Chapter Text
It started as a normal day. A normal day where Mammon, the Devildom's very own Avatar of Greed, dragged you into yet another one of his hijinks.
"Why did I have to come with? This is my day with Beel!"
"'Cause I'm your first and ya should always be prepared in case I need ya!"
"I've never even met a witch before!" You complained. "Lucifer's going to string me up right beside you if this goes wrong!"
"Welcome to the club of bein' strung up!" Mammon responded unsympathetically. "'sides, you know he never would've let me go by myself. A human bein' homesick makes a lot more sense."
"I guess," You conceded. "So why are we here again?" If you were honest, the blue skies and sunshine of the human world was a welcome sight. You liked the atmosphere of the Devildom and considered it more of a home than the human world, but sometimes it could be a little stuffy.
"I told ya ten times already-"
"It was twice."
"Ah- ah, whatever! Don't confuse me!" Mammon huffed out with rosy cheeks. "If ya listened the first time I told ya, I wouldn't be wastin' precious air explainin' it a second time!"
"I don't think demons need oxygen, do they?" You quipped, mainly to provoke a reaction. When he began sputtering again, you gave his arm a little squeeze. "Please tell me again, Mammon? I'll listen good this time."
He glanced down and his blush deepened at the sweet look you were giving him. "A-ah, wipe that dumb look off your face first. Geez, humans are super dopey lookin' sometimes," He took a deep breath, forcing his thoughts back on track. "We're going to pay off a couple of my debts. I had to borrow from a witch to pay a different witch so now I gotta pay the first one. Make sense to ya?"
You sighed. It was a wonder Mammon's reputation didn't get him blacklisted in the witches' community. Maybe they secretly found his antics amusing. "If nothing good comes out of today, it's nice to see a real blue sky again at least."
"Maybe we could convince ol' Lucifer to let ya come back more often. He's got this huge soft spot for ya. Dunno why when yer gettin' into just as much trouble as me," He grumbled. "Somehow you ended up at the dinner table last night when I was starvin' in my room!"
You rolled your eyes fondly. "I brought you two cups of Hell Sauce noodles later and you know it."
"Don't try an' pacify me when yer the favorite! Oh, we're here. Stick close to me and don't even think about lettin' go of my hand! Got it? Just let the Great Mammon handle everything!"
...
The Great Mammon handling everything did not in fact, bode well, for all parties involved. Not only did Mammon owe more than he actually brought, the witch was apparently holding a huge grudge. You were standing in the witch's home with the beginnings of a throbbing migraine. You stared accusingly at Mammon's back, resisting the urge to take him back to the Devildom Lucifer-style and string him up yourself.
"Once you have his escape routes memorized, catching him isn't a problem. I'd be happy to teach you how to keep my wayward brother in line more thoroughly."
You snickered at the memory of Lucifer's smirk. Oh, how happy he'd be to know you were considering it. You zoned out while Mammon and the witch argued, resigning yourself to stepping in once Mammon inevitably dug himself a deeper hole.
"They're important to you, yes?" Uh oh. That drew your attention.
"What's that gotta do with it? Ya told me 200,000 Grimm and that's what's in this bag!" Mammon tossed his head. "It'll take time for me to earn any more-"
"Well, that's just not good enough when I borrowed you 500,000 Grimm, Mammon," The blood drained out of Mammon's face. "If I let every dishonest borrower off without a punishment, what kind of witch would I be?" You didn't like the sudden mischief glinting in this witch's eyes.
Mammon froze. "Hey, there's no need to threaten-"
"Oh, but there is. I need you to know I'm dead serious," The witch stood up from her armchair, lazily cracking her neck. "Your little friend didn't have a chance to put any protective wards up before they came in here."
Realization dawned and Mammon whirled around to face you, frantically grabbing your shoulders. "Yo! [ Name ]! Talk to me! Are ya feelin' strange? Anythin' growing out of your ear?"
That earned him a weird look from you and the witch. "What- no! I'm fine!"
"I can't touch their soul since it's protected by all seven pacts. Nothing says I can't damage the shell," The witch drawled. "The minute they stepped foot in here, they were cursed with bad luck. If I don't receive my payment by- hmm, let's say two weeks from today? It'll be permanent. I wouldn't suggest pushing my time frame. Luck runs out, you know."
You were fairly certain you weren't breathing. Bad luck for a human in a world where you were constantly surrounded by demons, three-headed dogs named Cerberus, and the occasional ol' curse?
You were doomed.
You barely noticed Mammon shifting into his demon form. If you weren't freaking out internally, you might appreciate the view.
Mammon pushed your stunned person behind him, partially hiding you with a wing. "Why, you- you! Ya didn't need to bring the human into this! I'll pay ya back! Double even if ya just let 'em go!"
The witch turned cold grey eyes to you. "You did when you brought them here. You wouldn't believe the loopholes when it comes to cursing your own kind. I'll hold them hostage until I know you've kept your word."
"So all Mammon has to do is bring the money?" you piped up.
"Yes," The witch couldn't help her snicker. "It's a shame that everyone in the three realms knows he calls you his lucky charm. Without you, I do wonder how he'll earn that much in two weeks time."
You gawked. This sly witch! She definitely did her research on the two of you. Mammon's variety of money ventures relied almost entirely on luck. For some reason, he always played better games when you were at the casino or whatever random thing he decided to bet on that week.
"Why am I taking the blame for his debts?!"
"It's nothing personal," The witch had the decency to look genuinely apologetic. If she hadn't quite literally cursed you, maybe you would've sided with her. "I don't think he'd take me seriously otherwise."
A valid point.
"I'll double it. You'll see! I ain't about to let a witch get the better of me!" Mammon boasted and you pinched his side in warning. Why was he making promises he couldn't keep? You were the one with a curse!
"Mammon!" You hissed into his ear.
"I'll be taking this for now. I'm expecting the rest in two weeks," The witch placed the bag of Grimm on her lap, strategically out of Mammon's reach.
"I got this, [ Name ]. Just you wait. I ain't gonna let ya be unlucky 'cause of me. We'll be back in two weeks, you'll see!" Mammon snagged your hand and you resigned yourself to follow him out of the house.
...
"What's this?" Lucifer stared you down, ruby red eyes glinting with distaste. You stayed silent, giving him a long second to analyze your appearance. "Ah, I understand now. You're cursed." He deduced flatly.
"Is it that obvious?"
"Even if I couldn't see curses, it's quite obvious based on your... unusual appearance."
"I was hit by a car, the human police arrested me because I just so happen to have a criminal look-alike, my shoelace snapped and I fell flat on my face, I got hit by a baseball, and the portal redirected us to the Celestial Realm."
Only the lift of his brow let you know you'd managed to shock him. "Can you remove it, Lucifer?"
Lucifer leaned forward in his chair, eyes roving over you in thought. You squirmed uncomfortably under his gaze, feeling something like a bug in a jar. Even under these far more amicable circumstances, he was an intimidating demon to look right in the eye.
"How strange. I can't."
"What?" You practically squawked. He winced at the volume and you managed an apologetic semblance of a smile. "You've removed curses for me before!"
"This is different. It has terms. What else did that witch tell you?"
"Mammon has to pay her back within two weeks."
"Or what?"
You chewed on your lip. "Or I'm unlucky for the rest of my life. You know Mammon's recent successes lately are because of me."
Lucifer inhaled sharply. "I'm going to rip him limb from limb. My brother will pay dearly for dragging you into his childish schemes."
"Not if I do it first," You mumbled. "You really can't remove it until Mammon fulfills his end of the deal?"
"I'm afraid not. Witches always have insurance policies and my idiot brother likely signed one without thinking. Not that I believe he's capable of rational thought to begin with," You exchanged a meaningful glance with the eldest demon. "For a demon, the policy's leverage almost always involves their most prized possession."
"But I'm not his possession," You puzzled aloud. "I would've thought Goldie was his most prized possession."
"Ah, yes. The reason you started pacts with demons in the first place," A hint of fondness glowed in Lucifer's eyes. "I remember it well," He sighed deeply. "As he likes to remind us constantly, he was your first."
"I might've hurt my first's feelings earlier so I better go find him," You admitted, standing up from the chair. The frustration from case after case of bad luck in the human world built up and you'd outright snapped at him. He shrank back like a wounded puppy, and refused to speak anything other than the bare minimum until you reached the portal.
You, of all people, knew better than to treat your first demon like everyone else.
Lucifer frowned. "Your feelings are understandable. Mammon's actions directly involved you in his money troubles."
You turned to face him with a neutral smile. "I think he feels guilty enough, Lucifer. He didn't do it on purpose. You know he wouldn't."
Lucifer let out a displeased harrumph, crossing his arms over his chest. "Yes, well, if there's one thing he ought to learn it's being more mindful of others. Especially when it may concern the sole human living under the House of Lamentation's roof."
"I'm not defenseless. I have the pacts if something goes terribly wrong," You pointed out. "But I'll be honest with you, I'm a little nervous."
"My brothers and I will take turns escorting you everywhere, of course. If this curse continues, who knows what consequences it may have?"
You turned on your heel to flash him a teasing grin. "Just like old times, eh?"
"Yes, your tendency to get into trouble is truly timeless." was his retort.
...
"Stay back, yer luck's probably contagious or somethin' if ya get too close 'ta me." Mammon refused to meet your eye, purposefully turning his head.
You sucked your bottom lip between your teeth. You half-expected that response or something similar. Upon your return to the Devildom, Lucifer seemed to have figured out Mammon's real motive for the visit and promptly strung him up. "Can I help you down at least?"
"Why? Ya clearly don't need my help with anythin' ain't that right?"
"I'm sorry for yelling. I was overwhelmed and I took it out on you."
He laughed, an artificial bite lacing the sound that was normally music to your ears. "Bit late for that, don't ya think? Leave me alone, [ Name ]. I deserve to keep hangin' here."
"That's not true," You stared up at him in dismay. You felt terrible. "You know I can't do this without you. This curse sucks," He visibly deflated at the reminder and you quickly added: "But you being angry at me sucks even more. You're my best friend and my first demon. I could've said no when I first realized what the trip was for. I'm sorry, Mammon. Will you please forgive me?"
Mammon's cheeks reddened and he fake-coughed into the back of his hand. "N-Now don't ya say nice things like that without givin' me a warnin' first! Good grief! Okay, get me down before Lucifer finds out you're helping me escape early!"
You bit back a grin, reaching up to undo the magic ropes Lucifer used specifically for stringing up Mammon. "Careful, I think the knots coming l-"
"Ow!" You winced as the rope rapidly pulled free of its knot and he painfully landed on his ass. "I guess I mighta deserved that," He mumbled, rubbing his throbbing bottom with a hand. "So, got any bright ideas for makin' money and fast?"
You helped him stand. "Aren't you the resident expert, Avatar of Greed?"
"'Course I am! I can't take some of the same risks when you're cursed," He pointed out. "But... maybe I have some ideas."
...
"Some of these are impossible, Mammon."
"Whaddya mean? Which ones?" Mammon leaned close and his Devilish No. 5 filled your nose. Crisp and clean with a sweet note of vanilla. Maybe you inhaled a little deeper with your next breath.
"Why is stealing Lucifer's favorite statue even a thing on this list? We'd never make it into his room," You pointed out. "Remember when we got stuck in Diavolo's underground labyrinth for a second time? If we touch his bedroom door, we automatically end up in Cerberus' lair."
"Oh yeah. He decided it was a great idea after seein' how effective it was at Diavolo's," Mammon threw himself back on the bed with a groan. "There's plenty of other options, ain't there?"
"Working at Hell's Kitchen is a fast way to make money. But will we earn enough by the time two weeks are up?" You wondered aloud, rolling onto your stomach to peek at him. "Ugh, I still can't believe I got hexed."
"I.. I didn't mean to, y'know. I thought it'd be easy and I'd pay her back just like that. I guess I wrote down the wrong number I owed," He reached into his bedside drawer, pulling out a wrinkled paper. "Satan always scolds me and says my handwritin' is bad... Maybe he's right for once," He flipped it to show you. The 6-digit number was practically illegible aside from the zeroes.
Despite the severity of the situation, You couldn't help your snort of laughter. "That's definitely a number, Mammon."
"Hey! Don't make fun of me!" You could hear the pout in his voice as he discreetly scooted closer to you. "I really was thinkin' I'd remember!" He paused, tilting his head to meet your eye. "Yo, would you, uh, tell me if you're mad at me? You got a right to be. I really screwed things up."
"You did," You acknowledged, a tired smile pulling at your lips. "I forgive you, Mammon. All we can do is try to fix it, right?"
"Yer right about the earnin' though. How're we supposed to earn that much Grimm in two weeks? If it was that damn easy, I woulda done it a long time ago! Trust me! It's impossible." He grumped, sitting up with his white hair sticking up in multiple directions. It was cute.
"All those other times you were alone. Now you've got a human with six other demon pacts on their side," You pointed out, forcing a note of positivity into your voice. The other brothers were likely to help if they learned of your... condition. For now, you hoped to keep Mammon's mistake away from their scrutiny. You glanced down at his messily-scrawled list again. "You know what? I think we should go all in or otherwise this isn't going to work."
"Huh? I thought you said half of this stuff was crazy and impossible. What if your bad luck keeps gettin' in the way?" His blue and golden eyes rounded in concern. "What if ya get hurt tryin' this with me? This was my mistake, I oughta be the one-"
You cupped his cheeks, amused when he immediately turned as red as a tomato and stuttered out a series of garbled protests. "Hey, hey. We do things together. We'll get rid of this hex and pay that witch back, together. If we want the money, I think we'll need to rip a page out of the Avatar of Greed's book. He is the expert on earning money by not-so-honorable means, isn't he?"
The old you would've been absolutely appalled that you'd encourage this behavior. A literal demon's sin and his not-so-ethical habits.
The human world's moral code engrained in your being was more of a suggestion nowadays. You were desperate to save yourself and Mammon by any means necessary. If you failed, your continued survival in the Devildom was unlikely. And that's if your death sentence wasn't already set in stone.
Mammon sat up straighter. "Ya damn right he is. He's the best at what he does. You jus' follow him and you'll be rollin' in piles of Grimm, you'll see," He puffed out his chest, twin pools of molten gold and the dreamiest hue of blue sparkling with renewed vigor. "The Great Mammon refuses to disappoint his favorite fan."
His words brought a shyer smile to your lips. "I'm your favorite fan, Mammon?"
"W-Well, yeah! Not my number one fan though," He waggled a ringed finger in your face. "That title belongs to Mammons- underscore- Favorite on Devilgram. They're a lil obsessed with me," He beamed. "Always got the nicest things to say 'bout how handsome I look in my newest shoot or seein' me 'round the Devildom," He rambled, cheeks lightly flushed with excitement.
"I mean, they're a lil obsessed 'an I don't remember seeing anybody around these places aside from the times I take you. Must be real slick if that's the case. Still, ain't it a 'lil strange how they're everywhere?"
"Once this is over, we should totally try to figure out who it is." You suggested, giving him an encouraging nudge with your shoulder. "You did look nice in your last shoot, Mams."
Mammon glanced down at his lap, tips of his ears turning pink. "Aw, yer just sayin' that to be sweet."
"No, I mean it. You're talented at what you do. Not everyone can model even if they have a nice face," You intertwined your fingers with his, giving him a squeeze. "I'm proud of you, Mammon."
His uncertain smile bordering on shy made your heart flutter and ache simultaneously. You knew the brothers didn't mean any harm with their constant teasing, and Mammon's character growth likely wasn't as obvious to them as it was to you. Regardless, you couldn't help wishing they recognized his better moments too.
His long fingers gave yours a firm squeeze in return.
"Thanks [ Name ]. I know I can be a real pain. For some reason, yer always so damn sweet to me anyway," He mumbled, surprising you with his sudden honesty. You managed a weak smile, quickly turning to keep him from seeing your rosy cheeks.
"Now, what's the first thing on our list?"