The Avatar Of Greed

The Avatar of Greed

You had gotten used to Mammon’s tsundere ways. How he’d blush when you told him you loved him or how he’d stutter out a snide but weak remark when you took his hand in yours. 

You loved him. The way his eyes lit up at something he found interesting or how he’d ruffle his hair when he felt more relaxed. You loved every part of him and you made sure to show him everyday.

However, it wasn’t often Mammon would return the same words. You knew he felt the same but for some reason he kept himself from showing it. It was a bit lonely when you’d tell Mammon you loved him and he’d dismiss it with a thoughtless reply. It was sometimes so lonely that you wondered if you were wrong about his feelings for you.

Only you weren’t wrong. And Mammon loved you. He loved you so much it terrified him.

You didn’t know this, but the reason Mammon pushed you away was because he was scared. So scared of loving you.

That glowing and happy feeling in his heart was one he hadn’t felt in a long time. He had almost forgotten how it had felt to feel so joyful and full of love. It was like flying through the sky for the first time and having your breath taken away. It was like the sun in the Celestial Realm that refused to set but continued to emanate light and warmth.

Mammon couldn’t remember the last time he had felt so happy before he realized he was falling for you. Which was exactly why he was so terrified.

It had been so long since he had felt this strange warmth and he wanted to hold onto it forever. But he hadn’t forgotten. He hadn’t forgotten what it had been like to lose it. 

When he had fallen from heaven all those years ago and had learned of his younger sister’s death, Mammon had learned just how painful a heartbreak could be. It had been as if someone had ripped his heart out of his chest and left it to bleed. 

He had experienced it for himself, what it was like to lose your source of happiness. And now that he found a new joy, one that was even brighter and more precious than the Celestial Realm, how could Mammon afford to let himself hold onto it? How could he dare to touch what was so pure and beautiful when he didn’t even deserve it?

He didn’t deserve you. He was a scumbag. A failure of a brother who had failed to protect his family and had let his older brother bear the burden of their sister’s fate.

How could he deserve you when he was such a damned failure? How could you look at him without thinking how utterly worthless he was?

If he were you, he wouldn’t spare a single minute with himself.

And yet you always stood by him.

No matter how he tried to keep you from loving him, you’d always prove him wrong.

It scared him. He was afraid that you’d leave him so suddenly or that he’d fail to protect you just like how he had failed to protect Lilith.

Because whether or not he realized it, Mammon had learned to lean on you. Had gotten used to you being there for him when he needed you most. You had become his light and he was addicted to you like a moth to a flame. And Mammon couldn’t help himself from drawing closer despite the risk of being burned.

Mammon, the Avatar of Greed, was supposed to have no fears except from the usual witches. But with you in his life, Mammon never felt so terrified.

He loved you.

But he wished he didn’t.

Because he knew…that if he stayed with you, if he opened himself up to you, he knew that he’d wake up one day lying next to you. Your frail old body cold against his warm immortal one.

And then he would have really lost true happiness.

" 𝐦𝐲 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐑-𝐈-𝐃-𝐈-𝐂-𝐔-𝐋-𝐎-𝐔-𝐒 "

: ✎. casual? no no, all the world deserves to know how much you adore that broke loser. wc ≈ 0.7K | Mammon x Masc!MC, fluff, MC has a bit of a male lean, inspiration, not proofread

"Did I mention that I'm in love with you?"

Smug bastard — that's what 𝐌𝐀𝐌𝐌𝐎𝐍 describes the fastest player who ran up to the pedestal. Crystalline blue eyes watch as you grab the mic before the coach could utter a single word. Your cocky grin had set everyone's heart ablaze, cheerleaders chanting praises for you and your team's victory. The greedy demon scoffs, crossing his arms with a pout.

Even his brothers were more than thrilled, seeing as the "backup" or "replacement" became the all-star champion of this round. All demons were surprised that humans could perform with such skill; perhaps they have underestimated you too much? That just made the sweet taste of gold all the more satisfying.

Of course, Mammon was there to watch it all. Of course, he was there from the preliminary rounds held like a week ago or so, to that strike for the win: he was there to witness and frankly, cheer for you on. It was so unlike the Greatest Mammon to scream your name loud for everyone to hear - although there's absolutely nothing you can do.

Everyone was in on this. Every. Single. One. You "allegedly" managed to convince the entire cheer team to support you on this; not only that but you also got Diavolo's approval? It was a miracle how you managed to keep this secret. It was so well that others were even more appalled to witness the white-haired lovestruck idiot bawl his eyes out in speechless galore.

"You didn't know?" one asks, while others laugh at his supposed obliviousness. "Hadn't been obvious?" Mammon flushed red before dismissing the question. It was absolutely not.

How did he miss this when he was practically conjoined to you by the hip—the suave man gracing his presence in this sinful hell. What do you mean you met a guy who rocked your world that was ever enough? And that throwaway line of you saying that he got you on yours knees sealed the deal all in a perfect golden ribbon.

Confident. You'd walk around the court snapping your fingers, pointing your mic to the crowd. The melody was addicting, rhythms coursing through your veins as this match of Devildom Lacrosse turned into a special tribute to your treasure. An inspiration. You didn't mind if you looked kind of like an idiot: as if everyone wasn't screaming your name like avid fangirls. The flip of that hair, the way you lowered your voice for one specific line causing almost all of the crowd to swoon? impeccable.

And that not-so-subtle wink you gave Mammon before getting up to sing the chorus? A cherry on top.

Still, was it necessary to preform a whole ass song in the middle of the court Maybe not but with all of RAD chanting along to your words, it's-

"RIDICULOUS!"

Just-

"RIDICULOUS!"

Literally a charismatic idiot, though each minor mistake like accidentally missing a note or two flew right through Mammon's head. It's just. . . With the amount of times he told you that you're his, he wasn't expecting you to accept that. Sure you were both dating, but Mammon thought humans preferred a more casual approach.

You accepted it, and you did so wholeheartedly.

Until the second chorus of the song was Mammon's embarrassment fading away. Displaying to the whole Devildom that you're his? His one and only? Golden boy dropped the tsundere act and started being cocky about it. Partly to try and hide it though mostly it's just that. He may not say it out loud, but he likes it.

Mammon will be waiting once the song finishes. You promised, didn't you? Don't tease him anymore with that sweet grin, fuckin' heartthrob. With a final snap, you looked at the crowd, one final note to belt.

"And I would give my kingdom for just one kiss- Come on now!"

And you just had to blow him what he wanted. Mammon could hear the small 'pop!' of your lips before you dropped the mic to the ground. It takes him a long while to notice that you're running up to him, his glasses nearly dropping to the bleacher floors.

Prince charming, aren't ya? Might as well give him a real kiss this time.

2024 © dear-tortured-adam | dividers by cafekitsune

all my flaws

pairing. itoshi rin x gn!reader

genre. post-argument fluff | suggestive themes | established relationship | new boyfriend!rin 

content/warnings. 2k+ wc | characters are in their 20s ! | pro-athlete!rin | making out | narration heavy! | profanity | minimal proofread (me and my word vomit) | it’s like a new installment of this rin

in which: people say new relationships supposedly need a breakthrough fight to level up, but rin swears he would rather go through hell than do this again.

Your first fight as a couple freaked Rin out, even though he appeared stoic during the argument.

In the heat of the moment, Rin abruptly left your apartment, not uttering a word. Instead, he left you with a lingering glance filled with apathy—a look he'd never cast upon you before. His eyes turned void once again, when you were just getting used to it being bright and free.

What began as a simple disagreement, like any other couple's quarrel, escalated into rhetorical questions, accusing tones, and suddenly, it was him against you.

Silently, he rose from his seat, walked to the door, and vanished like a shadow that had never existed. To Rin, it felt like the right thing to do. You can't leave him if he does it first, he convinced himself. A twisted logic, fueled by emotions creeping from his past.

Yet apparently, his logic seems to be in total shambles when mixed and driven by emotions concerning you, because ten minutes later down the road, he wanted nothing more but to turn the car around.

Even so, in Rin’s true self-sabotaging fashion, he refrained. Because he’s awful, selfish, and couldn’t even fix insignificant arguments like a normal person would. Convinced of his own flaws, he believed you shouldn’t be with him— shouldn’t give him that chance after all.

The next thing he knew, the ten minutes he could’ve made to retreat back and apologize turned into 27 hours and 48 minutes of misery, spent in non-speaking terms with you.

It sucks. Everything sucks.

That night, he slept in his own bed. The next day, the in denial and emotionally constipated side of him made himself believe that the expensive yet seemingly useless mattress felt responsible for the raging tension in his shoulders and back. Of course it wasn't because of the absence of your messages or the unfamiliarity of his own bed. Of course, it’s the bed’s fault.

Life isn’t what it used to be. The sun didn't shine properly if it didn't come through the window of your room he spent the night in, his usual protein drink tasted like absolute shit because you didn’t make it for him, and not to mention the lack of cuddles before he gets up in the morning— it was bound to be the worst day of his life ever since you happened.

To make things even worse, he’s disassociating in practice, even missing a goal making everyone stop in their tracks. It was an unusual sight, Itoshi Rin doesn’t miss, after all. 

He was acting so gloomy that Bachira even pointed out how there’s a storm cloud looming over his head. A statement that earned a curt ‘fuck off, bobcut’ from the striker.

Meanwhile, Isagi took a more rational approach of expressing his concern toward his friend’s atypical behavior by taking out his phone and sending you a message.

Isagi: Did something happen between you and Rin? He's being tenfold more insufferable. [1:13 pm] Isagi: Please do something about this. - Chigiri [1:15 pm]

On the receiving end of these messages, you couldn't help but admit to yourself that you felt a peculiar sense of relief, knowing Rin was grappling with the same turmoil after he left.

You'd had your share of arguments before—petty disagreements that were easier to fix due to forced proximity. It was simpler when you were obligated to walk together on the way home from school; otherwise, he would stand in the same spot outside your classroom if you decided to be petty and ignore him. Annoyed but still caring, he insisted on confirming you got home safely, reasoning that your houses were next to each other.

Rin was still hard-headed, much like all these years. A testament to this was his silence over the past 24 hours.

Reading Isagi’s text messages once more, you let out a sigh and made up your mind – you will force him to fix things with you. You will express your displeasure at his abrupt departure, insist he not repeat it if he wants to do this right with you, and convey that it should always be the two of you against any problem.

It might be a blow to your pride to give in first, but it is what the two of you needed. It is what he needed. 

It just happened that you loved that man enough to provide what he needed, despite all flaws.

A day of missing you must have driven him to hallucinate, Rin concludes. You, perched on his couch, delicately peeling oranges and chuckling at a whimsical show on the screen, are just a hallucination.

“You’re home.”

And would you look at that, hallucinations even speak.

From your vantage point, Rin looks like he's seen a ghost greeting him with his unblinking teal orbs and brows slightly arching upwards. You notice the subtle tightening of his grip on the strap of his gym bag as he takes measured steps towards you, as though cautiously approaching a dream he fears might dissipate.

“Rin?” you whisper in confusion. It was meek, barely a whisper of his name, yet it was all that he needed to close the gap between you in mere seconds.

You gape at him from how determined his strides were. Surprise is instantly replaced by warmth as your lover basically throws himself over you for a well-sought embrace the moment you're within his arms’ reach.

You’re real, and you’re here.

And he can’t even begin to tell you how much tension finally left his body with that realization.

“I thought…” he trails off, burying his face in the crook of your neck. 

As shallow as one might say, each passing hour of being away from you has fully convinced Rin that it might have been the end to what the two of you had.

“I’m sorry.”

“Me too,” you whisper softly in his ear, your fingers finding solace in the familiar texture of Rin’s hair, tenderly tracing paths down to his nape. Rin responds with a gentle kiss along the side of your neck, a silent affirmation of his gratitude for the comforting gesture.

Unspoken sentiments hang in the air, but neither of you feels the need to verbalize them just yet. The minutes stretch, and you both savor each other’s warmth that has been sorely missed.

As minutes gracefully slipped away, you initiated the release from his embrace, much to his chagrin. Rin openly displayed his disapproval by gently yet firmly wrapping his arms around you. But you were resolute in your purpose and slightly pushed him back.

“Have you eaten?” you ask, holding his face to look at you.

“No.”

“I’ll make you some food, then. Stay here.”

Before your intentions could take you to the kitchen, Rin pulled you back making you fall back to his lap. “don’t want you to go,” he confessed.

“But dinner–”

“No.”

“No? You don’t want to eat?”

“No,” he firmly replied, “Later. I want to hold you first.”

You didn’t respond to Rin, and just took it upon yourself to make yourself more accessible for him to hold by facing him while still seated in his lap. The shift in position sent a shiver of anticipation through both of you, and Rin, consumed by the moment, reveled in the exquisite sensation of your body pressed closely against his.

Slowly, his fingers reached the side of your jaw, tracing and guiding you closer to meet him halfway. With closed eyes, you felt his lips approaching, delicately and purposefully, until his lips were a breath away from yours. The distance between your lips diminished as Rin closed in, capturing your mouth in a sweet, lingering surrender. 

Rin’s strong hands explored every inch of you it could reach. You felt his touch on your neck, shoulders, down to your thighs. The teasing fingers paid extra attention to your waist, their grip subtly teasing the hem of your shirt. You melt into him more when you feel said teasing hands slide inside.

He was everywhere— your mind, your body, your very soul. Rin had them well occupied with all of him.

A soft gasp escapes you when he nips the familiar spot on your neck just below your ear, each kiss that follows tracing a path to your collarbones. Another gasp, louder this time, as Rin gently sucked the skin beneath your collarbones, mending the sweet sting with his feather-light kisses.

It was getting harder to think when a feeling of desire ran from your chest down toward your inner thigh from how impossibly hot Rin’s lips were consuming you.

And just when you thought he had had enough of you, Rin’s hand once again cradled your jaw, guiding your gaze to meet his. Shivers danced down your spine as you absorbed the sight of his half-lidded, glossy teal eyes.

“I need you, baby,” he breathed, “please.”

It seemed as though there was a lot to make up for in the past twenty-four hours that he couldn't hold you.

You stirred from your sleep to the sensation of lingering kisses scattered from your forehead down to your jaw.

Blinking away the remnants of sleep, you found your lover gazing at you with those bright and free teal eyes, and you swore you never had a better way to start the day than this.

A smile graced your lips as you prepared to reciprocate the affection, intending to reach for him and plant a kiss on his jaw. However, your gesture was momentarily halted by his unexpected outburst.

“I love you.”

Professing to you used to terrify Rin – it used to knock all the air from his lungs and make the room seem so small. Now, with a few years ahead to gather enough backbone to escape the misery of pining, professing to you— loving you, felt as easy and natural as breathing.

And he hoped, with every beat of his heart against yours, that he would be breathing just fine in the many years to come.

“I love you,” he tells you again. Just for good measure, to ensure you heard him right, and just to make sure you know he does love you.

You heard him well. His words were clear enough, and the rapid beating of his heart against yours was loud enough to attest.

“Say it back, please,” he pleaded against the soft skin of your neck.

“I love you, Rin.”

“Still?”

“Still.”

He offered no verbal response, but a palpable sigh of relief emanated from him. For a man of few words, he sure does need a lot to feel better.

His warm breath lingered on your skin as a brief silence enveloped you both. Then, with a deliberate yet gentle gesture, he gathered both your arms, placing them above his shoulders, and pulled you closer by your thigh, guiding it above his own.

He loved holding you this way. He wasn’t a big believer, but he wondered if this, right here, was the closest he would ever come to heaven.

“But we have to unlearn those bad habits, Rin,” you asserted, your voice carrying a firm resolve, “No more leaving. We will sit through it, and we will talk, baby.”

Rin’s arms around your waist tightened, as if silently acknowledging your words. You knew he was listening— Rin could be hard headed and all, but he always listened. To you, and only you, that is. 

Minutes passed in silent communion, the world outside fading away as you and Rin held each other. Eventually, drowsiness began to cast its gentle veil over your senses. You couldn't tell if Rin had fallen asleep because his face was buried in the curve of your neck, hiding away in your scent. Yet, the soft and steady rhythm of his breath made you think so.

As you closed your eyes, allowing the realm of dreams to envelop you, Rin’s voice, muffled and quiet, broke the silence.

“Are we going to be fine?”

Barely audible, his question carried a hint of hesitation. And perhaps, if you listen a little closer, you could almost hear the 11-year-old Rin behind his lucid words.

Lucky for him, you had known that little boy throughout your life, enough to love him just as he needed, despite all flaws.

“We will be.”

note. hi, my life ain't life-ing lately soooo here !! i hope all of you are fine and having a blast. but if you aren’t, i’m sending you all of my love. we’ll have better days ahead, trust 🤞🏻

cw: slightly suggestive when nanami kento saw his wife about to leave the house in a stunning, tight sundress, he swore his whole world stopped for a moment.

“honey?”

“hm?” you glanced at him, then looked back at the mirror, trying not to stab yourself with your earring. nanami cleared his throat. “where are you going?” he asked as he walked over, standing behind you and sliding his hands around your waist.

“i’m having lunch with my friends, sweetie. i told you that this morning, remember?” you raised a brow, confused. your husband nodded dazedly, his eyes glued to your figure.

“right.” he swallowed, his throat suddenly dry. “where are you going to have lunch?” he asked, his hands gently roaming over your body, feeling the fabric of the dress he so badly wanted to tear off you.

“that cafe we always go to…” you trailed off, finally securing your earring. “are you okay?” you met his gaze through the mirror. “i do this once a month—same place, same people.”

he nodded, humming in acknowledgment. you stayed silent for a moment, trying to figure out what had him so distracted. now that your earring was in place, you became hyper-aware of his hands, their slow, deliberate movements over your hips, squeezing in that familiar way that told you he was restraining himself from acting on his desires.

oh.

a blush crept up your cheeks as you realized nanami hadn’t seen this dress on you yet. you’d just bought it last week and forgot to show him. “kento?”

you called out to him, but he seemed too entranced by the way the dress clung to your curves. he leaned in closer, burying his nose in your neck, his hands trailing down to squeeze your thighs.

you let out a startled moan, hastily covering your mouth. he inhaled deeply, the scent of your perfume overwhelming his senses.

“your friends won’t mind if you’re a few minutes late, right?”

do you think mammon seeks out his human if he’s feeling particularly down? maybe a comment really rubbed him wrong and then boom, you’re stuck in bed with him clung to you, head on your tummy while he talks about it? maybe lightly scratching his head to comfort him? i think about it often, too often.

-☽

➛ put your head on my shoulder

a/n: moon nonnie i’m convinced you can read my mind because i think about comfort with mammon all the time and this in particular is just >>>

tags: 0.5k words, mammon x reader, comfort and fluff

on days like this, mammon tends to find his way to the one place he can feel comforted.

and it’s not the fall, where he can temporarily drown his insecurities in demonus and loud music, nor the casino where he ignores his anxiety with a game of poker.

no, he needs a long–lasting remedy which can easily enter his bloodstream and heal all of the bad things inside of him.

and the only place he can find such a thing is wherever you are.

he trudges through your doorway, closing it quietly behind him; knocking isn’t a norm, the great mammon enters as he pleases. but you notice something which isn’t the norm, and that’s mammon entering quietly instead of barging in with a “hey, where’s my human at?!”

“mammon,” you shove your textbooks to the side, making room for him on your mattress. “i haven’t seen you all day, where have you been?”

his head hangs low, and his shoulders droop in the same direction. concern covers your face and you pull him closer to you.

slumping against your body, he rests his forehead on your shoulder. the weight of his body pressing against you feels heavier today; he’s had a difficult day.

“come on,” you shuffle backwards, giving extra care to not losing contact with him or else he might break from the loss of your touch. moving towards the pillows, you lay flight while mammon collapses against your torso. his head buries itself deep into your tummy and his arms hug your hips like they’re the only solace he finds in this world. “is that better?”

nodding slightly, he snuggles further into your body and you lower your hand to him. his face is hidden even when you brush his messy bangs away from his face, and a long sigh escapes him — a whisper of how profoundly bad his day was.

“wanna talk about it?”

mammon remains still and silent for a few moments. the only sound filling the room are the gentle scratches of your nails running across his scalp and your synced breathing.

before long, he exhales into the quiet.

“no…not yet.”

your heart swells for him; very rarely do you see him like this and it makes you swear to destroy whatever it was that caused him to feel so disdained.

alas, you stay in place because the only thing you can do right now is comfort him.

“that’s okay,” you whisper. “we can stay like this for as long as you need.”

the discreet flex of his arms around you almost goes unnoticed, but you know it’s his acknowledgement — or thanks — for consoling him until his demons go away. you return his tightened hold with one of your own, imprisoning him in your protection, both physical and emotional.

and mammon feels it — your power seeping through his skin and finding home in every one of his cells. he feels your magic work like the sole spell for any and all of his ailments.

you never fail to make him feel better, be it on a good day or bad.

you’re his cure.

I really like that one shot from the jiyuu no tsubasa opening