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Lucifer wasn’t known for engaging in his brother’s fun times. Sometimes he did, mostly when his presence was needed because one of them was in distress and had to have everyone close. Aside from that, he preferred to keep his distance and watch from afar, a hawk checking on his younglings playing nearby the nest. They respected that. They invited him to join, but never forced him when he didn’t want to be part of it.
During New Years, it wasn’t different from the usual. He found a spot on the sand, while his siblings were goofing around near the water, wetting themselves. Mammon and Asmo were the loudest duo. Beel was too busy looking out for crabs. Satan and Belphie were definitely planning ways to bother Lucifer with whatever they could find.
He would have left them have their fun if the suit he was wearing wasn’t expensive. So, without them noticing, he placed a spell over himself to invoke a shield in case they approached him with mischievous intentions, like throwing wet sand on him or putting a crab in his pants.
Levi isolated himself in the sea, though was interacting with them by tossing water at whoever got close. Mammon was being a victim of his attacks constantly. It was funny to watch the third-born soaking Mammon instead of just splashing him, showing that their dispute was personal, probably a revenge for something the older did before they came to the beach.
Lucifer suspected that it was related to the missing of his Ruri-chan’s shirt. He did say Levi would look bad if he wore a white shirt with an anime print in, quote, ‘fucking new eves’. He bet Mammon ruined it one night before because he didn’t want his brother to appear so out-of-fashion. But since they were assumptions and he didn’t have concrete proof, he wouldn’t punish him for that.
It was a nice view, seeing them all getting along on such an important day. He could feel, through their pack bond, how everyone was happy and determined to make their resolutions happen. Ensuring their well-being made him proud as the Alpha leader. Knowing that his efforts, his savings and contacting a couple of demons to reserve the beach just for them, gave great results, filled him with pride.
Once again, Lucifer provided for his family.
His eyes met Mammon’s. It shone in dark blue, tainted with a slight golden color. Lucifer nodded at him as a greeting and got a big grin in return. His heart melted. How could he be so cute? No matter what age he had, Lucifer’s mind still pictured him as a baby, as his troublesome little treasure. His other siblings were cute, too, with their traits and personalities but… he couldn’t deny that Mammon was a bit more.
It was fine, though. His human told him that it was normal to be closer to a family member. They said he didn’t have to feel guilty, because proximity had nothing to do with loving more or less. Thus, it was okay if Lucifer saw Mammon as the most adorable thing in his life, or the brother who reached a side of him that the others weren’t aware of. It was okay to have a favorite.
Still, as Mammon approached his spot, he felt a familiar sense of grief related to a specific matter. His opened up shirt revealed a thing that woke the most disgusting feelings in Lucifer, ones he was ashamed of but couldn’t help having them.
There, being proudly displayed, was Diavolo’s claim mark on his neck.
Marking was a complicated matter to Mammon. After they fell from heaven and their bodies changed, adapting to the new social structure of the demons and its perks, the only demand he made was to not have any mark, either made by his pack Alpha or mate, on his body.
He accepted the other stuff, like the social rules and what Omega represented to society. He accepted to be a being who had to be treasured, who had to serve his loved ones, but to be tied up both physically and emotionally to another person? Now that he couldn’t accept. Mammon was a free and wild spirit. He needed to have his freedom, and marks were the greatest representation that he belonged to someone.
It was hard for Lucifer, considering his pride and his devotion towards his family, to accept that. It took fights, discussions and the interference of Diavolo himself to let Mammon be mark-less. But that was a hundred years ago. He eventually got used to it. He learned there were other ways to stick his presence on Mammon without using his fangs – with scenting him being his preferred method of doing so.
However, he did not predict that his brother would change his mind after finding a mate. He did not think that Mammon would love Diavolo so much to the point of agreeing to be marked. Of course Lucifer was glad for them when he heard the news, but he was also aware that the sly, consuming and venous feelings rising up from his heart to his throat was jealousy and resentment.
With that, his pack Omega basically told Lucifer that he didn’t see him as worthy of putting a claim on him. He doubted that this was what Mammon really meant, but even thoughtless acts hurt. Was he not enough? Was he failing his baby brother? His partner said he wasn’t. His siblings also said that he shouldn’t think that deep.
Lucifer tried to forget it, to let it pass because his relationship with Mammon hadn’t changed even after Diavolo stuck his dumb canines on his sunshine’s neck. Yet, it was moments like this that this revolt manifested itself again.
He turned his gaze when Mammon got near him, standing on his right side. “The water is so fucking cold. Wasn’t it supposed to be hot? We are in hell!” He complained, laughing at his wet state.
Lucifer chuckled. “If we follow this logic, then there shouldn’t be a sea in Devildom.” He answered in a partial smug tone, ready to engage in any type of casual conversation that distracted him from his insecurities.
Smelling anxiety-tension-reluctance in Mammon made Lucifer change his plans.
“What is bothering you, dear brother? Did Levi go too far with his insults?” Lucifer crooned at the Omega. He cupped Mammon’s face, allowing him to sniff his wrists and be calmed by his confident and strong Alpha scent.
They could solve their matters on their own, they weren’t pups anymore. But today was a special occasion. Lucifer couldn’t allow conflicts to ensue, even if he had to intervene. “No, I’m fine. It isn’t that.” Mammon smiled awkwardly. Did he do something wrong? He promised he would not make a fuss tonight. He wouldn’t break the promise, would he?
“Then what is it?” Lucifer lowered his arm, looking sternly at him. Mammon held back a keen. He wouldn’t do it just because he lost his brother’s caring touch.
Mammon rubbed the back of his neck. A light shade of red appeared on his cheeks. Lucifer gave him time, thinking about what he could do to clean up after his mess, while also going over his mental list of punishments that he could use depending on how bad the messed up was.
“I––” Mammon closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. “I want to have your mark. I want to have my pack Alpha’s claim.”
Lucifer stiffened, processing the confession Mammon just did. “Why? Isn’t your mate’s mark enough?” He sounded raspier than he wanted. Defensive and not believing in it. It didn’t surprise him when Mammon recoiled, not understanding where his sudden harshness came from.
“Because… uh…. well….”
Lucifer crossed his arms. Mammon was nervous and scared, it was leaking through his smell. “You don’t have to do this for me, brother. In fact, it offends me that you are willing to go against your will just for that.”
It hurt more, actually, to know that Mammon wanted to do something against his will just because he thought he owed Lucifer. He wasn’t this type of an Alpha. He made sure to show them that when he assumed the role of the leader. All he did for his pack was genuine. He didn’t expect, much less did he want, something in return.
Mammon rushed forwards, getting in front of him. He grabbed his shoulders and kept pressure in there, as if he feared that Lucifer would walk away. He was so distressed. If Lucifer kept sniffing so much discomfort on the Omega, he would end up taking him back to the hotel to nest with him, not caring if they would miss the firework show if it meant making his brother feel better.
“You misunderstood it!” Mammon said in a rush. “I really want it, Lucifer!”
Lucifer was glad that Mammon was keeping him in place, for he felt as if his body would collapse from the shock.
Mammon was being serious about it.
He felt an itch in his gums. His canines were about to expand, gleeful at the thought of finally marking his pack Omega, of finally performing the most important gesture in relationships of all kinds. “Why?” Repeating his question wasn’t exactly a good thing to do, but he couldn’t help it. He was confused as to why Mammon wanted it now when they could’ve done it months – perhaps years – ago.
“Because I’ve realized how important it is!” He exclaimed. It was starting to attract his siblings’ attention, but they didn’t dare to approach. “I was dumb and naive. I thought that being marked meant being locked. I also didn’t want anyone feeling what I was feeling. I didn’t want to be a burden for anyone, especially you!”
He was looking anywhere but Lucifer. Still, Mammon took his hands off his shoulders and grabbed his hands.
“I get it now. Dia showed me that this is just a way to get deeply connected with the ones we love, not only by an instinct degree, but to a soul level. A bond. A soul bond.” Finally, he was staring at his older brother. “A-And I want to have a bond with you too, Luci. I want to belong to your pack even more than I already do.”
On the outside, Lucifer was paralyzed, while on the inside he was practically having a meltdown. He was feeling prideful, relieved, joyful. He was feeling an urge to squeeze his adorable brother until his scent of lemon and honey consumed him for all eternity.
“What a nice New Year’s gift you just gave me. Thank you.” He bowed respectfully, the same as he did when the others asked for his mark. Mammon chirped due to his reaction, soothed by his words. “Shall I?” Lucifer extended his hand, asking for Mammon’s wrist.
Mammon handed over his bare wrist. Lucifer could see his racing pulse, but when he looked up to check if everything was all right, he was greeted by a wide, excited smile.
He took great care to make drilling his fangs as painless as possible until the anesthetic fluid took effect. When Mammon stopped complaining and making expressions of pain, Lucifer deepened the bite, piercing the scent gland. He kept biting it for three seconds before slowly letting go. Blood flowed a lot, so he licked for a bit, rumbling at the Omega to express his contentment.
It didn’t take long for Lucifer to feel the effect of the bond. His head ached as he received the new information, and his heart swelled with comfort as he began to decipher the feelings Mammon had for him. “I wasn’t aware that you respected me that much, Mammon.”
“Nah, that’s not a big thing.” Mammon waved, trying to dismiss it.
“Mammon, you adore me.” Lucifer addressed fondly. “You see me as your guardian, as your protector.” Fuck, was his hands shaking? They were probably shaking. That was too much to process in a short span. “I’m honored. Truly honored. I wasn’t ready to–– by Diavolo, you’re so cute.”
Mammon hissed, embarrassed that Lucifer was speaking out about his emotions. “I don’t! You’re imagining things!” But Lucifer kept going non-stop. His face was glowing, and he was looking at Mammon as if he was still a puppy and not a fully matured Omega demon who could destroy a country if he wanted to. “SHADDUP!”
The others noticed that the mood was better by Mammon’s high-pitched screams and Lucifer’s constant chuffing. They got closer, wanting to know what was happening between them. They made different types of faces when they saw the mark on Mammon’s wrist, but all of them shared the same supportiveness.
“I swear I’ll live up to your expectations, Mammon.”
“YOU DON’T HAVE TO SWEAR ON THAT YOU DAMN PEOPLE PLEASER!”
“No, you’re wrong. Lucifer-nii is a family pleaser.”
“Ew, I think I’m seeing fondness inside Lucifer’s eyes. That’s disgusting.”
“Shut up Satan. We all know you were the first one to ask for a pack mark.”
“As if you were different, Belphie. You were second to ask and even got angry at Satan for being the first.”
“But Levi, wasn’t you the one who cried for a whole week after Lucifer marked you?”
“BEEL YOU PROMISED TO KEEP IT A SECRET!”
Upon noticing that his brothers were engaging in yet another dispute, Lucifer took his distance to reflect.
If not for Diavolo, maybe this never would have happened. It stung his pride to admit it. He wanted to be the one to change Mammon’s perspectives, but he accepted the fact that it wasn’t on him. Sometimes there were lessons the family was unable to teach, and that was okay.
When the first fireworks rose to the skies, blowing in a powerful red color, Lucifer decided that he wouldn’t make any resolutions, as he had already conquered everything he wanted.