When you're a famous psychologist, widely regarded as the authority on all things Love and you've just gotten mixed up in some wack-ass corporate espionage between tech corporations, one of which runs your post-apocalyptic totalitarian oligarchy where the last .2% of humanity is trying to survive, surrounded by illusions meant to distract them from the impending chaos and doom just outside the literal bubble you live in, and you have an inkling that there's also something terribly, terribly wrong INSIDE the bubble, too, with the very technology created to protect you, but you're also trying very, very hard not to think about it bc that would challenge everything you understand about the world you live in, and you really don't have time for that shit either because you have to deal with an asshole (who, I am convinced, is viciously supressing his homosexuality) playing yank-and-jank with your emotions, AND his fucking bizarre hologram dude/Galatea-proxy who seems WAY too self-aware while you're busy drowning your sorrows in fantasies about a fictional, ideal lover based on the writings of an old Harlequinn romance novel that somehow survived the fucking apocalypse (and that nobody can know about because it would ruin your reputation as an authority on love) because you still haven't really processed the end of your relationship of 2 years with a guy who clearly was a weak little fuck who wasn't worth the time he wasted, and if you could just finally come to the conclusion that there is much, much better dick in the world than fucking Nathan, you would be fine. but you haven't, so you aren't:
*Mammon and Asmo want to go out to The Fall and they decide to bring MC and Satan along with. The festivities seem to be going well at first, until Asmo spies MC sitting at the bar, patting the back of a slumped over Satan. Confused, he goes to investigate*
Asmo: Uhm MC, hun? Is everything alright...?
*Satan appears to be crying with his cheek against the bar and MC looks... completely done with this situation*
MC: No. Satan's upset.
Asmo: What?? Why, what happened?!
MC: *groans a bit, rubbing their temples* A demon came by and asked for my number, but I told him that I have a boyfriend...
Asmo: *blinks* Eh-?
Satan: *sniffles pathetically* I-I never even-*hic*-hadda chance...
Asmo: *purses his lips HARD to stiffle some laughter* O-oh, I see. But aren't you two...?
MC: Yes. He won't hear it!
Satan: *finally raises his head up dramatically* W-ell who iz it, then?? Who'z the dirtbag you're dating!?
MC: *looks so over his shit* Oh, he's really handsome, actually! Let me show you a picture!
*they pull out their phone and start tapping at it while Satan leans in to try and see what they’re doing. After a few seconds, they turn their phone to face him and show... their camera on the selfie lens, now pointed directly at him*
MC: It's you, dumbass! We've been dating for over a year!!
*Satan stares back at himself in their camera screen dumbly, before snatching it out of their hand and glaring down at his image with the heat of a thousand Hells*
MC and Mammon are eating lunch in the RAD cafeteria, and MC overhears two succubi talking shit about the brothers, so they begin staring them down with a death glare -
Succubus: Do you mind not looking at me?
MC: I don't know. Do you mind that your face makeup doesn't match your neck? When I squint, you look like a circus clown.
Succubus: Okay, I beg your pardon. I don't even know your weak ass.
MC: You're right. We've never met. Like your hair and dandruff shampoo.
Solomon, in the background, having the time of his life watching this happen: Ohhh, filet of succubus, service for one.
Mammon: Okay, MC, let's just go.
Succubus: Yeah, MC, go with your scumbag.
Mammon: Or keep going, up to you.
MC: Keep going about what? Her uneven bra padding? You look like you're smuggling a lime and a coconut.
Succubus #2: Go away, loser.
MC: Good one. Tell that to the stitching in your ratty panties, or wear higher jeans on laundry day.
Solomon spits his drink across the table and starts laughing hysterically.
What if the brothers already had a kid when MC first appeared in the Devildom?
Characters: demon brothers, gn! kid and gn! MC
Masterlist
CW: lesson 16, death during childbirth mentioned, but there's nothing explicit. Some brothers are better fathers than others, but they all love their kid with a passion. Romantic interest towards MC at the end
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Lucifer
There´s no way he’s having a kid with a random woman. I already posted a headcanon regarding demonic pregnancies, stating them as difficult, so my guess here is that he had a long-term relationship and his partner died during childbirth.
Of course, he’d cope with her death just like he coped with Lilith’s: hiding his feelings. He had his sister’s room hidden in the House of Lamentation without any of his brothers knowing, so it makes sense that he’d hide everything regarding his former partner from everyone, including his child.
Now, don’t get me wrong, he loves that kid, but he is who he is. A strict parent that wants his family to be perfect, obedient and loyal to Lord Diavolo. His child might get an obvious special treatment, but they still have to reach their father’s standards.
All of that, mixed with the load of paperwork he has to take care of on the daily, makes bonding time very limited.
When MC arrives, he makes sure they know not to bother the kid, his threats visible to anyone with eyes.
We know MC, however. They meddle and they become friends with most of the brothers very easily, so it’s understandable that the kid wants to get close to them too.
Lucifer tries really hard to break that friendship, not trusting MC at all, but the more effort he puts in that task, the more effort his kid puts in disobeying him. And we all know Satan is helping them just to anger Lucifer.
It all reaches an end when MC frees Belphie from the attic.
The kid doesn’t understand the situation, why their new friend is all bruised and bloody on the floor and why their uncle is laughing in such evil way.
Lucifer only gets how much his kid loves the human when he sees their distraught over MC’s death and their tears of relief when MC reappears in perfect conditions.
Time passes and the family is whole again, granting the kid a new feeling of happiness and comfort they’ve never felt before. Lucifer feels obligated to rethink the situation when he sees that.
Then comes the last day of MC’s stay at the Devildom and he knows he’ll regret not showing his desire of deepening their relationship before they leave.
His kid and his brothers are not the only ones that need MC anymore.
Mammon
I kind of imagine him having a child with a one-night stand, to be honest. For the sake of this fic, the other parent is not in the picture, but Mammon loves kids, so there’s no doubt he’d keep his own.
And oh, how much he spoils them. He saves money just for them. Does he go right back into bankruptcy after that? Yes, but the intention is there, you know.
I also think the brothers would use the child to blackmail him, like “you’re such a scumbag, Mammon, you’re going to disappoint the kid”. A dick move, but they are assholes to Mammon most of the time.
And then comes MC, rocking Mammon’s world and, by extent, the child’s.
No matter how old the kid is, they can sense their father’s love towards the human. It’s almost painful to see and it brings so much second hand embarrassment, but Mammon’s happiness makes everything worth it.
Especially when MC starts to defend Mammon from his brothers’ insults.
The kid promotes themselves from child to matchmaker.
They spoil their uncles' plans with MC so they can spend time with their father, boasting Mammon’s confidence and telling MC how good he is and how good of a couple they’d make.
At first MC thinks it’s pure childhood innocence, not suspecting the kid is acting on ulterior motives, but Mammon knows what his kid is doing.
He tries to defend his status as too good to be interested in a mere human, let alone date them. Of course, the child sees right through his bullshit.
No one stands a chance against his little hellspawn, not even him.
Suffice to say, MC and Mammon establish their relationship long before the year ends.
Leviathan
I love Levi, I truly do, but c’mon guys. I doubt he has any friends outside the online world, let alone a partner; we can all agree he’s a virgin. So, for him to have a child, I think he would’ve had to be either really lucky or unlucky (depending on how you see it), meaning that his brothers took him out of his comfort zone so he could lose his virginity and he left that one girl pregnant.
I think the mother wouldn’t have wanted to be in a relationship with him, leaving him more reclusive than ever. He needed his brothers’ help to lose his virginity and now not even the mother of his child wanted to stay with him? Yeah, he’s not leaving his room ever again.
It’s difficult for him to bond with the kid at the beginning due to the lack of knowledge on how to take care of a child and the kid being born out of a loveless meaningless one-night stand.
He watches and buys anything family-related, finally understanding that the way he became a father doesn’t have to influence their relationship, so he steps up really quick.
Don’t worry, the brothers offer their help the whole time.
They spend most of the time in his room, bonding over anime, manga, videogames and cosplay, especially about TSL. He also forces himself to get out of his room more often for the sake of his kid, even if it’s minimal.
He still distrusts MC when they arrive, not paying them any attention, but he has to reconsider a little bit when he sees the kid so interested in them.
The whole TSL quiz happens and he’s surprised to see not only Mammon and Beel helped MC, but his child too. He feels betrayed and irrationally mad at all of them for an hour or less, just until the kid insists on MC’s genuine interest on TSL and convinces him to give them a chance.
After that, their friendship develops quicker than anyone could've ever anticipated, as well as Levi’s crush on MC.
Another kid that evolves into a matchmaker, although their methods are more dramatic due to being based on anime and manga.
The rest of the brothers have a lot of fun witnessing the whole thing.
Satan
My man has contacts, he knows people all around the kingdom, he fucks. I’m not sure if the child came out of a long-term relationship or a one-night stand, but his contacts definitely have something to do with it.
His whole mission is to treat his child better than Lucifer ever treated him.
No baby voice at all, what nonsense is that? When he reads to them at night he uses different voices according to each character, same as when they play.
The type of parent that wants to respect his kid so much he kind of treats them like an adult. Full conversations and everything. More like monologues, actually, but Satan is patient enough to wait for his kid’s answer, even if it’s a babble.
Cats everywhere. Toys, clothes, bedsheets… You know the drill.
Overall, Satan puts his whole heart into his child’s development.
And when MC arrives, he’s only curious about them because Lucifer is on edge. He’d prefer if his child was left to their own devices, living their life in peace with no human bothering them for no reason.
Then he swaps bodies with Lucifer.
Boy oh boy.
The moment he sees his child running to his brother instead of him, he’s spitting fire. MC intervenes just when the kid starts to get scared, something he’s extremely grateful for.
After the pact is made, both him and the kid see MC in a completely different light, but he doesn’t think about taking them out on a date until his child trips and falls while playing in the garden.
MC tends to them, dries their tears and cleans their bloody knees before using some cute bandaids on them. Cat-themed bandaids.
How could he say no to that?
Asmodeus
One-night stand one-night stand one-night stand one-night stand.
One-night stand? YES.
I’m surprise he doesn’t have a legion of children, Hercules style, but oh well, what do I know.
I like to think the mother tried to stay, but Asmo is a certified narcissist who loves spending time with himself and who’d also love the idea of having a mini him running around, ready to try new clothes on every opportunity and match him.
It’d be difficult to stay in a family like that, with a partner that monopolizes the child’s time so selfishly. It’s bad, but I could understand if the mother chose to leave. I don’t even know if Asmo would care, given that it was a one-night stand with no feelings involved, and he’d probably believe himself to be enough.
Asmo is as dirty minded as ever and he still has various relationships, but he tries to tone down really hard, at least in front of his kid.
They’re partners in crime above all, their chemistry is insane. ‘Don’t talk to me or my son ever again’ type of relationship.
Although the kid doesn’t have Asmo’s charming powers, they’re cunning. Doe eyed with a shiny glare and a brilliant smile, who could say no to them? Sometimes they even fool their own father.
Both of them are pretty superficial, but kind-hearted at the bottom of their hearts. It just takes some time and effort to see that.
The kid treats MC the same way Asmo does, although they have no ill intent, they just want to be like their father. So when Asmo starts to show some interest in MC, pursuing a friendship, so does his child.
Partners in crime, remember? It doesn’t take long for the child to act coy and cute, turning MC’s interest to Asmo. Again, no charm nor manipulation, but a little help from an innocent hand never hurts anyone, does it?
Beelzebub
I don’t have a single idea where the child came from, but if there’s something I’m sure of it’s that they’re each other’s best friend.
Beel takes them everywhere, in his arms, strapped to his chest or sitting on his shoulders, he doesn’t care, but they’re together all the time.
Scared to his very core of losing them, but tries not to be overbearing, trusting his brothers to take care of them when he can’t, mostly Lucifer and Belphie.
They're the most important reason to control himself, Beel feels guilty when he lets loose and scares his child. Seeing your father eat a column can’t be pleasant, after all.
Another one that ignores MC when they get there, preferring spending time with his child. Now more than ever, since Belphie apparently went to the human realm as an exchange student.
When he breaks MC’s wall and they’re forced to share his room, he’s introduced to the dilemma of whether letting them sleep in Belphie’s bed while he shares his own with his kid or letting them sleep in his bed, with his kid in Belphie’s and him on the floor.
He’s very reluctant to let anyone but his twin sleep in the other bed. His nightmares lessen when he shares his space with the child as well, so Beel’s very conflicted.
MC offers to be the one sleeping on the floor, something he immediately refuses, so he finally agrees to let them both sleep in his bed while he’s on the floor.
He doesn’t sleep that night.
It isn’t until MC defends him from his own brother that he starts to think of them as a true friend. He trusts them with his kid and he even feels okay leaving them alone while he’s out doing his own things.
Days after MC goes back to sleeping in their room, his child confides in him how much they miss having the human with them and Beel can’t help but agree.
He asks for his child’s permission before taking MC out on a date.
Belphegor
Had the child with a situationship, but the mother thought he would be too absent to be a good father. She tried to leave with the kid, but Belphie insisted on keeping them. Being one of the Avatars of the Devildom, he had the upper hand.
As much as he tries to be present, he can’t help but fall asleep most of the day, so Beel takes the role of second father. Still, Belphie wants to be in the same room as his kid all the time, even when unconscious.
He’s able to enter other people’s dreams, so his favourite way of bonding is at night, interrupting his child’s nightmares and transforming them into beautiful dreams where they can do whatever they want to do.
He even made versions of Lilith and Beel for them to be together during those dreams.
Kind of entitled, to be honest.
Belphie is a brat and so is his kid, but the child at least has the benefit of the doubt.
When Lucifer imprisons him he’s ready to destroy the house. The only way he can talk to his kid now is through dreams and even then he isn’t sure what to tell them. In the end he decides to let the kid be, but he’s always on edge, trapped, not knowing what’s happening until everyone goes to bed.
MC’s presence feels like a gift. A pathetic gift, but a gift nonetheless.
He asks about his kid and he seethes when MC tells him they’re becoming friends, how much they like spending time with the child.
He focuses so much on revenge that he doesn’t even realize what the kid could think of him if he carried along with his plans; how they could feel when all of it is done.
Killing MC is satisfying and leaves him wanting so much more.
That look from his child, his own blood, takes it all away.
Why are they crying? Why are they hiding away from him? Trying to reach MC’s corpse despite Lucifer’s words or Beel’s grabbing hands, screaming in terror when uncle Mammon doesn’t answer their questions.
Then MC reappears, looking as perfect as ever, and Belphie is overwhelmed with relief, convinced that maybe his kid will stop looking at him that way.
But that doesn’t happen.
He sleeps with Beel that night, feeling lonelier than ever, hands aching and reaching for a smaller body that isn't there. He can’t find them in their dreams when he falls asleep and when morning arrives and he goes to the bathroom, he makes sure there’s no blood under his fingernails.
It takes days before his kid can even look at him without that angry pout on their face. They tell him they’ve been sleeping with MC, listening to their advice so they can mend their relationship with him.
Ever since then, Belphie can’t help but blush whenever MC is in the room.
I'm so sick and tired of the Demon Brothers judging Mammon. Like, calling him scumbag and worthless. Do they not realize that words hurt? That their words might actually have an affect on mammon that they may not realize? Like, omg I know it's a game, but god fucking damn. Let my poor baby have a break :(
He's trying his fucking hardest, but he stills gets so much shit from his brothers. HIS BROTHERS. Of all people (or demons ig). Like be so fucking for real.
In my opinion, Mammon is the demon closest to regaining his title as an angel. He's never used his demon form on MC and hasn't even threatened it. He's never harmed them. But all of the other brothers have (besides maybe Asmo and Beel, but still). Anyways, PLEASE LET MY SWEET BABY BOY BREATHEEEE
edit: i know he’s not innocent, i’m not saying he is. he does steal their things to sell them, and so in those situations it is deserved. however, all the times he’s called an idiot and stupid when all he’s trying to do is talk, i think is a bit much. and i don’t he should be strung up as often as he is, bc that can be considered abusive. i’m just saying that all the name calling and degradation can’t be good for his mental health
edit (again): this was supposed to be a silly little rant and wasnt supposed to be taken too seriously. and i’m sorry if any of you who come across it find it offensive or inaccurate. these are just my personal opinions and you don’t have to agree. i respect that you may feel differently on the matter, and i respect different thoughts and opinions on it. so all i ask is that you respect mine as well. but i am open to further discussion on the topic if any of you would like to have one. my dms are open! :3 <3
Thinking a bit about Mammon and what we know of him canonically, his behavior, values, principles, and conduct, and how they seem entirely different from what we know of his fanon interpretation.
Canon Mammon is…well, let’s just call a spade a spade, he’s a clown. The certified Butt-Monkey of the brothers, if something bad is going to happen, nine times out of ten, it’s going to happen to him. Dude is a truffle pig for trouble and for the most part, loves to sniff it out and roll in it.
Have the fans explain it, and Mammon is a saint who's never done anything wrong in his life ever, yet story-wise, Mammon’s downfalls and shortcomings are usually due to his own dubious inclinations, though to be fair, are a consequence of him being the literal physical manifestation of one of humanity’s sins: greed. We see this through his gambling habits, his tendency to engage in shady deals or practices, his lying, and his cheating, but what really gains him the ire of most of his siblings and others is his tendency to steal and sell any and everything he assumes may bring him a profit, regardless if the item is sentimental or not.
Needless to say, Mammon isn’t the most respected of his brothers, and they remind him of it every chance they get, specifically with the words “scumbag,” ‘moron,” “idiot,” “money-obsessed moron,” etc. Mammon even suffers for his actions physically, with Lucifer finding little issue in stringing him up and leaving him there to rot for a while.
There’s also the fact that in the first season of the OG game, like most of the brothers, Mammon is kind of an asshole. Your typical Tsundere archetype, his personality is initially brash and not too keen on learning of his forced role as a human attendant, constantly insulting the MC while bemoaning his position all the while, a position he almost fails in upholding more than once when the MC’s life is threatened.
Yet because this is an otome game, Mammon eventually begins to have feelings for the MC as soon as the fourth lesson, and that whole being your “first” thing holds a lot of weight to Mammon, so much so that he’ll bring it up repeatedly. He becomes a bit more clingy, vying for the MC’s attention, to the point where personal space is but a mere myth to this man.
For you see, beyond his salty attitude is a man with a huge heart. Canon Mammon is competent and capable of showing a surprising amount of wisdom, intelligence, strength, and kindness when he puts his mind to it (the man admits himself to being sensitive, after all).
Despite his shortcomings, there’s a reason Lucifer entrusted Mammon with the MC, as out of all of his siblings, he is the only character capable of keeping his “bloodlust” in check. And despite his flakiness at times, Lucifer relies heavily on Mammon to complete certain tasks, to the point where he’s accused of showing favoritism towards the secondborn. Speaking of which, that second-born title also includes his power level, having the ability to clearly fight and defend himself, yet choosing to either run or hide from altercations, if possible. It’s rare for him to get angry or fight back, which is why it’s so scary when he does.
More importantly, Mammon is completely and utterly in love with the MC. This is true for all the brothers, but Mammon is the most consistent, a constant in his character that never changes and is the main drive to his appeal imo. Unlike the other brothers, who seem to have interests and relationships outside of the MC, Mammon’s focus is single-targeted, and it’s one of the many reasons why he’s the most popular character in the game. There are no limitations to his affections. No scary or overly complicated parts to his character. We are his “first,” and that’s a comfortable place to be because regardless of what we do or how we look, Mammon isn’t one to give up and will literally fight, yell, and cry his way into your heart, whether you choose someone else or not.
However, you wouldn’t be able to tell this with Fanon Mammon, a soggy wad of therapy session tissues. He is an absolutely miserable wreck of a man. A traumatized, suicidal-inclined, helpless dude in need of a serious hug. A prone character to hurt/comfort fics, he's the trauma dumpster for the fans who like to project, which would be fine if it weren’t for the fact that these traits are sometimes treated as actual aspects of Mammon’s canon character. Fanon Mammon is essentially boiled down to his most pathetic traits, woobifying him. In fics where the brothers are present, such as Lucifer and Asmodeus, expect them to be written OOC to make Mammon appear even worse. In essense, Fanon Mammon not only has his complexity completely taken away, but takes away the complexity of everyone else around him in the process.
I'm not certain why this happens to Mammon more than other characters. Maybe because of his "kick the dog" status in canon, which causes people to sympathize with him more. And if you're someone who can relate to a lot of Mammon’s shortcomings, then that probably adds to his "woobie" nature.
And this isn't to say you can never go beyond canon and write Mammon any other way, yet it's like I've stated before, there's your headcanon and there's canon. You can think what you want, write what you want, yet something doesn't become a fact just because you want it to be/are emotional about it. And you also don't get the right to attack people for it.
Anyway, these are just things I've noticed about his fanon vs canon that I personally don't like, though opinions are always appreciated.
hiii could i request a fic/headcannon thingy with the OM brothers and the dateables trying to impress the mc's older sibling? tysm have a great day :))))))
obey me characters meeting and trying to impress your older sibling
hi anon! i hope this request is what you were looking for! i tried to keep it in character for who would actually try to impress your sibling vs. who would just roll with the punches and see what happens. i hope you enjoy!
prompt: you're hanging out alone one night with your partner. a knot twists in your gut. you know he can tell something is wrong, but it seems he's waiting for you to say something first. eventually, you crack, sitting him down in preparation for what you've got to say. he watches you nervously twist your fingers together for a moment before finally speaking your mind.
"do you think you could... meet my older sibling?"
you fill him in on all the details, explaining how your sibling has grown more and more insistent the longer you've been together. he laughs and asks why you were so nervous. well, you see, your sibling isn't exactly the most friendly with anyone you've dated in the past, and you're a little nervous they might, y'know... hate your boyfriend?
Lucifer
interesting.
well, it's not like he's going to worry about it. lucifer has been alive for millennia, met more people than he can count. he is absolutely certain that your sibling will like him. he'll be on his best behavior, bring a gift for good measure, show them just how committed you are to each other. it'll be easy.
at least, that's what he tells himself to stop the incoming stress migraine.
this proud demon needs your older sibling to like him. it's not like they have any say in the relationship, sure, but what if their opinion sways yours? what if your sibling disapproves of him, and you yourself slowly start to grow tired the flaws your sibling finds in him?
he swings from cocky to stress-addled every day until he finally meets your sibling. behind his stoic face, his nerves are starting to get the better of them-- mammon catches him before you both depart and gives him a quiet pep talk to soothe his anxieties. somehow, it works.
but lucifer didn't need any help either way. at the end of the day, the morningstar is a perfect gentleman. he's amazing with your sibling-- attentive, polite, even a bit funny when the mood strikes-- and by the end of the night, your sibling praises your choice in partner. there's a massive weight gone from both of your shoulders as you return to the devildom hand-in-hand.
... not that he was nervous or anything in the first place.
Mammon
he's the great mammon! of course they'll like him! no, his hands aren't shaking, he's just... cold! yeah! it's freezing over here! look over there-- he's totally not distracting you from that terrified look on his face, because the great mammon is not scared of anything!
lies. he's terrified.
he knows that he's a scumbag. as much as he denies it when his brothers toss around insults, he knows there's a long list of flaws written for him and him alone. you, in your infinite kindness and love, might have grown to overlook them. but your sibling? nah, he couldn't sell himself twice. your sibling is going to see right through him.
but the great mammon is not going to give up without trying, hell no! cue an absurd training montage as mammon tries to prepare himself for this meeting. he won't let you see what he's doing-- shoo! shoo! you'll throw him off! you're gonna be so impressed, babe, you'll swoon when you see how cool he is!
the loud music and louder crashing noises coming from behind his locked door do not make you feel any better.
mammon's saving grace is this strange charisma he has. it's what got you interested in him from the beginning, despite his bad attitude and mixed signals. it's honestly what's kept him alive thus far-- if he wasn't charming in his odd, mammon-ish sort of way, there's no way lucifer wouldn't have chopped him up and sold his bones to make furniture by now.
he spends the night trying to impress your sibling in grand, over-the-top ways. this, in and of itself, is charming. it's like watching an enthusiastic puppy wipe out on the hardwood and get up to try again over and over, never once losing the childish optimism behind its big, dumb eyes. at least, that's how your sibling described it.
they ultimately develop a pitying fondness of mammon. he's trying so hard that you can't help but find it endearing, y'know?
Leviathan
this man is scared. shitless.
levi tries to get out of it, then gets mad at himself for being a bad partner, then spirals and thinks they won't like him anyways, then worries that you're going to break up with him because his sibling will hate you and think you're too good for him-- he agrees, but still, he can't bear to see you go--
you're going to have to talk him off the ledge of an impending panic attack at this point. remind him that regardless of what your sibling thinks, you love him. it calms him just enough to get through the rest of the conversation.
honestly, it would be wise of you to wait until closer to the meeting to invite levi, because every single day since your conversation is a unique form of emotional hell for him. he's grieving a relationship that hasn't even ended yet-- he's just certain he's going to screw things up with your sibling.
lucifer has to step in at some point and have a talk with him to make sure he doesn't, y'know... explode into a million pieces in the hallway at RAD or something. he gives him some advice on how to make a good first impression and sends him on his way. that poor guy is so anxious that it's starting to wear off on other members of the house.
when the day finally comes, levi makes absolutely certain that he is as presentable as possible. freshly showered, surprisingly well-dressed (well, by levi standards), and ready to get this over with.
he's... stiff at first, no doubt. he's honestly starting to give your sibling the wrong impression...
somehow, some way, an interest of levi's comes up. maybe it's an anime he likes, or some obscure sea creature he knows a lot about, or something else entirely. but a switch flips in him. leviathan lights up the room as he passionately rambles about whatever interest of his is the current topic.
your sibling, with their initial negative impression of him, ultimately approves after he stops being so damn awkward. it's not like they bite, y'know?
Satan
satan takes your worries in stride and assures you that everything will work out in the end. he feels an unfamiliar hum of what must be anxiety in his chest, but he puts it aside to keep the conversation going.
he addresses a lot of his anxieties with logic. he is smart, well-spoken, attractive... there shouldn't be much about him that puts your family off. yet why does he still feel on edge?
poor thing has yet to learn that many emotions, like love and anxiety, are at times completely and utterly irrational.
he goes to his safe space-- books-- for help. he revisits his favorite "meeting the family" moments in his library and uses those for inspiration. these scenes in the books are never awkward. the protagonist is always suave and perfect, walking through every social situation with practiced grace. that's the energy he aims to channel into meeting your sibling for the first time.
he does his best primping to make sure he feel confident enough to make it through the night. there's a good chance he'll have to shoo asmodeus away, who just adores watching his older brother get all dressed up for a date! satan's just a little embarrassed by the amount of effort he puts in. he's trying to seem effortlessly charming, y'know? anyone knowing just how much work he put in really ruins the effect.
he relaxes a bit when you're by his side. it's a good reminder what this evening is really all about-- you, being proud enough of him as your partner to introduce you to your family. regardless of how things go, you're the most important part of this whole thing.
what can i say, he's charming! satan's very well-spoken and down to earth. your sibling likes him a lot, commenting that you and (the fake name you gave satan, since, y'know, his name is satan) your partner seem like a wonderful pair. he has to agree himself, too.
there's a chance that you might hear them doting over you if you exit the room-- nothing brings people together quite like the things they love.
Asmodeus
asmodeus laughs in the face of this challenge. ha! ha ha! silly you, don't you remember how charming he is? no need to worry, mc. he'll win them over in no time.
asmo needs everyone to like him so much, all the time. this is especially true for your older sibling. clearly they mean a lot to you, otherwise you wouldn't be so nervous about this upcoming dinner. he can't imagine a world where he doesn't win your sibling's heart by the end of the night.
he's genuinely not worried about it in the slightest... until someone makes an unassuming little jab at him. he's telling everyone about the dinner he's so looking forward to, boasting about how he'll have your sibling wrapped around his finger by the end of the night for sure.
maybe it's mammon tossing in a snarky "let's hope they don't find you obnoxious", or satan mumbling a "oh yes, because charming a family member to make them like you is totally boyfriend material", or even levi mumbling something about how people don't usually find narcissism very likeable. regardless of who makes the comment or what it actually is, it cuts deep.
now. we know asmo. under that thick, thick layer of narcissism is someone who is deeply vulnerable, scared, and terrified of rejection. doubt starts to creep in. is asmodeus himself all charm, no substance? do people not actually like him? are all of his accomplishments a product of manipulation?
he decides one night, in a quiet, tear-stained panic, that he will not charm your sibling. he will show them the most genuine version of himself he can muster and hope that it's enough for them-- that it's enough for you.
even without his powers, asmodeus passes your sibling's test with flying colors. he genuinely just likes being around people, and they like him too-- even when he's not using his powers, he still has this magnetic charm that makes you fond of him. this is especially true when he's not putting up airs or going the extra mile to make everyone swoon over him like usual.
there's a massive weight lifted off his shoulders as your sibling bids you both farewell and asks to do this sort of thing again sometime soon. that's approval, baby!
when the evening is over, you best believe he is absolutely going home to rub his success in his brothers' faces. serves them right for making him worry!
Beelzebub
immediately very nervous about the food situation. in the devildom, he can eat whatever he wants. but on earth?? he can't!! what if he gets you kicked out of somewhere, or his stomach starts growling, or, or--
you have to reassure him that you've got a backup plan in case of emergency, and that you'll make sure he doesn't starve. after all, you don't have the funds to clean up a mess like that on earth. only with your reassurance can he focus on what the meeting actually entails.
family is everything to beelzebub. he's honestly really happy that you love him enough to introduce him to yours. so rest assured that he will do everything in his power to ensure he makes a good first impression.
he spends a lot of time at the gym to work off his nervous energy. this teddy bear just really loves you so much and wants the night to go just how you want it that sometimes it makes his hands shake a little.
there's a good chance that he goes to belphegor to ask for advice. belphegor is famously unhelpful with these kinds of things, but he does pass along a good nugget of wisdom from underneath a thick blanket-- "they love you already, right? just show their sibling why. be yourself or whatever that corny ass saying says."
the execution could use some work, but at the end of the day the sentiment still stands. be yourself, beel, because you're a sweetheart!
and a sweetheart he is the entire meeting. bonus points if your older sibling has a dog or children-- he's fantastic with those. kids love to climb all over him like a jungle gym. a little foot to the stomach or side doesn't phase him one bit.
he's also just very kind and thankful to your sibling for making the time to meet him, as well as thanks them for taking care of you growing up. he's just really happy things turned out this way. of all the millions of different timelines that could have happened, he's glad he's in this one, with you, watching the sun set and enjoying an evening with those you love the most.
Belphegor
belphegor, in all honesty, doesn't really care what your sibling thinks. what're they going to do, march down to the devildom and split you up? demand you break up like a controlling parent? he doesn't have the energy to worry about such inane bullshit.
like a lot of things with belphie, he finds himself caring explicitly because you care.
you want your sibling to like him? fine. he can't promise prince charming or anything, but he'll give it a try for you.
he doesn't really do a whole lot of mental prep. he's lucky in that way-- less strung out and anxious about things he can't control than some of his other brothers. he does, however, physically prepare more than any of the others.
by that, i mean he practically hibernates a few days before meeting your sibling. he knows one of his biggest flaws is how often he sleeps, so he's hoping he can get enough sleep to fend it off for one day.
one major advantage belphegor has is his sense of humor. this man is funny. his jokes are dry and snarky, easy to miss at times; if your sibling has a sarcastic sense of humor, they think he's hilarious. if, for some reason, his jokes don't land, he'll tone them down for the night. you'll get to hear all of them on the way home, though.
the evening ends as belphie's energy truly runs out. he leans into your shoulder and fights hard against his dropping eyelids. if your sibling asks, he mumbles something about being anemic and tries to force himself to wake up. this is your cue to wrap the night up.
your sibling walks away with the impression that belphegor is a bit of a shithead (correct). whether or not they say this with affection is another thing entirely. regardless, though, he's a shithead that loves you and makes you happy, so really, what more can they ask for?
Diavolo
there are two concurrent thoughts happening when you share this information with him.
one part of him is already sure that your sibling will approve of him without a doubt. he's royalty, after all-- he's got amazing manners, he's well-spoken, and very respectful of anyone he meets. these are some of the most essential qualities to making a future king.
the other part of him is very invested in your sibling liking him for one main reason: diavolo absolutely intends to be your family one day and he wants to establish a good relationship with his in-laws from the jump.
he doesn't spend nearly as much time preparing for anything as he does dreaming about how the meeting will go between stacks of the most boring paperwork in all of the three realms. this man craves domesticity because it was so limited as he grew up in the castle. he wants dinner with in-laws, visiting your aging grandparents, waking up early to attend your niece or nephew's soccer games. he's selfish in that way and he knows it. he wants everything with you.
unfortunately for him, diavolo cannot change certain things about himself to blend in better in the human world. most notably, he's massive. it's certainly a bit off-putting to even the most open minded people when you walk in hand-in-hand with goliath. hopefully your sibling doesn't comment on it.
but diavolo's booming laugh and high-beam grin are sure to enchant the most stubborn of older siblings. there's a certain electricity in watching him let his hair down, abandoning the weight of the "future king" title and spending the evening not as a ruler but your partner. he's effortlessly fun and charming. you find yourself enchanted with him again by the end of the night. he's really incredible, huh?
diavolo is already asking to do this again soon as you guys say your goodbyes. with those hopeful eyes staring at them in anticipation, how could your sibling ever refuse such an attractive offer?
Barbatos
... is there any universe in which your sibling wouldn't like barbatos? look at him. he's perfect.
the only issue i could see arising here is if your sibling is very animated and finds your partner quite stiff and humorless. a shame, because barbatos has a sharp wit and sharper tongue-- but i digress.
barbatos is not anxious about this meeting. this is mostly because of who he is as a person. anxieties roll off of him like water off a duck's back. he's comforting in that way. it helps that his hands are always busy.
he spends the night before making the best cake you've ever tasted, along with a few other offerings, to the meeting. he's not worried about making a bad impression, of course, but he's not opposed to greasing the wheels a little either.
he looks wonderful when you go to leave. there's an air of sophistication around him at all times, and yet when he's of-duty, you notice something else about him: a sense of ease as he takes your hand. a small, almost humored smile pulls at his lips. in that moment, you know there's nothing to worry about.
and of course, you're right. barbatos is a true gentleman. he strikes a perfect balance between offering his help and letting your sibling flex their hosting skills. truly a perfect houseguest.
the only dubious moment comes when your sibling, after barbatos once again wows with his effortless perfection, calls him an angel. the demon's lips quirk into a small smile at the irony, just for a moment, before thanking your sibling and continuing the conversation. your sibling seems to notice the strange reaction but thankfully does not press further. he does bring it up on the way home, though-- that smile returns, this time intentional and humored as the corners of his mouth turn upwards. angel. how interesting.
diavolo bypasses the butler immediately and asks you how the meeting went, knowing barbatos won't provide him with the juicy details he wants. you hate to disappoint his highness, but the evening went swimmingly.
Simeon
simeon is an angel of the lord. hand-crafted by god, built as an ideal specimen, he does not fret over the opinions of many.
then why, pray tell, does he care so much about your older sibling liking him?
there is a supernatural charm about him. even the most irritable of people soon find themselves fond of the angel. in that regard, he's grateful. but he doesn't want to rely on his blessing. he wants your sibling to like him for who he actually is. their approval quickly becomes a symbol of prosperity for your relationship-- if your sibling somehow took issue with him, then that must be a sign from Father that your love wasn't made to be. he trusted in the heavenly plan, after all.
that trust did come with a lot of nausea, though. this angel did not like the idea that someone could think you shouldn't be together.
his mood in the coming days is a little off. he's less quick-witted, a bit more distracted, just generally sort of out of it all. it starts scaring luke and solomon. the vibes in purgatory hall are completely off when simeon's not in a good mood like usual.
he spends the night before baking with luke to make some treats to bring to the meeting. he's hoping that your sibling has a sweet tooth-- if not, he's screwed.
simeon, of course, has nothing to worry about. he's just so damn likeable! he's sweet and polite to everyone, no matter how abrasive your sibling may be. watching him interact with them makes you fall in love with him all over again.
your sibling likes him. of course they do. he's wonderful to them and to you all day. if they particularly like him, they might even mention that he's a keeper-- bonus points if it's in front of him. that'd make his whole month.
Solomon
solomon doesn't really care much about the whole "meeting the family" dance other couples have to worry about. he's been around your much longer than any other human could hope to live. that sort of existence doesn't foster a family or long-term friendships. he doesn't really have anyone that matters enough to him to gain their approval of your relationship, so, in a sense, he doesn't think about how important meeting your older sibling is to you.
when you explain it, he sort of passively agrees to the meeting. he'll try his best, stay on his best behavior, yadda yadda, but there's no part of him that would be heartbroken if something came up and you had to cancel. he just doesn't have those strong familial attachments that you do.
he doesn't seem very invested in the whole thing-- that is, until you say you're worried your older sibling might not like him, seeing as how they haven't been fond of anyone else you've dated.
oh. oh. so that's a challenge, is it?
solomon will not be losing, in that case. you best believe from this moment onward that he's putting in maximum effort to get your sibling to be his #1 fan. his social skills are a bit rusty at times-- that's why many call him "devious" and "off-putting" and "a menace to the three realms", whatever that's all about-- but he'll brush them off and prepare to charm the shit out of your older sibling.
when the meeting finally comes, he's all smiles. if they knew him better, the kindness would make him seem like a wolf in sheep's clothing, all razor sharp teeth as he lulls you into a false sense of security. it's not that he's trying to be manipulative or anything. solomon just has this way about him that makes everything he does seem at least a little shady. but you can tell that he is actually trying to be friendly and kind, even if it is just for the sense of satisfaction that comes from winning.
he'll tease you on the way home about how you doubted him from the beginning. your sibling likes him, so what were you so worried about, silly? solomon would never let something like that slide.
that night, you catch his expression shift when he thinks you're not looking-- just for a moment, there's a sense of real, genuine relief on his face from knowing that he made a good impression.
Summary: Just my thoughts on how Mammon is handling things while MC is dealing with the Nightbringer timeline. Disclaimer: I could not be bothered to go back and check the first few lessons to see what we did and didn’t know so just….use imagination if I got stuff wrong alcksnns
Three weeks had already gone by since you left unexpectedly.
“Hey Mams, I’m running to the store real quick to grab extra sides for dinner tonight! You wanna come with?”
For whatever reason Mammon had declined to join you. It was now a deep regret. Why did he say no? He was your right hand demon, your first man, the two of you were always seen together and yet he had said no. Maybe he had grown so used to you going off on your own that he thought nothing of it. Maybe he had been too comfortable with you always returning. Admittedly, your first year in the Devildom Mammon was almost over protective of you. He threw a fit any time you went somewhere without him but after four years of visiting he had grown out of that habit, still sulking when you went off with his brothers or on your own but not nearly as insecure as before, he knew you’d return to him every time.
“Alright well I’ll be back later then! Don’t do anything stupid while I’m gone!”
Those were the last words you had said.
At the time Mammon had scoffed, ‘don’t do anything stupid?’ When has The Great Mammon ever done anything stupid?? Three weeks later and he was starting to realize all the stupid things he had done in the past, all his mistakes, all his screw ups, all his failed plans to make fast money, all the lectures he’d received from Lucifer for his stupidity. All the times you’d been there to bail him out.
“Don’t do anything stupid while I’m gone!”
It was a simple request, but was becoming harder to do the longer you were gone. You always kept him in check, reminding him that even if he was able to steal the 600 billion grimm vase from the Demon Lords Castle, Diavolo would eventually find out, talking him out of selling his brothers belongings or darkest secrets on the deep web, and saving him from Lucifer’s wrath when he really screwed up. Maybe if he had known you when they first arrived he wouldn’t have been labeled a scumbag by the rest of the Devildom, maybe he’d just be “Mammon, Avatar of Greed and Simp for the Human Exchange Student” instead of “Mammon, The Scummiest Demon to Ever Exist and Will Try to Steal Your Wallet”.
“I’ll be back later!”
Later. What an unfair word to use. Mammon thought “later” meant a few hours before dinner, but dinner had long since passed and his appetite was dwindling day but day. Did you know what you meant by “later”?
Lucifer had seemed…off… when he announced your sudden departure, he sounded calm and collected like usual but being the second born, Mammon knew his older brother was hiding something.
“MC and Solomon are currently assisting Lord Diavolo with a task in the human world, we have been instructed to NOT visit the human world in their absence. Lord Diavolo does not know how long their task will take but ensures that they will both be home relatively soon.”
It was faint, nearly non existent, but Mammon heard the way Lucifer’s voice wavered as he said “does not know”. His younger brothers were too busy protesting, wanting to know what was so important that you had been sent home during THEIR time with you, demanding they be allowed to call you. Mammon had slipped out unnoticed, gone to his room and sat watching his phone in silence.
Even if you were on some secret mission for Diavolo, even if HE wasn’t allowed to contact YOU, Mammon knew that if you were in danger you’d contact him. So he would wait. When you didn’t come home after three days Lucifer’s mood started to change, Levi said he was turning back into strict Lucifer because you weren’t here to knock him down a peg, Mammon didn’t believe that.
Levi had it partially right though, Lucifer was reverting back to his old ways, in fact they all were. Levi was grouchy and hiding more, Belphie slept practically all day every day in the attic, Beel was eating everything in sight and pacing the kitchen late at night, Asmo kept his face in a mirror all day and was changing his nail polish every hour it seemed. The only one who didn’t really seem to change was Satan. No, that wasn’t true, Satan had changed too, but not back to his old angry “ticking time bomb” ways, instead he was holed up in the library or his room constantly.
“Whatcha readin Lil Bro?” Mammon asked as casually as he could, only to be met with the icy stare only his brother could cast.
“What have we talked about Mammon.”
“Right, my bad. Uhm, How’s the book?” Mammon tried again.
“Puzzling. I thought I understood the logic but then I got to page 12 and it all logic went out the window.” Satan continued to flip through the pages as he spoke. Beginners Guide to Understanding Time Travel, Wormholes and Beyond was printed in a shimmering purple on the front cover. Time travel? Since when does Satan care about that stuff? Mammon started to speak and then noticed the pile of books around Satan’s chair, each one having to do with time travel, teleportation, unexpected wormholes, vanishing spells gone wrong and such. That sounds more on track, Satan isn’t angry because he’s distracted.
“Does Barbatos seem to be acting weird to you?” Satan asked abruptly, snapping his book closed as he did.
“Wha- Barbatos? You mean weirder than he normally is? No? Don’t really talk to ‘em much though…Why?” Mammon was starting to put the pieces together but he wasn’t liking the picture.
“Oh…nevermind then, I thought of all demons you might be in the same mindset as me.” Satan opened his book back up and started tapping his finger on the side, his tell that his nerves were getting to him.
“Hey.”
The word was sharp and stern, but had a soft undertone. Satan looked up at his older brother who seemed very serious now compared to how he had entered earlier.
“They’re coming back. Lucifer said so.”
Satan’s face fell in shame, foolish of him to think Mammon didn’t know what he was up to. The second born felt a little guilty after watching the way Satan shifted uncomfortably in his chair, he hadn’t meant to sound so harsh, he knew his brothers were all missing you and that slowly but surely they’d all be at each other’s throat because of it.
“Listen, I know you ‘n Lucifer don’t see eye to eye all the time but,” Mammon paused for a minute, this was your speech you always gave when Satan was being stubborn or refusing to listen, he felt his throat tighten up at the thought of not having you here to give it. “Just trust him this time alright?”
A thick silence filled the room, Satan gave a small nod as Mammon turned to leave. Feeling a knot form in his stomach, Mammon headed upstairs, it was one thing to give himself false hope but filling his brothers with it? That was a harder pill to swallow.
“Make it quick.”
Before he could even knock Lucifer’s voice called from inside the quiet office. The second born entered slowly and shut the heavy oak door as quietly as he could behind him. Lucifer was bent over his desk doing paperwork per usual but there was a noticeable difference.
The record player that normally had his favorite cursed record playing while he worked sat silent, the only noise in the room came from the crackling of the fireplace, Lucifer himself looked like he had just gone for a twenty minute jog with Cerberus. His jacket tossed haphazardly on the couch in his office, his shirt untucked and unbuttoned at the top, his hair disheveled, his face twisted in the way it did when he was going over the credit card bills. The thing that alarmed Mammon most though was the number of coffee cups scattered around the room, coupled with the number of empty Demonus bottles on the table in front of the fireplace.
“Do you need something Mammon or are you just looking for things to steal?” Lucifer snapped, still looking at the papers in front of him.
“Hey! Who do-” The Avatar of Greed stopped himself, now wasn’t the time for arguing. “Actually yeah, I had a few questions…”
“Fine,” Lucifer let out an exasperated sigh, propping on elbow up on his desk and resting his head in hand while still scanning the documents below. “Go ahead.”
Mammon tried to think of how to phrase his question, but how do you calmly ask if the love of your life is okay? If they’re coming back? If they’re even still alive? He knew his window was closing and gave up on being subtle, Lucifer always preferred straightforward questions right?
“Where’s MC?”
The question hung in the air for a minute before Lucifer responded.
“In the human world Mammon, we’ve been over this. No you can not go visit, no you can not call them and NO I will not tell you where in the human world. Is that all your questions answered?” Lucifer spoke with his usual confidence but the pause between the question and his response gave Mammon the real answer.
“You won’t tell me ‘cause you’re not allowed to or ‘cause you don’t actually know where they are?”
“What?” Lucifer’s voice was suddenly very quiet, Mammon was familiar with the tone though, it had been his own tone several times. Only used when caught in a lie.
“Just tell me the truth Lucifer. They’re not actually in the human world are they?”
“What.” Lucifer’s voice much louder and more stern this time.
“You don’t know where MC is do ya?” Mammon felt his own voice begin to shake, the thought had been chewing at him for weeks but saying it out loud felt like swallowing razor blades.
“Of course I know where they are.” The first born now staring his younger brother down, eyes filled with a familiar rage. Mammon knew he was still lying though.
“Tch, ya right, if ya knew where they were then why do you have a list of locations in the human world on your desk with different places marked out??”
“This is a part of their task with Solomon and it’s none of your concern.”
“Actually, it is! They’re my human too!”
“I don’t have time for—”
“Where are they Lucifer.”
“I told you Mamm—”
“Where are they!”
“I can’t tell y—”
“WHERE ARE THEY?”
“I DON’T KNOW! I HAVE NO IDEA MAMMON! DIAVOLO DOESN’T KNOW, BARBATOS DOESN’T KNOW! WE HAVE NO IDEA WHERE THEY ARE!”
Lucifer had jumped to his feet when he began to yell, he now stood with both hands pressed firmly on the desk below him, out of breath from shouting and head hung low. Mammon stood on the other side of the large desk, eyes brimming with tears, both from rage and sadness of knowing you were lost. He started to express his rage when Lucifer began to speak again, this time in a tone that Mammon had never heard from him before, this Lucifer sounded guilty, exhausted and overall defeated.
“MC was last seen in town running errands, the time of disappearance is still unclear. Barbatos believes it may be a skip in the timeline, Solomon went after them.”
“How’d he go after ‘em? Does he know where they went?”
“No. Solomon went after MC blindly, Solomon has strong enough magic to return to us if and when he finds MC, but…MC’s magic is still questionable. We haven’t heard from either of them since MC first went missing. Nobody knows where they went. Nobody knows if they’ll return.”
Lucifer dropped heavily into his chair, eyes closed but fresh tears staining his cheeks. Mammon couldn’t remember the last time he saw his brother cry, it was a sight that filled him with more fear than an angry Lucifer could ever try to do.
“When’s the last time you slept?” Lucifer scoffed at the question.
“As if you have room to ask such a thing, we both know the answer to that anyway. Coffee is to stay awake. Demonus is to numb the pain; not helping much anymore though.”
“Ya can’t keep drinking your issues away, it’s not healthy and it ain’t bringing them back faster. You need to actually sleep Lucifer, gonna burn yourself out sittin here all day everyday lookin at these damn maps!” Mammon had never been so bold with his brother before, at least not about self care. Lucifer gave him a puzzled look before chuckling.
“How is it that you know exactly what they would say to me if they were here? I suppose there is a benefit to you always following them around after all.” Lucifer began to clear things off his desk, folding papers up and placing pens back in his desk. “You're right Mammon, I need to rest. Did you have any other questions?"
"No…..I'm good." Mammon turned to leave and was nearly out the door when he felt Lucifer's hand on his shoulder.
"I trust you know this already……but you can not tell the others.
"Don't worry, I won't." Mammon continued on his way down the hall in silence. He entered his room and flopped down on his bed, rolling over to check his phone. The screen lit up with the photo of you at the RAD festival last year, the smile on your face lighting a fire inside him.
Mammon couldn't help but feel like he'd lived through this once before, a faint image of you walking through a doorway, promising to return, but never coming home. His heart sank at the thought. It had to have been a really vivid nightmare, that’s all.
"I’Il be back later!"
It didn't matter if nobody knew where you were. It didn't matter if you had gone back in time, if you had gone to a different time line, or if you were just in a different realm. It didn't matter if his mind tried to tell him this had happened before.
Okay okay okay so there’s two songs that have wrapped themselves in and around my feeble brain. They’re both from the same artist, and both are in the same style of animatic as my last one…. Ones TWST and the other SVSSS… Ones more time sensitive and the other has a lot more work involved (i think I might re-read all of scum villain for it)….
I’m honestly surprised I haven’t dropped Sixteen Ways to Defend a Walled City yet, being a quarter of the way through (and I’m more than half that close to finishing, so little under 71% on the Kindle app). But I’m a believer in wrapping up what I start no matter how much I’m loathe something or can’t jive with, so I may as well see it through to the end.