[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

[redstray]

[ He was probably still trying to ease his pain for him, but Eric could see it wasn't causing him too much discomfort. ]

I'm glad that you're okay.

[toremainbehind]

It'd be bad if I let something like this keep me down forever. [He gives a wry grin, knowing it might be too soon to joke about it.

But:] ...Have you been eating properly?

[redstray]

Don't joke about that kind of stuff...

[ Eric didn't want Izumo doing stuff that could cause him this much injury, he didn't want him to just laugh it off. Whe that question pops up, Eric tries to look anywhere but his brother, fidgeting with his hair.

But if they're being honest...]

...N-no...

[toremainbehind]

Sorry, sorry.

[Izumo's too used to ignoring his own pain, waving it off almost as if it was just a minor scratch. With no one to properly show him worry or concern when he was separated from his brother, he had to be able to shrug it off and simply move on.

He raises an eyebrow, though.]

Has Totsuka or Fujishima managed to make you eat even just a little while I've been out?

[redstray]

It's fine, just...be careful with saying stuff.

[ Like his words, they could be used to hurt even if unintentional.

A little more fidgeting. He would eat...if only a bite or two so...]

A little...anymore and I would feel sick.

[toremainbehind]

I will.

[He watches the fidgeting, a slightly tired smile on his face.]

At least you've been eating.

[redstray]

[ He looks at that smile, and it hits him back. Izumo is here, he's here and he's okay. ]

It's been hard. When Mikoto brought back only a few things...I thought...I thought you really had disappeared for good. And just thinking that...I was never in the mood to eat.

[toremainbehind]

I would never leave you, Eric. And even if I did, I want you to try and go one without me, hopefully using your memories of me to keep you living. I'm not enough to be your sole rock anymore - you have Fujishima and the others now, too.

[With the same smile on his face, he gestures Eric to come closer.]

[redstray]

You're still the largest, and most important rock.

[ As much as he enjoyed Homra and havjng Fujishima and Totsuka, there was still doubt there. Still some untrustworthy thoughts that sometimes he didn't want to be with them any more. But Izumo was an absolute, always an absolute.

He shuffles closer as his brother asked, sitting right at the front near his side. ]

[toremainbehind]

When the largest rock crumbles, the smaller ones will always be there to support it.

[Izumo knows his presence in Eric's life is a definite; they're each other's supports, each other's rocks, and sometimes, sole purpose for even existing.

But when Eric's close, he rests his forehead against his brother's.]

[redstray]

[ Eric nuzzles a little bit when their foreheads rest on each other, his eyes closed. Izumo's here, he's alive. Behind the hospital smell be could still smell his brother. Everything was alright again. ]

That doesn't mean that the big rock won't be missed.

[toremainbehind]

[Eric's presence is comforting, almost astoundingly so. It's not the first time Izumo's been near death, but never had he ever had his brother so close to him whenever he got over his experiences.

He keeps their foreheads together.]

At least the big rock has another big rock to keep it standing, too.

[redstray]

[ Eric's careful, keeping their foreheads together as he loops his arms around his brother, wanting to be as close as possible. ]

That rock is glad...to help when it feels useless at times.

[toremainbehind]

[He hums softly at feeling Eric hugging him, feeling his body ache in protest, but he ignores it in favor of simply having is brother close.]

Never useless, so stop thinking that.

[redstray]

[ He could list so many reason why it was the truth, why he barely functioned in the world and the only reason he wasn't worse was because of the bar and the people inside it. But he sighed]

You win, just for tonight.

[ The door opening and a cheerful Totsuka popping in causes Eric to jump, letting go of Izumo and remoiving his forehead. He looked down as the other continued to smile, blushing a bit.

He looked over at the patient, grinning as he said visiting hours were almost over and he was going to bring Eric home. Knowing this made his heart fall as he looked over at his brother, not wanting to go and leave him again. ]

Izumo...

[toremainbehind]

[When Totsuka bursts in, Izumo sends him an irritated look, one that's returned with a wide grin.

He shakes his head, quiet as Totsuka tells them that visiting hours are almost over. Seeing the look on Eric's face, he allows a soft smile to appear.]

It'll be okay. You can just come back and see me tomorrow, Eric.

[Because he knows how much Eric is reluctant to leave him; he'd do the same if he was in his brother's position. However, rules are rules, and Izumo didn't want any trouble in the hospital.]

I'll still be here.

[redstray]

[ He knew he would have to leave, but hearing Izumo's reassurance was a big help to ease any anxiety he might have tonight. ]

I'll be here as soon as I can. Goodnight Izumo.

[toremainbehind]

Good night.

[His smile widens slightly.]

Be sure to eat properly, alright?

[redstray]

[ he gives a small pout ]

Only if you get out of here sooner.

[toremainbehind]

As long as I rest properly, I'll be out here soon enough. Now, behave for Totsuka and Fujishima.

[redstray]

I will...

[ The next day, visiting hours open and Eric does not show right away. One hour passes, two, and no sign of anyone in Homra. Not a few hours later in the early afternoon does anyone come to visit him.

Eric looked tired with a small bandage on his hand. Fujishima looked even more so and Totsuka still smiled, but there was tiredness around his eyes as well.]

S-sorry for being late, Izumo. How are you?

[toremainbehind]

[Izumo doesn't say anything for a moment as he eyes the trio.

He looks at Fujishima, who immediately looks away from his gaze, and then at Totsuka, who gives him what could appear to be a guilty smile.

Shifting his gaze back at Eric, he blinked slowly.]

I'm fine. What the hell happened to you three?

[redstray]

[ Eric shuffled his feet a bit. ]

Some people, attacked the bar last night, with rocks through the windows... Fujishima was staying on the couch and tried to chase them but they slipped away. Everyone's been looking to see who did it all day...

[toremainbehind]

[His eye twitches at hearing someone attacked his bar - his home.]

There weren't any clues?

[redstray]

[ He shakes his head ]

We couldn't find any...but Mikoto thinks it might be the guys that attacked you. They're targeting all of Homra now.