Archive of Our Own ^beta

When Barbatos told you that he made this new timeline you were in the sole reality, you should have felt relieved. That means you didn’t mess up history, even though you didn’t heed the other Barbatos’s warnings.

This was a new reality and everyone was happy with how things turned out.

But while Asmo, Belphie, and Mammon argued over who gets to pour you tea, your mind drifted to them. The other versions of them, along with the rest, that you left behind.

The last time you saw “them” was when you planned to prove to Diavolo that you were worthy of being the human representative; that you would find out who freed Belphie.

If Barbatos hadn’t erased that timeline then they most likely would have been stuck waiting for you to return, so Belphie can be free and you could have a reunion like this one.

Guilt pooled inside your stomach. Your hand that reached out for the scone Beel gave you froze in midair then lowered back down to your side.

That little gesture didn’t go unnoticed.

“Something wrong, MC?” Belphie asked, nuzzling into your right side a bit more. It took so much willpower in you to not tense up. You wished he wouldn’t act so comfortable with you after what he did.

But you didn’t want to ruin the happy atmosphere between the demons so you kept your complaints to yourself. You snapped out of your thoughts when you felt your cheek being poked with a finger repeatedly.

“Heeey, MC!” Asmo whined. “You’re spacing out.”

“I am?” You pretended to be unaware of the fact. “Sorry, I’m a bit tired after all that’s happened today,” you added. “Mind letting go? I’m gonna go to bed early.”

“Eh? Already?!”

“C'mon, stay a bit longer.”

——————————————————————————

You were relieved that you were able to get out of there and into your room. You weren’t even tired, just needed some time alone. To do what? You didn’t even know.

All you kept thinking about was how the brothers you knew were gone. It would seem ridiculous to anyone else, and you shared the same sentiment, but the guilt wouldn’t go away. And if your timeline still existed, would you have gone back? You didn’t know. You’d be leaving them without an MC so they most likely wouldn’t let you.

You were pulled away from your thoughts when there was a sudden knock on the door. “MC, may I come in?”

You were surprised to hear the butler at your door. Why was he here? You wanted to be alone and made up that lie about being tired. But it was foolish of you to think that you can fool demons, especially someone like Barbatos.

You walked to your door and opened it for him. He took in your appearance, noticing the fact that you were still in the same clothes. “You’re not very good at lying, MC,” he commented. You swore you saw his smile grow a bit wider.

“How observant you are, Barbatos,” you replied dryly. You weren’t in the mood to pretend that you were happy. “What is it? You’re the last person I want to see right now, but also the one I want to see the most.” In the end, you did step aside to let him in.

“I figured,” Barbatos followed you in then gently closed the door behind him. He only stood there, not making any move to actually sit down and neither did you. “I also figured that you keep thinking about them.”

Your shoulders tensed up when he brought it up and you folded your arms across your chest. You already knew what he was talking about and he was right. “How can I not, Barbatos?” You weren’t even going to try denying it.

“All I can think about is the time I spent with them and how they were waiting for me-,” you started. “And now they’re gone. I know it’s strange to say that when they’re here, believe me I do, but-”

You stopped yourself. You hadn’t meant to ramble on like that, especially with someone you hardly even know. However, the demon only looked at you intently, as if he was waiting for you to continue. After letting out a shaky sigh, you did. “It just feels like I lost them…”

After what seemed like hours of silence, even though it was only a moment, Barbatos finally spoke. “I understand,” he acknowledged. “And I’m not here to tell you how you’re supposed to feel,” he added.

“Although, I will leave you with this,” he began. “Not only do they look the same, they also have the same memories.” He suddenly placed a gloved hand on your shoulder.

“You’ll grow accustomed to them once you soon realize there is no difference between them.”

He gave your shoulder a light squeeze before leaving your room. You were now left alone with your thoughts as well as the tears that started to stream down your cheeks.