[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]

I've handled worse, I'll live.

[ He has a few more bites before he perks up, remembering something. ]

Ah. Stay right there, I'll be right back.

[ With that, he almost jumped out of the chair and went up the stairs, quick as ever. ]

[toremainbehind]

[Izumo blinks when Eric jumps out of the chair, disappearing upstairs soon enough.

He tilts his head a bit, but soon starts to clean up.]

[redstray]

[ Not very long after, Eric comes back down and walks over to his brother, holding out his hand to him.

Inside it was a small, broken ring. Mom's ring. He had kept it safe for quite a long while, though a piece that kept it on one's finger was broken, the stone was still there. ]

Here, you can borrow it.

[ He hands it to him. ]

It's good luck.

[toremainbehind]

[Izumo doesn't move to take the ring — not yet.

He stares down at it.] Are you sure?

[redstray]

[ He nods, practically pushing it towards Izumo. ]

You're the one leaving to another city, you need it more then I do.

[toremainbehind]

[In that case, Izumo accepts the ring, his fingers curling tightly around it.]

Well, if you insist.

[redstray]

I do.

[ He smiles, glad that his brother would take it. ]

Now you're all set.

[toremainbehind]

[Smiling slightly, Izumo places a hand on top of Eric's head.]

Make sure you stay in one piece until I get back, alright?

[redstray]

[ He pouts a little at first at the hand but smiles nonetheless, enjoying the comfort. It'll be a couple of months before he will feel it again]

Of course. I'm not you.

[toremainbehind]

You say that as if me being me is such a bad thing.

[redstray]

That depends. Your luck seems to say otehrwise

[toremainbehind]

I'm hurt that you're insinuating that I'm bad luck.

[redstray]

You have a tendency to have bad things happen to you

[toremainbehind]

It runs in the family.

[redstray]

Guess we're just cursed.

[ He wanted to say more but the bar door opened and in popped none other then Totsuka, smiling as usual. He greeted them both happily and Eric nodded in greeting as he once again went back to his food. ]

[toremainbehind]

[Izumo greets Totsuka, listening quietly to what he was saying.

However, his eyes fall downwards at the small box Totsuka presented him with, eyebrows furrowing questioningly until Totsuka tells him it's a gift.

Thanking him quietly, Izumo takes the box and looks over at the clock, taking in the time.

Now that Totsuka's here and done with his business, it's time for Izumo to go.]

[redstray]

[ Eric finished his breakfast, before looking over to his brother noticing the look. His stomach clenched when he realized what that meant.

Izumo was going to leave him.

He got off of his stool and stood close to his brother, taking a piece of his sleeve into his hand.

This had to happen, it was for the best...but that didn't make him feel less hurt by it. ]

[toremainbehind]

[When Eric comes to grab his sleeve, Izumo's expression softens and he places a hand on top of his brother's head.

He won't say any 'goodbyes' - he never liked the word, after all.

Even now, he won't say it.]

Remember, I'm just a phone call away. And if you ever start to miss me so much, just sing our song, alright?

[redstray]

[ He nods. He knows his brother won't say it, and he can't bring himself to say it either. Because what if he never came back if t was said? ]

You too...Make sure to call when you get there...and I'll call, every night.

[toremainbehind]

[He chuckles softly, patting Eric's head softly.]

I'm looking forward to it, then.

[Izumo lingers for a moment before he pulls his hand back, nodding to Totsuka.]

Anyway, I best get going now.

[redstray]

[ Totsuka nods in return as they make their way over to Izumo's car. ]

Be safe...and come back.

[toremainbehind]

I will.

[Putting his stuff in his car, he gives them one last smile before he slides into the driver seat.]

[redstray]

I love you, Izumo. Take care

[ Seeing him in the car was solidifying that Izumo was going to leave for two months. He was going to come back, but he still felt his heart and stomach clench in worry and loneliness already. ]

[toremainbehind]

As long as you do.

[Glancing over at Totsuka, Izumo nods to him before he turns his gaze back to his brother.]

Never forget that you have people around you now who will care for you. I'll call you the moment I arrive in the city and settled in.

[redstray]

I know, but they won't replace you. They never will but, I can wait for you to come back.