Photograph | Mammon

Twenty-Four

Lucifer was expecting Montski to blast through the hallways as it always had when his younger brother was upset... but it was dead silent for the past weeks.

And that was beyond abnormal.

Mammon had been working hours a day paying back his debt... and when he was home he'd just eat and sleep.

Especially after a phone call he just received from Simeon, someone who rarely called him, he was even more concerned for Mammon's wellbeing. Creaking the door open he realises he's sitting on his chair facing the wall.

Lucifer wanted to call him gently, but he wasn't used to saying Mammon's name in a positive context. Without control, he yells his name angrily, "MAMMON!"

Mammon immediately jumped off the chair, almost stumbling over, "IT WASN'T ME!"

"H-here." Lucifer innocently stood beside his desk with a cold beverage in his hand, as if he hadn't just given Mammon a huge scare.

"...is that--" He shoved it into Mammon's hands. "You've... been working pretty hard to pay off your debt, I didn't want you to overexert yourself"

The younger brother hesitantly drank the chocolate milk, the drink Lucifer made for him every time he was down. "thanks..."

"Mammon, why haven't you gone to the celestial realm?" His words stung immensely, the devil just clenched the glass in his hand with a chuckle. "You know, I've been too busy with work--"

"For 2 weeks? I'm not stupid, I know you're avoiding her, and I just don't get why"

"I don't think it's any of your business"

Lucifer had the desire to swing his fist into Mammon's face but thought it'd be better to not resort to violence immediately... He'd make sure to beat him up later.

Just not right now.

The elder brother looked down, unsure how to approach this confrontation. "If you want to talk... I'm here?"

"...it sounds more like a question--"

"I'm trying"

"Well, there's no need to try, because there's nothing wrong"

"Mammon--"

"Wait, what's the time?"

"Don't change the topic"

"No, I'm being serious"

"Tch...in the human world?" Lucifer looked down at one of his many gifts from Diavolo, a gold-plated wristwatch, "3 pm--"

"SHIT, I'M GONNA BE LATE"

Lucifer groaned in frustration, not even knowing what Mammon was late for, "THIS IS WHY I TELL YOU TO PUT AN ALARM"

"Are you... sure?" Stephen questions the mentally fragile Jonah wishing to meet the girl who possessed the donated heart of his sister.

"I'm sure..."

Stephen wasn't comfortable with this. He felt like this was an inappropriate encounter. But he had a soft spot for Jonah and couldn't deny his request.

He led him inside, there was a teenage girl smiling brightly as she doodled with an unfamiliar nurse.

Jonah felt confused.

It was nice seeing that an unfortunate girl had an opportunity to live a longer life.

But how could he be sincerely happy for her?

When her life existed at the expense of his sisters'.

His annoying sister who constantly nagged him to do his homework. The sister who would always wake him up as he would always through his alarm. His sister, who sacrificed her youth, dreams and health without any complaints.