[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]

[Izumo gently makes sure Eric's comfortable, tucking him in properly, and sitting on the edge of the bed as he gently swipes Eric's bangs to the side]

They wanted to come and check up on you.

[redstray]

[ He leans into the touch a bit, knowing that he won't feel this soon for who knows how long. ]

Shouldn't have kicked them out...tell them sorry... And if...if they want to come back...

[ He forces his eyes open, his vision blurry and dizzy. He glanced at the blob that was his brother. ]

I'm okay...

[toremainbehind]

I'll talk to them. They've been understanding lately.

[He gives Eric a soft smile.]

Even so, they worry about you, too.

[redstray]

[ They've always been understanding, the wouldn't hurt them, he knows that. He feels bad for thinking whoever made the choice for this was just trying to hurt them. They all cared and he cared about them. How could he even think they were bad people? ]

What's going to...happen when I'm better?

[toremainbehind]

When you're better, we'll need to be apart for a while.

It won't be forever, but we need to put some distance between us if both of us want to be able to heal properly.

[redstray]

Where will we...we be going?

[toremainbehind]

[Izumo pauses, looking pained briefly.]

We won't be together, Eric. Totsuka and Fujishima will be taking care of you here. I'll be leaving the city.

[redstray]

[ He figured that those two would be the ones to take care of him. They were all going to have to take care of the bar but keep it closed. But hearing 'leaving the city' caused some panic. ]

The city? Where...where out of the city?

[toremainbehind]

I'll just be going to the next city, I won't be too far.

[He gives Eric a small smile.]

If anything, I'll just be a phone call away.

[redstray]

[ That seemed just as far enough if he was halfway across the world. the farthest they ever have been. Where was he going to stay? How was he going to get by? It was all new over there... ]

Everyday...I'll call...

[ He shakes his head, trying to clear it. Nothing was clear anymore but he wanted to stay awake, stay with hie brother. He had a limited time with him. ]

How...how long...how long will you be...be gone?

[toremainbehind]

[He has already made the necessary arrangements, having managed to find a place to stay with Totsuka's help since the informant had been generous enough to give him connections.]

I'll be looking forward to your calls then.

[Izumo notices Eric struggling to stay awake so he places a hand on his brother's head.]

A couple of months at the most.

[redstray]

You...you do that too...call...

[ He nuzzles his head into his hand , enjoying the warmth. ]

Are you sure? So long...

[toremainbehind]

I will.

[Izumo smiles slightly.]

I'm sure. You'll see; I'll be back before you know it. Two months isn't that long.

[redstray]

...I trust you.

[ His eyes are closed now, nodding off every so often before coming back. ]

Going to miss you

[toremainbehind]

I'll miss you, too.

Now, get some rest.

[redstray]

mm

[ He barely heard the last part before he was back asleep ]

[toremainbehind]

[Once Eric's asleep, Izumo makes sure he's tucked in before he leaves.

Totsuka is the first to approach him, his smile soft and almost guilty, but Izumo simply shakes his head.

For now, he'll make do and start packing for his two month trip. It'll be the longest he's ever been away from his brother, but he knew it was necessary. It had taken everyone to make Izumo see that his relationship with his brother is dangerous, knowing it would only hurt them more than heal.

It's why the distance is necessary.

Izumo doesn't like it, but he'll have to make do, knowing it would certainly help.]

[redstray]

[ Eric heals. The drug leaving his system faster everyday, enough to leave his room and relax downstairs to see everyone. The burns as well, luckily not needing a skin graft for the worst of it, though he couldn't feel that part of his skin, he wasn't bothered by it, scars were scars.

The more he got better though, the more dread that began to knot into his stomach. Fujishima and Totsuka helped to explain why Izumo was leaving. He didn't really get it, but if it meant Izumo would be better he'll tolerate it. The others would be with him, so it wasn't all bad.

Eric was currently taking it easy on one of the stools at the bar, staring into space. Today was relatively drug free besides a small dizzy spell going down the stairs. Though a headache might form if the idiots continued their boisterous laughter. ]

[toremainbehind]

[When Eric gets better, or at least, up and moving, Izumo could feel himself begin to dread it.

It's horrible of him to hope Eric would take longer to recover as it meant he would get to stay longer, but he knew he couldn't do that. He knew he couldn't put it off any longer, and he had given his word to Totsuka that once Eric is better, he'll leave.

Today is the last day he would get to spend with Eric before he has to go.

He was showing Chitose and Dewa how to work the bar, knowing they were the only two he could somewhat depend on properly when it came to keeping it in business. They weren't sure of what's going on, but accepted it, anyway as they were taught everything before finally getting a break to spend time with the others.

Izumo shifts his gaze to the side to look at Eric, walking over to his brother and smiling.]

Is the noise getting too much for you?

[redstray]

It's fine.

[ He shakes his head, watching the idiots do what idiots do. He was keeping a straight face but so much was going on in his head. Fear, nervousness, anger, that all eh could do was keep calm. ]

Are you all ready?

[toremainbehind]

I am.

[Too bad for Eric, Izumo can see right through that straight face.

His smile softens lightly as he places a hand on top of Eric's head.]

Remember that I'm just a phone call away, and be sure to tell me if these idiots end up destroying my bar while I'm gone.

[redstray]

[ He knows he can't get past his brother and he takes the hand to his head. it would be one of the last in a long while after all.

He gets him to do a small chuckle at that, a small smile. ]

I will. I'm surprised you're leaving it open to allow those idiots to use it.

[toremainbehind]

[Izumo lets Eric hold his hand, looking back over at the others.]

I was thinking about closing it, but we still need to get money somehow.

[Though, he is already dreading how the bar will be when he returns.]

[redstray]

[ He squeezes his hand. ]

I'll keep them in line.

I know you're ready...but...are you sure this is a good idea?

[ He has to try, one last time ]

[toremainbehind]

I'm counting on you.

[He takes out a cigarette, but he doesn't light it yet.

Eric's still healing, and just the click of the lighter is enough to send him on edge. It's taken some convincing from him to have Mikoto not smoke around his brother, too.]

I am. It'll be dangerous for me to be around you in my current condition, and this way, both of us will be able to heal properly.