toremainbehind | Drabble 02 | We can't be heroes

"Either you do as we say or your brother suffers."

The words repeated itself in his head, a broken record that simply won't cease.

He ignored the blood staining his hands as his 'employers' examined his work. The sick pleasure on their faces made him clench his jaw and bite his tongue. If he spoke out, he'd get punished, and as a result, it meant his brother would get punished. He wasn't blind when he saw the new bruises that often decorated his younger brother's body whenever he had the chance to visit him, or rather, was rewarded with being allowed to see him.

Every fibre in his body called, demanded, him to fight back and get revenge on these people who dared to separate him from his remaining family.

His fingers twitched with the temptation, the warmth of the blood seeping through his skin as a cold reminder of the life he was forced into. He longed to be able to have that sense of freedom, but he couldn't.

Not until he could manage to find a safer way for them to escape.

"You did good, brat. You can see him."

At the permission, he gave a low bow of thanks before he headed to the room where he knew his brother was located.

It was already late at night, meaning Izumo could only be with the younger until sunrise.

Which meant only for a few hours.

Holding back the curse that threatened to escape, he slipped into the room his brother was in after one of the others opened the door for him. His eyes scanned the room, easily adjusting to the darkness their 'employers' enjoyed putting his brother in. When he caught sight of a curled up figure in the corner, he walked over to him.

"Eric."

The call of the name in English caused his brother to sit up straight, eyes wide.

Then Izumo felt a body tackle him, arms wrapped tightly around his waist.

He returned the embrace just as tight, a slight frown on his face when he noticed how thinner his brother had gotten. Eric had always been thin, seemingly unhealthy, and Izumo knew that.

He knew, but he could never do anything about it.

The anger and guilt rose up inside of him, but he pushed it down. Right now, he was reunited with Eric, no matter how briefly, and he intended to make this moment.

So he moved them to the wall, leaning against it while Eric was cradled against his chest.

Running his fingers through his brother's hair, Izumo was briefly reminded of their childhood with their family, recalling how Eric would get upset and frightened whenever their parents even so much as raised their voice at him. He recalled how Eric would slip into his room in the dead of night, clinging onto him with whimpers of a nightmare.

As the memories continued to assault him, Izumo found himself start to sing, the familiar lyrics wafting through the air. He felt Eric slowly relax in his arms, a smile flickering on his face when he heard the younger shakily start to sing along with him.

It wasn't perfect.

It was far from it.

But for now, it would have to do.