📌 || BEFORE YOU BEGIN READING:
as much as i wanted to keep this story as only one part, it's hard to write a replaced MC one shot in one go because there's just so much to cover, y'know? so hopefully that's ok :)
**[NOTE] (O/N) = other name of the person who's supposedly replacing MC
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They take their place in the seat directly in front of you and toss you a smile that's meant to be friendly but it comes off more as insincere than anything else. You don't know how no one else is realising this so you figure that you're overthinking the whole situation and return a kind smile back to (O/N).
Dinner starts at last and a wide grin lights up on Beel's face as he finally gets the chance to dig into the freshly cooked roast that's been sitting on the table and teasing him this whole time. As everyone else begins to eat, you also grab your fair share of the food in front and clean your plate. Sooner than expected, thanks to the Avatar of Gluttony, dinner ends as quickly as it had begun.
(O/N)'s the last to finish but everyone still patiently waits to gather their plate and utensils, and place it in the sink for them. Somehow, this new exchange student has managed to wrap seven powerful demons around their finger and get them acting like dogs desperate to please their master.
At this point, you've only got an upper hand over (O/N) because you've formed a pact with every single one of the brothers. But even that current brag of yours won't last long, especially with the route (O/N)'s taking. It wouldn't even surprise you right now if they announced they had already formed at least one pact with someone in the room.
As their plate is cleared away, they flash a smile that you've only seen them give to the brothers and the demon prince. "Thank you so much, all of you, for having me over. I was a little nervous about coming, to be honest," they laugh, trying to make the conversation sound more casual.
"Why would you be nervous?" Beel questions with the smallest sense of guilt. "Did we do something wrong?"
"(O/N), you need only tell and we'll change anything that makes you even the slightest bit uncomfortable," Lucifer reassures, his hand on the table and slowly inching towards theirs in attempt to hold them.
Noticing his reaching hands, (O/N) takes action and places their hand on his, locking fingers tightly with the Avatar of Pride. "Oh, it's not any of you brothers, don't worry. You all treat me wonderfully, and I appreciate that. Actually, the reason I was nervous was because of (MC)."
All heads turn to you once your name is spoken.
You raise a brow, "Me? How come?"
"Well, at first I got the sense that you really hated me. You always gave me this nasty glare whenever we passed each other and we even bumped shoulders a few times but you never apologised, so I had to," they recount scenarios conjured up from their imagination. "I'm happy to hear that I was wrong though, it's so relieving to know you and I aren't getting off on the wrong foot."
Levi's lips twist into a worried frown, "(MC)? You never told us that?"
"Because there was nothing to tell," you claim. "I didn't do anything like that."
"It's not (MC)'s fault, I'm sure it's just a misunderstanding," (O/N) adopts a false sense of sympathy suddenly.
"You can't be too kind, (O/N). Let's hear (MC)'s version of this for a minute," Satan tries to reason.
"It never happened, that's my version of it. I've never gotten to properly interact with (O/N) until now." Your explanations don't seem to be getting through to the brothers, so you stand and take your leave. "Nevermind, I'll be outside if you need me. You can let (O/N) tell you the rest of it."
Of course, no one follows after you to keep an eye on how you're holding up.
As promised, you let yourself outside and rest on the steps by the front door. Though you want to cry, you shed no tears and feel only a painful ache in your heart as your life gets torn to shreds by that deceitful snake. The most you can do is bury your head in your hands and shout, letting out all your resentment and regrets.
Regrets about how you agreed to join their dinner, regrets about how you didn't confront the brothers earlier, regrets about how you let your schedule get the better of you. To summarise, you regret letting (O/N) win thanks to your incapability of making good choices.
While drowning yourself in your remorse, light taps of somewhat familiar feet come nearing close. Lifting your miserable face from your hands, you meet eye to eye with none other than (O/N), who smiles proud of whatever havoc they left waiting for you.
"Oh, there you are. You should probably go inside, they really want to hear from you. You must miss what that feels like, right? Feel free to thank me," they sarcastically joke as they look down at you. "Well, I'll be going then. Update me on how tonight goes when I see you at R.A.D tomorrow."
You so badly wish to raise a hand and ruin that face of theirs, but you refrain.
Before they can depart, you quickly rise from your spot on the steps and grab their wrist a little too frantically. "Wait! Why did you lie back there? I never did any of that to you, and you know it," you desperately await their answer, watching them scan the pleading expression on your face.
"Ah, that... Listen," (O/N) breaks free from your grasp and sets a hand on your shoulder. "I'm sure you had a wonderful time being the centre of attention in this place, but even the famous brothers get bored of having the same human everyday eventually. So why don't you just hand over the spotlight to me, hmm? I think the brothers would like that more."
"What do you mean?" you find it hard to believe what you're hearing.
Laughing, they let go of you, though more aggressively than needed. "I didn't think you'd be this clueless. No wonder they liked you so much, you're so naïve," they playfully tap the tip of your nose before they turn their back to you and leave.
You watch them as they return to Purgatory Hall and stare at the back of their head until their figure disappears into the distance. You're not sure how they got anyone to believe that they're a good person, surely someone would've noticed their two-faced act.
Asmo steps out the entrance and finds you standing on the doorsteps, still looking out far into the night. "(MC), you should come back in. We all have something to ask you..." the Avatar of Lust takes your hand calmly and brings you inside.
Re-entering the dining room after having left so abruptly, everyone looks your way and stare awkwardly after hearing your apparent ways of treating (O/N). Levi and Beel can barely even look you in the eye, and Mammon displays a genuine look of disappointment.
"Did ya really act like that then try to play the victim, (MC)?" he asks, not expecting nor hoping for an answer. "If ya didn't like them then ya should've just said, y'know. Ya didn't have to eat dinner with us."
"Wha- So you believe everything they said just now? Really, Mammon? Are you kidding me?!" you lash out and snap at him, enraged by his belief in the false accusations against you. "You know me! I wouldn't do that to anyone, especially someone I don't even know all that well!"
Beel plays around with his fingers, hoping that'll keep him somewhat preoccupied as he talks. "I don't know, (MC), you did sound like you wanted to avoid them when we asked you to have dinner with us." It's difficult to swallow the fact that even Beel's no longer on your side.
"But it wasn't because I didn't like them! I just didn't know how things would work out between us, and turns out I was right for wanting to avoid them. They're bad news! I never bumped into them, or gave them glares like they said. It's all just lies, they're the one who gave me those glares, but none of you ever noticed!" your face begins burning red as you go on and on.
Having heard enough, Lucifer arises from his chair and sends a ruling fist down onto the table, making everyone else jump. "(MC), speaking ill of someone when you're clearly in the wrong isn't going to make you right. If it's too troublesome for you to admit anything then I'd rather we end the night here. We can discuss this further when morning comes," he rubs his forehead, obviously frustrated with the outcomes of what was meant to be a peaceful dinner.
You shake your head in disagreement, "No. You can discuss this between yourselves tomorrow, I'm not spending another night here. If all you're going to do is call me a liar then what's the point in trying to talk to you?"
Your last words wound like a dagger to the heart, their expressions say that much. No one stops you from storming out the house after, but it's probably better off that way. You wouldn't have listened to anything have to say anyway.
As much as you want to seek Simeon for help, Purgatory Hall isn't an option thanks to (O/N). The Demon Lord's Castle is the only place you have left to go for the meantime, but it'll only be a temporary meet up with Diavolo.
Barbatos opens up the castle doors as you approach the entrance, greeting you politely and hiding his curiosity over the faint red around the edges of your eyes and tip of your nose. Predicting that you're to ask for the demon prince, he gives you Diavolo's location immediately.
The demon prince, like Barbatos had said, stands and looks at the view of his kingdom on one of the many balconies in the castle. Hearing your sorrowful footsteps trudge towards him, he turns in a flash to welcome you.
"(MC)!" you haven't heard anyone say your name with this much excitement in a while. It almost brings a tear to your eye. Almost.
You smile at him, "Hello. How have you been doing?"
Diavolo laughs softly, sounding relieved that someone's asking him such a question. "I've been busy, but only just for a bit. (O/N)'s a wonderful exchange student, wouldn't you agree? They always offer to lend a helping hand whenever they can, how kind of them."
Keeping yourself from rolling your eyes upon recognising their name, you purse your lips. "Speaking of (O/N), I just wanted to let you know that you should probably let them move over to the House of Lamentations. They can have my room, I'm sure the brothers would appreciate that."
Despite being a little shocked by your request on the behalf of the other exchange student, Diavolo agrees to your appeal. "Very well, I'll have that sorted over the night. But allow me to ask, where will you go? Are you planning to have their room at Purgatory Hall? If so, I can easily arrange that as well."
"Oh, that's not necessary. I actually already have an idea in mind," your voice falls to a gentle whisper. Maybe (O/N)'s right. Everyone gets bored of the same person eventually, what happened to you was inevitable. "Diavolo..." you breathe. Your final decision's been made. "Please... take me back to the Human World."