Chapter Two

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I wrapped the gauze bandage around my knuckles. The ointment had stung at first, but that dulled and was replaced by a warm, dull, throbbing. I sighed and put the remainder of the bandage roll back in the first aid kit. I set the kit on a shelf in Mammon's room, walked over to my bed and flopped down on it. I my arms were stretched out across the expanse of mattress, my knees and legs hung over the side of the bed. I sighed again and stared up at the stone ceiling. Satan and Lucifer were camped out in my bedroom, and I couldn't bear their complaints about one another anymore. I knocked on Leviathan's door, but he was too focused on a video game to answer the door. Asmo was out somewhere, spreading kisses and broken hearts. And Beel was down in the kitchen, eating everything and couldn't possibly leave to let me in his room until he was full.

I sighed. Now I was stuck in Mammon's room because it was the only place with a bed and was currently not occupied with any foolish demons. Yet. I wondered though; did I come here instead of the study or the music room specifically so I couldn't avoid talking to Mammon? The encounter with Mammon in the hallway, getting him down, snapping at him for an accident – a foolish accident – but an accident just the same sloshed around my mind like water in a glass. Maybe I had been too hard on him?

Usually his foolish behaviour was endearing rather than malicious. At least to me. I didn't think Leviathan appreciated the humor in having his wallet taken and emptied of Grimm. But I didn't think that Mammon was truly mean-spirited, at least not with me. He pretended like he didn't hide a slice of my favourite sweet from Beel after dinner. Like it just happened to have been overlooked. Or the little silver ring he left on my night stand, pretending it didn't fit him and wasn't worth the effort to sell. I liked the way he asked for my notes first, even though Satan's were better and clearer.

I reached for my D.D.D. with my non-bandaged hand. I opened up the chat application and stared at the Avatar of Greed's display photo. His smile was more boyish than devilish. More impish than dastardly. He really was not all that bad. I stared at the photo until the screen dimmed and clicked off. What can I say to him that will let him know I'm sorry for being snippy, but won't make me seem like a push over? I unlocked the device again and let my thumbs hover over the keypad as I considered what to write. My mind was trying to be coy, but my body knew what I wanted to say. I let my thumbs press the letters freely.

A sudden sound at the door to Mammon's room startled me. "Hello?" I called. The door opened and Mammon stepped into the room. I sat upright, nearly throwing my D.D.D. on the ground in my haste. Mammon's head was hung downwards, but he lifted his eyes up to look at me. His face was sheepish. He a small grin pulled at the corner of his mouth. "Oh hey," I said feeling uncomfortable for being in Mammon's room uninvited.

"Hey. I looked around for ya', but I didn't know you came here. I wanted to know how your hand was doing?"

"Worried about me, are you Mammon?" I said. My voice was sharper than I had intended. Mammon visibly flinched at the bite in my tone.

"Well yeah – I mean I'm not worryin' about a human or anything. You're all so flimsy and weak, and you! You don't have magic or anythin', so you're like doubly weak!" Mammon looked my direction, caught the look of indifference on my face and paused. He started speaking again "But it'd look real bad on me if I didn't properly thank someone that helped me out, ya' know?" Mammon placed his hands on his hips and looked me up and down. He opened his mouth to speak and then paused. "Your hand, is it really that bad?" He gestured with a nod of his chin towards my bandages.

"It isn't that bad, not really. I was more irritated than hurt. I'm not angry with you, Mammon."

"Oh... really?" His voice was soft for a moment. I nodded at him and patted the spot next to me on the bed. He walked over and sat down beside me. I felt the mattress dip slightly beneath his weight. I found myself leaning in his direction. "I hope your hand heals fast, you goofy human." Mammon said. His voice was calm, even soft. He held his hand out to me and gestured. I placed my bandaged hand in his.

The demon's hand was larger than mine. I expected that. But the warmth that radiated from his palm was something I did not anticipate. It was not a burning heat, not angry or red. It was the warmth of the sun in summer, when you are napping by an open window. Serene and soothing. Enveloping. I curled my fingers closed. I wanted to feel the warmth of Mammon' hand a little longer. "Yup!" Mammon said, breaking my focus. I let my fingers relax, let the weight of my arm pull my hand down. Mammon lowered his arm as well, carefully keeping us connected through our palms and fingers.

We sat in silence. I could hear my heart beating in my chest. Was it always so loud? Mammon and I caught each other's eyes, but he looked quickly looked away. "So uh..." He began. I cut him off quickly. I wanted Mammon to stay on the bed, with me, a little while longer. I felt emboldened by our touch. I was going to take hold of this situation and guide it, firmly, to where I wanted.

"Mammon, I have heard you telling your brothers that I was your first."

"Eh?! You heard me sayin' what?" Mammon said, sounding a little surprised. "Well it isn't like I was braggin' about you getting' me to make a pact with you or anything. I mean you tricked me! You forced me into it with that otaku Levi! You had Goldie hostage-."

"Mammon, you're rambling."

"Eeh. Maybe."

"Besides, I think we both know you were trying to make your brothers jealous. You were trying to make it sound like it was more than a pact that you and I had... shared... as a first." I thought I was taking the situation in the direction I wanted, but the liquid-heat that spread across my face made me think otherwise. I knew my cheeks were betraying me, even as I took a slow breath and tried to make my voice sound cool, silky. "I'm right, aren't I?"

"Er. Well, you're my human after all. You're my responsibility, ain't ya? So why can't I brag about you being my first and all? You are the first human I have watched out for. And I am the first demon you formed a pact with and all." The demon spoke rapidly. I could see a pink flush tinging the golden-brown skin of his cheeks. My heart jumped in my chest, like a runner springing up to begin their sprint.

I lowered my gaze and looked at our hands. I lifted my hand from his grip, and slowly, tenderly ran the pad of my index finger along the inside of his wrist. His skin was surprisingly soft. I moved slowly across his palm, tracing the places where a human's life lines and love lines typically sprawl and share the secrets of their owners. I slid my finger tip up and down each one of his fingers. We stayed quiet, the moment fleeting but somehow slow and long. I glanced up at Mammon's face, and looked into his cobalt eyes.

He was blushing. He was as embarrassed as I was. Or maybe.

Maybe we weren't embarrassed, but anticipating what we would each do next.

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