"You there," Diavolo looks at the source of the voice, finding a young child-they looked quite close in age, though Diavolo knew he would live much longer than the mortal-pointing right at him. He tilts his head, completely turning his attention from his butler, Barbatos, to the child. "you're going to play with me."
They sound so confident, self-assured, or prideful- he thinks that's the word he was searching for-that he takes a step towards them.
Barbatos places a hand on his shoulder.
"Lord Diavolo, we are not here to befriend mortals," he's not sure mortals can be friends, the one he's met is more awful than any demon he knows. "keep next to me, the-"
"You're going to play too."
Barbatos glances at the child, who is now standing beside him and the young lord.
Their clothes are tattered, even worse than the ones he had spotted the orphans-scurrying around the church, talking and playing-wearing. Ignoring Barbatos' hand on his shoulder, Diavolo takes another step toward the child.
"Hello," he doesn't mean to sound nervous, but he hasn't interacted with many aside from Mephistopheles or a noble child that needs to impress him-and, if his father were to hear that he was interacting with a human, he would surely be punished, but there's something about this child. "what's your name?"
"I don't think you deserve to know."
Diavolo pauses for a moment, staring at the child, before giggling..
"Well, I'm Diavolo."
"Lord Diavolo."
Barbatos is quick to interject, staring at the young mortal. Diavolo turns his attention to Barbatos, his eyes filled with a mixture of curiosity and defiance. He takes a step closer to the child, disregarding the warnings echoing in his mind, and can't help but flinch when the mortal grabs his wrist.
They don't know he's a royal.
"That's an odd name, where do you come from?"
"It's... not an odd name," Diavolo can't help trailing off, feeling a moment embarrassed. "I come from the Devildom, where do you come from?"
The child raises their brow, obviously not believing Diavolo, but Diavolo can feel the cold rush through the child. The child hesitates, their grip on Diavolo's wrist loosening slightly. Diavolo notices the flicker of vulnerability in their eyes before they answer.
"Uh, I'm an orphan."
"You live in the orphanage?"
The child rolls their eyes as Barbatos talks.
"Nope," the child gesture to the orphanage, and the church, and the children staring at them like they've committed heinous crimes. "they don't like me, so I sleep outside."
He can't imagine the hardships they must endure, living alone on the streets without any support or care. Barbatos' usual neutral face falters for a moment, a tilt to stare at the young human who seems unbothered by the fact they sleep with the livestock-in the cold, biting air of the night.
"That's terrible," Diavolo responds, his voice filled with genuine concern. "No one should have to go through that."
"I," the child looks around for a moment, before shrugging, dragging the red-haired demon to flatter greenery, away from the eyes of adults who Diavolo just noticed are glaring at him. "don't care. I'm here, alive, and," they turn their eyes to Diavolo and Barbatos. "I have two new friends, right?"
Diavolo doesn't pause now, nodding quickly.
"Yes, of course!" Diavolo replies with a warm smile, his eyes sparkling with sincerity. "You have me and Barbatos as your friends now! Whenever you need help, me and him will be there!"
Barbatos, though surprised by Diavolo's quick decision, remains composed and supportive. He bows slightly to the child.
"You have the young Lord's word," Barbatos affirms. "We will do what we can to assist you and ensure your well-being."
The child pauses for a moment, a look of disbelief on their face, before they shrug.
"Sure, whatever. Hey," they let go of Diavolo, staring down at the ground. "my name is [Y. Name], alright?" They crouch, picking up a worm from the ground. "That's what everybody says my name is."
"Diavolo," the child with golden eyes looks up from the bugs he had collected, an assassin bug crawling over his arm. Barbatos looks on with slight disgust, holding the basket with toys and food that the young demon lord had asked to bring on his 'play date'. "you're a demon, right?"
Diavolo nods. He had grown comfortable with [Y. Name] long ago, and now his horns peak from his locks of red.
"Cool, can you do something only a demon can do?"
"Hm," he wants to impress you-a mortal that will die long before he matures enough to inherit the throne. "sure!" He offers his hand to the human.
Barbatos' tail grips the human's wrist as they go to grab Diavolo's hand. With one look, he makes Diavolo hide his extending hand.
"That is a big decision, Lord Diavolo. You are too young to make a pact. You should consider this further-"
"Woah," the human speaks, trailing their fingers across the silky smooth, yet slimy tail of Barbatos. They feel where it forks, where it curls around their skin. "it's... soft? Or, squishy! Yeah, it's squishy!"
Diavolo watches as [Y. Name] explores Barbatos' tail with fascination, a curious gleam in their eyes.
He looks up at Barbatos, a guilty look in his eyes as he extends his hand again.
"I want to make a pact with them."
Barbatos sighs softly, his expression turning thoughtful as he considers Diavolo's request. After a moment, he gently releases [Y. Name]'s wrist from his tail and steps back, allowing Diavolo to proceed.
"Very well, Lord Diavolo, Barbatos says, his voice calm yet filled with caution. "If this is your decision, then I shall support you."
Diavolo smiles gratefully at his butler before turning his attention back to [Y. Name]. He extends his hand once again, this time with a renewed determination- and Barbatos' pact mark appears across [Y. Name]'s arms as Diavolo's traces across their chest and back.
It's a warm pain, not unbearable, but it does sting as Diavolo is considered powerful. They look down at the mark, an intricate design that signifies their connection with Diavolo, the next demon king.
"Huh," the air is charged. This human now has control over the most powerful demon-as long as the current demon king stays asleep-but they look barely impressed. "cool. Now, do you want to see if we can find some centipedes?"
Diavolo's eyes widen at [Y. Name]'s nonchalant reaction, surprised by their lack of fear or awe. He had expected a more profound response to the pact and the newfound connection they now share. But seeing [Y. Name] so unfazed makes him feel like this is the best choice he could have ever made.
"Centipedes?" Diavolo repeats, his tone slowly filling with excitement. "Yeah!"