#tomorrow we'll enter a nrw series kf Christmas-y stories

[old-hyper-super-clover]

Secret Santa Event,

Final Day, Part 2

This little story belongs to my Christmas project, a series of stories leading up to Christmas Eve! Check my Event Masterlist for more information, and have fun!

A/N: might contain interactions with my MCs Clover and/or Violet (no spoilers ofc), but you don't have to know them to understand the story!

Lucifer and Mammon kept wandering around for a longer period without entering any shops.

Somehow, Mammon felt weird.

He should be on cloud nine, having his greed being fed so well. He should be grabbing all he could, because right now, he actually COULD get everything he wanted...

But somehow, that thought didn't make him happy.

He did get some more things he had been eyeing for a long time, yes,

But even that joy felt a slight tad odd.

Mammon wasn't sure if he has ever felt this way before. So, at some point, they came to a stop in front a jewelry store. There was a pair of earrings Mammon recognised.

"These are the ones Asmo lost last week, aren't they?"

Lucifer stepped closer, nodding. "If I recall correctly, yes."

"... Buy them" Mammon prompted after a moment. "I wanna rub it in Asmo's face that I have a new pair, but won't give it to him."

-------------

A few shops further into the street, they came by Madam screams, and Mammon asked for one of the winter collection boxes.

Also, the store right next to that was selling blankets made out of a lava sheep's (super soft) wool, so he bought one of those as well.

"... It's getting pretty chill outside" he mumbled as an explanation.

A little smirk growing on Lucifer's face, he gladly bought what he was told.

------------

They passed an Anidemon store, and Mammon looked over all the figurines they had with a troubled expression. And because he did that for quite a long time, Lucifer started giving him the 'what are you doing' look.

Blushing an angry blush, Mammon turned away from the shop's window. "I-I'm trying to find out why Levi likes those things" he tsundered. "But honestly, collecting stupid figures or pillows or plushies is weird...!"

"Ah, yes..." Lucifer mumbled in fake agreement. "It makes much more sense to collect something like wristwatches, after all..."

Mammon skillfully ignored that sassy comment as he was back at inspecting the store.

"... I want a gift card of that store" he finally said. "For if Levi's ever getting on my nerves again, then I can annoy him back. Maybe rip the card right in front of his eyes, hehe."

"Whatever makes you happy..."

-------------

Another few hours later, they had visited the technology store, buying a laptop, visited a florist and came back with a bonsai tree, only to head to the next bookstore to pick up the new book that was brought in that morning.

"You have quite the interesting taste" Lucifer hummed when Mammon inspected this book he had never heard of.

"Well, what do you know about me?!" Mammon hissed. "I buy whatever I desire. Call it quits if you're not okay with that."

Lucifer crossed his arms. "Don't offend me", he scolded. "It would greatly damage my image if I don't pull through with what I promised."

Again, this weird feeling in Mammon's stomach. That should fuel his desire to buy...

But it did the opposite.

Honestly, Mammon felt like going home, but then they passed a little shop selling self-grown coffee beans.

Mammon's gaze had only shortly hovered over it, and he tried covering his reaction desperately.

"Hm... Lucifer, give me some cash" he demanded.

Locking eyes with him for a moment, Lucifer remained completely calm. "Here you go."

So Mammon looked around.

"You see that toy store over there? Go find the item that I could tease that chihuahua Luke with the best. I'll meet you there in a minute."

Mammon turned around, not seeing how Lucifer was smiling.

And very, very happy, Lucifer went to the toy store...

-------------

A wooden chihuahua toy in their pockets now as well, the brothers decided to search a less crowded place to take a seat.

"My feet need a break!" Mammon whined, plonking down on a park bench. Sitting down like a normal person, Lucifer took a seat next to him.

"It is already quite late" he stated. "If you plan on buying some more, we shouldn't be resting for too long."

"Tsk" Mammon seemed sceptical again. " Can ya really finance all that?? How much money is on your bank account, anyway?!"

"That is none of your business."

Minutes passed, both demons took a deep breather.

"You know" Mammon started. "I'm beat. I think we might as well head hom-"

Suddenly, his leg was touched by a rather small hand.

Shrieking away, the avatar of Greed looked at the old merchant from earlier that day.

"You again" Lucifer huffed in displease. "Did I not tell you to not bother me again?"

But the old weirdo hissed back. "Yes, however I am not talking to you, but to this smart-looking demon right here."

"... Me?" Even Mammon asked in surprise (however his ego was visibly pleased by that).

"Yes, young fellow" he old man croaked. "I'm selling potions. Would you want any? I have strength potions, love potions, truth serums, limb enlarging substances..."

Mammon was about to shoo him away, but then, an idea struck him.

"I'll take the truth serum" he said, giving Lucifer a look to buy it. Sighing deeply, Lucifer obliged.

"And what are you planning on doing with that, Mammon?"

"You drink it" he told his brother.

"... Excuse me?"

It took some more convincing, but in the end, Lucifer actually chugged down that weird blue liquid.

"The serum also forces one to answer questions. It should show immediate effects-" the old man started to explain explain.

"Yeah yeah", Mammon mumbled, pushing the old creep away from him. "Go away dude, we won't buy any more."

All alone now, this was Mammon's chance. His chance to find out why Lucifer was so nice to him today. What he was scheming, because there HAD to be something...

"Are you in love?" Mammon asked.

"Yes" Lucifer answered. "Didn't you already know that?"

"Control question" Mammon shrugged. "Okay, next one... What is your credit card number?"

"Hngh" Lucifer struggled, but the words were bubbling up his throat already.

So, as to not actually give Mammon information like that, he did a little, maybe very rough step on his brother's foot to distract him.

"OUCH!!"

-------------

After a couple more tests, it was time for the real deal.

"So, Lucifer... Why are you being so nice to me today?"

Lucifer raised a questioning eyebrow. "This is your secret Santa gift."

"Yes, but... You could've just gotten me one thing. Why go this ham? It isn't like you."

The oldest let out a laughing breath.

"Truly... If not for an occasion like this, I wouldn't have go this far to please you."

"So... Is there a catch?" Mammon asked. "Will you sell everything I bought tomorrow?"

"No, of course not."

"But..." Mammon grew irritated. "Why are you being so nice, then?!"

"You already asked that."

"Yes, because I don't get it! Y'all are calling me scum any other day, so what, do you feel obliged to be nice to me because it's Christmas season?"

"No."

Mammon's eyes widened. "Then... Why...? What... What do you actually think of me, Lucifer?"

To answer that question, it seemed like it took Lucifer a moment to respond.

"I cherish you" he finally said.

"... Wha...?"

"You can be a pain to handle, but that does not change that you are my family" the eldest brother continued. "And I know that you care about our family as well. About us, our human friends, who kind of joined our family now. You took care of them since day one... Because I knew I could trust you with that."

Mammon was completely puzzled. If not for the serum, he would have laughed at the great lies his brother was telling by now.

"... You don't trust me" Mammon hissed. "As if you would."

"It is true, though. I do have high respect for you, Mammon. Regarding holding in emotions such as rage, you possess an amount of self control that even I cannot measure myself with. Your heart is kind, even if you'd never admit it..." Lucifer turned to look him in the eyes. "And I'm very proud to call you my brother."

At loss for words, Mammon felt his eyes watering up, so he looked off to the side quickly.

"Why... Why do you keep calling me an idiot then...?"

Lucifer let out a chuckle.

"Well, you are one." He made a pause. "But I learned that this is part of your personality. Maybe I shouldn't be so hard on you, but I am only trying to help shaping you into an adult man who can live the best version of himself."

Hot tears were rolling down Mammon's cheeks.

"Y-you're talking nonsense..."

"Maybe I am..."

Lucifer stood up.

"But I know that if I need it, I can count on my scum of a brother."

Sniffling, Mammon was overwhelmed, not responding to his words.

Lucifer led him be, knowing that with this, his Christmas present was complete.

--------------

Finally able to collect himself, Mammon wiped away the tears he had been quietly letting out.

Standing up as well, he cleared his throat awkwardly.

"Hey, uhm, Lucifer...", He began.

He wanted to say thank you. Say 'I appreciate you, too'.

But the words seemed so heavy in his throat, he was not used to saying things like that.

When he met Lucifer's gaze, however, he saw that he didn't need to say anything.

A soft smile on his lips, Lucifer's expression showed that he knew exactly what was going on inside of his brother.

"How about we head home?" Lucifer asked.

Mammon gave a nod.

"Yeah, sounds good..."

A moment later, he spoke up again, though "Oh, another thing... I've got these things that I wanted to tease my brothers with... Well, uhm, however... I thought that, if they stop annoying me until Christmas, maybe I could give it to them... I don't really need that crap anyways, so..."

Lucifer smiled.

"We'll need a spot to hide the presents, then."

Y-yeah...", Mammon mumbled in a soft blush.

"Then that's all the more reason to head home."

And as Lucifer already started to march away, Mammon's lips moved on their own.

"Lucifer?"

"Yes, Mammon?"

"... Merry Christmas."

"Merry Christmas, my brother."

---------

Bonus content:

A little before Mammon called for Lucifer to pay at Majolish...

The old man was approaching Lucifer after the demon had waved him over.

"Are you the potion selling hermit?"

"They do call me that, yes..."

"I have a favour to ask."

And for whatever reason,

Be it that Lucifer's pride wouldn't allow him to speak his honest feelings towards Mammon,

Or because he thought that otherwise, Mammon wouldn't believe in his words...

But Lucifer asked the following:

"Follow me and my brother until we're left alone. Come and try selling him your potions. I am certain he will buy the truth serum of yours..."