The Throne I Left

The plan was simple.

Johan had heard from Erika, the old lady selling svele, that a certain someone was back in Solstad. At first he had been concerned about it, but it didn’t take long to realize that the ‘when’ and ‘where’ between them in the city didn’t have any overlap. Afterall, Solstad was a big city and the market was only a small part of it.

The chance of being found at the fishing booths, all the way by the pier, was tiny, not to mention nobody would think to look for them there. In the end Johan had ignored the possible danger…but now the situation had changed.

“There he is.” Johan grinned, eyes finally finding the blond in the crowd.

“Who?” Note asked with a frown.

“That’s him.” Johan informed with a small laugh. True enough, he had changed quite a bit since Note last saw him.

“That’s him?!” Note burst out in shock as his head snapped to follow the head bobbing through the crowd.

Again, the plan was simple.

Signe had burst out laughing when he had explained it. Johan had honestly been expecting Note to argue, seeing as the two of them used to be very close, but the only reaction Johan had gotten was a raised eyebrow. Their bond must have really taken a hit when Note was killed.

“Yep, that’s him.” Johan confirmed happily.

“Wow, he actually looks cool now.” Signe commented in surprise before a sinister grin spread across her face. “Hah, that’s a surprise.”

“He changed so much…” Note wondered aloud, staring at Frey from their spot on the stairs of the fake Fortune Hall. Johan nodded, he really did. Four years was a long time.

“Note, he’s your friend. You get the honor.” Johan said. This was going to be so fun.

Note shook his head, looking constipated.

Huh, was he finally drawing the line? Fine, Signe could do it. Johan knew she had been itching to do something like this.

She met his eyes gleefully, and the second he gave the nod, she was off. A manic smile on her face as she set her eyes on the target.

“Hm.” Johan watched her as she stalked through the crowd, then he skipped down the steps after her, only throwing a smile back at Note where he sat frowning. “Come on.”

They quickly got to the alley behind fake Fortune Hall and Johan settled his eyes on the entrance, ready for the show.

He didn’t have to wait long.

“Heyheyhey, I didn’t do it!” Frey came into view screeching, Signe following right behind him with an iron grip on his hoodie. She slung him into the alley and right up against the wall. A strong hand fell on the wall beside his head, cracking the brick beneath.

“I’m not the one you’re looking for!” Frey cowered, the black hood hiding his face and hair as he ducked down.

“Oh yeah?” Signe purred, leaning closer. “I think you are exactly who I’m looking for, Pride.”

Frey physically startled at the title and his eyes widening as he slowly turned to look down at Signe. His face paled in recognition.

“Death…” Frey sucked in a breath and swallowed. Then he frowned, his eyebrows drawing closer as his head snapped up.

Wild eyes met Johan’s, but only for a second before they moved on to who he was really looking for. The blue eyes settled on something right over Johan’s shoulder, exactly where Note would be standing.

“Note!” Frey burst out, eyes wide. His lips quivered as he stared, eyes shining bright. Then he seemed to realize the situation, eyes quickly flickering between the three of them and Signe’s hand on his chest. A pearl of sweat ran down from his temple.

“Hello.” Johan waved, very pleased when he saw Frey visibly restraining himself from moving.

Signe snorted and backed off and without a moment to spare, Frey threw himself at Note. Johan had seen it coming and quickly stepped out of the way as the shorter man came barreling past. On the way his hoodie fell down, his messy blond hair appearing as he dug his face deep into Note’s chest and wrapped his arms tightly around him.

Johan watched as Note stumbled back in shock, eyes wide. Surprisingly though, he didn’t hug back right away. First he looked at both Johan and Signe, searching for something. Whatever it was though, he didn’t find it and finally his face fell and he hugged Frey back.

Johan eyed the scene with a sigh.

Well, at least it wasn’t Wrath. Out of all the sins Pride was the one that annoyed Johan the most. He was extremely annoying, afterall. But he did get plus points for not actively trying to kill them, which was a nice change from the rest. He also really cared for Note, so Johan couldn’t completely hate him.

Back in the day, Note and Frey had been inseparable. They, together with the sin Wrath, had formed a trio that Johan would rarely see split up.

Johan remembered one time the two of them had followed while Wrath was antagonizing Signe. The only time it had happened, as they had quickly jumped into the fight the second Sloth and Gluttony appeared by Signe’s side, trying to stop her before she could get her axe.

“Ok, this is lovely and all.” Johan said after a good few minutes had passed and the two still hadn’t let go of each other. “But I do want to get this done today.”

The words seemed to work because they quickly jumped apart. Note cleared his throat awkwardly as Frey turned to Johan.

“You,” Johan pointed at Frey. “Are going to get us into heaven.”

Frey’s jaw dropped. “Are you- what…again?!”

Johan stared impassively, then gave a short nod.

Frey looked around for support, however he must have forgotten the only other people in the alley were Note and Singe, and neither of them were the most self-preservative of people. Note could potentially pick his side, but he didn’t.

Frey huffed, hands moving to his hips in frustration. “Last time you ditched me! I was waiting for you, you know! I don’t even know how you got out. What makes you think I’ll help you again?”

“Oh, come on. We both knew I wouldn’t come back to you.” Johan grinned easily.

Frey spluttered. “I didn’t-”

“You deserved it anyway for sending Sloth with me. Him and Envy.” Johan stepped closer, grin falling and his voice lowering. “They almost got us. This time that won’t happen, because we’ll get rid of you as soon as you’ve done your job.”

“He’s a copy?” Signe asked, suddenly interested.

“Yeah, you can see the mark on his arm.” Johan nodded at where Frey’s hoodie had slid up his arm during his hug with Note. The blond hurriedly pulled it back down when Signe turned her eyes on him, but it was too late, they had already seen the two black lines running from the inside of his elbow all the way down to his wrist.

All Frey’s copies had that on both arms, the only difference was the number of lines.

“Oh, hey...” Signe grinned, stepping closer.

“Stop messing with him, it’s still Frey.” Note said sternly, glaring at them. “He hasn’t done anything.”

“Outside of killing you and Signe and almost doing it again by selling us out to the other sins?” Johan asked with a smile. “Sure, he hasn’t done anything other than that.”

Note’s fists clenched by his side.

Frey looked confused, eyes watching the two as they argued. “I didn’t-”

“Shut up.” Note and Johan snapped simultaneously. Frey shrunk down under their glares.

“Nothing to say, Note?” Johan stepped closer and ran a hand over his chest, keeping his smile as Note fumed, unable to deny it. He patted Note’s chest, right where the scar would be, once, twice- but just as he started to withdraw his hand Note grabbed it.

Johan felt his smile twitch, eyes darkening. Johan tried to pull his hand free but Note only held tighter, refusing to let him step away.

“It doesn’t matter what he did. He’s my friend, and I’m alive now. ” Note insisted gently, moving Johan’s hand to his heart. “Feel. My heart beats. I’m alive. I’m right here. The past will stay in the past. Mistakes happen.”

Johan ripped his hand free.

“Mistakes don’t take lives.” Johan snapped. “He knew something was going to happen. It doesn’t matter that he didn’t cut you down, or that he tried to help me. He was still an accomplice.”

“Johan!” Note hissed, breathing angrily. Johan rolled his eyes.

“Fine! One against one! Signe.” They both turned to her. She looked back in surprise, both her hands holding onto one of Frey’s in what would be a friendly image in different circumstances.

She raised an eyebrow at the sudden attention. In front of her Frey looked sick, standing as far away as he could with his hands in her grip.

Johan knew she would side with him. She didn’t even like Frey in the first place, even if she thought he looked cool now that wouldn’t change anything when he used to help Wrath annoy her.

“I vote not kill.” Signe said, raising one hand from Frey’s in a pledge.

Right, just like he expected- Wait.

“What?!” Johan stared.

Note gave him a triumphant look.

“He’s useful. And he’s going to remember either way.” She explained. “He has seen us, might as well delay how quickly the original gets to know.”

“Oh.” Johan said stupidly. That was right, there were only two ways the original got his copies’ memories; if they died, or if they made it back to him.

“Unless he gets in the way, then we kill him.” She continued. Frey made a startled sound.

“Uhm. I hate, and I mean really, really, I hate to say this.” Frey started silently, face pale and sweat pearling at his temples, wide eyes avoiding them. He slowly pulled up the sleeve of his hoodie.

“I’m not a copy.” Frey finished weakly.

Johan froze. The black tattoo stood in contrast to his pale skin, but instead of two lines…there was only one.

Yikes.

He had been so sure there were two lines. Frey watched them with wide, scared eyes. Johan almost wanted to laugh.

“We’re not killing you, don’t worry.” Note said, staring at Johan.

He huffed. No, he supposed not. Johan didn’t like Frey. But killing the original…was too far. Or...was it? He did kill Note and Signe. Well, not personally, but he still was a part of it. But...Johan did grow up with him? Though they didn’t like each other even back then. Hmm.

“Well, what are we going to do with him then?” Johan asked, feeling tired. Why did it suddenly have to get so complicated?

Note hummed, a finger on his chin as he thought.

“You don’t need to do anything with me, you can trust me!” Frey insisted. “Or… you could bring me with you?”

“Not happening.” Johan muttered.

Frey did get kicked out of Heaven, maybe it didn’t matter what he knew?

Johan looked at Frey. Really looked. He didn’t look very good. Even if they hadn’t just been talking about killing him, Frey looked sick. Why was he even out today? In a mask and hoodie, his fele on his back. Frey was the kind of person that always wanted to be in the spotlight, and if he didn’t then he would disappear until he felt better. Since he became part of the sins, Johan could count on one hand how many times he had seen Frey low on energy.

Though maybe it was just the sins? Frey hadn’t always been like this. Johan remembered before he became Pride, he would always stay in the shadow, never wanting attention. Maybe now that he wasn’t with them anymore, he went back to who he was before?

Johan doubted it.

“What are you doing out today?” Johan asked.

“What? Oh.. oh I was just partying.” Frey grinned, scratching the back of his neck in an attempt, yes attempt, of seeming casual. Johan could see straight through him.

“Mhm.” Came drily from Signe. She must have noticed something too. She waved something in the air. “Do you always go partying armed?”

Johan watched with wide eyes as blood ran down the blade of the dagger, then dripped to the ground.

That was…disturbing. The blade wasn’t even transformed back to the ring it normally was. What was Frey really doing in the city?

“I do. But that’s not why I’m here today. You’re right.” Frey started, gaining confidence as he spoke. He raised his head, looking straight into Johan’s eyes as he continued. “But I can't say. Not yet.”

Not yet?

“So we will know?” Johan asked after a moment. It was a test. To see if Frey would tell the truth or lie.

Frey hesitated for a second.

“It won’t affect you but…” Frey answered, struggling to find the right words. Johan raised his eyebrows. Was he actually telling the truth? “It won’t be.. You won’t.” He cocked his head and sighed. “It’s complicated. It shouldn’t affect you, and you won’t know.”

Huh. Johan tok a breath, releasing it slowly.

“Fine.” Whatever. As long as it didn’t affect them.