#just done so beautifully I have to admit mammon and satan reactions hurt me the most

[thirtyn1ne]

‘You were Beel's safety blanket as much as he was yours.’

‘To lose him would have such a ripple effect on the entire kingdom, as well as completely devastate the brothers.

It would devastate you.’

‘To lose Satan would be to lose a future where he finally was his true self. It would be losing the person you go to for advice. The person who was so smooth and collected but managed to be an adorable dork at the same time. The one with who you would go to cat cafes and explore the deep corners of the Royal Library.’

‘Losing Levi wasn't an option, because to lose Levi would be to lose home.’

‘You couldn't lose Mammon.’

It's Got To Be Me

***So this is angstiest angst I have angsted. This is...this is heavy. PLEASE BE CAREFUL WHEN READING! Remember to practice self-care before, during, and after reading and to be aware of your limits. PLEASE READ THE TRIGGER WARNINGS. I love you all! I did end up putting some comfort at the end because I NEEDED SOME AFTER WRITING THIS. Safe reading! (@satans-beloved-riv, I did put some comfort at the end!)***

Summary: The brothers and MC wake up in a room with no exits or furniture. Only a pressure platform in a corner and a sign that reads "All of you may leave, when you choose one who will stay."

TW: Heavy angst, implied drugging, talk and discussion of self-sacrifice, anxiety/panic attacks, brothers fighting, self-deprecation,

The cavern was eerily silent as the air laid still and heavy on the shoulders of you and the Lords of the Devildom with the weight of the choice that rested ahead of you.

None of you were positive about how you got here. You had all been eating at the House of Lamentation when Beel frowned and put a hand on his stomach. You were about to ask what was wrong when a wave of fatigue crashed over you, and by the looks of things, it had just hit the others as well. In a matter of seconds. Everything went black, and you woke up in this room.

You didn't know who brought you here, or even where you were. There were few things that you did know.

There were no exits, no furniture, no signs of other life. Only a pressure triggered circle in the far right corner of the room with a sign that read, "All of you may leave, when you choose one who will stay."

Hence your current predicament.

Mammon was pacing along the left wall. Levi was a nervous wreck. Both Satan and Lucifer were sporting matching frowns as they stood deep in thought. Asmo was biting his fingernails. Beel was glaring at the sign. Belphie was staring at a wall with a blank stare.

No one was doing good, but no one had dared to step up, until-

"I'll do it," everyone whipped around to face Beel.

Belphie instantly snapped out of his daze and frowned at his twin. "No. Beel, you're not doing this-"

You felt your heart pound in your chest at Beel's words. You couldn't even begin to imagine losing him. He was a source of comfort, not only to you but to all his brothers. He was always so considerate of the others and what they needed and their interests.

"Yes, I am," he smiled softly at Belphie and placed a hand on his shoulder. "I promised that I would protect all of you, and now is the time to put those words to action. We don't know what will happen after one of us stand on that platform."

In your eyes, Beel was the sunshine in the Devildom. He was kind and open and soft. He shamelessly cared for those around him. He had such a huge heart that was filled with such unfathomable and unconditional love for his family, and for you. But in that same heart, there was a deep crack filled with the pain and suffering that he hid all too well.

But he didn't hide it from you. You had so many nights, where you held him in your arms as he woke from nightmares and reassured him that things would be alright. There were days, where you'd find him doubled over on a bench at school from the pain his immense hunger was putting him in and you be there by his side.

You were Beel's safety blanket as much as he was yours.

You wished you could say you were surprised by his wish to sacrifice himself, but you weren't. This was who Beel was, and it shattered your heart.

"Exactly," Belphie hissed as his hands began to tremble. "We don't know what could happen. It could be anything! It could-" his voice cracked as he gripped onto the front of Beel's jacket. His knuckles were white as his body began to quiver with stifled sobs. "It could kill you," he poked hard at Beel's chest as he stared up at him. "You're not leaving me, and I'm not leaving you. We're supposed to stay together."

Beel closed his eyes so that he wouldn't have to look at his twin falling apart before his own eyes. "It's better if it's me. Physically, I'm the strongest of us all. I have the best chance at living."

You frowned at his words and stepped forward. "Beel, you don't have to make yourself the sacrificial lamb, here. If this is about what happened with Lilith-"

"It's not." Beel quickly cut off, but everyone in the room knew he was lying. His tears pricked the corners of his eyes as his chest rose and fell with every laboured breath.

Lucifer sighed and crossed his arms, "It is about Lilith."

Belphie snarled and turned towards Lucifer with a manic expression of rage and heartache that you hadn't seen since that night in the attic. "Shut up! Nows not the time for your stupid arragont remarks, o-or your 'I told you so's, o-o-or anything else! So just shut up!"

Satan scoffed and rolled his eyes. "I suppose you think it has to be you then?"

Lucifer pressed his lips into a thin line and tensed. "I was going to do none of those things. I agree that Beel will not be the one who stays."

Your breath caught in your throat as you looked at Lucifer with wide eyes. Lucifer had always been there for you since the moment you arrived in the Devildom. He had an answer to every question. A solution to every problem.

The two of you had shared countless late-night run-ins in the kitchen which led to tea-fueled two a.m. conversations. You had only recently managed to break him down and get him to fully and genuinely laugh in front of you. It was a sound so beautiful, you didn't want to give it up just yet. You wanted to be selfish and hold onto it, hold onto him, just a while longer.

He was such a huge part of the Devildom and of the House of Lamentation. To lose him would have such a ripple effect on the entire kingdom, as well as completely devastate the brothers.

It would devastate you.

"Enough of the god-damn superhero complex!" Satan shouted at him as he moved in front of Lucifer. "You're not stepping onto that platform. Fuck! You're always swooping in to save the day and take care of us, even though no one asked you to. You always know the right thing to do and then you just- you do it!"

He raised an eyebrow at Satan. "Isn't it obvious? I'm the oldest. It's my responsibility to-"

Lucifer looked at Satan in concern and took a step closer to him. "That's my job."

Satan loudly growled and looked seconds away from lunging at Lucifer. Pure wrath rolled off him in waves, but it was all too clear that the anger was coming from a source of pain and love. Tears flowed heavily from Satan's eyes down his cheeks as he glared at his older brother. "We need you Lucifer! You keep us in line and make sure we don't destroy the god damn world and clean up after our messes. We would be shattered without you. If anything, it should be me!"

You swallowed the lump in your throat and walked towards him. "Satan, that's not..." you looked around at all the broken demons around you. "Just so we're clear, it shouldn't be any of us. None of you have done anything to merit being torn from the others. This is cruel and unfair. It's not right."

Everyone blinked at Satan in shock. Asmodeus was looking at Satan as though he had just told him that Majolish was closing down for good.

You needed to get through to him. Satan still had so much potential and so much he needed to do. He was only just realizing that he was so much more than Wrath, than Lucifer's offspring. He needed time to fully discover who the real Satan is and to do all the things that he read about. You wanted to be by his side and show him the wonders of the Human Realm.

To lose Satan would be to lose a future where he finally was his true self. It would be losing the person you go to for advice. The person who was so smooth and collected but managed to be an adorable dork at the same time. The one with who you would go to cat cafes and explore the deep corners of the Royal Library.

You weren't prepared to lose that fantastical, whimsy sense of adventure that Satan gave you. You weren't ready to lose him.

"Why in the Seven Rings would you think that?" Lucifer snapped at him.

Satan sniffed and wiped at his face. "But it's the way that it is, and as such, I should be the one to stay."

Satan stared at the floor, carefully avoiding eye contact with everyone. "You've all been with each other for eons. You were in the Celestial Realm together. You fought wars together. You have memories with one another that I will never even begin to imagine, no matter how many books I read," he looked at Lucifer with a determined stare. "I'm not essential to the family. You all lived together without long before I arrived. You will simply have to do so again."

SLAP

Satan stood holding his cheek as a furious Asmodeus stood over him in his demon form. "Don't you ever fucking say that again," Asmo hissed. His voice was wet with cries that refused to spill from his lips as his chest heaved in anger. "You're the smartest of us all. Sure, you weren't with us in the Celestial Realm, but fuck the Celestial Realm. You're our brother, Satan! Y-You're," the sobs finally began to come out of Asmodeus as he angrily tried wiping his tears away. "You're my best friend. Y-You're the only one that really listens to me, no matter what. You're always there when I want to complain or gossip. Y-You, support me in everything I do a-and you don't bring me down or laugh at me when I'm being dramatic or talking about my beauty," Asmodeus stared desperately at Satan; as though looking harder into his eyes would magically help him see everything Asmo was feeling. Although that wasn't quite true, Satan could feel it nonetheless.

Satan moved forward and placed a hand on Asmodeus's shoulder. "Asmo, I'm sorry-"

"Don't be sorry; just don't step onto that fucking platform or think for a single moment that I am letting you leave me," the anger behind Asmodeus's eyes refused to let up. If anything, it only got worse.

Satan merely nodded and pulled Asmodeus into a tight hug, where the Avatar of Lust nearly collapsed.

To your left, Levi was frantically looking between all the brothers as small wheezing sounds came from his mouth. You could practically hear his thoughts running a mile a minute. He had his hands pulled up to his chest, where one of his fingers was urgently tapping his red frowning pin.

Realizing that Levi was in the midst of a full-blown panic attack, you cursed under your breath and quickly went over to him. "Levi? I need you to breathe okay? Can you do that for me?"

You used the movement to you advantage and placed his hand on your chest, taking in exaggerated breaths. "You're alright Levi. Nothing's going to happen to you. Follow my breathing, and focus on me. In for four," you inhaled deeply throw your nose and made a swooping movement with your hand to emphasize the breathing.

Levi shook his head as one of his hands reached forward grip tightly onto your hand. Your concern immediately spiked, as you knew that Levi hated being the one to initiate physical contact.

Levi began to inhale, but within two seconds he choked and began wheezing again. You pulled him closer as he began to cry in frustration. "It's okay Levi. It's alright. You'll get it. You just have to try again. Focus on me. Come on, Levia-chan. You're Henry needs you. Let's go again. In for four," this time he was able to breathe in for the full four seconds.

You softly pressed a kiss to his hand before putting it back on your chest. "Great job, Levi! I knew you could do it. Let's keep going," the two of you stood there continuing to breathe for several minutes until Levi's breathing was back to normal.

You smiled and rubbed circles into his hand. "Good job. You're doing amazing. Now, hold for seven," he looked at you unsure, as though he doubted he could do it. "It's okay. I know you can do it Levi. Just follow along with me. In for four, hold for seven," the room was silent as you both held your breath. A quick glance around told you that the others were watching both of you, ready to step in as needed. You focused back on Levi, "Wonderful. You're doing so good. Now, out for eight," the two of you maintained eye contact as you slowly exhaled the air from your lungs.

You smiled gently at him, "It's no problem. This whole situation is...scary and overwhelming to say the least."

Eventually, you helped him sit down, and sat down beside him as you rubbed his back. He rested his head back against the wall and glanced at you. "Thanks, MC."

Levi sighed and put his face in his hands. "I-It's just, as everyone was arguing, I kept thinking. If it's not Satan or Asmo, and it's not Lucifer. And it's not the twins. Th-Then it'd be me, right? I-I thought maybe it was a silently agreed-on thing, s-s-since I don't really come out of my room much anyways. You pro-probably wouldn't notice if I was gone. An-And it'd be better without a la-lame gross ota-"

You cut Levi off by placing a hand on his mouth. You looked at him with tear-filled eyes as you slowly moved your hand to cup his cheek.

Levi was always one of the more sensitive of the brothers; of course, seeing all of this, he would assume he'd be the one stay behind. You had been working with him so hard on his confidence, but knew that one bad day could still crack him.

Levi understood you. He understood your fears and insecurities. He understood what it felt like to feel like you aren't enough. He offered a sense of familiarity in his human world animes and games. The two of you would back human world delicacies together before binging your favourite anime. It was one of the small things that made your stay in the Devildom a little easier and washed away any traces of homesickness.

Losing Levi wasn't an option, because to lose Levi would be to lose home.

"L-Levi, please believe me when I say that we would never send you away or give up on you like that. We love you the way you are, and being an otaku is part of the amazingness that makes you so incredible," Levi's bottom lip trembled as you spoke and leaned his head into your touch.

A sad chuckle came from the other side of the room.

Mammon was standing next to the platform with a terrifying look of acceptance on his face.

The room froze at the sight as a collective gasp was taken.

"Mammon. What are you doing?" Lucifer spoke carefully, like someone trying to talk to a spooked animal.

Everyone winced at their words being thrown back at them. Beside you, Levi whimpered and shakily rose to his feet; you quickly moved to help him.

"I mean, we all knew it was gonna be me right?" his voice was thick with tears, yet calm, as though he had already accepted his fate. "Why wouldn't it be? I ain't good for anythin' anyways. Not like the rest of ya. I'm just the scum bag, greedy, moron, who fucks everything up, right?"

"We shouldn't have said any of that, Mams. It's not true. We need you."

Mammon let out the most heart-wrenching laugh you had ever heard. It was void of any source of joy, and instead was overflowing with self-hatred and doubt. "You don't need me, Levi. None of ya do. None of ya even want me around."

You couldn't breathe.

You couldn't even think of the possibility of losing Mammon.

He was the rock of the House of Lamentation. He took care of every single inhabitant and made sure none of them were ever hurt. He had proved that time and time again.

He was your first. He was your man. He was your protector.

He was your everything.

You and Mammon were a dynamic force that no one ever saw coming. The two of you tackled anything you put your minds to, no matter how dumb or stupid. Together, you had stitched the House of Lamentation back together to be what it is today. He was the demon who would wake up at 4 am every morning to secretly feed the crows and exchange gifts with them. He was that same demon who glared down every single RAD classmate who had dared talk bad about you.

You couldn't lose Mammon.

Asmo growled and glared at Mammon. "Stop it! That's not true! Now get away from there!"

It was Mammon's turn to growl. He snarled down at Asmodeus and took an angry step towards him. "Asmo, you literally tell me to kill myself every week!"

"I DIDN'T ACTUALLY MEAN IT!" Asmo screamed, lunging forward to grab Mammon's arm pull him away from the platform. The second-born easily dodged. "I never meant it! I was just angry! I love you Mammon! Damn it, I love all of you! I don't want any of you to go!"

"Everyone calm down!" Beel grabbed Mammon and dragged him over to him and Belphie; a safe distance away from the platform. "We need to talk rationally about this."

Mammon kicked and scratched at Beel's arm. "Beel let me go, or I swear to Diavolo!"

You watched with wide eyes as the noise grew and grew in the room and the brothers began to argue.

All of them were now in their demon forms, screaming at one another on reasons why they should stay and the others should leave. All of them equally desperate to keep their family together.

This is what they would become if they were broken apart. Pathetic shells of the demons that they used to be; newly born monsters who depend solely on their sins as a way of coping with their grief.

They wouldn't be able to live without one another.

The choice was clear.

Through all the yelling at the madness, a solid "click" pierced through the noise and the hearts of the brothers.

They all froze and looked at one another, taking note that they were all there and accounted for. Dread bubbled in their stomachs as they looked at the platform for the answer that they all knew to be true.

You stood on the now activated platform, slightly sunken into the ground, with large metal cuffs that had come up to seal around your ankles.

You smiled at the boys who owned your heart and soul as your eyes glistened.

Mammon let out a choked noise and shook his head as he rushed over. "No. No, no, no, no, no. MC, are ya nuts?! What did ya do?!" He circled around you multiple times, looking for something, anything, to get you out of there.

"I wasn't going to let whoever did this break up your family," your voice wasn't any louder than a whisper. You didn't need to speak any louder. The brothers were all hanging off of your every word.

"So ya let them take you instead?! Stupid human! Stupid, idiot, reckless human! You're our family too!" He growled and pulled a couple of lock picks off his belt. "We're gettin' ya outta this. Just hold on."

"Mammon wait!" Satan quickly spoke up. "It could be trapped. The rules were simple. We don't know what will happen if we try to get MC out of there."

Belphie looked between Lucifer and Satan with a confused expression on his face. "So we just leave them here?! What the fuck kind of plan is that?"

Lucifer was staring straight at you. In his eyes, you could see every loss and every heartache he had ever witnessed coming back. You could tell that he knew the truth. You were staying here now, and there was nothing they could do about it.

You could see it kill him inside.

He walked over to you and lifted a hand to touch you before sighing and letting it fall to his side. "It wasn't the plan. The plan was for me to stay, but now it seems that won't happen," he closed his eyes to shield his grief and pain from the others. "Why did you have to do this? Why couldn't you just sit by and do nothing for once."

You gave a wet chuckle and shrugged. "I wouldn't be the human you love if I did that," you looked around at them all and nodded. "I needed to protect my boys. You all need one another."

"But MC, we need you too," Levi cried as he wrapped his arms tightly around himself. "What am I supposed to do without my Henry?"

The sobs that you had worked so hard on holding back finally began to spill forward at Levi's question as the reality of your decision began to sink. "You're just going to have to depend on your brothers from now on, Levia-chan. You'll be okay."

Beel had his eyes closed and you could see one hand was pinching his arm. He was clearly trying to wake himself up; wanting to believe that this was all another nightmare. That he'd wake up and everything would be okay.

Asmodeus was no longer on his feet. The high emotions he had been experiencing all day were catching up to him and he had collapsed onto the ground in a wailing ball of tears.

Satan growled at your words. "Stop saying we'll be okay. How can you honestly expect us to be okay if you're not with us? You're a part of us, MC."

"Well, you're just going to have to find a way, Satan. You always do," your cries were almost as loud as Asmodeus's at this point.

Satan shook his head. "No. We won't. You're coming home with us. You have to-"

A hissing noise filled the air, and you yelped as the platform you were on, began to sink into the ground.

Chaos filled the room.

The brothers screamed your name and tried desperately to pull you back to them. But there was nothing you could do.

Soon, you were so far underground, that you could no longer see them and blackness filled your vision.

***

You gasped as you shot up from your seat and your heart pounded heavily in your chest.

Several sharp gasps were heard beside you. You looked around and took in your surroundings.

You were back at the House of Lamentation, at the dinner table just as when you passed you, surrounded by the brothers.

They all seemed to quickly notice the fact that you were with them, as in a matter of moments you were tackled to the ground by all seven of them, Lucifer included.

You didn't try to push them away. You did complain about how tight they were holding you. Instead, you found the events of the day washing over you as you broke down in their arms.

No one moved for a whole two hours; too traumatized and shell-shocked from the experience you were all just forced to endure. Within that time apologies were whispered, promises to stay together were made, explanations for past actions were given. There wasn't a dry eye amongst the group.

Eventually, as you all began to calm down, Mammon sniffed and wiped at his nose. "What the hell was all of that?"

Lucifer got up and inspected the table. You had ordered take-out for supper to celebrate your recent A on a test. Lucifer snatched up one of the take-out bags and looked inside of it. Laying face down on the bottom was a note.

He flipped it over and read it, before growling and ripping it up.

Beel frowned and held you closer to him. "What did it say?"

He sighed, and pinched the bridge of his nose, "It was a business card for the restaurant: Infernal Concoctions. Apparently, their motto is, and I quote, 'Bringing your family closer together through family meals for centuries'. In summary, the food was enchanted," Lucifer huffed in annoyance and looked at Satan. "Would you like to help me get them closed down?"

"Gladly," Satan kissed your shoulder and nuzzled his face against you. "Though perhaps we can do so tomorrow? I don't know about you, but I think I family night in, is in order."

Not a single person refused.

After everything you had all gone through, one thing was now abundantly clear, you were all family and there was nothing you wouldn't do for another.

***Oh boy this was a roller coaster. I hope you're okay and that you enjoyed the fic. Remember to breathe, drink some water, and take care of yourself. I love you guys. Thank you for your support ❤ -B***

Taglist:

@thegrimgrinningghost @henry-and-the-seven-lords @satans-beloved-riv @cosmixbun @sufzku @pebblesgengar @victoireshaven @obey-mes-treasure @kissed-by-a-dementor @yukihaie @justtiarra @mammoneybb @obeys-world @poly-bi-mf @armycandy10 @burrixino @aldi-wolf-mikazuki