The Devil's Playmate

TWENTY-FOUR

Lucifer kept true to his word and only ever stuck around Benjamin during his days off. They never spoke about what happened that time in his room, and Benjamin's glad Lucifer never brought it up. It gives him more time to think about his sister's upcoming birthday without worry.

When the demons of Beelzebub's court caught wind of it, all of them scrambled to get last minute gifts for Benjamin's sister even if they never met her. Benjamin had been busy rearranging the gifts inside Beelzebub's palace with the Sin of Gluttony himself, trying his best to tell everyone it wasn't necessary. He can't imagine going back through the mirror with a mountain of luxury goods for Lucy. His sister might receive a shock.

The demons were rather persistent though. Phisielle and Adramelech got a new pair of designer shoes for Lucy while Mammon, Bael and Livyatan pitched in together to give out several new handbags and purses. Others had wrapped diamonds and priceless jewelry in a large box, some had wanted to give out a hoard of money, and even Eligos got a new car for Lucy.

Benjamin had to reject them all. Even though Beelzebub and Lucifer begged him to take them. But it got to the point where they continued to accumulate more presents until Benjamin finally said he'll store them instead, making up a quick lie about handing them to Lucy later.

He'll probably think of something.

"What are you spacing out for?"

Benjamin looked away from his plate of cake over to his sister. It's her birthday today, and she's wearing a nice dress he got for girl. Well, Lucifer paid for it, but still. Lucy looks pretty in it, and she even decided to wear some makeup considering it's her special day. And because it was her birthday, Benjamin spent almost all morning making her breakfast, lunch and he even went back down to Hell to get the cake that Behemoth had made.

"Just thinking," Benjamin replied.

"About finishing your cake? It better be. I'm having a hard time eating all of this, but this tastes pretty good. Did you make it yourself?"

"Ah... I had some help."

Lucy gives him a questioning look. Benjamin had been inside the house all day except to go run some errands. She wonders if he had met up with a friend that helped. "Really?"

"Don't think too much about it. Here, I got you a few gifts."

Lucy raises an eyebrow at the small boxes perfectly wrapped up on the table. Benjamin continues to stack them all up before finishing it off with one huge box. She peers at them for a second, not even reaching out to take one.

"You bought all of this for me?"

"Do you like them?"

"Benjamin! You didn't have to buy me so many things! You should've saved the money for something else." She gives him a guilty look and he tries his best to ignore it.

"Um, I didn't buy all of it. This one is from Eli. He wanted to wish you a happy birthday as well but couldn't make it since he was busy." He pointed at the expensive-looking bracelet.

His sister sighs, "Still, I feel bad for having you buy all of this... but I do appreciate it. Thank you, Benjamin. I've got to say, I am excited about trying out these new heels. I can't believe you even got my size right. And this new purse? You really went all out, huh?"

He's relieved to see Lucy being so ecstatic over her presents. He's known for a long time about how stressed his sister was ever since their parents passed away, leaving her to be the only guardian for Benjamin to rely on since their other relatives didn't want to watch over them. Lucy hasn't gotten a chance to be spoiled and struggled to make a living since she dropped out of college, and he's grateful that she's still willing to try and spend time with him while she was so busy and exhausted.