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He knew it was going to be a bad day the moment he had woken up.
Everything felt heavy. His comforter was a bag full of weights, crushing his burning form. His arms felt as though they were chained down to his bed, and he fought hard just to keep his eyelids from closing.
The fog that normally cleared the moment he woke up was still there, muddling all his thoughts and senses.
He felt exhausted like never before despite having even passed out several hours earlier than he normally would've last night.
He was sweating like no tomorrow, skin feeling as though it were on fire, even though he felt cold inside.
He was sick. There was no other explanation.
He groaned as soon as the thought came to him, had he had the energy he would've sworn like no tomorrow.
He couldn't be sick! He was the great Mammon! Nothing could bring him down! Not life, not those witches, not his brothers, and certainly not some stupid illness!!
Not to mention he couldn't skip RAD today. He had an important test he absolutely could not miss, not to mention he had to hand in 2 different assignments (if it were up to him he'd just email them but unfortunately these particular teachers were worse than diavolo when it came to any technology predating the iron age) AND a student council meeting afterwards.
Tears pricking the corner of his eyes he tried to force himself up, if not to get out of bed then to at least grab his D.D.D when he heard the skull pounding sound of someone knocking against his door.
"What in the Devildom is taking you this long?" Came the cool sound of his older brother.
Shit.
"It's open" he called out, hoping his voice didn't actually sound as hoarse as he thought it did.
In came his black haired brother sporting his usual look of disdain and irritation. He walked over to Mammons bed, arms folded as he looked at his younger brother as though he was beneath him.
"Do you have any idea what time it is?"
Mammon shook his head. Probably was mistake but an unavoidable one as he genuinely didn't know (his vision too out of focus to see the numbers on his clock)
While not visible to the untrained eye, to mammon it was clear Lucifer was doing everything to control his anger and keep from lashing out at mammon.
"We have 30 minutes before RAD begins, and you aren't even dressed. And to think I chose to be nice and let you sleep in for once, clearly that was a mistake"
Mammon offered no response, choosing to instead stare behind Lucifer's shoulder.
"Well? Do you have anything to say for yourself?"
A beat passed and Mammon slowly shook his head.
"Then get up." He said punctuating the p as he leaned forward to glare at Mammon.
See, on one hand he really didn't want to tell the eldest of his condition, but on the other, the thought alone of leaving the heavenly comfort of his bed made him want to cry.
He couldn't miss RAD today, Lucifer wouldn't let him, hell he probably won't even believe he was sick!
...
On the other hand...
If he went to RAD like this today he might end up spreading his illness to everyone around him, and mammon didn't even want to think of the punishment Lucifer would give him if he ended up infecting his precious Lord Diavolo.
Comforter still over him, he managed to at least prop himself on his elbows. And, he spoke.
At first it came out as mumbled mess, Lucifer's voice stabbing his ears as he told him to "speak clearly". Trying his best, he repeated
"Don't feel good, think I caught somethin' "
Lord it even hurt to speak.
A pause. Lucifer stared at him, before a sadistic smirk crossed his face and small, cruel laugh passed his lips.
"Do you really think I'm foolish enough to fall for that? I've seen you fake sicknesses enough times in the past" the smile then fell as he swiftly yanked mammons blankets off of him and tossed them on the ground.
Despite them aching, Mammons arms immediately went up to cover himself to keep himself warm from the cool air
"5 minutes, I want you downstairs looking presentable. If you're lucky enough, you might be able to get something to eat before beel gets it" And with that the 1st born turned on his heels and exited the room leaving the sweaty shivering mess that was Mammon.
With a resounding sigh and many unsuccessful attempts, he finally managed to heave himself out of bed. Though in doing so he ended up falling onto the floor with a small 'thud'
As he sluggishly put on his uniform and attempted his best to look lucifers definition of "presentable" he realised something as he took a good look at himself in his mirror. Dark circles under his eyes, face looking pale and clammy.
Today wasn't going to be a bad day.
Today was going to be a terrible day
By some miracle he managed to make it down in time, and without falling down the many flights of stairs. Of course Lucifer wasn't at all impressed, but to mammon he still couldn't believe he managed to make it out of bed.
As suspected, there was nothing left to eat. Beel having cleaned the table of any and all consumables, and was now chomping down on his plate.
Had it been any other day he would've been upset at that, but today he was secretly grateful for beel's ravenous appetite. Happy to have an excuse to not eat anything, fearing anything he did would come right back up.
Looking up from the book in his hands, satan saw the disheveled appearance of his older brother, leaning on the table with his head against his hand.
"You look like shit" mammon made himself glance up at the blonde, "jus' woke up" he replied hoarsely
Next to Satan, asmodeus sighed as he gazed at his reflection from his spoon "yeah but you always look bad when you wake up. Now you just look gross" and gave a mean snicker
Now under usual circumstances satan would've giggled along with asmo, but something wasn't settling right with him.
Whether it was the sound of his voice, the fact that his usually energetic and annoying brother had become quiet and reserved, or the fact that he actually looked like garbage, satan couldn't bring himself to make fun of him.
Puzzled he kept his gaze on mammon, as if he continued to stare he would eventually learn what was wrong with him. Though he turned his head once the eldest spoke up
"Pay him no mind, he's just pretending to be sick to play hooky" this brought about a couple of giggles amongst the rest of the siblings
"ROFLMAO did you actually think you were gonna get away with this?" Said levi, not even caring enough to tear his eyes away from his game
A few more jabs and insults came from his other siblings, all in favour of mocking mammon. Although they all seemed to fall on deaf ears, since Mammon was more preoccupied with keeping himself from passing out into his empty plate
He couldn't be the only one noticing this.
Looking at the table he managed to catch the eyes of Beelzebub, who had stayed silent throughout the whole interactions. Despite being brief, it confirmed something for satan
He wasn't imagining things. Something was not right with mammon.
However, whether or not the 4th brother actually planned on doing anything about it was an entirely different story.
For now he was going to let it go, choosing reopen and return to his book.
And if anyone said they caught him occasionally glancing towards his white haired sibling, no they didn't.
The walk to RAD was torturous, Mammon struggling to keep up with the rest of his siblings. Had he cared (or had been paying attention) he would've heeded their insults, like how even belphie was beating the fastest demon in devildom. His bag felt like it was filled with bricks. Muscles achy and sore, and the constant devildom heat not aiding in cooling down his already sweaty skin.
Luckily he managed to make it in time for his history of in the devildom class. With shaky hands, he managed to turn in his assignment to the teacher without scattering the papers all over the place, afterwards opting to sit in the further corner of the back, hoping to avoid anyone and their stares.
Laying his head down on his arms, sighing as he pressed his cheek against the cool surface of the wall.
The lesson began but he couldn't focus on a single thing the teacher was saying, well, not that he could pay much attention in class anyway, but this was different. Every word his teacher spoke sounding foreign and distance.
He fought with everything he had to keep himself from falling asleep in class.
He could do it.
He had a break, after this, he could sleep after that until his next class. He had 2 more today, and after that it was the council meeting and he could go back to bed.
He could do this
He could do this!!
The next thing he heard as he was harshly awaken was the sound of ruler on his desk and the annoyed voice of his teacher, telling him off for falling asleep in class.
One dreadful period later, Mammon found himself on his way to RAD's cafeteria. Despite his nausea, he knew not eating anything for the entire day wasn't going to help him stay awake.
RAD's cafeteria always smelled, not in an unpleasant way, but not necessarily the best. The food, while being pretty great for a cafeteria, always left a certain smell that wouldn't go away even when new things were made. And with the different demons constantly filling it, sweaty from sticking so close by in the devildom heat it didn't make it any better.
Usually mammon wasn't bothered by the smell, but today it overwhelmed him, making him want to pass out.
'Do you really need to eat something? You could just get a bottle of water and survive off that for the day' the exhausted voice in his head told him. But mammon shook his head, he knew it was a bad idea
Looking at all the different things on the menu, not knowing what to pick as nothing looked appetising to him. Eventually deciding on the wax bill soup, figuring it might be the easiest thing for him to stomach.
He paid and made his way to an empty table to eat. Although as much as he told himself he had to eat it, seeing it in front of him he really wished he hadn't.
The smell of his meal combined with the other smells, the loud talking from every corner of the room, the heat burning his skin, it was all too much. Everything was making him dizzy
He couldn't do it
He couldn't bring himself
He was going to pass out
The slam of a tray coming to sit in front of him shook him from his thoughts as he looked up to see his two youngest brothers sitting down in front of him. The youngest with a sandwich on his plate which he seemed to prefer using as a pillow, and of course beel, as per usual, having filled his tray to the point where things were piling up and spilling over.
Mammon didn't say anything as he looked at the twins, simply giving them a look of confusion before choosing to ignore them as they (or beel) ate in silence. It was only after beel chugged down one of his several drinks did he speak up
"Arent you going to eat?" Not wanting to answer, mammon voiced the question he had on his mind since the two first sat down
"Why are ya here?" His voice coming out colder than he intended them to, though beel didnt seem to pay it any mind. "Felt like it. Arent you going to eat?" He repeated gesturing to his bowl.
He should eat, but he doubt he could manage more than a few bites before having to throw it away. He knows beel hates food being wasted and Mammon has zero intentions on giving his food to beel if hes already eaten from it.
He handed the bowl over to the sunrise twin. "Take it. 's yours" only to be shocked by the sight of the younger sibling pushing it back towards him.
"Dont want it. It's yours, you eat it" Ok he has to be hallucinating now, there is no way beel just turned down food. Mammon stared at him dumbfounded, trying to think of some kind of response only to come up with "huh?"
Beel just motioned at him and his bowl "It's yours. I don't want it" Mammon let out an annoyed huff "Well dont worry, I'm not even hung-" "Impossible" the 6th born interrupted.
Mammon opened his mouth to argue only for beel to beat him to the punch "you barely ate anything last night, and you didn't eat anything at all this morning. You cant not be starving" he shoving fries into his mouth as he spoke.
Speaking up for the first time since arriving at their table belphie said "Hes just starving himself like all models do in order to lose weight" not even opening his eyes, and letting out a mean giggle. Though while the youngest seemed to find it funny, his older twin didnt and chose not to reply.
Beel dropped Mammons spoon into the bowl before speaking again in a threatening tone, something rare for the usually happy twin "eat it, or I'll pour it down your throat"
Mammon gulped nervously. Having no other options, mammon resigned himself to his fate. Shaky hands brought the spoon to his lips.
The liquid was devoid of any flavour and he had a hard time swallowing it. He managed to finsih about half a bowl before having to stop, not sure if he could stomache any more. He looked up at his younger sibling with pleading eyes, though the younger seemed satisfied at his older brother anyway.
He sighed and got up mumbling out to the two that he was done and now was going to the library, though he isnt sure either of them heard.
Finding a spot far away from everyone else, mammon pulled out his D.D.D squinting as the bright light burned his sensitive eyes.
'30 minutes' he thought to himself as he set a timer '30 minutes and then I'll have to head to class' laying his head onto his arms, he placed the phone under him so he would feel the vibrations wake him up.
While normally Satan wasnt surprised to see someone in his favourite spot in RAD's library, it did shock him to see his older brother in it, considering he never seemed to come here.
He quietly approached the older sibling as to not wake up, though satan had a strong feeling he couldnt wake Mammon up even if he wanted to.
Upon closer expression, and much to his chagrin, he noted how truly awful of a state the older sibling was in.
Even in his sleep Mammons looked uncomfortable. His breathing was ragged and uneven. Despite his face being paler then normal, his cheeks were flushed with a dark hue. His hair and clothes clinging to his sweaty body.
He truly looked awful.
Satan had seen his older brother fake sickness before, but he would always drop the act the moment everyone left the room. Unless mammon learned how to truly make himself look and act sick anytime he wanted, then the older hadn't been faking it when his oldest sibling gone to wake him up earlier.
The thought made him seeth. How had lucifer not noticed?! He was supposed to be the oldest, the smartest of them all yet he couldnt notice his own brother's misery? Or had he seen and was that much of a sadist that he chose to send him to RAD anyway for the sole sake of seeing him suffer.
Satan went to teach his hand out to feel Mammons forehead when a loud buzzing shocked him awake. Mammons D.D.D buzzing like no tommorow. The vibrations against wood was louder than either anticipated. Fumbling and nearly dropping it, Mammon rushed to turn it off, breathing heavy from both the shock it caused him and his respiratory issues.
Shaking his head mammon pushed on the table to help him get up, sighing as he went to exit the library, seemingly not having noticed satan. This, of course, angered the blonde to which he cleared his throat to catch the other's attention. Satan didn't know if the look of Mammons tired eyes made him more angry or less
"Where do you think you're going?" He said, mammon looking at him puzzled "...class?" He said after a brief moment. Satan walked over to him "Not in this state you arent" he said, reaching out again to feel the others forehead only to have his hand swatted away (if the weak push mammon gave him could even be called that)
Satan scowled "you need to go home" but mammon shook his head "can't. Gotta go to class. Got test" he said panting.
"You can tell the teacher, they'll understand!" But he shook his head again "no they wont. Think 'm fakin' it" Satan was about to counter when mammon just said "look why do ya even care? Last I checked y'all were perfectly fine with watchin' me suffer"
That certainly took him aback. By diavolo satan swore hed never attack someone where books would see him but he was a split second away from strangling mammon.
Making a 'tch' sound mammon waved his hand dismissively and turned away " 'm goin' to class"
Feeling his wrath overcome him Satan squeezed the palm of his hands as tightly as he could in an attempt to control himself from destroying RAD's library
Fine! If mammon wanted to suffer in silence, why should he stop him!? It's that idiot's choice after all! Not his!!
Satan let out a huff as he angrily opened his book, but found himself unable to absorb any of the words. Getting more frustrated, the blonde decided he was going to find a more private place where he could let his feeling run wild without destroying public property.
One agonising painful test with an agonisingly slow period of crossing off whatever multiple choice option sounded ok and hoping his written answers werent bad, Mammon had reached his final class of the day, also being the only class in his schedule he shared with all his brothers.
While normally the white haired sibling sat in the middle, he had once again chosen to sit in the furthest corner of the room. Much to Belphegor's displeasure, as he had taken his favourite spot.
Though as upset at he was at his older brother, for some odd reason he chose to eventually let it be, " 's not worth the effort" he said and popping himself next to the 2nd born, to which of course Beel sat next to belphie.
The rest of the sibblings had entered and spread out across the room, asmo dead in the center, Levi taking the opposite corner in the back, Lucifer in the front, and Satan 2 seats down from belphie (although the dark haired twin could still feel the wrath still radiating off his older brother)
Class went by rather quickly, (or it felt like it considering he slept through the whole thing) only to be awoken by someone roughly shaking him awake. He looked up only to be met with a red eyed of dissapontement.
The eldest sighed, standing in front of belphegor's and mammon's seats "I expected you to be able to sleep all throughout class, but I didnt expect you as well" Belphie looked over to the side and saw mammon sleepily looking up at his older sibling.
"Hurry up, the meeting starts in 10 minutes" and with that the older sibling turned away.
Belphie heard a groan come from Mammon and watched as his older sibling walked away, back hunched and arms hanging, like a zombie.
With beel next to him, the three walked to the council room. Or it wouldve been all three if mammon wasnt ten feet behind them.
Seriously what was going on with him?
Mammon knew Belphie and Beel used the back of the class to sleep and eat without getting the attention of the tecaher (or Lucifer) and figured if he could sleep for a little longer then maybe, he'd feel well enough to pay attention at the student council meeting.
Though while he wouldn't say that sleeping in class is what made him feel worse, he definitely woke up feeling worse then he did before.
His stomach was churning, his feet felt like lead, and everything was still heavy.
He could barely see in front of him, not like his neck was strong enough to keep his head upright, his eyes glued to the floor below. His back was to weak to carry his bag, having to drag it slowly across the floor, not carrying wether or not its content would spill out.
Walking into the room he could've sworn he heard someone talking to him. Most likely lucifer reprimanding him for being late. But his mind was too foggy to register it, not to mention the ringing in his ears seemed to drown everything out.
He was just about to sit down in his regular seat when he felt it. The moment his body betrayed him and everything shut down. His legs buckled, hitting his forehead against the table as he fell to the floor. Although if he was honest, he couldnt even feel it.
Before everything turned dark he could dimly registered someone lifting his head, and felt the moment his stomach betrayed him, spilling its contents.
The last thing his brain registered was a blurry mess of black and red crouched down in front of him.
'Aw fuck' he thought before black swam into his vision and he passed out.
Lucifer hated to admit he was wrong.
Deep, deep, deeeep, down, he could acknowledged that sometimes he could be wrong.
He hated admitting it, his pride telling him he had to be the perfect being at all times, and nothing less. And so having faults was something he could not have.
But despite his stubbornness, despite his sin, despite everything, when push comes to shove, he will swallow his pride and admit he was wrong.
Like how he was wrong to force Mammon out of bed.
This might be one of the mistakes that hurt him the most. Wounding his pride in a way like it hadn't before.
It was so blatantly obvious from the moment he laid eyes on mammon in the morning that his younger brother was sick. Mammon had never been this convincing when lying in the past.
From his looks, his personality shift, his voice, signs that so clearly pointed at him being ill. And he should've noticed. Why didnt he notice? Wasnt he the one who always noticed the small signs when something was wrong?
And the fact that he kept acting that way, even after they left the house of lamentation! Lucifer had chalked it up to him trying to keep up appearances to convince lucifer to go home and skip his classes.
Even during his final class, with every glance he spared towards mammon he told himself mammon was just wanting to avoid the student council meeting.
Not on Lucifer's watch he wouldnt.
Not even when he shook him and belphie awake, did he seem to notice the excessive heat radiating off the poor brother.
(Or maybe he did notice but refused to acknowledge them)
All the signs pointed to it!
So why!?
Why did Lucifer ignore them?!
Although he rarely admitted it, he truly cared for his younger brothers.
And though he rarely says it, he loves his brothers. And despite his treatment of them, he truly cares for them.
So why?
Why had he forced Mammon to go to RAD in such a horrible condition?
Did he not care enough about him to have paid attention and noticed his baby brother suffering?
He had been awaiting impatiently, seated in his spot as the rest of his brothers filed into the room. Honestly, the 7 of them shared the final class yet none of them could even bother to show up at the same time?
Though he had to do his best to control his wrath in front of lord diavolo when he saw mammon walk into the room, head looking down, bag being dragged by his feet.
"Honestly how does it take you this long to walk from a class that's 2 minutes away?" He said trying to not let his anger out too much.
Though in place of an sorry excuse of a, well, excuse, or an apology of some sorts all he was met with was heavg panting and otherwise silence.
"Mammon. Oi, are you listening?" The eldest called snapping his fingers, trying to get the attention of the 2nd born, but alas, no response.
He raised his eyebrows at Mammon. Angry still, but now feeling something new as his younger brother appeared closer and closer in his vision.
His face was an unhealthy shade of pale, his eyes were unfocused and glassy, his clothing looked drenched no doubt from how much sweat it must've absorbed over the past few hours, and his walk carried the same grace and elegance as a new born fawn.
Seeing him next to him Lucifer, along with most of his brothers, found themselves standing up, as though the knew something was about to go wrong.
And sure enough they were right.
As if everything had slowed down, Lucifer watched his younger brother's knees buckle the moment he pulled on his seat. And he continue to stare, frozen, as Mammons head hit the edge of the table and flopped to the ground like bag of skin and bones.
Immediately he crouched over and lifted his head up as the rest of his brothers along with diavolo and barbatos came rushing over to their side.
"Mammon, can you hear me? Dont you dare pass out on me! Mammon!" Lucifer told his younger brother willing himself not to cry.
His hope of his brother saying something to him were thrown out the window the moment he heard him make a horrid gagging noise. Though he couldnt stop what came next. As mammon leaned over to the side and proceeded to throw up.
All. Over. Lucifer's. Shoes.
The putrid smell quickly filled the room and to say Lucifer didnt want to just drop Mammon onto the floor into his own vomit would be a lie. But he refused to let go of him. Simply trying to prevent himself from cringing and letting go, or getting sick himself at the horrid sight of Mammon puking onto his shoes.
And arm.
And jacket.
And legs...
Among the chaotic sound of the room he couldve sworn he heard Mammon swear as he passed out.
Shrieks of disgust and noises of concern filled the room. Barbatos immediately left, not needing to be told to get things to clean up the mess. Asmodeus had run all away across to the other side of the room in disgust, Levi quickly got out of his seat to back away from the puke. Satan and Beel rushed over to see their older brother, while Belphie stayed in his seat, but still watching the group, eyes filled with concern. Diavolo who had been cautiously hovering nearby, was about to approach the red eyed demon, but before he could even say anything Lucifer just responded with a clear and firm "Don't"
To say everyone was shocked at seeing Lucifer talk to Diavolo in such a way, was an understatement. Not wanting to bother him more then he must've already been, the demon lord took a few steps back. And in came the 6th born had bent down next to Lucifer.
"Here, let me take him, I'll carry back home" said Beel, a look of guilt an concern dotting his face.
Lucifer just looked up and gave his orange haired brother a cold look, before turning his attention back to Mammon. Not speaking a word, he picked up Mammon, gingerly stepped out his shoes and walked away carefully and slowly, as to not slip in his socks against the floor and drop Mammon.
Despite it being after hours, plenty of demon still lingered around RAD, so while not many, but enough demons were able to bare witness to the avatar of pride, shoeless, covered and smelling of puke, carrying the passed out form of the avatar of greed.
Though if anyone wanted to laugh or say something about it, they would immediately be met with the death gaze of Lucifer himself, prompting them return to their own affairs.
The walk back was quiet. No one daring to speak a word.
Upon arriving inside the house, he turned his head towards his brothers.
"Asmo, I need you to run a bath for him. Make sure the water is lukewarm. Also make sure there's nothing glittery in it, or has fancy perfumes or anything else" to which the 5th brother nodded and ran off. He then turned to look at Beel
"Beel, I need you to get the thermometer out from my medicine cabinet, some pain killers and a glass of water. No snack breaks" he added at the end. The 6th didnt need to be told as he went to do as he told.
"Satan I need you to make mammons bed, and clean up his mess of a room if possible" The 4th nodded, bot even complaining about taking orders from Lucifer.
"Belphie I need you to get a clean pair of clothes for Mammon and for me. And dont pick anything to heavy for Manmon, choose something light" Belphie looked tired but still did as told.
"Levi I need you to call a medic, tell them to come over here immediately." He nodded springing into action, D.D.D already in hands.
Lucifer looked at Mammons sleeping form. His younger brother was still breathing thank Diavolo, but he didnt know how badly he was sick, not to mention the way his head collided with the table could've caused something more.
He clutched onto the 2nd born tightly and whispered something into his unconscious ear before going up the stairs to see Asmodeus.
Wether or not he heard it, Lucifer swore he could see a smile on Mammons face after whispering to him, a quiet, and pitiful
"I'm sorry."
He had been so wrong but right now he wasnt the only one paying the price for it.
Mammon couldn't stay awake for too long before falling back asleep. Blips and blurs of different things all happening around him, floating in and out of consciousness.
Eventually he properly opened his eyes, taking in his surroundings, wracking his brain trying to remember what the hell happened.
He still felt groggy though despite the throbbing pain, his mind felt clearer then it had been before. He muscles where still sore and tired but didnt feel as heavy. He was still hot but grateful to be out of his RAD uniform and in a room with AC and soft blankets. Although the feeling of nausea still lingered, even if only slightly.
Carefully as possible he tried to sit up only for a wet cloth to fall and plop from his forehead onto his shirt.
Unaware of the other presence in the room, Mammon nearly jumped out of his bed at the sound of the deep voice speaking out from beside him. His movements having alerted the other
"Ah, you're awake" And it was the sight of his older sibling that helped Mammon's mind recall all of it's past events. The memory of throwing up all over the eldest came back and filled him with dread.
The older brother set down his laptop, and got out from the chair set near the youger's bed. Seeing Lucifer rise up he started to panic, millions of questions flooding his mind.
Why was he here? Was he mad at him? Oh man, hes mad isnt he? Had he waited here this whole time so he could punish him after he woke up?
Mammon lowered his head and weakly brought his arms up to protect his already painful head, awaiting the blow to his head that was surely to come.
But it never came.
He didnt get hit, or thrown, or kicked, nothing.
"Lower your arms" the eldest told him, but when the white haired male refused, he simply rolled his eyes and said "I'm not going to hit you"
Mammon hesitated, how could he be sure Lucifer wasnt lying to him? Maybe he just wanted to get him to lower his guard only smack him across the face and-
"Lower your arms... please."
What?
It was barely audible, but Mammon knew he had heard it.
Lucifer, his older brother, the literal avatar of pride... saying please??
He must've hit his head hard because theres no way this way happening.
Regardless, Mammon carefully lowered his arms, making absolutely sure that the eldest wasnt going to hit him, all while staring at Lucifer, expression slightly shocked.
Lucifer having picked up the thermometer by his bedside table placed it in Mammon's mouth, setting aside the cloth that had fallen off his brothers head into a small bowl, examining his head for injuries as he awaited for the it to beep.
Removing the device from mammon's mouth, he scowled staring at it, causing the younger brother to shrink in on himself. The eldest seemed to notice this but chose not to comment on it, handing him some pills and a glass of water that had been set aside.
Popping the pills into his mouth Mammon took the glass and began to drink, only to chug realising how terribly dry his throat was. "Hey, hey! Careful, you're going to choke" Lucifer told him, and sure enough he was right, erupting into a coughing fit right after.
"I told you" Lucifer said sighing, as he sat down on the edge Mammon's bed, rubbing his brothers back.
Finally regaining his breath, mammon felt a gentle hand push his shoulder, an indication to lie back down, and stared at his older brother as he wrung out and placed the damp cloth back onto his forehead.
Seemingly satisfied, Lucifer went back to seat, taking back out his laptop and began typing away.
Mammon just continued to stare at him, bewildered by his brothers attitude. And Lucifer could feel Mammons eyes still on him, looking up from his screen, eyes meeting his brother's.
In a calm and low voice he asked "Is the typing bothering you?" causing Mammon to sputter at the comment, much to his brother's confusion.
"What is it?" Lucifer asked, voice remaining low. Mammon looked at him in disbelief "that's what I should be askin'! What's with ya!?"
Lucifer raised his eyebrows "what do you mean?" Mammon sat back up, the cloth falling off once again "ya know!" He gestured wildly to his brother "This! Your attitude!" Lucifer closed the laptop "What's wrong my attitude?" Lucifer said, geueinly curious, no hint of anger or annoyance to be found.
It was driving mammon crazy.
He groaned "Everything! You're being nice! Why are ya being nice!? Why arent ya getting mad at me for ruining the student council meeting!? For- for throwing up on you!? Why arent ya beating me up for that?! " he babbled deliriously, grabbing his head in frustration.
Lucifer took a moment to reply, "Because you're sick" he said carefully. Though it only seemed to upset Mammon even more.
"So it's just cuz I'm sick? That's it?!" He asked. Sarcastically Lucifer replied with "Well would you rather I beat you to pulp?" Not expecting Mammon to let his arms fall and stare at him, "shouting" out a distressed "Yeah! Yeah I would actaully. Cuz at least then I know you're being genuine about it!!"
Lucifer just stared at him. The mask with his calm and neutral expression slipping for a short respite, instead a look of sadness passing over his face.
Panting heavily from his outburst, Mammon had seen the look on his brothers face, guilt and uncomfortableness immediately flooding him. He groaned, pulling up his knees and buried his face in them before quietly continuing.
"I'd prefer that cuz then I know that you're not pretending to care about me. I dont want ya to be nice to me cuz you feel obligated too" he said softly, a sob wanting to escape his lips.
Don't cry. Don't you dare start fucking crying.
But when Lucifer had wrapped his arms around him he couldn't stop himself. Unable to control his chaotic emotions as the elder held onto him and rubbed his back.
"Mammon look at me, look at me ok?" He said facing the white haired demon, looking at his crying brother with sad eyes "Let me me make this clear, I'm taking care of you because I love you. I know I can be harsh on you, but I do it because I don't want you to cause harm for others, but mainly yourself. And I won't act nice to you because I feel like I have to be, I'll do it because I care about you. I really do."
And if Mammon thought he couldnt cry harder than he had before, he couldn't be more wrong as he wrapped his arms around Lucifer, and burying his face into his chest while Lucifer enveloped him in a hug, tighter than before, humming a soft tune in hope of calming his sobbing brother.
Eventually he managed to calm down somewhat, rubbing his eyes and letting go of Lucufer, who then proceeded to tuck the sick demon back into his bed.
But before he even had to the chance turn and head back to his chair Mammon quickly grabbed a hold of his wrist.
"Dont go" he said softly, still sniffling slightly.
Lucifer sighed but a small smiled could be seen on his lips.
Moving over, Mammon made room for the older demon, as he lifted the covers and Lucifer laid down next to him. Snuggling up next to him, Mammon let out a yawn amd closed his eyes. Before he could fall asleep he heard Lucifer say to him
"If you get me sick though you're taking care of me" Mammon eyes still closed chuckled and said "Not a problem" before drifting off to sleep
Maybe today wasnt so terrible after all.