[How many times can we fall?]

[toremainbehind]

[It's been a week since they've managed to escape.

Neither of them knew who tipped someone off about their location, who helped them escape while everything became hacked and otherwise useless in keeping them contained. It had been their downfall to let Izumo stay in the frontline, his skills almost legendary now with how effective of an assassin he has become over time. Their downfall led to their deaths, and Izumo has ran away with Eric while the remnants of that group tried to go after them.

They didn't know where to go - who to turn to.

For them, this open world was a mystery, even if Izumo has more experience than Eric when it came to the outside world. There's no one they could trust, and little to no money to their name since their captors often took the money Izumo's earned for his kills. But Izumo is adaptable, taking odd jobs here and there in order to earn enough money to save up and find a place to stay.

It's only been a couple of days ago when Izumo first ran into the leader of HOMRA, the Red King and him having traded blows before it came to a tie. They went their separate ways shortly after when an informant came running towards them, Izumo having escaped before he could be questioned.

Now, he had taken Eric to a refuge in a motel. It's small and not one of the best, but it's the best Izumo could afford on such short notice when it became obvious to him when Eric has to rest again.

His right shoulder blade itched from the burns he received from Mikoto, but he ignores it in favor of in-between watching Eric sleep and looking out the window from his perch on the windowsill.]

Comments

[toremainbehind]

[It might take a couple of hours, in fact, it might seem like it's been all day.

However, Izumo's fingers twitches slightly, a slight flutter in his movements.

It was Totsuka who noticed first, despite Eric being the one by Izumo's side, and he hurries out of the room to inform a doctor while Fujishima steps up to Eric's side, gently coaxing him to pull back a little.]

[redstray]

[ He looks at Fujishima briefly, complying if only because he didn't want to act out and lose his visiting rights.

He watched as a few doctors came in with Totsuka. He didn't know what they were doing, but they kept checking machines, putting things on and off of his brother. He squeezed Fujishima's hand hard, wondering if this was a good thing or not. ]

[toremainbehind]

[The doctors check his vitals before one gently peeled an eye open to shine some light, seeing the pupil dilate.

As they finished, Izumo lets out a low sound, almost a groan as his fingers twitches again.]

[redstray]

Izumo!

[ He takes a step but the doctors tell him to keep his distance, asking the three to wait outside as they prepared and looked over anything.

Totsuka and Fujishima tried their best to reassure him, that everything will be okay.

The doctors exited out, saying they could see him again. He walks in again, slowly approaching the bed and staring at his brother. ]

...Izumo?

[toremainbehind]

[For a moment, Izumo says nothing, still on the verge of waking up.

But eventually, he does pry his eyes open, almost shutting them again at how blinding it was.

To the side, he could hear Totsuka talking, gently coaxing him to open his eyes again and Izumo eventually does.

He almost hisses, but once his vision adjusted, he takes a good look around the room.]

[redstray]

[ They told him to wait. They told him to not jump on him or else he could hurt him or trigger something.

But, beside the bed, shaking and tears falling, Eric gives a small smile to seeing his big brother alive and here and moving. ]

[toremainbehind]

[It takes a moment for Izumo to process everything, but when he's aware of the presence by his bed, his eyes shift over to see Eric.

He watches Eric for a moment, wondering why his brother is crying until a certain sentence appears in his head.

Just go ahead and disappear like you always do.

Izumo almost lurches back, quickly steadied by Totsuka, who stands by the other side of his bed and Izumo feels a brief pang of panic, his nerves feeling like they were on fire.]

[redstray]

I-Izumo you have to stay down.

[ He tries to help, stealing him with Totsuka as they both bring him back to the bed. ]

You're in the hospital just lie down!

[toremainbehind]

[His instincts are screaming at him to fight and run, to just gogogogogogo.

He almost grabs the first thing he could get his hands on, but Totsuka grabs him tightly, coaxing him to lie back down.

Eventually, Izumo calms down enough to obey, though he still looks around warily.]

[redstray]

[ He knows that look, those instincts. Izumo was suppose to fight before asking questions especially in foreign settings.

He switches to English, hoping that it would help. ]

You're okay, brother, just take it easy.

[ He started to pet his hair, knowing that it calmed him down. And quietly, he began to hum their song. He wasn't good at singing but humming was something he could do. ]

[toremainbehind]

[At hearing the English and the humming, Izumo gradually relaxes enough, finally registering where he is and who's with him.

Closing his eyes, he takes a few deep breaths before he reopens them.]

Eric, what happened?

[redstray]

You didn't come back home...almost two weeks...a lady in the Blues found you and brought you here but you weren't waking up. You were bleeding a lot and you couldn't wake up...But, you're up now.

[ He ignores the two confused looks that he was receiving, they had some English knowledge but he was speaking fast, more natural for Izumo then for those that needed to understand. ]

[toremainbehind]

[Izumo covers his eyes with his hand, struggling to remember.

He remembered pain, someone attacking him from behind.

He remembered laughter — sick and twisted as its delighted in his pain.]

Two weeks?

How bad was I injured?

[redstray]

Blood loss...was what they said

[ He turns to Totsuka, switching back to Japanese ]

Was that all?

[toremainbehind]

[Totsuka looks between the two before he tells Izumo in-depth about his injuries.

Izumo listens to it all calmly, his face revealing nothing about his thoughts as he took in how critical of a condition he was in before the lieutenant found him.

A frown briefly appears before he erases it as Totsuka stops explaining, a hint of concern as he asks Izumo if he's okay now.

He musters up a smile.] I'm fine. Just need to rest more is all.

[redstray]

[ Hearing the full extent of his injuries made him frown at Totsuka, not telling him just how bad condition he really was in. ]

Of course you need rest! Don't just get back up like you're fine!

[toremainbehind]

[Totsuka simply gives Eric a small smile, a clear indication he simply didn't want to worry him.

However, Izumo simply sighs, placing a hand on top of Eric's head in hopes of calming him.] If what Totsuka said is true, then the doctor said I'm nearly a hundred percent better. My lung's healing fine, and so are my ribs. Other than that, I'll just need to take it easy.

[He pauses, giving the other informant an almost wary look.] And then physical therapy since I've been in a coma for almost two weeks.

[redstray]

[ He looked away at the smile, he was going to worry anyways regardless, he didn't want to be treated like a child.]

...Just come home.

[toremainbehind]

[Here, it's Fujishima who steps up, saying Izumo needs to rest at the hospital for a few more days so the doctors can check on his condition.

Izumo, evidently, doesn't look the least bit happy, but he nods all the same. He shifts a bit on the bed, a look of discomfort flickering briefly on his face as he felt the phantoms of his injuries.]

[redstray]

I can't stay with you at night...

[ He doesn't like it, not sleeping knowing he's nearby. But he lowers his head in understanding. He saw the look of pain and his stomach twisted in guilt and worry. ]

So get better fast.

[toremainbehind]

You'll get to come and visit me tomorrow.

[He decides to simply lean back against his reclined bed (thanks to Totsuka) and breathes out an inaudible sigh of relief.]

I'll be fine, Eric. I've dealt worse than this.

[redstray]

I know but...

[ He opens his mouth to say more before he closes it again, clenching his fists a bit before shoving them into his pockets, standing up and walking out of the room. A moment after a surprised Fujishima chuckles out an apology and an excuse me before walking out and trailing after him. ]

[toremainbehind]

[Izumo doesn't stop Fujishima from following after Eric, already having a vague idea why his brother left so abruptly.

It's Totsuka who tells him how Eric's been faring since he's been missing, being told how Eric has blamed himself for his disappearance, and it makes Izumo sigh out.

But he simply asks the other informant to keep caring for his brother until he's released, being answered with a nod and a smile from Totsuka as the other tells him to get better soon before he walks out after Fujishima and Eric.

Izumo lies there on the bed, his eyes slipping close as he finally succumbs to the exhaustion he's been fighting ever since he woke up, knowing his body still needed its rest and he needed to be able to recover properly if he had any hopes of leaving the hospital soon.]

[redstray]

[ It takes a while before Fujishima calms Eric down but he refused to tell the others what was bothering him. As Totsuka came around they decided to head back to the bar to let everyone else know that Izumo was alive and well and awake.

As everyone cheered at the bar, Eric went into his room again, using the bed at least, he curled up and tried to fall asleep, waiting for tomorrow to he could see his brother again.

He was back, along with Totsuka, to the hospital. Eric was sitting on one of the chairs near the bed and Totsuka wandering around the room before deciding he need to get something to drink, leaving the two brothers alone. ]

[toremainbehind]

[Izumo watches Totsuka leave, absentmindedly rubbing his side.

He glances over at Eric, taking in his silent demeanor and held back a sigh. Instead, he allows a small smile to appear on his face.]

What's on your mind?