.
“Look, I can get you a place across town. But it’ll be risky.”
Mammon turned back to the clock, only ten minutes had passed.
“Forget it. I need to face this problem head on. Even if it means fighting Lucifer’s pride.”
“Listen to me, if you’re not ready don’t try.”
“I need to try! What good am I to Beel if I’m not there! I need to be there for him.”
“Killing yourself for your brother ain’t worth it, punk. Really think about this!”
Mammon huffed in frustration “He’s worth it!”
Bela scoffed, rolling her eyes as she pushed the stool back in “You’re insane.” Her look of annoyance shifted into a smirk “But, that’s why I like you.”
She jabbed two of her fingers into Mammon’s shoulder, watching him squirm from the pain “Fine, if you’re going to stay. Do so. If you’re going to run…well don’t come crawling back to me. You’re on your own for now.”
“On my own?”
“Well yeah, I sheltered you because you begged for it. Now that you’re thinking about fighting Lucifer, you don’t need my help. Simple as that.” Bela turned away “Of course, I could continue helping you. For a price.”
Mammon sighed, he could continue hiding away in the back room of Bela’s shop. But he knew this wasn't what he wanted. Regardless of whether his brothers decide to keep him away or not, he had to fight.
The white-haired demon ran his fingers through his hair, his hand shaking as he took a deep breath.
“Alright, I won’t expect anything anymore.”
“Oh? So you’re doing this on your own?”
“We both know I barely make enough Grimm to scrape by as it is, if I get your help it’ll be for nothin’.”
Bela’s smirk widened once more, her eyes full of amusement as she moved away from the bar “Well, alrighty then! You’ll take it from here.”
As she turned away she paused, almost as if she was hesitating.
“Don’t die.”
With that finality in her tone, she left. Leaving Mammon alone with his thoughts and the slow moving numbers of the digital clock.
He turned to look at the clock, he could read the numbers more clearly now that he’d calmed down a bit. It was a quarter to 2. The night had dragged on long enough. Where was Beel? Was he coming tonight or tomorrow…or would he come at all?
The avatar of Greed started to clean the floors of the bar, the methodical sweeping soothed him a bit. Watching the broom go back and forth for however long somehow helped him calm down.
“Mammon..” The voice was soft, sudden, but it didn’t scare him. He knew who it was.
“Read the sign. Bar's closed.”
“Don’t tell me to go home again.”
The white-haired demon turned, his eyes meeting the shadowy figure of his younger brother.
“How’s Asmo?”
Beel sighed, sitting in one of the barstools closest to him “He’s sleeping.”
“Good..”
Mammon settled the broom against the counter, facing away from the orange-haired demon. Not quite ready to speak to him yet despite hours of waiting for him.
“Why did you make me go home that day?”
“I don’t want to talk about that.”
The avatar of Gluttony went quiet, watching him with a slightly hurt expression. Waiting for when he was ready to speak.
The older demon sighed, organizing his thoughts “I wanted you to be safe.”
“I would’ve been safe with you.”
“Don’t give me that, Beel. We both know a war is about to start.”
“Lucifer is still unaware of your whereabouts.”
Mammon moved behind the bar, subconsciously preparing a snack for Beel. He almost stopped himself from doing the brotherly action, but Beel’s stomach made him continue.
“I’m ending this soon.” He whispered as he adjusted his sleeve.
“Is this really what you want?”
The white-haired demon set a plate of miscellaneous cakes in front of the latter, his fingers brushing through his orange fluff as he retracted his hand.
“Yes.”
Beelzebub sighed, taking one of the cakes and stuffing it into his mouth “You won’t be alone this time.”
“Don’t speak with your mouth full.”
The avatar of Gluttony swallowed quickly, his eyes downcast “I’m sorry.”
“You don’t gotta apologize for eating, Beel.”
“I’m not apologizing for eating. I’m apologizing for leaving.”
Mammon froze, finally turning to look at him “I made you leave.”
“Mammon, you mean the world to me. I should never have left you! I have been constantly worrying about you ever since we parted ways. Everything is getting worse in the house of Lamentation. I needed to find you to help make everything better again!”
“Make everything better how? I’m not going to forgive Lucifer for anything!”
Beelzebub sighed “I know.”
“...look, Beel. I’m sorry. I know you mean well, but let me do this.”
“If that’s the case, do you at least know what you’re going to do?”
Mammon sighed “No. I don’t.” he admitted softly.
“Well…then that’s good.”
“What do you mean?”
Beel stuffed another cake into his mouth, chewing thoughtfully before picking up another one. “If you don’t have a plan, I’ll help you.”
“I don’t want you to get stuck in the middle.”
“If you truly think this will be the end of everything then I want to be by your side.”
“What about Belphie?”
“I told you before, it doesn’t matter.”
Beel stood up, shoving the rest of the cakes into his pockets.
“Wait, let me get you a container. Take those out of your pocket.”
The orange-haired demon took the smashed cakes out, the insides of the pockets surprisingly not dirty.
Mammon grabbed a to-go container and carefully put the cakes into it, glancing up at Beel who stood awkwardly.
“I’ll talk to Simeon, he might know what to do.”
“Simeon isn’t on their side?”
“He’s always been there for you, just like I am. Remember when you had that fight with Satan?”
“Oh yeah…that was so long ago.”
“It’s only been a month.”
“Oh.”
Mammon had been running for that long, hiding in the back of Bela’s storage room and cowering in a not-so-underground bar. Constantly worried about whether his brothers would find him or he’d be cast aside after his identity would be found out.
But this feeling of helplessness he had been feeling for weeks diminished as soon as Beelzebub came back for him, telling him he wasn’t alone. That he had people to help him.
Was Asmodeus going to help him too?
Oh right, Asmodeus.
“What’s with Asmo?”
Beel shifted uncomfortably “I’m not entirely sure. He’s been pulling a Levi and hiding in his room for days on end. But now he’s drinking, he never drank before because–”
“He was afraid his skin would be ruined. I know..but why now?”
“Maybe he knows something?”
“Like what?”
“Who knows..I can try to get him to come here with me tomorrow.”
The avatar of Greed shook his head but Beel insisted “Asmo won’t tell Lucifer anything. He barely even talks to him anymore. He even yells at them when they talk bad about you.”
“What?”
“It was about a week after you left, Satan said something and Asmo snapped at him. Practically yelling. I’ve never seen him so angry.”
Mammon couldn’t help but think it’s his fault that Asmo is broken, but then he thought about it:
Maybe Asmo finally saw him.
Not just as the butt of the joke.
Not just as a punching bag for hurtful words.
Not just as a greedy scumbag.
But as…Mammon?
“Do you want to see him?”
“I do.” His voice was so soft, it was almost a whisper.
“Alright, I’ll bring him in the morning.”
The avatar of Greed watched Beel head towards the door. He was afraid to let him go, but he knew that he would see him again.
“Meet me at the pawn shop.”
“Why there?”
“I’ll explain everything later. I just need to grab something.”
“Okay, see you then.”
Mammon watched as Beel walked down the street, his large figure disappearing into the darkness.
He locked up the bar and headed over to the pawn shop, praying that Bela left the front door unlocked. He may not have a room here anymore, but there's something of his that might help him later on.
Something he should’ve not gotten rid of.
His steps were measured as he walked down a cobblestone road, stepping in puddles from recent rain. Soon the pawn shop came into view and he suddenly felt nervous. But he had to do this.
He tried the door, and it gave. As he stepped inside, his eyes immediately locked onto the tough looking demon leaning against the counter. She was reading a magazine and chugging a bottle of devil cola. She didn’t even look up at him.
“Didn’t expect you back so soon. Did things not go well?”
Mammon stared at her with determination. His hands slightly shaky as he pulled a pouch of Grimm out of the inside of his jacket. He had been saving it for an afternoon on the town. But that wasn’t going to happen right now.
“I want to buy my necklace back!”
“Oh?”